The Good

Happy New Year to everyone. A few days ago I went with my Festivus wishes and now it’s time to end the holiday season on a happier note with mentions of those and those things that are good things this year. Let’s get to it…

The Ricketts Family – You went out and got THE guy in Theo Epstein. That’s awesome. You’ve also invited ASU into your Spring Training ballpark (and yes, that’s not totally sitting well with ASU traditionalists, but heck I love it) and that’s cool. So the team stunk this last year. You’re making moves to improve it going forward. So far so good.

Baseball Hall of Fame Veterans Committee – Better late than never when it comes to putting Ron Santo into the Hall of Fame. Good job and I’ll make sure I have some Kleenex nearby when I watch his family give his Hall of Fame speech.

Carolyn Stanley – We have ups and our downs but she really is a terrific real estate partner to have. I feel that we work very well together and I think it was a good year that will lead to an even better 2012.

The Landmark – Great job with the rebuild. I love the patio, the food is good. I can’t wait to see the progress that I’m sure you’ll continue to make over the next year.

Diamond Point Shadows – Same great steaks and great bar chat as always. They’ll be turning 50 in 2012, all 50 years operated by the same family. I always love stopping by.

Mark Paliscak, lender – Did a great job for my parents when they bought up here. Very good on communication. Quality lender.

The Scenery of the Payson area – It never gets old, it never gets old. Absolutely beautiful and it never ceases to amaze.

Traditional music at Mount Cross – Victoria Harris does a great job making it easy for me to enjoy playing Trumpet there. Great Christmas musical selection. All the folks in the program are terrific as well.

Brad Cesmat – Very, very glad to hear him back on the radio from 12-2 on 910 AM. Hands down the best local sports show. Also has been a pro-football at Tontozona person.

Scott Peters – Insightful opinions from this ex-player have been a rare bright spot in a year filled with ASU lowlights. And yes, he’s another pro Tontozona person.

Mike Watkiss – I really enjoy seeing his posts on Facebook and it’s made me really realize just how great of an investigative reporter this man is. We’re very lucky to have him on the Phoenix case beat.

Sara Ganim – Gutsy journalism in covering the Sandusky Penn State case. Gotta give props.

The League – Dirty as all get out, but as someone who plays Fantasy Football, fittingly hilarious. Lots of gutbusting laughs for me.

Sons of Anarchy – Truly one of the best shows on TV.

Rest of friends and family – You know who you are. 

Tim's Festivus Greetings

Happy Festivus everyone! Screw the “naughty or nice” list of Christmas. It’s time for me to rip on a bunch of people for disappointing me this year. The “good” list will be released on Christmas. Let’s get started…

Vontaze Burfict – Oh ‘taze. Sun Devil Nation had such high hopes for you this year. We saw the talent, we recognized the youth, and thought that this was surely the year you’d break out. Our bad. Maybe, just maybe you’ll grow up in the NFL. If not, no I would not like to large size my meal.

Carlos Zambrano – I feel for you Z. I really do. I have anger management issues just like you and I’d like to think I have the enormous upside that you’ve had. But sadly you’ve become Example No. 1 in wasting talent. I know you’ve got heart, I know you’ve got skill, but dang it, why can’t you put the two together consistently? It looks like Cubs fans will be stuck with you to start 2012, but let’s face it, we both know the truth. It’s just a matter of time before you stink up the joint and blow up again, and this time Theo will kiss you buh-bye.

ASU Administration – Thanks for making all of us alums look like total jerks while you butchered our coaching search. You’ve taken our traditions and trashed them, are out of touch with fan base and ex-players, and seem to have egos the size of Rush Limbaugh. Don’t be offended when we celebrate your departures over the next few years – you got a few too years too long as it is ruining our program.

Dennis Erickson – You’ve already been fired, and I leaned towards leaving you off this list. But the Vegas Bowl performance changed my mind. Couldn’t you have stayed off Valley golf courses for a couple weeks and at least feigned an effort? Heck, if ASU had even sort of showed up maybe some idiots would’ve hired you. No discipline, no heart, no soul. Dude, you are an example of how some “successful” people aren’t worth a crap and have simply gotten lucky.

Organizations in Payson – I could name names here and create a lot of heat…so I won’t. (As tempting is it may be.) But let’s face it, we have a lot of non-governmental organizations who are not carrying their weight in this region. What the heck, are y’all looking to Dennis Erickson for inspiration?! Get off your butts, show some heart, pretend to actually give a darn about others instead of your own pathetic ego. Stop putting your hands on your hips and acting like a college will make everything better – if you guys still suck this bad even once we get it, it won’t matter all that much, we’ll still be going backwards. We can do so much better. Think. Ponder. Innovate.

ESPN/Craig James – Really, you kept this douchebag on air all season long? For one, the guy is very tough to listen to. 2nd, he clearly has no credibility (see his AP voting), and 3rd the character of him is a serious doubt. Naturally of course he has now stepped away to run for office. Foolish.

Any identifying feature withheld – You never want to have to switch horses, but this person pretty much forced it. Just as Dennis Erickson is someone who has gotten perpetually lucky, I think this person is the same. Pathetic.

Robert Sarver – I’m old enough to have grown up somewhat in the era of Phoenix where you had two teams growing up: either ASU or UA and the Phoenix Suns. But this guy has absolutely ruined it. Instead of blowing up the team this year, he’s trying to contend for the 8^th seed of the playoffs because that’s the best thing for his pocketbook, never mind that it’s in the best long term interests of the franchise. Sadly, I suspect this’ll be the modus operandi for the franchise in the near to mid-term future. Just look at the exodus of talent from that organization over the past few years. D’Antoni, Kerr, and Rick Welts. It speaks volumes and it all goes back to this man. In the meantime, go Thunder!

Cracks about the Occupy Protesters – Occupy a job? Um, not that easy with the current unemployment rate. Show a little more respect for these folks.

Occupy Protesters – Remember, I’m an equal opportunity ripper. Look, you can’t expect to stay in a city park for weeks on end. You just can’t. I don’t agree with some of the cracks about you, but you aren’t always helping those who defend you.

The Media – Long ago has sold its soul and often has no guts. Tools of the elite and powerful many times at its worst. Mind you, there are exceptions, look for them on my Christmas Day list.

Myself – I rip on others, but make no bones about it, there are some things I can do a lot better. It’s been a good year, but I too have to improve and be more consistent. There’s more I could go into, but I won’t here. Let’s go kick some butt.

Christopher Creek on the Rise and Other Payson Area Thoughts

I lead this post off with news about the Christopher Creek area, located about 20 miles northeast of Payson. This is a wonderful second home area with some cute cabins in and around it. In real estate terms, this area covers a fairly broad area, encapsulating areas within 15-20 minutes of it.

In the past this place has had a couple of different restaurant/bar establishments: Creekside and Landmark. Both have undergone ownership changes in the past few years and the latter is in the process of being rebuilt. Creekside recently changed management yet again and there is good news to report. The buzz is very positive with food quality reportedly up and prices down. Sounds like it's time to go visit Creekside again. There is similarly positive word about the Landmark. I've been told that it's just a couple weeks away from re-opening. The new structure is fabulous according to multiple people I've talked to. This new incarnation will have a fabulous patio area on the creek and the inside is quite nice too. Supposedly they will start with booze and a light bar menu, perhaps eventually expanding to it from there. Folks are very upbeat and the owners have thrown tremendous Fourth of July parties on the property the past two years. 

The character of Christopher Creek has changed significantly in recent years with Highway 260 being changed so that it bypasses it, instead of running right through it. This change also seemed to coincide with a period of shaky management, but the light seems to be appearing at the end of the tunnel. The Christopher Creek Lodge and Grey Hackle Lodge have come under new ownership in the past couple years, both being owned by the same owner, and the Christopher Creek Lodge now has a billboard in Star Valley. There appears to be positive momentum getting started and this area could soon become a great spot once again.

Onto other notes...

Locals are tired of hearing about a potential Arizona State University campus. While many Phoenicians have yet to hear about it, locals perceive it to be overhyped. Many smart folks whom I respect don't believe it'll ever happen. I'm a little more optimistic, but clearly it's time for Payson Mayor Kenny Evans and the local media to dial down the hype machine. We don't need a front page story about it every week. Lay low a little bit and let us know when the paperwork is signed or the deal completely dead. It's rubbing people a little wrong by now.

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AHCCCS cuts seems to be a legitimate concern to hospital people in Payson. The proposed Arizona budget takes substantial bites out of their funding and it is unlikely to be lessened. We have diligent doctors and nurses in this area whose concern is worth noting. People who will no longer be covered under AHCCCS will not simply go away, but somehow the hospital will have to pay for their care. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised to see staff cuts across the state which would ultimately diminish the quality of care that people will receive. I suspect many hospitals will try to do more with less. An interesting story and one with uniform concern. Stay tuned...

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Spring is here? The weather has turned beautiful this week and we're no longer freezing at night under the Rim. I am thankful to have been able to uncover my roses and am looking forward to a strong early crop of peas. I've put lots of horse manure in my garden and think it will be strong this year.

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Real estate quarterly numbers will be forthcoming in early April. My partner Carolyn Stanley and I have had a great run to start the year but overall numbers aren't substantially different from last year thus far. While valley residents don't look forward to the 100 degree heat, we do - it drives buyers up here who wish to enjoy our wonderful climate and cooler temperatures. It also makes for great hiking weather.