A Filipino-Spanish Restaurant in Rancho Cordova, California

I was browsing for Pilipino food and was longing for Lengua Mechada, a dish that Macrine loves to cook and I love to devour with gusto. However, this dish is not an ordinary dish in a typical Pinoy Family. Usually it is only prepared for special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries. However, this new restaurant only a few minutes from Fair Oaks, has this dish in their menu including Seafood Paella and other Filipino-Spanish Party dishes. Too Bad I am moving, but hopefully there will be a high class restaurant serving Spanish-Filipino dishes in the Walnut Creek Area. I know they have SeaFood City in Concord. But knowing and shopping at other SeaFood City stores, the menu in their restaurant are the common Pinoy Food.  Here's a brief description of Fiesta Philippines, Rancho Cordova from their website.   

"Our restaurant is operated by three native-born Filipinos whose interests in cooking began at a young age learning from family members. With a primary background in Filipino dishes, they expanded their skills from working at various Filipino-Spanish restaurants in the Philippines and in California. At Fiesta Philippines, our kitchen elevates Filipino cuisine with the infusion of Spanish flavors into our dishes". Here are my favorite Spanish-Filipino dishes.

Paella Espanola - Medium

Signature Spanish dish embellished with Chorizo de Bilbao, mussels, shrimp, and chicken

$25

Paella Espanola - Large

Signature Spanish dish embellished with Chorizo de Bilbao, mussels, shrimp, and chicken

$35

Paella Negra

Signature Spanish dish infused with saffron cooked in squid ink

$34

Beef Lengua

Thinly sliced beef tongue in mushroom sauce

$25

Beef Callos

Beef tripe and ox feet in tomato sauce

$24

Camarones Al Ajillo

Shrimp sautéed in garlic and olive oil

$23

For more details and additional menu, appetizers, desserts, drinks visit:

https://www.fiestaphilippines.restaurant/

Here are 2 reviews of the restaurant

1. Simply put, the food was as authentic as it gets. Sinigang was perfectly sour, with the fish and bakchoy well prepared. Calamares paired well with the soy sauce. The beef tapa meal reminded me of my Lola’s breakfasts and had me licking my plate! Service was also great, our server checked up on us periodically, as well as the hosts. Decor inside the restaurant was spectacular, colorful flags lining the ceiling, a cute rose wall for social media, and a cute bahay kubo-style wall decor, lots of attention to detail. Being a Filipino immigrant and having eaten at plenty of Filipino restaurants in the Sacramento area, this is definitely a place to check out! Will be returning and bringing my extended family!

2. This is an upscale Filipino restaurant, a go to place to relax and enjoy authentic Filipino cuisine. The food is awesome, the ambiance is warm and joyful, the staff and management were extremely welcoming and helpful. I really enjoyed eating there. Tasty, fresh and authentic. Thank you for opening this much needed oasis in Sacramento Marvin David and company.

Its just too bad, I am moving and will not be able to taste their Beef Lengua and/or their Paella dishes. 

 

My Kimball Artist Console Upright Piano Needs A Home

Because I am moving, I advertised my Kimball, Artist Console Piano Upright with Bench for $300. The value as listed in the link below ranged from $1000-1500 depending on the condition of the Piano. My ad had run for 2 weeks now, so far I have no response. The future buyer of my house casually mentioned she will buy the piano, but as of today I have not heard from her. I have an Estate Sale scheduled for either the 2nd or 3rd Weekend of June. After the Estate Sale if the Piano is not sold, it will go to the Dumpster. It will be a shame if this happens. 

Today, I have been asking relatives if they need a Piano. It will be free and available after my Estate Sale. So if you know of someone who may want my Piano (photo above), it will be available after my Estate Sale on the 3rd Week of June, otherwise it will be in the Dumpster on the end of June, when the buyer of my house takes possession of the house and the future owner of my home do not want it.       
 

For details on the values of Kimball Pianos visit this link:

https://www.digitalpianoreviewguide.com/kimball-piano-value/

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of my creation- a cacti terrarium to honor the Heroes of Memorial Day.

 

A Delicious Pinoy Lunch at Yuka and Alex Residence Today

On my last week in Fair Oaks, I finally had lunch at the residence of Yuka and Alex in Roseville, CA today. The menu is shown in the photo above. Yuka purchased these dishes from the Oriental Market in Harding Blvd. We have 2 kinds of calderetta ( goat and beef), beef soup, mongo with pork and pinakbet.  I brought with me our dessert of cassava cake ( prepared by my home-care aide) and pastillas de Leche, I purchased at Spohie's-a Pinoy on-line store.

Alex Jr, is getting more mature in behaviour and I was surprise to hear him say, Thank you Lolo for the Cake. Elena is also growing fast and starting to baby talk. Again, Thank you, Yuka and Alex for the delicious Pinoy lunch.  Here are a few photos of the occasion. 

   

 

This Week Real Estate Activities in Fair Oaks, CA

With the debt ceiling in limbo and projected US default and recession, I am worried that the current pending sale of my house here in Fair Oaks, may be still in jeopardy. I am worried that my prospective buyer may have financial problem in closing the sale, so I did some Google Search and here's what I learned about the future owner of my home. 

The prospective buyers of my house are a couple in their early 70's ( my guess on how they look). They owned a bigger home, 6BR, 4Bath and a 2-story, not too far from Treecrest. I checked this morning and learned that their house was sold 10K above the listing price of 600K.  That answer my questions about the financial capability of the Buyers of my house.

In addition, I had a chance to talk to their agent. Their agent informed me that besides the equity on the sale of their house, the buyer had additional resources to pay my house. Their agent informed me why they are downsizing and why they like my house. They prospective buyer hurt his knee and their 2-story house is a Pain in the A--, so my one floor ranch-type house is perfect for him.  His wife also loves plants and indicated that all my potted plants outside will be included in the sale of the House. 

As of today there are 123 single homes for sale in the 95628 zip code ( Fair Oaks). There are 59 Pending Homes including my own. The price ranged from 425K to 1.6M. The mortgage rates is still hovering 8%. for a 30yr fixed mortgage. 

Who can afford a house with the mortgage interest so High? Not too many, unless you are downsizing or rich.

In April 2023, Fair Oaks home prices were down 3.6% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $623K. On average, homes in Fair Oaks sell after 9 days on the market compared to 7 days last year. There were 34 homes sold in April this year, down from 46 last year.

Meanwhile here are some of my garden Plaques for Sale:

 

 

I Have My First Taste of Blood Orange Today

Types of Oranges: Photo Credit: freenology.com
 

I saw that Blood oranges were on sale the other day in our neighborhood Safeway Store. I have never tasted blood oranges before because I prefer Navel oranges. But with the sale I ordered a couple of blood oranges because I am just curious. It is not as sweet as my favorite Navel variety, but the blood oranges have more nutrition and health benefits as described in the link below: 

Here's a brief summary from Wikipedia.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia: Blood Orange Slices
 

The blood orange is a variety of orange (Citrus × sinensis) (also referred to as raspberry orange) with crimson, almost blood-colored flesh.

The distinctive dark flesh color is due to the presence of anthocyanins, a family of polyphenol pigments common to many flowers and fruit, but uncommon in citrus fruits.  Chrysanthemin (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside) is the main compound found in red oranges.  The flesh develops its characteristic maroon color when the fruit develops with low temperatures during the night. Sometimes, dark coloring is seen on the exterior of the rind, as well, depending on the variety of blood orange. The skin can be tougher and harder to peel than that of other oranges. Blood oranges have a unique flavor compared to other oranges, being distinctly raspberry-like in addition to the usual citrus notes. The anthocyanin pigments of blood oranges begin accumulating in the vesicles at the edges of the segments, and at the blossom end of the fruit, and continue accumulating in cold storage after harvest.

^{For Complete details of the health benefits of Blood Oranges read:}

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/blood-orange-benefits#3.-May-support-healthy-pregnancy

https://freenology.com/orange-a-healthy-diet-with-some-benefits-and-disadvantages-2111 

Meanwhile, here's a recent photo from my album

My Beautiful Centerpiece- Papaya, Mango, Apple, Tangerines and a Blood Orange

Meanwhile, enjoy this recent photo from my collection:

 

Money Trees- Pachira Aquatica-one of my Favorite House

Plants

 

Social, Dining and Property Amenities of The Heritage Downtown, Walnut Creek

The Rose Garden near the Pool and Spa at the Heritage Downtown, Walnut Creek

Besides the property amenities, two other amenities that made my decision easy  to move to an independent senior living facility (THD) are the social and dining amenities provided to the residents. During our last week visit/tour Jenny gave Dodie and I, a copy of the Newton's Restaurant menu for that week.

There is always a choice of seafood, chicken or meat dishes for the Entry. That day one of the main entry was Curry Lamb Stew. By pure coincidence I had Lamb Curry prepared the Pakistani way the day before. Newton's restaurant is rated as a 5 Star dining facility.

Dodie and I also got a copy of the highlights of the Social Calendar that week as follows: 

THD has bridge twice a week-one for beginners and one for advanced players. It has also activity for mahjong beginners. There is a Cinema in the Compound showing old classic movies five days a week at 7PM. There are writing workshops, poetry readings and Film Studies as well as Sunday Shopping. This place is like in a Cruise Ship except you are in the Land of Beautiful Gardens and Surroundings.

I am really getting excited for my move scheduled for the first week of June. Here are the property amenities as advertise in the facility brochure.

Here's the latest photo of Part of My Patio Compared to the Old Patio Photos

 

  

 

The Photographs of Peter Dombrovskis and Others in David E Collection

Tasmanian Wilderness by PETER DOMBROVSKIS (1945 - 1996)

Peter Dombrovskis was born in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1945 of Latvian parents. He emigrated to Australia in 1950 with his mother Adele and started taking photographs in the 1960's. He was strongly influenced by Lithuanian-Australian pioneer, conservationist and photographer Olegas Truchanas, who became a father figure to him. He was equally influenced by landscape photographers of mid-century America such as Ansel Adams, Edward and Brett Weston and Eliot Porter.

In February 2003, Peter Dombrovskis was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, now in St Lious Murori, United States of America. Peter is the first Australian to be accorded this honour, and one of only 58 people to be inducted over the 200 or so years of the history of photography. Peter's work is also represented in the collections of the National Library, National Gallery of Australia, Australian Heritage Commission, National Gallery of Victoria, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, the Wilderness Gallery and many private collections.

Some of Peter's photographs have been instrumental in the conservation of various Tasmanian wild places including the prevention of the damming of the Franklin River. Peter's works have been published over 35 years in the form of books, calendars. cards and posters, and his wife Liz continued publishing until July 2009.

Peter's photography has now moved to a new phase of public access. The National Library of Australia has acquired the archive of Peter's transparencies so that future generations may view and enjoy his photography.

On 28th March 1996, Peter died while photographing in the Western Arthur Range in southwest Tasmania. He is survived by his second wife, five children and two step-children.

All Peter's photographs were taken with a large format Linhof Master Technika 5 x 4 inch flatbed field camera. He used three lenses; a 90mm Nikkor F4.5, a 150mm Schneider Symar-S (standard lens), and a 300mm Nikkor MF9. He sometimes used a polarizing filter.

Here are other photos in David E. Collection 

 

1. The Signed Framed Photo Titled: Marine One Departing the White House by Don Cannavaro

 

2.Carenna Katague Thompson- Leaping Leopard-$100

2a-Back of Carenna's Photograph

3.The Oakland-San Francisco Bridge at Night Time

 

Take A Power Nap Whenever You Can

Batman & Robin Taking a Power Nap-May 14, 2023

Do you believe in the benefits of the power nap ? I am a believer and a practitioner of this activity because it boost my memory, creativity, and energy level during my working hours and even after work at home. I had been power napping, since I first started working for FDA in 1990 and until my retirement in 2002. Today I still Power nap at home even for just 15 minutes whenever I can. I take longer Power Naps after retirement usually after lunch.

According to Dr. Sara C. Mednick, PhD, sleep expert and author of Take a Nap! Change Your Life.

"You can get incredible benefits from 15 to 20 minutes of napping, You reset the system and get a burst of alertness and increased motor performance".

According to the article from WebMD, the length of your nap and the type of sleep you get help determine the brain-boosting benefits. The 20-minute power nap. sometimes called the stage 2 nap which is good for alertness and motor learning skills like typing and playing the piano.

What happens if you nap for more than 20 minutes? Research shows longer naps help boost memory and enhance creativity. Slow-wave sleep -- napping for approximately 30 to 60 minutes which is good for decision-making skills, such as memorizing vocabulary or recalling directions.

When I was still working for FDA ( 1990 to 2002), I take power naps during my one hour lunch break. I take a nap whenever I can, that is if we do not have all day meetings with the pharmaceutical companies, or seminars and emergency project meetings.

My office was very conducive and had ultimate privacy when it comes to power naps. Speaking of offices in FDA, during my working years at the agency, I had offices ranging from small and no windows to an office with 3 windows with venetian blinds and big enough for a sofa and lounging chair.

During my first 6 months in FDA my office was in the old Parklawn Building in Rockville, MD. I had even to share the office with another review chemist. The opportunity to take a power nap is zero except when my office mate went out to lunch and I had packed my lunch before I left for the office.

During this period at about 3PM, two hours before closing time, I could barely open my eyes and my productivity is almost zero as a chemistry reviewer. When I arrived from the office after saying Hello to my wife and kids, I take a 30 minutes nap. After my nap, I am ready for dinner and conversation with the family. This has been my habit until my retirement in 2002. The kids when they were still small know not to bug me when I arrived from work and not until I have my nap.

In 1995 our Division ( Anti-Infective Drug Products) moved to a newer building with bigger offices with windows, new furniture and computers. As a reviewer with five years seniority I was entitled to have an office with one window by myself. During lunch time, I could closed my office and take a nap between 15 to 20 minutes.

When I was promoted to Chemistry Team Leader in 1998, my office had three windows and space big enough to bring my own private lounging chair and sofa, a small microwave oven and a small refrigerator. With the oven and the small refrigerator, I brought my own lunch every day except on Fridays when our team went out to lunch. This office set-up was perfect for power napping.

In FDA at the time, the sizes of the offices had direct connection to your position. Specifically, the reviewers ( chemists, medical officers, pharmacologists/toxicologists, project managers) have offices with one window. The team leaders could have offices from 2 to 3 windows. The directors and up will have offices with 4 windows or more, depending on their seniority and location of the office buildings. The size of your office is a status symbol, indeed!

May I conclude this article that power naps had made me a productive and happy Federal employee from 1990 to 2002.

Today, I still practice my after lunch nap whenever I am at home which is almost every day except on Tuesday when my wife and I are gallivanting to the Indian Casino near our home.

I suggest you start taking power naps whenever you get a chance at the office or at home. I guarantee you will like it. 

Note: This is a repost of my article written on 2014 except for the Photo above.

 

Learning the Market Values of David E Art and Sport Collections

David E had 4 items that have higher market values of what I expected as follows:

1. This is one of the Samurai Japanese Warrior Prints ( Framed) out of 12 that I found in David's closet while I was preparing for the Estate Sale because I am moving. I was intending to sell it for $10 each, However, when I had it appraised I was told the current market value of this art is around $80-$100 each. Here's a quote from the Appraiser.    

The photo above is by Kuniyoshi. The series is titled 69 stations along the Kisokaido and this particular print is of Yabuhara Station with the warrior Sue Harutaka on horseback.  The market value for prints from this series are about $80-100 each.

2. This is a Mark King Painting, Martin Laurence Edition, Framed 28'' x 31'' 

I was planning to sell it for $100. I did some search on E-Bay. It is listed at $675

3. This is Pair of Chinese Water Color Prints, Fah-yen-Fah,the Princess dated 1926

I was planning to sell it for $50 each. I did some google search and I found the market value of this art ranged from $225 to $250 each. An honest neighbor informed me to do some search, before selling it at $50 each. Here's our conversation with my honest neighbor on the value of this art.

"I just Google lenses those. They are worth a couple hundred each. I would get them appraised if I were you. But I will take them for 50 if you just want to sell them".

 

You

Thanks for the advise. How will I go about appraisal?. They are dated 1926 and were $50 then, so they must be worth more than a couple of hundred as you indicated by today. Yes I will have it appraised. Tks

 

This painting is Fah-yen-Fah, the Princess. The 1940 is listed on Goggle for $225. Since Mine is dated 1926, it probably worth at Least $300. The other painting is titled Elbow Page of Viceroy, Painting No.2

 

Honest Neighbor:

I would look for a reputable antique dealer. Watch out though, there are shady people out there. 😂

 

https://www.worthpoint.com/page/welcome-landing?cvsource=ppc1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu-KiBhCsARIsAPztUF2pmYLKomh3gECr2kcW0DVIzEfXHBGyeBM2KVE4XUf-CbsJaT-d1wIaAmIVEALw_wcB

https://www.justanswer.com/sip/antique-appraisers?r=ppc|ga|13|US-Antiques-Appraisal-PMax-AllDevices||&JPKW=&JPDC=&JPST=&JPAD=&JPMT=&JPNW=&JPAF=txt&JPRC=1&JPCD=&JPOP=&cmpid=15960974075&agid=&fiid=&tgtid=&ntw=&dvc=m&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu-KiBhCsARIsAPztUF0JibJ6ht8I24Inew-De93Dm9S5Nf_H4qlHGgQOaZw8niPggi_5xowaAloTEALw_wcB

 

You

Thank you for your honesty and advise!

 

 

4. This is another valuable of David E sports Memorabilia. I have no idea what the market value is but at the bottom of this page is the link on some of his memorabilia,  

 

Nolan Ryan is possibly the most devastating, unpredictable, and intimidating pitcher to ever lace up the spikes. Nolan Ryan is one of this generation’s most collectible baseball players. Ryan debuted in 1966 with the New York Mets and pitched in all or part of 27 seasons. For Ryan the good came with the bad. When he retired in 1993, he held the record for most career strikeouts (5,714) but also the record for most career walks (2,795). Ryan continues to hold both records today by a commanding margin. Ryan was always considered an exciting and fiery pitcher to watch. He threw more no-hitters, seven, than any other pitcher, which is three-more than second-place Sandy Koufax.

https://www.collectorsweekly.com/baseball/nolan-ryan

https://www.steinersports.com/baseball/nolan-ryan/o-2376+a-73069026+z-90195-3028766199?_s=gppc&utm_campaign=MLB%20-%20Player%20-%20Nolan%20Ryan%20-%20Steiner|11019936882&utm_medium=ppc&ks_id=6251_kw39111998&utm_term=ryan%20memorabilia&matchtype=b&utm_source=g&target=kwd-363268789383&pcrid=461217359713&adposition=

 

The Art of Mark King, the Martin Laurence Limited Edition

 

I found this painting in David E closet when I was preparing for this coming Estate Sale.  I was just planning to sell it for $25, but I learned it could be worth more than tenfold ( see link on bottom of this page). So who is Mark King?

Mark King, a champion of Impressionism and the École de Paris, was born in Bombay in 1931 of British parents. He is the product of an exotic and privileged upbringing in India, where he lived until the age of sixteen during the tumultuous last days of the British Raj. In 1948, following graduation from La Martiniere College in Calcutta, where his focus had been botany as well as art, King sailed to England to attend Bournemouth College of Art, having determined to pursue painting, sculpture, architecture and theatre design. He subsequently spent seven years as Resident scenic designer at the Oxford Playhouse Theatre, but in 1961 decided to concentrate solely on painting and moved to Paris to study at the École des Beaux Arts and the Louvre.  

For Pricing of Mark King, Martin Laurence Limited Edition Paintings read the following link.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175169850834?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr=1&amdata=enc:1DtEApXTtRHOsF5CHr-4U0g9&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=175169850834&targetid=1587262743057&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=1013678&poi=&campaignid=15275224983&mkgroupid=131097072938&rlsatarget=pla-1587262743057&abcId=9300697&merchantid=6296724

Meanwhile here's a photo of some Nagle Prints also owned By David E. I plan on selling this for $25 each.

I plan on selling my Pinoy Polo Barongs, Hawaiian shirt, Mexican Habanera for only $5 each. A few of them I barely used. If you are interested they are M size. See photo below:

 Currently, I have sold most of My Garden Statuaries, but not one Garden Plaques. I have sold a few indoor as well as potted outdoor plants. One of my customer for the garden statuaries, send me a note of thanks for selling him three of my Garden Statuaries.

 

 

Seven Staged Photos versus Actual of My House For Sale Today

The Seven Staged Photos of My House came today. It looks nice but to me it looks fake and indeed staged. Personally, I love the actual photos than the staged one. But if the staged photos sells who am I to complain. Here are the staged photos of the family room, living room and master bedroom along with the corresponding actual photos. Judge for yourself.

The Staged Living Room without the Piano featuring the Picture Window

The Actual Living Room with the Piano and Other Furnishings/Clutters

The Staged Family Room-the only actual photo is the sliding door and drapes/Fire Place/Patio Scene/Walls

My Actual Family Room with all its Clutters-Photos etc..-Not as Inviting.

The Staged Master Bedroom with completely different furnishings

My Actual Master Bedroom and its Furnishings with a view to the Patio

So judge for yourself. Do you like the staged photos better than the real live-in photos? Personally I love my actual live-in photos. It is real and not staged or digitally altered. The wonders of Digital Photography and Staging in action!

The House is in the Virtual World today. My realtor and I agreed that the List Price will be 580K. This is the lowest range of the property valuation of the house. Meanwhile enjoy this photo of my newly resurfaced and tiled swimming pool and backyard landscaping. 

Here's the link:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8167-Treecrest-Ave-Fair-Oaks-CA-95628/26054842_zpid/?view=public

One Hour after Posting- A prospective buyer requested a tour after 3PM today,