Betty Little, Sacramento's Best Local Attorney

Sometimes you just have to do a little bragging...and this is one of those times.  In the most recent edition of the Sacramento News & Review (Sacramento's alternative news weekly) my wife captured the readers choice for "Best Local Attorney".  Way to go BETTY!

Betty Little, my wife, is the managing partner in the Sacramento Tax Law firm of Mopsick & Little, LLP.   She focuses on issues of tax controversy.  It is a highly specialized law practice where she assists and advocates for her clients, individuals and businesses, with income tax, sales and use tax, employment tax and issues before federal and state taxing agencies (Internal Revenue Service,  California Franchise Tax Board, and California State Board of Equalization).

The fact that this recognition came about the week of our anniversary made it even more memorable.  Congratulations again to my lovely wife Betty, Sacramento's "Best Local Attorney!"

On this day in 1732 George Washington was born.  With the birth of any child come the hopes and dreams of his or her mother and father.  However, no parent could have foreseen the life that George Washington would lead.  His rise to greatness and his willingness to walk away from power and turn it over to others peacefully, democratically, in a way never before done and only rarely duplicated since.   

George Washington was a statesman in its truest sense.  He participated in all of our Nation's greatest early moments.  He was an explorer who pushed the boundaries of a young nation westward.  He was an elected politician - first serving in the Virginia House of Burgesses and of course later as America's first President.  He was a soldier and leader of men as a Colonel in the Virginia militia and later as Commander in Chief of the American Army.  He was a farmer and he was a gentleman. 

The 20th century and now in the 21st century has seen a coarsening of politics and cynicism in the American populace.  Brookhiser's book is a humbling reminder of the true grit, greatness and even humility of our founders.  His book recites many of the qualities we learned as school children about our first president but goes much further to illuminate the multi-demensional character of George Washington. 

In this story of George Washington we learn what enabled him to achieve all that he did.  We see a picture of his nature, his morals, and his ideas.  As Brookhiser himself said, "His attention to courtesy and correct behavior anticipated his political philosophy.  He was influenced by Roman notions of nobility, but he was even more deeply influenced by a list of table manners and rules for conversation compiled by Jesuits."  Our political leaders could learn a great deal from Washington's example.

One of the truly great ironies of George Washington's life is that while he is considered the "father" of our country he actually never fathered any children.  Yet, since the earliest beginnings of our nation in 1776 he has been considered the founding father.  And like a father he stepped back when it was time to let his child, his country, stand on its own. 

The book came out in 1996 and I was humbled and inspired by it then.  I just reread the book again to recharge my belief in our founding principals.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to be inspired a truly wonderful, intriguing and inspiring man. 

As a student of history and REALTORŪ I give this book my highest recommendation a solid SOLD  SOLD  SOLD  SOLD out of 4 sold signs!

For more on George Washington visit the Mount Vernon website, the White House website,  and please pick up a copy of Founding Father by Richard Brookhiser at your local library, bookseller, or at Amazon.com.  You will be glad you did.

Coach Don Haskins played by Josh Lucas      

                      Team at the NCAA Championships

I have never been paid to report on movies, entertainment or anything for that matter.  I do, as those who know me, watch films critically.  Last night I saw Glory Road and was moved by the film.  Why would a vertically challenged middle-aged guy like me enjoy a film about basketball players.  The answer is simple - this film is about much more than sport.  It is about character.

I look for films with great stories and with characters who exhibit passion.  For me, Glory Road is one of those.  This film is about life or more accurately life in a turbulent racial time in our nation's history.  A time when it was it was unthinkable to take risks as Coach Don Haskins did in bringing young black youths from the northen inner cities to play in the then segregrated south. Giving young men - black and white - a chance to work, live and learn together from one another. 

This film demonstrates the trials they endured on and off the courts.  It is fast paced and doesn't dribble along.  Most possibly due to being a Jerry Bruckheimer production.  Not only does Mr. Bruckheimer seem to have the Midas touch with entertainment his films are always action oriented.  What makes this different is the action in the games is a complementary analogy of the action taking place at that time in history in the Courts, in Congress and across the south.   

Whether in reality Coach Haskins was a great socially enlightened individual or like many throughout history was just at the right place at the right time and took advantage of his great fortune is left to those who know the man and his players.  His motives matter little to me because even if his motive was simply just to "win" I believe he illuminated the true path to racial equality.  Success begets success.  Learning how to win requires learning how to be a winner. 

Coach Haskins taught his players how to be winners and each player went on to make a difference in their community. To me that is the sign of a winner.  Now, if the NCAA could bottle that and sell it they could afford to educate every young person in America. 

As a moviegoer and REALTORŪ I give this film - SOLD  SOLD  SOLD  SOLD out of 4 sold signs!

Check out what others think about GLORY ROAD and feel free to share your comments.