Ok, you are probably starting to wonder, two reviews, both about about ice cream and both back to back.  I can tell you that the products that I am reviewing are not the same in the least.

Baskin Robbins Vs. Cold Stone, Vs. Maggie Moo’s, Vs. Dippin Dots - They all complement each other and should be tried and switched up from time to time.

But where Dippin Dots is different from the other three is in the process in which it is made and delivered.  If you have not had this product, I would ask that you give it a chance.  The first time we had it was at the San Diego Zoo, sold in a cart that was filled with Dry Ice to keep it cold, it was a very hot day and really hit the spot, it was sold in a metallic plastic bag.

We were happy to see, years later, a Dippin Dots store in the Santa Clarita Valley, now I must say there are two.  Both stores have friendly employees and the stores themselves are clean.  The ice cream that is "flash frozen" is where the difference is.

Here is some quotes from the Dippin Dots site:

"Dippin’ Dots are tiny beads of ice cream, yogurt, sherbet and flavored ice. Microbiologist Curt Jones used his background in cryogenic technology to invent Dippin’ Dots in 1988. His invention is now considered the unique, futuristic and fun way to eat ice cream!"

"Much like microwave ovens revolutionized the way we cook, Dippin’ Dots is revolutionizing the way we think of ice cream. Our high-tech cryogenic freezing process is a highly advanced method of ice cream production, unique within the ice cream industry."

"Dippin’ Dots are beads of cryogenically frozen ice cream. We use a combination of natural ice cream ingredients, the same found in conventional ice cream, and flash freeze it into tiny beads. The ice cream is then packaged and shipped to our retailers. All Dippin’ Dots for our domestic customers are produced at our headquarters in Paducah, Kentucky."

Ok, so that is how they do it.  But I must say you need to try this on for size - It is great and a lot of fun to eat.  I will be spending more time with my Hindu Squats coupled with Hindu Pushups and Bridging now!!!

Dippin Dots are located at:  
28440 Haskell Canyon Rd Santa Clarita, CA 91390 (661) 513-9866
and  27530 Newhall Ranch Road Santa Clarita, CA 91355 (661) 702-9870

John Hiller is the owner and a very nice man, whom I had the pleasure to meet on our latest visit.  hiller@ddfranchisee.com

Connor and Paris MacIVOR REMAX of Santa Clarita and REMAX of Valencia 
The Paris911 Team and Connor with HONOR

I celebrated another birthday this last weekend - Mid May, it was over 100 degrees and reminded me of summer, which I suppose it is.  Paris and I with our children had a lazy day at the house.  I put the message on my voice mail, we had been going at a 7 day and 15-18 hour a day pace - It was very refreshing. 

Paris returned from out, where to my surprise, she had a Baskin Robbins Cake prepared and picked it up for me.  After making a wish and blowing out the candles - She told me that she was utterly impressed with the customer service, being all about writing about businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley, I asked her to continue.

Apparently this started with a phone call to a young man named Graham - although Paris could hear that there was all "he%$" breaking loose in the background, he took his time with her and answered all of her questions, and searched throughout the cabinets and in the back for the cake she wanted.  She did not think much of it until she went into the store, it was packed, wall to wall people, did I mention that it was over 100 degrees?

Even in the store, it was as if he had the focus of a laser, he was smiling, very busy, happy and had a definite "Fred" type mentality.  I had been in this store before and met the Owner, as Paris did on this very day, I was too impressed, but I was not seeing the store employees perform under this kind of pressure.

When you have a business, it is very important that your employees demonstrate your business model and values.  When you go into a business and are not greeted - Or are ignored, or you are not paid attention to because the employees are being "chatty Cathy’s", there is a lot to be desired. - Connor With Honor - REMAX of Santa Clarita - REMAX of Valencia - The Paris911 Team - GREAT JOB!!!

My hats off to the Owner of this Baskin Robbins which is located at
26584 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91350
26584 Bouquet Canyon Rd
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
(661) 296-9543

There is a nifty new website, Pimp My Search, that will allow you to change the title of a search platform that corresponds to Google with just a few keystrokes and no personal information.

If you also go through their disclaimers, you will see in short order that they are not about trading or spamming you.  This resource is known as Pimp My Search (click for ours) and they are able to re-title a search engine page that will have whatever you want at the top as if it is your own custom search page.

There is also a popular e-mail drop down to the upper right corner.  We are big fans of gmail.  In fact with gmail their calendar and interaction with our databases are wonderful.  We are also Top Producer People.  Their mass e-mail feature is the bees knees - But Gmail works great no matter what.  The other nice thing about g-mail is the way all attachments are not displayed in the e-mail’s themselves.  Pictures, video’s, frames etc, are all attachments.

Isn’t that what e-mail is about - just the message.  A hyperlink or two is fine to get more information, but I think we as a society are bombarded enough when it comes to visual stimulation.  Just our REMAX sites alone are bright RED- REMAX of Santa Clarita and REMAX of Valencia, they do a lot to stimulate the visual parts of the brain.

With our mother site at http://paris911.com, I had it designed by the one and only "Danny Valdez" - You may have heard of him???  He is a top notch designer that is currently heading up the designs at LinkUSystems.  He went with a brushed stainless approach to our new mother site and face lifted all of the internal pages.  I could smell smoke after he finished with my site map!  GREAT JOB - "Thanks Danny, I cannot wait to see what your next "winner" will be".  I remind him to be careful or he will be whisked away by those great people at Top Producer Systems.  They are based in Canada and I am not sure if he is looking to relocate.

We are all about Santa Clarita Real Estate with our www.SantaClarita911.com site - This incorporates a Top-Producer widget that will be able to capture for you a Market Snapshot of the current market conditions in your own neighborhood or one you interested in buying.  It is really and truly one of the best sources for Real Estate and community information that only takes 30 minutes to compile directly from the source and without being re-handled by anyone that might have other interests that your own.  If Santa Clarita is not where you want to be - www.HomeValue911.com will display all four of the Boards we are full members of and the widgets to their Corresponding market snapshots. -Connor with HONOR!

p.s. What is our secret?  How are we successful in this market where people are falling away in droves.  How about a Blog that hits like a sledge hammer?  When I was a LAPD regular, I taught, as I still do as a Reserve, but on a full time basis, a few weapons courses.  One of those was Shotgun and for specific applications we used Slug rounds.  Usually the shotgun, depending on the load, releases 9 - 12 pellets of 00 Buck shot (double - odd) per press of the trigger.  The slug is about a .50 caliber (1/2 inch), solid chunk of lead that comes out one at a time per press of the trigger.  When you compare the .223 caliber round and that specific round with the Slug, it can be compared as a scalpel to a sledge hammer.  "Scalpels have their place - But I would more desire to have a sledge hammer when marketing what The Paris911 Team is all about." 

I have to drop some acknowledgment on Kinetic Knowledge and their Blog Technology that Hits like a Sledge Hammer! - Thanks Chris and Kristen.

Located in the heart of Santa Clairta, the North East Corner of Bouquet Canyon Road and Newhall Ranch Road, inbetween The Von’s and The Radio Shack.  Hoshi Japanese Barbeque - What a great place.  The food is fresh and you do some of the cooking.  Each table is equipped with a barbeque built in and they bring out different types of meat that has all been marinated in various things. 

The staff is very attentive and will help you through the adjustment.  The other thing that is amazing is how cold the Japanese Beer is.  If you are a drinker of Beer and enjoy it so cold that your tongue sticks to the bottle, then this is the place for you. 

This is what our friends at AM 1220, KHTS, Santa Clarita’s Favorite Radio Station had to say. Hoshi Japanese Barbeque!

If you have not had the pleasure, please take your family and friends.  Ask for Jenny.

Connor with HONOR.

On 04-21-2008, I went to the Starbucks in Granary Square located in the Heart of Valencia California.  I went for my normal cup of joe and this is the only place that I can get a chocolate croissant for my Paris.  So I went in as usual and saw a lady that was behind the counter with a huge amount of flash on her base ball cap.

I have seen her before but had never been formally introduced.  The lady in front of me asked for a danish or some type.  I observed this lady, later to be identified as "Cat", take the tongs and go into the cabinet.  She felt the pastry with the tongs, the lady in front of me was looking elsewhere, then she told the lady that the pastry was a bit stiff and she was going to go into the back to see if there were any freshier…  I was still thinking we were all on camera because that was amazing customer service.

So amazing was this to me, that I guess I must have spoken out loud about how great that was.  The lady from behind the counter, "Cat", told me that if she would not eat it herself, she will not serve it.  Whew…

Customer service and a great cup of coffee.  I was impressed and that is how I demand that the people on The 911 Team show their customer service and represent Paris911 and REMAX of Santa Clarita.  Very good Job CAT - You have earned some huge points with The 911 Team.  Great JOB - CONNOR with HONOR

Click Here for the Utterz.

It has been said that agents will do whatever they can to trap and capture a client.  I have said that I don’t want your information if you don’t want to give it.  I will give you any information you want without any obligation to you.  How can I prove such a statement.  With a toll free phone number?  Probably not.  We must look deeper into this issue.  (800) 760-6911 is out toll free number that is routed directly into my cellular phone. 

That is not how.  But that is a great way for you to call me and speak with me about various Real Estate Related things.  I guess me not wanting anything in return, could be demonstrated that my toll free number comes into my cell phone.  There is not any recorded message with information about properties that populate a database or notify me that you have called and which property this is regarding.

To follow through with the logic, you call one of those other toll-free trap numbers and you will be called back by the agent that has the trap set up.  If you call my toll free number, expect to speak with me or leave me a message.  If you don’t want to speak with me or leave me a message don’t call.  Simple enough.  If you want to inquire about a property we have listed and you are calling the toll free number that is on the sign, no worries, I will not twist your arm to use me as your agent.  I am doing my due diligence for my seller.  However, If you do not have an agent, I would like to apply for the job of being your Real Estate Agent for life.  Yours and everyone you know.  Part of our experience with our clients is that being in need what happens, they have such a positive experience never wanting for anything, before, during and after the transaction, that they start to pitch us to everyone they know.  We have even gone head to head against their family members that have been licensed Real Estate agents, some of them were quite adversarial and patient and calm we remained and prevail we did.  (That has a Yoda type ring to it…)  That is indeed a blessing to be accounted for.

What else can I talk about related to trapping the client.  How about those websites that need your information before they will let you search for homes?  Or cut you off after a certain amount?  Teaser sites for Real Estate Searches, now I have heard everything.  But they are very popular.  Foreclosure lists, make sure you are getting this generated by someone you can hold accountable for hitting you with e-mails that have actual properties.  Not where your information will be given to the highest bidder. 

We don’t do that, every entry page we have is for streamlining the process of fulfilling your requests.  But all in all, if you wanted to just simply send me an e-mail about wanting lists of properties that are in foreclosure, that are distressed, short sales, the good neighbor next door program, whether you should rent or buy, and our investment seminars and any other information, no problem.  You will get the information and your information will remain safely in my custody.   You can search with our Diverse Solutions MLS engine at www.searchre911.com or www.scv911.com if you are LAPD www.lapd911.com if a deputy, www.lasd911.com if CHP www.chp911.com if a teacher, www.teacher911.com, the list is quite extensive.  If none of those things and not much of an "oath" taker, check out www.topproducing911.com or our mother site of paris911.com.

What is important?  My answer to that question is you not being harassed.  Being able to relax and not be bothered by someone trying to force you into doing something you are not ready for.  When you are ready you will seek us out.  You will find us on the world wide web, in the Blue Line or ALADS Dispatcher.  You will see a Bus Bench, Billboard, or one of our For Sale Signs somewhere.  You can even call Toll Free Information for Paris911 and get our 800.760.6911.  When you are ready we are visible.  But unless you are ready, it is an exercise in futility.  And I hate Futility!!!  Exercise I am OK with, but that other thing, I hate.

GOOD HUNTING - CONNOR with HONOR 

I received this e-mail from a Brother of Mine, It brought Tears to my Eyes as well, Enjoy:  CONNOR with HONOR

This letter comes from a Battalion in Iraq.  The son of a good friend of mine is in this battalion.  The pictures brought tears to my eyes.  Thank you for taking time to look at this.

Alright, I just thought the spilled coffee in the mornings was for a lack of being able to drink the "hot as the center of the sun" substance quick enough before I hit any "coffee spilling" bumps in the road.  But I was wrong.  Apparently it was not the bumps or my inability to drink scalding hot coffee fast, no it was the design of the lids that Starbucks was using.

About three days ago, I went to one of the local Starbucks, in the Santa Clarita Valley we have a lot and I make it my business to make my rounds at most of them at one time or another.  I would have to say I am a coffee junkie!  Nothing fancy, no Machiatto this, or double twists of that, no carmel, blended, or iced stuff.  Even in the summer of 115 degree heat, I like my coffee center of the sun hot.  Creamer???  You may ask, No, I don’t want to ruin the taste of the coffee.  I like my coffee Black like my………. Cars, shoes and shirts.

What I was originally thinking when I obtained this "Lifer’s Juice" from one of the local Starbucks, is that they ran out of lids.  They sent one of their "hard working coffee persons" to the local Smart and Finals and they bought some SOLO Traveler Lids.  The first thing I noticed is when I gripped the coffee cup the lid did not "pop" off.  This one stayed put.  When I took the top off to have a gander inside to make sure they did not ruin the taste by accidentally putting cream inside, I noticed that I had to use the full range of my "Kung-FY Grip" to unhinge it.

When Driving:  I used to think that was the price of admission to have spillage when driving with a full cup of coffee, "Did I say no Room?".  But, I did not notice three days ago that I had none.  The day after, is when I was showing properties and went out to the car for the ritual cleaning so to be presentable, I did not have to wipe any spillage from the Tan interior of my car.  So on the morning of this blog post and accompanying UTTERZ, I was on my game.  My observation skills were peaked and I was cocked, locked, and ready for anything. 

I arrived at the drive through at the Starbucks at Magic Mountain Parkway and Tourney Road - where there is apparently very little parking for the ATT Golf Classic and violators will be towed.  (Signs Galore, worth mentioning should have gotten a picture), 

I order a LARGE (I like saying large, even though the proper word is Venti - Large is what I am, so I want to use words that I am comfortable with)

COFFEE (nothing fancy here, no American blend, or Brazilian café grown with afterburner - No… just Coffee)

BLACK (nothing to say more - No Creamer - It is a necessary step to be true to our own "coffee" center’s.  We all have one, deep nestled in side right next to our inner child)

DOUBLE CUPPED, (I like the feel of a more solid "just one notch from boiling" coffee holder, the one cup does not give me the safety and security I am looking for in a beverage holder)

TWO SPLENDA, (I know what you are thinking, Mr. Health Nut - That is not good for you.  I know, Neither are some of the other things that I put into this temple, but please understand my frailty is that of being human)

NO ROOM, (I have to say this one, even at the drive through, where you do not have access to cream or milk, if this is not said I have sometimes gotten a cup of coffee only 3/4’s full - It also could have been those crappy lids as well - Those that know coffee best, the employees, maybe knew that the lids were substandard and did not like hearing the screams coming from the cars as they drove out of the driveway’s)

So Kudos to Starbucks for changing to the SOLO Traveler Lid - A few more fingertip push-ups and I should be able to get the lid off to add more of that wonderful "Splenda" Stuff!!!

Have a Better Day! - Be Safe - CONNOR with HONOR

LOL - It was not until after I realized what,sub-consciously, I had done.
Sorry, but at least I am admitting I have a problem, and that is the first step!!! - CONNOR

I remember my father telling me that he "hates surprises".  He did in deed, I remember some surprises popping up time and time again and he did not handle them well.  He also seemed to function on "stress", whether or not it was needed, he loved to stress.  You know when you meet people and they are looking for something to worry about, that was my dad.  He lasted 74 years on this planet and during his passing I had the blessed chanced to square up with everything that we might of had rifts with, in our past together.  It is funny, I miss him every single day, and have since he died in November of 2004.  There will always be an emptiness that I will feel whenever I speak with someone from back home.

I might have a lot of his attributes, like the anger thing, it takes a lot to get me there, but once I have arrived watch out.  But as I look back even that I have been able to put in check.  At least with my last 17 years with the LAPD. Real Estate, now that is another story.  But that being as it may, I have a lot to be thankful for.  I am thankful each and every day for even the most simple of things.  By doing this on a constant basis I have really been able to amplify my appreciation for the great things that present themselves to me in this life.

Example.  I was able to quit after 17 years with the LAPD, I was not one that hated the job, I had been building this Real Estate Business for the last 10 years and it was just "time".  There was no event that happened, or a whistle that blew, it was just "time".  Shortly after I quit I had a plan but I did not understand the various ways I could implement that "plan".  I met Jeff Turner through a Lender that I happened upon on Active Rain.com, named Martin Rodriguez, SCV Loan Solutions, 818.437.8354, www.scvloansolutions.com, he introduced me to Jeff Turner with www.RealEstateShows.com and he was able to unlock my way of looking at things within the advertising realm and how to apply my Team Spirit and Play it Forward Attitude.

Several Months Later I was looking around on the INTERNET for a Blogging solution that I could have someone build for me and where I could, with a phone call, have it maintained without effort by me and having to be a HTML expert.  The writing, I can do, I was looking for a blog that did not look like everything else out there.  I had Danny Valdez at www.linkurealty.com build the header, and I found my blogging solution with www.kineticknowledge.com and Chris Frerecks and Kristen Veraldi.  Just the time spent on the phone before I bought this solution would have been enough to keep me busy with the marketing of Paris911 and Connor and Paris MacIVOR in the Real Estate community of Santa Clarita Valley and Beyond.  But it did not stop here.

No Sir, It was these "Surprises" that I was elated to have happen to me:  Jeff Turner and I are friends.  Kristen and Chris are my friends.  Martin Rodriguez is my friend as well.  These people are responsible for me having that open mind and the tools necessary to be successful.  The work, that is me, the tools that is and has been these aforementioned people.  What a Blessing!

-CONNOR with HONOR

Here is the "Surprise" from Kinetic Solutions:  kineticknowledge.com/blog/kinetic-blogs/business-blogging-real/

Are you on the hunt to find that home that you have been looking for on line and during your futile search on www.Realtor.com?  Looking for Santa Clarita Real Estate check out www.SCV911.com.  Is it something that you are about out of rope about, feeling stress and wanting to know if your true dream home is out there?  I have a suggestion.  First Things First!  Give us a call or shoot us an e-mail and let us schedule you an appointment to come to our offices and meet.

In doing so you will be able to align your ducks for the best Real Estate decision making that you can possibly achieve.  We will discuss what it is to purchase a home, rates, taxes, write-offs, closing costs, various Real Estate Related roles, investment properties, out of state properties, and our Exclusive Referral Program.  Do you know someone that is wanting to purchase Real Estate or sell some of the same?

I feel the need to explain how honoring this would be to Paris and I.  Also we have a "good faith" way of demonstrating Gratitude.  That is something that has not been surgically removed like in some others.  We swill understand the meaning of that word and would like to explain to you what we mean. 

Give us a call and schedule an appointment so we can show you how we operate.   THE WORDS "FREE" and "NO OBLIGATION", describe the Real Estate Seminar.  In addition check out www.REOTool.com for foreclosures where 4 boards of Realtors operate.  If you are wanting and wondering if it would be better for you to Rent versus Own a home - Then check out www.Renter911.com.  Furthermore, if you want your own specific list of Foreclosed properties curtailed to a specific city or neighborhood - check out www.MoreThanForeclosures.com.  Are you a Law Enforcement Officer - Deputy, Teacher, Firefighter or EMT that is wanting to see when that HUD program the Good neighbor next door was going to take off and how to align yourself to take full advantage of the 50% off program for those professional oath takers.  Check out www.TheGoodNeighborNextDoorProgram.com and you will be delighted.

Searching on your own can happen via our Google Mapping solution at www.SearchRE911.com you can do it yourself and never have to worry about us capturing your data and using it against you in way of personal gain.