LETTER
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Goodbye 2007 and hello 2008!
I think it would be an
understatement to say that 2007 had its challenges for most
of us, and that looking forward to a fresh start in 2008
was keeping a lot of us going. Yet, the challenges that
we experience—whether it be in 2007 or any year for
that matter—are what give us inspiration in many cases.
If we don’t have challenges how would we know what
smooth sailing is, right?
Personally and professionally,
the year ended with the death of a dear friend that shook
me more than I had expected. As a believer in an afterlife,
I am quite comfortable with the idea of my own passing—as
well as those around me—because we don’t really
die.
 My
friend David put that to the test for me this December.
He knew he was dying of cancer—we all did. It was
the “when” part that we didn’t know. We
were developing a solid kinship, and over the last six-plus
months he became more like a cross between a mentor, friend
and father. Getting to know David was like getting to know
him again. It was comfortable and easy. He believed in me
and the publication, and I respected and cherished him.
We had plans for 2008 and beyond. Then he left. I know that
sounds selfish coming from a person he knew maybe a year.
His lovely wife of 37 years, his children, his grandchild
and others who have known him much longer will feel this
loss considerably more than I possibly could. How do I have
the right?
Well, in my grieving
I realized many important things. Firstly, my loss was personal
and it was real and I needed to feel it. There is an importance
in grieving. Thank you to my friend Wendy who knew exactly
what to say and what not to say when I needed her deeply—she
always knows how to console. I again was faced with the
beauty of friendships and the reminder to not be too busy
to cherish and appreciate them. I relearned that you don’t
really die. Yes, I came full circle. I will look to David
for continued support and love through inspired thought.
Additionally, I found that
it is important to remember that we are here for the experience
we call life. Embrace it every chance you get—even
in the mundane, and even in the sadness.
Thank you for allowing
me this forum to express my loss and thoughts. Also, thank
you all for the opportunity to provide this publication
to you. It is a passion and dedication of many individuals
that know that bringing this digital Real Estate trade magazine
to you on a monthly basis touches a lot of lives. We thank
you for all your support and encouragement over the last
year and look forward to our expansion and growth as we
set into motion plans for a tremendous 2008 and beyond.
As we have been telling
you over the last month or two, we are expanding this publication
with two additional monthly columns this month. These columns
were specifically chosen and the columnists could not be
more appropriate for the subject matter.
Dale Rowse, principal
of Viridian Group, is passionate about sustainability and
educates us as Real Estate professionals in the Beyond Green
column. You have probably heard me say this before, but
thinking “green” is not a fad, it is a responsibility.
If it took celebrities to bring it to the masses, than I
applaud them. It is now time for us to do what it takes
for the future. E RealEstateExec and Viridian Group bring
this Beyond Green column to you to make it a little easier
to understand all the facets of thinking green.
Eve Mazzarella, broker/owner
of Distinctive Real Estate & Investments is “Downtown.”
If downtown had a color, she would bleed it. This amazing
gal not only knows a lot about downtown—and is very
well connected with those in the know about downtown—but
she is truly passionate about its revitalization. E RealEstateExec
and Eve Mazzarella will bring you a monthly column called
Urban Update, all about what is going on in the revitalization
efforts of downtown. It is time to stop making “the
face” when someone says “Let’s go downtown.”
I find it very interesting
when there is a connecting thread among the three profiles
that we have in any given monthly issue. This is one of
those issues. Sandi Herrera, corporate broker of Viridian
Group; Rosie & Curt Harsch of Realty Executives of Nevada;
and Karen Jayne of B and J Bookkeeping Service all have
strong professional practices, ethics, and personal inspiration
in common. I once again feel privileged to know all of these
individuals. It is exciting to be able to bring profile
articles to E RealEstateExec readers that raise the bar
for the industry. At first I wondered if there were enough
Real Estate professionals out there to profile that had
these traits, in addition to being educational, motivational
and inspirational. And yet top professionals such as these
keep finding their way to me, and I am so pleased to be
able to share their stories with you.
With the expansion of
the publication and personal news that I wanted to share,
the publisher letter will be getting very long. So this
month I ask you to indulge me in my farewell to David as
a dear friend of E RealEstateExec, and to my husband and
myself, and I leave the details of the editorial to your
reading of each of the fabulous articles brought to you
by our amazing writers and staff.
Here’s to smooth
sailing—and just enough memories of the hard times
to give us contrast! Happy 2008!
Lee Papa, Publisher
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CONGRATULATIONS
Rocco La Spada
Las Vegas Financial Group, LLC
You have won the
"Charlie" Collection
in the February
Registration Drawing |
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