Goodbye Arlene

I don't know how many of you remember the old Weavers' song, "Good Night, Irene," but it has been running through my mind all week long with slightly different lyrics.

I found myself singing "Goodbye, Arlene" throughout the week because the warmest, fuzziest realtor in the Conejo Valley is leaving us, if not for greener pastures, then certainly for warmer ones. In short, Arlene Bryant, one of the stars in the Century 21 galaxy, is moving to Indio, Calif.

Arlene has been "doing" real estate in the Conejo Valley for decades. I'm not sure how I got to know her but in the '70s I was frantically investing in condos, hoping to make a small fortune and I believe she sold one of them. (My timing was so bad that I am one of the few people I know who managed to lose money in Southern California real estate!)

Somehow after our brief business relationship, Arlene assumed the role of mentor and- dare I say it-friend, advising me graciously and promptly about all kinds of related topics like evictions, handymen, painters and rental prices.

She was always prompt and considerate, returning calls in what seemed like minutes and chatting as if she had all the time in the world for even a nonpaying customer.

In between we managed a few lunches during which we discussed plays and movies we had seen, restaurants we had patronized and experiences (both good and bad) we had had with our children. And I would be willing to bet that Arlene had similar relationships with lots of people.

In a "how are you today?" and "have a nice day" world of manicured lawns and gated communities, Arlene transcended both her environment and her profession, becoming more than a business contact and very much like a friend.

With two careers under her belt before she entered real estate, and with an intuitive grasp of human relations, she was as successful-perhaps even more-in her personal life as she was in her professional one.

I'm sure lots of people will miss her, as I will. So, on behalf of all her Conejo clients and friends, I'm going to sing one last chorus of "Goodbye, Arlene" and hope the Weavers, if they're still around, will understand.

Contact Dina Adler at dinaadler@yahoo.com.