All posts by jd

Real estate broker, civil engineer and general contractor.

Nevada County Fair Country Christmas Faire Results

December 12, 2013 jd

Best of Show 2013 Cathy Rogers of Browns Valley, CA

Gingerbread House Competition Results and Canned Food Drive Results

A successful canned food drive, more than 120 vendors, and 42 gingerbread houses built made the 29^th Annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds a success.

The 11^th Annual Gingerbread House Competition was once again a crowd favorite, with 42 entries received. Of those entries, the Best of Show winner was Cathy Rodgers of Browns Valley, and the People’s Choice Award went to Joanne Perilman and Crew of Grass Valley. The Best of Show is chosen by the judges, and the People’s Choice is selected through ballots cast by individuals who attend the Craft Faire.

People’s Choice winner Joanne Perilman and Crew of Grass Valley

First place winners in the traditional categories include Bailey Ingalis and Jillian Beaver (age 5 & under); Willow West, Hunter Casteel, and Finn Becker (age 6-8); Owen Strolle, Nate Becker, and Molly Becker (age 9-12); Jenna Deutschman (age 13-17); Tina Ennis (age 18 -64); Joan Morton (age 65 & over); Keith Wemple (special needs); Girl Scout Troup 1024, The Awesomes, Sunday School Class, S. Lemons 3^rd Grade Class, GVSD 4^th Grade, GVSD 2^nd Grade, and 1^st Grade Clear Creek School (group – children); Yvonne Read (family); and Andres Price (Adult/Group – ages 18 and over).

The first place winner in the non-traditional categories is Cathy Rodgers (adult/group – ages 18 and over).

With the help of Grass Valley Elks, Sunday’s canned food drive collected enough food to feed 30 Nevada County families during the Christmas season.

The names of all the Gingerbread House Competition winners can be found on the Fairgrounds’ website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com. The 2014 Country Christmas Faire is planned for Thanksgiving weekend, November 28, 29, and 30.

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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
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Real Estate

Had Your House Foreclosed? You May Have a Second Chance for Homeownership Soon

December 2, 2013 jd

Photo courtesy of Highland Home Inspections. http://highlandhomeinspections.net/contact-us.php.

Those who lost their home due to financial hardships may get another shot at being home owners again soon. The Federal Housing Administration recently announced that they would shorten the waiting period for qualified borrowers who’ve had a bankruptcy, foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, or short sale who want to buy a home again. Under the FHA’s Back-to-Work program, home owners must show that they have their finances back in order and they must receive counseling from a HUD-approved agency. Those who meet the requirements can apply to buy a property in as little as a year.

“The Back to Work program is a great opportunity for us to help those impacted by the recent housing crisis,” Heather Shanahan, a representative with a HUD-approved housing counseling agency called Springboard, told HousingWire. “Our goal in our counseling sessions is to enable the borrower to better understand their loan options and the obligations.”

Counselors provide borrowers with a customized action plan that reflects household budgets and shows borrowers how they can meet their financial obligations to prevent default again in the future.

The Back-to-Work program is also helping borrowers purchase their first homes, in some cases.

Source: “Springboard helps formerly distressed borrowers get back on track,” HousingWire (Nov. 19, 2013)

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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
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Bits & Pieces

The Art of John Daly of Nevada City, California and Rino Minetti of Milan, Italy

November 27, 2013 jd

httpv://youtu.be/pxGmygmFfMY

Rinò Minetti of Milan, Italy and Photographer John Daly of Nevada City, CA. They met online and have worked together to create these images from their work, Daly’s Photography and Rinò’s Digital Art. Sometimes a final image is made of one image from each, combined into a new image. Sometimes there will be multiple images from each, combined into one new image. This collaboration has been very creative and great fun for us.

We hope you enjoy our work.

John Daly & Rinò Minetti

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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
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~Milan, Italy~

Bits & Pieces

Earth – A Tiny Blue Dot in the Middle of No Where

November 18, 2013 jd

httpv://youtu.be/923jxZY2NPI

Sometimes, its good to get a perspective of who we are and were we are in the Universe. Maybe we’ll be a little more kinder and tolerant of each other.

John O’Dell

Uncategorized

Housing Affordability Falls to Five Year Low

November 15, 2013 jd

Picture courtesy of themetapictures.com — Picture courtesy of themetapicture.com

Housing affordability decreased in the third quarter as home prices and mortgage rates were on the rise and put housing out of reach for more families, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index.

NAHB’s index showed that 64.5 percent of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of July and end of September were affordable to families earning the nationwide median income of $64,400. That represents a drop from 69.3 percent in the second quarter, and marks the largest index drop since the second quarter of 2004.

“Housing affordability is being negatively affected by a ‘perfect storm’ scenario,” says NAHB Chairman Rick Judson. “With markets across the country recovering, home values are strengthening at the same time that the cost of building homes is rising due to tightened supplies of building materials, developable lots, and labor.”

While housing affordability has fallen since its peak in early 2012, NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe says that a family earning a median income can still afford 65 percent of homes recently sold.

The National Association of REALTORS(R) recently reported that housing affordability has fallen to a five-year low as home price increases have outpaced income growth. “Expected rising mortgage rates will further lower affordability in upcoming months,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.

Most Affordable Markets

Indianapolis-Camel, Ind., and Syracuse, N.Y., tied as the most affordable major housing markets in the country. In both metros, 93.3 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the third quarter were affordable to families earning the areas’ median incomes of $65,100 and $65,800, respectively.

Other major metros ranking high in affordability, according to the index, included:

Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio-Pa.
Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pa.
Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Least Affordable Housing Markets

Meanwhile, the San Francisco metro area continues to be the priciest housing market in the nation for the fourth consecutive month. Only 16 percent of homes sold in the third quarter were affordable to families earning the area’s median income of $101,200, according to the index.

Other major metros that were among the least affordable in the nation included:

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif.
Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, Calif.
New York-White Plains-Wayne, N.Y.-N.J.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.

Source: National Association of Home Builders

REALTORS® Go the Distance for Habitat

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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
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nevada county fair

Country Christmas Fair Coming Up at Nevada County Fairgrounds

November 13, 2013 jd

Dates for Christmas Fair – November 29, November 30, and December 1

Mark your calendar for the 29^th annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley on November 29, November 30, and December1. Rated as one of the top handcrafted shows in Northern California, the Country Christmas Faire features unique gifts and crafts from top artisans from across the state.

Exhibit buildings will be filled during the Thanksgiving weekend, giving shoppers a chance to start their holiday shopping with quality hand-made holiday items, ornaments, jewelry, wooden crafts, soaps and lotions, hand-woven baskets, stained glass, candles, beadwork, and dozens of other unique gifts.

Visitors to the Faire will enjoy strolling live entertainment, festival foods, the magical Gingerbread House exhibit, errand elves, and a community bon-fire. Wagon rides around the Fairgrounds will be offered; and Victorian singers, the bell ringing RiverBells, and the Sierra Symphony quartet will perform throughout the event.

Santa will be available each day until an hour before the event closes, so bring your camera to capture that special photo with Santa.

Free babysitting will be offered in Tall Pines Building, so parents can drop off their children while they enjoy holiday shopping. Additionally, Story Club, with free children’s story telling and free book giveaways, will be offered daily in the Tall Pines Building at 10 am, 11 am, and 3 pm.

On Sunday of the Faire, the Nevada County Fairgrounds will partner with Grass Valley Elks for a canned Food Drive. Bring a can of food on Sunday, December 1, from 10 am to 4 pm, and receive $1 off Sunday’s admission price (one coupon per person). All food donated will help feed those in need in Nevada County.

The Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 29, and runs through Sunday,

December 1. Admission is $4 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Parking is $5; however, Faire-goers will receive one free admission for each paid parking pass. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday.

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento, off Highway 49. For more information, visit the Fairgrounds’ web site at NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
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Ginerbread House Contest at Nevada County Fairgrounds

nevada county fair

Ginerbread House Contest at Nevada County Fairgrounds

November 7, 2013 jd

2012 Best of Show: Wanda Dunn

Create a gingerbread house and win!

Submit your entry form by Friday, November 22

Now is the time for holiday bakers to think about the creation of a magical Gingerbread House to enter into the 11^th annual Gingerbread House Competition at the Country Christmas Faire, held November 29, November 30 and December 1 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.

Houses, bungalows, cottages, and castles fashioned from spicy gingerbread will be displayed for holiday shoppers to enjoy at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley during the Thanksgiving weekend festivities.

Competitors may enter any of the many categories, including children, teens, adults, special needs, families, and groups. There’s even a category for children under 8 years of age who want to enter a house made by a kit.

Ribbons are given to all winners, and, additionally, the Best of Show winner will receive $100. A special gift basket from Tess’ Kitchen Store will be also awarded to the Best of Show winner and the People’s Choice Award.

Entry forms must be received at the Fairgrounds between now and Friday, November 22 by 4 pm. The actual gingerbread house entry must be delivered to the Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November 26 between the hours of 11 am – 6 pm. The cost is $2 to enter, and all Gingerbread House exhibitors will receive two free passes to the Country Christmas Faire.

Entry forms and a complete list of rules can be picked up at the Fairgrounds office on McCourtney Road, or downloaded from the Fair’s website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

The 29^th annual Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 29, and runs through Sunday, December 1. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday; and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Parking is $5; however, Faire-goers will receive one free admission for each paid parking pass.

Talented artisans fill the Fairgrounds exhibit buildings with quality hand-made crafts and unique gifts, so you can get all your holiday shopping done in one location. Visitors to the Faire will enjoy strolling live entertainment, festival foods, wagon rides, and a community bon-fire. Santa Claus will be on hand to greet children, so bring your camera to get that special photo. Santa will be available each day until an hour before closing time.

Free babysitting will be offered so parents can drop off their children while they enjoy holiday shopping, and errand elves will be available to assist shoppers throughout the event.

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley. For more information, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
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Environment

Cal-Fire Lifts Barn Ban in Nevada County November 1, 2013

November 4, 2013 jd

httpv://youtu.be/4At3U_mVe7w

Residential Debris Burn Demonstration

However, burn permits are required.

Burning can only be done on a PERMISSIVE BURN DAY. You must call 530-274-7928 in Western Nevada County and 530-582-1027 in the Truckee area to see if it is a Permissive Burn day before you start burning

Escaped residential debris burns continue to be a leading cause of fire suppression calls in Nevada County. Learning to safely and cleanly burn vegetation debris helps to minimize smoke emissions and allows firefighters time to respond to true emergencies. It is your responsibility to know and follow local and state burning regulations. Failure to follow these regulations is a misdemeanor offense and you may be fined and prosecuted for the expense of containing a wildfire.

Visit the Fire Safe Council website to:

Burning is banned in the city limits of Grass Valley & Nevada City

Try the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County’s Chipping Program instead
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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
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animals

Huge Bear Surprises Crew on EcoBubble Photo Shoot in BC

November 1, 2013 jd

httpv://youtu.be/eryxAcsTcOA

I’ve lived in Nevada County since 1965. As a licensed land surveyor and civil engineer, I’ve walked many a mile through the woods, and never have encountered a bear, a few rattlesnakes but no bears. However, as we crowd into their neighborhood, their natural food supplies diminishes and human sources of food becomes attractive.

Read the rest of the story at my blog here

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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
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nevada county fair

Nevada County Fairgrounds Begins Winter Hours, Effective November 1

October 31, 2013 jd

Inner-grounds and gates to be locked at 4:30 pm and closed on weekends
Effective November 1, the Nevada County Fairgrounds will return to its winter hours. This change in hours means that the Fairgrounds’ inner-grounds and gates will be locked at
4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and closed on weekends. The inner-grounds and gates will remain open during the week to walkers and bicyclists, but all must be off the grounds before the gates lock at 4:30 pm.

The winter hours only affect the inner-grounds and gate closures; it does not affect the Main Office, which is open during its normal business hours of Monday through Friday from
8 am to 5 pm. Additionally, the RV Park at the Fairgrounds will remain open, and the gates and inner-grounds will remain open for any events that are taking place on the grounds during the winter months.

For more information about the Nevada County Fairgrounds, visit NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.

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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
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