Photo credit: http://myfunnycoolpics.blogspot.com/

Donate a can of food on Sunday, November 25, and receive $1 off admission

The Nevada County Fairgrounds and HOPE (Helping Other People Eat) in Nevada County are teaming up to help feed those in need in Nevada County.

Bring a can of food (or two or three) to the Country Christmas Faire on Sunday, November 25, and the Fairgrounds will give you a coupon for $1 off general admission to the Christmas Faire on that day (one coupon per person). Volunteers from HOPE will collect the cans at the food collection bins at the Fairgrounds from 10 am – 4 pm at Gates 1, 3 and 5, which is also where you’ll receive your coupon.

With the help of HOPE, all food collected at the Fairgrounds on Sunday will be used to help feed those in need in Nevada County. HOPE in Nevada County is a program established through the Grass Valley Elks. Through this program, the Grass Valley Elks partner with the Food Bank of Nevada County to feed those in need, as well as working with the organization on a school snack program. HOPE distributes food once a month on the third Saturday of each month to anyone in the county in need of food and emergency food.

The Country Christmas Faire is happening Thanksgiving weekend, November 23 – 25, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday. Cost is $4, and free to children under 12. Parking is $5; however, Faire-goers will receive one free admission for each paid parking pass.

Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for information or call (530) 273-6217.

For all your real estate needs
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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
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(530) 263-1091
Email <a href=”mailto:jodell@nevadacounty.com”>jodell@nevadacounty.com</a>

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nevada county fair

Nevada County Gingerbread House Competition Now On

November 9, 2012 jd

Ginger Bread House - Best of show 2011 — Ginger Bread House – Best of show 2011

Now is the time for holiday bakers to think about the creation of a magical Gingerbread House to enter into the 10^th annual Gingerbread House Competition at the Country Christmas Faire, held November 23 – 25 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

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. New this year, there are categories for traditional and non-traditional entries.

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 16 by 4 pm. The actual gingerbread house entry must be delivered to the Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November 20 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 28^th annual Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 23, and runs through Sunday, November 25. 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 and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to greet children and a photographer will be available to capture the special moment with Santa.

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.

The Gallery 121 – Frightful Halloween Gingerbread House

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animals

Horse Paints Self-Portrait

November 4, 2012 jd

His paintings mimic those of famous abstract and impressionist painters. They appear to be heavily influenced by Jackson Pollock or Vincent Van Gogh. But the artist himself more closely resembles Smart Jones or Secretariat.

Justin is a nine-year old 1500-pound Friesian horse that began painting two years ago.

His owner, Adonna Combs, noticed that Justin would often steal her riding whip and begin to draw in the sand. She soon added a brush to the end of the whip and they were off on art experiment that has now landed Justin in regional galleries and drawn international attention.

Source WRD/com

Horse’s Paintings Gain International Fame

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nevada county fair

Nevada County Fair Artwork Contest

November 2, 2012 jd

Sandy Gold of Grass Valley was the winner in 2012 of the Art Work Contest

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is sponsoring a contest to find the best artwork to illustrate the 2013 Nevada County Fair circus theme – “Under the Big Top.” If you’re a talented artist, and you’d like $250, this is the contest to enter!

The contest, which is open to Nevada County residents only, takes place now through Friday, December 7. If you submit the winning artwork, you will win $250 and a 2013 Nevada County Fair package that includes admission tickets, parking and carnival coupons. Additionally, the winning artwork will be used on various Fair promotional pieces, print ads, buttons, t-shirts, banners, posters, and flyers.

Interested artists may use any medium and can submit up to three entries, which must be on 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper. Entries can be delivered to the Fairgrounds Office at 11228 McCourtney Road or mailed to the Fair Office at PO Box 2687, Grass Valley, CA 95945. A complete set of rules can be found on the Fair’s website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com, or by calling the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217.

The 2013 Nevada County Fair is August 7 – 13, 2013

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Real Estate

National Median Home Prices Up 9.5% From Year Ago Levels

November 1, 2012 jd 1 Comment

By Lawrence Yun

The national median home price, at $187,400, is up 9.5 percent from year-ago levels, and the market is on pace to see 4.82 million home sales this year, a 9.3 percent improvement over last year. Almost two-thirds of sales are completed within three months, a big jump from a year earlier. But practitioner confidence, a good indicator of how the market will look down the road, has barely budged for months. All trend lines are from August 2011 to August 2012.

Existing-home sales is a seasonally adjusted annual rate, which is the actual rate of sales for the month, multiplied by 12 and adjusted for seasonal sales differences. Pending home sales is an index that measures housing contract activity. An index of 100 is equal to the level of activity during 2001, the benchmark year. Inventory measures the number of existing homes on the market at the end of the month. Buyer and seller traffic, current conditions, six-month expectations, and time on market derive from a monthly REALTOR® Confidence Index. Results are based on 3,421 responses to 6,000 surveys sent to large and small real estate offices. The survey asks practitioners to indicate whether conditions are strong (100 points), moderate (50), or weak (0). Some data may be revised from previous issues.

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Boating - Sailing

Steve Jobs Yacht “Venus” Unveiled in Aalsmeer, Netherland

October 29, 2012 jd

httpv://youtu.be/0mUp1PP98uU

Steve Jobs’ yacht was unveiled in a Dutch shipyard on Sunday, where the unusual boat designed by Jobs and famed minimalist designer Philippe Starckwas christened “Venus,” after the Roman goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility, prosperity and victory.

According to Dutch website OneMoreThing, the finished ship was launched at shipbuilder Koninklijke De Vries in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. Jobs’ widow Laurene and three of their children, Reed, Erin and Eve, were at the ceremony.

Source: CNN Tech News
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The Yacht Apple’s (AAPL) Steve Jobs Envisioned Makes Its First Appearance

Real Estate

End is Near for Certain Tax Exemptions

October 27, 2012 jd

Photo credit: www.inspirational-quotes-short-funny-stuff.com

Currently, any debt forgiven by a lender in a short sale, loan modification, or foreclosure is exempt from federal taxation. However, that exemption is scheduled to expire Jan. 1, 2013.

Making sense of the story

Borrowers will have to count mortgage relief from lenders as income on their federal tax returns, if the exemption is allowed to expire. That means, for example, a borrower would have to pay taxes on a $100,000 reduction in principal owed on a loan, or a $20,000 write-off in the amount owed after a short sale.
An extension of the tax exemption – established under the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 – is a strong possibility. But given that Congress will have to grapple with serious fiscal issues after the November elections, there is no guarantee the exemption will emerge from those negotiations intact.
The Debt Relief Act exemption applies only to canceled mortgage debt used to buy, build, or improve a primary residence, not a second home. The maximum exemption is $2 million.
Reinstating the tax would undercut the the effect of the National Mortgage Settlement reached earlier this year in the federal government’s investigation into banks’ mishandling of foreclosure documents.
Under the terms of the settlement, five of the biggest mortgage lenders must put some $17 billion toward debt relief that enables borrowers to stay in their homes. Smaller portions are reserved for short sales and refinancing.

Read the full story

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animals

To Find Lost Dog, Couple Willing to Sell Their Home

October 26, 2012 jd

A couple in Warren, Texas, has listed their home for sale in order to be able to offer $50,000 as a reward to find their missing dog.

Charlie Parker says his missing chocolate Lab, named Sir, means everything to the family and they’re willing to give up the roof over their heads in order to find him.

“He plays such a great role in our lives,” says Parker, who has had the dog for five years. “Whatever it takes, just bring me the animal and I’ll pay you.”

The chocolate Lab disappeared Sept. 15 while Parker was mowing the lawn. The family is offering a $50,000 reward to anyone who returns the dog safely. In order to offer the $50,000 award, the family put their home on the market.

Parker told reporters that he’s willing to do anything to find the missing dog, except give up his wife and horse.

Source: “Couple Selling Family Home to Fund Reward to Find Lost Dog,” Radaronline.com (Oct. 16,

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Real Estate

Homes Are Selling Faster

October 24, 2012 jd

Photo credit: future-dreamhome.blogspot.com

Inventories of for-sale homes aren’t the only thing that is dropping. The amount of time homes are staying on the market is growing shorter as well—down 11 percent in the last year—according to the latest Realtor.com data.

Homes were listed on average 95 days, according to September housing data. That is down from 107 days a year earlier.

Homes are selling the fastest in Oakland, Calif., in which the median age of the inventory averages 21 days, which is 57 percent below what it was a year ago. Denver, Colo. boasts a median age of inventory of only 38 days, followed by fast-selling markets of Stockton-Lodi, Calif., with 43 days, and San Francisco with 44 days.

As the median age of the inventory is falling, inventories of for-sale homes continue to hover at record lows too, dropping 18 percent last month compared to a year ago.

“There’s a recovery,” Curt Beardsley, vice president of Realtor.com, told BusinessWeek. “Our market times are low and there’s actually a compression of inventory.”

Home buyer demand is increasing, with housing affordability still high and ultra low mortgage rates that have pushed home buyers’ purchasing power higher. The rise in demand has caused asking prices to also rise. Last month, the median asking price was $191,500, which is up 0.8 percent compared to a year earlier, Realtor.com reports.

Source: “Listings of Homes for Sale Drop as U.S. Housing Recovers,” BusinessWeek (Oct. 15, 2012) and REALTOR® Magazine Daily News

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Uncategorized

Nevada County Fairgrounds – Contests, Costumes, and a Cupcake Walk

October 23, 2012 jd

The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation is hosting a costume contest at its Halloween event on Saturday, October 27, from 1 – 4 pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The costume parade and contest will take place at 2 pm at the Main Exhibit Building, with prizes awarded following the contest.

There will also be games and treats for kids, face painting, and even a cupcake walk! Hot dogs and all the fixins’ will be served and DJs Bobby ‘G’ and Tonni ‘T’ will provide family-friendly music for all to enjoy. The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Model Railroad will be open for tours, and, weather permitting, Empire Carriage Company will provide carriage rides around the Fairgrounds.

Additionally, the Rotary Club of Grass Valley will host its annual “Ball Drop,” with a chance to win $1,000, at 3:30 at the Fairgrounds. Tickets will be available at the event. The local Grass Valley Fire Department ladder truck that will do the golf ball drop will be on the grounds at 1:30 and will provide treats and welcome children to tour the fire truck.

It’s all happening, rain or shine, on Saturday, October 27 from 1 – 4 pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The cost is only $5 per person and includes food, treats, games and entertainment! Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event at the Fairgrounds.

The Halloween Fun at the Fairgrounds event is sponsored by Cirino’s at Main Street/Cirino’s Bar and Grill. Click here for information or call
(530) 273-6217.

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