Business

Beale Air Force Base Lands MC-12W Spy Plane Mission

The first MC-12 Liberty aircraft lands after its first combat mission in June 2009 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. U.S. Air Force
The first MC-12 Liberty aircraft lands after its first combat mission in June 2009 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. U.S. Air Force

The MC-12W spy plane mission will be based at Beale Air Force Base, bringing hundreds of new airmen and greater economic impact to the surrounding region.

“This should be a shot in the arm for the Yuba-Sutter area economically,” said U.S. Rep. Wally Herger, R-Chico, whose office announced the mission’s placement Friday. “We are so excited.”

With the first plane arriving in May, by July the base will have up to seven of 37 total “Liberty” planes, while the others are deployed elsewhere. The planes fly at low and medium altitudes for reconnaissance and spy missions and are piloted, unlike the Global Hawks also based at Beale.

Brynda Stranix, president and chief operating officer for the Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation, said she expects civilian staff supporting the mission could number another 150.

The mission will require 555 enlisted airmen, and Herger said he would expect it will require new civilian support staff as well.

She added her office will target the contractors, possibly as many as 120, who’ll be servicing the planes in an effort to get them to base their businesses locally.

“When you’re talking families, it could be up to 2,000 people who will be coming here as a result,” she said. Over time, everything from recreation to retail will see an increase in demand.

Click Here for the rest of the story from the Appeal Democrat

For all your real estate needs, write or call:

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE# 00669941

nevada county fair

Nevada Fair Coming August 10-14

Mark your calendar for the event voted as “Nevada County’s Best Event” for 11 years in a row – the 2011 Nevada County Fair, August 10 – 14, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in beautiful Grass Valley.

“Gold! Rush to the Fair” is this year’s theme and we have five days of excitement and fun planned for Fair-goers of all ages.  The Nevada County Fair is the perfect opportunity to enjoy live entertainment, delicious food, carnival rides, animals, and exhibits – in a community-friendly environment and at affordable family prices!

Live entertainment will be available every day at five different stages throughout the Fairgrounds. There’s carnival rides and games, barns full of livestock, thousands of community exhibits, special contests, an Idol Competition, nightly arena events, daily demonstrations, gold panning, and food contests.  As always, Treat Street will be serving an array of delicious food and drinks – corn dogs, pasties, tacos, corn on the cob, beer, tempura zucchini, nachos, hamburgers, funnel cakes and caramel corn – just to name a few!

Long-time crowd pleasing events will soar into the Fair’s arena Wednesday through Sunday, presenting thrills ranging from a rodeo to Monster Trucks to the Demolition Derby.

The Ag Mechanics Auction will be held on Friday of the Fair, and the Junior Livestock Auction will be held on Sunday, August 14.

For those interested in entering competitions and projects for judging, the Fair’s Competition Handbook will be available June 1. At that time, all of the categories, as well as online entry information, will be listed on the Fair’s web site at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

Gates open each day at 10 am, and close each evening at 11 pm. Admission this year will be $9 for adults, $6 for seniors (65 and older), $4 for children 6 to 12, and free to children five years old and younger.  Additionally, active and retired military, with ID, will receive free admission.

At one of the most affordable fairs in California, take advantage of discounts and pre-sales on tickets, which begin June 1. At that time, there will be discounts on daily admission and carnival ride tickets, and the popular “Be A Kid Again” promotion, with $4 admission tickets for Thursday, will be available. Additionally, Kids Day will once again be held on Thursday from 10 am to 5 pm and during that time all children 12 years and under are admitted for free.

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento, off Highway 49. For directions, event details or general information, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217. You can follow the Fairgrounds on Facebook at “Nevada County Fairgrounds.”

Source:
Wendy Oaks
Publicist Nevada County Fair

 

For all your real estate needs, call or write:
John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
(530) 263-1091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

Weather

Nevada County Snow Pictures, March 25, 2011

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Pictures taken by John J. O’Dell

These are pictures that I took on the way to Grass Valley.  Click on the pictures to enlarge them and view them with Pic Lens which is the best way to see these pictures.

If the does not work for you try this slide show.

Image 1 of 6

We're about to sail off, soon as we start the engines

 

For all your real estate needs, call or write:

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

Real Estate

Chase Bank Accused of Breaking and Entering

A couple is accusing banking giant Chase of locking them out of their home and removing their personal property before a foreclosure was finalized.

Banks across the country have faced similar accusations. Lenders have argued they have the right to “secure” vacant properties they’ll soon own, but lawyers say it’s trespassing or breaking and entering when home owners still own the title of the property and the banks don’t yet.

In this most recent case, the Florida couple says they arrived home one night to find the locks had been changed and a sign posted on the window that said the home was being managed by Chase Home LLC. The couple, who said the house was to be sold in a foreclosure sale in a few weeks, say the bank didn’t give them a warning or notice of eviction.

The couple has accused the company’s representatives of removing the home’s appliances and the air conditioning unit as well as some of their personal belongings. Chase says the stove, refrigerator, and air conditioning unit were already missing when their representatives entered the house.

The couple’s mortgage has been in default since 2007, but court cases have prolonged the foreclosure since the couple filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2009.

Chase spokeswoman Nancy Norris says that Chase authorized “a vendor” to change the locks on the home after it “determined” the house was vacant.

“Before the property was secured we confirmed that the home was empty,” Norris told the Miami Daily Business Review. “The utilities were turned off … we took photographs on the day we secured the property and the home was in disarray.”

Source: “Chase Accused of ‘Breaking and Entering’ Couple’s Home; Banks Claim They Have Duty to ‘Secure’ Collateral,” Miami Daily Business Review (March 24, 2011)

For all your real estate needs, call or email:

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

Bits & Pieces

Donald Trump Claims He Screwed Gadhafi

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIfSb0EFCf4

 

Donald Trump says his business experience trumps many presidential wannabes – in the realm of foreign policy.

In an appearance on Fox News Monday morning, the bombastic money man said he’s already negotiated with world leaders – including Libyan madman Moammar Gadhafi, whom he rented a piece of land for an exorbitant price.

“I think I probably have more experience than anybody — whether I sell them real estate for tremendous amounts of money,” Trump said.

“I mean, I’ve dealt with everybody,” he added. “And by the way, I can tell you something else: I dealt with Gadhafi. I rented him a piece of land. He paid me more for one night than the land was worth for two years – and then I didn’t let him use the land.”
Trump was referring to his allowing Gahafi to pitch a tent on his property when the Libyan leader was in New York for an appearance at the United Nations in 2009.

The leader refuses to stay on high floors in hotels and insists on staying in similar structures when he travels. Gadhafi never ended up staying on Trump’s property amid a public relations flap.

Trump, at the time, claimed he didn’t know to whom he was renting the property until the controversy exploded.

Yet on Monday, Trump made it sound like he knew he was playing the Libyan strongman from the start. (Sounds like he’ll make a great politician)

“I don’t want to use the world ‘screwed’, but I screwed him,” he said. “That’s what we should be doing.”

Trump said Thursday that he would shell out $600 million of his own dough to become President – and dismissed claims that his bid for higher office was just a stunt.

“I have never been so serious as I am now,” he said.

 

Read more: Source  NYDailyNews.com

 

For all your real estate needs, call or email

John J. O’Dell
Real estate broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

Real Estate

Buyers, Sellers Optimistic About Housing

70 percent of buyers and sellers say they believe the housing market and property values will recover in the next year or two, according to a new survey by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services Inc.

What’s more, 86 percent of the more than 1,000 buyers and sellers surveyed believe real estate is still a good investment despite the souring market conditions in many areas the past few years.

Those surveyed said they also are ready to buy: Six in 10 respondents say they are more interested in buying real estate and 59 percent say they are optimistic about buying now with recent momentum from the economic recovery. They also believe they can get a better deal now because of lower prices.

But many survey respondents said that buying a home relies on them being able to sell their existing home. About 67 percent respondent said they are concerned about getting a fair price for their existing home.

“This survey clearly demonstrates that Americans continue to be optimistic about the real estate market and believe that home prices will rise,” says James Mallozzi, chief executive officer of Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services. “A key take away from the survey is although consumers recognize that it is a good time to buy, they are concerned about their ability to sell their homes. This is one of the reasons the market is still struggling to recover.”

Source: “Americans Confident in Recovery of Real Estate Market,” RISMedia (March 14, 2011)

For all your real estate needs, write or email:
John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE# 00669941

 

Real Estate

Home Prices Drop In February


Following three months of sales gains, California home sales posted a weaker-than-expected performance and declined in February, according to data from the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.).  The statewide median price of an existing, single-family detached home sold in California also declined in February.

  • Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 497,660 in February, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide.
  • February’s sales were down 9 percent from January’s revised pace of 547,080 units, and down 4 percent from the 518,390 sales pace recorded in February 2010.  The statewide sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2011 if sales maintained the February pace throughout the year.  It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.
  • The median price of an existing, single-family detached home sold in California in February declined 2.8 percent to $271,320, from a revised $279,140 in January, and was down 2.5 percent from the $278,190 median price recorded for February 2010.  The February 2011 median price was the lowest since May 2009, when it was $263,440.
  • “The market pulled back in February, following three months of sales gains, when the ramifications of the robo-signing delays from last fall pushed sales into the period from November of last year to January,” said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young.  “February’s sales drop indicates the effects of the foreclosure freeze are diminishing, and the market is returning to a more moderate sales pace.”
  • C.A.R. has posted median prices, unsold inventory stats, sales figures, time on market data, and more by county and region.  To view this information, click here

Read the full story

For all your real estate needs, call or write:

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE#00669941

Entertainment

Jackie Greene Appearing at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XU7ZF-LXug

Jackie Greene is appearing at the Center for the Arts on Father’s Day June 19th. Seating is limited to 300 persons, so you better make your reservations now!

Where you’re going has always been more important than where you’ve been. By his music, Jackie Greene appears to have been through every major American musical influence: from country, to jazz, to folk to rock. And, marked by the release of his newest album American Myth, it’s clear that Greene knows where he’s going. His roots twist to create a unique sound, combining the introspection of an engaging songwriter with the energy of a chemically harged rock band.

In early 2005, he signed with a major record label, Verve Forecast. Sweet Somewhere Bound was reissued that year, followed by a new release, American Myth, in March 2006. The following year, Greene joined Phil Lesh and Friends, the Grateful Dead bassist’s ensemble dedicated to the interpretation of the Dead’s extensive song book. Other members of the band at the time included John Molo, Larry Campbell and Steve Molitz. Also in 2005 his song “I Will Never Let Go” was used in the soundtrack for the movie Brokeback Mountain. Meanwhile, Greene continued to pursue solo efforts, releasing Giving Up the Ghost in April 2008, and made his second visit to Late Night With Conan O’Brien in June 2008, performing “Like A Ball & Chain”. Another song from the album, “I Don’t Live in a Dream”, was featured on episodes of the NBC television series Life in November 2008 and ABC’s Private Practice in March 2009.

In October through November 2009, Greene played a series of shows with Government Mule, culminating at the end of the tour on Halloween at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, during which Jackie played and sang through an entire set of Rolling Stones songs with Gov’t Mule.

The journey is now the depth behind his music. “I’ve been writing, recording and performing non-stop. I’ve lived in cars, hotels, basements…slept on floors, couches, strange girl’s beds. I wrote lots of songs in those places. Some I’ll never remember, but that’s all part of it, I guess.” With a stream-of-consciousness vibe, many of Greene’s songs reflect a certain spontaneity, traveling quickly from inspiration to album to fan. “Music that’s too perfect isn’t music anymore.  It’s better to just capture a moment in time.” says Greene of his philosophy.

www.jackiegreene.com

For tickets online click here


For all your real estate needs, call or email:

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091/
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE@ 00669941

Business

In Business, You Can’t do Everything Yourself!

Photo courtesy of Blog.Autoshopper.com

By Lisa J. Lehr

What’s wrong with this picture?

The fictitious Modern Widget Company in Grass Valley has a small staff of reasonably capable people who do pretty much everything. One day, Bob notices a leak in the restroom. “I can fix that,” he says, “and I’ll save the company a ton of money.” He goes the hardware store, buys some parts, and fixes the leak…or so he thinks. Next morning, when the staff comes to work, the toilet has crashed into the basement. You see, Bob didn’t know water was leaking under the floor, rotting out the floorboards.

Sally arrives, late and breathless, wearing a hat. Embarrassed, she confesses she’d cut her own hair. With an important presentation coming up, she didn’t have time to go to the beauty parlor. “It’ll grow out eventually,” she says, red-faced.

Jeff and his carpool buddy Jenny call to say they’re going to be late. They were on their way when they heard a strange racket coming from under the hood of Jeff’s pickup truck. “I can deal with that,” says Jeff. “Who needs AAA?” They might not make it in till afternoon.

What do all these people have in common? They tried to fix a problem themselves when they really needed the services of a professional. They ended up with problems far more serious and expensive to fix than their original problems. They suffered embarrassment, wasted time, and inconvenience.

Then one day the staff at Modern Widget Company is ready to launch their new Super Widget.

“I’ll do a website,” says Bob. “I’m a pretty geeky guy.”

“I’ll write a sales letter,” says Sally. “I majored in Creative Writing.”

“I’ll send out some e-mails,” says Jeff. “I like to do e-mail.”

“I’ll make a brochure,” says Jenny. “I’m a pretty good artist.”

So they did. How did their cobbled-together marketing program do, you ask?

It bombed. You see, Bob, Sally, Jeff, and Jenny made the same mistakes twice: they thought they knew what they were doing—but they didn’t.

If you’re offering a product or service, you need a professional marketing program to reach your audience and make them buy. Even the best product or service is only as good as your marketing plan. Run, don’t walk, to find a professional marketing writer—before you waste time and money, before you suffer embarrassment and inconvenience. And definitely before your business crashes into the basement…figuratively speaking.

 

Lisa J. Lehr is a writer and copywriter living in Grass Valley. She can help you promote your business with a full range of online and offline marketing pieces. A member of Empire Toastmasters, she’s available to speak to your business or professional group. Visit her website www.justrightcopy.com for more information, opt in for a message series, and receive a free Marketing Guide.

—
Lisa J. Lehr
I write words that make you money–just ask me how.
www.justrightcopy.com
Visit my website and sign up for my fr~ee marketing tips.
New! No~cost Marketing Guide now available at my website.