Business, Local Writers & Contributors

Workshop to Get Your Life Back on Track

Lisa J. Lehr

by Lisa J. Lehr

On Saturday, October 23, my friend and fellow Toastmaster Jolen Punches and I will be presenting the workshop “Discover and Conquer Your Obstacles and Get Your Life Back on Track” at Sierra Commons in Nevada City.

In this workshop you will learn how to:
·         Shift your thinking in order to create the life you desire;
·         Discover clarity on what you want in any area of your life…career, relationship, financial, or health;
·         Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging your ability to make changes with ease;
·         Release the hurts and pains that keep you trapped in repeating patterns;
·         Transform those stuck patterns of limiting beliefs, fear, and self-sabotage into confidence, clarity, and happiness.

Jolen is a Certified Life Coach and founder of The Lighter Signature System. She holds a Behavioral Therapist degree from California Institute of the Healing Arts and Sciences, is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, and has been studying the mind-body-spirit connection since 1980. A highly sought-after consultant, award-winning speaker, and soon-to-be published author, Jolen believes we all have the answers within ourselves and guides us toward finding them.

I earned my degree in biology a couple decades before the surge in research on the human brain. Now that the human brain is a “hot topic,” I find that my educational background provides a solid foundation for my interest in the subject. I’ll be teaching workshop attendees about how our brains are wired to make us repeat past errors, and how we can re-train them for successful behavior.

The workshop will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door; lunch is included. Sierra Commons is upstairs at the Stonehouse in Nevada City, 107 Sacramento Street, suite #300.

For more information, see http://sierracommons.org; to reserve your spot, contact Jolen at (530) 263-7549 or Jolen@lighterwithin.com.

Transform your life and start living the life you are meant to live!

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 the 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.

nevada county fair

Nevada County Fairgrounds Begins Search for 2011 Fair Theme

2010 Nevada County Fair Theme
2010 Nevada County Fair Theme

Submit the winning theme and win $100 and a prize package to the 2011 Nevada County Fair

Gold will be the featured item of the 2011 Nevada County Fair and the Fairgrounds is hosting a contest to find the winning “Golden” theme for the 2011 Fair. Do you have a catchy or fun theme that you think would be perfect for the 2011 Nevada County Fair?

Visit the Fair’s website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com and submit a theme that includes reference to gold and the Fair. If the theme you submit is selected, you win. The winner will receive $100, as well as a 2011 Nevada County Fair package that includes two free admission tickets for each day of the Fair, a 5-day parking pass for the Fair, and ride coupons.

The contest is open to Nevada County residents only. Submissions must be five words or less and no trade-marked themes will be considered. The contest runs now through November 5, 2010. For those without access to the Internet, entry forms are available at the Nevada County Fairgrounds office, or information can be mailed to the Fairgrounds at P.O. Box 2687, Grass Valley, CA  95945. No phone entries will be accepted.

Once the winning theme is selected, there will be a contest to design artwork to illustrate the theme. Each year, the theme and artwork appear on advertisements, t-shirts, buttons, posters, banners and the Fair’s website to promote the Fair.

The 2011 Nevada County Fair is scheduled for August 10 – 14, 2011. For a complete list of contest rules or information, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.

By:
Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217

animals, Bits & Pieces

Hoof Trimming for Barefoot Performance Horses

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMZqB5qiyfU

Note: if you cannot view this video, you need to Click here to download Adobe Flash

Michelle Smith of Nevada City, California, trims three horses in Penn Valley… they are being trimmed for barefoot riding. If you’d like more information about this subject, feel free to contact them at horsedesigns@gmail.com.

Real Estate

California Realtors® Forecast Slight Rise in 2011 Home Sales


Sales of existing, single-family homes are expected to decline slightly in 2010 compared with 2009, but are forecast to rise slightly in 2011, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ (C.A.R.) “2011 California Housing Market Forecast.”  Meanwhile, the median price of homes in California is expected to increase both in 2010 and 2011 compared with the year prior.

  • Following near record-high levels of year-over-year sales increases, home sales are expected to decline 10 percent in 2010 compared with 2009, according to the C.A.R. forecast.  C.A.R.’s economists predict home sales will increase 2 percent in 2011 compared with 2010.
  • Home sales are expected to end the year at 492,000 units, compared with 546,500 in 2009.  C.A.R. forecasts sales will come in at 502,000 units in 2011.
  • The median sales price is forecast to increase 11.5 percent to $306,500 for 2010, and an additional 2 percent in 2011 to $312,500, C.A.R. announced.
  • According to C.A.R. Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young, the Association expects a net jobs increase of approximately 1.4 million jobs in California for 2011 and an improvement in unemployment figures, which many believe are key to the economic recovery.
  • Ms. Appleton-Young also noted that a lean supply of available homes for sale will drive up prices at the low end ($500,000 and less), but larger inventories and limited, less-attractive financing will cause continued softness at the high end of the market ($1 million and more).

Read the full story.

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
General Contractor
Call 530-263-1091

nevada county fair

Nevada County Fair Announces 24th Annual Horse Classic Awards

Meadowlake - Belgians
Meadowlake - Belgians

Awards for the 24th annual Draft Horse Classic, held September 23 – 26 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, have been announced.  Larry Honsberger from Elmore, Ohio, judged the Draft Horse competitions and halter show. Dwight Gilbert from Nevada was the judge of the pulling contest; and Austin Edens, visiting from Dripping Springs, Texas, was the horseshoe judge.

Draft horse exhibitors from California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Idaho competed for more than $35,000 in premium awards. The competitions took place during six performances over the four-day event.

The winner of the Six-Up Ultimate Hitch Championship was Danielle Simpson of Simpson Percherons, from Rio Vista, California. The second place award for Six-Up Ultimate Hitch Championship was Norman Yoder, driving for Laurelbrook Belgians, owned by Larry and Sally Harris of Camarillo, California.

For the fourth consecutive year, Danielle Simpson was recognized as the outstanding lady driver, accumulating high points to win the Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award.

Excelling in farm type classes, Mel Fischer of Big Feather Shires in Lincoln, California, won the high point competition for the Andy Amsbaugh Teamster Award.

The Teamster of the Year Award was presented to Norman Carman of Carman Ranch, an honor bestowed upon him by the voting of his fellow teamsters. The award presentation was made by Bonnie Reed of Allied Insurance Company, a sponsor of this special award.

Bill Adams of the Draft Horse & Mule Association presented their special Teamster Award to Jeff Shinn of Placerville, California. Tara Covell of Covell’s California Clydesdales in Cambria, California, won the Youth of the Show award.

The Overall Supreme Champion horse was Land Cliff Master, owned by Arlin Wareing of Blackfoot, Idaho.  Simpsons Addison was Grand Champion Mare and Simpsons Hammer Time was Grand Champion Stallion. Both champions are from Simpson Percherons.

The Overall High Point Winner in the 2010 Edward Martin Perpetual Horseshoeing Competition was Nick Rossi. The remaining ribbons for overall points went to Matt Fatchen – 2nd place, and Robbie Mederos – 3rd place.

A complete list of 2010 Draft Horse Classic awards has been posted on the Nevada County Fairgrounds’ website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

The 2011 Draft Horse Classic will be a celebration of its 25th year and is scheduled for September 22 – 25. Tickets will go on sale on May 1, 2011.  Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for more information.

By Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
wsoaks@gmail.com

Construction, Real Estate

Buying a Home, Beware When Home Lacks Permit

How about this house, think it was built with a permit? :-)
How about this house, think it was built with a permit? :-)

By Paul Bianchina

It’s an all too common situation. You find a perfect home for sale in an ideal neighborhood. It’s been beautifully remodeled, and it has everything you’ve been searching for. Even the price is right. Something tells you it might be too good to be true, but you put in an offer anyway, and it’s accepted.

You start doing all the paperwork, and sure enough you discover the catch that you always somehow suspected was there. The sellers did all of that remodeling work without any building permits.

So now you’re faced with a dilemma. You really want this house. The sellers insist that all the work was done by licensed contractors, and that they have full documentation and photographs of all the work as it was being done.

The sellers also tell you that they’re willing to allow any type of inspection on the home that you’d like — except for one by the city.

They explain that they had a bad experience with a building inspector on a previous home, or that they have an ongoing feud with the city over their water bill, or they’re protesting the fact that the city hasn’t fixed the pothole on Main Street yet, or some other reason that they refuse to become involved with the local municipality.

Continue reading Buying a Home, Beware When Home Lacks Permit →

Real Estate

Some of the Wealthiest People Just Don’t Get It in Real Estate

There is a very interesting article in the Wall Street Journal recently. It seems that some of the wealthiest people are caught up in their emotions and will not lower the price on their mansions. For example here’s an excerpt:
“Some holdouts and their brokers defend their prices, arguing that their estates would be difficult, if not impossible, to replicate today. “I feel the property is worth every penny—and probably then some,” says Tommy Hilfiger co-founder Joel Horowitz, who has been asking $100 million for his 210-acre estate in Zephyr Cove, Nev., since July 2006, when the National Association of Realtors’ then-Chief Economist David Lereah said that housing appeared to be headed for a soft landing in most markets.

Mr. Horowitz notes that he and his wife Ann spent a year designing the home and three years building it and bought items for the home on their travels before it was even built—including lighting fixtures, fireplace mantels and 400-year-old flooring from French châteaux.”

I’ve heard that argument for not lowering the price on a home so many times. Sad to say, the market does not care how much love, care or money you have put into a home, the market still dictates what a home will sell for. Until one comes down to reality, and lowers the price to meet the market, the home just will not sell.

To read the full article in the Wall Street Journal, Click Here.

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
General Contractor
Call today – 530-263-1091 for you real estate and construction needs

Real Estate

Short Sale Fraud Cases Rising

SACRAMENTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) has reported a sharp increase in the number of cases involving short sale fraud. In response, the Department has issued a new consumer alert detailing the perils and pitfalls of short sales and has begun posting its administrative actions filed against violators on the DRE web site to help consumers avoid the short sale culprits.

“Hopefully with the new Consumer alert and other educational efforts we can curtail the fraud”

One year ago, DRE investigated fewer than 10 cases involving short sales. Today the case load has increased to over one hundred and the number is growing.

“We saw a similar ground swell with the loan modification scams,” said Real Estate Commissioner Jeff Davi. “Hopefully with the new Consumer alert and other educational efforts we can curtail the fraud,” Davi added.

A short sale transaction involves the sale of a property that is less than the amount of the mortgage loan(s) on the property. In order to complete the sale, the seller requests the lender accept less than what is owed in order to allow the transaction to close. While short sales are a popular alternative to foreclosure, like all real estate transactions, they are complicated and sellers need to lookout for the pitfalls and red flags.

Consumers need to take particular care with the representatives they hire to negotiate short sales and be especially leery of any upfront fees. With limited exceptions, short sale negotiators need to be a licensed real estate broker or salesperson working for a broker. Before engaging the services of a person or entity to negotiate a short sale, check out their license status on the DRE’s web site. In addition, consumers should not pay anyone wanting an advance fee without checking with the DRE.

Again, with limited exceptions, demanding payment upfront for short sale negotiation services is illegal. Finally, sellers and buyers should be cautioned that any payments that are not clearly disclosed in the escrow and closing documents is a red flag and an indication of fraud.

A few of the key elements a homeowner should look out for are the following:

* Do not pay an advance fee to a short sale negotiator without checking with the DRE.
* Short sale negotiators must be licensed real estate brokers (or a licensed real estate salesperson where that person is working under the supervision of his or her broker).
* Any and all payments must be fully disclosed and made part of the escrow documents. If there are any fees to be paid “outside” of escrow, this may be the red flag that the payment is illegal.
* If your agent explains that the buyer is a fictitious person or entity, or your buyer is purchasing the property under a power-of-attorney or is a limited liability company (LLC), this may be a red flag that fraud is involved in your transaction.
* If you are told that an unlicensed processor, negotiator or facilitator is handling your short sale, this is a red flag that unlicensed activity is taking place. Only real estate licensees, California lawyers acting as lawyers and investors acting on their own behalf can engage in short sale negotiations.
* Be wary and cautious when thinking about retaining the services of people or companies calling themselves “specialists”, “experts”, or “certified” in the area of short sales. View the claims of expertise, certification, and specialization with a critical eye, verify the claims, and ask specific, detailed questions.

For a copy of the alert and list of actions involving short sales and other consumer tips, visit Department of Real Estate and click on the Consumer Tab.

Business

Six Secrets to Shortcut Moneymaking

Lisa J. Lehr

by Lisa J. Lehr

Want to make money in business? As much as possible, and as fast as possible? If you’re in business, of course you do. Here are six secrets to shortcut moneymaking.

1. The first secret is…there is no real shortcut. There is, however, a shortest distance between where you are now and where you want to be, and everyone knows the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The straight line in business success is a plan that includes no unproductive use of time or money.

2. Figure out your USP—your unique selling proposition. Especially if you’re a local business with some competition, you’ll need to stand out from the crowd. What makes you different? Spend some time figuring it out.

3. Advertise your product or service. Do all that your budget will allow. If your budget is small, start with inexpensive (and free) forms of advertising. As you begin making sales, roll as much as you can back into your advertising. This is where your highest ROI will come from.

4. Ramp up your marketing as your budget increases. Always stay in front of your target market. Even as your product or service takes hold of the market, and word-of-mouth advertising spreads—unless you’re getting so many orders you just can’t keep up—continue advertising. (And if you are getting so much business you can’t keep up, you can do one of two things: increase your prices, or narrow your offerings to the most lucrative products or services.)

5. Upsell. It’s a basic principle of selling that there are three ways to make more money: get more customers, get your customers to buy more often, and get your customers to buy higher-priced products and services. The third one is the most cost-effective. If your customers like your product or service, and if they trust you, they are more than happy to spend more money with you.

6. Work with a professional copywriter. Many companies have tried to crank out their own marketing programs, and even as that tactic has failed, have continued to try. You’ve probably heard the definition of insanity: doing the same thing and expecting different results. Give your business the competitive edge by letting a professional take charge of your marketing program.

There you have them: six secrets to shortcut moneymaking. The truth, however, is that they’re not really secrets—most smart marketers already know them. And they’re not really shortcuts—they’re just the shortest possible route to where you want to be: making money with your product or service.

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. Click Here to visit her website for more information, opt in for the message series, and receive a free Marketing Guide.

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

Business, Nevada County Information

Nevada County Airport

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buYZzj-ORmA
Note: if you cannot view this video, you need Click here to download Adobe Flash

Nevada County Airport is home base to over 140 aircraft with over 30,000 take-offs and landings occurring each year. 

Nevada County Airport was built in 1932 by Errol McBoyle, owner of the Idaho Maryland Mine, to fly gold to Mills Field (now San Francisco International Airport). In 1956, Charles Litton of Litton Industries, gave the airport land to Nevada County as a gift. Later, Nevada County invested over $5 million in upgrading the air park.

Pilot information is at AirVav:KGOO Nevada County Airpark

Nevada County Airport
Manager: Greg Marshall
13083 John Bauer Avenue
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-273-3374
Fax 274-1003
Email: gregory.marshall@co.nevada.ca.us

By: John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
Call for any of your real estate needs or questions
530-263-1091


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