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Real estate broker, civil engineer and general contractor.
Business, Community Events

Former Professional Football Player Opens the Fade Factory Barbershop

Chad Elliott Owner of Fade Factory Barbershop - Photo by John O'Dell
Chad Elliott Owner of Fade Factory Barbershop – Photo by John O’Dell

“The Fade Factory Barbershop recently opened its doors by well known football player Chad Elliott.  Chad played at Nevada Union, Grant High School, Arizona State University, Syracuse University and thirteen years in the Indoor Football League.  The  hip, new sports themed barbershop is located across the street from Maria’s Restaurant in downtown Grass Valley.

“Not too many shops in town cater to the younger generation and that’s something we’re really trying to lock down,” Chad said.  “When I moved back home (after a 13 year professional football career), I noticed that there was a high demand for a specialized shop that focused on Fades, Tapers, Line-ups, Pompadours, Gentlemen’s cuts, and designs. This town really didn’t have anything like that before we opened up.”

The Fade Factory surely doesn’t look like your typical Grass Valley Barbershop either.  As soon as you walk in you can notice a difference. “The overall feeling of our shop was important to me. I didn’t want it to be boring or stale. I wanted it to be a place where people can come in to have fun, socialize, relax, and actually enjoy their wait times,”

Chad explained. “We painted our walls black and red, we have flat screen TV’s that are constantly playing NFL, College, and NBA games, we listen to music, and we try to present a positive laid back environment.”   So far the business and feedback have been great too.  Working downstairs from Chad, I noticed right away a steady stream of customers coming in and out for his famous fades.

Photo by John O'Dell
Photo by John O’Dell

“We opened less than a month ago and we already have a ton of returning clients, including working with Cheris House Youth Center,. People really seem to  like  the atmosphere.”

As for any other barbershops in town, they may want to take notice. This shop is fresh, fun, new, and exciting. If you like sports, good conversation, free WIFI, music, a great haircut, and a relaxed environment it may be time to switch shops and come check out The Fade Factory.

Photo by John O'Dell
Photo by John O’Dell

When I asked Chad if there was anything else he wanted people to know about his shop he replied, “We are really the only shop in town that stays open on Sunday and Mondays. People need to know that if they need a cut, we are generally open. I also like to give back to the community so I give a 20% discount to all law enforcement and firefighters.”

Chad also reminded us that he encourages parents to bring their kids in for fun designs, sharp cuts, and a clean Christian environment. The Fade Factory seems to be taking off. Check it out.

Call to make an appointment 209-910-8791
Located at 231 E. Main Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945

The official website and hours can be found here: The Fade Factory
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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
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Bits & Pieces, Entertainment

Creepiest Home Tours Ever

Picture courtesy of http://joyreactor.com/post/788368
Picture courtesy of http://joyreactor.com/post/788368

When you work in real estate, you don’t come across haunted houses only on Halloween. When touring properties for sale any time of the year, practitioners and their clients never know what they’ll scare up. Foreclosures in particular, some pros say, often account for the oddest showings, but other types of homes lend some surprises, too.

The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted some of the creepiest retellings of showings by real estate professionals. Here are a few.

House of the Dead

Phil Faranda, a broker with J. Philip Real Estate in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., recalls stepping into a home that contained floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and numerous vases. Then, on the second floor, he spotted a sign that read: “World’s Greatest Mortician.”

“Either it was the craziest coincidence that the owner liked to collect vases and was a mortician, or we were in a mausoleum,” Faranda told the Journal.

Animal House

The last thing Tonya Nelson expected in a new townhome was a reptile-infested basement, says the Redfin agent based in Arlington and Alexandria, Va. But when she and her buyers walked into the basement, they saw bright fluorescent lights with 10 large reptile aquariums filled with frogs, snakes, and alligators.

Odd Stares

Jordan Clarke felt like there were people in every corner of the house watching him. That might have even been less creepy than the fact that those “people” were mannequins staring blankly at him from every angle. The house obviously belonged to a seamstress, says Clarke, a Redfin agent in San Diego. But it was startling nevertheless to see mannequins lurking in every corner of the home.

“You walk in and get that sense that something is staring at you,” he said. “This has probably happened a half-dozen times now. I had one client scream briefly.”

Foreclosed Nightmare

Colette Barnett, an Atlanta-based Redfin agent, may have an expanded definition of “dilapidated” after seeing one foreclosed home. A porch was upheld by cinder blocks with caution tape around it; the stairs were crooked; a garden window was caved in; tiles were falling off the shower; and a huge patch of black mold outlined the basement wall.

 

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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
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animals

The Crocodile Man and the famous Crocodile Poncho

httpv://youtu.be/I7fZZUfvx0s

Rather than trying to tame wild stallions, fearless Costa Rican fisherman Chito prefers a playful wrestle in the water with his best pal Pocho – a deadly 17ft crocodile. The 52-year-old daredevil draws gasps of amazement from onlookers by wading chest-deep into the water, then whistling for his 980lb buddy – and giving him an affectionate hug. Crazy Chito says: “Poncho is my best friend. This is a very dangerous routine but we have a good relationship. He will look me in the eye and not attack me. It is too dangerous for anyone else to come in the water. It is only ever the two of us.”

Chito made friends with the croc after finding him with a gunshot wound on the banks of the Central American state’s Parismina river 20 years ago. He had been shot in the left eye by a cattle farmer and was close to death. But Chito enlisted the help of several pals to load the massive reptile into his boat. He says: “When I found Poncho in the river he was dying, so I brought him into my house. He was very skinny, weighing only around 150lb I gave him chicken and fish and medicine for six months to help him recover. I stayed by Poncho’s side while he was ill, sleeping next to him at night. I just wanted him to feel that somebody loved him, that not all humans are bad. It meant a lot of sacrifice. I had to be there every day. I love all animals – especially ones that have suffered.”

It took years before Chito felt that Poncho had bonded with him enough to get closer to the animal. He says: “After a decade I started to work with him. At first it was slow, slow. I played with him a bit, slowly doing more. Then I found out that when I called his name he would come over to me.”

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

Vant to Invest In Count Dracula’s Home

Castle

Credit: TopTenRealEstateDeals.com

Got quirky buyers looking for a unique home? How about investing in one of the most popular horror stories of all time?

Bran Castle is nestled in the heart of the mountains in Romania (formerly Transylvania).  Carved out of the rock, Bran was home to queens, kings, and knights.

According to legend, Bran Castle was also home the notorious monster, Count Dracula. The property supposedly inspired Bram Stoker to write the celebrated novel about the blood-sucking monster in 1897. Truth be told, the actual residence of Vlad Tepes or “Vlad the Impaler” is a couple of miles from Bran, and in ruins. However, over half a million visitors a year come to see this horror home associated with a vicious and vindictive ruler who was said to have put his enemies on sharpened spikes as a message to others.

The current owners have painstakingly restored the castle and are looking to sell the former customs house associated with the vicious ruler to a private buyer who is willing to invest in it as a major tourist attraction. It’s on the market now for forty-seven million pounds ($78 million USD).

Source: “2014 Haunted Homes You Can Buy,” TopTenRealEstateDeals.com (October 2014).

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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
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Real Estate

Dramatic Easing of Mortgage Standards

 

Photo courtesy of ims.net
Photo courtesy of ims.net

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt on Monday announced plans to expand home buyers’ access to mortgages by loosening up lending standards.

During the Mortgage Bankers Association‘s annual conference, Watt said FHFA will release guidelines “in the coming weeks” to allow increased lending to borrowers with down payments as low as 3 percent. FHFA, which regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, also will help lenders who sell loans to the mortgage giants by easing standards on borrowers who don’t have perfect credit profiles. The move is expected to help open up the credit box to first-time buyers, self-employed borrowers, borrowers who have had recent job switches, and borrowers who faced financial hardship during the recession.

Watt said on Monday that Fannie and Freddie would not force repurchases from lenders of mortgages that are later found to have minor flaws in them, as long as borrowers have kept up with their mortgage payments for 36 months. Watt also said that lenders wouldn’t be forced to buy back bad loans if flaws were later discovered in the reporting of borrowers’ finances, debt loads, and down payments — as long as the borrowers would have qualified for the loans had the information been accurate.

“Minor, immaterial loan defects should not automatically trigger a repurchase request,” says David Stevens, CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association. “As a result, lenders will be more confident in offering mortgages to qualified borrowers.”

FHFA said it will clarify to lenders when it will force buy-back loans that were issued based on inaccurate information. FHFA acknowledges that it failed to provide lenders with enough clarity in the past. That caused lenders to get cautious with lending after facing a flood of high-dollar settlements from loans they issued that later turned sour.

“We know that this issue has contributed to lenders imposing credit overlays that drive up the cost of lending and also restrict lending to borrowers with less than perfect credit scores or with less conventional financial situations,” Watt said. Addressing such issues are “critical to ensuring that there is liquidity in the housing-finance market and to providing access to credit for borrowers.”

Source: “Regulator Unveils Plan to Spur Lending by Fannie, Freddie,” Los Angeles Times (Oct. 20, 2014) and “Fannie-Freddie Clarify Buyback Rules in Bid to Ease Credit,” Bloomberg (Oct. 20, 2014)

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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
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Bits & Pieces, Business, Entertainment, Grass Valley, Restaurants

Review of Bear River Pasta Company

Bear River Pasta Company Entrance

Image 1 of 4

By Judy J. Pinegar, Writer

Recently, a friend recommended I try the Bear River Pasta Company, it was a little hard to find, at 109 Bank Street. Inside it is compact and very clean. There is a refrigerator full of pre-made pasta dishes with the sauce, along with bread and yummy salads for eating in, or taking out for an easy dinner meal. They also make lots of different sandwiches on wheat or sourdough bread with all the fixings. Owners Carl Brenner and Theresa McGuire have done a nice job of creating a reasonably priced venue for quick meals and take-out dinners.

If you are eating in, you microwave the dish of pasta, and your choice of salad and freshly toasted bread is brought to you. We tried the Spaghetti and Meatballs, apparently the hands down favorite seller!  It was delicious, and so were the Garlic and Pesto Breads! We also shared a Carmel Balsamic Gelato which was fantastic!  Lots of other flavors of gelato were also available along with Cannoli and Tiramisu.

A second refrigerator was filled with many different kinds on homemade pasta as well as homemade sauces, enough to serve a family. There is also a supply of Italian specialty items, oils, candies, cookies, beautiful wooden wine stoppers, nic-naks and potholders. The salad items also include many varieties of olives, nicely displayed.

We took out some fresh made Fettuccini and the Tomato Basil Sauce, along with some nice homemade pot holders. All and all it was a great find, and I am sure we will come again!  Check out the full menu at their website www.bearriverpasta.com. Bear River Pasta also attends local events and street fairs, and catering as requested.

For their menu and more go to their website Bear River Pasta Company

Their telephone number is 530.274.1760

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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
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Boating - Sailing, Lakes in nevada county

Scotts Flat Reservoir Lake Level September 2014

Scotts Flat Reservoir

Scotts Flat Reservoir
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Picture 1 of 9

Scotts Flat Reservoir


Pictures  by John J. O’Dell from my deck.

The water level in the lake is down further than I’ve seen since I’ve lived in Cascade Shores, or at least it seems that way.  Scotts Flat Lake or should I say reservoir, what’s the difference?  A lake is a body of water but a  reservoir is different because it’s level is deepest at the dam and some other technicalities . Oh, well, I still like to call it a lake.  If you really want to know the difference between a lake and reservoir go to Lakes & Reservoirs.

If you want to see the projected water level for Scotts Flat Reservoir  that was prepared by Nevada Irrigation District, go to picture 5.  I’m guessing from my pictures and the graph for water levels for Scotts Flat Lake that the present elevation is around 3,036 foot elevation. The high appears to be 3,062  feet in elevation.  That’s a 26 foot drop which cuts the water storage in half, from 40,000 acre feet to 25,000 acre feet. An acre foot is one foot of water over one acre of land or 43,560 cubic feet of water.

Scott’s Flat is situated among the tall pines at the 3100-foot elevation nine miles east of Nevada City via Highway 20 and Scott’s Flat Road. It offers 169 campsites at two large campgrounds, plus a group camp. Across the lake, accessible via Red Dog and Quaker Hill Roads from Nevada City, is the Cascade Shores Day Use Area. As you can see from my pictures, there a lot of trees around the reservoirs, oops lake.

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nevada county fair

Meet Tommie Turvey, Equine Extremist, at the Draft Horse Classic at the Nevada County Fair

Tommie performing with Pokiejoe. Picture courtesy of Nevada County Fairgrounds
Tommie performing with Pokiejoe. Picture courtesy of Nevada County Fairgrounds


Meet and Greet with Tommie and his famous horses on Saturday and Sunday of the Classic

 

Tommie Turvey, Equine Extremist, who will be performing at this year’s Draft Horse Classic, will be featured at a Meet and Greet on Saturday and Sunday from 2 -3 pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Held outside the arena, near the box office, the Meet and Greet is a great opportunity to meet Tommie, meet his famous horses, get an autograph, and chat with Tommie about his work with horses.

Tommie is a world-renowned equine entertainer, stuntman, and one of the best movie horse trainers of today. As a professional stuntman and movie horse trainer, Tommie has been involved with his horses in the Hollywood blockbuster movies “Jonah Hex,” “Batman: Dark Knight,” and Larry the Cable Guy’s “Witless Protection.” His horses have also been featured in AMC’s series “The Walking Dead,” NBC’s “Revolution,” and TNT’s “Burn Notice.”

Additionally, Tommie was called upon by Anheuser Busch to train and coordinate eight of their famous Budweiser Clydesdales for their highly watched 2013 Superbowl commercial. The commercial, “Brotherhood,” was voted best Superbowl ad, and has more than 15 million views on YouTube.

horse-bucking

Tommie training Clydes for Budweiser Commercial Photo courtesy of Nevada County Fairgrounds
Tommie training Clydes for Budweiser Commercial
Photo courtesy of Nevada County Fairgrounds

Tommie and his horses travel the world performing for hundreds of thousands of people each year, and have performed in some of North America’s biggest shows – the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, Night of the Horse in Del Mar, the Toronto Royal, and the PA Horse World Expo. They have also been featured in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day and the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.

His bay and white American Paint Horse, “Pokerjoe” is the star of the group. He is well known for his comedy antics, black mane, white tail, and his most requested equine act. In 2009, Pokerjoe was immortalized as a Breyer ® Horse model. Tommie’s black and white Paint Horse, “Joker,” was cast as the Celebration Breyer® Model Horse in 2006, showcasing his performances and television career.

As an owner of 14 horses from Paints, Pintos, Quarter Horses, Haflingers, Trakehners, Mini’s, Rocky Mountain and Mustangs, Tommie has dedicated his life to bringing the power and beauty of the horse to the forefront through entertainment and inspiring demonstrations. He is based at Liberty Horse Ranch in Summerville, GA. For more information about Tommie, visit Tommie’s website at www.equineextremist.net.

In addition to the Meet and Greet (held Saturday and Sunday from 2 – 3 pm on the backside of the arena, next to the arena box office), Tommie will be featured at each performance at the Draft Horse Classic. The Classic is held September 18 – 21 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. Tickets to the Classic performances are on sale now, and can be purchased by calling the Fairgrounds Office at (530) 273-6217 or visiting the Fairgrounds’ website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

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nevada county fair

BBQ Cook-off and Bounty of the County Nevada County Fairgrounds

 

PART OF THE FESTIVITIES AT THE DRAFT HORSE CLASSIC WEEKEND

 “Backyard BBQ Cook-Off” on Saturday, September 20;

“Bounty of the County” on Sunday, September 21

 

In between Draft Horse performances at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, September 18 – 21, take time to visit two tasty events happening on the grounds during the weekend – “Backyard BBQ Cook-Off” and “Bounty of the County.”

On Saturday, September 20, from 1 – 4 pm, taste the delicious samples of food made by BBQ experts. Tasting tickets will be available at the event at 5 for $10. Come taste the treats, enjoy a beverage or two, and sit back and listen to live musical entertainment by local favorite “Cool Heat.”

On Sunday, September 21, Bounty of the County takes place from 1 – 4 pm.  Bring your appetite to this fun and delicious event, hosted by Nevada County Grown. Bounty of the County is a pairing of fabulous local chefs with the finest produce and meats of Nevada County Grown farmers and ranchers. This is local, fresh, and delicious food at its best – and a feast for your palate. In addition to great food, there will be music, vendors, demonstrations, and educational booths. Artists’ Studio in the Foothills (ASiF) will also feature an art exhibit and sale. For the children, there will be plenty of activities, including veggie stamping, pasta shell necklaces, recycled paper pots, butterfly plant markers, and a soil discovery station. Tasting tickets will be sold at the event at 3 for $10, and proceeds benefit local agriculture. Additional details can be found at NevadaCountyGrown.org.

In addition to these two tasty events, the Harvest Fair is bustling with activities during the weekend, including musical entertainment on the Pine Tree stage, Art at the Classic, delicious festival food on Treat Street, a clogging jamboree, a Western Trade Show, and visits to the barns.

The Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair runs September 18 – 21 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. There are six performances featuring the magnificent Draft Horses – Thursday and Friday at 6:30 pm, Saturday at 10 am and 6:30 pm, and Sunday at 10 am and 4 pm.

For tickets to the Draft Horse Classic performances, or for details about the Harvest Fair activities, visit NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.

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

Draft Horse Classic Tickets on Sale Now

Carriage-(ProSportsPix)
Carriage-(ProSportsPix)

 

Majestic Draft Horse performances, breath-taking competitions, and seeing a Draft Horse “up-close” are all part of the festivities at the 28th annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, September 18 – 21, at the beautiful Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. Featuring six performances by the beautiful Draft Horses, this event has become the premier Draft Horse show in the western United States. The Classic spotlights a variety of horses, teams, and performances; featuring everything from farm wagons, carriages, and driving competitions to dancing horses and racing mules.  The stars of the show are the horses, and with more than 120 horses stabled on the grounds, the Classic offers a unique chance to observe them in a multitude of settings.

Tickets to this event are on-sale now.  Once again, we’re offering discounted pricing on adult admission tickets for evening performances, as well as on morning performances and children’s tickets.  Tickets can be purchased by calling (530-273-6217), faxing (530-273-1146), or visiting the Fair Office on McCourtney Road. Tickets can also be purchased on-line at NevadaCountyFair.com. There is a small transaction fee if you order your tickets on-line.  Ticket order forms are available at www.NevadaCountyFair.com. Choose from six performances!

Although there is a charge for the Draft Horse performances in the arena, admission to the Fairgrounds is free so all can enjoy the many activities of the Harvest Fair happening during the four days of the Classic. Visit the grounds to enjoy western music, Harvest Fair agricultural competitions and hundreds of community exhibits, a clogging jamboree, horse shoeing demonstrations, delicious food on Treat Street, and artwork at Art at the Classic. Plus, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the barns and meet the famous Draft Horses up-close.

On Saturday of the Classic, it’s the Backyard BBQ and Chef’s Challenge Rib Cook-Off, happening from 1 – 3:30 pm. Whether you want to show off your cooking skills or simply join the fun and taste the treats – we’ve got it all in one place. Tasting tickets and alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase at the event.

On Sunday, September 21, enjoy the Fall-like weather underneath the tall pine trees for Bounty of the County.  Sponsored by Nevada County Grown, Bounty of the County takes place from 1 – 4 pm and is a pairing of fabulous local chefs with the produce and meats of Nevada County Grown farmers and ranchers. This is local, fresh, and delicious food at its best – and a feast for your palate.  Information is available at www.NevadaCountyGrown.org.

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located on McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, just 50 miles northeast of Sacramento. The phone number is (530) 273-6217. Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for tickets to the Draft Horse Classic and for more information.

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