All posts by jd

Real estate broker, civil engineer and general contractor.

In Memory of Steve Jobs Words of Wisdom – Commencement Speech – Stanford University

(First blogged August 26, 2011)

httpv://youtu.be/D1R-jKKp3NA

It’s so sad to see such a great man pass away at such a youthful age. He changed the way we think about computers, telephones, the way we carry music and information with us in ways that only he could create and seemly in a way no one else thought of.

Here’s Steve Jobs delivering his commencement speech to the graduates of Stanford University in 2005. In it he talks about getting fired from Apple in 1985, life & death.

You’ve got to find what you love,’ Jobs says

This is a prepared text of the Commencement address delivered by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, on June 12, 2005.

I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories.

The first story is about connecting the dots.

I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?

It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: “We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?” They said: “Of course.” My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.

And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents’ savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn’t see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn’t interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.

Continue reading In Memory of Steve Jobs Words of Wisdom – Commencement Speech – Stanford University

25th Annual Draft Horse Classic Awards Announced

Arlin Wareing and his Shires perform at the 25th annual Draft Horse Classic. Wareing, of Blackfoot, Idaho, was the winner of the Six-Up Ultimate Hitch Championship.
Arlin Wareing and his Shires perform at the 25th annual Draft Horse Classic. Wareing, of Blackfoot, Idaho, was the winner of the Six-Up Ultimate Hitch Championship.

By Wendy Oaks

Awards for the 25th annual Draft Horse Classic, held September 22 – 25 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, have been announced.  Jim Poole of St. Louis, Missouri judged the Draft Horse competitions and halter show. Dwight Gilbert from Nevada was the judge of the pulling contest; and Jake Engler, visiting from Magnolia, Texas, was the horseshoe competition judge.

Draft horse exhibitors from California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, and Iowa 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 Arlin Wareing of The Wareings, from Blackfoot, Idaho.

For the fifth consecutive year, Danielle Simpson of Simpson Percherons from Rio Vista, California, was recognized as the outstanding lady driver, accumulating high points to win the Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award.

The Teamster of the Year Award was presented to Arlin Wareing, an honor bestowed upon him by the voting of his fellow teamsters. The Draft Horse & Mule Association presented their special Teamster Award to Larry Barnes of Reno, Nevada.  Ciera Barry of Shady Oaks Ranch in Millville, California, won the Youth of the Show award.

The Overall Supreme Champion horse and the Grand Champion Stallion was Jack of Hearts, owned by Jeanne Williams of Lodi, California, and shown by Vernon Helmuth. The Grand Champion Mare was Mercedes, owned by The Howells and shown by Timothy Howell, both of Blackfoot, Idaho.

The winner in the 2011 Edward Martin Perpetual Horseshoeing Competition was Nick Rossi of Danville, California.

At the first annual Classic Rib Cook-Off, the first place winner was Andy Ferrendelli cooking for A&L BBQ, based out of Princeton, California. Second place went to Chuck Collendez, cooking for Bowling Over Pigs BBQ from Brentwood, California; and third place went to Plane Ole BBQ, with cook Ray Campbell from Lincoln, California.  The People’s Choice Champion was also Plane Ole BBQ.

At the Harvest Fair, the People’s Choice award for the scarecrows included Sherry Andreini for first place, Stuart Woodhall for second place, and The Hays Family for third place. The Best of Division in Scarecrows went to Roy Hays of The Hays Family.

A complete list of 2010 Draft Horse Classic awards, as well as all the Harvest Fair winners, is on the Nevada County Fairgrounds’ website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

The 2012 Draft Horse Classic is scheduled for September 20 – 23. Tickets will go on sale on May 1, 2012.  Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for more information

Click on the following.  They are pdf files showing the results of the judging for the Draft Horse Classics:

Draft Horse Classics Results

Draft Horse Classics Halter Classes

Special Awards

If you do not have a pdf reader, you may down load it for free at Adobe free pdf reader

 

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

Website: www.NevadaCountyFair.com
Facebook: Nevada County Fairgrounds

Nevada County Fair                          August 8 – 12, 2012
Draft Horse Classic                           September 22 – 25, 2011
Halloween at the Fairgrounds       October 29, 2011
Country Christmas Faire                  November 25 – 27, 2011

 

Thinking of buying or selling?
For all your real estate needs, call or email:

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
9530) 263-1091
jodell@nevadacounty.com

Pictures of Nevada County – Sierra & Coast Range Mountains, Scotts Flat Lake

Picture taken from my deck in Cascade Shores. Foreground is the Sierras and the far mountain range is the Coast Range Mountains.

Picture taken with Sony Hx100 f/5  1/200 sec ISO 400

GPS on the camera shows the direction Northwest from my house aiming towards Mendocino National Forest on the Coast Range

Sotts Flat Lake and Sierra Mountains.

Sony Hx100  f/2.8   1/320 sec.  ISO 100

 

View Larger Map
 

Problems making your mortgage payments?
Consider the advantages of a short sale
Call or email today for a free consultation

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
jodell@nevadacounty.com

U.S. Lowers The Size Of Mortgage It Will Guarantee

September 30, 2011
The current conforming loan limit, which determines the maximum size of a mortgage that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac can buy or guarantee – is set to expire Friday, Sept. 30.

 

  • Beginning Oct. 1, the conforming loan limit will decline to $625,500, from the current $729,750 limit, though the majority of counties will fall far below the $625,500 maximum.
  • Non-conforming or jumbo loans typically carry a higher mortgage interest rate than a conforming loan and require a higher down payment, increasing the monthly payment and negatively impacting housing affordability for California home buyers.
  • Under the new GSE loan limits, Monterey County would see the greatest drop in the loan limit at $246,750, followed by San Diego ($151,250), Sonoma ($141,550), Solano ($140,500), and Napa ($137,500) counties.
  • Under the new FHA loan limits, Monterey County would see the greatest drop in the loan limit at $246,750, followed by Merced ($201,450), Riverside ($164,650), San Bernardino ($164,650), Solano ($157,300), and San Diego ($151,250) counties.
  • The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) estimates that more than 30,000 California home buyers statewide will be impacted by the change to the conforming loan limits.
  • In anticipation of the conforming loan limit decline, some banks already have stopped accepting conventional and government applications for loan amounts that exceed the new permanent loan amounts.

Read the full story

Thinking of buying or selling?
For all your real estate needs, call or email:

John J. O’Dell Realtor®
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
9530) 263-1091
jodell@nevadacounty.com

World’s Smallest Dog And World’s Tallest Dog

httpv://youtu.be/whPa2h7YE9k

Here we have the world’s smallest dog (might be the shortest too) and the world’s tallest  dog.  Of course this was all created by humans breeding dogs over the ages.

httpv://youtu.be/y0SDq8F_jKc

A Great Dane from the US state of Arizona has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the tallest dog ever on record.Giant George, owned by David Nasser, stands 43in (1.09m) tall paw to shoulder, and weighs 245lb (111kg). Guinness officials say there were conflicting reports about Giant George’s height, so they sent a judge to his home in Tucson to verify it.

Giant George – who has his own website – consumes 110lb of food each month.

Four-year-old Giant George made it into the record books by beating his nearest rival, Titan, a Great Dane from California, by three-quarters of an inch.

He was named by Guinness World Records as both the world’s Tallest Living Dog and Tallest Dog Ever.

Mr Nasser says George sleeps on his own queen-sized bed inside the house.

On a recent plane trip for a media appearance in Chicago, George was given a row of three seats to himself.

And his presence on the plane certainly caused a commotion, says Mr Nasser, with many passengers coming up to take photographs.

“There were so many people coming to the front of the plane, the pilot ended up illuminating the ‘fasten seat-belt’ sign to get everyone to sit down,” he added.

 

Problems making your mortgage payments?
Consider the advantages of a short sale
Call or email today for a free consultation

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
jodell@nevadacounty.com

Nevada County Fairground County Christmas Faire 2011

By Wendy Oaks

Mark your calendar for the 27th annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley on November 25, 26, and 27. 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, bead work, and dozens of other unique gifts.

Visitors to the Faire will enjoy strolling live entertainment, festival foods, the magical Gingerbread House exhibit, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, 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.

Free babysitting will be offered, so parents can drop off their children while they enjoy holiday shopping.

The Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 25, and runs through Sunday,

November 27. 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 Fair’s web site at www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.

 

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

Website: www.NevadaCountyFair.com
Facebook: Nevada County Fairgrounds

Nevada County Fair                          August 8 – 12, 2012
Draft Horse Classic                            September 22 – 25, 2011
Halloween at the Fairgrounds      October 29, 2011
Country Christmas Faire                  November 25 – 27, 2011

 

Thinking of buying or selling?
For all your real estate needs, call or email:

John J. O’Dell Realtor®
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
9530) 263-1091
jodell@nevadacounty.com

Home Owners Beware A New Twist on Foreclosure Rescue Fraud

Forensic Mortgage Loan Audit Scams:

Fraudulent foreclosure “rescue” professionals use half-truths and outright lies to sell services that promise relief to homeowners in distress. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, the latest foreclosure rescue scam to exploit financially strapped homeowners pitches forensic mortgage loan audits.

In exchange for an upfront fee of several hundred dollars, so-called forensic loan auditors, mortgage loan auditors, or foreclosure prevention auditors backed by forensic attorneys offer to review your mortgage loan documents to determine whether your lender complied with state and federal mortgage lending laws. The “auditors” say you can use the audit report to avoid foreclosure, accelerate the loan modification process, reduce your loan principal, or even cancel your loan.

Nothing could be further from the truth. According to the FTC and its law enforcement partners:

  • there is no evidence that forensic loan audits will help you get a loan modification or any other foreclosure relief, even if they’re conducted by a licensed, legitimate and trained auditor, mortgage professional or lawyer.
  • some federal laws allow you to sue your lender based on errors in your loan documents. But even if you sue and win, your lender is not required to modify your loan simply to make your payments more affordable.
  • if you cancel your loan, you will have to return the borrowed money, which may result in you losing your home.

If you are in default on your mortgage or facing foreclosure, you may be targeted by a foreclosure rescue scam. The FTC wants you to know how to recognize the telltale signs and report them. If you are faced with foreclosure, the FTC says legitimate options are available to help you save your home.

Spotting a Scam

If you’re looking for foreclosure prevention help, avoid any business that:

  • guarantees to stop the foreclosure process – no matter what your circumstances are
  • instructs you not to contact your lender, lawyer or credit or housing counselor
  • collects a fee before providing any services accepts payment only by cashier’s check or wire transfer
  • encourages you to lease your home so you can buy it back over time
  • recommends that you make your mortgage payments directly to it, rather than your lender
  • urges you to transfer your property deed or title to it
  • offers to buy your house for cash at a fixed price that is inappropriate for the housing market
  • pressures you to sign papers you haven’t had a chance to read thoroughly or that you don’t understand.

Source: Federal Trade Commission

 

 

Problems making your mortgage payments?
Consider the advantages of a short sale
Call or email today for a free consultation

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
jodell@nevadacounty.com

Tri Counties Bank, Chico, California, Assumes All of the Deposits of Citizens Bank of Northern California, Nevada City, California

September 24, 2011

Citizens Bank of Northern California, Nevada City, California, was closed today by the California Department of Financial Institutions, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Tri Counties Bank, Chico, California, to assume all of the deposits of Citizens Bank of Northern California.

The seven branches of Citizens Bank of Northern California will reopen on Monday as branches of Tri Counties Bank. Depositors of Citizens Bank of Northern California will automatically become depositors of Tri Counties Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship in order to retain their deposit insurance coverage up to applicable limits. Customers of Citizens Bank of Northern California should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from Tri Counties Bank that it has completed systems changes to allow other Tri Counties Bank branches to process their accounts as well.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of Citizens Bank of Northern California can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of June 30, 2011, Citizens Bank of Northern California had approximately $288.8 million in total assets and $253.1 million in total deposits. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, Tri Counties Bank agreed to purchase essentially all of the assets.

Customers with questions about today’s transaction should call the FDIC toll-free at 1-800-430-6165. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time (PDT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., PDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., PDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., PDT. Interested parties also can visit the FDIC’s Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/cbnc.html.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $37.2 million. Compared to other alternatives, Tri Counties Bank’s acquisition was the least costly resolution for the FDIC’s DIF. Citizens Bank of Northern California is the 73rd FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the fourth in California. The last FDIC-insured institution closed in the state was San Luis Trust Bank, FSB, San Luis Obispo, on February 18, 2011.

Source FDIC

Problems making your mortgage payments?
Consider the advantages of a short sale
Call or email today for a free consultation

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
jodell@nevadacounty.com

 

 

 

REALTORS® Expect 1 Percent Rise in Calif. Home Sales

The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) released its 2012 Housing Market Forecast this week during CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2011 in San Jose.  The forecast calls for California home sales and median price to improve only slightly in 2012, as the continuation of the tepid economic recovery, uncertainty about the future, and funding challenges for residential mortgages are expected to keep the market moving sideways, with little foreseeable momentum in either direction.

  • The forecast for California home sales next year is for a slight 1 percent increase to 496,200 units, following essentially flat sales of 491,100 homes this year compared to the 491,500 homes sold in 2010.
  • “Discretionary sellers will play a larger role in next year’s housing market,” said C.A.R. President Beth L. Peerce.  “Those who held off selling in 2011 may list their homes in 2012, thereby improving the mix of homes for sale compared with the last few years.  Additionally, distressed sales will remain an important segment of the overall market as lenders continue to work through the foreclosure process.”
  • The California median home price is expected to increase 1.7 percent in 2012 to $296,000 in 2012, according to the forecast.  Following a double-digit increase in the median price in 2010, the median home price will decrease a projected 4 percent in 2011 to $291,000.
  • View a video of C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young discussing the 2012 Housing Market Forecast.
  • “2012 will be another transition year for the California housing market, as the continued uncertainty about the U.S. financial system, job growth, and the stability of the overall economy remain in the forefront for all market participants,” said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young.  “An improvement in job growth, consumer spending, and corresponding gains in housing are essential to a broader recovery in the economy, but would-be buyers will remain cautious as they weigh these myriad uncertainties against the clear opportunities presented by today’s very affordable housing market.

Read the full story
Problems making your mortgage payments?
Consider the advantages of a short sale
Call or email today for a free consutation

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
jodell@nevadacounty.com