About Calaveras County, CA

Well three more days to the close! For those of you following my 12 day close story I have to say that I am total perplexed by banks. This time the bank owned property zipped thru approvals and all inspections. Then.... the buyers deposited their insurance check (fire burned their privious home) and their bank will not release funds until Tue. They will have held their funds for two weeks and 1 day. This was a pay off check from the insurnce company. I tried to talk to the bank manager and she was no help at all. Rules are Rules. So the buyers will now not be in their home by Thanks giving. To top it all off the title escrow company is closed thur-sun. Oh well!!

If you would like to discuss the dynamics of what is happening in the market or would like information and real estate opportunities in the Bear Valley, Arnold, Murphy's, Angels Camp and Copperopolis area please email me at Daniel@BigTreesRealty.com or go to www.BigTreesRealty.com call me at 1 209 795-4218 By clicking here you can search like a Realtor.

November 18 and ongoing - Expressive Oil Painting, published by North Light Books, is loaded with big, colorful images, but it's not about the author. It is about how you can paint better paintings - how you can express your deepest feelings for Nature. Local artist George Durkee's new book is complete, published and ready for you to purchase for yourself or someone you know. You can read about it and order it online at Amazon or purchase signed copies directly from the author at the Art Gallery in Murphys. Visit the website at www.gallerymurphys.com for more information.

November 18 and ongoing - Murphys Nursery is accepting pre-orders for Silvertip Christmas Trees. They are the only local place offering these locally and sustainably grown and harvested trees. They obtain them directly from the growers so the trees are always fresh. Silvertips are very symmetrical and have open spaces between their widely spaced branches making them perfect for decorating. Quantities will be limited so place your order now at 728-3220.

November 18 and ongoing -Barbara Garvin Exhibit at the Harbinger Gallery - The Harbinger Gallery in Murphys is proud to announce a solo exhibit featuring new work from Murphys fine artist Barbara R. Garvin. The show will be open through December 2, 2009. Please stop by the gallery's new location, 448-B Main Street, upstairs from Sierra Nevada Adventure Company and next door to the Spice Tin. The entrance is in the rear of the building, twenty paces up Algiers Street. Please visit www.harbingergallery.net to view B.R. Garvin's catalogue or stop in the gallery. The exhibit will run through December 2, 2009. Or call 209-795-5957 for more information.

November 18 and ongoing - Alchemy Restaurant - "If you haven't been in to Alchemy lately, come check out some of the exciting changes! We have fresh paint; new lighting and fans; an incredible new brass beer tower with 12 draft beers, most never before seen in Murphys. Soon to come: new, larger tables and chairs; a giant LED TV; extended late-night hours (8 pm - 10 or 11 pm) with a new bar menu. This is a new, improved Alchemy that you will definitely want to check out!"

November 21, 2009 - Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Murphys are available at no charge on Saturday mornings at 10am leaving from the Old TimersMuseum across from the Murphys Hotel. Please contact Bob Buchanan at 209-728-3517 to confirm that there will be a walking tour (always a good idea) or to set up a tour for a group of 12 or more.

November 21, 2009 - Tanner Vineyards Wine & Cooking Series - Please join us as we kick off our Tanner Vineyards Wine & Cooking series! Enjoy our "Cuisine of Tuscany" wine and cooking class, Saturday, Nov 21st at 4:40 pm. $50 per person, $40 wine club members, paid in advance. Cuisine of Spain, Provence and Tuscany, Sausage and Soup classes coming soon with more dates to be announced! Please call 209.728-8229 for reservations and additional information.

November 21, 2009 - Festival of Teas. - Soroptimist International of Calaveras County (SICC) is pleased to present their 12th annual Festival of Teas, featuring a weekend of holiday teas at Ironstone Vineyards on Saturday November 21st at 2:00 p.m. Visit www.sicalaverascounty.org or call (209) 736-1947 for more information.

November 24, 2009 - Winemakers Night at Alchemy from 4-8pm - Music Nicolas Lefler, Flamenco Guitarist, and wine by Tanner Vineyards- Call 209-728-0700 for additional information or visit the website at www.alchemymarket.com.

November 26th - Thanksgiving Dinner at the Murphys Historic Hotel. Spend the holidays with us at the Murphys Historic Hotel, let us do the work while you enjoy. Contact Brian Goss, Banquet Manager at 209-728-3444 ext 416

November 28, 2009 - Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Murphys are available at no charge on Saturday mornings at 10am leaving from the Old Timers Museum across from the Murphys Hotel. Please contact Bob Buchanan at 209-728-3517 to confirm that there will be a walking tour (always a good idea) or to set up a tour for a group of 12 or more.

November 28, 2009 - Sounds of the Season - A yearly tradition at Ironstone Vineyards to put you in the mood for the holidays. An evening filled with music and song, with many familiar Christmas favorites performed by local musicians. Audience participation is encouraged with the singing of Christmas Carols. Starring this year are Joe Hannah and Lon Hannah of the Sons of San Joaquin (www.thesons.com). This year the concert is earlier than in years past. A light supper of soups, salads and desserts follow the concert. Reservations are $35.00 per person, $25 per child. To make your reservation, please call 209-728-1251. Please wear your classic cowboy attire (1930s to 1960s).

November 28, 2009 - Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Murphys are available at no charge on Saturday mornings at 10am leaving from the Old Timers Museum across from the Murphys Hotel. Please contact Bob Buchanan at 209-728-3517 to confirm that there will be a walking tour (always a good idea) or to set up a tour for a group of 12 or more.

December 1, 2009 - Winemakers Night at Alchemy from 4-8pm - Music by The Tritone Subs and wine by Domaine Becquet- Call 209-728-0700 for additional information or visit the website at www.alchemymarket.com

December 4, 2009 - Murphys Open House from 5-8 pm, Parade at 6 pm. Join Murphys shopkeepers downtown as they host an evening of wine, shopping and holiday goodies - once again Santa and Mrs Claus will be at the Native Sons, chestnuts will be roasting on an open fire at the Spice Tin and Tanner Vineyards will be featuring their now famous 'Holiday Mulled Wine'. Our beautiful posters are available for purchase at the Spice Tin.

December 4, 2009 - Enjoy the Neo Hipsters Band at the Murphys Historic Hotel from 8:30 to 12:30. Contact 209-0728-3444 for more information.

December 4, 2009 - Grape Growers Meeting. The Murphys Hotel hosts the Calaveras Wine Grape Alliance at 9:00 am; please arrive at 8:30 am if you wish to order breakfast. Join CWA to discuss how we can develop Calaveras County as a Destination Wine Region that honors our unique heritage and casual atmosphere. Contact 209-728-3444 for more information

December 5, 2009 - Local wineries will continue the festive spirit with their 'Holiday Open House' offering special wine and holiday discounts. We've heard a bottle of Murphys wine makes a great gift!

December 5, 2009 - Chatom Vineyards - Come celebrate the season with us, it's a wonderful chance to sample our award-winning wines paired with gourmet appetizers. Live music and plenty of fun! 5-8pm

December 5, 2009 - Open House at the Barn - We are inviting you to join us at the Barn when we host our 5th Christmas Open House and also Celebrate Bear's 5th birthday from 1-5pm at our location on Pennsylvania Gulch Road. Please come and join in the festivities, savor some delicious treats and meet up with old friends. The BARN had grown as an important venue for local artists, and you will see lots of new paintings, photographs, weavings, gourd art, jewelry, as well as our new season displays of candles, chocolate,

wind chimes, soaps, and market baskets. In addition, from 2:30 - 3:30, Judy Marvin - friend, landlady extraordinaire, and author of some great books on local history will be at the BARN to sign any of the books you might like to buy for yourself or for gifts.

NOTE for your Christmas shopping: beginning the day after Thanksgiving, the BARN will be open every Friday from 12-5pm through December 18.

This has been one of those days that makes agents quit! I have been working on an escrow for nine months. The bank will not close. They have had one reason after another. I had a full price all cash offer $100,000 over appraised value. I could not get the asset manager to call back or answer emails. I kept getting messages asset manager out of office for next 3 weeks to a month. No one covered for them and the bank didn't think it was necessary to put anyone in charge. Then a week ago after 30+ emails that asset manager sent an email say they were no longer the asset manager and the new one was lllllll. They also would not answer emails or phone calls. After many attempts I was able to get someone on the phone in management who could not for two days get intouch with the asset manager. Even in house. They then said if I wanted to send in all th paperwork and reapply they would stop the sale tomorrow at 10 am. As it was not after 5 their time no one would review the paper until after 9 tomorrow. This would mean starting all over with at least 100 pages of documents. Many of which would need to be updated like bank forms. The buyer said "I give up let it foreclose, I'll get it for a lot less anyway". I quit. The banks really don't want to short sell. As another asset manager said we have pmi insurance on the loan so we don't loose if it forecloses. What a load of xxxxx the American people are paying for. I think the real kick in the back side is that after I got home I received 2 calls from companies that are sending people to the auction tomorrow and wanted all the information I had spent 9 months collecting. So I just spent hundreds of hours on a deal that I will not receive any commission for. Worse than that is that my seller will now have a foreclosure on his record rather than a short sale and a wonderful buyer that will not get the home of his dreams. I am discussed with banks and this system!!!!

Just saw the signs on a store front around the corner where A-OK Consignment is moving to. (The old Librery I think.

Some may think of a consignment shop as less than the best, but one step into Annie Osteema's warm and inviting consigment store is great and now will be in a larger space. We can't wait to see the new store. Annie carries only quality clothing in like new condition. For a fun afternoon of shopping AND
saving money, a visit to A-OK Consignment would be the thing to do.

Copperopolis, CA...Here are the requirements to be a Veteran of Foreign War: Veterans signing up cannot belong to any other VFW Post. You are eligible if you have received a campaign medal for overseas service; served 30 consecutive days in Vietnam have served 30 consecutive or 60 non consecutive days in Korea; or have received hostile fire or have received imminent danger pay. You can be active military to join, as long as you meet one of the eligibility requirements......


If interested please email your name, service affiliation and phone number to maness@caltel.com.

To begin a new VFW post there must be a minimum of 25 interested members. When I have reached that goal I will contact all interested vets and supply them with a VFW Membership Application. Keep in mind you will need to submit with the membership application a copy of your DD214.