Mary Lockman AB, GREEN, ABR, e-PRO, RSPS

It is snowing once again, Highway 20 is closed for the season from Early Winters in the Methow Valley to points west. This is surely shaping up to be another great ski year.

The Methow Valley backcountry already has a lot of powder, and the MVSTA is starting to open it's world class ski trails as the snow levels continue to drop. MVSTA has 170 kilometers of trails with two absolutely free trails to enjoy, the popular Big Valley Trail and the Lunachick Trail which both permit dogs.

Also in the trail system are snow shoe trails where designated. There is something for every level of skier, with the Rendezvous Trail System giving the advanced skiers the challenges they crave. There is a lot of attention to grooming with trails getting resurfaced all through the night by an extensive grooming team.

Don't forget the Loup Loup Ski Bowl where you can have a great time with both alpine and cross country from the same parking lot. Loup Loup has a small very close knit tribe of skiers who can ski anywhere, but just plain love the Loup for it's community, small mountain/empty slopes uniqueness, and the diversity of terrain. You will be surprised to find the majority of expert skiers at Loup, always smiling, down to earth, and always willing to help. The teaching staff are top rate and will have you ski like a pro in no time at all. There is a very impressive ski team with amazing race performances but it is no surprise when you look at the fantastic coaches they have.

If you are a skier wondering if you should check out the Methow Valley Ski Scene, the answer is unequivicably YES. We have amazing skiers here in every discipline. It is no coincedence that a large number if down hill and cross country olympians like Laura McCabe make this beautiful valley their home.

There are some very exciting events scheduled to compliment the Winter Olympics in our neighbor region of Vancouver BC. We expect that some olympic visitors will find their way to this special corner of the ski world. Of note are the SuperTour scheduled for Martin Luther King Holiday, and our very own Methow Olympic Festival Schedule throughout February. Of note (if you live or visit where there is no TV reception like myself) is the Winthrop Ski Rink is hosting all day viewings each day of the Olympics. Yahoo, I will finally get to see the olympics!

Mary Lockman has the schedules of events for Methow Valley right here at John L. Scott Methow Valley and so when you are at the Red Apple Grocery Store in Winthrop, please stop on by and ask for Mary to get your free copy of The Methow Valley Winter Guide 2009 -2010.

Mary Lockman is a realtor with John L. Scott Methow Valley providing real estate services for Winthrop homes and land, Mazama homes and land and all the Methow Valley real estate.

Visit www.methowrealestateservices.com to find specific searches for Mazama homes, Mazama land, Winthrop homes, Winthrop land, Wolf Creek homes, Wolf Creek land and all the properties in Methow Valley, Washington broken out by communities, homes, and land for your searching convenience.

For Methow Valley Real Estate Buyers and Sellers who are in the market today, it is a very good idea to check out the latest information on the extended home buyer tax credit. Working with your real estate tax expert, you may be able to take advantage of this opportunity while interest rates are still low.

In addition to the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit there is a website for Washington State Home Owners and Buyers.  This is a great resource at http://wahomeowners.com/

Here is the video regarding the new tax extension for Buyers and Sellers in Methow Valley

Mary Lockman is a realtor with John L. Scott Methow Valley.  Feel free to email Mary at Mary Lockman or visit her websites at www.methowrealestateservices.com or www.methowearth.com

Sometimes I get so busy with real estate I forget about a treasure that is in every municipality in the USA. The Public Library! I am closest to the Winthrop Public Library, and here even in the small town of Winthrop Washington, the library is the gateway to the world. There are two very fast high speed computers that are used very frequently. Some rural areas do not have any easy solution to high speed Internet. Both the Twisp and Winthrop libraries have these resources for you absolutely free whether you are a local resident or a visitor.

There is a great collection of free videos and DVD's at both libraries, great librarians and a wealth of literature to enjoy. There is the children's story hour at both libraries and the usage is very high at both our libraries.

And even if you do not like to:

• read,
• watch movies or
• get very fast Internet access,

it is very entertaining to see the small town unique personalities that frequent the library. The Winthrop Public Library is located on Highway 20 just north west of the four way stop corner in Winthrop. There is plenty of parking and super easy access. The library sits next to the Winthrop Barn and town park which have:

• Play swings for the little ones,
• Access to the Methow River
• Public restrooms
• Covered Picnic areas
• Large park area
• Trails

Then traveling south on Highway 20 is the Twisp Public Library located in the historic Twisp Community Center. Here you will enjoy the hub bub of the community in action as the building hosts a variety of services for visitors and locals alike. There is a park next door and the famous Saturday Market is hosted in the parking area every Saturday Morning (weather permitting).

I hope to see you at either library soon.

Just visit the links provided above for hours, contact info for librarians and any other information you may need.

Mary Lockman is a realtor with John L. Scott Methow Valley. Feel free to email her at Mary Lockman or visit her websites at www.methowrealestateservices.com or www.methowearth.com

Methow Valley Washington slows down soon after high hunt ends and just after halloween for a number of reasons. The weather in Winthrop Washington is typically the first wet snows of winter, not enough to ski yet, and the number of visitors to our beautiful Methow Valley tend to slow way down as they are getting ready for winter themselves.

In the slow season, are you looking for a project to keep you busy? Maybe you are one of the lucky ones who has headed off to Hawaii for a few weeks, but if not this is a great time for Winthrop locals to organize the home.

As a Realtor I notice how certain homes for sale in Winthrop Washington, and all the Methow Valley are always show ready, as if they are always staged. Here is a staging video that has good tips for any homeowner whether you are selling your home in Winthrop Washington or not. Here you will find tips about how to organize your personal items and how to rearrange the interior to maximize your space. Why wait? Have your home look the best it can be right now.

For even more videos on interior home tips check out my Realtor TV page at my Methow Earth Website at: http://www.methowearth.com/Realtor_TV/page_2294987.htm

Mary is a Methow Valley real estate agent. For more information please feel free to email Mary Lockman or visit her website www.methowrealestateservices.com

November is almost here, snow has already fallen on the valley floor . What a fun month of activities are schedule for Winthrop Washington.

Here is a list of events for everyone in November in the Methow Valley. The best part of all is the price, absolutely FREE.

Holiday Events:

• Confluence Gallery in Twisp, Washington is hosting their holiday gift/sale beginning November 14, 2009 and running clear through January. Visit them online at www.confluencegallery.com.
• Also in Twisp, Washington is the annual Christmas Bazaar. You will not want to miss this Methow Valley tradition on November 21, 2009 starting at 9:00 am and held every year at the Methow Valley Community Center
• Christmas at the End of the Road is a three day Winthrop Holiday extravaganza. Starting off with special extended shopping hours and sales and commencing with the Town of Winthrop lighting ceremony and closing out with a Fireworks Display that is outstanding in its choreography and length. Best of all you do not have to wait to the wee hours to get the sparks flying as it gets dark rather early this time of year. This festive activity runs from November 27 through November 29th in none other than the famous Western Theme Town of Winthrop Washington.

Sports Enthusiasts:

• The Winthrop Barn is home every year to the ski swap. Come get that gear for all winter long snow fun. Here you will find a wide sellection of choices to get you set up for the coming ski season. This event is held around the first week in November and this year you can find them opening the doors on November 8, 2009.
• Downhill enthusiasts will not want to miss Loup Loup's Omak Ski Swapat the Okanogan County Faire Grounds. Here you will find brand new equipment at used prices! If you need new gear for the ski hill at Loup Loup, Mark this great swap on your calendars. The best thing of all is there is a lot of gear there and no big crowds to fight. Everyone can find good value here and it is worth the journey over to Okanogan Valley. The ski patrol is very helpful as are the knowledgable vendors. This very poplular event is being held November 17th, 2009

Mary Lockman is a Realtor with John L. Scott Methow Valley. Please email Mary or visit her website at www.methowrealestateservices.com