About Yamhill County, OR

We in Yamhill County like to think we've achieved a degree of sophistication with our vineyards in the hills, world-famous pinot noir, fine dining and local artists. After all, the area was recently written up in the "Havens" series in The New York Times. The article entitiled
Rural Vistas, Natural Healing and Pinot Noir is a testimony to our arrival on the national scene as "a place to be".

That article was published on November 28, the same day as the McMinnville Santa Parade, and the irony was inescapable. There were thirty-seven entries in the parade and each was a reminder of our real selves - an agricultural area of small towns full of residents with a sense of fun.

The mounted Sheriff's posse with the lead horse sporting antlers and a red nose started things off, followed by children in a home-made miniature Christmas train, and always the "Rakettes" of the Garden Club with their decorated rakes and creative hats performing choreographed routines along the route that would make a Rockette hang up her tap shoes for good.

We'll welcome the New Yorkers who may come to visit or relocate as a result of the Times article, but we'll always be secure in the knowledge that deep in our roots there's a little bit of Mayberry.

Weather here in the beautiful Yamhill Valley ( check out www.yamhillvalley.org) is for the most part very mild. Even when it is raining hard, it is still relatively warm, rarely dipping down below 40 degrees.

Then we get a "weather event" like we are having today and tomorrow. That means a lot of forecasting for the s word -- SNOW. What that really means here is that if there is the slightest skiff of snow on the ground for more than 15 mintues, everything shuts down. We are not experienced snow drivers, we are not prepared for it and even though I may be an excellent snow driver the chances are good that my neighbor is not.

It was snowing steadily around 6 AM and now at noon it is more rain than it is snow. We have to settle for our white christmas being the white lights in our award winning downtown McMinnville. See www.downtownmcminnville.com It is pretty spectacular. Frankly I will take that over the snow that must be shoveled any day of the week.

The arctic blast that follows today's cold -- 36 degrees and falling-- will at least bring ice.

I think it is a good time to be inside. I am cozy with my knitting. I could be doing housework but doesn't a snow day sound like it should be fun?? Me too.

This is a tree in a field near my home, it's located in Bellevue on Highway 18 between McMinnville and Sheridan. The field is kiddy corner from the Lawrence Gallery, The Fresh Palate Cafe and the Bellevue Market and Oregon Wine Tasting Room. A newcomer to the corner is Wine Country Glassworks, which I plan to visit soon.

This tree is very cool- it's actually two trees that grew side by side and work together to make one tree. I found the image to be so compelling, I turned it into a piece of art. I call it The Marriage Tree. My medium is cut paper, paint, nails and wood, please visit my website to see more images.

Here is the image of the original tree:

I loved this image so much, I used this image on my business card. If you want me to send you one, email me your address and I'll send it off!

I met another local artist, Walt Mendenhall, who did the same image years ago of the same tree. Interestingly, he called it The Wedding Tree. Spooky. Apparently this tree inspires many people. I stopped by the homeowner's house and gave her a card and let her know how much I appreciate her tree and asked she never cut it down!

Newberg OR Homes Qualify for 100% Financing Under USDA Home Loan Program

It is becoming harder and harder for a Newberg home-buyer to purchase a home, yet there are still many affordable homes if you have a down payment or the advantage of a program that helps you qualify for more home.

Through a litle used federal government loan program, the USDA Guaranteed Rural Home Loan, we are able to offer financing up to 102% of the appraised price on the purchase of a new home. This allows for the purchase price, seller contributed closing costs and the cost of the one time mortgage insurance.

Eligible Persons

• Have an adequate, documentable and dependable income.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or be legally admitted to the United States for permanent residence.
• An adjusted annual household income that does not exceed the published limits for Washington county . Call me for information on the income limits. Income includes the total gross income of the applicant, co-applicant, and any other adult in the household. It excludes certain expenses and adjustments. The larger the family, the more income is acceptable
• A credit history that indicates a reasonable willingness to meet obligations as they become due.
• Demonstrate repayment ability.
  

How to Apply

Click on the following link. Oregon Rural Loans

Homes that Qualify

• Guaranteed loans can be made on either new or existing homes.
• Plumbing, heating, water, waste disposal, and electricity must be certified as adequate and the dwelling must be free from termites and dry rot.
• No restrictions exist on the size or design of the dwelling financed, but must be considered modest.
• Must be a residence, not a farm.
• Dwellings with in-ground swimming pools, are prohibited.
• Homes must be located in rural areas. Rural areas include open country and places with a population of 10,000 or less and, under certain conditions, towns and cities with less than 20,000 population. Call me for a list of additional eligible areas..

Larry Morris is a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist with American Nationwide Mortgage. in Newberg, Oregon. He can be reached at larry@PDX-Mortgage.net. His website is www.PDX-Mortgage.com. This material is copy protected 2008 by Larry Morris, Mortgage News that Matters. All Rights Reserved His opinions do not necessarily represent the views of Morgan Financial, Inc.

Licensed in: OR, WA.

Willamina is commonly referred to as Timbertown, USA. In fact, it's advertised on the welcome sign!

Detailed information on Willamina at City-Data.com including population, graphs on demographics, real estate info (although I can help you with that!), school info and even weather charts! Thank you also to City-data for the image I borrowed.

Although this image is much better, but my respect for art keeps me from snatching it! Check out Aaron Lynch's website while you're there, he's a fabulous photographer and worthy of our appreciation.

There's evidence of the timber industry everywhere in Willamina and a sense of pride in it's history. The next two images were borrowed from the Yamhill County Historical Society. View more cool pictures of Willamina here.

As I shot this, I wonder how many others have taken this shot before me. It's a striking image located at the edge of town near the intersection of Highway 22 and Highway 18 also know as Valley Junction. Make sure you stop and appreciate it on your way into town.