BMX in Redmond

by John and Sandy Kohlmoos

Great Northwest Nationals

Some 1,200 racers from across the region came to Redmond this weekend to compete in the American Bicycle Association’s BMX Great Northwest Nationals at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. The Great Northwest is one of 34 ABA Nationals scheduled for 2011, and the fourth of the year. Surely, too, this event is an apt follow up to the last post . . . Bend Named #2 “Death-Defyng” City in the USA

The event was staged in Redmond for the fourth consecutive year. Races were run on Saturday and Sunday.

“We’re hoping for a good turnout,” says Redmond’s Tracy Stephens, an organizer of the event. “All of the nationals have been up 9 percent in attendance this season. We’re hoping we follow the trend.”

Scores of riders from High Desert BMX in Bend and Smith Rock BMX in Redmond were expected to race this weekend, along with hundreds of others from around the Pacific Northwest, and some from as far away as the East Coast.

Bicycle Motocross

In BMX (bicycle motocross), racers pedal smaller, single-gear bikes with 20- or 24-inch wheels

on short dirt circuit tracks that include roller jumps, tabletops and high-banked turns.

Many of the riders raced this weekend in Redmond compete throughout the year in national events to earn points toward a national ranking. Others are local riders who simply want to race in a national-caliber event. A highlight of the event was Eric Meyer’s attempted comeback; a local legend, he had not been on a bike for seven years. After a National Age Group # 1 this year in the 26-30 cruiser class, Eric got the holeshot Saturday and was looking good for the win, but then made a small mistake on a jump

where AZ homeboy Brandon Panuchio took over the lead from that point, and went on for the win. I’m just trying to get the vernacular down!

The Great Northwest Nationals was open to any rider with an ABA membership.

Benjiman

West Coast rapper, Benjiman (who?) also appeared.

The event gave local BMX riders a chance to begin their season early and get motivated for another year of racing.

For a change of pace . . . search for homes in Bend.

I just attended a very informative HUD webinar class about what seems to be an awesome way to create some affordable homebuying and selling opportunities for buyers and realtors. By attending this class, I am qualified/certified to write deals under this program.. For Deschutes County, there will be opportunities in Redmond. A google map will be posted in early September where you will be able to type in the address to see if the property is qualified. It sounds like the opportunities will be mainly in Redmond and Lapine. The purpose of the NSP (Neighborhood Stabilization Program) is to clear out foreclosure inventory and stabilize housing prices. The nice thing about this program is that you don't have to be low income to qualify. This program is more targeted to the middle class and household income can be up to 120% of area median income. You can get up to $30k for down payment, closing, rehab costs. The buyer only has to come up with 1/2 of the FHA required downpayemnt amount of 3.5% which means if the house is $100k, the downpayment would be $1750! The nice thing is that with foreclosures that have been stripped of appliances, you can get the cost of a new stove, frig covered by these funds. Another nice thing is that short sales also qualify. For a short sale to qualify, the homeowner must be 60 days delinquent on their mortgage or 90 days delinquent on property taxes. I will be posting more about this program as I get additional info in the future and would love to help someone buy a home under this program. In the meantime, below is the link to the HUD website that has info on this:

http://hudnsphelp.info/

In central Oregon, near the popular town of Bend, is The Falls at Eagle Crest. This 55+ community is part of the larger master planned community of The Ridge at Eagle Crest. Located in the town of Redmond, Oregon, this scenic active adult oasis boasts fantastic amenities, fabulous golf and beautiful surroundings. Redmond is a rural area yet is still close to dining, shopping and outdoor recreation just minutes away. Bend, Oregon is just 16 miles away and the gorgeous Oregon coast with its charming shops, stunning landscape and relaxing coastline is just a couple hours away.

Oregon retirees find something unique in the beauty of this great state from its four-season climate to its gorgeous landscape. The Falls at Eagle Crest opened in 2005 to offer Oregon active adults the perfect place to call home. The beautifully designed community is planned for 213 single-family ranch homes upon completion. The ranch homes are sized from just over 1,500 square feet to nearly 2,700 square feet and are available in eight unique floor plans. Many of the homes boast larger home sites with golf course or mountain views. Prices range from the mid $200’s to the high $500’s.

Residents of this prestigious Oregon active adult community enjoy their own private clubhouse as well as special access to additional amenities within the larger Eagle Crest community including its three golf courses. The private clubhouse for The Falls residents is a 6,000 square foot lodge-style clubhouse offering high-end amenities including a fitness center, rooms for crafts, classes and games, a business center with computers plus a stunning great room complete with a kitchen and patio area where residents get together for social functions and meetings. Outdoors there is a swimming pool, spa and tennis courts.

As an extra bonus, the residents of The Falls also have access to amenities at the larger Eagle Crest community including its three sports centers complete with fitness centers, pool, hot tubs, tennis courts, massage services, beauty shop and more. There are also two championship golf courses as well as a third challenging 18-hole, par-63 course. Each stunning golf course features breathtaking views of towering mature growth forests, sparkling lakes and gorgeous green landscape.

Although The Falls at Eagle Crest is a smaller active adult community, residents still enjoy an exciting lifestyle. There are a variety of social gatherings and get-togethers, group meetings, special interest clubs and more. The intimate size of this community offers residents the ideal retirement destination to enjoy a private lifestyle with close friends.

For more information and photos of this and other OR active adult retirement communities please visit 55Places.com. To stay in touch with us please join our Facebook page by clicking the Facebook link below.

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