About Okanogan County, WA

Recently we tried to assist a friend with her flat tire in the Methow Valley. This reminded me how very important it is to take precautions so that you are properly prepared for winter conditions. This rural area could find you in a pickle without a little preparation. As a Realtor in Methow Valley, I have two sets of seasonal extras in my car, one for hot weather and one for winter time.

The seasonal extras are really a simple list that could make a big difference for you in the event of a flat. Always have a spare set of hats and gloves in the car for winter. Snow boots as well are kept in the car just in case a snow storm hits while you are out and about. It is no fun to find yourself getting snow into your low cut shoes because you need to walk in deep snow..

The another handy item is the tool box. This can help with difficult and unforeseen tire removal problems

Next is the spare tire itself. Do you have a spare tire in your car? Is the spare tire flat too? That would not be so good.

Where is the car jack and tools to change your tire? How do you change a flat in your particular car, and where are the jack, tools and tire located?. Do you have a manual to tell you these things when the moment arrives that you will need to know? Taking the time, while your car is parked in the driveway, to discover the answer to these important questions will make a big difference if you get a flat.

You would think these important items should not be over looked, but as we get so very busy especially around the holidays we may find ourselves a little surprised if we have to change a flat in our car. These few simple steps before you go winter traveling in your car here on the rural roads in Methow Valley can make a very big difference in the event of a flat tire.

Finally more snow has arrived in the beautiful Methow Valley.  Loup Loup Ski Bowl  has accumulated 15 inches and must get more snow.  Great news more snow is expected!  Here is the link to the snow report for Loup: http://www.skitheloup.com/conditions . Anxious to get on the slopes, take heart there were rumors of rain this week, but of course we got the white fluffy stuff instead.  Santa won't let us down.

 MVSTA is grooming Sun Mountain and Mazama trails, asking that the closed trails be respected as they begin the grooming for the season.  Mazama is tooted as your best bet with conditions improving daily.  Here is the ski report for MVSTA; http://www.mvsta.com/winter/grooming.html .

Big Valley has gotten more snow since my last blog; here is the shot from this Wednesday December 16, 2009 morning.  See all those clouds, and now as I look out the window it is snowing again.

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. Mary is the only certified Restort and Second Home Property Specialist through the National Association of Realtors in the Methow Valley. Mary is a member of the International Consortium of Real Estate Association taking your World Class Property to the World.

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 Resources visit www.methowearth.com

If you have a business that is associated with Methow Valley Real Estatesuch as Home Builders or Appraisers and  you are actively working in the Methow Valley including Winthrop, Mazama and Twisp Washington, then there is great news.  The call is out from the National Association of Realtors to their Green Designees (me) to refer regional and local businesses to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) GREEN Business Network.  Participation gives you a free entry into this directory of Green participants for the consumer.

The first step to see if you qualify is if you are actively participating in facilitating green principles.  Think this might be something you want to participate in?  Here is a very  important website that explains eligibility requirements and examples of those businesses who might apply: http://www.greenresourcecouncil.org/category_descriptions.cfm .  This is not applicable for real estate agents or brokerages, rather for the businesses described at the site. 

How do I get referred?  The answer is simple I am your GREEN resource.  Just contact me and I will work with you to quickly and efficiently get you referred to this network. 

John L. Scott Methow Valley conveniently located next to Red Apple and Partners Mini Mart knows that these are challenging times.  We are committed to growing Green.  If you have a business that fits the description at the website: http://www.greenresourcecouncil.org/category_descriptions.cfm , I also strongly recommend you contact me to a)take advantage of our office lobby area for displaying your business cards and brochures.  We have display racks and business card holders all here for you to represent your business.  b) Take advantage of the prestige and exposure of becoming a participant in the NAR directory.  The price is right absolutely free. Going Green?  John L. Scott Methow Valley requires all agents and brokers to be Green certified through the National Association of Realtors. 

I was the first Green Designee in the region and I am a business owner who is passionate about growing Green.  If you are too, contact me today and let's get networked.

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. In addition to the NAR GREEN Designation, Mary is the only NAR certified e-PRO and Resort and Second Home Property Specialist taking your world class property to the World. Mary has the ABR designation from NAR as well because Knowledge=Your success. We hope more Realtors will sign up for the cutting edge training, and go GREEN with us. Please contact Mary for more information.

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.

The best kept secret in the Methow Valley is Loup Loup Downhill Ski Resort. Check out their new website at www.skitheloup.com. The exciting news is that Loup Loup is hoping to open from December 18, 2009 through January 2, 2010 every day except Christmas.

It is hard to believe that in less than 10 days we might be skiing the slopes of Loup de doup as we call it. Due to our dynamic weather conditions in the beautiful Methow Valley we have very low snow on the valley floor with very cold temperatures.

Big Valley Community Trail head needs more snow to make it skiable.

Meanwhile the rain in November translated into snow at the higher elevations giving Loup Loup a fantastic base. Big snow storms are being predicted for the upcoming weekend so the conditions may just work out for us powder hounds here in Winthrop Washington which is located about 35 minutes from the Loup.

THINK SNOW

PS if the Storms miss us but hit Chewelah, they are having their powder ski demo day and for just $10 you can try the latest ultra fat skies at 49 Degrees North, which by the way just opened another 5 NEW runs!

Check out 49"s website at http://www.ski49n.com

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. Mary is the only certified Restort and Second Home Property Specialist through the National Association of Realtors in the Methow Valley. Mary is a member of the International Consortium of Real Estate Association taking your World Class Property to the World.

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 Resources visit www.methowearth.com

Methow Valley continues to serve up some of the best holiday savings opportunities around. The historic Senior Center Rummage Room right here in Twisp Washington has that special treasure waiting for you. The Senior Center is a hub for historic information, and friendly service as some of our valley's finest citizens volunteer generously so that all will benefit from the opportunities. The Senior Center serves the seniors of our community first and foremost, but in a win-win for our community they host the popular locals shop spot, the Rummage Room. The center benefits from the profits the Rummage Room brings in, but because of the skilled volunteers, you will find valuable items for a fraction of the cost. The friendly staff knows about tight budgets and they will do everything they can to ensure you get a great value for your patronage. That is why residents from as far away as Winthrop and Mazama Washington won't hesitate to visit the center on a regular basis.

This is no ordinary Senior Center Rummage Room. There are three organized rooms in the rummage section of the center. The most utilized room throughout the year is probably the clothing room that has a nicely structured display of high fashion at a fraction of the cost. What's that you say you forgot your hat and winter mittens? Not to worry, here is just the place to get an emergency replacement. Forgot the bathing suit for the hot tub, and your ski goggles too? Don't worry; be happy, the senior center has you covered.

Just across the hall from the clothing room is the large and small objects room. Here you can find dishware, furniture and outdoor equipment. For the many families in a tight budget today (I remember back when I first arrived in Methow Valley as a single mom, all alone and with two babies having to watch my every nickel) the Rummage Room is a great resource for finding gear for the ever growing children and your outdoor adventure plans.

Down the hall from the two main Rummage Rooms is the very special and exciting Christmas Room. The staff has been collecting unique and beautiful Christmas objects all year long just for this very special time. New in town, just here for the holidays, or are you an all out Christmas groupie? The Rummage Room has you covered. This special room will serve up affordable holiday cheer.

Visit the Methow Valley Senior Center Information Page for more information and hours of operation.

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. Mary is the only certified Restort and Second Home Property Specialist through the National Association of Realtors in the Methow Valley. Mary is a member of the International Consortium of Real Estate Association taking your World Class Property to the World.

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 Resources visit www.methowearth.com