The need this year is so great Santa Claus is falling behind.  If you can help please bring an new or barely used coat or toy to Town center on November 21st from 4 to 7 P.M.  There will be Caroling, hot chocolate and cookies.  I heard that Mrs. Claus may also be there.  Come see the beautiful tree as it lights for the holiday season.  See you there. 11/13/2009

It really galls me that owners of foreclosed properties (banks) still pick the title escrow company in a transaction.  When I questioned this practice I was told that yes it is true the Buyer's Choice Act prohibits a seller who acquired property as a foreclosure sale from requiring a buyer to purchase title and escrow services rom a company chosen by the seller as a condition to receiving offers or selling the property, but it is still going on.  These owners (banks) will just not accept an offer if the buyers do not let the seller pick the escrow company.  We are held hostage to the banks.  11/13/2009

A Thanksgiving Feast is Sponsored by the Copperopolis Community Food Pantry.   It will be held Thursday, November 26, 2009 at the Armory at 695 Main Street.  No Reservations Required however there may be a wait.  The menu includes Turkey in a Barrel and all the traditional fixings.  Members of our Copperopolis Community who are interested in donating to this Thanksgiving Feast may go to Payless IGA and make a dollar donations or donate non-perishable food items.  Bring them to Payless IGA Market or Umpqua at Lake Tulloch Plaza or Micki and Larry;s Sports Pub.  Anyone interested in helping out can call (209) 785 0225 11/13/2009

Summer is over and now we are winding down at the lake.  The air is clear and clean.  Trees are dropping leaves and the mornings are crisp and cold. We are stocking up wood for the winter and wrapping up the swamp coolers.  When I first moved here I didn't know what a swamp cooler was. Now I am intimately aware of what they do and more importantly what they don't do if you are lax with their care.  So now they will hibernate until summer.  Don't forget to turn off their water supply, drain the pan to extend their years, and wrap them up.  11/12/2009

It is nice to live in a sleepy small town.   There are however a few things that would be nice.  One of them is a pharmacy so we don't have to drive out of town when we don't feel up to it.  Well now we do. Copper finally has a pharmacy.  Medical Pro has opened in Copperopolis.  This Discount Drug Mart and health suppler has opened.  It is located at 3505 Spangler Lane #310.  This is in the building with the Unpqua Bank and across from the Mark Twain St. Joseph's Family Medical Center.   They are offering Rx pharmacy services.  There telephone number is (209) 785-6776.  The community welcomes our new and much needed neighbor. 11/12/2009

It's that time of year!  Winter rapidly approaches and we are firing up the fireplaces.   This is a good time to call and have your chimney's cleaned.  Burning causes a build up of creosote which can be a serious fire hazard.  Every year the fire department reports at least one fire related to dirty flues.   Also remember that it is not wise to throw wrapping paper into the fireplace at Christmas.  This can cause a flash high up into the chimney and can burn very hot. 11/11/2009

The third annual Copperoplis Holiday Run will start at 9 A.M. on November 28, 2009 at the Copper Town Square.  Registration starts at 8 A.M.  The cost to run is $20.00 and $10 for 18 and under if you pay before Nov 15th.  After that it will be $25.00 for everyone.   The run will have a 10 K  race and a two mile run on a hilly course.  For more information call Sue at 736-2216 or email runcopper@gmail.com.  Should be a great day for everyone and the funds will be put to good use.  11/11/2009

Just heard on local news (from Zillow) that northern and central California is slowly recovering from the upside nature in the mortgage market.  This is happening very slowly and the statistics appear to be based on units.  What I am seeing in Calaveras county is an increase in default notices on the upper priced and high middle priced homes. We have been dealing with large numbers of foreclosures but they seemed to be in the lower end homes.  This is changing.  I wonder if the homeowners in this market had the ability to hang on longer in hopes of the market changing or if these terribly over leveraged second homes are no longer worth keeping.  It is difficult to justify keeping a second home mortgage that is 2 to 4 times higher than the value of the home in this market.   Realtors in ... 11/10/2009

Welcome to Calaveras County!   Home of the California Gold Rush and Celebrated Jumping Frog, Mark Twain made Calaveras County in northern California famous, worldwide, when he wrote of the "Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" in 1865. The treasures of this enchanting Gold Country area in California continue to enrich the lives of all who visit Calaveras County today. Copperopolis sits on a lake in Calaveras County.  We were put on the map by Mark Twain and the Frog Jump.  Calaveras County is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains - 133 miles east of San Francisco and 135 miles west of Lake Tahoe in California. Calaveras County is found midway on State Highway 49 between Sacramento and Yosemite, linking the towns of the California Gold Country. Calaveras stretch... 11/10/2009

2M and 10K Run and Walk, Copperopolis 28 November, 2009 Well, another year rolls around and another run is going to happen. It's a 2M and 10K run and walk starting at town square. I am looking for 10 volunteers. The run is Nov 28, just after thanksgiving, it starts at 8am for registration. For more information, contact the Copper Area Business Association: Sue tacktoday@goldrush.com 11/09/2009

Copperopolis, California was founded in 1860 by William K. Reed, Dr. Allen Blatchly, and Thomas McCarty, at the site of the second big discovery of copper ore in the region (the first was nearby Telegraph City).The town grew rapidly, as the need for copper during the Civil War to make bullets was great. Several brick structures remain in Copperopolis. The largest was once the Federal Armory and served as headquarters for the 3rd California Infantry soldiers and the Copperopolis Union Guard, a military company organized of volunteer miners during the Civil War.After the war ended, the expense of mining and shipping copper proved to be too high and the population dwindled as the mines closed. However, a Boston company purchased the mines in the 1880s and mining operations resumed. The tow... 11/09/2009

What a really great weekend of music and cowboy poetry!  The music was incredible and poetry wonderful and entertaining.  Rush Creek was amazing!  I am trying to put videos of the performers and and the Emcee, McAvory Layne or rather Mark Twain.  Also present with his great works of Art was Doug Robbins.  His watercolors of Cowboys and their environment are both educational and revealing.  He paints cowboys in the style of dress particular to where they are from.  He is a friend to the cowboy and his work. Watch in coming blogs for video clips.         11/07/2009

Rhymers Rodeer at the Carson Valley Inn was held Nov. 6 and 7th 2009.  It was great!    The performers were Jancie gilbertson, Walt "Bimbo" Cheney, Rod McQueary, and The band Rush Creek with Randy Pollard, John McLain, Paul Carelli and charlie Edsall.   It was great to say the least.. McAvoy Layne was the host and emcee.  He is well known for presenting the wit and wisdom of Mark Twain.  McAvory's satire and humor are showcased the Cowboy poetry and songs.  What a week end.            11/07/2009

It is that time of year again.  The Lake Tulloch Tootsies are getting ready to put up the Angel Tree at the Umpqua Bank.  This year there is even greater need than in the past.  Go to the tree and pick a special Angel card.  Each card has the needs of a special child in our community.  I have been amazed each year when children are asked for what they want for Christmas from Santa they will reply a blanket, pillow, or coat.  Many have to be encouraged to ask for a toy!  Each card has necessary information of your special Angel such as size, age and needs/wants. Please watch for the tree and sign up if you can, the need is so great and very much appreciated by people in our community.    11/05/2009

                                      Aug-08 Sep-08 Oct-08 Nov-08 Dec-08 Jan-09 Feb-09 Mar-09 Apr-09 May-09 Jun-09 Jul-09 Aug-09 Sep-09   <$200,000 0 5 2 5 12 4 8 18 22 10 16 23 12 15   $200,000 - $300,000 0 18 30 24 20 15 15 21 23 27 19 36 28 26   $300,000 - $400,000 1 26 18 9 16 12 8 20 17 13 18 14 13 24   $400,000 - $500,000 0 9 12 4 11 2 4 1 7 2 11 0 8 9   $500,000 - $800,000 0 12 7 2 1 2 6 0 2 5 13 1 5 4   >$800,000 0 1 2 2 2 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 Sales Figures for Calaveras County             The following information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither the MLS, nor the agent guarantee the accuracy of any of the information contained herein. Anyone using the information contained herein should verify the information independently.         Report C... 11/05/2009

It looks like the first time buyer tax credit may be extended by congress.  This is a great home and can give the first time home buyer up to $8000.00 back in tax credits.  If you want to take advantage of this tax credit you should close before the end of the year.  Most escrows take at least 45 days with the new rules that govern lenders.  So!!!!!  if you want the credit on this years taxes it is important to move quickly to find the perfect home.  Call your realtor today! 11/04/2009

Inventory is declining, but new REO and Short sales are still hitting the market at a steady rate.  It seems that short sales are getting more difficult to reach agreement with the banks.  REO sales however are much easier.  This is a great time for home buyers.  It appears that we are seeing an increase in short sales and REO sales in the upper market.  If you are in the buyer market it is very important to make a good conection with an agent that can put you on "drip" email.  This will provide current listings as they are entered into the local mls.  In this market getting there first is important. 11/04/2009

Happy spooky holiday!  Is it true that the old Corner is haunted? 10/30/2009

History Tulloch Reservoir is situated on mostly private lands with substantial residential development on the Calaveras County portion of its shoreline. Access to the Reservoir is from privately owned docks and through privately owned facilities accessible to the public on a fee basis. Access to the South Shore is via Tulloch Dam Road off of Highway 108 and to the North Shore via O'Byrne's Ferry Road also off of Highway 108. Elevation The reservoir level at Tulloch (expressed as an elevation in feet above sea level) fluctuates frequently based on the operating needs of the US Bureau of Reclamation, the operators of New Melones, and the needs of Tri-Dam Project. The Bureau of Reclamation publishes a schedule of anticipated, but not guaranteed, changes in the Tulloch Reservoir elevation. 10/29/2009

Falling Home Supplies Mean More Multiple-Offer Situations For Buyers The national housing supply fell to a 2-year low last month, according to the National Association of Realtors®. At the current sales pace, existing home inventories would sell out in 7.8 months -- 30 percent faster versus November 2008. For a 10-month window, that's a major housing supply reduction and it helps to explain why multiple-offer situations have been so common lately. Moreover, the same report from NAR showed sales activity reaching its highest point since July 2007, too. If you're looking for evidence that the long-standing Buyers Market is ending, this month's Existing Home Sales report might be it. Even median sales prices -- typically dragged lower by distressed and foreclosed properties -- declined at... 10/27/2009