Eastern Plumas/Sierra Counties January 2020 Newsletter by Dickson Realty

Contents

Pg.

Portola Office ~New Year’s Best Wishes~

Sales Statistic Reports

California Assn. REALTORS® Report

Time to Try Something New

5 Fitness Tips for the New Year

9 10-11

Icicles - 6 Warning Tips

DYI Mudroom Ideas

Calendar and Events

― Alfred Lord Tennyson

3-5

Guild Mortgage Corner

National Blood Donor Month

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering 'it will be happier'...”

14-15

Area Event Resources

Ski Resort Information

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

The Dickson Realty Portola Team is always available to provide excellent and dedicated client service whether you are considering buying or selling a home. Our team of seasoned professionals, all REALTORSÂŽ, possess the most current and comprehensive market information and, combined with their knowledge and experience, they are uniquely qualified to be expert guides in your real estate venture. Call, e-mail, visit our office, or access us on the web. We are here for you 24/7. Office Phone: 530-832-1700 Email: portolainfo@dicksonrealty.com Web: www.Dicksonrealty.com

A new year to dream big dreams, to set big goals and achieve all that you are wishing for. Happy New Year!

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE JANUARY 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn. The report provided shows the monthly statistics for November 2018 thru November 2019 for Median Sales Price, Lowest/highest sales, Number of units sold and the Average Days on Market The sales shown are for Single Family Residential Condominiums and Townhouses in each of the market areas. (Time share and/or shared ownership are not included in the statistics presented.) The data source is the Plumas Multiple Listing Service with data pulled on December 10, 2019

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

NOVEMBER 2018

206,000 $

76,000 $

235,000

127

December

193,950 $

40,000 $

350,000

129

January

175,000 $

140,000 $

255,000

122

February

175,000 $

55,000 $

555,000

123

March

188,000 $

100,000 $

323,000

146

April

199,000 $

183,000 $

330,000

353

May

258,000 $

115,000 $

420,000

112

June

265,000 $

62,500 $

325,000

143

July

114,000 $

55,000 $

300,000

136

August

160,000 $

108,000 $

395,000

218

September

185,000 $

140,000 $

208,000

October

234,000 $

169,000 $

325,000

106

NOVEMBER 2019

270,250 $

144,500 $

443,000

112

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

$100,000 $50,000

NOVEMBER 2018

262,500 $

213,682 $

1,255,000

207

December

225,000 $

200,000 $

510,000

220

January

336,488 $

336,488

$600,000

February

560,000 $

560,000

175

$500,000

March

226,250 $

182,500 $

270,000

217

$400,000

April

247,250 $

200,000 $

374,000

284

$300,000

May

315,000 $

217,000 $

575,000

181

June

354,500 $

260,000 $

600,000

130

July

255,000 $

48,000 $

742,000

125

August

289,250 $

180,000 $

610,000

September

273,000 $

125,000 $

380,000

130

October

268,000 $

210,000 $

789,000

129

NOVEMBER 2019

311,500 $

243,500 $

535,000

te m be NO Oc r to VE b M BE er R 20 19

us t

Se p

Au g

NO VE M

BE R 20 De 1 8 ce m be r Ja nu ar y Fe br ua ry M ar ch

GRAEAGLE- BLAIRSDEN MEDIAN SALES PRICE TREND

$200,000 $100,000

te m be NO Oc r to VE b M BE er R 20 19

us t

Se p

BE R NO VE M

Au g

HIGHEST SALE

$150,000

LOWEST SALE

$200,000

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

$250,000

GRAEAGLEBLAIRSDEN

PORTOLA MEDIAN SALES PRICE TREND $300,000

HIGHEST SALE

Ap ri l

LOWEST SALE

Ap ri l

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

20 De 1 8 ce m be r Ja nu ar y Fe br ua ry M ar ch

PORTOLA

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

547,500 $

547,500

141

February

793,750 $

462,500 $

1,125,000

158

March

406,250 $

342,500 $

470,000

April

342,500 $

342,500

337

May

535,000 $

535,000

June

July

330,000 $

August

530,000 $

September

562,000 $

October

NOVEMBER 2019

330,000

140

385,000 $

675,000

107

399,000 $

725,000

569,000 $

569,000

581,250 $

462,500 $

700,000

469

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

LOWEST SALE

HIGHEST SALE

NOVEMBER 2018

150,000 $

150,000

157

December

265,000 $

265,000

100

January

300,000 $

300,000

237

February

March

255,000 $

April

175,000 $

May

June

July August

255,000

121

175,000 $

175,000

338

267,000 $

236,000 $

298,000

305,000 $

250,000 $

360,000

212

299,000 $

299,000

100

319,000 $

319,000

273

September

260,000 $

200,000 $

360,000

131

October

NOVEMBER 2019

$167,500,000 $167,500,000 $167,500,000

382

NO VE M

BE R 20 De 1 8 ce m be r Ja nu ar y Fe br ua ry M ar ch

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

$900,000 $800,000 $700,000 $600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 $-

LOYALTON MEDIAN SALES PRICE TREND $180,000,000 $160,000,000 $140,000,000 $120,000,000 $100,000,000 $80,000,000 $60,000,000 $40,000,000 $20,000,000 $-

BE R 2 De 01 8 ce m be Ja r nu a Fe ry br ua ry M ar ch Ap ri l M ay Ju ne

LOYALTON

Whitehawk, Grizzly, Gold Mountain

MEDIAN SALES PRICE TREND

te m be NO Oc r to VE b M BE er R 20 19

January

GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES

100

us t

328

Au g

308,000

Se p

600,000

298,500 $

Ju ly Au g us Se t pt em be NO Oc r VE t M obe BE r R 20 19

325,000 $

303,250 $

462,500 $

December

NOVEMBER 2018

HIGHEST SALE

LOWEST SALE

Ap ri l

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

NO VE M

GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

BECKWOURTH MEDIAN SALES PRICE TREND $600,000

205,000 $

227

February

$500,000

March

$400,000

April

490,000 $

460,000 $

118

$300,000

May

$200,000

June

$100,000

July

August

September

October

NOVEMBER 2019

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

February

275,000 $

March

April

May

June

400,000 $

July

370,000 $

August

September

October

370,000 $

370,000

NOVEMBER 2019

$350,000,000 $350,000,000 $350,000,000

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

181

$200,000,000

$150,000,000

400,000

112

370,000

122

275,000

HIGHEST SALE $

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

110,000 $

110,000

January

858,500 $

300,000 $

1,417,000

149

February

March

April

629,250 $

175

May

June

July

August

September

200,000 $

200,000

October

439,000 $

439,000

193

NOVEMBER 2019

463,500 $

795,000

te m be NO Oc r to VE b M BE er R 20 19

Se p

CHILCOOT MEDIAN SALES PRICE $400,000,000 $350,000,000 $300,000,000 $250,000,000

$100,000,000 $50,000,000 $-

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

December

20 De 1 8 ce m be r Ja nu a Fe ry br ua ry M ar ch

448

NOVEMBER 2018

BE R

370,000 $

NO VE M

LOWEST SALE $

161,000

CLIO MEDIAN SALES PRICE TREND $1,000,000 $900,000 $800,000 $700,000 $600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 $-

NO O VE cto b M BE er R 20 19

January

us t

be r

161,000 $

te m

161,000 $

BE R 2 De 01 8 ce m be Ja r nu a Fe ry br ua ry M ar ch Ap ri l M ay Ju ne

BE R 20 De 1 8 ce m be Ja r nu a Fe ry br ua ry M ar ch Ap ri l M ay Ju ne

December

NO VE M

NOVEMBER 2018

CLIO

HIGHEST SALE

Se p

LOWEST SALE

NO VE M

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

520,000

us t

281

January

CHILCOOT

205,000

Au g

70,000

Ju ly Au g us Se t pt em be NO r O VE cto b M BE er R 20 19

70,000 $

Au g

December

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

NOVEMBER 2018

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

HIGHEST SALE

LOWEST SALE

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

Ap ri l

BECKWOURTH

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

Guild Mortgage Corner What does it mean to be pre-approved for a mortgage? Working with a lender to learn how much home you can afford is the critical initial step to take before looking to purchase a home. By getting pre-approved today, you can shop with confidence tomorrow.

Why is pre-approval important?

Having a pre-approval letter helps limit your house search to homes within your means, and can make your offer more successful, and negotiations easier. It also gives you an idea of how much money you should save for a down payment. A pre-approval letter shows a seller you’re serious about buying a home. Without this letter, you could lose out on the home since many sellers require a pre-approval letter with every bid.

How pre-approval is determined Mortgage lenders will check your credit as well as look at documentation to support your earnings, debts and savings. It’s important to note that a pre-approval letter doesn’t guarantee a home loan. For example, if mortgage rates rise or your credit score changes you may need to go through the pre-approval process again.

Understanding the mortgage pre-approval process

Step 1: Start by gathering some important basic financial information. This includes your gross monthly income before taxes (include all sources if more than one) plus your total monthly debt payments such as car payments, credit card minimums, child support payments and student loan payments. Monthly debt payments do not include utility bills, rent or other debts that will be paid off that month or will disappear once you purchase the home. Step 2: Don’t wait until you’re ready to buy a home to get pre-approved. The earlier you begin the process, the more prepared you’ll be in case you have potential issues that need to be corrected. If you’re looking to purchase a home and/or have questions about the lending process, contact The Rice Team today to find out where you stand. We’d love to help you get one step closer to reaching your home ownership goals.

If you have any questions regarding loan limits, refinancing or purchasing a home, please feel free to reach out to The Rice Team. 11050 Pioneer Trail Suite 201 Truckee, CA 96161 Phone: (530) 582-9991 Fax: (530) 582-9995. Web:wwwTheRiceTeam.com

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

Market Minute - December 9, 2019

Housing/Real Estate Market

Co n st ru ct io n sp en di ng fell in October: Overall construction dipped 0.8% in October, led by a decline in the multi-family sector. Fortunately, single-family construction ticked up by 1.6%. This is the second consecutive decline in overall construction spending, but recent permit figures suggest that we could see an increase over the next few months. L o s A n g el es ren ts stable in December: Apartment List reports that rents were flat in December, which was slower than the state or nation. The report cites increased supply due to new apartments built over the past year together with softening demand as residents leave LA for more affordable areas as the primary culprits. Macro Economy L ab o r market s remain in growth mode: U.S. employers added 266,000 jobs in Novemberâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a substantial number given the late stage of the cycle and low levels of unemployment. Unemployment also fell to 3.5%, which is a historic low. The pace of growth remains relatively subdued at just 1.5%, but represents ongoing and steady expansion nonetheless. Jo b l ess cl ai ms also fell to a 7-month low, supporting the overall tightness of the labor market. Man u f act u rin g sect o r still in the doldrums: The ISM Index of manufacturing activity recorded another contraction reading in November, with an overall reading of 48.1 (anything below 50 indicates contraction). Inventory, new factory orders, and expectations for employment all drove the index down last month. However, export orders also dipped as the ongoing trade dispute with China lingers. Serv i ce sect o r still growing, but more slowly: The ISMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Index of non-manufacturing activity (services) dipped by 0.8 points in November to 53.9. This level is still consistent with ongoing expansion, but suggests that the economy can expect smaller increases in the fourth quarter. Although current conditions deteriorated, new orders actually ticked up, so we should not expect a major retrenchment over the near term. Co n su mers st i ll b o rrowin g: Consumer credit expanded by 5.5% in October as both revolving debt (credit cards, primarily) and non-revolving debt (auto and student loans) both increased. Overall, credit increased by $18.9 billion suggesting that consumers are still responsible for much of the economic growth that the U.S. continues to enjoy. T rad e b al an ce improves in October: Although exports to the rest of the world were down in October, imports fell farther so the trade deficit improved. This suggests that trade may add to GDP growth during the fourth quarter. Notably, service-sector exports, which are less restricted by the current trade scuffle with China, increased last month, which helped to drive much of the improvement. The U.S. also exported more crude oil than it imported. F act o ry o rd ers show signs of hope: After two consecutive declines, factory orders improved in October. This provides some hope that although manufacturing has remained in contraction territory for several months, the pace of that decline is unlikely to accelerate over the short run.

Real Estate Finance

Mo rt g ag e rat es hold steady: The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) remained unchanged at 3.68% from the week prior. The FRM is just over 100 basis points lower than the average of 4.75% recorded a year ago. Mo rt g ag e ap p l i cat io ns decrease from a week earlier: Mortgage applications decreased 9.2% from the week prior even after adjusted for the Thanksgiving holiday. The refinance index decreased 16% from the week prior and 61% higher than a year ago. New purchase applications increased 1% from the week prior but were 24% lower than the same week of last year. Conforming loan limits increase: Both co n f o rmi n g and F HA loan limits were increased last week. High cost areas will now enjoy a cap of as high as $765,600 in high cost areas and up to $510,400 overall. The FHA also increased their loan limits to $331,760 for most of the country. Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU TRIED SOMETHING NEW?

One of the best ways you can bring some fun, excitement and happiness into your life is to try something you have never done before, so let’s get started! Make a list of things that ignite your interest or you’ve always wanted to try – it doesn’t have to be something intense like skydiving or bungee jumping (if you want to try them, by all means go for it!) but anything that you have wanted to try and haven’t. Drawing, painting, cooking, skiing, building a piece of furniture, zip lining, taking a road trip – it doesn’t matter what you do, it just needs to be something that you find interesting. Pick one thing from the list and make a commitment to try it in the New Year. If trying something new scares you or makes you nervous it’s even better and that’s probably the thing you should do. I’m not suggesting you do something dangerous, but sometimes we avoid simple things without even realizing it. We think we can’t do them, so we get uneasy about trying them. One great example I can think of is a conversation I recently had with someone about a painting class I was taking. She commented that she would love to join but she couldn’t paint. I asked her if she had ever tried and her answer was “no”. Saying you can’t do something is not an option if you have

never tried it. Many times we make assumptions we can’t do something when in reality it’s just a self-imposed limitation. Another way we set limitations is by avoiding activities if we think we will not be good at them. Yes I paint, but am I good? It doesn’t matter. I enjoy the experience so I keep doing it. We don’t have to be the best at everything we do. The goal is to simply try something new and enjoy the activity for the sheer joy of it. If you end up discovering a new passion you are great at that’s fabulous, but don’t make it the purpose. If you are not great at the activity but you still enjoy it, just do it and have fun. So go for it, schedule it, make it happen, whatever you need to do to put your new activity at the top of your to-do list this holiday season. Whether you end up loving it or hating it (I tried knitting once, let’s just say it’s not my thing) the boost of confidence and energy you will get from trying something new will be far more rewarding then spending your time wishing you had tried it. Have a great time and bring your renewed enthusiasm to your work in 2020 and beyond! What new activity will you try? Contributed by: Sarah Skotvold

Dickson Portola Team

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

5 Fitness Tips for the New Year Fitness tips for a healthy year

Are you ready for a healthy year? Start the year off right and keep your health on track all year long by incorporating the following fitness tips into your routine. Outline your goals Saying you want to get fit or exercise more are broad goals. In order to achieve your fitness resolutions, you need to be detailed about the changes you want to see and the strides you want to make. Are you hoping to lose a certain amount of weight? Do you want to achieve a specific number of steps each day? Do you want to try a new exercise class? Define your goals so you can determine the steps necessary to reach them. Start slow Although you’re fired up to make a fitness change in your life, starting slow is the best approach. You don’t want to hurt yourself trying to do too much too soon. Set yourself up for fitness success by forging your own path. “You may see people exercising at a very high intensity, but you should start with low-tomoderate intensity workouts. You may know people who train six days a week, but it's fine to start with three. You may see people engage in a diverse array of physical activities, but a 15minute walk three days a week is a great place to begin,” advises Tyrone Holmes, Ed.D, CPT, certified personal trainer, author and Active.com writer. Ask for guidance Unless you have a degree in physical education, kinesiology or health and fitness, chances are you might be unsure how to start your fitness journey. It’s okay to not know because there are plenty of experts such as personal trainers, physical therapists and exercise specialists who can help you define your fitness goals, teach you how to train and develop a program that supports your fitness aspirations. Make it social Friends make everything better, including exercise. There’s no reason you need to board the fitness train alone. Encourage a friend to go with you on an afternoon hike, join you for an early-morning sweat session in the gym, try out a new workout DVD in your living room or brave the unknown in a new workout class. Working out with a friend who’s dedicated to making the New Year a healthier and fitter one will help you succeed. Don’t give up It takes time to see significant results, so be kind to yourself, especially when you’re not seeing the number on the scale move down as quickly as you hoped. Fitness is more than just the number on the scale, and you should be proud of every workout you complete and healthy change you make. “Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity to become a habit and six months for it to become part of your personality. It won’t happen overnight, so be persistent and patient,” according to GAIAM writer Louise Smith. Whether you want to improve coordination, get stronger, lose weight or just move more, these suggestions will help you work up a sweat so your year is filled with fitness successes. Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

National Blood Donor Month – January 2020

How to Observe National Blood Donor Month 1. Donate According to the American Red Cross, winter is “one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs.” That’s because of, among other things, busy holiday schedules and bad weather often resulting in canceled blood drives. Furthermore, seasonal illnesses such as the flu force potential donors to forgo their blood donations. That’s just one of the reasons that National Blood Donor Month, which has taken place each January since 1970, is such an important observance. Donating blood saves many lives and improves health for many people. According to the World Health Organization, “blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components — red cells, platelets and plasma.” Let’s learn more.

Not just in honor of National Blood Donor Month, but in the simple spirit of providing the stuff of life to those who need it most. Donate now. Donate again in eight weeks. Repeat.

2. Inspire National Blood Donor Month can inspire people to donate. And those donations can in turn inspire others to donate, creating an exponential increase in blood donations when and where they're needed the most.

3. Learn and remember your blood type What's your blood type? Some examples: O positive donors are needed more often than other blood types. O negative donors are considered "universal donors." AB positive donors are "universal recipients."

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

5 Amazing Facts About Blood Donations 1. Not enough blood for all of us According to the American Red Cross, about 38 percent of the U.S. population can donate blood â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but only 10 percent actually do.

2. Fill 'er up with regular â&#x20AC;&#x201D; donations Brookhaven National Laboratory says that people who begin donating blood at age 17 and donate every eight weeks will have donated 48 gallons of blood by age 76.

3. Donate blood and get medical info When we donate blood, labs examine the donation for multiple infectious diseases, such as HIV and West Nile virus.

4. Dogs can donate, too! Your dog can donate blood, too. Check with your veterinarian and the Humane Society to make sure you know the local rules and regulations for this type of donation.

5. The multiplier effect is huge

Why National Blood Donor Month is Important 1. Donating blood save lives Someone needs blood every few seconds in the United States. And more than 4.5 million Americans would die every year without lifesaving blood transfusions. National Blood Donor Month helps us remember these vital statistics.

2. It's the gift that keeps on giving The American Red Cross needs 13,000 blood donations every single day to maintain an appropriate blood supply. Fortunately, eligible blood donors can donate blood every eight weeks.

3. It's good for donors, too The American Journal of Epidemiology reports that blood donors are 88 percent less likely to have a heart attack.

Every time we donate one pint of blood, the potential is there to save three lives.

National Blood Donor Month Dates Year

Date

Day

2020

January 1

Wednesday

2021

January 1

Friday

2022

January 1

Saturday

2023

January 1

Sunday

2024

January 1

Monday Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

6 Chilling Facts About Icicles That All Homeowners Should Know

Th o s e b e a u tifu l, s h in y ic ic le s hanging from your roof are not cool. They’re a really, really bad sign that you may have an ice dam — a ridge of ice along the edge of your roof that can damage your house and your wallet. But don’t freak out. Just be in the know about these six things, and you can save your budget from hypothermia this winter. #1 They'll Destroy Your Roof's Insulation So, here’s how ice dams work: When heat escapes through your roof, it melts the snow up there. Then it gets cold again, and that water freezes along the ridge of your roof. If this happens enough, the ice builds up into an ice dam. Once the ice dam is established, when the warm air melts more snow, that water gets trapped behind the ice dam and just hangs out there in a puddle. Water is not supposed to puddle up on your roof. It can seep down through the roof (science calls this a “leak,” FYI), and turn your insulation into a wet mess. But that’s only the beginning … #2 They'll Infest Your House With Mold Once your insulation is that soggy mess, something worse could be lurking. MOLD! Ugh. It’s nasty. And it’s expensive to make go away. Fittingly, the way to prevent it is (ta- da!) good insulation. So make sure your roof doesn’t get too warm in the first place. “Most ice dams are caused by a warm attic, which can be fixed if people would just call the

professionals in,” says Joe Palumbo of ice mitigation company, The Ice Dam Guys. Having sufficient insulation is key, but keep in mind that a well-insulated attic has to be balanced with good ventilation. An attic shouldn’t be more than 15 degrees hotter than rest of the house — if it is, you need better ventilation. Not sure about your insulation/ventilation balance? You can find a home energy auditor through the Residential Energy Services Network, or — even better — check with your local energy utility, as many of them offer free audits to customers. #3 They'll Send Water Pouring Down Your Walls Count yourself lucky if you caught the ice dam in time so that moldy insulation was the only problem. A really bad leak will continue right through the insulation to destroy walls, ceilings, flooring — pretty much everything it touches (and spread that nasty mold around!). That’s a great way to wave goodbye to the Dream Deck Savings Account you’ve been working on for years. One way to ensure you never get a catastrophic leak is to make sure there’s never enough ice or snow up there to melt into one. This can be done with special roof rakes (that’s a thing!) if your roof is low enough, or by calling in pros who know how to climb around on roofs in the snow without breaking things themselves. #4 They'll Rip Down Gutters and Pull Roof Shingles Loose Ice dams weigh a ton (literally!). Which means all that weight can tear gutters away from your house, pull shingles loose from your roof, and generally cause stress on your home’s exterior. But if there’s no ice, there’s no ice damage. So, make sure your home’s insulated and well ventilated (see #1) — and you shouldn’t have a problem. But if you see one forming, try this DIY trick: Fill pantyhose with an ice- melt product, and place on freezingprone points of your roof. Your home won’t win any beauty pageants, but in the short term, this DIY trick can save you some serious grief. #5 They'll Damage Something (or Someone!) Special to You Did we mention how heavy ice dams are? Weight can inflict damage. A ton of it! And in dangerous ways you

don’t even want to think about. Like suddenly breaking loose and falling on: • That azalea you nursed back to • life last spring • Your just-paid-off car • Your dog • You! If preventative measures haven’t worked to keep them at bay — or you’re just learning about ice dams too late to prevent one — getting rid of an ice dam as quickly as possible is crucial. This is where companies like The Ice Dam Guys come in. You may have been an icicleharvesting pro as a kid, but now that you’re an adult with a home to protect, this is a job for the pros. Not only will they remove the dam safely, they can help you pinpoint the exact cause and identify damage. #6 They'll Grow In Lots of Spots Around Your House — Not Just the Roof It makes sense that ice dams can damage your roof. But ice danger just keeps going and going when it clings to any part of your house. Case in point: gas meters. “That gas meter has a small breather that needs to breathe air,” Palumbo says. “We’ve often seen it get iced up or covered in snow.” A frozenover meter can cause your gas to shut off unexpectedly — not the best winter surprise. Other places ice (and icicles!) hang out on: Anything outside that will let snow puddle on it when it melts It’s tempting to put your home maintenance blinders on during the frigid winter months, so try to carve out a little time between your cocoaand-Netflix binges to pull on your boots and take a slow lap around the outside of your home. Clearing away the beginnings of any ice buildup can save your wallet big time — and make more time for cozy viewing and sipping in the end.

http:wwwhouselogic.com

Dickson Portola Team

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

Easy DIY Mudroom Ideas to Organize Winter Gear A simple over-the-door shoe organizer ($13 to $25) is great for storing (and organizing) hats and gloves. Get clear plastic so everyone can see what’s what at a glance. Also perfect for stashing orphaned mittens until a mate finally appears.

A plastic tray filled with a layer of black river rocks ($3 for 28-ounce bag at craft stores) lets boots drip dry inside without messing up floors. Got some fourlegged friends? Leave space on the tray for dog booties ($12 for a pack of 12) that’ll keep paws dry and warm your heart.

With admirable upcycling ingenuity, 28-ounce food cans become helpful storage cubbies on the back of a door — perfect for stuffing with soft wintry hats and gloves. Remove labels with hot water and some isopropyl alcohol to get rid of stubborn glue, and file off any metal burrs on the inside lip of the can. Screw the cans to a mounting board and get ready for organized bliss.

STASH your deicing salts right where you need them – outside by your front door. A stainless steel or galvanized steel bucket ($15 to $20) and big metal scoop (60 to 85 ounce; $10) make attractive helpmates; a fat ribbon keeps everything festive.

Ideas VIEW GALLERY Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

January brings the snow, Makes our feet and fingers glow ~Sara Coleridge~

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

Date and Event

Where Held

January 19

Plumas National Forest EUREKA SKI BOWL Johnsville

Historic Longboard Revival Series

Contact Info.

www.plumasskiclub.org/ long.html or call the Plumas County Museum at 530-283-6320.

Details

The Historic Longboard Revival Series returns on Sunday, January 19, 2020. This gala event recreates the racing atmosphere back in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;good old daysâ&#x20AC;? right down to the period clothing and authentic skis. Racing starts at noon. The race is truly something to experience, and promises to be a fun family event held at the ski area at Plumas Eureka State Park located in Johnsville. Food will be available to purchase, or bring your own picnic lunch. Racer and spectator prizes will be awarded. The event will even feature live mountain music.

Eighty-eight miles per hour! No speed record you say? Try telling that to Cornish Bob, the world's first champion speed skier. It was near La Porte, on the snow-covered slopes of Lexington Hill in February of 1867 that he fairly flew to victory over the 1,804 foot track on twelve foot long wooden skis. Using the magic "dope" concoction of Bill Church, Cornish Bob covered the distance from a standing start in fourteen seconds, leaving his competitors far behind. "Norway skates," or skis, were first introduced to the mining camps in 1853. Due to the remoteness and altitude of the Plumas and Sierra county camps, skis were the perfect vehicle for winter transportation. Sporting fellows soon began racing and the following year Hugh "Buckskin" Porter began turning out a lengthened and improved version at his Saw Pit Flat workshop. In 1861, the first organized ski club races were held at Onion Valley, between Quincy and La Porte, giving birth to the sport of downhill ski racing in the western hemisphere. For the next twelve years races were held between various camps such as Onion Valley, Saw Pit, La Porte, Howland Flat, Port Wine and Gibsonville. In late 1866, the Alturas Snowshoe Club was formed at La Porte to reinvigorate and to bring about a modicum of respectability to the sport. In February, 1867, they held their first formal race and It wasn't until ten years later that a similar ski meet was held in Norway. For the next twenty years or so, organized meets with fifty or more participants, 500 spectators and purses of $500 to $1000 were held. The racers, representing their towns, made the winter circuit from La Porte, Johnsville, Jamison City, Poker Flat, Sierra City, Monte Cristo and smaller camps. The skis these early speed demons rode were commonly called "snowshoes" or "Iongboards" and were constructed of tight, vertical-grained Douglas fir. The skis were shaped with planes, the groove on the bottom with a special "grooving" plane, and the tips bent by a long steaming process. Traveling skis were generally eight to ten feet long, while the racing skis were a minimum of ten feet and might reach an unwieldy length of fifteen feet! In both cases however, the binding consisted only of two pieces of leather attached to the sides with three or four holes on each side for lacing tight. A small block of wood was attached to the ski to hold the heel in place. For starting and stopping, a six foot long single stout pole with a wood block at one end was employed. Starting was accomplished by making three or four strong lunging thrusts, while stopping was a matter of sitting on the pole to apply pressure, creating a drag and at the same time, a spectacular "rooster tail" of snow. Although a strong start is definitely a plus in this style of racing, the wax or "dope" applied to the base is equally or more important. The recipes to create these substances were closely guarded by the dopemaker, and even today, though the recipes have been handed down, the cooking times were not. Materials used in the brewing of a batch of dope included spermaceti, a waxy substance from the brow of the sperm whale, oil of cedar, Venice turpentine, oil of tar, wintergreen, soapstone, balsam of fir, pine pitch, and in one instance, melted Edison cylindrical records! The speeds the dope produced led to slogans such as "Sierra Lightning" and "Dope is King!" The early generations of longboarders continued the sport until the last race in 1917. During the 1930s there was a small revival, then a much stronger one in the 1950s, another hiatus, and now the present revival, started in 1990. In the spirit of the 19th century racers, three longboard races are now held annually at the Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl at Johnsville. The racers must be dressed in period style clothing, and only dope from authentic recipes and ingredients may be used on the skis. As in the original races, they are gender based, and participants must climb the hill on foot to the starting line. Once a squad of three to four racers is lined up and poised, the gong is sounded and the race is on. The strongest start and the straightest line (along with the best dope and best balance) generally determines the winner. Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

Lost Sierra Chamber www.Easternplumaschamber.com P.O. Box 1043 8989 Highway 89 Blairsden, CA. 96103 Email: epcc@psln.com (530) 836-6811

www.Graeagle.com

www.exploreplumascounty.com

Sierra Booster Newspaper Phone: 530-993-4379 Fax: 844-272-8583 www.sierrabooster.com

Enjoy these websites to find current events offered in Eastern Plumas and Sierra Counties Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

2019/2020 SKI RESORT SCHEDULE RESORT

OPEN NOW

ESTIMATED CLOSING 2020*

HEAVENLY TAHOE South Lake Tahoe, CA

28 lifts 10,067 ft. elev. 1-800-Heavenly

4/19/20

NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA Truckee, CA

20 lifts 8610 ft. elev. 1-800-Go-North

4/19/20

SQUAW/ALPINE Squaw Valley, CA

42 lifts 9.050 ft. elev. 1-800-403-0206

5/31/20

SUGAR BOWL Norden, CA

12 lifts 8,383 ft. elev. 1-530-426-9000

4/19/20

KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT South Lake Tahoe, CA

12 lifts 9,800 ft. elev. 1-209-258-6000

TBD

HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT Tahoe Pines, CA

8 lifts 7,880 ft. elev. 1-530-525-2992

TAHOE DONNER Truckee, CA

5 lifts 7,350 ft. elev. 1-530-587-9444

TBD

BOREAL MOUNTAIN RESORT Truckee, CA

8 lifts 7,700 ft. elev. 1-530-426-3666

4/19/20

DIAMOND PEAK Incline Village, NV

7 lifts 8,540 ft. elev. 1-775-832-1177

TBD

MOUNT ROSE Reno, NV

8 lifts 9,700 ft. elev. 1-800-754-7673

5/3/20

3/29/20

Closing Dates are still estimated. This chart will be updated periodically as the season unfolds. On Line Resource: ON THE SNOW.COM

Ski and Ride Responsibly Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700