When

Wednesday, May 16
Stage 4 Presented by Breakaway from Cancer
START: Sonora – 10:35am
Distance: 130.2 miles
Sprits: Mariposa, Oakhurst, Friant
KOMs: CA 49 (x5), Crane Valley
Finish: Clovis
Estimated time of Arrival: 3:52pm

Where

The route goes down Highway 49 through Mariposa and Oakhurst and then heads over North Fork way through Friant and ends in Clovis.

Map of Stage 4

http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/docroot/media/2012/2012AToCStage4Mapv2.pdf

Map of Race

http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/docroot/media/2012/2012ATOCDetailedMap_v5.pdf

From The Amgen Web Site

As America’s most successful cycling race, the Amgen Tour of California is one of the nation’s largest and most recognized annual sporting events.  An eight-day event, this prestigious cycling road race features elite professional teams and athletes from around the world.  One of only two American races listed as a UCI 2.HC event on the international professional cycling calendar, the Amgen Tour of California awards important, world-ranking points to the top finishers.  The Amgen Tour of California brings the drama and excitement of professional cycling to California for the seventh consecutive year in 2012.

http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/

Because of the great success of the return of the Bass Lake Classic Triathlon last year, it will be back again this year on June 2, 2012. The Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau has again partnered with Jonathan Grinder, Tucson Racing, a professional Triathlon promoter.

The date is set for Saturday, June 2, 2012 at The Pines Village and The Pines Resort. The race will begin at 7:30 am and should end by noon. The Bass Lake Classic Triathlon has a web site with information and registration options at www.BassLakeTri.com.

• International Distance Triathlon which consists of a 1500 meters (1 mile) Swim; 40 kilometers (25 mile) Bike; and a 10 kilometers (6 mile) Run.
• Sprint Triathlon which consists of 400 meters (1/4 mile) Swim; 20 kilometers (12 mile) Bike; and a 5 kilometers (3 mile) Run.
• 5 K Run (3 miles) – proceeds will benefit local Charities – Bass Lake Volunteer Fire Department and the Oakhurst Boys & Girls Club.

Our 5K Run/Walk (3 miles) will again benefit local charities. This year the charities are the Bass Lake Volunteer Fire Department and the Boys & Girls Club of Oakhurst. The Bass Lake Volunteer Fire Department is seeking volunteers to direct the athletes, pass out water, and some traffic control. If you are interested in supporting your Volunteer Fire Department by volunteering (approximately 7 am to noon), please call Steve & Vickie Arata (homeowners) at 559-683-4833 vickiearata@gmail.com.

For race or other information, please contact Rhonda Salisbury at the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau at 559-683-4636 or you can email her at Rhonda@YosemiteThisYear.com. To register for the Triathlon or 5K Run go to www.BassLakeTri.com.

See you at the Lake!

For more information give us a call at 559-642-3600.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks much,

Jan, Dolores and Patrick

Vacation Rentals Specialists
Bass Lake Realty
(559) 642-3600

If you would like to get useful updates and information about real estate and the area too, click here.

Mama Blue Jay protects her babies from intruding eyes!  I saw two babies on the nest yesterday afternoon while this parent was off searching for food, or just taking a break, perhaps.   Wonder if she’ll get breakfast in bed Sunday?

Newest Residents of Bass Lake

“While the median home price dipped in February, the year-over-year decline was the smallest recorded since December 2010,” said C.A.R. President LeFrancis Arnold. “This may be a signal of a possible stabilization in home prices, which should bode well for prospective buyers who have been on the sidelines waiting for prices to level out and may entice them to jump into the market.”

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 528,010 in February, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide. February’s sales were up 2.1 percent from January’s revised pace of 517,120 and up 5.5 percent from the revised 500,480 sales pace recorded in February 2011. The statewide sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2012 if sales maintained the February pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.

The statewide median price of an existing, single-family detached home dipped 0.6 percent to $266,660 in February from January’s $268,280 median price. The median price was down 1.7 percent from the revised $271,370 median price recorded in February 2011.

Fast Facts
Calif. median home price: February 2012: $266,660 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. highest median home price by region/county February 2012: Marin, $732,140 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. lowest median home price by region/county February 2012: Tehama, $85,000 (Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. Pending Home Sales Index: January 2012: 102.4, an increase from the revised 93.1 recorded in January 2011

Calif. Traditional Housing Affordability Index: Fourth quarter 2011: 55 percent (Source: C.A.R.)

Mortgage rates: Week ending 3/15/2012 30-yr. fixed: 3.92% fees/points: 0.8% 15-yr. fixed: 3.16 fees/points: 0.8% 1-yr. adjustable: 2.79% Fees/points: 0.6% (Source: Freddie Mac)

Information provided by California Association of REALTORS®

Copyright © 2012 CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.)

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On February 9, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced thatCaliforniasecured up to $18 billion for its distressed homeowners as part of a $25 billion national multistate settlement with the country’s five largest loan servicers. More than $12 billion will be used to offer short sales or write down loans over the next three years for about 250,000 underwater homeowners inCalifornia, according to the attorney general. Relief will go to areas hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis within the first year of the settlement.

Although the actual settlement has not yet been released, the attorney general has stated that other financial benefits for California include $849 million for refinancing 28,000 borrowers who are underwater but current on their payments; $279 million restitution for 140,000 homeowners who were foreclosed upon between 2008 and 2011; $1.1 billion for unemployed homeowners, transitional assistance, and repairing blight; $3.5 billion to extinguish unpaid loans that remain after foreclosure for 32,000 homeowners; and $430 million to the state attorney general’s office for costs and fees. As part of aCaliforniaguarantee, if the lenders fail to reduce principal balances by a minimum of $12 billion, they will be required to pay fines up to $800 million to the state.

The loans involved in this settlement are those owned or serviced by Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, and Ally Financial Inc. The settlement releases the five named lenders from certain federal and state claims pertaining to robo-signing and other foreclosure misconduct by the lenders. It does not affect any individual’s rights to bring legal action against a lender. It also does not apply to the majority of mortgage loans, which are those owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

This mortgage settlement does not change any homeowner’s existing financial relationship with a settling lender. It does not relieve homeowners from any obligation. It does not require a settling lender to stop any foreclosure.

Homeowners seeking relief under the settlement agreement should contact their loan servicer or a HUD-approved housing counselor. More information including detailed FAQs is also available from the California Attorney General’s website, or visit the National Mortgage Settlement website.

Brought to you by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. 

http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/01/real_estate/fannie_mae_foreclosure/index.htm?iid=HP_River

After a temporary closure, the Hetch Hetchy Road in Yosemite National Park has reopened to the public at 11:00 a.m. today, Friday, December 02, 2011. The Hetch Hetchy Road was temporarily closed on Wednesday, November 30 due to a high wind warning in the Yosemite area.  Several trees fell along the roadway during the event, causing blocked access to the Hetch Hetchy Dam and the Hetch Hetchy area.  Forestry crews were able to access the area this morning and clear the roadway of any remaining debris.

The Tioga Road, previously closed due to the high wind event, remains closed at this time.  The area experienced gusts of wind up to 75 miles per hour, causing dozens of trees to uproot and fall across the roadway. Forestry crews continue to work in the area to remove debris from the road. Work on the roadway and fallen trees will continue throughout the weekend
and an announcement will be made upon the opening of the Tioga Road.

All roads within the Yosemite National Park are subject to temporary closures due to hazardous driving conditions.  For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200.

The lake is now at 3347+/- which is as low as PG&E can legally go.  We
plan to keep it at this level as long as we can thru the winter and
early spring.  Weather systems will dictate how well we do.  FYI – we
just extended the Pines boat ramp to allow boat trailers to be able to
launch with the lake at this lowest level.

This current information was provided by

John Magyar
Construction Director
PARSONS

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The Tioga Road (Highway 120 east of the Crane Flat Gas Station) and the Hetch Hetchy Road in Yosemite National Park will be temporarily closing tonight, Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. A high wind warning has been issued for the Yosemite area starting tonight, through Friday morning, December 2, that may impact driving conditions along the roadway. The Tioga Road and the Hetch Hetchy Road will remain closed until further
assessments can be made. An announcement will be made pending additional road closure changes.

Winds are expected to be between 20 and 40 miles per hour, with localized gusts up to 60 miles per hour in Yosemite Valley. Winds at the higher elevations of the park are expected to be between 50 and 60 miles per hour with localized gusts in excess of 75 miles per hour. The strongest winds are expected in the area between 4:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. tomorrow,
December 1.

There is the potential for very strong damaging winds with down trees and power lines and potential structure damage throughout the park. Visitors are urged to use caution while in Yosemite National Park during this high wind warning.

All roads within the park are subject to temporary closures due to hazardous driving conditions. Additionally, all roads are subject to potential closure without advanced notice due to safety concerns.

For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200.

Incoming search terms:

• roads blocked due to damaging winds today

The Pines Village will become Santa’s Village, and everyone is welcome to enjoy caroling, hot chocolate & hot cider, and of course the delightful parade!  Santa will light the 100 foot pine tree, and he will be available for photos with kids of all ages.

Raffle tickets are on sale now until Saturday evening November 26th at 6:30 pm at the Pines Registration desk and The Pines Market.  Bass Lake Water Sports is providing two bicycles to raffle, and Bass Lake Realty has provided two Ipods as raffle prizes.  All proceeds will go to Toys For Tots.

The Pines Resort and Bass Lake Event Center will collect coats and new winter accessories to benefit those who may not be able to afford them.

There may still be time to register your entry into the Parade of Lights by calling Tammie at (559) 692-8865.

Come celebrate the beauty of the holidays this Saturday evening!