Owltoberfest 2009 - Starlight Gathering

Photograph courtesy of Sunriver Nature Center.

This golden eagle will be introduced to the public at the

Fall Equinox Celebration on September 19.

http://www.sunrivernaturecenter.org/

Mark your calendars for Saturday night, October 3, 2009,7:00-11:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Sunriver Nature Center under the big white tents. For $50 a person, you will be entertained, enjoy wine or microbrews and tasty finger foods and desserts.

Michael Jones, Weaver of Native American Tales, accompanied by traditional Flute music will entertain at the Owltoberfest. Keeper of thousands of stories, he will tailor his performance to Sunriver, our wildlife and our natural surroundings. As an adjunct professor at Portland State University for 22 years, he specializes in teacher education at the Living History Museum at Mt. Hood. Michael is director of the Cascade Geographic Society, has been featured on Discovery Channel and conducts The Portland Underground tours.

Bob Grossfeld will host a private star gazing party in the Observatory later in the evening. Wear informal and warm clothing, and flat comfortable shoes. Harry Hamilton, SNCO Board President, will unveil plans for the future development of Sunriver Nature Center.

There will be a Silent Auction of many quality items such as a handmade Raven and Moons quilt by Carol Webb, a Spirit Catcher quilt by Carole Elsbree, Diane Reed's Drinking Elk wildlife photo, a handmade jewelry set by Teresa Bowerman, a Picasso reproduction and more.

At 9:15 we will draw the winning raffle ticket for a European adventure cruise from Paris to Amsterdam (3 nights Paris, 7 nights cruising the Rhine and the Mozel Rivers) for two from April15 - 26, 2010. You do not have to be present to win the raffle; tickets cost $10 each or 11 for $100. For reservations to Owltoberfest or purchase raffle tickets for the cruise contact (541) 593-4394.

For information on this event and others hosted at the Sunriver Nature Center, visit: http://www.sunrivernaturecenter.org/html/special_events.html

Sunriver Real Estate - A tale of two Summers

The Summer real estate season in Sunriver has ended. 2009 saw a 34% decline in the value of homes sold compared to 2008. Interestingly 2009 had 24 transactions ( $8.8 million) and 2008 had 27 ($13.4 million), so the actual number of buyers was not significantly different. Buyers in 2009 were clearly taking advantage of the availability of many more low priced homes on the market than we have seen in a number of years in Sunriver. Much of this activity took place late in the summer selling season as people began to feel that the market in Sunriver had bottomed out.

Another piece of good new is that we closed out the season with 21 pending transaction totaling $9.4 million. These transactions should close in the next few months.

We still have 70 homes for sale in Sunriver under $400K. This will continue to give the bargain hunters lots to choose from as we move into the fall.

High end properties and lot sales continue to be hardest hit part of the market. As the economy continues to improve we do expect this part of the market to start to show some signs of life.

John D. Watkins
Broker
541-390-3600
jdw48@mac.com

Don't miss John's monthly Central Oregon Real Estate updates.
Visit his blog at http://centraloregonresortrealestate.blogspot.com/

List of local contractors added to website

A new feature we just added to our website is a list of local contractors that we use here in Sunriver. Visit our website to view the list. Any suggestions for contractors that you have used and would recommend can be sent to Robert Bennington at robert@benningtonproperties.com

http://www.benningtonproperties.com/propertymanagement/recommendedcontractors.htm

Win a 2010 Honda Insight - Nature Center

CAR RAFFLE RAISES FUNDS FOR NATURE CENTER – Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory is raffling off a new Honda Insight gas/electric hybrid automobile to raise funds for its ongoing programs. Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100 & can be purchased at the Nature Center or by calling the information phone numbers listed below. No more than 3,000 tickets will be sold. You need not be present to win. The winning ticket will be drawn at 12 noon on Saturday, Oct 17th, 2009.

Info – 541-593-4442 or 541-593-4394.

More on Village Remodel / Deconstruction

GONE! Former site of Bella Cucina, Building 3, looking north.

BUILDING REMODEL TO BEGIN IN VILLAGE AT SUNRIVER – Rediscover Sunriver Village LLC has announced that it will begin exterior remodeling of building #22 in the Village in early September. Currently housing Goody’s & the Toy Kingdom (and mini golf upstairs), the remodel will serve as an example of the architectural style that the Village owners will apply to other buildings in the Village in the future. During the remodel, the pathways between buildings 21 & 22 and 22 & 23 will be fenced off, as will the parking/loading area behind buildings 21, 22 & 23.

LAWSUIT AGAINST SROA

The lawsuit brought against SROA and SilverStar Destinations, (After Rediscover Sunriver Village LLC purchased the village in late 2008, they were also named co-defendents in the suit.) by Sunriver homeowners Herbert and Betty Adelman, had received a summary judgement on August 7 in SROA's favor by Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Alta J. Brady.

Two Great Events coming to the Village

TWO GREAT EVENTS COMING TO THE VILLAGE – Village at Sunriver has announced two special events for September. On Saturday & Sunday, Sep 5th & 6th, 10 am to 10 pm, a “So Long for Summer Festival & Concert” will feature a Village-wide sidewalk sale, concerts in the courtyard area, face painters, street magicians, cartoonists & other performers. A concert on Friday night Sep 5th, in the courtyard next to the Village Bar & Grill, will kick off the weekend event. On Friday, Sep 11th, dust off your ukulele, don your hula skirt & lei, and head to the Village for the “First Annual Sunriver Village Luau!” Buffet style dinner featuring the fine restaurants of Sunriver and entertainment by Bill Keale & the Hokulea Hula Troupe of Central Oregon, 5 to 9 pm in the Pavilion (ice rink). $40 adults ($30 before Sep 5th), $20 kids 12 & under, 5 & under free with paying adult.

Info & tickets – 541-593-8704.

PAULINA LAKE ADVISORY - Algae Bloom

PAULINA LAKE ADVISORY – Health officials have issued an advisory for Paulina Lake in Newberry Caldera warning that water contact by people or their pets could be hazardous. The health advisory is being issued for high levels of blue-green algae that can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals. Swallowing or inhaling water droplets should be avoided, as well as skin contact with water. Paulina Lake is located about 25 miles south of Bend and is part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Info – 541-383-4000.

For more information on Blue-Green Algae, click here:

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/envtox/docs/bgahealthconcernsfaq.pdf