My Visit with the Millionaire...   Yesterday, I received a nice visit from a fellow Active Rainer, the very famous, now “Millionaire” Active Rain Blogger… Todd Clark!   Todd and his family were on a camping vacation and he contacted me before he came to town.   They were driving through Idaho Real Estate and took a moment to stop by Exit 38 in Nampa and introduce themselves.   His family is very nice & I was especially happy to know he & his wife were creating such great memories for their three kids! What a fun time to be on the road at ages 11, 9 & 6!   We kept the visit short, but we have a new bond and an upcoming referral relationship with our real estate businesses!     Thanks for taking the time, Todd… and for the fun photo! Congratulations on over 1,000,000 points on Active Rain... 11/17/2010

Welcome to Ralph's Weekly Feature: Two Truths and a Lie: Guess Which One Is The Lie? Each week, I'm going to feature one Active Rain Member, with their photo, and what they are going to do is tell you 2 Truths about them and 1 Lie. The object of the game is to guess which of the 3 bits of trivia about them is a lie! I will post the answer in that same blog at the end of the week on Fridays so you can all find out! It's a great way to get to know your fellow Active Rain members and staff. This week, we will be featuring: Don Wixom Don is the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Advantage, Nampa Idaho real estate agent, Licensed in 1996, a top producing Realtor/Broker! GRI, CRS, ABR, SFR, QSC, e-Pro OK, Here goes: I've lost 120 pounds in the last 2 years I was a gun salesman for the Mafia.   I was in ... 11/14/2010

Tis the season I guess to help out the homeless...seems every where i go there are events that have the  homeless in mind!    We don't have as many home less in Nampa as some do...but in the Winter it is a bigger problem due to the lower tempatures.   We just simply don't have enough shelters with resources to help fontionelks out as much as is needed!  The Boy Scouts in Nampa Idaho had a food drive yesterday in conjunction with Albertsons Grocery stores.   They dropped off bags with a flyer last week!  I know a recent BSU game collected a whole lot of food...some thing like 70,000 pounds of food was collected!  At church today, our Pastor mentioned an upcoming program our church is hoping to set up!   In our area most shelters require folks to leave fairly early in the day and they are... 11/14/2010

Nampa Idaho Market Summary for Fall River Estates From May 1, 2010 as of November 12, 2010   9 homes are currently for sale      Average Price $226,100      Average price per SF $79      Average Days on Market 221   11 homes have sold these past 6 months      Average price $175,527      Average price per SF $73      Average Days on Market 166   3 homes are currently pending sale      Average asking price $175,566      Average price per SF $70      Average Days on Market 81   Great buy on Nearly 3000 SF Home at 548 Bayhill Drive   Contact Don Wixom with RE/MAX Advantage for a market update for your Treasure Valley Subdivisions!   Call or Text (208) 880-5039 Your Idaho Real Estate Certified Residential Specialist     11/13/2010

Today as I was going out and about a few times I passed Applebees in Nampa Idaho...I not iced that the parking lot was incredibly full...and I could see a waiting line of people who were going to eat!  I knew it was lunch time but this was not the norm!   As I passed by I noted on the Billboard...that Applebees was serving a free meal to all Veterans!    What a cool idea!   And it was very well received judging the line of patrons waiting to get into the restaurant!   I salute Applebees for showing their appreciation to our Vets...active or retired! And more importantly I salute our Military Men and Women...as well as the Veterans of previous wars!  We owe so much to you ....our freedom for one!!!  Thank you and God Bless You!!!  11/11/2010

Nampa Idaho Market Summary for Carriage Hill Subdivision From May 1, 2010 as of November 10, 2010   10 homes are currently for sale      Average Price $297,750      Average price per SF $93      Average Days on Market 105   6 homes have sold these past 6 months      Average price $218,750      Average price per SF $70      Average Days on Market 84   1 home is currently pending sale      Average asking price $375,000      Average price per SF $109      Average Days on Market 113   Great buy on Nearly 3000 SF Home at 548 Bayhill Drive   Contact Don Wixom with RE/MAX Advantage for a market update for your Treasure Valley Subdivisions!   Call or Text (208) 880-5039 Your Idaho Real Estate Certified Residential Specialist     11/10/2010

The following is a list of upcoming Holiday Bazzars in the Treasure Valley!   Nov. 13 NAMPA — Southside Harvest Festival, begins at 9 a.m., Southside Boulevard United Methodist Church, corner of Lewis Lane and Southside Blvd. Bazaar and country store (antiques and collectibles) opens at 9 a.m. Cinnamon rolls, coffee and beverages available in the fellowship hall until 11:30 a.m. Chicken and noodles supper begins at 5 p.m. Live auction at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 467-1087. NAMPA — Candy Cane Lane Bazaar, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 1515 8th St. S. The bazaar features a wide variety of holiday cookies and candy, and homemade jams, jellies and breads. Also available are craft items, gifts and several raffle items. Santa will be on hand for photos. For more informa... 11/10/2010

Burlington Coat Factory is once again collecting coats for the Needy!   Coats can be new or gently used.  Drop them off at your local Burlington Coat Factory Nationwide... I will be dropping mine off at our Karcher Mall Burlington Coat Factoryin Nampa Idaho All customers who donate will recieve a coupon worth 10% off of their next purchase!  What a deal to be able to use the coupon towards some Christmas Shopping! In addition all coats donated will stay in the community they are donated to!  In Nampa Idaho the coats will be distributed by Grace Resource Center/Community Family Shelter.  This coat drive will continue until January 17th 2011 Last year Burlington Coat Factory collected 220,000 coats and this year the plan is to colled 250,000.  Think about donating to this worthwhile cause... 11/10/2010

It is time for the 28th Annual Country Harvest Hoedown Nampa Civic Center 311 3rd Street South Nampa Idaho Saturday November 12, 2010 Performances at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm Free tickets to be given to Veterans who live in Nursing Homes!   In honor of the our nation's Veterans the Junior Jammers and Harmony Corral will open the show with a medly of music themed to each branch of the Armed Services.   Other Program highlights are Singing..and performances by the National Fiddle Champions.   Music will be a combination of old time fiddle music, the new Celtic stylye and wing music!   Call today to reserve your tickets 208 468-5555 or visit www.nampaciviccenter.com       11/10/2010

Nampa Idaho Market Summary for The Islands   From August 1, 2010 as of November 8, 2010   6 homes are currently for sale      Average Price $98,866      Average price per SF $70      Average Days on Market 56   6 homes have sold these past 3 months      Average price $105,783      Average price per SF $64      Average Days on Market 84   3 homes are currently pending sale      Average asking price $129,300      Average price per SF $64      Average Days on Market 30   Great buy on 1610 SF Home at 2201 E Olympic Ave   Contact Don Wixom with RE/MAX Advantage for a market update for your Treasure Valley Subdivisions!   Call or Text (208) 880-5039  Your Idaho Real Estate Certified Residential Specialist   11/08/2010

Visit the Nampa Rec Center 131 Constitution Way Nampa, Idaho November 6 2010 from 9 am -Noon for a Health Screening Day In conjunction a Blood Drive will be held at the Rec Center from 9-2 Free services at the Health Screening Day include: Blood Pressure checks Injury Screenings Hearing and Balance Checks Chair Massages If you haven't got your flu shot you can get one for $33 and pneumonia shots will also be available.  Bone Denisity tests for $25 (with pre registration) More tests will be available to Pre Register please go to www.nampareccenter.org       11/05/2010

Are you wondering what to do this weekend?   Don't want to sit around and watch the Boise State Broncos?  (Gasp!!) How about a taste of Chocolate?   The Nampa Soroptimist Club is sponsoring this event once again!    19th Annual Chocolate Affaire Come on down to the Nampa Civic Center for an opportunity to buy some of the best hand made chocolate desserts in the valley!   All chocolate is made by members of the Nampa Soroptimist Club.  Along with the chocolate will be the wares of over 100 craft and home party vendors...all sorts of hand made items can be found: Turned Wooden Pens, Soy Candles and Tarts Hand Stitched quilts Porcelean Dolls Primitive Stitched Items And a whole lot more!  There will also be a silent auction and raffles for a gorgeous gift basket! Come down and visit Novemb... 11/05/2010

Today is Election Day....our right to choose who we want in office to represent us!  I know many have differing views on who should be elected...really this post isn't about who is the best person for the job....but rather a plea to everyone to exercise our Right to Vote!! It was fought hard for by our ancestors....and we shouldn't throw that gift away right?   If you don't know who to vote for or how to vote on legislation being changed...then ask!    Or Google it online to determine how you should vote....don't let ignorance be your excuse! I know that in our area the early voting was a lot busier than anticipated...which shows many people do care about what happens!   I don't know how the elections will end up....but as I have always been told by my Mom and Dad....if you don't vote t... 11/02/2010

I've been happy to have my son home from SoCal this past week! He originally came home to help out with a Halloween Party that was made into a tribute/memorial for his grandfather who always loved to dress up and make the season a fun time! When he was here, we got to experience Broncos - Steelheads & Ridgecrest Golf Club... Tuesday night, Oct 26th we were able to attend the #3 Ranked Boise State Broncos play against Louisiana Tech on the blue turf in Idaho's Capitol city, Boise!       The following night, we joined thousands at the Qwest Arena for a great Hockey game with the Idaho Steelheads playing Utah. (our football is better than our hockey).       After two Halloween parties of fun and creativity, we just hadn’t spent enough time together.   Today, we enjoyed a crisp fall day wit... 11/01/2010

Plan to attend the Economic Forum sponsored by the Nampa Chamber of Commerce Wednesday November 10, 2010 7 am - 9 am Nampa Civic Center Cost is $25 per person (includes Breakfast) You won't want to miss this presentation highlighting the Economy from "Local to Global" What are the Risks and Opportunities in today's Volatile Market?   Keynote Speaker: Mr John Diehl Senior Vice President of Hartford Life Distributor Business Development Group Supporting Speaker" Mr Cliff Long Director of Economic Development City of Nampa, Idaho Plan on attendign this Dynamic, Stimulating and Informative Event! For Tickets please call Dawn Callaham at 208 466-4641 ect 101 r email her at dcallaham@nampa.com 10/31/2010

Here is a fun new Business to open In Nampa Idaho Wild Rush Flowers 6016 Carson Court Nampa ID This is a You Pick flower garden in Jonathon and Courtney Rush's 1 acre home in East Nampa, Idaho.   Bouquets are reasonably priced at $10 a bucket...which is about 3-4 bouquets worth!  If flower Arranging isn't your cup of tea...they will deliver for about $35 (delivery and arrangement) The couple have been in their home for about a year and have created walkable pathways lined with flowerrs feature a variety of species...aromatic sweat peas to zinnias   I can't wait to go and check this out...and to take some pictures!  Hurry out before the season is over!    10/31/2010

Have you been wondering where the Nampa Chamber of Commerce moved?   They have recently moved to 315 11th Avenue South ...right across the street from the Brick 29 Bistro! Keep an eye out for the announcement of a grand opening open house in November!  This great new location is still in the heart of Downtown Nampa and should be easier to locate....a much more visible spot!   For more information please visit: www.nampa.com/ or call 208 466-4641 10/31/2010

Don't miss out on the Nampa First Christian Church Annual Bazaar (I am not sure what year it is...but I know that it is more than the 40+ years I have attended the church) Saturday October 30, 2010 9:00 am - 4:00 pm It is a great place to pick up some Christmas Decorations or Ornaments or even some great gifts!  Also you won't want to miss out on all the baked goods and jams and jellies that will be for sale! If you are hungry then you can have a bowl of hot turkey noodles or a bowl of chili!   The members of the church have been hard at work making home made noodles for you to purchase.   2 # bags will be available for sale. (I can testify that these are the best noodles around!!!) Don't forget to visit the Country Store for gently used goods donated by church members!   Hope to see yo... 10/26/2010

WOW...just read about this in an ad in the Newspaper! UNLIMITED MOVIE PASS Only $10.00 Northern Lights Cinema Grill Located in Karcher Mall Nampa, Idaho 1509 Caldwell Blvd This is a discount of 90% off the regular price of $90!!! These ticket prices are on sale for one week only October 26th-November 1st, 2010 And must be purchased on line at www.idahopress.com  While you are enjoying your month long Movie Marathon...remember you can order dinner at the same time! 10/26/2010

An organization that is a wonderful bright spot in Nampa Idaho is Love Inc.    Love Inc is an organization that involves many of the area's churches in helping the financially troubled folks in Nampa Idaho.   Many different programs are offered to sponsoring churches and individuals...a talent survey is available....maybe you have child care skills...or automotive repairs skills...or even financial planning skills.    Or if it is easier to donate set items every month...such as a toiletry or food item ....then Love Inc might be the organization for you!   Groups of churches have banded together to provide the resources needed to help needy individuals.    Our chruch Nampa First Christian hosts several programs...including Heavens Household which provides house ware items to those trying... 10/24/2010