The annual Cherry Festival will be held this year on June 7, 8, 9 & 10, in the beautiful "microtropolis" of Beaumont, California.  There are many activities planned for the four-day event including live entertainment, carnival, a pancake breakfast, a parade and lots of arts & crafts booths, and some truly scrumptuous food.

The festivities begin on Thursday, June 7, at the Festival Grounds (known the rest of the year as Stewart Park), from 5 to 10 pm.  Friday, June 8, the festival will be open from 5pm to midnight.  Then, Saturday morning, June 9, starts off with the pancake breakfast from 6:30 to 10 am at the Civic Center; then the parade begins at 10:30 am.  The festival grounds will be open from Noon to Midnight.  Sunday finishes up this year's festival from Noon to 9 pm.

There is plenty of parking at the Wal-Mart parking lot on 2nd street, or the Sports park on Beaumont Ave.  A free shuttle bus will be provided every half hour from each of these locations.  Remember, though, that the last bus will leave the Cherry Festival grounds a half hour before closing.

Many local businesses sponsor this annual event.  Click here for a flyer for this year's event.

I saw a number of comments on CBS News' website about how "poorly researched" the 60 Minutes piece was.  But, as a Realtor, as well as a long-time viewer of 60 Minutes, I know better than that.  The 60 Minutes producers have been researching this topic for over a year, and have no doubt expended hundreds of hours and countless dollars trying to develop "the story."  They have interviewed many Realtors, as well as NAR Representatives; but, curiously, none of those interviews found their way to the final draft. I suppose a fair presentation of both sides of an issue just wouldn't fit the 60 Minutes "Business Model."

So, this piece was not "poorly researched."  It was merely "poorly reported."  And that is a hundred times worse.  The one thought I am left with, is that now I must question everything I see on 60 Minutes--that is, if I ever watch again.  Ah, well.  There's always Jerry Springer.

Highland Springs Village is a well-established manufactured home community, tucked in the foothills in Cherry Valley, CA., just north of Beaumont and Banning.  As a community for Senior Citizens, age 55 or better, HSV has an abundance of amenities, activities, camaraderie and just plain F-U-N!!

The clubhouse holds a large meeting room, exercise room, card room, pool tables, an indoor spa, large swimming pool, along with showers, offices, a full kitchen, and much more.  We also have tennis courts and horse shoe pit.  Our biggest attraction, however, is our nine-hole executive golf course.  This well-maintained course provides fun and challenge for all skill levels, from the "almost-pro" to the "really-kinda-good" to the "just average" to the "beginner" to the "gonna give it a try" to ... well... "those like me."  Seriously, it's a great course, and great fun.

There are over 460 homes is our little "Village", and as with any community, there are always a few available for sale.  Most are two bedroom and two bath homes, with a few three bedroom models also.  They will range in size from around 1,200 square feet to neary 2,000 square feet.  Some have terrific views of the golf course, one of the two lakes, mountains, beautiful panoramic vistas; and some are very private.  There is usually something available for every taste and every budget.  Where else in Southern California can you find golf course living for under $250,000?

If you are interested in learning more about Highland Springs Village, give me a call at (909) 528-9432 or drop an email to john@BeaumontAreaHomes.com or visit our website at www.BeaumontAreaHomes.com