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September 2008

1 --Labor Day
2 -- Victory (V-J) Day
11 -- Patriot Day
15 -- Full Moon Day
22 -- Autumn
22 -- Family Day

A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away.
-- Barry Goldwater

Existing-Home Sales Projected to Improve

According to a mid-August report by the National Association of Realtors®, some improvement is projected for existing-home sales in the months ahead, with broader gains seen by the fourth quarter as buyers take advantage of new provisions provided through the recently passed housing stimulus bill.

The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in June, rose 5.3 percent to 89.0 from a downwardly revised reading of 84.5 in May, but remains 12.3 percent below June 2007 when it stood at 101.4.

“The vacillation of data from one month to the next indicates a housing market in transition,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, adding that sales have been in a pattern of rising and falling within a fairly narrow range. “The rise in pending home sales was broad-based with all four regions showing gains. This is welcome news because a rise in contract activity is necessary for an overall housing recovery. With a tax credit now available to first-time home buyers, increases in home sales could be sustained with the momentum carrying into 2009.”

The PHSI in the South jumped 9.3 percent to 92.4 in June; rose 4.6 percent to 101.0 in the West; increased 3.4 percent to 79.6 in the East; and inched upward 1.3 percent to 79.6 in the Midwest.

“Buyers entering the hardest-hit markets, in some cases with multiple-bid offers, may have put a floor on prices,” said Yun, adding that home prices did not fall as much as anticipated in the second quarter. "In addition, rising commodity prices and higher construction costs have resulted in a very unusual market today with existing-home prices being less than replacement building costs in some areas. Home prices are projected to increase 3 to 6 percent in 2009.”

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is expected to trend up to 6.5 percent by the end of 2008, and then hold at that level for most of next year, the report said.

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That which seems the height of absurdity in one generation often becomes the height of wisdom in another.
-- Adlai Stevenson

7 Tips to Consider Before Getting a Pet

1. Consider your lifestyle and how much time you and your family have to devote to a pet. Dogs are needy (walking, grooming), a fish is easy, and a cat is somewhere in between.
2. How much space do you have? Big dogs, pigs, donkeys and goats need a lot of room. Cats, birds, rabbits, turtles, lizards and guinea pigs require little space.
3. If you have never owned the type of pet you are considering, do some research. All pet-types are not the same. A German Shepherd is a totally different animal than a Maltese.
4. Do you want a baby or an adult? Babies will require training, whereas an adult or adopted pet may be already housebroken.
5. Consider the costs. Even if you get your pet for free, the cost of food, grooming and other supplies (kitty litter, bedding, pet toys) can add up. In addition, most pets will require an occasional trip to the vet.
6. Is the pet you're considering compatible with any existing pets?
7. Is anybody in the family allergic to the pet you're considering? You may want to pet-sit for a weekend or visit family or friends with the same kind of pet to make sure.

Great minds have purposes, others have wishes.
-- Washington Irving

Area Schools Affect Home Values

You've most likely heard that location, location, location is the most important factor in real estate. While this may be true, another important factor to consider as you try to find the best neighborhoods for resale value is the quality of the local school system. Even if you don’t have children, it would be prudent to research the closest schools before purchasing a home.

By placing a call to the local school district, you should be able to find out what type of funding area students receive, what the average class size is, and how well students have performed on standardized tests. In addition, find out if they offer any special programs, what percentage of students graduate and go on to college, and whether or not the district will be opening or closing any schools in the near future.

For many prospective home buyers with children (or plan to), the quality and reputation of the local school system may be as critical to their buying decision as the appeal of the home itself. Regardless of where the home is located, the quality and reputation of the schools will affect the home's value, not only when you buy, but when you sell.

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Most folks are about as
happy as they make up their minds to be.
-- Abraham Lincoln

Tankless Water Heaters Make Good Sense

If your current water heater is on its last leg, or you've decided you need a better unit to suit your needs, consider a tankless water heater when you go shopping.

Tankless water heaters can save energy and money and deliver an endless flow of hot water. While a conventional tank-style water heater continuously stores 40 to 80 gallons of water and keeps it hot until it’s needed, a tankless water heater only heats water when it's needed. Obviously, keeping 40 to 80 gallons of water hot 24 hours a day, seven days a week, month after month, wastes considerable energy.

Instead of continuously heating a large tank of water, a tankless water heater circulates incoming water through a series of electric coils or gas burners that heat up automatically when you turn on a hot water tap or appliance. When you turn off the faucet, the elements or burners turn off. In other words, you're only burning energy when you have a demand for hot water.

There are several varieties of tankless water heaters, from small electric point-of-use models (for use at a specific location, such as a kitchen or bathroom sink) to larger gas appliances that supply the entire house. Point of use models start around $150 and larger units capable of supplying more hot water start around $750.

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Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.
-- Chinese Proverb

Trivia Challenge

Question 1.) What did Teddy Roosevelt die from?
a.) Old age
b.) A coronary embolism
c.) The common cold
d.) Choking

Question 2.) What other ingredient besides water is used in lava lamps?
a.) Glycerin
b.) Oil
c.) Wax
d.) Gelatin

Question 3.) Since 1896, the beginning of the modern Olympics, besides Greece, what other country has participated in every game?
a.) United States
b.) German
c.) Netherlands
d.) Australia

Question 4.) Artist Andy Warhol first made a living doing what?
a.) Painting shoes for ads
b.) Decorative painting on store front windows
c.) Illustrating grocery ads
d.) Creating road signs

Question 5. ) What was Charlie Brown's father's occupation?
a.) Shoe salesman
b.) Barber
c.) Crocer
d.) Gas station attendant

TOP | ANSWERS

One problem with gazing too frequently into the past is that we may turn around to find the future has run out on us.
-- Michael Cibenko

Is Your Calorie Counter Telling the Truth?

Are you really burning as many calories as your exercise equipment says? Maybe, maybe not. Cardio machines with calorie counters use a standard formula that give a good estimate, but they aren't 100 percent accurate. There are variables involved that affect the amount of energy used by each individual.

Body fat is a big factor when determining energy expenditure. A person with a higher percentage of body fat will usually burn less calories than a person with more muscle mass. In addition, a person's fitness level will determine how much energy is used. If you are new to an exercise, you will likely burn more calories than somebody who is already in good shape.

When referring to your calorie counter, it is best to use these numbers as a benchmark and not the hard truth. Cardio machines have been estimated to overstate the calories burned by up to 15 percent. A good indicator would be your exertion level. Check your heart rate from time to time. If two machines give you the same count, but one feels easier and your heart rate is lower, you're probably not burning as many calories. Stick with the equipment that gives you the better work out.

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September Movie Releases

• Sept. 5
  • Bangkok Dangerous
  • Everybody Wants to Be Italian
• Sept. 12
  • Burn After Reading
  • Righteous Kill
  • Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys
  • The Women
• Sept. 19
  • Ghost Town
  • Igor
  • Lakeview Terrace
  • My Best Friend's Girl
• Sept. 26
  • Blindness
  • Choke
  • Eagle Eye
  • Fireproof
  • Miracle at St. Anna
  • Nights in Rodanthe
  • The Lucky Ones

Grilled Marinated Shrimp

Ingredients - Serves 6

• 2 lbs. large shrimp -- peeled and deveined with tails attached
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 lemon -- juiced
• 2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
• 3 cloves garlic -- minced
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Skewers

Directions

1. Mix lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, garlic, hot sauce, tomato paste, oregano, and salt and pepper. Reserve a small amount for basting later. Pour remaining marinade into a large resealable plastic bag with shrimp. Seal, and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
2. Preheat grill for medium-low heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard marinade.
3. Lightly oil grill grate. Cook shrimp for 5 minutes per side, or until opaque, basting frequently with reserved marinade.

Wine Pairing

• Domaine Michel Vauvy Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2006

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Mark Stokes
6535 Kingfisher Lane NE
Bemidji, MN 56601

This eNewsletter contains information, facts and opinions from various individuals and organizations. This eNewsletter is provided on an "as-is" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. I/We are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Consult with your doctor, fitness consultant, attorney, accountant, or other professional advisor when necessary. © 2008 eNewsletterSolutions.