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August 2008

1 -- Respect for Parent's Day
3 -- Family Day
3 -- Friendship Day
4 -- Coast Guard Day
11 -- Romance Day
16 -- Full Moon Day
25 -- National Park Day

Existing-Home Sales Down Slightly in June

According to a late-July report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing-home sales fell 2.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.86 million units in June from a pace of 4.99 million in May.

“A recent online survey of Realtors® shows nearly a quarter of potential home buyers are waiting on the sidelines,” said NAR President Richard F. Gaylord, adding there is something of a quandary in the current market. “However, timing the market can be very tricky, which is why home buyers should always have a long-term view to build wealth.”

Total housing inventory at the end of June rose 0.2 percent to 4.49 million existing homes available for sale, which represents an 11.1-month supply at the current sales pace, up from a 10.8-month supply in May.

“About four in 10 homes are purchased by first-time buyers, which frees existing owners to trade up,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, emphasizing the critical role first-time home buyers have on the health of the housing market. “With many potential first-time home buyers on the sidelines, a first-time buyer tax credit would have a significant positive impact on both housing and the economy. Combined with permanent increases to mortgage loan limits and enhancing the FHA loan program, the housing stimulus package working its way through Congress would go a long way toward helping consumers and boosting the overall economy.”

The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $215,100 in June, down 6.1 percent from a year ago when the median was $229,000, the report said.

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.32 percent in June from 6.04 percent in May; the rate was 6.66 percent in June 2007.

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I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.
-- John Locke

5 Fun Variations of Tag: You're It!

If you're running out of ideas on how to keep your kids entertained, following are five variations to an old backyard favorite, tag. This popular game is played throughout the world and has kept parents and children alike entertained for hours at a time.

Kick the Can -- Tagged players must sit in a "jail" (any designated spot) until a free player kicks a soda can or bucket near the jail, freeing everyone.

Shadow Tag -- Instead of tagging the person, "it" has to stomp on your shadow. Once your shadow has been stomped, you are "it."

Straddle Tag -- The person tagged must must freeze in place until someone crawls through their legs to free them.

Spud -- Players begin each round in a central location. "It" then throws a ball high into the air. The other players run but must stop as soon as "it" catches the ball and shouts "Spud!" The person who is "it" may then take three large steps toward the player of his choice before throwing the ball at that player. If the ball hits the target, that player becomes "it" and the game starts over.

Flashlight Tag -- This version of tag is played at night. Rather than physically tagging each other, the "it" player can tag the others by shining a flashlight beam on them.

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Creditors have better memories than debtors.
-- Benjamin Franklin

Think Twice Before Co-signing a Loan

With home loans getting more difficult to obtain in many cases, you may be asked by a family member or friend to co-sign a loan. But, before you co-sign, keep these points in mind.

• Your liability for the loan may keep you from getting other credit (or loans) because creditors will consider the co-signed loan as one of your financial obligations.
• Make sure you can afford to re-pay the loan or make the payments. If you become responsible for the loan and can't make the payments, you will likely be sued and your credit will be damaged.
• Before you pledge property (real estate, RV, boat, auto) to secure the loan, make sure you understand the consequences. If the borrower defaults, you could lose the pledged property.
• Try negotiating the specific terms of your obligation. For example, you may want to limit your liability to only the principal, and not include late fees or administration costs. Get it in writing.
• Get the lender to agree to notify you immediately if the borrower misses any payments. This will give you time to deal with the situation before it becomes a major problem. Once again, get it in writing.
• Check your state law for additional co-signer rights and responsibilities.
• Get copies of all documents.

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It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.
-- Robert G. Ingersoll

8 Steps to Painting/Staining Concrete

One way you can easily and economically improve the appearance of your home is to paint or stain any concrete walls, flooring, patios or other outdoor surfaces that are gray and boring. While the process is a bit more difficult than painting an interior wall, it's still fairly easy and the results can be fantastic. Here's how you do it:

1. Test the Area -- Before painting the concrete, perform a moisture test by taping a 24-inch square of plastic to the area and waiting 48 hours. If there is any discoloration or any visible signs of moisture trapped in the plastic, the cement should not be painted or stained.
2. Roughen the Surface -- Concrete should be as rough as 120 grit sandpaper; smooth concrete will not accept stains or coatings. You can roughen the surface with a wire brush and acid-based solution or use a cement etching solution found in most home improvement stores. You can also use a floor sander or shot blaster to roughen the surface.
3. Clean the Surface Thoroughly -- Use a degreaser or concrete cleaner to remove all paint, dirt, moisture, etc. The concrete must be clean and dry or the paint or stain will not work correctly. If you use a power washer, wait at least 48 hours before doing any repairs, painting or staining.
4. Repairs -- Fix any cracks or holes in the concrete with hydraulic cement.
5. Seal the Concrete -- Masonry coating works best. Let dry.
6. Primer -- Apply a coat of concrete-safe primer with a roller or sprayer. Let dry.
7. Paint/Stain -- Apply paint or stain with a roller or sprayer and let dry. Apply additional coats of paint as needed. Always dry thoroughly between coats.
8. Sealer -- Apply a coat of concrete-safe sealer.

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The only sure thing about luck is that it will change.
-- Wilson Mizner

Trivia Challenge

Question 1.) What movie holds the record for the most police car crashes?
a.) Smokey and the Bandit
b.) The Blues Brothers
c.) Convoy
d.) The Dukes of Hazard

Question 2.) What do you call someone who collects post cards?
a.) Deltiologist
b.) Tagologist
c.) Cripiologist
d.) Kerriologist

Question 3.) Why do travelers to La Paz, Bolivia often become ill the moment they arrive?
a.) Because of the high altitude
b.) Because of the poor air quality
c.) Because of the proximity to the cities dumping site
d.) Because of the airplane food

Question 4.) Which of the following states never adopted daylight savings time?
a.) Maine
b.) Arizona
c.) New Mexico
d.) Florida

Question 5.) What childhood character is immortalized as a large brass statue in downtown Lima, Peru?
a.) Popeye
b.) Mickey Mouse
c.) The Cat in the Hat
d.) Winnie the Pooh

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You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.
-- Michael Jordan

Shopping for Shades

Choosing the right sunglasses will protect your eyes and make most outdoor activities more comfortable. Following are some features to keep in mind the next time you go shopping for shades:

• UV protection -- Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UV rays or state “UV absorption up to 400nm.” This is the best UV protection you can get.
• Visible Light -- Look for sunglasses that screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light. A quick test: If you can easily see your eyes through the lenses, consider darker lenses.
• Quality Lenses -- If the sunglasses distort anything while looking through them, they are poor quality and will likely give you a headache.
• Polarized Lenses -- This type of lens reflects glare and is a must if you do a lot of driving, boating or spend much time out in the snow.
• Impact Resistant -- While no sunglasses are shatter proof, plastic lenses are less likely to shatter upon impact than glass lenses, and polycarbonate plastic lenses are even better.
• Scratch Resistant -- Some sunglasses are manufactured with a scratch resistant coating to protect the lens.

Other features you can look for include mirror coatings, gradient lenses, wraparounds and photochromic lenses, among others. Keep in mind quality sunglasses don't have to be expensive. Just make sure you get the protection you want. Fashion, on the other hand, doesn't come cheap.

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August Movie Releases

• August 1
  • The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
• August 6
  • The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
  • Pineapple Express
• August 8
  • Fly Me to the Moon
• August 13
  • Tropic Thunder
• August 15
  • Henry Poole Is Here
  • Mirrors
  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars
• August 20
  • The Rocker
• August 22
  • Death Race
  • The House Bunny
• August 29
  • Babylon A.D.
  • College
  • Disaster Movie

Barbeque Halibut Steaks

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 4 cloves garlic -- minced
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1-1/4 tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 tsp. ground black pepper
• 2 (1 pound) halibut steaks

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Place butter, brown sugar, garlic, lemon juice, soy sauce, and pepper in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Lightly oil grill grate. Brush fish with brown sugar sauce and place on grill. Cook 5 minutes per side, or until fish can be easily flaked with a fork, basting with sauce. Discard remaining basting sauce.

• Sancerre Domaine des Caves du Prieuré 2007

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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.