Hat tip to Matt Stigliano and Jeff Turner. If Matt hadn't talked to Jeff and hadn't created his Mission Trails show and if Matt hadn't encouraged me, I probably wouldn't have thought to put this together. Like Matt and many others, I really like Real Estate Shows. The pictures, music and quality of the show has captured the feeling and emotion of being there on Veterans Day.
All Economic News Today Isn't Bad
Amid all the bad news we read about today's economy; stock's plunge, leaving the Dow below 7600, Deflation, Disaster or just a nice discount, NAR forecasts further declines.
I came across some news that is good. Finally.
The US Census Bureau is hiring
The US Census Bureau is recruiting temporary part-time census takers for the 2010 Census and according to the Census Bureau:
"The pay is good, the hours are flexible, and the work is close to home. Census taker jobs are excellent for retirees, college students, persons who want to work part-time, persons who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community."
Every 10 years the Census Bureau conducts a census of our population. It is important work as the results determine representation in government and "as well as how federal funds are spent in your community on things like roads, parks, housing, schools, and public safety. As a census taker, you'll play a vital role in making sure that everyone is included."
What Are The Duties of The Census Taker
Census takers perform two main kinds of work; updating address lists (address canvassing to take place Spring of 2009) and conducting interviews (interviewing operations to take place in the spring and summer of 2010).
Interested in applying?
Most hiring will take place February through May, 2009 and will hire 140,000 nationally (address canvassing). The Census Bureau will hire another 1.4 million people in 2010 (interviewing operations) to follow-up with people who fail to mail back the form.
Go to How to Apply at the Census Bureau's website or you can also call the Census Bureau's national jobs line at 866-861-2010.
Tri-County Youth Services Bureau
If you have ever tried to find a counselor for your child, then you know first hand the frustration of calling counseling centers to inquire if they are accepting new patients and if they take your insurance and if they have appointment times that suit your schedule. Getting the help your child needs should not be such a challenge. Tri-County Youth Services Bureau is a community-based nonprofit founded in 1971 to provide viable solutions for all of these problems.
How They Got Started
In 1971, a small group of counselors were concerned about the lack of available counseling services for children, youth, and families in Southern Maryland and began traveling to different locations in the area offering low-cost counseling services to youth and their families. In that first year, the counselors made 100 client contacts.
What They Do Today
Today, Tri-County Youth Services Bureau makes more than 8,000 client contacts. They offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of children, youth, and families in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. Their primary goals is to provide high quality, low cost counseling and youth development services and to prevent delinquency, suicide, violence, drugs and alcohol abuse.
How Much Does it Cost
Counseling services are offered to children ages three to 18 and their families for a flat fee of $10.00 per session. At this time, they do not accept health insurance, so your counseling sessions will never cost more than $10.00. Youth who are mandated by the court to receive counseling are served free of charge.
Clinical group programs are also available to youth and address such issues as: anger management, emotional management, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and awareness, depression, suicide, personal responsibility, healthy relationships, goal setting, and decision making. Clinical groups include Reconnecting Youth and Anger Management. Clinical groups run for approximately eight weeks and there is a one-time fee of $25.
Tri-County Youth Services Bureau also has school-based counselors in every elementary and middle school in Charles County. Students are referred to the counseling program by the school principal or the guidance counselor or at the request of parents. School-based counseling is offered free of charge.
At-Risk Youths
Tri-County Youth Services Bureau’s youth development program serves at-risk youth through crisis intervention, individual, family, and group education, family assessment, case management, community outreach and intervention, substance abuse assessment and referral.
The youth development program offers several skill-building groups for youth, including Best Foot Forward (girls only), Step On Up (boys only), and the Youth Leadership Development Program. These groups run for approximately eight weeks and are offered free of charge. Youth on the Move is a youth-led group for young people who want to serve their community. This group meets approximately once per month throughout the year.
Community-Based Services
For people who need community-based services but are unsure how or where to get services, Tri-County Youth Services Bureau’s Family Connection Center of Charles County and the Family ACCESS Center in St. Mary’s County link children, youth, and families with community-based services all in one location. The Family Connection Center and the Family ACCESS Center identifies strengths and needs and then matches youth and families to appropriate community-based services. The services of the Family Connection Center and the Family ACCESS Center are offered free of charge.
Offices Locations, Times and Phone Numbers
Tri-County Youth Services Bureau offers counseling and youth development services in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s County. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Saturday hours in Charles County only).
Charles County office is located at 75 Industrial Park Drive in Waldorf and can be reached at 301-843-2960.
Family Connection Center of Charles County is located within the Human Services Partnership building at 6 Garrett Avenue in La Plata and can be reached at 301-885-1333.
St. Mary’s County office and the Family ACCESS Center is located within the Jarboe Head Start and Family Education Center at 21161 Lexwood Drive in Lexington Park and can be reached at 301-863-2247.
Calvert County office is located within the Department of Juvenile Services at 200 Duke Street, Suite 2800, in Prince Frederick and can be reached at 443-550-6276.
Tri-County Youth Services can also be reached by email at info@tcysb.org
The Art of Negotiation
In many lines of business negotiations are an everyday occurrence. Sometimes deals are struck quickly without much deliberation and other times it takes many back-and-forth's to find just the right accord. Once the deliberating parties agree, generally terms are recorded in writing and signatures appended. It's imperative to keep a cool head, remain focused and leave emotion at the door. It's a process that involves give and take and usually one or both parties compromise.
Moving Forward and Performing With Great Expectation
Once a deal has been struck, terms have been recorded in writing and signatures appended, parties begin to perform according to the terms of the agreement. Time lines and specific actions are detailed. Often, as actions or terms are met, addendum are signed by both parties. Expectations on both sides are realistic as set forth in the written and signed agreement.
Defaults and Enforceability
While expectations may be realistic and terms may be clear, sometimes things don't work out. So, what happens if one party defaults on the terms and is unable to perform? How is the agreement enforceable? The answer will vary according to the terms of the agreement, but "any agreement where parties have necessary capacity to contract and the contract was not trifling, indeterminate, impossible or illegal. Remedies can be provided."
Lawmakers rip Fed's 'bait-and-switch'
I came across an article in the Washington Times from this past Friday. (hat tip Delusional Duck)
Here's the opening two paragraphs:
Angry lawmakers Friday accused the Treasury Department of pulling a "bait-and-switch" as it implements the $700 billion Wall Street rescue plan approved by Congress last month.
Treasury Secretary Henry A. Paulson Jr. earlier this week confirmed that the bailout funds would be used primarily to re-capitalize banks and other financial firms through direct stock purchases, not to purchase "toxic" mortgage and other assets from lenders as the Bush administration originally intended.
An Obvious Disconnect
There's obviously a disconnect between the lawmakers and the Treasury Department. But, that's not what bothered me. What bothered me was the lawmakers inability to implement and execute an agreement according to their expectations.
The lawmakers expected the bailout funds to be used to "buy toxic mortgages and other assets from lenders". Instead the bailout funds are primarily being used "to re-capitalize banks and other financial firms through direct stock purchases".
Politics aside or whether you agreed with Government intervention or not, there is a lesson to be learned from this.
The Lesson?
While I am not an attorney and I am not offering legal advice I do suggest the lesson here is:
- Get the agreement in writing
- Understand what is written
- Make sure what is written is enforceable
- Expectations are realistic and are based on what is written
- Assume nothing
- And when needed seek competent legal counsel
It's My Business
I'm a Realtor and my business is listing and selling houses. I don't know the intricacies of lawmaking, but I am familiar with contracts to list and sell Real Property. That's a large part of my job. I visualize my contract as my tool box. I do know what's in my tool box, how to use those tools and I also know my limitations with each tool.
What's This All About
We're in tough times, times I've never seen before. Some say this is the worst Global Economy in 20 years, others compare this to the Great Depression. But, while relevant, that's not my point.
Lawmakers are well-educated and many of them have been in Congress for some time. They have experiences far greater than many of us, so I don't think it's a question of ability. Call me the eternal optimist, but I also don't think it was malicious or self-serving. I do believe, collectively, their intent was good and meant to bring positive change.
Because of the magnitude of the crisis and in their haste to devise a solution, I think lawmakers lost focus of the art of negotiation and made decisions based more on emotion than logic.
What say you?
Veterans Day 2008 was a special day. I took my kids to the wreath laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. The weather was cool and crisp and when we crossed the threshold of Memorial Drive, a somber, respectful feeling came over us as the site of thousands of white marble headstones came into view.
Because of the of the crowds, the number of people were limited at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the wreath laying ceremony. We tried to get to the rail so my kids could see, but the line was just too deep. We moved over to the amphitheater and found a seat. We were greeted by volunteers handing out programs and small flags to commemorate the day.
The Mistress of Ceremonies was Bo Derek. She introduced the speakers, including Vice President Cheney. The Navy Band played several music selections including God Bless America. The program included the procession of the colors and a prayer for the Veterans.
The audience included members of Congress, members of the Senate, Cabinet members, Former and Active Military, moms, dads, wives, husbands, and children. The event was free to the public and all were welcome.
The ceremony inside the amphitheater lasted about an hour. At the conclusion, we walked over to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to witness the laying of several Veterans Group's wreaths.
The grounds at Arlington National Cemetery are vast and includes the internment of President John F. Kennedy, his wife Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis, and his brother Robert Kennedy.
Arlington National Cemetery Facts
Arlington Mansion and 200 acres of ground immediately surrounding it were designated officially as a military cemetery June 15, 1864, by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton.
More than 300,000 people are buried at Arlington Cemetery.
Veterans from all the nation's wars are buried in the cemetery, from the American Revolution through the Iraq and Afghanistan. Pre-Civil War dead were reinterred after 1900.
How Did Veterans Day Come About?
November 11, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day - the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislature that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.' As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.
In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became Veterans Day, a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
The Costco in Brandywine, MD has opened! When I drove past this afternoon, the parking lot looked close to full with more cars making the turn into what is now known as Brandywine Crossing. The Shopping center is also anchored with Target which has been open for several weeks.
But, the excitement today was Costco. Why? Because, until now, the closest Costco was in Springfield, VA, which can be an hour or more away from Southern Maryland, depending on traffic. And gas is $1.98 per gallon for members!
According to the listing Brokers site, the retail center, when complete, will boast 368,000 sq ft of anchor space, 55,000 sq ft of specialty shop retail, and a 16 screen movie theatre. Completion is expected between Fall of 2009 and Spring of 2010.
Address:
7601 Matapeake Business Dr
Brandywine, Maryland 20613
Regular Hours:
M-F 10:00am - 8:30pm
Sat. 9:30am - 6:00pm
Sun. 10:00am - 6:00pm
Warehouse Telephone Number:
(301) 372-3200
Warehouse Features:
1 Hour Photo/Digital Prints
Auto Buying Program
Bakery
Executive Membership
Food Court
Fresh Deli
Fresh Meat
Fresh Produce
Gas Station
Hearing Aids
Independent Optometrist
Membership
Optical Department
Pharmacy (301) 372-3209
Rotisserie Chicken
Tire Service Center
Plan to attend the 32nd Annual Christmas Bazarre, Auction and Auction Preview
Come early as it is a popular event and is attended well. Plan to also take advantage of the Auction Preview Thursday, December 4, 2008 from 7pm - 10pm. Thursday's event is adult only, please. Wine and Hor d'oeuvres will be served, so make an evening out of it.
We hope to see you. This is a GREAT EVENT!!!
Where?
St. Mary's Bryantown Catholic School
13735 Notre Dame Place
Bryantown, MD 20617
301-932-6883 or 301-843-3387
When?
Saturday, December 6th, 2008
Time?
9am - 5pm
Auction starts at 11:30am
Auction Preview Dates and Times:
Thursday, December 4, 2008 7-10om
Silent Auction and auction catalog available for review. Wine and Hors d'oeuvres will be served (adults only please). Featuring live music by friends and family.
Auction Items:
Golf and Wine packages, antiques, furniture, trips, museum, theatre and restaurant certificates, and much, much, more!
Visa and Mastercard accepted, 10% buyers premium
Auctioneer:
Rodney Thompson
Homestead Auction Company
Bazarre Items:
Wreaths, boutique corner, bake table, hot food, children's games, $1,000 raffle and Santa's Workshop!
Visa and Mastercard accepted.
Proceeds Benefit:
St. Mary's Bryantown Catholic School and Parish
How Did Veterans Day Come About?
November 11, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day - the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislature that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.' As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.
In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became Veterans Day, a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
And so with this, if you are in Washington, DC, or live in the Washington, DC metro area, there are many opportunities to pay tribute to our men and women in the Armed Forces - past, present, and future. With the many events taking place at the national monuments and memorials, it is a great time to tour them as well.
Don't live in the Washington, DC area or want more information? The United States Department of Veterans Affairs has a listing of regional Veterans Day events across the Country.
Located at 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, NW Washington, DC. (202) 619-7222. A wreath laying ceremonies begins at 8 a.m.
Across the Potomac from Washington at the west end of the Memorial Bridge, Arlington, Virginia. (703) 607-8000 This is the national Veterans day service with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 11 a.m. Seating in the amphitheater is limited, so visitors should plan to arrive at least a half hour before the ceremony.
Located at Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Dr. NW, Washington, DC. The event features Color guard, speakers and a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at 1p.m.
Special activities include a patriotic community concert by the all-veteran barbershop chorus at 11 a.m., at 2 p.m. wreathlaying at the tomb of our first commander-in-chief, George Washington, and "Martha Washington" talking about her work with veterans at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Little Theater.
Active duty military personnel and veterans are admitted free-of-charge. The wreathlaying is included with regular Mount Vernon admission, $13 for adults and $6 children. The barbershop concert and Martha Washington program are free.
Source for events and times: District of Columbia Office of Veterans Affairs
Hughesville Happenings is sponsoring a Village Christmas on Saturday December 6, 2008. Please bring the whole family, as there will be:
- Tree Decorating
- Tree Lighting
- Christmas Carols
- Santa Claus
- Hot Cider and Hot Chocolate
- Candy Canes
- and More!
There's also opportunities to sponsor Christmas tree ornaments. The sponsored Christmas tree ornaments will be personalized to display your business name, your employee's name, your family, or in memory of a friend or loved one. The sponsored ornaments will be displayed on the Village Christmas tree.
The cost to sponsor a Christmas tree ornament is $25.00 and the deadline to order is November 25, 2008. To order mail your sponsorship check to:
Hughesville Happenings
PO BOX 297
Hughesville, MD 20637
With your order, please indicate quanitity and what you'd like included on the ornament.
More details to follow soon, but mark your calendars now!
Catatonic, Floundering and Without Purpose
How many times have you found yourself at a point in your day where you're not quite sure what to do? You reached the proverbial fork in the road and you don't know which direction to take? Or, you find yourself wandering, floundering or moving without purpose or direction?
Some of you may know I run. I run regularly and sometimes I run far. But, each day, each week, each month I run with a purpose. I train for three (four if I'm lucky) Marathons per year. I do speed work on Wednesday's and Saturday's, hills on Thursday's and long runs on Monday's. Tuesday's, Thursday's and Sunday's are upper body and core work. Additionally, I raise money for injured Marines and their families and collect food for the local food bank.
What's Your Point?
Running Marathons, and for the purpose of this post running a successful business, is about planning, education, dedication, commitment, consistency, experience, flexibility, determination and discipline. It's also about setting specific, attainable, relevant goals and measuring success.
Within all of us is a desire to be great. We work hard to be good at something and to strive to do better. Without specific purpose or direction, the measure for success and the ability to get better is greatly hampered. Purpose enables direction and generates additional experiences, which leads to increased knowledge and expertise.
Success is Subjective
Success in Marathons is not necessarily determined by a clock, placement, points or money. It can be, but for most runners including myself, success is determined by personal objectives. A successful Marathon can be a new personal record (PR), running without hitting "the wall", or just finishing without being "swept from the course". It's a personal goal and when met the feeling is exhilarating. No one can take that experience away from you.
We all have a desire to excel and achieve goals. The difference between surviving and thriving, in my opinion, are defining specific purpose and goals, measuring success and building on experiences. If you don't know where you're going, how you got there or where you started, achieving goals and measuring success will be difficult. Additionally, you probably won't generate new experiences to build on.
Forward Movement
Sometimes our performance plateaus and we find ourselves in a funk. That's ok, but figure out why the energy level isn't optimal or why motivation is lacking. Maybe you need a break, the training is incorrect or nutrition is deficient.
If all else fails just put one foot in front of the other. Don't become paralyzed with indecision and seize. Forward movement is better than no movement at all. At least you'll finish and remember that can be an accomplishment all by itself. Just settle into your pace and listen to the rhythm of running.