September 1, 2010
The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties decreased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 9.85 percent of all loans outstanding in the second quarter, down 21 basis points from the first quarter, but up 61 basis points from one year ago, according to the recently released Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) National Delinquency Survey.
The delinquency rate includes loans that are at least one payment past due, but does not include loans in the process of foreclosure. The percentage of loans in the foreclosure process at the end of the second quarter was 4.57 percent, a decrease of six basis points compared with the first quarter of 2010 but an increase of 27 basis points from one year ago.
“Ultimately the housing story, whether it is delinquencies, homes sales, or housing starts, is an employment story,” said MBA Chief Economist Jay Brinkmann. “Only when we see a consistent increase in employment will we see an increase in sales and starts, and a sustained improvement in the delinquency numbers. Until we see the increase in the number of households that comes with an increase in the number of paychecks, all measures of the health of the housing industry will continue to be weak.”
source: C.A.R.
Posted in Real Estate 
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August 25, 2010
When choosing a bike, choose one with a steel frame versus aluminum and you will conserve 25 kilowatt hours of energy. Steel frames can be made from recycled materials, but aluminum frames must be manufactured from virgin ore.
Posted in Green, Things of Interest No Comments »
August 18, 2010
Housing starts increased 1.7 percent nationwide in July and permits for new housing units declined 3.1 percent, the Commerce Dept. reported yesterday. Housing permits and housing starts have decreased 3.7 percent and 7 percent, respectively, compared with the year prior.
source: C.A.R.
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August 11, 2010
Would you like to know more?
Is The HSUS a reputable charity?
Founded in 1954, The HSUS is the nation’s largest and most effective animal protection organization—backed by 11 million Americans, or one in every 28. Recently, we were chosen as one of Worth magazine’s top 10 Most Fiscally Responsible Charities. For more information, you can read our latest annual report.
What can I do to help animals besides making a donation?
•Contact local law enforcement if you witness animal abuse.
•Make sure your pet is always wearing an I.D. tag.
•Prepare a disaster plan that includes your pet.
•Make sure your pet is spayed or neutered. Think about adopting a pet—you could save a life!
•Help stop the export of American horses for slaughter—ask your Congressional representatives to support the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act!
•Refine your diet by avoiding factory farmed animal products.
•Help us protect animals by signing up for the Humane Action network at humanesociety.org.
What is The HSUS’ mission?
The HSUS’ mission statement is "Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty." We strive to create a humane and sustainable world for all animals – a world that will also benefit people. We seek to forge a lasting and comprehensive change in human consciousness of and behavior toward all animals in order to prevent animal cruelty, exploitation, and neglect and to protect wild habitats and the entire community of life.
How does The HSUS accomplish its goals?
We seek to achieve our goals through education, advocacy, public policy reform, and the empowerment of our supporters and partners. We do not engage in or support actions that are illegal or violent or that run counter to the basic principles of compassion and respect for others.
We work for animals every day by providing direct care and response during natural and man-made emergencies, educating the public about animal issues, working in the halls of Congress to create laws to protect animals, and caring for thousands of animals at our direct care centers across the country. We also work through our major campaigns to target large-scale cruelties such as dogfighting and cockfighting, puppy mills, factory farms, unsporting hunting practices, and the fur trade.
How can I donate to The HSUS?
Making a donation to The HSUS is easy and simple. Many donors prefer to make a small monthly donation that is charged to your credit card. This provides HSUS with a steady, reliable financial foundation to reach our goals. You can also opt to make a one-time donation to support our animal protection efforts. If you have any questions about donating to us online, please send us an email or call us at 301-258-8276.
If you would prefer to donate by mail, please send your gift to The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037.
What do I receive with my donation?
When you donate, you join the HSUS family of staff and friends fighting to confront cruelty and celebrate animals. As a way of saying thank you for your generosity, we will send you a profile and photo of an animal that has been saved by donations like yours. You will also receive a subscription of our All Animals magazine that is filled with useful pet tips, animal stories, and news from the front lines of our fight to protection our animal friends when you sign up to give monthly or make a single gift of $25 or more.
How is my donation used?
The HSUS is the world’s leading animal advocacy organization, working to protect all animals across the nation and worldwide. Your donation will help The HSUS in its mission to celebrate animals and confront cruelty — including our wide range of animal protection initiatives such as:
•Animal cruelty and fighting
•Wildlife abuse
•Emergency services
•Puppy mills and pet overpopulation
•Seal hunts and the fur trade
•Factory farming
•Horse slaughter and other equine abuse
•Animal research issues
•Pet adoption and spay/neuter initiatives
•Animal care centers
Can I stop my monthly donations?
Yes, quickly and easily. You can cancel your monthly donation — or adjust your monthly gift amount — by following the link on any email we send you. Or you can call our Membership & Customer Loyalty department at 301-258-8276 and a representative will process your request.
Posted in Pet Stories, Pets, Things of Interest No Comments »
August 7, 2010
Why, Why, Why,
Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are almost dead?
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Why do banks charge a fee on ‘insufficient funds’ when they already know there is not enough money?
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Why does someone Believe you when you say there are four billion stars;but have to check when you say the paint is still wet?
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Why doesn’t Tarzan have a beard?
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Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?
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Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
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Whose idea was it to put an ‘S’ in the word ‘lisp’?
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If people evolved from apes, Why are there still apes?
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Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
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Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?
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Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
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Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?
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Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?
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How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?
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When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, ‘It’s all right?’ Well, it isn’t all right, so why don’t we say, ‘That really hurt, why don’t you watch where you’re going?’
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Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that’s falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?
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In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
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How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?
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And ……
The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends — if they’re okay, then it’s you.
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A day without a smile is like a day without sunshine!
Posted in Fun Stuff - Cartoons, Jokes, Thought For Today No Comments »
August 4, 2010
Construction spending rose 0.1 percent in June compared with May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $836 billion, according to a report released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Dept. of Commerce. The June figure is 7.9 percent below the June 2009 estimate of $907.7 billion.
Residential construction spending declined 0.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $258.3 billion in June compared with May; spending on private construction decreased 0.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $527.6 billion; and nonresidential construction declined 0.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $269.3 billion.
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July 8, 2010
The Louisiana Bucket Brigade is a 501(c)(3) environmental health and justice organization working with communities that neighbor the state’s oil refineries and chemical plants. The EPA-approved “bucket" is a simple, community friendly tool that fenceline neighbors use to take air samples. We complement the community group by adding a level of technical expertise to their work. We provide this tool and training to community members to monitor and expose industrial pollution as it happens. We assist residents in their fight to reduce pollution and protect public health. We work with community groups to help them take air samples and achieve their goals, be it relocation away from a polluting facility, reduced pollution, or a moratorium on facility expansions. The more evidence the communities gather, the more power they have to attain their goals.
Taking air samples is a powerful experience for community members who are used to being ignored, overlooked, and disrespected by corporations and government. Dorothy Jenkins, President of Concerned Citizens of New Sarpy, used to call the refinery to complain about the odors. A low ranking operator would tell her not to worry, that the black plume of smoke that billowed for hours near her home was not harmful. Now Mrs. Jenkins has a bucket. When refinery managers and government regulators tell her that there is nothing to worry about, she answers, "Why, then, was there a benzene reading of 14 in my air sample, a reading that violates the state standards?" The bucket gives community members power to hold institutions accountable to provide a safe and healthy environment.
Posted in Things of Interest No Comments »
July 4, 2010
Posted in Holidays No Comments »
July 3, 2010
Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England’s King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.
In April 1775 as the King’s troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts Paul Revere would sound the alarm that "The British are coming, the British are coming" as he rode his horse through the late night streets.
The battle of Concord and its "shot heard round the world" would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.
The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out its differences with England, again without formally declaring war.
By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 – Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware undecided and New York abstained.
To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!."
The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. The first newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had its first public reading in Philadelphia’s Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after its inscription -
Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof
And although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year – July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America’s birthday. And although fireworks have been banned in most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually have big firework displays for all to see and enjoy.
Posted in Holidays, Things of Interest No Comments »
June 21, 2010
Gulf Coast Oil Disaster: How You Can Help
Audubon is inspired by the many people who have contacted us to find out how they can help the birds and other wildlife threatened by the Gulf oil spill. Your commitment to their health and safety during this crisis is greatly appreciated – and it underscores how much you value the natural world.
Audubon is working with many other public and private conservation organizations to coordinate volunteers and connect them with oiled-wildlife response leaders to help in the recovery effort. Hands-on work to protect and save birds and other wildlife will be a complex and potentially dangerous process, and first and foremost it is important that only trained volunteers participate on the front lines. Untrained volunteers can pose a risk not only to themselves, but to the birds and wildlife they are trying to save. If you would like to receive updates on Audubon’s response efforts and be notified when volunteer opportunities arise, please fill out our volunteer registration form.
Attention, Gulf Coast Birders! Your help is needed to help document bird distribution at Gulf coast sites, and the effects of the oil spill. Learn more.
Here’s another way you can help. Urge Congress to fully fund restoration efforts in Coastal Louisiana. Restoring habitat is key to the survival of that region and the people and wildlife that depend upon it.
Your donation will support Audubon as we address the oil spill disaster affecting birds and other wildlife in the Gulf Coast’s already-fragile ecosystem. Your gift of any amount helps provide important resources for our volunteers and for the vital work being done on the ground. Thank you for your support!
Kids Are Already Helping! The spreading Gulf oil spill threatens birds and wildlife on Louisiana’s coast. Save Them! Help Audubon rebuild the healthy habitat they need.
Other Ways to Help
To report oiled wildlife, call 1-866-557-1401 and leave a message. Messages will be checked hourly.
Even if you don’t live in the Gulf coast region, you can provide healthy habitat for birds, especially migrants, by taking some of these simple steps from Audubon At Home.
DONATE
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Loving the San Diego Coast!
