GDP REPORT

2nd quarter 2009            - 0.7%

3rd quarter 2009               2.2%

4th quarter 2009               5.6%

1st quarter 2010               2.7%

2nd quarter 2010             1.7%

3rd quarter 2010              2.6%

4th quarter 2010              3.1%

1st quarter 2011                  1.9%       0.4%

2nd QT
Advance Estimate July 29         1.3%

Second Estimate Aug 26

Third Estimate Sept 29

3rd QT

Advance Estimate Oct 27

Second Estimate Nov 22

Third Estimate Dec 22

As housing goes …. So goes the economy!

The Agenda 21 plan openly targets Land Ownership

For over thirty-five years the UN has made their stance very clear on the issue of individuals owning land;

Land… cannot be:

Treated as an ordinary asset

Controlled by individuals

Subject to the pressures and inefficiencies of the market.

According to the UN:

Private land ownership is also a principal instrument of accumulation and concentration of wealth and therefore contributes to social injustice; if unchecked, it may become a major obstacle in the planning and implementation of development schemes.


The provision of decent dwellings and healthy conditions for the people can only be achieved if land is used in the interest of society as a whole.

My comments:

It is all in the land and our land use controls have slowly but by design eroded our individual land ownership rights………………….Where Were We?

We were making a living and striving to succeed while government staff and politicians which are paid by the general public have the time and resources to implement global goals at the local level.

There is time to get involved. If not now, WHEN?

Obama establishes The White House Rural Council

During the current economic meltdown and contentious political atmosphere on Capital Hill, President Obama issued Executive Order #13575 on June 9, 2011.

This executive order established THE WHITE HOUSE RURAL COUNCIL and in part:

Executive Order

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America and in order to enhance Federal engagement with rural communities, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. 16% of the American population lives in rural counties. Strong, sustainable rural communities are essential to winning the future and ensuring American competitiveness in the years ahead.

These communities supply our food, fiber, and energy, safeguard our natural resources, and are essential in the development of science and innovation. Though rural communities face numerous challenges, they also present enormous economic potential.

The Federal Government has an important role to play in order to expand access to the capital necessary for economic growth, promote innovation, improve access to health care and education, and expand outdoor recreational activities on public lands.

To enhance the Federal Government's efforts to address the needs of rural America, this order establishes a council to better coordinate Federal programs and maximize the impact of Federal investment to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in our rural communities.

UN’s Division for Sustainable Development --- AGENDA 21
The following excerpt is taken directly from the UN Agenda 21 document:
Section 1, Chapter 7
9(f) All countries, especially developing ones, should, as appropriate, formulate and implement programmes to reduce the impact of the phenomenon of rural to urban drift by improving rural living conditions

Sec. 4. Mission and Function of the Council.
The Council shall work across executive departments, agencies, and offices to coordinate development of policy recommendations to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in rural America, and shall coordinate my Administration's engagement with rural communities.

The Council shall:
a) make recommendations to the President, through the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and the Director of the National Economic Council, on streamlining and leveraging

Federal investments in rural areas, where appropriate, to increase the impact of Federal dollars and create economic opportunities to improve the quality of life in rural America;


(b) coordinate and increase the effectiveness of Federal engagement with rural stakeholders, including agricultural organizations, small businesses, education and training institutions, health-care providers, telecommunications services providers, research and land grant institutions, law enforcement, State, local, and tribal governments, and nongovernmental organizations regarding the needs of rural America;

(c) coordinate Federal efforts directed toward the growth and development of geographic regions that encompass both urban and rural areas; and

(d) identify and facilitate rural economic opportunities associated with energy development, outdoor recreation, and other conservation related activities.

The White House Press Release in part…….

In the coming months, the White House Rural Council will focus on job creation and economic development by:

• increasing the flow of capital to rural areas

• promoting innovation

• expanding digital and physical networks

• celebrating opportunity through America’s natural resources

The Council will begin discussing key factors for growth, including:

Jobs: Improve job training and workforce development in rural America

Agriculture: Expand markets for agriculture, including regional food systems and exports

Access to Credit: Increase opportunity by expanding access to capital in rural communities and fostering local investment

Innovation: Promote the expansion of biofuels production capacity and community based renewable energy projects

Networks: Develop high-growth regional economies by capitalizing on inherent regional strengths

Health Care: Improve access to quality health care through expansion of health technology systems

Education: Increase post-secondary enrollment rates and completion for rural students

Broadband: Support the President’s plan to increase broadband opportunities in rural America

Infrastructure: Coordinate investment in critical infrastructure

Ecosystem markets: Expanding opportunities for conservation, outdoor opportunities and economic growth on working lands and public lands

This Executive Order was enacted without fanfare and has far reaching consequences with a specific intent. The basis of this Executive Order seems to be the UN's Agenda 21!

The spending and regulations continue unabated without regard to the will of the people. I can’t imagine that rural America wants the federal government to be their close big brother!

DID YOU KNOW? - President Clinton’s Council on Sustainable Development

Introduction
The President's Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD) was established by President Clinton in June 1993 to advise him on sustainable development and develop "bold, new approaches to achieve our economic, environmental, and equity goals." Formally established by Executive Order 12852, the PCSD was administered as a federal advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Mission
The Mission of the PCSD was to:
• Forge consensus on Policy by bringing together diverse interests to identify and develop innovative economic, environmental and social policies and strategies;
• Demonstrate Implementation of policy that fosters sustainable development by working with diverse interests to identify and demonstrate implementation of sustainable development;
• Get the word out about sustainable development; and
• Evaluate and report on progress by recommending national, community, and enterprise level frameworks for tracking sustainable development.

National Goals
The following goals express the shared aspirations of the President's Council on Sustainable Development. They are truly interdependent and flow from the Council's understanding that it is essential to seek economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social equity together.

Goal 1: Health And The Environment
Ensure that every person enjoys the benefits of clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment at home, at work, and at play.

Goal 2: Economic Prosperity
Sustain a healthy U.S. economy that grows sufficiently to create meaningful jobs, reduce poverty, and provide the opportunity for a high quality of life for all in an increasingly competitive world.

Goal 3: Equity
Ensure that all Americans are afforded justice and have the opportunity to achieve economic, environmental, and social well-being.

Goal 4: Conservation Of Nature
Use, conserve, protect, and restore natural resources -- land, air, water, and biodiversity (note – see map posted) -- in ways that help ensure long-term social, economic, and environmental benefits for ourselves and future generations.

Goal 5: Stewardship
Create a widely held ethic of stewardship that strongly encourages individuals, institutions, and corporations to take full responsibility for the economic, environmental, and social consequences of their actions.

Goal 6: Sustainable Communities
Encourage people to work together to create healthy communities where natural and historic resources are preserved, jobs are available, sprawl is contained, neighborhoods are secure, education is lifelong, transportation and health care are accessible, and all citizens have opportunities to improve the quality of their lives.

Goal 7: Civic Engagement
Create full opportunity for citizens, businesses, and communities to participate in and influence the natural resource, environmental, and economic decisions that affect them.

Goal 8: Population
Move toward stabilization of U.S. population.

Goal 9: International Responsibility
Take a leadership role in the development and implementation of global sustainable development policies, standards of conduct, and trade and foreign policies that further the achievement of sustainability.

Goal 10: Education
Ensure that all Americans have equal access to education and lifelong learning opportunities that will prepare them for meaningful work, a high quality of life, and an understanding of the concepts involved in sustainable development.

UN’s Division for Sustainable Development --- AGENDA 21

The following excerpts are taken directly from the UN Agenda 21 document:

Section 1, Chapter 7

9(f) All countries, especially developing ones, should, as appropriate, formulate and implement programmes to reduce the impact of the phenomenon of rural to urban drift by improving rural living conditions


NOTE: President Obama signed Executive Order #13575 last month to create the White House Rural Council. The mission of the Council is to:

“…work across executive departments, agencies, and offices to coordinate development of policy recommendations to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in rural America, and shall coordinate my Administration’s engagement with rural communities…”

Section 1, Chapter 7

16(c) Adopting innovative city planning strategies to address environmental and social issues by:

1. Reducing subsidies on, and recovering the full costs of, environmental and other services of high standard (e.g. water supply, sanitation, waste collection, roads, telecommunications) provided to higher income neighbourhoods;
2. Improving the level of infrastructure and service provision in poorer urban areas

Section 1 Chapter 7

51. A comprehensive approach to human settlements development should include the promotion of sustainable energy development in all countries, as follows:
(a) Developing countries, in particular, should:
iii. Promote wide dissemination and commercialization of renewable energy technologies through suitable measures, inter alia, fiscal and technology transfer mechanisms

Agenda 21 Review by the American Policy Center

The American Policy Center (APC), located in suburban Washington, D.C., is a privately funded, nonprofit, 501 c (4), tax-exempt grassroots action and education foundation dedicated to the promotion of free enterprise and limited government regulations over commerce and individuals. Their Agenda 21 review:

What is Sustainable Development?

According to its authors, the objective of sustainable development is to integrate economic, social and environmental policies in order to achieve reduced consumption, social equity, and the preservation and restoration of biodiversity. Sustainablists insist that every societal decision be based on environmental impact, focusing on three components; global land use, global education, and global population control and reduction.

Social Equity 

Social justice is described as the right and opportunity of all people “to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by society and the environment.” Redistribution of wealth. Private property is a social injustice since not everyone can build wealth from it. National sovereignty is a social injustice. Universal health care is a social injustice. All part of Agenda 21 policy.

Economic Prosperity

Public Private Partnerships (PPP). Special dealings between government and certain, chosen corporations which get tax breaks, grants and the government’s power of

Eminent Domain to implement sustainable policy. Government-sanctioned monopolies.

Agenda 21

Local governments are using Agenda 21 as a guide in developing policies, land use, zoning and land development criteria for “sustainable development”. The following is from the Agenda 21 document:

SOURCE: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Division for sustainable Development:

AGENDA 21

C. Promoting sustainable land-use planning and management

Basis for action

7.27. Access to land resources is an essential component of sustainable low-impact lifestyles. Land resources are the basis for (human) living systems and provide soil, energy, water and the opportunity for all human activity.

In rapidly growing urban areas, access to land is rendered increasingly difficult by the conflicting demands of industry, housing, commerce, agriculture, land tenure structures and the need for open spaces.

Furthermore, the rising costs of urban land prevent the poor from gaining access to suitable land. In rural areas, unsustainable practices, such as the exploitation of marginal lands and the encroachment on forests and ecologically fragile areas by commercial interests and landless rural populations, result in environmental degradation, as well as in diminishing returns for impoverished rural settlers.

Objective


7.28. The objective is to provide for the land requirements of human settlement development through environmentally sound physical planning and land use so as to ensure access to land to all households and, where appropriate, the encouragement of communally and collectively owned and managed land. Particular attention should be paid to the needs of women and indigenous people for economic and cultural reasons.

Activities

7.29. All countries should consider, as appropriate, undertaking a comprehensive national inventory of their land resources in order to establish a land information system in which land resources will be classified according to their most appropriate uses and environmentally fragile or disaster-prone areas will be identified for special protection measures.

7.30. Subsequently, all countries should consider developing national land-resource management plans to guide land-resource development and utilization and, to that end, should:

(a) Establish, as appropriate, national legislation to guide the implementation of public policies for environmentally sound urban development, land utilization, housing and for the improved management of urban expansion;

(b) Create, where appropriate, efficient and accessible land markets that meet community development needs by, inter alia, improving land registry systems and streamlining procedures in land transactions;

(c) Develop fiscal incentives and land-use control measures, including land-use planning solutions for a more rational and environmentally sound use of limited land resources;

(d) Encourage partnerships among the public, private and community sectors in managing land resources for human settlements development;

(e) Strengthen community-based land-resource protection practices in existing urban and rural settlements;

(f) Establish appropriate forms of land tenure that provide security of tenure for all land-users, especially indigenous people, women, local communities, the low-income urban dwellers and the rural poor;

(g) Accelerate efforts to promote access to land by the urban and rural poor, including credit schemes for the purchase of land and for building/acquiring or improving safe and healthy shelter and infrastructure services;

(h) Develop and support the implementation of improved land-management practices that deal comprehensively with potentially competing land requirements for agriculture, industry, transport, urban development, green spaces, preserves and other vital needs;

(i) Promote understanding among policy makers of the adverse consequences of unplanned settlements in environmentally vulnerable areas and of the appropriate national and local land-use and settlements policies required for this purpose.

The organization established to promote Agenda 21 goals and objectives is:
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)

“ICLEI is an international association of local governments as well as national and regional local government organizations who have made a commitment to sustainable development.”

We in the real estate development industry are not organized nor have funds available to overcome the influence of ICLEI --- at the local level. 

International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)

The information about ICLEI is important to know and following are excerpts from their own documents.

“ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is an association of over 1220 local government Members who are committed to sustainable development. Our Members come from 70 different countries and represent more than 569,885,000 people. “

“ICLEI is an international association of local governments as well as national and regional local government organizations who have made a commitment to sustainable development.”

“ICLEI provides technical consulting, training, and information services to build capacity, share knowledge, and support local government in the implementation of sustainable development at the local level.”

“Our basic premise is that locally designed initiatives can provide an effective and cost-efficient way to achieve local, national, and global sustainability objectives.”

“ICLEI was founded in 1990 as the 'International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives'. The Council was established when more than 200 local governments from 43 countries convened at our inaugural conference, the World Congress of Local Governments for a Sustainable Future, at the United Nations in New York.”

“ICLEI is a growing Association of local governments dedicated to sustainable development with worldwide presence, which has challenging positions, whose voice is heard, and which is attractive to be a member of, work for and partner with;

A high-energy, flexible Movement of local governments working together in networks for performance, supported by campaigns and programs, and strategic alliances;

An effective sustainability and environmental Agency demonstrating creativity and excellence both in developing cutting-edge solutions and in program design and execution.”

“ICLEI's mission is to build and serve a worldwide movement of local governments to achieve tangible improvements in global sustainability with special focus on environmental conditions through cumulative local actions.”

“ICLEI's general mandate is to build an active and committed municipal membership of local spheres of government (local and regional governments and authorities) as well as international, regional, national and sub-national local government associations.”

My comment: local governments pay a membership fee to belong to this group. Thus, the general public is paying for the local politicians and “staff” to learn about the goals and objectives of ICLEI. Why is there an organization which has global membership and a global mission working at your local level on sustainable development??? You should check to see if your community is a member:

USA member list   --- http://www.icleiusa.org/about-iclei/members/member-list

NOTE: It has been written that George Soros's Open Society has provided over $2,000,000 to ICLEI. Van Jones' Green for All and the Tides Foundations’ Apollo Alliance are also reportedly ICLEI contributors.

The Local Agenda 21 Planning Guide

Permission granted to use the illustration by: International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)

 
The Local Agenda 21 Planning Guide: An Introduction to Sustainable Development Planning
http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Resources/Publications/Pages/IDRCBookDetails.aspx?PublicationID=308


ICLEI-funded city projects promote “sustainability.” They draw their inspiration from the Rio Earth Summit, the 1992 United Nations environment conference held in Brazil. Communities that adopt Agenda 21 projects get ICLEI’s help in creating “sustainability inventories” and they pass resolutions affirming that they will pursue the “three E’s” of sustainable development:

Environment
Economy
Equality

Their explanation of each of these categories is much different than our real estate development approach which is controlled at the local level within a fragmented industry. They are organized and read on……………………………………more over the next several weeks.

Revisiting Sustainable Real Estate Development

It would seem there is a significant effort at the local level to redefine sustainable real estate development. For many years, this illustration outlined the three basic components of sustainability: economic, environmental and social factors.

The National Association of Home Builders restates these factors as:
Profit
Planet
People


I would like to define the above as follows:

Economic – opportunities that diversify industrial and revenue streams within a community for stability and continuity

Environmental – in land development, it is the respect of the land form in achieving the highest and best use

Social – the community environment is composed of people and where they live, work, play and shop

For years, I have been an advocate of horizontal and vertical mixed use projects to achieve real estate development sustainability. In March 2008, John Wiley & Sons published my book “Fundamentals of Land Development - A Real-World Guide to Profitable Large-Scale Development”. This book concentrates on horizontal and vertical mixed uses and the process in which to achieve entitlements and successful strategies.

Since writing this book, I have included two new factors to the sustainability definition: Energy used by real estate development projects regardless of the planned use. Natural gas, oil, and electricity are the big three. Transportation factors include existing infrastructure capacity and road standards used by municipalities for new developments.

Horizontal and vertical mixed use projects are sustainable and it doesn’t mean the single family home will disappear and everyone will live in apartments and ride a bicycle. My definition of a sustainable real estate development definition is simple:

“A sustainable real estate development project is a

Town within a Town”

Local governments continuously change their local land use ordinances, zoning, and land development codes to restrict the use of land.

Amendment V to the Constitution of the United State, says in part…….. “nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation”.

The global sustainable movement has impacted our ability to use land for its highest and best use. Over the next two weeks, I will outline how the sustainability movement has and will change our real estate development industry.



Now, Let’s Put Everything into Perspective: The Gift of 86,400

I am passing along this post to you and your family, friends, and connections.

Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest:
Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400.00 in your private account for your use.
However, this prize has rules, just as any game has certain rules.

The first set of rules would be:
Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you.
You may not simply transfer money into some other account. You may only spend it.
Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400.00 for that day.

The second set of rules:
The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say, It’s over, the game is over! It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do?

You would buy anything and everything you wanted right?

Not only for yourself, but for all people you love, right?

Even for people you don't know, because you couldn’t possibly spend it all on yourself, right?

You would try to spend every cent, and use it all, right?

ACTUALLY This GAME is REALITY!

Each of us is in possession of such a magical bank. We just can't seem to see it.

The MAGICAL BANK is TIME!

Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life, and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us.

What we haven't lived up that day is forever lost. Yesterday is forever gone.

Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time....WITHOUT WARNING.

SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds?

Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars.

Think about that, and always think of this:
Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.
So take care of yourself, be Happy, Love Deeply and enjoy life!
Here's wishing you a wonderful and beautiful day.

“Challenges are what make life interesting, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful!!!”

Joshua J. Marine

The June Job Market

It has been reported that employers only created 18,000 new jobs in June

OR

360 jobs PER state.

The EXPERTS predicted that between 40,000 – 125,000 new jobs would be created in June.

These experts still have a job and unfortunately we still listen. It tells me that our experts don’t know what is going on with our economy. I guess we can’t expect our politicians to know as well.

The Labor Department Reported the job market for June 2011:

                                         (-) Job Reduction              (+) Added Jobs

Government                           -39,000
Financial Services                  -15,000
Temporary Help                    -12,000
Construction                           - 9,000
Transportation & Warehousing                                   + 3,600
Retail                                                                         + 5,200
Manufacturing                                                            + 6,000
Professional & Business                                            +12,000
Health Care                                                              +13,500
Leisure/hospitality                                                     +34,000

Memo to Jay Carney:

We the American people do talk about the economy, political vacuum, unemployment rates, the GDP and more including how we are going to pay our mortgage – around the kitchen table at night.

We also pray every day for you and all of our leaders that you will do the right thing for US.

When you and all of the politicians start to understand and believe in US is when we will see improvements in the nation.

Peak of the Week

Plan for the Worst and Hope for the Best

Act rather than React

Unemployment Rate

I would agree the economy inherited by the current administration was trending south. I would also agree that by definition the recession ended in June 2009.

The “experts” tell us the unemployment rate is an indicator that lags behind the economy.

                                                                      Unemployment Rate

June 2009 – the recession ends:                                 9.5

October 2009 – peak unemployment rate:               10.1

March 2011 – improved to:                                      8.8

June 2011 – NOW                                                  9.2


President Obama’s Recent Quote:

"But what matters most to Americans, and what matters to me most as president in the wake of the worst downturn in our lifetimes, is getting our economy on a sounder footing so the American people can have the security they deserve."

If the unemployment rate is a true indicator of the economy but lags behind the economic trend, then the June, 2011 unemployment rate of 9.2% is truly an alarming statistic. We do know the GDP in the first quarter also was again trending south. At 1.9%, our economy in the first quarter was coming to a halt.

To test the experts, the unemployment rate for July should also trend higher. This blog post is intended to presents the facts as I know them and help you plan for the future. We still need to create and do the things we do - differently. There are opportunities and you must seek out small successes to build upon. We will make things better for all of US.

However, what is even more alarming is that our leaders in the White House and Congress continue to play politics and lobby to keep their jobs while the rest of us look for a job, a client, or a project!

“Not to Speak……Is to Speak”

Response to Jay Carney’s Remarks

I was going to use the next several weeks to discuss the subtle but definite change in how real estate development sustainability is defined. Changes are occurring at the local level and it is orchestrated to alter our real estate development ability through zoning, land use, and ordinance changes.

However, I have to first respond to several comments made nationally by our elected leadership and their spokesperson. I would hope you will take this week’s posts and spread the word that it is time our politicians stop running for office and do their job --- they are watching the economy continue to spiral out of control and they don’t think we understand!!

Jay Carney said at the recent briefing:

"Most people do not sit around the kitchen table and analyze GDP and unemployment numbers,"  Carney said. "They talk about how they feel, their own economic situation ... whether they're making their house payments."

Did you know that Jay Carney graduated from Yale in 1987?
So he just entered the work force the last time we had a significant recession. The 2001 recession was mild in comparison. This is my fourth recession (I don’t count the 2001 recession) and I can tell you, He DOESN’T have a clue how this great recession is impacting US!

He has never experienced tough times since entering the workforce!!!!! And he is now telling us how ……….

His arrogance and his view of US are appalling and insulting. I remember back in the Carter days and we were on the edge of our seats every day to find out if the Fed would change their policies and bring down interests rates. And we didn’t have 24/7 news and the internet! We moved to Miami during that time and bought a home with an 18.5% interest rate. Of course, refinancing was important.

Today, we are again on the edge of our seats waiting for a leader to lead and turn this country around. Of course the unemployment rate and the downward trend of our GDP are important to US. We DO pay attention to the trends and we do talk about our national circumstances. Shame on you Jay Carney for imposing your Ivy League perspective on us but then again, that is all we get from Washington DC politicians!

Regardless of political affiliation, we must start now if we want to our change our future at the ballot box.

Not to Act -- Is to Act

It’s ALL in the Land

Location                                          People per Square Mile

India                                                             954

China                                                            365

USA                                                              84

Fortunately, the following map DID NOT take traction but is still around!!!!
Over the next two weeks, I will devote my blog to sustainability, Agenda 21, and more…….........

WHERE TO BE: SELLER’S MARKET VERSUS BUYER’S MARKET

Guest Post by: Nicole Hale
Aapex Financial Solutions
http://www.aapexfinancial.net/

There are some cities in the US that have astoundingly LOW home prices, making them ideal
places for buyers. Other cities have crazy HIGH home prices, making them great for sellers. A
Home Listings Report was conducted of 2,300 markets with listing prices from September of
2010 to March of 2011. Here are the top 10 from both categories: *the average prices are drawn
from 4 bedroom, 2 bath homes*

MOST AFFORDABLE:
Niagara Falls, NY -    $60,820
Riverdale, GA -          $61,618
Coolidge, AZ -           $69,083
College Park, GA -                 $72,477
Detroit, MI -                           $73,363
Hastings, FL -                         $74,910
Cleveland, OH -                      $76,042
Lithonia, GA -                         $77,385
Trotwood, OH -                     $77,445
Sioux City, IA -                                  $80,152

MOST EXPENSIVE:
Newport Beach, CA -     $2.5 million
Pacific Palisades, CA -         $1.6 million
Stone Harbor, NJ -                   $1.34 million
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA -            $1.31 million
Saratoga, CA -                                    $1.28 million
Los Gatos, CA -                                        $1.26 million
Weston, MA -                                                $1.23 million
Greenwich, CT -                                                 $1.15 million
Mercer Island, WA -                                                $1.14 million
Cupertino, CA -                                                            $1.14 million

Peak of the Week

A look back and a peek forward always allow us to put some things in perspective.

During the 1973-1974 oil embargo there was a disruption in the oil supply and we had to wait in line for gas. In many locations, an odd-even system was implemented based on the license plate number. Also, a restriction in the number of gallons of gas purchased was implemented. In the late ‘70’s, we would top off our tanks at every chance.

1975 the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) was established for emergencies. Today, there are about 727 million barrels of oil supply in the SPR.

Fast forward to 2011
Gas is about $3.50 per gallon. No long lines because supply is not the issue. Demand has weakened some but not by much! High gas costs to the consumer are in part due to the fall of the US Dollar.

Congress and federal agencies have banned oil activity from more than 300 million acres of federal land onshore and more than 460 million acres offshore in the past 20 years. An estimated 67% of oil reserves and 40% of natural gas reserves are locked away on federal lands in America’s western states.

So if supply is not the issue and demand isn’t the problem, releasing oil from the SPR will only result in reducing our oil savings account. To me, this is a spending problem!

Fast forwarding to 2025 …………….
The Department of Energy predicts domestic oil consumption will increase 43 percent by 2025, but production will grow only by 23 percent. This is a demand problem and higher prices. No action today nor was there action back in 1973 except for solar and wind energy alternatives – we certainly didn’t learn from history!

No action is to act.

What Makes A Good Social Media Communicator?

Guest Post By Genevieve Jooste

Social media communicator. It’s funny to think that that phrase was not in existence a mere handful of years ago. In fact, if someone had approached me at my college graduation and said that I would soon become a social media communicator I would have laughed and looked at her as if she had four heads and 8 pairs of eyes. Wondering what in the world a social media communicator even was, I would have said, nah, that’s not me. I only use Facebook to keep tabs on my friends (ok, fine, the occasional ex-boyfriend) and post pictures.

Today, I’m obviously whistling a different tune and don’t bat an eyelash when someone defines me as a social media communicator. I am exactly that and do not stand alone. Social media communicators today are vast in number and varied in shape and size (not physical, mind you).

With so many different choices and channels, we are at liberty to pick one or several that best suit our schedule and personality. But, with all those choices and channels, things can also become overwhelming very quickly. Without setting some goals and guidelines, your success as a social media communicator can often be short-lived.

So what does a good social media communicator look like? I’m glad you asked.

Start small. Just because everyone is hopping on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, GetGlue, Flickr, etc (where does it end?!?), does not mean that you have to as well. I cringe every time I hear one social media communicator tell another to join a network because everyone else is doing it. Pick one network, the one that best suits your needs and personality, and start there.

Share often. Help first. Your success as a social media communicator will be largely defined by the company you keep (aka your network of friends, family, coworkers and peers). If you haven’t taken the time to provide help when it is needed or share information to enrich the lives of those within your network, what type of success do you think you are going to achieve? Share resources, blogs and articles you’ve found with others. They’ll appreciate it. I promise. Help others when they need it because I guarantee there will come a time when you will be the one in need of help.

Write to express, not to impress. A wise person told me that when I write something, be it a tweet, blog post or Facebook update, I should not waste valuable time and energy focusing on what everyone else will think. Big words, crazy sentences, boastful statements will only hurt you, not help you. People connect and trust people who are honest and genuine.

Let your personality shine. I see far too many individuals lose themselves on social networks in order to “blend in” or be like one of the “gurus” they follow. Word to the wise, you will never be like Steve Jobs or Gary Vaynerchuck or Seth Godin. You will only be you. So let that personality of yours shine through.

I’ve kept these tips in mind ever since I first became a social media communicator. They have helped me build a network I would be lost without. What tips would you share?

NEIGHBORHOOD STREET DESIGN GUIDELINES

An Oregon Guide for Reducing Street Widths
Prepared by the Neighborhood Streets Project Stakeholders
November 2000

Why Narrow Streets?
Streets are key determinants of neighborhood livability.
Streets provide access to homes and neighborhood destinations for:

• Pedestrians
• A variety of vehicle types, from bicycles and passenger cars to moving vans and fire apparatus.
• Streets provide a place for human interaction:
• A place where children play
• Neighbors meet
• Residents go for walks and bicycle rides

 The design of residential streets, together with the amount and speed of traffic they carry, contributes significantly to a sense of community, neighborhood feeling, and perceptions of safety and comfort.

 

 The fact that these may be intangible values makes them no less real, and this is often reflected in property values.

  

• The width of streets also affects other aspects of livability
• Narrow streets are less costly to develop and maintain
• Narrow street present less impervious surface
• Narrow streets reduce runoff and water quality problems
• Narrow streets will reduce automobile speeds

Wide streets promote speed --- would you rather live on the wide street in this photo or.........

Live on a street where the design attention is on the homes and the families rather than emphasis on the street and vehicle movement?

As we move beyond the great recession, local governments would be well served to revisit their land development standards and reduce street widths and design criteria. Most jurisdictions used DOT Highway design standards for residential applications. It is time to change to more practical design approaches as outlined in the Oregon manual.