News - Monday, June 17, 2013

On Monday, June 3, the Arkansas Realtors Association honored Senator Jeremy Hutchinson and Representative John Vines at the 2013 Legislators of the Year Luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. These two Legislators were a vital part in keeping the American Dream of Homeownership alive in Arkansas during the 2013 Legislative Session.

Entergy CEO Hugh McDonald spoke to the Rotary Club of Little Rock on May 7 about the issues of choosing a sensible fuel source for a power plant.

“There’s no silver bullets for what the best energy mix is,” McDonald said. “These are not easy decisions, they’re decisions with multiple variables that you have to look at. The decision you make is going to affect your customers for the next couple of generations.”

Nan and I have gotten into the habit of traveling in the United States to mark our anniversary in early October, and 2003 seemed a good one to visit daughter Catherine and her husband Jim in Los Angeles. I was a little intimidated by the freeways on the way from the airport to our hotel and ended up getting off too soon, but it worked out. It took a little longer, but we got to drive through the crowded, bustling clothing and fabric district, unexpected fun.

At long last, summer is almost here – which may mean it’s time to put together your traveling plans. Still, while you and your family may enjoy going a summertime trip, there’s one part of your life that should not go on vacation – and that’s your investment portfolio.

The weather this past weekend made for a perfect day to spend the afternoon outside on my deck grilling food, enjoying the company of friends, and nature. The atmosphere was great, nice sun shine, a cool breeze, birds chirping, and dogs playing in the yard. The only presence that hindered my wonderful evening was the presence of insects. Those pesky little mosquitoes and ants seemed to be all over the place causing me to want to move indoors for the remainder of the evening.

What great writer depicts madness, love, and fairies? If you answered Shakespeare, you’re correct. Currently and for the rest of June, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (AST) is showing King Lear, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado about Nothing, and, on top of that, the British musical Oliver!

At the June 3 combined Cabot City committees meeting, a new parking ordinance subcommittee was formed in order to discuss the possibility of restricting or prohibiting parking on city streets. The move to review the ordinance was sponsored by Angie Jones, who said that she and other council members had received a significant number of complaints about parking issues.

The Bryant Parks and Recreation Department has received a $1,000 mini-grant from the Blue & You Foundation toward the construction of one of two bridges at Bishop Park Community Gardens. Once the city receives final permit approval from the Vicksburg District Corps of Engineers, the money will be used to help build a bridge across a creek located west of the Bishop Park Center. The bridge will link the Aquatic Center parking lot with the 1/3-acre gardens. 

Everybody ought to have a lower East Side in their life. 

~ Irving Berlin

My coworker and friend Melissa Miller informed me last week that she would soon be making her first trek to Gotham (NYC). I’m jealous, but I also remember that the first time I went, 25 years ago (that can’t be right!) I was kicking and screaming. But wanting to stay married, I relented and pretty well fell in love with the place. One of few regrets I will have in this life is that I never lived there. Anyway, that scenario a quarter century ago went something like this:

One of America’s favorite celebrations will be here soon – the 4th of July. This is always one of my favorites, not only because of what it stands for but also for many other reasons: It’s in the summer, so the celebrations are mostly outside; most all the family gets together; there’s a shorter work week; it provides time for a short weekend vacation or road trip; and I love the fireworks! In most towns, there are fireworks at many different places that you can take the family to watch. As I said, it’s one of my favorite celebrations!

Mortgage rates have risen the past few weeks and caused homeowners to worry about housing affordability, but according to a new report by Goldman Sachs, they shouldn’t be alarmed.

According to a Forbes article, 30-year fixed rate mortgage hit 3.91 percent at the end of the week on June 6 after reaching its highest level in a year the week before, which is 18 percent higher than the 3.31 percent record low set in November of 2012, and nearly 17 percent higher than the 3.35 percent set at the start of May. 

This is a shot of Murray Falls off of highway 23 going through Cass, AR.  Pretty difficult to get to with the ground being wet, but definitely worth the effort.

My husband and I are selling our house. We have two cats, both Ragdolls, who are taken to our new house every time a prospective buyer wants to view the one we are selling. We do this because our cats are extremely personable and would be underfoot. However, our male cat has not adjusted to this moving about, and as a result, the doctor has put him on Prozac. Crazy, yes, but then he has gone, well, crazy! And I’m afraid before all is said and done, I will be too!

If you could kill someone and get away with it, would you?

Let’s take that question one step farther: If you could kill someone, and it wasn’t illegal, would you? No jail time, no worrying about the death penalty, just getting that elephant off your chest.

What are little boys made of?

Snips and snails, and puppy dogs’ tails,

That’s what little boys are made of.

What are little girls made of?

Sugar and spice, and everything nice,

Looking to save money on monthly utility costs? Buy a house with solar panels.

New homeowners can save up to 20 percent on their energy expenses by using clean, reusable solar energy.

According to California Solar Initiative, homes with solar panels have been purchased twice as much from 2011 to 2012. Approximately 4,000 solar powered new homes were built in California 2012, which is ten times more than seven years ago during the housing construction boom.

Faulkner County Board of Realtors gave a check for $500.00 to the Senior Citizens Center in Conway during their June meeting. The money donated will greatly benefit the community as the center is highly active in helping the lives of those over 60 in the area. Specifically, the Center is responsible for providing meals, transportation, and other services to those in need. (Becca Bona)