IF THESE THINGS ARE TRUE, I AM BECOMING SCARED TO GET ON THE ROAD
A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be involved in crashed serious enough to injure themselves.
Talking on a cell phone causes nearly 25% of car accidents.
One-fifth of experienced adult drivers in the U.S send text messages while driving.
A study of dangerous driver behaviour released in January 2007 by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. found that of 1,200 surveyed drivers, 19% admitted they text message while driving.
Texting while driving causes a 400% increase in time spent with eyes off the road.
4 out of 5 cellphone owners surveyed by Nationwide Insurance admitted to driving while distracted.
Almost two-thirds of drivers who own cell-phones say they are expected by friends, family or employers to be ALWAYS reachable by phone.
Sources:
Edgar Snyder & Associates Personal Injury Law Firm in Automotive FLeet Magazine – Safety Issue 2009
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Status Report Vol 43, No. 7 September 2009
- Maria
With Halloween upon the horizon, I thought I’d share some interesting little trivia bits to help you win a few bar bets Saturday night.
Halloween is on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar.It was originally a pagan holiday, honoring the dead. Holloween was referred to as All Hallows Eve and dates back to over 2000 years ago.
If you see a spider on Halloween, it is the spirit of a loved on watching over 
you.
Halloween was brought to North America by immigrants from Europe who would celebrate the harvest around a bonfire, share ghost stories, sing, dance and tell fortunes.
The ancient Celts thought that spirits and ghosts roamed the countryside on Halloween night. They began wearing masks and costumes to avoid being recognized as human.
Bobbing for applesis thought to have originated from the roman harvest festival that honors Pamona, the goddess of fruit trees.
Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped penny candy in America.
The Salem Witch trials of 1692 are known for burning so-called witches at the stake. Actually, not one witch died by burning; most were put to death by hanging. One unfortunate witch was “pressed” to death and several died in prison of natural causes.
The first “Jack-O-Lanterns” were not pumpkins – they were hollowed-out turnips and originated in Ireland.
In 1921, Anoka, Minn., held the first official, citywide observance of Halloween in the U.S.
Here’s to a bounty of Tootsie Rolls, smiling turnips and spying spiders. Have a safe and happy Halloween!
~Kori
Directly from the Governmental Affairs Director of Portland Metropolian Association of Realtors (PMAR):
“Senate leaders of both parties and key Senate Finance Committee members and staff, and tax credit sponsors Dodd-Lieberman-Isakson have agreed on extending and expanding the housing tax credit.
However, there is no agreement on how to attach this tax credit to the pending Unemployment Insurance bill, or whether to offer the tax credit agreement on another bill, or whether to bring the agreement to the Senate floor and vote upon it as a separate, stand alone bill.
And after Senate action, the tax credit must go to the House of Representatives for action.” ~Jan Leo
This is not a done deal! It is important to continue to respond to any “Call to Action” requests you may receive from sources such as the National Association of Realtors or other entities – you may also write or call your members of congress directly to support the tax credit extension. Thank you for your support – this tax credit will impact our overall econmy, it’s a good think for all!
~Kori
Things are moving along on the tax credit front on Capitol Hill and we hope to have some news to share with you all very soon. To pass the time we share with you and oldie but a goody: Schoolhouse Rock – still as helpful today as it was back then. Let’s hope our bill passes – the real estate industry, directly and indirectly, fuels a large portion of our overall economy.
~Kori
The monthly RMLS Market Action stats were released last week. The opening remarks to the report:
“Sales activity in the Portland metro area continued to show improvement over same-month sales from a year ago. Pending sales were up 34.1% and closed sales rose 9.8% compared to September 2008. New listings fell 14.3%.”
The market continues to show improvement overall; however, the market is still very dependant upon location, location, location and price. The average sales price dropped 8% year-over-year ($315,300 Sept. 2008 to $290,100 Sept. 2009) which one could directly correlate to the first time homebuyer tax credit. Due to the first time homebuyer income limitation most “first time buyer” transaction are in the sub $300,000 range. The tax credit expires November 30, 2009 – first time buyers need their transaction actually closed by the 30th of November, not simply in the purchase process.
If the first time homebuyer tax credit is not extended, let alone expanded, I predict the real estate market will take a dramatic turn for the worse with a significant impact on the overall economy. If you think about the number of people impacted professionally by a real estate transaction you can see how the real estate market alone can immediately impact the general economy. Off the top of my head there are the real estate agents, lenders, numerous inspectors (home, sewer, oil tanks, septic tanks, lead based paint, mold, etc.), contractors, title companies; let alone the subsquent businesses such as home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s, the neighborhood hardware store, paint store, lumber yard, etc), the city’s permit bureau, landscapers, garden nurseries and more. Then, think about all these industries and the people who work in these industries, they need to eat (grocery stores, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops), they need transportation (gas, car payments, insurance, maintenance), they need shelter (rent or mortgage), they need to pay utilities…
Yes, as Americans, we could certainly consume less but you can see how the impact of the real estate market really effects everyone’s pocket book either directly or indirectly. It’s important we keep the momentum behind the current market until we are truly out of this recession.
~Kori
However, in the past couple of weeks, we have seen the tide shift, as several Members of Congress and the White House have said they are considering extending the credit into 2010. In fact, an article in today’s Washington Post, “White House Faces Pressure on Jobs,” makes several references to the credit and indicates that Congress is working behind the scenes to develop legislation that would include an extension.
Why the change?
Well, as it turns out, recent data on home sales and jobs show just how tenuous the economic recovery currently is. After four straight increases in home sale, the August numbers were down slightly. As time runs out on the current tax credit, those numbers could dip further. We need to keep the credit going until enough inventory is cleared to return us to more normal market conditions.
On Wednesday, NAR testified before the U.S. Small Business Subcommittee, and again emphasized that the tax credit is our best tool for sustaining the housing recovery. With more than 350,000 home sales attributed to the credit, it’s clear that it is one of the most successful economic stimulus provisions.
Of course, our testimony is just one way we are reaching out to Congress. Members, like you, are hitting home with the message, too. So far, more than 140,000 REALTORS® have sent letters to Congress on this issue through our most recent Call for Action. That’s a record for NAR, and it clearly has made a difference. If you haven’t responded, please visit the Action Center today and let your Representatives and Senators know how important the tax credit is to your clients.
With your help, I am hopeful that we will get an extension before the deadline – and perhaps have one more “win” to celebrate when we meet at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo this November. – Charles McMillan, 2009 NAR President
~Kori
I know in our business it’s “politically-incorrect” to be political but I think most people who know me know where my political alliances lay. For the 2008 Presidential election I helped with the Barak Obama campaign – registering voters and helping at the polls on election day. It was a great experience to be part of history (I even had my picture in a small Portland Paper). So, today when I heard that President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, I was surprised but I also felt a renewed sense of hope that the WORLD is recognizing the great strides our country has made in such a short period of time.
I still recieve regular emails from the Democratic National Committee and today was a response from the President that I thought I’d share. I know there are many people who do not believe he should have received this prestigious award but take a look at his response – I think it’s encouraging:
“This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I’d been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.
To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who’ve been honored by this prize — men and women who’ve inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.
But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it’s also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.
That is why I’ve said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won’t all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it’s recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.
This award — and the call to action that comes with it — does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.
So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we’ve begun together. I’m grateful that you’ve stood with me thus far, and I’m honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.”
~President Barak Obama
I’m happy to see the United States of America back on the international stage and not for being barbarians. You can be proud to be an American again.
~Kori
Yippee. Get to the museum. It’s free – well some of them are.
Come celebrate Oregon culture with The Oregon Cultural Trust. Last day for these events that include free admission to the Classical Chinese Garden and the Oregon History Museum and all sorts of lectures and receptions around the state.
For more information call Cynthia Kirk – 503 986 0081 – Cynthia.Kirk@State.Or.US
or go to the Oregon Cultural Trust press release linked here.
- Maria
As a native Portlander, there certain things that just say “Welcome to Autumn” to me - jumping in piles of crisp leaves at Laurelhurst Park, the search for the great pumpkin at “The Pumpkin Patch” on Sauvie Island and the annual Apple Festival at Portland Nursery.
This Friday marks the opening of the 22nd Annual Portland Nursery Apple Festival. This is a great event for families and friends – you don’t need to be a kid to enjoy the Apple Festival. Get there early to avoid the crowds at the tasting table (and trust me, only take one sample per apple… if you over indulge your tummy will let you know by the end of the tasting). There’s live music, crafts (I’d say for the kids but I’m at the craft table every year painting my own gourd), face-painting, apple strudel, fresh pressed cider and of course APPLES – fresh, locally grown apples available to purchase. All in the beautiful setting of Portland Nursery.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday - October 9, 10, 11
Friday, Saturday, Sunday – October 16, 17, 18
10 AM – 5 PM – FREE!
Don’t miss this great Autumn event, I promise, it will become an annual celebration!
~Kori
David Greene, photographer and framer
Did you know that the Central Eastside has an Art District? It’s one of Portland’s little kept secrets. With more than 20 venues all featuring different artists, the Central Eastside Art District is becoming a thriving artists community.
This evening is the opening of, David Greene’s, a professional photographer and framer, exhibit at the Architectural Heritage Center. David will be displaying a body of affordably priced fine art, perfect for the upcoming holiday and gift giving season. A percentage of all sales will be donated to the AHC. Come support David and the AHC.
Statement from the artist: I bought my first serious camera for my honeymoon 25 years ago, and have been taking pictures at every opportunity since. I carry a camera at all times, and as my equipment has improved improved so has my technique and artistic eye. I try to see a subject with a unique view, converging lines, strong color, contrast or interesting detail.
I have a broad interest in subjects, but love architecture. This comes from being a volunteer with the Architectural Heritage Center for over 10 years, working on the education committee, and taking many of the images for the programs. I divide my subjects into six main groups: Architecture, Auto Mechanical, Critter, Nautical, Scenic and Just for Fun.
I offer these images to others to effect an emotion, and by displaying on their walls, give them continued enjoyment.
Have a great weekend!
~Kori
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