Bill Austin

August Horoscopes - Update

2008-07-29T01:39:55Z

August isn't even here yet. I wrote about periodic traffic behavior a few days ago and used August Horoscopes as an example. Since then, the traffic has continued to grow wildly. If you take a look down below you can compare the traffic graph from that day to the one from today and see that this monthly pattern is growing each month and now that it has been recognized, it can be planned for. Watch for seasonal patterns in your business and add them to your long term calendar so you can plan for them a month of two in advance.

Is anybody interested in the August 2008 Horoscopes? This has been incredibly popular for the last couple of days on East Valley Living

August Horoscopes

Even if you don't care at all about Horoscopes, Astrology or the Zodiac, you should still pay attention to this post because of the implications that "periodic phenomenon" have on what you do care about, the real estate, mortgage and title businesses that you are running and working in.

It appears that near the beginning of the month, the people who are looking for their horoscope for the next month begin to search. 2008 August Horoscopes are up in the Astrology section at the Phoenix Arizona News Site

Compare this graph to the one two posts below.

Please Welcome Anders Berg to Active Rain

2008-07-27T16:48:39Z

My friend Anders Berg signed up on Active Rain recently and I thought he would be posting articles about how his company Swedeclean could help you clean out your vacant rentals and get them ready for the next tenant to move in, care and cleaning of your tile and grout, and other things related to his business and yours. I bugged him for quite a while to post something and today I got a note from him saying he had finally posted a blog article.

I went to see what sage advice he had written about carpet maintenance or getting crayon off of walls and much to my surprise, this is what he had to say for his first post - Please welcome him to Active Rain.

Thank you,

Ahwatukee's best kept secret

Horoscopes - August Horoscopes

2008-07-27T14:21:32Z

Is anybody interested in the August 2008 Horoscopes? This has been incredibly popular for the last couple of days on East Valley Living

August Horoscopes

You can see that happening in this daily traffic graph.

There are lots of other topics that have this kind of periodic behavior. For the real estate business, think about things like housing reports, new home sales reports, resale market numbers, mortgage rates and other reports that come out periodically. If you are reporting on and blogging about those topics ahead of the reports being available, you may find that you get a flurry of activity right before and at the time when the numbers come out.

August Horoscopes

And read the June 2008 and July 2008 Horoscope are here:

July Horoscopes

June Horoscopes

Water Bottles for the Homeless

2008-07-24T15:48:36Z

Water Bottles for the Homeless Phoenix Area Hydration Stations Chandler, AZ — With temperatures over 100 degrees everyday it’s natural for us to carry water bottles. But what about the people who cannot buy water for themselves? Regardless of how they got into this position, many people are homeless and need assistance, especially during these hot summer months. The Salvation Army in Phoenix has created Hydration Stations to serve the area’s homeless population and ensure their access to cold water as the valley gets deeper into the summer months. Bill Austin

WAMU Earnings

2008-07-22T19:54:57Z

WaMu reported today that they lost $3.3 Billion in the second quarter of 2008. They increased their loan loss reserves by almost $4 billion to $8.46 billion and expects 2008 to be "a peak year for provisionioning" meaning - they expect to lose a record amount on bad loans this year.

Chief Executive Officer Kerry Killinger. "Our recent $7.2 billion capital raise, combined with the other proactive steps we have taken this quarter to strengthen our banking franchise and further expense reductions, continue to move us toward achieving these goals."

Killinger also said that the company now expects to realize annualized cost savings of approximately $1 billion which will contribute to improved pretax, pre-provision earnings. "We remain confident that we have sufficient capital to successfully manage our way through this challenging period," Killinger added.

This is a follow-up as requested to this article: WAMU Earnings

Carnival Of The Recipes - Greatest Hits Edition

2008-07-18T03:16:10Z

Carnival Of The Recipes

The Greatest Hits Edition of the Carnival Of The Recipes is up!

Some favorites:

From the hostess Pasta Bianco by Jamie Oliver.

World Famous Recipes gives us a looong list of Cookie Recipes plus Pancake Recipe

Diabetic Recipes has a diabetic solution for Herb Roasted Chicken.

Phoenix Arizona has Meatloaf Recipes

Chicken Recipes has Chicken Fried Steak.

Famous Recipes lists an interesting one - Beaten Cream Pie!

And that concludes this edition of The Carnival Of The Recipes

Please submit your entry for the next Carnival, using this handy submission form!

Wireless intelligent real estate sign and electronic lock box - United States Patent 6624742

2008-07-18T00:26:51Z

Another Patent: Wireless intelligent real estate sign and electronic lock box
United States Patent 6624742

Abstract:

An intelligent real estate system including an intelligent real estate sign having embedded processing functionality and a wireless communication device capable of receiving wireless electronic queries and programming instructions and for communicating with local and remote information sources about a real estate property and with controlling agents for reporting status. Further included is an electronic lock box controlling access to the real estate property and having an embedded wireless communication device capable of receiving messages and control signals from the real estate sign and from a property owner/occupant and/or real estate agents for reporting status. An earth battery may also be included, at least partially contained within the real estate sign and supplying power to the real estate sign.

What is claimed is:

1. A real estate sign for a real estate property to interactively communicate with a portable transceiver, the real estate sign comprising a wireless communication system attached to the real estate sign wirelessly receiving a query relating to the real estate property from the portable transceiver and wirelessly transmitting property information relating to the real estate property to the portable transceiver.

2. The real estate sign according to claim 1, further comprising an earth battery powering the real estate sign and the wireless communication system.

3. The real estate sign according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication system communicates via a short-range wireless electromagnetic signal.

4. The real estate sign according to claim 1, wherein the portable receiver may be a client configured device or a controlling agent configured device.

5. The real estate sign according to claim 4, wherein the real estate sign is networked with a remote real estate agent office and the client configured device or the controlling agent configured device is capable of interactively communicating with the remote real estate agent office via the real estate sign.

6. The real estate sign according to claim 5, wherein the wireless communication system transmits property information relating to the real estate property to the client configured device when the client configured device is within a predetermined proximity of the real estate sign and the real estate sign detects the presence of the client configured device.

7. The real estate sign according to claim 1, wherein the real estate sign can be shared by multiple properties.

8. The real estate sign according to claim 5, wherein the controlling agent configured device is capable of controlling access to the real estate property via the real estate sign.

9. An apparatus comprising: a real estate sign corresponding to a real estate property having a wireless communication system embedded therein wirelessly communicating information about the piece of property; and an electronic lock box receiving information from said real estate sign and controlling access to the real estate property.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said electronic lock box is hermetically sealed.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electronic lock box is capable of receiving requests and transmitting information about the real estate property to a transmiting/receiving device located within a predetermined proximity of the electronic lock box.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the real estate sign includes a display displaying the information about the real estate property.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the information about the real estate property includes at least one of the group comprising a price of the real estate property, a square footage of the real estate property, a virtual tour of the real estate property, a number of bedrooms within the real estate property and an availability of the real estate property.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electronic lock box is capable of holding at least one key therein.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the transmitting/receiving device is one of a client configured device and a controlling agent device, the client configured device capable of requesting information about the real estate property from the electronic lock box or the real estate sign, transmitting queries about the real estate property to either the electronic lock box or the real estate sign, transmitting client information to the electronic lock box or the real estate sign, transmitting client information to a remote real estate office via the electronic lock box or the real estate sign, viewing information received from either the electronic lock box or the real estate sign or recording voice or text messages in the electronic lock box or real estate sign.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the controlling agent device is capable of performing all client configured device functions and is further capable of at least enabling, programming and disabling the real estate sign and the electronic lock box, overriding access restrictions of the real estate sign and the electronic lock box, viewing information stored by the real estate sign and the electronic lock box, downloading information stored by the real estate sign and the electronic lock box, interacting with other premises electronic equipment, and maintaining the electronic lock box and the real estate sign.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electronic lock box comprises at least one of the group consisting of a memory, a proximity device reader, a display, a clock and an alarm.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the electronic lock box is capable of storing at least one of a group comprising a time of a visit to the real estate property, a duration of the visit to the real estate property, an identity of a person who visited the real estate property and comments and/or suggestions from the person who visited the real estate property.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the electronic lock box can communicate via network to a controlling real estate office, the controlling real estate office transmitting a control signal to the electronic lock box to permit access to the real estate property.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the electronic lock box is capable of recording an attempt to gain access to the real estate property.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the electronic lock box can restrict access to the real estate property based upon communicated entry rules.

22. A real estate system comprising: a real estate sign having a wireless communication system embedded therein located within a predetermined distance from a real estate property; an electronic lock box having a wireless communication system wirelessly communicating with the real estate sign and controlling access to real estate property; and a transmitting receiving device, wherein the transmitting receiving device can transmit information to/from the real estate sign or the electronic lock box about the real estate property.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising an antenna attached to the real estate sign and connected to the wireless communication system.

24. A method of marketing a real estate property comprising: providing a real estate sign within a predetermined proximity of the real estate property; receiving, by the real estate sign, queries about the real estate property from a transmitting/receiving device; and transmitting information about the real estate property from the real estate sign to the transmitting/receiving device.

Bill Austin

Phoenix Real Estate

Guilty or Not Guilty

2008-07-18T00:09:07Z

Very Funny Jokes

Funny Jokes - Guilty or not guilty?

Guilty or Not Guilty??? You be the Judge!

Defense Attorney: Will you please state your age?
Little Old Lady: I am 86 years old.

DA: Will you tell us, in your own words, what happened the night of April 1st?
LoL: There I was, sitting there in my swing on my front porch on a warm spring evening, When a young man comes creeping up on the porch and sat down beside me.
DA: Did you know him?
LoL: No, but he sure was friendly.
DA: What happened after he sat down?
LoL:He started to rub my thigh.

DA: Did you stop him?
LoL: No, I didn’t stop him.
DA: Why not?
LoL: It felt good. Nobody had done that since my Albert died some 30 years ago.
DA: What happened next?
LoL: He began to rub my breasts.
DA: Did you stop him then?
LoL: No, I did not stop him.
DA: Why not?
LoL: His rubbing made me feel all alive and excited. I haven’t felt that good in years!

DA: What happened next?
LoL: Well, by then, I was feeling so “spicy” that I just lay down and told him “Take me, young man. Take me now!”
DA: Did he take you?
LoL: No! He just yelled, “April Fool!” And that’s when I shot him.

Very Funny Jokes

Guacamole Recipe - Guacamole Dip

2008-07-17T14:28:01Z

When Great Grandma Rheam says - "You should make this" we all know that we should listen and make it at our first opportunity.

Bill Austin - World Famous Recipes

Guacamole Recipes Tried and True

1 tablespoon red onion
1 tablespoon chopped/seeded jalepeno
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon salt (or less, to taste)
2 Avocados
1/4 cup peeled/seeded/chopped tomato
1 teaspoon lime juice

In a bowl or molcajete for you hard core mex cooks, combine and "smoosh up" the onion, jalepeno and cilantro.

Use as a top or as a topping.

Thelly, the Storylady, Cardiff by the Sea

Good News - We make our own personal economy

2008-07-17T12:11:29Z

James Wexler asked for Good News

... and I replied.

"... outside of Phoenix in Scottsdale, AZ. ..."

No, no, no James - Scottsdale is the CENTER (the heart) of the greater Phoenix Arizona area.

The universe revolves around us.

Good news - Affordability is up and continues to rise. More qualified buyers will appear every day.

Good news - New busineses are being started and existing businesses are growing and expanding. Those that are closing, shrinking and stagnating may get all the press but the ones that want to grow are the ones I hear from every day. Nervous Nellies and naysayers need not apply. We are making our own personal economy up here in North Scottsdale and times are good.

Keep saying it - over and over - "We make our own personal economy."

Thank you,

Bill Austin
East Valley Living
Blog Marketing

US Housing Starts a Mixed Bag.

2008-07-17T11:34:34Z

US housing starts rebounded in June 2008 rising 9.1% but Phoenix Arizona Home Prices were Down 18 Percent. Housing starts were down almost 27% from a year ago. The increase in housing starts was almost exclusively in the apartment and multi-family dwelling market while the single family home dtart market fell over 5%.

WAMU Earnings call coming up.

2008-07-16T20:45:27Z

This should give us a better idea of what is going to transpire near term in the mortgage markets. Washington Mutual will announce their earnings and hold a conference call on July 22, 2008.

They (WAMU) recently raised $7.2 billion in capital. WAMU tangible equity to total tangible assets ratio was 7.8% as of June 30 and WaMu has current excess liquidity of more than $40 billion and a national franchise with approximately $150 billion in retail deposits. Washington Mutual will provide a detailed report on its capital position and liquidity, as well as the steps it is taking to work through the current environment, on its July 22 earnings call.

Results of the Earnings are here: WAMU Earnings

Wireless intelligent real estate electronic lock box

2008-07-15T10:33:29Z

Here is the abstract and claims from one of my patents in tha field of Real Estate.

Searshing google for the patent number will give you the rest if you are interested.

Patent #7177819

Wireless intelligent real estate electronic lock box

Document Type and Number:

United States Patent 7177819

Abstract:

An intelligent real estate system including an intelligent real estate sign having embedded processing functionality and a wireless communication device capable of receiving wireless electronic queries and programming instructions and for communicating with local and remote information sources about a real estate property and with controlling agents for reporting status. Further included is an electronic lock box controlling access to the real estate property and having an embedded wireless communication device capable of receiving messages and control signals from the real estate sign and from a property owner/occupant and/or real estate agents for reporting status. An earth battery may also be included, at least partially contained within the real estate sign and supplying power to the real estate sign.

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/602,340, filed Jun. 24, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,624,742.

Claims:

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising: an electronic lock box corresponding to a real estate property having a wireless communication system embedded therein for wirelessly receiving, storing and communicating information about the real estate property and controlling access to the real estate property by providing a mechanical or electronic key, the wireless communication system being capable of transmitting the information to a remote device in response to receiving a query for the information from the remote device, wherein the information about the real estate property includes at least one selected from the group comprising a price of the real estate property, a square footage of the real estate property, a virtual tour of the real estate property, a number of bedrooms within the real estate property and an availability of the real estate property.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic lock box is hermetically sealed.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic lock box is capable of receiving requests and transmitting information about the real estate property to a transmitting/receiving device located within a predetermined proximity of the electronic lock box.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the transmitting/receiving device is one of a client configured device and a controlling agent device, the client configured device capable of requesting information about the real estate property from the electronic lock box, transmitting queries about the real estate property to the electronic lock box, transmitting client information to the electronic lock box, transmitting client information to a remote real estate office via the electronic lock box, viewing information received from the electronic lock box or recording voice or text messages in the electronic lock box.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the controlling agent device is capable of performing all client configured device functions and is further capable of at least enabling, programming and disabling the electronic lock box, overriding access restrictions of the electronic lock box, viewing information stored by the electronic lock box, downloading information stand by the electronic lock box, interacting with other premises electronic equipment, and maintaining the electronic lock box.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic lock box is capable of holding at least one key therein.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic lock box comprises at least one of the group consisting of a memory, a proximity device reader, a display, a clock and an alarm.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the electronic lock box is capable of storing at least one of a group comprising a time of a visit to the real estate property, a duration of the visit to the real estate property, an identity of a person who visited the real estate property and comments and/or suggestions form the person who visited the real estate property.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the electronic lock box can communicate via network to a controlling real estate office, the controlling real estate office transmitting a control signal to the electronic lock box to permit access to the real estate property.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the electronic lock box is capable of recording an attempt to gain access to the real estate property.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the electronic lock box can restrict access to the real estate property based upon communicated entry rules.

12. A real estate system comprising: an electronic lock box having a wireless communication system embedded therein located within a predetermined proximity of a real estate property and controlling access to real estate property by providing a mechanical or electronic key, the electronic lock box being capable of wirelessly receiving, storing and communicating information about the real estate property; and a transmitting/receiving device configured to transmit a query for the information about the real estate property to the electronic lock box and receive the information from the electronic lock box in response to query, wherein the information about the real estate property includes at least one selected from the group comprising a price of the real estate property, a square footage of the real estate property, a virtual tour of the real estate property, a number of bedrooms within the real estate property and an availability of the real estate property.

13. A method of marketing a real estate property comprising: providing an electronic lock box within a predetermined proximity of the real estate property for controlling access to the real estate property by releasing a mechanical or electronic key; receiving by the electronic lockbox information about the real estate property; storing the information about the real estate property in the electronic lockbox; receiving, by the electronic lock box, a query about the real estate property from a transmitting/receiving device; and transmitting the information about the real estate property from the electronic lock box to the transmitting/receiving device in response to receiving the query, wherein the information about the real estate property includes at least one selected from the group comprising a price of the real estate property, a square footage of the real estate property, a virtual tour of the real estate property, a number of bedrooms within the real estate property and an availability of the real estate property.

Housing Market - Expert Calls A Bottom

2008-07-14T10:50:36Z

Housing Market - Expert Calls A Bottom

This week we have quite a few experts calling a bottom in the housing market downturn.

A Barron's cover story By Jonathan R. Laing predicts that an upturn could happen within the next quarter.

Recent Housing start data is so low that Laing can't imangine it going anywhere but up.

John McCain for President 2008

2008-07-10T14:16:30Z

This is destined to be among the most popular articles on wordpress.com tomorrow, or at least in the top ten or so. Some sort of silly cat photo will probably be first.

John McCain for President 2008

The link above will have the latest version and news but the current version as of now is below.

John McCain for President 2008

I heard on the radio on 550 KFYI in Phoenix Arizona that there is a spreading phenomenon, at least in the greater Phoenix Arizona area. According to a caller to the JD Hayworth Show, there are many people who feel they can’t vote for anyone but John McCain because they have been left with no choice

Many of these people do not agree with McCain’s positions on various things but feel that the alternative is far worse.

To show that they are voting for McCain but are doing so under protest, these people are putting John McCain bumper stickers on their cars upside down and putting yard signs in their yard upside down.

It appears to be spreading as people stop and ask - “Do you know that your bumper sticker (or yard sign) is upside down? ” and are told why. Some people even put a note on their yard sign to explain it to anyone who stops by to be helpful and turn the sign around.

John McCain For President 2008

The most popular post from yesterday is here: Help Her With Her Plan

The lenders need to wake up.

2008-07-10T10:45:00Z

The lenders need to wake up.

Typical lenders have no idea what they have to do and how quickly they have to do it in order to keep people in their homes. They are not giving people options. We hear all the time about people who are told "We can't even talk to you about your 50% payment increase unless you are behind on your payments.

Foreclosure counselors are still having trouble getting lenders to agree to anything reasonable.

I believe that in 2007 in Arizona, there were about 70,000 foreclosures.

In 2008 that number is expected to jump much higher.

Foreclosure counselors expect to only be able to save about 4000 homes from foreclosure in Arizona.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon

2008-07-10T00:29:18Z

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon Named

“Best Mayor in North America”

Every two years City Mayors presnts an award for the world’s most outstanding mayor. City Mayors is an international network of professionals working to promote strong and prosperous cities, and is headquartered in London. Phoenix Arizona Mayor Phil Gordon, following months of online, worldwide voting, has emerged as the “Best Mayor in North America” and is one of only 11 finalists in contention to be named “Best Mayor in the World.”

The World Mayor project says that it " …seeks out mayors who have the vision, passion and skills to make their cities amazing places to live in, work in and visit. The World Mayor Project aims to show what outstanding mayors can achieve as well as raise their profiles nationally and internationally. It honors those who have served their communities selflessly and courageously and who have made significant contributions to the well-being of cities. The most outstanding mayor of 2008 will be presented with the World Mayor Award."

Diabetic Recipes

2008-07-09T19:39:36Z

Mozzarella and Vegetable Marinara - 15g Carbs, 1g Fiber

1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 8 oz cans each tomato sauce
1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 lb mozzarella cheese strips
1 medium zucchini, cut into strips
1 medium red or green sweet pepper, cut into strips
3 eggs, beaten
1 3/4 cups garlic seasoned bread crumbs
vegetable oil

Heat olive oil in small saucepan over medium-high heat; saute onion and garlic 1 minute. Stir in tomato sauce, basil and red pepper flakes. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cook gently for 10 minutes. Keep warm.
Dip cheese, zucchini and sweet pepper into eggs, then into bread crumbs. Repeat to coat again. Heat 1-inch deep vegetable oil in medium skillet over high heat. Cook quickly in oil; remove with slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels. Serve with warm marinara sauce.

Makes 4 servings
Calories 241, Fat 14 g, Carbs 15 g, Sodium 830 mg, Fiber 1 g.

Diabetic Recipes and more Diabetic Recipes

Blog Marketing

2008-07-09T16:19:33Z

Blog Marketing - Marketing Your Blog

Blog marketing is a generic term that may be used to describe the process of Internet marketing using weblogs or might be used to describe the marketing of the blogs themselves to get higher search engine rankings.

Blogs are really a type of website that typically features daily or weekly posts or articles, sometimes grouped into related topics but not always. Some potential clients fear blogs and believe that they are complicated and difficult to manage. We like to say - “Have no fear - It’s just another content management system.”

Companies may use blogs to create a conversation with their clients and customers to explain features of their products and services. Marketing companies might use blog marketing to promote a client website or to provide an easy way for customers to keep up to date on new product and service introductions, breaking news and changes in strategy.

Marketing of blogs themselves might be done in order to improve the ability of people searching for the specific topic area that the blog covers to find that particular blog using the common search engines or the special blog search engines.

Blog Marketing methods and techniques vary depending on the platform, the setup and configuration, the purpose and goals of the organization running the blog and how much time, money and effort they want to put into marketing the blog.

If you would like to discuss marketing of your blog or Internet marketing using blogs as a part of the marketing strategy, please give us a call at (480) 998-0246 or send an email with a summary of your requirements.

Bill Austin

Wordpress.com Versus Wordpress.org

2008-07-09T15:32:48Z

Wordpress.com Versus Wordpress.org

There is a lot of talk out in real estate blog land about setting up wordpress blogs. Many of the sage advice givers recommend that real estate agents set up a blog on Wordpress.com because it is simple, it is free and it is maintained and hosted by someone else.

Those are precisely the reasons that you should never use wordpress.com for a business blog of any kind. There really is no such thing as a free lunch. Wordpress.com is the free, hosted version of the wordpress multi user software. Because it is free, the terms of service are quite restrictive.

You might do the simplest, most natural things on your blog and wake up one morning to find the dreaded notice "THIS BLOG HAS BEEN DELETED OR ARCHIVED FOR VIOLATING THE TERMS OF SERVICE" Advertising on a wordpress.com blog can get your blog deleted. Linking to your real estate sales site might get it deleted. Posting listings from your office or for your clients might get your wordpress.com blog deleted.

When that happens, whatever amount of work you have put into that blog simply vanishes, never to return.

All the pages are gone, all the posts are gone, all the links are gone, all the trust and authority you have built up is gone. It is simply not worth the risk.

If you want to set up a wordpress blog, go to wordpress.org and download the software and set it up on your server, configure it, upload a theme you like and modify that to meet your look and feel requirements, load all the plugins, back up the entire system and then get started blogging.

If your web hosting company is set up for wordpress hosting then it might be much simpler. The download and install might be enabled with a few clicks of the mouse, typing the name of your blog and you are up and running in minutes.

An even simpler, process for busy people with a budget is to hire a blog marketing company to set it up for you. If that is not in your budget then you will want to attend the next Arizona Real Estate Bloggers Network meeting and learn all about doing it yourself.

Thank you,

Bill Austin

Community Information & Referral Board of Directors Elects New Officers

2008-07-08T16:44:40Z

Phoenix Arizona - Community Information & Referral (CIR), a local non-profit, recently elected officers for its 2008-2009. The new officers are:

Chair, Bill Austin, Vice President of Business Development, Arizona High Tech Talent Partnership

Vice-Chair, Jerry Mendoza, Low Income Assistance Program Manager, Arizona Public Service

Treasurer, Blossom Aung, Program Business Manager, General Dynamics,

Shelley Detwiller Digiacomo, Attorney, Osborn Maledon.

Art Brooks, President/CEO, Arizona Broadcasters Association was recently elected to the board.

Community Information & Referral (CIR) provides FREE 24-hour Help Hotline services to Arizona residents. Trained Information & Referral Specialists respond to calls from people who need help finding help, assess problems, and provide appropriate information and/or referrals to local governmental, non-profit, and faith-based health and human services organizations. Callers can reach the Hot Helpline in Maricopa County by calling 602-263-8856, or outside Maricopa County, toll free at 1-800-352-3792. Visit us on the web at http://www.cir.org/ and see below for a complete listing.

Special Programs

Community Information & Referral offers several specialized programs for residents of Arizona. Please click on the name of the programs below to find out more about them including contact information.

24-Hour Helpline
Our English/Spanish bilingual Information & Referral Specialists are ready to help you 24 hours a day to assist you in finding the help you need. We are central and northern Arizona's First Call for Help. Call 602-263-8856 from anywhere or 1-800-352-3792 within area codes 520 & 928.

Childhood Immunization Hotline (Maricopa County only)
We refer callers living in Maricopa County to the closest clinic where they can get free immunizations for their children age 18 and under. Call 602-263-8856.

Community Voice Mail
Community Voice Mail assists homeless individuals in Maricopa County by giving them private telephone numbers to help them with job searches and keeping connected to family and friends. All clients must be referred by agencies that provide direct services to homeless individuals and/or families. Call 602-263-8845 x 108.

CONTACS
The COmmunity NeTwork for ACcessing Shelter helps domestic violence victims and homeless persons in Maricopa County find shelter in emergency situations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 602-263-8900 or 1-800-799-7739.

HIV CARE
HIV CARE is a confidential 24-hour information line for helping people with HIV/AIDS who need medical care. People can also get help with food, dental, counseling, social services and treatment. Services are available in English and Spanish. No insurance is required. Call 1-877-HIV-7020 or 1-800-448-7020.

Maricopa HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) Project
Assessing services provided to and unmet needs of homeless individuals in Maricopa County. This program is presented in cooperation with several agencies with support from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Arizona Mortgage Foreclosure Helpline
With thousands of Arizonans facing foreclosure on their homes, Community Information & Referral has partnered with the Arizona Department of Housing to guide those people to agencies that can help them through the process and might be able to help them stay in their homes. Call 1-877-448-1211. Foreclosure Prevention

Valley Lifeline
In partnership with Lifeline Systems Inc., the nation's leading provider of personal emergency response services, we provide a way to help people remain independent in their own homes while maintaining a constant link to immediate emergency services should the need arise. This service is especially helpful to senior citizens and people with disabilities who might otherwise require constant supervision in an environment outside their homes. Call 602-263-8845.

Phoenix Jobs and Scottsdale Job Network

2008-07-06T21:58:42Z

The other day I posted the video that Jobing.com produced for East Valley Living as part of their community partners program agreement with us. Scottsdale Job Network or SJN is another community service organization I am involved with that has a partnership agreement with Jobing.com. SJN is a non-profit community group of business leaders and volunteers. We provide education in the job search process and all attendees have the opportunity to meet and work with people who offer support and guidance during employment transition.

SJN is not a job placement forum. We do not match candidates to openings nor do we send resumes to employers or recruiters. There is no guarantee of employment either directly through this group or as a result of association with SJN.

A series of mini-workshops will be offered as part of the SJN bi-monthly networking meetings starting on September 2, 2008 with Understanding the Emotions of a Career Change and ending on December 2, 2008 with Managing Job Offers. SJN meetings are held at Temple Chai in Phoenix, 9-11:30 AM. Each presentation runs 70-90 minutes.

Job seekers can start at the beginning of the Curriculum and work their way through the entire process or come to programs of particular interest.

The programs will be facilitated by experts in the training and career transition fields. At SJN, we do not require membership dues or meeting fees. However, participants are asked to make a donation to the extent they are able to help cover our program’s operating costs.

Here is the video produced by jobing.com for the Scottsdale Job Network

Phoenix Real Estate

2008-07-06T21:30:10Z

I was looking at the Phoenix Real Estate site this morning and I noticed this article about Real Estate Consumers Spending more time on major real estate sites. It led me to think about whether that is a good thing or a bad thing.

Basically, Realtor.com and Move.com announced that during May 2008, consumers continued to increase time spent searching real estate on the Move Network, including Realtor.com. The homes-for sale web site announced that recent year-over-year data from comScore indicated that minutes spent per unique user in May 2008 grew by six percent on REALTOR.com and by three percent on the Move Network as compared to May 2007. This was the fifth consecutive month of positive growth in user stickiness (engagement) as consumers remain on the sites longer researching real estate data. When compared to all other real estate web sites, comScore also reports consumers spent 141 percent more time on Realtor.com, for a total of 170 percent more time on the Move Network this past May.

As the major sites get more and more traffic, and sell those visitors to the highest bidder, does that tend to eliminate competition and make it impossiible for new people to enter the market?

Video Game Design at ASU

2008-07-06T11:28:28Z

Here is something fun to do with your older kids - check out all of the new video games these Arizona High School students have created at CampGame in Tempe Ariona.

Video Game Design at ASU

ASU Training helps Arizona high school students learn and showcase their video game design and development skills.

After six weeks of intense, hands-on training in video game design and development, Arizona high school students participating in the CampGame summer program offered by Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering want you to experience the awesome video games they’ve created.

WHEN: Friday, July 18, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

WHERE: ASU SkySong, 1475 N. Scottsdale Rd. (southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and McDowell Road), Room 195

The public is invited to play the students’ video games from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. CampGame graduates will present final projects until 6 p.m., followed by the CampGame awards ceremony and reception.

CampGame is a part of the engineering school’s support of a national education effort to interest young students in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

For more information, visit http://sci.asu.edu/campgame/ Members of the public wishing to attend should RSVP to Audrey Avant (audrey.avant at asu.edu) in the School of Computing and Informatics by July 11.

Bill Austin

August Horoscopes - Update

Compare this graph to the one two posts below.

Please Welcome Anders Berg to Active Rain

Horoscopes - August Horoscopes

Water Bottles for the Homeless

WAMU Earnings

Carnival Of The Recipes - Greatest Hits Edition

Wireless intelligent real estate sign and electronic lock box - United States Patent 6624742

Guilty or Not Guilty

Guacamole Recipe - Guacamole Dip

Good News - We make our own personal economy

US Housing Starts a Mixed Bag.

WAMU Earnings call coming up.

Wireless intelligent real estate electronic lock box

Housing Market - Expert Calls A Bottom

John McCain for President 2008

This is destined to be among the most popular articles on wordpress.com tomorrow, or at least in the top ten or so. Some sort of silly cat photo will probably be first.

John McCain for President 2008

The most popular post from yesterday is here: Help Her With Her Plan

The lenders need to wake up.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon Named

“Best Mayor in North America”

Diabetic Recipes

Blog Marketing

Blog Marketing - Marketing Your Blog

Wordpress.com Versus Wordpress.org

Wordpress.com Versus Wordpress.org

Community Information & Referral Board of Directors Elects New Officers

More Scottsdale Job Network Videos

Phoenix Jobs and Scottsdale Job Network

Phoenix Real Estate

Video Game Design at ASU