GOOD NEWS: A side-project of mine makes it to the front page!
For those of you who have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that an organization named Community Roots is close to my heart. Besides just being started by my sister-in-law and a friend of hers, Community Roots is a non-profit group here in Coeur d'Alene that takes fresh produce and delivers it to local food banks, soup kitchens, and other emergency assistance facilities.
In the past 2 years, Community Roots has delivered over 7,000 POUNDS OF FOOD to people who need it.
Well, this past Saturday, a side project of mine, one that will partner with Community Roots to feed those in need, made it to the front page of the Local Section of the Coeur d'Alene Press.
Coeur d'Alene is going to have a community garden - called, A Shared Harvest. Several of us are working tirelessly behind the scenes to make this happen, but this is how it is going to work:
If you garden and want to grow fresh produce for you and your family (and lack the space to do it), you can sign up for a plot at A Shared Harvest.
50% of the yield from every plot will be donated back to the Coeur d'Alene community via Community Roots.
Also, two beds will be designated, specifically, for Community Roots and 100% of the produce grown on those two beds will be given back.
Coeur d'Alene has an AMAZING network of food assistance facilities available and, being on the Board of Directors for the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene, I get to see them at work. Their dedication to our community is enviable and we all benefit from their generosity.
So far we have a mountain of support from all across the community, including:
Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene
Panhandle Kiwanis Club
Sorensen Elementary
Coeur d'Alene High School
Lake City High School
City of Coeur d'Alene (presenting at town meeting tonight, live on TV)
But, the garden will be more than just a place to grow fruits and vegetables. Plans for the garden include a sensory garden for the seeing impaired, wheelchair accessible growing beds for those dependent on wheelchair assistance, and a shaded picnic area under four 100-year-old oak trees.
If you are interested in getting involved, please feel free to e-mail me via the link on this blog. Our next meeting is Thursday, March 26th.
If you are interested in learning more GOOD NEWS, please visit other entries in my blog... or start one of your own!
Maryellen Garasky (in the photo above, sitting, red coat, lap top on my lap) Mortgage Broker KMG Mortgage Group (208) 664-3600 (509) 638-3455 www.kmgmortgagegroup.com
The time has never been better. GREAT houses just waiting for you! GREAT interest rates to make your payment affordable. And, if you're a first time homebuyer (aka: you haven't owned a home in the previous 3 years), let's not forget about the $8000 check you would get from the IRS!
Remember when these were all you had to call home when you were on the road? So do I, and interest rates are lower now than they were back when these were being phased out for touch-tone payphones.
The stock market improved today by more than 200 points. Interest rates dropped. Rates are loosely tied to what happens in the bond market. What happened today is contrary to what usually happens. Bonds and stocks usually move in opposite directions.
You don't care why. Take advantage of it. If you're looking for a mortgage of any kind, 30 year fixed rates for the best borrowers (good credit, W2 wage earner) are back below 5%, with APRs in the low 5s, depending on your loan adjustments.
Okay. You're the one person who actually wants to know why. I'll tell you. Today's auction by the Federal Reserve of $11 billion in 30 year bonds was mobbed. Demand was high, so rates fell. Buyers included foreign central banks buying through investor groups.
The point is, cheap money is available for purchase and refinance. Call me, and let's talk.
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender. Think of me as your Tucson mortgage expert. I only loan in Arizona.
Call me if I can help you with a purchase or refi mortgage; (520) 349-9090
Like many of you, I am tired of the constant bombardment of the network media about how bad life is right now. So, I am doing something about it and I would like to encourage you to do the same. I am blogging for 30 days about POSITIVE things I see going on in my community. So far, I have been faithful to my calling and this is my 4th installment in the series.
But now, I'd like to introduce you to...
Royal Family Kids Camps
"Every year in our area, hundreds of children are removed from their homes and placed in the foster care system because of severe abuse and neglect, or even abandonment. For most of these children, they will lose hope, and feel as if their life has come to a deadend, even before it has begun.
A national organization, Royal Family Kids' Camp (RFKC) developed week-long camps for abused, neglected, and abandoned children who have been placed in foster care. For many of these children, their week at RFKC is the first time ever in their lives they have felt security, warmth, and love from dedicated adult caregivers. For them, it can be a life-changing experience.
Lake City Community Church has sponsored and operated such a camp for the past four years, and eagerly looks forward to its 5thyear. When children arrive at RFKC they are assigned a caring counselor, along with a surrogate "grandma" and "grandpa" and "aunt" and "uncle." For many of these campers, this is their first experience of how a real family functions. They discover self-worth, and a feeling of success as they accomplish projects and make friends.
We would love for you to share this opportunity in serving these children with us. If you are interested, read on..."
I would like to encourage you to get involved in one way or another. If you live in North Idaho, please consider contacting RFKC to see how you can help. If you live elsewhere in our great nation, look for opportunities to serve those around you.
There is no better way to take your eyes off your current circumstances than to look into the eyes of a child.
As some of you may know, I am on a crusade to write about one positive thing I see in my community for 30 days. Today is my 2nd installment.
This is not the first year that this service has been offered. But, with all the changes in the economy, paying for tax assistance might be prohibitive for many people this year. That's why I wanted to highlight this valuable service made by volunteers in and around the Coeur d'Alene area.
Assistance is provided by the AARP Tax-Aide, but serves low to moderate income taxpayers of any age. You don't have to be a member of AARP to use this service!
LAKE CITY SENIOR CENTER 1916 Lakewood Drive, Cd'A
Appointments only: 667-4628
Mon, Wed, Fri 9 am - 12 pm
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE MASTER Ramsey & Kathlees, Cd'A
Walk-ins only
Fri & Sat 10 am - 3 pm
SILVER LAKE MALL 200 W. Hanley, Cd'A
Walk-ins only
Mon - Sat, 10 am - 4 pm Tues & Thurs, 4 pm - 8 pm
ATHOL COMMUNITY CENTER Hwy 54 & 3rdStreet, Athol
Appointments only: 683-2407
Tues, 9 am - 2 pm
POST FALLS SENIOR CENTER 1205 E. 3rd Ave, Post Falls
Appointments only: 773-9582
Tues & Thurs 10 am - 3 pm
RATHDRUM SENIOR CENTER 8037 Montana, Rathdrum
Appointments only: 687-2028
Tues & Thurs 10 am - 4 pm
KELLOGG SENIOR CENTER 211 McKinley Ave, Kellogg
Walk-ins only
April 6th only 10 am - 2 pm
Shut-ins call: 667-4628 or 687-2028
What to bring: your social Security card (and those of your children), photo ID, last year's (2007) income tax return, and all your 2008 income documents (W2s, 1099s, etc.)
I was reading another great post from Janet Guilbault (Deflation Nation) when it struck me, "I'm going to do a series on POSITIVE THINGS I SEE IN MY COMMUNITY." It shouldn't be difficult. Really. You say, "Are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?! Have you seen the news?" Yeah, I have. But, I tend to believe people fall into two categories:
People who expect good
Everyone else
I am a Board Member of the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene and I can tell you from personal experience, we are NOT short for positive things happening in and around Coeur d'Alene. If you question this, visit the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene's blog page that I manage for them. Pay particular attention to:
The other day I was watching the FOX News Ticker when they announced 87% of people believe the negative media coverage is prolonging our national slump. How did they come up with that number? I have no idea. But, I can tell you, this premise was central to Kevin's BEARD OF PROTEST(Janna, don't laugh) and my giving up on prime time news altogether - a BIG deal, I was a Poli Sci Major in College with an emphasis in Writing and Literature. "News" is was my life!
So, I start today and I would like encourage you to do the same. My goal? To write one positive blog entry every day for the next 30 days. In fact, I have already started a list and am on #14. The next two weeks are looking good... How about you?
Great Family Fun - Thursday nights in Hayden, Idaho
If you are looking for something to do with your kids on a Thursday night, consider going to Jump-A-Lot, Indoor Party Zone in Hayden.
Gabrielle and I discovered Jump-A-Lot last summer when we were looking for something to do, but wanted to get out of the heat. We were happy to learn a couple of weeks ago that Thursday night is family night and prices reduce to $3.95 (from the regular $7.00) per hour, per jumper.
And, the good news to all those parents who are still young at heart, parents don't have to pay for themselves!!! Yahoo!!!
Or, if jumping isn't your thing, take advantage of the free WiFi and blog work to your heart's content while your kids jump the crazies right out!
Jump-A-Lot can be found at 10260 N. Taryne Street (on the East side of HWY 95 just North of Dakota Ave) in Hayden.
Kevin and Gabby went to Jump-A-Lot last week and it resulted in some GREAT action shots!
Do you own a home in Idaho? If you are a resident of Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Hayden, Hayden Lake, or anywhere else in Kootenai County, don't forget to file for your homeowner's exemption before the deadline creeps up on you!
WHAT IS THE HOMEOWNER'S EXEMPTION?
The Homeowners Exemption saves the property owner money on their property taxesand is an exemption provided by state law. The exemption deducts 1/2 of the assessed value of the buildings, up to a maximum of $104,471 or 50%, whichever is less. This rate is peridically changed.
WHO QUALIFY?
A property owner who occupies the home as their primary residence and is an Idaho resident.
HOW DO YOU QUALIFY?
You reside in Idaho for a majority of the year.
A valid Idaho drivers license (if you drive)
Vehicle is licensed in Idaho (if you own a vehicle)
Registered Idaho voter (if you vote)
WHEN DO I FILE?
On new construction the owner must apply within thirty (30) days of purchase.
On existing homes the deadline for applying is April 15th of the year that you occupied the home.
WHERE DO I FILE?
The Homeowners Exemption Applications are available, and must be filed in the Assessor's Office.
Kootenai County Assessor's Office Administration Building 451 Government Way Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
So far we have a mountain of support from all across the community, including:
Remember when these were all you had to call home when you were on the road? So do I, and interest rates are lower now than they were back when these were being phased out for touch-tone payphones.
As some of you may know, I am on a crusade to write about one positive thing I see in my community for 30 days. Today is my 2nd installment.
In this series, I will be featuring the photography of 
In this series, I will be featuring the photography of 
In this series, I will be featuring the photography of 
;)
;)
