Three New Businesses to open shortly in Zimmerman! - 07/31/10 10:35 PM
Good news.  You won't have to travel far to read a good book, get a tattoo or buy some great second-hand items in Zimmerman. 
Three new businesses are opening shortlyl 
What used to be Always a Deal is now a pawnshop .A-Z Pawn,   It opened at the end of June and is located at 12617 Fremont Avenue.  You can buy, sell, trade or take out a loan on goods including jewelry, electronics, car audio equipment and musical instruments, mainly guitars. 
Hours are Monday -Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon … (5 comments)

Help the kids at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota - 07/31/10 09:24 PM
There are kids from our area being treated at Gilette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota.  You can help them on Thursday, August 5th.  It's called Miracle Treat Day, and $1 or MORE from every Blizzard sale at participating Dairy Queens will help the injured and sick kids at this hospital which is the local Children's Miracle Network Hospital.  Stores participating are in Big Lake, Elk River, Zimmermand and Rogers. 
Last year, Gillette provided care to more than 22,000 children, including 350 from Sherburne County.
So be a friend to these kids, and give yourself a treat.  You will feel … (5 comments)

Feinberg Will Release the Number that BP is Paying Him.. - 07/27/10 09:38 PM
Kenneth Feinberg is the "pay czar"  who railed on the banks last week for their compensation packages alleging that they were out of line in paying out $1.6 billion in bonuses as they were taking federal funds to "keep them afloat."  He declined to seek return of the funds because he felt the public shaming was sufficient. 
Really?  Really. 
This week Mr. Feinberg is working for BP in charge of the $20-billion-US Gulf oil spill compensation fund.  And, he has not revealed what his salary will be. but he indicates that he will reveal that number in "in the next week or two", … (6 comments)

Consumer Reports has passed on endorsing iPhone 4 - 07/20/10 09:52 PM
I needed a new phone....my blackberry was past it's prime, and I also needed to work something so my wife could get internet service at our "up north" location (read remote).  She has school work to do with getting her master's and she is also a nurse. 
The Blackberry was great.  But, it didn't have the capability of the Palm Pre with its own mobile "hot spot" which was free for two years with my upgrade.  And, I would have to adjust to the "touch screen", which I found much easier to do than I had thought would be possible. 
Well, … (7 comments)

Benefit for Aidden Tilly from Otsego, Minnesota. Come with an appetite!!! - 07/18/10 07:24 PM
If you can eat spaghetti and lots of it....this might be a way to help a very young boy in dire straits.  He is going to need a lot of medical attention, and this is one way to help his family.  Donations will be accepted at any Wells Fargo Bank location.  Just see below. 
Via Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael)):
There will be an all-you-can-eat apsghetti dinner at the St. Michael Legion on July 24th, 2010, to benefit Aidden Tilly, born on February 15th of this year.  He was diagnosed with a servere heart defect known as Hypoplastuc Left … (0 comments)

Get out your permanent markers, HUD seeks public comment on three main issues for FHA loans - 07/16/10 10:05 PM
Make a difference today.  Perhaps we can get some changes made to this proposal that can make the divide between the have and the have-nots a little smaller.   Thanks to Jeff for this excellent post.

Via Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages - USDA loans (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc):
You can make a difference - you have 30 days to comment against FHA's proposals



 
With a difficult economy and possibly some new FHA mortgage changes coming in the new future, this could be time to make your voice heard. … (3 comments)

Hey! Look Me Over! - 07/11/10 10:02 AM
Pat Kennedy, smart woman that she is, has a great deal of useful information here.  You will want to bookmark this one. 

Via Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors):
Every how-to-buy-a-house book I’ve seen, including The Irreverent Guide to Real Estate, suggests that, somewhere at the beginning of the process, you find an agent to represent you.  And part of that search involves interviewing several agents.
Once you start looking for a buyer broker, agents will show up in your space, happy to be “the one”.  And friends and family members might have a few suggestions they’ll throw your way.  
… (0 comments)

THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU - 07/07/10 11:47 PM
This is something to think about.  I don't want to worry you, but a word to the wise is always welcome. 

Via Kristin Johnston,Realtor,Waukesha County WI Real Estate (Remax Realty Center 414-254-6647):
My mom forwarded this email to me...some interesting info and great information.....THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU: 1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator. 2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your > yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back … (0 comments)

Fun with Russel Ray — There's a party going on for Bob Stewart, who is retiring - 07/06/10 11:59 PM
Congratulations to Bob and Krista....give them a warm welcome

Via Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector (Russel Ray, Property Consultant):
I don't know if I'm letting the cat out of the bag, but I heard some news from a little birdie today, so it is with great sadness that I announce that Bob Stewart is retiring....
....from bachelorhood!
With that done, it's with great gladness that I welcome Bob Stewart and his lovely wife to the ranks of marriagedom.
I don't know when the lovely couple are due back from "getting hitched" (words from the little birdie), but I think … (0 comments)

Fourth Of July - Fun and Games or Sacrifice? - 07/04/10 11:33 PM
Most of us view the Fourth of July weekend as fun in the sun, recreation, visiting with family and friends, eating, games, and more.  But, do you remember the families that have sacrificed loved ones to the keeping of America's freedom? 
This is, along with Memorial Day and Thanksgiving Day, somewhat of an amalgam of the two for me.  I am thankful for my freedoms and grateful forever to those dedicated to keeping us safe and out of harms's way.  And, for that I would like to thank the soldiers, their families and loved ones on this, America's Birthday and wish … (8 comments)