Firefox is a Wet Dog! - 03/31/11 10:38 PM
I tried Firefox all day Tuesday and Wednesday.  It was going pretty well.  In fact, I was impressed with a lot of its functionality except for losing my favorites which could not be installed despite an add-on that imported them because one of them was missing a certificate.
And, then today, every time I tried to log into Active Rain, it stopped.  Died. Dead. I had to reboot each and every time. 
Did I supply feedback?  You bet your sweet bippy I did.  No answer. 
Well, enough of that.  I am back to Internet Explorer.  I may not be able to … (9 comments)

Do You Work on Sundays? Active Rain Poll - 03/26/11 09:55 AM
The other day I wrote a blog post about a rude agent who gave me an eyeful when he responded via email on a Sunday night that he didn't work on Sundays. 
There were a number of commenters who said that they, too, don't work on Sundays. 
I do.  I do a fair number of open houses, and I find that they aren't as effective on Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p,m.  Buyers are usually driving around on the weekends. 
I have found buyers who agents have "stood them up".  And, I have found buyers who parents stopped at the open … (36 comments)

I Waited to Write the Story...Because I Couldn't Believe It Myself! - 03/25/11 04:29 PM
A couple of weeks back, I was sitting with clients preparing to write an offer on a property.  I called this listing agent at about 5:30 PM on a SUNDAY, god forbid. 
I was cut off with "Send me an email."  Even though the client had a question prior to writing the offer which I explained. 
This is the first email I got after sending him feedback that said if he couldn't answer a question from a prospective buyer while writing an offer, I wasn't submitting feedback on the property.   We moved on. 
Apparently, he could respond on Sunday night, just not when the … (18 comments)

In Case You Might Have Missed This Hollywood Death... - 03/24/11 07:36 PM
No, it is not Elizabeth Taylor, nor is it Zsa Zsa Gabor, who significant other tells me is near extinction.  It is Dorothy Young, Harry Houdini's last assistant. http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/03/a-documentary-about-dorothy-young-houdinis-last-assistant/73003/
Ms. Young died earlier in the week at age 103.  Not bad for someone who survived all those magic tricks.  As a fitting triburte, her death was announced just in time for Houdini's 137th birthday today on Thursday, March 24, 2011.
She worked for Harry for many years in various capacities which I will link to later.  Google saw fit to put an alert on the log in page for this.  I find quite … (5 comments)

Community U-Knighted - St. Michael, Minnesota 3-24-2011 - 03/24/11 01:38 PM
Here is a great opportunity to assist the community.
I read the Patch from St. Michael, Minnesota, to get the news of what is occuring in the community at large.  They have a great staff, and I am so grateful that we have an on-line daily paper. 
This morning I read about a community event scheduled for this evening called Community U-Knighted.  (The mascot of the high school is the St. Michael-Albertville Knights). 
This event is open and free to the public.  It begins at 5:45 with a dinner and the presentation will begin at 6:30.  It will be held in … (0 comments)

Make Your Own Rules - 03/24/11 07:39 AM
I just read the fabulous book by Wayne Rogers, Make Your Own Rules.  He has a great point for realtors especially. 
He maintains that throughout his business career he has been involved in business ventures in which he had no, absolutely none, experience.  He believes, as I do, that that alone brings a fresh nature to whatever the undertaking is. 
Here is a little sample that I picked up from his interview on ABC News.
Wayne Rogers: 'Make Your Own Rules'
I have also tried to avoid being part of the system, which is not the same thing as trying to … (6 comments)

Minnesota Heroes - Two Men Who Make Us Proud - 03/23/11 10:40 PM
Earlier today, the body of Mike Struck was located in about 10 feet of water nearly 25 feet from where he had been working to keep the roads safe from flooding on 169 between Mankato and St. Peter.  I used to use that road frequently when I lived and worked in Mankato.  It is a dangerous stretch of road nearly anytime of the year from rock slides to flooding to hazardous ice and snow in the winter.  Mike Struck was only 39 with a wife and two young children.   His brother, 33, succumbed to cancer about three weeks ago. 
No funeral … (0 comments)

Time to Plant the Garden..... - 03/23/11 03:55 PM
If we weren't in the middle of a snowstorm, I would be a lot less cranky. 
So, I decided if Mother Nature has to wrought her fury on us poor Minnesotans who have had quite enough white stuff for the season, I would just get out the garden books and catalogs and dream my way to spring. 
There are some vegetables you can start quite early in Minnesota.  They include beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuces, onions, peas, Irish (!) potatoes and radishes.  All of these require cool saoil and air temperatures to germinate and grow.  Most can take a light frost. 
… (3 comments)

Good Friends Part Deux - 03/21/11 08:50 PM
I mentioned the other night one of the salads that was served at our marvelous get-together and Joan Whitlock asked for the entree recipe.  There were three entrees.  One vegetarian, one meat and one fish.  How cool is that. 
Here is the meat recipe. 
Cotolette alla Pontremolese
(Veal Cutlets with Garlic and Capers)
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 T. chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
1 lb. tomatoes, peeled, seed and chopped
1 T. capers, rinsed
1 olive oil-packed anchovy fillets
4 veal steaks about 1 1/2 lb.  about 1/2" thick. 
In a … (5 comments)

Love is Good Friends, Good Food, Good Music and Great Wine - 03/20/11 10:42 PM
I had a very nearly mystical and wonderful experience tonight.  Luckily, I had several others who experienced the same thing so I have witnesses. 
We had a wonderul dinner with great jokes, great food and a wonderful camaradarie. 
I am going to share one of the recipes because I can't bring you in.  
Share this one with friends.
Baby Artichoke, Parmesan and Arugula Salad   -   Serves 4
6 baby artichokes
1 bunch of argula (rocket), tough stems and leaves removed
Dressing:
1/2 cup of EVOO
2 T. fresh lemon juice
salt to taste (sea salt preferred)
2 oz. of a piece of … (4 comments)

Grand Opening - Crow River Senior Citizens Center in St. Michael, Minnesota - 03/20/11 09:03 PM
Due to weather conditions earlier, the grand opening and ribbon cutting was postponed for the new Crow River Senior Citizens Center. 
It will now be opening (AGAIN) on March 26 from 10 AM to 1 PM. They will be serving refreshments and a bingo is planned from noon to 1 PM.  A musical concert will begin at 11 AM. 
Don't be fooled.  These folks don't just sit around and play bingo.  I have been volunteering up there for a couple of months.  Activities include trips to King Tut, Mackinac Island, the Candadian Rockies, Alaska, New York, Yellowstone, the Black Hills and … (3 comments)

United States District Court Jury Selection-Pay It Forward - 03/18/11 10:35 PM
I went to the mailbox today after volunteering at the new Crow River Senior Citizen's Center helping to get the office organized and make files, etc.   And, then I opened the letter marked Juror Materials Enclosed from the U.S. District Cout. 
I knew it wouldn't be good news.  I know I have to do my civic duty.  After all, I vote regularly and use all the government services that I can.  But, when the bill comes due, your heart sinks. 
This is a one-year commitment.  You may not be called at all.  You may be called for a trial that last … (4 comments)

Wisconsin's Struggles - 03/18/11 11:48 AM
I received this email in my inbox this morning.  I believe that it sums up what many in Wisconsin are feeling right now.  You may or may not agree.  But, I thought that sharing it might give some attention to this issue. 
Feel free to comment.  I will pass along comments to Senator Larson.
 
 
Dear Suzanne, Thank you for contacting me regarding the governor's efforts to rip rights from Wisconsin workers. Last week on Wednesday evening, Senate Republicans bowed to the governor and answered the Koch brothers' call. They ignored the pleas of hundreds of thousands across Wisconsin as they … (6 comments)

"Before Bach's Birthday" Bash 2011 - 03/18/11 08:00 AM
Bach is one of my favorite composers and this weekend, the Twin Cities will have a rare treat with five programs to be presented at various venues around St. Paul. 
It is an all day event tomorrow starting at 9 and finishing at 5.  Minnesota Public Radio's PIPEDREAMS program in collaboration with the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Bach Society of Minnesota will offer these programs free of charge. 
Complete information can be found here:  http://pipedreams.publicradio.org/events/bach_birthday/Bach_Bash_2011_Press.pdf
The venues include St. Mary's Chapel of the St. Paul Seminary 2260 Summit Avenue, St. Paul with a live one-hour … (3 comments)

David Stevens, former FHA chief executive, will now head Mortgage Bankers Association - 03/15/11 04:19 PM
Well, yet another Washington "insider" is going private.  Private?  Head of the Mortgage Bankers Association. 
I am betting that there was a huge pay raise in this deal.  However, it sounds from all indicators that the former cheif of the FHA kept it from needing a huge bailout as did many of the banks who were "too big to fail". 
Mr. Stevens has been a contributor to Active Rain.  He has written some blog posts about what the FHA can and can't do.  I have to give him credit for reaching out to the real estate community through this forum.  Although … (3 comments)

If You Don't Know P. Morgan Brown, You Should! - 03/15/11 02:43 PM
I signed up for Buzz when it first came out.  One of the first people I started following was P. Morgan Brown.  He has the most unbelievable content.  He is on Twitter, too.   http://twitter.com/morganb  This guy has great information.  He has deals and steals.  He gets the scoop on things I have never heard of, and I have yet to cross-reference anything and find he's wrong. 
When you have time, and you don't get Buzz...check out his Twitter account.  I don't know how he finds the time to do all the social media that he does, but it works. 
Wish I … (0 comments)

Can I Just Say....CitiMortgage and Fidelity Investments Care About Customer Service - 03/14/11 02:37 PM
This past week, I needed to call CitiMortgage and Fidelity Investments about various matters. 
Surprise.  They both sent me questionnaires about their customer service.  These included questions about their phone banks and the personal customer care representatives (both of which were excellent for both companies). 
I also called Wells Fargo on another matter.  I wish they would send me a survey. 
They could take some (or a lot) of lessons from the other institutions.  The service is abominable.  They are too big to fail and they know it.  They seem to be the schoolyard bully even when dealing with their own … (3 comments)

Bloggers Beware! Lawsuits cost big money.... - 03/13/11 05:17 PM
A Hennepin County Minnesota jury awarded $60,000  to an ex-community leader involved with the Jordan Area community Council.  John (Johnny Northside) Hoff told the truth about Jerry Moore, but the fact that Mr. Morore was fired by the University of Minnesota the day after his post appeared to a readership of 300 to 500 people made the jury decide that it was libel. 
It is unfortunate for those who believe in First Amendment rights and free-speech, but it does come down to "who does the jury believe." 
You can read the article here in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, but, you know I have … (10 comments)

Charter High Speed Internet! What a Joke! - 03/05/11 09:45 PM
Most of you know that I rarely watch television. When I need information, I can get it from the net. 
But, What's-His-Name was watching television the other day when I passed by, and I noticed that Charter Communications just told all of its customers that we have even higher internet speeds than we did before....really? 
Can you prove that?  And, since I signed up nearly a year ago, can you explain to me why it takes longer to upload a single webpage than it did a year ago, or even nine months ago when I signed the two-year bundle package with … (7 comments)

Sheenanigans - Why Do We Care? - 03/03/11 03:42 PM
I would suggest that the Charlie Sheen shenanigans have taken over even the more intellectual (or I thought they were) news sources lately. 
In case you haven't gotten enough here is a link to the CNN report http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/02/25/sheen.show.shutdown/index.html
One of my questions is....with all the political turmoil here, and please remember I live very close to Wisconsin, and the rising fuel and food prices, why do we care about an actor in what is rated as the highest numbers on broadcast TV?
He has really even made Ghaddafi look normal with some of the comments that he made. 
Finally, his children … (7 comments)

Yes, I am a Tightwad and Proud of It! - 03/02/11 05:28 PM
Lately, with all the belt-tightening going on around the country, I am proud to say I am, and always have been a tightwad. 
Is that a bad thing?  I don't think so, especially after visiting many, many foreclosures where the waste even left behing was rampant. 
I love my vocation, but I wouldn't still be standing among the realtors who still call this a full-time postion if I hadn't made adjustments starting about three years ago.
One of the best moves I ever made was starting on Active Rain nearly four years ago.  That is a saving in and of itself. 
… (7 comments)

Marijuana Bust in Big Lake on Valentine's Day - WOW! - 03/01/11 03:22 PM
The Sherburne County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with the Carver County Sheriff's Office and the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force, arrested Felix Martinez-Garza, 41, Martin Garza, 40, Israel Benavidez, 47, Cesar Valdez-Gonzalez, 46, and John Wisdom, 27, all of Texas, for first-degree possession of marijuana.
The allegations are for drug trafficking, distribution and transportation of the illegal substances.  The operation apparently originated in Texas and was a key route for marijuana distribution in Minnesota. 
Allegedly using a residence in the 21000 block of Sherburne County Road 83 in Big Lake Township as a stash house to hold and distribute large amounts of … (3 comments)

Buffalo Community Orchestra - Concert on March 5, 2011 - 03/01/11 02:40 PM
The Norwegian in me is proud to let you know that the Buffalo Community Orchestra will take the stage at a concert beinning at 7:30 in the Performing Arts Center at Buffalo High School on March 5th.  Conductor Foster Beyers will begin the evening at 6:30 with a Conductors Chat in the BHS Choir Room. 
Many Scandinavian countries will be represented in music, and the concert will also feature the American Swedish Institue Spelmanslag, the fiddling group of the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. 
It should be a great evening.  Tickerts for the even ware available in advance at Buffalo Books and … (1 comments)

 
New_suzwev Ambassador_large

Suzanne McLaughlin, Wright & Sherburne Counties Realtor

Saint Michael, MN

More about me…

Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael)

Address: 1449 Janett Av NE, St. Michael, MN, 55376

Office Phone: (612) 202-0215

Cell Phone: (612) 202-0215

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Sabinske & Associates are here for you. We love referrals, we love local business and local people. We highlight the best in our communities and work to help those in need. When you are in need of expert local real estate advice, you can be certain that we understand, care and can do the job.


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