Daily Intent

The west coast takes a moment to celebrate life and community this weekend.

Last night Santa Barbarans danced open Old Spanish Days aka Fiesta.  Seattleites have begun waxing their boats and fitting in extra sets of sit ups and push-ups in preparation for Seafair, Friday through Sunday.  And Manhattan Beach?  The infamous 6-man volleyball tournament sets off Saturday followed later by the most intense life-guard competition.

Being that such events offer huge revenue streams to the respective cities, it’s on point to include a few historical nuggets.  Could your annual event of 50 people be the next huge festival to blow away your city?

Fun Facts:  www.oldspanishdays-fiesta.org   www.seafair.com
- The first year of Fiesta was postponed to the following year due to an earthquake in which the Mission took a huge blow. Persistance.
- Seafair first hit Lake Washington in 1950 with the intent of attracting tourists and boasting Seattle as the “boating capital of the world”.
- The first Fiesta parade was built off a budget of $200.
- The Seafair Pirates were formed the first year, led by young Davy Jones, Don Clark, and Captain Kidd Ralph Ryder.
- Seafair’s Milk Carton Derby began in 1972.  Sweet!

Use these events to build community…
“Some people complain about Fiesta, but I think anything that brings us together, even if it is only for recreational purposes, is very helpful.  I know the streets get crowded and loud and some people might have too much to drink.  But all human experience is spiritual.  Fiesta is a reminder for us to be grateful for our past, to live the present fully, and to build a better future.  By a better future I mean a better community.  I think Fiesta is really just a great community builder.” - Father Virgil.  Interview with the Independent.

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Are you interested in buying Short-Sale properties, possibly getting a great buy?  Or might you be considering the possibility of selling your upside-down home?  August 12, 2008, I’ll be hosting a Compounding Your Knowledge Seminar with Sarah Wildwood, Prudential CA Realty.  She has been on both sides of the fence when dealing with short-sales.  Insights will be aplenty.  6pm.  Tuesday.  I hope you can make it.
 
Word of the week: Perp Walk

“A slang term describing the police action of parading an arrested suspect in handcuffs before the media.

Short for ‘perpetrator walk,’ this is a practice with which many people disagree, considering these re-staged arrests to be merely media spectacles that violate the suspects’ rights.  Both former head of Adelphia, 78-year old John Rigas, and ex-WorldCom CFO Scott Sullivan turned themselves in when they were being investigated.  Despite their requests, law enforcement still invited the media to watch the former executives being handcuffed and hauled in.”  -Investopedia

Be smart this weekend.

  Five points to ponder:

   1.  George Bush signed the Housing Stability Bill.  Oct 1, 2008 new laws will take hold.  George Bush also took a moment to speak on opening Alaska drilling.
   2.   GDP and jobless data led Wall Street downward today.  Exxon Mobil profits billions in quarter, though miss estimates.
   3.   Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, to step aside and push for an early election after corruption allegations.
   4.  “Pill Gives Mice Benefits of Exercise”
   5.  The Yankees caught a big fish in trading for Pudge Rodriguez.  The Mariners might be the only team capable of bringing them down.

Positives:

    *      Strong export numbers and the economic stimulus checks upheld a modest GDP expansion.  The negatives I’ve mentioned below.
    *       Congress continues to take action to further aid in economic recovery.   $300B in federal guarantees to help refinance troubled borrowers.  Backing to Fannie and Freddie.  States will receive $3.9B to rehabilitate foreclosed homes.  Google search “Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008″ to learn more.

Negatives:

    *      The US economy expanded at a marginal 1.9% pace.  Experts had much higher expectations, 2.3%.  This is a concern because many economists have been overly pessimistic and they were still high on their estimates.  Jobless claims being above 400,000 for the fifth week in a row doesn’t help sentiment either.
    *     The possible abuse of power by Olmert.  The Middle East needs every possible chance at stabilization and consistency.
    *      Should this exercise pill work on humans, we’ll be able to watch more T.V. and still perform 44% better than our untreated couch potato foe.  This is depressing.  Where is the fun?  Unless you are a movie buff.  Batman “The Dark Knight” was Awesome! …maybe I should have included this as a positive…Step Brother’s, anyone?  I promise to have you running farther afterwards.