Rhode Island

I deem Oct 3, 2008 was a very important date. So I drove up to the State House and took a picture of it around 5Pm.

The picture was taken with my Canon 20D camera. Canon USM 17-85 IS lens. ISO100. F8.0.

The picture was taken in the parking of lot of RI Credit Union.

I did not do any editing at all except that I resized it using IrfanView. I know the tone is sort of sad but that was really what it was.

Every day I would pass a HESS station in North Main st in East Side of Providence, RI.

Wednesday morning, the price was 3.39. Thursday morning, it was 3.34. Friday morning, it is 3.29. And Friday afternoon it became 3.25.

I did not have a chance to take a picture of the North Main Hess station. The following picture was taken in a nearby station. This HESS always has the same price as the North Main gas station.

While it changed twice in a day? Go figure.

Trying to understand the bailout bill has been so difficult. When someone reports on the story they are giving their opinion but not stating the real reason why this occurred. Because a lot of what happens next controls my income I want to not only know but understand why this started in the first place. I do know that panic contributes to the final outcome. When media publishes that a company is in trouble you can be sure that anyone with financial ties to will immediately pull up stakes and get the heck out of there.

I have been seeking an answer as to why this happened and how this all takes place. While listening to National Public Radio, I received the answer. The way it was explained made it so simple to understand and realize exactly what the bailout will do to help. While I was initially against the bailout I now realize that this very well may be the only way to get the housing market back on track so I can finally earn a decent living. There were several different speakers who explained their reasoning of the crisis. It was basically money that was insured against loss. When the companies failed the insurance that was supposed to cover the losses could not pay out enough causing them to fail and the investors had to take the loss. Many of these same investors are the same that take their earnings and then turn around and lend them to the banks and other financial institutions. Now that they didn't receive the insurance when the company they'd invested in went belly up, there is no more money to lend to the banks. When the banks do not have money there are no mortgages, loans for vehicles etc. This is how it is being passed onto us. The banks are not going to risk lending money to anyone whose credit is less than perfect. They want a guarantee that they will not lose their money. The other end is that there is little money to lend. If someone would normally borrow three hundred thousand dollars to purchase a home, they will receive less than half. Many are going to simply stay put. They feel they'd better keep their home and be happy they have one then risk selling and not being able to get another mortgage. This is going to make being a real estate agent one of the lowest paying jobs on the market. The government needs to do something to make housing more affordable and insure the loans made to people with good credit will be paid back. They will definitely make sure that anyone with poor credit will be a long time renter. They will also lend much less money than before.

The one thing that makes me furious is the amount of spending on state and government employees. They receive the best benefits, huge salaries and every single day off they possibly can. Instead of giving the jobs to people they know and paying huge amounts of money, they could educate the people who are forced to ask for welfare benefits and give them the money and jobs with all the benefits. This would dramatically cut back on welfare and give these people the tools they need and job opportunities to earn a great living. There are so many things that would save a fortune. There are such stupid grants and other things that waste money. One such idiotic thing was a grant that was on line that gave money to see how long it takes the average person to smell after a skunk sprays. I was so shocked when reading this and immediately wrote my representative to complain. There are many grants on line that anyone can apply for and most are stupid. You need to have a non profit company for most but they are such a waste of taxpayers money and time. I think the government should allow everyone to vote for or veto each bill that is going to be paid for out of our money. We pay the taxes thinking that the government needs this money to operate. We don't care how long it takes to smell a skunk because most of us are not stupid enough to stand still long enough to find out. I mean are you going to stand still and count to 10 or are you going to run. I think most would choose the latter.

Just my thoughts on the economy.

Have a great week!

Tiverton RI home sales have remained steady with 3 homes selling through the MLS in Sept. compared to 4 homes in Tiverton sellling in Aug. The lowest priced home in Tiverton went for $192,000 and the highest priced home that sold in Tiverton in Sept went for $650,000 A home with a waterview of Mt. Hope Bay.

For a FREE list of homes for sale in Tiverton RI including foreclosures & MLS house listings visit www.ViewYourDreamHome.net

Karen Ann Martin Full time real estate agent serving Fall River, Dartmouth & Westport Massachusetts & Tiverton Rhode Island real Estate needs. American Dream Real Estate (774) 930-8181

Westerly is located in the southwestern most corner of the state of RI.
Situated along the shore it is one of the most frequented vacation spots for tourists in the area. The beaches which stretch for miles are the best in the state.

Each year Westerly kicks off the onset of summer with a spectactular arts show in the park. Participating artists arrive form places throughout the country to show off their wares and entertain crowds by the thousands. With a parade of finely handcrafted items, beautiful paintings, photographs framed in various types of materials and inspiring sculptures you are guaranteed to find something to suit your taste. Native Images which participates yearly offers sculptures crafted by John F. Mahoney. and well worth the visit to his white easy up tent at the top of the hill near the gazebo. While walking through the blossoming trees and perennial flowers you are serenaded by music from some of the best musicians
Don't relax too soon after because you may miss one of the biggest highlights of the season. In late June of each year the Park becomes a concert hall with a Pop's Concert. This popular event hosts over 30,000 visitors who make the pilgrimage to Wilcox Park the night before to lay out their blanket and ensure a great view. This event is accompanied by a spectacular fire works display. One thing you must do to prepare for this event is order your gourmet picnic basket from 84 High Street to make the evening even more magical.
During August the park becomes a Shakespearean stage. One of William Shakespeare's famous plays will highlight the season as the talented actors make the entire park a a backdrop for each act which is located throughout the entire park.
If you are taken in by the beauty and community spirit you may want to return before the next season and partake of caroling in the park and a hot chocolate from one of the dozens of coffee shops located throughout town.
From hotels to inns, bed and breakfast establishments to private home rentals, we always have a place for you to stay.

Westerly is also home to many smaller villages located within the town limits.
Watch Hill and it's multi million dollar homes are the weekend getaway for the more affluent of residents. Homes in Watch Hill rent for thousands for a week and many many thousands for the season. If you can afford to stay in one of these amazing homes it is something you won't soon forget. There are families that date back generations and are still coming back for more. The private beaches and community spirit make Watch Hill one of the must see places in New England.

My personal favorite pick is the historic fishing village of Avondale. Located along the bank of the Pawcatuck River Avondale is blessed with the perfect vantage point to watch elegant yachts, graceful sailboats and fully stocked fishing boats filled with friends on their way to Block Island Sound for a day of fishing, clamming or relaxing on Sandy Point.

Weekapaug, is yet another area located in Westerly. This area is consists of weatherd homes with large porches to gather and watch the perfect sunsets. Weekapaug is a peaceful yet convenient area and homes in this region of town rent quickly. If you are looking for privacy, tennis courts, private beaches and rocky shoreline, this is the best place to be.

While there are several seasonal hotels and accommodations there are just as many year round places to relax and enjoy the privacy the off season has to offer. If you are unsure of where to spend your next vacation please call and allow me to take you on a virtual tour of the best Westerly and it's villages has to offer. We rent homes from one to twenty bedrooms and will gladly place your reservation a year in advance. I hope you will find what I am writing intriguing enough to make the short trip from anywhere in New England.
I am available seven days a week for your convenience.