Benicia, CA

Let's GO!

Here is the hard part........... SHARE what you are committed to with someone. You MUST ask if they will hold you accountable for your goals. GREAT! Now you need help them in the same way! It's ok to accomplish a few smaller goals 1^st. Accomplishing smaller goals 1^st will keep you on track to achieve your larger goals. The road ahead is bright and promising but you must have the fire burning hot inside each and every day! Your goals will soon become reality if you are committed to TAKING ACTION with each goal!

It will take us all to build a brighter more prosperous future!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

BE THE SHINING LIGHT THAT ALL CAN SEE!

Let's Speed up our Recovery as a Nation

We have seen green shoot's of signs of improvement in our economy lately. One of our biggest challenges will be with improving un-employment. This will help save more homes, and homeowners, stabilize neighborhood home values and increase consumer confidence.

Great sounds easy...............but there many more job applicants than jobs.

We need to start from the ground up!

#1 Small business can change to moving markets much faster than corporations (FYI THIS IS A CHALLENGE BIG GUYS)

#2 It takes the involvement of the entire company and 100% commitment from the entire company to discover new untapped markets and product lines lying at your finger tips

#3 Business owners and managers get in the trenches with your company/ team, for they see day to day operations much differently. Ask for opinions and thoughts on ways to (positively) improve

#4 Set a fun & low keyed company Mastermind session. It can be during marketing meeting's, over company sponsored lunch, just get creative

#5 At these meetings look for input for ways to streamline, improve production, cut costs, and expand or increase market share

# 6 Un-leach the creativity of you team, company/ business and this will propel you and your business to NEW HEIGHTS.

#7 Implement and analyze new strategies/ products and look for input on how to improve sales/ marketing and customer satisfaction. This should be done at least every two weeks.

When implemented and monitored correctly your market share, bottom line, and production will grow by leaps and bounds. There are thousands of professionals just waiting to assist your company's growth. If everyone is committed and involved your percentage of success is greatly increased. It simply doesn't matter what business you are in BUT you must start somewhere. Your job title doesn't matter! YOU can suggest a meeting, offer areas to improve, but do it respectfully and with positivity.

It up to all of us to bring positive change for a BRIGHTER ECONOMY!

The answers and solutions lie inside each and every one of us!

Have a GREAT WEEKEND!

TO YOUR SUCCESS!

Fabulous Friday to all,

Once again we have opened up higher with MBS (mortgage backed securities) than we closed on Weds. The Dow is down due to news that Dubai might default on bonds due to real estate values...............HUMM like we all haven't experienced the same. Bonds are up at all time highs. Monday we might be settling into a new trading range for bonds, so lock in the great rates before they are gone. Bonds are currently passing through the 1^st line of resistance and are at 102.54, incredible! This great rally with bonds won't last forever, so positive thoughts for at least sideways trading through the end of the year.

While everyone else is off shopping today...................grab your REALTOR go look at homes. Everyone else is distracted with shopping so your chances of having your offer accepted are much higher.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Enjoy the long weekend!

We have zoomed way up with MBS (Mortgage Backed Securities) today. My advice is taking the gains and lock your position. We are at the second line of resistance............be careful. This great rally will not last forever. MBS are 25bp for the day!

Have a great day!

When our kids were growing up, they never wanted to leave town for the 4th of July. It wasn't because they were homebodies or didn't like to have fun.

Rather it was because nobody does the 4th like Benicia. Just ask anyone who's visited Benicia over the 4th of July. And actually, when I say the 4th of July, I REALLY mean the 3rd and 4th -- for Benicia's Independence Day activities begin on the 3rd and run straight through fireworks on the 4th.

MORE THAN JUST ONE DAY OF FUN

The party actually begins early on the 3rd, when the townspeople start lining First Street with lawn chairs and placing their blankets out on the lawn on at the City Park in anticipation of the annual Torchlight Parade.

This year's parade begins at 6:30 pm on the Third of July. It's a bit hokey, a bit folksy, and every bit Benicia. And something that most Benicians wouldn't miss. The entire town shows up -- food and drink in hand to celebrate a kickoff to our country's birthday.

The parade always has a little something for everyone. Horses, dogs and a spitting camel. Firetrucks, policecars and perhaps even a cement mixer or shiny new garbage truck. Marching bands, dancing school children, clowns, belly-dancers, even a gorilla on a bicycle.

JUST THE APPETIZER...

But that's just the appetizer, for the real fun takes place the following day -- on the 4th of July.

It all starts with the Picnic in The Park -- which runs from 12 noon to 7 pm at, you guessed it, City Park. The locals show up to eat, drink and enjoy a variety of local entertainment, which takes place in front of Benicia's hometown gazebo. There are food and beverage booths, things to do for the kids, even an arts and crafts fair. Many Benicians show up early and spend the entire afternoon at the park.

FIREWORKS OVER THE WATER

But the highlight of the day -- and the part that no 4th of July celebration can be without -- takes place at dusk. Of course, I'm talking about Benicia's always spectacular fireworks display. This year's show begins right after dusk.

The Benicia Main Street Program, which puts on the 3rd & 4th of July festivities, says the pyrotechnic display is scheduled to begin around 9 pm. But the entire town migrates down to the waterfront several hours before that. Most people set up camp either at the Marina or the First Street Green in preparation for the colorful fireworks show, which takes place over the water.

Some people prefer to watch the display from a favorite spot on one of the hills in Southampton that looks out towards the water. From some of these hillside vista points, you can see not only Benicia's fireworks show, but also those from several Contra Costa cities.

Anyone who visits Benicia over the Independence Day festivities really gets to see Benicia at its best. Back in the late 1980s or early 1990s, the Disney Channel filmed our 3rd of July Torchlight Parade as part of a network promo showing that Small Town America was alive and well.

If you long for a traditional 4th in a setting that feels like you just stepped into a Norman Rockwell portrait, don't miss this year's Independence Day festivities in Benicia. It's a slice of Americana that always keeps the townsfolk from leaving town.

For more information, contact Benicia's Main Street Program at 707-745-9791.

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