Lorena McMullen - Serving SE Michigan

A friend of mine who asked me for a referral for a water testing and filtering company contacted me last week. Their story is pretty scary...

They had gone to the doctor because their hair was getting brittle and their nail beds had started turning black. After having a battery of blood & urine tests done to determine the cause(s), the doctor called and advised them they had elevated arsenic in their system and wanted their water tested right away.

The health effects associated with arsenic exposure include thickening and discoloration of the skin. (Sometimes these changes can lead to skin cancers.) Stomach aches, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, or Numbness in the hands and feet. The ways in which arsenic affects our bodies in not yet fully understood.

I did a little bit of research and found that:

Since arsenic is a natural part of our environment, most of us are exposed to varying degrees of the metalloid solid. Arsenic poisoning is mainly caused by environmental exposure. Contaminated air, food and water can all be a source of arsenic ingestion.

It is also possible to ingest arsenic when living near improperly controlled toxic waste or dumpsites or in regions where rocks contain a high arsenic concentration. Additionally, pressure treated wood may include arsenic which can release the poison through seepage into the ground, sawdust or when burned.

The most common and significant exposure to arsenic is from ground water used for drinking and cooking. Organic arsenic, which comes from food sources such as fish and seafood, is much less harmful than inorganic arsenic that is found in ground water.

Fortunately, per the EPA, arsenic levels found in well water is not readily absorbed into the skin so contact with arsenic contaminated well water used for laundry and bathing does not pose a significant risk.

In 2001, the EPA changed the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of arsenic in drinking water from 0.05 mg/L to 0.01 mg/L. The recommended arsenic drinking water health advisory is 0.01 mg/L or 10 micrograms per gallon.

Removing arsenic from well water can be accomplished through adding a reverse osmossis system with a special filter. You can find additional information by visiting a local company I refer clients to by visiting: www.reynoldswater.com

Since arsenic testing is not routinely performed on private wells, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will may be contacted to test for arsenic for a fee (approximately $16.00). The DEQ can be reached by calling (517) 335-8184 to for testing information or to provide you with a list of certified laboratories.

Additional arsenic links can be found at:

www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.html

webserver.cr.usgs.gov/trace/arsenic

ww.michigan.gov/deq/1,1607,7-135-3313_3675_3691-9753--,00.html

State of Michigan Telephone Contacts:

Michigan Department of Community Health (DCH)

1-800-648-6942

DEQ Water Division

(517) 241-1381

Not so wordless as you need to know the unusual circumstances in which the owl was found on top of this roof! I sold a couple a home on a private lake and went over to see their remodeling job (which was gorgeous) and there sat this beautiful creature on top of the neighbors roof top. What I found so odd was this is not an area where you'd expect an owl to be - Very open area around the large 250+ acre lake.

Just thought I'd share this unusual site with you...

CERTIFIED DISTRESSED PROPERTY EXPERT - CDPE DESIGNATION

The CDPE Course is packed full of information and tips that even seasoned professionals can use to increase the value of their services to distressed homeowners facing tough decisions in today's marketplace - Short Sale or Foreclosure.

When an agent completes the training and is awarded the CDPE Designation, homeowner's who are need of help can have confidence the agent has the specialized knowledge, tools, and expertise to offer solutions, guide them through the process, and knows the required proceedures.

What a great service to be able to offer folks in need of help - specialized skills and knowledge to offer them some viable options and solutions they may have available to help them either save their home or avoid allowing the home to go into foreclosure.

I am pleased to announce that I recently completed the CDPE training and have earned the designation. I am excited to provide folks in my market area the expertise, knowledge and skill sets needed to either avoid foreclosure or to offer them some options they may have available to them.

If you, or someone you know are in need of a private, no obligation counciltation, give me a call; I'd be honored to be of service.

What a great community service opportunity; BECOME A DREAM MAKER! This opportunity to make dreams come true was provided by a fellow REALTOR , Ken Saieg, broker/owner from RE/MAX of Joliet for the Developmentally Disabled in his market area and around the state.

The background for this event requires the DD person to speak up and let their dream be known. This program provided training, basic goal setting, public speaking and principles of self-advocating for DD clients.

Chris Lauffer, Director of Community Services for Cornerstone Services in Joliet said "One of the first big dreams met was a client meeting his first grade teacher (after 45 years)! This visually impaired client wondered if his teacher-who first taught him Braille-would be "proud of him".

Terry Ber, known as a tireless, dedicated miracle worker for a Cornerstone Services, tracked the teacher down, and brought them together for lunch: they are now pen pals!

At about the same time, some clients voiced a dream of taking a ride in a hot air balloon. One client (who's now 50) said she's wanted to do this since she was 5 years old!

Some people wanted to ride in the cab of 18 wheelers-a short ride is a thrill that they are still talking about weeks later." What a great way to give back to communities and help people that are less fortunate to be given the opportunity to have their dreams come true. How cool is that?!

In return for Ken's time and generosity, he received many thank yous, smiles and laughter in addition to receiving a "Dream Makers Award".

Ken geneously donated his time and the cost for the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon to help make the dreams come true for developmentally disabled people located through out the state. Due to poor weather conditions that caused 6 cancelled attempts, the weather finally cooperated and the event took place on June 22, 2009. There was media coverage for the event.

The grant that allowed the program to exist, "Illinois Voices" sadly will end on June 30 due to lack of funding. Maybe some local Realtors will contact Cornerstone Services and other social service providers in their areas and be able to help make more dreams come true!

With funding being cut across the country for programs offered for the developmentally disabled, what a great idea and oopportunity to give back to the less fortunate living in our communities.

Kudos to Ken - What a cool idea! You made these peoples Dreams Come True!