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St. Mary's County Community Health Fair - The Way to Wellness

10-17-09
Steve Combs

The St. Mary's County Community Health Fair is set for Friday, Oct. 30, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Dept located at 24801 Three Notch Road.

During the annual event, attendees will learn more about the latest important health news and available health products. Fifty exhibitors will be at the event prepared to provide influenza and pneumonia inoculations for a suggested $15 donation. There will also be free health screenings checking for many health concerns including skin cancer, podiatry, depression and hearing.

Last year, the event played host to over 600 citizens and... More here

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Royal Lipizzans Begin 3-Days of Shows Today, Oct. 16

10-16-09
Steve Combs

Royal Lipizzans Begin 3-Days of Shows Today, Oct. 16

GREAT MILLS - 10/16/2009

Flat Iron Farm is hosting the Royal Lipizzans for three shows beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 16. According to Operations Officer, Herbie Smith, the event will be held indoors at the Flat Iron Farms Equestrian Center at the Great Mills farm. All proceeds from the three shows are to benefit Hospice of St. Mary's County.

Saturday's show begins at 6 p.m. and Sunday's finale starts at 3 p.m. Flat Iron farm is located at 45870 Highway-to-Heaven Lane in Great Mills.

Flat Iron Farm is a subsidiary enterprise of Great Mills Trading Post owned by Joseph "Bubby" Knott. At the impressive venue, Knott holds many events included the much anticipated Christmas display two yearly auctions, the most recent of which having transpired a few days ago.

The breed of Lipizzans horses was founded in the sixteenth century the Hapsburg Royal family, ruling family of Austria. Because of the rarity of the breed, the shows are significant. The magnificent horses only number a few hundred around the world.

The shows are courtesy of one of the world's foremost breeders of Lipizzans, Colonel Ottomar Herrmann. The horses have been in the Herrmann family since the time of Austrian Emperor Ferdinand II who gifted a stallion to the Knight Ritter von Schoevel. Herrmann is a direct descendant of the brave knight.

The Lipizzans breed was established by Archduke Charles at Lipizza; now part of Yugoslavia. Only a few hundred have ever existed at any one time. Many experts agree that it is a miracle that this precious bloodline is not extinct. The horses barely survived during Word War II until Ge. George Patton saved them from the Russian advance.

Tickets to see these amazing animals are still available at the Great Mills Trading Post, from Jan Barnes at Century 21 in California and at most Burchmarts in St. Mary's County. Tickets for adults cost only $12 and for children only $8.

To see pictures and view the full story click on the following link: http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/15182

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Great Breaking News for Veterans!

10-16-09
Steve Combs

From Mortgage Market Watch

"The House of Representatives voted unanimously Monday to extend the deadline for the home buyers' tax credit for one group of Americans.

HR 3590 will allow eligible military personnel and foreign service and intelligence officers to apply for the $8,000 tax credit for one year beyond its current November 30 deadline. Those meeting the underlying requirements for the credit must also be serving overseas or have spent at least 90 days deployed outside of the country during the current calendar year. It is expected that about 350,000 military personnel and an unknown number of federal employees may be affected by the new law.

The bill, introduced by Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) because it was thought that families serving overseas were being passed over for this one-time opportunity to purchase a home. It passed the Housed passed with 416 votes and 16 abstentions.
There is currently a battle being waged over extending the popular credit for all eligible persons and possibly even removing the requirement that the home be a qualified first-time purchase. Many credit the current tax break for a recent surge in the housing market after months of rising inventories and falling prices. Such an extension is strongly supported by the National Association of Realtors, the National Association of Homebuilders, and other major players in the housing industry, however, many argue against it on the basis of cost.

The Rangel bill will also prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from pursuing payback of the credit if the homeowner is deployed after receiving it. Under the original law a homeowner was required to occupy the home for 36 months or the credit would be recaptured. Because the military, the State Department and intelligence agencies frequently relocate their personnel and their families, some have been reluctant to apply for the credit even if they did purchase a home.

The bill must still be considered by the Senate but similar easy passage is expected."

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Tax Credit to be Extended?

10-13-09
Steve Combs
On October 5th (last Monday), the White House came very close to endorsing the extension when the White House Press Secretary said it had been successful and is on a "short list" of measures being considered to bolster the economy. Many think the odds of the tax credit being extended have been improved considerably (90% likely). However, It is much less likely that the credit would be increased above $8,000 or expanded beyond first-time homebuyers. The bigger issue with the tax credit is when will it be enacted. Tax bills usually move at the end of the year (in late December). Unless the tax credit provision is moved in a "stand alone" bill or attached to an existing bill, it could mean there will be a lapse in availability in early December. Our research partners do think the extension, if enacted, would be applied back to December 1st. What are your thoughts? Should the tax credit be extended? Should it be expanded to include ALL home buyers and not just first time buyers? Should they increase the amount to $15,000 like NAR has suggestged? Is it worth the risk to wait and see?
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Breast Cancer Seminar

10-07-09
Steve Combs

As many of you know, I consistantly STRONGLY encourage home buyers, home sellers and home owners to get "Real Estate Educated" through my online seminars and workshops. Well, there are issues that are larger than financial literacy [although sometimes, I come off as countering that point], homeownership etc... And, that's your health and the health of those around you. I hope that you take a moment to read, comment, attend this event or become inspired to influence this type of educational event in your neighborhood. Let's not just be appreciative of football players in pink shoes on Sunday's this month. Let's show the women people in our lives that education on this topic of breast cancer is a step in the right direction to early detection and treatment contributing to a 2% reduction in fatalities per year (Source: thebaynet.com).

Breast Cancer Seminar Welcomes ALL Women

Breast cancer is one of the leading killers of American women, affecting one in eight women. That's why St. Mary's Hospital's Health Connections, in concert with hematologist/oncologist Dr. Amir M. Khan, is working to increase education and prevention during breast cancer awareness month.

Dr. Khan will speak about breast health, proper breast exams, genetics and common causes of breast cancer on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. during a seminar in the hospital's Atrium. The event is open to all women in the community. The event will also feature tours of the hospital's mammography suite, as well as displays and educational materials on breast health. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information and to RSVP, call (301) 475-6019. more...

Source: thebaynet.com

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