Heath Coker, Real Estate Broker

Earlier this month, the FTC made a ruling that basically says, if you endorse something in your blog, and you don't disclose how you benefit from the endorsement, you could be fined. And the fine could be up to $11,000! If you don't believe me, here is an ABC story on it. http://www.abcnews.go.com/Business/mommy-bloggers-held-liable-product-reviews/story?id=8764885

So does that mean all Internet testimonials are now the subject of scrutiny? Celebrity endorsements have always been seen as paid for, but they don't have to disclose that in their ads. Does the Internet provide a higher level of trust than other advertising mediums? Or is it that Mr or Mrs Normal Public has become more believable than F. Amos Person endorsements?

Whether the ruling stands or not, if you are endorsing anything or anyone on the Internet, you might consider a statement describing your relationship with it or them just to avoid any problems. For the record - I have nothing to do with ABC, nor with their writers, nor have I received any compensation or reward or even a thank you for linking to the article above. None of my relatives works for ABC, and I thought ABC was just the first three letters of the alphabet. Oh yeah, it's the first three notes, in that song, too! I don't even know who wrote that either and I have no relationship with them, get no royalties, and I am telling my kids to stop singing it!

Whew, that was close.

Halloween is on its way! Hollywood East was hired to make a new music video for a Boston band called the Longwalls. Their video will be published to the Internet on 10/31 to support the song Zombies, after it is shown as a fundraiser. In the video below from The Series on Hollywood East's web site, one of the Hollywood East staffers calls for your videos! "Zombies are the new vampires!"

The Second Annual Spooktacular is happening this Saturday from 2pm to 5 pm rain or shine! Parents or guardians are asked to accompany their kids as they peer into the Main Street shops and businesses in search of jack-o-lanterns and ghosts. All participating ghouls, goblins, princesses, and pirates will meet at the Mullen Hall bus loop and/or in the Mullen Hall cafeteria to kick thins off.

Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Falmouth Service Center. AND don't forget to bring in your boxtops! There will be "Graham Cracker Haunted House Construction" opportunities and a costume sale!

Some shops and businesses on Main Street will be "hiding" a small pumpkin in their window. Some special shops will have a ghost hiding, too. The goal, besides getting kids to have fun in Falmouth, is to bring families to Main Street so they can stay aware of what shops and services are available in the fabulous Village of Falmouth!

I bet you can guess where one pumpkin will be in a window!

Questions can be emailed to MullenHallPTO@falmouth.k12.ma.us or you can call Lyn Cenzalli 508-846-6297.

On November 18 of this year, the Baybridge Clubhouse is holding a Pasta Diner as a fundraiser. It will be held at the Federated Church on Main Street in Hyannis. The address of the Federated Church is 320 Main Street. The cost of the dinner is $8 per person or $15 for two people.

There are two serving times. The lunch time service runs from 11 AM to 1 PM, and they will even deliver if you'd like. The dinner service will be from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, dine in only.

I have dined at a past Baybridge Clubhouse Pasta Dinner, and I was pleased with the food and the service. Baybridge Clubhouse is operated by the May Institute, and is primarily funded by the MA Department Of Mental Health. The Baybridge Clubhouse holds other fundraisers in Hyannis, like the Chocolate Soiree later in the year. The Chocolate Soiree is another delicious time to encourage the members of the clubhouse, while pleasing your palate.

If you need more information about the fundraisers, you can call 508-778-4234.

I thought I'd post these thoughts before one of the five women in my family, or one of the hundreds of agents/brokers in town here point me to a site with them:

With her in the car on the way to anywhere, look deeply into her eyes and say, "Let me pull over and ask for directions."

After dinner, when the candles are still burning, say, "I'll clear the table and do the dishes, honey. You go watch ANTM."

Greet her with a cup of coffee in the morning and let her know you have already taken out the garbage, vaccuumed the first floor, and washed and folded a few loads of laundry.

On Sunday at noon say, "Let's go shopping. We should be able to get a good place to park once the football games start."

Ok, that's enough. Now back to your regularly scheduled man thoughts.