Frances C. Rokicki, Broker~Mentor,CRS

Governor M. Jodi Rell today traveled to a Connecticut Food Bank warehouse in East Haven to highlight the state's use of federal stimulus money to provide immediate, much-needed assistance to struggling families caught up in the national economic downturn. Governor Rell also stressed the need for people who are still financially able to bear in mind the needs of the less fortunate on a year-round basis.

"For too many Connecticut families, these are hard times," Governor Rell said. "Food pantries all over the state are reporting an increase in requests for assistance. And while many of us understandably think more about hunger around celebrations of plenty such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, the fact is, hunger is a year-round issue, even when the economy is not adding to the problem. In fact, the summer is often a time of peak demand, because school meal programs are not available. The money we have received from the stimulus has been a big help, but the second part of my message today is a request to please continue to keep the needs of our food banks in mind all year 'round. Your help - your kindness - is appreciated so very much."

A listing of food pantries and emergency food assistance locations can be obtained by calling the toll-free state Infoline, 211. For more information, please visit http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=3675&Q=444458 .

If you have minor league teams in your area, this is a good way to spend some quality time with your clients and their families. Offer to let them bring friends, neighbors and family members. Before you know it, you'll have a new circle of clients! What a super price, too! They, also, offer a picnic area!

It's a Good Life!

Fran

Hello, Looking for a quick, inexpensive end of the summer outing for your employees and their families??? With the conclusion of another baseball season fast-approaching, the Rock Cats are offering an exclusive end of season special. The Rock Cats Walk-Off Special offers a great opportunity to bring your group out to a game at a discounted rate only available through this offer.

Now till the end of the season the Rock Cats are offering all groups the opportunity to purchase 100 general admission tickets for only $250! We are also extending the offer for 100 reserved seat tickets for only $400. Choose any date but act quickly as the dates are filling up!

Details about the exciting opportunities that you and your group will receive, as well as a list of some of our popular theme nights and promotions can be found in the attached document.

Contact the Rock Cats at (860) 224-8383 today to secure your spot before it's too late! The last game of the season is Monday September 7th, so get your group out to the ballpark today!

Sincerely,

--
Ricky Ferrell
Assistant General Manager
New Britain Rock Cats Baseball Club
(860)224-8383 ext. 14
www.rockcats.com

* Have you considered a Rock Cats Fundraiser? For more information, call (860) 224-8383 x. 1

In this economy, we are all more careful with our budgets. Family budgets and/or our business budgets. Looking more closely at that end of month expense allowance. Shopping for bargains on our household needs, as well as, our business needs.

Those who know me, understand that I am a shopper. Not a shopaholic, but a very mindful shopper. I know to pick up my medical prescriptions and eyeglass needs at SAM's Club. Even with medical insurance, their prices are far better than anywhere else, including mail in programs. Maintenance or tires for your car? Same place. You do have to be mindful of sales, though. Right now, there is a tire sale at BJ's! I watch BJ's Club, SAM's Club and Sears. They offer terrific tire and battery sales from time to time. SAM's is now offering $100 off of Bridgestone Tires. Just watch the dates of any of these sales! They are time or season sensitive.

By the way, you do not have to be a member of SAM's Club to purchase prescriptions, eye exams or eyeglasses, use their photo developing department, eat at their cafe or to purchase liquor. If you'd like a Free Visitor Pass to View the Club Online, just click here! To shop or visit in the store, you must be a member.

Here comes the budget busters!

My pet food (Certainly cannot skimp on our Puppy Jack) We get that, right at the petstore. Though, there are times when it is offered, on sale. Thank Goodness!

A good, professional haircut. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, a good haircut and those little extras to help us to maintain our good looking status, are worth every penny we pay!

A good, professional landscaper. We have found that the money that you may save by choosing the price, instead of the quality of that company, that you just hired to tear up your yard and make it beautiful, can cost you much more in the end. Here in my area, we only use and recommend, Birch Mountain Earthworks!

They, also, have a team company who installs gunite pools. Isn't this the right time to hire them! Have a wonderful outdoor living space with a pool to enjoy after working all day.

Paint - Yes, the quality of the paint that you purchase will determine if the paint job will fade, look good for 6 months or for years to come. Once in awhile, there are manufacturer's coupons online. If you hire a professional, do ask for several references.

A new Kitchen. Of course, that does stay with the house, even if you move. So, like landscaping, it improves the sale of your home when the time comes. New appliances, cabinets that are functional and attractive, plus the new countertop options are just wonderful. We recommend, Custom Cut Interiors, in Connecticut.

Other budget busters would be; gifts for your loved ones, jewelry, a new car, another pet, new appliances that you didn't think that you needed and of course, a much deserved vacation or an emergency trip to see a loved one who is ill.

Some call this a rainy day fund. Monies put away for the day that may come along when you will need to have cash on hand. If you try to sock away a large amount, it seems to backlash. You are in there taking it back out before you know it. Here's my suggestion, start with a small amount. An amount that you wouldn't even miss. Whether is it $5, $10 or $20. Start small and within your comfort level. Once a week, once a month, etc. Over time, this will build up and before you know it, you'll have a reserve of funds for whatever your needs may be. Brian Buffini has taught us to have it automatically taken out of your account. That way, you will never forget to put it away. Sight unseen, so to speak.

We all have different budget busters! All part of our life. Whether it be that new car, revitalizing and improving your outdoor living space, adding a new kitchen (we recommend Custom Cut Woodworking) or, maybe, a new car. Whatever it may be, try to work on the reserve account, so that, you'll be ready financially and not bust your budget:)

For more businesses that we recommend, visit our Business Referral Online Directory. We have listed those businesses that have been used and recommended by our clients. They are simply, the best of the best!

Best Businesses in Ct!

"This budget battle is about our economy, jobs and our properity for the next 20 years." - Gov. Rell

I remember, years ago, making time to hit the local town halls to pick up a copy of the listing property's field card. In the town of Manchester, Ct, they kept an account for you. That was before the internet became the great tool that it now is. You could call their office, give them the addresses that you needed, and within minutes, they would fax it to you. Of course, if you were not standing at the office fax machine, another agent could snap up that listing away from you, simply by reading the field card or just taking it. Having your name written on the field card, by the town staff who faxed it to you, certainly helped. We loved the service that this town offered, just the same, and used to wish all the towns were that cooperative with Realtors. It saved us time, gas and money.

The field card is a form that the towns use to describe the fundamentals of your property. The lot size, the deed (volume and page numbers), the interior square footage of the home, the type of heat in the home, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and what the owners of the property paid for that home when they bought it, along with the date of their or previous transactions. The assessment and appraisal values are listed there, too. Some cards offer more information than others.

Then, there was a term that the town's use for properties in their database, the day book. It's a printed out report of the latest ownerships and/or liens, that are happening, day to day. Expecially, in the type of market that we are now experiencing, this is still a good place to check, prior to listing a property. You do need to know who owns the property and what liens there may be attached to it. Looking up the deed is good, but, to find out recent activities on the title of that property, go for the day book. By the way, the day book can go back thirty days or more.

Here are a few links to some of the towns in my area of Connecticut. If you Google "Town Assessements", you should be able to find a similar product where you might be looking for a home. The town records still should be checked, to be sure. They are updated more often than these sites would be.

Online Property Cards Local Cards by Town

Accuracy is important in our business, so, do check back with the local town for verification. To see the surrounding properties or neighborhood, go to Google Earth. This is an amazing tool, too!