Craig W. Barrett - Hughesville MD Real Estate

All Economic News Today Isn't Bad

Amid all the bad news we read about today's economy; stock's plunge, leaving the Dow below 7600, Deflation, Disaster or just a nice discount, NAR forecasts further declines.

I came across some news that is good. Finally.

The US Census Bureau is hiring

The US Census Bureau is recruiting temporary part-time census takers for the 2010 Census and according to the Census Bureau:

"The pay is good, the hours are flexible, and the work is close to home. Census taker jobs are excellent for retirees, college students, persons who want to work part-time, persons who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community."

Every 10 years the Census Bureau conducts a census of our population. It is important work as the results determine representation in government and "as well as how federal funds are spent in your community on things like roads, parks, housing, schools, and public safety. As a census taker, you'll play a vital role in making sure that everyone is included."

What Are The Duties of The Census Taker

Census takers perform two main kinds of work; updating address lists (address canvassing to take place Spring of 2009) and conducting interviews (interviewing operations to take place in the spring and summer of 2010).

Interested in applying?

Most hiring will take place February through May, 2009 and will hire 140,000 nationally (address canvassing). The Census Bureau will hire another 1.4 million people in 2010 (interviewing operations) to follow-up with people who fail to mail back the form.

Go to How to Apply at the Census Bureau's website or you can also call the Census Bureau's national jobs line at 866-861-2010.

Tri-County Youth Services Bureau

If you have ever tried to find a counselor for your child, then you know first hand the frustration of calling counseling centers to inquire if they are accepting new patients and if they take your insurance and if they have appointment times that suit your schedule. Getting the help your child needs should not be such a challenge. Tri-County Youth Services Bureau is a community-based nonprofit founded in 1971 to provide viable solutions for all of these problems.

How They Got Started

In 1971, a small group of counselors were concerned about the lack of available counseling services for children, youth, and families in Southern Maryland and began traveling to different locations in the area offering low-cost counseling services to youth and their families. In that first year, the counselors made 100 client contacts.

What They Do Today

Today, Tri-County Youth Services Bureau makes more than 8,000 client contacts. They offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of children, youth, and families in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. Their primary goals is to provide high quality, low cost counseling and youth development services and to prevent delinquency, suicide, violence, drugs and alcohol abuse.

How Much Does it Cost

Counseling services are offered to children ages three to 18 and their families for a flat fee of $10.00 per session. At this time, they do not accept health insurance, so your counseling sessions will never cost more than $10.00. Youth who are mandated by the court to receive counseling are served free of charge.

Clinical group programs are also available to youth and address such issues as: anger management, emotional management, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and awareness, depression, suicide, personal responsibility, healthy relationships, goal setting, and decision making. Clinical groups include Reconnecting Youth and Anger Management. Clinical groups run for approximately eight weeks and there is a one-time fee of $25.

Tri-County Youth Services Bureau also has school-based counselors in every elementary and middle school in Charles County. Students are referred to the counseling program by the school principal or the guidance counselor or at the request of parents. School-based counseling is offered free of charge.

At-Risk Youths

Tri-County Youth Services Bureau’s youth development program serves at-risk youth through crisis intervention, individual, family, and group education, family assessment, case management, community outreach and intervention, substance abuse assessment and referral.

The youth development program offers several skill-building groups for youth, including Best Foot Forward (girls only), Step On Up (boys only), and the Youth Leadership Development Program. These groups run for approximately eight weeks and are offered free of charge. Youth on the Move is a youth-led group for young people who want to serve their community. This group meets approximately once per month throughout the year.

Community-Based Services

For people who need community-based services but are unsure how or where to get services, Tri-County Youth Services Bureau’s Family Connection Center of Charles County and the Family ACCESS Center in St. Mary’s County link children, youth, and families with community-based services all in one location. The Family Connection Center and the Family ACCESS Center identifies strengths and needs and then matches youth and families to appropriate community-based services. The services of the Family Connection Center and the Family ACCESS Center are offered free of charge.

Offices Locations, Times and Phone Numbers

Tri-County Youth Services Bureau offers counseling and youth development services in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s County. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Saturday hours in Charles County only).

Charles County office is located at 75 Industrial Park Drive in Waldorf and can be reached at 301-843-2960.

Family Connection Center of Charles County is located within the Human Services Partnership building at 6 Garrett Avenue in La Plata and can be reached at 301-885-1333.

St. Mary’s County office and the Family ACCESS Center is located within the Jarboe Head Start and Family Education Center at 21161 Lexwood Drive in Lexington Park and can be reached at 301-863-2247.

Calvert County office is located within the Department of Juvenile Services at 200 Duke Street, Suite 2800, in Prince Frederick and can be reached at 443-550-6276.

Tri-County Youth Services can also be reached by email at info@tcysb.org

Because of the of the crowds, the number of people were limited at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the wreath laying ceremony. We tried to get to the rail so my kids could see, but the line was just too deep. We moved over to the amphitheater and found a seat. We were greeted by volunteers handing out programs and small flags to commemorate the day.

The Mistress of Ceremonies was Bo Derek. She introduced the speakers, including Vice President Cheney. The Navy Band played several music selections including God Bless America. The program included the procession of the colors and a prayer for the Veterans.

The audience included members of Congress, members of the Senate, Cabinet members, Former and Active Military, moms, dads, wives, husbands, and children. The event was free to the public and all were welcome.

The ceremony inside the amphitheater lasted about an hour. At the conclusion, we walked over to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to witness the laying of several Veterans Group's wreaths.

The grounds at Arlington National Cemetery are vast and includes the internment of President John F. Kennedy, his wife Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis, and his brother Robert Kennedy.

Arlington National Cemetery Facts

Arlington Mansion and 200 acres of ground immediately surrounding it were designated officially as a military cemetery June 15, 1864, by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton.

More than 300,000 people are buried at Arlington Cemetery.

Veterans from all the nation's wars are buried in the cemetery, from the American Revolution through the Iraq and Afghanistan. Pre-Civil War dead were reinterred after 1900.

How Did Veterans Day Come About?

November 11, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day - the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislature that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.' As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became Veterans Day, a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

The Costco in Brandywine, MD has opened! When I drove past this afternoon, the parking lot looked close to full with more cars making the turn into what is now known as Brandywine Crossing. The Shopping center is also anchored with Target which has been open for several weeks.

But, the excitement today was Costco. Why? Because, until now, the closest Costco was in Springfield, VA, which can be an hour or more away from Southern Maryland, depending on traffic. And gas is $1.98 per gallon for members!

According to the listing Brokers site, the retail center, when complete, will boast 368,000 sq ft of anchor space, 55,000 sq ft of specialty shop retail, and a 16 screen movie theatre. Completion is expected between Fall of 2009 and Spring of 2010.

Address:

7601 Matapeake Business Dr
Brandywine, Maryland 20613

Regular Hours:

M-F 10:00am - 8:30pm
Sat. 9:30am - 6:00pm
Sun. 10:00am - 6:00pm

Warehouse Telephone Number:

(301) 372-3200

Warehouse Features:

1 Hour Photo/Digital Prints
Auto Buying Program
Bakery
Executive Membership
Food Court
Fresh Deli
Fresh Meat
Fresh Produce
Gas Station
Hearing Aids
Independent Optometrist
Membership
Optical Department
Pharmacy (301) 372-3209
Rotisserie Chicken
Tire Service Center

UPDATE - Gas is much cheaper since I wrote this post. Last time I got gas there it was $1.79 per gallon.

Plan to attend the 32nd Annual Christmas Bazarre, Auction and Auction Preview

Come early as it is a popular event and is attended well. Plan to also take advantage of the Auction Preview Thursday, December 4, 2008 from 7pm - 10pm. Thursday's event is adult only, please. Wine and Hor d'oeuvres will be served, so make an evening out of it.

We hope to see you. This is a GREAT EVENT!!!

Where?

St. Mary's Bryantown Catholic School

13735 Notre Dame Place

Bryantown, MD 20617

301-932-6883 or 301-843-3387

Click here for a map

When?

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

Time?

9am - 5pm

Auction starts at 11:30am

Auction Preview Dates and Times:

Thursday, December 4, 2008 7-10om

Silent Auction and auction catalog available for review. Wine and Hors d'oeuvres will be served (adults only please). Featuring live music by friends and family.

Auction Items:

Golf and Wine packages, antiques, furniture, trips, museum, theatre and restaurant certificates, and much, much, more!

Visa and Mastercard accepted, 10% buyers premium

Auctioneer:

Rodney Thompson

Homestead Auction Company

Bazarre Items:

Wreaths, boutique corner, bake table, hot food, children's games, $1,000 raffle and Santa's Workshop!

Visa and Mastercard accepted.

Proceeds Benefit:

St. Mary's Bryantown Catholic School and Parish