Kenneth Bargers

A long-time married couple made a deal that whoever died first would come back and inform the other of the afterlife. Their biggest fear was that there was no afterlife at all.

After a long life together, the husband was the first to die.

True to his word, he made the first contact, "Marion ... Marion."

"Is that you, Bob?"

"Yes, I've come back like we agreed."

"That's wonderful! What's it like?"

"Well, I get up in the morning, I have sex. I have breakfast and then it's off to the golf course ... I have sex again, bathe in the warm sun and then have sex a couple of more times.

Then I have lunch (you'd be proud - lots of greens) another romp around the golf course, then pretty much have sex the rest of the afternoon.

After supper, it's back to golf course again. Then it's more sex until late at night. I catch some much needed sleep, and then the next day it starts all over again"

"Oh, Bob, you must be in Heaven!"

"Not exactly .... I'm a rabbit on a golf course in Arizona."

Tennessee: The Volunteer State We are known as the Volunteer State. This well-deserved reputation is historical in nature and takes on numerous meanings when you think of Tennessee's volunteerism. This reputation is evident here in Middle Tennessee as we are blessed with an abundance of goodwill from individuals and organizations alike that contribute their time and resources throughout the year.

Season of Giving This time of year, as we pause to give thanks during Thanksgiving, celebrate the gift of life during Christmas, and reflect on memories of 2009 and the possibilities of the upcoming year, we naturally think of others and their needs and what we can do to help during the Season of Giving. Our community's volunteer organizations work hard to fill the food banks, gather clothing for the needy, promote coat drives, and collect care packages for our men and women that volunteer there lives in the protection of all of us back home in the United States.

Each year, I am proud to feature one of these worthy charitable organizations during the Season of Giving. This year, I wish to introduce you to and feature the 100 Club of Nashville.

Feature: 100 Club of Nashville I was introduced to the fine work of this twenty-five year old charity a few years ago while working on a community affairs project here in Nashville. Since that time I have been equally impressed by the volunteerism of this police and fire benevolence fund. Under the guidance and leadership of Reed Trickett, the numerous volunteers and vendors are dedicated to protecting and helping those that protect all of us each and every day.

The 100 Club of Nashville accomplishes its task with members who donate $100 per year in dues. The 100 Club of Nashville has NO paid staff, NO paid or professional fundraisers, solicits its members entirely through volunteers, and limits its administrative costs to a small amount of printing and postage.

The Charity in Action: Police Officer Danita Marsh Most recently the 100 Club of Nashville was called to service by assisting officer Danita Marsh who was shot multiple times and left paralyzed October 27, 2006 while assisting a victim of domestic violence.

Last year, the 100 Club of Nashville presented Marsh with the deed to her specially built residence during a Home Dedication Celebration at the North Precinct. Chief Ronal Serpas and 100 Club President Reed Trickett also awarded certificates and Metropolitan Police Department Chief's Coins to representatives from a number of area businesses for donations of manpower and supplies to the home construction process. To learn more about Officer Marsh's story, please visit the following news release, CLICK LINK.

Become a Member of the 100 Club of Nashville During the Season of Giving, I invite you to learn more about the 100 Club of Nashville at its website and consider becoming a member of this worthy charitable organization. WEBSITE LINK: www.100clubnashville.org

Greater Nashville Area: Be Part of the Showcase of Homes 2010

Are you interested in building your dream home? I am passing along this information in reference to this builder's opportunity. Brian Walsh, Walsh Custom Builders, is a member of a high-end builders organization named Custom Builders USA of Middle Tennessee. This builders group will be hosting a Parade of Homes in October 2010 featuring custom designs of 1M>. Each builder's home will be on display in the Parade of Homes. If you are willing to have your home shown in the Parade of Homes, then the builder will be offering you substantial discounts. This will be a great opportunity for someone to take advantage of this rare promotion and save thousands of dollars through builder and vendor discounts. For example a vendor has already committed to donate and install toilets in the home. This is an approximate $750 per unit for the higher end product.

If you are not familiar with Brian, his product is exceptional and has a tremendous reputation here in Middle Tennessee. I am attaching his description below. If you are interested or know someone considering new construction, please contact Brian or myself for further information.

Limited Time Promotion

Save Thousands of Dollars! Let me introduce myself for those who do not know me. I'm Brian Walsh of Walsh Custom Homes located here in Franklin. I have been in the building business for 32 years and have proudly completed 268 homes to date.

I have great news that may interest you and your clients. I wanted to inform you of a once in a lifetime opportunity to possibly save $150,000 to $200,000 on a custom built home in Williamson county. I am involved with a group of high end builders here in Middle Tennessee. The group is called CBUSA of Middle Tennessee. We are planning a Showcase of Homes for October 2010, and have gotten local and national vendors to greatly discount items such as appliances, windows, lumber etc. These discounts, along with my own builder discounts could translate into $200,000 off a $1,000,000 custom built home. Any lot and development will be considered. This is a huge opportunity and I'd like to speak with you further when you get the chance.

We also plan to donate the admission proceeds to the customer's charities. Please don't hesitate to contact Kenneth Bargers at (615) 512-9836, kb@bargers-solutions.com; or me at (615) 957-7999, or visit my website at www.walshcustomhomesllc.com.

Major increase in closings is first since October 2006

There were 2,145 home closings reported for the month of October, according to figures provided by the Greater Nashville Association of REALTORS®. This figure is up 22.7 percent from the 1,748 closings reported for the same period last year. This is the first time since October of 2006 that Greater Nashville home sales have recorded and increase in home sales on a year-to-year comparison for the month.

Year-to-date closings through October are 17,598, and 18.4 percent decrease from the 21,581 closings reported through October 2008.

"It is truly welcome news that home sales in Greater Nashville increased so dramatically in October," said GNAR President Mike Nichols. "And while one month does not make a trend, having a significant number of sales pending for the next month is also encouraging."

"This is undeniable evidence that the $8,000 tax credit has been meaningful in stimulating home sales. There is no question that many of these sales were initiated due to the tax credit and it is certainly our hope that, with the expansion and extension of this tax credit through next spring, we will continue to see positive sales in the area."

"This is really positive news for the area economy beyond those directly involved in the home sales transactions. Many new homeowners purchase appliances, furniture, floor covering, landscaping, lighting and other household items that help make their new house become their new home."

There were 2,106 sales pending at the end of the month, compared with 1,504 pending sales at this time last year. The average number of days on the market for a single-family home was 85 days.

The median residential price for a single-family home during October was $160,000, and for a condominium it was $144,000. This compares with last year's median residential and condominium prices of $170,000 and $152,500, respectively.

Inventory at the end of October was 23,398, compared to 24,043 in October 2008.

"Inventory is down overall and actually down significantly in the single-family homes category," said Nichols. "Based on October's numbers, we are at about an eight-month supply in that category, which is much more in balance than what has been the case for some time. There are still plenty of options in all categories, but the supply is in a more healthy range than it was earlier in the year."

Source: Greater Nashville Association of REALTORS®