Kenneth Bargers

THE LOVE DRESS

A woman stopped by, unannounced, at her son's house.

She knocked on the door then immediately walked in. She was shocked to see her daughter-in-law lying on the couch, totally naked.

Soft music was playing, and the aroma of perfume filled the room.

'What are you doing?' she asked.

'I'm waiting for Justin to come home from work,' the daughter-in-law answered.

'But you're naked!' the mother-in-law exclaimed.

'This is my love dress,' the daughter-in-law explained.

'Love dress? But you're naked!'

'Justin loves me to wear this dress,' she explained.

'Every time he sees me in this dress, he instantly becomes romantic and ravages me for hours.'

The mother-in-law left. When she got home she undressed, showered, put on her best perfume, dimmed the lights, put on a romantic C D, and lay on the couch waiting for her husband to arrive.

Finally, her husband came home.. He walked in and saw her lying there so provocatively.

'What are you doing?' he asked.

'This is my love dress,' she whispered, sensually.

'Needs ironing,' he said, 'What's for dinner?'

Source: Unknown

JUNE HOME SALES SHOW SOME SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT

There were 2,091 homes sold in the month of June, according to figures provided by the Greater Nashville Association of REALTORS®. That figure is down 19.2 percent compared to the 2,591 closings reported for June 2008. The number of closings exceeded 2,000 for the first time since September of last year.

Second-quarter numbers are also down, with 5,478 closings reported, a 24.2 percent decrease from the 7,234 closings reported through the second quarter of 2008. Year-to-date closings for the Greater Nashville area are down 28.9 percent with 9,240 compared to the 12,997 closings reported through mid-year 2008.

"There are several encouraging signs in the current home sales data for Greater Nashville and Middle Tennessee," said GNAR President Mike Nichols. "There were more than 2,000 closings in one month for the first time since September of last year. There are more than 2,000 sales pending for the second consecutive month. And, the median price for a single-family home is down only three percent from where it was a year ago. These signs are early indications of what we hope will become positive trends for the coming months. It does seem that more people are again beginning to explore the possibility of home ownership."

In that regard, Nichols says first-time buyers can learn more about their opportunities by attending the upcoming Mayor's Housing Fair, sponsored by Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, which is set for Sunday, July 26th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at The Sommet Center.

The median residential price for a single-family home during June was $177,700, and for a condominium it was $152,870. Last year's median residential and condominium prices for June were $183,615 and $185,500, respectively.

There were 2,141 sales pending at the end of June, compared with 2,684 pending sales at this time last year. The average number of days on the market for a single-family home was 83 days which is the lowest so far in the calendar year for 2009.

Inventory at the end of June was 24,552, down from 24,935 in June 2008.

"Inventory is actually down in every category except farm, land and lots," said Nichols. "That category will likely remain large until homebuilding activity increases. Buyers still have plenty from which to choose. For sellers, the priority remains to make their home is priced, prepared and presented well in order to be attractive to buyers."

Source: GNAR Press Release 070909.

July 4^th is fast approaching and it is time for one of the largest Independence Day celebrations in the United States. Nashville's Department of Tourism and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau has announced the schedule for this Saturday's Riverfront activities.

Let Freedom Sing! If there's one thing Nashville knows how to do, it's throw a party. On Saturday, July 4th head down to Riverfront Park for a day filled with summer fun. Check out the Coca-Cola FREE Family Fun Zone with inflatables and more fun for every member of the family. The NowPlayingNashville.com First Stage will feature music beginning at 2pm with Frankie Ballard, The Grascals, MTA's "Transit," Lee Roy Parnell and more. The Main Stage concert will kick off at 7pm with the Fisk Jubilee Singers and the Nashville Symphony performing the National Anthem, followed by a special patriotic salute by Mayor Karl Dean, Barry Scott, and the Nashville Symphony. Performances by The Gabe Dixon Band and Wynonna will continue through the night for the city that music calls home. Stay for our grand finale including an incredible fireworks display synchronized with a performance by our very own Nashville Symphony.

• 12:00pm The Family Fun Zone, brought to you by Coca-Cola, Opens
• 2:00pm The NowPlayingNashville.com First Stage Entertainment Begins
• 2:00pm MTA's "Transit"
• 3:00pm Frankie Ballard
• 4:00pm The Grascals
• 5:00pm Lee Roy Parnell
• 6:45pm - Main stage entertainment begins featuring Wynonna, The Gabe Dixon Band, Barry Scott, and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
• 9:03pm (approximately) Fireworks Begin with Nashville Symphony
• 9:25pm Fireworks Conclude

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I bring a cooler into the event? No, coolers will not be allowed in the park.
2. Will there be food and drinks available for purchase? Yes, food and beverage vendors will be on location at 12 noon. Music City July 4th is a non-alcoholic event at Riverfront park.
3. Can I bring my umbrella to shade me from the sun? Umbrellas will be permitted as space allows unless it obstructs the view of other patrons.
4. Is there seating available? Lawn seating is available to everyone. Lawn chairs will be permitted as space allows.
5. If I leave, can I come back into the event? Yes, this event is free and open to the public to enjoy.
6. Is smoking allowed at Riverfront Park? Are there smoking sections? Smoking is permitted throughout Riverfront Park.
7. Can I take pictures or video at the festival? Personal cameras are permitted. No audio recorders, video or professional cameras will be permitted.
8. What personal items will I be prohibited from bringing into the festival? Patrons may not enter the venue with alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, coolers, fireworks, pets (except service animals), backpacks, food, beverages, weapons or dangerous devices of any type.
9. Who can I contact if I have any additional questions? Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau @ 800-657-6910 or 615-259-4730 or nashcvb@visitmusiccity.com

Please Note: No alcoholic beverages inside the park. No backpacks. No coolers, no bottles. No tall lawn/camping chairs. Small seat cushions and ground chairs are allowed. No umbrellas

All food and drinks brought must be in a clear, see-through container. To insure safety of all July 4th spectators, personal watercraft will only be allowed on the outside of the bridges (Shelby Street & Woodland Street) after 8:30 p.m. - 30 minutes before the fireworks begin.

Source: Nashville Music City Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.visitmusiccity.com

Do you have good balance of work and personal time? I thought I did until it hit me hard over these past few days that I need to take more time and enjoy life, family and friends.

For approximately five months a few of my relatives have been planning a 60^th birthday party surprise for my cousin to be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The plan was to bring family in from different areas of the country to surprise him as he would take a break from his work in California to come home to Colorado to be with his family. At first it was not an issue to go but these past few months' business has been very good to me so I backed out to keep on top of my buyers and sellers. It was early last week after several conversations I agreed that I could fly out on Thursday but would need to return to be in Nashville by Saturday afternoon. I decided to take my laptop with me and work as I traveled.

Before leaving for the airport Thursday morning CNN reported that Farrah Fawcett passed away. Wow! I will be 50 years old this coming month and I was just like every male of my generation that had her posters on my wall and in my locker. She was a 70's Icon! We all knew that she was giving her all as she battled cancer but just to hear that she passed away was no longer just a passing thought. I thought, oh well, she will be in my prayers tonight.

I had to fly to Atlanta to connect to a flight to Colorado Springs. The flight was quick, up and down to Atlanta and I had a few hours to wait before boarding so I pulled out my laptop and cell phone and started my activities. Michael Jackson's name caught my ear so I glanced up and CNN was reporting that he had a heart issue and believed to be in a coma. I continued to work and thought maybe it is a publicity stunt or something. As I worked in the busy terminal I could hear different comments about him as people would be telling their jokes - just natural as people have conversations since this seemed to be the lead story.

Breaking News...CNN can now confirm and report that Michael Jackson is dead. I immediately looked up to watch the television and then looked around my gate as well as the nearby gates. Silence! People of all ages did not speak but stared at their area's monitor as the report continued. Damn, Farrah Fawcett and now Michael Jackson! I could only think of sadness as this great talent that we were blessed to see in our lifetime seemed to have struggled with happiness despite all the fame and glory around the world. I thought to myself that he appeared to always seek the childhood that evaded him. Seeking his childhood as an adult caused him great pain and public scrutiny. Another Icon of my generation passes away.

I could not work anymore as my thoughts transitioned from the passing of these two talents to thinking about life. Am I doing the best to balance my career responsibilities and enjoying the gift of life? I thought I was; I play in tennis leagues, have several good friends, love my home and family and make it a point to get out in the community and giveback when I can. Yet here I was dreading taking time away from my work to spend just a few days with relatives, many of which I have not seen in years. Needless to say I had a reality check. Balance! No more laptop for a few days. My visit was one to remember. We had a blast and I cherish the time we shared.

The real estate industry can be (and is) a 24/7 business. It is easy for all of us to fall in the trap of working so hard that we let life pass us by. I am now more conscious of the efforts that I need to make to continue to be successful in business and enjoy life! Wishing each of you all the best!

Happy Fathers Day to my Dad, Giovanni (Jake) Jacob. My Dad is my step-father by name but he is my father from my heart and soul. He raised me and formed a value system in me that as a child and teenager many of us would not appreciate but as an adult and man I cherish greatly.

A lot of the drive, strength and value system I owe directly to him. He also has unconditional love for me and supports me in the decisions I have made in life. Even as recent as last year when I decided to change career paths and return to the real estate industry so I can begin the process of having my own agency, he did not hesitate in his support for me.

Thank you Dad for being the man that you are and creating the man that I am. Happy Fathers Day, love Kenneth!