Updated photos replace previously posted flier notification of the September, 2011 Homeless Vet Stand Down.
I was privileged to attend this event as a volunteer. I really did not do much but served as a runner for other volunteers needing things. In between times, I got a few photos of the scene and willing participants.
It was my honor to be in place to chat with some of these vets, and with some of those who serve the veterans as well.
It can amusing to be myself sometimes. Because I hang out with my camera getting some video, photos--and chat with anyone in my range; some people assume I am someone of influence. (Ha-Ha).
One particularly interesting conversation I had was with an enthusiastic client who was very pleased with services at the Gulf Coast VA. He insisted that I know and spread the word. The particulars of the conversation eluded me by the time I was able to write anything down--so, please, if you are a Social Worker or anyone who serves the Veterans from the Biloxi location--you ARE appreciated!
I have discovered homeless sleeping at the piers in several of my recent early morning walks. I actually spoke with one of the "Pier Residents" who is a
lso a veteran.
South Mississippi is blessed to have Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Naval Construction Battalion Center/20th Seabee Readiness Group, and the Air National Guard in Gulfport. Camp Shelby, near Hattiesburg, MS is approx 65 miles or an hour and 15 minutes from the MGC (Mississippi Gulf Coast)
Mike Fearn gave me a call yesterday to inform me of the FHA 203 (K) seminar. If you have an interest in this type of loan, you may attend (You do not have to be a REALTOR, or a Real Estate Agent to attend). If you plan to attend without a personal invitation from Mike Fearn or Bo Smith, please give either a courtesy call/courtesy RSVP.
Mike Fearn said, "This is a Power Packed Seminar. Not your typical continuing ed. You may bring clients with you that may benefit from the FHA 203 (K) loan."
Date: Thursday, May 12
Time: 9AM-12PM
Location: Pass Christian Library
111 Hiern Avenue
Pass Christian, Mississippi 39571
Contact Mike Fearn for details 228-388-0916 or mchl_fearn@yahoo.com
Transitions can be intimidating even for those experienced in dealing with change. A bridge helps.
I was apprehensive about crossing this bridge. Then, rationalized that people live back there and cross it daily, if not several times a day. Then, I relaxed and realized what a beautiful setting I was in. I drove across and made it fine.
Great living parables don't come along every day. This was the message I received-)
Living in today's society we are taught to plan. Sometimes things just work out better if we make decisions when the need is presented to us rather than fretting and worrying about things ahead of time. We don't want to miss the joys and opportunities of "Now".
A bridge is symbolic of "help". For example, the other day I had a blow out on Highway 90 going to an appointment. Just as I placed my spare on the pavement and took the jack out, a couple of nice men in their 30's pulled over and asked if they could change it. I was rolling again in about 7 minutes. I made my appointment on time. Their help was my bridge. The same for the young man that took his time to go for tow rope and pull me out of a ditch which I had landed in by attempting to pull over and let him pass me on a barely 1 car lane. (The ditch was covered with growth so that I thought it was solid ground...sounds like another Parable:-)
Looking at the local paper; there does not seem to be many jobs available. However, in frequent drive throughs in the Bay St. Louis/Waveland area I have noted that several convenience stores have posted help wanted notices on their doors. At times, Craigslist posts valid jobs. A valid job on Craigslist should include a contact number and/or an address. There are many scams, so watch out.
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Public comments are encouraged through January 7th. The point of contact for Coast Transit Authority is Jay Curtis. His phone number is (228) 896-8080, ext 234; email him at: jcurtis@coast transit.com. Click here for the proposed changes (improvements) in detail.
The beautiful newly constructed multi-purpose "comfort stations" were designed to accommodate all beach visitors as well as
being a pick-up point for Coast Transit. Long Beach was fortunate to be a recipient of these new beach accomodations which are also handicap accessible. Funding was a joint venture between Harrison County Sand Beach and the CTA.
It is easily understood that the CTA needs more riders to break even; it is understood that some of their funding has been cut. I can't seem to get rid of the feeling that if they would give us one more year... the Long Beach stop could be profitable. Hopefully we will have recovered by the damages the oil spill contributed to tourism in 2010. We have made great strides in re-building. Four new restaurants will be opening on HWY 90 or near it--within the first 4 to 6 months of 2011.
It seems there is a tentative, alternative plan for the smaller Western towns of the MGC. The hypothetical plan will require that Long Beach and Pass Christian contribute approximately $20,000 each per year. Will they do it? The current ridership, as CTA points out--is not profitable. Why would these small towns make a subsidy of this amount--especially if the entire Gulf Coast could benefit by connecting with Bay St. Louis-Pass Christian--and Long Beach?
Will ridership improve in the coming year? We won't be able to tell if we don't have the service.
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Please email me, I will call you back.I take great joy in Welcoming you to the MS Gulf Coast. I work as an Independent Contractor and can assist in many areas aside from licensed real estate sales.
Have fun in the rain! Active Rain is a Gift to all of us--a gift of discovery, enlightenment, relationships, and synergy.
Please understand that the opinions expressed in this Blog are my own. My first post was 9-17-2006. Over a period of time, I change--just as most people do.
Now the About me--I would as soon have it about you. But, the purpose in profiles and many about me sections we post is to convince you that we are worthy of your trust and your business. I don't know how words can do that. So, if you see anything worthwhile in my postings, communicate with me--that is the only way we will be able to determine if we are suitable for working together in any capacity.
My Pre-Real Estate education includes earning a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology, a minor in English, and core electives in Management, Marketing, Economics, Advertising, Feature Writing (Pre-Blog era). The focus in Psychology and Sociology seems to fit with real estate. Don't you agree that real estate transactions are as much about the people behind the legal description as they are about the property?
Pre-real estate included a wide variety of work experiences. I often prayed that my eyes would be opened to the best way to turn these work experiences into a focused career asset.
I grew up with a Restaurant Entrepreneur for a Mother. It was a great way to learn business and customer service/client retention --as well as employee relation basics. Ethics and "THE golden rule" were taught at an early age. My mother who was and is a hard worker; devoted Christian, and astute business woman; never wavered as she raised 5 children under roof at one time . Her favorite quote was Zig Ziglar's "always have a winning attitude-- times don't last; but tough people do."
My attitude towards customers and clients that I serve comes partially from observing her and her success in residential and commercial purchases. ...
Sometimes, clients know what they are talking about. My objective is to communicate at a real level, clarify your objectives, understand your goals--then decide together if we are compatible.
Believe it or not, at some time in each transaction I am glad that I have had the varied work exposure that I have had. It all works together!
In closing, here are some of my favorite quotes:
"Fall down 7 times, Rise the 8th time...(to infinity)" attributed to the Bible, Proverbs, Helen Keller, and Chinese wisdom.
"Do, or do not. There is no try." Yoda
"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it."-Anonymous
"You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want." -Zig Ziglar
I believe I am an instrument. I believe faith is important, but we should use the wisdom, knowledge and skills that have been attributed to us. Beyond that, we have providence.
Let the Son shine in!
Before contacting me, or any other real estate agent/broker in Mississippi and sharing your goals, please read the form below. Then, we will discuss the content. Quiz to follow.:-)
Working With a Real Estate Broker in Mississippi
You may not need the property condition disclosure; but, just in case you do it helps if you are already familiar with the form.
Remember to "Make it Fair"! Click here.
This is a testimonial for our realtor Suzi Gravenstuk
By Joyce Rose Romm, formerly of Pass Christian, Mississippi
During 2006 our home in Pass Christian, which was internally demolished by Hurricane Katrina, was sold after it was gutted and demolded. Ms. Gravenstuk went to the property prior to the gutting and demolding and saved some of our pictures, clothing and sentimental gifts we had in the debris.
She was one of the most thoughtful and kind individuals we had met while living in Mississippi. Suzi spent endless hours trying to make our home competitive on the market. She would come to our apartment on the weekends to expedite the selling of our home. Her concerns about getting the house gutted and demolded in order to ask a higher price were correct in the end.
Ms. Gravenstuk had tried to find people to gut and demold our home, which went above and beyond her role as a realtor, but this was nothing new. Suzi became our friend while we lived through a difficult transition after losing our home. She was there for us through the good and bad times while we tried to relocate from the Gulf Coast. I knew that if there was any question I had regarding real estate or our home that Suzi was the best person to talk to. If she didn't have the answer to a question she would find someone who did.
I have faith in Suzi's abilities in being a broker on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. She is a kind, concerned and interested person; you are not just another person buying or selling a home to her. She cares about you, goes out of her way to let you know she is a good human being above her role as your realtor. She may have finished with us as her clients, but we continue to be in touch and are friends now. Suzi Gravenstuk is a special person with a big heart and soul. She is a treasure.
Henry and Jane from Long Beach, MS
My wife Jane and I lost our home in Hurricane Katrina. Suzi helped both the SELLER and BUYER when we got our new house...and I think both parties were happy with the outcome. As anyone knows around here..it's really tough to find a house that's nice AND affordable..and Suzi really, really worked very hard and this paid off for everyone. On the coast there has never been such a historically challenging situation in the aftermath of the worst disaster in U.S. history...but that hasn't stopped Suzi.
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