As most people know, RE/MAX is a proud sponsor of Children's Miracle Network. Agents contribute a portion of their commission of each transaction to Children's Miracle Network. I've always felt it was a really great cause and have been proud to help support it. Until tonight, I had never truly realized the impact it has had on the lives of the families supported by our donations.

While walking in the parade, as our float passed a large group of people, I noticed a woman out of the corner of my eye stand up and start clapping. As I looked over at her, I noticed her eyes were wet and she was shouting, "I love you guys...Children's Miracle Network...I love you!" I smiled and shouted back, "Thank you, we're so happy to be a part of it."

She quickly turned around and pointed to a young boy in a wheelchair next to her and said, "You're paying for my son." Her voice broke as she said it. My heart stopped...and so did my feet. I walked over to her and her son. She grabbed my hand in both of hers and said, "I can't thank you enough." I asked if I could take a photo of them and she agreed.

As I walked away, I felt tears coming to my own eyes. I have no idea what their names are, or what her son's condition is. Coming face to face with someone and knowing that I helped make a difference in their life was one of the most profound moments I have ever experienced...as an agent and as a person. What a great feeling!

I've decided to double my contribution in 2010.

The Ozark Christmas Parade was tonight, and the gang from RE/MAX Solutions was there! We took 3rd Place for our float. Although it's hard to see in these photos, we actually got a little overzealous with the lights on the float, so we named it after The Griswalds.

The ShowMeRepos Bus made an appearance along with the RE/MAX Solutions float.

Also starring: Gandolf and Elvis

My son, Logan Arterberry, and his friend, Ms. Ellie Chase, were superb at throwing candy.

Kay Van Kampen (aka Mamma Bear) and Lyle Van Kampen (aka Boo) were on hand to keep everyone in line. She told me not to post her photo. I didn't mind her as a child...so why start now?

One of my personal favorites was the DeLorean. Wow.

Pizza Pizza from Little Ceasar's, and the Ozark High School Homecoming Attendants.

One of my favorite floats was the singing puppets.

And no Christmas Parade is complete without crying babies (hmmm, Mom's tongue is blue. Did she eat his candy?) and, of course, Santa Claus.

After the parade, everyone headed to the park to see the Festival of Lights and the hot air balloons. I caught one in flight as I was leaving for the parade.

It was very difficult to capture a photo of the balloons lit up. There were 8 hot air balloons in all.

They were absolutely beautiful in person!

TJ's Snow Removal Service

Specializing in commercial snow removal and salting in Springfield, Republic, Nixa, Ozark and Branson, MO.

Current clients include:

Lowe's Home Improvement - Springfield, Ozark, Republic, Branson

Payless Shoe Stores, Springfield

Stonebridge Resorts, Branson

French Quarter Resort, Branson

Fully insured with references available upon request.

Tim Jones, Owner

Cell phone: (417) 343-3048

Have you ever wondered how healthy your bank is? Here in Springfield, MO, we have not yet experienced the massive bank failures that other parts of the country have experienced, but that does not mean we are immune. Having specialized in new construction homes and land development, many of my clients have been victims of the banks frantically attempting to increase their capital, while decreasing their troubled assets, with the results usually being the builder/developer has his loan called, and the bank ends up with troubled assets anyway.

As of the end of October, there have been 123 bank failures in 2009. The number is rapidly increasing. Here is a link to view the banks which have failed this year: FDIC failed bank list.

Many of the troubled banks in the Springfield, MO, area were banks with a substantial amount of construction and/or development loans. With the new construction industry basically at a standstill, it is no surprise the banks are proportionately troubled as evidenced by the chart below I found on Calculated Risk Blog (the author, Bill, was very kind to let me use his charts). To reach his full article, click here.

To put this in perspective, Bill at the Calculated Risk Blog compared the history of the number of bank failures through 2009 since the inception of the FDIC in 1934.

So now, are you wondering how healthy your bank is? I have found a wonderful website to look up your bank based on its quarterly reportings to the FDIC. The Investigative Reporting Workshop has created a website that you can search for your own bank based on the location of its headquarters. It will tell you how healthy your bank is, and what banks received TARP monies. It may surprise you to know, that Great Southern Bank is actually headquartered out of Reeds Spring, MO.

Here are links to some of the banks around Springfield, MO:

How does your bank fare?

Greene County MO Real Estate Market Report for October 2009

Three Year Comparison of Home Sales

Three Month Comparison of Home Sales