Yvette Lopez-Robinson

A lot of us live & conduct 90% of our business in our cars. This past week, Oprah aired a show on the dangers of texting behind the wheel. She's urging everyone to give up texting while driving. The show had families who had members that were killed in accidents due to distracted drivers who were either texting or talking on the phone.

In a later episode, celebrity Holly Robinson-Peete admitted she would consistently text or talk on the phone while driving. She and her daughter created a bumper sticker that stated

"Honk if you love Jesus -- TEXT if you want to meet him"

I watched the episode & found it so powerful & it really made an impact on me. I hope it does the same for you.

Click on link to watch the episode.

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Watch-the-Full-Hour-Americas-New-Deadly-Obsession-Video

Most of us don't give up or stop doing something until it directly affects us. Stop before it's too late.

I invite you to take the pledge with me to take a stance against texting while driving.

Economic bailout:

In an attempt to combat financial catastrophe, the Bush administration on Friday laid out a radical bailout plan with a jaw-dropping price tag of a takeover of 700 billion dollars or more in worthless mortgages and other bad debt held by tottering institutions. Several factors have contributed to our nation reaching this depression like low but I would like to discuss the actions and responsibilities of people in the mortgage and real-estate industry.

I feel that across the nation homeowners, loan officers and realtors have contributed to us reaching this catastrophic debt. Home builders and developers have built new homes in almost every possible corner of the USA.

Some efforts have been taken to closer regulate the loan industry but what else is needed? What should happen to Realtors who knowingly assist perspective home buyers to purchase a home they know they can't afford? What should happen to the loan brokerage that loaned the home buyer the money to buy the home that they could not currently afford or would not afford once the rate change?

We can't expect the government to bailout every industry that runs itself into the ground when that industry has made significant profit from those illegal and immoral transactions. These same industries will now go back and purchase some of the properties that the government now have rights to at a discounted rate and profit again.

I look forward to hearing your take on this issue.

Top 10 reasons to love El Paso, TX.....

1) COST OF LIVING
El Paso's low cost of living compares very favorably with other major cities. On average, El Pasoans pay 94% of the national average for all items.
El Paso's cost of living is low compared to other U.S. cities.

These statistics were provided by the Industrial Development Council of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce.

2) CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Over the past 400 years the many cultures have enriched El Paso. Native Indians, Spanish conquistadors, Central and South Americans, Europeans and Asians have all contributed in enriching El Paso's cultural life.

3) NO STATE INCOME TAX
El Pasoans aren't hit with a state, city or county income tax.

4) WEATHER
Plenty of hot enjoyable weather. That's why we're know as "The Sun City." El Paso's average summer high is 95 degrees with fairly low humidity. The average winter high temperature is 50.6 - 60 degrees. Annual rainfall is only 8.65 inches. You can enjoy 202 days per year of clear skies. Current weather

5) One of the 10 Cities Most Safe From Natural Disasters according to an article recently published in US News-Money & Business http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-home-front/2008/9/25/the-10-cities-most-safe-from-natural-disasters.html
Here's a list of the 10 cities.

1. Mesa, AZ
2. Milwaukee, WI
3. Cleveland, OH
4. Phoenix, AZ
5. Tucson, AZ
6. El Paso, TX
7. Colorado Springs, CO
8. Philadelphia, PA
9. Minneapolis, MN
10. Detroit, MI

6) THE MAJESTIC MOUNTAINS-

7) THE FOOD - El Paso specializes in Mexican dishes which you can enjoy throughout the city.

Chicos Tacos is a locally owned business that was founded in 1953. Chicos Tacos is known for its "rolled tacos" drenched in a yummy spicy tomato like sauce. Those that leave El Paso and come back to visit make it a point to grab Chicos Tacos before they leave El Paso. Get a single order of (3 rolled tacos) or get a double order of 6 with EXTRA CHEESE!

8) The MILITARY - We have such a large military family. https://www.bliss.army.mil

9) University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) - GO MINERS!!! http://www.utep.edu

10) EASY COMMUTING - Alternative roads pave the way for a much easier & relaxing commute around the city. Sure we have some traffic but nothing compared to other big cities I've been to.

The city of El Paso is the 5^th LARGEST city in Texas and the 23^rd LARGEST CITY in the United States. The city of Juarez is the 5th LARGEST city in Mexico. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_of_Texas_cities_in_2000
(RANKING ACCORDING TO THE YEAR 2000 U.S. CENSUS AND XII CENSO 2000)

Some Realtors from our local RE/MAX offices are trying to plan a drive or fundraiser to assist some of our area organizations like the Children Crisis Center, for example. A few of us sat down with several organizations, toured their facilities and discussed their necessities. We wanted to stay away from the typical can and toy drive. After much discussion, we determined that they need the things we didn't really consider like socks, underwear, toiletries, bedding and of course monetary donations etc.

What I would like to ask is for recommendations/suggestions on how to get the word out for public involvement and make this a success. Perhaps you know of a company that we can buy bulk items from? If anyone has participated in such an event your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

9/11 is approaching and many memories of how in a split second our country was turned upside down. Many lives will forever be tarnished. We have men & women serving our great country. We need to lift them up in prayer because not only are soldiers dying due to the war but many are having coping troubles and end up taking their own lives. My husband is currently serving in Iraq and last week the families in our unit received a phone call that one of the soldiers had taken his life. He was only 22yrs old & had a short time there in Iraq. As sad as it is, it's a reality & we can rally together and pray for those individuals that feel despair.

Then as discouraging as things are for military families, some soldiers are reunited with their loved ones only to have to return back to war less than 1yr later. Please keep them in your prayers DAILY and not just on those special days of remembrance. We need to have as many men & women return safely!