TONY MARTINEZ

By Christopher S. Rugaber - Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Americans' pessimism about the economy appears to be lifting, with consumer expectations for the next six months hitting their most positive point since the recession began.

The improvement stems partly from the housing market, as a national gauge of home prices on Tuesday posted its first quarterly increase in three years.

The consumer and housing reports, along with President Barack Obama's reappointment of Ben Bernanke as Federal Reserve chief, sent the financial markets modestly higher. But economists warned that consumer confidence remains far below levels associated with a healthy economy and might not lead to the increased spending critical for a broad recovery.

"People's spending decisions depend more on whether they have money in their pocket than on how they feel," said Bill Cheney, chief economist at John Hancock Financial.

Still, Cheney and other economists said Tuesday's report on consumer sentiment was encouraging. The New York-based Conference Board said its Consumer Confidence index rose to 54.1, from an upwardly revised 47.4 in July. That reading reversed two months of decline and easily beat analysts' expectations.

Economists closely monitor confidence because consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity. Consumer sentiment, fueled by signs the economy is stabilizing, has recovered a bit since hitting a record low of 25.3 in February.

A reading of 90 indicates the economy is on solid footing; anything above 100 signals strong growth.

Consumers' expectations for the economy over the next six months rose to 73.5 from 63.4 in July, the highest level since December 2007, when the recession began. The consumer confidence survey was sent to 5,000 households and had a cutoff date for responses of Aug. 18.

More consumers said they were likely to buy a home or a car within the next six months than said so in July's survey. The outlook for jobs also improved, albeit from very low levels.

The housing sector received positive news, too. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller's U.S. National Home Price Index rose 1.4 percent in the second quarter from the January-March period, the first quarterly increase in three years. Home prices, though still down nearly 15 percent from last year, are at levels last seen in early 2003.

The report added to other recent positive news about housing. The National Association of Realtors said last week that sales of existing homes rose 7.2 percent in July, the fourth straight monthly gain.

The Commerce Department is set to report today new-home sales for July. Analysts also expect that figure to rise.

Higher home prices would help consumers, who are saving more and spending less as their wealth plummets during the longest recession since World War II. Falling home prices and dwindling stock portfolios made many people, even those with jobs, feel poorer.

"An upturn in prices has to ease some of the pain and may even get some people to loosen up on their wallets a touch," Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors, wrote in a note to clients. "An improving housing market coupled with better consumer spending could ensure that the recovery takes hold."

On Wall Street, stocks posted gains. The Dow Jones industrial average rose about 30 points, or 0.32 percent, and broader stock averages also gained.

Many analysts expect the economy to grow 2 percent to 3 percent in the current July-September quarter, spurred by a more stable housing market and the Cash for Clunkers program, which has boosted auto sales.

But economists worry that without healthier consumer spending, the recovery may weaken next year. Cash for Clunkers, which provided rebates of up to $4,500 to consumers who traded in old cars for fuel-efficient ones, ended Monday.

Frank Newport, editor-in-chief of the Gallup Poll, said consumer spending dropped last week, according to its daily surveys. "We're not seeing a sustained increase in consumer spending yet," he said. Gallup asks 3,500 people each week about their recent shopping activity.

That could be a problem for retailers. Many economists expect to see another holiday season of sales declines, after last year's Christmas period was the weakest in several decades. Holiday shopping accounts for up to 40 percent of annual sales for many retailers.

www.tmartsellhomes.com

By Lorne Chan - Express-News

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - McAllister Park manager Mike Shull cranked up a pitching machine, sending 80 mph fastballs at his team.

In Little League, where home plate is 46 feet from the pitching mound, it's the equivalent of a ball going well over 100 mph from a major-league mound, which is 60 feet, 6 inches away.

McAllister players were ready for it. John Shull stared down the machine, making a lion's roar before each swing.

"We did it to have fun with practice today," Mike Shull said. "But it was also half-serious. They have to get ready for some heat."

McAllister Park faces another machine today, in the form of Chula Vista, Calif.

Chula Vista outscored opponents 29-0 in its first two Little League World Series games, setting up tonight's Pool B showdown with McAllister Park - two teams that are undefeated in South Williams8port.

Despite McAllister Park's 22-1 run advantage in the LLWS, it's entering the <!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]-->game as the underdog.

Chula Vista set an LLWS record with seven home runs in Saturday's game against Russellville, Ky., and has hit a combined 48 home runs in its past eight games.

This team also physically towers over its opponents, including tonight's foes.

McAllister's tallest player is Steven Cardone at 5-foot-9, and its biggest is Travis Daves at 152 pounds. Chula Vista boasts 6-2, 212-pound Luke Ramirez.

"I'm not used to looking up at people," Cardone said.

Mike Shull said that while he'd rather have a 6-2 player, it's been better for McAllister Park that they don't have that hulking star.

Since McAllister Park doesn't have one guy to always lean on, second baseman Nick Smisek said, it forces all 12 players on the team to step up. As the 5-2 Smisek proved Sunday in McAllister's 12-0 victory against Russellville, you don't have to be 6-2 to hit grand slams.

"I'd rather we didn't have the big gun," first baseman Kyle Pollard said, "because we've played teams with that one guy before, and we beat them."

The contrast in styles has also become evident in "The Grove," the players' dorm. McAllister and Chula Vista players have become friends. But first baseman Jace Selsor said because of the hype surrounding the team - that started even before they arrived in South Williamsport - Chula Vista players act like they're an LLWS favorite.

"A lot of people are saying they look cocky, but I probably would too if I were them," Selsor said. "They know they're big, and they know they're good."

Hence the added velocity on the pitching machines. McAllister Park is preparing for the biggest team it has faced and the hardest hitters it has seen.

A warning to Chula Vista, though - McAllister Park can roar, too.

"We feel they haven't seen the best stuff at this tournament yet," pitcher Troy Montemayor said. "We've got to play hard, but I think the best stuff can be us."

www.tmartsellshomes.com

San Antonio Golf Tournament Prepares for its 4th Year

It's that time of year again! The 4th Annual San Antonio RE/MAX Golf Tournament benefitting the Children's Miracle Network is already gearing up for another great year.
Scheduled for November 11, 2009 at the Silverhorn Golf Club, the tournament is a massive affair, bringing together 27 RE/MAX offices from around San Antonio to raise money for local Children's Healthcare.

This year, Silverhorn Golf Club has added a special bonus by making October the Children's Miracle Network Month. When you, or someone you know, plays golf at Silverhorn anytime during October and presents a special donation coupon, a donation will be made to the Children's Miracle Network!

What a great way to enjoy a round of golf with clients and other real estate professionals, and give back to the community! Be on the look out for in-office flyers and donation coupons arriving soon, or contact your office manager or Broker for further details. We look forward to another successful year!

As always, an event of this size needs lots of willing hands to help it run smoothly and the orchestrators of this year's tournament are looking for a few great volunteers! If you'd like to help out with this fun and exciting way to give back, contact Fernando Trevino at RE/MAX Alamo Realty by calling 210-682-9898 or emailing ftrevino@remax.net, or Juanita's Ortega by calling 210-682-9898.

www.tmartsellshomes.com

School is back in! For those parents experiencing the trauma of your child going to their first time to school, all I can say is it will get better. The first days of withdrawal will give way to "Mom, Dad just drop me off here, I don't want my friends to see you" to "can I have the keys" to "Thanks for helping me move on to campus"

Remember these times as they will be more traumatic for you not your child. I remember the first time my brother, who is 5 yrs younger than me, went to his first day to school. My mom dropped us off and I went to class and my mom took my brother to his kindergarten class. About a 1/2 hr later well after my mom had left i was pulled out of class. I don't know how it happen but my brother was hanging on the flag pole not wanting to go to class...I went with him and after a couple of minutes he was playing and getting to know his new friends. I say this not to get you new parents worried but just as a funny story how things change from moment to moment.

My mom later found out as we got older and could not believe she was not their for her baby. I let her know that it was not as bad as it seem because I got a lot of good years of blackmail out of my brother. To this day some of his childhood friends remind him of hanging on the flag pole. Key words childhood friends.

Yes mom and dad you will be replaced before you know it, but not forever. You are all good parents and will take your pictures and will remember these days as good times. Your child will remember this experience as where he or she first met his or her friends and how mom and dad helped them to get ready to make friends!

Happy first day of school all!

With less than 99 days left to get the word out that the $8000 Home Tax Credit ends on November 30, 2009. I felt is was necessary to get this message out to as many folks as possible. There for on my blog today I have decided to add this message with a twist. I have decided to translate my blog in to several different languages.

The housing market is starting to move forward. Now is a great time to buy. To get the $8000 Home Tax Credit you must be either 1) a first time home buyer. 2) not have owned a home in the last three years. 3) You can collect your tax credit with either a amendment this year allow 6-8 weeks or when you file by April 2010 4) you must close on or before November 30, 2009.

Con menos de 99 días para conseguir la palabra que los 8.000 dólares Inicio Tax Credit termina el 30 de noviembre de 2009. Me sentí es necesario hacer llegar este mensaje al mayor número posible de personas. Allí en mi blog hoy he decidido añadir este mensaje con un toque. He decidido traducir mi blog en varios idiomas diferentes.

El mercado inmobiliario está empezando a avanzar. Ahora es un buen momento para comprar. Para obtener los $ 8000 Inicio crédito fiscal debe ser 1) un comprador de primera vivienda. 2) no ha sido propietario de una casa en los últimos tres años. 3) Usted puede recoger el crédito fiscal, ya sea con una enmienda de este año espere de 6-8 semanas o cuando el archivo antes de abril de 2010 4) debe cerrar en o antes del 30 de noviembre 2009.

Avec moins de 99 jours pour faire passer le mot que les 8000 $ de Home crédit d'impôt se termine le 30 Novembre, 2009. Je estimait qu'il était nécessaire de transmettre ce message à autant de gens que possible. Là pour aujourd'hui sur mon blog, j'ai décidé d'ajouter ce message avec un twist. J'ai décidé de traduire votre blog dans plusieurs langues différentes.

Le marché du logement commence à avancer. C'est maintenant le moment idéal pour acheter. Pour obtenir le $ 8000 Accueil du crédit d'impôt, vous devez être soit 1) un acheteur d'une première heure locale. 2) ne pas avoir été propriétaire d'une maison au cours des trois dernières années. 3) Vous pouvez retirer votre crédit d'impôt soit avec un amendement de cette année Prévoir 6-8 semaines ou lorsque vous déposez ici avril 2010 4) vous devez fermer le ou avant le 30 Novembre, 2009.

Mit weniger als 99 Tage Zeit, um das Wort zu erhalten, dass die $ 8000 Home Tax Credit endet am 30. November 2009. Ich fühlte mich ist war notwendig, um diese Nachricht erhalten, um so viele Leute wie möglich. Dort auf meinem Blog habe ich heute beschlossen, auf diese Nachricht mit einem Twist hinzuzufügen. Ich habe beschlossen, mein Blog in mehrere verschiedene Sprachen zu übersetzen.

Das Gehäuse Markt beginnt um voranzukommen. Jetzt ist eine gute Zeit zu kaufen. Um die 8000 Home Tax Credit, müssen Sie entweder 1) ein erstes Mal Käufer von Eigenheimen. 2) nicht eine neue Heimat in den letzten drei Jahren im Besitz. 3) Sie können Ihre Steuergutschrift mit sammeln entweder eine Änderung in diesem Jahr können 6-8 Wochen oder, wenn Sie Datei, die von April 2010 4) Sie müssen vor oder am 30. November 2009 zu schließen.

Có ít hơn 99 ngày còn lại để có được chữ ra rằng 8.000 $ Trang chủ Tax Credit kết thúc vào ngày 30 tháng 11 năm 2009. Tôi cảm thấy là cần thiết để nhận được tin nhắn này ra càng nhiều càng tốt folks. Có cho ngày hôm nay blog của tôi Tôi đã quyết định để thêm thông điệp này với một twist. Tôi đã quyết định dịch blog của tôi vào một vài ngôn ngữ khác nhau.

Thị trường nhà ở là bắt đầu di chuyển tiếp. Bây giờ là một thời gian tuyệt vời để mua. Để có được 8.000 $ Trang chủ Tax Credit bạn phải là 1) một thời gian người mua nhà lần đầu tiên. 2) không có sở hữu một căn nhà trong ba năm qua. 3) Bạn có thể thu thập các tín dụng thuế của bạn với một hoặc sửa đổi trong năm nay, cho phép 6-8 tuần hoặc khi quý vị nộp của Tháng Tư 2010 4), bạn phải đóng vào hay trước ngày 30 Tháng 11 năm 2009.

Con meno di 99 giorni a disposizione per ottenere la parola che i 8.000 dollari Home Credito d'imposta fino al 30 novembre 2009. Ho sentito è stato necessario per ottenere questo messaggio al maggior numero possibile di persone. Non per il mio blog oggi ho deciso di aggiungere questo messaggio con una torsione. Ho deciso di tradurre il mio blog per diverse lingue.

Il mercato immobiliare sta cominciando a muoversi in avanti. Ora è un grande momento di comprare. Per ottenere i 8.000 dollari Home Credito d'imposta si deve essere 1) un acquirente prima volta a casa. 2) non hanno posseduto una casa negli ultimi tre anni. 3) E 'possibile ritirare il credito d'imposta sia con un emendamento di quest'anno, permetterà 6-8 settimane o quando il file da aprile 2010 4) si deve chiudere entro il 30 novembre 2009.

www.tmartsellshomes.com