Since we're trying to furnish our lake house on a budget, I'm all about saving money. I love bargain hunting, especially yard-sailing on the weekend. The rest of the week, I'll pop into our local Goodwill Stores when I'm in the area. I've found some great nautical lamps and a brand new comforter set in the last few weeks. There are five stores that I frequent; one in Lynchburg, Forest, Madison Heights, Bedford at Smith Mountain Lake.

You just never know what you'll find and today I came upon a happy surprise. I walked in to the Forest store and look what I found- for a whole lot less than craigslist!

Check out your local Goodwill Stores, you'll find merchandise for less and will be supporting a great cause. From the Goodwill website:

Goodwill Industries is all about people working.

We are North America's leading nonprofit provider of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages, such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience, as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Last year, local Goodwills collectively provided employment and training services to more than 1.1 million individuals.

We believe that work has the power to transform lives by building self-confidence, independence, creativity, trust and friendships. Everyone deserves a chance to have these.

Goodwill provides that chance.

"Friends of Goodwill, be dissatisfied with your work until every handicapped and unfortunate person in your community has an opportunity to develop to his fullest usefulness and enjoy a maximum of abundant living."
- Dr. Edgar J. Helms, 1941

Goodwill Industries International enhances the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work.

Every person has the opportunity to achieve his/her fullest potential and participate in and contribute to all aspects of life.

Respect - We treat all people with dignity and respect.

Stewardship - We honor our heritage by being socially, financially, and environmentally responsible.

Ethics - We Strive to meet the highest ethical standards

Learning - We challenge each other to strive for excellence and to continually learn.

Innovation - We embrace continuous improvement, bold creativity and change.

Posted by:

Debbie Malone, Realtor (R)

RE/MAX 1st Olympic 20395 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, Va 24502 (434) 832-1100 Office

malone1981@aol.com (434) 546-0369 Cell

Summer is coming and there's nothing nicer than spending the day at the pool. With beautiful views of the Peaks of Otter, it doesn't get much better than this. The Lake Vista Pool is scheduled to reopen for the season on May 24th, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend! The hours of operation are:

Monday - Friday 10am - 9:30pm

Saturday - 9am - 9:30pm

Sundays - 9am- 9:30pm

The Pool Rules are posted; there is no lifeguard on duty, children 14 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Parents are responsible for the behavior and safety of their children. Lost your Pool Cards? Replacements may be purchased for $15. Call Cheryl Stevens (385-7594) at the LVPOA office.

Would you like more information about the Lake Vista Subdivision in Forest, Virginia? Give me a call at (434) 546-0369 or email me at malone1981@aol.com and I'd be happy to send information to you.

Debbie Malone, Realor (R) RE/MAX 1st Olympic 20395 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, Va 24502

Well, the last few weeks have been a blur between work, going away for my anniversary, preparing to move my oldest daughter out of her apartment and preparing for my youngest daughter's high school graduation. I am exhausted! We've homeschooled Megan for 10 of twelve years and one of the highlights she was looking forward to was the graduation ceremony complete with cap and gown. However, we live in Virginia and the ceremony was taking place in Pensacola, Florida.

After returning from our trip on Monday, we realized there was no way we could drive the 14+ hours to Pensacola on Thursday to arrive for activities on Friday afternoon just to turn around and drive back Saturday afternoon to meet with clients on Sunday! Late Wednesday night I checked all the airlines and the discount websites. YIKES! The cheapest flight I could find was $1550 round trip! Finally I decided to check priceline.com and was shocked that they had this package deal: flight, hotel & car, for $560 per person! The catch is you don't know when your flight leaves, which airline, (Delta, yea!), or which hotel but we were desperate. We made the reservations and had to fly out of Roanoke at 8am on Thursday but we arrived in Pensacola around noon. We had to leave Pensacola this morning at 6am, but arrived in Roanoke around 1 pm so I was able to catch up with my clients (and catch a nap!)

I'm going to keep priceline.com in mind the next time I have a tight schedule and I'll suggest it to any clients who may be coming to Lynchburg for their home search. It really made my daughter's graduation that much more enjoyable. Way to go Megan; Congratulations Class of 2008!

A Beka Academy- Class of 2008

What a great turnout for the debut of Salsa Nights at the Dance Theatre of Lynchburg! After a successful demonstration of Salsa dancing at Liberty University's Multicultural Awards Banquet at the Holiday Inn Select,

the doors opened at 9pm for lessons in Salsa dancing at the Dance Theatre. This is a beautifully restored building on Commerce Street and I can't think of a better location, right next to The Mezzanine Cafe. It's refreshing to see these downtown businesses packed on a Friday night.

Salsa is a part of the cultural heritage of many countries and I think it's a wonderful skill that is being taught thanks to the leadership of Eddie Reyes. If I was ever going to feel comfortable with my daughter being out late on a weekend, it's on a Friday night. These gentlemen even walk her to her car. For more information on lessons, contact Salsa Nights.

Megan and Antonio along with many others will help teach you the basics of Salsa.

If you're a college student looking for a fun, wholesome activity, check out Salsa Nights now held at the Dance Theatre of Lynchburg, 722 Commerce Street. $3 in advance, $4 at the door. Parents, there are theatre seats for us to sit in and watch the lessons too. You may pick up a few moves!

Posted by

Debbie Malone, Realtor(R) RE/MAX 1st Olympic 20395 Timberlake Rd Lynchburg, VA 24502

malone1981@aol.com (434) 546-0369

Two weeks ago, really ten days ago, I put out the humming bird feeder.  The first week of April is when the "scouts" are out.  I've never been successful with a hummingbird feeder, but I've never really tried either.  I just put in a 1/2 effort and put it out too late probably for the scouts to get wind of it and by then they had found their favorite places to feed.  Hummingbirds are territorial so they won't usually venture out of their territory.

This morning when I saw a hummingbird feeding at the hummingbird feeder I got excited.  It was cool to watch him.  I found success!  I did what I was suppose to do when I was suppose to do it based on what the experts told me and a "scout" found my feeder.

Of course I told my husband and he said, "Isn't that what is suppose to happen?"  Yes, dear it is. 

But if I equate hanging out bird feeders to prospecting for listings or clients what does that mean? 

It means I have to hang out the right bait.  What are sellers attracted to?  Top producers, someone who cares, or agents that market on the internet.  What are buyers attracted to?  Agents that listen, know the area market well, is available during the times they are available and able to communicate in a way that best suits the client.

I have been been helping folks in the Central Virginia Real Estate Market since 2001 reach their real estate goals and have sold hundreds of homes in this area.  I hang out the right bait.  If you are looking for an agent to knows the market area, cares enough to listen, successfully market homes on the internet and have invested in the technology to communicate with you in the venue that you are most comfortable with and will arrange my schedule to suit your needs whenever possible.

Call me if you wish to list your house or purchase real estate in the Lynchburg, Campbell County or Bedford County area.

AMG Inc is one of the companies located in the Lynchpin Industrial Center. They are a machine shop and specialize in the manufacture and export of plastic and general machining; custom precision machined parts; ARC, MIG & TIG Welding; drilling and boring; metal & laser cutting and lathe & mill work.

Lynchburg, Virginia is a great place to do business. AMG is one of many businesses located in the Lynchpin Industrial Center; there is room for more!

301 Jefferson Ridge Pkwy
Lynchburg, VA , 24501-6950
Phone: 434-385-7525
FAX: 434-385-8345
Toll Free Phone: 800-800-0358
AMG Inc Website

Lynchpin Industrial Center is located off US 221 (Lakeside Drive). At Sheetz, turn onto Jefferson Ridge Parkway to Ramsey Place. For more information on business in Lynchburg, Virginia, CLICK HERE

Posted by

Debbie Malone, Realtor(R) RE/MAX 1st Olympic 20395 Timberlake Rd Lynchburg, VA 24502

malone1981@aol.com (434) 546-0369

If you're a college student looking for something fun to do after hours in Lynchburg, check out today's Lifestyles section in the News and Advance. You'll find a story about the dances held on Friday nights at Machu Picchu Peruvian Restaurant. Owner Elsa Duran has been wonderful about letting the students use her restaurant and the dances always draw a crowd.There is a $3 charge, no partner is required and no alcohol is served.

Last Friday night reporter Liz Barry was on hand to interview some of the dancers and teacher, Eddie Reyes. Classes start at 9pm and the dancing runs til after midnight. The Burg magazine is also running the story and a photo of my daughter Megan with her dance partner Antonio. They will be competing next Friday in a Salsa competition along with Eddie and his partner and one other couple. Machu Picchu will host a competition on April 25th.

Megan Malone & Antonio Cervantes

I'm grateful to Eddie Reyes for organizing a fun, safe event for young people of Lynchburg to attend. For more information on these and future events, contact Eddie through his Facebook page - Salsa Nights.

Posted By

Debbie Malone, Realtor(R) RE/MAX 1st Olympic 20395 Timberlake Rd Lynchburg, VA 24502

malone1981@aol.com (434) 546-0369

Simplimatic Automation is one of the businesses that call Lynchpin Industrial Center home. They:

• Are a US-based company with worldwide local support
  
  
• Provide conveyor and automation for light assembly since 1988
  
  
• A customer base includes many 24x7 high volume manufacturers
  
  
• Product diversity contributes to cross-fertilization of ideas
  
  
• Provide rugged, modular approach to material handling

For more information, contact:

Lynchburg, Virginia is a great place to do business. Simplimatic Automation is one of many businesses located in the Lynchpin Industrial Center; there is room for more!

The 13th Annual Achievment Awards Banquet will be held on:

Friday April 18, 2008

6:00-9:30pm

at the Holiday Inn Select- Downtown Lynchburg, Virginia

601 Main Street

Lynchburg, Va

You DO NOT want to miss this year's 13th Annual Achievement Awards!!! Iit is Bigger, Better, and the ticket is worth it!
We will be featuring THE KASE PROJECT, BBOYS "Peace Makers", D.O.A, UMA..and MUCH..MUCH.. MORE.. including a Salsa Competition. Miss Megan Malone and her partner Antonio Cervantes will be one of the teams competing.

For info on tickets and pricing come to the Center4ME in Dorm 20 at Liberty University on the hill...

WE ACCEPT CREDIT/DEBIT, CASH & CHECKS (434)592-4020