SHOE SHINING FOR MEN, WOMEN & POLITICIANS

Almost every morning, I shine a pair of shoes.

This post is for both men and women, men pay more attention to shoe shining than a lady. This is in part to a discrimination that Barak has not discussed: there are not many stores that have a variety of men's shoes compared to most women stores. DSW at Easton carries way more women shoes than men's, Nordstoms carries a great selection of men's shoes, but walk twenty feet and you will find four times as many ladies shoes and most of them at half the price of men's shoes. Thus women have more shoes!

Below you will find a short and easy direction on shoe polishing. I would like everyone to at least try the process below who has never shined a shoe.


The next time you see a politician who needs a good shoe shine, direct them to this blog. I do not think they ever polish their shoes. But, depending what happens next Tuesday, I may be asking you to forget the blog and send them to me so I may earn some extra pocket money.


Things You’ll Need:
Polish
A polish application brush
A soft shoe-shine brush
A lint-free shine cloth
Ten minutes

Step 1 Start by spreading a newspaper of paper towel on the floor where you plan to polish your shoes. This will keep your carpet or floors clean. I polish mine at the office, you will see some polish streaks on my desk once in a while.

Step 2 Next, you should brush your shoe with the soft shoe-shine brush. This will brush the dust and lint off your shoes. This also warms up the leather, so the polish softens a little.

Step3 Dip the polish application brush into the shoe polish. Once you get a small amount of polish on the brush, apply it evenly on the shoe. Use a circular motion to apply and don't forget to polish the heel. Don't forget to take a paper towell afterwards and clean off you applicator.

Step 4 Allow the shoe to sit for a few minutes while you polish the other.

Step 5 After a few minutes, the first shoe should be ready for shining. Use the shoe shine brush to gently brush the shoe. Soft long strokes should bring out the shine.

Step 6 Use the lint-free shine cloth to put the finishing touches on it. This helps the shoe shine even more. My lint-free cloth is actually a Haines t-shirt with the label printed, not sewn in. This was a great invention by Michael Jordan.

Step 7 Repeat Step 6 on the other shoe and you should be all set with a nicely polished pair of shoes.

Accountability-turn back the clocks

We change our clocks once again this coming weekend. I assume back an hour, fall back and spring forward is the only way I can remember and it is chilly out so.......

This also brings in mind how everyone is accountable and in most cases accountable for others, rather it be at work or home. Below is an article on the death of a young firefighter, evidently his chief officer at the fire did not have everyone accounted for at the fire scene.
http://firefighterclosecalls.com/fullstory.php?74280

Accountability responsibilities:
With the change of time this weekend, you should remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. While you are out buying batteries, buy another detector. There is surely room in your home for another.

One thing that is not talked about often, make sure your family has several planned escape routes and a meeting place where everyone can be accounted for.

We always had a large tree in the front yard that was our meeting place and I am happy to say we never had the occasion to meet there.

HOW TO BE NOMINATED FOR THE SUPREME COURT

This article was just published in the Newark Advocate, how embarrassing for our country.

I would think Judge Sargus may feel a little sick to his stomach when he really thinks about it. Maye the counties should consider making park benches into condominiums, they would be able to sell three seats to voters per bench.


COLUMBUS (AP) — A federal judge in Ohio has ruled that counties must allow homeless voters to list park benches and other locations that aren’t buildings as their addresses.

U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus also ruled that provisional ballots can’t be invalidated because of poll worker errors.

Monday’s ruling resolved the final two pieces of a settlement between the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.

The coalition agreed to drop a constitutional challenge to Ohio’s voter identification law until after the Nov. 4 election. In return, Brunner and the coalition agreed on procedures to verify provisional ballots across all Ohio counties.

The coalition was concerned that unequal treatment of provisional ballots would disenfranchise some voters.

Frank Guanciale

Below you will find the obituary as published by the Newark Advocate for my Uncle Frank who passed away this past Friday.

It is funny how you remember things that happened so long ago, but they always pop up in your mind from time to time.

Frankie was 17 when I was born, the first wedding I can remember was his marriage to Bonnie, I was like 6-7 years old. Several things come to mind, watching him and my father Dan install a garage door spring, working on Pinewood Derby cars and several Soap Box Derby cars and working around my grandmother's home. Frank was in the Army for a period of time and I thought it was so neat to see him in his uniform.

The biggest beef I had between my uncle and father, that still hurts: For my 8th birthday I received from my parents a remote control gas airplane, the kind you fly on the end of a long cord. I will never forget riding with Frank and Dan to a ball diamond, I believe it was at Cherry Valley School with my new airplane. Frank and Dan had a hard time getting the plane to start, I had to sit in the outfield in case the fuel blew up. After the rough start, the two guys stood on the pitcher's mound spinning around flying the plane laughing and smiling with a promise of my turn being soon.

My life is still tarnished, they used all the fuel and I never had a turn, as if the airplane gift was really for me.

http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20081025/OBITUARIES/81025007/1023/NEWS17

ONCE IN A WHILE

This post started off to be a guessing game, but with my limited amount of viewers it may be 2013 before a large number of people would view this photo and respond.

Last night there was a small fire on Clinton Street near Downtown Newark, the fire started on the outside and worked it's way into the home.

As the firefighters were ripping off the aluminum siding of this 100 plus year old home, they discovered a large bee's nest. As you can see in the photo the nest was built between two wall studs. The best I could count indicated there was 11 layers to the hive.

I know this is nothing to get excited about, but last night one of the firefighters told me of another firefighter who owned an older home and he and his wife could hear the bees at night in their walls. To only make it worst, honey dripped from the electrical outlets into their home.

Lesson learned: If you are ripping siding off your 100 year old home, do it during late October. If it would have been mid summer, we could have had one hundred yard dash time trials for the Olympics as the firefighters escaped the scene.

OCTOBER 1-NOT A DAY TO CELEBRATE

October first is not a day to celebrate, but to morn. My personal sock rule: No socks between April 1 through October 1, unless I am wearing a suit & tie or if we find an unusual October day with a temperature of over 75 degrees.

This photo you will notice Dave Hardy and myself with ties on and no socks. The photo was taken during the wedding reception after Morgan Hardy's wedding.

Dave mentioned several times that he was not sure if he would wear socks for his daughter' wedding considering it would be a sunny August day and of course a Saturday. I dressed appropriately with the best suit I have, favorite tie, socks and my Alden tassels.

Not being an emotional person at weddings, once I saw Dave walking down the isle with his daughter so beautiful, I started to tear up. Tears were due not to Dave's excellent taste in a tan suit and Cole Hann Pinch Buckle Kilt or how beautiful and happy Morgan looked, but because Dave was not wearing socks and I had to, because of my rule.

At the reception I decided it was time to break my self imposed rule, I removed my socks so Dave's mother would be upset with someone else besides Dave. I believe Nancy Hardy gave up years ago of being upset over Dave's actions.

Lesson learned: some personal rules can be broken for special occasions

MORE ABOUT THE BEAR

Today's Newark Advocate has more info about the tree trunk carving (see photo on this blog from yesterday) and it can not be found on line. The owner of the 1200 block of Granville Road home is Paul Robertson. Mr. Robertson commissioned artist/carver Dan Zeadker of Bear Creek Carving of Wauseon, Ohio to carve the bear out of stump from a tree damaged by the recent windstorm. It took Mr. Zeadker about five hours to carve the sculpture from the 100 year old sugar maple stump.

Teddy's Bear

This homeowner knew what to do with a tree trunk. The photo does not do the bear justice, but the saw dust on the ground sure indicates the time and commitment the homeowner placed into his project. Some folks said they saw him from the bike path just sawing away. As far as I know, the name "Teddy Bear" was designed during the Teddy Roosevelt presidency. As an avid hunter, he had a full grizzly mounted in a standing defensive mode. His Secretary of State referred to the trophy as "Teddy's Bear".

YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT WORK, EVEN THROUGH TURMOIL

“No man knows what the future holds in any particular set of events, but every thoughtful person recognizes the probability that we shall live the remainder of our lives in turmoil…Instead of pining for easier days, the way of wisdom lies in learning to live realistically in times of strain.

“All experience the storm, but not all experience it in the same way. Though the storm may be beyond our powers, the response is not.”

- Elton Trueblood
“The Life We Prize”

NAR Proposed Stimulus Plan

NAR Urges Passage of 4-Point Housing Stimulus Plan and

Return of Congress for Lame-Duck Session
WASHINGTON, October 15, 2008

The National Association of Realtors® will offer a four-point legislative plan to reinvigorate the housing market, calling on Congress to act during a lame-duck session. NAR believes the plan will give a boost to the economy and help to calm jittery potential homebuyers.

The plan features such consumer-driven provisions as eliminating the repayment of the first-time homebuyer tax credit and expanding it to all homebuyers, making higher mortgage loan limits permanent, pushing banks to extend credit to Main Street, and prohibiting banks from entering into real estate.

“Housing has always lifted the economy out of downturns, and it is imperative to get the housing market moving forward as quickly as possible,” said NAR President Richard F. Gaylord. “It is vital to the economy that Congress take specific actions to boost the confidence of potential homebuyers in the housing market and make it easier for qualified buyers to get safe and affordable mortgage loans. We are asking Congress to act right away.”

Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif., said NAR, as the leading advocate for homeownership and private property rights, believes it is important for Congress to address the concerns and fears of America’s families, much in the way it has addressed Wall Street turbulence. “Housing is and has always been a good, long-term investment and a family’s primary step towards accumulating wealth,” Gaylord said.
NAR recommends Congress pass new housing stimulus legislation that includes the following priorities:

1. Remove the requirement in the current law that first-time homebuyers repay the $7,500 tax credit, and expand the tax credit to apply not only to first-time buyers but also to all buyers of a primary residence.

2. Revise the FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac 2008 stimulus loan limit increases to make them permanent. The Economic Stabilization Act, enacted in February, made loan limit increases temporary, and subsequent legislation reduced the loan limits and made them permanent. This has broad implication for homebuyers in high cost areas.

3. Urge the government to use a portion of the allotted $700 billion that was provided to purchase mortgage-backed securities from banks to provide price stabilization for housing. The Treasury department should be required to use the newly enacted Troubled Assets Relief Program to push banks to:

• Extend credit down to Main Street, making credit more available to consumers and small businesses;
• Expedite the process for short sales;
• Expedite the resolution of banks’ real estate owned (REOs) properties.

4. Make permanent the prohibition against banks entering real estate brokerage and management, further protecting consumers and the economy.
Gaylord said that NAR will strongly pursue those proposals and is calling on Congress to return to enact housing stimulus legislation in a lame-duck session after the national elections in November.

Groundhog Breakfast January 30, 2009

Licking County Chamber of Commerce Groundhog Committee

The October 14th committee meeting was held at one of Downtown Newark's soon not to be best kept secrets: Buckeye Winery on the west side of the Courthouse Square.

Members: Barbara Doan, Dave Hardy, Mike McDonald, Kim Lust, Tom Marcelain, Kurt Harden, Cheri Hottinger and the adorable Lois Ridgley enjoyed the inclusion of the 2009 sponsor representative Lisa Baker of Goodwill Industries.

Everyone should stop by for a tasting or a glass of one of the many types of wines. Very unique and cozy atmosphere and a large selection of wine making supplies. Email in your information and they will print your own special label. The Buckeye Winery should be on every one's shopping list for the Holidays.

Try it---the Groundhog Committee gives Buckeye Winery a "10"!

FINALLY IN FASHION, SHORT BREAK

Just received this web site from a friend who has been concerned for my short break fashion statement. If you find this interesting, make sure to read the entire article by clicking at the end.

Short break:
The short break is the top rung of men’s fashion. Although this look could be referred to as “high waters,” the short break is now considered high fashion. To be sure, this look is not for the faint of heart. Throwing caution to the wind, the short break gives little to no crease in the pant leg, making for a very precise, tailored look. Interestingly, when shopping for a suit, you’ll find that the more expensive designers -- especially those from Italy -- employ the short break as their design standard in pants. Though anyone can tackle this look, the guys who truly pull it off the best are those with a slender torso and a 32” waist.

But don’t let the ideal scare you away: The short break is the look for anyone who likes to kick ass and take names.

For more information on the proper break for you http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_300/317_fashion_advice.html

A MESSAGE FROM A DISTANT COUSIN

...the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced,

the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled,

and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed,

lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work,

instead of living on public assistance.

Cicero , 55 BC

Newark, Ohio Consumer Brewing

From the new book, "Brewing Beer In The Buckeye State, Volume I"
by Dr. Robert A. Musson.

Consumers Brewing Company, Newark, Ohio
Consumers Brewing Co. was an unusual entity in Ohio: a brewery beginning operations in the 1890s. It began as one of the state's earliest stock company breweries, incorporated on April 8, 1897, with a capital stock of $20,000, which was later raised to $75,000. The company chose an old factory building at First and Locust Streets to establish its brewing operation (the official address was 75 E. Locust Street). This had previously been occupied by the Blandy Machine Works, and the structure dated back to the mid-1860s. It was purchased by the new company for $8,100, and was soon renovated into a brewery with modern equipment and cellars capable of storing 18,000 barrels. The first batch of "Newark Beer" was for sale on the local market by May, 1898. Charles Andre was the company's first president and plant manager. Born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in 1846, Andre had already worked as a brewer's apprentice before emigrating to the United States in 1862. He served in the Union army during the Civil War, then worked in numerous breweries over the years, including eighteen years with the large Born & Company brewery in Columbus, Ohio. Herbert R. Gill was the new company's secretary. Other initial directors included Julius A. Kremer, E. Kremer, and A. W. Gill.

Herbert Gill left the company in 1901 and moved fifty miles east to form the short-lived Cambridge Brewing Co. His place as secretary was taken by Julius Kremer, a native of Dinslaken, Rheinpreussen, Germany, who also was born in 1846. His education and training were in architecture, which he undertook upon coming to America in 1869. He supervised the construction of the Born & Co. brewery in Columbus, where he worked with Andre, and it was here that they first planned the formation of their own brewing concern.

The company initially used city water for the brewing process, although deep wells were drilled in 1900 for a new and presumably purer water source. Upon opening, the brewery had an annual capacity of 30,000 barrels, entirely of lager beer. Their goal was to sell 10,000 barrels in their first year, a goal that was nearly realized, and business steadily grew from there. The company's sales increased significantly in 1903 due to a strike by brewery workers in Columbus, which temporarily shut down all of that city's brewing operations. By 1905, Consumers was selling 23,000 barrels annually.

Natural ice was fairly scarce in the region at this time, and most ice had to be shipped in from Zanesville. To eliminate this cost, Consumers built its own ice house on the premises in 1901. Sales of distilled "crystal ice", at $2.00 per ton, were very successful, and the company increased its capital stock to $150,000 in 1907. Soon after this, the company purchased two delivery trucks for home sales of both beer and ice. These were thought to be the first delivery trucks in use in the city.

Andre and Kremer continued to oversee the company throughout this era. Harry W. Rossel, who had joined the company at its beginning as a sales agent, had risen to the position of vice-president and general manager by 1914, when he died of blood poisoning following a leg injury. Henry J. Schneidt was hired as plant superintendent soon after this. Production of Consumers Special and Extra Pale Lagers, which had been introduced primarily as bottled beers for home sales, continued successfully over the next decade. A new addition to the focus on home sales by this time was an attempt to target women as potential customers. One advertisement from 1918 stated: " ‘Everywhere I go my friends serve Consumers Beer. If I look into their ice boxes I find a row of shining bottles; when I make an afternoon call, they welcome me with appetizing sandwiches and Consumers. If I am invited out to dinner I am quite apt to find this popular beer served with the meal. Many of my friends consider that their day is not happily completed until after a late supper, a steaming rarebit or a cheese and cracker luncheon, and a bottle of their favorite brew.’ The experience of this one woman simply shows the ever-growing popularity of Consumers Beer."

At the close of 1918, statewide Prohibition had forced beer production to cease, and the uncertainty of the times was reflected in the brewery's 1919 advertising calendar, which stated, "Accept this calendar as a token of our appreciation of your past good will and patronage. What the future will bring to us is uncertain. Our investment is too large to lie idle, so we bespeak, as far as is consistently possible, a continuation of this good will and patronage." When all alcohol sales stopped the following May, the company reorganized as the Consumers Products Co., as producers of Consumers New Special Cereal Beverage, as well as Lemon and Lime, Grape, Cherry, Strawberry, and Raspberry Sodas, Glee Club Ginger Ale, Whistle Orange Soda, and Dr. Swett's Root Beer. Andre and Kremer retired soon after this, and Schneidt became president of the new company, with Harry W. Rossel, Jr. as secretary. Production of non-alcoholic beverages continued until approximately 1930, after which the old brewery closed its doors and the remaining equipment was liquidated.

With the repeal of Prohibition three years later, a new company was organized to return the brewing of beer to Newark for another twenty years.

Copyright 2005 by Zepp Publications
» Read more about this and other Ohio breweries in Dr. Robert A. Musson's book, "Brewing Beer In The Buckeye State, Volume I: A History of the Brewing Industry in Eastern Ohio from 1808 to 2004."

Retirement-60% have less than $100,000

One of my largest worries at this time is where do I stand financially amongst the rest of the world. Over the past ten years when a good friend would retire, I would ask them the most personal questions anyone could be asked: How much do you have in your 401k, IRAs, Roths etc.

I wanted to compare how my retirement savings was progressing as a small business person versus an employee of a company with formal retirement plans.

It has been clear, I am on track and sometimes maybe ahead. I try not think of being ahead of schedule, this is part of being a believer in you are never doing good enough.

The article below, makes me feel good and sad, but promising.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122204345024061453.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Raisuli

To Theodore Roosevelt - you are like the Wind and I like the Lion. You form the Tempest. The sand stings my eyes and the Ground is parched. I roar in defiance but you do not hear. But between us there is a difference. I, like the lion, must remain in my place. While you like the wind will never know yours.

- Mulay Hamid El Raisuli, Lord of the Riff, Sultan to the Berbers,

Last of the Barbary Pirates.

Janis Stone of San Francisco Coldwell Banker

Every month I receive Janis's newsletter. This month she starts off with the economic climate being created by the bailout. The key word that Janis and I both are using "disconnect" as the way our markets are progressing. As Janis, I am hearing a lot of doom and gloom, but the phone is still ringing.


Oct. 1, 2008
SFResidence.com
Newsletter Table of Contents

Hello from Janis!
A lot has been said about our economic situation of the last few weeks, but whether you are for a government bailout or against it, there is only one thing to consider. How will you take care of yourself and our family during this unsettled time? We have found that real estate, though in trouble in many areas of the country, is still very strong in many areas of San Francisco. And now with interest rates low, and prices stable we feel it is a good time to jump in. Why not take advantage of the up market that is sure to come about once the government gets its act together and decides what it is going to do?

I am finding a disconnect between what I hear and what I see happening. I am hearing gloom and doom but I am still getting calls from people wanting to buy and having the cash to do it. I talked to my favorite lender, Stefani Phipps at First Republic Bank and she assured me they are still making loans if the buyer is qualified.

The old adage "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" is too true. I hope that intelligent, cool heads can prevail and keep us on an even keel. We will only know the impact of the events of the past few weeks after some time has passed but I have been through several very difficult times and the real estate in San Francisco has consistently been the safest place to have your money and have it grow. I think we will all feel the effects of this financial turmoil but remember that this is the best time to invest wisely.

As always, if you need an agent in another area we know GREAT AGENTS to whom we can refer with confidence. We have already sent some happy buyers and sellers outside of San Francisco. So if you or someone you know needs to buy or sell property somewhere else in the country, keep us in mind. In return for the lead, we'll give you a chance to win our Rewards contest for a weekend in Tahoe.

Know someone who needs a long term rental in North Lake Tahoe near Tahoe City? Our unit in St. Francis Lakeside Condominiums is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ground floor condo with a lovely wooded outlook. The kitchen has been upgraded with new counter tops and appliances. We are looking for reliable tenants to rent either fully furnished, or vacant. Includes off street parking and amenities like pool, spa, tennis courts and direct beach access. Close to the Marina Launch, this spot is perfect for someone with a boat. We're offering a referral fee for bringing us the right person or persons!

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