God Bless America, Fly the Flag on 9-11

God Bless the USA
By JR Hafer

On Friday, September 11th, 2009, we will be memorializing a great tragedy, one that could have brought this great nation to its knees.

The blood of those who lost their lives that day cry to our hearts and plead to us; not to succumb to mediocrity and indifference regarding acts of violence against America. A plead for Americans to rise up stronger than before, with greater resolve, to protect and defend our great nation.

America is a beacon of freedom to the world. We are bound to the memory of those who lost their lives on 9-11- 2001… To protect America from those who hold adverse ideologies and dogmas and to stand and defend her from those who swear oaths against the very existence of America. Listen to that cry, listen and take heed, fellow Americans.

On Friday the eighth year of remembrance, we shall stand tall with broken hearts and tears in our eyes. We have the responsibility as Americans to fly “Old Glory” our national banner, as we listen to that agonizing cry while the buildings fall to the ground once again. Listen to the united cry from those who we remember: “The price of freedom that we have paid is now your responsibility to preserve”.

This day, American flags should be displayed on the doorstep of every home, apartment, office, and storefront on American soil. Let it be a symbol to every citizen of the world that we, do indeed, remember as a matter of pride and patriotism, the attacks against our right to achieve and exist.

Every American should see it as their duty to display an American flag on the anniversary of our country's worst tragedies. We should never let time heal our hearts. We also should not allow the attack on America at Pearl Harbor fade into the background of our minds. All should be collectively remembered on this day.

We do this to honor those who lost their lives, their families and friends who continue to remember with pride, those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, The Red, White and Blue of American flags mourned the incredible losses. We proudly stood shoulder-to-shoulder and rallied against terrorism. Let’s not let those flags disappear. Our patriotism pulled us together in those times. Let the memory of 9/11 galvanize us in united solidarity again and again for ever. Amen…

Our American flag is stained Red with the blood, White with the purity of sacred faith and the Blue steely resolve of us who have tasted freedom and cherish it so dearly. Indeed, freedom is stitched into the fabric of our nation and the pride of knowing Americans can triumph over terrorism. Good over evil is always honorable.

Remember how we all felt Tuesday morning September 11, 2001 when we lost many in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in the rolling meadows of Pennsylvania.

Join us and fly the American flag on this Friday September 11th.

God Bless the United States of America!

Imported Toxic Drywall

Imported Drywall, A Toxic Situation
By, JR Hafer

Very few people outside of the drywall industry actually realize how huge the toxic drywall affair really is. For the most part, government studies are ongoing and the builders involved continue with a wait and see mindset. The truth of the matter is; certainly, no one knows what to do about the problem of defective toxic imported drywall.

The circling lawyers overhead can certainly smell the money when a potential lawsuit presents itself. This toxic poisonous drywall situation will involve more than a few thousand people who now find they are having health problems with unpleasant living conditions in a mere 100,000 homes built with the contaminated noxious materials in southern Florida.

Homeowners should be aware of any signs of potential problems that may “run up red flags”, not only those who built new homes from 2004 to 2007, but also those who have added living area, remodeled, refurbished or made repairs and used any type of drywall between 2001 and 2009.

There are many tell tale signs that may indicate toxic drywall problems. Are your mirrors turning darker? Is your jewelry tarnished more than usual? Are you having electrical and air conditioning problems? Are your electric switches getting warmer than they should be? How about sparking of light fixtures? Is there a “rotten egg” aroma in the air or smoke alarms going off? Is the copper wiring in your house getting darker and darker and bath fixtures becoming more and more tarnished? These are but a few indications of potential problems.

Additionally, serious health problems can be caused by the defective toxic drywall, such as reoccurring nosebleeds, asthma-like symptoms, lung damage, stroke, and neurological damage causing palsy. The sulfur “rotten egg” smell and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are also known to cause skin irritation and various lung problems. These are all things to be cautious of.

No one has yet formulated a viable plan. However, I can tell you if you suspect that your house has defective drywall, you should get out of your home until you get your drywall tested. Just like breathing bleach and ammonia, it can damage your lungs permanently. Naturally occurring sulfur compounds are emitted when the heat and humidity levels rise in your house.

There has been no deaths, as of yet, confirmed. But I suspect it will be a lot like the asbestos problem, it took a long time for health concerns to become evident. I predict the health risks will be ever increasing and the toxic drywall problem will remain with us for a very long time.
Abandoned houses and foreclosed homes with toxic drywall will continue to be on the rise in the near future and most likely a good number of them will be remarketed, perhaps, increasing exposure to toxic drywall.

Recently, builders have considered replacing the toxic drywall in affected houses. However, the replacing of the drywall, electrical wiring, plumbing and fixtures isn’t enough. Builders are now discovering that the wood in the houses is certain to have absorbed the toxic gaseous materials, as well. There is also evidence of radioactive emissions from these materials.

Where does it stop? Builders and suppliers, along with government agencies, are going to find out along with the public, that this imported Chinese toxic drywall may be a greater more complicated deal than they ever expected. Remediation of the toxic drywall will be most difficult. Health problems and lawsuits are surely to follow.
It will indeed be a problem of great proportion with multi-culpability attached to it.

Bon appetit

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Hey Y'all,
Think about this, My friends and readers...
Sometime in the grand scale of things, The great Creator allows a thought to creep into your mind, no matter how dense your mind may be, it somehow gets in there and rolls around pestering you... you just can't shake it out no matter what you do. It's sorta like a tune embedded in your mind and you catch yourself constantly humming the tune all day long. Some times you are haunted for days or even weeks, until you succumb to it and write it, or cook it, or play the music yourself. Then as quick as it appeared to you... "poof" ... it's gone, leaving only the memory, Good or Bad, then you file it to the experience file, to revisit it sometime later... or maybe never! That's not the point, who cares, right?

I am bad about getting these messages in the form of exotic recipes (not erotic, mind you). I have found some great recipes that way, but truthfully I have gaged on some of them too.

My best friend, who happens to be with the Kingston Trio, George Grove absolutely loves my flat bread concoction and he and his wife serves it often to guests when they visit.

Here is one that invaded my mind yesterday. It will persists there until I do it... A recipe ... Yep, just the mindset of a twisted hungry "Fatso" perhaps ... But 'ere 'tis mate!

Bacon wrapped water chestnuts with almond slices
Marinate the whole water chestnuts in Terriyaki sauce with Garlic and butter for 30 min.
Wrap Hickory smoked Bacon around the water chestnuts and include the thinly sliced Almonds. The bacon can be tightly wrapped and held together with a toothpick. Fry in double virgin (sounds better than just a single virgin), Olive oil. Fry to crisp or to your liking.
Serve with a salsa dip or dip into Terriyaki... (If you like cheese, then perhaps you might overlay some provolone after cooking while it is hot.

This sounds like a great appitiser don't you think? I shutter to think about the caloric factor though...

Hey Let me know what you think.

Imported toxic Chinese drywall mystery

Chinese Toxic Drywall Classes to Begin.

Everything you wanted to know about the imported Chinese toxic drywall will be taught in a class at Lakeland Association of Realtors, on September 23rd. Watch for more details.

There has been found in Florida and eighteen other states, health problems and toxic gasses being emitted by imported drywall manufactured in China, causing health problems.

What happens if you find the toxic drywall in your home?

How do you know if you actually have drywall that may be causing you illness?

How dangerous is toxic drywall gasses?

Who is responsible for fixing the toxic drywall problem in your home?

Can the toxic drywall problem be fixed?

Will the Chinese Toxic drywall problem render my home unlivable?

Is Toxic drywall Radioactive?

Here is your chance to get these questions answered and learn more about this toxic drywall problem...

MesotheliomaCancer Center

Central Florida Asbestos Prevention and

Green Tips for the Home

Located in the southeastern part of the United States, Orlando is a city in the state of Florida. Highly regarded for hosting world class theme parks, beautiful sandy beaches and a vast culture, what potential homebuyer would not want to call this city their home?

The journey to purchasing a home is an enjoyable time in one’s life. But it is one that will bring many additional responsibilities. Having the assistance of an honest Central Florida real estate agent can make all of the difference during this process.

Often appearing in roof shingles, popcorn ceilings, piping and insulation, asbestos became one of the most popular building applications of the 20th century. Generally utilized as a form of insulation for piping, roofing and flooring, its flame resistant and highly durable qualities made asbestos the ideal form of insulation for many industries.

One of the main things that can go unnoticed is taking simple precautions to avoid asbestos exposure. Homes built prior to 1980 may still harvest asbestos materials. This should not make you jump out of your chair because asbestos exposure is easily avoidable by taking simple precautions.

Asbestos

If you locate any suspected asbestos in the home, most experts suggest leaving it un-disturbed and un-touched until a home inspector can examine your property, take evaluations and determine the safest course of action. Sometimes the best action is no action at all. Disturbing asbestos in good condition may cause its fibers to be released into the air.
Long term exposure to damaged airborne asbestos fibers can lead to the development of a severe lung ailment known as mesothelioma. Asbestos-related illnesses may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure, which makes mesothelioma diagnosis even more difficult.
Healthy Tips & Green Alternatives
Removal of asbestos in public facilities, workplaces and homes should be performed by licensed abatement contractors as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated. They must wear protective equipment such as masks and gloves to avoid any exposure. The materials should be removed in as large pieces as possible and places in disposable bags.
If asbestos is removed, green forms of insulation should be used as replacements. These include the use implementation of recycled building materials such as lcynene foam, cotton fiber and cellulose. These alternatives not only allow for a healthy and safe home, but can bring down annual energy costs. For example, the use of cotton fiber foam has demonstrated to reduce energy costs by 25 % per year. As education and technology of green sustainable practices increase, the numbers will continue to rise.
Recently, congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. Included in this act were extensions to the tax incentives placed for energy efficiency in 2005, as well as new credits for homeowners who remodel or build using eco-sustainable methods. Existing homes are eligible for a series of efficiency measures that pertain to the home shell (Insulation, Windows, Sealing) worth 30% of the installed cost (materials only, labor is not included in the credit basis).

Ask Questions about Toxic Drywall

Do you have questions about Chinese Drywall?

What do you know about Chinese drywall?
Do you as a Realtor® have a fiduciary responsibility to your clients to know and disclose it?
During the construction “boom” of 2004 through 2007, a shortage of building materials ensued due to catastrophic damages caused by nine hurricanes within those years, wall board or drywall among other building materials were imported from China.
Health problems began to surface and continue to be reported in addition to gases and the corrosive nature of the Chinese toxic drywall that was evidently manufactured using suspected elements and chemicals banned in the United States such as Fly Ash.
A “rotten egg” smell and corrosive sulfur-like gases are emitted when the temperature and humidity are high in houses built with defective drywall, causing alarm and uncomfortable conditions. Defective drywall was used in over 100,000 houses built between 2000 and 2009. Reports of mysterious illnesses and deteriorating conditions of fixtures and wiring have appeared in homes where toxic drywall was used.
This defective drywall not only corrodes plumbing, electrical wiring and fixtures, it could also cause fires in some instances, and may be radioactive. I will share detection methods and other important information with you, if you only ask.
I am in contact with drywall suppliers, builders, testing organizations, politicians, and governmental agencies, to gain co-operation for presentations of this problematic occurrence.
With the number of foreclosures and abandoned homes historically high, the toxic drywall problem has been down-played by the industry and continues to be studied by the government. No one, at this point, has provided any definitive answers or directions for those who encounter toxic drywall. Scammers are rampant and lawyers line up by the hundreds to litigate class action lawsuits.
Find out who to contact if you suspect a house has Chinese drywall in it. Know the health risks and the legal liability you have as a Realtor® when showing houses with Chinese Toxic Drywall.Ask me here, ask me now! Leave comments.

Toxic Drywall Danger

Toxic Drywall Classes Planned

August 19, 2009 Lakeland, Florida: JR Hafer a Florida Realtor® with Plantation Realty announced today that he is planning to conduct classes to educate Realtors®, Homeowners and potential buyers about Toxic Chinese drywall.
During the construction “boom” of 2004 through 2007, and a shortage of building materials as a result of catastrophic damages caused by nine hurricanes within those years, wall board or drywall among other material was imported from China.
Real health problems continue to be reported in addition to the corrosive nature of the Chinese toxic drywall that was evidently manufactured using elements and chemical compounds banned in the United States.
The “Rotten Egg” smell and corrosive sulfur like gases are emitted when the temperature and humidity is high causing alarm and unlivable conditions in houses over 100,000 houses build between 2000 and 2009 when reported mysterious illnesses as well as deteriorating conditions of fixtures and wiring appeared.
This defective drywall not only corrodes pipes, fixtures etc., but it could be causing fires, and might be radioactive. How do you detect it? What can you do about it? What’s going on? All this information and more will be revealed to the public by Hafer in his classes.
Hafer is in contact with drywall suppliers, builders, testing organization politicians, governmental agencies, who he hopes to gain their co-operation in presenting this problematic impending catastrophe looming over multiplied thousands.
With the number of foreclosures and abandoned homes historically high the toxic drywall problem has been down played by the industry and studied by the government, but there has been no direction provided. Scammers are rampant and lawyers by the hundreds are forming class action suits. But no answers have been provided until now.

Watch for announcements when and where these classes are will be held or Call 863-224-2242.