Brought to you by

Filomena Thompson, CDPE

"I'm never too busy for your referrals."

Realtor
D 240-629-3105 / C 301-758-4617
FilomenaThompson@remax.net

www.FilomenaThompson.com

5300 Westview Drive, Suite 200

Frederick, MD  21703

FEBRUARY 2010

Keep it simple on Valentine's Day: Host a fun dinner with friends or family

(ARA) - Valentine's Day is no longer just a romantic day that is reserved only for lovers - it has grown to include friends and family with widespread celebrations.

People's lives are crazier than ever with having to juggle work, children and personal relationships. "I feel that the most valuable thing we can do for those we love is to do something a little out of the ordinary such as a Valentine's Day family dinner," says Andrea Alexander, academic director for The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Austin. "It does not have to be an expensive or time-consuming event but rather, a moment to share thoughts, feelings, smiles and laughter."

A fun menu idea is to purchase individual pizza crusts and an array of fresh toppings such as red, yellow or green bell peppers; halved cherry tomatoes and olives; diced sweet onions, pepperoni or shredded chicken breast; and don't forget the pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese.

If you are looking to "wow" the crowd and prepare a more formal dinner, then you might want to incorporate beef. Filets are always a palate pleaser, but if you are looking for more cost effective and just as tasty cuts, then rib-eyes or New York strips can be your staples.
 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Preventive maintenance is important ... for your heart and your vehicle

(ARA) - What do your heart and your vehicle have in common? More than you may think - both require regular maintenance and preventive care to function properly. And when both are properly cared for, it can make a direct and significant impact on long-term health.

Every day, nearly 2,400 Americans die of cardiovascular disease, an average of one person every 37 seconds, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Meanwhile, according to the Car Care Council, nearly 80 percent of vehicles inspected during vehicle check-ups needed service or parts.

To help fight heart disease and educate people on maintaining a healthy heart and vehicle, Jiffy Lube and the AHA have partnered for year three of the Maintenance Partners for Life campaign to raise funds and awareness for the AHA's Go Red For Women movement.

"My daughter received a heart transplant four years ago and my husband was diagnosed with heart disease in 2000, so this campaign means a lot to me and I know how important it is to find ways to fight this disease," says Nina Sundell, district manager for Heartland Automotive Services, Inc., a Jiffy Lube franchisee. "I think almost everyone has a personal story to tell when it comes to heart disease, which is why I think so many people have connected with the Jiffy Lube Maintenance Partners for Life campaign. I encourage everyone to join in the fight because every single donation is a step toward helping families cope."

Heart health tips
The AHA offers some basic advice for taking care of your heart:

* Eating healthful, nutrient-rich, low-fat foods is one of the best ways to fight heart disease. Choose foods loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients, but low in calories. Veggies, fruits, whole-grain and high-fiber foods, lean protein and fat-free or low-fat dairy products are all part of a healthy, heart-friendly diet.

* See your doctor regularly and seek his or her guidance in living a heart-healthy lifestyle.

* Walk, jog, do yard work or some other form of physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day. Regular exercise makes your heart stronger and lowers your risk of heart attack and stroke.

You can learn more about heart health and find more tips at www.GoRedForWomen.org.

Support the cause
Starting Feb. 1, and running through March 14, 2010, customers can donate $3 at participating Jiffy Lube service centers and 100 percent of the funds will be allocated to Go Red For Women initiatives in the communities in which they are raised. In return, donors will receive a Maintenance Partners for Life savings book with more than $100 in savings. During the campaign, you can also donate by going online to www.JiffyLubeGoesRed.com. Since 2008, Jiffy Lube service centers from across the country have donated more than $2.3 million to the cause, and in 2010, Jiffy Lube seeks to raise another $1 million.

Vehicle health tips
When it comes to caring for your vehicle, apply the same concept of preventive care with these tips from Jiffy Lube:

* Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle's engine. Check oil levels regularly and follow the guidelines in your owner's manual for how frequently you should change the oil.

* Blood has to flow freely to keep the body performing at optimum levels and eliminate risk of disease and infection; likewise, vital fluids, such as antifreeze or coolant, ensure your engine continues to perform at peak performance. Be sure to locate all fluid compartments and check for proper fluid levels regularly.

* Just as you maintain a regular schedule of doctor checkups and healthy eating habits, put your car on a regular maintenance schedule. Preventive maintenance and checkups help ensure your car continues to run properly. A technician should top off fluid levels, inspect belts and hoses, check tire pressure and engine oil, and make sure all lights are working on a regular basis.

You can find more car care tips at www.JiffyLube.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

What's hot in the evolving world of flat screen TV wall mounts

(ARA) - So you finally got the flat panel TV of your dreams. Sleek, compact and high definition, it's the crowning glory of your home entertainment system. So how do you best showcase this jewel? The experts advise - take it to the wall.

Here are some hot trends in wall mounts to help you show off and enjoy your new flat screen TV:

* Mounts that conceal unsightly cables within in-arm cable channels that protect and hide cables the entire length of an extension arm.

* The ability to move a TV laterally - left or right on the wall bracket - so it's positioned how you want it on the wall. It's also a useful feature if your wall studs are off center.

* Lightweight but strong extruded aluminum mounts instead of heavy steal mounts.

* Motorized mounts that are super-quiet and that allow you to use a remote control to move the TV up to 9 inches from the wall and swivel it up to 120 degrees.

* Wall mounts that emphasize the sleek look of ultra-thin LCD, plasma and LED TVs by placing them just over half an inch from the wall.

* HDMI cables that feature a head that pivots 180 degrees, making it easy to connect to hard-to-reach ports in tight places and behind TVs mounted on low-profile wall mounts.

Visit www.Sanus.com to learn more about the latest trends in flat screen TV wall mounts.

Courtesy of ARAcontent
 

Make sure your indoor air is healthy this spring
 

(ARA) - As soon as the temperatures warm up, you open up the doors and windows and let the "fresh" air in. You want to get rid of winter's stale, indoor air and replace it with the clean, outdoor air.

Think again. Air pollution is a very serious concern indoors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports indoor air is three to five times more contaminated than outdoor air, on average.

"When the house is closed up for winter, pollutants in the air have nowhere to go," says Aaron Marshbanks, board member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. "Then spring rolls around, and the natural thing to do is open up your windows and bring new air into your house. However, this is when allergy season is at its highest, and you're welcoming new pollutants into your home and contaminating your air with pollens."

NADCA recommends a thorough duct cleaning, as well as cleaning the evaporator coil and all parts of the system that air touches. Not only will this clean up the air inside your house, but it will also help your system work more efficiently and save you money. To find a qualified heating and cooling system cleaner in your area, visit NADCA.com.
 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Selling your home? Easy improvements to attract buyers

(ARA) - A spare bath is a great investment. Second only to kitchen remodels for recouping resale value, bathroom additions boast a 63.5 percent rate of return, according to Remodeling Magazine's 2008-2009 "Cost vs. Value" report. And when an up-flushing, macerating toilet - or "up toilet" - is used for the project, its comparatively low installed-cost makes a bathroom addition very affordable.

An up toilet can be installed virtually anywhere in the home. That's because this type of plumbing system operates above the floor, using small-diameter piping to pump waste and water up, not down, and into sewer or septic lines. As a consequence, there is no need for the mess and heavy expense of digging through flooring, especially the concrete variety in the basement.

Macerating technology is ideal for adding a bath in tight spots. The simple installation process drives the cost savings. Best of all, this type of home renovation reaps instant rewards, improving the quality of life now and paying dividends later.

Learn more about low-cost above-floor bathroom systems by visiting www.saniflo.com or calling toll-free at (800) 571-8191.
 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

In this issue

  - Keep it simple on Valentine's Day:  Host a fun dinner with friends or family

  - Preventive maintenance is important ... for your heart and your vehicle

  - What's hot in the evolving world of flat screen TV wall mounts

  - Make sure your indoor air is healthy this spring

  - Selling your home?  Easy improvements to attract buyers

  - Recipe of the month - Six Layers and a Chip Dip

  - Stop Foreclosure

  - Tax Credits Provide Outstanding Opportunities for Home Buyers

RESOURCE CENTER

LENDERS

Dawn R. Cameron
Home Mortgage Consultant
Renovation Specialist
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

O: 631-382-2248

C: 631-860-4845

dawn.r.cameron@wellsfargo.com

Tax Credits Provide Outstanding Opportunities for Home Buyers

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. It also authorized a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified repeat home buyers.

• Frequently asked questions about the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit.

• Frequently asked questions about the $6,500 tax credit for repeat home buyers.

• Some key points for prospective home buyers.

• Special rules that apply to members of the military, the foreign service and the intelligence community.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Six Layers and a Chip Dip

8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1(15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cups lowfat shredded Cheddar
• 2 ripe avocados, preferably Hass
• 1 jalapeno, stemmed, finely chopped, (with seeds for more heat)
• 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 1/2 cups nonfat yogurt, preferably Greek
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, leaves and some stems, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
• 3 ripe medium tomatoes, diced
• 5 scallions (white and green), thinly sliced
• Baked tortilla chips, for dipping

 Directions

On a cutting board, smash the garlic cloves, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the salt, and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Put the garlic, beans, chili powder, water, and olive oil in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Spread in the bottom of a 2 quart casserole or gratin dish, or in individual sized dishes, as desired.

Scatter the cheese over the beans. Halve and seed the avocados, then mash with the jalapeno and another teaspoon of salt in a small bowl. Spread a layer of the avocado over the cheese, and then scatter the lettuce on top.

Mix the yogurt with the cilantro and then spread over the lettuce. Add a layer of tomatoes and finally scatter the scallions on top. Chill until ready to serve. Garnish with a few cilantro sprigs and serve with baked chips.

Recipe courtesy of www.foodnetwork.com

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