Win a $15 gift certificate to Powell's bookstore!

Enter the Back-to-School 2011 Essay Contest and if your essay is selected as the winner you will receive a $15 gift certificate to Powell’s bookstore! 

Submit a 1-page essay (500 words max) on the following topic: 

“If I Could Change a School Rule” - If you could change one rule at your school, which rule would it be and what would you change it to? Why did you choose that rule? Why is your rule better than the old rule?

Submissions may be typed or hand-written legibly. You may choose to use the essay contest form for your convenience, but it is not required. Download the essay contest form here. 

This contest is open to all students Kinder-Grade 12. One winner will be selected from each of the following categories: Elementary School (K-Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12). 

Include your name, address, phone, e-mail address, age, grade level, your teacher’s name (if applicable) and school that you attend. Entries must be received no later than Tuesday, October 25th, 2011 at 5:00 pm.

  

Mail entry to:

Essay Contest

Attn: Elizabeth Ramos

Keller Williams Realty Sunset Corridor

1915 NW Amberglen Pkwy, Suite 250

Beaverton OR 97006

-OR-

E-mail entry to:

dhomeagent@gmail.com

In the subject line: 2011 Essay Contest

The winning essays will be published in the next issue of The Neighborhood Connection newsletter, on this blog, and online at www.dhomeagent.com.

Download the essay contest form (not required) here.

GET YOUR COPY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTION BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

To sign up to get these free newsletters, email me at dhomeagent@gmail.com.  

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The Neighborhood Connection newsletter is a great source to get Real Estate related news.

 It also has a calendar of upcoming events in the Portland Metro area.

 And it has a Real Estate corner with a snap shot of the market and featured properties.

To sign up to get these free newsletters, email me at dhomeagent@gmail.com.

Please indicate if you would like to receive the newsletters via email OR paper form.

YOUR'E INVITED TO MY 2nd ANNUAL FIESTA!

Good food, cold drinks, salsa music and dancing....what more could you ask for?!?! Event is Saturday, August 20th at 7 pm. For more info and to RSVP go to http://new.evite.com/services/links/LX5RTIZ7CP. See you there!

I'M A CHEETAH!

Find out what animal YOU are at www.whatanimalami.com, and just for fun, let me know what animal you are by posting a comment below!

First Goal Accomplished!

Last Saturday I competed and placed FIRST in bronze level multi dance for chacha and rumba at the River City Ball Amateur Ballroom Dance Competition in Portland. My long time friend Gary and I competed against approximately 10 other couples. Now I can happily say that my first goal to compete in a dance competition in 2011 has been accomplished. Moving on to the next goal. Stay tuned!

Put on your dancing shoes & follow my lead!

Dancing is my passion. I have loved dancing since I was very young. I remember my aunt teaching me the hula dance when I was about 6 or 7 yrs old. A year or two later, I took a summer hula class and performed on stage. Wow! I loved it. 

In high school there was a group of girls that took dance and I would watch their rehearsals, remember the steps then go home and try to do the dance. Because my parents could not afford to send me to dance classes, I just spent time watching and immitating. 

When I got to college, I auditioned for the University Dance Troup and was accepted. That was the beginning of my "dance fever". I tried to learn as much as I could and loved performing on stage.

Dancing took the back burner as I started a family. It was not until about 5 years ago when I got back into dance. My daughter Eliza introduced me to a Salsa Rueda dance studio in Portland. Dancing soon became a big part of my life again. Not only is it a great way to stay active and fit, but it also reduces stress and keeps me happy. For the past couple of years I have been teaching at this Salsa studio on Friday nights. I always have free passes, so feel free to call or e-mail me and I can mail some to you so you can try it for free on your first visit.

This year I will be hosting my 2nd Annual Fiesta and towards the end of the night I'll be teaching SALSA! With good food, music, and dancing, this is a fun-filled opportunity for me to stay in touch with my past clients and friends. 

I always enjoy the opportunity to show my appreciation to those who have supported me over the past several years. The Real Estate business has been hit hard the past few years and without the encouragement and moral support from friends, family, and past clients, the hardships would have felt much heavier. This annual event is my way of saying "Thank You" for all your continued support. And who knows? Maybe you, too, will develop a shared passion for dancing.

At Risk of Missing a Mortgage Payment?

Over the last few months I have visited and talked to several past clients and referrals about the hardships that they are facing and the possibility of them losing their home. When the economy drops it brings other issues into peoples lives: illness, loss of jobs, separation, etc. I wish my visits were under better circumstances. I can't help much except to offer my time and support for what you are going through. And when it comes to options about your home, I can certainly offer my professional opinion.

 

I decided to write this after finding out from a past client that the bank foreclosed on their home. They were too embarrassed to call me to seek advice when they missed their first mortgage payment. They didn't know what options were available to them and decided to just give the house back to the bank. The sad thing is, they actually had equity in that home--About $60,000 in equity. Money that they certainly would have not all lost if they knew what steps to take to protect it.

 

When faced with the possibility of losing your home, please call me. There are several options to consider. Don't wait until after you have missed a payment. Call me when you think you may miss a payment. This will give you some time to consider the options and make a decision. We may not be able to save your home but we can certainly find ways to help reduce the waiting period for you to get another home in the future.

 

I'm here to help! (503) 310-4612