LETTER
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Hello Readers,
It is a time when the concept of
change is in the air. It is good to see the American political
process at work. In these times of so much uncertainty it
is important to remember that fear is never a good state of
mind from which to choose anything important. I am going to
look to the future and imagine the world I would like to live
in and that I would like for my child and loved ones to live
in. Then I am going to do everything possible to move toward
that ideal. It seems like a good place to start.
Certainly we are
holding good thoughts for the folks along the Gulf Coast and
hope for the best, and that response to the crisis will be
infinitely better than before.
We’ve got
a great month of articles for September, including one from
our new columnist, Cliff Korman of Kirkor Urban Planners,
Inc. We’re so proud to have Cliff on our team as the
author of our Beyond Green column, as he is highly respected
in the world of architecture and a valued member of the sustainable
building movement. Be on the lookout for even more exciting
changes in the coming months. And without further ado, let’s
get to the September issue.
Identity theft is
a growing crime in the United States, and it has made its
mark on the Real Estate industry as well. In her article,
“Real Estate Identity Theft on the Rise,” Michelle
Savage discusses how identity thieves target homeowners and
how the rise in foreclosures has led to an outbreak in the
victimization of those who are already struggling. She also
offers tips that REALTORS® can pass along to clients to
help them avoid falling prey to these kinds of crimes.
Our Feature article
for September profiles a man who is perhaps the most well-known
political pundit in Nevada. Jon Ralston has made a name for
himself by asking the tough questions of politicians on his
television show “Face to Face with Jon Ralston.”
In Doug Shields’ article, “Jon Ralston Puts Nevada
Politics on the Map,” Doug interviews Jon about the
path that brought him to his calling, and about how he approaches
politics and the lawmakers that shape our community.
Our Profile 1 for
September is on Adam Gafke of Newport Lofts. In her article,
“Sharing the View From the Top,” Cathie C. Hulen
takes us on a journey through Adam’s footsteps—from
his battle with serious illness as a teenager to his college
days at the University of Missouri—and she talks with
him about his abundant pride in Newport Lofts and what this
high-rise means to the downtown area.
Community involvement
has always been a top priority for Alicia Green of Northwestern
Mutual Financial Network. In her article, “A Moral Responsibility,”
Cathie C. Hulen writes about how Alicia’s sense of community
translates into helping her clients plan for their financial
future, as well as her activities outside of her career, such
as helping design a course for high school students to educate
them on how to handle their personal finances.
In our September
Beyond Green column, we are proud to announce the addition
of our new columnist, Cliff Korman of Kirkor Architects &
Planners. In his article, “Beyond Green Goes Global,”
he heads off to Toronto to profile Hullmark Centre, a mixed-use
project that embraces sustainability. Cliff will be bringing
us new and unique projects each month and showing us the creative
and fascinating ways that green building is making its mark
on our planet.
The Fremont East
Entertainment District has enjoyed increased popularity since
its recent redevelopment. In her article for Urban Update,
“Fremont at Its Classic Best,” Cathie C. Hulen
shows how the vibrant nightlife in the Entertainment District
adds its own flair to the downtown area, and tells us how
future plans are benefiting business owners.
If you have children,
you know how extravagant and expensive their birthday parties
can be. But in our current economy, it may not be an option
to go all out the way you might like. In her Lifestyle article,
“The Budget Birthday—Parties for Pennies,”
Rita Templeton gives us some valuable tips on how to throw
a great party without blowing the kids’ college funds
in the process.
While the Housing
and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 was supposed to bring desperately
needed help to homeowners in danger of losing their homes,
it turns out that the benefits may not be as forthcoming as
homeowners had hoped. In September’s Legal Notes, John
Benedict discusses what the Act will and will not do to help
out struggling homeowners in his article “Housing Bill
Brings Little Relief to Those Hit Hardest.”
Amenities such as
concierge service and personal trainers are becoming somewhat
commonplace in the residential high-rise market. However,
some properties are going the extra mile to offer unique services
that are truly valuable to their residents. For September’s
Vertical Update, Brenda Calvin looks at some of the more interesting
services that are gaining popularity in her article, “Amenity
Driven—Perks in High-Rise Real Estate.”
In our September
Design Connection, Stephen Leon roams into Robert Allen/Beacon
Hill Showroom at the World Market Design Center. Stephen notes
that this showroom is filling a void that has long been a
problem for local designers by offering a vast array of fine
fabrics. And he is truly impressed by the store’s contemporary
layout and by the offerings themselves.
As always, we appreciate
the time you take to read our publication and we hope we have
provided you with valuable information. Please take a moment
to leave a comment at the bottom of any of the articles that
you found interesting. Feel free to send us an e-mail and
let us know if there is a topic you’d like to see covered
or a local professional you’d like to see profiled.
Lee Papa, Publisher |
