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The Twin Cities Fox News affiliates' investigative team recently ran a new segment on mortgage and real estate fraud. A man was allegedly bilked out of nearly half a million dollars by a loan officer and real estate agent he met in a bar! The story is not a new one but what struck me was the "in a bar" statement. How many people are selecting their advisor on real estate over a beer in the local tavern? Let's think about this a minute. One of the biggest, most important investments in a person's life and they rely on an acquaintance in a bar? I hope they at least ordered some appetizers before they signed the contracts! The average American will buy or sell a home only 2-3 times during[..]

If you have a mortgage and failed to repay the monthly payment, you are in the risk of getting a foreclosure. The lender, mainly the banks will file for Notice of Default and there is nothing you can do once the foreclosure is finalized. However, there are many ways you can avoid and stop a foreclosure from happening. You can find out more about this online or get a professional point of view in this matter. When a foreclosure happens, the lender such as the banks will take over the properties involved in the foreclosure and try to sell it off at the foreclosure auctions. A foreclosure auction is going to take place to auction off the properties to the public. Before the auction take[..]

In an Washington Times story, titled, "China holds more U.S. debt than indicated," (2009), ( recent government reports that China's holdings of U.S. Treasury debt declined during the second half of last year, the Asian economic giant almost certainly owns far more Treasury securities than official statistics indicate. After peaking at $801.5 billion, China's holdings of U.S. Treasury securities declined to $755.4 billion at the year's end, dropping the communist power into the position of second-largest holder of Treasury debt after Japan's $768.8 billion, official government data reveal. My argument is,  it's obvious that the Chinese people clearly understand economics, business and[..]

Kiplingers Magazine recently published a list of U.S. cities where one can find still find affordable rents, but that are not boring to live in. While many young college graduates aim to launch their careers in huge metropolitan areas like Washington, DC or Los Angeles, many may find satisfaction (and save a lot of money) by looking beyond the better-known population centers. The five locales listed below all have a growing "under-30" population and solid job markets: Athens The Univ. of Georgia is centered in this college town and is responsible for its original founding and its subsequent growth. The city offers free wireless 'net access downtown, and the university and two regional[..]

How did it all begin? The Lakers' name originates from the years they played in Minneapolis, Minnesota. "Lakers" refers to the huge cargo-hauling ships that traveled along the Great Lakes. When thinking about or discussing the Los Angeles Lakers, one word comes to mind: "excellence." Since joining the NBA in 1960, the Lakers have been the epitome of success. Their accomplishments as a team include: - 44 playoff appearances - 24 division crowns - 27 Conference Finals appearances - 23 NBA Finals appearances - 9 NBA Championships How did it all begin? The Lakers' name originates from the years they played in Minneapolis, Minnesota. "Lakers" refers to the huge cargo-hauling ships that[..]

Every home buyer loves the process of visiting homes and finding that perfect place to call home. Sitting down and writing the offer is not always as much fun! For many people, the process of buying a home is something they go through only once or twice in a lifetime. New terms and questions come are the norm as the purchase agreement is prepared. As a Realtor in the northeast Twin Cities metro, whether I am working with first time buyers, move-up buyers or empty-nesters, one question always stops the process for a moment of discussion. How much earnest money are you prepared to offer? The amount of the earnest money varies with each purchase agreement. A buyer must first understand[..]

Leyland cypresses, XCupressocyparis leylandii, are not fairing well in many landscapes. It is a fast growing tree used in boarders and screens that had relatively few pest problems. Now is has been suffering from branch die-back. Sadly, it can cause the death of the tree. Seiridium canker is the cause. This disease is not to the point of wiping out this tree, but I would recommend not planting this tree as it likely will in the future be a major concern. Why plant a tree that is not going to be healthy or is suspect? Thus landscape designers should seek a replacement for the Leyland Cypress. One great choice is the Green Giant Arborvitae. Green Giant arborvitae is becoming a[..]

The following top 10 psychology schools are some of the best in the nation for future psychologists and related professionals. Jobs in this field are highly in demand and degrees from this institution will put you in the best position for the top careers. 1. Harvard University: Harvard's prestigious school of psychology opened in the 1800s, nearly two centuries after the university was founded, and it is still one of the top graduate level psychology programs in the U.S. and around the world. 2. Stanford University: Stanford ranks first in the psychology field according to many respected rating systems, which is no surprise considering the school's 17 psychology research laboratories and[..]

Lake Minnetonka is located about twenty miles west of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. It boasts over 100 miles of shoreline and was formed by melting glacial ice as evidenced by its irregular shape. Minnetonka is one of the biggest lakes in the state; even its name means "Big Waters" in the Dakota language. In fact, Native Americans made their home on the shores of this vast lake centuries before the English arrived. In 1822 two teenager boys traveled up Minnehaha Creek and into Lake Minnetonka and are the first known white men to visit the lake. Despite its grand size, it wasn't until 30 years later that the lake began gaining popularity as a viable place for settlement. In 1852, Governor[..]

Have you got that interest in pharmacy? Do you want a pharmacy certification but don't know where to go? Are you lost and at crossroads without directions? Well, it's about time to put your worries to rest and turn that frown upside down because by reading on you would get an idea of the top 10 pharmacy schools. - Purdue University. Here you are taught everything from the basics of healthcare right up to hands on task that help you build up your leadership skills. - Ohio State University. With regards to the scientific publications and funding, this school was ranked fourth and was in seventh place as the top pharmacy school in the country. - University of Cincinnati is one of the first[..]

Today, Opening Day 2010, in the sophomore year of Citi Field, the New York Mets dedicated the "bridge" walkway behind right-center field as Shea Bridge. Prior to last season, the Mets made Shea Stadium their home. There can be no doubt that more than one inquisitive child holding a ticket for today's game was told by their parent that the bridge was named after the recently dismantled ballpark. An accurate response of course, but one that is woefully incomplete. From its opening day in 1964 until the closing ceremonies following the final game of the 2008 season, Shea Stadium, by its mere existence, preserved the memory of the man in whose honor it was named. Today's gesture will assure[..]

For the self-promoting independent artist, the idea of taking on a radio promotion campaign can, in itself, become overwhelming. But, this idea is usually based on such artists attempting to obtain worldwide airplay on a local budget. And, in doing so, self-promoting independent artists quickly discover another factor not usually considered previously...that engaging in a worldwide radio promotion campaign translates to hundreds and, possibly, thousands of CD units for media contacts alone. As you can see, this can also quickly become a nightmare for indie artists, particularly, if the promotion budget only allows for the purchase of 1,000-CD packages at a time. Starting in the 1980's,[..]

Have you ever seen a crazy cool mural that you can’t stop looking at? That is probably because murals are simply a skillful attempt at creating illusion. They can totally expand our horizons and often times they transport us to another time or place through images. In their simplest form, murals are simply decorative artistic renderings on a common wall or living space that is generally grand in scale. Certain materials are needed to complete a mural but painting easel is not one of them. Here are some truly interesting facts about the fantastic murals of our world. 1. Typically, murals are largely inspired by six main topics: religion, the four seasons (fall, winter, spring, and[..]

ShopNBC is a very popular American cable and broadcast shopping network located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is owned by NASDAQ:VVTV (Value Vision Media) in which 37 percent are owned by NBC Universal. Value Vision is the first owner of the network. The business started to cater to costumers nationwide since 1991 after being a local shopping program aired as an afternoon show in 1990. During the early 2000, drastic changes were made. Value Vision became ShopNBC. ShopNBC is a renowned seller of various CST end jewelries. Recently, it has even expanded to sell household items which include Serta mattresses and Tiffany Style Lamps. Thus ShopNBC is regarded as an Upscale Shopping Network or[..]

For the self-promoting independent artist, the idea of takingon a radio promotion campaign can, in itself, becomeoverwhelming. But, this idea is usually based on such artistsattempting to obtain worldwide airplay on a local budget. And, in doing so, self-promoting independent artists quicklydiscover another factor not usually considered previously...that engaging in a worldwide radio promotion campaigntranslates to hundreds and, possibly, thousands of CD unitsfor media contacts alone. As you can see, this can also quickly become a nightmare forindie artists, particularly, if the promotion budget only allowsfor the purchase of 1,000-CD packages at a time. Starting in the 1980's, college[..]

There are many reasons why a pre-pharmacy student may choose to apply to a certain pharmacy school. These factors may include things such as location, curriculum, weather, class size and etc. However, there is one criterion that is often overlooked by most students. This method requires little effort and is based on something that most of us use everyday. Many students do not choose schools by their Google PageRank. The Google search engine is hard at work everyday. It is the #1 search engine in the United States. Why not use its searching powers to your advantage by using one of their tools? This tool is the Google PageRank. What is Google PageRank? To keep it short and simple, it is[..]

Ready to say "I do?" Are you the type of couple who enjoys a good ghost tale or loves Halloween? Then why not turn your "I do" into "I boo" with a haunted Halloween wedding? Not only has Halloween become a favorite holiday for adults, it's also become a day many couples decide to tie the knot. Some couples go for Halloween-themed weddings with skull and pumpkin decorations, and a masquerade reception. Some couples hire companies to come in and turn their weddings into "Murder Mystery" events. Many couples, though, take Halloween weddings one step further, having their weddings at spooky venues, or locations which are supposedly haunted. If you'd like to push the envelope for your[..]

Xcel Energy Center is a famous sports stadium located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA. It is sponsored by Xcel Energy and is the home ice for the NHL's Minnesota Wild. It comprises of four spectator levels. Out of these four one is the suite level whereas other three are general seating levels called the 100 level, the club level, and the 200 level. Its official capacity is 18,834. However, it set a new record for attendance at a Minnesota hockey game at 19,398 on October 5, 2005. This Stadium is in the ownership of the city of Saint Paul. It opened in the fall of 2000 plus it is known as the "X" by fans. It was constructed on the site of the wrecked St. Paul Civic Center. In the year of[..]

Have you heard of the Butterfly Effect, and how one thing leads to another in the world of referrals? Well here is my BNI Story, a perfect example of the Butterfly Effect in action. I was invited to BNI by a young man that grew up in my neighborhood and played with my little brother. His name is Craig Oslund. Craig and I got reacquainted at a Chamber After Hours event where I was promoting my new business in 2005. He invited me to visit his BNI meeting. I jumped at the chance to network with another group of professionals. I joined immediately and became the education coordinator the second week of my membership. After all teaching others is a great way to learn the organization for[..]

Buying new golf clubs can be expensive. It can also be difficult to get rid of a set when you upgrade since you did spend your money on them. Second Swing Golf is a store that can help you with both dilemmas. They are a new and used dealer of golf equipment that has put together a system that makes them reliable no matter which location or store of theirs you visit. What is Second Swing Golf Second Swing Golf is a specialty golf retailer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They specialize in the buying and selling of pres-swung golf clubs. Retail store locations are marketed under the names 2nd Swing and 2GOLF. They offer you the opportunity to get value for the golf clubs and equipment you[..]

Forget what you think you know about stenciling I tell homeowners around the Minneapolis area. Stencils no longer come as simple cut shapes that look unattached when painted, modern stenciling has become so elaborate it even challenges experienced faux painters. Modern day stencils are much more sophisticated. I recently stenciled an elaborate grape vine over some kitchen cupboards. The stencil I was using came in 6 parts with 3 layers each! Each stencil seamlessly adjoined to the next. The grape vine was perfect for this kitchen. Faux painters can alleviate many design problems. If you are looking to redecorate a small room with high ceilings, a nice stenciled border will help create[..]

The professional football player widely known as Percy Harvin was actually born William Percival Harvin III in May of 1988 and adopted the nickname Percy as short for his middle name Percival at a young age. Harvin went onto garner national attention as a standout player for the University of Florida (UF) Gators football program where he was an offensive weapon that helped the college win two national championships. After being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in April of 2009 Percy has enjoyed the entirety of his pro football career in the National Football League (NFL) with the Minneapolis based Minnesota Vikings. Long before becoming one of the favorite receiving targets for future[..]

Audio Engineering is an elusive subject when taken seriously as a profession. As an amateur, people used to experiment on this field - making this a worthwhile hobby while they try to understand how sound actually works. Even you yourself may know of someone who either takes apart amplifiers or speakers or makes synthetic rhythms on their computer. One explanation for the extensive "amateurization" of the audio engineering field is the availability of relatively less costly audio equipment being produced nowadays. Presently, increasingly able and complex computer programs that are designed to reproduce even more closely professional sound boards are made available and many types of sound[..]

There are many characteristics about Rochester, MN that make it unique. A number of different factors add to this uniqueness, including the city flag, the number and type of people that make up the city, and the city's economy. Each piece adds to the overall whole that is Rochester. The city flag for Rochester was designed in 1980. A competition was held with nearly 200 entries to be judged by the citizen flag selection committee. Laurie A. Muir, a student of fine arts at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, submitted the winning design. The Rochester City Council selected the design for the official city flag at a meeting on June 16, 1980. The original Minnesota flag had a blue[..]

The Mall of America, in the Minneapolis, Minnesota suburb of Bloomington, gets 40 million visitors a year. Forty million! That's more visitors than Disney World, Graceland, and the Grand Canyon combined. Visitors go there to shop at the 500+ stores, visit the Underwater Adventure Aquarium, LEGO Imagination Center, Dinosaur Walk Museum, A.C.E.S. Flight Simulation Center, see movies in 14 theaters, and party at seven nightclubs. Before you visit the mall you need to make some plans. Log onto the Mall of America Home Page for maps, directions, a store directory, a list of special attractions, an events calendar, and a restaurant directory. Though this website is packed with[..]

Target Corporation - SWOT Analysis company profile is the essential source for top-level company data and information. Target Corporation - SWOT Analysis examines the company's key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy. Target Corporation (Target) is a retailer which operates large format general merchandise and food discount stores. Target primarily operates in the US. The company is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota and employs 351,000 people; this figure includes full-time, part-time and seasonal employees. The company recorded revenues of $64,948 million during the financial year (FY) ended[..]

What are the important factors that go into creating an ideal situation to bring up kids? Well, the role of the mom and dad-essentially, good parenting skills-is crucial. However, other things, such as the environment, education, and community too play a role. We bring you list of the five best cities to raise your kids in: 5. Boston, Massachusetts: This largest city in New England is especially known for its excellent standards of higher education. Forbes magazine rated the Boston public school system, the oldest public school system in America, as the best in the world. Music, arts, sports, and a world-class urban environment make this a great city to raise your kids in. 4. Miami,[..]

A comprehensive study of 2000 consumers who shopped and made purchases from Home Depot, Lowes and Menards Big Box stores in 2006 has just been completed by Minneapolis, Minnesota based building materials research firm Market Resource Associates, Inc. (MRA) Consumer respondents had to shop in at least 2 of the chains to qualify for participation and were not paid anything for their cooperation. The out-bound telephone protocol was administered to 56 markets within the 48 contiguous United States between July and October of 2006. The markets and resulting quotas were selected based upon housing activity in 2005. Further, the results of this latest study were compared to results from the[..]

Casual Friday is a popular event in both America and Canada. It is also known as “Dress-down Friday” or “casual day.” This custom is basically the act of dressing down every Friday in the workplace. No heels, no ties, no pant suits, no collared shirts, no body kits. Some offices even have themed down day, such as Sports day or Christmas apparel. Typically, jeans, T-shirts, hoodies, and sneakers are allowed on casual Fridays. However, some offices are a bit more uptight and they require a “business casual” or what they call “smart casual.” So where did this dressing down day come from? Well, the tradition began in the late 1950’s and it was invented as a way to raise a[..]