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• July 26, 2008 - www.StopOilSpeculationNow.com.

An Open letter to All Airline Customers:

Our country is facing a possible sharp economic downturn because of skyrocketing oil and fuel prices, but by pulling together, we can all do something to help now.

For airlines, ultra-expensive fuel means thousands of lost jobs and severe reductions in air service to both large and small communities. To the broader economy, oil prices mean slower activity and widespread economic pain. This pain can be alleviated, and that is why we are taking the extraordinary step of writing this joint letter to our customers.

Since high oil prices are partly a response to normal market forces, the nation needs to focus on increased energy  supplies and conservation. However, there is another side to this story because normal market forces are being dangerously amplified by poorly regulated market speculation.

Twenty years ago, 21 percent of oil contracts were purchased by speculators who trade oil on paper with no intention of ever taking delivery. Today, oil speculators purchase 66 percent of all oil futures contracts, and that reflects just the transactions that are known. Speculators buy up large amounts of oil and then sell it to each other again and again. A barrel of oil may trade 20-plus times before it is delivered and used; the price goes up with each trade and consumers pick up the final tab. Some market experts estimate that current prices reflect as much as $30 to $60 per barrel in unnecessary speculative costs.

Over seventy years ago, Congress established regulations to control excessive, largely unchecked market speculation and manipulation. However, over the past two decades, these regulatory limits have been weakened or removed. We believe that restoring and enforcing these limits, along with several other modest measures, will provide more disclosure,

transparency and sound market oversight. Together, these reforms will help cool the over-heated oil market and permit the economy to prosper.

The nation needs to pull together to reform the oil markets and solve this growing problem.

We need your help. Get more information and contact Congress by visiting

Robert Fornaro Bill Ayer Gerard J. Arpey

Chairman, President and CEO Chairman, President and CEO Chairman, President and CEO

AirTran Airways Alaska Airlines, Inc. American Airlines, Inc.

Lawrence W. Kellner Richard Anderson Mark B. Dunkerley

Chairman and CEO CEO President and CEO

Continental Airlines, Inc. Delta Air Lines, Inc. Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.

Dave Barger Timothy E. Hoeksema Douglas M. Steenland

CEO Chairman, President and CEO President and CEO

JetBlue Airways Corporation Midwest Airlines Northwest Airlines, Inc.

Gary Kelly Glenn F. Tilton Douglas Parker

Chairman and CEO Chairman, President and CEO Chairman and CEO

Southwest Airlines Co. United Airlines, Inc. US Airways Group, Inc.

www.StopOilSpeculationNow.com.

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• July 26, 2008 - Our country is facing a possible sharp economic downturn because of skyrocketing oil and fuel prices.

Today speculation in oil markets hurts most Americans.  Speculation is driving up the price of oil to historic levels. And it hurts all of us—from what you pay at the pump to how much it costs to heat your home to the price of putting food on your table.

It just isn’t fair.

We need to increase domestic supply, exploration, alternative energy sources and conservation. But we also need fair markets, curbing excessive speculation with tough, fair rules that protect consumers and lower prices.

Log on to StopOilSpeculationNow.com and ask Congress to act now! In the next 30 days, Congress can make a real difference in lowering costs for all Americans.

Visit this Website to learn more about how Congress can dramatically reduce
the price of oil and gas. With your help, Congress will take action now on
this important issue.

Click on this URL to take action now
http://capwiz.com/sosnow/utr/2/?a=11683071&i=89027526&c=

If your email program does not recognize the URL as a link, copy the entire
URL and paste it into your Web browser.


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• April 26, 2008 - Efficient & Earth Friendly

Ever since the 1992 Energy Policy Act banned sales of 1.6-gallon toilets that used 3 to 5 gallons per flush, homeowners have been searching for an effective low-flow toilet. It’s been an elusive hunt. Double-flushing (wasting even more water) to fully clear a bowl seemed the only solution.

Over the years, wider pipe openings and pressure-assisted pumps slowly improved performance. Today we have a new generation of high-efficiency toilets that use less than a gallon of water.

To help consumers find these water misers, in 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency began giving a new seal of approval to low-flow toilets. Look for the WaterSense label, awarded to any toilet that uses 20 percent less water than the standard 1.6-gallon models. "The label lets consumers know with certainty that they’re choosing products that use significantly less water without worry whether those products will perform well," says Rob Zimmerman of Kohler Co.

(kohler.com). Eight Kohler products join the FloWise toilet (1.28-gallon) by American Standard (americanstandard-us.com) as WaterSense worthy.
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• April 25, 2008 - Great Outdoors

3 beautiful innovations in patio furniture

These materials look classic, but each has a new twist that makes it better than ever.

All-weather wicker.

No longer do you have to scramble to move your outdoor furniture indoors when clouds turn dark; this synthetic bamboo look-alike can brave rain or shine. Since the material is dyed, the furniture won’t peel or flake like painted natural wicker. See porchesandyards.com/wicker for many options.

Cast aluminum.

At first glance, it’s everything you want out of cast iron: strength, durability, elegance. But cast aluminum is also lightweight and will never rust. Visit patioandhomefurniture.com/aluminum-furniture for ideas.

E

nviroWood. Outdoor furniture’s version of the electric car, this material looks like wood, feels like wood and saves the world one step at a time. Made of 100-percent recycled plastic, EnviroWood has all the perks of wood without the maintenance. Visit seasidecasual.com for products.
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• February 26, 2008 - H2K's Arizona Real Estate Blog - The Basic of Short Sales

We just posted a new entry on our Blog. Please read it when you get a =
chance. Thanks!

Title: The Basic of Short Sales
Category: Buyer & Seller Tips
Date: February 26, 2008
Link: =
http://www.realtown.com/Homes2Know/blog/buyer-seller-tips/the-basic-of-sh=
ort-sales

Randy Eihausen, RFS, e-PRO
REALTOR=C2=AE =E2=99=A6 Realty & Mortgage Counselor
Residential Finance Specialist =E2=99=A6 e-PRO Internet Professional
CENTURY 21 Multi-Million Dollar Club

Direct Phone: Randy - 602-579-4984 or Paul - 602-451-4444
www.Homes2Know.com


CENTURY 21 All Star, Realtors, 430 West Warner Rd. STE 122, Tempe, AZ =
85284
Office Phone: 480-831-2221 =E2=99=A6 Fax Number: 602-266-9802

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
2002 Century 21 Real Estate Corporation. =C2=AE And SM - trademark and =
servicemark of Century 21 Real Estate Corporation.
Equal Housing Opportunity.

L&G Mortgagebanc, 8737 East Via de Commercio, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Phone: 602-451-4444

Helpful Resources for Buyers & Sellers: Get FREE consumer reports on =
buying, selling and financing, search the MLS, get a FREE valuation of =
Your Home and More at www.Homes2Know.com.
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Paul & Randy are the Homes2Know Team & this is our Blog. Our Blog is designed to be a resource for buyers, sellers, homeowners, and those relocating to the Phoenix area.

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