Sep. 28, 2008 - Is Baggage Theft a Sign of the Economic Times?

Baggage Theft 

      A few months ago I told you about the problems at McCarran airport with the theft of bags off the carousel.  I told you the story about the girl in town for the America's got talent contest and how her bag was stolen.  Now I have a few more stories to tell you.

     We have a new Number One on the Continental Corporation radar.  Las Vegas has the most stolen bags in the Continental system.  We have had 35 bags stolen this month and the month is not over yet.  For the last few months we have a new scanning system and the bags are scanned as they come up the belt to the carousel.  So we know for sure the bag is here in Las Vegas and has been scanned to come upstairs.  

     So now to my stories.  I have been trying to be very observant the last little while.  I have spotted a person that I keep seeing show up in the baggage area.  He comes in with 3-4 Smart Carts and gets the quarters for them.  Hell I even saw him sell one to a lady today for the three bucks they cost.  (he did put their baggage on the cart for them.)  I think he saw me watching him and went out a door.  I just knew he was going to come back in.  So I went into the other carousel area and in he comes again with some more carts.  He looked up and saw me, shoved the carts in and ran out and down the escalator two steps at a time.  Would he have also stolen a bag had he not seen me?  I will never know, but if I prevented a theft today I will follow him again.  Continental is not the only one in Las Vegas to have bags stolen.  Two of Southwest and one American bag was found in the restroom after they had been gone through.  A Continental and two United bags were found in a dumpster in downtown Las Vegas. 

     My friend Matt works for Smart Carte.  He sometimes goes upstairs in the upper parking garage to pick up carts that had been left up there.  One day he saw a man pushing one of the carts with a couple of bags on it.  He did not think too much of it that day but a few days later he saw the same man in different clothes.  He again had bags on his cart.  Matt asked him about it and the man got agitated and said quickly they were his.  Well in the parking garage there is not only an elevator but a stairwell.  Up where they were, no one uses the stairwell when the elevator is much easier.  Matt looked in the stairwell and the man had made himself a little fort with the bags he had taken and a nice bed of the things found in the bags.  Needless to say thanks to Matt the gentleman no longer houses himself in the stairwell and does not steal bags.  

    I have told you before about my friend Bob Ball who works night shift in the baggage service office. He is just beside himself over these thefts and is bound and determined that we are going to end this. He would like us to become very stealth, be provided with bullet proof vests, and a long telephoto lens.  He wants to have a test bag with a certain mark on it.  Then an agent goes up to the second level with the camera and takes a picture of anyone who takes the bag. (It will have a GPS in it.) Of course we will have a cell phone to call Metro police while we try to follow the person. 

                                            
                                           BOB

   The whole point to this post is thefts from the airports all across the US is up.  I believe it is a sign of the economic times.  People tend to take from those they think have more than them when times are tough.  Make sure you get to the carousel and get your bags.  Something else golf clubs do come up on the carousel here in Las Vegas. 2 of the stolen bags were golf clubs and they are easily pawned.

    Please pass this on to anyone who travels.  Let me know what you think or tell me stories you have had on your travels. 

Update on baggage theft

While I was formulating this story Las Vegas Review Journal did a story on the baggage theft problems.  You can read the whole story of the interviews and whats going on here:

Las Vegas Review Story
 

A few things I would like to point out in the story:  It says for you to take inventory of what you have in the bag and that is probable a good idea but keep in mind about the only thing inside of a bag that is covered by an airline is clothing.  No electronics, no jewels, no medications.  It is important for you to make a police report and there is always an office for the police in an airport.  With the police report you maybe able to claim the things not covered by the airlines on some other insurance you may carry?

I would love to hear about your experiences with baggage issues.

Sep. 24, 2008 - Events Around Nevada

Around Nevada

September 27-28th Candy Dance Faire   Downtown Genoa, Nevada Sugar in great proportions 4,000 pounds of handmade candy, 300 crafters and a dinner dance.  Sounds like a fun time and an old fashioned festival.  For information call 775-782-8696

October 17th-19th  Nevada Ballet Theatre presents the classical ballet Giselle .  The Bayley Theatre at the University of Nevada Las Vegas For information call 702-895-2787

October 18th Ghost and Paranormal Conference Crystal Bay Nevada A historic hotel plays host to paranormal experts, amatuer ghost hunters and some say a collection of resident spirits.  The Cal Neva Resort.  For information call 775-829-9010

October 25th-February 15th 2009  Reno Nevada Long May She Wave  a graphic history of the American Flag Hundreds of flag-related icon's.  Nevada Museum of Art 775-329-3333 for information.
 

Lots of fun activites in and around Las Vegas.  There is always something interesting going on.

Aug. 15, 2008 - Las Vegas Police Department Hiring

Have You Always Wanted To Be a Policeman?

         The Las Vegas Police Department is hiring.  I heard this on the radio the other morning.  So for someone wanting to move to Las Vegas but did not have a job yet this may be your chance.  ( of course I can help you with either a rental or a home to buy)  Las Vegas police make one of the highest salary's of anyone in the US.  Starting is around 53K not bad and your benefits start from day one.

      There are a few requirements:

• You have to have a High School diploma
• You have to be able to pass a drug test  ( Ya Think LOL:)
• You have to be able to pass a written test
• You have to be able to pass a strenuous physical 
   
  
  For more information you can go to www.protectthecity.com

Aug. 15, 2008 - Clark Country School Kids Must Have This!

Before Kids can Return To School

     School starts on August 25Th in Clark County Nevada this year, because there has been some bouts of whooping cough all students going into the 7Th grade must have this vaccination before they will be allowed to attend school.  

    As of this writing more than 33,000 7Th graders still do not have their shots and will not be attending on opening day.  The news media, print and otherwise is really trying to get the word out.

   Teachers and officials do not want the kids to miss any class time.  There clinics around the valley to help get these vaccinations done.
 

Read More Here
 

    With that thought also in mind be aware the kids will be going to and from school.  So we really need to slow down and make sure they get where they are going safely. 

Aug. 9, 2008 - Time To Get Ready To Vote

    As of today there are only 85 more days until we elect not only a new President but more important our local officials.  Who we elect in our districts have a direct impact on our lives.  County Commissioners make deals all of the time.  Let's make sure we have people that will really serve our best interest.  Our local Senators and Representatives also impact our lives. 
   Our Judges are also elected.  This is new for me as in Utah where I am originally from, they are not elected.  So I have been really paying attention and learning what I can about these Judges that will impact us with crime and how they handle it.
   If you have not yet registered to vote in Nevada you have until October 14Th.
For more information  

Secretary of State Ross Miller has a lot of election information on this site.

 

Jul. 27, 2008 - Royal Peacock Opal Mines

Royal Peacock mines offers the opportunity to dig for the beautiful stones known as fire opals. 
 
   Mine Phone: (775) 941-0374

Summer Mine Mailing Address: the other site.
PO Box 165, Denio, NV 89404

Winter Mailing Address
HCR001-9535, Winnemucca, NV 89445

Winter Phone: (775) 272-3201

DIG YOUR OWN VIRGIN VALLEY OPALS ALL YOU FIND ARE YOURS TO KEEP

OPEN
May 15 Thur Oct. 15
(Weather permitting)

Rock Shop hours:
8 am - 5pm

Mining hours
8 am - 4 pm

Here is a new link with up dated information it should help you have a fantastic gem hunting experience.  Click on the link below for everything you need to know.

LINK:       New Hours and updated information

Jul. 26, 2008 - Another Side of Foreclosure

The Darker Side of Foreclosure

     I just read a story at Fox News.com about a women that sent a fax to the lender on the day of her house being auctioned.  She said in the fax that it did not matter she would be dead before it happened.
When buyers came to preview the house before the auction her body was found in the house.  This 53 year old wife and mother had shot herself.  Her husband stated he had no idea they were in financial trouble.  What?  How could he not?  This happened in Massachusetts but it could happen anywhere.
     Our homes tend to define who we are.  How well we are doing in life.  Where our children have grown up and we have kept up with the Jones.  Dr. Ablow who contributes to Fox News.com is quoted as saying,“People’s homes are tremendously important to them emotionally,” “It’s an American and human fact that we project our self image through the houses that we buy and redesign and where our children grow up  and to some measure it is our face to the community and to ourselves.” “There can be feelings of desperation, hopelessness and shame,” Ablow told FOX News.com. “Financial chaos in ones life brings up very deep questions related to much earlier life stresses and experiences. For example, financial turmoil in your family of origin or questions about whether you measured up personally or economically.”
     If you are in a position where you could lose your home, seek help just as soon as possible.  If you ignore it things can only get worse.  Take control of your future before it takes control of you.
     If you know someone who is in financial distress there are warning signs to watch out for.

•  When someone seems to be drawing a line in the sand psychologically and saying that they cannot envision the future
•  Signs consistent of major depression including:
•  Episodes of tearfulness— Low self-esteem,
•  Inability to concentrate
•  Lack of appetite
•  Inability to sleep or sleeping too much and any expression of suicidal thinking

Jul. 7, 2008 - Money Exchange Now Open At McCarran Airport

           This little unit is a currency exchange.  For a long time there has been no where in McCarran airport for in bound passengers to exchange their money.  After 911 the business center we had that would do office like things, exchange money, and hold bags went out of business.  The main reason was they were no longer allowed to hold any baggage.
          The situation has been very frustrating for our passenger's from Canada, Japan, Mexico and Europe.  Now we have this cute little unit that fills the need of the money exchange. 
          It is located by claim number 7 and has operating hours of 8:00 A.M.-10:00 P.M. 7 days a week.

Jul. 5, 2008 - Solution for Vacant Houses

        There has been a lot of debate on home staging.  Is it worth it to a homeowner to pay a professional stagger to come in and make a home show ready?  Or can a homeowner just clear all their clutter and remove personal items to make a home in ready condition for buyers to come and look? 
     What about vacant homes?  With so many homeowners going into financial distress and either losing their home to foreclosure or just walking away.  What about the homeowner that just plain has to move, and with the market as it is can not sell their home fast enough?  So the home becomes vacant and vacant homes are largely unappealing.  Most buyers would rather see some furniture and a clean home for visualization purposes, than an empty somewhat dirty home. Vacant homes are being broken into and vandalized. 
    There was a crew of guys going around Las Vegas subdivisions with a van.  The van looked very much like a service vehicle, so the neighbors did not think too much about it. Well they were stealing air conditioners units and breaking in and taking all the appliances. Other homes are just getting broken into by homeless people and a lot of damage is being done to the interior of the homes.
     Well I have run across a company that may just have the solution for people that have to move and leave their home vacant while it is trying to be sold.  The company is called  Property Solutions of Las Vegas, LLC.    ( they have branches in a lot of area's of the U.S. not just Las Vegas)
      I was very excited when I ran across this company because it is at NO COST  to the homeowner or the Realtor® that is marketing the property.
   Property Solutions of Las Vegas,LLC   has teamed up with CareTakers of America who has been in business since 1985.  They have people who live in the home with their furniture and keep the home in show ready condition. The homeowner still makes their mortgage payments but there is no cost to have this service provided.  Think of the peace of mind the homeowner who needs to leave the area will have knowing their home is being taken care of.  The caretaker even pays the utilities. 
    Read for yourself all the materials provided on both websites and let me know what you think.  As far as I can tell it is a win/win situation for all concerned.

Jul. 2, 2008 - Can We Survive The Challenges of Today?

Today's Challenges Impact All of Us

The market today certainly is a challenge to everyone, Realtors®, real estate agents, buyers and sellers. loan officers, appraisers, even home inspectors.  Short sales talk have become a dinner topic along with foreclosures, and bank owned properties.  For sale signs litter the landscape of our neighborhoods.  Is it just me or does the main stream media just delight in putting out every bit of negativity they can find?

One of the things that  is having an  incredible impact on everyone is GAS PRICES.  They are impacting every aspect of peoples lives and I discover something new that is being impacted daily. 

As a Realtor® I need to look at working smarter.  When working with new buyers I need to really ask questions to get their desires down.  All their wants and do not wants.  Use email to send properties and ask for feed back.  Make sure that they have visited a lender of their choice and have be pre qualified so we know exactly what price range we are looking in.  Listing agents this is notice to you put as many quality pictures in the MLS that you can.  When I have my buyers in the office and we are picking out what we are going to look at there had better be pictures. Even better a wonderful video or an excellent REAL ESTATE SHOW©  If we can't see pictures well, let's just say your chances of getting your property shown goes way down.

When I take a listing you can bet I will point that out to the home owner, today more than ever pictures are worth a thousand words and more showings.  It will also behove me to make sure my presentation is such that the seller understands what a good price right up front is most important.  I have to make them understand what kind of competition is out there and why it is different than any other market in recent history.

I am a Survivor and I will survive this market.  Daily I am trying to think of ways I can work smarter and not give less service.   What can you do to make sure you survive too?