The Monthly Skim…. The jobless report that came back in late July was slightly lower at $301,000 below the expected $310,000 and that mixed with Ben Bernanke’s statement that inflation was leveling off helped push the bond market down slightly, which in turn brought the mortgage rates up. In the middle of May until the beginning of June we saw some of the largest rate increases we had seen in 3 years. The bond took a very large drop in a 24 hour period, plummeting 94 points sending rates up quite a bit. The 30 year rates are still attractive at 6.5% - 6.75% and that should stay steady for a while now.Many celebrated on the 19th of July as the Dow Jones hit a record high going slightly over 14,000. The stock market making its rally back tends to pull some investors out of the bond marke... 10/02/2007

Fargo News Media: Regional Economy Slowed, But Not North Dakota Fargo, ND - A new survey of business leaders indicates slower growth in nine Midwestern and Plains states, but not inNorth Dakota.Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss says businesses seem worried about the housing sector and the mortgage industry, though the region has been helped by strong farm income and ethanol production.In September, the Business Conditions Index for the region improved to 56.7 from August`s 56.0. A score greater than 50 indicates growth.North Dakota`s index rose to the highest level in the region, at 76.1 last month.Goss says North Dakota`s economy is growing at a pace "significantly higher than the region and the nation."Grass Roots Biz News fargo 10/02/2007

Fargo ND.  We are near the anniversary of Katrina, the storm that all but wiped out New Orleans. What does this have to do with immigration, legal or otherwise? One argument against massive immigration across the United States, for example, on our southern border is the illegal aliens are taking jobs away from Americans. The response is that the jobs they are taking are jobs American are not willing to do, at least not for the same wage. Oh? Why is that true, if it is. Katrina showed the people of Fargo and the rest of the country the massive poverty in New Orleans and by extension, in many other large cities. It revealed hundred of thousands of people, nearly destitute, totally unable to fend for themselves, totally dependent on an unresponsive Federal government. I sure help hope the ... 10/02/2007

Publisher’s Response Fargo Phantom is a collaboration of local professionals, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, educators, physicians, farmers and what many may refer to as a “crackpot.”All writers have selected a “Phantom Name” due to the controversial content and editorial mission of the publication. The decision was made to help protect their professional standings in the community.This underground newspaper is dedicated to seeking truth and justice and revitalizing the role of the free press as a guardian of liberty. We remain faithful to the traditional and central role of a free press in a free society – as a light exposing wrongdoing, corruption and abuse of power. This is why we are not accepting advertising for this venture. This is why we have assembled a arsenal of writers f... 10/01/2007

 Fargo Print Media: Welcome to the Valley.... Record Number of women buying homes If you're a single woman in Fargo who wants to buy a house, the good news is the market is wide open for you. The stats from the Joint Center for Housing Studies say: More than one in five home buyers is a single woman.Twice as many unmarried women are buying homes than single men.Single women make up more than one-third of the growth in real estate ownership since 1994.Top Three Reasons Unmarried / Single Women Buy a Home Strong desire to own her own home.Need more space or want smaller home.Relocate closer to job, school or family.Real Women Who Buy Real HomesWomen home buyers come in all sizes, shapes and ages. They are divorced, never married, separated, widowed; some have children, others live with fr... 09/30/2007

Fargo Print Media: Faith Publication Coming to the Red River ValleyA new publication named Valley Faith is set to be launched in the Fargo-Moorhead area this November. The four-color glossy publication will be a “guide to the different local places of worship” in Fargo, Moorhead, and the surrounding area. David Holland, the Director of Sales and Marketing for Valley Faith, describes the publication as more than an all-faith guide. but a place to find inspiraction and direction. “We are really encouraging all faiths to participate,” he said. David also added that currently the Fargo-Moorhead area has 138 places of worship. Holland said the publication is offering a free opportunity to places of worship to expand their ministry’s outreach program by providing them with a profile within th... 09/30/2007

 Fargo Print Media: Helping Kids with the Move to Fargo Moorhead.Although relocating can be one of life's challenges, it is also an adventure. By guiding your child through this experience with knowledge and patience, the transition can be a piece of cake! The home you are moving from may be the only one your child has ever known. There's a sense of familiarity there, not only with the house, but everything around it. The neighborhood friends, parks, and schools will no longer exist for them. That's why moving can be especially troubling for children. But if parents understand what their child's concerns and needs are, a lot of distress can be avoided. What are your kids concerned about? · Preschool children tend to worry about being left behind or separated from their parents. · Kids a... 09/29/2007

Fargo Print Media: Fargo Moorhead Women...... His message is for all the women out there in the Fargo Moorhead Area: Whether or not you are the breadwinner in your household, preparing for retirement should be extremely important to you! One item of planning that must be considered is the financial situation of a surviving spouse and what can be done to prepare for a potential shortfall.Women survive their spouses more often then men. The Administration on Aging estimates that seven of ten women will outlive their husbands, [1] highlighting the need for retirement planning even more.Unfortunately, women are often at a disadvantage when it comes to resources available for retirement. The average woman spends nearly 15 years away from the workforce, while the average man will be away for ... 09/29/2007

Successful Fargo Women Business: President, Park Co. RealtorsEducation: UND – social science and education degreeCommunity volunteering: North Dakota Real Estate Commission, North Dakota Chamber of Commerce, Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Board, Fargo Renaissance Zone Committee, MeritCare Foundation Board of DirectorsOn leadership: “Someone who creates an environment where others can succeed and flourish. Helping others to achieve their personal and business goals.” Answering a 1974 newspaper employment ad for a realtor opening at Park Company propelled Kris onto a path of success, leadership and service to others in a community that was new to her. Two years earlier, Kris, her husband and the first two of their four daughters moved to Fargo from Colorado, where she had taught at t... 09/29/2007

 Fargo Print Media Tips for Fargo Moorhead Learn more. Experts urge small business owners to "brand" their businesses with a logo and a set of consistent marketing materials. However, they rarely explain the reasons behind this advice. Below are some of some of the benefits of a professionally designed logo and identity system:To look "bigger" and "established." Home-printed business cards or cards printed with Microsoft clipart scream "small-time vendor" to your potential clients — and that is how they will want to compensate you. To increase your chance of earning venture capital or of selling a business. If you present a well-rounded business package that includes marketing materials and graphics, your business will look more complete. To attract more clients. Some clients look for a... 09/29/2007

 Fargo Print Media: Google GOD?  From Their Mouths..... Ask George Orwells "GOOGLE"“When asked about Google’s future, he talks about the targeted personalization of search results: ‘The goal is to enable Google users to be able to ask questions such as ‘What shall I do tomorrow?’ and ‘What job shall I take? 23-Year-Old Mark Zuckerberg Has Google Sweating“Owen Van Natta, Facebook’s chief operating officer, said a visit to Amazon.com will uncover all the product recommendations one might want but the value can be limited in the anonymity of the people posting the reviews. On the other hand, if you take your online activities and put them through the filter of the people you know well, those actions take on greater meaning.”  Wikipedia ranks first for online news“According to Nielsen//NetR... 09/27/2007

“It’s a busy Sunday evening - first the news on Yahoo Mosh, and now news that Google is working on its own next generation social networking service called Socialstream, possibly to take the spotlight away from the ailing Orkut.” 09/27/2007

 Fargo Print Media: Lets start with what google wants google gets.... When I saw this video on Inman TV, I jumped to watch it. It’s not everyday that you get a Google executive speak specifically about Google’s goals for the real estate market.Google Wants:To aggregate listings from across the country from the top 100 brokerages.To court MLS boards around the country to get them to feed them their listings.To provide free data on listings to consumers that are searching with real estate related terms.What does it mean for you?:Make sure ALL your listings are on Google Base Try using a service like Postlets or VFlyer so you don’t have to submit listings manually.Keep an eye on your local search terms. You will probably notice the Google Base search bar come up for some local real estate ... 09/27/2007

This makes me mad every time I see it. Either the National Association of Business Economists is full of people with no real business experience or fools. This is a headline from a major online Real Estate publication, "Economists See Credit Problems as Bigger Threat than Terrorism." I know they were all alive just seven years ago when terrorism cost the lives of three thousand American citizens. That headline goes beyond sensationalism. It is rude and insensitive. The article goes on to say that one in three members of the NABE, "...Said the housing boom can be described as a 'serious National bubble." Then later in the article three in four said they would "buy a house today if they intended to use it as their primary residence." Would someone please tell these academic fools that hou... 09/26/2007

  Fargo Area WomenFargo, ND - Looking to improve your life? Carolyn Kramer, owner of LifeSuccess Consultants in Moorhead, claims to be able to help you do just that. LifeSuccess Consultants provides group coaching, seminars, presentations, workshops, corporate training, and individual coaching on how to create success in your life and believe in your potential and power. Kramer offers a number of programs in full day, half-day, and customized formats for a variety of groups and executive and personal retreats, in-house corporate trainings, stadium keynotes, conference halls and more. Kramer is an Independent Licensed LifeSuccess Consultant and a business partner of Bob Proctor and Paul Martinelli, of LifeSuccess Productions. She researches the motivational industry and studies with mast... 09/23/2007

Funerals help to recognize the fact that a death has occurred and provide a setting for family and friends to face the reality of death—the first big step towards working though grief. Funerals also bring family and friends together to support each other during a very difficult time. Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, is owned and operated by third generation funeral director John Runsvold and has provided funeral arrangements in our community since 1920. John’s great grandfather was instrumental in the beginning of the business and John’s grandfather Joseph became an owner and mortician. Then, just as John’s father James was graduating from Concordia College with an English degree, he also decided to become a funeral director. The next generation of family funeral directors came in t... 09/23/2007

  financial problems, if not handled well, can have a long-term and negative effect on your credit history.It’s important to prepare now for potential problems later.Most financial crises occur because of something beyond your control. Most financial crises occur because of something beyond your control:Maybe your company is getting ready to lay you off. You wouldn’t know that in advance.Maybe you get sick and are unable to work for a period of time.You can’t really control these things, and in most cases you can’t prevent them from happening. What you can do is:*Manage your finances well.*Keep your credit in good shape.*Save money for emergencies.But what if your credit isn’t in good shape when you get sick?  What if you don’t have savings when you lose your job?  What then?Before you ... 09/23/2007

Things to do while in Fargo-Moorhead? We’ll start with food first…Places to eat:Asian:1) Yuki-Hana Sushi (1450 25th St S) - the best sushi in town2) Grand Buffet (1620 32nd Ave) or King House Buffet (122 Broadway) - the best Chinese buffets in town3) Nine Dragons (3228 13th Ave S) - good place to order the menu items, but I would avoid the buffetDO NOT: eat at the Giant Panda.American:1) Kroll’s Diner (1570 32nd Ave S & 1033 45th St SW) - great place to “sit down un eat”2) Monty’s Downtown (220 Broadway) - I still haven’t been to Monty’s but only hear good things about it (for Fargo it may be on the ’spendy’ side of things)3) The Bison Turf (1211 University Dr N) - a dive bar with good food, their bison burger (yes, with actually bison meat) is the best in town.4) HoDo (101 Broadway) - ... 09/23/2007

“Fargo-Moorhead boasts of a future bright with expansion, engaging cultural diversity, and a quick start into the 21st century. The Fargo-Moorhead area is the largest metropolitan area between Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota and Spokane, Washington. In the past few years, several magazines have proclaimed Fargo-Moorhead as one of the most stress free metropolitan areas in America. “Quality of Life” is one of the most often-repeated phrases that people use when describing Fargo-Moorhead. The air and water are clean, the economy is very active, the crime and unemployment rates are some of the lowest in the nation and the people are some of the most friendly. Fargo-Moorhead is a bustling and active metropolitan area set in the midst of rich and fertile farmland.We’re proud of our local his... 09/21/2007