valentinosdcpulse

2000 represented the 1^st ever paid for advertising campaign for the Census. With a budget exceeding $10.8 Million to spread the message, the average American saw or heard the message over 50 times. The results showed an increase in mail response participation from 65-67%. This reversed a three-decade-long decline in mail response.

The census is an important tool to gain access to federal funds for hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges, tunnels, and other-public works projects, and emergency services. Cities use the data for program planning for youth, the elderly, and other groups.  The census does to request social security numbers or provide name and addresses to any other federal agency, so everyone is encouraged to fill out the short form. Underreporting hurts DC and other cities.

Since every locality has the same concerns, the 2010 US Census campaign is now bigger than ever.  In total, more than 400 ads in 28 languages have been created for the 2010 Census. Placements span TV, radio, print, out-of-home, digital, cinema, social media, events, and sponsorships.

In January, 2010 the national road tour kicked off in New York City. It will be stopping and exhibiting at more than 800 events nationwide. For more information or to follow the Road Tour visit 2010census.gov and follow us on Twitter (@2010Portrait), Facebook, MySpace, Flickr and YouTube

By February, 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau started building awareness about the importance and benefits of mailing back the 2010 Census form with a $5.1 million advertising package during the 2010 Winter Olympics when 132 spots aired on NBC, MSNBC, CNBC and USA.

In order to make sure that you don't miss the message, the US Census Bureau has also enlisted the help of trusted voices to call people to action. Even Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer got in n the actin: "Children Count Too". In the news and on the radio, DC Mayor Fenty urges DC residents to participate as part of the DC  Counts initiative and President Obama has a 30-second video day urging every American household to complete and return the 10-question survey. This year's message is "Because we can't move forward until you mail it back." Vote Latino is offering 25 free downloadable songs for signing the pledge.

In Washington DC, if you take the Metro, you can't miss the 20 foot tall census form displayed outside Union Station. Haven't seen it?  View the form here. It even comes with a prepaid envelope making it even easier to mail it back as soon as possible.

Still don't get it?  Reminders are everywhere!  If you are too busy watching NASCAR to fill out your form, you were reminded on March 21 at Bristol and will be reminded again on March 28^th at Martinsville. Watch for car #16, driven by Greg Biffle as Roush Fenway Racing, proud sponsor,helps spread the word.

"It's Easy". Asking just 10 questions and taking only about 10 minutes to complete, the 2010 Census form is one of the shortest in U.S. history. How hard can it be? If you still need help, you can call the official Telephone Questionnaire Assistance Center or visit the Questionnaire Assistance Center and Be Counted sites to help answer your questions. 

The Census is only taken every 10 years, yet every day decisions in DC and throughout the nation are based on the Census data to determine which communities, as well as schools, hospitals, and roads need federal funding. What's at stake is nearly $2.5 billion in federal funds that could potentially go to the District - that's why it's so important we all do our part. Here's a quick recap of how the information collected is used:

The federal government uses census numbers to allocate over $100 billion in federal funds annually for community programs and services, such as education programs, housing and community development, health-care services for the elderly, job training and many more.

Local and tribal governments use census information for planning and allocating funds for new school construction, libraries and other public buildings, highway safety, and public transportation systems, new roads and bridges, location of police and fire departments and many other projects.

Community organizations use census information to develop social service programs, community action projects, senior lunch programs and child-care centers.

Businesses use the numbers to decide where to locate factories, shopping centers, movie theaters, banks and offices -- activities that often lead to new jobs.

The U.S. Congress uses the census totals to determine how many seats your state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor of DC, clearly: states the importance  to DC of returning the form

"The 2010 Census will touch so many aspects of the public over the next decade with the largest impacts on medical assistance and insurance, transportation funding, employment assistance, Section 8 housing, and education funding. It is critically important for the District of Columbia to have as complete and accurate a count as possible so that we can secure our share of the approximately $400 Billion in federal funding in order to provide the vital public services that our residents so greatly deserve." - (October 29, 2009).

Census questionnaires are sent to every address in the nation. The form this year has been substantially streamlined. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Forms are mailed in March. When you receive your form, simply answer the 10 short questions and mail the form back - a postage-paid envelope in provided. If you don't mail the form back, you may receive a visit from a census taker, who asks questions from the form. You can preview the form online also. Especially in this economy, it is even more important to participate to ensure our state has an accurate count of our population.

Rachel Valentino is a visible and highly respected real estate professional in the Washington DC area. She urges all area residents to participate by filling out and mailing back the census form in a timely manner. You can visit her website, The Atlantic Coast Connection to see the latest real estate offerings in the DC area.

Top o' the morning to you, DC, residents! Happy St. Patrick's  Day.

♣ Fact: Since 1991, March is the Irish American Heritage Month. It is a special month issued by presidential proclamation created to honor the achievements of Irish immigrants and their descendants, living in the US. Presidential Proclamation--Irish American Heritage Month. 2010 (signed by Barack Obama March 1, 2010)

♣ Tidbit: If you are looking for something to do on St Patrick's Day in the DC area- Metromix DC provides this great list.  

♣ Fact: Hostelworld.com Announces Top St. Patrick's Day Destinations for 2010 (outside of Ireland) and Washington DC makes the Top 10 List!  After over 26,000 customers voted, Washington DC makes the grade making the top 10 list of favorite spots to sport green if you can't make it to Dublin.

♣ Fact: The Culkin School's goals are to preserve the unique traditions of Irish music and dance and pass them and share them with the D.C. Founded in 1997, the Culkin School of Irish Dance currently enrolls more than 400 students. This year's performance will be held on March 16, 2010 at the Kennedy Center.

♣ Tidbit: The Annual DC St. Patrick's Parade Open Golf Tournament will be held September 27, 2010 at the Cross Creek Golf Course in Beltsville, MD. Click here to register or to sponsor a hole

♣ Fact::  Redbox is giving away free one-night DVD rentals to all fans on St. Patrick's Day" March 17, 2010. Redbox facebook app gives us the code: 24J5KD7

♣ Tidbit: The Celtric District offers a directory listing of events and groups in DC. This site offers the best of local music artists, dancing groups and classes, and general links of interest to the local Washington, DC Celtic community. 

♣ Fact: There will be cigars in DC on St Patrick's Day. Following Mayer Adrian M Fenty's signature on legislation allowing a one-time exemption to the District's smoke-free laws. Fenty acted just in the nick of time to pass the legislation last week that will keep tradition alive for the Friendly Sons and another group, Fight for Children, that hosts an annual professional boxing fundraiser. 

♣ Tidbit: Fenty was among those who introduced and championed the workplace smoking ban in 2006. Read the full article about the one-time exemption to the District's smoke-free laws for an annual March 17 gathering of Washington's government and business elite. 

♣ Fact: Going green no longer pertains only to St Patrick's Day in Washington DC. From composting to clubbing - DC is going, going gone in regards to a brighter greener eco-friendly future. For years Washington DC has been going in the direction of green. Here is a dated, but still great article published by the Washington Post. 

♣ Tidbit: If you are looking for someone who knows the importance of ‘going green' not only on St Patrick's Day, but year round, then turn to someone who cares, top specialist, Rachel Valentino ESRES (Energy Smart Real Estate Specialist). Rachel inspires to reach out and leave a mark in the DC area by understanding and promoting "going green" within one of the country's most famous "Green" cities, Washington DC. Visit her website The Atlantic Coast Connection today.

"We all participate in weaving the social fabric; we should therefore all participate in patching the fabric when it develops holes."      ~Anne C. Weisberg

It's hard to walk by the newsstands or turn on the TV without hearing more about the current housing market with underwater mortgages heading the list.. The blame starts at the top with government policy and is followed all the way down to lenders, homebuilders, and speculators - right down to the homebuyers. But, regardless of how the housing bubble got so big, most thought that it was destined to burst. 

Now we are seeing a disturbing number of homeowners who feel as if they are drowning in what started out as an American Dream - homeownership. Some are fallout from the subprime mortgage meltdown, others took out too much money in home equity loans during good times, but many others simply own homes in neighborhoods where the home values have declined. Unfortunately, this is almost everywhere!

It is now estimated that over 10 million American households have "underwater mortgages", meaning the property is worth less than the mortgage. Complicated by the economy, high unemployment and other factors, many of these homeowners can't take advantage of lower rates or refinancing deals. Many can't move or sell and their homes are destined to go into foreclosure.

No one buys a home thinking that one day they will be forced to leave or walk away. But in the wake of the past few years, millions of Americans are finding themselves in just that position. How did it ever come to this? Can you imagine waking up one morning feeling as if the only option left was to "walk away" from your mortgage, your home and dreams?

If it were just a purely financial decision, it would be easy, but it's not. Many are truly attached to their homes that have become part of their lives, and they feel part of their community.  And there is the moral aspect of walking away from a contract or financial responsibility. Even President Obama has stepped in urging homeowners to follow the "responsible" course. So this becomes a deep and complicated matter which is effecting millions of Americans.

The past few years have brought about circumstances forcing large numbers of good, honorable people to lose their homes. In some cases, walking away becomes the only viable option- maybe they lost jobs, or are facing insurmountable medical bills or things of this nature. But further complicating the subject are the growing numbers of those who are choosing to walk away even when they can make the monthly mortgage payments.

It has been estimated that 1 in 10 people with underwater mortgages are making the choice to walk away from their mortgage contracts. This is called a strategic default and is made on an economic level. They are willing to take the hit morally and financially in order to walk away and rid themselves of an overpriced mortgage. They are following in the footsteps of companies such as Morgan Stanley who did just such a thing on a much larger scale, walking away from 5 properties in San Francisco that were underwater. [No one has reported Morgan Stanley as being immoral]

Here are 4 good articles on the subject if you find yourself in the position of being underwater on your mortgage. Articles byLiz Pulliam Weston (MSN Money), NPR, ABC News, The Washington Post  all do a good job on covering all the aspects of what to consider if you think walking away is the answer to your problems.  Pulling out of your driveway and mailing back the keys may not be the end of the story.

On the positive side of this subject some lenders are willing to "work with" the borrowers rather than face a default. Some are even paying homeowners to keep up with mortgage payments. The government currently has a plan offering banks incentives to reduce payments. Working towards solutions and helping keep Americans in their homes will benefit our communities and us all.

Expect Rachel Valentino, DC area real estate expert,  to be on top of the hottest topics. If you are in the market for a new home in the DC area call her today or visit her website "The Atlantic Coast Connection". Let her expertise deliver the results you are looking for.

If you are looking for a contemporary hometown that is chock full of cultural heritage and charm, then Alexandria VA may be just the place for you. Alexandria, VA boasts an abundance of Colonial architecture, chic boutiques, a wide array of national retail stores, fine art and antiques galleries, historic attractions and award winning restaurants. This beautiful historic community is located along the Western bank of the Potomac River across from National Harbor and approximately only 6 miles south of downtown Washington DC.

With a population of approximately 140,000 residents, this diverse historic community has a lot to offer with an excellent public school system, abundant job opportunities, and beautiful waterfront views. In 2010, The USNews.com listed Alexandria as one of the Editors Picks for "Best Places". You can also read about Alexandra on Sterlings "Best Places".

Well known for its colonial architecture, here in the 3^rd oldest historic districts in the nation, you will find an abundance of 18^th and 19^th century buildings and homes situated along cobblestone walks. This is a beautiful city in all seasons and with Old Town there is never a lack of things to see and do such as Market Square, the oldest continuously operating marketplace in the United States. Old Town is also well known for its historic town houses, art galleries, antique shops, and restaurants.

Love your dog? Then Alexandria may be just the hometown you're looking for. About.com lists Alexandria as a ‘Top Dog Friendly" Destination. They list a number of fun activities for family and their furry friends to do together in Alexandria such as:

• Dog Friendly Dining and Happy Hours
• Pet Friendly Shopping and Snacks
• Top Dog Friendly Attractions and Things to Do
• About the Potomac Riverboat Company and Canine Cruises

 One of the biggest and most fun dog events in the entire Washington, D.C. area is the annual Alexandria St Patrick's Day Parade. Every year activities always begin with the Fun Dog Show. For year-round activities, the local Dept of Recreation also provides 17 designated Dog Exercise Areas and Fenced Parks for resident dog owners to enjoy.

Looking for an easy get a way to Washington DC or other nearby metro areas? Then look no further as Alexandria boasts four convenient Metro stops. Alexandria also offers bus service, Water Taxi, Free King Street Trolley and easy access to major interstate highways.

Prominent employers such as Time Warner and The Salvation Army call Alexandria home. In addition, there are many government organizations such as the US Patent and Trademark Office, which also supply numerous jobs to local residents allowing many to work and live right within Alexandria.

So if you're ready to look at real estate in an area rich with cultural history yet one that can offer contemporary charm, the consider talking to Rachel Valentino about Old Alexandria VA. With median home prices about $375,000, Alexandria offers varied housing options, including some high-end suburban estates, which provides an exceptional urban living lifestyle. Contact Rachel Valentino today or visit her Atlantic Coast Connection website today to get started.