Citizen Diplomacy – You Can Change the World

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Ruth Bethem
Back in the fall I joined a small group of concerned citizens here in Naples that wanted to help make an impact on the perception of America in the international community.   Under the leadership arm of the Naples Area Chamber of Commerce, the Council for International Visitors In Collier (CIVIC) is a grassroots organization that has fundamentally been in existence for a few years, started by a few concerned citizens that understood the importance of advocating for Naples on a global level.  Being an active real estate agent and broker, I know that what used to be 9% of home sales from international buyers is now at 20% and that spoke volumes to the leaders of our community.  Our group of volunteers, headed by Ekkehard Grampp, have become more active and visible and because of his leadership role, we are traveling the road to being nationally recognized so that we can accept more international visitors wanting to have a deeper understanding of our area.  How does it work?  One part of CIVIC is to accept invitations from our NCIV (National Council for International Visitors which falls under the US State Dept.) for individuals that are mid-to high level government officials that are hungry for knowledge on many different issues and arenas throughout the United States.  In Collier County we promote our tourism, agriculture, water resources, emergency disaster planning, law enforcement, urban planning and education, as well as our cultural and arts attractions.  The visitor arrives in Naples and we set a very busy agenda for them for anywhere from 1-5 days depending on their requested time period.  It’s a wonderful exchange of ideas and knowledge and allows both counterparts to interact in a way that would normally not be possible if not for the NCIV and the State Department.  I will be traveling to  Washington, D.C. for the 50th Anniversary Gala and Annual Meeting this week to learn how we can have our programs at their optimum.  Classes are very early and run the course of the day and then I get to meet and greet with our counterparts from all over the United States, as well as attending an Embassy Reception (I’ll be attending the Netherlands Embassy) as well as the US State Department Reception and to start us out, we are having a wonderful celebration Gala to open up the meeting on Wednesday night celebrating 50 years of successful citizen diplomacy.  Here’s the basic principles:  The individual citizen has the responsibility to help shape foreign relations “one handshake at a time.”  The peoples of the world are interdependent and that our future is secured through collaborations nurtured by free, open, and respectful communication.  Face-to-face meetings are the most effective means of communicating.  International exchange programs are essential for those who hope to lead the communities and nations of the world.  NCIV and its member organizations must at all times meet rigorous and measurable standards of quality and excellence in all areas.  This excellence requires commitment and competence marked by flexibility, risk taking, and an infectious and invigorating enthusiasm. Voluntarism is a unique trait of American society that must be reflected in our organizations and programs. So, what can you do to help promote your area’s citizen diplomacy, well, it all starts with a handshake.  Watch for my tweets  on Twitter throughout the week and more blog postings upon my return.  For further information or any questions on Naples real estate please contact Ruth Bethem at Ruth@RuthBethem.com or direct at 239-777-7007 or toll free 877-777-7545.

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Gorgeous Beach Front Condo on the Gulf for Sale in Naples, FL

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Ruth Bethem
Gulf front condo for sale in Naples, Florida
Gulf front condo for sale in Naples, Florida
Gulf front condo for sale in Naples, Florida
Gulf front condo for sale in Naples, Florida
Ever feel like you just can’t get close enough to the beach unless you’re living on top of it?  You know, the kind of lifestyle where you can dip your toe in the sand for no other reason than because you can?  Well, this luxury living just got more affordable at Gulfside in Naples, Florida, conveniently located a few steps away from the swanky Venetian Village in Park Shore Naples.  If you ask me, this 8th floor condo is so well placed because it’s high enough to give you a bird’s eye view of not only the gulf, but the gorgeous Venetian Bay across the street, but not too high where you can’t feel attached to the happenings around you.  Sort of like being tethered but by your own choosing.   This little jewel of 1267 square feet is the perfect size for a weekend getaway when the rest of the world is bearing down on you.  Slide into the plane seat, exhale and just anticipate the glorious sounds of the surf slamming into the beach for that enticing sound that can rock even the hard-core amnesiac to sleep.  This Gulfside home has been renovated from stem to stern that includes top shelf names such as GE Profile stainless appliances, Miele washer & dryer, Thomasville cabinetry, granite in kitchen, bar, baths & kitchen desk, Kohler fixtures, 21 inch tile in all areas except the bedrooms that have soft plush Frieze’ carpet, sliding plantation shutters and a balcony that runs the length of the condo.  A wall of mirrors in the living room and dining area allows for endless water views reflecting back from the sea to enjoy while indoors. Views of soft, white sand running into emerald green waters to the west, Venetian Bay to the east, morning coffee or evening cocktails, the choice is yours.   Residents just need to bring a towel, a good book & a chaise lounge.  Hose off at the outdoor shower, slip into a change of clothes and you’re off again for an evening across the street at Venetian Village, where you can enjoy boutique shopping with styles from chic casual to simply elegant. Set in the true Italian waterfront style, take advantage of eating alfresco with forever views from the upper deck on Bayside’s terrace overlooking Venetian Bay.  I’m sure it might get better than this somewhere in the world, but you’d have to travel to the Grand Canal in Venice, and frankly, that’s just a bit far for your already weary bodies. Oh and by the way, the only white stuff you’re going to be shoveling is not in your driveway but between your toes as you bring out your inner child as you carve out your winning sandcastle.  A lifestyle you’ve waited for, a home you dreamed would come on the market is now yours at a desirable Market Offering of $500,000. For further information or any questions on Naples real estate please contact Ruth Bethem at Ruth@RuthBethem.com or direct at 239-777-7007 or toll free 877-777-7545.

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Florida Senator Marco Rubio Update Part Two

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Ruth Bethem

This is the final part of a two part posting regarding the constituent Town Hall Meeting held on Friday, February 4 in Naples, Florida at The Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR).  Click here to view Part I if you missed it:

As one self employed constituent brought up to the Senator regarding the apex of his inability to earn a living as a painter was due to small business restrictions that are out of control by the EPA.  Senator Rubio understands regulations of all types are strangling the very essence of small businesses that make up 99.7 percent of all employer firms.

Oh, and while we’re on the subject here’s some more interesting facts from the U.S. SBA:

  • Employ just over half of all private sector employees.
  • Pay 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll.
  • Have generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years.
  • Create more than half of the nonfarm private gross domestic product (GDP).
  • Hire 40 percent of high tech workers (such as scientists, engineers, and computer programmers).
  • Are 52 percent home-based and 2 percent franchises.
  • Made up 97.3 percent of all identified exporters and produced 30.2 percent of the known export value in FY 2007.
  • Produce 13 times more patents per employee than large patenting firms; these patents are twice as likely as large firm patents to be among the one percent most cited.

So, back to Rubio:  Regulatory reform is the key to business in D.C.  He spoke about being proactive in and voting for Health Care Reform. As it stands now, it’s killing job creation and diminishes the quality of care.  He has seen the direct benefit to his parents from Social Security and Medicare and knows it’s got to have reform for the current and future generations.  Entitlement Reform is big in his goals and it will be up to President Obama to lead the way.  That will either become evident this week when he submits his budget or it will show he doesn’t have what it takes to lead the nation (my words, not his).   The Discretionary Fund:  Needs major overhaul and is in favor of banning earmarks but realizes that in and of itself, is not the magic answer.  Without sounding like a cheerleader for him, I felt that his words and commitment to Florida in not playing the same old political games became forefront in the commitment and response from his constituents.  As one man of 71 yrs stood up, he said that he, Senator Rubio “Got it.” The “it” being what only a select few have and many others strive for but never achieve.  And there really wasn’t any other words needed as the crowd threw themselves onto their feet and applauded vigorously.  This man said that he’s always had very little faith in any politician that ran to lead our nation in the White House but that he voted for JFK and again for Reagan.  He said the next vote he casts for President will be for the young man that stood in front of him, sure of his principles, faith and commitment to those that he represents.  I would certainly agree with that.  Does he need the experience behind him, yes.  But remember, this is not the first of his legislative career, he was Speaker of the House for Florida so he knows much more than some “outsiders” are giving him credit for.  Time will lead us to the answers but I for one hope he continues to pursue his passion, not forego his principals and stay the man and leader Floridians voted for in November.  For further information or any questions on Naples real estate please contact Ruth Bethem at Ruth@RuthBethem.com or direct at 239-777-7007 or toll free 877-777-7545.



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Florida Senator Marco Rubio Update Part One

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Ruth Bethem
The Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) in Naples, Florida was honored with being selected by Florida junior Senator Marco Rubio, (R) as his first stop since his victory in November 2010 to the U.S. Senate, for his first post-election Town Hall Meeting.  I’m going to try not to write like I have a gushing love affair with him. It’s easy not to find faults, although I’m 100 percent sure he has them, so I’ll try to stay objective and will center my efforts on the facts.  Let me first say that the room was fully occupied with standing room only.  All the expected media was present but even they seemed starry-eyed to see him.  He most certainly has a presence about him and has an extremely affable, not phony, persona about him.  He connected immediately with his constituents and after speaking for just a bit, it was easy to see why he won the election.  He’s the epitome of the guy next door.  The one you find so easy to pop a brewskie with on a hot summer’s eve.  Get past the handsome face and self-deprecating charm, the warmth and sincerity, and you’ll find a man that has the courage of his convictions and lives the walk that he talked about during his campaigning.  Consistent values.  Yes, you can compromise on ideas, but not principals.  After all, isn’t that one of the foundations that makes great relationships work?  True, he’s only been in office for 1 month and a day but let’s analyze what he’s accomplished in just a few short weeks.  I, for one, and by the way, from the turnout on Friday, I’ll bet there’s many, many more like me, will concur with my comments.  Giving him the benefit of the doubt as it takes quite a bit of organizational skills, some would even go so far as to call it community organization, to enlist his staff and accomplish getting set up in their new office in Washington, as well as, settling into new digs in Florida.  He will have offices throughout the state and specifically one in Southwest Florida although they’ve not decided yet if it will be Ft Myers or Naples and will rotate every 5-6 weeks.  He made it pointedly clear that he will not spend most of his time inside the Beltway, but rather where his roots are, where his peeps are.  To date, and these are just the things he spoke about and not the minutiae we can only imagine, he has become a member of the following Committees:  Foreign Relations, U.S. Intelligence and the one he’s most excited about, the Small Business Committee.  He is quite cognizant of the impact that small businesses have on the sustainability of a strong economy and feels he has a lot to add from immersing himself in that arena.  He has made a trip to Afghanistan and Iraq for 4 of those first 31 days, meeting with our troops and our leaders.  His passion for crediting our young men and women in service, along with a great capacity of deep American pride, was clearly evident when he spoke of those defending our country.   Check in on Tuesday for Part II of this update. For further information or any questions on Naples real estate please contact Ruth Bethem at Ruth@RuthBethem.com or direct at 239-777-7007 or toll free 877-777-7545.

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Are You Causing the Death of Your Appliances? Part Two

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Ruth Bethem

Yesterday I talked about appliances and today we’re going to finish it.  Kinda gets you moving right along for the weekend honey-do list.  Here’s the link to Part One.

CLOTHES DRYERS

When the typical 11 lb load of laundry comes out of the washing machine, it can contain up to 2 quarts of water. The dryer’s job is to remove this water. It heats the clothes, converting the water in them into water vapor and forcing it out of the dryer through the exhaust vent, along with any fluff and lint.

How to ruin it:
Not cleaning out excess lint – Any build-up of lint and fluff in the filter dramatically reduces the airflow, so that your dryer has to work harder to dry your clothes, leading to increased running costs and possible premature failure. A more serious concern is the number of domestic fires linked to clothes dryers. Read your instruction manual carefully and clean the lint filter every time you use the dryer. If in doubt have it serviced by a technician to ensure all ducting and vents are free of lint.

Repairman’s tip
• Follow your dryer manual’s instructions for proper venting. Whenever possible replace plastic or vinyl exhaust hoses with rigid or flexible metal venting, making the pathway from the dryer to the outside vent as straight as possible.

• Make sure that you remove any lint and fluff from all the accessible places in the dryer where they tend to collect – the back, air vents, around the mouth of the lint filter and around the door. Once a year, it may be worth getting a professional to clean the interior of your machine.

Bonus tip
• Ensure that all accessible lint filters are cleaned after each use, as this ensures that the dryer works to peak performance.

• Clean and check the vent hose or duct regularly.

• Get the inside of the dryer inspected for lint and fluff build-up and cleaned on a regular basis.

GLASS AND CERAMIC STOVETOPS

Because electric stovetops don’t have many moving parts, they can last a long time. But damage to the ceramic or glass surface can be expensive to replace, often making the repair uneconomic.

How to ruin it:
Blunt force – The most obvious way to break the surface is to bang it – an impact break.

Using the wrong pans – Improper heating can also crack it. Using concave-bottomed or oversized pans can trap heat and cause the hard surface to crack.

The wrong cleaning products – Cosmetic damage can be caused by using unsuitable cleaning products or utensils. Always use cleaning products and utensils recommended by the manufacturer, and remove food spillages as soon as they occur, to prevent them burning on.

Repairman’s tip
• Use flat-bottomed pots and pans and make sure that they are not larger than each burner.

FRIDGES AND FREEZERS

How to ruin it:
Not cleaning the coils – The most expensive part of a fridge or freezer is the compressor, a part of the sealed cooling system, which is often protected under a special five-year warranty and should last at least twice as long. But you must clean the dust that builds up on the condenser coils, usually located behind a grille at the back or the bottom of the appliance. If not, the compressor will be forced to work harder and may overheat. If it fails prematurely, but after the warranty is void, a repair may be too costly and you will have to replace the appliance.

Repairman’s tip
• Once a year – twice if you have furry pets – carefully clean the dust from the condenser coils and air vents using a vacuum cleaner and a condenser-coil cleaning brush (a tapered bottle-type brush on a short handle). Gently brush the surface and in between the coils, then vacuum. Repeat until the coils are dust-free. Do not poke at the coils with a vacuum cleaner’s hard-plastic crevice tool or use any metal items at all as this will result in damage to the coils.

Bonus tip
• A full freezer is more efficient than an empty one, which has nothing to hold the cold. An efficient freezer not only prolongs the life of the compressor and the fridge itself – but also saves energy, so fill up all of your empty freezer shelves.

For further information or any questions on Naples real estate please contact Ruth Bethem at Ruth@RuthBethem.com or direct at 239-777-7007 or toll free 877-777-7545.

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