Random Bits of Information

Call to Action from Equality California

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:10:04 -0600

Dear EQCA member,

President Obama has said he is opposed to discriminatory ballot measures. It’s time for him to do something to stop them.

The President can do something today to prevent future ballot measures designed to take away LGBT rights by asking the federal court to rule that Proposition 8 and similar measures violate the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Join the more than 18,000 people who are already demanding that President Obama and Attorney General Holder act now. And if you have taken action, please forward this to everyone you know.

If we can just get the President to act, we can help to ensure that what happened in Maine and California never happens again.

And if politicians want our support, then they must speak out and act when the rights of any minority are threatened.

Urge President Obama to have a brief filed in the federal Prop. 8 court challenge, arguing that no minority should ever have their rights taken away at the ballot box.

The case is set to be heard in U.S. District Court in early January — so please act now.

In solidarity,

Geoff Kors
Executive Director
Equality California

P.S. With emotions still raw from Tuesday, we need to make sure we turn our anger into action. Pledge to volunteer. We need help calling to get our supporters involved, office help, and people to join us in going door to door to talk directly with those who are not yet on our side. Volunteer >

FREE HIV Testing at the Rainbow Community Center in Concord, California

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:43:14 -0600

FREE HIV Testing

Friday, Nov 6, 6-8pm
Monday, Nov 9, 6-8pm

When was the last time you got tested? Have you talked with anyone about ways to protect yourself against HIV?

Come to the RCC on Friday, Nov 6 & Monday, Nov 9 between 6-8pm and you will get:

FREE HIV oral rapid testing- You will know the result in 20 minutes with 99.7% accuracy;
FREE safer sex counseling;
FREE condoms & lube;
Peace of Mind that comes from knowing you are taking care of yourself!

Rainbow Community Center (RCC)
3024 Willow Pass Road, Suite 200
Concord, CA 94519-2588
Phone: 925.692.0090
Fax: 925.692.0091

The RCC also offers counseling, support groups, food services and so much more. If you'd like to donate to help this wonderful organization, please click here. If you'd like to learn more about their programs and services, visit their website.

Thank you!

I found the perfect costume for you this year…

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:11:29 -0500

I received this email from my friend Adryon and I think it's a cute way to remind us that she's raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by participating in Team in Training. If you'd like to see more information about Adryon, visit www.AdryonRocks.com. Then donate if you can. This Winter my grandpa, who passed away from Multiple Myeloma, will be one of the team's honorees.

I think you should dress up as a PHILANTHROPIST! It's a super easy costume to make - you don't even need to leave your house or even your chair! Plus, everyone will be dressing up as The Cat in The Hat - why not step outside of that box!

To make the costume, follow ALL of these steps:

1) Donate to my fundraising page http://pages.teamintraining.org/aketcham

2) Print out the receipt

3) Tape the receipt to yourself (wherever you choose!)

4) There you go! You are now a PHILANTHROPIST! Just like the Rockefellers! J

If you like, you can even print out the name tag I've provided below and wear it - but only after you follow the steps above!

Go Team!

Adryon Ketcham

Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must, JUST NEVER GIVE UP!

This Sunday, Nov 1, 2-4:30pm at the RCC. No on 1 Phone Bank in Concord, California

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:44:28 -0500

Marriage Equality-No on 1!

This Sunday, Nov 1, 2-4:30pm at the RCC
No on 1 Phone Bank
Make the difference on the last weekend before Nov 3!

Join Courage Campaign in helping protect marriage equality in Maine!

After a bill to allow same-sex marriage in Maine was signed into law on May 6, 2009, Maine became the fifth U.S. state to recognize same-sex marriage and the second to do so through legislative process rather than through a judicial ruling. The law would have taken effect on September 11, 2009, but will now be subject to a potential "people's veto" in Maine's November elections.

The stakes are extremely high in Maine. Right now, the same people that launched Prop 8 are airing fear-mongering TV ads in Maine that are carbon copies of the ads they aired last year in California.

In an election that is so close, a robust and disciplined field campaign can make all the difference. The Maine "NO on 1" campaign needs help making voter ID and persuasion phone calls. And that's where you can help.

Come make calls the whole time, or just some of the time. We need you!

Rainbow Community Center (RCC)
3024 Willow Pass Road, Suite 200
Concord, CA 94519-2588
Phone: 925.692.0090
Fax: 925.692.0091

To make a donation to RCC, click on this link.

Sid Pinkerton speaks at the New York Metro Expo, November 12, 2009

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:50:36 -0500

www.FromDrabtoFab.com Sid Pinkerton was featured on TLC as a home staging expert. Sid has staged hundreds of apartments in Metro New York in the past six years. "Even in this market, we continue to have more than 90% of our staged properties of those within 7 days," says Sid. Sid says his clients are the Realtors and he is acutely aware of that. Sid's business is referral and word of mouth only. Learn how Sid turned his love of Real Estate into a passion that earns him a six figure income with NO outside marketing. We will talk about Sid's philosophy and how he maximizes the Realtor relationships in a challenging and unique marketplace, New York City.

Sid will be a part of our Professional Home Stager and Designer Panel at the Real Estate Home Staging Expo on November 12, 2009. You won't want to miss this! The panel will focus on How to Create and Solidify Realtor Relationships.

Don't forget to register before November 1, 2009 to receive the Churchill Furniture Rental special price!

Location:
Churchill Furniture Rental
56 Utter Avenue
Hawthorne, NJ 07506-2117

Join us and learn from Sid and our two other Panel Experts, Kate Hart and Lynelle Hartman. Learn how to solidify your Realtor relationships and keep your business thriving in ANY market.

This expert panel is just one feature of the full day's events. Check out the full Real Estate Home Staging Agenda and join us November 12, 2009 for a great day of learning and fun!

Lynelle Hartman speaks at the New York Metro Expo, November 12, 2009

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:50:29 -0500

www.LH2Staging.com. Lynelle Hartman is one of the pioneers in the industry working as a trainer for the two largest staging training companies in the US. She also trains in the Dewey Color System and has authored a continuing education course for stagers on vacant home staging. Lynelle and her partner Leigh have perfected the art of staging vacant (as well as occupied) homes in and around Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photography of their work has been showcased locally and in magazines. The best home staging trainers understand the industry because they run successful staging businesses and stage every day alongside their peers. In addition Lynelle had a 10 year Real Estate career and understands Realtors and their clients.

Lynelle will be a part of our Professional Home Stager and Designer Panel at the Real Estate Home Staging Expo on November 12, 2009. You won't want to miss this! The panel will focus on How to Create and Solidify Realtor Relationships.

Don't forget to register before November 1, 2009 to receive the Churchill Furniture Rental special price!

Location:
Churchill Furniture Rental
56 Utter Avenue
Hawthorne, NJ 07506-2117

Join us and learn from Lynelle and our two other Panel Experts, Sid Pinkerton and Kate Hart. Learn how to solidify your Realtor relationships and keep your business thriving in ANY market.

This expert panel is just one feature of the full day's events. Check out the full Real Estate Home Staging Agenda and join us November 12, 2009 for a great day of learning and fun!

Rare white hummingbird visits a Clayton, California hummingbird feeder

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:40:19 -0500

According to the Clayton Pioneer a rare white hummingbird has been spotted in Clayton California. Read the entire article by clicking here.

According to the hummingbird website www.RubyThroat.org this is extremely rare.

Couple things I learned while visiting www.RubyThroat.org were that hummingbirds are rarely seen in Europe and those are birds that have escaped captivity. I had no idea they didn't have hummingbirds in Europe.

I also learned about hummingbird moths, which apparently act so exactly like a hummingbird that they are often mistaken for baby humming birds. Hummingbirds do not leave the nest until fully grown, so you won't see a baby one flying around anywhere.

I just thought that was interesting, and it did remind me to fill my hummingbird feeder. : )

Volunteers Needed in Concord, California

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:33:26 -0500

Volunteers Needed

Kind Hearts Program

Please donate your used and clean shopping bags to help our Program participants transport their groceries.

Friendly Visitors Program
This great program increases the social connections of RCC's community through volunteers making home visits and phonecalls to program participants. This will require five hours per month(four with clients and one in meetings/training) and regular documentation of services.

Kind Hearts Food Program
We need Home Delivery Volunteers on Thursday mornings and afternoons to help pick up and deliver food to our elderly and HIV-impacted clients. This program ensures that these underserved communities will continue receiving much needed basic goods. We are especially looking for volunteers with trucks to pickup and deliver large quantities of food. Contact Wade at (925)692-0090 or via email at wade@rainbowcc.org

The above volunteer positions are available at the Rainbow Community Center in Concord, California. They provide some wonderful programs for our community and it's very important that we all help out where we can. If you are able to help out with one of these programs, please do. If nothing else I'm sure we all have a pile of paper shopping bags we can donate. Thank you!

We can help with Maine's No on 1 campaign!

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:09:07 -0500

Many of you remember how vocal I was when California's Proposition 8 was on the ballot, and how devastated when it actually passed. I believe it passed partly due to confusion about how to defeat it, and partly because many of us did not show up to vote.

In 12 days (November 3) Maine is voting on Prop 1. We can help the NO on 1 campaign by calling people in Maine and reminding them to vote, and to vote NO on 1. Click the image to the right if you are able to sign up for a phone shift.

Thank you for your help!

Here are links to 3 wedding stories I posted during the Prop 8 campaign.
Wedding Story #1
Wedding Story #2
Wedding Story #3

I'd love to hear more wedding stories, please share if you would like.

Real Estate Home Staging Expo in New Jersey November 12, 2009

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:33:51 -0500

Don't Miss Our 2nd Annual Real Estate Home Staging Expo in the New York Metro Area!!
November 12, 2009
We welcome everyone to our expo, you do not have to have any designation or be a member of any organization to attend.

Churchill Furniture Rental offers their preferred customers the RESA price if they register before 11/1/09. Churchill Furnitire Rental is proud to sponsor the 2009 Expo. Last year was GREAT and this year will be even better. All new format and topics.

Don't just survive - thrive.

ALL NEW TOPICS - Speakers include Christine Rae, who appeared as Staging Training expert for HGTV's The Decorating Adventures of Ambrose Price (soon to be released in the US) talking about 5 Mistakes, 5 Solutions, 5 Market Driven Trends.

Workshops to build your business, income and proficiency. Home Passport Program - meet the sponsors that want to earn your business and meet your challenges.

Program Highlights:

5 Mistakes, 5 Solutions, 5 Market Driven Trends to Build Revenue
Websites, Blogging and Social Media, SEO Made Easy
Overcome Objections
Add Revenue Streams, Dynamic Floral Demonstration
Marketing and Networking for RESULTS
Professional Stagers Tell ALL... Panel Discussion
How to Take Brilliant Photos Sell, Lights, Camera, Action

Our 2008 Event SOLD OUT, so register today!
Coordinators:
Expo, Juliet Johnson
Expo & Sponsors, Ginger Pugliese, 732.718.8068 732.718.8068, ginger_pugliese@hotmail.com
Expo & Sponsors, Cindy Mussman, 732.763.3692 732.763.3692, ckminteriors@aol.com

Our Expo is brought to you by these fine sponsors:
Bekins
Certified Staging Professionals
Staging and ReDesign
The Interiority Complex
Real Estate Staging Association
Churchill Furniture Rental
Exclusively Staged Florals
LH2 Photography

Memories at Active Rain Contest Winners Announced!

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:07:23 -0500

When Robert Swetz asked me to help him out with his contest, Memories at Active Rain, I did not know what I was getting into! Judging all these wonderful entries was very difficult for everyone. I did love reading them all and learning more about the Active Rain members who posted. Thank you so much to everyone who entered this contest.

The prizes are:

3000 for first
2000 for second
1000 for third

200 for every entry (in addition to the points you got for posting the blog)

And my favorite:

In addition to the points that will be awarded to the winners starting with (fourth) place to (twenty fifth) place, these winners will be given a signed photograph print from Robert Swetz (11x14) in size and mailed directly to you.

That is a total of 21 photo prints for winners! I'd trade my points for that any day. I have a signed photo from Robert, it's truly a work of art.

So, the winners are:

First place: Marchel Peterson
Marchel's post tied her Active Rain points memories to real life events. I remember her 300,000 points and our Son out of Iraq post and remember being so relieved for her family that her son was home and safe.

Second place: Lori Cain
Lori's post was about a mistake that she made and shared here on Active Rain. C Tann Starr featured her mistake in Club Chaos and hilarity ensued. That's when Lori finally felt at home on Active Rain, the day her fellow rainers laughed WITH her.

Third Place: Clint Miller
Clint's post is very personal. He shared with us his life's journey and was very open about choices he's made along the way. Thank you Clint for reminding us to be thankful and to honor our paths.

In no particular order, the winners of a signed photograph from Robert Swetz (click their name to view their contest entry, they are all very good):

Jason Crouch
Donna Harris
Robin Rogers
Martha Brown
Russel Ray
Judi Barrett
Matt Stigliano
Steve Shatsky
Kevin and Monica Ray
Michael Thornton
Sheldon Neal
Tammy Lankford
Loreena Yeo
Maureen Megowan
Fernando Herboso
Lenn Harley
Matt Grohe
Norma Toering
Al and Peggy Cunningham
Chris Ann Cleland
Debra Walsh

Congratulations to all our winners and all our participants. You ALL did a great job, you made it very difficult to choose only a few winning entries!

You can shop for your photographs by visiting www.SearchMyPics.com or visiting Robert's blog on Active Rain. Have fun shopping! I have one at my house and I LOVE it. Be prepared to spend some time there, there is a lot of variety and so many to choose from. Then simply email Robert and he'll take care of the rest.

- offering website design, maintenance, hosting and virtual assistance

Remember to vote....jrosoevelt@kw.com, Janice Roosevelt, Keller Williams - PA & DE

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:57:34 -0500

I thought this was a very important story to share, thank you Janice.

Via Janice Roosevelt,Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO - Matt F (Matt Fetick Real Estate Team - Keller Williams Real Estate -):

This is the story of women who were ground-breakers. These brave women from the early 1900s made all the difference in the lives we live today. Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote. The women were innocent and defenseless, but when, in North America, women picketed in front of the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote, they were jailed.

And by the end of the first night in jail, those women were barely alive.
Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing
went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of
'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'

(Lucy Burns)
They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air.

They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her
head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate,
Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack.
Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging,
beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917,
when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his
guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because
they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right
to vote.

For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their
food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.

When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a
chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited.
She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

All women who have every voted, have ever owned property, have ever enjoyed equal rights need to remember that women's rights had to be fought for in Canada as well. Do our daughters and our sisters know the price that was paid to earn rights for women here, in North America?

2009 is the 80th Anniversary of the Persons Case in Canada,
which finally declared women in Canada to be Persons!

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know, so that we remember to celebrate the rights we enjoy.

"Knowledge is Freedom: hide it, and it withers; share it, and it blooms" (P. Hill)

jroosevelt@kw.com

Indianapolis Home Staging Expo A Huge Success!

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:15:04 -0500

WOW! Great review of the Indianapolis Expo from Gary Barnett. Big thanks to Gary and Linda and their whole team for helping make this event the success that it was!

Via Gary Barnett Home Matters, Home Stagers, Indianapolis (Home Matters):

What happens when a room full of Home Stagers gets to listen to a superstar cast of speakers from our industry? Inspiration! Linda and I had heard this over and over about past EXPO's but you really have to see it and hear it first hand to truly understand just how inspirational it really is.

Home stagers, Real Estate Professionals, and other people interested in learning more about the Real Estate Staging Industry came from all over the Midwest to the Stagers List Expo held at the CORT Furniture Rental showroom on September 29^th & 30^thin Indianapolis. Attendees came from places like St Louis Missouri, Lexington and Louisville Kentucky, Elkhart, Greenwood, Greenville, Greenfield, Brownsburg, Noblesville, Roanoke, Crown Point, Ft Wayne, Elkhart, Jasper and the metro Indianapolis Indiana area, Detroit, Grand Haven, Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills and Richland Michigan and last but not least, Algonquin, Hawthorn Woods and the Chicago Illinois metro area. Linda and I were able to meet and re-connect with so many great people in our industry.

Speakers and subjects included:

Terrylynn Fisher, Realtor Veteran and 2008 RESA Realtor of the year from Concord, California spoke about "Demystifying the Realtor. Service vs. Collaboration". A tremendous amount of insight into the life and thought process of today's real estate agent.

Christine Rae from Toronto Canada founder of Certified Staging Professionals and well known keynote speaker, author of the book; "Home Staging for Dummies" shared "The 5 mistakes that stagers make, the 5 steps to turn your business around and 5 market driven trends to build your revenue". This was a session filled with great insight by one of our true industry leaders. Christine also gave us two day 2 workshops, "Understanding client behavior & communication to overcome objections" which was a big hit with the group and "Green Business- Future or Fad? Which was very informative?

Shell Broadax from Stockton, California founder of the Real Estate Staging Association gave us "The importance of joining a trade run association that promotes ethics and high standards" An important look into the reasons why a member ran organization is important to the growth of our industry for all stagers regardless of their training affiliations. Shell also provided a day 2 workshop on "Advanced Marketing, Networking & Sales techniques for staging professionals". Everyone found this session to be full of very important information to help them market their businesses.

Melissa Marro, Founder of First Impressions Home Staging & Training, CSP North American Director, IRIS, Dewey Color Trainer of Charleston South Carolina discussed "Photos-The Final Ingredient". Very helpful information for a much overlooked part of all of our businesses, and she also gave us a day 2 workshop entitled "Your Portfolio-Creating Imagery". Excellent tips from a real Marketing pro.

We also had a very insightful session led by TerryLynn titled "Meet the Realtors" TerryLynn discussed what Realtors really want from Home Stagers, with two area Top producing agents, Chris Castetter, an agent for FC Tucker and Lydia Stauder an agent with the Tony English group. Very interesting discussion from realtors who believe in and use staging services on their listings.

Vendors who participated included CSP, RESA, Bekins Truck Line, Staging & Redesign, Interiority Complex, Chadwick Construction and a big Thanks to Babette Harpster, Catherine "Cat" Bates and the entire staff from CORT Furniture Rental for being such a tremendous host. CORT is really being a true partner to the Home Staging Industry here in Indiana and across the country.

Linda and I even held a lunch time question & answer session on building teams!

Thanks to all of the speakers and vendors for coming to the Midwest and providing such great insight to our area stagers. We are all certainly looking forward to many great years to come.

And last, I wanted to share the following, which is an excerpt from a blog written by Carolyn Stieger, an attendee of the Indianapolis Expo from the greater Detroit area which I believe sums up the thoughts of most of us that attended;

Carolyn Stieger, ASPM, IAHSP, CRTS, WCR, WWOCAR (We Stage Greater Detroit)

Stager List Expo Indianapolis - What a great experience today! The tips and tricks that were shared today were incredible. Staging is an industry that is so new and there needs to be more education to the public and Realtors to understand how to present our added value as team members to the Realtor listing proposals.

Listening to Realtors that utilize Home Stagers share their real life experiences. Top producers with a 98.5% selling price to listing price results, raving about Home Stagers as their team members! This will be my new LinkedIn request: I'm looking for Realtors in the greater Detroit (Southeast Michigan) area that want to grow their business and team up with a professional Home Stager.

The value for me to attend this Expo is priceless. (Being away from my business for 4 days in this busy time of year, was a huge time commitment, a 5 1/2 hour road trip in rain and high winds) This is the most cost effective, stager to stager networking and industry education event this year in my area! If you have the opportunity to attend a StagersList.com Expo in your area this year, be sure to attend. Great Value, Great Experience.

Wordless Wednesday - Time Flies

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:53:52 -0500

Most Creative Solution to Staging Eyesore - Come on - I dare you! 2-2-2 contests in one!

Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:52:10 -0500

Here's a fun contest my mom started. I can't wait to see what you creative stagers have come up with for your challenging properties.

Via Terrylynn Fisher, Realtor Realtor Alphabet Soup on request (Diablo Realty - BuyStageSell.com):

First we'll have a contest at our upcoming Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Then we will have a contest on Active Rain!

Most Creative Solution to a Staging Eyesore CONTESTS

There are times when something in the house can't be moved (a window AC unit, bad fireplace, etc), or the homeowner refuses to paint or update. What has been your solution?

•1- EXPO CONTEST: Participate in and vote for the contest winner on Day One of the Expo! Cash prize of $50 will be awarded.

To Participate: Bring before and after photographs as well as a description of how you fixed the problem (200 words or less please). DO NOT include your company name or branding. Check in with Chris at the Expo and you will receive a # for your submission. Make sure you also complete and bring this contest release in order to participate.

To Judge: Simply add your business card to the bowl in front of your favorite before and after example.

·2- ONLINE CONTEST:
Participate in and vote for contest winner online on October 5th.

To Participate: Email to Chris@StagersLIST.com your entry, description (200 words or less). NO company name or branding on your photos, and Chris will compile it all into a blog post by the 5th for voting. YOU the audience will vote on the winner. Chris will be the only one who knows the entrants (she'll have her mouth duct taped until the judging is completed).

To Judge: Simply go online on October 5th and look for her YOU BE THE JUDGE CONTEST Blog Post.

How fun is that. We can wait to see the challenges and solutions and look for the best of the worst (eyesore that is) entries.

Now we need a prize for the online contest. Any suggestions?