Freefall Economy

The public is facing an economic crisis not seen since the depression. The Unemployment rate continues to rise with companies downsizing or closing their doors completely. With the loss of jobs and any means of gainful employment the foreclosure rate is reaching an all time high. The news continues to get worse with more layoffs daily.
Where does the consumer turn to make the hard earned dollar stretch to meet the basic needs in times of trouble? Retails stores have felt the pinch of consumer worry with decreased sales and lackluster holiday shopping turnout. A county can get votes to fund a new stadium for the fans professional football team but lacks the votes for funding for county law enforcement officers to work the jail. Smaller fire stations have rolled up the hoses with lack of funding putting the residents at risk with longer response times from overloaded stations.
The juggling act continues as the retail establishments struggle with labor costs while trying to keep the customers serviced. The corporate restaurants have scaled back workers and then struggle to provide adequate service once a small surge of business comes in the door. The corporate programmed manager avoids the hostess area of disgruntled customers that are waiting up front while the restaurant sits half empty. The corporate manager hides in the kitchen or smokes in the office acting to busy to deal with the customers while the understaffed underage hostess takes the burdens of the frustrated patrons on herself.
Newspapers and magazines are closing the printing presses due to a lack of advertising dollars for print publications. With each step forward in new technology an outdated product and workers fall to the wayside. With advancement in time management and increase in efficiency another industry suffers. The trickle down has occurred and turned into an out of control freefall. The worker loses his job. Unemployment rises, credit tightens as the banks stop lending. New car sales plummet as inventories sit on over crowded lots. Casual dining establishments suffers as consumers wise up and stop paying twenty five dollars for a bottle of six dollar wine. Unemployed workers struggle to find work in an ever increasing pool of laid off talent. The government bailouts continue to put a band aid on a temporary solution with no plans for a common sense resolution. The talk continues as nothing new is said in a sea of desperate news. Meanwhile while a desperate situation can turn into an opportunity, a slick talking salesman awaits to take your hard earned money with promises of unlimited income from your new business opportunity, buyer beware.

Great Balls of Savannah

The ten year anniversary took my wife and I to some of the most beautiful places in the South.
A stop first in Asheville North Carolina to see the Biltmore Estate. A must see for any lover of history and Grandeur wrapped in one luxurious estate. Feel how the rich lived as you stroll through the enormous rooms of this American Mansion. What estate would be complete without the Land Rover Driving School, A stable for the horses. And a lower living quarters for the large staff that supported the family that lived there. Lush Gardens surround the Biltmore fit for the Royalty and Upper class of that era. The great Gatsby comes to mind while one drives through the gates at the bottom of the drive.
After enjoying a beautiful day at the Biltmore, it was then on to Hilton Head Island. Crossing the bridges going into the Hilton Head area , scenes from the movie Prince of Tides comes to mind. Author Pat Conroy is from the area and there are a lot of local references to the Author. Anyone having the
Pleasure of enjoying Hilton Head knows the feeling. Not your typical beach town, If your looking for tacky gift shops and neon night club signs, then keep driving. Hilton Head is in a class all to itself when it come’s to enjoying the finer things the South has to offer. The finest Hotels sit strategically placed throughout the Island. Beautiful manicured golf courses surround the Island that make this the perfect getaway. A golfers paradise while the family enjoys the day on the beautiful beach or relaxing in one of the luxury resorts.
When the Sun starts to set, make way over to one of the marina’s and enjoy fresh seafood at some of the best restaurants in the South. Relax with the family on one of the many charter boats while enjoying a dolphin watch cruise. Make it even more special by taking a moonlight dinner cruise with that special someone.
Somewhere we always wanted to visit but never made the time was just across the harbor from Hilton Head, Savannah Georgia. We drove the short trip over to Savannah and the beauty and elegance of the Historic town embraced us as soon as we arrived. The cobblestone streets made this a classic Southern vacation. Savannah is ranked one of the most haunted cities in the United States due to the role Savannah played in the civil war.
Savannah became known for the setting of the hugely successful novel by John Berendt. “Midnight in the Garden Of Good and Evil”. A New York Times Best Seller for two hundred and sixteen weeks. The Novel brought Hollywood to Savannah with Clint Eastwood directing the movie. John Cusack and Kevin Spacey put Savannah on the big screen with superb acting portraying the story of murder and lust in the Old South. A must read for any literary lover. A must see movie to really appreciate the beauty of this Historic Southern Town.
Walking along the cobblestone street by the Harbor, small shops and restaurants provide local merchandise and some of the finest foods the south has to offer. At the time I was working on my first novel and enjoyed the literary feel the town offered. A small book store sat along the row of stores with a sign out front that read Author book signing. I walked around the store and watched the Author hang out around the table. A sign read Author of Great Balls of Fire. I am a big Jerry Lee Lewis fan and had seen the movie many times over. The Author was a local writer named Murray Silver. His new book he was promoting was titled “Beyond the Moss Curtain”.
Mr. Silver was very down to earth. Welcomed my wife and I to Savannah and wished us a happy anniversary. I talked with Mr. Silver for a few minutes and I am sure he would have talked as long as I wanted. He was a pleasure to speak with and could not have made us feel more welcome. I purchased his book and after he signed it we went on our way to enjoying the rest of our vacation. After returning to our hotel I relaxed for the evening and began reading Behind The Moss Curtain. I could not put the book down, and within a couple of days I had finished reading this well written book by Mr. Silver.
Mr. Silver’s storytelling ability brings Savannah alive and takes the reader deep into the roots and History of Savannah. Mr. Silver is published through Bonaventure Books out of Savannah. Bonaventure is an independent Publishing company that caters to the creative talent in Savannah and others areas of Georgia. I look forward to reading more of Murray Silvers work, and also getting back to the beautiful town of Savannah.

William S. Stephens

Fire Safety

Planning Fire Exits
The Holiday season is one of my favorite time’s of the year. The saddest moment is turning on the news to hear about a family that has lost everything due to fire. The tragedy is bad enough, but happening around the holiday season seems to add more of a devastating experience to an already tragic incident. What can we all do to make sure that we are safe and secure with our family this Holiday season.
First of all inform all family members and anyone visiting where fire exits are located at throughout your house from top to bottom. Make sure especially small children understand the importance of keeping the zones clear for fire exits.
Do not place presents or anything that has been moved temporarily to an isle blocking doors or windows. If possible Tape all cords and strands of lights to an overhead fixture to prevent a trip or a fall in an emergency situation. Keep all wrapping paper far enough away from any heating elements to prevent sparks or any chance of fire.

All paths from the farthest point upstairs to doorways or windows must be free of any heavy furniture in order to make the most effective and efficient use of fire exits. Rope ladders with sturdy and durable hooks can be purchased from approved vendors to keep in your upstairs rooms to be near all windows designated fire exits. Remember to clear stairwells of shoes and all items to make a safe and clear path for fire exits. From basement areas without lower outside exits, inform all members in the household of windows in lower levels, and how they can be removed for a safe fire exit. Glass block or any type of permanent window fixture should never be used in a lower area without an outside entryway.
Garages- Single car attached garages should have a clear path long enough to move family members on either side of the car for a straight exit from the house to the outside area. Family members should be shown an emergency disconnect cord for electric garage door openers in case of power outage in a fire. Once the cord is pulled and the door is free it will be easier to lift for a safe and fast fire exit. With families with an extra car or collector car in the corner of the garage, sometimes the area around the car becomes a staging point in the garage. Always be aware when you place an item around the project that you keep in mind safe and effective fire exits.

Shrubs should be cut low and out from the lower levels of your home. With a clear path between your house and shrubs your family members will have room to get out a window and maneuver without being trapped. Besides being a safe fire exit, well kept shrubbery and landscape also is a robbery deterrent exposing any potential hiding place for unwanted personal around your home.
Another outdoor plan for safe fire exits is solar lights along the walkway. In case of power outage due to fire, the solar lights will still work and provide a safe lighted pathway for your family. Motion detectors that are solar powered can be strategically placed around the outside of the house also to provide light when needed. When a fire occurs it is a devastating event for the family, however with proper planning and attention to detail, the most important asset in the home can be saved, the family.