Fourth of July Facts

You’ve always known that owning a home meant more than putting a roof over your head, but now there’s proof. The positive karma that comes from owning a home results in higher life satisfaction and happiness, says Robert Dietz, author of a new study on the social benefits of homeownership. What’s more, those benefits extend to the household and community levels
      The study shows that children of homeowners are likely to perform higher on academic achievement tests, are more likely to finish high school and have fewer behavioral problems at school. Political activity, such as voting and participating in community organizations, is also higher among homeowners
      The bottom line: Homeowners are happier and more satisfied with their lives. Why? A couple of factors could be the government’s policy of promoting homeownership and the positive social outcomes of homeownership, Dietz says
       “Through their investment in the home — and therefore in the local neighborhood — homeowners appear to be overall more involved in their communities,” Dietz says. “These spillover benefits suggest that the neighborhood homeownership rate itself may produce positive social consequences for communities.”
       Homeownership can even have financial benefits. Recent research indicates that high levels of homeownership in neighborhoods increase property values.

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Barbecue Safety

Use these safe and practical tips for having a fun and healthy barbecue!

In order to avoid food poisoning, be sure to marinate all meats and vegetables in the refrigerator (not on the counter), and place any meat that has been partially cooked or boiled straight onto the grill.

If it is not possible to grill pre-cooked meat right away, be sure it was cooked at a high enough temperature to kill bacteria, then put it straight into the refrigerator.

Be sure to wash all plates, utensils and surfaces that have come into contact with raw meat.

Cook meat to medium or well done. Leaner cuts of meat are recommended for grilling, as fat tends to burn, and charred meat has been linked to cancer.

Keep vegetables intended for grilling separate from raw meat to avoid contamination.

Avoid using chemical charcoal fluids, which are bad for the environment. Instead, try electric or other fire starting devices, or consider a gas grill.

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1. How many hot dogs will be consumed nation wide at Fourth of July cookouts?
A. 255 million
B. 200 million
C. 155 million
D. 980 thousand

2. When was the first official US flag design approved?
A. July 14, 1777
B. July 4, 1776
C. May 12, 1778
D. September 6, 1779

3. Who designed the US flag?
A. John Hancock
B. Betsy Ross
C. Francis Hopkinson
D. Thomas Jefferson

4. Which of these states is not one of the original 13 colonies to declare war on Britain?
A. Georgia
B. Florida
C. New Jersey
D. Virginia

5. What was the significance of the Treaty of Paris?
A. It was also known as the Declaration
of Independence
B. It caused the Boston Tea Party
C. It was a post-war trade agreement between Paris and the 13 colonies
D. It was Britain's formal acknowledgment of the independence of the Thirteen Colonies as the United States

ANSWERS
1. c, 2. a, 3. c, 4. b, 5. d

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July favorite links:

Special July 4th page from Risa

July 4th -- History

Orlando Summer Fun

July Holidays

Use This Moving Truck for FREE      

RE/MAX Town & Country Realty has a moving truck (pictured above) that our clients can use FREE for their local (inside the Metro-Orlando area) moves. When Risa helps you buy or sell a home, just let her know that you would like to use the RE/MAX Moving Truck. Then Ray, the Moving Truck Coordinator, will coordinate your reservation to use the truck for a 24 hour period and outline all of the details for the truck’s use. Tell Risa early on in your transaction that you’d like to use the truck to make sure that you can reserve the best time for your move! We’re glad to be able to offer this additional service to our clients. Risa Saltman wants to help make your moving process as smooth, enjoyable and efficient as possible.

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