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The Olympic Rings was designed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1914 and contains five interlocking rings on a white background.  The five interlocking rings represent five continents or major geographical areas of the world. The five main regions: Africa, the Americas (North and South America are combined), Asia, Europe and Oceania.

The interlocking rings are symbolic in showing that the Olympic Games are intended for all nations to compete against one another in unity and symbolize the friendships to be made during this international competition. The colors were chosen because at least one of them appeared on the flag of every country in the world. The Olympic flag was first flown during the 1920 Olympic Games.

For a complete schedule and results of the Olympic Games, please go to http://en.beijing2008.cn/

Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling real estate, The FREEMAN/DAVIS TEAM would love to help.  For more information, please visit www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com. 

Jump-starting a vehicle can be very dangerous to the person doing it and to the vehicle.  Read the car owner’s manual first before touching a dead battery because some directions are unusual.  Improper jump-starting can cause electrical surges through the vehicle’s electrical system.

When working with a battery, wear splash-proof goggles. If the battery explodes, eye protection can prevent injuries from flying fragments or chemicals.

Here’s how to attach the cables:

1. Connect one positive cable (+ or red) to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
2. Clamp the remaining positive cable to the positive terminal of the good battery.
3. Clamp the negative cable ( – or black) to the negative terminal of the good battery.
4. Make the last connection by clamping the black or negative cable on the engine block (not on the negative post of the dead battery) of the stalled vehicle.

Now you are ready.  Start the car with the good battery and then the disabled car.  When finished, remove cables in reverse order.

For all your real estate needs, The FREEMAN/DAVIS TEAM is always at your service.  Please visit our web site at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for free money-saving home tips.

Here’s a simple checklist you can use to protect your home. 

1) Make Your Home The Least Likely Target.

• Keep garage doors closed. They are a means of entry to your home, offering a burglar opportunity to steal autos, tools, bicycles, and other property.
•  Prune large trees. Low limbs can provide second story access to your home.
• Maintain tidy lawns and landscaping.  This tells them you are home.
• Accept deliveries only at your front door. Never let people into your home to make telephone calls or use the bathroom!
• Timers on indoor lights, radios, and  TV’s give an appearance you’re home. 
• Never give your address or phone number to strangers over the phone. 

2) Delay A Burglar.  The longer it takes to force a door or window open, the greater the risk of detection. Use adequate locks on all windows and doors.

• Gates and fences can offer potential concealment to criminals, but can also be used to deter the removal of large items.
• Use solid-core doors in major access points, and install dead bolts with a minimum 1-inch throw bolt.  If hinges are on the outside of the door, use a non-removable hinge pin.
• Screens or storm windows offer added protection to the homeowner. 

3) Maximize Detection – Don’t Make It Easy!  If you can force a burglar to work where he can be observed, chances are he will go elsewhere.

• Trim shrubs.  Deny intruders a hiding place to work. Your neighbors and police can see if someone is trying to burglarize your home.
• Use a residential burglar alarm to delay or even prevent entry.  Simple systems can be obtained from your local hardware store, or leased or purchased from alarm companies.  Consult your law enforcement agency when installing an alarm.
• Use motion-sensitive lights at all door entries and around critical areas of the home where potential burglars would approach your home.
• Keep walks and driveways free from offering concealment to intruders and other criminals.

You also can create a Neighborhood Watch Program by contacting your local law enforcement agency.  Neighborhood awareness and contact are your very best defenses against crime.  For more information on how you can protect yourself, visit www.usaonwatch.org.

For all your real estate needs, The FREEMAN/DAVIS TEAM is always at your service.  Please visit our web site at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for free money-saving home tips.

Don’t you just hate when you’re running late for work and you get a phone call from your child saying, “Mom, I forgot my lunch money” or do you ever wonder exactly what your child really is buying for lunch.  Well, The Wake County Public School System is offering a new payment option for your child lunches.  Parents now have the choice of signing up with MyLunchMoney. The service is simple and allows parents to deposit money into their child’s lunch account directly from their home computer.  Parents can also set the accounts to “Meals Only” or to include “Snacks” plus you can get a Student Meal History Report of exactly what your child has purchased. 

For more information, please go to www.MyLunchMoney.com.

Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling real estate, The FREEMAN/DAVIS TEAM would love to help.  For more information, please visit www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com

Many homeowners are aware of fire safety precautions for the inside of the home, but how often to you think of the exterior of your home?  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests clearing a 30-foot radius around your house by removing vegetation which could provide a path for fire to reach your home.

Additionally, if you have paints or other highly flammable materials, be sure they are properly stored in a safe location away from your home.

Finally, FEMA suggests that you look into replacing your roof with a material that is more resistant to fire than asphalt or wood shingles.  A small amount of time and money may prevent the spread of exterior fire and successfully protect your family and cherished belongings.

Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling real estate, THE FREEMAN/DAVIS TEAM would love to help.  For more information, please visit www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.