Weather Theories: Interesting Reading

I'm still looking for explanations for our unseasonable rain. Found some interesting info on Accuweather about how the jet stream is in a different pattern causing drought in Canada, warmth in Alaska and putting pressure on Northern Nevada. Might be a while before it goes away. Might not. No one is sure about anything right now.

Then Computer Colonics posts a link to a story from Russia Today citing global warming as the cause for Air France flight 447 going down. Maybe. Maybe not. Interesting theory though! Could global warming cause pain for the airline industry? Over tax pilots skills? Hmmmm......

Grassroots Books in Reno!

I read. A lot. And it tends to get really expensive and more UBS (used book stores) go out of business all the time. Since I'm always lamenting not having a convenient UBS, I was told about a new place in Reno called Grassroots Books. Then I see an article about them in my Neighborhoods paper I receive in the mail. I figure this is a sign I should help pass their info along.

They also carry some new books, DVDs and more. You can check them out at their website and they link their inventory sold via Amazon. Best part? They have 'simple prices' which is their way of standardizing the prices for convenience. Hardbacks are $2.99 and Paperbacks are $1.99. I'm used to UBS' charging half of the list price printed on the book and then pricing would become more confusing from there so this is a great idea.

I wish the owners all the success in the world!

USPS Drives Global Warming?

h/t Dean

I might not have found the info I was looking for to explain the unseasonally long rain we are having in the Reno area, but receiving this in my inbox did make me chuckle!

June 2009: Weird Rain in Nevada?

I wrote a post on the Outdoor Living blog about the good and the bad sides of the unusual rain we have been receiving this week in general Northern Nevada area.

Since this seems like a really unusual weather pattern for the Reno area, I thought I'd see if anyone was was wondering about this too.

Found interesting info explaining how pollution is changing our rain patterns. 

Sacramento - As he flew high above the snowy Sierra Nevada this spring, atmospheric scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan saw confirmation of what he'd both hoped and feared to see: Big, dark storm clouds that weren't producing any rain.

    Air pollution appears to be altering rainfall patterns in the Sierra and around the world, said Ramanathan of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla.

Don Thompson @ The Associated Press goes on to report how rain proceseses actually change when carbon build up changes the structure and purpose of a cloud.

But I'm not finding much commentary on this current rainfall pattern.  Maybe I need to work on my choice of keywords, don't know. I do know this is frustrating. I just want to find one expert that might hazard sharing information on if this is an actual result of global warming or we're just lucky.

Washoe County Green Team

Interesting. Washoe County has a team of professionals to work on the government side of building a sustainable green community. They have an excellent flier listing the statistics for their recycling programs. It is a lot of information in a single 2 page document but is great to know they are tracking the difference made in protecting the environment as well as the money saved! It also includes a list of phone numbers for residential recycling so it is a keeper.

Even more interesting is their Strategic Plan. Displaying an easy to read chart, showing annually how they are doing as far as reaching their goals. Example: Affordable Housing in 2007-2008 was at a past due stage. Really? You will readily admit to the public that all isn't perfect? I respect that kind of openess. But they even go a step farther by having an online comment section as well. Not being afraid to solicit opinions is pretty brazen and cool. Not something you see everyday in local government!

Declaration of Homestead, Protect Your Investment

The world has gone crazy. Working harder, making less and doing their absolute best to protect everything they have worked for. Surprisingly, most people I talk to in Nevada aren't aware that they can file a Homestead Declaration. This process is to help protect their home investment in the event they run into certain forms of financial trouble.

From the Clark County Courthouse: WHAT THE LAW PROVIDES: When you record a Declaration of Homestead, Nevada law protects the equity in your home up to $550,000 from general creditor claims (unpaid medical bills, bankruptcy, charge card debts, business/personal loans, accidents) but would not preclude a seizure or forced sale of your residence from general creditors if your equity exceeds the $550,000. A creditor may file suit and can record a judgment lien against any real property you own. Recording a Declaration of Homestead protects your principal residence up to the statutory maximum. For example, if the value of your home is $645,000 and you have a first mortgage of $485,000 plus a second mortgage of $10,000, the equity is $150,000.

WHAT IS NOT PROTECTED?

The Homestead Law does not protect you against debts secured by a mortgage or deed of trust, payment of taxes, IRS lien, mechanic's lien, child support or alimony payments.

The State of Nevada website lists contact info for each county to find filing and fee details. You will need your property legal description and parcel number, so dig it out and call your county recorder to get started.

If you have never heard of a Declaration of Homestead, Mother Earth News has an excellent article that explains the benefits of filing for protection!

Time to Sell & Look at Renting?

I would love nothing more than to sell my house. But in this economy, it can be really hard to even imagine when prices have fallen so low.

We put our 20% down, didn't take out 2nd mortgages and we're still underwater. But I did explore changing my strategy. When considering how the rich get rich, I realize right now is the time to jump into real estate investing. Not just investing but a full blown rental business.

I share my thoughts on this at our Outdoor Living Blog. Feel free to disagree!