Southern New Jersey Overlook

If you can't visit our New Jersey seashores and walk on our boardwalks, you can at least get a taste of it with our Salt Water Taffy.

Anyone that has ever visited the our Jersey Shores and it's boardwalks has encountered the smells and the variety of colors and unique flavors of Salt Water Taffy.  It has a long history in New Jersey.   Here are two sources that will allow you to order by phone or online and have a little bite of the Jersey Shore sent to you.

 Click here for a history and online ordering of James/Fralingers NJ Salt Water Taffy.

or

Click here for a history and online ordering of Shrivers NJ Salt Water Taffy.

 
Visit my web site for additional resources and services: www.lawrenceyerkes.com

or visit http://BestHomes-NJ.com/ for the latest property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land) 

Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Many people are not aware, but New Jersey's communities rate at the top of surveys for best places to live and raise a family.  In fact, Moorestown, in Burlington County, was rated #1 out of all towns nationwide where you would want to raise your children and celebrate life's milestones, by CNN/Money and Money Magazine.
 
New Jersey offers much more than it's heavily traveled Turnpike or Parkway and more than Atlantic City.  Sure, it has great beaches, with plenty to see, do, shop (with great sales!), eat and enjoy.  It has access to major sports, cultural and enternainment centers as well as vast state forest and parks for recreation. It's communities enable a lot of activities to allow everyone to join together, support each other and provide great athletic programs for development, competition and just for healthy fun. 
 
For those that are transferring into New Jersey, particularly South Jersey, you are invited to take advantage of the information and support resources I have made available through this blog as well as my personal web site.  
 
Whether you are being transferred by your employer (corporate, government or military), moving for personal reasons or are just in the thinking staging of your move, we have information resources in this blog (click on my tags, listed along the side: New Jersey, South Jersey, etc.) and my personal web site to help you prepare for your relocation -- my team and I have support programs and the experience to meet any need, minimize the risks and inherent stresses of moving and to help you find the best home for you. 

Click here for "Your Moving Support Services Center".

Visit my web site for additional resources and services: http://www.lawrenceyerkes.com

or visit http://BestHomes-NJ.com for the latest property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land) 

Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Here is some good information that can save your live or the lives of those around you...

Most people know about the symptoms associated with a heart attack, but what if you are alone when you suffer a heart attack?  What can you do to survive a heart attack when no one can help you right away?

If you encounter someone that may be suffering a stroke, what three things can you quickly do to help identify a stroke, so you can take quick action to get emergency treatment to avoid brain damage?

This information has been widely available, but I'm suprised at how many people do not know it, so I'm including links to more detailed information...

Click here for the article: Stroke vs Heart Attack - including "How To Survive A Heart Attack

Click here for full article including Sudden Stroke Symptoms - Act F-A-S-T Chart (and list of Delaware Valley Area stroke certified hospitals).
     
 
 
Visit my web site for additional resources and services: http://www.lawrenceyerkes.com/

or visit http://BestHomes-NJ.com/ for the latest property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land) 

Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Here are several online resources for kids, compliments of your government:

American Memory
Hosted by the Library of Congress.The American Memory Historical Collections, a major component of the Library's National Digital Library Program, are multimedia collections of digitized documents, photographs, recorded sound, moving pictures, and text from the Library's Americana collections.

NASA for Kids
Hey kids. We've got some cool NASA sites just for you.

Kids Castle
Ths Smithsonian's "Kids' Castle" features articles written about the things that interest kids today: sports, history, the arts, travel, science and air and space, all with great photos. There are message boards filled with questions to get kids from all over the world talking to each other and thinking creatively. And, of course, Kids' Castle has lots of fun and challenging games and contests.

Smokey Bear
Games and activities from the USDA Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters.

USDA for Kids
United States Department of Agriculture Web sites for Kids. The USDA provides students, parents, and teachers with youth-geared information and resources related to agriculture. For example, Food Pyramid for Kids: MyPyramid; Farm Service: FSA for Kids; National Agricultural Library: NAL Kids Science page;  Thermy for Kids and more.

McGruff.org
Crime prevention activities, tips and games from the National Crime Prevention Council.

Department of Health & Human Services for Kids




Energy Kid's - The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has a web site just for kids that is fun and also teaches them about energy conservation, energy history, with fun and games plus a glossary and classroom activities for teachers (students K-12).  Click here for the Energy Kid's Page
 
 
 
Does anyone know of any other online government resource sites for kids?

Click here to view all our articles with resources for kids.



 
Visit my web site for additional resources and services: http://www.LawrenceYerkes.com

or visit http://hyerkes.remax-nj.com/ for the latest property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land) 

Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Whether you usually listen to your music, news or talk stations streaming through the Internet or broadcast over the ariwaves, here are resources to help you locate and experience new programming formats and venues or access local programming while away.  Happy listening...

Radio-Locator - lists all known sites on the Internet that publish information about broadcast radio stations. Look for your favorite home radio station or discover a new station. You can select by call-sign, city, format, state, country and advance search. If your radio station broadcasts on the Internet, you can find them here. Don't miss out on your favorite radio programs and news just because you are not in range of the station's radio signal. Listen to them live on the Internet.

Virtenna - Here's a great place to easily find and play your favorite AM/FM radio stations and to browse and discover stations from around the world. You can search by location and type of programming. So far you can play US stations from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, and Washington, DC. Each city features dozens of the major broadcasting stations (and some you didn't even know existed). Many international locations are also featured. Just pick your favorite news, music or talk show and these folks whisk you off to a new land with one simple click!
 
For some additional Internet Radio broadcasts sources check out:
 
RadioTime - combines a web-based guide of radio programs and stations with software to listen live and record AM/FM and Internet radio.
 
Live365.com - Internet broadcast network -- for Internet-only programming.
 
 
Find Your Favorite Public Radio Programs, Discover New Ones:

Public Radio Fan - is a fan-run site which has a comprehensive database of on-line broadcasts of almost every imaginable public radio program, which can be searched by program or radio station. This site contains links to on-line radio stations, their audio stream, and other information, and can also be customized to display your favorite program.
 
Allegro! (http://jrabold.net/radio/) - Many widely-known musical and music/variety radio programs carried by United States public radio stations can be heard by Internet "streaming audio", or audio feed, at various times of the day and night and on multiple stations. This site a can help you locate them. You may be able to hear your favorite variety, classical, jazz, ethnic, or folk music programs at several different times during the day and week.  (Note: This may be a little confusing to use initially. Just remember that you have to first select your time zone. After that is completed, then select your favorite program in the yellow box to see a list of current broadcast stations and their times during the day.)

Here are some prior articles about some truely unique Internet Radio music stations:
Music on the Internet - Folk Alley - Quality Folk Music via Internet Radio, 24-hours A Day
Music on the Internet - Hankerin' For A Hefty Dose of Cowboy Musical Culture?
Music on the Internet - Hober - A Truly Unique Internet Radio Music Experience
 

Note: Many of the above Internet radio broadcast have very high quality if you have a high-speed connection.
 
 
 
Visit my web site for additional resources and services: LawrenceYerkes.com

or visit BestHomes-NJ.com/ for the latest property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land) 

Copyright 2006 and 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

New Jersey has an online resource they call the "New Jersey Statewide Reference Center" or "Virtual Reference Desk" (VRD).

According to their description, The Virtual Reference Desk contains annotated links to websites that will help you answer many common reference questions. It has been modeled after the Librarian's Index to the Internet, but with more focus on New Jersey information. This site is being developed selectively, and does not aim at comprehensiveness (i.e. it will point to the best 1 or 2 sites on a topic, not 10,000 sites...)

This service made possible by State tax funds appropriated by the New Jersey Legislature for the New Jersey Library Network.

You can browse by subject (there is also a pull-down menu of general subject categories) or by keywords.

http://www.camden.lib.nj.us/dbtw-wpd/referenceold.htm

 
Visit my web site for additional resources and services: LawrenceYerkes.com

or visit BestHomes-NJ.com for the latest property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land) 

Copyright 2006 and 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

The Census Bureau maintaines a wealth of information and resources for you to use in your business marketing and planning and for supporting the interests of your customers and clients.  Here are some examples...
 

For help in finding the most recent information click here for the link to the lastest U.S. Census Bureau Tip Sheet of recently released information that was published by the bureau or of near future events.
 
Census Bureau and HUD have released National Housing Characteristic data: Current release
 
For an updated extensive report of the Business Patterns by County for all United States. It is available for download in pdf format...   for example, click here to download the New Jersey 2004 report.
 
For the annual survey of state and local government employment and payroll click here for full details, including prior year reports.
 
Profile America is a daily, 60-second feature that uses interesting vignettes from key events, observances or commemorations for that day to highlight information collected by the Census Bureau. These features can be heard or downloaded in the mp3 format. Click here to access the index.
 
The U.S. Census Bureau has a web information facility, called "American Factfinder", which is a source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data, including data sets, maps and other detailed data compiled by the Census Bureau.

The Economic census profiles American business every 5 years, from the national to the local level. Fifty-seven reports for several industry sectors - all at the national level - are now being issued on a flow basis. These reports include information such as product shipments by contributing industries. All 883 geographic area series reports and 651 industry reports have been published. Click here for the 2002 Economic Census Reports.
 
The report, Disability and American Families: 2000 [pdf], provides information on disability prevalence in families at the national, regional and state levels. It presents data on family income, employment status of the family householder and poverty status of the families with a member who has a disability. the report also has information on families who raise children with disabilities. Lmited data by race and Hispanic origin also are included.

The Census report "Characteristics of New Housing 2005" is available online at: http://www.census.gov/const/www/charindex.html 
 
Facts for Features and Special Editions consist of collections of statistics from the census bureau's demographic and economic subject areas intended to commemorate anniversaries or observances or to provide background information for topics in the news.

This just scratches the surface of the vast amount of accumulated data, analysis reports, interesting facts and figures that the government has acquired through the use of you tax dollars and are available for your use.
 
 
 
Visit my web site for additional resources and services: http://www.LawrenceYerkes.com

and visit http://BestHomes-NJ.com for the latest property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land) 

Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Lenape (len-ah-pay) or Lenni Lenape tribe, later called Delaware Indians by European settlers, lived in an area they called "lenapehoking", which meant "land of the lenape." Their land included all of what is now New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Southeastern New York State, Northern Delaware and a small part of Connecticut.

Below are some links to learn more about their history as well as current information:

http://www.native-languages.org/lenape_culture.htm (Native Languages of the Americas - Lenape Culture and History)
http://www.state.nj.us/nj/about/history/ (NJ History)
http://www.lenapeprograms.info/lenni_lenape.htm (Lenni Lenape)
http://www.palsplus.org/wanaque/archive/lenape.htm (Wanaque, NJ - Local History: Lenni Lenape)
http://www.lenapelifeways.org/lenape1.htm (Lenape Lifeways)
http://www.oceancountyhistory.org/links/lenape%20links.htm (Ocean County: Lenape History)
http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/newjersey/index.htm (Access Geneology, Indian Tribal Records: New Jersey Indian Tribes)
http://www.lenapenation.org/txt/lenapehistory.html (Lenape Nation, PA - History)
http://www.manataka.org/page246.html (Manataka American Indian Council: Lenape (Delaware) Nation)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lenape (Wikipedia: Lenape)
http://lenapedelawarehistory.net/mirror/index.html
http://www.lenapeindians.com/  (Lenape Indians - Culture, Nations, Resources)
http://www.delawaretribeofindians.nsn.us/  (check out their "Talking Dictionairy")
http://www.tolatsga.org/dela.html (Delaware History)
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nj/state/Lenape.htm (Native People of New Jersey)
http://www.lenapenation.org/ (Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania)
http://www.lenape.org/ (Museum of Indian Culture - Allentown, PA)
http://www.gilwell.com/lenape/ (Lenape-English Dictionairy)

  
Visit my web site for additional resources and services: www.LawrenceYerkes.com

or visit BestHomes-NJ.com for the latest property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land) 

Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

For those of us that engage in activities involving the outdoors, especially in wilderness areas, the web site for the Wilderness Medical Training Center (WMTC), on the ordering page of their Store supplies section, has a list of recommended items for first aid kits categorized by "Basic Life Support or Trauma", "Minor Trauma", "Environmental" and "Medical". You can also order these items if you don't have your own supply source.

Note: For protection from poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac, what to do after coming in contact and reactions occur, see also my separate article:

My secrets for avoiding the effects of Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac

If you have any other recommendations, please add you comments.


 
Visit my web site for additional resources and services: http://www.LawrenceYerkes.com

or visit http://BestHomes-NJ.com/ for the latest property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land) 

Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Flooding can happen any time and anywhere. 

I've had first-hand experience with major rains and subsequent flooding that received national attention and required local, state and federal response, including FEMA... but I'll save that story, my observations and what I learned for another article.

Knowing your risk profile -- whether you live in a low-to moderate-risk or high-risk flood zone -- will help you understand your risk of financial loss so that you you can take appropriate action to protect yourself and your family and your property

Find out your relative risk level of flooding right now, online, at FEMA's floodsmart.gov web site. When you enter your property information in the form on the corresponding web page, this is what you can expect:

After a few moments of processing, a page will appear that displays:
- your relative risk level of flooding
- links to flood maps, community ratings, faqs
- flood insurance resources
 
Click here for FloodSmart web page.
 
NOTE: The site also provides valuable information about Flooding, Flood Insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
 
 

Visit my web site for additional resources and services: http://www.LawrenceYerkes.com
 
and visit http://hyerkes.remax-nj.com/ for the latest property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land)
 
Copyright 2006 by Timon, inc. All rights reserved.

"Nearly every homeowner contemplates ways to increase the value of their home and most of them also spend significant time and money each year creating a beautiful yard. few people, however, make the connection between the two, not realizing that a healthy and beautiful lawn and garden can improve the value of their home by up to 15 percent."

News published by various organizations seems to indicate that a healthy and beautiful lawn is one of the simplest ways to enhance the value of your home with minimal cost and some 'sweat equity':

-- according to Money magazine, landscaping investments are estimated to return at least 100 percent and up to 200 percent of their costs. [Money Magazine, May 2003]

-- a study of 2,000 realtors by Homegain.com found an investment of $500 in lawn improvements would likely yield 400 percent of that total when selling your home. [Homegain.com study, 2000]

-- ninety-five percent of the members of the Society of Real Estate appraisers say landscaping adds to property value, while 99 percent agree landscaping increases speed of home sales. [Society of Real Estate Appraisers study, 2002]


According to Scotts, for even in a modest yard, the return on your investment can be substantial. for under $100 and about 2.5 hours a year for the average size lawn, homeowners can create a beautiful, healthy lawn. a few simple tips apply:

-- feed your lawn. lawns, like other living things, need nutrition. agronomists suggest feeding your lawn at least four times a year, depending on your location.

-- mow your grass tall. set your mower on one of the higher settings. your grass will thank you by growing deeper roots to match the increased top growth.

-- solve problems that sneak up. weeds and tiny insects can get the better of your lawn before you know it.

Source: Scotts

 

Visit my web site for additional resources and services: http://www.lawrenceyerkes.com/

and visit besthomes-nj.com for the latest New Jersey real estate property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land)

Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Information related to lawn care and gardening can also be found elsewhere on this site. Also, a list of pick-your-own farms.

It is provided by the Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension (RCRE) in conjuction with their "If Plants Could Talk" gardening television series.

Visit my web site for additional resources and services: http://www.LawrenceYerkes.com

and visit BestHomes-NJ.com for the latest New Jersey real estate property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land)

Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

In a prior blog entry  I attempted to start a thought process on what we, especially those involved in supporting seniors, are doing to prepare ourselves, our family members and others in our communities for maximum financial security and maximum lifestyle in our later years.

Those of us with SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) training have been equiped to counsel and help seniors make wise decisions about selling the family home, business or investment property, buying rental property, managing the capital gains and tax implications of owning real estate.

However, the best time to address the later years in our lives is before we reach that stage and, again, that is where people that have experience and training can make important contributions to help minimize the inherent risks of making long-term decisons.

A challenge is getting people who are not yet near to that stage in their life to think beyond setting up a retirement or savings plan at work -- to see and understand the big picture when making real estate investment and business decisions.

For those that face being care givers, they also may need to be pro-active and involved in planning for the future.

What are the main issues that effect you as a current or future senior, a care giver or as service providor?  What is your preferred method for offering solutions and services?
 
 

One of the things that makes our country so great is the rich diversity of people that desire to live in our communities.  As good customer service and relationship building is the key to developing long term clients, it's important to strive to understand and appreciate others.  One way is to learn and understand their customs, which shows respect, acceptance and understanding on our part. 

This includes holidays, secular and religious.  (It can also be incorporated as part of advertising campaign.)

Here are a few general holiday links you can reference:
Click here for Wikipedia list of holidays and special occassions celebrated in the United States every year.
http://www.holidays.net/

Here are resource links for information about religious holidays and festivals celebrated in the United States and around the world including calendars for important religious dates...
http://www.beliefnet.com/calendar/
http://www.religioustolerance.org/main_day.htm
http://www.calendarzone.com/Holiday/
http://www.smart.net/~mmontes/ec-cal.html
http://www.celebratetoday.com/callinks.html
http://www.calendarday.com/
http://www.index-china.com/index-english/chinese_holidays.htm


Many people are practitioners on various levels of Feng Shui and you may encounter Vaastu if they are of Indian background.

Does any one else have experience and/or resources that would further address and help us understand these or other related areas, especially if you were brought up in that custom or practice?

  
 
Medford Lakes-in-the-pines, the year round summer playground. (That’s the official name of the community!) 
 
 
Medford Lakes, a borough located in Burlington County, is one of the most unique communities in the world, with over 150 log cabin homes and 22 lakes in a rustic vacation setting.
 
It's a great place for raising a family and it's convenient to great shopping, excellent schools, a wide variety of sports, cultural and recreational opportunities, major transportation routes, Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore.
 
 
Resources for Medford Lakes:
Welcome to Medford Lakes [Facts] - Official web site
Wikipedia - Medford Lakes, NJ
Community Profile - Podunk.com
Profile - CityData.com
School Statistics
Medford Lakes Canoe Carnival
 
Additional articles about Medford Lakes Borough 
 
 
 
Visit my web site for additional resources and services: LawrenceYerkes.com

or visit BestHomes-NJ.com for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land)

On August 1, 2006, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) rules regarding the Junk Fax Prevention Act (JFPA) take effect. The FCC released the rules on April 6, 2006. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®(NAR) summarized the rules, which clarify certain responsibilities of businesses when sending unsolicited faxes.

Visit the NAR for their Field Guide to Do Not Fax (as well as Do Not Call or e-Mail)

Click here for Entrepreanour.com overview article, The New Junk Fax Law (9/19/2005)


Visit the FCC's Consumer Fax Advertising Summary page for summary of the rules and to access further JFPA resources oriented to consumers.
Click here for the FCC's Consumer Facts Sheet, Fax Advertising: What You Should Know


Does anyone else have any other resources or experience with either compliance to the rule or resolving the receipt of junk faxes?    I'm still getting unsolicited stock, health insurance and travel faxes and having to respond to each list removal number.

  

Click here for list of stations and to access via the Internet.