Southern New Jersey Overlook

http://www.wirelessphiladelphia.net/

http://www.phila.gov/wireless/briefing.html

http://www.wi-fihotspotlist.com/

http://www.wifiareas.com/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia_19129_wifi_hotspots.php

http://wi-fi.jiwire.com/search-wifi-hotspots.htm?city_id=113757

http://ilovefreewifi.com/philadelphia/

http://wifinetnews.com/

http://www.cityjoints.com/tags/free_wireless

http://philadelphia.wifi.com/?gclid=CKLK9_igrosCFQJWgQoddA0uOQ

http://www.auscillate.com/wireless/

http://www.openwifispots.com/FinderDirectoryCity.aspx?City=Philadelphia&State=PA

http://www.wi-fi.org/

My family and I recenty decided for take a short Sunday afternoon trip into Philadelphia to visiting the Rodin Museum and the nearby Philadelphia Museum of Art's Perlman Building.  It was a comfortable, sunny January day.

Philly's Rodin Museum contains the largest collection of works by the sculptor Auguste Rodin outside of Paris (Musee Rodin).


For those of you who aren't sure who Rodin was, you probably have heard of his sculpture creation, "The Thinker", which greets you at the outer entrance to the Rodin Museum.

After passing by The Thinker and through the entranceway,

you enter the Rodin Museum courtyard and then walk toward the entrance of the museum building. 

After reaching the The Gates of Hell, 

you then enter the building to the exhibits which document and show the amazing artistry of Rodin:

Burghers of Calais:

Adam:

Notes: Picture taking is permitted, but NO FLASH is allowed.  The Rodin Museum do not charge an entrance fee, but it does request a free will donation.  As you come in to the entrance lobby, you will pass a glass donation box.  The attendant and/or security guard will make sure that you see it before you proceed.

Apology: Since we were traveling light, all I had for taking pictures was my cell phone.  The above pictures do not do justice to the artworks, but I wanted to at least give you a feel for what to expect when you visit the Rodin Museum.

Click here for more information about our same-day visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Perlman Building

For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
    
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
  
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.  

Here are updated resources for cultural music events throughout the country that include festivals and concert by world class artists who may not be part of the normal popular radio music fare or everyday gossip magazine fodder, but have growing followings of people who have heard them and appreciate their uniqueness, diversity, artistry and ability to musically connect with their audiences.

Check out the growing lists of events and make plans to attend several near where you live or as part of your vacation...

World Music / CrashArts - presents the finest traditional and contemporary performing arts from around the world to the broadest possible audience, and to engage individuals in their community and civic life through related artist based educational programs

World Music Central - In addition to news, resources, posting comments and submitting articles, you can take advantage of the international calendar to check upcoming events: concerts, festivals, conferences, etc.

Boston Early Music Festival - BEMF has promoted early music through a variety of diverse programs and activities, including an annual concert series that brings the early music's brightest stars to the Boston concert stage, and the biennial week-long Festival and Exhibition recognized as the "world's leading festival of early music" (The Times, London).

Savannah Music Festival - the Savannah Music Festival (SMF) is Georgia's largest musical arts festival and one of the most distinctive cross-genre music festivals in the world. Regularly presenting commissioned works, unique and imaginative productions and rare regional appearances by renowned artists in jazz, classical, blues, bluegrass, gospel and other styles of American and international roots music.

University of Chicago Folk Festival - Featuring three days of the best traditional, community-based, "roots" musicians in Bluegrass, Country Blues, Old-Time fiddle, Irish, Creole, Klezmer, Scottish, Chicago Blues, Old-Time String, and much more!

All American Music Festival (Orlando, FL) - a professionally adjudicated Music Festival, with simultaneous competitions for concert bands, jazz bands, choirs, orchestras, marching and parade bands, drill teams, dance groups and drum corps; a state-of-the-art Festival Concert Hall so young performers have a truly professional performance experience. Events run from mid-March through May.

Juneau Jazz and Classics - an annual festival of live, professional music in Juneau, Alaska. It has drawn artists representing the best in classical, blues and jazz genres for concerts, education programs, and free events. Juneau Jazz & Classics takes place throughout Juneau - in auditoriums, schools, hotels, the University of Alaska Southeast campus, on board boats and even in an office building atrium. Over 6,000 individuals from near and far join in a 9-day music celebration each May, experiencing everything from string quartets to well-recognized headliners.

San Francisco Blues Festival - the world's oldest blues festival. Held on the green at Fort Mason's Great Meadow and framed by the stunning backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay, the Festival will celebrates each year with an all-star lineup of some of the best blues performers in the world.

Click here for more information about festivals in and around the Delaware Valley region.

For a general listing of music festivals throughout the U.S., check out Festival Finder where you'll discover the latest details on more than 2,500 music festivals in North America.

Also, check out  Jazz Internet for Jazz and Blues on the World Wide Web and don't forget: The Dirty Linen Folk, World, and Roots Music Festivals & Events List.


Additional regional resource: Music Festivals In and Around New Jersey and the Delaware Valley.




For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
    
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
  
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.  

You filed your tax return and you're expecting a refund. You have just one question and you want the answer now - Where's My Refund?

Every year the IRS has millions of dollars of tax refunds returned because they are undeliverable.  This is more likely to occur if you have recently moved to a new location.

Whether you split your refund among several accounts, opted for direct deposit to one account or asked IRS to mail you a check, you can track your refund through the IRS secure Web site, Where's My Refund? 

Note: If you have trouble while using this application, please check the Requirements to make sure you have the correct browser software for this application to function properly and check to make sure our system is available.

If you don't have access to the Internet or prefer to check in a refund by phone, you can call 1-800-829-1954.

To help avoid any future refund from being undeliverable, it's important that you inform the IRS when you move or have a change of address. The IRS requires that you fill out a Form 8822 (Change of Address) as notice or any address changes.

There is less chance for misplacing a refund if you have your check direct deposited.  And this year, for the first time, you can have the IRS deposit your income tax refund into as many as three different accounts, such as checking, savings, an individual retirement account (IRA) or a mutual fund account investment account. A split refund will require the new IRS Form 8888 (Direct Deposit of Refund To More Than One Account) be completed and submitted along with your IRS income tax form.

Source: IRS



For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
    
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
  
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.  

I had been dealing with a recent problem with the main router in my office and was not sure if it was in any way contributing to an ongoing and very frustrating problem that occurred whenever "My Network Places" was viewed in Windows (XP Pro) Explorer on computers in the local network.  

When you opened up Explorer, in the left column window you should see "My Network Places".  If you opened it up (clicked on it to expand it's contents), you should have see all the attached devices (computers, printers, etc.) that were on the local area network. 

In my case I either could not see all the devices and when I clicked on "My Network Places" it would freeze ("lock up") Windows Explorer. After I resolved the main router problem, the "My Network Places" situation still existed.

So I had to do some more investigation within my hardware, Windows and applications that were running to try to isolate the cause(s) of the problems.


Eventually, I was able to discover and correct two additional non-router causes of the "My Network Places" issues:

1. McAfee Security Suite's Network Manager ("Manage Network") function.

Although I could not find any reporting about it, McAfee Security Suite's, available free to all Comcast cable subscribers turn out to be the problem as it's Network Manager feature was causing the attached network devices to not show up.  Evidently, the Netowrk Manager function was having problems when IP address changed as a result of dynamic DHCP assignment of IP addresses and/or devices were attached/detached/reattached on the network.  

McAfee was would not provide any details about the cause of the problem with their software, but their radical solution was to uninstall all versions of their Security Suite on all devices and reinstall, making sure not to run the Network Manager function. 

After this was completed on ALL attached computers running this software that were attached to the network, all the connections eventually reappeared under "My Network Places".

Note: In the process I also had to go in and make sure drive shares were properly set.


2. Microsoft's UPnP User Interface feature.

At one point when struggling with not being able to see all the network devices under "My Network Places", I turned on Microsoft Windows UPnP User Interface feature to help access some of the attached devices.  It helped a little, but I was always concerned with activating it as it is considered a security risk, and I will still not seeing it under "My Network Places".
 
After resolving the other issues with my router and with McAfee Security Suite, I still encountered Windows Explorer "freezing" or "locking up" whenever I clicked on "My Network Places".  After some more digging around I came across some brief discussion in a technical forum that indicated it could by caused by the activation of the UPnP feature in Windows.
 
And sure enough, after inactivating and undoing any related setting, the problem was fixed: "My Network Places" no longer freezes when I click on it in Windows Explorer.
 
Here are few resource links that were related to the UPnP problem:
My Network Places Freezes Up
What's The Big Deal About UPnP In Windows XP?
You cannot access shared files and folders or browse computers in the workgroup with Windows XP





For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
    
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
  
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.  

Great opportunity to lease strategically located office building.
 
Take advantage of this approximately 4,000 square feet office building.  The stand-alone, one-story building is strategically located just off of major corridor highway Rt. 295 in the heart of the Delaware Valley, across the river from the Philadelphia International Airport (20 minute drive by car).  
  
The offices and auxiliary space contained in this building feature a multi-media board meeting room, cafeteria room, entrance lobby with receptionist window, common access areas for office equipment; a technology enhanced infrastructure with network cabling, telephone/intercom wiring (with an optional "PBX" system), and fiber optics cabling allowing T1 (data and voice) service.
 
There is a full basement, which houses the utilities systems, that has been used for storage and providing additional work areas.  It can potentially provide additional space for the tenant.  The basement space is not included in the 4,000 square foot number. 
  
Plenty of paved parking in the immediate parking area plus a large adjacent parking area insures that it will accommodate almost any demand.
  
NNN Lease. CAM component includes Owner maintenance of major systems (HVAC, plumbing, main communications junctions) and structural components, including roof, real estate taxes, plus snow-removal service. Optionally, grounds and landscaping service can also be provided by owner. Owner is also willing to consider fit-ups to suit the requirements of tenant.


Location Description:
Located just off of Rt. 295 (exit 17) in Gibbstown (Greenwich Township, Gloucester County), New Jersey. The offices are less than 30 minutes by automobile from Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE; less than 60 minutes from Trenton, Atlantic City and major portions of South Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania. The office property is situated along the major Northeast transportation corridor between Washington, D.C. (under 2 hours), Baltimore, MD and New York, City (under 90 minutes).

For more information about this commercial property (and to locate other properties in NJ): hyerkes.remax-nj.com.

 
























For more information about this commercial property (and to locate other properties in NJ): hyerkes.remax-nj.com    


Contact me for an appointment or to list your property:

Lawrence Yerkes
RE/MAX Suburban - Commercial Division
Serving the Greater South Jersey and Delaware Valley areas
We Get Results!
609-654-7300 x206 (Office)
609-953-1330 (Direct)
609-654-7060 (Fax)

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

 

Voting is a right and a responsibility of every eligible citizen in New Jersey.  

Please take the time to vote even if you will be away from your local voting district.  If you will not be able to appear in person on voting day, February 5, then fill out and submit the New Jersey Absentee Ballot application. (Click here for special military and overseas voting instructions.)

The general deadline to apply for an absentee ballot by mail is January 29, 2008. There is no excuse needed to submit an absentee ballot. Access the application online or visit NJAR®'s Voting Information webpage for more on voting deadlines and instructions.  (Source NJAR)
 
Remember: Register to vote and take part in every opportunity to vote  -- not just during presidential elections, but every year -- as important decisions are decided at the local, county and state level that will directly effect you.  

Your vote counts!  Don't waste it!


New Jersey Voting Resources Online:

NJAR's New Jersey Voting Information

NJ Divison of Elections - Official NJ site: Voter resources, voter registration, military and overseas voting, election information and results, candidate resources, schedules and more.





For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
    
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
  
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved. 

Voting is a right and a responsibility of every eligible citizen in New Jersey.  Information about the state's voter registration process, eligibility requirements, voting schedules, election candidates and results, absentee balloting and related voting information is available online at various places on NJ's web sites.

To help make it easier to quickly locate NJ voting resources the NJAR, as a public service, has setup a "Voting Information" web page.  It provides all the links you should need to address questions related to your vote and the voting process within New Jersey. 

Register to vote and take part in every opportunity to vote  -- not just during presidential elections, but every year -- as important decisions are decided at the local, county and state level that will directly effect you.  

Your vote counts.


Click here for NJAR's New Jersey Voting Information


Direct link to the NJ Division of Elections web site:

NJ Divison of Elections - Official NJ site: Voter resources, voter registration, military and overseas voting, election information and results, candidate resources, schedules and more.




For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
    
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
  
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved. 

With the increase and awareness of foreclosures throughout our nation, there is a need to be better informed to avoid foreclosures and also to be able to take advantage of some great opportunities to purchase property at reduced rates.

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has developed a "Field Guide to Foreclosures"

This field guide provides links and tips for the potential investor as well as suggestions for those trying to prevent foreclosure. As it's introductory paragraphs states...

"Foreclosures! Subprime Lending Scams! Risky Mortgages!
2007 news headlines and reports hammered us with these dire stories. To be sure the rate of foreclosures has increased substantially, but it has also created significant opportunities for real estate investors. Though not for the faint of heart, investing in foreclosed properties can prove profitable for those willing to put in the required research and work. This field guide provides links and tips for the potential investor as well as suggestions for those trying to prevent foreclosure."

There are numerous articles and links to more 3rd party resources.  While some are restricted to NAR members, the majority are accessible by anyone.

Topics include: Foreclosure News, Profiting From Foreclosures, Foreclosure Help, Helpful Websites, Foreclosure Rates (in select areas), Books, Videos, eBooks & Other Resources, plus links to other related field guides.


Field Guide to Foreclosures


Click here for more blog articles related to Foreclosures.




For real estate resources, help and support services in avoiding foreclosure or selling or acquiring foreclosure properties in New Jersey, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
    
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
  
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved. 

The Federal Reserve recently published their latest issue of the Beige Book.  It is available online.

The following is a brief list of it's overall (national) summary findings (using data as of January 7th):
   
1. Economic activity increased modestly since the last report, but at a slower pace.  Expansion was characterized as moderate, modest and mixed. The economy grew at a slight increase in seven Districts, two reported mixed conditions and three reported slowing.

2. Consumer spending during the holidays was reported as subdued with continued weakness in auto sales.  Overall outlook among retail merchants for 2008 is cautious.   
 
3. Tourism activity was generally positive.
 
4. Most reports cited robust demand in several nonfinancial service industries including health care, hospitality, legal, insurance, and in some areas petrochemicals. Demand for transportation services was generally weak, led by lower demand from the housing sector. Temporary staffing firms reported mixed demands.

5. Manufacturing was varied, with significant weakness in housing and automotive related industries. Global demand was stronger, especially in industries that compete against imports.  
 
6. Commercial market reports were varied in the the amount of growth reported, from easing to little change. Most Districts reported stable to increased absorption of commercial space. Rental rates were mixed across Districts. Construction activity continued with mixed reporting from declining to rising. Reports on commercial real estate loan demand were also mixed, although Dallas and Cleveland noted relatively healthy demand.  Most contacts anticipate a slower pace of commercial development during 2008.

7. Residential real estate markets continued to weaken, and most Districts reported continued declines in home sales and construction, with varied reports on pricing.  Outlook is for continued weakness in the market for the first half of 2008.
    
8. Both business and consumer lending activity slowed since the last Beige Book.  
 
9. Favorable agricultural performance in much of the country generally due to higher crop prices and favorable weather. However, despite recent rains, conditions for drought-stricken areas in the Atlanta and Richmond Districts remained generally poor.

10. Energy activity increased.  New offshore oil drilling platforms should boost oil production in 2008. 
 
11. Reports suggest that labor markets remained relatively tight overall, and especially for skilled workers, whereas housing-related industries continued to trim payrolls. Increases in employment costs were generally described as moderate. Wage pressures were varied among the districts.

12. According to most reports, businesses continued to face rising costs for food, petrochemicals, metals, and energy-related inputs. Transportation costs for most products increased.
 
Note: This represents the national summary for ALL districts combined.  The report also provides more detail on each item summarized nationally, as well as reporting by each district on all items.
 
 
 
Visit my web site for additional services and support: LawrenceYerkes.com
   
and visit BestProperties-NJ.com to learn more about our commercial services and resources.   
  
Copyright 2007 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved. 

Please note the following pension update from the IRS for the 2008 Pension Plan Year:

- 401k Salary Deferral Limit is $15,500 for the year.

- The Catch-Up Contribution Limit for 401k plan participants age 50 and over is $5,000. (This is in addition to the $15,500 Salary Deferral Limit above.)

- The Combined Employer and Employee Contributions cannot exceed $46,000 or an amount equal to 100% of a participant's compensation, whichever is lower.

The above is offered as general information and not as tax or legal advice.
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=174873,00.html




For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
    
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
  
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved. 

Most taxpayers may file their 2007 tax returns electronically beginning Jan. 11 as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) opens the e-file program (Free File program).

The free tax preparation and electronic filing initiative begins its sixth year with high customer satisfaction ratings.

Click here for more details from the IRS


Most Taxpayers Eligible

Seven out of 10 taxpayers - 97 million filers - qualify for Free File. Taxpayers must have an adjusted gross income of $54,000 or less to be eligible.

This year taxpayers can choose from 19 tax preparation software companies. The program is operated by the IRS and the Free File Alliance. The Alliance is a consortium of tax preparation software companies. Each company sets its own criteria for who can use the service.

Click here for full story from IRS


IRS "Free File" Home


Source: IRS



For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
    
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
  
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved. 

On Wednesday, January 9, 2008, a state appeals court granted the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) an extra six months to revise its third-round affordable housing regulations.

COAH's new rules that were proposed on December 17, 2007 must undergo the public comment process.

The court set a new deadline of June 2, 2008 for COAH to adopt its third-round rules.

Open public meetings will be held throughout January and February.

Comments may be submitted to COAHmail@dca.state.nj.us.

For more information on to how to submit a comment, for the hearings schedule, or to view the December 17 regulations, go to the COAH website.

The official mission of the COAH is to facilitate the production of sound, affordable housing for low and moderate income households by providing the most effective process to municipalities, housing providers, nonprofit and for profit developers to address a constitutional obligation within the framework of sound, comprehensive planning.

Click here for more details about the COAH


Source: NJAR




For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
    
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
  
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved. 

This week, the New Jersey Legislature approved, by a slim margin, Governor Corzine's proposed school funding plan, which will boost education aid for the 2009 fiscal year by $532 million.

The plan proposes a new distribution of school aid, with districts receiving aid based upon student need, regardless of the schools' location within or outside of an Abbott district.  The formula is entitled, "A Formula for Success: All Children, All Communities."

According to the Governor and the Department of Education Commissioner, approximately $7.8 billion will be distributed to K-12 education for the 2009 fiscal year, an increase of $532.8 million.  All school districts will receive a state aid increase of at least 2 percent during the first year, and no school districts will see a decrease in state aid during the first three years of the program.

The source of the funding will still be primarily generated through property taxes.

Visit the State's website and click your district number to determine the property tax figures anticipated for your municipality.

Read the elements of the proposed school funding plan.

You can also read the January 8 Star-Ledger article, which describes the impact of the school funding formula on New Jersey residents.

(Source: NJAR)



For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
    
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
  
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved. 

The deadline to register to vote in the New Jersey primary is January 15, 2008. On Tuesday, February 5, 2008, registered New Jersey residents will vote for the candidates in their party running for president. If you have not registered, download and complete the application.

There is still time to return your application by January 15.

New Jersey Division of Elections allows you to view the list of 2008 candidates online.

They also have additional resources that cover Election Dates, Results, Information, Candidate Resources, Deadlines & Notices.

(Source: NJAR)

For real estate resources, help and support services in acquiring or selling properties in New Jersey, Visit my web site: LawrenceYerkes.com
    
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).   
  
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.