In December of 2005, Sharon Rocha started the Laci & Conner Search and Rescue Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial assistance to law enforcement agencies and non-profit organizations involved in search and rescue. These agencies are encouraged to apply for financial assistance for training, equipment, search and rescue animals or any item that can help improve their search and rescue. The hope is that through providing this additional assistance, these agencies will be better equipped and therefore be more successful in their efforts to safely return missing persons to their loved ones.

To help benefit the fund, the Carol Sund/Carrington Foundation will be presenting a comedy event at the Gallo Center for the Performing Arts called Laughing for Laci, October 11, 2008 at 8pm. Laci was a young and vibrant woman who had a beautiful smile and whose laugh was described as “contagious.” Her family and friends find it only appropriate that we commemorate her memory with comedy. “Come for the cause, Stay for the laughs.”

Laughing for Laci will be a night filled with entertainment. The event will be hosted by Larry King, featuring Colin & Brad and Wendy Liebman. Ticket sales and sponsorships will go towards The Laci & Conner Search and Rescue Fund. There will be a VIP reception held from 6:30pm to 7:30.

If you are interested in sponsoring the event or purchasing tickets, see the attached flier for more information.

Laughing for Laci Flyer

Thanks to Stacey Boyers for the news tip.

At PMZ Real Estate, our agents are anything but short of amazing.  That’s why I’m pleased to announce that Barbara Miller, at age 68, has been inducted into the USA Masters Track and Field Hall of Fame. Miller holds 8 of 10 US records for different track events.

Congratulations Barbara and keep up the pace!

Qualifying for the Beijing 2008 Olympics must be an amazing experience.  Suzy Powell of Modesto has qualified with 2 other women for the 2008 Beijing Olympics discus throw event. This is her third Olympic qualification.

Go for the Gold Suzy!

Think the housing market is bad here? Take a look at this picture:

This is the entrance to someones home. A place where 6 people sleep, water is stored in used, chemical laden drums, and clothes are hung on the barbed wire to dry. Even the metal used to protect the home from looters (yes looters), vandals and the elements gets ripped off and sold for cash. Instead they use plastic garbage bags and wooden polls.

This is the life of a Native-Mexican tribe in Ensenada, Mexico. They are outcasted by the people of their country and relegated to live in these sub-standard conditions. If you hit one of them while driving and kill them, you only receive a fine of $700 and then you’re free to go.

Matt Keenan, Recruiter here at PMZ Real Estate, went down to Ensenada, Mexico with his church to help rebuild a church. While he was down there he said he had a “life changing experience,” and even picked up the language pretty well. He was able to help support this tribe by making sure they had a place to come together as a community and by donating rice and beans to the tribe which usually traps a rabbit in a tin bucket and shares between the ten of them.

Matt and his church group were also able to bring hundreds of pairs of clothes to share with the indigenous people. If you are interested in finding out how you can help, contact Matt Keenan at (209) 557-6267.

Paula Zagaris, president of Liberty Property Management and chief financial officer of PMZ Real Estate, was named Outstanding Business Leader for 2008 by the College of Business Administration at California State University, Stanislaus at their Eighth Annual Recognition and Awards Banquet this Thursday.

Congratulations Paula!

I was checking out the Modesto Bee headlines this morning, and I noticed that one of our agents made the BizLines for this week. Our own Carol Robertson from our Carpenter office has won the designation of Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). Fewer than 38,000 real estate agents nationwide have earned the credential which includes extensive training above and beyond professional real estate training.

Congratulations Carol!

I know it’s kind of cheesy, ‘Get Smart,’ but if you’re interested in saving 40/45 MPG and would like a car you can park in practically any space, then this might be the solution for you.

Meet smart, the $11,000 car from Mercedes-Benz.

It features:

• 40 city 45 highway gas mileage
• air bags
• 3-cylinder engine, 5-speed automatic transmission
• 12cu. ft of trunk storage
• A/C optional
• Top speed 90MPH
• 0-60 in 12.8 sec.
• ABS

If you aren’t already feeling the crunch in gas prices, I’m sure by the middle of summer when gas prices have increased well over $4, this little car might start looking a little more attractive.

Thanks to Matt Keenan for submitting this one.

Congratulations Stacey Boyers on your recent election to the board of directors for Haven Women’s Center. It’s great to see our Real Estate Professionals active within our community.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with this organization, the Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus County is a catalyst for individual empowerment and societal change.  Haven promotes safety and healing for women and children that are impacted by domestic or sexual violence.  They offer counseling, legal services, support groups, case management and a shelter as well as a transition home for these women and their children.

The Haven Women’s center is also a non-profit organization that receives some grant funding from the United Way, however, it is often not enough to provide the care and support that these women need.

Throughout the year, the Haven Women’s Center hosts several events to help fill in the gaps.

April 26th, the center will be hosting their annual Garden Party at the home of Buz and Shareen Carnes at Del Rio River Nine. The festivities will begin at 4:00 p.m. and include appetizers, beverages and live and silent auctions.  For more information, contact Stacey or Terri Western (209) 548-4528.

Tags: havenwomen’s center, garden party

Out of 15 different teams comprised of other local real estate brokerage, mortgage, and escrow companies, PMZ ranked number one this year in the annual Lodi Association of Realtors^® Can Stacking Competition for Charity.

This was all made possible by the valiant efforts of our PMZ ladies, Pam Harmon, Darcy Wendt and Kim Dale. Interestingly enough, this is reportedly only the second time the championship trophy has left Lodi since the competition was born.

Through the efforts of Harmon, Wendt and Dale, and other sponsoring companies, LAR was able to raise $18,000 dollars for donation to charitable organizations.

I can’t help but wonder, where the PMZ men were during the competition? Perhaps we will hear from them a little later on in the season? How about a little friendly competition?

‘Tis the season.

Congratulations to Matthew Mason, son of PMZ Real Estate Agent Ron Mason, who edged out talented students from throughout California to win the annual statewide oratory contest last week.  Mason, a high school Junior was crowned State Champion at the State Capitol after wowing contest judges with his speech.  Matthew will soon travel to Kansas City, Missouri where he will represent California in competition against the top high school orators from the other 49 States at a national event.  Thanks to Ron for sharing the news!