On Sunday, July 12^th, Adi Zahavi, International Coordinator for the Israel Emergency Aid Fund, will be at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church from 2-4 PM for a meeting to share information about the need for professional firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, doctors and nurses, as well as anyone with a skill and desire to work as a volunteer in the communities of Israel .  The organization seeks ways to provide solutions to the hardships suffered by civilian populations throughout Israel. 

 This meeting will be used to help potential volunteers understand the role they will play in training and preparing the people of Israel to be first responders who properly respond to emergency needs that arise due to terrorist attack, wars and conflicts.  Strong backs, willing hearts and Godly men and women are needed.  As threats toward God’s people continue to be broadcast around the world, we need to be careful that we continue to pray for and bless that nation in any way we can.  Please prayerfully consider attending this most important meeting so that you can determine how best to assist our most precious Israeli friends. 

If you have any questions, please call Brother Sam Raney, at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, at 225-261-2246.

The Community Services Division of the EBR Sheriff’s Office helps local residents to start neighborhood watch programs in their subdivisions, encouraging residents to get to know each other and look out for the well being of one another. The Central Woods neighborhood off of Sullivan Rd. started their neighborhood watch program a few months ago, and residents have since seen a noticeable drop in drug use and crime in their subdivision.

The next step for the Sheriff’s Office in Central Woods is to clean up BREC’s Kolby Park, which is located in Central Woods, so that the local community can once again safely use the facilities. On July 19, the Sheriff’s Office will host a meet and greet with food at Kolby Park, and they are looking for help from local businesses to donate supplies for the barbecue. If anyone would be interested in supporting this effort in Central Woods, please contact the EBR Sheriff’s Office at 389-5000, 389-5087, or 389-5178.

Tomorrow, Saturday June 27, there will be a garage sale at Central Middle School from 7 AM- noon. The sale is being put on by a team of local college students who are raising money for this year’s Central Relay for Life. The relay raises thousands of dollars every year for the American Cancer Society, as well as honoring the lives of those who have fought cancer.

The annual Central Students’ Prayer Banquet will happen this year on Wednesday, July 29 at 6:30 PM in the Central High School gym. Adults may purchase tickets for $10 at either the Crossroads Animal Hospital on Greenwell Springs Road or at the Central Chamber of Commerce office on Hooper Road. Students can get their tickets free of charge. Everyone must have a ticket when they arrive at the banquet. The speaker for the evening will be Bruce Vannatta from Sweet Bread Ministries. Everyone is invited to participate in this time of prayer and fellowship.

There has been a burn ban issued for the entire Central fire district. The ban, issued by Fire Chief Bill Porche, is due to the lack of rain and summer heat that have caused very dry conditions in the area, making it dangerous to start outdoor fires. Even when a burn ban is not in effect, there are several guidelines concerning outdoor burning in East Baton Rouge. Not following these guidelines is illegal and can result in fines. For a list of these burning rules, visit the Central Fire Department Website. However, no outdoor burning at all will be peritted until the current ban is lifted.

Immanuel Baptist Church on Lovett Road will be celebrating its 35th anniversary this weekend on June 28. They will be having a celebratory potluck after morning church. The church was started in 1974 and is currently led by Pastor Steve Johnson. To learn more about Immanuel Baptist’s services and activities, visit their Website.

Native American storyteller Grayhawk Perkins will be at both the Central Branch Library and the Greenwell Springs Road Library today to tell stories and perform traditional friendship songs. He will be at the Central Library at 11 AM and at the Greenwell Springs Library at 2 PM today, June 23.  This program is designed for teens and requires no registration.

Mark your calendar for the Comite Diversion Canal Tour this Saturday, June 20 at 9 AM. There will be a caravan leaving from Central Middle School. Use the parking lot at the corner of Hooper and Sullivan. They say this is the “Grand Canyon” of Central. Come see the progress being made on this important project that will lower the flood level of our city.

9 and under baseball players are needed for fall and CAYL league play. Players must turn 9 by May 1st, 2009. Anyone who is interested should contact James at 921-4161 or send an email to thodefamily4@cox.net.

First-time home buyers now have an even greater incentive to purchase a home in today’s market – the $8,000 tax credit made available by the federal government can now be monetized.  That means the tax credit can used as “real money” toward down-payment expenses or certain closing costs.                                                                                     

Monetization is the act of converting something into money.  In the context of the first-time home buyer tax credit, monetization means the tax credit is to be treated as if it were cash, allowing it to be used as a payment for certain closing and down-payment expenses.

Meeting the down-payment on a home is probably the No. 1 reason most potential home buyers are deterred from their dreams of owning of a new home; however, being given as much as $8,000 from the federal government to go toward this initial payment is a tremendous relief.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced this change in the tax credit plan at the end of May 2009 in an effort to further energize the nation’s housing market.  National economists estimate an additional 40,000 homes will be purchased nationally by allowing this tax credit to be applied toward the purchase of an FHA-insured mortgage.  That is in addition to the 160,000 new sales overall that were originally expected to be spurred by the $8,000 tax credit offer!

Here in Louisiana, we’re getting reports from builders and real estate members that activity has increased in the past couple of months, resulting in more sales and more contracts for new home construction.  Many experts anticipate this “greater incentive” from the federal government could further increase traffic and sales.

There are a few important things for first-time homebuyers to consider when they’re seeking out this tax credit opportunity.  First, any lender can offer a program that would permit the buyer to apply the tax credit to funds needed for a loan that is obtained in conjunction with a home purchase; however, only the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has issued guidance regarding the monetization of the first-time home buyer tax credit in conjunction with FHA-insured mortgage loans.  Second, additional information on how to receive and apply the tax credit is available with the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency at 225-763-8700.  Finally, a professional home builder or realtor can help direct you through this process.

For more information on the federal tax credit and why now IS a great time to buy a home in Louisiana, visit the website www.LAhomeownership.com.  Please feel free to contact a member of the Louisiana Home Builders Association in your area to further service you. -Phil Hoffman, President, Louisiana Home Builders Association