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When talking to people a year ago, the mention of a short sale just drew a blank stare from people. Today, there has been much bandied about the Internet about short sales and it’s almost become a political thing, people have either taken a hard left or right stance on the subject based on what they’ve gleaned from the Internet and talking to co-workers.

A short sale is certainly one avenue for struggling homeowners who are attempting to avoid foreclosure. There has been a lot written about various alternatives to foreclosures this year. Options include deed-in-lieu, short sales, loan modifications, etc.

Fannie Mae recently announced a program in conjunction with deed-in-lieu that would then rent the property back to the former homeowner.

• Smyrna Short Sales
• Vinings Short Sales
• Mableton Short Sales

Under the Making Home Affordable program, there has been more talk about doing loan modifications, which involve modifying the terms of the exisiting loan to give borrowers a more affordable payment and allowing them to stay in their homes.

Unfortunately, loan modifications have, by in large, failed. In these cases, a short sale workout option may be the perfect alternative for the homeowner facing foreclosure or who is looking to sell their current principal residence, but can’t sell their home at the full amount owed on the mortgage due to current market conditions.

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The Vinings Business Association (VBA) recognized Vinings area Police and Fire during their monthly 1st Tuesday luncheon held October 6 at Social Vinings Restaurant, for their outstanding efforts during the recent weather-related events in the Vinings area. Pictured (L-F): Firefighter Matthew Penno, VBA Treasurer Patrick Stafford, Police Lt. E.J. Cebula, VBA Membership Director Chris Heuser, VBA Vice President Glenn Christian, Fire Dept Lt. Todd Freeman, VBA President Robert Meyring, and Firefighter Brian Patterson.

The Vinings Business Association (VBA) recognized Vinings area Police and Fire during their monthly 1st Tuesday luncheon held October 6th at Social Vinings Restaurant. “In light of the recent weather-related events and rescues, the VBA wanted to extend the gratitude of the community for the outstanding effort and cooperation shown by these departments,” said VBA President Robert Meyring.

Representing Cobb Fire Station Number 5 was Lt. Todd Freeman, Matthew Penno, Brian Patterson, and from the Cobb Police, Lt. E.J. Cebula represented Precinct Number 3.

About the VBA

The Vinings Business Association (VBA), a non-profit corporation, consists of business owners, executives, employees, residents and concerned citizens that are committed to enhancing the economic, business and residential vibrancy of Vinings and to promote the physical and financial health of the community through networking, social, cultural and educational activities.

Regular events of the VBA include a 1^st Tuesday monthly luncheon, a 3^rd Tuesday after hours and a 3^rd Wednesday VBA Executive Club. Guests are always welcome. Guests $20, members $15.

The VBA also maintains several committees that allow members the opportunity to participate in community, communication, program, membership and “VBA Business of the Year” activities.  To volunteer, visit the website for further information.  Sponsorship opportunities for the various events are available.  Basic annual membership begins at $95 with other and corporate membership levels available.

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Water babies of all skill levels have the opportunity to dive in to swimming this summer with a range of swim programs at Smyrna’s Tolleson Pool.

Smyrna’s summer swim programs continue this Saturday during registration for Session 2 classes, to be conducted June 15-25. Programs offered will include:

Infant & Preschool Program

Tadpoles (12 months – 2 years): the instructor will guide parents in teaching such skills as kicking, pulling, going under water and blowing bubbles; parent participation is mandatory, as are swim diapers.

Minnows (3-4 years): in addition to the skills learned above, toddlers will learn how to jump off the side and float on their backs; swim diapers are mandatory unless your toddler is potty trained; parent participation is not mandatory.

Seals (4-5 years): children are taught the above water adjustment skills as well as submerging, kicking, stroking, gliding, floating and water safety.

Red Cross Learn To Swim Program

Five levels are offered as part of this instructional course for children 5 1/2 and older. Each successive level introduces more refined swimming skills such as mastering different strokes, treading water, diving, swimming in deep water and overall preparation for swim team participation. For more information on an individual level, pick up the Spring & Summer 2009 Instructional Classes & Recreational Activities brochure at the Smyrna Community Center, or call 770 431 2842.

Registration will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., with Smyrna residents registering first. Non-residents will then register on a first-come, first-served basis. Infant and preschool programs cost $$20 for residents and $35 for non-residents, while Red Cross programs cost $35 for residents and $50 for non-residents. Residents are required to provide proof of residency via a utility bill with picture ID.

Session 3 registration will take place Saturday, July 11, with classes to be held July 13-23.

- Jennifer Dennard

With Memorial Day weekend just around the corner, many of us are thinking about how to get swimsuit-ready for summer trips to the pool and beach. Smyrna’s Rhyne Park, located at 4145 King Springs Rd., offers a number of activities that promise to help you shed the pounds and increase your overall fitness level – just in time for that new two-piece or pair of board shorts.

Operation Boot Camp is currently recruiting for its newest program at the park. The program promises to “jump start your fitness progress with a 30-day specially-designed, outdoor fitness boot camp program that energizes and encourages, that lifts you up and doesn’t knock you down,” according to OperationBootCamp.com.

Program organizers decided to make Smyrna it’s next base of operations when its instructors noticed several people from the area were driving to Piedmont Park to join classes there.  “We knew that there was a demand for our boot camp in [Smyrna],” said Bryan Kerivan, a longtime instructor.  “When we investigated a little further, we realized that Smyrna has wonderful parks that would be perfect for Operation Boot Camp workouts. Rhyne Park in particular is great because of the natural landscape including the grassy fields and the hills which we incorporate into our workouts.

“Traditional choices of going to the gym and weight watchers are good choices for healthy weight loss/strengthening.   Operation Boot Camp is the best choice for those who have not gotten the results that they want from these options,” Kerivan explains.  “The program jump starts fitness progress with a 30-day specially-designed, outdoor fitness and nutrition program that energizes and encourages, that lifts you up and doesn’t knock you down.  We coach on nutrition and attitude and help break down the mental barriers that may be limiting our camper’s potential.  Not only do you get better results, you do so at a fraction of the price of a personal trainer.”

Operation Boot Camp will hold a preview workout session this Saturday, May 16, at Rhyne Park. The session, which begins at 8:30 a.m.,  is free of charge. For more information, visit www.operationbootcamp.com.

Rhyne Park will also offer beginner and advanced beginner tennis lessons starting the first week of June. A satellite location of Fair Oaks Tennis Center, Rhyne Park lessons will be taught by Fair Oaks teaching staff, all of whom hold certifications from either the PTR or USPTA. For more information or to register, call Fair Oaks Tennis Center at 770 528-8480 or email wayne.miller@cobbcounty.org.

On a related note, pool passes to Tolleson Park Pool, located at 3530 King Springs Rd., are now on sale at the Smyrna Community Center. Family passes and individual passes for residents and non-residents are available. For more information, call 770 431-2842.

- Jennifer Dennard

Everyday I see headlines from the media pointing to how terrible the economy is, even going so far as to relate the current state of our economy to the Great Depression. For whatever reason, the media appears desparate for news stories and tend to over-do things for the sake of ratings.

Of course, they may want to re-think their strategy. If they continue to try and scare everyone into believing that the world is falling apart, then people will also stop buying their newspapers and cancel their cable subscription.

I tend to talk and meet with a lot of people in the area on a daily basis as part of my job and on a general note we tend to have a very similar conversation. The economy, while challenged, is not as bad as the media is portraying.

In early December, Opinion Research Corporation conducted a survey which asked, “Do you think the financial press is making the economic crisis worse by projecting fear into people’s minds?”

77% of the respondents think the U.S. media is making the economic situation worse by highlighting negative news and, as a result, lowering consumer confidence and investment activity.

Rather than be frozen into fear of inaction, continue to live your lives, take care of your family and work hard. By the end of 2009, most economists predict that we will be out of the recession. By then, we’ll be looking back on this and realize that it wasn’t nearly as bad as the media was portraying and opportunities abounded.

But, we’d like to know what you think. So we’ll be asking a similar question of you in our community poll, “Is the media scaring people and making the economy worse?”

You can cast your vote in the community poll, which is located on the left sidebar. We will report back to you next month on the results.