OLYMPIC ATHLETE FIGHTS FOR LIFE ONCE AGAIN

Never give up! That is the resounding lesson to be taken from former Olympic wrestler Rulon Gardner's life of passionate perseverance in the midst of impossible odds and near-death experiences, such as last weekend's plane crash that might have taken his life.

Gardner's inspirational win over Russia's Aleksandr Karelin at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney was "one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history," according to New York Times sports writer Lynn Zinser. The match was Karelin's single defeat in a career spanning 13 years. Still, the 2000 Olympic Games proved to be only a taste of the struggles yet to come for Gardner.

In 2002, Gardner was separated from his friends while snowmobiling in Wyoming and was forced to spend the night alone in the wilderness. After being rescued, Gardner had one toe amputated due to frostbite.

In 2004--the same year he won Olympic bronze despite the loss of one toe--Gardner was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle in Colorado.

As of last Saturday, Gardner has one more miraculous survival experience to add to the list. While flying over Utah's Lake Powell to look at a houseboat, the single-engine plane that carried Gardner and two pilots suddenly crashed into the 44-degree water. All three escaped the plane before it sank and made the one-hour swim to shore where they spent the night huddled together before being rescued by a local fisherman.

One of the pilots, Leslie Brooks, was treated for frostbite; no other injuries were sustained.

Since retiring from Olympic competition in 2004, Gardner works as a motivational speaker and wrestling coach. Despite the recent ordeal, he's not been deterred from the pursuit of his pilot's license.

His attitude says it all: "You just take life as it comes to you and do your best."

To read the New York Times article in its entirety, go to Former Olympian Adds A Harrowing Tale To List

CRUCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

You may have heard about the change in Daylight Savings starting this year: DST will start three weeks earlier on March 11, 2007, and end one week later on November 4, 2007.

This could affect machines & computer programs that are set to coordinate time/date using Daylight Savings. The first step is to ensure that your computer is prepared.

For Windows XP users, click the below link to download and install the Daylight Savings patch:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=66F1420C-DF2D-400B-A8A9-EF9061A9A3CA&displaylang=en

Scheduling software, such as Microsoft Outlook, could also be affected. If you use the calendar feature in Outlook, and have version 2000, 2002, or 2003, you will want to download and install the Time Zone Data Update Tool by using the below link:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=E343A233-B9C8-4652-9DD8-AE0F1AF62568&displaylang=en

You will also want to ensure that any fax machines that you use are changed to the correct time, as well as your digital phone at home, mobile phone, PDA, portable music player, programmable thermostat, digital camera, DVR, etc.

For other scheduling software, Smartphone's, & PDA's, check with the manufacturer to determine if you need to install updates to prepare for the new Daylight Savings rules.

To access accurate time and date information for anywhere in the world, add The World Clock to your list of "Favorites."

TROUBLE IN THE MOUNTAINS

Although a recent enthusiasm over the Big Sky region of Montana has made for a "construction and employment boom," the resulting rise in land prices have put all those resort and construction workers in a bind when it comes to finding affordable housing.

Located just North of one entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky is also 32 miles southwest of Bozeman and isolated by the dangerous nature of the icy 2-lane road that runs between the towns. With the choice between a treacherous commute from Bozeman or unaffordable housing in Big Sky, what are the workers to do?

The resort companies seem to have found a workable solution: buy up local motels and rent rooms to employees as well as guests. Although the workers often cram into small spaces to save money, sometimes four to a room, things seem to be working out well. Bob Sumpter of the Yellowstone Club calls this new setup "a good strategic buy," and Isabella Silva, an employee of Big Sky Resorts, says the situation is "O.K."

To read the full article by Jim Robbins, go to Boom In The Mountains Creates a Housing Shortage

NATIONWIDE MARKET UPDATE: PRICES DROP AT THE END OF 2006

The last three months of 2006 saw home prices fall in over half of the country's biggest metropolitan areas, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In addition, the number of homes sold fell in 40 states plus the District of Colombia. As prices and sales drop, the number of homes on the market rises. Is there any hope for the market in the near future?

NAR believes so, saying that it expects sales and prices to rise in the Spring. David Lereah, NAR's chief economist, says that "home sales are leveling at historically high levels." Data from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight shows that prices were in fact rising overall in the third quarter of 2006.

To read the full article by Vikas Bajaj, go to Home Prices Fall In More Than Half of Nation's Biggest Markets

To find out more about specific market trends in Santa Cruz County and what you can do to get your home sold for the most money in the least amount of time, please contact me at 831-457-5550 or frank@frankmurphy.net