Give me a second to... catch my breath!
"Welcome to Darrell McDonald Realtors! Now get to work!" Ladies and Gents, I have been on the run since day one! WOW! Calls, Renters, Owners, Buyers, Sellers... I knew I was a jack of all trades, but never did I know I could do so much, so fast in so little time! :P
I arrived in Don Byerly's office Monday morning, August 14th. I'll spare you the details, suffice to say I haven't made it home before 7:00PM YET! I have talked to 3 home owners considering renting their property, and one has signed. The other two have a little more work to do to get their home ready to go. Also, I have a couple very nice four bedroom homes coming on the market soon! Which is good, because there are what? A whole 20-25 houses on the market that are four bedroom in Midland?
Midland is growing by leaps and bounds. I think what amazes me is the number of areas where builders are putting up new homes, and the streets they build on are on NO MAPS! We're talking 2005 maps that are so out of date, 6 to 10 city blocks are built up and no where to be found! You just have know what is going on!
That's where I come in. ;)
Call me! Leave a message if I'm not here and I WILL call you back! If you need to buy, sell, rent or rent out a property, I can take care of it for you.
And by the way:
WE DO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT!! If you have a property (house or duplex or anything, really) and you don't want to manage it for whatever reason, CALL ME! Don and I can take care of it for you! What is better: owning a property and working it? or owning a property and collecting a check every month? And if you don't own property, for which you would like a check, call me... we can fix that problem too!
Gotta run! Stay in touch!!
Monday, August 21, 2006
Friday, August 04, 2006
Darrell McDonald Realtors: John is coming over!
Greetings, friends!
Kindly John Boswell here, coming to you from Midland, Texas! You know, the land of bumper to bumper Escalades (if you listen to the bogus news on t.v. ;) !
(*True story: CBS did a story about the oil business and then focused on Midland and how "everyone" is getting rich. Huh! Some "investigative journalism" that was! Not.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/27/business/main1840054.shtml?CMP=ILC-SearchStories *)
TRUTH of the matter is, Midland is STILL hoppin', we are growing by leaps and bounds, and I did buy a newer vehicle, but it was a mini-van, not a luxury SUV. Sorry CBS... maybe next time.
In the midst of all this growth and development, my time has come to make a change. Though I have been with John Williams at Williams & Associates for over 7 years, I will be making a move over to Darrell McDonald Realtors of Midland: http://www.mcdonaldrealtors.com/
Kay McDonald was the President of the local board of Realtors when I first got my license. She was also the listing agent on the house my wife and I bought almost one year ago! She is one of the nicest people I have dealt with in real estate, and I'm really looking forward to teaming up with her in the future on many interesting real estate ideas we have been discussing.
Also in this move to Darrell McDonald Realtors, I will be working with Don Byerly, the property manager in their office. He manages over 160 properties and is expanding that inventory still! Between the two of us, we will have one of the largest (if not THE largest) inventories of privately owned houses and duplexes in all of Midland! SO, if you move to Midland and want to avoid "apartment" life, give us a call!
My official starting date isn't yet concrete, but it is looking more and more like August 14, 2006. I will be going back and forth in the meantime, to "learn the ropes" and get to know everyone there.
Many thanks need to go out to John M. Williams! I grew up with his kids here in Midland and has been as much of a father as he has been a mentor and broker. Through his guidance, I've learned so much about Midland, construction, remodeling, property management, and most importantly... I've made many clients and friends.
Time at Williams & Associates has been invaluable to me. But alas, change is on the wind and now... so am I. BUT LOOK ME UP!
Renting? Buying? Selling in Midland? Call me:
John A.E. Boswell
c/o Darrell McDonald Realtors
4801 N. Midland Drive
Midland, TX. 79707
(432) 689-0021 (as of Aug. 14th)
(432) 488-3223 pager (Punch in your number... I'll call you back!)
Kindly John Boswell here, coming to you from Midland, Texas! You know, the land of bumper to bumper Escalades (if you listen to the bogus news on t.v. ;) !
(*True story: CBS did a story about the oil business and then focused on Midland and how "everyone" is getting rich. Huh! Some "investigative journalism" that was! Not.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/27/business/main1840054.shtml?CMP=ILC-SearchStories *)
TRUTH of the matter is, Midland is STILL hoppin', we are growing by leaps and bounds, and I did buy a newer vehicle, but it was a mini-van, not a luxury SUV. Sorry CBS... maybe next time.
In the midst of all this growth and development, my time has come to make a change. Though I have been with John Williams at Williams & Associates for over 7 years, I will be making a move over to Darrell McDonald Realtors of Midland: http://www.mcdonaldrealtors.com/
Kay McDonald was the President of the local board of Realtors when I first got my license. She was also the listing agent on the house my wife and I bought almost one year ago! She is one of the nicest people I have dealt with in real estate, and I'm really looking forward to teaming up with her in the future on many interesting real estate ideas we have been discussing.
Also in this move to Darrell McDonald Realtors, I will be working with Don Byerly, the property manager in their office. He manages over 160 properties and is expanding that inventory still! Between the two of us, we will have one of the largest (if not THE largest) inventories of privately owned houses and duplexes in all of Midland! SO, if you move to Midland and want to avoid "apartment" life, give us a call!
My official starting date isn't yet concrete, but it is looking more and more like August 14, 2006. I will be going back and forth in the meantime, to "learn the ropes" and get to know everyone there.
Many thanks need to go out to John M. Williams! I grew up with his kids here in Midland and has been as much of a father as he has been a mentor and broker. Through his guidance, I've learned so much about Midland, construction, remodeling, property management, and most importantly... I've made many clients and friends.
Time at Williams & Associates has been invaluable to me. But alas, change is on the wind and now... so am I. BUT LOOK ME UP!
Renting? Buying? Selling in Midland? Call me:
John A.E. Boswell
c/o Darrell McDonald Realtors
4801 N. Midland Drive
Midland, TX. 79707
(432) 689-0021 (as of Aug. 14th)
(432) 488-3223 pager (Punch in your number... I'll call you back!)
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Downtown Midland is hoppin' !!
Hello again!
Well, the auction has come and gone, and it went very well. All the buildings sold, bringing in far more than I ever thought they would. Something close to two and a half million for all four buildings! I look forward to seeing what happens with them next! I think all of Midland does.
Wall Street is now under construction. There are many nay-sayers on this one, though. Wall St. is to be narrowed to three lanes, sidewalks are to be torn out and re-done, trees will be planted, drainage will be corrected and many asthetic changes are to take place. I, for one, am looking forward to it. Many others area screaming,"Don't spend my tax dollars on that!" But, what do you do? When you have a downtown area in need of serious renovation and work, do you just let it sit there and rot? I'm mean, seriously. Come on! Downtown Midland is the home of county courts, District Courts and Federal Courts. We have lawyers, paralegals, secretaries, city officials, oil businessmen and women, accountants, bankers, and countless others down there everyday. Much of Midland's business takes place there... and we don't want to spend a little money to fix the place up? Granted, a couple million dollars isn't a "little money," but it is when you consider that compared to the overall picture of Midland.
Midland is not small town, and it is getting bigger and better every day.
Residential housing is booming in North and West Midland right now. Every contractor and sub-contractor are booked up with work well into the next year. Plans for a new class A apartment complex are in the works and should be breaking ground within a year. Not to mention all the other development coming to Midland:
Ashley Furniture is under construction next to Kohl's on Loop 250.
La Quinta Inn has broken ground two blocks away from that.
Holiday Inn Express is nearing completion near the Saturn dealership on the loop.
A christian book store is under construction next door to the Acadamy sporting goods,
as is another Rapid Lube oil change center. (I gotta admit, this one is a bit redundent in Midland.)
In the not-to-distant future, Midland is expecting a luxuary car dealership west of the loop on Hwy 191. Also, a new yet different sporting goods store is expected to be built in west Midland. Construction is due to begin soon on East Loop 250 to complete its extension to east Hwy. 80 and Intersate 20, which will be a huge imporvement for East Midland.
Midland recently had a "Ribbon Cutting" ceremony on a new bike trail in southwest Midland. This has been a much desired addition to the city and has finally been realized. Also, a new Dog Park has been completed out at Hogan Park to rave reviews.
So much is happening, and 2006 is going to be a big year for us.
Hopefully I'll be back soon with more news to keep everyone posted! Go check out the Midland Forums on-line for more information and to keep up with current events. I'm so busy, I'm lucky to be able to do so myself! ;)
Well, the auction has come and gone, and it went very well. All the buildings sold, bringing in far more than I ever thought they would. Something close to two and a half million for all four buildings! I look forward to seeing what happens with them next! I think all of Midland does.
Wall Street is now under construction. There are many nay-sayers on this one, though. Wall St. is to be narrowed to three lanes, sidewalks are to be torn out and re-done, trees will be planted, drainage will be corrected and many asthetic changes are to take place. I, for one, am looking forward to it. Many others area screaming,"Don't spend my tax dollars on that!" But, what do you do? When you have a downtown area in need of serious renovation and work, do you just let it sit there and rot? I'm mean, seriously. Come on! Downtown Midland is the home of county courts, District Courts and Federal Courts. We have lawyers, paralegals, secretaries, city officials, oil businessmen and women, accountants, bankers, and countless others down there everyday. Much of Midland's business takes place there... and we don't want to spend a little money to fix the place up? Granted, a couple million dollars isn't a "little money," but it is when you consider that compared to the overall picture of Midland.
Midland is not small town, and it is getting bigger and better every day.
Residential housing is booming in North and West Midland right now. Every contractor and sub-contractor are booked up with work well into the next year. Plans for a new class A apartment complex are in the works and should be breaking ground within a year. Not to mention all the other development coming to Midland:
Ashley Furniture is under construction next to Kohl's on Loop 250.
La Quinta Inn has broken ground two blocks away from that.
Holiday Inn Express is nearing completion near the Saturn dealership on the loop.
A christian book store is under construction next door to the Acadamy sporting goods,
as is another Rapid Lube oil change center. (I gotta admit, this one is a bit redundent in Midland.)
In the not-to-distant future, Midland is expecting a luxuary car dealership west of the loop on Hwy 191. Also, a new yet different sporting goods store is expected to be built in west Midland. Construction is due to begin soon on East Loop 250 to complete its extension to east Hwy. 80 and Intersate 20, which will be a huge imporvement for East Midland.
Midland recently had a "Ribbon Cutting" ceremony on a new bike trail in southwest Midland. This has been a much desired addition to the city and has finally been realized. Also, a new Dog Park has been completed out at Hogan Park to rave reviews.
So much is happening, and 2006 is going to be a big year for us.
Hopefully I'll be back soon with more news to keep everyone posted! Go check out the Midland Forums on-line for more information and to keep up with current events. I'm so busy, I'm lucky to be able to do so myself! ;)
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Midland Auction : Four office buildings downtown
Greetings again!
Well, as usual, too much is going on in Midland to report. However, there is ONE bit of very exciting news that I wanted to share about Downtown Midland: Real Estate Auction!
Myco Properties of Midland is selling off four office buildings in downtown: One Wall Plaza, the Vaughn Building, and the Permian Building and the Gihles Tower. One Wall Plaza is a great building, already home to numerous companies and offices. The others have been out of commission for a while, but with so much activity going on downtown, these properties will surely become a huge asset to someone!
More information can be found here: http://www.higgenbotham.com/index.asp
In addition to this auction, plans are already underway to narrow Wall Street to two lanes in order to widen the sidewalks and make them more pedestrian friendly! Plans are underway for shops, cafe's and various businesses to come in to the area, once the "face lift" has been done. More on that can be seen at the Master Plan for Midland 2025 here: http://www.ci.midland.tx.us/engineering/cp2025.pdf
SO MUCH IS HAPPENING! SO MUCH IS GOING ON! If you haven't been keeping up with Midland, then good luck... because you've got a lot of ground to cover. ;)
Well, as usual, too much is going on in Midland to report. However, there is ONE bit of very exciting news that I wanted to share about Downtown Midland: Real Estate Auction!
Myco Properties of Midland is selling off four office buildings in downtown: One Wall Plaza, the Vaughn Building, and the Permian Building and the Gihles Tower. One Wall Plaza is a great building, already home to numerous companies and offices. The others have been out of commission for a while, but with so much activity going on downtown, these properties will surely become a huge asset to someone!
More information can be found here: http://www.higgenbotham.com/index.asp
In addition to this auction, plans are already underway to narrow Wall Street to two lanes in order to widen the sidewalks and make them more pedestrian friendly! Plans are underway for shops, cafe's and various businesses to come in to the area, once the "face lift" has been done. More on that can be seen at the Master Plan for Midland 2025 here: http://www.ci.midland.tx.us/engineering/cp2025.pdf
SO MUCH IS HAPPENING! SO MUCH IS GOING ON! If you haven't been keeping up with Midland, then good luck... because you've got a lot of ground to cover. ;)
Friday, April 28, 2006
All Things In "Moderation"
*click click*
"This thing on...?"
Hello everyone! Sorry for being gone so long. So much to talk about, so much going on. I would LOVE to tell you everything, but I'm going to try and pace myself a little bit. In the not-to-distant future, I will be going into detail on the enormous growth "boom" that Midland is experiencing at the moment, life with a new baby, more on real estate, the desire to return to martial arts training... and so much more.
BUT for now, I will start off by talking about one of my new hobbies: Forum Moderator.
If you look to the left, and down at the bottom of the list, you will see a link called "Midland Forums." These forums are the community bulletin on the web for people to come together, share information, relay stories and jokes and pictures. It really has been a fun place to socialize. In the "real world," many of us from the forum have gotten together to meet and talk and have fun. And it is fun!
But even more fun is the opportunity to be a moderator for these boards. As of now, I am the forum moderator for "Economic Development" and for the political forum "Moderate Forum." Both of these are very interesting as news regarding the development of Midland, new or expanding businesses and city expansion takes place... all discussed on the E.D. forum. "The Moderate Forum" is for people who want to discuss politics, but not get mired down in talk about only Republicans or Democrats and how one party is better than the other... or worse. ;)
My job as a "Moderator" is to keep things civil, keep things entertaining, keep things moving and to encourage conversation about the various subjects at hand. It isn't a paying job, nor is it hard, nor... is it even a really job! However, it does require one to be vigilant and aware. Things can quite down and soon you'd have no one talking. No fun there. Things can become heated and confrontational, which requires some tact to keep in line but not shut down abruptly.
I'm happy to say that the Economic Development forum has been highly productive. Very useful conversations take place, people thinking of new ideas for Midland, sharing news about businesses coming to the Permian Basin. It is also a sources for "links" to other websites relating to the Cities of Midland and Odessa and the economic development each city is working on. Please feel free to stop by and check it out sometime. ;)
http://www.myopenforum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=477cc2d382788d7a78b950a97fb0e44b
As for the Moderate Forum, well, that's a "Member's Only" forum due to policing the activity in there. Anyone interested has only to e-mail me and explain your intentions and reasons you'd like to join. In truth, I'd like to have everyone come participate. However, not everyone, I've found, can "play nice." So... e-mail me if you, too, would like to join us and discuss politics in a positive light with ideas on how to get things done!
snowshadower33@yahoo.com
Anyhow... I'm going to run, but I'll be back again soon. Hope to see you all on the forums! Just don't take everything too serious. If laughter is truly the best medicine, we'll have you're cure on the boards. (Might catch something else though! LOL)
"This thing on...?"
Hello everyone! Sorry for being gone so long. So much to talk about, so much going on. I would LOVE to tell you everything, but I'm going to try and pace myself a little bit. In the not-to-distant future, I will be going into detail on the enormous growth "boom" that Midland is experiencing at the moment, life with a new baby, more on real estate, the desire to return to martial arts training... and so much more.
BUT for now, I will start off by talking about one of my new hobbies: Forum Moderator.
If you look to the left, and down at the bottom of the list, you will see a link called "Midland Forums." These forums are the community bulletin on the web for people to come together, share information, relay stories and jokes and pictures. It really has been a fun place to socialize. In the "real world," many of us from the forum have gotten together to meet and talk and have fun. And it is fun!
But even more fun is the opportunity to be a moderator for these boards. As of now, I am the forum moderator for "Economic Development" and for the political forum "Moderate Forum." Both of these are very interesting as news regarding the development of Midland, new or expanding businesses and city expansion takes place... all discussed on the E.D. forum. "The Moderate Forum" is for people who want to discuss politics, but not get mired down in talk about only Republicans or Democrats and how one party is better than the other... or worse. ;)
My job as a "Moderator" is to keep things civil, keep things entertaining, keep things moving and to encourage conversation about the various subjects at hand. It isn't a paying job, nor is it hard, nor... is it even a really job! However, it does require one to be vigilant and aware. Things can quite down and soon you'd have no one talking. No fun there. Things can become heated and confrontational, which requires some tact to keep in line but not shut down abruptly.
I'm happy to say that the Economic Development forum has been highly productive. Very useful conversations take place, people thinking of new ideas for Midland, sharing news about businesses coming to the Permian Basin. It is also a sources for "links" to other websites relating to the Cities of Midland and Odessa and the economic development each city is working on. Please feel free to stop by and check it out sometime. ;)
http://www.myopenforum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=477cc2d382788d7a78b950a97fb0e44b
As for the Moderate Forum, well, that's a "Member's Only" forum due to policing the activity in there. Anyone interested has only to e-mail me and explain your intentions and reasons you'd like to join. In truth, I'd like to have everyone come participate. However, not everyone, I've found, can "play nice." So... e-mail me if you, too, would like to join us and discuss politics in a positive light with ideas on how to get things done!
snowshadower33@yahoo.com
Anyhow... I'm going to run, but I'll be back again soon. Hope to see you all on the forums! Just don't take everything too serious. If laughter is truly the best medicine, we'll have you're cure on the boards. (Might catch something else though! LOL)
Friday, February 03, 2006
REALTORS : Do you really need one?
On a local internet forum, a conversation has been brought up about whether a REALTOR is necessary or not, and why wouldn't someone just sell their home For Sale By Owner (FSBO). It is an interesting question and one worthy of addressing, as I'm finding a lot of misconceptions about real estate.
First of all, let's consider what a real estate agent does.
Not all sales people in real estate are REALTORS. To be called a Realtor, with a capital "R," you need to not only be licensed in your state, you have to be a member of the National Associate of Realtors. As such, we pay dues and fees to be members of the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) in order to provide immediate access to all properties listed in your area. This helps expedite the sale of your home or your future purchase. More on the MLS later.
Also with Realtor, you have a highly trained individual at your beckon call, ready to answer any questions that may come up from you or your buyer. Inspections, Surveys, Title Policies, Disclosure Statements are all items that should and will be discussed, but not everyone knows what these are or the value of them. A Realtor does.
Most importantly, a Realtor is an Agent. An Agent is a person who is authorized to represent you and your best interests. Buyers need agents just as much as Sellers do. For years, professionals in the field have seen every manner of problem come up in the sale of a property that many people would never give a second thought. Contracts are written in such a way as to leave no question about: what fixtures stay with a property after the sale, who is responsible for the taxes on the property and up until what time, does the buyer have the right to walk away from a contract even after it has been signed, and what happens if the Buyer can't get financing in time?
So many legal ramifications take place during the sale of any property. REALTORS are no attorneys and can not give legal advice. But we do have excellent advice on how, when and why you can sell your property and for how much.
In a fast-paced market, like we see across the United States today, houses are selling every day and often are going under contract the day they are listed for sale. One might think that in such a market, Joe Public could just list his own property in the local paper and sell it themselves. Well, that's easier said than done.
Today, loans can be gotten over the telephone, fax, internet or from a local bank, credit union or mortgage company. Companies are created and offering loans so quickly, Title Companies who help ensure the proper transfer of ownership, do not even know who is offering the money! And when they do receive the paperwork, they see high interest rates or closing fees that far surpass the norm. An agent can help advise on this subject, keeping their clients out of bad deals with scrupulous lenders.
Disclosure statements are also provided, among hundreds of other documents, to Realtors so their clients can let buyers know everything there is to know about a property. This protects both buyers and sellers alike, so that after the deal is done and the new buyers go to move in, they don't walk into a home with no light fixtures or find the satellite dish and stove have been taken out.
So much can be taken for granted in the world of Real Estate. I, and thousands of others, have taken courses, seminars, watch videos, have meetings and consult members of the legal profession all in order to protect YOU. We spend hundreds of dollars to become members of an elite association, an association that serves to set high standards in quality and integrity among its members.
How much are you willing to pay for a trained professional to take care of you? You would never consider paying a stranger to clean your teeth or hand you medication if they were not trained and licensed as a doctor, would you? If you ask your neighbor for legal advice, do you really think you could win in the court of law? It would be nice to think that you can sell your house, you HOME, on your own. But how well do you know the sales market in your area? Do you study it everyday? Do you negotiate deals and know what people are willing to pay or not pay for what your home has to offer?
It is not an insult to think to yourself," I don't know what to do " when it comes to buying and selling a home. It seems simple at first, but once you are in the deal, it really can get complicated. REALTORS take the complications out of it and make your life easier. Like the commercials say,"We let you live your life. Real Estate is our life."
I hope this answers a few questions. Should anyone have others, feel free to e-mail me anytime. I'm here to help. It's what I do.
First of all, let's consider what a real estate agent does.
Not all sales people in real estate are REALTORS. To be called a Realtor, with a capital "R," you need to not only be licensed in your state, you have to be a member of the National Associate of Realtors. As such, we pay dues and fees to be members of the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) in order to provide immediate access to all properties listed in your area. This helps expedite the sale of your home or your future purchase. More on the MLS later.
Also with Realtor, you have a highly trained individual at your beckon call, ready to answer any questions that may come up from you or your buyer. Inspections, Surveys, Title Policies, Disclosure Statements are all items that should and will be discussed, but not everyone knows what these are or the value of them. A Realtor does.
Most importantly, a Realtor is an Agent. An Agent is a person who is authorized to represent you and your best interests. Buyers need agents just as much as Sellers do. For years, professionals in the field have seen every manner of problem come up in the sale of a property that many people would never give a second thought. Contracts are written in such a way as to leave no question about: what fixtures stay with a property after the sale, who is responsible for the taxes on the property and up until what time, does the buyer have the right to walk away from a contract even after it has been signed, and what happens if the Buyer can't get financing in time?
So many legal ramifications take place during the sale of any property. REALTORS are no attorneys and can not give legal advice. But we do have excellent advice on how, when and why you can sell your property and for how much.
In a fast-paced market, like we see across the United States today, houses are selling every day and often are going under contract the day they are listed for sale. One might think that in such a market, Joe Public could just list his own property in the local paper and sell it themselves. Well, that's easier said than done.
Today, loans can be gotten over the telephone, fax, internet or from a local bank, credit union or mortgage company. Companies are created and offering loans so quickly, Title Companies who help ensure the proper transfer of ownership, do not even know who is offering the money! And when they do receive the paperwork, they see high interest rates or closing fees that far surpass the norm. An agent can help advise on this subject, keeping their clients out of bad deals with scrupulous lenders.
Disclosure statements are also provided, among hundreds of other documents, to Realtors so their clients can let buyers know everything there is to know about a property. This protects both buyers and sellers alike, so that after the deal is done and the new buyers go to move in, they don't walk into a home with no light fixtures or find the satellite dish and stove have been taken out.
So much can be taken for granted in the world of Real Estate. I, and thousands of others, have taken courses, seminars, watch videos, have meetings and consult members of the legal profession all in order to protect YOU. We spend hundreds of dollars to become members of an elite association, an association that serves to set high standards in quality and integrity among its members.
How much are you willing to pay for a trained professional to take care of you? You would never consider paying a stranger to clean your teeth or hand you medication if they were not trained and licensed as a doctor, would you? If you ask your neighbor for legal advice, do you really think you could win in the court of law? It would be nice to think that you can sell your house, you HOME, on your own. But how well do you know the sales market in your area? Do you study it everyday? Do you negotiate deals and know what people are willing to pay or not pay for what your home has to offer?
It is not an insult to think to yourself," I don't know what to do " when it comes to buying and selling a home. It seems simple at first, but once you are in the deal, it really can get complicated. REALTORS take the complications out of it and make your life easier. Like the commercials say,"We let you live your life. Real Estate is our life."
I hope this answers a few questions. Should anyone have others, feel free to e-mail me anytime. I'm here to help. It's what I do.
Monday, January 30, 2006
FutureGen : Future home in West Texas?
Getting back to the subject of economic development and Midland, let's talk about FutureGen.
http://www.beg.utexas.edu/futuregentexas/
What is FutureGen? It is a revolutionary "facility that is capable of producing hydrogen and sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2). " In laymans terms, it works like this:
Coal is burned to produce electricity. This is a common practice around the world, but the downside has always been pollution. However, with FutureGen, the CO2 that is created in the burning process is contained and redistributed for use in other ways. Oil companies, for example, can use that CO2 to push oil closer to the surface where oil wells can reach and thus, tap into oil supplies that heretofore were unreachable. Thus... we have more oil and gas.
Also produced through the burning of coal is Hydrogen. With automakers looking into automobiles that run on hydrogen, a cleaner energy source than gasoline, we now have a steady supply of hydrogen through such a plant.
So, in summary, FutureGen is an energy producing plant that has very little, if any, pollution, while at the same time is producing electricity, CO2 for resale purposes and further energy production, and hydrogen for even more energy.
Midland-Odessa are two cities that togetther are the home of over 200,000+ people. Though Odessa specifically is being considered as a sight for FutureGen, Midland would benefit in that we are the home of many oil companies and have been for generations. The building of such a plant as this would bring in billions of dollars through construction and operation, and create thousands of jobs for the Permian Basin. The ramifications of this plant are nearly unending.
In an article published by the Midland Reporter Telegram, delegates charged with selecting a possible location for the new FutureGen plant visited West Texas: http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16020995&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=475626&rfi=6 It is my hope that they will see the benefits of bringing this plant to West Texas. Midland-Odessa have been the oil capital of the U.S. for many years past. Now, with this and other initiatives taking place nearby, Midland-Odessa could soon become not just the Permian Basin, but could better be called the Energy Basin.
So many possiblities exist in our region. I encourage everyone to read up on FutureGen and similar prospects for energy. They will become a new way to the future... and I'm looking forward to seeing it all come to life!
Take care!
http://www.beg.utexas.edu/futuregentexas/
What is FutureGen? It is a revolutionary "facility that is capable of producing hydrogen and sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2). " In laymans terms, it works like this:
Coal is burned to produce electricity. This is a common practice around the world, but the downside has always been pollution. However, with FutureGen, the CO2 that is created in the burning process is contained and redistributed for use in other ways. Oil companies, for example, can use that CO2 to push oil closer to the surface where oil wells can reach and thus, tap into oil supplies that heretofore were unreachable. Thus... we have more oil and gas.
Also produced through the burning of coal is Hydrogen. With automakers looking into automobiles that run on hydrogen, a cleaner energy source than gasoline, we now have a steady supply of hydrogen through such a plant.
So, in summary, FutureGen is an energy producing plant that has very little, if any, pollution, while at the same time is producing electricity, CO2 for resale purposes and further energy production, and hydrogen for even more energy.
Midland-Odessa are two cities that togetther are the home of over 200,000+ people. Though Odessa specifically is being considered as a sight for FutureGen, Midland would benefit in that we are the home of many oil companies and have been for generations. The building of such a plant as this would bring in billions of dollars through construction and operation, and create thousands of jobs for the Permian Basin. The ramifications of this plant are nearly unending.
In an article published by the Midland Reporter Telegram, delegates charged with selecting a possible location for the new FutureGen plant visited West Texas: http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16020995&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=475626&rfi=6 It is my hope that they will see the benefits of bringing this plant to West Texas. Midland-Odessa have been the oil capital of the U.S. for many years past. Now, with this and other initiatives taking place nearby, Midland-Odessa could soon become not just the Permian Basin, but could better be called the Energy Basin.
So many possiblities exist in our region. I encourage everyone to read up on FutureGen and similar prospects for energy. They will become a new way to the future... and I'm looking forward to seeing it all come to life!
Take care!
Monday, January 23, 2006
Baby Update
Due to the diligent effort and love from Aunt Stephanie, we now have a website for little baby Aiden:
http://www.geocities.com/aiden11806/
If I were a little more computer literate, I'd post pictures myself. But, given the fact that I'm not... and I'm running on very little sleep like "Mommy" is, I think I'll just let y'all click this link instead. How about that!?
Enjoy!
http://www.geocities.com/aiden11806/
If I were a little more computer literate, I'd post pictures myself. But, given the fact that I'm not... and I'm running on very little sleep like "Mommy" is, I think I'll just let y'all click this link instead. How about that!?
Enjoy!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Brand New Baby Boy !!
As if things weren't busy enough... Aiden Boswell has come into the world of the living! Weighing in at 7 lbs., 4.5 ounces, he's the cutest bundle of joy you ever did see. (Not that I'm predjudice or anything. ;)
Wife and baby are both healthy and happy and doing very well. She will be coming home tomorrow or Saturday and will soon be off on the journey of a lifetime.
It really is one thing to see a pregnant woman grow with the life of a baby inside her. It is quite another for doctors and nurses to run around, doing what they do best, and then suddenly someone says,"Here you go, Daddy. Catch!" And there he is.
Leslie often jokingly says,"Did we really think about this before hand?" or some other derivation thereof. I would shake my head no and then laugh. But... I knew. I knew what any good uncle knows. But now I know what any good Dad knows.
Life is a good thing!
Our thanks go out to Dr. Charles Lively of Odessa, Texas! He and his staff are nothing short of the best and we never doubted a single moment in his care. Also, thanks go out to the staff of Odessa Regional Hospital for taking such good care of Mom and Baby. And of course, never the last and certainly not the least: our Family. Not plural, mind you. When Leslie and I got married, the Brewer family and Boswell family became one, for better or worse. And we would be nowhere with out the love and support of all our brothers and sisters, Moms and Dads and cousins, nephews, neices and all in between.
Thank you!!
Life IS a good thing!
Wife and baby are both healthy and happy and doing very well. She will be coming home tomorrow or Saturday and will soon be off on the journey of a lifetime.
It really is one thing to see a pregnant woman grow with the life of a baby inside her. It is quite another for doctors and nurses to run around, doing what they do best, and then suddenly someone says,"Here you go, Daddy. Catch!" And there he is.
Leslie often jokingly says,"Did we really think about this before hand?" or some other derivation thereof. I would shake my head no and then laugh. But... I knew. I knew what any good uncle knows. But now I know what any good Dad knows.
Life is a good thing!
Our thanks go out to Dr. Charles Lively of Odessa, Texas! He and his staff are nothing short of the best and we never doubted a single moment in his care. Also, thanks go out to the staff of Odessa Regional Hospital for taking such good care of Mom and Baby. And of course, never the last and certainly not the least: our Family. Not plural, mind you. When Leslie and I got married, the Brewer family and Boswell family became one, for better or worse. And we would be nowhere with out the love and support of all our brothers and sisters, Moms and Dads and cousins, nephews, neices and all in between.
Thank you!!
Life IS a good thing!
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