The low interest rate downside

These are very tough times for seniors. So many now in retirement are put in the impossible situation of rolling their CDs into new ones yielding so little it is hardly worth the effort. In an attempt to jump start the economy the Federal Reserve has put interest rates in the tank and indicated they will keep rates there for at least couple more years. What they are forgetting is seniors spend money on trips, eating out, outside services, you name it. When those folks see their CD income drop from 5% yield to 2% it is a real problem and they are unable to spend as they were. Business must be stimulated but the result may hurt more than help.

Many seniors are turning to bond funds, or even more dangerous below investment grade bond funds. All need to understand when interest rates start to rise, which they will eventually, their principal will drop lower to compensate. There is a formula for this. If you own a bond fund with a five year average duration and interest rates rise by 1% you can expect your principal to drop by 5%. In other words, if you invest $100,000 in a bond fund and rates go up 1% your investment should lose $5,000 in value. If rates go up 2% the same should hold true, a $10,000 hit. People need to understand this and I am not sure many do.

Obviously I am not an investment adviser so be sure to talk to your personal adviser before making any portfolio changes. Ask him or her to verify my claims. Invest with care and knowledge.

Ken Dillenburg

Candlewick Anglers

(click on the image to enlarge for easier reading) posted by Ken

Your Sunday smile

The $20 and the $1

Two well worn bills arrived at the Federal Reserve Bank to be retired - a twenty and a one. As they traveled down the conveyor belt, they struck up a conversation. The twenty reminisced about the interesting life he had, traveling all over the country. "I've been to the finest restaurants, Broadway shows, Las Vegas , Atlantic City ," he said. "I even want on a Caribbean cruise. Where have you been?"

"Oh," said the one dollar bill, "I've been to the Methodist church, the Episcopal church, the Lutheran church."

"What's a church?" asked the twenty.

posted by Ken

A slow couple of days so off topic

I was reading Bloomberg/Business Week (well, actually I skim almost everything and read what piques my interest). The issue was devoted entirely to Steve Jobs. The front of the magazine held some of his quotes. A couple really resonated with me. He truly changed the way we live. Read on….

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.”

“Don’t let the noise of others drown out your inner voice.”

The man died way too soon at 56 but he lived a life of vision and fulfillment. I own no Apple products but his innovation still affected the way we interact and entertain ourselves. What a loss.

Ken Dillenburg

A noticeable absence

How many of you noticed in the weekly public safety report there were no reports of car burglaries this week? That had been a problem here and it would appear the arrests have at least for now put a stop to it. That is not to say those arrested were the only ones involved in the activity but I believe the message was sent this will be vigorously pursued and when apprehended those involved will be prosecuted. Public safety has made this a priority...and good for them!
Having a problem with speeders? I live near the Candlewick Drive and Boulevard intersection and I have been seeing quite a few ignoring the speed limit. I intend to offer public safety the option to sit in my driveway if they wish to issue some tickets. You may want to do the same. This of course will take a back seat to the more serious offenses as detailed above but it still is something to consider.
Ken Dillenburg

Upcoming events....

Developing story...

You may have heard the sirens about 5:30 Tuesday evening. A lot of equipment was on scene at what appears to be a house fire around the 200 block of Briar Cliff. I don't know a lot of details but it was well under control at 6:30. The extent of damage is unknown at this time but it was a serious fire.
Ken Dillenburg

Public Safety report

WEEKLY REPORT

Week Ending 10/09/2011

Vandalism/Criminal Damage

On 10/6 Public Safety responded to the 100 Block of Galleon Run for a report of criminal damage. Upon arrival, Officers were advised that the incident occurred at Savannah Oaks. A golfer observed a subject described as a Male Hispanic in mid to early twenties remove a driver from his golf bag, break

it and run into a Green Blazer driven by a Female Caucasian in mid to early twenties. The owner of the club had no indication who the offender was.

Public Safety is asking for assistance in identifying a possible suspect.

Animal Complaints

Public Safety responded to a call of a barking dog in the 100 Block of Chanticleer. Upon arrival, it was determined the owner had a dog kennel violating Association Rules and that the owner was in violation of the pet maintenance ordiance.

Rescue Calls

In the 500 Block of Constitution, Public Safety responded to a subject complaining of chest pains. Public Safety assisted the subject until a rescue unit arrived. Public safety responded to a call of a structure fire located in the 1700 Block of Candlewick Drive. Emergency crews extinguished the fire while Public Safety performed traffic control.

Open Door / Residence Check

We had a few instances of vacant houses with open doors observed by Public Safety. One was at the 10 block of King Henry, 100 block of Hastings Way, and at the 300 block of Picadilly.

Found Property

A bicycle was found abandoned at the Administration office. The property was transported to the maintenance building for safekeeping until an owner is discovered.

Juvenile Issues

Public Safety observed several juveniles skateboarding in the circle drive at the Recreation Center. The officer explained that activity was prohibited, warned them and the juveniles departed.

Domestic Disputes

Public Safety responded to two physical altercations. In the 300 Block of Candlewick Dr. a Male and Female were fighting in the roadway. Subjects were separated by Public Safety until the Sheriff’s Office arrived. In the 300 Block of Ambrose, Public Safety Officers responded to a report of a domestic dispute. Public Safety arrived and found the argument was over and non-physical.

Citations / Warnings

25 Warning Violations

18 Citations Issued

Public Safety has had an increase of stop sign violations at both gates. Public Safety officers will continue to monitor and cite individuals failing to appropriately stop at posted stop signs.

We thank you for taking the time to read these important updates.

Being informed is half the battle.

Candlewick Anglers

The October meeting has been cancelled. The next meeting will be Thursday, November 17th. The plan is to start discussing ice fishing gear, bait, when, where, and tactics. Future winter meetings will be hands-on ice fishing clinics. Another ice fishing derby is planned as well as a winter cook out if the weather cooperates.
Posted by Ken Dillenburg

Steve Jobs (founder of Apple) passed this week. These are his words.

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.
Steve Jobs

So you think it is rough now? (from Wilkipedia)

Recognition of unemployment occurred slowly as economies across the world industrialized and bureaucratized. The recognition of the concept of "unemployment" is best exemplified through the well documented historical records in England. For example, in 16th century England no distinction was made between vagrants and the jobless; both were simply categorized as “sturdy beggars”, to be punished and moved on. The closing of the monasteries in the 1530s increased poverty, as the church had helped the poor. In addition, there was a significant rise in enclosure during the Tudor period. Also the population was rising. Those unable to find work had a stark choice: starve or break the law. In 1535, a bill was drawn up calling for the creation of a system of public works to deal with the problem of unemployment, to be funded by a tax on income and capital. A law passed a year later allowed vagabonds to be whipped and hanged. In 1547, a bill was passed that subjected vagrants to some of the more extreme provisions of the criminal law, namely two years servitude and branding with a "V" as the penalty for the first offense and death for the second. During the reign of Henry VIII, as many as 72,000 people are estimated to have been executed

Posted by Ken Dillenburg

Public Safety continues to improve

In case some of you missed it in the October Candlewick paper, Public Safety has a new program in their effort to crack down on offenders in our community. There are now drop boxes in both the rec center and at the office where you can drop off anonymous tips about people committing crime or mischief in Candlewick. No one will know who deposits the tips so there can be no retribution. To me, this is another great idea, much like Crime Stoppers, which has been very successful for many communities. Your public safety department continues to tighten the screws on those causing problems. We owe them a THANK YOU! for their efforts.
Ken Dillenburg

The last one was great! Ken

(CLICK TO ENLARGE THE AD)

Missing a couple days

Tuesday was morning walkers, errands, then Caledonia Road clean up at 4:30. Good day, then to bed about ten and around 11 out of nowhere the old ticker went crazy on me so after about a half hour waiting for it to straighten out on it's own I drove to the E.R. in Belvidere where they worked on me for about an hour, then I was taken by ambulance to Swedes in Rockford to try to be stabilized. I was admitted for a day. Obviously it worked and after three hours of sleep during a 44 hour period I was pretty drained. I'm home but I want to rest a little. I'll be back full force soon.
Ken Dillenburg