Take a look at our newsletter this month.
December 2018
2058 E. Franklin Rd. Ste. 100, Meridian, ID 83642 • www.rogprofessionals.com • 208-375-3750
CHANGING THE LIVES OF TREASURE VALLEY CHILDREN
How Giraffe Laugh Accomplishes Their Mission, and How You Can Help than a mortgage payment — many people cannot afford quality care for their kids. We want to provide assistance to families in that income bracket and pair them with children from other diverse backgrounds.
I’ve been working for Giraffe Laugh for over 28 years, and I can’t explain to you what it’s like to receive a high school or college graduation announcement from past children who we’ve served. Some were at risk, and, without structure, many could have easily ended up on a different life path. The statistics show that if we can’t provide an outlet for children in this demographic, our society pays for it down the road with crime, prison sentences, and other adverse effects. Now, not every child is doomed to failure by any means, but we’re seeing a systemic impact when the needs of many are ignored. In our efforts to end a cycle of poverty, every school or marriage announcement we get from our kids is a way for us to see the influence we’ve had on the community.
“For every child we say yes to, we have to say no to three others, which is why we desperately want to expand our services.” otherwise not available. Every day, we have the pleasure of serving 200 kids through our four locations with an emphasis on ensuring school readiness, empowering families, and building strong futures for the children of our community. There is a drastically underserved population in Idaho, and many families meet the criteria for ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed. Those who fit in this subset of the population aren’t considered low income, but they aren’t financially stable enough to live with basic comforts. There’s a gap that many of these residents exist in, and when you factor in the costs of child care — often more Only 48 percent of Idaho kids are prepared for school when they enter kindergarten, creating an undeniable need in our community. Idaho is just one of five states in the country that doesn’t have support for early childhood, which limits our youth in pivotal years of their development. Giraffe Laugh wants to change that for the kids of our state so that they can have opportunities
Many of the children we see are hungry, and that’s why we’re thankful for our partnerships with the Idaho Foodbank and Nutrition Works. With them, we can provide three healthy meals every day. When you’re helping kids overcome vocabulary issues or speech impediments, it’s pivotal to provide optimal nutrition.
Many of those we serve don’t have access to books, or, in some cases, have never seen a book. Some older children struggle to communicate in complete sentences. Serving them properly means feeding each kid, and we’re fortunate that our partners share that sentiment. Like most nonprofits, one of our biggest hurdles is funding. We have about 500 kids on our waitlist, but due to financial constraints, we can’t serve everyone in need. In the past year, our scholarship need has risen about 35 percent, and every year, it increases. Not every child has the option to be helped by family or grandparents, and that makes organizations like ours even more crucial. For every child we say yes to, we have to say no to three others, which is why we desperately want to expand our services. If you have more questions, please reach out to us on our website, GiraffeLaugh.org. We’d love to help serve you or others in the Treasure Valley. There’s nothing more pivotal to a child’s growth than the first five years of their life. Let us help.
– Lori Fascilla
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208-375-3750
‘What the Fluff?’
How to Make Your Dog Think You’re a Magician
Dog owners across the world are confounding their sweet pups with the latest internet craze, aptly known as the “What the Fluff?” challenge. For this puppy prank, the rules are quite simple. The owner stands in front of their dog and lifts up a blanket in front of them. As their pet looks on, the owner runs away and lets the blanket fall to the ground. From the unsuspecting pup’s point of view, it seems as if their beloved owner has disappeared into thin air! Some of the dogs stare ahead befuddled, some spin in circles, and others run around the room trying to find where their owner is hiding. It’s all fun and games for humans, but a lot of dog lovers can’t help but wonder what is going on in the minds of their pets. Zazie Todd, a professional dog trainer who holds a Ph.D. in psychology, explains that the “What the Fluff?” challenge demonstrates that dogs exhibit object permanence: the understanding that objects exist even when you can’t see them. Scientists have long known that dogs, unlike newborn babies, understand object permanence.
In 2013, a team of animal cognition scientists at the University of Kentucky conducted an experiment reminiscent of “What the Fluff?” They showed a dog a bone, hid it behind a screen, and swapped it with a bone of a different color. When they revealed the new bone, the dogs spent more time inspecting the swapped-out bone than they did when the scientists revealed the same bone as before. Because the dogs were perplexed by the incongruity, the team concluded that dogs exhibit object permanence.
So how does a dog feel when their owner disappears suddenly? It’s hard to say. Most animal cognition scientists are hesitant to hypothesize about something so subjective as emotions, but after watching the pups’ reactions on Instagram and YouTube, most experts deem the prank harmless. “What the Fluff?” is akin to playing peekaboo with a baby. Does it cause some confusion? Definitely. Is it destructive? Not likely.
Hear How Nikki Smith Found Her Next Home
When the time came to upgrade our home, a good agent was at the top of our priority list. I worked with some agents in the past who didn’t demonstrate the competency or the communication skills necessary to create a smooth transaction, and I knew this time around, I wanted someone who knew what they were doing. When I found Josh Connell of Realty ONE Group Professionals, I knew immediately he was the agent I was looking for. We sold our house on the Boise Bench and had it under contract in a matter of days. When it came time to buy, he knew exactly what to expect. His assistant, Bailey, was equally as amazing throughout the whole transaction; she valued our time and treated us as people, not numbers. The two of them never pressured us to make any decisions we weren’t comfortable with. Instead, they took an educational approach, which gave us the power to infer what was right for our future. Everything from counteroffers to home warranties was explained, and they knew precisely what we were looking for and how to help.
can enjoy the yard and have barbeques outside. I have Josh and his team to thank for that, and I’d recommend him to anyone.
– Nikki Smith
We live in a bigger home now with a three-car garage, and I couldn’t be more pleased. I can’t wait for this summer when we
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SUDOKU
Santa: Provider of Joy or Hardcore Criminal? You Be the Judge
Every year, we look forward to jolly St. Nicholas coming down the chimney with a bag full of gifts. The good kids of the world lie in their beds at night, wide-eyed and filled with palpable excitement. Hope
fills each home as the promises of morning await. Night goes on and eyes get heavy, and children eventually succumb to sleep, creating
Thank You for your support At RŌG Professionals, we are dedicated to the prosperity of our agents, our clients, and the
the time for Santa to fulfill his role. His sleigh gently touches down on the frost-covered rooftops of homes across the world, and without recourse for his actions, he breaks in, eats your food, leaves you with a bunch of sweaters that will need to be returned, and signs off for the evening. It makes you wonder if this Santa character is a gift-giver or a criminal? Here are three crimes he should be charged with. BREAKING AND ENTERING Most of us would view a stranger entering our home as a threat and a direct violation of the law. Just because Santa doesn’t come in through the front door doesn’t mean his actions are legal. The law defines breaking and entering as “the criminal act of entering a residence or other enclosed property without authorization.” Sounds pretty sketchy if you ask us. SPEEDING If you’re under the assumption that this guy with eight reindeer is flying around the world in one night and not breaking local sound ordinances or speed limits, we don’t buy it. The only place Santa wouldn’t get a speeding ticket is on the autobahn, so we encourage everyone on the roads late at night to watch out for this speed demon — who could be going in excess of a 1,000 mph — and report him. Especially if he’s had too much sherry. DUI Lore in England has locals leaving out mince pies and sherry, not cookies and milk for St. Nick. With over 25 million homes in the U.K., that much alcohol is bound to make for one wild ride. The legal blood alcohol level in Idaho is 0.08, and we’re about 5,000 miles from London. With how fast Santa can fly, it’s not a stretch to assume he would still be intoxicated by the time he touched down on the first homes of the Treasure Valley. You can stop him from harming anyone by dialing 477 for the Idaho State Police.
community. Offering the latest tools and technology, accompanied by the best customer service in the Treasure Valley, our ultimate goal is to make your
homebuying or selling experience as fun and stress-free as possible. If you had a positive experience with us, we want to hear from you! Email us at janet@rogprofessionals.com. Your testimonial could be featured in our next edition, and you will be entered to win two FREE movie tickets!
Buttery
roasted chestnuts
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2 pounds fresh chestnuts, unpeeled
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2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste
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2–3 sprigs rosemary
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Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
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Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1. Heat oven to 450 F. 2. Place a large sheet of foil on a rimmed baking sheet. 3. On a large, flat workspace, place chestnuts flat side down. Using a sharp knife, carve an X on the rounded side of each chestnut. 4. In a large bowl of hot water, soak chestnuts for 1 minute. 5. Pat dry and transfer to a medium bowl. Add rosemary, butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Toss to coat and transfer to baking sheet. Arrange in a single layer. Gather the edges of the foil together, leaving an opening at the top.
6. Roast until peels curl up, about 30–45 minutes. 7. Transfer to a platter and serve while hot or warm.
Regardless of the laws Santa might be breaking, everyone at Realty ONE Group Professionals wishes you a wonderful and happy holiday season.
Inspired by Bon Appétit
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208-375-3750
2058 E. Franklin Rd. Ste. 100 Meridian, ID 83642
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Inside
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Learn How Giraffe Laugh Changes Lives
The ‘What the Fluff?’ Challenge
Realty ONE Group Success Story
Sudoku
Buttery Roasted Chestnuts
Is Santa a Criminal?
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Everything You’ll Need for an Ugly Sweater Christmas
A Fun Trend You Can Easily Follow! Ugly Sweater Parties
refreshments and games, and you’re guaranteed to have a top-tier party. A few ugly-sweater-themed games that should be on the agenda include an ugly gift exchange, which is similar to the white elephant exchange, except with the gaudiest gifts you can find; an ugly photo booth, complete with terrible, tacky props; and, of course, an ugly sweater contest. This is the only time of year when slipping into a lurid red sweater with a stuffed Santa
It’s speculated that the first ugly sweater party took place in Vancouver, Canada, back in 2001. Since then, the trend has become one of the most popular holiday party themes. Come Thanksgiving, you’ll start to see racks in all types of clothing stores lined with hideous sweaters. If you’re ready to jump on the ugly- sweater-party bandwagon this Christmas season, here are a few things to keep in mind. YOUR VERY OWN UGLY SWEATER Ugly sweaters come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. You can head to H&M or a local thrift store to pick one up. However, if you have a sweater that’s been cozied up for years in the back of your closet or a drawer, now’s your chance to give it new life. Arm yourself with a hot glue gun, thread, and needle, and patch Santa, Rudolph, or Frosty on it. And let it be known that an ugly sweater isn’t complete without sparkles, beads, and sequins galore. WHAT EXACTLY IS AN UGLY SWEATER PARTY? It’s rather simple — slip on your favorite Christmas sweater, gather all your friends and family members, make sure there are plenty of
sewn on the front is considered trendy. So adorn yourself in the frumpiest, tackiest sweater you can find, and have some fun this December!
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