Check out our September newsletter!
SEPTEMBER 2024
ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S
205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
THIS NEWSLETTER IS WORTH
$THOUSANDS$
It is not unusual for me to see consumers taken advantage of by vendor/contractors. The following are a few examples:
6. Foundations/ Remodeling: John Vickers 205-837-5646
• Senior Citizen (Widow) pays $20,000 for a new HVAC (Overpaid by $13,000)
7. Painter: Eduardo Valasko 205-314-9165
8. Hardwood Floors: Hector Mancilla 256-510-6730
• Water Proofing system $25,000 (Did not work and warranty was worthless – over paid by $18,000). • Retired/fixed income man told he needed $50,000 to repair his foundation (thankfully he called me and using a reliable structural engineer it was determined his foundation did not need any repairs – he would have spent all of his savings).
9. Mold/Mildew: Green Home Solutions: Frank Poticny 205-243-3417
10. Interior Decorator: Leanne Cates 205-585-3876
11. General Contractor/Handyman/Remodel/Painting - Everything: Chris Gattina 205-835-2244
• Professional couple paid $35,000 for a new roof (overpaid by $25,000).
I could share hundreds of examples. The following are reliable contractors that charge fair prices. Let me encourage you to contact them if you have any problems:
Feel free to always reach out to me anytime you need a reliable contractor or service provider. NAR Settlement: With the new rules, Real Estate Agent Commissions are now more transparent. Both parties now know the true cost of Real Estate Agent fees. Previously, if a consumer wanted to buy or sell a home, they might have just used a friend (any friend) that had a real estate license because the fees were all about the same. LIST was the first full-service real estate company that challenged traditional commissions. Now, more than ever, it is important to hire an agent based on expertise, not a social relationship. I have sold over 1,000 homes in my career. If you know of anyone looking to buy or sell a home, please refer them to me. Remember, I am never too busy for your referrals!
1. HVAC: Heating & Air Solutions: Keith Hatchett 205-913-3022
2. Roof: BLW Roofing:
Trey Pritchard 205-807-9401
3. Water Proofing: Aqua Guard: Mike Shofner 205-824-8144 (Life of Structure Warranty)
4. Plumbing: Plumb-tech:
Mark Rothenstine 205-664-5324
–Melvin Upchurch
5. Electrical: Christion & Sons:
Roosevelt Christion 205-965-2009
• 1 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
The GOAT Makes His FOX Debut! Is Tom Brady Ready to (Literally) Call the Shots?
What You Thought You Knew Might Surprise You COMMON WEATHER MISCONCEPTIONS!
Nearly two years after signing a 10-year deal with Fox Sports, Tom Brady’s debut as an on-air announcer is officially in the books. The seven-time Super Bowl champion was on the broadcast desk for the Week 1 match-up between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8. After a college career with the University of Michigan Wolverines, Brady was a sixth-round pick, the 199th player chosen, in the 2000 NFL Draft. Talent evaluators found him unimpressive, and many sports analysts were uncertain about his future in the league — plus the Patriots already had two other quarterbacks. In the decades since, many have called this decision a stroke of luck that changed the course of professional football history, but others attribute it to the foresight and strategic planning skills of the team’s leadership. Coach Bill Belichick saw what others didn’t during that fateful draft — Brady’s potential. This decision proved to be a pivotal moment for both the team and the player.
Weather has been mystifying human beings for thousands of years, so it’s no wonder countless misconceptions surround it. Does science back up any of these superstitions, or are they all just a bunch of bunk? Let’s bust three common myths! Myth 1 — Groundhogs can predict the weather. Despite what Punxsutawney Phil wants you to believe, a groundhog’s annual behavior on Feb. 2 does not indicate whether or not there will be six more weeks of winter. Historians traced the origins of this tradition back to the ancient Celtic people, who marked the beginning of their seasons with holidays on the first of certain months. February was a time for lighting candles and predicting how long the winter would last. As people immigrated to new lands, they crossed paths with Germanic people, who introduced the addition of an animal weather prophet, though initially it was a badger and, at one point, a hedgehog! Eventually, the tradition solidified into what we know today. Myth 2 — A tornado is coming if the sky turns green. Sometimes, light can play tricks on us when refracted through certain clouds. In rare cases, dark storm clouds can hit sunbeams at a certain angle, scattering the light so it looks green. However, this is not a great indicator of a tornado on the horizon. Myth 3 — Lighting never strikes the same place twice. Lightning can strike the exact location repeatedly, even in the same storm. Take, for example, the story of Liu Nan, a Chinese man struck by lightning twice in the same spot in less than five minutes. Miraculously, the man survived. Additionally, the Empire State Building gets struck by lightning approximately 25 times yearly! While we’re on the subject — it’s not your car’s rubber tires that protect it from lightning strikes but the metal cage of the vehicle that conducts and directs 300 million volts of electricity safely into the ground. Did you believe any of these common myths about weather? These certainly aren’t the only misconceptions about our weather world — and since some appear to be rooted in fact, it’s good to do your own research using reputable sources, just to be sure.
Whatever the case, Brady has earned his spot in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. Holding 17 NFL records, including nearly every major record for quarterbacks, Brady is currently an all-time leader in multiple areas, including passing yards, attempts, and touchdown passes. He led the Patriots to six Super Bowl wins in 20 seasons before transferring to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three more years and another championship ring.
Photo: Brad Muckenthaler
Brady’s transition from the gridiron to the broadcast booth marks a significant milestone for his career. His Fox contract pays out $375 million over a decade. By contrast, his 23-year tenure with the NFL netted him around $333 million. This industry-leading deal at nearly $38 million per year earns Brady the title of the highest-paid sports broadcaster ever — just a bit more than sports commentator Jim Rome’s $30 million per year at CBS. Tune in to NFL games all season long to see how the GOAT does behind the mic!
2 •205-223-6192
A TAIL OF COURAGE K-9 Sonya’s Distinguished Service Is Recognized
buildings, and she has worked with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. One of the highlights of her career was when she found a firearm that was ditched during a high-speed pursuit that was later linked to multiple homicides. Her work ultimately helped to identify the suspect. Sonya has also had the opportunity to attend major events in the country, protecting guests and fans. Over her career, she worked security for four Super Bowls, the Rose Bowl, the U.S. Track and Field Olympics, U.S. World Athletics, PGA tournaments, and many other mass public gatherings. Sonya has assisted in security for four U.S. presidents, high-ranking dignitaries, and world leaders. Sonya retired in 2023 and was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer, but she didn’t let it stop her from continuing to serve. Sonya worked as the Coast Guard’s first-ever canine recruiter until her passing
A national hero from the U.S. Coast Guard had a lot to wag her tail about this year! K-9 Sonya, an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois, was honored with the Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal this March for her extraordinary heroism over the past nine years. The hardworking dog has a long list of achievements and continues to serve the Coast Guard proudly. Sonya was one of 18 explosive detection canines in the Coast Guard, assigned to two duty stations, the Maritime Safety and Security Team in Seattle and the Maritime Security Response Team West in San Diego. Alongside her human partner, Sonya’s primary job was to detect and detract acts of terrorism in the U.S. She has performed more than 5,000 hours of explosives detection work and more than 8,500 vehicle sweeps. The pooch’s expertise has helped other local law enforcement agencies handle bomb threats in residential and federal
in April. In a heartfelt message online, Sonya’s handler, Chief Petty Officer James Grant, paid tribute to his partner. “Sonya girl, you were a fighter until the end,” he wrote. “Your loyalty and love will be forever remembered. K9 Sonya, you were the greatest, most loving dog I have ever met.”
Sonya’s brave legacy lives on and continues to inspire.
TAKE A BREAK
Legendary Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
• 1 tsp cumin • 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes • 1 cup cooked rice • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 bell peppers (any color), halved and seeded • 1 lb ground beef • 1 onion, diced • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1 tsp chili powder
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Line a baking dish or baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the bell pepper halves in the baking dish. 3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until the beef is browned, then drain excess fat. 4. Stir in chili powder, cumin, diced tomatoes, rice, salt, and pepper. 5. Fill the 8 bell pepper halves with the beef mixture, then top with the shredded cheddar cheese. 6. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.
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205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
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INSIDE
1
This Newsletter Is Worth $Thousands$
2
Weather Myths Debunked!
Can Tom Brady Excel in the Booth?
3
The Belgian Malinois Who Protected America
Legendary Stuffed Peppers
4
Elevate Your Aesthetic With Colorful China
Make a Statement With Eye-Catching Plate Arrangements DISHWARE DÉCOR
Imagine a symphony of mismatched porcelain and a kaleidoscope of colorful circles splashed across your walls. Plates are no longer just a dish for the table; they’re the latest craze for creative decorating. Plate walls are common in cottages and allow you to create a unique art piece out of plate arrangements. The possibilities are endless, from a variety of sizes, and a single-color theme, to a rainbow across the wall. If you’re looking for a way to use family china, mix those heirlooms with other ornamental plates. To keep a varied collection of colored plates from getting too chaotic, use a simple, single color to fill most of the space and pepper in bold colors and patterns. Add platters ,
vintage silverware , and serving trays onto your statement wall.
Let your plates tell a story and turn your home into a gallery of delightful dishes.
4 •205-223-6192
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