Local Businesses Join to Support Toys for Tots

In a spontaneous effort to raise the $10,000 needed to meet last years total donations to Toys for Tots, the Ceresville Mansion, McCoy Group & Frederick.com call on local businesses to help and in 48 hours, reach the goal, raising $10,015. Special thanks to Kate Moreland of Ceresville Mansion and Joanne McCoy of McCoy Media Group, who initiated this effort after reading the news this week of the shortage.

To view a list of local businesses that have donated, visit The Ceresville Mansion FaceBook page

Learn more about this last minute community effort by reading the FNP article. (link below):

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=99085

Chasing the Refi . . .

So you keep hearing that interest rates are low. You're probably asking yourself if it's time to refinance. Well, that depends. Here are a few things to consider:

• Are you currently paying mortgage insurance and will that go away because you have enough equity in your house? If you are able to get rid of the mortgage insurance premium you could actually take that extra payment and put it towards your principal, paying your mortgage down quicker.


• Your payment right now is so high it's painful to make the payment and refinancing would make the payment more manageable.


• Do you have equity in your house? If not, you may be faced with having to refinance into a a FHA loan and that means you will have mortgage insurance.


• Your payment may go down but you may be paying longer. For example, you are 5 years into your 30 year mortgage, you refinance and now the clock starts over because you refinance into a new 30 year mortgage. One way to combat that is to get a 25 year, or even 20 year mortgage.


• What is the cost to refinance? For example, if it costs you $8,000 to refinance and it will lower your payment by $150 a month- how long will it take you for you to recoup the savings? Take $8000 and divide by $150 that would mean it would take you 53 months or 4.5 years to recover that $8000. So unless you're planning on staying in your house for at least 5 or more years you might want to reconsider whether it's worth refinancing. One way to combat the cost is to take your current money being held by your lender for your insurance and taxes (called escrow) and your payment you get to miss the month after you refinance and put that towards your refinance costs. That could cut the costs of the refinance in half, thereby giving you a short time line to recoup the costs of refinancing.

Remember this is all very general, there are a lot variables and more things to consider that aren't discussed. So before you decide to chase the refi craze, run the numbers and make sure they work. You may just decide you're better off right now without refinancing.

For more real estate information be sure and check out http://www.elkesellshomes.com/ or call 301-865-9561

CATOCTIN COLORFEST2009

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First Saturday - Aug 1, 2009 - Historic Frederick

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Thurmont Parade 2009

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FREDERICK’S 4th—An Independence Day Celebration

FREDERICK’S 4^th—An Independence Day Celebration

Entertainment Schedule

June 22, 2009, Frederick, MD - Celebrate Frederick Inc., and Frederick’s 4^th—An Independence Day Celebration Committee presents the 26^th annual Frederick’s 4^th—An Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4^th, 2009 in Baker Park, Frederick, MD. This year’s entertainment is a solid lineup of acts sure to please anyone. Featured on the Main Stage is a tribute to “The Boss.” Don’t miss Bruce In The USA—the world’s number 1 tribute to Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band; and on the Country Stage, country sensation, Steve Azar. Live music will fill the park throughout the day as the July 4^th celebration rolls on. The Main Stage is located in the Carillon Area of the park near the Tennis Courts, and the Country Stage is located on the southwest side of the pool. Following is a complete listing of this year’s entertainment:

MAIN STAGE

HECTIC RED

1:00 p.m.

Starting off the day is classic rock band Hectic Red. Hailing from Baltimore, MD, Hectic Red has been jamming together ever since 1987! Twenty-two years of experience has made Hectic Red one of the tightest, most diverse, and highly entertaining groups in the mid-Atlantic region. Hectic Red promises a great rock show playing your favorites from The Eagles, Queen and Billy Joel, just to name a few. Be sure to catch their set for an unforgettable classic rock experience!

ROCK & ROLL RELICS

2:45 p.m.

Following-up their June 14^th Summer Concert Series performance, Rock & Roll Relics return to Frederick with their undeniably catchy oldies rock sound. The Rock & Roll Relics has been deemed as one of the premier oldies musical acts in the Mid-Atlantic region. Accurately reproducing the sounds of the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, The Rock & Roll Relics are sure to make you Twist and Shout!

BRUCE IN THE USA

5:00 p.m.

Headlining act, Bruce In The USA, is the premier Bruce Springsteen Tribute band and their performances are more like an experience, than a concert. High energy, note perfect and visually accurate, this band is sure to please people of all ages! Bruce In The USA front man Matt Ryan’s uncanny resemblance to “The Boss” himself is what makes this band, the number one Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band tribute band in the world! People’s jaws will drop and their heads will rock when Bruce In The USA takes the stage.

COUNTRY STAGE, PRESENTED BY 99.9 WFRE

1:30 p.m.

Kicking-off the Country Stage at this year’s Independence Day festival, 99.9 WFRE radio is asking fans to participate in the Big Star Karaoke contest by singing their favorite Kenny Chesney song. Contestants will have a chance to win tickets to the Kenny Chesney show on August 29^th at Nissan Pavilion. Visit www.wfre.com for all the details!

WILLIAMS RILEY

4:00 p.m.

Williams Riley is one of the more exciting new acts to hit the country scene as of late. The band has attracted attention and support from big names in the music biz and even features Slash, Edwin McCain and Bryan White on their self-titled debut album! Their diverse sound pushes the boundaries of the traditional country music scene and the appeals to much more than just the country audience. Williams Riley is sure to please.

STEVE AZAR

7:00 p.m.

One of country music’s hottest performers, Steve Azar is set to headline the Country Stage. Launching a radio phenomenon with “I Don’t Have To Be Me (‘Til Monday)” and a video sensation with “Waitin’ on Joe,” Steve Azar has been gracing the country music charts and charming audiences for years now. His recent hit, “Moo La Moo,” even features its own dance sparking another sensation! So get ready to show off your “Moo La Moo” skills and don’t forget your cowboy hats, Steve Azar is a performer sure to excite!

CARILLON CONCERT

Following Fireworks

The Groningen Carillon Duo from the Northern Netherlands will treat visitors to a patriotic concert immediately following the fireworks display. The carillon is an instrument of 49 bells played mechanically with fists and feet. Baker Park’s carillon is one of only two in the entire state of Maryland.

Frederick’s 4^th—An Independence Day Celebration would not be possible without the generous support of our Celebrate Frederick corporate sponsors. The 2009 Spires Sponsors are Bechtel Group Foundation, Spectrum Federal Credit Union, and Weis Markets. The 2009 Carillon Sponsors are Comcast, The Plamondon Companies, Sandy Spring Bank, 99.9 WFRE, and 930 WFMD. The 2009 Bandshell Sponsors are BB&T, The Frederick News-Post and NBC25. The 2009 Program Sponsors are Bud Light, 106.9 The Eagle, KEY 103 and Frederick Magazine. Again, the series would not be possible without their generosity.

For more information, please call the City of Frederick Office of Special Events at 301-600-CITY (2489) or visit our website www.CelebrateFrederick.com.