With the 2010 Census now underway, the Better Business Bureau urges the public to cooperate but cautions people about potential fraud and identity theft. Here are three things you should know and share with family and friends:

• Official U. S. Census workers now going door to door can be identified by their
badge, handheld device and canvas Census Bureau bag. Ask to see the individual’s
badge before answering any questions, and do not invite anyone you don’t know
into your home.

• Census workers will verify how many people live at your address and gather
information about each person, including name, age, gender, race, and so on.
Although they may ask for basic financial information, such as salary range, they will
NOT ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers, nor will they solicit
donations. You are not required to answer any questions about your
financial situation.

• Census workers may contact you in person or by telephone or mail, but they will NOT
contact you by email. Beware of email scams and never click on a link or open an
attachment in an email allegedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org.

Have you ever considered the bottom line impact of real estate transactions on our local economy? According to the National Association of Realtors’ Bureau of Economic Analysis, for every home sold in Colorado, $21,429 in income is generated from real estate related industries, including home construction, mortgage lending, title insurance, rental and leasing, home appraisal, and moving services. Expenditures on consumer items, such as indoor and outdoor furniture, appliances, paint and so on, generate an additional $5,331.

Each home sale also spurs spending at restaurants, sports games and charity events; the size of this “multiplier” effect is estimated at $12,845. Furthermore, home sales induce additional home production; typically one new home is constructed for every eight existing home sales. Therefore, for each existing home sale in the state, 1/8 of the new home’s value is added to the economy, or an estimated $29,763.

In sum, the total economic impact of a typical home sale for a median priced property ($238,100) in Colorado is $69,367. Homebuyers’ tax credits are being more than paid for by the positive economic impact of home sales.

The Center for the Arts Evergreen is proud to present our bi-annual craft exhibition, Exquisite Objects: The Fine Art of Craft, which has been a tradition for almost 5 years. Twenty-five artists are featured in this juried exhibition, which includes clay, glass, metal, fiber, wood, mixed media, and jewelry. The opening reception is on January 29th 5-8pm and the exhibit will run through March 5th.

January 29, 2010 – March 5, 2010

M-F 10am – 5pm
Sat & Sun 12pm-5pm
Center for the Arts Evergreen
32003B Ellingwood Trail
Evergreen, Colorado
www.EvergreenArts.org