Catholic Charities to offer first-time homebuyer classes in Spanish, English
MANATEE -- Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice Inc. will offer free first-time homebuyer classes this month in English and Spanish.
The first class will be taught in Spanish from 8 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. Saturday at the Catholic Charities office, 1219 16th St. W. in Bradenton. Classes taught in English will be from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 14-15.
Topics to be covered include: "Steps To Successful Homeownership," which includes funds available to first-time homebuyers as well as fair housing rights; "Winning Credit History/Shopping for a Loan," which includes items required to make a loan contract, budget and money management, and the loan and application process; "Shopping for a Home/Choosing a Realtor," which includes what to know when looking for a home and Realtor, understanding a sales contract, and negotiation and home inspection; and "Home Ownership," which includes what it means to be a homeowner, how to care for a home and maintain it, security issues and avoiding foreclosure.
Participants in the class will be eligible for assistance from Manatee and Sarasota counties bond and/or grant programs for down payment and closing costs. For more information and to register for the class, call Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice Inc. at 941-714-7829.
LWRBA plans holiday social in model home
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- The Lakewood Ranch Business Association and Young Leaders Alliance are holding their annual holiday social from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, with Murray Homes hosting in the "Resolute" model home, 7926 Staysail Court, in the Lake Club in Lakewood Ranch. Admission will include a raffle ticket for the chance to win holiday prizes. There will be complimentary appetizers and cash bar. The Dickens Carolers will join the party, and have been entertaining Florida audiences for 22 years at venues such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens. Members $10; non-members $20. To register, go to lwrba.org/event-1946428
'12 Days of Christmas' items to tally $34,131
The cost the gifts listed in the carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is $34,131 this year, according to the 32nd annual PNC Wealth Management Christmas Price Index released Monday.
The index is a whimsical way the Pittsburgh-based bank tracks inflation. That is a 0.6 percent more than the adjusted 2014 price of $33,933. PNC decided to adjust the historic prices of turtle doves and swans after realizing the prices quoted by vendors didn't reflect the birds' overall value on the open market over the years.
Fed downsizes emergency lending powers to banks
WASHINGTON -- Federal Reserve officials have moved to prevent the central bank from bailing out failing companies, a pow
er it exercised during the 2008 financial crisis.
The Fed governors voted 5-0 Monday at a public meeting to downsize the Fed's emergency lending powers. Only broad lending programs designed to revive frozen markets -- not loans to individual firms -- will be allowed. The Fed spent about $2 trillion on such a program to ease a credit crunch during the financial meltdown, aiming to spark lending to consumers and small businesses.
Amazon gives drone details, still mum on timeline
NEW YORK -- Amazon is giving new details on its Prime Air drone delivery program, but the timeline is still unclear.
The retailer says Prime Air will one day deliver packages up to 5 pounds in 30 minutes or less using small drones. The drones will fly under 400 feet and weigh less than 55 pounds, according to details posted on its website. It says it will use technology and automation to operate safely. Amazon.com Inc. said program will start once government regulations are in place to support it but set no date.
-- Herald staff, wire reports
This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 10:49 PM with the headline "Catholic Charities to offer first-time homebuyer classes in Spanish, English ."