Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Welcoming Back Jim Harrover!


We welcome Jim Harrover back to Atlantic Builders as a full time team member. Jim has been with Atlantic for 9 years and has recently been working with us on a contract basis. With the rebound in the economy and home sales in the Fredericksburg area, it is great to have Jim back full time.

Jim acts as warranty manager. He helps with quality inspections, pre-settlement demonstrations, and punch out of new homes and for occupied homes. His personable nature makes everyone, especially homeowners, like him. "I meet homeowners with a smile, treat them honestly, and let them know I am here to help them anyway I can," notes Jim.

Here’s what some of our homeowners have said about Jim:

"I just want to let you know how pleased I have been with the services provided by Jim Harrover... Jim has been very responsive and has gone beyond what I could have ever expected. As a result I have put in a good word to a friend at Mary Washington Hospital."
-- Frank Gibbs

"Mr. Jim Harrover (has) worked on numerous warranty issues (and his) work has been nothing short of phenomenal. In addition to (his) world-class performance (his) motivation and professionalism... has been second to none...period."
-- Mohammed A. Khan, Jr., Colonel, USAF

Jim has spent 22 years in the construction industry after spending over 20 years in the general aviation field. Jim Harrover was awarded the Purple Heart as a helicopter crew chief. He served as an E4 for two years, and in one tour in Vietnam where his helicopter was shot down three times. Jim grew up in Lorton, VA.

Jim can fix anything and has a garage stocked with every tool imaginable. His garage – and home – are in Fairview Beach where he lives with his wife Janet. Jim enjoys boating on the Potomac River, and bait and bottom fishing by the channel markers. He likes socializing in the friendly atmosphere of Fairview Beach, and he and his wife enjoy wine tastings at Ingleside Winery in nearby Westmoreland County.


Adam M. Fried

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Why Are Chinese Mothers Superior?

If you want to be challenged about your parenting style and how you raise your children, then check out an article in the Jan. 8/9 Wall Street Journal: “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior”. The article was written by Yale University law school professor Amy Chua and is her take on why so many Chinese and other immigrant parents seem able to raise academically advanced children.

Some things she never allowed her daughters to do:
- Attend a sleepover or playdate
- Watch TV or play computer games
- Get any grade less than an A
- Play any instrument other than the piano or violin
- Not play the piano or violin

Chua notes, “What Chinese parents understand is that nothing is fun until you’re good at it. To get good at anything you have to work, and children on their own never want to work, which is why it is crucial to override their preferences. This often requires fortitude on the part of the parents because the child will resist”.

While Chua’s admitted behavior toward her daughters is a little scary (Chua threatened to take her 7 year old daughter’s doll house to the Salvation Army and to withhold food for the rest of the day for refusing to continue practicing the piano), but she claims her girls have good self-images because once they master things, they become happy.

The WSJ essay is excerpted from her book “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” and was published 1/11/11. Chua answered questions Thursday 1/13/11 on the WSJ blog: blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Taking Inspiration from The Special Olympics

My brother Jon Fried was born mentally handicapped. When he was a baby, the doctors advised my parents that he would never walk or talk. They were wrong. Now he is almost 50 and continues to win the Gold Medal in Tennis in the International Special Olympics. He plays at a very high level.

Please click on the link (http://www2.dailyprogress.com/sports/2011/jan/13/fried-set-special-olympics-tennis-tourney-ar-771174/) to see an article about him and the Special Olympics tennis tournament he will help host this weekend. I hope you are inspired to help out Special Olympics.

- Adam Fried