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Spring Forward To Safety With C.H.Edwards

Spring Forward To Safety With C.H.Edwards

It’s that time of year where coffee becomes a little more than necessary in the morning. That is because it is time to spring forward.  Sunday, March 13th marks the first day of Daylight Savings. For some people this could be seen as just a loss of sleep but for others it is a sign that sunny and longer days are finally here.

The saying “Spring forward, fall back” is an old expression used to remind people to adjust your clocks. Although making sure you get up in time in the morning is important, there are also several necessary tasks to ensure a safe and happy spring and summer season. This could be looked at as a safety spring cleaning. Here are some necessary things to check off of your safety spring cleaning list. The first thing you should do is check to make sure there is a functioning fire detector and carbon dioxide detector in each room of your house. If you know there are any detectors that are over ten years old, then it’s time for new ones. After inserting fresh batteries check your alarm by activating the safety test button. Now that the alarms are all checked, it is time to clean your alarms. This can be done by gently using a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust and cobwebs. Because what use is a working alarm if you can’t hear it. Lastly, you should make an escape plan and review it with your entire family. It is a good idea to get everyone involved including the kids. After you have made your plan, make sure you have all functioning emergency supplies put together in several locations of your home. A good idea would be to create a backpack filled with flashlights, batteries and other items you feel are necessary. Once you have an action plan set, it’s time to test it out. Make sure everything is set and everyone is aware of the plan in case of an unfortunate tragedy.

Now that you know the importance of this safety spring cleaning list, it is time to put it into action. Whether you’re enjoying your cup of coffee with an extra shot of espresso or enjoying the outdoors, it is always best to put safety first and protect your home and family.

Season 22 of DWTS cast list is officially here!

Season 22 of DWTS cast list is officially here!

Get out your dancing shoes and get ready for a new season of ‘Dancing With the Stars’. This past Tuesday on “Good Morning America, the cast was revealed for season 22. This season will defiantly not lack comical moments, struggling times and achievements, which for one winning couple includes the Mirroball trophy.

The season 22 cast is filled with professional dancers, athletes, TV personalities, journalists and actors, which when mixed together leads to a very entertaining outcome. The list of the twelve star couples starts with Mischa Barton. Mischa was previously on the wildly popular drama The O.C., now it is her time to put those days behind her as she takes the DWTS stage. She will be dancing with Artem Chigvintsev as her partner. Next up on this celebrity line up is Antonio Brown.  This football star is not only a four-time Pro-Bowl selectee but he was also the Steelers MVP in 2011, 2013 and 2015. This pro athlete is ready to trade in his cleats for dancing shoes as he dances with Sharna Burgess. Next dancer up is Nyle Dimarco. Nyle is not only an actor, model but also a spokesman with a recurring role on ‘Switched at Birth’. He is trading his days of competing on the runway of America`s Next Top Model`s Cycle 22 in for sharing the dance floor with his partner Peta Murgatroyd. Next up on the list is Kim Fields who is an actress best known for her roles in two iconic shows which include Living Single and Facts Of Life. Along with being in front of the camera, she is also familiar with directing, as she is now an award-winning film director. This multi-talented star is ready to be in front of the camera again as she takes the stage with partner Sasha Farber. Doug Flutie is next on the list. This football champion is the winner of  the 1984 Heisman Trophy for his iconic “Hail Mary” pass against the university of Miami, which led to the win of the Orange Bowl. He later on went to play in the USFL and the NFL, but now it`s his time to leave the field and take the dance floor. He will be accompanied by his partner Karina Smirnoff. The next contestant is used to singing and dancing on stage but in her case the Broadway stage. Along with her Broadway performances in The Will Rogers Follies and Love, Loss and What I Wore, she is also no stranger to the television and film world. She is ready to expand her talent on the DWTS stage with partner Tony Dovolani. And that’s only half the list!

The second half of the list starts off with another football star, Von Miller. He might be known now as the Denver Broncos linebacker and MVP of Super Bowl 50 but this season he`ll be known on the dance floor with his partner Witney Carson. The next celebrity on the list is Wayna Morris whose rise to fame came from being an original member of the R&B group Boys II Men. Wanya will be taking the dance floor with partner Lindsay Arnold. This next celebrity is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist. Geraldo Rivera is a Fox News senior correspondent and host of breaking news specials the Geraldo Rivera Reports. He is anxious for his shot at the Mirrorball trophy with partner Edyta Sliwinska. For the next contestant the house is about to get more full with Jodie Sweetin. She is formerly known for her role as Stephanie Tanner on Full House and now the Netflix spin-off of Fuller House. She is joined on the dance floor with her partner Keo Motsepe. The next contestant Paige VanZant has a stunning record of 6-2-0 in her UFC career. This top ranked champion is about take it back to the dance floor as she did in her younger days with partner Mark Ballas. The last contestant of this star filled list is Ginger Zee. Ginger is an Emmy Award-winner and also the chief meteorologist of Good Morning America. Now it is time to see what her dancing forecast will be as she takes the floor with partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy.

This season will be hosted by the Emmy-winning Tom Bergeron of America`s Funniest Home Videos. Season 10 finalist, Erin Andrews will also be coming back but this time as a host.  From talented professional dancers to celebrities and two fantastic hosts, the competition would not be complete without judges. The Season 22 judges include Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. This highly anticipated season will air on Monday, March 21st at 8|7c. Who are you rooting for this season?

Pretty In Pink Turns 30!

Pretty In Pink Turns 30!

On February 28, 1986 the romantic comedy Pretty in Pink opened. Cast with up and coming actors, Molly Ringwald as “Andie”, James Spader as “Steph”, Andrew McCarthy as “Blane” and Jon Cryer as “Duckie” playing a bunch of suburban Chicago teens searching to find there place among the pecking order of high school students.

To mark this anniversary, the film has been re-released in select theaters with an alternate ending. I had the opportunity to attend the screening on February 17th as a gift from my husband for Valentine’s Day. The theater was equally filled with first timers and long- time fans, mostly female. It was exciting to see the film on the big screen again and even though I am now viewing as an adult and not the teen I was at it’s original release, I felt the same excitement and secret cheering for the underdog that it did the first time I saw it.

The music was still incredible as it was in 1986. The Pretty In Pink soundtrack went on to make Rolling Stone’s “The Greatest Soundtracks of all Time” list.

The alternate ending was predictable, but the cast interviews were enlightening as I would not have expected some of what I heard. Unfortunately for some in attendance, they were not aware the screening offering the interviews or the alternate ending, so they left the theater after the closing credits. For those of us that stayed , we were in for a real treat hearing cast members Jon Cryer, Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy speak about the movie in current day. The one secret we learned is that Molly Ringwald was hoping for Robert Downey Jr. to play “Duckie” as she personally felt she had better chemistry with him.

For more Pretty in Pink secrets revealed, pick up the 30th Anniversary dvd due in stores shortly. I hope you enjoyed this walk down memory lane as much as I did.

Written by Denise Visco

88th Annual Academy Awards

88th Annual Academy Awards

Hollywood`s finest in film came together Sunday night to celebrate another wonderful year of film. This glamorous event took place at the beautiful Dolby Theatre in sunny Los Angeles. This is the most highly anticipated night in film especially for the cast and crew of The Big Short, Bridge Of Spies, Brooklyn, Mad Max Fury Road, The Martian, The Revenant, Room and Spotlight who were all nominated for Best Picture, which was won by Spotlight. Although these are just a few films from the night, there was so much more to the 88th Academy Awards ceremony including fashion, celebrities and unforgettable performances.

Along with the prestigious award of Best Picture, there were many awards given out that night. Best actress in a Lead Role was won by Brie Larson for her performance in Room. Actor in a Supporting Role went to Mark Rylance for his performance in A Bridge of spies. Actress in a Supporting Role went to Alicia Vikander for her performance in The Danish Girl. The Best Animated Feature Film went to Pixar for the third year in a row. And the most anticipated win of the night went to Leonardo DiCaprio for his performance in The Revenant. His much awaited win began with a standing ovation followed by his brilliant speech which touched on the issues of climate change and other natural issues. These were just a few of the honorable awards given out that night.

The night was also filled with inspiring performances from Sam Smith, The Weeknd and Lady Gaga to name a few. Sam Smith gave a beautiful performance of “Writings On The wall”, which later won for Best Original Song. The Weeknd performed his nominated hit “Earned It” from the film Fifty Shades of Gray. His performance was accompanied by dancers, gymnasts and trapeze artists which closely mimicked his music video for the song. Lady Gaga was one of the last performers to take the stage. She lit up the stage with her performance of “Till It Happens to You”. This performance was introduced by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., he then addressed the crowd and asked viewers to take a pledge: “I will intervene in situations when consent has not or cannot be given. This star filled event not only acknowledged the hard work and dedication put into the current film season but also current events that not only impact the world but also the world of film. The countdown is already set for the 89th Annual Academy Awards and the much anticipated year of film that has just begun.

Written by Sandra Costanzo 

Adding Value To Your Home

Adding Value To Your Home

As your home grows in age, the value of your home starts to drop. If you are looking to increase the value of your home, consider some of these home renovations to help add value to your home.

Invest in your kitchen: A kitchen update and remodeling your kitchen is a safe bet when it comes to adding value to your home. Even if the rest of your home is in excellent condition, a poorly functioning kitchen can detract from the overall value. Consider putting in new cabinets and counters to give the kitchen a whole new look.

Look to paint: One of the least expensive improvement materials is painting! Neutral and modern colors can help liven up any space. If you paint with low-VOC paint, you can also advertise your home as an eco-friendly home.

Put in another bathroom: Multiple bathrooms are an attractive retail point, especially in older homes. Finding the space to add a bathroom may be hard, but consider closets, areas under stairs or taking space away from another room. If you do not have the rooms for a full bath consider adding a half bath.

Add illumination to rooms: A dark room in a home is a dull room. Adding overhead and accent lighting can really make a difference in the appearance of your home. Under cabinet lighting in your kitchen is also a nice touch.

Improve curb appeal: Adding attractive landscaping outside of your home and freshening up the entryway to your home can add considerable value to your home, as buyers judge the home from its exterior look. Well placed planting and an inviting front door can do wonders to a home.

If you are a homeowner and recently have, or plan to complete renovations to your home, don’t forget to call your Insurance Agent to discuss possible discounts on your Homeowners Insurance. If you are interested in a quotation for your home, give C.H. Edwards, Inc., a call and one of our courteous Homeowners Insurance Specialists will be happy to assist you. 516-249-5200 www.chedwards.net.

Written by: Amanda Haase