It’s Election Day! Are You Registered To Vote?
It’s Election Day! Are you registered to vote? If not, make today the day you register.
In order to participate in New York State or federal elections, you must register to vote either through Department of Motor Vehicle or New York Board of Elections.
In order to vote in New York State you must:
• Be a U.S. citizen (or born in Puerto Rico, Guam, or U.S. Virgin Islands).
• Be 18 years old by December 31st of the year that you register.
• NOTE: You must be 18 years old by the date of the election in order to vote.
• NOT be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction.
• NOT be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court.
• NOT claim the right to vote elsewhere.
Note that in order to be eligible to vote, you must register 25 days before the next election. In New York, you can register to vote online, in person, or by mail. You cannot register to vote by phone.
For more information on voting and registering to vote visit http://www.dmv.org/ny-new-york/voter-registration.php.
Written by: Amanda Haase
Do you have a case of the Winter Blues?
The winter weather is here and the days are getting shorter. You may be feeling down, sleepy or even like there is nothing to do.
Winter blues is still a mystery to scientists who study it. Most people who suffer from “seasonal affective disorder” are experiencing depression like symptoms due to a lack of sunlight and a “phase shift”. The wall clock might be saying its time to get up but your body is telling you otherwise.
It is important that during these winter months you are finding activities to keep you busy and help lift your spirits.
Get involved with your community: Joining a church group or even doing community service can lift your spirits and get you out of the house.
Join a gym: Joining a gym benefits you in many ways. Not only does it get you out of the house and moving, but exercise relieves stress and also helps you establish a weight loss goal.
Wear bright colors: Wearing bright colors simply brightens your mood! Scientist say that there is a link between feeling optimistic and sporting bright colors. Give it a try!
Force yourself outside: Going outside for a brisk walk or even just to sit on your porch with a cup of hot cocoa will brighten your day and help you connect with nature.
Hang out with friends and family: Hanging out with friends and family regularly will keep you optimistic. Go out and get a bite to eat or even invite friends and family over to spend the day with them.
Challenge yourself: Giving yourself a challenge will help keep your mind busy and entertained. Find projects around the house like organizing your pantry or even cleaning out your closet or re-doing your bedroom, bathroom or kitchen.
Avoid the winter blues and keep in touch with life and nature. Remember, it’s the little things in life that keep us happy!
Written by: Amanda Haase
What Does Thanksgiving Mean To You?
As Thanksgiving rapidly approaches, we tend to get caught up in the preparations of the meal, watching of parades and sporting events and spending time with family and friends. For some, the planning and strategizing for shopping the sales of Black Friday and Cyber Monday consume our thoughts. Have we forgotten the real reason we celebrate Thanksgiving?
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated as a way for the Pilgrims to give thanks for the opportunity to begin a life in the New World. To get to this day, many survived illness and the restriction of freedoms that we now take for granted.
Thanksgiving is the one day a year set aside to give thanks. So what are you thankful for? This is a question that for many can bring about a storm of emotion. This question means something different to everyone.
In recent years, I made a choice to include my closest friends at my family table because close friends are as important to me as family. I am thankful for the opportunity to make this possible.
Thanksgiving is a time of reflection for me. I think of those no longer with me to celebrate the holidays and the memories of years gone by. I am thankful for my husband whose love and support I could not live without, my children who teach me what the meaning of love is every day, my family that remind me of where I started and how far we have come, my friends who support me in good times and difficult times and for the opportunities that I have been afforded to make this life one that I am proud of and happy to share with the people I care about.
However you decide to celebrate this year, I urge you to take time to remember why it is that we celebrate this day and to make thankfulness a part of each day not just Thanksgiving. In this fast paced world that we live in, it is too easy to forget to take time to slow down and remember just how we got here.
The Management and Staff of C.H. Edwards, Inc. would like to extend our best wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving filled with the opportunity to make memories with those you cherish the most!
Written by: Denise Visco
Flu Season is Here. Learn Ways to Help Prevent the Flu Virus from Hitting You This Season.
It’s that time of year again, Flu Season. Unfortunately, as humans there is nothing we can do to completely stop the flu virus from entering our systems, but we can attempt to prevent it!
Here are some steps you can take in your daily life to help protect you from getting the flu. Simple things such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or a hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, (germs are spread very easily this way).
- Try to avoiding close contact with sick people, such as relatives and friends.
- Practice good health habits such as getting enough sleep and exercising.
- Drink plenty of fluids like water and juices high in Vitamin C.
- Vitamin D which you can get from the sun should be supplemented.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine. It is best to play it safe and not spread to those around you such as at work or school.
Aside from practicing these simple habits for preventing the flu virus, it is also a good idea to consider and talk to your doctor about getting the Flu Vaccination as well as taking preventive antiviral medications.
People most at risk are:
- People 65 or older.
- Young children .
- Pregnant women.
- People with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart an lung diseases.
- Healthcare workers that is more likely to care for flu victims and come into contact with the flu virus.
Symptoms to look out for during flu season are:
- A 100oF or higher fever or feeling feverish (not everyone with the flu has a fever).
- A cough and/or sore throat.
- A runny or stuffy nose.
- Headaches and/or body aches.
- Chills.
- Fatigue.
- Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children).
If at anytime you experience any of these symptoms you should visit your doctor immediately to seek treatment.
The Flu Virus is a virus that the body usually fight’s on its own. The best way to treat the Flu is:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink clear fluids like water, broth, sports drinks, or electrolyte beverages to prevent becoming dehydrated.
- Place a cool, damp washcloth on your forehead, arms, and legs to reduce discomfort associated with a fever.
- Put a humidifier in your room to make breathing easier.
- Gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat.
- Cover up with a warm blanket to calm chills.
- If necessary over the counter medications may be helpful.
Stay in control of your health this Flu Season and take precautions when coming in contact with others. C.H. Edwards, wishes you healthy, Holiday Season!
Written by: Amanda Haase & Denise Visco
It’s Hunting Season on Long Island. Are you prepared?
As the weather gets colder, many hunters on Long Island are searching for property on which to hunt. At the same time, landowners are asking themselves, should they allow hunters access to their land.
If you are a landowner and plan on allowing hunting access on your property, it is essential to know the importance of obtaining a Hunting lease.
A typical hunting lease will draw up the following agreement terms:
- Whether or not the hunter will pay a fee or exchange a service in exchange for the use of land
- What time of day is the hunter permitted to use the land
- What section of the property is the hunter allowed to use
- Whether the hunter is allowed to bring along friends and family to hunt
- If there are any restrictions regarding firearms or bows that may be used on the property
- Whether or not the hunter may use a tree stand
All agreements that are shown on a hunting lease are valuable things to have down in writing. Not only is it protecting the landowner, but the hunter as well.
In addition to obtaining a hunting lease it is important to know what the hunter’s intensions are after killing an animal. Make sure that the hunter is not killing “just to kill” but will use the animal for some means of use. (Not that they leave the animal on your property) Maintain a good relationship with the hunters using your land. It is best to communicate and be aware of the activities going on, on your property during hunting season.
Protect yourself and your land this hunting season. Review your Homeowners and property coverage with your insurance agent to find out what is covered in case of a mishap. If you are not satisfied with your current insurance coverage, call C.H. Edwards, Inc. and our personal lines representative will be happy to help find you coverage that fits you.
Written by: Amanda Haase
Nick Jonas is Back In Action!
The youngest Jonas Brother is back in action and just released his second solo album. Nick Jonas is reinventing both his look and sound on this album. Two of his singles are already released and titled “Chains” and “Jealous”. This album is considered to be more polished, slowed-down, and sensual version of the pop he’s used to making. “Chains” is a slow song that still has an infectiou
s hook as its centerpiece. “Jealous,” the second single from the album, recently reached No. 27 on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart.
Nick Jonas rocked the stage at the Gramercy Theatre on November 4th as a part of his solo tour. He sang songs from his new album along with his previous album. The whole crowd sang a long to every song he sang. I was lucky enough to be in the crowd. After the show, I then attended the post show toast. I got the chance to meet Nick and talk to him for a few minutes. He was extremely friendly and interacted with all his fans.
Written by: Sandra Costanzo
Get The Inside Scoop on Taylor Swifts New Album!
Good news for all Taylor Swift fans!!! The wait is finally over and her new album is finally here! Taylor is set to release her 5th album on October 27, 2014. The album is titled 1989 after her birth year. So far, two songs have been released. One of the released songs is her new single Shake It Off and the second song is titled Out Of The Woods. Both these songs have already made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the short time that the
y have been released. This album is in collaboration with producers Max Martin and Shellback and is considered to be her first documented pop album. Along with her other albums, Taylor is completely hands on with the making of her albums and either completely writes her songs or co writes them. During an interview with Rolling Stone, Swift mentioned that one of the songs on the album was taken “straight from the pages of my journal”. Taylor is an artist that writes from personal experience and relates to many different audiences. Her unique style can go from a slow acoustic song to a song that the whole crowd will be singing and dancing to at one of her concerts. This album has a 90s pop feel and is sure to have anyone dancing around. This definitely is not an album to miss!
Written by: Sandra Costanzo
The Reopening of the World Trade Center
On November 3rd, 2014, New York City proved once again that it can unite and overcome anything. After 13 years, One world Trade
Center reopened. The 104-story, $3.9 billion skyscraper opened Monday as the publishing giant began its move from Times Square to downtown. The official opening of the building marks the end of a long process to rebuild the site following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The first company to move into the Freedom Towers was publishing giant Condé Nast. They were the first out of 3,400 employees to move into the 104-story, $3.9 billion skyscraper that is the centerpiece of the 16-acre site. The company’s chief executive Chuck Townsend stated, “This is a terrific day for Lower Manhattan, a wonderful day for New York City, and a great day for Condé Nast.” I couldn’t agree with him more. I was in Manhattan that day and felt great pride as I passed the Freedom Tower all lit up out of my cab window.
Written by: Sandra Costanzo
It’s the Season for Halloween Tricks and Pranks. Are you protected?
It’s the Halloween season. Time for the young ones to choose costumes, go to parties and enjoy a day of trick or treating. It is often considered the “right time” for older kids to get into mischief. Does your insurance protect you from this mischief?
Vandalism to your Home: A standard homeowners or renters policy provides this coverage. There will be a deductible before your policy starts to pay, but if you suffer expensive damage to your home or possessions you may be financially protected.
You wake up to toilet paper all over your property: Toilet-papering may not do any harm to your property, but if the pranksters damage your property in the process, you may be covered.
Your car is vandalized with eggs/shaving cream/pumpkins: The mess can be removed with a simple car wash so you won’t reach your deductible. If your car receives more extensive damage which would require repair, you should be covered under your automobile insurance as long as you carry comprehensive coverage.
Your home is burglarized: If your home is burglarized on Halloween, your homeowner policy will cover theft of any belongings as well as any damage that occurs because of a break-in. Your deductible must be met first. Keep in mind that you will be required to provide proof of ownership of the stolen items. This is a good time to think about a video inventory or establishing a system of saving receipts for all of your expensive belongings.
The above are the most common tricks of Halloween that might cause harm to you or your home. There are some simple things you can do to protect your property.
-Keeps outside lights on. This may deter someone from vandalizing your property
-Speak to your kids about the difference between having fun and causing damage to a person’s property
-Try and find organized Halloween events to keep kids safe while having fun
Are you interested in finding out what is covered and what is not on your auto, home owners or renter’s policy? Are you looking to find out if your current policy is offering you the best coverage at the most competitive price? Call C.H. Edwards, Inc. at 516-249-5200.
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween.