Author Archives: chedwards

The Inside Scoop of New York’s Fashion Week!

The Inside Scoop of New York’s Fashion Week!

ny fashion weejIt is currently an adult Disney world for the fashion gurus of the world on the streets of Manhattan. From the elaborate fashion shows to the A-list parties, New York is the place to be. New York Fashion Week is held twice-annually in September and February and consists of 7-9 days. These crucial 7-9 days will set the fashion trends for the following season. New York is one of five major fashion weeks, the other cities include Paris, London, Berlin and Milan.

Everyone from Karlie Kloss, Kendall Jenner and Naomi Campbell can be seen strutting down the runway. These and many more high fashion models, walked the runway for top designers such as Michael Kors, Oscar De La Renta and BCBGMAXAZRIA. Besides celebrities being seen on the runway, there are also tons of stars who attend these glamourous events. So if you are in New York, make sure to keep an eye open because you never know who you will see.

If you are looking to update your wardrobe and keep up with the latest trends for this upcoming fall, then here are some tips straight from the runways of New York Fashion Week. The first fashion tip is that florals are back! From pastel florals to black and white floral, this fun pattern is definitely a fall must have. The second tip is bold colors are in style and will make you stand out in any crowd. The last fashion tip is that cartoonish prints can be worn on anything. The theme of this fashion season is to just go with it. These new styles mix both fun and sophistication all in one wardrobe.

This fashion adventure doesn`t have to end when it leaves New York, you can follow this fashion journey via live stream. This can be viewed on NewYorkFashionWeekLive.com. Next stop is London.

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Remembering and Reflecting on the events of 9/11

Remembering and Reflecting on the events of 9/11

Sept  11 flagOn this day, September 11, 2014 many of us are reflecting on the events of September 11, 2001. 13 years later we are still filled with much of the emotion felt on that very day. As we send our students off to school, we try to prepare them for what they may hear today, or the moments of silence they may be asked to observe. Many of them were too young to understand that day, but today understand how the events of that day changed the way we live our lives.

We continue to feel the loss of that day. First responders continue to deal with illness as a result of their selfless heroics that day. Their families still continue to feel the loss as many of them are losing their battle with cancer. Young families faced with continuing on without their heroes. Many more families still deal with the outcome of this sudden tragedy. Today and everyday, we continue to feel their loss and the loss of a freedom we may have taken for granted. That day changed us forever.

Today’s blog is written in collaboration with our contributor Ben Kimmel. Ben completed the seven day gratefulness challenge today. In his final post on the subject, Ben clearly expresses his personal loss on September 11, 2001 and his feelings about living in this country. Although this is a personal story, it conveys the feeling and emotion shared by so many of us.

This is my final day of my gratefulness challenge and it falls on the anniversary of a terrible time. However, to be grateful in spite of threat is a victory.

1) Though I may not stand in a large crowd; I am grateful for the colors in our Flag and what it represents in my heart. I still believe in and love my country. I will not surrender and I will always remember because united we stand, but divided we fall.

2) I am fortunate that in this life, I knew Father Mychal Judge (Casualty#0001 9/11/01.) The loving kindness he showed has never left my memory. And though he died tragically; he died as I assume he would have wanted it to be. Father Mike died while issuing a man’s last rites.

He died while delivering one of the seven sacraments; while anointing the sick, he led the way for more than 3,000 souls lost on that September morning. I knew Father Mike well. And for this, I will always be grateful.

3) Since this is my final commitment to this challenge, I will be open and admit to the truth of my emotion. As I record my post today, September 11 2014, my eyes water with tears because I am a New Yorker and I was there. I remember. I sometimes forget emotion is truly a gift.

To feel, to live; to smile or weep means that I have ability in my heart. And though there are days when I wish I could turn cold or emotionless, I continue to feel, because this is who I am. And who I am above all is something to be grateful for.

I have learned the importance of friendship and I have also learned over the years that there are no friends like old friends.
Thank you for reading this very special blog today. We hope that it will share sorrow, bring comfort and serve as a reminder that this life changing event has made each of us stronger.

Written by Denise Visco and Ben Kimmel, The Written Addiction www.thewrittenaddiction.com

 

Celebrating the Hit TV Series “Friends” 20th Anniversary!

Celebrating the Hit TV Series “Friends” 20th Anniversary!

The anticipation is over and it`s official that there will be a celebration to honor the 20th anniversary of the legendary television series Friends. This is a huge step from when Courtney Cox boldly stated that there will be no such things as a reunion and that it is close to impossible to get the cast together for dinner. This statement quickly changed when the cast surprisingly got together for dinner this past month. During this dinner, their creative minds went to work and any loyal fan of Friends, will be more than impressed with the outcome.The conclusion of these ideas is a Central Perk pop-up coffee shop that will come to New York`s Soho area (199 Lafayette Street).

cperk14a (2)

This pop up cafe will be fully functioning and will be an exact replica of the set. Besides just being able to grab some coffee and admiring the set, there will also be many surprises. Some of these surprises include appearances by James Michael Tyler who guest starred on the show as the infamous barista, “Gunther”. This pop up cafe also includes photo ops, weekly in-store performances to improvised songs such as “Smelly Cat”, Friends themed merchandise and many contests and giveaways sponsored by Eight O’Clock Coffee brand.

The cafe will open its doors on Wednesday, September 17 and close on Saturday, October 18. The business hours for this pop up cafe will be, Monday-Fridays, 8:00 a.m. -8:00 p.m. and Saturdays- Sundays, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 .p.m. So now is your chance to relive a part of television history while enjoying a cup of coffee.

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

School’s Open-Please Drive Carefully!

School’s Open-Please Drive Carefully!

Summer is over and the kids are back at school. We are sharing the roads with school buses again. These buses carry our students to and from school in a safe and timely fashion. Let’s do our part by making an effort to share the road safely.school bus

Keep some simple safety tips in mind.
• When a school bus stops and the red lights are flashing, traffic in both directions must stop. This rule even applies on a divided highway or school parking lot.

• Students should always cross the street in front of the bus. Pay careful attention for this. Bus drivers will as well.

• Lights will continue to flash until the student has reached the other side of the road or if staying on the same side, is 15 feet from the bus.
This is not just a courtesy, it’s the law. New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (Section 1174) states that an illegal passing penalty for first time offenders carries a fine of between $250-$400, plus 5 points on your license and even the possibility of jail time. Points on your license can make it difficult to obtain new automobile insurance coverage or may increase the rate on your current policy.
We often drive to and from in a hurry to get to our destination. Make some extra time to practice safety.

Some areas of Long Island have installed School Zone Speed Cameras. These cameras were tested over the summer and warnings were issued. These cameras became activated on the first day of school and the violation now carries an $80 fine. Observe and Obey the speed limits in school zones.

Now you have the facts. Make this a safe and happy school year from your friends at C.H. Edwards, Inc. We offer all the insurance your family needs. Give us a call!

Written by: Denise Visco

 

Labor Day Morning.

Labor Day Morning.

Labor Day collage concepts

The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882. During this time, the city was in the early stages of electricity. Most worked 12-hour days or 60 hour workweeks. Children as young as six were allowed to work in factories, whereas today, children at the age of six cannot even play on their own front lawn without adult supervision.
I wonder if society then complained as much as we do now?

I admit it . . .

I want to quit sometimes. I don’t want to work the hours I work, and I’m tired. I have too many bosses and I am sure there are times when I curse them all. There are too many chiefs at my job and not enough Indians.
I get angry like the next guy and I complain, but no matter how much I complain, the job is still there and the workload never stops.
The way I see it, we all do time.
Whether our time is served behind a desk, swinging wrenches, or entering data; we are all slaved to a job in some way, shape, ort form. Whether we chose to serve our time in just ways or criminally, everyone has to work.
Even the lazy need to work. And I understand this may sound like a contradiction of terms; however, it often takes more steps to be lazy than it would to follow through and finish the task at hand.

I noticed a man at work pace in front of a cold water valve that needed to be changed in an empty tenant’s space. The space in question was the entire 11thfloor inside a commercial office building.
The valve had not been touched since 1926. Until this time, the piping and the valve had been encapsulated in terracotta, plaster, and cement behind one of the building’s water columns. This meant the column needed to be opened, the debris needed to be cleared, the valve removed, and to do this, the pipe would need to be cut.
First, the line needed to be secured by shutting the main supply valve at the top of its source. Next, the pipe needed to be drained, then cut, and then the remaining pipe needed to be threaded in place to fit a new fitting. In all, the steps to this job sound more troublesome than the job itself. But rather than follow through, I watched the man pace back and forth.
He devised a plan. He walked away from the job to fetch more tools. He came back, but he walked away again to fetch something else. Upon his return, the man was carrying more tools than needed. His boss stood at the water column with arms folded, red-faced, and angry.

He asked, “What the hell is taking you so long?”
“I had to get materials,” the man answered.
But his boss argued, “That’s bullshit! You’re just trying to waste time.”

So to oblige the man’s laziness after a brief argument, the pipe job was passed to someone else. As for the man, he was sent to a different job in the building. He was sent to paint inside a hot machine room next to the steam pipes for the remainder of the day.
And me, I was instructed to open the column and replace the valve, which took no more than an hour of my time. After completing the job, I went to gather the materials and clean up, but I was told, “Stop.”

“Someone else is going to do that,” said the boss.
Moments later, the other worker returned with sweat beading down his face. There was paint on his uniform and black soot on his forehead. As he collected the materials and cleaned the work space, I heard him mumble to himself, “It would have been easier if I just did the job myself.”
And I suppose he was right.

I used to spend a lot of time trying to figure an, “Easier, softer,” way.
Rather than put effort, I wasted years trying to come up with new plans to beat the system. Meanwhile, life gained momentum. Life continued and I fell behind. It would have been easier if I just served my time and did what I was supposed to do in the first place . . . but I was too busy being lazy.

The way I view my time and maintain my thoughts dictate whether I will succeed or fail. This also determines whether I will be miserable or happy. Whatever I decide to do for my living, either way, I’ll still have to serve time. I still have to work and I still have bills to pay.
Fortunately, our workweek is shorter than they were in 1882. And thankfully our pay has increased too.

God knows, I’m struggling to figure out how to pay my bills as it is.
Imagine what that would be like on $13.00 a week?
(That’s what my job would have paid in 1882)

Enjoy your Labor Day, folks

By Ben Kimmel, The Written Addiction

 

The Wizard of Oz’ Celebrates it’s 75th Anniversary!

The Wizard of Oz’ Celebrates it’s 75th Anniversary!

wizard-of-oz-original1The classic movie, ‘The Wizard Of Oz’ celebrates it`s 75th anniversary this month. Although the film industry has advanced quite a bit since then, this beloved film is still considered one of the greatest of all times. Here are some interesting and shocking facts of this classic film.

Although the costumes and makeup were considered to be elaborate and vibrant, they were considered to be dangerous! Buddy Ebsen, who played the role of the Tin Man, had to leave the film set due to his lungs becoming filled with aluminum dust. This issue was later fixed but still was considered to be a health risk. Another example of the danger caused by the make up, was the make up that Margaret Hamilton wore to portray the Wicked Witch . This copper based makeup was poisonous and she was put on a liquid diet during the film to prevent health problems.

One of the most famous dogs in film`s history to this day is Toto. Toto`s real name is Terry and is a female. Toto was paid $125 per week to appear in the film. Although she put in a lot more work, Judy Garland was paid $500 a week for her iconic role as Dorothy.

The debut of ‘The Wizard Of Oz’ was a huge success and will forever be recognized. This film was nominated for six Oscars. The film won two of those nominations. One Oscar was for its score and the other for the song “Over The rainbow”, which was almost cut from the film.

75 years seems like quite a bit of time but this film will always live on as an American favorite.

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Brad Paisley’s Country Nation Tour 2014 – Holmdel, NJ

Brad Paisley’s Country Nation Tour 2014 – Holmdel, NJ

IMG_20140822_232303This past Friday on August 22nd, one of country music’s finest, Brad Paisley played at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey on his Country Nation Tour. Not only did Brad put on an amazing show but Charlie Worsham, Leah Turner and Randy Houser opened the tour with some of their amazing hit songs!

After Randy Houser’s outstanding performance, Brad Paisley walked on the stage and had the crowd going wild as he opened his performance with “Moonshine in the Trunk” from his new album. Not only did Brad keep everyone singing along but kept everyone laughing too! Brad was very laid back and had the audience cracking up while making jokes and just being him self. While showing off his amazing skills in playing guitar, Brad took a marker, signed his guitar and gave it away to a little girl in the front row who cheered Brad on the whole show! As girls in the crowd admired him, he had no problem taking their phones and snapping a few “selfies” during the middle of the show with them.

As he closed his show with his hit songs “Mud on Tires” and “River Bank” the audience was still in aw on how astonishing the concert was.

Brad isn’t just an all time amazing country artist but truly an amazing human being as well.

Written by: Amanda Haase                                                                                                                                                                           

MTV Video Music Awards Unfolded!

MTV Video Music Awards Unfolded!

mtv-vma-winners-highsnobiety-0Music fans everywhere are anticipating the craziness that will unfold during the MTV Video Music Awards. The show takes place on August 24th and will air live at 9:00 p.m. This annual event recognizes the top performers from the past year. Some of the nominees include Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Sia, Pharrell, Iggy Azalea and 5sos. Along with the awards, there will be performances by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce/Jay Z and also Sam Smith. From the amazing line up to the talented nominees, this show is definitely going to be one of a kind.

The MTV Video Music Awards never fails to surprise the audience. In 2013, some VMA highlights include `N sync reuniting, Miley Cyrus and Robin Thickes` insane and shocking performance to Miley`s hit song “We Cant Stop” and also Katy Perry`s knock out performance to her song “Roar”. Even though the awards show has moved from the Barclay Center in Brooklyn back to sunny California, the show will be nothing short of entertaining.

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

 

Does your Child have Food Allergies? Be Prepared for this School Year!

Does your Child have Food Allergies? Be Prepared for this School Year!

alergyWith the new school year approaching, it is important to know your children’s allergies to food.

According to studies released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased 50% between 1997 and 2011. A food allergy can start at any age! Common foods to watch out for with children are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish.

Before sending your child off to school for the first day, prepare yourself early to ensure that your child’s allergies are properly being taken care of throughout the school year.

Start Early: Don’t wait until the first day of the school year to start planning. During summer vacation advise your child’s upcoming teacher as well as the school nurse of your child’s allergies to foods and medications.

Get a doctors letter: At your child’s yearly checkup, request a letter stating what your child is allergic to. Keep a copy for yourself and also provide a copy for the teacher and nurse to keep on file.

Make an emergency contact sheet: Send your child to school with an emergency contact sheet, listing all numbers that someone can be reached at in case of an emergency.

Children who have peanut allergies: If you have a child who has a peanut allergy, talk to the school and see if “Peanut-free” classrooms are available.

Food allergies can be scary, being prepared is the best thing for your child and you.

Have a safe school year from C.H. Edwards!

Written by: Amanda Haase

 

 

Attention Business Owners!  Does your Business Insurance have these 5 Important Coverage’s?

Attention Business Owners! Does your Business Insurance have these 5 Important Coverage’s?

business 1As a business owner, you probably already have a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) to provide protection for your property, Liability coverage for third parties, Workers Compensation for your employees, Auto coverage for business vehicles as well as health insurance.

There are some other coverage’s that you may be over looking to offer the optimum protection.

1. Business Interruption Coverage-What happens if your business experiences a catastrophe? In order to have the funds available to continue to run your business and to pay your employees during this time, you will want this coverage.

2. Employment Practices Liability Insurance-This coverage protects against employees making claims for discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, or some other alleged wrong. Having the funds to pay for damages resulting from such claims would come from carrying this coverage.

3. Errors and Omissions Coverage-This coverage protects from claims by clients that your business performed negligently or failed to do something they should not have done. This coverage is not limited to Doctors and Lawyers, just about anyone in business can obtain errors and omissions (E &O) coverage.

4. Personal Umbrella Policy-If you are a sole business owner or a general partner, be aware that your assets can be attached to any debt the business acquires. You will want extra protection for this and that can be offered with a Personal Umbrella.

5. Workers Compensation and Disability for Yourself-Most states do not require this coverage for business owners and partners. New York State does not, but it does require a Corporation to cover employees Workers Compensation and Disability. This gives you an added measure of protection if you are injured on the job.

This is a brief overview of some additional business coverage’s that you should be carrying. If these coverage’s have not been discussed with you when setting up your current policy, this is probably a good time to review your coverage.

C.H. Edwards, Inc. has experienced and knowledgeable specialists in the area of Commercial Insurance that can assist you in creating a policy that best fits the needs of your business. Give us a call today at 516-249-5200, and put the future of your business in our hands!

Written by: Denise Visco