Author Archives: chedwards
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
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
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
Child Passenger Safety Awareness
Did you know, that motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death among children ages 1 to 19? Although this is a leading cause, there are many ways that we can prevent injury and death among children, while they are passengers in our vehicles.
Here are some helpful safety tips to follow when driving with your child(ren):
- Tug on your kid’s car seat where the seat belt goes. If it moves more than 1 inch at the base, be sure to tighten it.
- Make sure your child is using the proper car seat. Using the proper seating based on your child’s age can very well save their life in case of a crash. You can view proper car seat choices at http://www.safercar.gov/parents/CarSeats/Right-Car-Seat-Age-Size.htm.
- Make sure your child’s car seat is installed properly. Studies show that about 75 percent of car seats are improperly installed. To properly install your car seat, carefully follow the instructions that come with your seat. After installing your car seat, be sure to get it inspected. You can find local inspection sites near you at http://www.safercar.gov/cpsApp/cps/index.htm.
- DO NOT text and drive. Not only does texting and driving put you and your child’s life at risk, but it teaches young ones, bad habits. Avoid being distracted by beeps and buzzes by putting your phone in airplane mode, turning the volume down or completely turning it off.
- Never leave children alone in or around cars. More than 600 children died from heatstroke in vehicles between 1998 and 2013. Many children also die from playing near cars and getting struck by a car backing up. Be sure that you know where your children are at all times when traveling with them.
Please be cautious, attentive, and safety minded with children. Not only can you help make sure they are safe in and around vehicles, but you can save their life.
For more information on child passenger safety please visit http://www.safercar.gov/parents/index.htm.
Written by: Amanda Haase
