info@chedwards.net   (516) 249-5200
Menu

Blog

Ben and Jerry`s ice cream just got even more sweet!

Ben and Jerry`s ice cream just got even more sweet!

 

Just when you thought Ben and Jerry`s couldn’t get any sweeter they kick it to the next level. Just in time for the beautiful spring weather approaching, three new ice cream flavors are being launched.  Brownie Batter Core, Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Core, and Coconuts for Caramel Core are the newest additions to the Ben and Jerry`s ice cream selection.

These new flavors belong to the “Core” series. Which take ice cream to the next level by having a center made of pure deliciousness. If you’re not familiar, it is usually caramel or fudge or whatever best pairs with the ice cream flavor.

Now back to these three amazing new flavors! If you are the kind of person who always finds yourself sneaking the extra brownie batter from the bowl, then Brownie Batter Core is perfect for you. This pint is filled with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, brownie chunks and wait for it…. unbaked brownie batter as the core. The next flavor is perfect for the type of person who loves both cheesecake and cookies and crème but doesn’t always have a cheesecake around when the craving hits. The Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Core is the perfect treat to keep in your freezer for that craving and whenever it hits. The last flavor will leave you anxiously waiting for long summer days with the mix of caramel and sweet cream ice cream, fudge flakes and a caramel core. Since it is not quite summer yet, this sweet treat is the perfect substitution.

Ice cream season is officially here and what better way than to kick it off with some new exciting ice cream flavors. Now that you know the inside scoop on these flavors, the hardest part is picking which one to try first.

 

Officer Hopps is here for duty and to save Zootopia

Officer Hopps is here for duty and to save Zootopia

From the largest elephant to the smallest bunny, the city of Zootopia is a place where all mammals come to live and thrive. This mammal metropolis might seem like a fairytale land but every city has its crime.  In this case it is up to the Zootopia police to keep this city as safe as can be. Despite the obstacles faced, Judy Hopps defeated the odds by becoming the first bunny cop. It doesn’t take long for her to realize how tough the police force would be. This very eager bunny is determined to prove herself and solve one of the toughest cases in the city. Her journey faces many twists and turns as she is accompanied by her self-picked partner, Nick Wilde. This 3-D phenomenon is perfect for audiences of all ages. I even enjoyed it this past weekend myself! Grab your popcorn and 3- D glasses because this is something you don’t want to miss.

To unlock or not unlock, that is the question!

To unlock or not unlock, that is the question!

How would you feel if your iPhone was unlocked? It would probably make you feel like your privacy was invaded. But would you feel differently if the protection of privacy rights were revoked due to the safety of the general public? This is currently one of the issues occurring between Apple and the United States government.  This debate has occurred on other occasions but is being brought to the service one more time. This time in response to the San Bernardino families request. The incident that occurred in California was at the Inland Regional Center on December 2nd, 2015. At this time there was an office party going on and 14 people were killed due to a terror attack involving the spraying of gunfire. Mark Sandefeur is one of the victim`s father and he is not giving in on this ongoing battle.

There are many ways to look at this issue but what it comes down to is, the decision to unlock a deceased terrorists phone or keep it locked due to privacy laws. One way of looking at this current issue is that there may be content in the phone that can lead to new information such as contacts and even other planned events.  “Recovery of information from the iPhone in question may not lead to anything new. But, what if there is evidence pointing to a third shooter? What if it leads to an unknown terrorist cell?”  This was stated by Sandefur in a letter to Apple’s chief executive. Mark Sandefeur is not the only one acting against this issue, there has been several attempts at getting the FBI to join with Apple to prevent these tragedies. Since this is such an in-depth issue, this debate is still on going.

The other way that this is being looked at is if this phone is unlocked then where does it stop? Since it is technically an invasion of privacy, once it is done once then who knows where it will stop.

Although both sides have several valid points, what side do you take? How would you feel if your phone was invaded? Or do you feel it is different since it is a safety issue?

 

The horror continues all year at Universal Studios!

The horror continues all year at Universal Studios!

The freight fest continues all year with Universal Studios newest attraction.  Now you won’t have to wait till Halloween Horror nights to get your fix of the Walking Dead. This post-apocalyptic world will be in Universal studios Hollywood location.

The Walking Dead will come back to life in this intense attraction which will include live performers with animatronic and special effects. Famous visual effects artist Greg Nicotero, who frequents as the shows director will be heavily involved on the creation of this gruesome attraction. “There are moments from the television show that we’ll get a chance to recreate much more faithfully than we would in a maze,” says Nicotero. “You’ll get some great opportunities to see things from Season 1 and some stuff from Seasons 3 and 4. It’s a little bit of a walk down memory lane for us.” This scary nightmare is about to become a reality and the zombies are more than ready.

Don’t let the zombies get you when this attraction comes back to life this upcoming summer. Joining the invasion of zombies is several other celebratory attractions. The Fast and The Furious, The Simpsons and Harry Potter franchises are just a few new attractions hitting Universal Studios in the near future.

The flowers have sprung at the Disney Flower and Garden Festival!

The flowers have sprung at the Disney Flower and Garden Festival!

Spring has sprung and so have the flowers at Disney World`s Flower and Garden Festival.  This festival of flowers, food and fun will run from March 2nd, 2016 to May 30,2016 and is definitely something to add to your Disney bucket list.

Characters and iconic Disney scenes come to life as Epcot transforms to a garden wonderland.  These 90 days at Epcot will be filled with classic traditions of the festival along with new ones. Some exciting things you’ll find is the Garden Rocks Concert Series. This series includes Darlene Love and The Georgia Satellites, as well as returning favorites. There will also be a new kids play ground called The Harmony Gardens Musical Playground. You’ll also find new outdoor kitchens and also new menu items. The two newest kitchens include La Isla Fresca serving up Jamaican food along with the Cider House. These two new kitchens will join the 11 other booths serving up all kinds of delicious foods from the World Showcase. And you’ll also see flowers galore. From themed flower gardens to topiaries to life size figurines of Disney characters!

If you think this flower crazy event is unbelievable, here are three fun facts that will blow your mind. The first fun fact is more than 500,000 plants, trees and shrubs are planted for the festival; 250,000 of those are annual blossoms installed for the festival. The second fun fact is Festival plants include 60 different species of trees, 47 types of palms, and 48 varieties of bedding plants. And the last fun fact is it takes more than one full year and about 24,000 cast member hours to prepare for the annual festival.

What can be better than spring, flowers in the shapes of Disney characters, scrumptious food and great music? This year’s Flower and Garden Festival has that all covered for you and more. If you are heading down to Disney this Spring, this is definitely something worth seeing.

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