Boston vs. New York – Fun Facts

Superbowl Sunday is almost here.  New York Giants vs New England Patriots.  How do the teams hometowns match up?

According to the Census Bureau :

1. New York is the most populous city.  Boston is #22.
2. Boston workers average 28.4 minutes to get to work, New Yorkers average 38.7 minutes, over 35% longer. 
3. 49.2% of NY residents age 5 and older speak a language other than English at home.  In Boston it’s 35.5%.
4.  Median household income in New York is $48,743; in Boston, it’s $49,893.

The FBI’s top story for New York is “Five Mafia Members Arrested”.  In Boston, “East Longmeadow man convicted of Insider trading”.

The website 50states.com has these fun facts to share:

New York:

• The first American chess tournament was held in New York in 1843.
• The “New York Post” established in 1803 by Alexander Hamilton is the oldest running newspaper in the United States.
• The first capital of the United States was New York City. In 1789 George Washington took his oath as president on the balcony at Federal Hall.

Boston:

• 1634: Boston Common became the first public park in America.
• Boston built the first subway system in the United States in 1897
• The signs along the Massachusetts Turnpike reading “x miles to Boston” refer to the distance from that point to the gold dome of the state house.

Here’s hoping the New England Patriots’ trip to the end zone is like that of our commuters…35% faster.

 

Does your Credit Score Matter for MA Auto Insurance?

Photo courtesy of Clker.com

Approximately 40 states allow the use of credit in rating. (Rating is about how much premium to charge you. Underwriting is about deciding whether or not to accept your business and issue you a policy.)  Effective, November 22, 2011, Massachusetts is one of the states that prohibits use of credit information by law. Although it was prohibited by regulation previously, a regulator could amend or repeal the prohibition. Now that it’s a law, only the legislators and governor could amend or prohibit the practice, providing much more stability for the consumer.

This is a very hot issue in the insurance world because many believe it’s a discriminatory process that doesn’t prove whether or not a driver is a good or bad risk. The majority of states do not allow credit rating to be used as the sole reason for rating/underwriting, but many still allow it as part of the company’s process.

According to the MA division of insurance, the key items that go into your pricing are: driving record, type and number of at-fault accidents and traffic violations, the vehicle your drive and the main place where you keep your car. The cannot use sex, marital status, race , creed, national origin, religion, age (except for safe drivers who are 65 years or older), occupation, income, education, and home ownership status.

Key Thing to Note: A ticket for an expired inspection sticker is a surchargable even and can increase your insurance premium for up to six years.

10 tips for preventing home heating fires

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths.  Please take the time to go through their 10 point checklist to keep you, your family and pets safe this winter.

1. Our furnace is inspected and serviced once every 12 months by a qualified professional.
2. Our chimneys and vents are inspected and cleaned by a qualified professional at least once during the 12 month period.  We have checked for creosote build up.
3. Our wood for our fireplace and/or wood stove is dry, seasoned wood.
4. Our fireplace screen is metal or heat-tempered glass, in good condition and secure in its position in front of the fireplace.
5. We have a covered metal container ready to use to dispose cooled ashes. (The ash container should be kept at least 10 feet from the home and any nearby buildings.)
6. Our children know to stay at least 3 feet away from the fireplace, wood/pellet stove, oil stove or other space heaters.
7. Our portable space heaters have an automatic shut-off.
8. Our portable space heaters will be plugged directly into an outlet (not an extension cord) and placed at least three feet from anything that can burn; like bedding, paper, walls, and even people. (Place notes throughout your home to remind you to turn-off portable heaters when you leave a room or go to bed.)
9. We have tested our smoke alarms and made sure they are working. (You need a smoke alarm on every level of the home, inside each bedroom and outside each sleeping area. For the best protection, the smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.)
10. We have tested our carbon monoxide alarms and made sure they are working. (Carbon monoxide alarms should be located outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.)

Fun Holiday Events in December

Looking for a way to enjoy the spirit of the holidays?  Here are some ideas from the Metro South Chamber of Commerce :

1. Attend “The Only Christmas Pageant in Town”- December 2nd, 3rd & 4th

Massasoit Community College Theatre Company is pleased to present for one weekend only, “The Only Christmas Pageant in Town”. Hiring a flashy Hollywood Theatre Troupe for the annual Christmas Pageant may not have been Olive’s best idea. Come see how this small town learns the true meaning of Christmas in this campy one act presented for one weekend only. Show dates are Friday, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m. & Sunday December 4th at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are only $10 General Admission, which also gets you a picture with Santa Claus emailed to you! For more information, call 508-427-1234.

2. Jingle Bell Run – December 3rd

The 13th annual City of Champions Jingle Bell Run, a 2 mile fun run/walk to benefit the Enterprise Helping Hands Fund, will take place on Saturday, Dec. 3rd at the Conference Center at Massasoit, 770 Crescent Street. Registration for the race begins at 12 p.m., and the race starts at 1:00 p.m. The entry fee is $20 for adults (cash or check accepted) and $10 or a new, unwrapped toy for children age 12 and younger interested in participating.  Festive holiday costumes are encouraged.  For more information, call Dave Gorman at (508) 588-3148.

3.Experience Irish Christmas – December 3rd

Join the Irish Cultural Centre on December 3rd at 8:00 am or 10:00 a.m. for a traditional Irish breakfast, a visit with Santa (opportunity to take your own photo!), a holiday reading with Mrs. Claus and much more for the whole family.  Breakfast includes a full hot buffet with kid friendly items like chocolate chip pancakes, whipped cream and fresh fruit. Tickets are $12 per person (children under 3 are free). To purchase tickets please call the ICC office at 781-821-8291. For more information visit, www.irishculture.org

4. The 28th Annual East Bridgewater Christmas Parade – December 3rd

The 28th annual Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Common sponsored by the East Bridgewater Kiwanis Club will be held on Saturday, December 3rd. There will be a crafts show at East Bridgewater High School from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The parade steps off from Spring Street at 10:00 a.m. and travels through the center to the town common. The parade is followed by a gathering on the common which will feature raffles, food, prizes, and a charitable Christmas tree and wreath sale.

5. Brockton Symphony “Holiday Pops”- December 4th

Join the Brockton Symphony Orchestra for a Holiday Pops concert on Sunday, December 4th at 3:00 p.m. featuring 11-year-old violinist Ilana Zaks, 2010 Feinberg honorable mention, mezzo-soprano, Sophie Michaux and Brockton’s South Middle School Chorus. The concert will be held at the West Middle School Auditorium, located at 271 West Street, Brockton. For more information please call 508-588-3841 or visit www.brocktonsymphony.org

6. Holiday Hand Bell Concert - December 4th

Ring in the season with the Unity Church Handbell Choir in the ornate two-story library of the Ames Mansion on Sunday, December 4th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  The concert is part of Borderland’s year-long centennial celebration.   
Refreshments will be served at this popular annual event, and parking will be available at the mansion. Tickets are $8 per person for members of Friends of Borderlands and $10 per person for nonmembers. There is limited seating – first-come, first-seated. Rain or shine. Sponsored by Friends of Borderland and the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information visit,  
www.friendsofborderland.org

7. Historic Holiday House Tour – December 9th & 10th

The Brockton Garden Club presents “Holiday Traditions and Transitions,” a festive and historical holiday house tour on Friday, December 9th from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 10th from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the former Packard Estate, located at 276 Prospect Street, Brockton. Tickets are $15.00 in advance ($20.00 at the door) and can be purchased at John’s Greenhouse, Alexander’s Restaurant or by contacting Ellen at 508-857-5595. For more information visit, www.brocktongc.org

8. Stoughton’s Annual Christmas Parade – December 11th

The Stoughton Community Events Committee invites you to attend the Annual Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 11th. The parade will start at 2:00 pm at Stoughton High School, turn left onto Pearl Street, turn right onto Central Street, turn right onto Washington Street, bear left onto Park Street, and end at Walnut Street. Take in the view from bleachers which will be set up in Stoughton center. After the Parade, visit with Santa in the gazebo in Faxon Park. For more information visit,www.stoughtoncommunityevents.org

9. Learn about Holidays Around the World – December 12th

The Brockton Public Library will host a “Holidays Around the World” event on Monday, December 12th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The library is located at 304 Main Street, Brockton. This event is free and includes special guests, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Santa Claus, too. For more information contact Malice Veiga at 508-580-7890, ext. 205 or visit www.eventkeeper.com

10. Breakfast with Santa – December 17th

The Brockton Library Foundation will host a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 17th, from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Main Library located at 304 Main Street. Tickets are $3.00 at the door and all proceeds will go to supporting children’s programs. For more information call 508-580-7890 or visit,www.eventkeeper.com

Photo courtesy of Jack Berry

4 Reasons to buy a Fresh Christmas Tree & Where to Find One

While some will be grabbing those Black Friday deals, others will start decorating for Christmas, and some will have the post-Thanksgiving will to do both.  For those of you hoping to put up your tree this weekend, we have some thought-provoking facts for the selection of  your tree.

According to Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association the top four reasons to select a fresh tree are:

1. Real Christmas trees benefit the environment - One acre of Christmas trees provides enough fresh oxygen for eighteen people.
2. Real Christmas trees are renewable - Christmas trees are grown as a farm crop for the primary purpose of harvest.
3. Real Christmas trees are recyclable - Over 80% of  artificial trees are from China.  The average family uses the tree for six to nine years.  The trees remain in the landfill for centuries.
4. Real Christmas trees help preserve green space -Tree farms preserve open space and provide homes for birds, insects and wildlife.

If you’d like the opportunity to visit a tree farm and select and cut down your own tree, follow this link to find a farm in your area: http://www.christmas-trees.org/retailers-county.htm.

Warm wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Smith Buckley and Hunt!

School is Back in Session ~ Drive Safe!!

With most schools back in session this week, we would like to remind all motorists to slow down!!  Many children are standing at bus stops, walking or riding their bikes to school.  It is our responsibility behind the wheel to slow down & drive cautiously.  Give yourself a few extra minutes in the morning & try to be patient as these bus drivers get used to their new routes.  Be aware of the flashing lights & be sure to stop a safe distance away from the bus. 

This is also a good time to remind everyone that Massachusetts Law states No Texting While Driving!  If you are texting while driving, you are not paying full attention to other vehicles or pedestrians around you and this is when accidents happen.  Put your cellphone away in a safe spot while driving so that you are not tempted to text, nothing is more important than your safety & the safety of others.  This is not just good advice, it is the law!

Just as you keep your car protected with the appropriate Massachusetts Car Insurance policy, you need to keep yourself & others safe while you are driving.

Hurricane Clean up & Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance

Hurricane Irene has come & gone.  Even though this hurricane was pretty much downgraded to a tropical storm when it hit Massachusetts, there is still plenty of clean up to be done & damages to be repaired.  Many trees are down & power outages are everywhere.  We should consider ourselves fortunate that we did not get the worst of this damaging hurricane in Massachusetts.

Do you have any damage to your home from downed trees or any other structural damage to your home?  It is very important to document any damage done to your home during Hurricane Irene.  Be sure to take plenty of pictures, video and start to look for receipts that may be needed to process claims to your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance policy.

How about flooding?  Did you have any water damage to your home?  Hopefully you have listened to our past advice & you have purchased the appropriate Massachusetts Flood Insurance policy for your home (it would have had to be at least 30 days before this hurricane hit).  Again document all damage which has been done to your home.

Call us today to discuss any questions you may have or claims you may need to file on your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance policy.  We would be happy to assist you.  1-888-637-8579

Preparing for Hurricane Irene?

What’s summer in the Northeast without the threat of major hurricanes?  Well here is a good picture of her, Irene, this week’s hurricane threat for the Northeast.  While we are all hoping and praying that she just blows off to sea, at this point that is unlikely.  Whether we like it or not, it’s time to prepare!

Here is some great information, safety tips & ways to prepare from FEMA http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html

Your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance policy will cover damage from Hurricane winds.  However the only way you will be covered for flooding is if you have purchased the appropriate Flood Insurance policy.  Hopefully you have listened to our advice about Flood Insurance in the past & you have purchased the coverage & are prepared.   

Please always remember that your safety & the safety of your loved ones should always be your number 1 priority.  In order to stay safe, you need to be prepared.  Be sure to follow FEMAs guidelines closely.

If you have any questions regarding your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance or Massachusetts Flood Insurance policies, please feel free to call our office.  We would be more than happy to help!   1-888-637-8579

Earthquakes on the East Coast?!

Earthquakes on the East Coast today!!!  The Earthquake that hit the Virginia area was the largest earthquake to hit the East Coast since 1944.  Sending tremors all the way to Massachusetts!  Was this the Big One?  Or are more Earthquakes expected to shake the area?  No one seems to know for sure.

So of course the question is ~ does your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance policy cover you for damage done to your home during an Earthquake?  The answer is no, your typical Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance policy does not cover Earthquake damage.  However you can add Earthquake coverage to your existing homeowners policy very easily for a very small amount (under $100/yr).  Call us today to add Earthquake coverage to your homeowners insurance policy!  1-888-637-8579

Fresh Blueberry Pancakes

July ~ National Blueberry Month, what’s better than Fresh Picked New England Blueberries!!

We hope you are enjoying our Summer Fresh Blueberry Recipes, we have one more to share with you.  A classic favorite, Fresh Blueberry Pancakes!   Let’s face it, the weather is beautiful, who wants to be stuck in the kitchen cooking?  Here is a time saving tip ~ Make a double batch, put some in the refrigerator to use as needed and freeze the rest for another time.  This recipe is so easy & is sure to please even the pickiest eaters!  Kids love pancakes for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Fresh Blueberry Pancakes

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (use whole wheat flour for extra health benefits!)

1 Tablespoon Baking powder

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 cup Sugar

3 eggs

1 stick butter or margarine – melted & cooled

1 cup milk

1 cup Fresh Blueberries

Butter for melting in the pan

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, sugar.  In a medium bowl, lightly beat eggs then whisk into flour mixture.  Combine the melted butter & the cup of milk in medium bowl, then gradually whisk into batter.  If batter is too thick, add alittle more milk.

Heat a skillet on medium heat – melt butter into pan to prevent pancakes from sticking.  Pour about 3 tablespoons of batter onto the skillet to form pancake.  Repeat to fill the pan.  Drop about 7 or 8 blueberries onto each pancake.  Cook until it bubbles & then flip to cook other side.  Serve warm with butter, maple syrup & extra blueberries to sprinkle over the top.