This post comes from Susan Ladika at partner site Insurance.com. Say you've been in a wreck. Or your home has been damaged by a storm. Or your kitchen has gone up in flames.

You're shaken and dazed.

That's when the siren chasers strike -- trying to sign you up for services you don't need or can ill afford. If you fall prey to their scams, you could be on the hook for hundreds or thousands of dollars and might even lose your home.

I witnessed siren-chasing firsthand when my neighbor accidentally started a kitchen fire. Within minutes of the fire trucks pulling away after extinguishing the blaze, two fire restoration companies showed up at her home, trying to get her to hire them to make the repairs.

She sent them both packing and called her homeowners insurance company instead.

That decision drew praise from National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) spokesman Frank Scafidi, quoting the NICB mantra: "If you didn't request it, reject it."

"They're trying to take advantage of your emotions," Scafidi says.

They also are trying to take advantage of your wallet.

Don't play tow-truck roulette

After a wreck, a tow truck driver you never called might suddenly appear and try to tow your car from the scene.

Follow this link:
Siren-chasers: Avoid the help you don't ask for

EWING Residents of the townships South Fork neighborhood, which was devastated by a gas explosion in March, found out Thursday that an Iowa company will take the lead on the rebuilding process for their damaged homes.

Representatives from GC3, a disaster restoration company based in West Des Moines, arrived this week to begin managing the project, the South Fork Homeowners Association Board said in an e-mail sent to residents, a copy of which was obtained by The Times.

Many residents have now been out of their homes for more than four months, while others live in battered houses with boarded up windows. The restoration project involves nearly all of the 130 homes in the development, which suffered damage varying from nail pops to complete destruction.

The board approved the decision to go with GC3 on July 9 and announced as much to the homeowners, but did not immediately disclose the name of the company.

Since that time they have begun to review our engineering reports and insurance estimates, the email said. We expect to see a trailer on site next week.

The contractor will manage the job on site, not remotely, the email said.

They will be using local contractors for the work. For example, its possible that Scozzari could be a major contributor, the email said.

Scozzari, a Pennington firm, was introduced to homeowners June 30 as the new contractor after Cornerstone Appraisal & Restoration Services of Princeton, the original contractor, was fired in early June. The deal to bring on Scozzari fell through, however, and the board told residents that it would follow a different path.

The board said in the e-mail that as soon as GC3 can get settled and digest the information provided a meeting will be scheduled to introduce them to the homeowners. GC3 will discuss their procedures and their plans for interacting with homeowners at the meeting, the email said.

As part of the process, GC3 will work on establishing a timeline for work on each unit, the email said.

Continue reading here:
New contractor hired for South Fork home restoration in Ewing

ARLINGTON, Va. A historic plantation originally built as a monument to George Washington overlooking the nations capital, a site that later was home to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and 63 slaves, will be restored to its historical appearance after a $12.3 million gift announced Thursday.

David Rubenstein, a billionaire history buff and co-founder of The Carlyle Group, said he is giving the National Park Foundation the funds needed for a full restoration of the historic house, grounds and slave quarters to show visitors how they appeared in 1860, as well as an overhaul of the sites museum exhibits. Rubenstein said the site crowns the most sacred land in the country, Arlington National Cemetery, but needed major repairs.

Rubenstein also has given multimillion dollar gifts in recent years to restore the Washington Monument, the first presidents Mount Vernon estate and Thomas Jeffersons home at Monticello, including a recreation of its historic slave quarters.

The goal is to remind people of American history, Rubenstein said. I think when youre restoring history, you should remind people of the good and the bad.

Arlington House, as it is known, was built between 1802 and 1818 by Washingtons step grandson, George Washington Parke Custis and his slaves on a hilltop overlooking the new capital city and the Potomac River. Lee later married into the family, and it became his familys plantation estate.

After Lee resigned from the Union army and joined the Confederacy, Union troops captured the estate during the Civil War and made it their military headquarters to defend Washington from Virginia. Graffiti from Civil War soldiers is still visible in the mansions attic.

After the war, the area became a community for emancipated slaves, and Union troops began burying their war dead on the grounds, in part to prevent Lee from returning. It eventually became Arlington National Cemetery, the burial site for many soldiers as well as President John F. Kennedy.

The 200-year-old house and grounds symbolize the nations reconciliation after the Civil War, said National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis, but it is in poor condition.

Exhibits in a nearby museum building havent been updated in 30 years. The needs are part of an $11 billion backlog on maintenance across the national parks.

We frankly do not get enough appropriations on an annual basis to take care of these places, so private support is critical, Jarvis said.

Read the original here:
Historic plantation gets $12.3 million gift for complete restoration

This post comes from Susan Ladika at partner site Insurance.com. Say you've been in a wreck. Or your home has been damaged by a storm. Or your kitchen has gone up in flames.

You're shaken and dazed.

That's when the siren chasers strike -- trying to sign you up for services you don't need or can ill afford. If you fall prey to their scams, you could be on the hook for hundreds or thousands of dollars and might even lose your home.

I witnessed siren-chasing firsthand when my neighbor accidentally started a kitchen fire. Within minutes of the fire trucks pulling away after extinguishing the blaze, two fire restoration companies showed up at her home, trying to get her to hire them to make the repairs.

She sent them both packing and called her homeowners insurance company instead.

That decision drew praise from National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) spokesman Frank Scafidi, quoting the NICB mantra: "If you didn't request it, reject it."

"They're trying to take advantage of your emotions," Scafidi says.

They also are trying to take advantage of your wallet.

Don't play tow-truck roulette

After a wreck, a tow truck driver you never called might suddenly appear and try to tow your car from the scene.

The rest is here:
You don't need this kind of help

Big Brother star fundraises for restoration of family home

A crowd of over 150 reality TV fans, eager teenagers and Trinity Bay North locals gathered at The Factory in Port Union on July 2.

Kevin Curley

Jon Pardy, William Pardy and Neda Kalanter.

The guests of honour were Neda Kalantar and Clarenville native Jon Pardy of Big Brother Canada season two who held a Q-and-A and meet and greet to raise funds to help the Sir William Coaker Foundations efforts to restore the childhood home of William Pardy, Jons grandfather.

Fans of the show were thrilled as the pair playfully answered questions about their relationship, favourite moments on the show, Pardys catchphrases and life inside the Big Brother house.

Pardy and Kalantar stayed around after the session to ensure every youngster got a photo and autograph.

Edith Samson of the Heritage Coaker Foundation says she was delighted to have Pardy volunteer his time to raise funds for the home, which she says has historical significance for the community.

The house belonged to Jon Pardys grandfather and was his childhood home. Jons great grandfather, John Pardy, was an employee of the Fishermans Protection Union (FPU) Trading Company and he was killed in the freight elevator, Samson told The Packet.

His wife was pregnant with her fifth child William Pardy Jons grandfather. Following the incident at The Factory Trading Company Building, Sir William Coaker signed the property over to Mrs. Pardy and it became known as the Pardy home.

Go here to read the rest:
Wake up Port Union

By JEREMY GROSSMAN

Staff Writer

Vintage baskets for berry gathering will be in use once more for a Community Blackberry Pick being held to support the ongoing restoration of the barns and home that comprise the Parker Homestead in Little Silver. LITTLE SILVER A trove of vintage berry-picking baskets discovered at the historic Parker Homestead will be used during a community event to support the restoration of the circa-1665 property that was home to eight generations of the Parker family.

On July 19 and 26, residents of Little Silver can embrace history hands-on when the Parker Homestead hosts its first Community Blackberry Pick.

Although the event is free, donations will be accepted in support of the Parker Homestead-1665, a nonprofit formed to spearhead efforts to restore the Parker Homestead.

In 1995, Julia Parker the last of eight generations of the family gifted the property to the borough of Little Silver upon her death, with the stipulation that it be preserved as a historic landmark and for educational purposes. She died in 1996.

The Parker Homestead is one of the oldest homes in the nation, and is listed on both the state and national registers of historic places.

The homestead was built by Peter Parker and includes sections dating to 1720, the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Located on Rumson Road near Sickles Park, the homestead includes a main house and three outlying barns.

The baskets, which were used by members of the Parker family in the 1950s and 1960s, were found during restoration of one of the barns on the property.

Originally posted here:
Blackberry picking supports Parker Homestead restoration

FILE - In this April 22, 2010 file photo, then-Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James talks to teammate Anderson Varejao during the first quarter of Game 3 in the first round of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Chicago Bulls, in Chicago. The wait continues for the next decision. At stake for LeBron James: Where he plays for the next few seasons, and which fan base _ the already-scorned one in Cleveland or the panicked one in Miami _ will undoubtedly feel alienated by whatever choice his latest foray into free agency leads him to make. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

image credit:

By Tom Withers, The Associated Press

CLEVELAND - If LeBron James was going to win another NBA title, heal broken hearts and continue building his legacy, he knew there was only one place to go.

To Ohio. Home.

Four years after he left for Miami, a widely criticized departure that damaged his image and crushed a long-suffering city's championship hopes, James is coming back to play for the Cavaliers to try and end Cleveland's half-century title drought. He's returning to his basketball roots, to the people who know him best, to make good on a promise.

James made the announcement Friday with a powerful essay written for Sports Illustrated. His decision ended two weeks of speculation with the entire league waiting on his move.

When he finally made it, Cleveland was his choice over re-signing with the Heat.

"I looked at other teams, but I wasn't going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland," he said to SI. "The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy."

James had not yet signed a contract, but he made it clear he will wear a Cavaliers jersey next season.

See the original post here:
LeBron James returns to Cavs: 'I'm coming home'

Change may be in store for an Iowa regulation that requires builders/developers in cities, including Davenport and Bettendorf, to restore the topsoil theyscrape off during grading.

Since late 2012, the return of 4 inches of topsoil in areas where there was at least 4 inches of topsoil in the first place has been required on tracts of an acre or more in certain Iowa cities.

This was a big change from the decades-oldpractice of skimming off topsoil and selling it or using it elsewhere, leaving landowners with lots composed largely of clay.

A key goal of the regulation wasto reduce stormwater runoff and flooding in new developments because topsoil, by its composition, acts as a sponge for water, whereas clayis nearly impervious to water, allowing it to wash down the street, carrying pollutants, said Joe Griffin, the stormwater coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, or DNR.

When the 4-inch requirement went into effect, the Iowa Home Builders Association estimated the cost of compliance would be about $300 or $400 per lot. But after implementation, membersdiscovered the actual cost is more than 10 times that, the association has said.

Developers claimed economic hardship and approached Gov. Terry Branstad. A stakeholdergroupwas formed toconsider alternatives.

The seven-memberstakeholder group that was selectedby the DNR directorin consultation with the governor's office met this spring andwillmakerecommendations Tuesday at a meeting of the state's Environmental Protection Commission.

No action will be taken at the meeting, butfuture action could include the repeal or amendment of the regulation, Griffin said.

Grimes, Clarke citetopsoil benefits

The DNR has invited written comments and posted them on its website. Of approximately 195posted by Friday, about half support the regulation and about half oppose it.

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Topsoil restoration could wash away

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J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. will announce today that it has launched a $5.5 million program with Liberty Bank in Detroit to provide home restoration loans and down payment assistance for those buying houses in Detroit through the Detroit Land Bank Authoritys property auctions.

The program is part of $100 million in loans and grants that Chase announced in May to support economic development in the city over five years. Chase now has put $20 million of the commitment to work on blight reduction, workforce development, home repair and small-business growth.

The home restoration program, scheduled to be announced at the Henry Ford Academy elementary school in Detroit, initially will target the Boston-Edison and East English Village neighborhoods, beginning with an auction of Boston-Edison homes July 28. The program eventually will expand to other neighborhoods.

The commitment to Liberty Bank will come from the J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation and go to Liberty Banks nonprofit community development bank, Liberty Foundation Inc.

The contribution will create a $5 million loan-loss reserve fund for Liberty Bank to provide up to $20 million in new rehab residential mortgage loans. With the reserve fund, Liberty Bank will be able to expand underwriting for rehab loans and provide flexible terms to eligible borrowers who buy a home through the citys Neighbors Wanted property auction.

Chase also will create a $300,000 down payment assistance fund to be managed by Liberty Bank. Under the fund, eligible Detroit residents can receive up to $10,000 in down payment assistance.

The remaining $200,000 will help Liberty Bank manage the restoration program.

Revitalizing Detroits neighborhoods is a critical priority for the citys recovery, and we believe the home restoration program will support the auction and accelerate the turnaround underway in key neighborhoods, Peter Scher, executive vice president and head of corporate responsibility for Chase, said in a news release.

Detroit residents can learn more about eligibility by visiting Liberty Banks branch in Detroit at 9108 Woodward Ave. or calling (313) 873-3311.

Borrowers must occupy the home as their primary residence, be a current Detroit resident, participate in housing counseling, demonstrate an ability to repay the loan and comply with all auction rules.

Excerpt from:
J.P. Morgan Chase to unveil $5.5M program to rehab Detroit homes, help with down payments