Last night, we left our southern Westchester County offices and warehouse late.  A busy Monday with four disasters coming in by closing, including water in basements to clean and dry out, plus a fire in The Bronx.  One of them involved a hoarder/collector who had passed away in the home.  What a start to a new year!   So, made my late way home and tried to turn onto our Fleetwood, NY street.  No go.   A house fire involving a woman who was in a wheelchair and an electrical fire in her basement was underway.  Thankfully, the woman was carried out by neighbors and then EMTs and was okay, we hope.   Mount Vernon's "Finest" firefighters were all over it with 3 pumpers / fire engines and a cast of dozens saving the house.         Photo courtesy: Channel 12   The home "could have been worse,"... 01/06/2015

I just met the High Plains Drifter at a Pizza restaurant in Mt Vernon, NY.  He is the proud owner of this super cool car.  It's a hyrbrid and it attracts a lot of attention due to the super cool way he decorated it.  He's been in several of the local online papers.  As I parked by his car, I saw many others checking it out and takng pictures as well.  What do you think?     08/04/2014

We are seeing so many tough fires -- from White plains in Westchester County to The Bronx, NYC on All Hallows Eve     Homes and businesses are catching on fire with appliance fires -- that are breaking out all over during this Halloween week.  This Fall, space heaters and drier malfunctions are topping the list for home fires from Mount Vernon and The Bronx homes to Northern Westchester County. We were heartbroken to learn that a fire we were not called to by a homeowner or their insurance company resulted in the loss of life...nearly a whole family.     This Mount Vernon fire was heartbreaking and we weren't there to help, but two parents and two if their three children were lost in a fatal fire this week.  It's devastating.  Forrest and I hope to hear from the 19 year-old young man, w... 10/31/2013

Fall into Autumn and get ready for Halloween by painting your own or -- with no time like us -- getting fun faces done by a far better craftsperson!   We found ours at Whole Foods (or what I used to call in college, "whole paycheck.")  Love the store!  So our neighbors in Fleetwood, NY have already commented on our unusually EARLY pumpkin display this year.  Also, they loved the comic element and said it made their dog and kid to school walking more fun than usual!  Enjoy and happy Fall! 10/11/2013

09/25/2013

07/10/2013

Fires in home and businesses are cropping up in Fleetwood NY (in Westchester County) this late Winter, so here are tips on what to do or  NOT do after a fire damage!   As I was posting this blog tonight, a building down the street from our Restoration Company had a small kitchen fire.  I stopped blogging to look out the window, only to find a street full of Mount Vernon firemen...we have a large warehouse for our trucks and fire & water damage cleanup equipment in lower Westchester Conty, NY.   None of us wants to suffer through a fire damage and cleanup, but when we do (and most have one fire and one flood in their lifetime -- can we say "Superstorm Sandy?), here's what to do / not to do below:   FYI:  Most fire damages are "water suppressed" by the fire department and they often have ... 02/26/2013

Saving a squirrel baby has been an adventure, after it fell out of a tree in front of our door.   It must be fate that "Baby Squirrel" came to our door by "air mail" after last week's stormy weather.  (We breifly considered "BS" for a name, but she's too cute for that, as you can see here.)  This is the baby's picture after falling 20 feet from a maple tree, onto grass and then bounced into our street's gutter.   Her sibling was not so lucky when we found them both and it did not make it through the night.  This is the surviving baby at 10 days old, we think, from research. Since she took to the formula mixed with heavy cream and lived through this weekend, the little one now has a name.  A Native American word for squirrel is:  SALALI, so now she's "Sala."   To save her and try to reha... 10/01/2012

Get Fit with personal training in Fleetwood NY 10552 with Sonya Louis ~ Mount Vernon   I lost 35 pounds and went from  a size 16 returning to my size 6 pants.  I trimmed over 18 inches off my waist, hips, thighs, back and arms.  The back fat that once hung over my bra is now a memory.   My arms and thighs are toned and tight again.  I have rediscovered my abs.  My blood pressure has gone down and I am full of energy once again!  I am happy and it feels so good to be back in shape.  Now I can wear my new two-piece this summer. Sonya Louis  Founder, Specialty Fitness We bring personal training to your home or business     Lose Your Weight and Love Your Body Have you ever looked in the mirror and not recognize the person looking back at you?  Would you like to get back to the size you once... 07/15/2012

                     I have a friend and neighbor, Beth McCabe, a great mom, who gives one of her most valuable assets, her time, at the Mount Vernon Animal Shelter. Beth, and other volunteers tirelessly go to the shelter week after week, to assist, walk and train the dogs so they can be adopted. She is a very big advocate on training the dogs, and how it has helped the dogs get adopted. The staff and volunteers really take the time to get to know each dog, so they are able to make the proper placement that matches human to dog, and this takes both time and dedication, and it is something that the Mount Vernon shelter is striving to improve upon.   Beth mentioned to me last week that so many of the volunteers have lost so many pounds walking the pooches. What a great by product to helpi... 05/23/2012

Get Fit with personal training in Fleetwood NY 10552 with Sonya Louis ~ Mount Vernon I want to introduce you to my amazing woman friend, single mom AND a small woman owned business leader in the Fleetwood, NY area.  Sonya Louis serves her clients throughout Westchester County in fitness, pilates and weight loss.  At Specialty Fitness in Westchester County, NY, Sonya Louis builds better bodies with and for her clients, who are all sizes, shapes and ages.  Her boot camps include clients who range in age from 19 to 90 years-old.  They are men and women from throughout the Fleetwood, NY 10552 and Mount Vernon areas.  Sonya trains her clients from Scarsdale to Stamford, CT in private coaching sessions that include Pilates and Cardio Kick boxing for her Octegenarian students.   Sonya is not o... 02/07/2012

Are you looking for flooring for your Westchester home in Mt Vernon NY 10550 10552 10553? We know there are many choices..and sometimes the process can feel overwhelming. Whether you're looking for hardwood floors, tile, carpet, laminate flooring, or if you just want to refinish your hardwood floors, Floor Coverings International can help make the process fun and simple. We are a shop at home service. Our tagline is "We bring the store your door." This is important because first, you can see the colors in your lighting and color coordinate with paint color, cabinets and furniture. Second, it allows us to provide a true estimate for you. And, third, of course it is more convenient this way. We provide guidance - Which is the best type of flooring for your environment and your budget? We'... 11/01/2011

Water Cleanup & Restoration after a Flood - Mt Vernon NY Water Removal There is nothing more disheartening than walking into the lower level of your home, and find yourself knee-deep in icky water. You may even walk into a client's property and realize that a flood has occurred -- that "mildew smell." It is not healthy to walk into this water for ANYONE, if they 1) don't have good rubber / water tight boots and/or 2) don't have a Hepatitis - B shot. Keep in mind that water runoff from the street or your pristine front and back yards can carry E-coli, bacteria and oil from cars and trucks. It can be harmful to your health. So, the first lesson is to stay out of the water and call your plumber, or companies like ours, for help. Water damage professionals have the equipment and experience... 09/22/2011

Are you looking for tile flooring and installation for your home in Mt Vernon NY? Whether it’s a kitchen floor, bathroom floors and walls, an entry way or mudroom, or even a Kitchen tile backsplash, we can help you at Floor Coverings International. We understand that it can be challenging to find the right type of tile for your floors, walls and backsplashes. What’s the right type of tile – ceramic, porcelain, tumbled natural stone, marble or granite? What’s the best style and color? What types are easiest to clean. Many customers seemed to get overwhelmed when they visit a tile store. Well here’s where we can help. Floor Coverings International makes it simple by “bringing the store to your door.” That way, you can see the samples in your own lighting and color coordinate with your ca... 08/06/2011

I thought you might enjoy this video which shows the extensive training our company provides.  When customers have floods or fires in their homes, it's critical to make your home is well taken care of.  Our job is to fix your home ("like it never even happened") and prevent future damage, such as mold which can impact your family's health. I hope you enjoy this. Video of Servpro training 06/15/2011

Mt. Vernon, NY Co-op Market First Quarter 2011 This is the market report for co-op apartments sold in Mt. Vernon for the first quarter of 2011. All information is sourced from the Empire Access Multiple Listing Service.  In the first quarter of 2011, there were 12 closings with a median sale price of $155,000.  In the first quarter of 2010, there were 17 closings with a median sale price of $93,500.  15 co-ops are currently under contract at a median asking price of $70,000. 122 co-ops are active on the market and available ranging from $33,500 to 345,000. If you'd like to search for a co-op in Mt. Vernon or just see where home values are going, get yourself a free listingbook account and search the MLS like an agent! 06/03/2011

Are you looking for laminate flooring for your home in Mt Vernon NY? We know it can be challenging to figure out which flooring is right for your space and whether a laminate floor is right for you. Which wood species and color will look best? Which ones work with your budget? Who should you have install the laminate floors? What is a floating floor? Well here's where we can help. We make finding laminate flooring simple. We "bring the store to your door." That way, you can see the samples in your own lighting - the way it will look in real life. We'll help you color coordinate with your paint and furniture colors. We'll explain what a floating floor is and, we'll help you figure out whether laminate flooring makes sense for you and your budget. If you want, we can even show you hardwoo... 05/23/2011

The other night I had a Hardwood Refinishing appointment in Mt Vernon, NY.  In New York, in the City and surrounding cities such as Mt Vernon, there are laws you where you need to clean up after your dog. I took some picts of these signs, but one was so faded, it didn't come out well, so I'm just going to type the Verbiage...These 2 signs are 3 ft away from each other.   Local Law Requires You Clean Up After your dog       If you're not responsible enough to clean up after your dog you don't deserve to own a dog Gotta love NY humor. 05/20/2011

Vinyl Asbestos Tile  (picture taken in a basement in Mt.Vernon NY)   VAT (vinyl asbestos tile)  9''x9'' tiles are typical of vinyl flooring tile prior to 1978. In 1978 the EPA deemed building material greater then 1% Asbestos content could not be used. However there were several building products that were used up until 1989 that still contained asbestos material. The most common form of asbestos material used during this period was mastic, this is the black material that binds onto the back of the tile to adhere it onto the floor. You will sometimes find mastic in the interior foundations, mastic was used to waterproof interior foundation walls. Here are some interesting facts that that people won't tell you about asbestos:   The Asbestos lobbying group is one of the largest in the nat... 05/09/2011

Are you looking for carpeting for your home in Mt Vernon NY? Whether you're looking for carpeting for your bedroom, living room, family room or basement or even the whole house, we know it can be challenging to find the right carpet. How do you know which type of carpet is best for each setting? Which is right for your home and your budget? Which types are better for steps and high traffic areas? Which colors work best? Which ones last longer and which hide or repel dirt the best? Who should you have install your carpet? There's really a lot to consider and sometimes it gets overwhelming and more confusing when you go to a store. Well here's where we can help. We make finding carpeting simple. We "bring the store to your door." That way, you can see the samples in your own lighting - th... 03/01/2011