Recently I received a Thank You letter from a friend, who is a Marathoner, stating that he had just ran the ING New York City Marathon in support of New York Road Runers’ youth programs. New York Road Runners began providing youth programs in 1998. NYRR’s running-based youth programs promote children’s physical fitness, character development, and personal achievement in under-served communities. Having proven successful in New York City, the programs are now being established across the United States and in Africa. And this is what our friend had to say;

To my Friends and Family,

I did it! I am a Marathoner! Not only did I run 26.2 miles through the five boroughs of NYC, but I did it with grace and style in support of thousands of under-served children. What a beautiful day it was!! The crowd was so energetic and kept me going!! I crossed the finish line at 4:24:33.

Collectively with all of my teammates, we all raised more than 4.2 million in support of New York Road Runners’ youth programs- funds that will allow us to serve more children than ever before in the year ahead. Your contribution and support is deeply appreciated, and I am profoundly grateful and feel so fortunate to count you amoung my circle of friends.

Thanks again for all your support!!

Sincerely,

Tom

Heidi Spellman Realty has just sponsored a commercially funded potentially life saving service for the community.

Family Lifeline Cards are made available along with films, posters, and taxi emergency payments to avoid the horrible effects of drunk driving, threatening dates and abusive incidents, including battered women and children.

Student Lifeline is extremely aware of the importance of its emergency transport services to youngsters and adults. They do their upmost, in human terms, to provide the most effective service possible; however, they can never stop striving to do better and trust that each individual, professional and business entity gives serious consideration to sponsoring a Lifeline program in their respective community.

To check out more visit their website….www.studentlifeline.com

Inspect your attic

Going into your attic is like a trip to your in-laws. It’s uncomfortable, and you probably won’t enjoy it. But these little excursions are necessary from time to time. If you haven’t inspected your attic lately, get up there and give it a thorough onceover. Your attic should be cool and dry. If it’s unusually warm or you see condensation on your roof’s sheathing or rafters, then you need to improve attic ventilation and insulation. If this problem isn’t addressed, it can lead to mold growth, produce conditions which cause ice dams and lead to elevated utility bills.

Insulate outdoor faucets and pipes

Freezing temperatures are bad news for pipes and exterior faucets. As water freezes, it expands and can burst plumbing lines and fixtures. More than 250,000 homes will experience ruptured pipes this winter, leaving homeowners with extensive water damage and some expensive repairs. Before cooler temperatures settle in, place a cover on all exterior faucets and wrap exposed plumbing in insulation. Pipes that are in unheated areas of your home such as attics, basements or crawlspaces are especially vulnerable when the temperatures drop.

Plant spring bulbs

  Better get started now if you want to see tulips and daffodils in your flowerbeds next spring. Bulbs for spring flowers should be planted in the fall before the ground freezes. Planting bulbs this time of year will ensure the bulb’s root system has an opportunity to get established before winter arrives. The key to planting bulbs is to ensure they are located at the proper depth. As a general rule, bulbs should be planted three times as deep as the bulb is wide.

Home Interior

Do not kick on the heat until your furnace has been inspected and serviced by a professional. These inspections should occur annually and are intended to identify potential problems and get your heating system ready for the heavy usage ahead. Heating systems that are not properly maintained will run more inefficiently, which will cost more money. Also, units that are malfunctioning can be dangerous, especially if they are leaking harmful gases such as carbon monoxide. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 1,500 Americans die each year from accidental exposure to CO, and there are more than 10,000 injuries each year. Need to have your HVAC system inspected?Find an HVAC professional here.

Home Exterior

Give peeling paint the ol’ heave-ho. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also allow wood rot or other damage to occur to your home’s siding and building materials. Paint peels due to the effects of weather or shoddy prep work before a layer of paint is applied. To remove peeling paint, use a hand scraper and follow with a light sanding to ensure the area is smooth and ready for a new coat of sealer or paint to be applied. While scraping, do not forget to wear safety goggles. Your eyes will be happy you did. Thinking about doing the painting yourself?Watch this first.

Lawn

It may be fall, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to put away your lawn equipment just yet. A few last-minute tasks will go a long way to preparing your yard for winter and promoting a healthier lawn next spring. Fertilizing and aerating your lawn should be at the top of your to-do list. Check with a local landscape professional before applying any fertilizer, though. The type of fertilizer needed this time of year varies by grass type, and it’s important to ensure this is done correctly. Also, don’t forget to remove grass clippings, thatch and other organic matter that could negatively affect your lawn. Want additional help? Read this.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of deaths among young pedestrians increases 4.5 times nationally on Halloween evening compared to other nights within the year. Children Trick-or-Treating tend to cross streets at mid-block rather than at corners or crosswalks, putting them at risk for pedestrian injury.

County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Acting Police Commissioner Thomas C. Krumpter advise drivers to be on particular alert, stop completely at all stop signs, drive slow, and proceed with extreme caution.

Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

• Trick-or-Treat by going to all houses on one side of the street, cross at the corner, and then go down the other side, thereby minimizing the amount of time spent dashing across dark streets.
• Trick-or-Treat in groups, in well-lit neighborhoods and stay on the sidewalk at all times. Obey traffic signals and don’t cut across yards or driveways.
• Carry a flashlight and make sure costumes are bright and don’t drag on the ground. Wear shoes that fit and avoid wearing masks that obstruct your vision.
• Stay away from strangers, and animals you don’t know. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Older children not being escorted by an adult should carry a cell phone and have in their possession some form of identification. It is suggested children wear a watch that can be read in the dark.

Tips for Parents

• Parents should have a detailed description of what their child is wearing and know exactly where they will be going.
• Always advise children at what time to be home and where parents can be reached.

Tips for Homeowners

• Make sure your yard is clear of ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flowerpots that can trip Trick-or- Treater’s.
• Pets get frightened on Halloween, so its best to keep them protected from inadvertently biting a Trick-or- Treater.
• Battery powered jack o’lantern candles are preferable to real flames.

The Nassau County Police Department will also be utilizing marked and unmarked patrol vehicles to deter malicious property damages and other potential unlawful incidents but mainly to make sure your child is safe.

For Sale: 1BR/1BA Co-Op in Port Washington, NY, $219,000.