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In Helpful Hints

Hamptons 2015….DUI, Dangerous and Costly

May 4, 2015 In Helpful Hints 3 Mins Read

Hamptons 2015….DUI, Dangerous and Costly The busy Hamptons season is about to begin and with that tons of partying. If you’re headed up to the Hamptons this summer, it might be a good idea to hire your own driver if you plan on going out and drinking. If hiring your own driver is not financially feasible then UBER is an option or one of the many car services in the Hamptons. According to The Southampton Press in 2014, police departments across Suffolk County announced a concentrated crack down on drunk driving and boating. It is my hope that the East End DWI Task Force will enforce this crack down again this summer. “Hire a Sober Driver Tonight, not a Good Criminal Defense Attorney Tomorrow,” was the slogan around the Hamptons last year 2014. I think it should be the permanent slogan because it says it all. Hopefully Eddie Burke Jr. doesn’t get too many calls, but if bad decisions are made, call Eddie Burke. DWI charges in New York are not only very serious and expensive, they are extremely stressful, upsetting and even humiliating. If you have been arrested for a DWI charges in NY,you have only a short amount of time from the date of your arrest to successfully fight to keep your drivers license at your administrative license hearing, or your license could be automatically suspended. If you do need to hire a defense attorney, you should do so right away, don’t hesitate. You want the best legal advice right away to help you through your situation.
It is important to understand that a New York DWI/DUI conviction will always show in any kind of background check done on you in the future, that can cause a variety of other problems both professionally and socially for years to come. A typical DWI charge in New York will typically cost well over $12,000 in fines after you have paid bail, fines, fees, insurance and more, but the financial NY DWI costs don’t stop there and in the Hamptons that cost could be double. To stand a better chance of getting a more favourable result, reducing the financial impact and penalties, you may want to hire a defense lawyer. Ongoing costs can even double that over time. There are hidden or additional costs related to a DWI or driving under the influence charges in New York can include (but not limited to) loss of your current job, difficulty in obtaining job opportunities in the future, college and military, increased insurance rates – see DUI insurance, driver’s license surcharges, probation fees, and the hidden costs of the non-monetary effect on your friends and family. Driving under the influence of Drugs/Alcohol of both is irresponsible and dangerous for yourself and for the lives of innocent people who just happen to be around you. Your irresponsible driving will cost someone years of heartache. Many people come out to the Hamptons and think they can do WHATEVER THEY WANT…..NO ONE WANTS TO PURPOSELY STEAL YOUR FUN…BUT YOU NEED TO ACT RESPONSIBLE and remember “Hire a Sober Driver Tonight, not a Good Criminal Defense Attorney Tomorrow,” Have fun but Stay safe, and think about someone other than yourself. When you choose to make the bad decision of Driving under the Influence you have potentially ruined the lives of everyone around you. Make good choices! If you are the victim of another driver’s negligence, you might want to think about seeking help from a car accident attorney.

In Hamptons Happenings

Sag Harbor :5th Annual Katy’s Courage 5K 2015

March 30, 2015 In Hamptons Happenings 3 Mins Read

Sag Harbor :5th Annual Katy’s Courage 5K 2015: Saturday, April 18th will be the 5th Annual Katy’s Courage 5K run in Sag Harbor, Kathryn Collins Stewart a 12 year old who lost her battle to a rare form of liver cancer in December 2010, but not before she captured the hearts of so many in our community.
Katy’s Courage is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to education and support for families and children through scholarships, support for children’s bereavement counseling and pediatric cancer research.

The weather was brisk for the 4th Annual Katy’s Courage 5k run in Sag Harbor last year, lets hope for warmer weather this year since the event will be later in April. I am sure the runners will be energetic, motivated and pumped to take part in the run. The East Hampton/Bridgehampton/Pierson Spring Track Team will be participating in the event again this year.

Join Katy’s Parents, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, Sag Harbor Family and tons of friends for the 5th Annual 5k in Sag Harbor…you can run or walk, bring the kids, the dog, whatever suits your fancy…Hamptons MouthPiece will be out there and we hope to see you.

Officially register for the event here: [button color=”pink” link=”http://katyscourage.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=634″ target=”_blank” font=”tahoma” align=”left”]CLICK HERE[/button]

When: Saturday, April 18th 2015 Starts 8:30 a.m. sharp

Where: Sag Harbor, NY

Cost: Pre Reg: $25.00; $30.00 Day of Race

Check in: 7:00 – 8:15 am. Race starts promptly at 8:30

Course: Rather flat with a few small hills around Sag Harbor Village

Age Groups: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89

Awards: Top 3 males and 3 females overall and first three in each age group.

DIRECTIONS TO THE REGISTRATION AREA:21 Water Street

Coming into Sag Harbor, go down Main Street almost to the end (the water), at the round-about, go around as if you were going to make a u-turn, but instead of a complete u-turn, veer to the right – that’s Water Street. Go past the Post Office, and just beyond the Beacon Restaurant on the right is an open area. That’s where registration will take place.

Kathryn, who was known as “Katy” to family and friends, succumbed to hepatoblastoma with her family by her side. The lifelong Sag Harbor resident had battled the disease since 2009. All proceeds go directly to Katy’ s Courage Fund, set up by Katy’s Family. Katy’s Courage Fund, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to education and support for families and children through scholarships, support for counseling, and pediatric cancer research.
For more information on Katy’s Courage and Katy Stewart’s journey, please visit Facebook page here (http://www.facebook.com/katyscourage).

In Helpful Hints

Things that go bump in the Road

March 10, 2015 In Helpful Hints 3 Mins Read

Things that go bump in the Road…Will the Pot Holes in Hamptons in 2015 be worst than 2014?

We can only pray that we are finished with snow for this winter season. I estimate that we are close to 40inches of snow so far this winter season. Many people have had pipes burst and have been without water, but companies like https://sharpplumbing.com/water-heater-needs-repair/ are working overtime to try and get round to everyone in need of help. Workers have been working non-stop plowing and sanding roads since January 27th, since the first snow storm of 2015 with nearly 30 inches of snow on that day. I am sure many of them are ready for a much needed rest, but on the positive many were employed for the winter season and we could be in Boston.

The question on everyone’s mind is will we be drowning in Potholes for 2015 like we were for 2014? Sag Harbor has some really bad roads, but not as bad as East Hampton. I was out driving this morning on Noyac Road, some areas were challenging but I found Route 114 going towards East Hampton to be really bad. I thought for sure I would damage my car. I am told that there are horrible horrible horrible pot holes on Noyac between Morton Wildlife and Millstone. How are the roads in your towns Montauk, Amagansett, Springs, Sagaponack, Bridgehampton, Watermill, Southampton, Hampton Bays, Quogue, East Quogue, Remsenburg, Speonk, Westhampton?

This year’s roads are especially treacherous for drivers because this winter has been a particularly brutal one, with frequent snow since January 27th, ice, and frigid temperatures giving way to brief thaws, before the cycle repeats again. The fluctuation in temperature between the daytime and the evening, paired with all that ice and snow, are “wreaking havoc on the roads in the Hamptons”. Heavy traffic takes a greater toll on the roads, and heavy truck traffic an even greater toll combined with some of these roads at the end of their lifespan, causes the potholes. Sometimes they can cause some serious damage to your car or truck. Luckily there are some good repair services out there, some of which operate 24 hours a day. (Similar to this repair company: https://fergusontruckcenter.com/houston-commercial-truck-repair/) Hopefully, you drive slowly enough to miss them, but sometimes they do catch you at the last second.

Who is responsible for fixing the roads, and will there be enough funds to fix the roads this Spring? I suggest you contact the D.O.T. (Department of Transportation) in your area to report potholes in your area, put them on alert. You have a greater chance of those potholes getting fixed sooner than later.

New State toll-free number for state operated roads. – 800-POTHOLE….Until then, slow down when driving over a pothole. We are only at the beginning of March so don’t go celebrating yet, March has a way of continuing to surprise us, so we will pray for no more snow, but lets be prepared just in case “Mother Nature” decides to throw us a curve ball..

#worstwinter21stcentury

In Real Estate

Jane Babcook joins Brown Harris Stevens

March 9, 2015 In Real Estate 2 Mins Read

Jane Babcook joins Brown Harris Stevens in Bridgehampton.

Jane Babcook a highly respected Real Estate Professional in the Hamptons real estate industry has joined the Bridgehampton brokerage office of Brown Harris Stevens. Jane joined BHS early this year 2015 after a real estate career spanning almost two decades. Jane was previously with The Corcoran Group in Sag Harbor.

Throughout her career, Jane has consistently been a top producing agent and a leader in her community with an elite roster of national and international clients. Specializing in luxury properties, Jane has been nationally recognized as a top agent with an enviable history of successfully closing both high-end sales and rentals throughout the Hamptons.

Fluent in the complexities of land acquisitions, waterfront properties, new construction, both historic and modern homes, equestrian properties, and more, including the resolution of building, zoning, environmental, financing and title issues that arise within each of these property types, Jane has a proven command of the local market that allows her to render unparalleled service to her clients.
An avid equestrian, sailor and skier, and a full time resident of Sag Harbor for over 26 years, Jane is currently on the board of the Breakwater Yacht Club where she has served as Vice Commodore, is a long standing member of the Sag Harbor Yacht Club, and is a member of the Architectural Review Board for the neighboring Village of North Haven.

On a Personal Note, Jane is one of the most professional Real Estate Brokers that I have ever worked with in the Hamptons. I recently told her to see this page, so you may well start to see her name out and about around the Hamptons. Jane is honest, ethical, reliable, hard-working and patient and I wish her well at BHS.

Jane’s new contact information:

Jane Babcook
Licensed Associate Broker
Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons, LLC
c. 631.680.1001
f. 631.903.6391
email: jbabcook@bhshamptons.com website: bhshamptons.com/agents/Jane-Babcook

[mappress mapid=”3″]

In Home Maintenance

Hamptons Home:Prepare for a Frozen Pipe Disaster

February 20, 2015 In Home Maintenance 3 Mins Read

Hamptons Home:Prepare for a Frozen Pipe Disaster?

I have been hearing about several homes in the Hamptons whose pipes have froze from this brutally cold winter we are experiencing. I have lived in Sag Harbor for the last 14 years and this is by far my coldest winter. I know that a lot of my neighbors have had to seek advice from plumbers, like Paul the plumber (https://www.paultheplumbernh.com/) on what to do if, or when, their pipes completely freeze.

Every winter season, the pipes in your home are at risk of damage from freezing conditions and therefore are in need of copper pipe repair works. Low temperatures can cause your water pipes to freeze, and in some cases burst. The following tips can help you safeguard your home before, during and after a pipe freezes.

Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing

Disconnect all gardening hoses and install covers on all outside faucets.
Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher, even if you’re leaving the house for an extended period of time.
Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the home to circulate.
Identify the location of the main water valve and the valve on your water heater. (Learning the location of these valves may come in handy during an emergency.)
Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation or with heating tape. This can prevent freezing, especially for interior pipes that run along outside walls.
Close all windows near water pipes; cover or close open-air vents. Freezing temperatures combined with wind drafts can cause pipes to freeze more frequently.
Heat your basement and consider weather sealing your windows.
Insulate outside walls and unheated areas of your home.
If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, shut off water supply valves to your washing machine. If you’re worried about having plumbing or pipe issues, you don’t need to be. There are plenty of fantastic Water line repair companies that will help you if you need plumbing repairs.

Monitor Freezing Pipe Conditions

Allow a faucet to drip slightly (lukewarm water) in order to minimize freezing.
The first sign of freezing is reduced water flow from a faucet.
Check your faucets for water flow and pressure before you go to sleep and again when you wake up.
Check pipes around your water meter, in unheated areas, near exterior walls and in crawl spaces.
These tend to be vulnerable to freezing conditions.
Identify cold air drafts coming in from a flue or chimney chase and caulk gaps that are near pipes.

If a Pipe Freezes

If a faucet or pipe inside your house freezes, you can thaw it using a good hair dryer. (For safety purposes, avoid operating a hair dryer around standing water.)
To thaw a frozen pipe, heat water on the stove, soak towels in the hot water and wrap them around cold sections of the pipes.
When thawing a pipe, start thawing it nearest to the faucet. Make sure the faucet is turned on so that melted water can drip out.

If a Pipe Bursts

Shut off water at the main valve.
If the break is in a hot water pipe, the valve on top of the water heater should be closed.
Call a plumber, you can find some on handy.com plumbers. Keep an emergency number nearby for quick access if you suddenly have a plumbing disaster.

information provided by Allstate