Stew Leonard's - A Connecticut (& New York) Favorite

Stew Leonard's was founded in 1969. Since it's arrival it has become much more than a dairy store. With costumed characters, an outdoor eatery known as the "Hoe Down" & animated, musical characters throughout the store, Stew's has something for everyone. In addition to the headquarters store in Norwalk, Connecticut, Stew Leonard's has stores in Danbury and Newington, Connecticut & in Yonkers, New York. Known by their policy, "The Customer is Always Right!" Stew's has earned the title the "World's Largest Dairy Store".

Stew Leonard's, 99 Federal Rd., Danbury, Connecticut

Phone: (203) 790-8030

The Danbury location has a petting zoo, just remodeled for the Summer 2008 season, the zoo is free for children of all ages.

Visit Stew's website

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

What is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy was enacted to allow persons who are hopelessly burdened by debt to have an opportunity for a new beginning by wiping out unsecured debts (debts that aren’t tied to any specific item of property, most commonly credit cards). Chapter 7 is designed for persons who cannot afford to pay a significant portion of their debt back to lenders. Chapter 7 is available to individuals, couples and businesses. The process is often referred to as liquidation. In theory, you are surrendering your assets to the court in exchange for a discharge (elimination) from all of your debts. However, individuals and couples are allowed to keep certain exempt property that varies by category and value.

Before You Can File

At the initial consultation your Second Start attorney will give you a list of documents that you need in order to prepare your Bankruptcy Petition and schedules. Second Start will also provide you with an intake form to complete. Once the listed documents have been assembled and the intake form is completed, a second appointment with Second Start will be scheduled where the documentation and intake form is reviewed.

Credit Counseling Commences 

After the second appointment and the documents are ready, you will attend Credit Counseling and obtain a Credit Counseling certificate. While Credit Counseling is sought, Second Start will prepare your court papers. We will then have a final in-office appointment, where a Second Start attorney will completely review your bankruptcy petition and schedules with you, and you will sign your petition and schedules.

Bankruptcy Papers are Filed 

Second Start files your case with the court. Your papers are filed electronically with the Bankruptcy Court, and immediately you will receive lawful protection from harassing creditors. Immediately after filing, Second Start will provide you with your bankruptcy case number. If you continue to receive phone calls from bill collectors, you can give the creditor your case number and the Second Start telephone number. Debt collectors, after your Bankruptcy is filed, should then deal with your attorney directly. If you have creditors who are garnishing, foreclosing or repossessing property, Second Start will notify that creditor immediately a bankruptcy is filed and the debtor is protected from this kind of harassment.

Financial Management Course 

After your case is filed, you will need to attend “The Financial Management Course” approved by the United States Trustee's office. After completion, you will bring this certificate to your Second Start attorney for the Meeting of Creditors.

Attend Meeting of Creditors

Approximately 30 days after your case is filed, Second Start will attend a hearing with you that is called a 341 Meeting of Creditors. At this meeting, a U.S. Trustee, who is appointed to your case, will interview you for approximately 5-10 minutes and ask you some basic questions about your case. This meeting is mandatory, and you must appear with proper identification (current picture identification and Social Security Card). You must also bring a copy of your most recent statements for all financial accounts and the pay stub(s) that you receive after your case is filed. The meeting is called the Meeting of Creditors because this is also an opportunity for the creditors to come and ask you questions. However, in most cases creditors do not appear.

60 Days Later

In each case, the Trustee and Creditors are given time to object to various aspects of the filer’s petition and schedules. Although objections are rare, in some cases, they do occur. All objections are due within 60 days after the Meeting of Creditors. Quality preparation of your petition, schedules, and statements will help prevent most unnecessary objections.

Receive Discharge

If no party files an objection in your case, you should receive a discharge shortly after the 60-day waiting period expires.

Post-Discharge Asset Administration

In some cases, where non-exempt assets are turned over to the bankruptcy estate, your case may remain open until all of the assets are received and distributed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

 

Why Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

Chapter 13 is an interest-free repayment plan that allows you to combine your debts and repay all or part of them while protecting you from creditor harassment. It is an excellent alternative for debtors whose financial problems cannot be helped by a Chapter 7 filing. Chapter 13 often provides much greater protection to debtors who own significant assets or have income that would not be exempt in a Chapter 7. For example, if you own a home, and foreclosure is on the horizon or the finance company has threatened repossession, a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy filing will stop them in their tracks affording you the opportunity to then pay off the back balance gradually. Chapter 13 is also a great option when you have a regular income but you still find yourself unable to pay all your bills at the end of the month Filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is for people who have some discretionary income after their normal and usual monthly expenses are deducted from their normal monthly income. For this reason, a Chapter 13 is called a "Wage Earner Bankruptcy."

Monthly Payments with a Chapter 13?

The big difference between Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is that there are monthly payment plans created for the Chapter 13 debtor. Payments must be made to the Chapter 13 Trustee over a period of time (usually between three and five years).

What are these payments?

These payments are usually include some or all of your credit card debt, whatever you may be behind on your mortgage payment, and sometimes your car loans. This is a good way to stop foreclosure and save your house. It can also be used to stop creditor harassment. And, of course, all the bankruptcy exemptions still apply, so you can keep some or most of your stuff.

Wage Earner Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code is designed to enable individual debtors — under Court protection and supervision — to apply a portion of future earnings to the payment of a portion of their debts over an extended period of time. The debtor is protected from creditors by an Automatic Stay while a plan of repayment is developed and carried out. It is similar to a Chapter 11 Business Reorganization. In fact, Chapter 13 is sometimes called "Consumer Debt Adjustment." Chapter 13 was intended to give the wage earner a reasonable opportunity to arrange installment payments out of future income so that creditors would receive more money than they otherwise would receive in liquidation. It helps to have a skilled bankruptcy attorney help you make your payment plan no more than you can afford for your Chapter 13 Bankruptcy filing.

Do I qualify for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

In order to qualify for a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, you will need to meet two general income requirements. First, you must have a regular source of income. Second, you must have sufficient disposable income. Put another way, you must have some income left over — after you subtract your living expenses from your net monthly income — to distribute to creditors.

Debts that are not discharged in a Chapter 13*: 

• Debts incurred through fraud, such as lying about your income on a credit application

• Child and spousal support

• Most taxes

• Most student loans

• Debts that you forgot to list on your bankruptcy papers

• Debts for personal injury and death caused by your driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated

• Debts you never intended to pay back (such as debts took on near in time to filing bankruptcy, a cash advance that wasn't paid back, debt taken on after meeting with a bankruptcy attorney)

• Debts for personal injury incurred through willful or malicious harm

• Criminal fines and penalties.

There are other debts that may not be dischargeable in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy filing. Consult your attorney to see which specific debts are dischargeable. No attorney should every guarantee the discharge of a specific debt. *Some debts that are not dischargeable in a Chapter 7 will be dischargeable in a Chapter 13.

How does it work?

There are specific and complex procedures involved in filing a Chapter 13 plan. First, your lawyer will need to prepare a detailed financial summary of what and whom you owe, what your assets are, your monthly living expenses, and income. Your attorney must also prepare a comprehensive proposal for repayment. Often a plan will call for different percentages of repayment for different classes of creditors. All of the items submitted must be prepared on court-approved forms. Once you file your petition and plan the court will issue an Automatic Stay (an order, barring all creditors from taking any further collections or legal action against you, including foreclosure or garnishment of your wages). The court will then set a date for a hearing which is called the Meeting of Creditors. You and your creditors will be notified of the time, date, and place of this meeting. You will be required to attend this hearing with your attorney and answer questions under oath about your financial matters. The trustee appointed to your case will run the meeting. It is the trustee's job to verify the financial information you provide — and the meeting may include questions about your income, expenses, property, past earnings, and the schedule of repayment. The trustee will then decide whether he can recommend to the judge that your plan be confirmed. The court will also notify you of the date for the confirmation hearing. At this hearing, the judge will determine whether your plan should be confirmed and allowed to proceed. The creditors may attend in order to offer any objections they may have. Your presence at the confirmation hearing is often not required. Once your plan is confirmed, you will simply make one payment a month to the trustee who will then make payments to your creditors according to the schedule set out in the approved plan. You will start living your life again.

What will Chapter 13 do for me? 

Many of the benefits derived from a Chapter 13 cannot be obtained through the filing of a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Some of the many benefits that may be reaped from a Chapter 13 are as follows:

• Stop a finance company from repossessing your car and make the back payments over a period of time.

• Stop foreclosure proceedings against your property and pay off the back balance gradually. Such an extension is also available on back taxes

• If your monthly payments on contracts are too large, you may be able to lower the monthly payment and possibly the interest rate

• Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to pay the unsecured creditors far less than 100 percent of their claims — with no interest after the date of filing

• In most instances, you can stop any more interest from continuing on unsecured debts

• Possibly keep property that would have otherwise been given to your creditors in a Chapter 7

• Stop collection activities against a person who cosigned a loan for you

• Force a creditor to take back its collateral in full satisfaction of the claim

• End further obligations to creditors whose services you have not fully received, such as health clubs, dance studios, correspondence courses, leases, etc.

• For debts incurred before you filed your bankruptcy petition, no one can bother you, sue you, garnish your wages, or repossess property without court approval

• Void certain liens against your household goods and against some other personal items

• Possibly pay extra into the plan to get it paid off sooner

• If there is a major change of circumstances, you can propose changes to your plan that would help you complete it.

 

 

 

Fishing For Dollars

If you think fishing doesn't have an impact on the U.S. economy then think again. In the year 2001 Anglers spent over $35.6 Billion dollars to pursue their sport. Sport Fishing generated more than $1.9 billion in states sales taxes in 2001. Here's some additional figures you may find interesting. They spent $14.7 billion for fishing trips, $17 billion for equipment, and $4 billion for licenses, stamps tags, land leasing and ownership, membership dues and contributions, and magazines. If hypothetically ranked as a corporation, this revenue figure would put sport fishing at 32nd on the 2002 Fortune 500 list of America's largest companies. Total economic output generated by freshwater fishing in 2001 exceeded $74 billion, including the impact on retailers, suppliers of goods and services to retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers, plus the indirect and induced impacts resulting from these activities. Including saltwater fishing, economic output reached $116 billion. The average angler incurs $1,046 in fishing-related expenses. Freshwater fishing expenditures in 2001 generated more than $19.4 billion in wages. Including saltwater fishing, $30.1 billion in wages were generated (up 23 percent since 1991). 683,892 full-time jobs exist due to freshwater fishing. Including saltwater fishing, the total exceeds 1 million (up 16 percent since 1991). $2.07 billion was spent on fishing tackle in 2001. Fishing tackle ranks 4th in terms of consumer expenditures for non-team sports equipment. Golf equipment ranks first followed by exercise equipment and firearms for hunting. Florida anglers spend more than $4 billion annually on fishing and related equipment. California and Texas anglers spend more than $2 billion. Angler expenditures exceed $1 billion in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

4th of July ... Not Over Yet

If you just got back into town & are looking to extend the holiday weekend or if you just love summer celebrations here's a few Fourth of July parties that last all the way into next weekend:

ALL AGES 

Fourth of July Town Celebration -- Enfield July 11, 2008 to July 13, 2008 Old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration with live entertainment, juried craft fair, Taste of Enfield, parade, concerts, children activities, 5K road race, fireworks on Sunday. Location: Town Green, Rte. 5. Cost: Free. Time: Friday, 5 p.m.-midnight, Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight. Sunday, 9 a.m. -11 p.m. Information: 860-749-1820 or visit www.enfieldcelebration.org.

MUSIC 

United States Coast Guard Band Concert – New London July 6, 2008 One of our nation's premier military bands founded in 1925, has gained a reputation as one of the finest concert bands in the world. Location: Leamy Hall Auditorium, USCG Academy, 15 Mohegan Avenue. Time: 2 p.m. Cost: Free. Information: 860-701-6826 or visit www.uscg.mil/band.

PARADES & FIREWORKS 

Fireworks For Sailfest – New London July 12, 2008 With more than 22,000 shells lighting up the nighttime sky over the Thames River, this year’s Fireworks Extravaganza promises to be the best ever. Location: Downtown New London. Time: 9:25 p.m. Rain date is July 13. Listen to radio station Q105 for details

Parade and Fireworks – Guilford July 12, 2008 Parade through downtown begins at 10 a.m. Parade leaves from Town Green goes to Alder Brook cemetery for ceremony and returns to the green. Community Picnic is on the green and fireworks are on the Fairgrounds. Information: 203-453-9677.

 

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Q&A: Answers to Questions about Hard Water

Q: What exactly is hard water? I’m told the reason my dishwasher and washing machine scale up is the fact that the water is hard in my area. A filter has been recommended but I’m not sure if it is worth it.

A: The term “hard water” refers to household water that contains high amounts of dissolved minerals (usually calcium and magnesium). Anything above 1 GPG (grams per gallon) is considered hard water, but there are varying degrees. Water hardness is classified as follows:

• Soft Water – less than 1 GPG

• Slightly Hard – 1 to 3.5 GPG

Moderately Hard – 3.5 to 7 GPG

• Hard – 7 to 10.5 GPG

• Very Hard – 10.5 and higher GPG

The harder the water, the quicker scale buildup and corrosion of metal components occurs. To help neutralize the water hardness, a water softener is typically used. These can be purchased or leased. They do not filter the water, but “treat” the water by changing the water’s chemical make-up.

To determine the hardness of your water, contact your local water department if you have municipal service. They must test the water on a regular basis so they will have records of the typical hardness level, as well as information on many other water quality issues. For well systems, or even municipal supplies if documentation of water quality is not available, you can contact a local water lab to arrange for an analysis. Some municipalities will perform a free analysis. Suppliers of water treatment systems will also perform water quality tests, but it is good to have a separate test to confirm water makeup. 

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Q&A: The Exploding Dishwasher

Q: One of my neighbors told me about a friend's dishwasher exploding in their vacation home. Have you ever heard of such a thing happening?

A: There have been reports of strange household explosions. This phenomenon has reportedly occurred over the years in houses that have been left vacant for several weeks or more. It is caused by a build-up of hydrogen gas in the hot water system that is subsequently ignited by an open flame, a spark or the heater. Since hydrogen gas isn’t soluble in water, it remains in the water system as a gas under pressure. In most cases, the gas will dispersed harmlessly as water flows from the faucets with normal use.

But without regular use of the hot-water system, as is the case when a house is vacant for some time, gas can become trapped in the plumbing lines. Then, when a water valve is opened (e.g., at a faucet or dishwasher), the pressurized gas can be forced out of the valve and ignited by an open flame, causing an explosion and possibly a fire. This is a relatively rare occurrence; but to be safe, the best advice for dealing with vacant homes is to remove any possible build-up of hydrogen from the system before turning on any burners or other elements that could ignite the gas. The best way to do this is to first open the dishwasher door and turn on all the hot-water faucets and let them run for 4-5 minutes. Of course, do not smoke while performing this procedure.

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Q&A: Eliminating Basement Dampness

Q. Our basement has a “damp” feel and smell most of the time. We want to eliminate the cause of this dampness. Any ideas?

A: First, you have to determine if the cause of your basement dampness is seepage or condensation. Dampness from seepage may be due to actual water penetration through the walls or floor. It can also be due to moisture retained in the foundation material. Condensation is due to high levels of water vapor in the air that condenses on the colder foundation or other surfaces in the basement. To assist in trying to determine the possible cause of your problem, we recommend cutting two one-square foot sections of heavy plastic (a heavy duty garbage bag will do).

Tape all sides of a square to a dry section of the basement floor and to any basement wall below grade level. Leave them in place for three days. At that time, pick up the plastic squares. If the floor square is wet, some seepage is probably occurring. If the underside of the wall square is wet, the problem may only be condensation. Seepage can sometimes be corrected by sealing the walls and floors. If that doesn’t do it, more involved work may be needed including perimeter grading and diverting water away from the house. Condensation is a function of too much humidity. Improving ventilation and, if necessary, installing a dehumidifier would be in order.

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DUCTLESS AIR CONDITIONING

DUCTLESS AIR CONDITIONING

Ductless air conditioners and heat pumps are gaining in popularity as a means of providing cooling for a house. These systems function much the same as any other air conditioning or heat pump, except that they do not require ductwork to distribute air throughout the house. They are particularly practical for existing homes where there is no ductwork already installed for heating or cooling purposes.

This feature can produce substantial energy savings over a ducted air distribution system as there is no opportunity for the loss of conditioned air from the ductwork running through attics, basements or crawls spaces. Duct losses can account for more than 25% of energy consumption. Ductless systems consist of an outside unit containing the usual air conditioner and heat pump components and a relatively small indoor fan-coil unit that can be located on any nearby wall. The usual heat pump (or air conditioner) refrigerant tubing connects the two elements. These systems are ideal for smaller houses, remote rooms in large houses or for houses that have an open floor plan. This gives you the ability to “zone” or control heating and cooling to different parts of your home by using additional indoor air handling units.

The two primary components of a ductless system are: an outdoor condensing unit, and one or more indoor air handling units. The use of multiple air handlers connected to a single condenser gives the system its alternate name — mini-split. A conduit, which houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, and condensate drain, links the outdoor and indoor units. A filter is located at each air handler.

The main advantages of mini-split systems include:

* Compact size

* Flexible positioning

* Ease of installation

* Remote controls

* Zone cooling

* No energy loss on distribution

The compact size and low profile of the indoor air handlers offers flexibility of placement. With its non-obtrusive casing only extending out about 6-8 inches from the wall or ceiling surface there are numerous placement options in most rooms. They can be suspended from a ceiling, mounted flush into a drop ceiling, or hung on a wall. While ceiling or high wall placement is preferred, floor-mount units are also available.

Remote control features make it easier to control the system, especially when air handlers are positioned high on walls or suspended from ceilings. A remote can be used for selection of all system functions such as the temperature setpoint, switch to fan-only operation, redirecting the vanes on louvers, setting on/off timers, and adjusting energy-saver settings. Most units have automatic louver mechanisms that oscillate the air vanes for balanced airflow.

Most systems allow up to three air handling units (containing the evaporator coil) to be connected to a single outdoor condensing unit, depending on how much heating or cooling is required for each zone. Duct vibration noises and duct dirt/mold accumulations are also eliminated with a ductless system. Heat pump models are also available.

The primary disadvantage of ductless systems is their cost. Such systems cost about 30% more than conventional central systems, exclusive of ductwork, and may cost twice as much as window units of similar capacity. The appearance of the indoor unit is an issue for some people. Most air handlers have sleek modern designs, but they still are a component that would not typically be seen in the living area of a house with a conventional central system. However, they do not take up the window space that a window-mounted unit requires.

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ENJOY YOUR POOL -- BUT BE AWARE OF THE HAZARDS

ENJOY YOUR POOL -- BUT BE AWARE OF THE HAZARDS

You want family and friends to be able to enjoy the pool this summer. So if you haven’t already done an annual safety check, don’t delay. Take some time to inspect the pool for damage or safety hazards to help protect everyone from accidents, particularly children.

 

 

Check Conditions

All pools should be inspected for trip hazards, rough surfaces, slippery surfaces, sharp edges, rotted wood decking, rusted ladders and stairs, and damaged diving boards. All electric components, pumps, motors and filtration equipment should be checked and serviced. A qualified individual should also confirm that the intake covers (grates) on the filtration returns are fitted with the proper type grate to prevent entrapment hazards. There should be no wiring (including extension cords) or receptacles anywhere near the pool and receptacle outlets supplying electricity to the pool areas and equipment should be protected with a special safety device called a Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter.

Consider Accessibility

To reduce the risk of drowning, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends using as many layers of protection as possible. Of primary importance are self-closing, self-latching gates and suitable fencing that completely surrounds the pool to prevent unsupervised access by young children. If the house forms a barrier for part of the pool area enclosure install alarms on doors leading to the pool area or special water alarms. A safety cover over the pool is also something to consider. Proper supervision is still the most important safety practice when it comes to pool safety for children. Drowning can occur in minutes. Many drowning incidents occur when young children are not expected to be near the pool area. And even when parents or childcare providers are around, don’t be mislead into thinking that if a child falls in the water, you will always hear them splashing and screaming, and will be able to come to the rescue. Many times, children slip under the water silently.

Danger Comes in All Sizes

Accidents can happen in any pool. According to the CPSC, drowning incidents involving portable or inflatable pools are rising. Many are often purchased by consumers without consideration for the critical safety features necessary to help protect young children from the danger. These pools often fall outside the scrutiny of local building codes that require significant fencing or barriers.

Hot tubs and spas also present potential safety concerns. Whether built-in or freestanding, hot tubs and spas present many of the same accident and drowning hazards as pools. With hot tubs, there is an added concern for over-exposure to elevated water temperature. Generally a maximum water temperature of 104° F (40° C) is recommended for any long-term bathing. And due to the heated water, the control of bacteria is a health concern. The potential of hair entrapment from the suction at the return for the spa jets is an even greater issue with hot tubs and spas than pools, particularly, with older or damaged units that do not have the proper grates over the return opening. Review all manufacturer recommendations and warnings regarding hot tub and spa operation.

Be Prepared

It is important to always be prepared for an emergency by having rescue equipment and a phone near the pool. Also, all parents and childcare providers should learn basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

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