Categories
Insurance

Friday Night Dinner

It’s a typical Friday night. My oldest is happy to be participating in his karate class, especially now that he’s bigger than his father. The youngest, well he wants a buddy to play Minecraft with and his dog is loyally handling the job.

Mom is in the kitchen getting things ready after a day at work. She likes her new job because it is flexible and lets her be there when the two boys need her time. Seeing patients in line with her schedule works. Those long hours and days in school are finally paying off.

She goes to the sliding door and lets the other dog out that saw a squirrel run across the back fence. Thankfully, the rain hasn’t started. It’s been a long summer and looking at the clouds it might be the start of the long wet northwest fall, winter, and spring!

Mom looks out the front door and sees the oldest coming back from Karate. It’s time for dinner. She is just happy that she and her family can sit and enjoy this meal together. Three years before this story was written, I died. It really doesn’t matter how.

We have 86,400 seconds in each day. That means we have 3,600 seconds every hour. The reason the above story could be true? I took the 3,600 seconds it took to make sure that my family would be able to have dinner, a dog, and the ability to have a life after the death of a loved one.

People faced with the discussion of life insurance often ask, “Where do I start?”

There are several ways to look at this and the easiest one is usually looking at it through the LIFE acronym.

L – Liabilities What debts would you want to be erased if you pass away? This can be a mortgage, loan, or credit card debt. Anything you want to be paid off would go here.

I – Income Replacement How many years of income would you want your spouse to have? This can depend on the amount indicated in liabilities. Maybe it depends on how old the kids are at the time – or a balance of both?

F – Final Expenses To pay for the arrangements you make with your family to begin the grieving process

E – Education How much will college tuition cost when your children reach that age?

Consider this from https://www.cnbc.com/id/47565202

It shows the projected tuition costs for the Fall of 2029 – Spring of 2030

  • For a 4-year public (out of state)  with  5%  tuition increases, the cost is $71,373
  • For a 4-year private (non-profit) with 5% tuition increases, the cost is $92,869
  • For a 4-year public in-state with 5% tuition increases, the cost is $41,228

Make the increases 7% and the costs jump to $100,239, $130,428 and $57,609 for the schools.*

Source: Campus Consultants Inc * Includes room and board

Clearly, in life and Life Insurance, there are more things to consider then would fit in this post. Please take a portion of the 86,400 seconds you have every day, about 3600 seconds, to make sure that your family gets a typical Friday night dinner if you are not there to enjoy it.

Reach us at;

www.lucascole.com
971.303.8508
lcole2@farmersagent.com

photo courtesy of unsplash.com

Categories
Insurance

10 Tips To Keep You Safe This Summer!

As we head into summer we want to provide you with some tips to help improve your homes efficiencies and reduce the possibility of having an insurance loss.

1. Check and clean your dryer vent.

This can become clogged with lint over time.  This not only causes the dryer to work less efficiently but it can also be the cause of a fire.  2,900 dryer fires are reported each year resulting in 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss.[1]    It is recommended that this is done annually.  A good video on this is located at https://youtu.be/G30EMOn1Cq8

 

2. Clean and check your gutters.

It is recommended that this is done twice a year in late summer and early fall.  Pine trees near the gutter line will make more frequent inspections and cleaning necessary.  The gutter system when not properly maintained can cause problems with drains and even lead to interior water damage that is most often not covered by insurance.  If the roof and ladder is not your idea of a good time play it safe and hire someone to do the dirty work.

3. Call before you dig

Hitting a gas, water, electric or other utility lines can cause many problems and possibly death.  Call 811 to make sure you can enjoy your summer and all the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

4. Check the trees surrounding your home.

Cut back trees and shrubs from the house walls, roof, and air conditioning system as needed.  We all know the damage trees can do.  Besides falling and destroying things limbs can damage the roof and home systems over time as well.

5. Locate and mark the shut-offs for the plumbing system.

When water starts flowing where it shouldn’t it helps to know where the shut off is located. The faster you can turn the water off the less damage that will be done and the faster things can get back to normal.

6. Check the caulk in the shower and tub areas of the bathroom.

Old caulk can become brittle, crack, and fall out of place.  This presents an opening for water to enter.  This can cause damage over long periods of time which can lead to mold.  To learn how to get out with the old and in with the new visit https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/rooms-and-spaces/bathroom/how-to-re-caulk-a-bathtub

7. Test and replace smoke detectors, replace batteries as needed.

Per the U.S. Fire administration (USFA) smoke detectors should be tested monthly and batteries replaced at least once or twice a year.  Three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.[2]

8. Check for and repair trip hazards

Winter has just ended and in the Pacific Northwest, our weather can do funny things to items left outside.  Decks can have nails pop or pull out, boards can curl and bow.  Replace those as needed.  You also need to check for changes in the landscape that may cause a trip hazard as the ground may and heaved or shifted.

9. Be safe with your backyard fire pit

Make sure it is level, on the proper surface and at least 10 feet away from your house.  Have something close by, like a fire extinguisher, to put out flames if they get out of control.  When you put out the flames make sure they are completely out.[3]

10. Keep the barbecue safe and fun

Similar to the fire pit, make sure the grill is on a level surface and away from any flammable items.  If the grill is on, don’t walk away.  Kids and pets need to be kept away.  If you have a gas grill, make sure the gas does not build up prior to lighting the flame.  Your eyebrows and lashes will thank you for it.

Have a fun and happy summer season!www.lucascole.com

You can find us at:

Our website https://www.lucascole.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucascoleinsurance/
Jose Salgado’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoseSalgadoInsurance/
Steven Coleman’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Steven-Coleman-Lucas-Cole-Insurance-Agency-402838740231703/

[1] https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/clothes_dryers.html
[2] https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Smoke-alarms/Reports-and-statistics-about-smoke-alarms
[3] https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/fire-pit-safety

Categories
St. Johns Favorites

Pizza Nostra Keeps You Coming Back For More

St. Johns is getting lot’s of new restaurants to discover these days and a wonderful addition to our community is Pizza Nostra.  Located on the corner of Philadelphia and Lombard in the Marvel 29 building, it’s hard to miss when coming or going over the bridge.

It’s always great to find out what makes a business special and I was able to sit down recently with Abdul Ahoti, the owner of Pizza Nostra.  Here’s an excerpt of our conversation.

Abdul Alhoti in the Pizza Nostra kitchen
Abdul Alhoti in the Pizza Nostra kitchen.

Q: Tell me about Pizza Nostra.

A: We started Pizza Nostra in Northeast Portland in 2011, specifically the Beaumont area for its feel and that its family oriented.  There are a lot of family businesses there that provide jobs and that’s why I chose to be in my first location.  After five years, we decided to open another location and we had St Johns as the main destination.  Thankfully we got this great location by the beautiful St. Johns Bridge and we’re doing great here.

Q: What has your journey looked like?

A: I was working at a pizza shop in 2007, the same year I started going to Portland State.  I started entry-level, just doing dishes.  A few years after that I was a manager, then a general manager at a new location they opened.  I worked in that pizza place for five years until I found a great space in Northeast and decided to go on my own and open my own restaurant.

Q: What things did you encounter along the way?

A: I started the business in 2011.  That was my senior year in college, so of course it takes a lot of time to start a new business.  I was working 70 to 80 hours a week and took a lot of effort.  I worked with my fiancé at the time, my wife now, spending as much as we could financially and in time and effort.

Staff of Pizza Nostra St. Johns
Pizza Nostra staff in their kitchen

Q: How did you come up with your name?

A: I was just brainstorming, thinking “what’s name I’m going to start with”?  I wanted to do something that sounded Italian, but also told our story.  I was talking to my mother and she said “why don’t you call it “Our Pizza” and that’s what’s Pizza Nostra literally means!

Q: Why did you choose St. Johns?

A: Great question.  St. Johns has a local feeling and restaurants here are small and emerging.  It’s a familiar feeling I had when I started my first business.  There are quite a few cafes here too.  I’ve seen that St. Johns residents love the feel of their restaurants, so I wanted to be part of that.  I’ve also been hearing for years that St. Johns is an up-and-coming neighborhood in Portland, so that’s another reason why I wanted the opportunity be here.

Q: How did you design and create your interior space?

A: We like it and wish it was a little bit bigger, but we’re happy to have this space.  I wanted to keep the theme of the red and white colors with some stainless steel and add a little bit of wood.  I thought that’s good combination of color and kind of the identity of our pizza.

Abdul Alhoti making pizza
Abdul making pizza at Pizza Nostra

Q: What’s great on your menu?

A: We have a variety of items on our menu and wanted to include everyone.  We have traditional pizzas and vegan options as well.  We have thick crust, New York-style crust and a gluten free crust.  Also one of our specialties is a 26-inch Giant Pizza that barely fits through most doors but, that’s kind of a novelty thing that we just want people to remember us by.

Q: Any advice for a new entrepreneur?

A: I think number one is don’t be afraid to take chances.  I took a chance on myself by opening a new location and leaving a job in my senior year, but it’s paid off.  Work hard.  Never stop learning and surround yourself with a good crew and good people.  I think that’s the most important thing about any successful business.

Abdul Alhoti and Frank Marzetta
Adul Alhoti and Frank Marzetta, St. Johns Realtor and pizza afficionado

Q: Why do you think people support small, local businesses?

A: Well that’s what Portland is about and that’s what I love about Portland.  We love to support local businesses!  I like to see small businesses drive a local area and complement each other.  Look at the business next door to ours, Hoplandia.  We have a great relationship with them.  They don’t serve food and we don’t serve beer, but we have excellent relationship together.  I’m proud to be in a place that supports local businesses and where people can order a lot of different foods.

Q: Why do people like pizza so much?

A: I believe the pizza is fun!  Adults like it and children like it.  It’s an affordable meal a family of four can have.  When you order a pizza, everyone shares together!  People love pizza and if it’s good quality and delivered to their door, then they’ll probably love it even more.

Categories
Favorite Businesses St. Johns businesses St. Johns Favorites

Salty Teacup, a St. Johns Favorite

“Better together,” could be the unofficial slogan for Salty Teacup. What started as two stores on separate side streets has evolved, with the combined strengths of owners Emily Stanfield and Karen Urban, into a St. Johns’ favorite.

On May 14th at the St. Johns Bizarre, the Boosters conducted a survey to find what the public believes are the favorite shops, restaurants and service professionals in our business district. Salty Teacup came away with the most votes and the win in the Shop category.

Salty Teacup’s official slogan, “Provisions for the modern life.”, is a curated mix of clothing, jewelry, gifts, cards, and art.

Karen and Emily, in their own words

Salty Teacup entrance sign, clothing, jewelry and giftsOur shop is designed to create a fun laid back, treasure-filled experience, like falling down the rabbit hole in Alice’s Wonderland. We are a bit of an escape from the everyday where modern meets eclectic and things are continually changing.

Our success is due to the loyal support of our amazing customers. We continually work to evolve our space and our product mix to meet our customer’s needs, and be responsive to changing trends and what customers are not finding at other boutiques.

This includes clothing in size ranges that are typically not well served by boutiques as well as jewelry, accessories and other objects created in house.

We love to include local artists and designers, even some that live in St Johns. Michael Barley, Francesca Bernini of Unusual Cards, The Portland Tarot, Wynn Gunter, Singing Blackbird, and Rebecca Russelle all live and create in St. Johns.

Other local Portland and Oregon based designers include:Salty Teacup welcome and interior

  • Forge + Fire
  • MapleXO
  • New Refined Basics
  • Hubris Apparel
  • Vivid Element
  • Bridge Nine Candle Co.
  • Verbena Botanicals
  • Trixie & Milo
  • Badge Bomb
  • House of Six Cats
  • Eartha Forest
  • Whimsey Chicks

Canvas mounted prints by Deanna Cantrell, also the official photographer for the St. Johns Boosters, grace the shop walls.

Still, product is not enough. No shop can be a “favorite” without excellent customer service. Meet, Tracy Weber, Sales Associate Extraordinaire.

Tracy’s kind and bubbly attitude is part of Salty Teacup’s success. She knows how to direct a customer to that perfect piece to complete an outfit or the “just right” gift for a friend. With so many products in this delightful shop, having a sales associate who knows where everything is and how to make a customer feel special is important.

We would be no where near as successful without Tracy. We definitely miss her when she is off.

Emily Stanfield
Salty Teacup owner

The best idea

Salty Teacup closeup of sweater and hatWhen asked what generated the idea of joining forces into one shop, Karen and Emily mentioned that being located on side streets made it harder for customers to find them. The opportunity to team up in one bigger space was too good to pass up.

Salty Teacup, at 8416 North Lombard, is easy to find.

One more reason Emily and Karen are better together:

We each have different strengths that together form a strong team dynamic. That, along with our amazing staff, keeps us relevant in an ever changing retail economy.

Karen Urban
Salty Teacup owner

Stop by Salty Teacup and see all it has to offer. This shop, along with the many other retailers, restaurants, coffee shops, and service professionals in our business district, is part of what makes St. Johns a thriving community.

Categories
Favorite Businesses St. Johns businesses St. Johns Favorites

Favorite Shops in St. Johns

The Olive & Vine shop with a display of gourmet olive oils and aged vinegars.
The Olive & Vine in St. Johns

The Oregonian has spoken … well posted, actually, their 10 Favorite Shops in St. Johns. Leading all the rest is The Olive & Vine, our very own gourmet specialty store.

If you haven’t visited, you should. Owner Kim Shaw is delightful and knowledgable.  She sources organic olive oils, aged vinegars, sea salts, herbs, spices and fine teas for the shop as well as for her home kitchen. She is brimming with ideas that will liven your table with deliciousness.

The Olive & Vine is more than a job for us. Food has always meant family, friends and love in our home. The shop is really an extension of our home. It’s a look into our pantry and our lives. We use these products and enjoy sourcing new items and sharing them with our customers.

Kim Shaw, Co-Owner
The Olive & Vine

No wonder The Oregonian picked The Olive & Vine as a favorite! Link to The Olive & Vine hours, location, phone, etc.

Categories
Events

Plant Swap & Recycling

Scheduled for Saturday, April 23rd, the Plant Swap & Recycling event is a favorite for St. Johns residents and businesses alike. Time to ‘get your spring cleaning on’ and take your recycling and donations to where they can be reused and recycled.

Pick up a new plant for the garden, exchange seeds, or bring plants to share.

All this takes place in the St. Johns Christian Church Parking Lot at 8400 N Richmond at Central from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. See the flyer for Accepted and Unaccepted Items.

Poster for Plant Swap & Recycling event