Sandy, After the Storm

Sandy's presence has left quite a bit of devastation in many New Jersey counties. For those of you that are in need of assistance, here is a list of relief efforts to help you:

HUD Disaster Resources: http://www.hud.gov/info/disasterresources_dev.cfm 

FEMA Accepting Disaster Relief Applications: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is now accepting applications from residents and business owners who sustained losses in Atlantic County, Cape May County, Essex County, Hudson County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Ocean County and Union County.

 *If you wish to apply by phone rather than the Internet, please dial 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).
IRS Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses - click here 

• AC Electric: (1-800-833-7476), www.atlanticcityelectric.com/home/emergency, and @ACElecConnect on Twitter 

• JCP&L: 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or (1-800-545-7738), www.jcp-l.com, and @JCP_L on Twitter 

• PSE&G: (1-800-436-7734), www.pseg.com/outagecenter, and @PSEGdelivers on Twitter 

• Rockland Electric Company: (1-877-434-4100), www.oru.com, and @ORUConnect on Twitter 

• Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative: (1-877-504-6463), www.sussexrec.com/outages.asp 

• Vineland Municipal Utilities: (1-856-794-4280), http://www.vinelandcity.org/Electric/VMEUsite 

IRS Gives Additional Time to Taxpayers and Preparers Affected by Hurricane Sandy; File and Pay by Nov. 7

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)  announced today (Nov. 1) that  it is granting  taxpayers and tax preparers affected by Hurricane Sandy until Nov. 7 to file returns and accompanying payments normally due today. The relief applies to taxpayers and tax preparers in an area affected by Hurricane Sandy or otherwise impacted by the storm that hit the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States this week. This relief primarily applies to businesses whose payroll and excise tax returns and payments were due. View the full press release.

The Red Cross: http://app.redcross.org/nss-app/   

*If you wish to call, please dial 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-27677) 

New Jersey Office of Attorney General’s temporary hotlines activated due to power outages:http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases12/pr20121030a.html 

New Jersey power company information: 

^{For other information, including road closures, transit information, and shelter locations, the best number to call is 2-1-1.}   

Sonia Quintero

Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct

181 Maplewood Ave

Maplewood, NJ 07040

Cell: 646.206.9066

Office: 973.762.5400

Fax: 973.762.5401

squintero@kw.com

www.njhomesbysonia.com.kwrealty.com

Prepare for Sandy's Visit!

For those of you still out there trying to figure out how to prepare for the unwanted visitor, Sandy, here is  the official government link with suggestions: http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

This link includes information as to how to prepare before, during and after the hurricane. If you are in a pinch and have no time to look at that list, here are a few before and during preparations for the storm:

Before:

— Know your surroundings and whether your home is in a flood prone area. Determine where you would go — and how you would get there — if you were ordered to evacuate

— Cover your home's windows, either with permanent storm shutters or marine plywood at least 5/8 of an inch thick

— Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well-trimmed

— Clear clogged rain gutters

— Secure all outdoor furniture, decorations, trash cans and anything else that could blow away.

— Install a generator for emergencies

During:

— Listen to the radio or TV for information

— Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors

— Turn off propane tanks

— Avoid using the phone except for serious emergencies

— Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purpose such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other larger containers with water

— Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors

Good luck to all of you out there. Be prepared and be safe!

Sonia Quintero

Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct

181 Maplewood Ave

Maplewood, NJ 07040

Cell: 646.206.9066

Office: 973.762.5400

Fax: 973.762.5401

squintero@kw.com

www.njhomesbysonia.com.kwrealty.com

The Rubbers Duckies Race Again!

The 14th Annual Duck Race

photo credit: Maplewoodonline.com

Hopefully you have purchased a ticket and entered at least one rubber ducky to race down the Memorial Park brook, where every year the ducks are dumped off one bridge and cheered on by hundreds of eager on-lookers, hoping to cash in with one of the lucky numbers - the first 12 duckies to make it to the next bridge are the winners and the people holding the winning duck numbers win a variety of prizes. Past years the prizes have ranged from dinners for two at a local restaurant to a new television. However, it is not so much the prizes that lure all of these people, young and old; instead it is the Americana-like tradition that bonds all on the perfect occasion - Memorial Day...


Date:  May 28th, 2012 

Time:  11:00am
Information:  $5 SPONSORS RUBBER DUCK RACER

PRIZES FOR TOP 12 DUCKS IN EACH RACE

EVENT BEGINS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PARADE AN CEREMONY AT TOWN HALL

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Address:  MEMORIAL PARK BROOK BETWEEN OAKVIEW AND THE DUCK POND
Town:  Maplewood
Phone:  (973) 763-6139
Contact:  Charles & Ellie Gianni cg2508@comcast.net

GO GREEN!

Maplewood Green Day
Saturday, April 28, 2012 11am - 4pm

It is hard to believe that it has already been 5 years since the Maplewood Green Day fair started! And every year it gets better and better, with more vendors attending as well as more consciencious people who want to learn to reduce their carbon footprint. 

There is something fun and educational for everyone: there are stations set up for kids of all ages throughout, that include environmentally healthy arts and crafts which teaches children how to create art out of "trash!"

And if learning how to be a better guest on this planet was not enough, you are encouraged to come hungry and partake in some of the local food. Many local restaurants and shops will be there representing and sharing some of their goodness, such as: Able Baker, Sona Indian Restaurant, Cactus Charly and many more.

And while you sit there chomping on some deliciousness, enjoy listening to some local bands before you participate on some of the organic wine tasting - Just remember to drink responsibly, bring your helmut and ride your bike back safely!

For more information on the Green Day Festival and how to make the Earth a better place for you and your family, log on to: http://www.maplewoodisgreen.org/green-day.

Hope to see you there!

Sonia Quintero
Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct
181 Maplewood Ave
Maplewood, NJ 07040
Cell: 646.206.9066
Office: 973.762.5400Fax: 973.762.5401
squintero@kw.com
www.njhomesbysonia.com.kwrealty.com

Walk this Way!

Maplewood Art Walk

Want to experience what Maplewood is all about? If you are new to the area or have been living here since you were conceived, this is one of the many amazing events in the quaint town you wont want to miss. You will be reminded as to why it is so great to live in Maplewood and have a fun time doing it. Mark it on your calendar: May 5, from 12 to 5pm!

See you there!

Maplewood Art Walk SAVE THE DATE Saturday, May 5 Noon to 5 PM Maplewood Village will be alive with the sound of music ... and art, and shops, and dance, and theater, and restaurants. Bringing the very best of Maplewood together, the Art Walk is an opportunity to experience what Maplewood is about, all in downtown Maplewood Village. For information on participating artists, performances, cultural arts groups and businesses visit: http://maplewoodvillagenj.com/art-walk/

Time to Feast and Save!

Maplewood Restaurant Week!

If you have been looking for a deal in this economy, as far as eating out,  here is your chance to loosen up the belt in more ways than one: March 19 to the 25th is Maplewood's Restaurant Week!  The weather is getting nicer and here is the list of reasons not to cook and go out instead:

Maplewood Restaurant Week March 19 to 25, 2012               Join Us!  March 19 to 25, 2012 For a Restaurant Week at one of Northern NJ's finest restaurant destinations -  Maplewood, NJ Participating Merchants The following Village merchants are supporting restaurant week with special offers and discounts.  Visit maplewoodvillagenj.comfor details or download the coupon card below.  KoKoRo    172 Maplewood Avenue   The Able Baker  187 Maplewood Avenue Village Ice Cream Parlour  185 Maplewood Avenue  Hopscotch at Home  174 Maplewood Avenue Little One & Co. 1 Highland Place Lotus Petals Floral 92 Baker Street    No. 165 165 Maplewood Avenue Perch Home 9 Highland Place Tenth Muse Gallery 99 Baker Street Village Wine Shop 163 Maplewood Avenue Words Bookstore 179 Maplewood Avenue Download Merchant Savings Card Here           __________         Co-sponsored by Maplewood Village Alliance, Springfield Avenue Partnership andMaplewood Chamber of Commerce       __________ Visit  Springfield Avenue Partnership for more details on restaurants on Springfield Avenue ____________ Thanks for Shopping and Dining Locally!   Participating Restaurants Arturo's Osteria & Pizzeria Maplewood Village Restaurants $35 three course tasting menu  M-Thu, lunch & dinner, full table participation required Cactus Charly $20 prix fixe three-course meal Coda Kitchen & Bar $30 prix fixe three-course meal M-Thu; 15% off Sat/Sun brunch Highland Place $30 prix fixe three-course meal M-Thu; $5 dessert specials Maple Leaf Diner $12.95 prix fixe four-course meal Maplewood Deli & Grille 20% off Blackboard Specials Restaurant Lorena's $29 prix fixe three-course menu;            available from 5-6pm daily Sona Indian Cuisine 10% off bill, dinner only St. James's Gate 25% off liter bottles of wine; $4 micro draft pints; $6 corned beef sandwich meal; $5 kid's mac & cheese; - all week. $5 burger meal Sun-Thu only The Able Baker $4 daily deal: cup of coffee and a scone or a cupcake Village Burger 20% off all in-house dining; offer cannot be combined Village Ice Cream Parlour present receipt of local merchant dated 3/19/12-3/25/12, buy one get one free.  limited exclusions will apply Village Trattoria 20% off all in-house dining;              offer cannot be combined  Millburn Avenue & Valley Street   Maplewood Pizzeria & Family Restaurant $25-salad or chicken wings, 2 large pizzas-1 w/topping $19.99-2 large cheese pizzas buy one dinner, get the second dinner half-price buy one sandwich, get the second dinner half-price O'Reilly's Bar & Grill $16: large pizza, 10 Chicken wings, pitcher of soda Springfield Avenue Restaurants DiPietro Foods,  $5 off any purchase $30 or more East Wok special offers with purchases of $11, $20, $30, $40. offers exclude lunch specials; cannot be combined; call for details Edo's Cakes $6 desert special -any 3 cupcakes HLS 10% off Menu Prices Hunan Wok 10% off purchase, not including lunch special Maplewood Deli $7 lunch & dinner special, spanish sausage & one meat, veggies, plantain, rice, beans & iced tea; 10% off breakfast all week Papa John's Pizza $14.99 -  large pizza with 1 topping, cheese or bread sticks & 2 liter soda Park Wood Diner Free dessert with any dinner purchase Parteaz $10 kid's lunch & craft special call ahead ($15 at door); adults $5; offer valid Tue 3/20-Fri 3/23 Verjus Restaurant $39 prix fixe three-course dinner: appetizer, entrée, desert Not all restaurant participate all days; lunch or dinner options vary per participating establishment. Beverages, taxes and gratuities may not be included. Call restaurants for reservations, details and availability. Offers subject to change.   Visit www.MaplewoodRestaurantWeek.com

An added bonus this year is that other businesses are also offering their own deals during this week.  Click on the link here and download a Merchant Coupon Card for discounts on flowers, wine and other special gifts.  See you out!

Sonia Quintero

Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct

181 Maplewood Ave

Maplewood, NJ 07040

Cell: 646.206.9066

Office: 973.762.5400

Fax: 973.762.5401

squintero@kw.com

www.njhomesbysonia.com.kwrealty.com