Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Lexington Homeowners: Beware of Utility Scams


As we make our way through the winter season, utility companies want customers to be reminded about common utility scams. According to Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS), a growing number of gas, electricity, water and communications consumers are getting calls and visits from imposters out to steal personal and financial data.

A common utility con involves a caller posing as a utility billing representative claiming that you have an overdue bill, and in order to avoid an immediate shut-off, you must provide a credit card number or prepaid debit card.

Sadly, scammers are meeting with great success using this tactic. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the median loss for a utility scam victim is $500.

Here are a few reminders to keep yourself and your data protected:
  • All UUAS-affiliated utility employees carry photo identification.
  • Field workers generally wear clothing with the company logo and drive company vehicles. When in doubt, do not allow them in - and if they persist, call 911.
  • UUAS utility representatives never demand instant payment in person or over the phone.
  • Utility representatives do not require the use of prepaid debit cards (such as Green Dot MoneyPak, MyVanilla or Reloadit).
  • Utility workers will never request customers meet them at a payment center, such as a department or grocery store, to make a payment.


The Utilities United Against Scams website provides more information on how to protect personal information and avoid becoming a victim of utility scams. Stay warm, safe and protected Lexington.



Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Top 10 New Years Resolutions


OK Lexington, now that the new year is a few weeks old, what resolutions have you kept? Making New Year's resolutions is a time-honored tradition all around the world. We all hope for a better future--especially when the year we're leaving behind has been a tough one.
According to research on the topic, about 60 percent of us admit that we make New Year's resolutions but only about 8 percent of us are successful in achieving them. Regardless of whether we achieved our previous resolutions, most of us go right ahead and make a new set of resolutions -- hoping for the best.

Here are a few more interesting facts about New Year's resolutions:
Saving money is one of the top five New Year's resolutions and also in the top five for most commonly failed.

Over half of respondents said they fail their resolution before January 31.

Women make health-focused resolutions while men pledge to find a new job and lay off the alcohol.
So, what are we all wishing for in 2019? Here are the top 10 New Year's resolutions according to a survey of 2,000 people:

1. Diet or eat healthier (71 percent)
2. Exercise more (65 percent)
3. Lose weight (54 percent)
4. Save more and spend less (32 percent)
5. Learn a new skill or hobby (26 percent)
6. Quit smoking (21 percent)
7. Read more (17 percent)
8. Find another job (16 percent)
9. Drink less alcohol (15 percent)
10. Spend more time with family and friends (13 percent)

Are any of these resolutions on your own personal list? Who knows -- this just might be the year that you achieve every goal you set for yourself. Here's to a New Year filled with much success and happiness.


Search For Lexington Area Homes For Sale

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Lexington’s 6th Annual MLK Day of Service

Monday January 21 from 9:00am-4:00pm

Join us as we unite Lexington and adjacent towns’ communities in reflection and celebration of Dr. King’s legacy. Social action, educational events, opportunities for meaningful conversations and much more are part of a full day of activities. So take an uplifting and impactful break from your ski day and participate in any of the various family-friendly volunteer activities to serve those less fortunate. For additional information and to sign up to volunteer, visit http://www.lexingtonmlk.org/.







Here’s a list of events you can participate in, reflect on, and be inspired by:

9–10:30 a.m. at Grace Chapel –Lexington Human Rights Committee and Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association sponsor a Community Dialogue focusing on Dismantling White Privilege and Institutional Racism in Lexington and Beyond: the 400-year Struggle for Racial Justice. Join teens and adults as they talk about how they’ve encountered or combatted White Privilege and Institutional Racism in our community. There will also be an opportunity to strategize on how to build a more racially equitable community.

11 a.m. Unity Walk from the Lexington Battle Green to Cary Hall. Come and join our community in this fun and symbolic show of unity and solidarity in the name of equality and social justice.
11:15 a.m. at Cary Hall Commemoration Program and Musical Performances – Brief and uplifting performances by Lexington literary performer Regie O’Hare Gibson and the In His Words song and spoken word ensemble, Lexington Student winning essay readings and the Special Needs Arts Program (SNAP) Sing Along Chorus. 

Volunteer activities you can sign up for on the MLK Day of Service website:
9 a.m. –3 p.m. Charitable Donation Drop-offs, at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Road, Lexington. Donate non-perishable food items, new toys, books, DVDs, CDs, video games and other media, gently-worn kids clothing (winter layers for kids preferred), well-preserved used toys, and monetary donations.
10 a.m. –12 p.m. Cradles to Crayons Task Force, at 155 North Beacon Street, Brighton, MA. Organize, distribute, clean/prep goods for reaching families in need in Boston area (Brighton warehouse).

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sand for Seniors activities around Lexington (weather permitting). Help our senior citizens be safe during the winter season by delivering buckets of Sand for Seniors for winter driveways and walkways.

1-3 p.m. Wood Furniture Donation for MA Coalition for the Homeless at St. Brigid Church basement, 2001 Mass Ave., Lexington. Donate used all-wood furniture like dressers/bureaus, night tables, end tables, coffee tables, kitchen tables with chairs, and bookshelves and help the homeless get a home.

1–3:30 p.m. YMCA Community Day and Free Clothes Boutique Donations at Waltham YMCA, 725 Lexington St, Waltham. Program of activities for children and adults (games, sports, reading, Zumba, story time, swimming, etc.) including lunch and also accepting donations of gently used clothes and shoes for all ages.

1–4 p.m. Fleece Blanket and Scarf Making at Grace Chapel (Gym), 59 Worthen Road, Lexington. Family-friendly activity making warm fleece items with a strongly-encouraged $10 donation per blanket and $5 for scarf + hat is suggested to cover cost.
1–4 p.m. Card-Making at Lexington Montessori School, 130 Pleasant Street, Lexington. Hand craft greeting cards for underserved populations and enjoying performances by the Music Makes Me Happy Chorus.

1:30-3:30 p.m. Gathering for Lexington Seniors: Honoring His Legacy, Continuing His Message of Sharing at Brookhaven, 1010 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA. Lexington senior residents are invited for music, refreshments, and reflections on what Martin Luther King means to us personally and to our nation. Guests are asked to bring donations of new, unused items include household cleaning and hygiene products, full-sized bed sheets, coffee mugs, gift cards, art and decor for apartments, or a check made payable to “Bedford Place LLC” with “Veteran Programming” in the memo line.

1:30–3:30 p.m. Making Birthday Party Kits for Homeless Children with Seniors + BINGO! at Waltham Crossing 126 Smith St. Waltham. Join senior residents of Waltham Crossing in preparing birthday party supply kits for homeless children in a family-friendly environment with musical performance by Music Makes Me Happy Chorus.

2–4 p.m. Cookie Decorating and Winter Donation Drop-off for Youth On Fire at First Parish in Lexington, 7 Harrington Road, Lexington. Decorate cookies and donate winter wear, public transport Charlie Cards (to help youth get services), gift cards and fresh produce for homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Sort and prepare donations for the shelter. Beverages, human treats, dog treats, and raffle tickets available for purchase.

Contact: Pat Costello   781-862-6435   pecostello@verizon.net


Wednesday, January 9, 2019

23rd Annual Regional High School Art Show


 

23rdAnnual Regional High School Art Show
presented by LexArt (Lexington Arts and Crafts Society)
 



January 12 – 27,  2019
Reception: High School Artists, A Celebration Sunday, January 27, 2 - 4pm

Students from 9 regional high schools: Burlington, Lexington, Bedford, Waltham, Arlington,
Winchester, Lexington Christian Academy, Concord-Carlisle and Minuteman High School will display their artwork in the Parsons Gallery Show.

Gallery Hours:  Tues – Fri & Sun  12 to 4pm,  Saturdays 10am – 4 pm 
Closed Mondays
130 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA 02421

For more information and directions call: 781 862 9696 or visit www.Lexart.org or
Contact: Terumi or Colleen   781-862-9696   lacs.officeadmin@verizon.net



Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Why Not to FSBO in Lexington, MA

Use an agent to sell your Lexington MA home
If you’d like to sell your home in the Lexington MA real estate market in 2019, I am here to help! My experience as a Lexington real estate agent will help you sell your home fast and for the best price. If you’re considering selling FSBO, for sale by owner, here are a few reasons to reconsider:

1.  Most buyers search and buy a home they found on the internet. Agents use internet strategies to get your home seen.
2.  Agents are professional negotiators, and there is a whole slew of people to negotiate with!
3.  Paperwork for selling has dramatically increased, making it harder than ever to FSBO.
4.  Sellers sell for a better price with agents, the biggest reason of all!

Read more about why not to sell FSBO this year, and when ready to sell in the Lexington real estate market, contact me, your Lexington real estate agent! I’m here to help!

Theresa D'Antuono