Want to know what’s going on around our neighborhood? Find out here on the Community News page! Visit throughout the day to get your updated local news headlines. In addition, you can also find out about local happenings.If you know of an event, such as a city picnic, local high school graduation or a wedding, post it here to let all of us know! Be sure to keep yourself informed by checking this page frequently! |
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Favorite Elyria Landmarks, Elyria HighPosted on: 2005-03-03Elyria High School - Possibly Elyria's best-loved landmark, the Washington building of EHS has dominated the 600 block of Middle Avenue for well over a hundred years. In 1900, student enrollment was 274. Now, with many hundreds in each graduating class, a new high school is planned, and this still-proud building will be used by the school board. -
Favorite Elyria Landmarks, Ely Square FountainPosted on: 2005-03-03Fountain •
The fountain in Ely Square is the latest of several to have graced this site since 1851. An earlier version was among the first 'electrified' fountains in the country. Its multi-colored lights actually drew out-of-town visitors. The many shade trees, benches, picnic tables, and gazebo make Ely Square a picturesque and restful haven in the heart of town. - Mayor's RoundtablePosted on: 2005-03-03Keep informed about what's going on in the city. Mayor Grace talks with Chronicle Telegram's Andy Young and reporter Christina Jolliffe. Watch the program broadcast daily on Ch. 12 at 7am, 9am, 12pm, 6pm, 9pm, and 12am.
- Motion to Music @ East RecPosted on: 2005-03-03Get into shape! Exercise classes every T & TH from 6pm-7pm.
- Family Play NightsPosted on: 2005-03-03East Rec Center every Friday night from 5:30-7:30. Bring the whole family for fun and games. Best of all....it's FREE!
- Academy of Lifelong Learning @ LCCCPosted on: 2004-02-08Ongoing life interest education programs. For more infor mation, call (440)366-4148
- Lorain County Walks ProgramPosted on: 2004-05-24
About Lorain County Walks
Lorain County Walks is an ongoing lifestyle fitness program designed to help you be active and healthy. Increasing physical activity is one of the recommendations from the Surgeon General’s report on physical fitness. Use a pedometer to track the number of steps you take each day. Turn in your calendar at the end of each month and be eligible for fabulous prizes! Increase energy, decrease stress and have fun with Lorain County Walks!
Health experts recommend walking around 10,000 steps a day (about 5 miles) on most days for cardiovascular health. It’s possible more steps may be needed for weight loss.
Level of Activity
900 - 3000 = Inactive
5000 - 7000 = Moderate
10000 + = Active
Benefits
Decreased stress
Increased energy
Prevention of common chronic disease like cardiovascular disease, Type 1 Diabetes, some types of cancer, and osteoporosis
People who are physically active while on a weight loss program are more likely to keep the weight off
Getting Started
What is a pedometer? A pedometer is a motion-sensing device, which accurately records the number of footsteps you take. Pedometers are meant to measure primarily walking related activities.
Wearing Your Pedometer. A pedometer is designed to be worn at waist level, directly above the side of either knee. The pedometer should be mounted horizontally in a level position, clipped onto your belt or the rim of you pants. For security, use the safety strap that comes with the pedometer to insure that it doesn’t fall off. Avoid any rough handling of the pedometer like shaking, throwing or jarring.
Logging Footsteps. Logging footsteps is the single most important step you will take to ensure consistency over the long haul. The first day you start wearing your pedometer write your step total in that day on the calendar provided.
Goals and Target Training. Different people have different goals, baseline fitness and activity levels, and different lifestyles and attitudes toward fitness and physical activity. Once you have worn you pedometer for a few days and determined your baseline steps for a day, set a reachable goal for the next week. For example, if your baseline number of steps per day is 6,000, you may decide to increase by 100 steps a day for the next seven days. The only competition you have is with yourself. So set a goal that is realistic and attainable for you. The big goal is 10,000 steps a day. The important thing is to gradually get more active and stay more active!
Key Points of Training. A) Increase your activity level very gradually. For example, consider an increase of 100 footsteps per day. This represents about one extra minute of walking per day - not a lot, but certainly enough to make a difference over time. B) For weight loss program, emphasize longer walks and increased exercise duration, eventually building up to 45-60 minutes a day of walking. For a cardiovascular program, emphasize shorter walks of greater intensity, eventually building up to 20 or so non-stop minutes per walk. For a longevity-oriented program, gradually build up to 6,000-10,000 steps a day and maintain that level consistently over a lifetime. C) Wear comfortable shoes and thin socks.
Rejuvenation. If you find yourself slipping, go back to your calendar log and just pick up from where you last faded out.
Resources
www.loraincounty.com/walks
www.walkinginfo.org
www.walk4life.com
www.americanheart.com
www.pecentral.org
How to Participate in Lorain County Walks
Register: Register as a team or alone with the Lorain County General Health District to receive a walking calendar and program information.
Record Steps: Use pedometer to count steps and record each day. Turn in calendar at the end of the month for a chance to win prizes! Pedometers available for $15.00.
Reap Benefits: Feel and look better! Have fun! Reduce risk of heart attack, colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure! - Home Ownership Alliance Emergency Preparedness GuidePosted on: 2004-05-24
Visit this website for a downloadable version of this brochure to help protect your family should the need arise. - Insurance Checklist...A Guide for Home BuyersPosted on: 2005-02-14
Shopping for your dream house? It’s important to keep insurance in mind throughout the home buying process. Most lenders won’t provide a mortgage without insurance coverage. Your insurance company or agent, together with your realtor, can help you get what you want – a good home that is properly protected.
EVEN BEFORE YOU START LOOKING FOR A HOME
Put yourself in the best possible position to afford a home, receive the lowest possible mortgage rate and get insurance for your new house. This takes preparation on your part.
c Check your credit rating
Good credit helps you in many ways, including getting a mortgage at a good rate. Depending on the state and the insurer, it may also help you save money on your homeowners insurance. Get a copy of one or all of your credit reports. Make sure they are accurate and report any mistakes immediately. The credit report helps you see how your credit standing compares to others. If your credit is not as good as it should be, begin now to improve it.
c Check your home insurance claims-filing history
Get a copy of your loss historyreport, such as a CLUE report from ChoicePoint or an A-PLUS report from Insurance Services Office (ISO). This is a record of home insurance claims you have filed. If you have not filed any insurance claims in the past five years, you won’t have a loss history report. Depending on the property you ultimately buy, you will most likely not have any trouble getting insurance. The better your claim record, the less you may pay for insurance. This can also be important if you are selling the home you are currently living in. A past claim does not have to be a problem. Repairs or improvements, if done properly, can make a property more attractive to buyers and insurers.
c Renters insurance
If you are currently renting, it’s important to have insurance for your personal property. Your landlord’s coverage will not cover the things you own. If you haven’t owned a home before, it might be helpful to have a history of insurance when you go to buy your first home.
HOUSE HUNTING
As you look at homes, remember that characteristics of the house (where it is, how it's constructed and the kind of shape it’s in) can send your insurance rates up or down:
c Construction of the house
If you plan to live near the Atlantic or Gulf coasts, consider a brick home because it is more hurricane resistant. If you are buying in a seismically-active region, look for newer homes built to current codes, or older homes that have been bolted to their foundations. They are better able to withstand earthquakes.
c Age of the house
Older homes sometimes have features such as plaster walls, ceiling molding and wooden floors that could be costly to replace. Such special features may raise the cost of insurance. Also, an older home that has been updated to comply with current building codes is typically less expensive to insure than an older home that is not up to date.
c Condition of roof and home
If you are considering a “fixer upper,” you may pay more for insurance until clear improvements are made. In particular, check out the condition of the roof. A new roof in good repair will be attractive to insurers and will save you money and aggravation.
c Plumbing, heating and electrical systems
These systems can wear out, become unsafe with age or become dated as safer technologies are introduced. Recent upgrades make your home safer and less likely to suffer fire or water damage.
c Safety devices
Homes equipped with smoke, fire and burglar alarm systems that alert an outside service may get sizeable discounts. Strong doors, dead-bolt locks and window locks may also reduce insurance costs.
c Pool, wood-burning stove, etc.
You will need higher property and liability coverage if you are buying a home with these features. With a pool, consider getting additional coverage, such as an umbrella or excess liability policy.
c Quality and proximity of the fire department
Homes near a fire station, those with a hydrant close by and those located in communities with a professional rather than volunteer fire department will cost less to insure.
c Location, location, location
Homes near the coast will be more expensive to insure because the risk of hurricane, wind or water damage is greater. In many states, you will pay the first few thousand dollars in damage before your insurance kicks in. You also need to think about the threat of floods or earthquakes. You will need separate insurance for these risks and it can be costly. Also, around the country, there are high-risk areas vulnerable to hurricanes, brush fires or crime that might not qualify for private insurance. To make insurance available, there are state-sponsored Fair Access to Insurance Requirement (FAIR) Plans. FAIR Plans, however, can be expensive and provide less coverage.
PLACING A BID
You have looked at a number of properties and are narrowing your search to a few homes. Now get more specific information on the house and its insurability. You should take the following steps:
c Check the house’s loss history report
Ask the current homeowner for a copy of the house’s insurance loss history report. This will provide information regarding claims filed during the last five years and answer two questions that any savvy homebuyer should ask. Are there any past problems in the home? If damage has occurred, was it properly repaired? Prior claims are not barriers to getting insurance, but you should know the history of the home before you go to closing.
c Get the house inspected
A thorough inspection of the home is very important. The inspector will check the general condition of the home; show you where potential problems might develop; double-check that past problems have been repaired; and suggest upgrades or replacements that may be needed. If a house has been well-maintained, you should have no trouble getting insurance. However, if the inspector raises questions, your insurance company will as well. In particular, have the inspector check for water damage, termites and other types of infestation. Special attention should be paid to the electrical system, septic tank and water heater. Find out if there is an underground oil storage tank, as many insurers will not provide policies for homes with them.
c Contact your insurance professional
Don’t wait until the last minute to think about insurance. Ask your current insurance professional if the house will qualify for insurance and get an estimate of the premium. The sooner you act, the smoother the process will be. Get recommendations from family and friends. Your insurance agent or company representative will be an advisor for many years, so select someone you know and trust.
c Shop around for the best coverage
Most people spend months looking for a house, but spend five minutes insuring it. Insurance companies sell insurance in different ways – some through their own agents, others through independent agents or brokers and still others directly by phone or over the internet. Select the arrangement that you are most comfortable with. Get the names of several highly regarded insurers. The higher the financial rating, the stronger they are and better prepared to be there if a real disaster strikes. Then compare prices. It could cut hundreds of dollars off the cost of your bill.
PURCHASING THE HOUSE AND INSURANCE
Congratulations, you are set to purchase your new home. Now you want to be sure you are getting the right insurance coverage at the lowest possible price. You should consider the following to get the most value for your insurance dollar:
c Take the highest deductible you can afford
The higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Since most people only file a claim every eight to ten years, you will save money over time and preserve your insurance for when it’s really needed.
c Ask about available discounts:
Multi-policy (home, car or other policies with the same company)
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Sprinkler systems
Burglar and fire alarms that alert an outside service
Deadbolt locks and fire-safe window grates
55 years old and retired
Long-time policyholder
Upgrades to plumbing, heating and electrical systems
Earthquake retrofitting to make the home safer
Wind-resistant shutters
c Get enough insurance
Take the time to properly insure your home. Make sure that you have enough coverage to:
Completely rebuild the house in the event it is destroyed by fire or other insured disaster
Replace everything in it
Protect your liability in case someone is injured on your property and sues you
c Ask about additional coverage for
Replacement cost coverage for possessions
Extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage for the structure
Building code upgrades
Sewer and drain back-ups
Inflation-guard
Umbrella coverage for a pool or other high-risk items
Special riders for jewelry, collectibles and expensive items
c Flood, earthquake and windstorm risk
Damage caused by flooding and earthquakes is not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. Instead, homeowners will need to pay an additional premium for coverage that is provided through the government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). To get flood insurance, your community must participate in the NFIP program. Policies for coastal properties will have a sizeable windstorm deductible, which means the homeowner may be responsible for thousands of dollars of damage before insurance kicks in. It pays to know what is in your policy. Earthquake insurance is offered by private insurance companies. In California, coverage is available through the California Earthquake Authority, a state program, as well as the private market. It can be expensive and comes with a high deductible.
AFTER YOU PURCHASE YOUR NEW HOME
c Properly maintain the house
Maintain your home as you would your car. Every year, there are important things you should do to reduce the chance that you will experience water damage, fire or other insured loss. Insurance does not pay for routine maintenance or damage resulting from neglect. The cost for proper care should be calculated into your overall budget. It’s your responsibility to be the “risk manager” for your home. If you do your part to reduce insurance losses, not only will your home be safer, it will also save you money on your insurance bill.
c Keep insurance up-to-date
Let your insurer know about alterations, additions and improvements to your home. Major purchases and lifestyle changes such as a marriage or divorce should trigger a call to your insurance professional. This way, you can maximize your insurance dollars by not being either under- or over-insured.
- Credit Smart CurriculumPosted on: 2005-02-14A curriculum to help consumers understand, build and maintain better credit.
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Favorite Elyria Landmarks, Cascade's RockPosted on: 2005-03-03Pink Floyd Rock •
Down by the river in Cascade Park lies the mighty Pink Floyd rock, a time-honored piece of graffiti visible [almost] continuously for over 25 years. -
Favorite Elyria Landmarks, The FordPosted on: 2005-03-03The Ford
When the Black River is low, the auto ford connects Elywood and Cascade Parks. The ford was last renovated in 1982 after several earlier designs were damaged by the river. -
Favorite Elyria Landmarks, Rocking Chair GuyPosted on: 2005-03-03Rocking Chair Guy
The E.H. Roberts Company at the corner of Routes 57 and 254 features this great animated advertisement. The 'Guy in the Rocking Chair' has delighted children in passing cars for years -
Favorite Elyria Landmarks, West FallsPosted on: 2005-03-03West Falls •
The majestic falls on the West Branch of the Black River is one of Elyria's greatest treasures, presenting a different mood in every season. Use the Observation Deck in Cascade Park or, as shown here, the Two Falls Trail -
Favorite Elyria Landmarks, Loomis' CameraPosted on: 2005-03-03Loomis Camera - The distinctive and memorable signage for the Loomis Camera shop on Broad Street features an oversize SLR camera. In the 1970's it was a flash cube camera that actually flashed -
Favorite Elyria Landmarks, Train DepotPosted on: 2005-03-03Train Depot
In 1925, the New York Central Railroad built this passenger terminal alongside the newly-elevated tracks. The once-grand depot features a massive front canopy, elaborately carved sandstone decorations, and a large central skylight. It is currently being renovated for use as a regional transportation hub -
Favorite Elyria Landmarks, Town HallPosted on: 2005-03-03Town Hall •
Elyria's Town Hall, built in 1867, is among the oldest still in use in Ohio. A fabulous Opera House once filled the upper floor. Much of this building will be saved as part of a new Municipal Complex -
Favorite Elyria Landmarks, Stone TowerPosted on: 2005-03-03Stone Tower
Built in 1879 from sandstone quarried nearby, the original wooden tank stored city water from the Black River. It is used today by the former Steel and Tubes plant -
Favorite Elyria Landmarks, Cascade's Bear CavePosted on: 2005-03-03Bear Cave
From 1920 to about 1980, the city maintained a cage for brown bears in the 'cave' under this rock ledge at Cascade Park, (bottom center of photo) -
Favorite Elyria Landmarks, Ruins at East FallsPosted on: 2005-03-03Ruins at East Falls - Down by the East Falls, not far from the Police Station, lie the ruins of a short-lived hydroelectric power plant operated in the early 1920's by The Elyria Milling and Power Company. It provided electricity to parts of downtown Elyria -
Favorite Elyria Landmarks, Old Post OfficePosted on: 2005-03-03Fifth Third Bank •
This imposing building at Broad Street and East Avenue was once Elyria's main post office, built near the railroad tracks in 1918. Mail distribution later switched from rail to trucks, and a new post office was built on East Bridge Street in 1981. The old post office was saved and renovated by Fifth Third Bank in 2001 -
Favorite Elyria Landmarks, from www.elyriapride.elyria.comPosted on: 2005-03-03East Falls •
A combination dam and rock cliff produce this beautiful double falls on the East Branch of the Black River, located just down from the Washington Avenue bridge. Elyria's 'Red Mill' once harnessed the power of this falls. For best viewing, use the observation deck behind the Police Station -
City of Elyria WebsitePosted on: 2006-05-06Visit the city's official website!Website:www.cityofelyria.org
