Is it because it is back to school time, or Labor Day, or my brother Hank’s birthday, or the anniversary date of my business?  Nope.  It is because in my industry, September is National Life Insurance Awareness month.  For those of you who are my friends, family, and/or clients, or both, you probably get sick of me bringing up Life insurance to you.

I think you must know by now, it is not because I want to annoy you, sell you something, or bore you, but because I love you and care about your family.  When you have been in the insurance industry as long as I have, and yes, I know it is hard to believe it has been almost 15 years for me, you see some very sad scenarios.  I assure you, there is nothing more heart breaking to an insurance agent than having a client die with no insurance plan in place.  It doesn’t matter if it is a senior citizen leaving behind a spouse with bills they can’t pay, or a person who was too young to die, and therefore didn’t think they needed life insurance.  The heartache is the same.  A lost life is a lost life.  Financial devastation and hardship just add salt to the open wounds. 

I know many of you reading this think it doesn’t apply to you, but if you are really being honest with yourself, I bet it does.  I don’t want to bore you with statistics, but I will throw a couple at you:

• 1/3 of all adults in the US carry no Life Insurance
• 1 of 3 women have no life insurance

These are factoids from the following site:  www.limra.com

Guess what this means people?  Some of you must fall into one of those 2 statistics.  Many of you have told me over and over that you have it through work.  Good for you, but bad for your family if you lose your job or change careers and get sick or die in the interim.  Most work life insurance plans are not transferable.  This means, you don’t take it with you.  You may have an option to convert it to some type of a permanent policy, but the cost will be huge.  Plus, most likely, you don’t have enough anyway!!!

Think about your monthly expenses.  How long will the survivors be able to keep on top of them with whatever life insurance you have right now, today?  Some of you tell me that they can just sell the house.   Hhhhhmmmm, really?  And what if they can’t sell it right away?  What if they can’t qualify for an equity line to get immediate cash? What if you have an equity line and it is frozen?  And seriously, who are you kidding?  You want to make your family sell the house and move?  And go where?

So, this is why I do a lot of reflecting in September.  I want those people who may not have a voice, like your children for example, to be taken care of if something happens to you.  We will all be devastated if something does, but I can tell you with 100% certainty, if you have a strong plan in place, it will soften the blow.  Please, think about it.  Review your plan.  Take care of those who I know you love so much.  Have a happy and safe Labor Day!

I just love the Olympics, I honestly do.  I don’t love being exhausted each and every morning because I’ve stayed up until midnight watching them, but I love ‘em!!!  I love the passion and determination of the athletes, the coaches, heck even the commentators.  That 400M swim relay, are you kidding me???  I love the water, even though swimming was never my sport, I could watch it all day.  Of course there is the Michael Phelps factor.  How many of you get as giddy as I do when he smiles that adorable smile?  Honestly though, I love watching all of the swimming, he has just brought more of a heightened awareness to the sport.  I will also say, anyone looking at a sport that can turn your body into a literal temple, this could be your silver bullet.  Do you know Michael Phelps eats 10,000 calories a day??  Yes, 10,000 and he is still lean.  Keep in mind, his average work out burns 4000 calories, but still.  Wow. 

How about the women’s gymnastics last night?  Taking the Gold and the Silver for the 1st time, ever!  So exciting.  Did you catch Bela Karoli with Bob Costas?  I think he almost knocked poor Bob off of his chair.  Or the beach volley ball with Kerry Walsh and Misty May-Treanor.  Any woman who can play a sport that requires her to run, jump and dive in the sand, all the while wearing a very skimpy bikini and still look amazing, has my utmost respect.  I even watched cycling the other night and saw an amazing American woman who struggled to make the team win the Gold.  When she hugged her husband or boyfriend at the end and broke down, I sobbed like a baby right along with her.

I would be truly remiss if I did not mention the opening ceremonies.  If you did not see this, no one will ever be able to explain to you how truly amazing and spectacular it was.  I watched it with my 3 children ages 8, 5 and 3.  I honestly did not think they would sit still for the entire spectacle as it was long.  Even the 3 year old sat transfixed.  I still cannot believe it was all done by actual people.  Truly one of the most incredible opening ceremonies I have ever seen.  I wish I could have seen it live.

So, for me I am saving the best for last.  The sport that gets all of my attention, heart, soul, tears, elation……the Women’s US Olympic Soccer team!  I am literally chomping at the bit for the 1st game.  As many of you know, soccer is a passion of mine both as a coach and as a player.  If I think I am exhausted now, it will only get worse once this starts.  I know with the new age of DVR’s I can record anything and everything, but there is something about watching it live that cannot be captured on a recording.  Plus, inevitably, whenever I tape something, a friend, a family member, or a newscaster, blows it for me and then I won’t even watch the recording.

So, here is my little suggestion for the weekend.  Grab a bowl of popcorn, grab some family member, and cuddle up to watch the Olympic Games.  Imagine what it would feel like to have that medal placed around your neck, or how those moms and dads feel seeing their children accomplish such unbelievable feats and enjoy the passion.  Who knows, it may even motivate you to get outside and try a new sport!

Cheers and have wonderful weekend!

Now, we come to the start of the new school year and all that entails.  School clothes shopping, school supplies, new backpacks, new lunch boxes, does it ever end?  When I mentioned the word relief earlier, I was referring to the feeling of normalcy and structure that comes with the end of summer.  For some of us that means driving to 2 different schools, picking up at 2 different schools, but at 3 different times, Soccer season (my personal favorite), Fall softball for my oldest daughter, continued swim lessons, taekwondo, homework, finding time for my husband, going back to working a normal schedule, throw some sleep in there, laundry, cooking dinner, making lunches, snacks, the endless barrage of birthday parties at Pump it Up and Safari Run, board meetings, coaching soccer, coaching softball………

Did I say, “relief?”  Clearly I was insane, when does summer come again????

For those of you who are just becoming familiar with this new word, it is essentially staying at home, or close to home, for a vacation instead of going away.  Get it?  I know more and more people who are doing this, not only to save money this summer, but also because there truly is so much to see right here at home.  Also, many friends we know have people coming to visit them from out of the area, so they are coordinating their vacations around their guests.  They now have the opportunity to play tour guide while also becoming reacquainted with the incredible area and surrounding areas, we are so fortunate to call home. 

I will be taking my week of vacation in August, but will be staying or rather, “staycaying” right here at home.  My best friend Colette will be arriving from New York with her baby girl Ava, and my family and I will be hanging out right here at home.  We plan to hit San Fran, the zoo, the mall, possibly Santa Cruz……..we will sleep in everyday (wishful thinking with 4 little ones in the house, but am hoping), stay up late playing games and talking, just like a little mini vacation, but a lot more friendly on the wallet!!  I may even let my kids have pizza for breakfast and ice cream for dinner, who knows! 

I would love to hear some comments from you other “staycationers” and ideas of things you found to do.

My parents in turn, hosted Danish soccer players when I was in high school (much to my brother and his friends delight).  Later, when I was in college, my parents also hosted players from El Salvador who had come to play in a cultural exchange and good will tournament with a team I was playing on.  These experiences were amazing.  I have had pen pals in many countries in the world due to my soccer experiences.

I am now experiencing soccer with my children. This has given soccer a whole new level of meaning for me as I experience it through their eyes.  I have been coaching my kids here in Foster City for the past 5 years. 3 years ago, I was asked by a friend if I would be wiling to host an English soccer player/coach.  For those of you involved in A.Y.S.O., you are very familiar with the groups of English guys, and occasional girls, who start arriving in the summer to host camps, and then assist with coaching come fall.  Remembering the incredible experiences I had with the players my parent’s hosted, and a “hard” sell to my husband, we were in.  7 players later, and here we are!

We have hosted for 3 falls, and are on our 2nd summer.  Most have come back to visit, and all still regularly e-mail, referring to us as their “American” family.  Our kids call them the “English boys” (though we have also had a lovely Irishman) and look forward to their visits immensely.  We now even have our first Peruvian!  We have had players from all over England, and my husband, who is a HUGE history buff, has had many a late night discussion with these lads.  We have taken them everywhere from the SF Zoo, to the wine country, to the pumpkin patch in Half Moon Bay at Halloween, to the free Friday night concerts right here in our fair city.  Exposing our kids to different cultures has been an incredible experience for them, and we hope, will make them more well rounded and curious and interested in other cultures and travel.

So, if you have a friend come calling asking you to host an English or perhaps Irish, or even Peruvian soccer coach, keep this in mind………When you are exhausted after a long day, but still have to cook dinner, or wash the never ending laundry, wouldn’t it be great to have someone who willing, will take them outside to kick a ball endlessly around?  Last night, my husband and I joined in, and by the end of the evening, our new English and Peruvian friends were actually throwing a football!  That’s an American football people, to you die hards who call soccer football (like the rest of the world)!

As my Brit friends would say, hope to see you all out on the pitch this Fall!

How much is this worth? It’s covered right? Well, yes and no, not necessarily, it depends. How are these for answers? I get these questions a lot when I am reviewing coverage with an existing customer, or a potential customer. The truth of the matter is, when you are talking about your personal property, there are a lot of variables involved when it comes to insurance. The typical home, condo or renter’s insurance policy, does indeed have coverage that applies to your personal property, however, it is limited in scope and nature. Most policies have a specified dollar limit when it comes to certain items, such as, jewelry, home computers, tools, and other items depending on the policy. Another important issue, they are not only covered up to the limit specified in your policy, but they are only covered by named perils listed in your policy, think of the biggies, fire, theft, smoke damage.

This conversation comes up a lot when I happen to notice an inconspicuous diamond ring on a client’s finger. I comment on its beauty and then ask “is it insured?” 9 out of 10 times the answers are the same. Yes, it’s covered under my homeowner’s policy. I then ask if they ever provided an appraisal, had their agent inspect it, and they say “no.” Note, if you have not provided details to your agent to “schedule” your special items, i.e. provide details such as color, cut, clarity, etc., most likely it is not covered in the way you think it is. You may have up to $1500, or $2500, but that is it. Plus, it is only covered for the big listed perils above.

There are many other things that can be added to what we in the biz call a “Personal Articles Policy.” You can add antiques, rugs, electronic equipment, sporting equipment, i.e. golf clubs, art work, jewelry of course, and many other things. The beauty of these policies is, 1) the coverage is very broad, even covers earthquake and, 2) since the insurance company has an exact description, there is usually no argument as to the value and quality of the item should you have to open a claim.

I want to talk a little about claims involving your personal property, whether scheduled or not. If you haven’t done so already, I strongly suggest you do an inventory of your home. This can be done with many mediums, but I recommend a video, going room by room, and describing the contents as you go. You can also use a digital camera and photo specialty items and then mount them with a description and approximate value, plus any features you think may be important. All of this should be stored in either a safe deposit box at your bank, or some type of fire retardant safe in your home. This will not only help you in the claims process, but your claim representative will love you. If you have receipts, manuals, etc., store these in there as well.

I can tell you from personal experience, many of us don’t realize how much “stuff” we have until we actually inventory it. Are you are a lover of expensive shoes and handbags, ringing any bells ladies? You should definitely do this. These items can add up quickly. Years ago, my husband was working as a Fire Claim Representative. He came home after working on a fire and told me a lady had told him she had a purse worth over $1500. He said this mind you, with a look of almost disgust, as if to say, why would someone spend this type of money on a purse!. I said, “Hello, purses can cost thousands of dollars.” If he only knew………….

I know it may seem like a daunting and tedious task, but if you end up losing all of your belongings in a fire, believe me, you will thank yourself!

Hello Softball families,

If your daughter has an interest in playing fall softball, please fill out the attached registration form by July 15 and mail it to:

FYCSA

P.O. Box 4211

Foster City, CA 94404

The registration fee will depend on the number of players, but the approximate cost will be $75.00. The fee will be collected in August when the exact amount is known. 

Depending on the interest level, Foster City Softball will put together a 10U, 12U, and 14U team to participate in the Peninsula Jane Eymer Fast Pitch Softball League.  The league fields teams from Belmont, Half Moon Bay, Palo Alto, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo and for the last three years, Foster City.  Game day will be determined by a league meeting in August, but typically 10U and 14U play doubleheader games on Sunday and 12U doubleheader games are on Saturdays.  Teams will carry large rosters to accommodate girls who may have soccer conflicts.  The season runs early September to mid-November.

In fall ball, girls typically play in the division they will play in the upcoming season.  For example, if your daughter is in 8U now, but will be moving up to 10U in Spring 2009, she will play on a 10U fall ball team.  This gives the girls a great opportunity to hone their skills at a higher level during the “off” season.

For more information about the Jane Eymer league, you may visit their website:

http://www.eteamz.com/jefsl/

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Jennifer Selvitella

Foster City Youth Softball Association, Fall Ball Coordinator

Jennifer@jenniferselvitella.net

650-678-5636 (cell)

* Did your child struggle this past season in softball or baseball with hitting?

* Do you find yourself frustrated trying to coach him/her with their mechanics?

* Do you find it difficult to pinpoint the problem?

My name is John Selvitella and I have been involved as a player and coach with both baseball and softball, for over 30 years. I was known for my hitting technique and have been able to pass this on, with success, to many players here in Foster City. I have quality references to back it up.

I will provide a detailed analysis to you and your child as to what their strengths and weaknesses are when it comes to hitting. I will also develop an action plan to help them work on these between sessions.

Be prepared for the next season. Call or e-mail me today to set-up a session.

Cost: $50 for a full hour or $35 for 45 minutes

$200 if you pre-pay for a package of 5 sessions

**full hour not recommended for children under 10

Business: 650-773-3219 E-Mail: J.Selvitella@comcast.net

Let’s touch on prevention and things we can do as adults and parents to help prevent this very serious type of injury.  Obviously, never leave little ones outside unattended while the barbecue is on.  If your child is as curious as mine, they want to know what smells so good under that barbecue cover.  Also, barbecues stay hot, very hot, long after the cooking is done.  Just because you are sitting down and enjoying your burger, your little one could still be badly burned from a barbecue that has been turned “off.”

As summer approaches, it should be part of your annual home plan (much like spring cleaning), to check your barbecue for the following:

*check your grill thoroughly for leaks or cracks before using

*clean out the tubes that lead into the burner

*make sure the grill is at least 10 feet away from your home, garage, or trees

*Store and use your grill on a large flat surface that cannot burn (i.e. concrete)

*Never use grills in a garage, on a porch a deck or anything that can catch fire

*use long handled BBQ tools and/or flame resistant mitts

*keep the cocktails away from the BBQ as alcohol is flammable

*never leave the grill unattended

I mentioned to someone about not barbecuing in the garage and they laughed and said, “Come on, who would do that?”  Kimberly, who works in my office, recently was dropping her son off at a birthday party.  The garage door was closed when she pulled up and noticed some smoke coming out from the bottom of the closed door.  She decided she better go inside as opposed to dropping off her son.  Guess what?  Not only were they barbecuing in the garage, a big no-no, they had the door closed with no ventilation.  Needless to say, much to her 10 year old son’s dismay, she decided to hang around.  Even seemingly smart people make poor choices.  In the summer, often people are having cocktails in the backyard while barbecuing, kids are running around laughing and playing, it is easy to become distracted.    Get in the practice of checking out that barbecue before it gets put to good use this summer and always have good safety practices in place, especially when kids are around!

Until next Friday, have a great weekend and fire up those grills!  Hope to see you out at FC’s annual Art & Wine festival.  Which of course makes make think about those carnival rides, oh, I cannot even go there…have you seen the people who set those things up???