Lakewood Features

The Electric Daisy Carnival rave at Fair Park this past weekend ended with the death of at least one person and sent over two dozen more to the hospital with drugs, alcohol or heat-related health problems. According to the Dallas Country Medical Examiner, the person who died with 19-year-old Andrew James Graf of Argyle. The Dallas Morning News first broke the story.

According to the Electric Daisy Carnival website, the event "delivers leading-edge production to create an unparalleled experience of sight and sound at every stage. Lights, sound, and spectacles will amuse your sense throughout the night!"

This is not the first time a fatality has occurred during an EDC event. Last year, in Los Angeles, a teenage girl also died while attending the Electric Daisy Carnival. The massive rave was essentially banned from L.A. after the incident and could face the same consequences here.

Calls for paramedics began around 9 p.m. on Saturday night and didn't stop until early Sunday morning. Paramedics at the scene described it as "chaotic" and Dallas-Fire Rescue spokesman Jason Evans told the DMN that, "at least 10 different rescue units responding to the event at once."

A recent article in The New York Times reported that officials in Las Vegas had invited Electric Daisy Carnival to their city despite what had happened in Los Angeles last year. The event is scheduled to last three days beginning on June 24. 

With the recent hail and severe storms that we have seen in the Dallas area, I wanted to warn you that our State Farm office is getting calls from people who say that roof salesmen are knocking on doors to solicit business.

As a State Farm agent, I cannot stress to you more that good roofers don't need to do this. They get business from referrals. Highland Park, University Park, Lake Highlands, Lakewood and other surrounding neighborhoods,  are top targets for business solicitation and you need to be aware!

Before installing a new roof or having repairs made, consider the following when choosing your contractor:

• Look for an established, licensed, or bonded roofer and request references.
• Not all areas require licensing of roofing contractors.
• Ask to see certificates of insurance to be sure both liability and workers compensation insurance coverage is carried, and are in force during the time the roofing work is being done.
• Insist on a detailed, written estimate clearly stating the quantity of materials needed (labor charges; work specifications) which include approximate starting and completion dates; payment procedures and that any necessary building permits are secured.
• Carefully review and understand any warranty, and watch for conditions that would void it.
• Use caution (ask questions) before accepting a bid substantially lower than other bids covering the same repair work.
• Contact your local Better Business Bureau to check for complaints filed against the contractor.

Brent Cooper, Agent
State Farm Insurance
214 987-1995
brent@brentcooper.net

Serving the Insurance needs of the Dallas Neighborhoods of University Park, Highland Park, Lake Highlands, Preston Hollow, Oakcliff, and Coppell.

What is the value of my home?
By State Farm® Agent Brent Cooper

Some of you may be asking yourself, “Does my insurance coverage fit my needs?” “Do I have enough coverage to replace my home in the event of a serious loss?” “What affects my premium?”

These questions create a need for you to regularly review your homeowners insurance and to consider other questions such as: “Have you recently remodeled or improved your home?” “Has the rate of inflation risen since your last appraisal?” “What influences the building construction costs in your area?”

As you consider these issues, it is important to understand that real estate values measure the market value or selling price for a home. For insurance purposes, it is important to estimate the current replacement cost which is the amount needed to hire a contractor to repair the damage or to rebuild the home to its pre-loss condition. Dwelling replacement costs used by insurance companies do not include the value of the land. Market conditions in your area may impact the amount it will cost to rebuild your home if you experience a loss.

Building contractors or professional replacement cost appraisers are a good source for obtaining an estimated replacement cost for your home. Estimates from these sources should reflect your home’s specific features and details. If you are unable to obtain a detailed estimate from these sources, I can help provide an estimate.

Once you know the estimated cost to replace your home, you can decide how much insurance coverage fits your needs. You should also consider other policy endorsements such as back up of sewer and drain coverage, or additional coverage for personal articles with high values such as jewelry, fine arts, and collectibles. You may want to consider higher personal liability coverage or the need for flood insurance which is provided by a separate policy.

In addition to the amount of coverage you decide to purchase, your premium is impacted by optional endorsements you select, your claim history, the amount of your deductible, company longevity and multiple policy discounts such as home/auto. Finally, remember to periodically review your insurance coverage with your agent. That will ensure you have the coverage you need.

Brent Cooper, Agent
State Farm Insurance
214 987-1995
brent@brentcooper.net

Serving the Insurance needs of the Dallas Neighborhoods of University Park, Highland Park, Lake Highlands, Preston Hollow, Oakcliff, and Coppell.

Life insurance is a practical way to protect your family’s financial hopes and dreams. The death of a family member can be devastating to survivors both emotionally and financially. Life insurance can provide cash to help with your family’s immediate and long-term needs.

• Immediate needs include funeral expenses, unpaid medical bills and taxes.
• Long-term needs include care for a disabled child or elderly parent expenses and, in general, the chance for members of your family to continue to live the life to which they are accustomed. 

Life insurance is not for the people who die, but for people who live. It's wise to explore options while you are still healthy; health problems can make life insurance expensive or unavailable. Three forms of life insurance are most common today

Term life insurance - this is temporary life insurance for a specific time period (one, five, 10 or more years). It can provide short-term coverage on a limited budget. Term insurance, however, costs more to buy as you get older.

There are two common types of term life insurance:

• Level term: the amount of protection remains the same during the coverage period.
• Decreasing term: the amount of protection gradually declines during the coverage period. 

Whole life insurance - premiums are generally level with cash value growth throughout the life of the policy.

• Cash values can be borrowed (with interest charged) during the insured person's lifetime to help meet temporary or emergency needs.
• Funds borrowed reduce the death benefit and cash surrender value. 

Universal life insurance - this offers many traditional advantages of whole life insurance (such as protection for life), but also offers flexibility. Coverage amounts and premium payments are flexible to help meet changing needs during an insured person’s lifetime (subject to certain conditions).

When you buy life insurance, you buy a promise of protection against financial loss caused by death. The promise is only as good as the company that stands behind it. In today's marketplace, life insurance buyers should be concerned about:

• The financial strength of the insurer.
• Customer service. 

Contact an insurance professional for information about life insurance.

Brent Cooper, Agent
State Farm Insurance
214 987-1995
brent@brentcooper.net

Serving the Insurance needs of the Dallas Neighborhoods of University Park, Highland Park, Lake Highlands, Preston Hollow, Oakcliff, and Coppell.

Walking into a new home is always fun, that’s why almost all of us, at one time or another tour homes we don’t intend to buy. New homes appeal to our sense of family, tranquility and of course ego. When trying on a home, we often imagine ourselves entertaining, showing the house to our friends and watching our kids play with their friends. When we envision these activities, homes with an elegant entry, formal areas, wood floors, granite counters, a spacious family room and a backyard show very well.

But, a house we live in sees these activities for just a few hours a week or sometimes just a few hours a month. A house we live in most likely sees older kids doing homework, younger kids with toys scattered all over the floor, families grabbing a quick meal before or after a soccer game, tired parents in their pajamas sipping coffee in the morning or a rare occurrence when everyone gathers in front of the TV for a movie. A “living” house is quite different than a “showing” house. So which do you choose? A house that works for a few hours a month or for most hours every day? I’m not a fan of making that choice. I think homes need to do both and do both well.

Elegance comes from materials and visual layout.  Livability comes from the floor plan. When you combine these elements, you have a home that is both great to entertain in and to live in. Proper design and detail enhances elegance and livability. Well-designed cabinetry can hide the clutter of living while still presenting a striking impression to guests. The right sized rooms provide space for family living without chopping the house into small areas that will not see much use or large areas that will be seldomed used. Art spaces provide room for showcasing taste while also protecting items from young hands.

The next time you visit a new home ask yourself some real-life everyday questions: 

• Where can I keep an eye on my kids while they do their homework?
• Do I want everyone to see my coffee maker and blender?
• Can I get to the kitchen in my pajamas without showing my outfit to the neighbors?
• Where are we going to eat pizza after the soccer game?
• Where is everyone going to kick off their shoes and drop their backpacks, purses or briefcases?
• Where do I charge my iPhone?

When there are good answers to these questions, the house is a pleasure to live in.

Interested in building a new home or remodeling your existing one? Give me a call, I’d love to discuss how you can have a home that shows well, entertains well and lives well.

William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC
214.696.1988

William@WilliamSBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com