April 2022
Who Is Responsible for Damage on the Property Line?
There has just been a storm, and a tree fell right on the property line you share with your neighbor. Who pays? That depends on numerous factors. Most homeowners insurance policies will cover hauling away debris if the mess is associated with damage.
What happens first?
The first thing to do is call your insurance provider. The likelihood is they will be able to help you make the right decision without worrying too much about it. In most cases, the insurance provider will pay to restore your property and will then decide whether to get reimbursed by the other side.
Is my neighbor in the wrong?
If a tree on your neighbor's side of your border falls on the property line, they are responsible if you can prove your neighbor was aware the tree was a hazard and refused to fix the problem. If your neighbor was indeed negligent, your insurance provider will look at reimbursement from their side.
What to do if your tree falls
It's always a good idea to regularly maintain your trees, including regular trimming and assessing the health and sturdiness of the foliage. But if the worst were to happen and your tree falls in your neighbor's yard, do nothing until their insurance company contacts you. If you pay someone to maintain your trees, always keep the receipts.
Before the tree falls
If you are worried about a neighbor’s tree that looks like it's seen better days, write a letter to them outlining your concerns. The letter should include a description of the issue, photographs and a request for action. Keep a copy of the letter so that there is a paper trail if the worst were to happen.
If you’re unsure about whether your insurance covers falling foliage, get in touch. We'll be happy to walk you through your policy..
Quick Quiz
Each month I'll give you a new question.
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First 10 responders will be entered into drawing for 3 Starbuck's gift cards.
Only one Star Wars movie was filmed entirely in the studio. Which one was it?
Last month's winners were:
Emalee Mann
Rodney Nielson
Larry Johnson
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Nourish Yourself with These Simple Self-Care Rituals
As we move into the warmer months of the year, hopefully many of us have begun to shake away some of the blues that can capture us during the winter. However, it's important not to let your vital self-care rituals also slip away. Here are five tips for continuing to grow your health and happiness throughout the year.
Practice deep breathing. A tried and tested self-care routine is to spend a few minutes a day breathing deeply, focusing on nothing but your breath. It's an excellent ritual for improving your mental health and an entry point into meditation.
Get lots of sun and fresh air. Simply getting outside and breathing in fresh air each day can greatly reduce your levels of stress and anxiety, while sunlight provides us with a constant source of health benefits, including helping our bodies to create vitamin D.
Stretch regularly. Taking a moment to stretch each day helps to keep your body mobile and free of aches, benefiting both your physical and mental health. It doesn't have to be an intense yoga session, either: just a few minutes of simple stretching in the morning is an easy routine to get yourself into.
Keep hydrated. Have you ever reached late afternoon only to realize you haven't had a glass of water all day? It's easy to forget to drink enough in a day, so make sure you stay hydrated in order to keep your energy levels up and your mind focused and feeling positive.
Snack healthily. If you find yourself snacking throughout the day, consider keeping only healthy snacks such as nuts and fruit around you in order to limit your intake of sugar, caffeine or fats.
Epic Avocado Toast
It's officially avocado season! May is the time to find those perfectly ripe avocados with their delicious, buttery texture and flavor that makes them so popular worldwide. Yields 2 slices of basic avocado toast (multiply as necessary).
Yields 2
Ingredients 

1 medium ripe avocado
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Salt
1 clove garlic, peeled
2 slices whole-grain bread, toasted
5 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
In a bowl, mash avocado with a fork. Add oil, lemon juice and salt and mix through. Lightly rub peeled raw garlic clove over top of toast. Top toast with avocado and then layer on cherry tomatoes. Drizzle balsamic glaze over tomatoes and sprinkle red pepper flakes on top.
Serve.
Optional extras to kick your toast up a notch: spinach leaves, fried or scrambled eggs, feta, pesto, sliced radish or freshly chopped herbs such as basil, cilantro, dill or parsley.
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