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4/22/18

Insuring Your Historic Property


Insurance Companies are for the most part unable to price a policy and do not have the expertise to repair historic buildings in the event of a claim as these facilities need specialized materials, workmanship, and nay not to meet building code standards.
Cost Factors include geographic location, age of the structure, proximity to a fire station or fire hydrant, construction style and materials used in building the structure, most recent updates to the roof, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. Also, current labor and material costs.
The National Trust Insurance Services of the National Trust for Historic Preservation are
Historic Building Coverage Experts
Historic Replacement Cost coverage is defined as the cost to repair or replace with the same materials, workmanship, and architectural features without depreciation, provided are reasonably available.
Knowing what your Historic Property is Worth
The Hidden Cost of Historic Reconstruction historic buildings aren't like other properties. If damaged, they're likely to require highly skilled craftsmen, hard to match materials, extra time to rebuild because of the labor-intensive process of historic renovation and professional services to assist in areas like recertification and recovery of tax benefits. In the event of loss or damage, there's only one policy in the insurance industry that will restore your commercial building to its former grandeur.
The Historic Property Policy includes groundbreaking coverage and flexible valuations, including the cost of replacing a hand-carved door and hiring an expert able to document your rebuilding. 
Historic Replacement Cost Coverage is the Cost to Repair or Replace the Original Building’s Materials Workmanship and Architectural Features
If not reasonably available, the insurance carrier will pay to replace or repair with materials, workmanship, and architectural features that most closely resemble those present before the loss. Also,
  • Increased cost of construction due to landmark as well as other building ordinances or laws
  • Increased time to restore your property due to operation of landmark and other building laws
  • Historic certification expenses
  • Loss of federal, state, and local tax benefits
  • Increased building assessments
  • Green building upgrades to enhance the energy efficiency of your property where possible
Certification is Not Required to qualify for Historic Coverage
All currently certified historic buildings are eligible, as well as buildings that could be certified and located in a historic district.  However, just about any building that exhibits historical character, materials, and workmanship can be covered by this policy, whether certified or not.
Specialty Insurance Coverages includes D&O, Volunteer Accident, Special Events, Collections and Fine Arts, Vacant & Builders Risk and Historic Tax Credit.
Classes of Business include main street organizations, historic hotels and inns, historic theatres, museums, historic homeowner insurance, preservation and religious organizations.
To Know More About It

4/12/18

Discover Takoma Park Maryland

Victorian Architecture B&O Railroad Parks Neighborhoods Education and Diversity

Takoma Park what is now Takoma Park MD and Takoma D.C. began as a late 19th century railroad stop Victorian suburb known only as Takoma Park. Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890. It is a planned commuter suburb located along the Metropolitan Branch of the historic B&O Railroad northeast of Washington, D.C.
History Takoma Park as one of first railroad-accessible suburbs in the D.C. area. At 350 feet in elevation, this new suburb was high enough to avoid the malaria and mosquitoes that plagued the nation’s capital.
Until 1997, the City straddled two counties with the eastern portion of Takoma Park located in Prince George’s County and the western portion in Montgomery County.
Preserving Historic Takoma Park among the first suburbs of Washington D.C., Takoma Park is the largest historic district in Montgomery County. The Montgomery County Historic District was established in 1992, with Takoma Park its largest district in the County; it includes several residential and commercial neighborhoods such as Takoma Old Town and Takoma Junction. Takoma DC is also an historic district, making the area one of the only multi-jurisdictional historic districts in the region.
Residential and Commercial property owners in the Montgomery County Takoma Park Historic District require a Historic Area Work Permit prior to undertaking any proposed changes to the exterior of a structure or to the environmental setting of their site.
First American City to Allow Municipal Vote to 16-Year-Old Citizens
The National Register of Historic Places District for Takoma Park was designated in 1976 in Maryland and in the District of Columbia in 1983. Much of the original residential development was included in this district, which embodies a rich variety of American architectural late 19th to early 20th century styles.
Stream Valley Parks along Sligo Creek and Long Branch Creek cross the city and, along with other city parks, provide bike trails and play areas for the community.

Diversity Takoma Park is a community of many different cultures and interests. There is no one racial or ethnic category that represents a majority of the population. Over a quarter of the population was born in another country, mostly from Latin America and Africa. Residents can walk, bike, or take a short Metro or bus ride to many popular destinations.






US Main Streets and Historic Districts Itineraries
Travel itineraries based on client interests by leveraging an in-depth knowledge of your destination, superior client service in the planning stages and throughout the trip or event and logistics expertise to reduce accommodations and transport costs as well as transfer times.


Neighborhoods Takoma Park is largely residential, with a mix of single family homes and small and large apartment buildings. Homes range from historic bungalows and Victorians to modest colonials and ramblers. The largest commercial district is Takoma-Langley Crossroads, centered at the intersection of University Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue. The Old Takoma business area is a neighborhood commercial district near the Takoma Metro station.
Education the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus of Montgomery College (a community college) and the campus of Washington Adventist University are in Takoma Park. Besides the excellent Montgomery County public schools, Takoma Park is served by several private parochial schools.

4/07/18

Discover Lansdowne Pennsylvania


Victorian Homes a Farmers Market a Theater Symphony Orchestra and a 350-year old Tree
The Borough of Lansdowne is located 6 miles - 10 km - southwest of Center City Philadelphia in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The 1.2 square mile borough is primarily residential with a commercial center near a railroad stop, established in the early 1900s, near the intersection of Lansdowne Avenue and Baltimore Pike.
Lansdowne was once a vacation resort for residents of Philadelphia. People traveled by rail and horse to relax in the borough's Victorian homes. Many of the homes have since been turned into multiple-dwelling apartments. Lansdowne is trying to preserve the integrity of its lovely, big homes. It is home to numerous arts organizations, including the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra, Celebration Theater, the Lansdowne Folk Club, and the Lansdowne Arts Festival.
The Farmers Market runs on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm, between Memorial Day and Halloween
Every Market features an Artist and a Musician of the Week, which opens the event to the local arts and culture community as well as live entertainment and new handcrafted products. Special events include three Community Days, during which extra spots are opened to local organizations, businesses, and private citizens for promotion and sales along with a Kid-centric Day and a Dog Day.


Travel destinations and itineraries based on client interests by leveraging an in-depth knowledge of your destination, superior client service in the planning stages and throughout the trip or event and logistics expertise to reduce accommodations and transport costs as well as transfer times.
Several historic buildings are in the community, including a movie theater and clubhouse, and two areas on yhr National Register of Historic Places: Lansdowne Theater, the Twentieth Century Club of Lansdowne, the Henry Albertson Subdivision Historic District and Lansdowne Park Historic District.
A Quaker community and a Friends' Meeting House are located on Lansdowne Avenue. Also, Scottish weavers lived and worked here during the 19th Century; their houses are still in existence.




Lansdowne is home to a 350-year-old sycamore tree one of the largest in Pennsylvania.



Gladstone Manor dates from the 1920s; it was designed to have the appearance of a small English village. The neighborhood, affectionately known as The Manor by its residents, is located at the western end of Lansdowne.

4/04/18

Italian Food and Wine Itineraries



Venice and Veneto
Venice our expert cook will teach you how to prepare the local dishes and entertain you by analyzing the intriguing fragrances, the exotic origins of some ingredients, the cooking processes as well as answer your questions about the products being used. Classes are held in a Palazzo apartment in Venice or in a Liberty Villa at the Lido beach, a fascinating bathing resort with tall trees and gardens traversed by several canals.
Euganean Hills enter the fascinating backcountry and discover a natural area dotted with small villages, vineyards and a typical “osterie”. You will visit a family-owned wine cellar and drink its sparkling wines: an extraordinary experience to meet local people and taste genuine products. Experience the amazing ancient village of the Poet Petrarca, unchanged since the 14th century.
Prosecco Wine Hills visit a wine cellar for a wine tasting and lunch overlooking the hills. Dry, lemony, and bubbling, Italy’s answer to refreshing, sparkling wine. Light, affordable, and fun.

Bolzano & the Dolomites the former Austro-Hungarian city of Tyrol is surrounded by vineyards, apple orchards, castles and mountains, Bolzano is one of the most charming cities in Italy. Everyone seems to live peacefully, no hurry or chaos. The city is crossed by the Adige River and by green beautiful gardens adorned with colored flowers. A drive along the South Tyrolean Wine Road with stops for exclusive wine tastings!



Milan Turin Alba and Langhe
Milan has a proud culinary tradition. Classic local dishes: cotoletta alla milanese, a breaded veal (pork and turkey can be used) cutlet pan-fried in butter, cassoeula (stewed pork rib chops and sausage with cabbage), ossobuco (stewed veal shank), risotto alla milanese (saffron and beef marrow), busecca (stewed tripe and beans) and brasato (beef or pork with wine and potatoes). Also, salami milano and gorgonzola cheese. Sweets: chiacchiere, panettone and tortelli.  World-renowned restaurants and cafés can be found in the historic center, Brera and Navigli districts.

Turin is famous for its use of aromatic herbs, fish, extra virgin olive oil and no less than 69 traditional local starters. It is also known as the “capital of sweets”, including Revigliasco cherries and scrumptious chocolate.

Alba & Langhe a hilly area in Cuneo province famous for its wines, cheeses, and truffles—particularly the white truffles of Alba – and the birthplace of slow food. Of interest: Serralunga Castle and Regional Winery; Barolo Wine and Corkscrew Museums, Cheese Factory; Grinzane Cavour Regional Wine Cellar and Castle; Torrone Factory; Fontanafredda’s 100 hectares of vineyards in the heart of the Langhe hills.


Salento Cuisine: Tradition, innovation and Creativity
Salento is a major agricultural center specializing in olive oil and wine, hence, numerous opportunities to experience the famed local wines and traditional cuisine.
Local Food specialties trace their origin to the successive invasions over the course of Salento’s history: Tiella – a rice dish with potatoes and mussels similar to the Spanish Paella, the Fava Beans Puree has Arab origins and in Gallipoli a variety of chowders with clear Greek roots.  

Unique Dishes puccia, friseddhre, pittule, rustici, pasticciotti, sweets made ​​of almond paste accompanied by the local wines: Negramaro, Primitivo and Malvasia! Come along for one of our food and wine tasting events, join a local cooking class and food shopping.