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Post by Rod Wood - How to tell if you've got a genuine collectible and how to get the most for it if you decide to sell.
I've had a lot of calls from viewers through the years who've asked for advice on selling unwanted items from home. Part of this stems from folks who watch the PBS "Antiques Roadshow" in amazement as household items are sometimes appraised at thousands of dollars.
Recently, Consumer Reports ShopSmart magazine offered five recommendations.
(1) See local experts. You can get free advice from local antiques or collectibles dealers. But don't sell at this point, because a shifty dealer could lowball you to score a bargain.
(2) Check out general price guidelines. Two examples are "Kovels Antiques & Collectibles price list 2007" and "Collectibles Price Guide 2007" by Judith Miller. Check your local library.
(3) Surf the internet. Search to see what your items are selling for at online dealers and on eBay.
(4) Spring for an appraisal. It may cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on the value of the item, but it's worth it if your research suggests big value.
(5) Know your options. The most convenient way to sell is through a dealer, but you'll usually get 20 to 50 percent less than the "book value" shown in price guides, depending on the item's condition.
Auctions can be a good choice if you have a large collection with at least some high-value items. But you'll pay a 10 to 15 percent commission.
Or you can advertise in collectors' publications or online or sell at a collectors' show or to members of collectors' clubs, which you can find online.
But beware of buyers who want to cherry-pick your choicest pieces. It can be more lucrative to sell collections intact.
Have some thoughts on this topic? An experience in buying or selling collectibles? Tell us about it.
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Post by Dan Cummings - She's our U.S. Senator and she will remain just that, for now. Or, vice-presidential candidate. Or, someday, maybe...secretary of health and human services. Or, someday, maybe...an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Or, none of the above.
Two things occur to me:
One, regardless of what you think of her politically or personally, Hillary Clinton's campaign made it's mark. Thanks to some critical strategic blunders born of hubris, she fell short, but just short. Neither she, nor her millions of supporters can be taken lightly. Her campaign meant something.
Two, it may take some time for the nation to realize that this week has made its own mark on history. There'sa convention and a general election ahead of us...but this was the week when Senator Barack Obama became the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party for President of the United States. Either way, the Democrats were poised to make history, by nominating either a woman or an African-American. In the moment, it may be difficult to capture the significance of Obama's candidacy. But schoolkids in generations to come will learn about 2008 as a watershed year in U.S. politics.
Less than a year ago, few were giving Senator Obama much of a chance. Senator Clinton was the "inevitable" nominee. (She certainly thought so). What remains to be seen: how vigorous will she be in support of the Obama candidacy? It may make all the difference come November.
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I’ve always been a big fan of the Special Olympics and I’m so grateful for my experience at last week’s spectacular event held at C-NS High School.
As the grand marshal I had the honor of leading the parade of 450 athletes around the track on a glorious sun-filled Thursday. Music blaring, with a crowd cheering us on, I really tried my best to keep up the pace. Suddenly, one of the young athletes skirted around the parade banner and darted out in front of me. I told him to slow down and wait for me. “Can’t!” he said. “I’m too excited.” “ Then I’ll catch up to you!” “Good luck,” he said. Away he went with me lagging yards behind. When I finally did catch up to him and catch my breath, the youngster, who must have been all of about 9, gave this out-of-shape mother of two a big high-five for trying.
Along with catching my breath, I managed to catch a whole lot more during the morning with these young athletes. Standing next to a dad on the sidelines, who was clutching his stopwatch, I watched with him as he rooted for his son who had been practicing for weeks for this moment on the track. His son didn’t win the race but did score a new personal best time on dad’s stopwatch. Dad couldn’t have been any prouder. Another young athlete hurried toward me after her race and couldn’t wait toshow me the piece of paper she held so tightly in her hand. First place! I will never forget her smile. I 'm also grateful for finally meeting a young devoted NewsChannel 9 and B104.7 fan named Joey, who deeply touched my heart and made my day at the Special Olympics extra special. I have enough hugs to last until ..... the next Special Olympics!
"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
- the Athlete's Oath
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Post by Rod Wood - We are heading into the busy summer travel season and I know many of you will want online access to information as you plan your trip. Here are six sites that Consumer Reports ShopSmart magazine says can help you find bargains and make traveling more comfortable and trouble-free. FOR LAST-MINUTE DEALS: travelzoo.com It digs up discounted prices for airfares, resorts, vacation packages and cruises. FOR TIMING YOUR TRIP: farecast.comIt can help you decide whether to buy your airline tickets now or wait for prices to drop. FOR THE BEST AIRLINE SEATS: seatguru.comIt can help you spot the seats with more reclining ability, more leg room, more width and, sometimes more padding than the other seats have. The site can also help you avoid rows missing a window. FOR TRAVEL REVIEWS: tripadvisor.comIt can tell you what recent guests have to say about a hotel, for instance. You can also post questions in travel forums; check reviews of local restaurants, attractions and activities. FOR ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS: johnnyjet.comThink of this site as an encyclopedia, with hundreds of travel Web site links in an easy-to-navigate format. FOR GREAT TRAVEL GADGETS: magellans.com This is a one-stop shopping site for items like a doorstop alarm to alert you if someone opens your hotel room door, or a lightweight travel robe....and tips on everything tech related.
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Here's hoping more than a few moms and dads, everywhere around Central NY, took note of this week's story about the underage drinking party in the Bradford Hills neighborhood of Syracuse one week ago tonight. Police estimate as many as 50 kids were there at the height of the bash. Most of them scattered in horror after the party suddenly ended early the next morning. One of the youngsters was severely injured when a dog bit her in the face. This girl needed extensive surgery just to begin to repair the damage to her face. She's a senior at Christian Brothers Academy. Graduation Day is this Sunday.
Two other members of the CBA Class of 2008 were charged with providing the alcohol for the party. CBA's principal says "many" of those who attended the house party are students at his school. Word gets around fast when there's a house available for a party. Available because the parents are out of town for the night.
I wonder how many parents whose children attended the fateful party...a) knew about their son or daughter's plans to be at that home that night, and, b) if they WERE aware of the party's location, how many moms or dads made a call or sent an e-mail to the OWNERS of the party house ahead of time...to make sure that adults would be present?
Having pondered those questions, let's whisper a prayer for the young lady who paid an awful price for being at that house, that night...for her friends who witnessed something that they, too, will never forget (and who did what they could to help her until paramedics arrived)...and for all families with middle-and-high-schoolers: that open, respectful communication combined with good decision-making...can help prevent the next house party.
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For months now, Streets of Speed has been identifying areas where drivers need more training. Sadly, we're getting repeat calls to check out speeding problems in our school zones. Parents who have been complaining about fast cars on Court Street in front of Lyncourt Elementary School have good reason to worry. It's a clearly marked 20 mile an hour school zone. There are even flashing lights to alert drivers during school hours.
Less than five minutes after photographer Jim Kearns and I settled ourselves into a well-marked and very visible sheriff's patrol car, Deputy Michael Quigley's radar started picking up some fast speeds. Speeder one zapped! 38 in a 20. A few minutes later another driver was caught going 16 miles per hour over the posted 20. Think that's bad? It only got worse. Deputy Quigley asked the driver to produce a license. She couldn't. She was driving with a suspended one and get this....she was in a hurry to make it to court to answer to charges of driving with a suspended license! She was arrested and slapped with another AUO charge. In the past week, Deputy Quigley has written more than 25 tickets in that school zone and has heard all the excuses in the book when a driver gets pulled over. We all hope drivers who speed in school zones get the message because the price they pay could be more than a speeding ticket.
Also, I just wanted update those of you who called me on the crosswalk problem in front of Long Branch Elementary School. We've made some progress. The County Highway Department checked out the spot and agreed with those of you concerned about poor crosswalk markings. New signs went up over the weekend. An order for material to spruce up the crosswalk has been placed. Creating a more visible and safer crosswalk for the kids may happen as soon as this week. Baby steps, but steps, in the right direction.
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Post by Dan Cummings- Sometimes, the emotional weight of the week's biggest news stories cannot be easily lifted. This was such a week. Starting with a homicide of a Syracuse teen last weekend, tragic loss of life multiplied as the week went along. A longtime school teacher in Jordan-Elbridge dies in a motor vehicle accident. Her husband, a volunteer firefighter, was among the first responders to the accident scene. A young man dies in a motorcycle accident, and his two brothers somehow push forward to keep playing lacrosse, as members of the Final Four-bound SU Orange.
And, two young children and their mom die in an Eastwood house fire. Firefighters never had a chance to save any of them.
I bet I'm a little like most of you who might read this. You didn't personally know any of these people... whose lives were suddenly cut short by fire, accident, or violence. But regardless, you identify with the surviving family members, friends and others who DID know them...and will never see them again. And like them, you ask "why?" When that one-word question isn't answered for you (it never is...it can't be), you whisper or say aloud a prayer or two (or a hundred), hug your own family a few extra times...and move on. All the while knowing that for so many in our community...those who WERE touched directly by these tragic losses...there really IS no moving on. Nothing will ever be the same for them.
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Post by Rod Wood- Monday, May 26th we observe Memorial Day.
For some, it's just another holiday.
But all of us should take a moment to remember Memorial Day's true meaning.
It's a day to remember those who have died in service to our nation.
Perhaps there's someone in your family or maybe a friend who made the supreme sacrifice.
You might want to take a moment to honor the memory of that person during your family's holiday gathering...in some cases, a visit to the cemetery.
All of us should remember that we live in a free nation today because of their sacrifice.
God bless all of those who have served our nation.....God bless America.
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Post by Dan Cummings - They say (whoever "they" are) you can't fight city hall. And, you can translate that as town hall, if you like. And yet, last week, we found out that if something's clearly just not right...you can fight...and win.
I'm talking about the town of Cicero, and the hundreds of new, residential property assessments that were, in many cases, "just not right." Objectively, real estate professionals who work in Cicero told me that so many of the homeowners who called and e-mailed Newschannel 9's Your Stories to complain about their soaring assessments...were, in fact, correct to complain. There was no market data to support some of the huge increases along the waterfront...from Brewerton to Chittenango Creek and most places in between.
Indeed, I was told that recent comparable sales data did NOT support some of the new values attached to these homes. Many homeowners were seeing increases that ran as high as 200, 300, in at least one case, more than 400 percent.
The assessor, Anita Barnello, is reluctantly accepting the town board's extraordinary move of Friday morning, May 16-th...and will, at the board's unanimous request, throw out the new assessments she came up with, in favor of a revised roll to be submitted by July 1-st. The new assessments will be rolled back to last year's levels...with the exception of homes where physical improvements or additions have been made recently.
The town board also set up a special committee to recommend how to go about the assessment process in the future.
So the taxpayers' fight that won at Cicero Town Hall? The outpouring of complaints about unfair, and unjustified assessments. The town board listened and took action.
But this fight is clearly not over. Questions remain, including: how and why did the assessor come up with some of the huge increases to begin with? Her answers to me on this one were incomplete. Was she under some pressure from someone outside the assessor's office to hike the values so much? (She says town supervisor Chet Dudzinski told her to reassess the waterfront, but didn't tell her how high to go. Dudzinski says it was Barnello who told HIM she was going to make a priority of those homes, and he said, "OK." But nothing more).
In any event, the waterfront homeowners in Cicero need to be prepared for NEXT year. Without question, the market value of many of those properties HAS, in fact, gone up recently, and where assessments need to be updated, increases are a certainty. But next time, the town assessor needs to make a better case for the size of those increases, and she's already indicated that the town may need to phase them in over two or three years, instead of hitting people all at once.
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Post by Rod Wood - Prices for just about everything at the supermarket are soaring. But with a little discipline, you can still reduce your grocery bill and provide your family with nutritious food.
Here are five tips from Consumer Reports:
(1) Make a list of food items your family needs before you go shopping and stick to it!
Walking aimlessly up and down the aisles will encourage you to pick up extra items like cookies and other munchies.
(2) Don't shop when you're hungry! Shoppers tend to be more impulsive, and pickup unnecessary items when shopping on an empty stomach.
(3) Buy store brands. The quality of store branded food items has improved dramatically in recent years and many now compete with major national labels. You can save anywhere from 20 to 50 percent.
(4) Evaluate unit prices. Compare the cost per unit on both big and small packages to see which is a better deal.
(5) Clip coupons. Look through circulars for special deals.
Have other money saving ideas? Send them along.
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Post by Rod Wood - As a long time pasta fan, I know it can be confusing when buying the right shape pasta at the supermarket. It's not easy doing the shopping when you're the only non-Italian in your household. But I've finally found an excellent guide in this month's issue of Consumer Reports ShopSmart. It tells you how to pick the best shape pasta for whatever sauce you're making
The sauce:Marinara
Best pasta:Capellini
The sauce: Classic garden vegetable
Best pasta partner:Fusilli
The sauce: Puttanesca
Best pasta partner: Spaghetti
The sauce: Bolognese
Best pasta partner: Rigatoni
The sauce: Pesto
Best pasta partner: Linguine
The sauce: Alfredo
Best past partner: Fettuccine
My favorite sauce is my wife's and she says it's a secret recipe.
Perhaps you have some advice you'd like to add? Feel free to pass it along to me.
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Post by Dan Cummings - I hope you've paid a visit to the "Safe and Sober" section on our homepage ( click here to visit the page). This week, I had the opportunity to report on the annual, community-wide effort by DeWitt Police, the Jamesville-DeWitt School District, and businesses in the town...to fight underage drinking during prom and graduation season. I took away some very encouraging signs from my meeting this week with law enforcement, moms of JD seniors, store and hotel managers. First, the moms say parents are talking to each other about "party plans." If they hear talk about the Friday or Saturday night party at this house, or that house...phone calls are made among parents, to check it out...to make sure a mom or dad will be on hand, at the very least. I also heard how hotels and motels are taking extra steps to discourage, or outright refuse to accept reservations for rooms that are likely to be used for underage drinking parties. And, I also heard how those "compliance checks" are meeting with almost 100% success in DeWitt. That's where underage undercovers are sent in by police to attempt to purchase alcohol. Almost without exception, the latest such "sting" operation found no violators, almost full compliance (one store out of 30 was referred to state authorities for illegal sale...not bad). The next round of compliance checks begins in a few days, and will run for several weeks. And, it sounds like those "after" parties, sponsored by the school district itself, are more "cool" than ever. At least in J-D, where they've been holding such safe and sober parties since the '80's. This year, more than 200 members of the senior class of 255 are expected to attend the "after the ball" party, the first weekend in June. If you know of any new, or unique ways that your school or community is approaching the underage drinking issue, please let us know. And, here's hoping for a safe and sober spring full of celebration, especially for graduating seniors and their friends.
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Post by Rod Wood - From everything that I've read, right handed people make up about 90 percent of Americans. That leaves me among the ten percent who are left handers....or southpaws as we're sometimes called. I recently learned that Left-Handers Day is August 13th. Maybe that's the time for a celebration!
I was amazed recently to learn the names of hundreds of famous left handed people. Here are some of them:
Left-Handed U.S.Presidents
James A.Garfield
Herbert Hoover
Harry S.Truman
Gerald Ford
Ronald Reagan
George H.W.Bush
Bill Clinton
Miscellaneous Left-Handers
Joan of Arc
Alexander the Great
Julius Caesar
Napoleon Bonaparte
Prince Charles of England
Prince William of England
Fidel Castro
Edwin Aldrin, astronaut
Wally Schirra, astronaut
Edward R.Murrow
Jay Leno
Barack Obama
Any left-handed people you think should be added to the list?
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Post by Dan Cummings - If it's not too late (and it shouldn't be)...you should take the time to review the assessment on your home, and if you think it's too high...call your assessor and schedule an informal review. For several years now, Newschannel 9 has provided some in-depth coverage at this time of year on assessments. My reporting on this topic THIS year showed me that more than ever, the assessors seem to be listening. One example: by Wednesday afternoon, in Fulton, the assessors had done just under 200 informal reviews with homeowners. Fewer than 10 of those 200 people went on to file a grievance. That means that during the informal, almost all of them were given a break in their assessment. All of those people were able to convince the assessor that the proposed new value of their home was too high. In some cases, the reductions granted at the informals were significant. (Of course, that raises the question: why was the new assessment set so high in the first place ? And, you should ask your assessor THAT question, too...if it applies). I heard similar stories coming out of Salina and Onondaga. If you can make the case that recent sales of homes comparable to yours in your neighborhood are at prices significantly lower than the assessed value of YOUR home, you can talk the assessor down. It's an inexact science, this business of assessment...but the bottom line is this: the assessed value should be very close to what you could get for the house right now, if you put it on the market. Even if you didn't get one of those "change notices" or "impact letters" from your town or city this spring, now is the time to review your assessment. Grievances in most municipalities must be concluded by late May or early June, and the new tax roll is set in stone by July 1-st. (That's for the towns. The city of Syracuse and some other municipalities work on different schedules). Click here for our "Fighting Your Assessment" stories.
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Hello Everyone. Once again, we're looking for feeback to enhance your experience on 9wsyr.com. We're trying to make our video easier to locate. Right now you have several options, but we'd like to learn more about how you navigate 9wsyr.com.
It seems pretty easy when it's attached to a story in the top stories section.
But if not, do you click on "video" in the top horizontal menu bar which takes you to the "media center"?
Do you use the flash video player on the home page?
If so, have you accessed the individual categories at the bottom?
We'd love to get your suggestions.
Also, we are aware that some of you are having trouble with the load time of the home page player, and we are trying to track down the problem. So please let us know if it gets better or worse.
Thanks as always for your thoughts. We truly value your feedback. If you're uncomfortable responding to this blog, feel free to e-mail thewebunit@9wsyr.com.
Jim Tortora, Director of News & Content.
Helpful hint: In case you didn't know it was available, you CAN search video by keywords. Right under the 9wsyr.com header use the dropdown in the google search bar and select "search video".
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Post by Rod Wood - When February 17, 2009 rolls around, U.S. television stations will stop broadcasting analog signals and send only digital transmissions. By law, stations like NewsChannel 9 must make the switch. Here are some questions and answers about the transition: Why is this happening? - DTV has better picture and sound quality. Also, stopping the analog broadcasts will free up a huge amount of airwaves. The government has auctioned off some of them for use by wireless broadband and cell-phone TV. Do you need a digital converter box? - If you have cable or satellite TV, only extra sets that are not hooked up will be affected. - If you get TV over the air, your TV might not work without a converter box. - Most new TVs sold today, including flat-panel sets, have digital tuners and won't need a converter box, but double-check when buying. How much do the converters cost? - The converter boxes generally cost $50-$60, so the final cost is between $10 and $20 per box after the $40 coupons given out by the government. Go to www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009 to get up to two $40 coupons per household. Click here for many more questions and answers about Digital Television (DTV).Click here to visit our DTV blog, where you can find more answers and ask your own questions.- information from the AP
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Post by Dan Cummings - Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was, and pleasantly so. On Tuesday in Scranton, Pennsylvania, I was covering the get-out-the-vote effort for Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the state's pivotal Presidential primary. And right there, in the Scranton campaign offices of both candidates...were several people from...Oswego, Marcellus, and Cortland. A busload of Central New Yorkers had made its way from the Empire State to the Keystone State to work the phones and the streets...for their candidate. Later that evening, when the results were in, I met a couple from Manhattan who were celebrating the 10-point win of their candidate, Senator Clinton. I got to wondering if this many Pennsylvanians came to New York State to volunteer for our primary earlier this year. I doubt it. (of course, Senator Clinton's built-in advantage as our junior U.S. Senator gave her a bigger edge here, so our primary wasn't nearly as hotly contested).
The contest for the Democratic nomination this year is one for the ages. And it became very clear to me this week, how high the emotions can run...and how deep the passion can be...for both Clinton and Obama. Some, of course, will concede the obvious...that they are BOTH quality candidates, and that EITHER would make for a strong nominee. But the vast majority of Democrats, it seems to me...are probably like the people I met in those Scranton campaign offices this week: intense in their devotion to one candidate or the other, convinced that either he, or she...is best suited to lead the country. And they will travel to neighboring states, if they can, to work for the election of their favorite. One Oswego woman told me she'll probably head to West Virginia in advance of the primary there...to work for Senator Clinton.
There is much at stake in the 2008 Presidential election. It is refreshing and encouraging to see the numbers of people paying serious attention, and in many cases, taking an active role in the outcome.
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Properly inflated tires will keep you and your loved ones driving safely.
Post by Rod Wood - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has attributed under inflated tires to crashes that result in 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year. Sadly, a survey by the
Rubber Manufacturers found that an estimated 15% of drivers properly check their tires.
NHTSA also found that 27 percent of passenger cars and 32 percent of light trucks have at least one significantly under-inflated tire.
One flat tire is bad enough---don't get stuck with two. 71% of drivers do not check the inflation pressure in their spare. Check your spare tire every month.
Drivers can improve gas mileage by around 3.3% by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure.
To properly check inflation pressure: Use the correct inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, not the pressure listed on the tire sidewall.
Check tires when they are cold or haven't been driven for at least three hours.
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Post by Dan Cummings - I had the opportunity to cover Wednesday's debate in Philadelphia between Senators Obama and Clinton. If you follow this race closely, you don't need another long take on the debate and its potential impact...so how about a short one?
Before the debate, ABC News political correspondents Jake Tapper and Mark Halperin told me Senator Clinton may have to take the risky approach of going on the offensive, being aggressive...in questioning Senator Obama's chances against John McCain in November. She needs a big win next Tuesday in the Pennsylvania primary, and latest polls show she's only leading by single digits. In my opinion, and despite other reports you may have seen that indicated Clinton went "on the attack" in the debate...I think she laid back a bit.
When asked directly if she thinks Obama can beat McCain, she said "yes, yes, yes." But, she then spent most of the next hour, politely but repeatedly questioning whether Obama, in a general election, would wither under the likely GOP attacks against his associations with his outspoken former pastor and a former member of the radical "Weather Underground,"...and recent comments by the Illinois Senator that the "bitter" working class in PA might be clinging to their guns and religion, to cope.
Her so-called "attacks" were rather subtle. Too subtle, I think, to be labeled "attacks" at all. We'll find out Tuesday if her debate strategy worked.
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Remembering Jean Daugherty: A television pioneer.
Post by Rod Wood: I knew Jean had been in failing health in recent years, but I still wasn't ready to hear of her death over the weekend at age 84.
I first met Jean at the age of 11, when I appeared in plays put on by the Syracuse University Drama Department Children's Theater. We had a show on Thursday afternoons on what was then WHEN-TV channel 8.
Jean was the director, and one of the first female TV directors in the nation. One time I somehow didn't stand in the right spot for the camera and Jean quickly yet politely corrected me. That was 1952!
It would be 15 years later, before I began working with Jean again when I joined the news staff of WHEN radio and TV. She knew I had a knack for doing special voices, so she was quick to enlist me to do my part for “The Magic Toyshop.”
Christmas season was always a joy because she would have me emcee when the cast would entertain at the Saturday morning “Breakfast with Santa” program at the former E.W.Edwards store. I was known as "Mister Rod" at those functions.
Jean was a tireless writer, sometimes cranking out a week's worth of scripts in a single day!
She had a special way with children, their parents and grandparents. Jean almost never turned down a request for a community appearance and lent her support to countless causes for children, for the hungry and for senior citizens.
Thousands of children grew up to “The Magic Toyshop” and now they are parents, grandparents, and maybe even great-grandparents. What a shame children of today can't enjoy that wonderful program and its founder Jean Daugherty.
Jean will be missed both here in Central New York and in her native Barnesboro, Pennsylvania. She always spoke lovingly of that community.
Jean was one of a kind. She's looking down at us from heaven right now.
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