Hurricane Sandy Helpful links and info from Extravagant Realty

Our motto is, "Home is where laughter is shared and where memories are made."  Yet, in light of Hurricane Sandy, we are painfully aware that for too many in our Long Island community, home is where the lights are off, there is no heat or, worse, home is gone.

Extravagant Realty extends our heartfelt sorrow to those suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. And, like many in our community, we feel helpless. We want to help and want to know where our efforts and care is needed the most-and we are aware that the situation will continue to evolve daily.

We are a strong community and we always have each other's backs. Below is a sampling of some ways we can come together to help. We will continually update our blog extravagantrealty.blogspot.com and Facebook page www.facebook.com/extravagantrealty with new information and resources.

Thank you for caring. We hope you can stay safe and stay warm.

·         Island Harvest in Mineola is taking accepting donations; especially needed are canned protein products, personal care items and baby items. For more information, call 631-873-4775.

·         Long Island Cares is accepting donations that will be delivered to emergency shelters; especially needed are diapers and baby formula. For more information, call 631-582-FOOD or visit the agency's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/licares

·         Sponsor a Family in Need Please join us in helping  displaced families in the New York area who have lost everything by visiting http://www.family-to-family.org/2012/11/hurricane-sandy-relief/

·         Oxygen Vendors and suppliers are in desperate need for Long Island residents. To help, please visit http://www.longislandpress.com/2012/11/03/oxygen-vendors-oxygen-suppliers-on-long-island-for-residents-in-need/

·         American Red Cross To donate please visit http://www.redcross.org/charitable-donations

·         Help for Small Business Owners who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Please visit http://smallbiztrends.com/2012/11/tips-small-businesses-hurricane-sandy.html

·         Unemployment Benefits are available to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Please visit http://jobsearch.about.com/b/2012/11/02/hurricane-sandy-unemployment.htm

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Extravagant Realty is fortunate to be in a position to help as a drop-off location for non-perishables. Here are local businesses and places participating in donation drives.

·         Extravagant  Realty 15 Glen Head Road, Glen Head, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm

·         Gem Craft Boutique 58 Glen Head Road, Glen Head, Tuesday through Saturday, 11am to 5:30pm

·         Home Fries 7 Railroad Avenue, Glen Head, Monday through Friday, 7am to 2pm

·         North Shore Middle School, 505 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Head, Before and After School Hours. Drop office supplies will be taken to a help center. Needed are: cleaning supplies (gloves, bags, disinfectant, sponges, paper towels etc.); pet supplies; toiletries; coats, hats and gloves; towels; baby items (food, formula, diapers)

           

If you're unsure which food donations are needed most, here are some of the most recommended items. Notes: Canned foods should have flip-top openings. And, please be sure to check expiration dates.

Peanut Butter

Cereal

Canned Meat

Canned Fish

Soups

Canned Fruit

Canned Vegetables

Crackers

Jelly (plastic containers)

Canned Milk

Diapers

Baby Wipes

Pet food

Sandy Scams

Unfortunately, there are people out there who are more than eager to take advantage of the victims of Hurricane Sandy, including fake charitable organizations. You can check out the validity of a charity by visiting the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org To report a fraudulent charity, contact the FBI and National Center for Disaster Fraud's hotline at 866-720-5721.

Also, beware of any scam clean-up contractors who contact you offering to remove debris, including trees, from your property. For tips on how to determine the legitimacy of the contractor, visit the consumer website www.scambusters.org

"Meet Our Neighbor" Healing Arts Massage Therapy

Meet Our Neighbor

We are excited to introduce Extravagant Realty's new "Meet Our Neighbor" series. Each month we will feature one of our fabulous North Shore business neighbors. Please meet Anne Marie Giambrone, the truly hands-on owner of Healing Arts Massage Therapy.

“When I put my hands on a client, amazing healing happens,” says Anne Marie Giambrone owner, Healing Arts Massage Therapy in Glen Head. “Everyone’s needs are different and many people don’t know what they need. All they know is they are stressed and hurting.”

In business for 27 years (16 in the current Glen Head location,) Healing Arts works with “all kinds of people, young, old, children, athletes, injured to very ill,” says Giambrone.

“My work is my calling and not everyone can say that,” explains Giambrone. “I do feel that people get that immediately from me. I have a way with people, I am very intuitive. I use my kind heart and intention to help.” So much so that she’s gotten four marriage proposals.

Healing Arts has recently expanded and transformed into a healing center with “some incredible therapists in the holistic field,” says Giambrone. “It is very exciting.” The healing center also offers home services.

Giambrone has a background in dance which sashayed into extensive training in bodywork, healing and spiritual intuitive studies. She studied at the Swedish Institute in Manhattan and is a NYS Licensed, Certified and Registered Massage Therapist, Certified Reflexologist and AMTA Certified Sports Massage Therapist.

Interest in massage therapy followed a surgical procedure Giambrone underwent when she was 18 years old “that stimulated an interest in anatomy.” At the time, she was working in the restaurant business and had sought dance again to help with her recovery. At the prodding of a restaurant co-worker, who was a big fan of massage therapy, Giambrone decided to finally explore massage therapy as a profession. “I would work on his neck and he would tell me I was a natural and had good hands,” she said. Two years later, she decided to go to school and try out the field. “I felt massage therapy was a good way to stay connected to dancers and athletes.”

The healing industry has become flooded, Giambrone says, and the key to finding a good therapist is “connecting with those therapists that contain that extra special something, connecting body, mind and soul.”

As for staying afloat in a competitive industry, Giambrone is a believer in the power of networking. “I love networking, so I am always happy to spread the word and refer when needed. I have a network of businesses who refer me. The good energy I put out has brought incredible people into my life. It’s amazing and I am so thankful.”

“The biggest challenge right now is the economy,” she says. “There is stress everywhere you turn, which is why there is a need for healing nurturing and relaxation.” It’s not surprising then, that one of Giambrone’s biggest treatment requests is for “less stress.” One client even requested a four-hour session. Pain relief is also a sought-after treatment.

“There will always be a human need for compassionate, caring touch and the field of massage therapy will always be able to provide this service,” says Giambrone. “We are out here and love what we do.”

A native Long Islander, Giambrone grew up in New Hyde Park and has lived in Glen Head for the past17 years with her husband and two daughters.

Healing Arts Massage Therapy is located at 1009 Glen Cove Avenue, Suite 6, Glen Head. For more information or to make an appointment, call 516-674-0609 or visit healingartsmassageli.com.