Manhattan Resident Managers Club Newsletter March 2017

Vol. 38 No. 170

March 2017

Dedicated to the Performance & Advancement for the Real Estate Manager

Newsletter

OUR NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY MARCH 2, 2017 AT THE SALOON NYC 1584 YORK AVENUE BETWEEN 83RD & 84TH STREET

­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

Manhattan Resident Manager’s Foundation, Inc. 23rd ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Manhattan Resident Manager’s Foundation is pleased to announce that the 23rd Annual Golf Tournament will be held on MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017 at:

North Salem, NY

Golf Tickets are $275.00 per Guest Only 120 tickets will be sold …and they will go fast!

10:30am SHOT-GUN START Proper golf attire is required, including soft spikes Breakfast Buffet: From 8:30am – 10:30am - Buffet (eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, pastries, cereal, coffee and juices) Barbecue Lunch: On the course includes grilled chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage and peppers, rolls and condiments.

Beer and Soda: 6th and 15th holes. Plus two (2) roaming beverage carts.

Cocktail Hour and Dinner: To finish the day, there will be an open bar cocktail reception with hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. Dinner will include filet mignon and roast turkey carving stations, stir-fry and pasta stations as well as a raw bar with shrimp and clams. If you have any room left, it can be topped off with desserts and coffee. Dress code is CASUAL.

Meal & Beverage Sponsorships $500.00 Golf Sponsorships $300.00

(All sponsorships, raffle and give-away donations are tax deductible)

As usual, we are offering a variety of sponsorships for meals, beverages, putting green and of course, golf sponsors. We will also gladly accept donations for golfer give aways and raffle prizes. For further details on sponsorships, please contact a committee member listed below.

Co-Chairmen

Finance Chairman: Committee Members

Mr. Kevin Key (212) 570-6649 Mr. Francis McLoughlin (212) 268-0952 Mr. Louis Parrilla (212) 734-9810 Mr. Frank Rampino & Mr. Anton Markola

Thank you for your continued support!

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D

A

I

S PRESIDENT:

anton Markola 212-974-4650 Amarkola1@gmail.com

Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC. ORganized­1980 P.O. Box 1144 New York, NY 10021

VICE-PRESIDENT: JoE cErvini 917-588-4922 jcervini@mac.com TREASURER: StEvE Mala 212-861-2073 Steve.Mala@yahoo.com

Our Next Meeting

will be held on Thursday, March 2nd, 2017 at The Saloon NYC Located at 1584 York Avenue starting at 6:00pm.

FIN.SECRETARY:

Dress code for this meeting is Business attire. (jacket & tie required)

Patrick McEnanEy 917-699-5231

The guest speaker for the evening will be Mr. Serge Lazarev from Green Tree Textile Recycling.

McEnaney.patrick@gmail.com

SECRETARY:

Members: $40.00 Guests: $60.00

PEtEr GuzMan 917-837-1390 pgu3911250@aol.com

NEWSLETTER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

TRUSTEES:

Ben Flores

Laslo Karsai

John Szabo

Joe Vela

Dean Berishaj

Louis Parrilla 917-750-4117 resmgr524@gmail.com

Any Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Manhattan Resident Managers Club,Inc., or its members.

The Manhattan Resident Managers Club Inc. reserves the absolute right, at its sole discretion, to accept or decline requests or submissions for advertising or other copy in its Newsletter or in any Club publication.

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

Anton Markola President

Welcome to the March Newsletter!

Manhattan Resident Managers Club, Inc.

On behalf of the Dais of the Manhattan Resident Manager’s Club, I would like to thank you all for attending our “Night at The Races” event this past February. It was a tremendous turnout for such a great cause. Together with RSI Fundraising Partners, we raised monies for “Building Homes for Returning Veterans”. Again, thank you all who participated and opened your wallets for this worthy cause. Gold Bless America & our Veterans!

Congratulation to the 2017 Resident Manager of the Year, Mr. Ben Flores and the 2017 Manhattan Resident Manager’s Club Vendor of the Year and recipient of The William Key Award, Mr. Phil Levine of Major Air Service Corp.

Our next CLUB meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 6:00pm. The guest speaker for the evening will be Mr. Serge Lazarev from Green Tree Textile Recycling. Dress code for this meeting is Business attire. (jacket & tie required) Following our educational feature, the CLUB will hold elections for new officers and trustees for the upcoming year. I personally ask that you all support the slate put forth by the election committee. The slate has been placed in this Newsletter for your serious consideration.

Unfortunately, if you are a Regular Member and have not mailed back your 2017 dues by now, you have officially been dropped from our membership roster and you are no longer eligible to participate in the CLUB’s term-life insurance policy.

Please remember to support our Associate Members as they are driving force that keeps our CLUB in existence.

Most of our Associate Members take an ad in our monthly Newsletter, so when you’re in need of a contractor or vendor, please refer to the Newsletter for their services and/or products.

Upcoming events for the CLUB in 2017 include: The MRM Foundation Golf tournament on May 22nd; our 17th Annual Sunset BBQ on June 6th, and the ever-popular Sunset Dinner Cruise around Manhattan in October. The Three Hands Grand Ball will be held on November 4th this year. Please mark your calendars; you don’t want to miss any of these events!

Don’t forget to check our Club’s website for updates throughout the year. It could all be found right there with a click of the mouse. www.mrmclub.com Don’t forget the CLUB is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. These social media outlets are FREE to use and you should all be using them every day for business and pleasure. Always be NETWORKING! Fraternally yours,

Anton —5—

­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

Sickness, Distress and Happy Times The CLUB would like to wish Regular Member steve­Kukaj a speedy recovering due to a medical procedure recently performed. He is home resting and looks forward to getting back to the daily grind.

Happy Birthday Wishes to our Regular Members CLUB Secretary Peter­guzman­&­Peter­Mcgoey along with Associate Members Jason­Fell­&­ed­dowling.

And we cannot forget the March­birthdays of our Life Members bill­ammatuna,­Jimmy­atchinson & Pat­Mcenaney­sr.

Happy Birthday to ALL!

MARCH 1ST

MARCH 11-12

MARCH 12

MARCH 20

MARCH 17

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

Top 10 Reasons to Join the MRM Club!

10. Extra Curricular: applications/resumes!

Looks

great

on

employment

9. Networking: You will have the opportunity to meet and network with the BEST of the BEST in their field at our regular meetings on the 1st Thursday of each month.

8. Promote Awareness: The CLUB helps promote education and awareness about the NYC residential real estate market.

7. Life Insurance: Being a Regular Member of the CLUB affords you a personal life insurance policy in the amount of $125,000.00

6. Philanthropic: The CLUB participates and raises money for a number of local and national charities giving back to the community and those most in need.

5. Brotherhood: Being a member automatically gives you a feeling of closeness to other members. You share something that other people are not a part of and really can’t relate to.

4. Enrichment: Being part of a professionally ran Club or Organization is an en- riching experience. You owe it to yourself to at least try them out.

VISIT US ON THE WEB!

WWW.MRMCLUB.COM

3. Exposure: The CLUB will expose you to real life every day experiences you and your peers regularly share and have in common .

2. Growth: Members in Clubs/Organizations are encouraging and supportive of your personal growth. We all have a vested interest in each other.

1. Social: They are a BEST way to meet great people and have a lot of fun! With numerous events happening throughout the year; separate from our monthly meetings, it is impossible to not have some FUN!

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

2017 ELECTION OF DAIS AND TRUSTEES The nominating committee of the Manhattan Resident Manager’s Club recommends the following candidates for election to office for the year 2017.

Dais President:

Mr. Anton Markola

Vice President:

Mr. Joseph Cerrvini

Treasurer:

Mr. Patrick Mcenaney

Financial Secretary:

Mr. Steve Mala

Secretary:

Mr. Ben Flores

2 Year term as Trustee

Trustee:

Mr. Laslo Karzai

Trustee:

Mr. John Szabo

Trustee:

Mr. Steve Kukaj

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

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Fraudulent credit charges

­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

A thief often only needs the numbers on a credit card to rip you off.

According to CreditCards.com, about 31.8 million Americans had their cards breached in 2014 alone.

Personal Finance publication Kiplinger suggests that the most efficient way to correct an error is often to contact the merchant first. If they are unable to help, contacting the credit card company within 60 days of the charge will trigger a few protections under the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA). Under that protection, customers will not be responsible for paying the charge or any interest until the issue it resolves.

Check Social Security benefits

Marriage, age at retirement, the length of employment, and other considerations affect the amount of your Social Security benefit.

But to get a rough estimate go straight to the Social Security Administration’s portal. After creating an account, the site will show complete earnings records over an individual’s entire working life. USA Today points out that only the 35 highest-earning years will count, but those early years will also get an inflation adjustment for comparability.

Interest rates, production costs, and regulations have made new cars cost more.

According to Experian, the average consumer pays $495 for a new car loan. That is more than the $447 they paid in 2008. The average interest rate in the third quarter of 2016 was 4.69 percent, compared

to the higher rate of 6.14 percent in 2008.

Consumers were financing more car in 2016 than in 2008 — up to an average of $30,022 compared to $24,600 for 2008.

The cost of cars is also higher. In fact, according to Autotrader,

about 3 million new cars should have been sold last year, just looking at population growth. Part of the problem, says Heritage.org, is that new regulations press car prices up, just as new technology actually pushes prices down.

The price of a new vehicle is more than $7,000 higher than 2008, Heritage says. It points to new, costly fuel economy standards that are driving prices up. Prices are also under pressure at the dealer level.

According to Automotive News, franchised new-car dealers in the U.S. spent a combined $3.2 billion in 2012 to meet 61 new federal regulations. Those costs are passed along to consumers.

Cracking the credit score formula

Learning how one’s credit score is determined is essential for many because Fox Business explains that around 30 percent of Americans have a credit score that falls into the poor and bad credit groups, below 601 on the popular 300-850 scale. These people will often have a difficult time obtaining credit, and the ones that do will suffer from higher interest rates.

The Formula: The best way to go about fixing a poor credit score is to learn about the different categories that make up a credit score and how to improve all of them. The Wall Street Journal highlights the categories that impact credit score in order of importance.

Payment History — 35 percent Missing a payment is one of the worst offenses in the credit world, and according to Experian, the missed payments will affect the score for up to seven years. To be clear, late payments are those made after 30 days, and there are high penalties for payments 60 or 120 days late. Keeping current on your payments and contacting creditors before a missed payment is key.

Amount Owed — 30 percent The amount owed is the current credit balance compared to the total credit limit. So, if someone has $100 of credit and has a current balance of $30, then they owe 30percent. Importantly, the report views this as a percentage of the credit limit, so a higher limit will allow for carrying a larger balance. CreditSesame, a top credit management resource, says that individuals should aim for no more than a 10 percent debt-to-limit ratio.

Extent of Credit History The length of credit history makes up 15 percent of the total score, and reports favor those with a longer track record of credit. Establishing credit at an early age is key and parents with college-age children can help them get a jump start by cosigning a low-limit credit card.

Diversity of Credit and Recent Credit Applications — 20 percent These two areas each represent 10 percent of the score, and they provide another snapshot to lenders of credit activity. Too many recent applications can make an individual look desperate or impulsive, but having a wide-array of credit instruments such as store cards, credit cards, auto loans, and a home loan shows that the individual is capable of managing different types of credit well.

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

“QUOTES 2 LIVE BY”

May the Irish hills caress you.

May her lakes and rivers bless you.

May the luck of the Irish enfold you.

May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you. ~ Irish Blessing

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St. Patrick's Day

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From local to global in 400 years Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day, and that means everyone -- worldwide.

Somehow a local celebration of a revered holy man became a global celebration.

St. Patrick himself is a sympathetic figure. Most of what is known about the 5th century missionary and bishop comes from The Confession -- written by the man himself. In it, Patrick, who is thought to have been born in Roman Britain, tells of being kidnapped at 14 by Irish raiders who enslaved him. Patrick wrote that, after six years as a slave, the voice of God guided him to a ship waiting to take him home. In Britain, he studied to become a priest before returning to Ireland. There he worked miracles and converted thousands to Christianity, famously using a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.

Patrick is said to have died in 461 on the 17th of March, a day that became a Christian feast day in the early 17th century.

It started as a public holiday in a few places - the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, a British colony called Montserrat and two Canadian provinces, Labrador and Newfoundland.

What started small is now a global celebration. In the 21st century, there are celebrations as far afield as New Zealand, Argentina, and Tokyo as well as closer to home in places like New Orleans in the US state of Louisiana and in the Canadian city of Montreal.

Experts say that while this has been partly influenced by the migration of the Irish around the world, the diaspora effect does not provide a full explanation. The festival also exists in places where there aren't many ethnic Irish people and is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival.

Although criticized in many places for being commercial and promoting stereotypes of Irish culture, St. Patrick's Day festivals around the world have very little in common apart from the thematic color green.

According to Patrick Griffin, a history professor at Notre Dame, there is nothing really Irish about the celebrations now with each location lending its own history to the event to create something unique. In Tokyo, for instance, where the festival began in 1992 and is largely organized by people who aren't Irish, festivities focus on cultural exchange and unity and are managed by a non-profit called Irish Network Japan.

In Montreal, St. Patrick Day parades began when Irish soldiers in the British army observed the day while there on conquest. Its perpetuation has mainly been due to shared faith in Catholicism, say experts, rather than any desire to maintain a sense of Irish identity.

“QUOTES 2 LIVE BY” What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

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Bad credit can harm career aspirations

­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

Y

our good credit or bad credit might do the talking for you with Human Resources. With the exception of 11 states, employers can check your credit report before they hire you, especially if you are applying for a job in which you handle money or a corporate credit card.

Employers might check your credit report if you will be privy to corporate secrets.

Career-level jobs in finance nearly always involve a credit check. After all, according to Investopedia.com, the employer suspects that if you can’t handle your own finances, why should the company’s finances or client finances be different?

According to Credit Karma, 11 states have restrictions or prohibitions on companies checking credit reports. They are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Ne-

M

vada, Oregon, Vermont or Washington.

The practice is also forbidden in New York City.

If you are applying for National Security clearance, you will have a credit check,

regardless of where you live.

About 47 percent of U.S. companies require a credit check, according to a 2012 study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Even so, 80 percent of the respondents in the survey reported hiring a candidate even though there was a derogatory mark on a credit report.

If a company does ask you to sign a release authorizing them to pull your credit report, that could be good news. According to the SHRM survey only 2 percent of companies check applicant credit before an interview and 58 percent wait until they are ready to extend an offer.

Regardless of how much bad credit can hurt, good credit always gives the applicant higher marks.

The ins and outs of boring business meetings

eetings have become so systemic in the workple that a host of names have arose to describe the frequent gatherings. Here are some steps to increase your meetings effectiveness. Whether you call them a stand-up or huddle, a meeting’s success depends on how they are styled.

Keep meeting lengths to no more than an hour. Think of it in terms of how much per/hour the employees are being paid. Sitting through meetings that last more than an hour is a costly venture for the company.

Limit the number of attendees.

Michael Mankins of Bain & Co. told The Wall Street Journal that “for every additional meeting participant over seven, the likelihood of making a sound decision goes down by 10 percent.”

Often, too many people chiming in at meetings can overwhelm the topic at hand. Also, you run the risk of too many people drowning out each other with their points. Small groups can foster

more interaction, and more results Ensure the meeting includes a group of employees whose projects and departments are being affected by the subject, says Mankins.

Have a prepared agenda. This may

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be a no-brainer, but Mankins says many meeting holders try to wing it. Prepared agendas help you keep your meetings short and effective. Follow-up with the meeting’s minutes, and assign tasks to complete any project goals.

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

the­ drama­ of­ the basketball­ finals come­to­a­final­battle­on­april­1­-­3.

The NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Championship — famously known as the Final Four — will be held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale Ariz.

This will be the 79th annual playing of the final four college teams.

One­disturbing­result­of­ legalized­cannabis In states that have legalized cannabis, the use of the drug has become commonplace in households. But in households with children, a troubling new problem in on the rise.

A new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, surveyed reports on the health effects of cannabis and found that as legalization has proceeded, children become more at risk.

One study showed that 78 percent of all pediatric cannabis poisoning occurred when children swallowed the drug. This suggests that the drug is left in easy reach of children. Another study showed a dramatic increase in the calls to poison centers because children had been exposed to cannabis. From 2000 to 2013, poison center calls were 2.82 times higher in states where cannabis is legal.

new­report­shows­useful,­troubling,­effects­of­cannabis A new report cautions that cannabis can cause breathing problems and depression, while the drug does have some useful effects.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has reviewed the body of scientific researched since 1999 and written a new report on the health effects of cannabis and cannabis-derived products like marijuana. The committee’s 2017 report explores everything from cannabis’ therapeutic value to its implication in causing certain cancers, mental health disorders, diseases and injuries.

An average 22.2 million Americans and 12 and older admitted in a recent nationwide survey to using cannabis in previous 30 days. This widespread use is largely non-medical.

Just 10 percent of users reported they use cannabis for medical purposes. The drug is prescribed in some areas for treatment of chronic pain, muscle spasms related to multiple sclerosis, and nausea from chemotherapy.

On the other hand, there is evidence, says the committee, that smoking cannabis is linked to frequent episodes of chronic bronchitis and worsening respiratory symptoms like chronic cough and phlegm production. It is unclear, says the committee, whether cannabis is associated with respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

There was more definitive evidence of the impact of cannabis and cannabinoids on mental health. The committee found that cannabis use was likely to lead to an increase in the development of schizophrenia, social anxiety disorders and to a lesser extent, depression. Those who use cannabis heavily, says the report are more likely to report thoughts of suicide than people who don’t use and sufferers of bi-polar disorder show more increased symptoms of the disorder than non-users.

The study also found increased use of vehicle accidents where drivers were under the influence of cannabis.

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

MANHATTAN RESIDENT MANAGER’S CLUB, INC. IS PROUD TO HAVE SELECTED

BEN FLORES Resident Manager of the Year 2017 With gratitude & appreciation for the years of dedication and service to the CLUB — 20 —

­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

MANHATTAN RESIDENT MANAGER’S CLUB, INC. IS PROUD TO HAVE SELECTED

PHIL LEVINE of Major Air Service Corp

Associate Member of the Year 2017 In recognition of many years of support & friendship you have show to the CLUB — 21 —

­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

The Balanced Workout

According to wellandgood.com, high intensity workouts aren’t disappearing, but there is a new focus on good habits, recovery classes, and self-care products that reduce injury and excessive muscle fatigue.

There has been a rise in popularity in mobile apps that promote optimal sleeping habits.

In 2017, say the fitness experts, expect to see more bench pressers in yoga class and a range of new products that promote recovery like foam rollers, stretching devices and electronic muscle conditioning devices that ease muscular fatigue and soreness.

Anniversary: Elvis inducted into the Army

It was March 24, 1958 and teenagers were mistyeyed as the teen idol Elvis Presley was inducted into the Army in Memphis, Tenn.

Presley completed basic training and then was posted to Germany.

He left active service in Mar. 5, 1960.

Some drawbacks of working at home

Ready to abandon the office to work at home? Before you do, remember the hum drum, or no hum drum, can become mind boggling.

Consider this:

1. Isolation: One of the biggest challenges of working from home is being alone, all day, every day. Try to break up your day with junkets outside the house. Your local coffee shop could make for a nice, occasional offsite working spot.

2. Punch a clock: The tendency to forget to set, and stick by, working hours is not something you want to make a habit. Commit to a firm start and end time for your work day. Break that commitment only in emergencies. When you punch out, don’t punch back in until the next day.

3. Distractions: Housework, errands, kids, pets -- these can't be allowed to become a distraction. To be productive, you must make a commitment to being at work while at home.

4. For small business people, sharing office space is a possibility.

This can put business owners in a work setting with other busy bees.

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­– JOKes­FOR­the­MOnth­OF­MaRCh Q: How can you tell if an Irishman is having a good time?

A: He's Dublin over with laughter!

Q: What would you get if you crossed Quasimodo with an Irish football player?

A: The Halfback of Notre Dame!

Q: What would you get if you crossed Christmas with St. Patrick's Day? A: St. O'Claus!

Q: What does it mean when you find a horseshoe?

A: Some poor horse is going barefoot!

Q: Do leprechauns make good secretaries? A: Sure, they're great at shorthand.

Q: Why are leprechauns so hard to get along with?

A: Because they're very short-tempered!

Q: What do you get when you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover?

A: A rash of good luck.

Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don't want to press your luck.

Author Unknown

A man says to his neighbor, "I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost $4,000, but it's state of the art. It's perfect."

"Really," answered the neighbor. "What kind is it?"

"Twelve thirty."

Switching phone carriers

Many people may not realize that the landscape of cell phone providers has changed drastically over the past few years. According to Time magazine, carriers are offering bigger data buckets and are also phasing out the two-year contracts that were the norm for so long. For those unhappy with their current provider, switching comes down to a few basic questions:

Do you know? ...It's hard to explain puns to kleptomaniacs because they always take things literally. ...If you are addicted to brake fluid, you can stop whenever you want. ...Exaggerations went up by a million percent last year.

.. What to call a magic dog? A Labracadabrador.

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For contract-holders: Is there any early termination fee?

For non-contract holders: Is the phone paid off?

Will the desired carrier foot the bill for fees?

For anyone off contract that owns their phone, it is easier now than ever to take your business elsewhere.

Dealing with a demanding boss

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Anyone working in corporate America is bound to have a run-in with a demanding boss.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), managing a demanding boss is a challenging but feasible task. The key point is to understand the reasons behind the demanding behavior in the first place.

Is he or she simply an over-achiever with high personal standards or do they have a chronically hostile, abusive style that doesn’t seem to correlate to work results?

Standing up for yourself According to Forbes, it is crucial not to be used as a punching bag.

To say nothing is enabling the boss to keep displaying bad behavior. A lack of confrontation is the same thing as approving it. Gently confronting the boss with a calm, rational style will help to disarm them and help get your perspective across.

Set boundaries Frequently, difficult bosses will try to reach outside of regular working hours to get results from their employees. If it is boundless access to your time that the boss wants, according to the Wall Street Journal, then it is time to negotiate some boundaries.

Compromising with weekend projects, late-night updates, or whatever else could all work to appease the boss and ensure a more positive worklife balance.

Handling business As mentioned before, it is common for bosses to be demanding because they are someone that is on-the-rise or otherwise wants to achieve great things. Lifehack.org suggests that managing your boss by submitting

your weekly plans and accomplishments, making the boss look good, and making sure that he or she knows what you want for your development are key points to co-existing.

At wit’s end?

It could be time to move on, but use these strategies proactively to ensure that the next boss doesn’t get the upper hand.

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

HOROSCOPES

Aries 3/21 - 4/19: This is your month to celebrate. Permission is granted by the stars since you have been so hard-working lately. You will be a bit fussy over details for a time yet.

Taurus 4/20 - 5/20: Bulls of the Zodiac find themselves on the move the first half of the month, calming down by the end of the month. There is room for romance. Mind and heart unite at the full moon.

Gemini 5/21 - 6/20: Your mental energy is focused now. Avoid quarrels. If there have been any, now is the time to apologize. Making up can be great fun.

Scorpio 10/22 - 11/21: You are not feeling especially perky. It's wise not to work too hard or push yourself too much. Your body might need extra care. Look at the glass as half full, not half empty.

Cancer 6/21 - 7/22: The second week of March opens with an idea. Follow it through. It should work out quite well, but don't expect help from others.

Sagittarius 11/22 - 12/21: What you set your mind to do will be accomplished. You are strong and determined this month, especially the last two weeks. If you are too stubborn, expect to be challenged.

Virgo 8/23 - 9/22: A good month for you. If you need extra help or advice, it will be there for you. Be sure to ask because you will be busy. Take time to play.

Aquarius 1/20 - 2/18: Opportunities await you. Don't overlook anything since even small gestures can grow into something much bigger. After the 20th, things change course. Don't pressure yourself.

Leo 7/23 - 8/22: Wow, do you have energy this month! Lions, you might need to roar at the beginning of the month, as the old cliché says about March. Complete any unfinished project early in the month.

Libra 9/23 - 10/21: Things will be a little tense at mid-month, afterward there will be time to relax a little. Use this time to be more assertive. It isn't often the stars give you that kind of go ahead.

Capricorn 12/22 - 1/19: Your normal cautious attitude is thrown to the wind. You are ready to try something new and will surprise people with your adventurous idea.

Pisces 2/19 - 3/20: You are feeling better about things this month. Money is a concern, but takes the back seat to other issues. Reading is your best escape.

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­– Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.­–

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The points that can make your home sell fast Remember that when you bought your house, you went that extra mile to get the right house in the right school district and right neighborhood.

Now when you want to sell, all those considerations will help to make a quick sale.

In fact, the keys to your deal to sell your house today will still be the things that make your house attractive to buy:

Popular neighborhood School district Your home's condition The price you set And flexibility

It's a lucky homeowner who has all those elements on the plus side and, in fact, at least three of those key elements are in your control.

Your home's condition is crucial, of course. You'll want to fix up the outside for maximum curb appeal. Curb appeal is nothing more than the bringing out the pretty in your home: Making your landscape, entrance and outside condition look great from the street. But it is critical to get buyers in.

Once you get buyers in, you'll want to make sure the bones of the house stand out and not the photo of Uncle Ed. So clear out the personal items and make your home a canvass for a new buyer's imagination.

You can't do much about the popularity of the school district and neighborhood. But, both hold their attraction over a period of many years. So it is likely that you are still situated in a popular environment.

What remains are price and flexibility, and the two go hand-inhand.

Good pricing is crucial. Your real estate agent will help you come up with a price that is in line with comparable homes in the neighborhood. Online tools can give you an idea of what your home is worth, but no instant price can tell you the true value.

Some of the price will be determined by how brisk the local real estate market is. In an area with few houses on the market and many buyers, sellers have an advantage in price. In an area with many houses on the market but few buyers, then buyers will certainly have an advantage in price.

Your flexibility could also affect the price. If you must sell now, you might not be able to wait for the best offer. If you can afford to wait, you can review a number of offers before you make your decision.

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MRMC Health Tips: 10 Natural Remedies for Sinus Pain

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1. Flush your nasal passages. Saline sprays and washes like neti-pot and NeilMed sinus rinse have helped many wash thin mucus and help it flush out of the nasal passages.

2. Try bromelain. Sold as a supplement, bromelain is a protein found in pineapple stems.

“Bromelain appears to be beneficial and helps reduce swelling in the nasal passages.” Be sure to talk to your doctor because bromelain may interact with other medicines you are taking.

3. Take a steam. Hot water vapor can help moisten the sinuses. “Sprinkle a few drops of eucalyptus or menthol in the shower and steam up your bathroom.” A hot, steamy shower or bath can also help to loosen up mucus and debris that is stuck inside your nose.

4. Drink up. Staying hydrated helps your body in many ways, including keeping your sinuses moist. Drink water throughout the day, and make sure to steer clear of caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, which can cause dehydration. An easy guideline is to drink eight 8 ounce glasses or more, intake differs from person to person, if the color of your urine is clear you are hydrated.

5. Spice it up. Spicy foods such as mustard, hot peppers, curry, horseradish, and wasabi may help clear sinuses. If you like spice consider adding some “hot spices” to your meals to open up your nasal passages.

6. Allergy-proof your home. Allergies can make sinus pain worst. Controlling your home environment by getting rid of dust mites, installing an air filter system, using bedding with allergenbarriers, and keeping any pets out of the bedroom to help curb nasal allergies.

7. Use a humidifier. A humidifier can keep the air moist, but be sure to keep it clean, especially if you have mold allergies. A dirty humidifier can breed mold. And you should only use a humidifier during dry months, not when it’s humid, 35 to 50% humidity is ideal.

8. Apply warm compresses. “You can use a warm compress to help keep the nasal tissues moist.” You can also fill a deep bowl or pot with steaming water and place your face over it with a towel around your head to breathe the steam in.”

Just be careful not to burn yourself, remember no drinking alcoholic drinks.

9. Don’t ask for antibiotics right away. Using antibiotics indiscriminately can lead to antibiotic resistance and the development of superbugs, plus they may not be affected in treating most cases of sinusitis. “Less than two percent of these infections are bacterial. Most are viral and should be treated without antibiotics.”

10. Know when to see your doctor. “If the sinus pain does not improve with over-thecounter help, your doctor can perform a CT scan of the nose and sinuses to look for anatomical blockages that can be treated surgically, such as a deviated nasal septum or nasal polyps.” If sinus pains last for a week or more and you have a fever, you should see an ear, nose and throat specialist, because you may need more aggressive treatment than natural remedies provide.

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MRMC Building Tips

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Legionnaires – B – Gone

Spring is around the corner and for many Resident Managers and Superintendents that have cooling towers, it’s time to inspect and disinfect

those towers. You all should know by now that an order by the Commissioner of Health, dated August 6, 2015, was mailed to all persons who [continued on page 35]

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own, manage or otherwise control buildings with water-recirculating cooling towers within the City of New York. The order requires owners to have their cooling towers inspected and disinfected yearly and to have records of such work available to the Department of Health upon request.

Most HVAC Service contractors will provide you with a cooling tower record keeping booklet or you can order them on-line. It’s good to keep a copy by the concierge’s desk just in case you’re away from the building or on vacation. Many inspectors, from what I have heard, are anxious to give out heavy fines that can total anywhere from $200.00 to $2,000.00 and possibly higher. A good records keeping system is not a good idea; it’s a GREAT idea!

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“QUOTES 2 LIVE BY”

If a man who cannot count finds a four-leaf clover, is he lucky? ~ Stanislaw J. Lec Be raw, be you and be ready to risk it all when it comes to pursuing your dreams. ~ Valeria Hinojosa

“QUOTES 2 LIVE BY”

May your blessings outnumber The shamrocks that grow, And may trouble avoid you Wherever you go. ~Irish Blessing

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Risk factors for developing diabetes

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Type 2 Diabetes is a condition where the body becomes ineffective at removing sugar (glucose) from the blood stream.

About 95 percent cases of diabetes are type 2, a lifestyle disease.

Type 1 is an immune disease, generally diagnosed in children, in which the immune systems destroys cells in the pancreas that make insulin.

Several factors contribute to the increased the risk of diabetes.

Weight: Fatty tissue increases the body’s resistance to insulin.

Activity: Physical activity reduces blood glucose levels, by using it for movement, and helps increase insulin sensitivity.

Diet: Sugary foods and drinks set you up for bad health and diabetes.

Highly processed carbohydrates such as white bread and rice contain little fiber and lots of starch that translates into sugar in your body. Your diet should have contain high-fiber foods from beans, vegetables and fruits; whole grains in cereal such as oatmeal and in things you usually eat like

bread or crackers.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease suggest that the following are also risk factors: Age: After age 45 the risk of developing diabetes increases and poor lifestyle choices add to the risk.

High blood pressure: Anyone who has been told they have high blood pressure has a high likelihood of developing diabetes.

Smoking: Smokers are roughly 50 percent more likely to develop diabetes than nonsmokers, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.

Ethnicity: People of South Asian, African, Indigenous and Caribbean descent are two- to four-times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Family history: The risk increases by two to six times if you have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes (Diabetes UK).

History of gestational diabetes: Women who had gestational diabetes are at higher risk of later developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes prevention programs, which encourage weight loss, exercise and healthy eating, can reduce an individual’s chance of developing diabetes by 58 percent, according to Harvard School of Public Health.

Those who have one or more of the risk factors and are concerned about Type 2 diabetes should consult their doctor to check for any early signs of the disease. Having a cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose check by a doctor, and working to keep them at a normal level, is the best way to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Managing type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes Changes in lifestyle can help manage type 2 diabetes, while lifting overall health and energy.

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition; the body becomes less and less resistant to insulin as time goes on.

Not managing diabetes properly can result in a range of complications such as cardiovascular disease, blindness and kidney disease. However, it is possible to slow the progress of diabetes through a healthy diet and regular activity.

A healthy diet Improving the quality, and in some instances, reducing the quantity, of food will help control blood sugar levels and can decrease body weight. The American Diabetes Association broadly recommends focusing on eating more non-starchy vegetables and less starchy foods and meat.

The Harvard School of Public Health recommends whole grains over highly processed carbohydrates; avoiding sugary drinks; choosing healthy fats (such as olive oil); and limiting red meat consumption.

Increase physical activity Physical activity keeps the body in general good health, so no wonder it helps manage diabetes. Exercise removes sugars from the blood, by using them to power movement. Diabetes Australia recommends 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week, which is in line with international recommendations.

Regular blood glucose monitoring Regularly monitoring blood glucose is an important step to understand how effectively diabetes is being managed. Monitoring is usually done daily at home with a finger prick.

For those with type 2 diabetes, making simple yet effective lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on longevity. Managing body weight, regular exercise and healthy eating can help reduce the effect of type 2 diabetes on your health.

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ROSENWACH TANK

THE FIRST NAME IN QUALITY WOOD AND STEEL TANKS

718.729.4900 • ROSENWACHGROUP.COM • 43-02 Ditmars Boulevard, 2nd Fl. • Astoria, NY 11105

Manhattan­Resident­ManageR’s­Club,­inC.

Mr. Louis Parrilla, Newsletter Editor 524 East 72nd Street New York, NY 10021

To PLAcE An AD in ThE nExT nESwSLETTEr PLEASE cALL Louis Parrilla 917-750-4117 • resmgr524@gmail.com