Vol. 39 No. 182
May 2018
NO STRIKE! Dedicated to the Performance & Advancement for the Real Estate Manager
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, May 3rd, 2018, 6:00pm at TBA
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
—2—
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
—3—
D
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
A
I
S
PRESIDENT: joe cervini 917-588-4922 jcervini@mac.com
ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC. ORganized1980 P.O. Box 1144 New York, NY 10021
VICE-PRESIDENT: ben floreS 917-860-5811 benjieflores3@gmail.com TREASURER: PatricK Mcenaney 917-699-5231
OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE
McEnaney.patrick@gmail.com
on Thursday, May 3rd, 2018 Place: TBA
FIN.SECRETARY:
Meeting starts at 6:00pm.
Steve Mala 212-861-2073 Steve.Mala@yahoo.com
Dress attire for this event is professional attire, suit & tie.
Entry Fee: Memebers $40.00 Guests $60.00
SECRETARY:
(includes open bar and delicious gourmet food)
Steve KuKaj (917) 339-7166 kukaj01@gmail.com TRUSTEES:
Laslo Karsai
John Szabo
Joe Vela
Dean Berishaj
CLUB NEWSLETTER
Frank Pomponi
Louis Parrilla Publisher 917-750-4117 resmgr524@gmail.com
Peter Guzman Business Manager 917-837-1390 pgu3911250@aol.com
Ben Flores Editor 917-860-5811 benjieflores3@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.
—4—
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
Joseph Cervini President
2018 Resident Manager of the Year
Welcome to the May Newsletter!
I hope you all had a very Happy and Blessed Easter/Passover Holiday and were able to spend it with your loved ones. Above all, Family first!
On behalf of the Dais & Trustees of the Manhattan Resident Manager’s Club, I would like to thank all the members and guests for attending the April Meeting. Due to an emergency situation at Terrace 54, the meeting was quickly moved to a different location. Even though it was a last-minute scramble & minor inconvenience; everybody had a good time, the food was great, and the comradery was quite present throughout the event. I sincerely appreciate everyone’s effort to make this meeting happen given the circumstances. Also, the CLUB would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Jimmy Brennan and the Members of SEIU Local 32BJ Union led by Mr. John Santos, for taking the time and effort to attend our meeting and explain what is actually “on the line” with the upcoming labor contract negotiations. Both Jimmy & John did a great job motivating all of us; and as a result our Union Rally on April 11th had “the largest turn out in 32BJ history”. 15,000+ members strong packed Park Avenue to show solidarity in a demand for fairness. Thanks again Jimmy & John! All of us at the Manhattan Resident Managers Club would like to congratulate the winner and recipient of the William Key Award & our 2018 Vendor of the Year, Mr. Wilfredo Montano of Montano Wood Care Corp. We sincerely thank him for his continued support and contributions to the CLUB throughout the years.
SAVE THE DATE for these upcoming events! Our 18th Annual Sunset BBQ will again be held at Battery Gardens Restaurant on Tuesday, June 12th. The MRM Foundation’s Golf Outing this year will be held at the end of summer on Monday, September 24th. Our 8th Annual Twilight/Sunset Dinner Cruise around lower Manhattan is set for Thursday, October 4th. The 2018 Three Hands Grand Ball is set for Saturday, November 3rd at Gotham Hall. More events to be announced.
Please note that the only acceptable dress code for our monthly meetings is JACKET and TIE; unless expressed otherwise. NO exceptions! If you are not dressed accordingly, you will not be allowed to attend the meeting. In conjunction with a CLUB-wide email, we will post on Facebook, LinkedIn and the CLUB’s website if the dress code changes for a particular event.
Please remember to support our Associate Members as they are the ones that keep our CLUB running. Most of our Associate Members take an ad in our monthly Newsletter, so when you’re in need of a contractor, vendor or product, please refer to the Newsletter for their goods & services.
I look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday, May 3rd for our next monthly meeting. Due to unexpected ongoing construction issues at Terrace 54, we will have our next meeting at a location TBA. We will post the new location on all our social media forums within the next few days; as well as a CLUB-wide email to all.
Best regards,
Joe
—5—
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
Sickness, Dis tress and Happy Times
Congratulations to Laszlo & Penny Karsai on the birth of healthy, six-pound baby girl, Anna Jane Karsai.
their beautiful,
Happy Birthday wishes to Regular Members Patrick Reidy, Juan Diaz, Marty Dowd, Zoltan Papp, Agim Qela Brian Reilly & our Financial Secretary Steve Mala. Also a Happy BDay to Associate Members Wilfredo Ortiz of Advance Security & Intercoms, Elfriede Deitz of NYARM & Affiliate Member Nancy Rodriguez of AKAM.
Happy Memorial Day!
The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission. Thank you so much to all the servicemen and women who have gone above and beyond protecting our country. Happy Memorial Day. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter the words but to live by them.
A “Special” THANK YOU to Jimmy Brennan for all his hard work and contributions to every Resident Manager Organization in NYC during the Labor Contract Negotiations with the RAB & SEIU Local 32BJ. Your dedication to our collective cause is greatly respected & appreciated.
May 4th May the 4th Be with You
May 5th Cinco de Mayo
May 13th Mother's Day
May 15th Start of Ramadan
May 26th Sally Ride Day
May 28th Memorial Day
—6—
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
tRaining:gOingthe lastMilefORnewhiRes
New training programs aim to bridge the gap between college and a first job. Some companies have expanded and lengthened training to develop technology and business talent, according to The Wall Street Journal. One company, German business-software giant SAP, opens a few hundred spots in its paid, nine-month-long sales academy each year and brings recent graduates from across the world to participate. Although the program consumes a chunk of its yearly training budget, it has paid for itself by producing high-performing new employees, company officials say. Turnover among this group is only 10 percent.
Capital One's developer academy gives new graduate hires six months in a classroom setting to learn programming skills and business processes. New hires are also assigned company mentors to teach both skills and company culture. U.S. employers spent about $1,252 per employee on training in 2015.
CREDIT CARDS DECLINED MORE FREQUENTLY IN 2017
Twelve percent or 26 million people had either a credit or debit card declined last year in the U.S., according to USA Today. Insufficient funds accounted for just 32 percent of these. The rest were for increasingly common fraud prevention issues. About 30 percent of credit users, along with 16 percent of debit users, reported having their cards declined due to a fraud protection program. Using a card out of state or country can prompt a decline. Contact your bank before you travel. Online transactions with debit cards are increasingly blocked if the credit card processor is out of country. If the transaction is essential, the consumer can usually clear the transaction with their bank first.
—7—
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
—8—
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
WHEN A PERSONALITY CONFLICT TAKES A BAD TURN
When a personality conflict in the workplace becomes outright hostility, workplace bullying has probably taken hold in the office. According to an historical study by the University of Phoenix, about 41 percent of workers have been the target of some sort of bullying. Up to 71 percent of workers have witnessed bullying. The Workplace Bullying Institute says bullying can include threats, humiliation, intimidation, verbal harassment, and sabotaging the work of others. Targets of bullying are often veteran workers with high levels of competence who threaten another highly competitive worker, according to Forbes. Targets often end up leaving the workplace.
Meanwhile, the people witnessing bullying are faced with few good strategies. If challenged, the bully can turn on them. If they stay passive, witnesses often lower their own performance just to stay under the bully's radar. Management is the key to heading off bullying. According to Christine Comaford, author of SmartTribes: How teams become brilliant together, bullies must be recognized for what they are: not just a difficult personality but a toxic one. They must be confronted. Bullies must be forced to choose between the values of the organization and their own behavior and management must be willing to hire and fire based on company values.
HOW SMALL BUSINESSES CAN USE THE GIG ECONOMY TO GROW
About one in three workers in America are currently freelancing and this growing gig economy allows small businesses to grow more efficiently by hiring specialists quickly and cheaply, according to Small Business Trends. An estimated 40 percent of those who work in the gig economy are engaged by small businesses, and those same freelancers are more likely to consider working full time for a smaller company than a larger one in the future. Many entrepreneurs start their businesses with a small budget and limited access to human capital. It just isn't feasible to hire full-time experts to pro-
vide the skills needed to build things like online infrastructure, branding material, or a social media presence. In these cases, a small business can turn to a freelancer that specializes in these specific tasks but often charges less than an established firm in the industry because they have less overhead and more flexibility with their time, according to CNet. Online services such as UpWork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com —9—
Companies have approached the issue in different ways. According to The Wall Street Journal, a law office had issues with bosses taking credit for subordinates' work and sending abusive emails to coworkers. In response, they created a 10-point civility code that they hung right inside the front door to let everyone know exactly what they expected of them at all times. This action also made employees feel more comfortable about reporting issues without fear of retaliation which allows leaders to squash ill behaviors before they get out of control and cause more damage.
allow business owners to connect with freelancers quickly and provide a secure way to track activity. When searching for a freelance worker to complete a project, such as building a website for your small business, the ability to search among many talented individuals across a variety of factors will allow you to find the perfect match for your situation. Narrow the field by focusing on individuals that have a solidly reviewed track record with a particular kind of project and offer a portfolio of work. From there, sort out whether they prefer to be paid by the hour or completed project and find someone who meets your budget. Once you find a freelancer, there will always be a contract employee on call to help your business grow.
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
— 10 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
CAN CREDIT CARD COMPANIES LOWER YOUR LIMIT? Credit card companies routinely offer limit increases to entice more spending among good customers but they are just as likely to decrease the limit when their creditworthiness suffers, according to The Simple Dollar. When a person applies for a credit card, the issuer must ask permission to check that person's credit to make a decision. Many people might not realize, however, that The Fair Credit Re-
porting Act allows them to continue to monitor that credit into the future. If a customer falls behind on the credit card payments or even has issues with other lenders that show up on a credit report, the bank may choose to mitigate the increased risk by lowering the amount of money the customer is allowed to
Average interest rates on new car loans rose to 5.2 percent in February, and many consumers are not taking advantage of several ways to lower their rates and save money in the long run, according to USA Today. While the market rate had fallen to as low as 3.9 percent at the end of 2012, analysts are forecasting that rates are headed higher. Only 31.6 percent of those that leased or bought a new car in 2015 even tried lowering their rates through negotiation or searching for financing elsewhere. Many buyers tend to focus solely on the monthly payment when shopping for a
new car. They pay less attention to the interest rate and overall length of the loan. With this in mind, car dealers are likely to extend loan terms out as long as possible. The average loan is three months longer now than five years ago. Rather than accepting whatever rates the car dealership offers, it pays for consumers to take time to shop around for a better rate elsewhere, as tough competition can lead to better deals, according to Greg McBride, the chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com. As an example, a $35,000 car loan with 7 percent APR will cost $3,800 more than a loan with 3 percent
borrow on credit. In addition to cutting your access to more credit, a reduced limit can have a further negative impact on your credit score by raising your credit utilization ratio if the balance stays the same.
SEARCHING FOR THE BEST CAR LOAN RATE
— 11 —
APR over five years. Different dealerships will have different networks of lenders that might offer better terms. Also, local credit unions, which have been moving into the auto loan market in recent years, can often provide excellent rates to members. Sometimes the absolute best interest rate does not make the best deal. Special promotional rates of 1.9 percent or even zero percent often mean forgoing sameas-cash incentives on specific new cars. When adding that money to the total loan amount, the overall costs could end up being more substantial in the long run than those with a much higher interest rate.
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
— 12 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
TECHNOLOGY BRINGS NEW SAFETY CHALLENGES The new warehouse is no longer the dusty destination for long-term storage. It's now a symphony of activity where robots and humans work together in a rapid and complex dance. In the new warehouse, safety systems are key, controlling issues such as how fast robots move materials along floor routes and how they behave when approaching human space. Imagine what would happen if someone with bad intent hacked into those safety systems. As you might expect, someone has. In January 2018, the first malware attack hit an energy plant in the Middle East, deploying highly sophisticated malware to halt operations at an energy plant, according to cyberscoop.com. The attack specifically targeted safety systems designed to regulate the speed at which machinery moves and to assume privileges to shut down operations. This attack created a new safety and security reality throughout global industry. In robotic industrial settings, computer safety controllers can detect if something is wrong in a plant and
sound an alarm, according to ArcherSecurityGroup.com. The controllers can order remedies to avoid catastrophe, such as releasing pressure if an explosion is imminent, or simply beginning a safe shut down of the plant. Evil software could fake a safety problem, causing a plant shutdown, or even create a hazardous situation. But no need to panic. At the moment, no piece of malware can cause explosions, for example, by breaking into a safety system, according to Archer. More worrisome is the link between smartphone apps and machine monitoring and management. In many situations, engineers monitor and manage machines through smartphone apps. But the apps can and do have security holes. According to technologyreview.com, researchers found 147 security holes in 32 apps used by major companies. Just two apps got a clean security report. These security holes could allow hackers to mislead engineers into thinking a machine is running safely when it is not. Or, hackers could exploit app flaws by inserting malicious code to servers controlling machines.
— 13 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
— 14 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
— 15 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
— 16 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
EXPRESS HARDWARE & BUILDING MATERIAL Competitive pricing More than 30,000 items in stock Convenient New York City based location Same day / next day delivery
JANITORIAL SUPPLIES GARBAGE LINERS HAND/POWER TOOLS LIGHTING/ELECTRICAL PLUMBING PAINT (BENJAMIN MOORE AND MORE) OFFICE STATIONARY SPECIAL ORDERS
Please call for more information or to open an account today 212-722-1553 917-528-0040 646-469-3123 929-444-1414 917-560-8899 Sales.expresshardware@gmail.com 235 East 123rd Street New York, NY 10035 — 17 —
Potential allergy complications indoors
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
Nasal allergies affect about 50 million people in the United States and indoor allergens can aggravate them according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander can all be irritating to sensitive individuals, and while air cleaning devices with HEPA filters are helpful, the best way to prevent allergy problems is to eliminate the source of allergens inside the home.
Many who suffer from severe reactions to pollen, for instance, retreat indoors during the worst parts of allergy season. Although this prevents most direct contact with outside sources, there are still ways that they can invade the home. Keeping windows and doors closed, even on days with beautiful weather, will help prevent new spores and plant matter from entering the house. Pets with long hair can not only contribute to pet dander but also tend to pick up pollen during the high-volume times of the season so a spring haircut and frequent baths help to mitigate these issues. Dust mites, which eight out of 10 people are exposed to, can become a problem if left unchecked. Avoid heavy draperies and overstuffed furniture. Use plastic covers on items such as mattresses and pillows. Bedding, pillows or stuffed toys should be washed frequently in water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the mites. Vacuum frequently. Consider using a mask to reduce inhalation of dust. Mold is best kept in check by controlling the humidity in the home. Air conditioners will help with decreasing humidity, but it might be necessary to employ a humidity monitor and dehumidifiers in areas prone to mold accumulation like kitchens and bathrooms. Fix leaks and clean visible mold immediately to prevent it from becoming a problem.
— 18 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
— 19 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
MANHATTAN RESIDENT MANAGER’S CLUB, INC. IS PROUD TO HAVE SELECTED
JOSEPh CERViNi Resident Manager of the Year 2018 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
WILFREDO MONTANO of Montano Wood Care Corp.
Associate Member of the Year 2018 In recognition of many years of support & friendship you have show to the CLUB — 21 —
DEBT AND RETIREMENT EQUALS A SERIOUS PROBLEM
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
Debt is more acceptable these days, but it is becoming a drag on retirement, especially when the unexpected happens. According to new research by Employee Benefit Research, more households headed by someone 75 or older are in debt. The number for whom debt is excessive -- more than 40 percent of income -- has increased 25 percent in the last 10 years. In fact, 50 percent of 75-plus households have debt in housing or credit cards, up from 31 percent in 2007. Newly retired people or those nearing retirement are more likely to have debt than retirees in the 1990s, even though debt payments as a percentage of income have declined. According to Forbes, it is important to get debt paid off when approaching retirement. Unexpected problems can cause serious financial woes for new retirees. Health problems after retirement or a job loss before retirement can send people burdened with debt into bankruptcy.
— 22 —
HOW TO CORRECT PAYING TOO MUCH INTO A 401K
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
The limit on contributions to an individual's 401k was $18,000 in 2017, and if a person accidentally pays too much into the account, it is crucial to correct the error to avoid paying extra taxes, according to Nerdwallet. This limit only applies to the pre-tax wages that an employee contributes to their plan and won't count any employer matches. To fix the mistake, contact the plan administrator and let them know that you have made an 'excess deferral,' which will let them know the current situation. From here, they are required to return the money back to you in a 'corrective distribution' that accounts for any additional earnings that this money might have made. It can take time for administrators to process this request and issue a new W-2 so reach out to them early to avoid filing taxes after the deadline.
— 23 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
Study: Non-narcotic pain medications work as well as opioids
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen were shown to work better than opioidbased medications at treating chronic back pain, according to research by the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. Dr. Erin Krebs, one of the lead authors of the study, said that the study shows that there is no discernible benefit to using opioids over NSAIDS that outweighs the potential risk of accidental death or addiction from the more potent pain relievers. The study looked at 240 patients at a VA primary care clinic that were seeking treatment for chronic pain. Researchers randomly assigned half
of the patients a mix of opioids and half a mix of either acetaminophen or ibuprofen for one year. Before and after the trial started, each patient was asked to rate how their pain affected their daily lives and the intensity of the pain itself on a 10-point scale. While both groups found overall relief over the course of the year, the results were nearly identical for both
measures and indicated that there might not be any apparent reason for the more powerful drugs to be used under normal circumstances. Opioid-related deaths continue to be the most significant driver of drug overdoses in the United States with 42,249 recorded in 2016 alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Many states, especially in the Northeast and Midwest regions, saw significant death rate increases and prescription rates still hover around 66 per 100 people. It is possible that further research into non-opioid pain medications could help reverse this trend while still providing relief to sufferers of chronic pain.
NEW DRUGS PROMISE TO MELT AWAY HIGH CHOLESTEROL Patients that suffer from abnormally high cholesterol can benefit from a new class of drugs, but the cost may cause problems for some. Affordable cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins work for the majority of people, but there are about 10 million people in the United States who can't take those drugs or who suffer from a genetic disease. Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disease that causes uncontrollable high cholesterol even with the highest doses
of traditional medicines. PCSK9 inhibitors such as Praluent, from Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and Repatha, from Amgen, represent a new way of tackling cholesterol. They have been shown to reduce cholesterol in eligible patients by 50- to 60 percent after a year's worth of treatment. The drawback to the drug is the price tag. A year's worth of Praluent is around $14,600 and Repatha demands a similar price. It is likely, however, that patients
— 24 —
could obtain discounts from 30 to 65 percent off the retail price, according to The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Health insurance companies may be hesitant to approve the use of these drugs as long-term use could end up costing them billions of dollars in benefits. Prescribing this treatment might end up saving them money in the long run as the estimated lifetime cost of heart failure is $110,000 - many years worth of a life-saving medicine.
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
Horoscopes
Aries 3/21 - 4/19: Optimism is the word for the month as you tackle an important project. Keep your eye on the prize.
Taurus 4/20 - 5/20: Taureans expect harmonious interactions this month in relationships, especially in the workplace. It may have been a long time coming. So enjoy.
Gemini 5/21 - 6/20: Sunny days and good fortune shine on you this month. But, remember trials will come. Neither fortune nor struggle is permanent.
Cancer 6/21 - 7/22: Don't let Spring fever distract. Your work this month builds a safety net as you hit a small stumbling block by the full moon on the 29th.
Leo 7/23 - 8/22: Mother's Day on the 13th brings a family gathering. Resist competing with siblings and focus on your mother, whether she is living or passed on.
Virgo 8/23 - 9/22: It's a good thing you like detail because this month may demand it. Focus on the narrow way to make broad advances.
Libra 9/23 - 10/21: A personality conflict leaves you feeling as if you have done something wrong. Stand up for yourself and make your accomplishments known.
Scorpio 10/22 - 11/21: Don't appeal to others to handle a situation you should address yourself, on the spot. Take courage. You'll have backup. Deal with the person or problem directly.
Sagittarius 11/22 - 12/21: This month brings some welcome peace and good feeling. Revel in the joys of Spring and prepare for a productive summer.
Capricorn 12/22 - 1/19: Time to consider long-term future plans. If you haven't made an effort in retirement planning, this is the month to get serious about it.
Aquarius 1/20 - 2/18: Home projects take the lead. Maybe you hate Spring cleaning, but it might just be the ticket to feeling better all summer.
Pisces 2/19 - 3/20: Picture your current loved one in other phases of your life. If you are dating, ask yourself if this is the person who you will need in 10 years or even 20.
— 25 —
e
montano
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
wood care
The Art of Wood and Metal Restoration Trust your fine architectural woodwork and metal to the experts at Montano Wood Care. Montano Wood Care has been serving residential and office buildings for over 25 years. We restore the life and beauty of fine woodwork and metal.
YOUR SINGLE SOURCE FOR WOOD & METAL RESTORATION: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
ELEVATOR CABS
DOORS & ENTRANCES
LOBBIES & RECEPTION DESKS FURNITURE & MORE
EMERGENCY DAMAGE & REPAIR
SURVEY & ANALYSIS FOR: ■ ■ ■
REFINISHING & RESTORATION TOUCH-UPS
COST-EFFECTIVE, CUSTOM
MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS
OFFICE • RESIDENTIAL • LANDMARKS
Montano Wood Care Corp. Wood & Metal Restoration
Tel: 914.488.5400 • Fax: 914.488.5402 Email: restoration@montanowood.com 242A Lake Avenue Yonkers, NY 10701 Member of: New York Building Manager’s Assoc. Scandinavian-American Manager Guild Manhattan Resident Managers Club
Call us for a complimentary consultation
Call 914.488.5400
■
www. montanowood.com — 26 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IS RARER AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, SURVEY SAYS
If you have been thinking that gratitude seems to be in short supply, especially among the young, you are not alone. A 2012 online national poll that found that more than half of its 2000 adult participants believed "people today are less likely" to show gratitude than a decade or two ago. Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Jennifer Breheny Wallace contends that for the first time the complaint that children are "more entitled and ungrateful than in years past" might actually be true. Contemporary culture, fixated on selfies, is prone to rewarding bragging while leaving behind everyday expressions of gratitude. According to Dr. Richard Weissbourd from HarvardÕs Graduate School of Education, kids may be less grateful than in the past because of the self-esteem movement. Parents were advised to praise and cater to their children to encourage happiness. In many cases, however, the result was not happiness but entitlement.
Since life is rarely perfectly praiseworthy and happy, kids tend to feel slighted if they don't get those things, not grateful if they do. Researchers have found adolescents who have cultivated an attitude of gratitude show higher rates of happiness and school engagement while displaying fewer depressive symptoms and anxiety. Young people who are grateful have also been found to display fewer incidences of anti-social behavior and an ability to foster strong social bonds with both family and friends. Gratitude is a way to recognize and appreciate the good things in one's life, experts say. Another way to raise grateful children, says parenting.com, is for parents to model grateful behavior. Parents may not realize that children are paying attention to small interactions with everyone from the grocery store clerk to the gas station attendant, writes Patty Onderko, but they are, and thanking people who are helpful is a cue children will one day follow.
— 27 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
— 28 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
THE POPULATION IS GRAYING
Recently published projections by the US Census Bureau show that the number of people over the age of 65 is set to outnumber children by the year 2035. For the first time in history, it is forecasted that there will be almost 2 million more older adults than children under the age of 18 - a trend believed to be precipitated by a decline in fertility along with aging baby boomers. According to the Washington Post, there will be increased pressure on lawmakers to fund Medicare and Social Security, especially because older Americans vote at higher rates. While the shrinking workforce is expected to weigh on economic growth, experts say that this could be offset by automa-
tion and the use of robots to replace workers. In the first projections published since 2015, analysts say that even with no major changes in immigration policy, immigrants will equal natural born citizens by the year 2030. By 2040, the number of immigrants will be twice as large as natural births. Although it is projected that the population will continue to grow, analysts say that there will be a change in the countryÕs diversity. The number of people classified as white is expected to shrink by 2024, dropping to less than half the population by 2045. Similar trends are already underway in Europe.
This house is for sale: beep… beep…
At the next open house you attend, Rex the Real Estate Robot might be the one answering your questions. Robotics are just beginning to enter the real estate industry, but they are already showing homes to perspective buyers. REX the Bot looks a bit like a rolling kiosk topped with an interactive touch screen. It is one example of robotics that can save agents time in showing homes, answering questions and collecting data. Instead of making multiple trips to homes they list, agents can talk to potential buyers through the robot's screen. The robot can answer up to 70 questions about the property. Buyers even get access to the homes through a pin number texted to them when they arrive at the property. It's already in use in California, where busy agents with high-end listings are using it to save time on crowded freeways. Another player in the real estate robot world is VirtualAPT. These robots do not greet customers and, in fact, customers never see them. Instead they are deployed inside homes before the listing at 50 cents per square foot. The robots take measurements, create floor plans and shoot 3-D video, according to The Wall Street Journal. But will meet-and-greet robots play well in an industry in which the human touch means everything? Time will tell, but REX robots don't work for free. They charge a 2 percent commission on sales.
— 29 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
Supercomputers power governments, industry
Many different industries, governments, and the military all rely on the massive computational power that a supercomputer provides and the definition of what makes a computer 'super' is always changing, according to Makeuseof.com. Because a supercomputer is really just a 'particularly powerful mainframe computer', constant advances in technology mean that the personal computers of today are about as fast as the supercomputers from several decades ago and new systems are forced to push the boundary further continuously. As of the time of this writing, the
fastest supercomputer in the world is China's Sunway TaihuLight which brings an incredible 93.01 petaflops of power by combining over 2.5 million processors into one monumental system. To put this number in perspective, one petaflop is one thousand teraflops, and one teraflop is the speed of the fastest consumerlevel processor available on the market today, according to Popular Science. This scale means that the world's fastest computer is 93,010 times faster than the quickest chip money can buy. These computers are necessary when a lot of data needs to be
Girls tend to make different career choices than boys, study finds
Silicon Valley's public hand-wringing over the lack of women in science and technology has focused on the workforce, which is 80 percent male. Perhaps the male culture in technology is a turnoff to women or maybe it actively prevents women from entering the field, the thinking goes. But a new study published in the February issue of the journal Psychological Science suggests corporate culture probably has little to do with women's choices. Girls who live in nations with less gender equality are the ones more likely to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), the study found. Meanwhile, girls who live in nations with greater equality choose the arts, law or psychology, the study found. The study analyzed data from half a million teens from 67 countries who participated in the world's largest educational survey, the Program for Interna-
handled at once to solve a problem. Boeing, as an example, uses them to simulate how aircraft fly through the air to develop better aerodynamics for their designs to increase safety and fuel efficiency. Government agencies, such as The US Department of Defense, were able to use systems like these to create new weather models that more accurately predict hurricanes and cyclones up to five days before they hit land. Meanwhile, the US Army can run simulations of live fire events and prototypes that would be too expensive to build and carry out with real equipment.
tional Student Assessment (PISA). Researchers found that girls and boys had equal competence in STEM in 60 percent of the PISA countries. In almost every country, girls displayed the ability to pursue STEM studies at college. On closer examination, researchers found that female students had higher reading scores than boys, reports the Wall Street Journal. This differed from boys whose strengths tended to stay focused on STEM. Girls from countries like Sweden and Switzerland that have stronger social safety nets and more equality, felt freer to pursue careers in other fields, say the researchers. Girls from places like Algeria and Tunisia, with weaker legal protections for women, have the highest representation of women in STEM. Researchers concluded that girls had a wider range of choices in more gender-equal countries and thus made decisions based on their interests.
— 30 —
– ManhattanÂResidentÂManageR’sÂClub,ÂinC.–
Ask the Expert: No Closing costs? My husband is being transferred to another city for five years. We are going to sell our house and we are excited to buy in the new city. However, we will be somewhat cash strapped. I've heard it is possible to get a no closing cost mortgage. How do they work? The bottom line is that you still pay for a no closing cost mortgage. The difference is that the fees, which can total thousands of dollars, are wrapped up in the home loan. Closing costs include such
charges as the loan origination fee, appraisal, title search fees and title insurance premiums. You'll find these vary between states. On a $200,000 loan these service fees can amount to more than $2,000. 5@* +*( r 51 +*( =/
5@*/( (WWYV]LK =LUKVY
/6<9 :,9=0*,
800.877.7475 r +LZPNU r 0UZ[HSSH[PVU r *VTWHJ[PVU r *O\[LZ *O\[L +VVYZ r )HSLYZ r 9LJ`JSPUN :VY[LYZ r *O\[L *SLHUPUN 9LWHPY r 7YL]LU[H[P]L 4HPU[LUHUJL r >HZ[L[LJ (5:0 r <3 3PZ[LK r >LSKPUN :LY]PJL r *`SPUKLY 9LWHPY r 514-. VM [OL @LHY -PUHSPZ[
www.PCS-Green.com
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 31 â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
however, as you might imagine, getting a loan with no closing costs won't be free. Usually the lender will offer you a loan with a slightly higher rate to account for these costs. For example, you might be offered a 4.39 percent rate on a 30-year fixed or a 4.765 rate for a no closing cost loan. Luckily, you are looking at a 5year horizon and if you plan to sell at that time, it can make sense to wrap the closing costs into the loan. it usually takes more than five years to recoup the costs of closing costs if you were to pay cash. What doesn't make sense is wrapping costs up in a mortgage and keeping the mortgage for more than five years. Then the difference will be much more expensive. Be sure to calculate the extra money it costs you to wrap the costs into the mortgage. if it is $50/month, for example, in five years you will pay $3,000 extra. That might be close to the closing cost amount. if you sell in five years, you will break even on the closing costs. But, suppose you like the area you move to and decide to stay? You will be paying $18,000 over the life of the mortgage -- a hit you might not like to take.
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
— 32 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
OU UR PAR R TS C O ME E WITH W E X P E RIE N C E
W aws 84/87
Helping co-op/condo achieve energy ef ficiency and occup Yees, you can have both (inn fact, they go haand-in-hand)!
718 8-886-4232 TH HE STEAM HEATING PROFESSIONAL LS
MANUFA ACTU URERS REPRESENTA AT A TIVE FOR:
G S DU UNHA M .CO M SALE ES@G S DUNHA M .CO M
ELG GE® — 33 —
Ve ent-R Rite®
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
“QUOTES 2 LIVE BY”
Jordan Peterson Quotes
(Author of 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos)
I don't think that you have any insight whatsoever into your capacity for good until you have some well-developed insight into your capacity for evil.
If you fulfill your obligations every day you don't need to worry about the future.
The purpose of life is finding the largest burden that you can bear and bearing it.
Compare yourself to who you were yesterday instead of who someone else is today.
Sit on your bed one day and ask yourself: what remarkably stupid things am I doing on a regular basis to absolutely screw up my life?
— 34 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
— 36 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
Visit our Web Site at: www.mrmclub.com
— 37 —
Building Health Tips – ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
It’s that time of the year again and summer is around the corner, so we just wanted to send a reminder for those of you with cooling towers that you make sure to follow all regulations and LL 77 to avoid steep fines. As a building owner & manager with a cooling tower; it is important to follow cooling tower regulations in New York City.
The LAW REQUIRES:
• Routine inspections and Legionella Testing of active cooling towers by qualified professional prior to season start–up and every 90 days thereafter. • You must respond appropriately to an elevated Legionella culture sampling result exceeding 1,000 colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter (ml) and you must notify the local health department within 24 hours. • Twice a year your cooling tower must be disinfected by a licensed pesticide applicator or technician certified by NY State. • A maintenance plan for each cooling tower be develop and strictly followed. • Each year, by NOVEMBER 1st, certification to be obtained from a credentialed inspector stating a maintenance plan for each cooling tower has! been followed and! all cooling tower regulation require! ! ! ! ments have been met.
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!
W
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!
— 38 —
– ManhattanResidentManageR’sClub,inC.–
— 39 —
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 Publisher 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