Thursday, January 29, 2015

News: The Times Turns its Gaze Toward Corona

Today the paper of record profiled Corona, one of the largest Latin American immigrant communities in the borough, for its “Living In” column. City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras tell the Times that over-development is a challenge in this area, with two-family homes replaced with multifamily developments. Her concern is of less parking, more traffic, and strained community services. But the neighborhood, once heavily Italian American, remains a stronghold for Latin food and culture.
As for real estate, demand for housing here is going up, and so are prices. Two-family homes roughly range from $700,000 to $800,000, with larger condos and co-ops starting in the mid-$300,000s. Buildings with three or more units can range anywhere up to $1,500,000. As for available rentals, prices range from $1,250 for a studio up to $2,395 for a three bedroom in LeFrak City.

               Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”

SAVE YOUR EYES - SLEEP BETTER!

Finally someone with authority has researched how computers affect our eyes and our sleep patterns - and these smart people have done something about it.

The American Medical Association released a study last year containing the following recommendation: "AMA recognizes that exposure to excessive light at night, including extended use of various electronic media, can disrupt sleep or exacerbate sleep disorders, especially in children and adolescents. This effect can be minimized by using dim red lighting in the nighttime bedroom environment."

During the day, computer screens generally look good because they're designed to look like a comfortable version of sunlight. There is no adjustment however when using your computer after sundown. At 9PM, Midnight, or 3AM, you probably shouldn't be looking at a version of sunlight. The AMA studies show that this can have a deleterious effect on your sleep patterns and your eyesight.

The program available now is easy to install and adjusts your computer screen to blend properly with daylight and light changes that come with nighttime. It makes your computer screen look like the room you're in, all the time. When the sun sets, it makes your computer look like your indoor lights. In the morning, it makes things look like daytime again. Simply set the program to what kind of lighting you have, and where you live. Then forget about. The rest is all automatic

And the price is right - it's on the house.

Click Here for This Great Place

                 Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”

RETRIEVE YOUR LOST KEY FROM THE WEB!

So you find yourself locked out and your only key is sitting inside on your desk. It's time to call a locksmith and shell out a couple of C-notes to replace the lock or manufacture a new key on location.

That's unless you've set up your own key locker in the cloud. It's easy to use this new and unique service - just scan an image of both sides of the keys you wish to store, give the file a name (Front door, for example) and upload it to your web locker.

If you ever get locked out, just head to the nearest locksmith and he will be able to make you a duplicate key by following instructions on the app on your mobile phone. You can store as many as you like and there's no cost to store your keys. You can check the fee structure for key duplication services at this great place.. (You can even get them to bicycle over your duplicate!)

Takes the worry out of those "Oh darn-it" (or worse) moments!


Click Here for This Great Place

            Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”



Wednesday, January 28, 2015

News: Program at Elmhurst Hospital aimed at helping survivors of torture, persecution

Photo courtesy of Elmhurst Hospital Center

The Libertas Center for Human Rights staff and clients in front of the “New Life, New Beginning: A Photovoice Project” photo exhibition.
Elmhurst Hospital has become a safe haven for survivors of torture and persecution, through a nonprofit organization looking to help them heal and move forward in life.
The Libertas Center for Human Rights was started in 2006 by two doctors as a voluntary program providing services to survivors of torture that came through the hospital’s emergency room.

After realizing that about six to eight percent of the population coming into the ER were survivors of torture, the Libertas Center was able to get funding and opened a new clinic space in 2010 within Elmhurst Hospital with a full-time staff.
“One of the biggest goals and accomplishments is to establish a safe community for our clients and a safe place for them to heal and become aware of their surroundings and the things that they can access,” said Jacqueline Chiofalo, program assistant at the Libertas Center.
The center focuses on four domains when it comes to its services, according to Leah Weinzimer, program director at the Libertas Center.
The first is providing medical care at the hospital for clients, whether it is through treating wounds resulting from torture or any other medical needs. For most clients, they had to flee their home countries and have not been medically checked, Weinzimer said. The staff at the center helps schedule appointments with doctors and also goes with clients to appointments.
The next focus is mental health, in which clients receive individual therapy concentrating on trauma mental help and also alternative therapies through using creative arts such as photography, art, yoga and meditation.
The center also provides social services, such as referrals for food pantries, English classes and in some cases housing and employment. Finally, clients also receive legal help because 90 percent of survivors are seeking asylum and need help finding or working with lawyers, according to Weinzimer.
“That’s why it’s especially important for this program to exist because during the time that their [asylum] cases are pending, it’s when these clients are more vulnerable,” Weinzimer added. “Our role is to help them to heal and move forward with their lives.”
As part of therapy for the clients, in the past three months, a group of them have worked together as part of the “New Life, New Beginning: A Photovoice Project.” Through this, participants were given cameras and asked to take photographs of aspects of their life that are important to them.
“We’re giving them a voice and allowing them to really show us and tell us about their experiences through their own eyes, using photography,” Weinzimer said. 
This project, funded by Councilman Daniel Dromm, allowed the survivors to get together and share their experiences with one another. They were able to identify what they had in common and came up with questions that were later answered through their images.
“They are seeing that other people are really listening to their stories. They are able to share their experience with the broader community,” Weinzimer said. “To have an opportunity to interact with other people during the process and publicly share their experiences can be very powerful.”
The exhibit kicked off on Jan. 23 and will remain on display in Elmhurst Hospital’s main lobby through Feb. 6.
The Libertas Center is located within the hospital at 79-01 Broadway on the fifth floor, annex G. For more information visit libertascenter.net or call 718-334-6209.

                 Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”



IS MY PICTURE ON THE WEB?

Want to locate web pages that are using an image or picture that you created? We know that you are used to doing searches for text and even images using text for the search query. How about searching for an image by using the image for the query?

Now comes a reverse image search engine. It finds out where an image came from, how it is being used, if modified versions of the image exist, or if there is a higher resolution version. This is the first image search engine on the web to use image identification technology rather than keywords, metadata or watermarks.

When you submit an image to be searched, this site creates a unique and compact digital signature or 'fingerprint' for it, then compares this fingerprint to every other identical image in their index (over four million and growing) to retrieve matches.

We're sure that a quick visit to this site will trigger many other ideas for using this new technology. The price is right - there's no charge for non-commercial users.


Click Here for This Cyber Trick

              Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”

GET RID OF USELESS PROGRAMS!

Ever check out all of the programs installed on your computer and wonder if it makes sense to remove a few? Should you ask yourself if they are all necessary - or even useful? Got a bunch of adware, toolbars, bloatware, crapware and other junk? If so here's the ticket to help you answer those sorts of questions, make that decision and easily remove the programs that have cluttered your system.

The program is lightweight and very fast and includes lists of other recommended protective programs along with lists of various bloatware sources so you can be wary when using them.

This neat program simply scans your computer for all installed programs and then, based on extensive technical evaluation, ranks what should be removed. And it's easy to use. There are links to a wealth of information on each program on your computer and historical data showing how users rate each program and what percent of users have removed each one.

To top that off, the price is right for you to use without cost for the remainder of this century.

Click Here for This Cyber Trick

                 Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

News: City council funds new roof for library in Richmond Hill

Libraries have often been considered temples of knowledge. But for the last several years, a public library in Richmond Hill was looking a bit more like an ancient ruin.
But thanks to the efforts of Councilmen Ruben Wills and Eric Ulrich, a renovation project will help to keep the Richmond Hill Library open by replacing its crumbling roof.
The Courier/Photos by Salvatore Licata

“I am a true believer in education and know how important it is to have a place for our children and adults to come and learn,” said Wills, who has allocated over $1 million to libraries in his district since he took office.
The Richmond Hill branch of the Queens Library, located at 103-34 Lefferts Blvd., was the recipient of an $885,000 roof makeover as cracks and leaks have plagued the location for quite some time. The city’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) did the construction.
The library hosts all types of activates for children and adults that would not be possible without a roof.
“Getting the roof was just so important to us,” said David Booker, the community library manager. “This isn’t only a place for education but a place for people to come and feel safe when learning.”
Booker said the library branch hosts homework help sessions, computer classes, science projects and arts and crafts, among its many other amenities. It has a separate computer kiosk section and back room closed off from the rest of the library for classes.
Assemblyman David Weprin, who is also a staunch advocate of the Queens Library system, said he was happy to see the city’s money go toward such a crucial project. He described the diversity that he saw in the room and said it showed the true strength of Queens.
“I’ve been very involved with funding in what I think is the best library system in the country, if not the world,” Weprin said. “The diversity of Richmond Hill is present in here and our strength is in that diversity.”

                 Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”

PROTECT YOUR ONLINE IDENTITY!

Who's looking over your shoulder when you surf the internet. Believe it or not, there are some out there that are more nefarious than governments around the world. So it is important to protect your online identity by hiding your IP from websites, email, games, and other potentially intrusive high-risk places.

These folks provide secure SSL proxy encryption with Wi-Fi protection. You can encrypt all your Internet traffic with a private proxy, either browsing at home or on public Wi-Fi hotspots. (Clearing out the jargon, this means that wherever you travel on the web - the rascals won't know it's you.)

This system provides fast unlimited access to unblock any website and it's an on-the-house download. This software is provided for unlimited use, without advertisements and never expires.

Good stuff!

Click Here for This Great Place

               Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”

GET YOUR OFFICE SUITE WITHOUT COST!

Are you tempted to lay out $500 for Microsoft's Office? If so it might be worthwhile to check out this all-purpose office suite that does just about everything the expensive version does (except e-mail).

This software suite is the leading open-source office software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It works on all common computers and stores all your data in an international open standard format. It can also read and write files from other common office software packages (like MS Office).

This software is easy to learn, and if you're already using another office software package, you'll take to this software like a duck takes to water. And if you already have files from another office package - this software will generally read them with no difficulty.

Instead paying $500, you can download this package and use it without any charge.. You may even make copies and give them away to family, friends, students, and employees - anyone you like. Play Santa Clause all year long.


Click Here for This Great Place

                Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”

Monday, January 26, 2015

News: ‘Potentially historic’ blizzard targets NYC

A crippling blizzard set to hit Monday could be one of the largest snowstorms New York City has ever experienced, potentially bringing two feet of snow and whiteout conditions.
THE COURIER/File photo

With the National Weather Service (NWS) at one point predicting as much as 30 inches of snow, and issuing a blizzard warning, beginning at 1 p.m. Monday and lasting until midnight Tuesday, the city was already getting ready for the massive storm on Sunday.
“Prepare for something worse than we’ve seen before,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference on the city’s storm preparation Sunday afternoon.
Telling New Yorkers, not to “underestimate this storm,” the mayor urged motorists to stay off the roads or to leave work early on Monday.
Monday’s evening rush hour is “going to a huge problem,” he said, adding that everyone should “certainly stay off the roads Tuesday.” The mayor also asked people to stay out of city parks starting Monday because of the potential for falling branches and even keep walking to a minimum because of slippery conditions.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged all commuters to stay home Monday if possible.
“…Commuters should consider working from home on Monday if possible to avoid disruptions from likely road and public transportation closures,” Cuomo said in a statement. “New York State is taking all necessary precautions to prepare for this storm, and I urge residents to put safety first and plan ahead to protect themselves and others throughout the duration of this snowstorm.”
The MTA said bus, commuter-rail and subway service could be curtailed on a route-by-route basis, depending on conditions and snow-removal operations during the storm. As a result, riders should consider working from home as travel could be hazardous during Monday’s evening commute.
The city’s public schools will remain open on Monday, but all school trips, after-school programs, PSAL and evening adult education programs are canceled. A final decision about Tuesday will be made tomorrow, but it’s “likely” that schools will be closed that day, de Blasio said.
Only 1 to 3 inches is forecast for the day Monday, but heavier snowfall is expected Monday evening and during the day Tuesday before tapering off that night, according to NWS. Snowfall totals are estimated from 18 to 24 inches.
Windy conditions, with gusts as high as 45 to 55  mph will likely create whiteout conditions.
In anticipation of the snowfall, the Department of Sanitation has issued a “snow alert” starting at 12:01 a.m. Monday and will be deploying its snow fighting equipment as needed. According to the mayor, there will be 2,400 workers per shift on 12 hour shifts, with 500 salt spreaders out ahead of the storm and 1,500 snow plows once 2 inches hit.
Alternate side parking will be suspended Monday and Tuesday to help with snow removal, but payment at parking meters remains in effect. Garbage and recycling collection will also be suspended.
By the time the sun returns on Wednesday, the storm could be one for the record books, according to NWS, which called the blizzard “potentially historic.”
De Blasio was confident at Sunday’s press conference that the snowfall would be among one of the largest to hit the city, citing records that date back to the late 19th century.
“This literally could be one of the top two or three largest storms in the history of this city,” he said.
The current record holder is a February 2006 storm, when 26.9 inches of snow fell in Central Park over a 16-hour period.

               Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”

READ AT WARP SPEED!

Do you read like a turtle? Want to read like a Gazelle? Here's a great place to start.

Here's an on-line speed reading program designed to improve your reading speed and comprehension. You will also learn some of the speed reading techniques and methods, like sub-vocalization, that will help you read up to three times faster... and comprehend more.

When you learn to break old reading habits and adopt these new techniques, you can learn how to read faster. It really is that easy. Generally the reading habits we use now have been with us for a long time. Most were developed around the same time we first learned to read. Since then your vocabulary has increased and you've been able to read more difficult material. But how you read likely hasn't changed.

These folks will help you change this -- and there's no charge for this introductory and helpful version.


Click Here for This Cyber Trick

                  Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”

FIGHT BACK AT FRAUD!

Fraud is a huge business. Hoards of bad guys have discovered that dupery is a very profitable job--- and the hours are good.

AARP has created and publicized a formidable site they call the Fraud Watch Network. They lead with the following: "Every 3 seconds someone's identity is stolen."

Their network shows you how to protect yourself and your family. And you needn't be a member to use tis valuable resource. Both members and non-members can receive their Watchdog Alerts, keep abreast of con-artists' latest tricks and find out what to do if they've been victimized. AARP has committed itself to safeguarding concerned citizens.
Various sections introduce you to "The Con Artist's Playbook", "How You Can Protect Yourself From Identity Theft", "How to Play It Safe on Social Networks", "Is It a Scam? Or Is It Real?", "Who to Contact for Help" --- and much much more.

It's on the house thanks to the good folks from AARP - you can even use this resource if you're not retired - even if you're only 15!

Click Here for This Cyber Trick

                Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”
 

Friday, January 23, 2015

News: Public hearing Wednesday for historic district in Ridgewood

The Central Ridgewood Historic District would mean the landmarking of about 1,000 buildings on Madison St., Catalpa Ave. and other thoroughfares in the rapidly developing neighborhood.


The city will hold a public hearing Wednesday to discuss a historic district set for red-hot Ridgewood in Queens.
A row of homes with bay windows in Ridgewood, Queens.
The Central Ridgewood Historic District would mean the landmarking of about 1,000 buildings on Madison St., Catalpa Ave. and other thoroughfares in the rapidly developing neighborhood.
The city’s Landmark Preservation Commission voted unanimously to approve the designation in December.
Experts say Ridgewood’s row houses, built mostly by immigrants from Germany in the early 20th Century, have kept their character for over 100 years and merit the distinction.
But city law stipulates that the designation must be reviewed by the Department of City Planning and the City Council.
It would be the fourth historic district in the neighborhood.
The hearing at 22 Reade St. in Manhattan starts at 10 a.m.

Written BY
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

                Douglas Elliman Realty, Long Island City Office
                                                   47-37 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101




Harvey's Long Island City Real Estate Blog


           
            “Queens is the new Brooklyn. People are seeking affordability and Queens is benefiting.”