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IMAGE DECEMBER 2007 113
H O M E
Persimmon couch
New
Furniture Ideas
n the heart of furniture country
USA, the twice-a-year High
Point, North Carolina Home
Furnishings Show displayed the
newest collections to the world.
I
114 DECEMBER 2007 IMAGE
Fabrics
Once reserved for the “My Little
Pony” age group, gingham checks
are breaking out of preteen bedrooms and into adult casual living
spaces. While a small-scale pattern
still looks sweet on a tufted chair,
oversized seersucker checks have a
more grown-up appeal.
Overstuffed persimmon armchair
It also seems that everybody's
mad about toile, a typically white or
off-white cotton fabric printed with
classical scenes of milkmaids or
other pastoral life. Toile de Jouy was
originally popular in 18th-century
France. Suddenly, it's all the fashion
rage once again—on the runways
and at home. Toile (pronounced
twal) is perhaps most at home in traditional French or English country
schemes, but with its clean, graphic
designs, toile also manages to look
surprisingly modern.
Color
Color is the big story this spring.
Showrooms looked like they had
been colored from a crayon box: primary blue, green, red, yellow —plus
ivory for contrast. Irridescents were
reminiscent of the dresses seen at
last year's Academy Awards ceremonies.
But the season's hottest palette is
straight from your parents' 1970s
earth-toned den: persimmon (burnt
orange) with brown or shades of
green mixed together for an ecofriendly look. Some lines offered the
orange/brown palette to give a modern twist to traditional French furniture.
Toile armchair set
Toile tea cart
Structure
Break out the wood polish: shiny
furniture is back in style. Truthfully,
rich, lacquered finishes never went
out of style with high-end furnishContinued on page 116
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H O M E
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Continued from page 114
ings, and the wet look has always
been popular among the Florida
condo crowd. But the look now is
cool, not cold. At this most recent
furniture market, the look is masculine—like the stateroom of a really
Coffee tables are big and multi-functional
Ottoman
elegant yacht—with lots of walnut,
stone accents, bronze hardware,
ivory, obsidian and Chinese red lacquer. The high-gloss sheen is flattering to woods and veneers.
Furnishings
Case goods, the industry term
for chests, tables and other wood furniture continue to be popular, now
made from several different wood
species, and showcasing obvious
grains and incredible, intricate inlays.
Ottomans continue to grow in
popularity—and size. The largest
now top the charts at nearly six feet
long. Some styles open to reveal
hidden storage compartments; others contain foldout beds or pop-up
Chow table
coffee tables. Other entries in this
category of multiple-personality furniture: console or sofa tables with
leaves that pop up to become dining
tables or desks.
Style
If your mind draws a blank when
you think of Aussie style, don't feel
bad. Nobody else seems to know
what it means either. It's is a mix of
European influences, mostly French
and Dutch. Australia is a casual-elegant country, like wearing a Rolex
watch with your gardening clothes.
An example of Aussie style is the
current rage for faux-crocodileembossed leather on sofas and
chairs.
The Asian trend has gone mainstream. Imperial reds and yellows
have softened into spice tones and
cool celadon greens. Chow tables
(traditional Chinese tables with
carved bow legs) and chinoiserie
(intricate patterns and an extensive
use of motifs identified as Chinese)
have given way to banana bark coffee tables and silk ikat (weavings
from tie-dyed yarns).
So now, if you've got new space
to furnish, or just want to redecorate,
you know just what's ‘hot.'
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* When placing a tile order. Valid on new purchases only! Must be presented before purchase.
R E A L
E S T A T E
What’s Ahead
for NY Real Estate
Commercial, Residential and Mortgages
he nation's leading real estate
experts expect the sizzling
commercial real estate market
in the US to slow in 2008, with
a healthy correction that will likely
bypass long-term investors but
penalize late-to-the-game speculators and overleveraged buyers,
according to the annual
Emerging Trends in Real
Estate 2008 report.
According to the report,
real estate investors and
developers believe uncertainty will characterize
2008. They expect capitalization rates to rise and risk
to be repriced, with the
harshest effects being felt
by those who have relied
on debt strategies. More
than three-quarters (78%)
anticipate more stringent
underwriting standards in
the year ahead. Yet,
despite this apprehension,
respondents expect most
real estate investments to
outperform both the US
stock and bond returns in
the year ahead, and are counting on
ample capital sources to cushion the
property markets.
T
Commercial
Respondents believe the correction in the commercial market will
not be as severe as in the residential real estate market. Commercial
real estate supply and demand is
relatively strong, development is in
check and the fundamentals are still
healthy, according to respondents.
“The commercial real estate
market has been going full throttle
for several years with easy money
and low interest rates that drove
some sectors into questionable
lending practices and highly lever-
aged spending,” said Tim Conlon,
partner and US real estate practice
leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers.
“But the run went on too long for
some participants. Those who went
beyond moderation will likely experience some headaches in 2008.
Depending on what happens with
the US economy as a whole, it could
be painful for some, but overall, a
correction could be good for the
industry, keeping supply and
demand in balance, curbing overdevelopment and flushing out lowquality investors. By the same
token, there are still investment
opportunities and there is still a
good deal of demand from
investors.”
Richard Rosan, president,
ULI Worldwide, said the report
points to the value of sustainable building, which results in
development that remains in
demand despite market cycles.
“We are seeing an increasing
emphasis on building efficiently
to accommodate growth-on
pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use
development, communities that
provide housing near jobs, and
development connected to transit,” Rosan said. “What is selling
now and will continue to sell are
projects that cater to strong consumer desire for convenience.
Those are the best bets.”
The report ranks New York
City as “the hottest commercial
real estate market in the country” and the “ultimate American
24-hour city.” “Vacancies in New
York are in the mid-single digits,
rents have skyrocketed and pricing
is at all-time highs.” And while the
market may have peaked recently,
the weak dollar actually makes the
city's “monster” prices look cheap to
foreign investors who are pouring
money into Manhattan real estate,
the report says.
Continued on page 120
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R E A L
E S T A T E
What’s Ahead...
According to surveyed real
estate experts, not only is the New
York market hot, but the entire commercial real estate industry has also
acquired a “New York state of mind”
as Wall Street and real estate have
converged. In part because of its
sheer size, New York now sets the
tone for the entire US commercial
real estate market and influences
investor psychology as the standard
for the rest of the country. According
to the report, real estate used to be
characterized by local buyers and
local lenders, and is now dominated
by national financial institutions and
landlords, many of whom are located in New York.
Residential
On the national level, sales of
existing homes slowed by 17% in
the second quarter of 2007, compared with the second quarter of
2006, while inventory swelled by
16%, according to figures provided
by the National Association of
Realtors. New homes fared even
worse: they fell by almost 19%,
according to Commerce Department
figures.
In Manhattan, by comparison,
sales of new and existing apartments more than doubled. In a trend
that could shift quickly in light of the
recent problems in the credit and
stock markets, inventory shed a
third of its bulk. It dropped to 5,237
units, despite the influx of several
thousand new condos.
After a boom with annual price
increases of 20% or more ended in
mid-2005, prices have continued to
rise overall, but not as sharply. In
the second quarter of 2007, Miller
Samuel said the average sale price
of a Manhattan studio climbed
16.5% compared with the second
quarter of 2005. The average for a
one-bedroom climbed by 18.4% and
a two-bedroom by 5.9%.
Apartments with three bedrooms, which make up about 6% of
the market but appeal to an evermore-moneyed class of buyers,
rose by 17.9% in the same period.
Whether this momentum can be
sustained remains to be seen, particularly in light of the recent gyra-
“Mortgage lenders
everywhere are going
back to pre-boom
lending standards,
so obtaining a
mortgage is harder
for buyers with
pockmarked credit or
sketchy employment.”
tions in the debt market, which have
led to a reduction in the availability
of large mortgages and to an
increase in their rates. A deepening
credit-market crisis and national
housing slump could squeeze the
economy, the stock market and
bonus pools.
Meanwhile,
renters
have
emerged as a force in the market,
particularly for entry-level apartments. “Rents are rising again, and
that pushes people back into the
condo and co-op market if they have
more than a one- or two-year time
frame for living in Manhattan,” said
Stephen G. Kliegerman, the executive director of marketing for new
developments at Halstead Property.
“There are so many new units
coming on the market and being
sold, but the real heart and soul of
the co-op market is really depleted,”
said Barbara Fox, the president of
the Fox Residential Group, a
Manhattan brokerage firm..
Consequently, brokers say,
many prewar apartments in good
condition, along with family-size
apartments of any vintage, are
being snatched up in bidding wars
whose aggressiveness outrivals
those of two years ago.
“The new rule is that there are
no rules, and when you're lying
bleeding on your way to the emergency room, you're still shouting,
‘Higher offer, higher offer!’” said
Julie Friedman, a senior associate
broker at Bellmarc.
Mortgage Outlook
Mortgage lenders everywhere
are going back to pre-boom lending
standards, so obtaining a mortgage
is harder for buyers with pockmarked credit or sketchy employment. But there is no panic over rising mortgage rates on jumbo loans
(those exceeding $417,000), at
least not now.
While the most obvious projection of interest to real estate
investors is the mortgage rate, this
is not the result of a single factor
involving just the supply and
demand for homes. Like every other
financial factor, it represents a combination of elements working in concert. With that in mind, here is what
the Chairman of the Federal
Reserve Ben Bernanke said in his
semiannual testimony to the House
of
Representatives
Financial
Services Committee: Falling homebuilding activity “will likely continue
to weigh on economic growth over
coming quarters,” he said, but the
drag should ease over time.
He also said that despite a “significant” deterioration in the subprime mortgage market, which
caters to borrowers with blemished
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R E A L
E S T A T E
What’s Ahead...
credit, overall financial conditions
remain supportive of growth.
Financial markets have shown
signs of stress as details have
emerged about investment banks'
exposure to bad loans, such as
Bear Stearns' revelation that two of
its hedge funds with extensive subprime bets now have little or no
value. In spite of a widening of credit spreads on lower-quality corporate debt, “credit spreads remain
near the low end of their historical
ranges, and financing activity in the
bond and business loan markets
has remained fairly brisk,” Bernanke
said. At the same time, the Fed
chairman deplored what he
described as “abusive lending practices and outright fraud” that had
accompanied an expansion of mortgage lending. He promised the Fed
would act to rein in questionable
practices. “Rising delinquencies are
creating personal, economic and
social distress for many homeowners and communities—problems
that likely will get worse before they
get better,” he warned.
“Overall, the US economy
appears likely to expand at a moderate pace over the second half of
2007, with growth then strengthening a bit in 2008 to a rate close to
the economy's underlying trend.”
As a result, he expects housing
market woes to dampen an expected pickup in US economic growth,
but he restated that the central
bank's main worry is inflation.
Bernanke said the drag on
growth from a downturn in the US
housing market should ease over
time, but there is a risk the slump
could last longer than anticipated,
undercutting economic growth. He
also listed a number of factors that
could spark inflation, including a tight
job market and the possibility that
“Financial
markets have shown
signs of stress as
details have emerged
about investment
banks' exposure to
bad loans...”
energy prices could move higher.
The Fed has held its benchmark
overnight interest rates steady at
5.25% for more than a year in the
hope that the relatively slow economic growth would curb price pressures and thus, inflation.
Gloomier Forecast
As a result of weaker than
expected home building, the Fed cut
its forecast for growth this year by a
quarter-percentage point to a range
of 2.25% to 2.5%, and downgraded
its 2008 projection.
Still, Bernanke kept true to the
Fed's most recent policy pronouncement in citing inflation as the
top concern. He said a recent moderation in core inflation, while favorable, may be the result of temporary
influences.
While the Fed expects core
inflation (which strips out volatile
food and energy costs) to “edge a
bit lower, on net” over the remainder of this year and next, this result
was by no means assured. “With
the level of resource utilization relatively high and with a sustained
moderation in inflation pressures
yet to be convincingly demonstrated, the Fed's policy panel has consistently stated that upside risks to
inflation are its predominant policy
concern.”
Bernanke said big jumps in food
and energy costs had pushed a
price gauge closely watched by the
Fed—the so-called PCE price
index—up at a pace that “would
clearly be inconsistent with the
objective of price stability” if it were
to continue.
A separate inflation measure
released just before Bernanke testified—the US Consumer Price
Index—showed a 0.2% increase
last month in both overall prices and
prices excluding food and energy.
Over the past 12 months, core
prices rose 2.2%, the same as in
May, but the overall index gained
2.7%.
H O M E
Emerging Trends in Home Design
New breed of prefabricated homes
he homes now on the minds
and drawing boards of the
most talented architects in
the US are very different
from those of years ago. New
materials and building techniques
are constantly changing not only
the way homes are designed and
built, but how they're conceptual-
T
ized as well. Floor plans are also
evolving to accommodate the
changing patterns of our lives. But
almost as a reaction to this
increasing innovation, many architects are drawing upon ancient
materials and building techniques
as well. Here are just a few of the
important trends:
Green Design
The most serious global concerns have become inspiration for
artists and designers. This leads to
the most exciting and most important trend in home design, which is
the increased sensitivity to the environment. Architects and engineers
are also adapting ancient building
Storm-resistant design
H O M E
Emerging...
techniques that use simple,
biodegradable materials. Far from
primitive, today's “earth houses” are
comfortable, economical and rustically beautiful.
Prefab Construction
Homes manufactured in a ‘factory' have come a long way from
flimsy trailer park dwellings. Trendsetting architects and builders are
using modular materials to create
bold new designs with lots of glass
and steel. Prefabricated, manufactured housing comes in all shapes
and styles, from streamlined
Bauhaus to undulating organic
forms.
Adaptive Reuse
A desire to protect the environment and to preserve historic architecture is inspiring architects to
repurpose, or reuse older structures. Trend-setting homes of the
future may be constructed from the
shell of an outdated factory or an
empty warehouse.
Healthy Design
Some buildings can literally
make you sick. Home designers are
becoming increasingly aware of the
ways our health is affected by synthetic materials and the chemical
additives used in paints and composition wood products. The most
innovative homes aren't necessarily
the most unusual; sometimes they
are the homes constructed without
relying on plastics, laminates and
fume-producing glues.
Green home design
Storm-Resistance
Architects and engineers are
making more storm-ready home
designs. In areas where hurricanes
are prevalent, more builders are
relying on insulated wall panels constructed of sturdy concrete.
Flexible Floor Plans
New homes have sliding doors,
pocket doors and other types of
movable partitions that allow flexibility in living arrangements. Large
multi-purpose family areas are
replacing spaces originally designated as living and dining rooms. In
addition, many houses include private “bonus” rooms that can be
used for office space or adapted to a
variety of specialized needs.
Accessibility
There are fewer spiral staircases, sunken living rooms and high
cabinets. Homes are easier to move
around in, for those who have physical limitations. The term “universal
design” is often used to describe
these homes because they are comfortable for people of all ages and
abilities. Special features such as
wide hallways blend seamlessly into
the design so that the home does
not have the clinical appearance of
a hospital or nursing facility.
Outdoor Rooms
Eco-friendly architecture is
encouraging builders to incorporate
outdoor spaces in the overall home
design. The yard and garden
become part of the floor plan when
sliding glass doors lead to patios
and decks. These outdoor ‘rooms'
may even include kitchens with
sophisticated sinks and grills.
Abundant Storage
Over the past century, homeowners have demanded more storage space. Newer homes feature
enormous walk-in closets, spacious
dressing rooms and plenty of easy
to reach built-in cabinets. Cathedral
ceilings are becoming passé
because families tend to prefer
usable space below the roof.
Garages are also getting bigger to
accommodate SUVs and other large
vehicles.
Despite the fact that our individual concept of what our dream home
would be like differs from person to
person, having that dream fulfilled
remains the biggest goal in most of
our lives.
R E A L
E S T A T E
3
Rendering of ‘The Donald’s’ Soho condo-hotel
Three NY Developments
Trials and Tribulations of Building in New York
A model of Ratner’s Frand Gerry designed structure
ig developments in New York
have always been contovercial, and those now approved
or already under construction
are no exception. Here is a look at of
three of the biggest.
B
Trump in Soho
Donald Trump is at it again! In
partnership with the Bayrock Group
and Tamir Sapir, he is building a
condo-hotel, which will have 411
rooms, at 246 Spring Street,
between Varick Street and Sixth
Avenue. The luxury hotel, which at
454 feet high would be the tallest
structure in SoHo, will be equipped
with an outdoor pool, a screening
room, restaurant and cocktail
lounge, members' library and event
space. Envisioned as Manhattan's
first ‘condo-hotel,’ every unit in the
Handel Architects-designed building
will be sold individually to buyers
who might live there year-round,
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R E A L
E S T A T E
Three NY...
from time to time, or seasonally. All
owners will be free to offer up their
Rockwell Group-designed units as
hotel rooms. Supporters maintain
that the structure will be a hotel and
that it will bring nearly 400 jobs and
much needed event space to the
community. Trump and his partners
claim that the development requires
no rezoning or variances.
Opponents claim that the Trump
Tower would violate zoning laws by
placing permanent residences in an
area zoned for manufacturing.
Community Board 2's Zoning
Committee unanimously rejected
the project.
The Department of Buildings
approved the structure after the
Bloomberg administration negotiated a deal limiting owners of the
hotel's units to stays not exceeding
29 consecutive days and 120 total
days per year. Opponents called the
arrangement unenforceable, and
said it relies on the hotel itself to provide honest records. “It's almost
entirely
self-regulating,”
said
Andrew Berman, executive director
of the Greenwich Village Society for
Historic Preservation, which has led
the opposition to the plan.
A Stadium Grows in Brooklyn
No matter how many times
Bruce Ratner’s development company has its plans approved, the
opposition just won’t take no for an
answer. They have filed court cases
challenging
eminent
domain
‘seizures’ and security concerns,
calling on Gov. Eliot Spitzer to hold
a hearing addressing security concerns connected to the project, citing the recent decision by Newark,
NJ officials to close streets abutting
a new arena there.
Daniel Goldstein, spokesman
for Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn,
a group that opposes the project,
said the terror risk for the planned
arena at the bustling intersection of
Flatbush and Atlantic avenues, atop
This sign will be lit for at least one more season
the borough's largest transportation
hub, “is potentially far greater than
that faced by the Newark arena.”
“The time for a review of the
impacts of a terrorist threat against
Atlantic Yards and a state hearing
on the issue is now,” Goldstein said.
He said Spitzer's homeland
security czar, Deputy Secretary for
Public Safety Michael Balboni,
should testify at such a hearing on
Atlantic Yards terrorism security
issues. Recently, state officials said
Balboni would be happy to meet
with the community to go over security concerns.
Additionally, Goldstein said the
Empire
State
Development
Corporation (ESDC), the state
agency using its eminent domain
powers to condemn and seize buildings on the Atlantic Yards site, including Goldstein's co-op, should “learn
from Newark's lack of planning and
initiate a proper review of Atlantic
Yards and terrorism security.”
The ESDC said in a statement
that the plans for Atlantic Yards
have been thoroughly reviewed by
anti-terror experts at the New York
Police Department.
Opponents aren’t faring too well
on the appelate front, either. The
state appellate court in Manhattan
has affirmed that a tenant lawsuit
challenging proposed Atlantic Yards
condemnations should have been
filed in the Brooklyn appellate court.
Las Coney
Thor Equities, the real-estate
giant that bought the land under the
Astroland Amusement Park from
owner Carol Albert in 2006 and gave
Astroland one final season this summer, announced recently that it had
reached an agreement with Albert to
keep her park's 35 rides operating
for one more season.
“Thor is fully committed to keeping amusements and games as part
of the fabric of Coney Island for
decades to come, and this agreement—reached after discussions
with Albert and the community as a
whole—represents the first step in
that direction,” said Joe Sitt, Thor's
president, who would not reveal the
financials of the deal.
Astroland supporters hailed the
deal.
“Astroland represents a very
tangible link to the 1960s and
1970s,” said Michael Immerso,
author of “Coney Island: the
People's Playground.”
“It really embodies the old
Coney Island.”
Dick Zigun, the de facto Mayor
of Coney Island and the founder of
the Coney Island Circus Sideshow,
called it “terrific news,” particularly
because it would save 300 carnival
jobs filled by “poor people from the
area.”
This marks the latest development in a saga as topsy-turvy as the
Cyclone rollercoaster (which Sitt
can't touch thanks to its landmark
status, by the way).
Sitt has been buying land in and
around Astroland for years, and
says he wants to turn the People's
Playground into a $1.5-billion, Las
Vegas style hotel, condo, theme
park and retail attraction.
R E A L
E S T A T E
Buying a New Home
hinking about buying a new
home? You are not alone.
Many Americans are buying
first homes, larger homes, second or vacation homes.
Here are some helpful hints to
save you both time and money while
navigating today’s buyer’s market.
T
Know What You Want
Knowing what features you
want will help your real estate agent
find homes that are the right fit for
you. The more specific you can be,
the more time you will save. Make a
list of the features that are most
important to you. Start with determining the number of bedrooms and
bathrooms as well as other personal
requirements you might have, such
as an office versus den, one or two
stories, etc. And remember the old
saying, “location, location, location.”
Also, think resale before you
ever set foot in a home. The neighborhood, schools, parks, waterfront
location, shopping, transportation
accessibility, and proximity to key
points in the city are all characteristics that will remain important when
you decide to sell your home at
some point in the future.
Find a Real Estate Agent
From researching homes to
price negotiation, nine out of 10 buyers use a real estate agent to make
the home buying process easier and
less stressful.
“Buying a home is typically the
largest purchase you will ever make
and real estate agents can help
ensure you are making the right
decision, at the right price and in the
right location,” says John Bearden,
president of GMAC Real Estate.
“Real estate agents typically live in
or near the areas in which they
work, so their local knowledge is
invaluable in helping you quickly
and efficiently find the right home to
match your needs and lifestyle.”
Get Pre-Approved
Getting pre-approved is one of
the first steps in the home buying
process. By getting pre-approved,
you will receive a loan commitment
for up to a certain amount from your
lender before you have found a
home, based on a review of your
credit and finances. Pre-approval
also makes your home search more
efficient by allowing you to focus
only on the homes you know you
can afford.
Take Your Time
One of the biggest benefits of a
buyer’s market is that you can take
your time finding your home. Do not
feel pressured to settle for anything
less than a home that meets your
needs and fulfills your dreams.
However, good homes, priced right,
in a great location sell fast even in a
buyer’s market—so you need to be
prepared to move when that home
becomes available.
Financing Solutions
Keep in mind that how long you
plan on staying in your home will
play a role in determining which
financing option might be the right
fit for you. In addition, home lenders
offer a number of online resources,
such as payment calculators and
glossaries to help homebuyers better understand which financing
options might be right for them.
Prepare to make a monthly
mortgage payment. Depositing the
amount of your new mortgage into
a savings account each month is a
good way to prepare for the adjustment in living expenses. An added
benefit is that you’ll have some
cash set aside for your down payment.
Negotiate
Once your real estate agent has
helped you find the home of your
dreams, work with him or her to
negotiate the price and present your
offer. Motivated sellers may be willing to reduce their price, or even pay
part of the closing costs.
Home Inspection
It’s always a good idea to have
any house you are considering purchasing inspected by a certified
home inspector. This will help give
you peace of mind that the house
you are buying is sound from roof to
foundation to plumbing and electrical. Also, any repairs that need to be
made can increase your negotiating
power. Talk to your real estate agent
about home warranty options to help
protect yourself from the cost of
unexpected (but covered) repairs or
replacement of major systems and
appliances that might break down
due to normal wear and tear.
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The Mortgage Market Crisis
Debra Bock
e are living through a very
historic time in the mortgage industry that people
will refer back to for
decades to come. In recent months
there has been increasing angst
over the current market crisis.
I am sure by now many of you
have heard the news reports and
have asked yourself what all this
means. Most importantly, how will
this
affect
me
today—and
tomorrow?
As a trusted mortgage advisor
and planner, I've worked in the mortgage industry for more than 10
years, and I have seen the market
hit its highs and survive some really
tough lows.
Here are some of the questions
that my clients have been asking:
W
What is the “meltdown”
that I'm reading about
in the headlines?
This refers to a culmination of
factors that has led to massive tightening in credit standards among
lenders. This tightening is due to an
excessive number of mortgages that
are both delinquent and in default.
As a result of tighter credit standards and the devaluation of mortgage-backed securities, global
investors are shying away from purchasing additional pools of loans,
causing over 100 lenders to close,
leaving many homebuyers and
homeowners unable to locate
financing alternatives.
Why should a home seller be
concerned about this?
The pool of potential buyers will
shrink as many find it difficult—if not
impossible—to obtain mortgage
financing. Experts have speculated
that the number of potential buyers
will contract anywhere from 15% to
30%. Sellers should also be aware
that increased foreclosures can
depress community values and
result in a glut of local inventories,
which could further drive down
home prices.
Why should a home buyer
be concerned about this?
Buyers need to get preapproved before entering the market. While there are a lot of great
deals out there, getting credit is
becoming tougher and tougher, and
it's taking longer and longer to complete a transaction. What you qualify for today could change tomorrow
in this volatile market.
What types of loans have
been most impacted
by credit tightening?
Subprime and Alt-A loans have
suffered the greatest setback
because these borrowers are at
greater risk for defaulting. Subprime
loans are those loans which have
typically been taken by borrowers
with poor credit. Alt-A loans are for
borrowers that typically have good
or excellent credit but are unable or
unwilling to provide documentation
for income and/or assets.
What is the impact
on the real estate market?
The National Association of
Realtors estimates that home sales
nationally will decline by nearly 13%
in 2007. Median home prices nationally are projected to fall by 1.2% in
2007. According to the PMI Group,
Inc., however, many local markets
are experiencing price declines well
in excess of that.
Debra Bock is affiliated with Robbins & Lloyd
Mortgage LLC, Registered Mortgage Broker
NYS Banking Department.
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7
7even Simple Ways
to Rejuvenate Your Home
Shira Reiz
hether you favor clean and classic, modern and funky or old world and traditional style, every decor is in
vogue as long as your home reflects your personality. So, to update your existing space, you may not necessarily need to change the style. Surprisingly, you can make a couple of simple and quick changes that
can completely transform an area.
Here are seven tips which can be implemented on a wide range of budgets, to help you transform any space
in your home:
W
Paint or Wallpaper
Make any space look fresh and
clean with new wall coverings. They
significantly alter the mood of a
room, depending on the color you
choose. Dark colors will add drama
and intimacy to the space, while
light colors will open up an area.
Neutral colors are always calming,
but need to be varied in intensity to
keep it interesting. These days, peo-
Try Crown Molding
Crown molding defines the area
and makes ceilings, staircases,
wallpaper and chair rails interesting.
From baroque to ultramodern, you
can find molding to suit your décor.
Reupholster
Reupholster a favorite piece of
furniture. Consider marrying an old
traditional style piece with a modern
funky
fabric.
Jazz up a handme-down piece
with a cozy chenille fabric. Use
contrast piping
to make the
cushions really
pop.
Dining
room
chairs
looking dingy?
Faux leathers
Wallpaper can make a plain room fabulous
will withstand
ple are getting bolder using deep abuse while looking chic. Be darcolors, such as chocolate brown ing—a chair seat and its back can
bedrooms accented with pink blush be upholstered in two different fabor baby blue, eggplant powder rics for a bolder look.
rooms offset by a glamorous light
fixture, or the ever popular deep red
Rethink Your Accessories
dining room.
Do you have so many photographs hanging that you cannot see
Buy New Drapes
your bare walls? Then scale down
To brighten up your windows, or regroup part of your collection in
go for lighter, softer fabrics and other rooms. Keep in mind that photreatments made of silks and tographs, art and mirrors hung too
sheers. For a more adorned look, high aren't appreciated as much as
add details such as fabulous trim- they should be. Do you have too
mings, tassels and beads.
many tchotchkes that give the area
a cluttered look? Group similar
items in decorative bowls. No
accessories in sight? Grab some
elements from nature such as pine
cones, sea shells and beach glass
and display them along with your
family photos.
Brighten Up
Add sparkle to a room by
mounting a chandelier in an unusual
location, such as above the sitting
area in a living room, in a powder
room or even in a master bedroom.
Not all chandeliers have to be crystal. Think glass, stainless steel, raffia and hemp. There are fixtures in
many finishes, styles and price
ranges. Put a new shade on an ordinary lamp. Dramatic floor lamps
become another piece of furniture in
the room.
Update Your Pillows
New pillows completely change
the look of your sofa or lounge chair,
particularly if you choose luxurious
fabrics and fabulous trims. For neutral sofas, go for bolder colors. With
brighter sofas, go for more toneddown colors. For more ideas visit
Sheila’s Decorating at 68 Orchard
Street in Manhattan, Sheilasdecorating.com or call (212) 7773767.
Shira Reiz is a top designer at Sheila's
Decorating in NYC. She also does at-home
consultations in Essex, Morris and Union
counties.
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F O C U S
O N
The Low-Down on Down
own is a cotton-like substance
that grows underneath the
feathers of ducks and geese.
Way back when, someone
realized that it is down that keeps
birds warm. (Think cold weather
fowl that swim around all winter.)
Feathers may be soft to lean
against, but undoubtedly it is the
down that provides insulation by
trapping heat.
If you've shopped around for a
down pillow or comforter, undoubtedly you've noticed that there are all
sorts of numbers and countries of
origin involved. You may be wondering if these details are selling ploys
or if they are actually important.
Well, you don't have to wonder anymore. There are levels of goose
down that are truly heirloom quality,
and other adequate levels that will
keep you cozy and warm.
Let's start with Siberia where
temperatures drop well below zero.
This is where the world's finest white
goose down comes from. 800+ loft,
(which means one ounce of down
that can expand to fill 800 cubic inches—the highest level) is harvested
from mature, live geese several times
a year by the fistful. Even though it is
very durable, it is slow to harvest,
driving the price up. This down does
however last a lifetime or longer.
700+ loft often comes from
Poland, where the temperature is a
bit warmer and the down is less
retentive. This down is still heirloom
quality. 650+ loft is from Hungary,
but birds there are raised for dual
purposes—for down and for food
production. Naturally this lowers the
price. Because the birds have shorter life spans, their clusters of down
are harvested when not fully mature
and are smaller. With care, comforters and pillows made from this
should last 20 years or so.
D
575+ white goose down comes
from China, Canada and Europe.
Usually a by-product of the food
industry, the fowl are not raised or
nourished specifically for their down.
The small, young clusters must be
carefully washed and tested for loft
and to make sure no feathers are
present. Because of the lower loft
per ounce it actually takes more
down to fill a comforter. The result is
a heavier weight comforter than one
with a higher loft, that will actually be
less expensive.
575+ white duck down, by contrast, also comes from China but is
removed from very young ducklings.
Good manufacturers carefully
inspect the small clusters of this byproduct depending on availability.
Failure to do so can result in a
smelly product. The life span of the
duck comforter is much shorter than
goose. Point of interest: white duck
down is usually used in winter coats.
When it comes to washing pure
down, many people worry needlessly. While feathers repel water, they
are not washable. (Think of that
happy goose again, this time floating on a lake but staying dry.) Down
on the other hand is washable. Dry
cleaning is not recommended
except by an experienced company
that deals with down. This is
because dirty fluids will cause the
down to clump. It can be immersed
in a front loading commercial washer—not one with an agitator which
might tear the stitching. Use only an
agent designed for down, and run
the rinse cycle twice. A large capacity dryer for several hours will
ensure proper drying to avoid mold
or smells. But the truth is that by
using duvets and pillow cases,
occasionally airing out and spot
cleaning—the loft will stay soft and
fresh.
At Textures 101 we find that
many of our customers enjoy using
down all year round. In winter with
relatively strong household heating,
a medium or summer weight comforter avoids that stifling feeling. The
box stitch design of the comforters
prevents the down from shifting and
increases the longevity of the product.
The options are many; heirloom
pieces, reasonable weights for children's beds, lightweights for summer homes and even lofty blankets
that are constructed with a flange for
use outside of a duvet case. There
aer also down alternatives for that
member of the household plagued
by allergies. It is interesting to note,
however, that not everyone who is
allergic to feathers is automatically
allergic to down. Therefore all they
need do is give the down a try.
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H O M E
Home Color
ven if you're not planning to
paint your home this year, it's
nice to know what the trends
are so you can add touches
around your home to update and
stay current. Instead of painting an
entire room, you might decide to add
pillows, a throw or accent pieces in
the current color.
With global warming being such
a hot topic, the environment is often
in the news. The trend for 2008 will
be to bring the outdoors inside—by
no means a new trend in decorating.
We have all been inspired by
the colors we see in nature: the sky,
plants and earth. By their very
nature, many colors, or actually their
pigments, initially evolved from the
earth or naturally occurring minerals. The colors we will be seeing in
2008 incorporate leaf greens, rich
brown bark, clear blue skies, yellow
sunshine and ocean blue. The
hottest color trends will be browns,
greens and blues.
Let's explore some of these colors more in depth. Blue: we can go
light, bold or even grayed out.
Cobalt is an intense deep blue, best
used as an accent color as opposed
& Style Trends
E
to a wall color. Gray-blue can be
paired with much brighter, bolder
colors. It is almost a neutral, and the
color used with it will actually pop
out at you. Deep nautical blue can
be paired with a neutral and accented with a shade from the red or yellow family. Pale blue can be used in
a bedroom. Blue can be subtle and
peaceful if you select a pale tone,
perfect for relaxing or sleeping.
Green is almost always on the
scale when it comes to popular
colors. The shade may vary as a
trend. There are times the green
may be bluer, have more yellow or
be made even cooler if grayed
out. The blue-greens, whether
light or dark, can invoke a water
look. They can be paired with
crisp white, periwinkle or even
pink or peach tones. The greens
used in the past few years are
more in the flavor of the Tuscany
look: a more sun-drenched yellow-green that pairs well with gold
and terra cotta.
The clear, true green in leaf
shades is now popular. Think of the
leaves of the weeping willow, or
those same greens softened with
white to make pale greens that complement a whole host of other
shades. Sage greens have a hint of
gray to them that make green even
more of a neutral. They also tend to
be very soothing.
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W R I T E R ’ S
T H O U G H T S
Appreciating
Modern Art
Looking Beneath the Surface
Rabbi Levi Brackman
e must train ourselves to
look beneath the surface of
life and see the deeper truth
in it. When I was last in
London, my wife and I visited a
gallery of Modern Art.
The most expensive piece, with
a price tag of £17,625
($34,989), was a video
by the internationally
celebrated
photographic artist Susan
Derges.
I
was
intrigued: what could
be so remarkable
about this video? So I
asked the lady behind
the desk if I could be
shown the video. She
promptly came with the
video remote and
pressed a few buttons.
The
machine
switched on and a
countdown of four minutes started. I asked
her if this was it and
she replied that as
soon as the four minutes were over the
video would begin.
After four minutes the
screen went blank.
The lady assisting me was baffled,
so she called a colleague over, who
assured me that he could start the
video. “But don't worry,” he added,
“the video is probably quite meaningless, like much of the stuff around
here.”
He too pressed a few buttons
and the countdown began again on
the screen. Both members of staff
now looked at me, puzzled. “Maybe
this is all it is,” they said. I was
unconvinced, so I asked them if I
could try to get the video working.
Lo and behold, when I pressed the
play button, the video began. It was
W
most impressive. It showed patterns
moving in a circular motion at an
increasing speed until finally they
formed into a cohesive rectangular
pattern.
This incident made quite an
impression on me. It was obvious
Art by Susan Derges
that although the staff members of
the gallery spent many hours surrounded by art, they did not have
the slightest appreciation for it. For
them, most of the pieces were
‘meaningless.’
Life is Like Art
It occurred to me that our appreciation of art is not dissimilar to our
appreciation of life. In my opinion,
the beauty of art, modern art in particular, is that it leaves much for the
viewer to appreciate in his or her
own way. It does not dictate how we
should interpret the art.
This allows us, the viewers, to
take the creativity of the artist to the
next stage. So although the artist
may have finished creating his or
her piece of art, the creativity that
his or her work will induce in the
mind of its viewers continues. Some
viewers will recognize
this opportunity for individual
collaboration
with the artist. Others
will see the art just in a
superficial way and so
will miss out on the
chance of a richer
experience and deeper
understanding.
Life is like art in
this way. Life can be
lived either on a shallow level, seeing things
as they are on the surface only, or at the
deeper level that permeates every aspect of
existence. Many people
live for the here and
now. They do not have
long-term goals or
plans, and as long as
they are fulfilling their
current needs and
desires, they seem
happy. Even if they do have longterm goals, those aims are often limited to material things—the big
house, the prestigious model of car,
the luxury holiday. There are some
people, however, who are able to
see and delve deep into life in its
entire multi-layered, multi-colored
richness.
Looking Beneath the Surface
When they look at a sunset they
see beyond the romance of the
moment; they see the secret of eternity. They are able to tune into the
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H O M E
Home &...
W R I T E R ’ S
T H O U G H T S
Appreciating...
innate creativity and profundity that everything around
us has to offer. To these people each day is special;
each moment is precious and filled with meaning. Every
second offers an opportunity to delve deeper into reality—to see beyond the external veneer and to connect
with the sublime. Yes, indeed, the art lover takes in the
world in its fullness. To him or her nothing is ever meanBrown tones run the gamut from pale tan, to taupe ingless.
to rich color-infused shades. Brown does not have to be
drab. It can impart warmth to a room.
So those are the hot color trends. Use them as you
see fit.
The next trend you might want to take a look at is
“We must train ourselves to look
style. All summer we tend to spend a great deal of time
beneath the surface of life and see
outside. Now that it’s getting cooler, the indoors—particularly the kitchen—will once again become the room of
the deeper truth in it. That depth
the greatest activity.
Think of your day: There is the frenzy of the mornis there for all of us to examine
ing. It may be grabbing breakfast and making coffee or
and enjoy.”
it may be more involved. You might be making breakfast
for the kids, while making sure lunches are ready to be
grabbed as they run out the door. Then there are the
after school snacks and then dinner preparation.
Now is the time to think about your kitchen and
make sure it is ready for the upcoming season. We also
This fundamental difference of approach is found
cook differently in the winter. In the summer, we eat in the Bible. When Jacob came to appease his brother
more salads, grilled foods and lighter meals. Cooler Esau with many gifts, Esau said to Jacob (Genesis
weather heralds a time for slow-cooked soups and 33:9), “I have a lot, my brother, let what you have
stews, marvelous pasta dishes and roasts.
remain yours.” Jacob replied to his brother, saying
This is the time to step back and make sure your (33:11), “Please accept my gift which was brought to
kitchen is functional. The key to an efficient kitchen is you, considering that G-d has been gracious to me
not size as much as it is layout. The work triangle has inasmuch as I have everything.” Esau, who lived life for
always made sense. You want to easily be able to get the moment and saw the world superficially, said, “I
from your sink to your refrigerator and the stove.
have a lot.”
The environmental and green theme prevails in the
From his exoteric perspective, he undeniably had a
kitchen as well. Bamboo is used in flooring, cutting lot—but he did not have everything. Esau was missing
boards, counter tops and kitchen tools. Appliances are the deeper reality. He had the material pleasures of the
more energy efficient or use less water. Here the con- world but lacked insight into the sublime aspects of life.
sumer saves both resources and money.
He lacked spirituality. Jacob, on the other hand, lived his
Some trends look good but are not really practical. life for a higher purpose and saw the world in its entireAlways remember to achieve both function and style ty. He lacked nothing. Hence he was able to say, “I have
when it comes to design. As an example, open shelves everything.”
in the kitchen are a popular trend, but in a busy kitchen,
It is our challenge not to remain one-dimensional.
both grease and dust tend to collect on the items on the We must become lovers of fine art. We must train ourshelves. And, if the items are always in view, making selves to look beneath the surface of life and see the
sure they are attractively displayed becomes a priority. deeper truth in it. That depth is there for all of us to
If you like the open look, glass doors on some cabinets examine and enjoy. All we need to do is take the time
might be more practical.
and make the effort to look for it. Let us remember that
While color and style trends change annually, func- life really is what we make of it.
tion with good aesthetic design is always in good
Originally published in Israel Jewish Scene.
taste.
Amy Guttmann, OTR/L
Evelyn Guttmann, OTR/L
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The
Exercise
Diet
Rochelle Elbogen
very health professional in the country
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exercise is important.
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disease by strengthening
your immune system. It
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exercise helps you lose and
control weight.
The connection between exercise and weight control is as simple
as it is obvious: exercise burns calories. Specifically, exercise builds
and strengthens muscles and muscle cells burn calories more efficiently than fat cells do. Since weight
loss is a matter of using more calo-
E
ries than you take in, exercise is an
important part of the weight-loss
battle.
There are other factors as well;
some hidden but proven virtues that
also play a big role. Exercise can
actually decrease appetite and
reduce the stress that so often influences appetite.
In fact, the ultimate
equation for weight loss can
be summed up pretty simply:
lower calorie food choices +
walking and/or light home
exercise = weight loss, fitness and weight control for
life.
Research increasingly
confirms that even short
bouts of exercise, spaced
intermittently throughout the
day, enhance your overall
fitness and contribute to
weight control. A brisk walk
up and down stairs, 10 minutes of lifting homemade
weights, 15 minutes on the
stationary bike all provide
boosts to your system. What
counts is the total accumulation of
exercise in a 24-hour period. Simply
put, whenever you exercise, you
benefit.
Approach physical activity with
the same awareness with which you
learn to approach your food choices.
Get more physical activity into your
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H E A L T H
All About Food Allergies
Dr. Scott Sicherer Explains
Randi Shomer
hat is a food allergy, and if
my child has one, will it be
treated and diagnosed
properly? This seems like a
simple question, but the answers
and solutions can play a pivotal role
in assessing and treating allergies in
children. Anyone who has a child
suffering from food allergies would
have benefited from an informative
lecture given by Dr. Scott Sicherer,
an associate professor in pediatrics,
specializing in allergy and immunology.
In conjunction with Sephardic
Bikur Holim and Med Star, Magen
David Yeshivah offered an evening
that educated and demonstrated the
importance of being aware of the
potential dangers that allergies can
cause.
“It is clear that allergies are on
the rise. For example, our studies
showed an increase in peanut allergy in children from one in 250 in
1997 to one in 125 in 2002.
Although we do not know why this is
happening, we clearly must address
the problem to keep children with
these allergies safe. Although a lot
of public attention is focused on
peanuts, we also must realize that
children have other food allergies
that are very problematic, such as
allergies to eggs, milk and wheat, to
name just a few. It is clear that education is key to keeping children with
food allergies safe and happy at
school. It is wonderful that the community got together to learn more
about food allergies. This program
should go far in increasing safety
and community understanding,” Dr.
Sicherer said.
A true food allergy occurs when
the immune system attacks harmless proteins in our food. Although a
person can be allergic to virtually
any food, most people with food
W
allergies are allergic to one or more
of a few common allergens. In children, the most common foods that
cause significant reactions are
eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, wheat,
tree nuts and fish. In adults, the
most common foods are peanuts,
tree nuts and fish.
Dr. Sicherer presented a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation
using clear and concise examples
demonstrating different scenarios,
and which courses of action should
be taken in treating patients. This
was particularly informative for individuals who had no knowledge of
treating a child or adult with a history of food allergy. Dr. Sicherer also
demonstrated the proper use of epinephrine, a medicine used to treat
anaphylaxis. Realizing the importance and safety for children with
food allergies, Magen David
Yeshivah became free of nut products several years ago.
There are many accommodating websites that not only list the
ingredients of all products, but also
specify whether they are kosher.
They are: www.missroben.com,
www.foodyoucaneat.com,
www.allergygrocer.com,
and
www.choclat.com. The last website
listed has many candies to choose
from that are free of most allergens,
and clearly states which are free of
specific common allergic ingredients
and whether they are kosher.
Anyone interested in joining a
telephone support group for children
or adults with food allergies can call
Rebecca Cohen from Sephardic
Bikur Holim, at (718) 787-1100.
Randi Shomer is a community member, mother of four children, and a freelance writer for
IMAGE Magazine.
H E A L T H
Declaring Peace
with Emotional Eating
Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse (Part 2)
Mary Anne Cohen, CSW
have found in my 35 years of
practice as an eating disorder
therapist that a connection often
exists between eating disorders,
alcoholism and substance abuse.
Let's look at these substances—
legal and illegal.
I
• Some people abuse food,
drugs and alcohol simultaneously
• Some people’s eating behavior worsens after they achieve
sobriety
from
chemical
dependency
• Some people’s drinking and
drugging worsens after their
eating disorder is resolved
• Some people intentionally
substitute drugs for food to
help curtail their eating. Some
alcoholics often turn to sweets
and carbohydrates to curtail
their drinking. People will continue to substitute one addic-
tion for another if the core
issues that promote recovery
are
not
addressed.
Substituting eating disorders
for chemical dependency or
vice-versa is like switching
deck chairs on the Titanic: No
matter what chair you choose,
you're still going down!
All eating disorders are complex: there are multiple causes, multiple meanings and multiple solutions, and the complexity of treating
them is compounded with the addition of drugs or alcohol.
Why do people develop both
eating disorders and substance
abuse problems? The reasons
include:
The media infers that happiness, success and self-worth are
dependent
on
slenderness.
Anorexia is glamorized, and this
provides undue pressure, especially
on women. Many cases of substance abuse—illicit or licit—are
often motivated by this wish to be
thin.
The
8th
International
Conference on Eating Disorders
reported that a significant number of
women abuse cocaine for the
express purpose of losing weight,
since appetite suppression is a
major side effect of this drug.
Emotional vulnerability to anxiety or depression causes people to
turn to food and other substances as
a ‘coping strategy,’ an attempt to
handle their stress and tension.
Current research indicates that
complex biological and genetic
causes can give rise to an eating
disorder, or drug or alcohol abuse.
Neurotransmitters,
such
as
dopamine, are chemicals in our
brain responsible for pleasure. A
deficiency of these chemicals is
linked to carbohydrate cravings,
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depression, anxiety and obsessive
disorders.
People with eating disorders
and substance abuse often come
from families with these same illnesses. This implies that either
addiction is hereditary or that families model lifestyles to their children
that include disordered eating or
alcohol/drugs.
Childhood sexual or physical
abuse often leads to the abuse of
mood altering substances to quell
the pain, fear and mistrust of others
that can follow.
It is not surprising that people
often turn to a combination of food,
drugs, or alcohol. These substances have much in common that
appeal to someone's need for a
physical
and
psychological
‘escape.’
Let's look at the similarities
between eating disorders and substance abuse:
Mood altering effect. Food,
like alcohol and drugs, can be used
to comfort, to soothe, to kill pain, to
anaesthetize, to sedate anxiety, to
relieve tension, and even to stimulate and enliven a depressed mood.
Denial is the hallmark of both
disorders. The person refuses to
admit their substance use and/or
eating disorder has a detrimental
physical or emotional effect on
them. Madelyn, a 250 pound compulsive overeater, demonstrated
her denial by proclaiming in her first
session, “I'm not really that fat
because my mother is so much fatter than me.”*
Isolation is the hallmark of
both eating disorders and substance abuse. Addictions are “diseases of isolation” because a person slowly and progressively withdraws from relationships or work
obligations. This is due to the
increasing amount of time needed
to get food or drugs, consume food
or drugs, and recover from their
effects. (The aftermath of gorging
on large quantities of food or
repeatedly purging food is similar to
a hangover. It leaves one in a
depleted, intoxicated state.) Even
the emaciated anorexic isolates—
all the better to exercise frantically
in secret or to claim she has
already eaten when she hasn't.
Loss of control and unsuccessful efforts to regain control
are similar for the emotional
eater and the substance abuser.
Both groups make pacts with themselves, “I'll quit tomorrow.” “I'll begin
my diet on Monday.” They vow to
double-up on their willpower. The
truth is many addicted people can
abstain temporarily. The key issue
for the addicted person is they cannot “stay stopped.” Willpower can
help rid a person of destructive
behavior for a short time, but it
doesn't prevent relapse. Until people make the internal changes that
will sustain recovery, they will continue to develop new compulsive
behaviors. Recovery is an inside
job. Mark Twain, describing his own
battle with tobacco once quipped,
“Quitting smoking is easy—I've
done it hundreds of times!”
Shame and guilt. Chemically
dependent people and people with
eating disorders often experience
shame and guilt at the manipulations they resort to in getting their
substance—covering up, inventing
alibis, lying, stealing food, stealing
money. Linda, a binge eating
patient of mine, confessed that she
would sneak cookies into the bathroom to hide her binge eating from
her boyfriend. I encouraged her to
eat in front of him to break the cycle
of eating, shame and secrecy.
Increasingly high tolerance
for the substance. The chemically
dependent person clearly develops
an increased tolerance for their
drug. As the body becomes accustomed to the drug, the user then
requires a larger amount to achieve
the same effect.
It is debatable whether eating
disorder patients could be characterized as developing an increased
tolerance for food, but I do believe
that bingeing, purging or starving
often gains momentum and takes
on a life of its own, spiraling out of
control. The anorexic, bulimic or
binge eater becomes locked in the
momentum of an increasingly progressive cycle.
Impaired intimacy. Both the
chemically dependent person and
the emotional eater believe that
trusting their substance is safer
than trusting people. For the emotional eater, loving food is safer
than loving people. Food never
leaves you, or abuses you. It is the
only relationship where we get to
say when, where, and how much.
No human relationship complies
with one's needs so absolutely.
Depression and anxiety. Both
eating disorder patients and substance abusers suffer an increased
incidence of depression or anxiety
disorders, so they turn to substances to alleviate emotional pain.
This often gives rise to the description of addiction as a form of ‘self
medication.’
We will continue our discussion
of eating disorders and substance
abuse in our next column.
Mary Anne Cohen, CSW, is director of The
New York Center for Eating Disorders and
author of the nationally acclaimed book,
French Toast for Breakfast: Declaring Peace
with Emotional Eating.
*Names
have
confidentiality.
been
changed
for
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B E A U T Y
Correct Nutrition Improves the
Health of Your Hair
Sylvia Hamowy
t is normal to lose 50
to 100 hairs a day.
Beyond this, hair loss
can result from general nutrient deficiency.
One of the problems
with nutrition in hair,
however, is that we cannot program nutrients to
do what we want—and
hair growth is not a priority, so nutrients may be
used up in other areas
first.
B vitamins (especially B6, biotin and inositol)
have all been found to be
important in hair growth,
so a heavy duty B complex is recommended.
Try to avoid alcohol and
caffeine, as they destroy
B1 and other B vitamins.
Other important nutrients
are manganese, magnesium, silica, kelp and vitamins C and E.
Stress worsens hair
loss. It can reduce scalp blood flow, in addition to interfering with digestion and absorption. If stress is a consideration, support the adrenals with vitamins B5 and C
or glandulars.
Healthy hair needs good circulation and blood supply. Standing on your head—to raise your body over
your head—will boost circulation to your scalp, but
ONLY attempt this if you are very healthy and fit! A more
practical approach is an Indian Head Massage, which
increases blood flow and circulation in the scalp, helps
transport minerals to the scalp and is wonderfully relaxing. Organic cider vinegar massaged into the scalp
opens up the pores. If you are actually losing hair from
the root (as opposed to brittle hair) then the cider vinegar can help unclog sebum glands that sometimes
block, causing the follicle to die off as hair cannot get
through.
Essential Fatty Acids promote healthy hair, and
water is obviously vital to avoid dehydration. Filtered or
bottled water is best—glass bottles are preferable to
plastic to avoid taking in plasticizers.
I
Thinning, dry hair can be a sign of protein deficiency. Increasing protein (possibly as protein shakes) can
restore vitality and sometimes color. But if protein intake
is good, another possibility is low hydrochloric acid
(HCI), which is needed to digest protein. If you are low
in HCI, proteins are not digested properly, so the minerals they contain are not released. Mineral deficiencies
could also be due to absorption problems in the gut. A
‘leaky gut' can result from food intolerances, so if you
suspect poor digestion, consider a food intolerance test
when other symptoms suggest this.
Zinc has, in some cases of alopecia, been found to
restore bodily hair growth as well as on the scalp.
Iron is often suggested after a study attributed hair
loss in non-menopausal women to lack of iron.
Keratin, the hair protein, is predominately sulphur—
and is probably why biotin, which is also predominately
sulphur, is so useful. MSM may be helpful for the same
reason.
High copper has been associated with hair loss,
especially in women on Hormone Replacement Therapy
(HRT) or who have taken the Pill. Good liver health will
help keep copper levels down. Mercury, lead and cadmium toxicity have also been associated with hair loss.
Hair loss can also be due to hormonal imbalance,
especially post-menopausal, or with polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS). PCOS can lead to elevated testosterone and hair loss. Herbal medicine can help here,
and some PCOS clients have had good results from taking saw palmetto and angus castus. Horsetail (a good
source of silica) may also help, but an herbalist should
be consulted if you wish to take herbs.
Hormone imbalances promote copper retention. A
thyroid self-test may be useful as thyroid activity is
reduced in the presence of high copper. Calcium and
copper often rise together. The balance of copper and
zinc together is a better guide to copper levels than copper alone. Smoking and high consumption of chocolate,
white wine and coffee can tip it the wrong way. B3 and
zinc are good antagonists to copper. Essential fatty
acids also help hormonal balance.
So how do you assess your mineral status? Hair
Mineral Analysis can provide a detailed ‘snapshot’ of
your condition and help develop a personalized supplement program designed to address imbalances.
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E D U C A T I O N
Why Is My Child Having
Trouble in School?
By Rifka Schonfeld
ne of the fundamental differences between childhood and
adulthood is this: as adults
we can choose a field of
endeavor that highlights our
strengths and caters to our interests. We can reject career or job
prospects that will expose our shortcomings.
Children are not given choices
and thus cannot shield themselves
from failure; we expect them to be
competent, if not expert, in a whole
array of school basics.
Our children must be good writers, astute mathematicians, and
must perform well in language arts.
We expect them to be good at problem solving, memorization, critical
thinking and organization.
In addition, they must follow
instructions well, process data accurately, take good notes, produce
exemplary work in both Hebrew and
English studies—and do it all fast!
Is it any wonder that so many
children do not measure up to the
heavy burden of expectations
O
placed on their young shoulders?
Consider the case of Yael*, an
11-year-old girl who is finding school
increasingly difficult. She seems to
easily lose the thread of class discussions, and is often confused
when new material is explained in
class. Instead of repeatedly asking
for help, she tunes out and makes
little effort at trying to understand.
Yael reads well but very slowly.
She requires instructions to be
repeated in order to carry them out.
She would rather take her school
work home to do there, where her
mother explains and reviews the
lessons. “My mother knows how to
explain it slowly so that I understand,” she says.
Yael suffers from an often undiagnosed problem that affects performance in almost every single
academic area: slow data-processing.
Achievement in school depends
greatly upon being able to keep up
with the rapid presentation of information. During elementary grades,
new facts and procedures are usually presented slowly and with lots of
repetition.
Gradually, the pace accelerates. The quick processing of entirely new material is demanded with
greater frequency during a child's
school years than during the career
years of an adult!
Speed is vital for scholastic success. Students must be able to
respond swiftly to rapid-fire quiz
questions. They must think quickly
on their feet during class discussions. They are pressured to grasp
numbers, charts, pictures and other
forms of nonverbal material with
speed, as well.
There are many children who,
like Yael, have difficulty processing
material fast enough while they listen, read or observe. Students like
her may find themselves trying to
digest the teacher's first statement,
while the teacher has gone on to a
second or third idea which they have
missed or heard only partially.
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With a fragmented understanding of the subject matter, these students continuously find themselves at a disadvantage. As they struggle to keep up, they may experience frustration, mental fatigue and feelings of being overwhelmed. Apathy and loss of focus sometimes follow.
“Very often, slow-processing children become discouraged and anxious in school,” says Dr. Mel Levine,
noted education specialist and author of Educational
Care. He offers some practical suggestions for assisting
these children at home and in school.
At Home:
• Allot more time than usual
for homework, but stagger
the material, giving frequent
breaks.
• Place strong emphasis on
review of the material, locating the point where comprehension was derailed, and
repairing the “holes” in
knowledge and understanding.
• Parents should work on giving the child scanning, skimming and reviewing techniques while reading. It also
helps a great deal to
approach new material in
small “chunk-size” capacities
rather than as complete
units.
teachers can provide them with handout materials
which can be studied at a comfortable pace.
• Give either more time or fewer questions on tests
to children who process slowly. Allow them to take
standardized tests without being timed.
• When a slower pace of instruction will not bore the
other students, a teacher should make a conscious effort to slow the rate at which he or she
presents new material.
“In day-to-day living,
parents can help
children with slow
processing by repeating
directions and
explanations.
Family conversations may
need to be deliberately
slowed to ensure
• When an important lesson or
review session is being
given, the slow-processing
child could benefit by using a
tape recorder in class. This
will allow him or her a second
opportunity to process the
information at a suitable rate.
• To avoid embarrassing students with slow data processing, teachers can
refrain from calling on them
to respond to complex
questions rapidly.
“Tailoring” the teaching style
as well as the curriculum to accommodate the slow-processing child
of these children. ”
is standard fare in many classrooms, and many of the suggestions offered may fall under the category of “common sense.”
Yet, all too often, we find classrooms being man• Giving a child a time limit for reading a chapter, fin- aged by teachers who are insensitive to the anxiety, and
ishing a page of math or studying a diagram can at times, panic, that children like Yael experience, when
help her improve her rate of processing. (Using an they becomes so lost they cannot even articulate what
oven timer or alarm clock provides the child with it is they do not understand.
the incentive of trying to “beat the clock.”)
Tuning in to these children, anticipating their disorientation and acting compassionately to reduce confu• In day-to-day living, parents can help children with sion, will bring parents and teachers closer toward
slow processing by repeating directions and expla- attaining one of our paramount goals in education: that
nations. Family conversations may need to be no child is left behind.
deliberately slowed to ensure the participation of
* Names have been changed to protect privacy.
these children.
the participation
At School:
• Teachers should watch for disorientation in children
who are slow processors. Because note-taking and
copying may be especially difficult for these students,
Mrs. Schonfeld is a principal in a Brooklyn school and runs the widely acclaimed educational program S.O.S. (Strategies For Optimum
Student Success) in English and Hebrew on all grade levels. She has
successfully set up reading labs in many Yeshivahs. She also offers
teacher training and educational consulting services, and specializes in
teaching social skills to the socially inept child.
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Business Success
Running an Excuse-Free Business
Abraham Ades
f your business is running
smoothly, making bundles of
cash and isn't driving you crazy,
then don't read any further. If
not, read on—but leave your ego on
the coffee table. It's time to be honest: stop treating the symptoms and
start addressing the problems.
For many owners, it is difficult to
make the transition from micromanagers who like to control everything,
thinking, “nobody could do it as well
as I can,” to specific and repeatable
procedures to get the company’s
work done. It takes a lot of willpower to make changes that will help
your business in the long-run.
I
Make Him Accountable;
Eliminate Excuses
Here's how to make your
employees, especially managers,
accountable without accepting
excuses: Establish written specific
and repeatable, “This is how it’s
done here” procedures for your
employees to carry out, and then
make them accountable.
For example—your sales manager’s weekly procedure may be:
1. Review major accounts
2. Preview sales performance
3. Find more sales people
4. Find new customers.
A weekly report from your sales
manager and all of your managers
will give you, the owner, a manageable round-up of your business in a
one-hour meeting. Just knowing that
the owner expects a progress report
at the end of the week will keep this
manager accountable.
Yes, all of this requires a lot of
work, time and money. However,
you could set up your procedures
once and have an easy-to-manage
business or you can continue to be
constantly overloaded, perpetually
putting out fires and putting up with
the same old repetitive employee
mistakes.
“If an employee
knows that you will
inspect his work,
he will do what is
expected of him.”
More damaging, however, is
that your time is consumed by
micromanaging, which pulls you
away from creating new products,
and finding new markets and sales.
Seven Factors for Success
Studies have shown that most
employees will be accountable.
They will do what is wanted and
expected, without excuses, if seven
factors are present:
1. Set Clear Expectations. As
an owner, it is your responsibility to
be very clear about what you want
and when you want it.
Studies have shown that the
biggest cause of task failure is that
the employee didn't fully understand
your explanation of the task. If you
want positive results, have the
employee verbally repeat the task
back to you along with his plan to
execute it. Make it a conversation.
2. Communicate. Ask your
employees how they would solve
problems and include their ideas in
the solutions.
It is very common that the
employee will not tell his manger that
he can't finish the task on time. The
owner or manager finds out when
the work is due that nothing has
been done. Common excuses are: “I
didn't have time because another
person had me do something else,”
“I got backed up doing the salesman
commission,” or, “I was sick for two
days and I got backed up.”
Employees should have been
trained to immediately notify the owner
or manager that they have to speak up
immediately if they are falling behind or
cannot complete the task on time.
3. Be Reasonable. Your
employees must think that the task
is reasonable and attainable, and
makes common sense.
4. Know Your Employees It is
the owner’s responsibility to know
that the employee is capable of
doing what is asked of her.
5. Give Praise. Your employees
anticipate that positive consequences will follow performance.
6. Criticize if Need Be. Your
employees anticipate that negative
consequences will follow poor performance.
7. Follow-up and Inspect.
Employees: “Respect what you
inspect.”
If an employee knows that you
will inspect his work, then he will
complete what is expected of him.
If your company has loose and
informal practices and habits, then
you are setting yourself up for a
companywide understanding that if
an employee doesn't complete his
task, “It doesn't really matter.”
For more information call (347)
581-8511.
Abraham Ades is a business consultant and
C.E.O. of Profit Restoration LTD.
UTILITY AUDITS
SALES TEAM DEVELOPMENT
UPS & FEDEX AUDITS
CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING
IT SOFTWARE SOURCING
MARKET SURVEYS
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS & FORECASTS
MANAGEMENT TRAINING
GROWTH & PROFIT CONSULTING
Abraham Ades, CEO
347-581-8511
[email protected]
280 Madison Ave.
Suite 912
New York, NY 10016
F O C U S
O N
Beautiful
Fish Tanks
for Any Room
calming, distinctive elegance is what Okeanos
Aquascaping will add to your home or office with
their state-of-the-art custom aquariums. Okeanos
Aquascaping offers all types of custom aquariums
designed to your specifications. The beautiful woodwork, handmade by the renowned woodcrafters of
Ezcadi Designs, will blend into your home perfectly. The
finished product is an exquisite piece of living furniture
that cannot be purchased anywhere else.
Okeanos has an aquarium for those who appreciate
an understated style, as well as lively displays to brighten even the dullest room. For the individualist with a
taste for the exotic, they offer innovative designs and
rare fish. Whether it's a fresh water tank with live plants
and a beautiful display of rocks, or a more exclusive salt
water tank with an authentic live coral reef and stunning
unique species of fish, Okeanos will deliver the best.
At Okeanos, they design the aquarium not only to
match, but to enhance your environment. The aquarium
A
can be set into a wall and framed by Ezcadi with elegant
woodwork to create a masterpiece painting that is ever
changing. A kitchen can be transformed by a backsplash that is entirely aquatic. You can have an aquarium as a coffee table, and entrance wall, overlooking any
room, with any kind of stand. Anything you dream of,
Okeanos can create. And if you aren’t sure what you
want, Okeanos can do the dreaming for you.
What makes Okeanos stand out as a company is
their exclusive designs. These are no ordinary fish tanks.
These are not fish tanks that you will see anywhere else.
Your friends and guests will be awed. A custom aquarium
lends an ambience to your home, making everyone feel
at ease. It is a natural ice breaker and conversation piece.
Aside from private homes, a custom aquarium is
highly recommended for upscale conference rooms,
waiting areas, and offices to set clients at ease and create an amiable work environment.
1716 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY
TEL: 718-7
787-9
9007
Mon-Thurs. 10-7
Fri. 10-3
Sat. Closed
Sun. 11-6
FM54ACRL
10975BN
www.bibiantiques.com
FM22ACRL
ENERGY STAR products use less energy, save money
on electric bills, and help protect the environment.
F O C U S
O N
Beautiful...
An Okeanos aquarium will enthrall children as well
as adults without compromising the décor of your home.
At Okeanos, each aquarium is treated as a work of fine
art crafted to enhance its surroundings. You will gain
hours of relaxation and inspiration from observing the
dazzling array of brightly colored fish swimming harmoniously right in your own home.
Aside from their personal attention to the design of
the aquarium of your dreams, Okeanos installation is
always meticulous, down to the finest details. You can
be assured that the highest quality workmanship and
professionalism is applied to each and every job. Every
job is done neatly and satisfaction is guaranteed!
You can trust the experts at Ezcadi Designs to do
the job right. In addition to their unique aquarium stands
and frames, Ezcadi has been offering a variety of custom woodwork and built-in furniture for many years. Not
only are they known for their unique handmade furniture, they are also known for their excellent workmanship and superb customer service. Working with the
Okeanos-Ezcadi team is sure to be a pleasure.
Maintaining your custom aquarium from Okeanos
Aquascaping is painless. The professionals at Okeanos
provide for all the needs of your fish. They offer weekly
to monthly maintenance for every aquarium they create
to ensure continued enjoyment and success from your
investment.
Okeanos Aquascaping and Ezcadi Designs integrate cutting edge designs, brilliant colors and mesmerizing effects to create a magnificent statement of taste
and status.
Okeanos Aquascaping specializes in custom aquariums and ponds. They can be reached at (212) 9449555, or visit their online showroom at www.okeanosaquascaping.com. Ezcadi Designs specializes in highend custom cabinets and millwork for libraries, vanities,
entertainment units, wall paneling and aquarium units.
They can be reached at (732) 364-4344, or visit their
online showroom at www.ezcadidesigns.com.
F O C U S
O N
BenSimon Salon
& Day Spa
The Perfect Place to Relax
vi Ben Simon has been serving
our community for 20 years
and in the hair care business
for 30. “Anyone who wants
beautiful hair needs an expert,” said
Avi. With two salons in Brooklyn,
one in Deal, NJ and time spent practicing his art in Paris and Israel, Avi
definitely qualifies as an expert.
After almost 10 years on
Avenue P, Avi and his staff recently
moved a block away to 468 Avenue
P, to open a new three floor, 7,000
square foot location. Each floor has
its own specialties and ambiance.
Downstairs, they do hair extensions and service wigs. “We do
everything for wigs—blow dry, up
A
Avi Ben Simon
dos for parties, and cutting,” said
Avi, who is a wig-cutting specialist.
The spa floor lobby
The salon also takes care of bald
spots, resizes caps, removes bulk,
replace bangs, colors, highlights
wigs and much more. For the comfort of their clients, men are not
allowed in the wig salon.
The main floor is a salon with 10
stations of hairstylists. Here you can
get a manicure, pedicure, waxing,
and a complimentary cappuccino at
the cappuccino bar. Mini sandwiches and juice are also on the house.
The third floor is the spa floor.
It's very quiet. There's a beautiful
bridal room with a fireplace where
the bride and her family can relax,
while being pampered by Avi's staff.
“I call it the celebrity room. It's very
private,” said Avi.
There are also eight treatment
rooms. There's a special massage
room, a room for organic body waxing and another for paraffin facials.
For something a little different,
there's a Vichy shower room, where
customers get a massage while
water trickles down from the ceiling.
The day spa room includes a sauna,
steam room and a bath, where
clients can relax in Dead Sea salts.
Clients are welcome to spend the
entire day for a fixed and reasonable
price. “Our Dead Sea products are
wonderful,” said Avi. “I believe in
their properties.”
Some of the other services
offered on the spa floor include a
seaweed body wrap, which is a
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F O C U S
O N
BenSimon Salon...
treatment that hydrates, energizes,
and releases fluid for an overall
slimming effect. The paraffin body
treatment bathes the body in
warmth, and not only loosens stiff,
achy joints and muscles but also
dramatically softens the skin. A
wonderful choice for those trying to
slim down is the thermal fat burner
treatment, which diminishes fluid
retention, and tones and tightens
the skin and body, including back,
arms and midriff. The cellulite body
treatment detoxifies fat cells by
releasing excess fluid, thereby
enhancing the contour of the lower
body. For best results, Avi recommends clients receive six treatments
on a bi-weekly basis.
“Of course there are no men
allowed on the spa floor,” added Avi.
“My spa is 100% kosher! I want the
women who visit to feel comfortable.
All of the massage therapists are
female. We have the best technicians. They're all licensed and
exceptional at what they do.
Everyone does his/her best to make
the customers feel comfortable and
look fabulous.”
BenSimon Spa is more than just
a beauty parlor; it's the perfect place
to throw a private party. It's a wonderful way to let go, while living it up
in grand style. A spa party is the
ideal escape for a day with friends
or a corporate event, and a great
place to throw a wedding shower.
Spa treatments also make a
great gift. There are lots of gift packages to choose from. The Jet Out
Experience is a six-hour treatment
which includes a deep cleansing
facial, scrub deluxe, hydrotherapy
massage, manicure, pedicure, scalp
treatment, shampoo and blow dry, a
light lunch, sauna, steam and
Jacuzzi.
For the teen in your life, there's
a two-and-a-half hour experience
which includes a teen facial, minimakeup lesson, eye brow sculpt,
manicure and light lunch.
The main floor
The bridal room
If you're not sure which treatment is right for you, the salon offers
a complimentary consultation before
all spa services so they can make
sure that you get exactly what you
want. They offer guidance about the
services, products and accessories
they offer and provide a personalized recommendation about which
beauty and wellness products will
maximize and maintain the results
you're looking for.
So, the next time you're feeling
stressed, want to throw a party or
need to buy a gift for the woman
who has everything, visit BenSimon
Salon and Day Spa. Call (718) 9983099 to make a reservation.
F O C U S
O N
The Rotunda at Kingsborough:
Waterfront Venue Is Now Available for Special Events
he first time Executive Chef
Kathryn Wayler saw The
Rotunda's spectacular views of
the Atlantic Ocean and
Jamaica Bay, she was speechless.
“The sun was slowly sinking
below the horizon. The clouds
glowed orange and red. A beautiful
white sailboat glided over the blue
water. And this gorgeous view was
framed by enormous floor-to-ceiling
windows, just like a painting in a
museum,” Wayler said. “I thought to
myself, this space must be the bestkept secret in Brooklyn.”
The secret isn't a secret any
more. More than a dozen brides
selected The Rotunda for wedding
celebrations in 2007. Conference
organizers are booking the space
for corporate events. Kathryn now
conducts tours of the facility nearly
every day in her position as Director
of Catering and Outside Events at
The Rotunda.
Located on the tranquil waterfront campus of Kingsborough
Community College, The Rotunda
was initially used for college functions and events. When College
President Regina S. Peruggi arrived
on campus nearly three years ago,
she recognized The Rotunda's
T
potential as a rental venue for community celebrations and special
events. Kathryn was then recruited
to market and manage The
Rotunda.
As the crown jewel of the college's facilities, The Rotunda offers
12,000 square feet of dining and
event space, accommodating sitdown dinners for up to 600 guests
and cocktail parties for up to 900
guests. Retractable walls can divide
The Rotunda into five separate
areas that can be used as intimate
spaces for cocktail and Viennese
hours, or break-out rooms for conferences. The Rotunda's enormous,
professionally-equipped kitchen is a
caterer's dream. The venue is just
steps away from the college's
sandy, secluded beach as well as
the campus' private marina. Special
celebrations can conclude with a
spectacular fireworks display by the
world-famous Grucci family.
The Rotunda's superb setting
enhances any special event, including corporate outings, gala fundraisers, dinner cruises, weddings, conferences and training sessions. This
venue offers an exceptional range of
comfortable, flexible, modern facilities at affordable prices.
For smaller gatherings, the
beautiful Ocean Terrace room overlooking the Atlantic accommodates
up to 100 guests for cocktails. Two
state-of-the-art theaters seating 700
and 300 are perfect for ceremonies,
seminars and performances.
Also at the client's disposal are
the secluded beach; a shady,
oceanfront patio for cocktails; an
indoor swimming pool; indoor and
outdoor tennis courts; volleyball and
basketball courts; baseball and soccer fields; and the pier, which can
accommodate vessels up to 150
feet. An outdoor piazza seats more
than 2,000 people and is equipped
to anchor rental tents for shade or
weather protection.
Kosher catering is available
for your events. The event coordinator will gladly supply you with a
list of kosher caterers to choose
from or you can bring in your own
caterer.
The Rotunda is conveniently
located in Manhattan Beach, and is
just minutes away from Flatbush,
Ocean Parkway and our community.
Discounted lodging can be arranged
at nearby hotels. For tours and additional information, call Kathryn
Wayler at (718) 368-6684.
H E A L T H
10
Good Reasons
to Start Refomer Pilates
Michael Cohen
O
nce a well kept secret among dancers and
celebrities, people everywhere are choosing to
stay fit and healthy with Reformer Pilates. Here
are ten good reasons why:
1. Flatten, Tone and Strengthen Abs
Instead of doing endless sit-ups, lower reps of exercises like the classic “Hundreds” (Pilates mat exercises)
are performed with more control. This, combined with a
constant focus on torso stability throughout your workout (and your everyday life) is what makes Reformer
Pilates famous for yielding strong, flat abdominal muscles.
2. Longer, Leaner Muscles
Instead of its aesthetic streamlining effects, magazines like Vogue and Elle have been hot on the trail of
this method of exercise. Balancing strength with flexibility not only allows you to achieve a long, lean look, it
allows your body to move with ease.
3. Improve Posture
Unlike Joseph Pilates's original teachings and conventional fitness programs that promote a flat spine, the
Reformer Pilates methods recognizes and restores the
important shock-absorbing features of the spine's natural curves.
4. Prevent Injury
In addition to increasing flexibility, Reformer Pilates
exercises strengthen muscles concentrically (resistance
on both the ‘in' and ‘out' movement). This, in turn,
improves muscular control, which prevents injuries that
commonly occur upon impact, such as landing when
jogging or doing aerobics.
5. Increase Circulation,
Relieve Tension
A continual emphasis on breathing not only oxygenates the blood and replenishes cells throughout the
body, it also increases blood flow to the brain, which
helps with focus and has a revitalizing effect.
6. Enhance Body Awareness
By identifying and strengthening the body's deeper
support system—the muscles of the torso—you learn
how to move efficiently. Walking, running and even tying
your shoes become easier.
7. Balance Strength with Flexibility
Most of us have overtrained our muscles by doing
way too much forward bending and not nearly enough
stretching and strengthening of the back. Similarly, athletes tend to overuse certain muscles while neglecting
others. The Reformer Pilates method works on rebalancing the muscles around the joints to work effectively
and reduce the chance of injury.
8. Heighten Concentration
This is no mindless exercise program! By being
conscious of your muscles and how to control them, you
gradually strengthen the powerful mind-body connection. This heightened awareness and focus carries over
into everyday life.
9. Enhance Athletic Performance
Dancers have sworn by Pilates-based exercise for
years because of the precision performance, focus and
injury prevention they achieve. More recently, professional and amateur golfers, baseball players, skaters
and the like have noticed a marked difference in their
games.
10. Boost Self-Esteem
Because the method of exercise feels so good to do
and yields noticeable results, you'll feel great about
yourself!
Michael Cohen has been in the fitness industry for over 30 years. He
associates with fitness experts, and consults with them on a daily basis.
ip
ersh
b
m
Me es
O
N
Fe
PILATES
AVAILABLE
AT
BODY BY MIKE FITNESS
CENTER
MASTER
INSTRUCTOR DARREL
FEATURING
and his assistant Maria
With this Coupon Only
$5000
With this Coupon Only
PERSONAL TRAINING
$3000
PER MONTH
Unlimited Group Classes:
Spin, Yoga, Kickboxing,
Aerobics, Cardio Sculpt
Max. 2 Months.
New Clients Only!
Excluding Pilates
PER SESSION
Limit 1 month.
New Clients Only!
Excluding Pilates
with this Ad only
1712 McDonald Ave. (Bet. O & P) Brooklyn, NY 11230 718-645-3226
Hours: Sun-Th: 7am - 1pm, 5pm - 10pm, Fri: 7am - 1 hour before sundown
Classes subject to change.
[email protected]
* FEMALE PERSONAL TRAINERS AVAILABLE IN PRIVATE ROOMS
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
C O M M U N I T Y
E V E N T S
BVLGARI & Barthman
Team Up
o celebrate the opening of their
new boutique inside the William
Barthman store located at 1118
Kings Highway in Brooklyn,
famous jeweler Bvlgari hosted a special cocktail reception where the
exclusive launch of the Assioma D
Diamond Watch collection was held.
Ouri's Catering furnished the delicious glatt kosher food, which was
the perfect accompaniment to the
T
Steven, Jerry, Grace, Arlene and Jerry Natkin
Helena Nicols (from Bvlgari)
and Jerry Natkin
stunning gem collection, brought to the
community by Bvlgari
for Barthman's select
clientele to admire.
Italian jeweler and
luxury goods retailer
Bvlgari is named after
its founder, Sortirio
Bulgari, who began his
career as a jeweler in
his home village of
Paramythia.
He
moved to Rome, Italy
in 1884 where he
IMAGE Editor-in-Chief Rachelle Matsas
and Jerry Natkin
founded his company. The current flagship store was
opened in 1905 by Bvlgari with the help of his two sons,
Costantino and Giorgio, and the store quickly became a
place where the world's rich and famous came for the
unique, high quality jewelry designs combining Greek
and Roman art. Although the company first made its
name with jewelry, today it is a recognized luxury brand
that markets several product lines including watches,
handbags, fragrances, accessories and hotels.
William Barthman Jewelers opened its doors to
serve discriminating New Yorkers in 1884. Community
member Jerry Natkin took over the store in 1983 and
built on the already legendary Barthman reputation for
quality, and expanded its inventory to include prestigious watches and designer jewelry.

Read pages 113-176 – Home

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