Recently there has been a connection to the number of construction accidents and the declining economy. As the economy downgrades the number of construction accidents has been increasing. This makes perfect sense because as our investments go down the tubes, we are going to be taking in way less income. Therefore these companies who are losing profits are not going to be focusing on safety and equipment for their worksites. If construction sites are not properly equipped with the proper safety standards and equipment, there is a much higher risk for a construction accident to occur. Brooklyn construction accident lawyers are being flooded with inquires about construction accidents that have occurred. We the citizens must ensure that those who are not following the government’s regulations be reported. In doing this we are protecting from all that might negatively be affected by corporations lackadaisical attitude towards regulatory standards. If people do not come forward about the poor standards construction workers are dealing with no solution we ever be resolved. Also these instances will lead to injuries, in which it is crucial to contact a Brooklyn construction accident lawyer.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
A Brooklyn Conservative in Blue State New York
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Brooklyn Banks: Thank You, Steve Rodriguez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRWG9MA4eMo&hl=en
Friday, March 18, 2011
Shopping at the Brooklyn Flea - H&M Fashion Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqRzgUkK8kU&hl=en
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Diamond Bar (Brooklyn)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8_5DKExO9Q&hl=en
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Unearthly Trance Live @ Union Pool Brooklyn NY Feb. 12th 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfJgOC0bY_Y&hl=en
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Free Hugs Brooklyn New York City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vc0LrkmeWc&hl=en
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
How to Sell Your House in Brooklyn NY As Quickly As Possible
If you are reading this, probably you are one of the homeowners who is having a hard time in selling a property in Brooklyn.
Everybody knows that there are a lot of inventories on the market right now. And you will have to compete against foreclosures out there, which are heavily discounted.
If your property is located in Brooklyn NY, especially in Bed-Stuy (Bedford Stuyvesant) or Bushwick areas, whose Zip Codes are 11212, 11213,11216,11233, 11238, 11206, 11221 and 11237, you must have been definitely having a tough time, since foreclosure rates are much higher than that of the rest of Brooklyn.
But still, even in this downturn market, you can sell your house fairly quickly.
First of all, there are basically 3 methods in which you can sell your house. The first step is to decide which way you will take. Everyone is different. So you have to be honest with yourself in selecting one that fits your personality and character.
1. Selling Yourself (For Sale By Owner)
2. Hire a Realtor (Real Estate Agent)
3. Work with Real Estate Investors.
Let's discuss each method here.
1) Selling yourself
The most important Pro for selling your home yourself is "Money." Selling your home without the help of an agent means More Money in your pocket!
By selling it yourself you save the commissions and fees. - We are not talking about pennies, we are talking about tens of thousands dollars which you would have to pay an agent.
Let's see. If you successfully sold your house for $500,000 (the average price in local Brooklyn Area), agents will be paid 6% of the selling price by you. That means $30,000 right there. It's a significant amount of money, with which you could buy a nice car. That's what you are paying for the agent.
Another advantage is that you are able to decide the times for open houses and showings. It is also completely up to you where and when you want to advertise.
But of course there are also disadvantages to selling your house yourself. Real estate agents are paid a lot of money for a reason. Selling a home takes a lot of energy and time dealing with potential buyers, open houses, closing sales and of course dealing with legal issues. Real estate agents are familiar with all the above and they can handle them for you. Their experience can impact the sale.
In order to save $30,000 in commission, would you hire an attorney, a title company, and an insurance company by yourself to make a deal happen? Are you really a good negotiator to ask for an offer? If you are NOT that kind of person, things would be very tough for you.
2) Hiring a real estate agent (Realtor)
Pros for hiring a Realtor are already covered the above. Cons are that in this competitive market for the sellers, agents may not able to help you sell fast. Most agents are taught only very conventional ways of marketing homes. Putting your property on MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and put up a "For Sale" sign in the yard, and maybe do some advertisement in newspapers. But that's about it. And the next step is just wait and wait and wait... Because of the terrible economy, where the demand for homes has subsided, you shouldn't be surprised if it takes 6 - 8 months to have your home sold through an agent.
Therefore, you really have to hire an experienced real estate agent who has closed on at least 20-30 properties a year. You can get a real estate agent's license in 4 days. Having the license doesn't mean he or she is an expert in selling a house. The truth is only 5-10 percent of the agents know what they really doing. You should be careful in choosing who to work with.
3) Working with Real Estate Investors
One of the pros in working with investors is that it is the by far the fastest way to sell your house. In fact many homeowners will come to investors after their listings expired with the agents, meaning they couldn't sell their houses through agents for 6 or more months. And they would regret, "Why didn't I come to investors first, instead of wasting several months."
Some homeowners just want to get out of the property as soon as possible, due to an imminent foreclosure, divorce, relocation, sudden job-loss, double payment, probate, etc. Most of the time, Investors will pay you cash, not using bank financing that takes a few months to process. Therefore they can close within 2 weeks or even less.
Another pro is that investors often take your house "As Is." That means you don't have to fix anything about your house. If you sell it to a retail buyer, they may demand that you fix whatever the problems your house has before purchasing. If your roof has a problem, it would cost you a significant amount of money and time. But Investors usually have a rehab team with them, and you don't have to repair anything. That would be a huge plus for those who have no money or time to fix the house.
However, you should know that investors have to make money as well and the number has to make sense for them, too. So you may not always be able to get the top dollar. This may be a con for homeowners. But if the speed is the key, you can take this highway.
If you just want to sell your property fast, and the speed is the most important thing for you, I would recommend you to work with real estate investors.
It's easy to find them. If you go to REIA (Real Estate Investors Association of New York), everybody is an investor. They will listen to your problem/story and would be interested in buying your property. Or you can find them on the Internet. Type in, "Sell My House Fast Cash in Brooklyn NY" on Google.com, you will find dozens. And also, sometimes, you see Bandit Signs on the street that read "We Buy Houses Cash." Contact them and see if they can make you a good cash offer. If you are interested, I would be more than happy to work with you, too.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Poreotix assuming in World of Dance 2010 at Brooklyn Tech High School
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYPBsyXrIhg&hl=en
Monday, January 3, 2011
Brooklyn Bridge in New York
New York's Brooklyn Bridge is not only the longest bridge in the United States, but it is also the world's largest bridge. The length of the bridge is calculated as 6016 feet. The bridge extends over the East Rive and connects the Manhattan and Brooklyn boroughs.
History
John Augustus Roebling from Ohio was the architect of this bridge. He was the one who designed the bridge connecting Cincinnati and Covington. The bridge was built in 1883 and took almost 14 years to become available for the public. It took so long because the Augustus fell ill and passed away and the project had to be postponed.
After the death of Augustus, his son, Washington Roebling took charge of the project but unfortunately; he also fell ill and died. Later, his wife, Emily Warren Roebling took over the project. The bridge was opened may 1883 for general public. Emily was the first to cross the bridge. Later on the first day, 1,800 vehicles and 150,300 people crossed the bridge.
After a first week of opening, a rumor that the bridge was going to collapse caused the stampede, about twelve people crushed and killed due to stampede.
In early years, the means of conveyance were based on trolleys, streetcars and horses, but late automobiles and cyclists become active. However, the bridge was not mended to hold such large traffic, yet the architecture design of John A. Roebling is enough to serve its job.
The Structure
Brooklyn Bridge is 6016 feet long and 85 feet wide. It is 1595 feet above the East River. It has two high stone towers and each tower is equipped with Neo-Classical archways. Four steel cables hold the weight of the bridge; each cable is 3578.50 feet long. The Brooklyn Bridge is two times longer than the second longest suspension bridge of the world.
The Bridge in Popular Culture
Brooklyn Bridge is a sign of cultural heritage in the United States. You might have seen it in several movies like "Deep Impact" and "Gang of New York" and also in "The Fantastic Four". Many documentaries have featured this bridge like Ken Burns documentary is based on this bridge. It is also a kind of inspiration for major artists like Hart Crane, George O'Keefe, Walt Whitman and Frank Lloyd Wright. It is also a discussion topic in David Cullough non-fiction book. Recently, several festivals were held to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge. The festival was held on May 22, 2008 and the major event was Brooklyn Philharmonic at the Empire-Fulto Ferry State Park.
Visiting the Brooklyn Bridge
This bridge has six traffic lanes and it takes 20 minutes to cross the bridge. It is a great fun to visit this bridge; especially at night it will give a magnificent view as the lighting done on this bridge since 1980 is superb. You can see many famous buildings in Manhattan while traveling across the bridge. The building includes: Empire State Building and Woolworth Building. There are many parks and restaurants nearby the bridge where you can sit and enjoy the view.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
"Coke" by Flickerstick - walking to the Brooklyn Bridge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrYLZjmS3mA&hl=en
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Coney Island - Brooklyn, New York, United States
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO62DtVcWKU&hl=en
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
U2 - City of Blinding Lights (Live at the Brooklyn Bridge)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd01FObU3Q4&hl=en
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Karen Hesse Is Back With Brooklyn Bridge!
Well worth the five year wait, award winning author Karen Hesse's new book, Brooklyn Bridge, is a memorable mix of historical fiction with a trace of enchanting fantasy. Hesse introduces this immigrant tale with a quote by Isaac Newton:" We build too many walls and not enough bridges". This quote could be considered "a spoiler" if one could interpret its relevance prior to reading the story. However, readers must finish the book in order to see what Ms. Hesse means by using this quotation symbolically in relation to the actual Brooklyn Bridge and humanity, especially in the special era she wrote about.
In the early 1900s, the family of fourteen-year-old Joseph Michtom has come from Russia to settle in America where the streets are made of gold. His is the typical lively and colorful family who has come to live the immigrant life of 1903 Brooklyn. Joseph who has a pretty good life for a kid in those days, filled with stick ball, a good home, family and lots of friends, is blessed but his dream centers on going to the new and thrilling amusement park known as Coney Island. However, Coney Island must wait. The Michtom family, in Joseph's mind, is doing fine with their candy store when suddenly his Dad gets an idea that instead of making toy bears out of metal or wood, they should be made of cloth. Before you can say 'teddy bear', the idea takes off and the family is swamped with the demand for these bears. Joseph's family time is now devoted to this new "invention" and there is no time for Coney Island much less his "regular" boyhood life of friends and frivolity.
Interspersed between the chapters that tell of Joseph and his family and friends comes the haunting story of the kids who live under the bridge. Karen Hesse writes of these somewhat mystical children in a different, almost poetic way. Theirs is a life of suffering and misery which includes their individual stories of horror, starvation, pain, and even death. The central character under the bridge is one known as the Radiant Boy who glides in like a phantom spirit and frightens the children as they know that when he comes and takes someone with him, the child never comes back. How these children relate to Joseph's story is almost like a parallel universe in that Joseph doesn't seem to even meet any of these kids or acknowledge their existence for the most part. Their connection to Joseph, however, is one that is subtly alluded to throughout the story but it isn't until the end that the reader will see the significance of this story within the main story.
What is the connection between the kids under the bridge and Joseph? As for Coney Island, does Joseph ever get there? As you read this remarkable work by Karen Hesse, the answers to these and many more questions just may satisfyingly and incredibly be revealed. I recommend this as a perfect book for children 11 and older, as well as for adults who want to learn more about a time when our ancestors migrated to this country and settled in that magical place in New York known as Brooklyn. For those of us who know the area, the allure and magnificence of Coney Island and the wonderful Brooklyn Bridge will never cease to exist but rather be enhanced and remembered by reading Karen Hesse's novel, Brooklyn Bridge.
Chris Sheban did the wonderful cover art and adds to this amazing book with his interior illustrations as well.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Success Lessons From The Builders Of The Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge in New York cost about twenty-seven lives to build. The first man to die was the designer of the bridge John Roebling, an immigrant engineer from Prussia.
However, the bridge is an awe inspiring monument to the courage, skill, determination and perseverance of the Roebling family and the workers who risked illness and death in its construction
In 1869, John Roebling planned what would be the largest suspension bridge in the world. It would span the East River in New York to join the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. It would be over a mile long.
It took thirteen tough years to complete the bridge. Tragically, John Roebling missed those thirteen years. He injured his foot when it was crushed between a pylon and a ferry as he surveyed the area.
He refused anaesthetic as his crushed toes were amputated and then tried to cure his foot by dripping water on it night and day. The water may well have infected his toes. He eventually developed lock jaw and died in agony of tetanus.
Even while he was in hospital he demanded regular updates on the progress of the bridge. His condition deteriorated but he still helped solve onsite problems. His huge determination and incredible focus on the job in hand was passed on to his son and his daughter-in-law.
Washington had seen death and agony on the battlefields of the Civil War but his father's painful death still affected him hugely. He partly blamed himself:
"I feel that I perhaps made a mistake in not taking my father to a hospital at once. But my father had very decided beliefs, and looked upon hospitals as the abode of the devil - and upon doctors as criminals."
Washington Roebling took over his father's role as chief engineer on the project. He worked with the same energy and drive that had raised him to the rank of Colonel in the Union army during the civil war. Like his dad, he unwisely put work before health but one can only admire his dedication.
Washington directly supervised construction of the underwater caissons upon which the bridge's massive towers would be built. Because of this underwater work, he suffered several times with decompression sickness, or the bends, as early as 1872.
However, thanks to the intelligence, skills and close support of his wife, Emily, Washington continued to control the project. He sent messages through Emily to his chosen engineers who appreciated the understanding Emily had developed of how to carry out this hugely challenging engineering project.
At times, Washington used a telescope from his house on Brooklyn Heights to keep in touch with events on the banks of the East River but his main support and means of communication was his wife.
Emily had read and filed every scrap of news about the bridge since the beginning and had worked at her husband's side during the entire construction effort.
With Emily, Washington discussed the detailed blueprints, and with her he shared all of his own and his father's bridge building plans and dreams. Emily began to study many topics related to civil engineering so that she could support her husband. These topics included maths, the strength of materials and cable construction.
She possessed the winning combination of being able to work hard, communicate effectively and being able to learn the engineering skills necessary to achieve her husband's goals.
When a board of inquiry was convened by the American Society of Civil Engineers to determine if Washington Roebling should be removed as Chief Engineer, Emily's effectiveness in managing the work to that date convinced them that the Roeblings should remain in charge.
The bridge was eventually opened in 1883. The first person to walk across was Emily Roebling. Plaques honoring Emily's accomplishments are installed on both the Brooklyn and New York towers of the Brooklyn Bridge.
The bridge itself is a monument to the work of both John and Washington Roebling.
The story of the bridge is full of inspiring lessons about success. John Roebling took a risk by leaving Germany for the USA. The risk paid off. At the time Germany lacked the money and the will for big, new engineering works.
The US government, on the other hand, had put money aside to encourage building projects. Success often involves the risk of moving from a dead end to somewhere with more potential.
My own father was a civil engineer who moved from England to China where I was born at the start of World War II. The risk he took did not pay off as we ended up in a concentration camp but it certainly led to a character building experience for the whole family!
We were eventually rescued by American GI's. One of my most treasured possessions is a plane made of bullets given me by one of them. My father soon moved us on to Iran to work on the waterworks in Tehran. This move was more successful.
John Roebling built several remarkable bridges around the USA before he built up the knowledge and skill to successfully plan the hugely ambitious Brooklyn Bridge. People usually build confidence through starting small and ending big.
He showed lazer focus on the project even when he was dying. He made the wrong choice with hydrotherapy but he made the right choices for the bridge. Probably no other engineer in the United States could have planned this bridge. Mastering skills makes the master, or mistress in Emily's case, invaluable.
Washington showed the same focus and skill as his dad. He shared the dangers of his men in working in the caissons. This is the mark of great leaders like Alexander the Great and Nelson who both suffered injuries along with their men.
His determination and leadership led to the completion of one of the great bridges of the world. He overcame one obstacle after another to do this. This including dealing with the shoddy wire he was supplied with by an unscrupulous merchant. Successful people do not give up in the face of crippling problems.
Emily showed what one determined and intelligent woman can achieve. She did what most people would think was impossible. When she did not know what to do, she did not give up. She simply learned the skills necessary to carry on. She had enough confidence to learn on the job.
Her courage, confidence and intelligence were exceptional in a century when middle class and upper class women were looked on as mere ornaments. She clearly did not accept this view.
In recent times on the internet, Sharlene Raven took over the internet business of her husband Scott when he was struck down with illness. Both Ravens produce great products which I know I can trust.
Most successful people learn to rely on the help of others for their success. They also ignore the limits placed upon their abilities and achievements by the views of others.
To succeed we need to learn the skills and knowledge which are relevant to the goals we are pursuing even if we learn on the job. In fact, it is quite often more easy to learn on the job than in an ivory tower away from the dust and dirt of reality.
We need to believe that we are the people who can carry the job through. We need to work, like John and Washington, with focus and energy whether we feel like it or not.
Both the Brooklyn bridge, its builders and the Roeblings are an inspiration to the world.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
An Extensive Tour Of Brooklyn New York City By Bicycle Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgbqDOBIkMo&hl=en
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Brooklyn Property Inspection Profile
When you're considering something as serious as buying some real estate, it's important to have everything in order in the sense that you don't want any unexpected surprises that will cost you money or even sour the entire deal. To that end, while it's a great idea to have a home inspector that can point out all the structural problems as well as anything else that you should know about, it's also a good idea to keep a little checklist yourself for personal reference because two sets of eyes are always better than one.
A property profile is a detailed checklist that will help you inspect and evaluate every home that you look at. You should use it as you walk through a house to form an educated opinion of the strengths and weaknesses of every house that you look at. Remember that it takes an experienced eye to see through a house that's dirty and neglected and this kind of checklist will help you to do just that. The profile can help you to see the underlying potential.
First off, look at the layout and floor plan. Take note of the special things like an unfinished attic that will be good for future renovation. Make sure to look and then check off the condition of the walls, cabinets and ceilings. Remember to mark off a special section for the appliances as well. While they can often be older in more mature homes or not top quality in newer places, they can save a first time buyer some cash in those first five years that are traditionally the most difficult. You'll want to make a profile for every home that you look at so that you can weigh the pros and cons of each to help make an informed decision in the end.
As the number of houses that you walk though increases, the pros and cons for each tends to blur together and having each home on a separate sheet will help you to tell them apart later. Spread the profiles out on a table later when you're done and then you'll be able to select those that you think warrant a second look. It's easiest if you make one master list before you start and then photo copy it so you'll have a blank template to work from as you go from house to house. Of course, some of the information will be on the listing sheet of the property, but it's still a good idea to verify that it's accurate. Make sure to take a close look-at the bottom of every listing sheet there's a disclaimer about accuracy.
Olympian Civil Home and Building Inspections (866) 476-2056
Copyright © 2008 Olympian Civil Home and Building Inspectors,
2008 All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
1LOVE: Brooklyn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyHO4S-L9I4&hl=en
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Free Brooklyn Foreclosure Listings - Great Benefits of Buying and Some Smart Ways to Search
Owning a property in New York, one of the largest cities in the world is every home buyers dream and now with free Brooklyn foreclosure listings available at highly affordable prices you can turn that dream into a reality.
One of the five boroughs of New York, Brooklyn maintains a distinct culture and unique architectural heritage which make it an ideal place for owning a property through free Brooklyn foreclosure listings. Some other benefits of buying a foreclosed home in this city include:
o Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (BCDC) -Through planning and implementation of various programs like Brooklyn Community Empowerment Project, and the Neighbourhood Retention and Preservation Program, the corporation promotes social, economic and civic improvements for its residents.
o Diverse employment opportunities - Brooklyn has a varied job market in the services, retailing and construction sector as well as in support services such as accounting, personal supply agencies and computer services firms which has made it one of the fastest growing economies in the country which makes it a great place to own a property through free Brooklyn foreclosure listings.
o Museums - The Brooklyn Museum is the nation's second largest public art museum, includes in its permanent collection more than 1.5 million objects, from ancient Egyptian masterpieces to contemporary art. The Brooklyn Children Museum, the world's first museum dedicated to children, is the only New York State institution accredited by the American Association of Museums which makes it an ideal choice to buy a home through free Brooklyn foreclosure listings for your family.
o The Brooklyn Subway- Brooklyn is well served by public transit. Eighteen New York City Subway lines, including the Franklin Avenue Shuttle, traverse the borough and nearly 80% of Brooklyn residents use the subway.
Given below are some smart ways to search for free Brooklyn foreclosure listings:
o Brooklyn County Clerk's office - Visiting the office of the county located in downtown Brooklyn for information about foreclosures in the area is the best way to access free Brooklyn foreclosure listings.
o Brooklyn Classifieds - Looking through various local newspapers like the Brooklyn View, Brooklyn Paper, New York Times and The New York Post is also a smart way to locate information on foreclosures.
o Online Brooklyn foreclosure market - Another great and comprehensive source of free foreclosure listings is to search through the various online real estate and bank sites for foreclosures available in the city.