23 PRIMETIME TELEVISION SERIES NOW BEING FILMED IN NYC

100,000 JOBS SUPPORTED BY NEW YORK CITY'S ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 
Industry Now Supports 4,000 Local Businesses and Contributes $5 Billion to the Local Economy 

The Mayor kicked off this year’s television season at Steiner Studios at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on the set of Sony Pictures Television’s new series Pan Am, one of 8 new primetime episodic series being filmed in New York City.  This year, New York City-based shows earned a record 110 Primetime Emmy nominations for their outstanding achievements. New York City is home to 23 primetime episodic television series for the 2011-2012 television season as well as 140 news programs, talk shows and reality series. The City’s entertainment industry contributes more than $5 billion to the City’s economy each year, and more than 100,000 New Yorkers make their living working on film and TV sets.  There are also 4,000 local businesses that support the productions that shoot on location throughout the five boroughs.Pan Am, for example, employs 400 individuals behind the camera and purchases numerous goods and services from local businesses such as lumberyards, costume houses, food suppliers, hardware stores, transportation companies, hotels, office supply stores and furniture rental houses. Last year, 200 films were also shot on location in the City. The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment has also worked to connect local businesses with productions filming here. The “Made in NY” Discount Card Program currently includes 1,000 vendors ranging from prop houses to hardware stores that provide discounts off their goods and services to productions shooting in the City. Productions are also able to easily locate participating vendors by using the free “Made in NY” Discount app available to download online.

The Brooklyn Navy Yard is one of the fastest growing and most successful urban industrial districts in the nation. The City has invested $250 million in infrastructure upgrades that has helped bring about more than $500 million in private investment. Since 2001, the Brooklyn Navy Yard has added 2,200 jobs and will add more than 2,000 additional jobs in the next two years.

      

All Quiet on the Upper West Side

Upper Broadway Sunday Morning

Hudson River view from UWS

East and south view

      

Hurricane Irene Update from REBNY

Hurricane Irene Update from the Real Estate Board of New York

The current forecast is that Hurricane Irene will reach the New York metropolitan area as a Category One storm. The ground speed of the storm has accelerated; gale forces winds of 40 miles per hour will reach New York City by 9 pm Saturday. The severe weather is expected to last between 12 and 18 hours. As Hurricane Irene continues on its path, the impact on New York City becomes more clear and additional information and precautions are being advised.

Updates:

  *   · Mayor Bloomberg ordered a mandatory evacuation of coastal areas in Brooklyn, Queens, including all of the Rockaways, and Staten Island, along with Battery Park City and the financial district in Lower Manhattan and Governor's Island. People are expected to be out of these areas by 5PM on Saturday.

  *   · MTA and NJ Transit service, including subways, buses, and railroads, will begin to shut down at noon tomorrow. Depending on the effect of the storm MTA service may not be restored in time for rush hour Monday morning.

  *   · The NYC Department of Buildings is ordering suspension of all work at construction sites in New York City as of 2 p.m. Saturday, August 27 to 7 a.m. Monday, August, 29, 2011. Please continue to review their website<http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/home/home.shtml> for the most up to date information on precautions for buildings and construction sites.

  *   · The City is revoking permits for events on Sunday and in the low-lying areas on Saturday.

  *   · Evacuation centers are open as of 4:00 pm today, Friday August 26; there are 91 centers in total. See link below for location of evacuation centers.

  *   · Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has declared a state of emergency in the State of New York and may close bridges and tunnels if winds exceed 60 miles an hour for more than a short time
To secure construction sites, please communicate with your general contractors on preparations and take all precautionary measures including:

  *   · Tie down and secure material and loose debris at construction sites.
  *   · Cover electrical equipment from exposure to the weather.
  *   · Store loose tools, oil cans and extra fuses in a tool box.
  *   · Secure netting, scaffolding and sidewalk sheds.
  *   · Suspend crane operations and secure crane equipment when wind speeds reach 30 mph or greater.
  *   · Suspend hoist operations and secure exterior hoists when wind speeds reach 35 mph or greater, unless manufacturer specifications state otherwise.

  *   · Brace and secure construction fences.
  *   · Secure all windows.
  *   · Ensure drains are clear of debris.
  *   · Call 9-1-1 if there is an emergency on a construction site.

Building Owners and Managers can prepare by:

  *   · Organizing emergency contact information for staff, tenants, and vendors.
  *   · Locate and review relevant insurance information.
  *   · Ensure you have proper staffing to run the building and perform EAP duties.
  *   · Secure objects in and around building such as lawn furniture, garbage cans, gas grills, antennas and satellite dishes.
  *   · Check flood pumps to ensure proper operation.
  *   · Make sure backup generators are working properly and you have adequate fuel.
  *   · Residential buildings should notify residents to secure outdoor furniture on patios and balconies.

In addition to the city's local preparations, FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security have regional and national support personnel briefed and on call. FEMA's Private Sector Desk is operational from 8am-8pm daily and can be reached at FEMA-NRCC-Private-Sector@dhs.gov<mailto:FEMA-NRCC-Private-Sector@dhs.gov> or by calling 202-212-2240. Our regional private sector liaison is Terry Winters who can be reached at Terence.Winters@fema.gov<mailto:Terence.Winters@fema.gov> or 212-680-8516.

For more information on Hurricane Irene, please check the resources below:
NYC Department of Buildings:
     http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/news/pr_weather_advisory_082611.shtml
NYC Office of Emergency Management:
      http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/home/home.shtml
FEMA:
      http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=57362
      http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html
National Weather Service:
      http://www.nws.noaa.gov/
To locate your local evacuation center:
      http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_map_english.pdf

      

NYC Prepares for Hurricane Irene: Safety Guidelines

A hurricane watch is in effect for New York City indicating hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.
Irene is currently a Category 3 hurricane and is expected to reach the North Carolina coast on Saturday.
Irene is the strongest Atlantic storm to threaten the U.S. since 2005.

First time in NYC history NYC Transit will close Saturday at 12 noon. 
Mandatory evacuation in parts of city and lower Manhattan.

All residents are advised to take the following steps to prepare themselves and their residences.

Emergency Supply Kit Keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own for at least three days. If possible, keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container or special cupboard. You should indicate to your household members that these supplies are for emergencies only. Check expiration dates of food and update your kits when you change your clock during daylight-saving times. One gallon of drinking water per person per day Non-perishable, ready-to-eat canned foods and manual can opener First aid kit Flashlight* Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries (you can also buy wind-up radios that do not require batteries) Whistle Iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach (for disinfecting water ONLY if directed to do so by health officials) and eyedropper (for adding bleach to water) Personal hygiene items: soap, feminine hygiene products, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc. Phone that does not rely on electricity Child care supplies or other special care items

Go Bag Every household should pack a Go Bag - a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation. A Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or suitcase on wheels. A Go Bag should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Make sure it is ready to go at all times of the year. Copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, photo IDs, proof of address, etc.) Extra set of car and house keys Credit and ATM cards and cash, especially in small denominations. We recommend you keep at least $50-$100 on hand. Bottled water and non-perishable food such as energy or granola bars Flashlight Note: Traditional flashlight bulbs have limited lifespans. Light Emitting Diode (LED) flashlights, however, are more durable and last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs. Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries Keep a list of the medications each member of your household takes, why they take them, and their dosages. Medication information and other essential personal items. If you store extra medication in your Go Bag, be sure to refill it before it expires. First-aid kit Contact and meeting place information for your household, and a small regional map Child care supplies or other special care items

Residents with Balconies, Terraces  or any Outdoor Space
If your apartment has a terrace or balcony, make sure nothing can become airbourne during a high wind condition. This includes awnings, umbrellas, boxes, plants or trees, outdoor furniture, toys etc. Store all furniture cushions, plantings decorative items inside your apartment. Any items that can't be stored inside must be secured and tied down.
At the same time, make sure the drains on your terrace are free from debris that can create a flooding condition. Turn off irrigation systems. During the storm do not congregate near windows and/or balcony/terrace doors.

The Corcoran Group Gallery Office will be closed Saturday and Sunday. Sunday open houses are cancelled. All NYC mass transportation will close Sat at 12 noon. Hoping these proceedures will be unneccessary and it turns out to be nothing big and you and your families are all safe!

Download NYC Hurricane Guide

For up to minute information: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#IRENE

Manhattan Monthly Market Snapshot - July 2011

FSBO Guru Needs Broker to Sell His Apartment

The founder of a Website "For Sale By Owner" hired a broker for 6% to sell his Chelsea Apartment. The "Do it Yourself" Guru couldn't do it himself. Preaching is always easier than practicing.

The Wall Street Journal  reported Colby Sambrotto,  a founder of the website ForSaleByOwner.com, a website that charges people fees to sell their own homes couldn't sell his own. Colby Sambrotto had an apartment of his own—a two bedroom in Chelsea—to sell. He couldn't sell it by himself.

He spent six months trying to sell his condominium himself through online listings and classified ads.
He finally turned  over the listing of the 2,000-square-foot apartment to a broker at Bond New York in November.

The broker, Jesse Buckler, sold Mr. Sambrotto's apartment in the Lion's Head condominium  for $2.15 million and charged him 6% commission.

He didn't want the broker to increase the price either. The broker told him "I know what I'm doing-the market is picking up."

Not only could For Sale By Owner guru not sell his own apartment, but a broker was able to sell it for more money.

Moral of the story: You get what you pay for. It's not as easy at it looks to sell an apartment. Don't waste your money on ForSaleByOwner.com hire a professional.