#lawyer for buying a home in Queens and Long Island | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

comrade-meow · 3 years ago

Link

Pandora Papers: The secret owners of UK property worth billions

The secret owners of more than 1,500 UK properties bought using offshore firms have been uncovered by a BBC investigation.

The details are featured in the Pandora Papers leak of offshore financial documents and list property with an estimated value in excess of £4bn.

The owners include high-profile foreign politicians, individuals accused of corruption and UK political donors.

Ministers say they will bring in a new law when they have parliamentary time.

Successive Conservative governments have pledged to introduce legislation making it compulsory to name those owning property via foreign companies in a bid to stamp out money-laundering.

Among the revelations:

Retail magnate Sir Philip Green and his wife went on a buying spree of London property while the couple's recently sold High Street empire teetered on the verge of collapse

The Qatari ruling family purchased two of London's most expensive homes through offshore companies, saving millions of pounds in tax

Ukrainian billionaire Gennadiy Bogolyubov, who is under investigation by the FBI and had hundreds of millions in assets frozen in a fraud case, owns more than £400m of UK property

A £40m London office block is owned by the son of sanctioned Russian oligarch Mikhail Gutseriev

The BBC worked with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), the Guardian, Finance Uncovered and other media outlets to identify in the leaked files the individuals behind overseas companies that owned property in England and Wales.

Owning real estate through an offshore firm is legal, and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing in simply using a foreign company to purchase property.

However, the UK government recently raised its own assessment of the money laundering risk for the property market from "medium" to "high".

The greatest level of risk is where there are "difficulties in determining the ultimate beneficial owners", according to a Home Office report in December 2020.

It comes as a number of world leaders - including the King of Jordan and the ruling family of Azerbaijan - have featured in the Pandora Papers leak after buying property in the UK using offshore companies.

The Greens

Sir Philip and Tina Green

The wife of retail tycoon Sir Philip Green purchased multi-million-pound prime London real estate as BHS, the department store chain they had owned, headed for collapse.

Her identity as the buyer of properties in London was hidden because they were bought through anonymous companies based in the British Virgin Islands, a tax haven.

The purchases included a £15m apartment in Mayfair and a new home for their daughter near Buckingham Palace, bought for £10.6m in 2016.

The buying spree took place in the months after the Greens sold BHS for a token sum to a one-time bankrupt who had no retail experience. The chain collapsed, leading to the loss of 11,000 jobs and vacant sites in town centres.

The downfall also led to an outcry when it emerged the business had left a black hole of up to £571m in its pension fund.

Through their lawyers, both Sir Philip and Lady Green declined to answer detailed questions, suggesting that these were private matters.

Qatari Ruling Family

The ruling family of Qatar

The Pandora Papers leak also reveals the property portfolio of the Qatari ruling family owned through another cross-border network of companies.

The royal Al-Thani family purchased two properties on one of the world's most expensive terraces, overlooking Regent's Park in London. They were bought through offshore companies, saving millions of pounds in tax.

BBC analysis found numerous other properties owned by members of the family through these structures, estimated to be worth over £650m.

The Qatari government did not respond to questions about the BBC's findings.

Gennadiy Bogolyubov

Gennadiy Bogolyubov is a Ukrainian billionaire who is under investigation by the FBI for money laundering.

He and his business partner are accused of defrauding the bank they founded of more than £1bn.

Court documents included in the Pandora Papers reveal him to be the ultimate owner of a collection of UK properties likely to be worth over £400m, including a building on Trafalgar Square.

They are held via a network of companies, some offshore, that hide the identity of the owners.

Mr Bogolyubov is the co-founder of PrivatBank, Ukraine's largest lender.

The bank was nationalised in 2016 after regulators found a £4bn hole in its balance sheets.

PrivatBank has been pursuing Mr Bogolyubov and his business partner Igor Kolomoisky through court action in England and the US, trying to reclaim more than £2bn relating to the money lost during their leadership.

In 2020 the US Department of Justice sought to seize commercial properties in Texas, Ohio and Kentucky from the pair, suspecting that they were "acquired using funds misappropriated from Privatbank". The court cases are ongoing.

Mr Bogolyubov's assets are currently subject to a worldwide freeze, secured in court by PrivatBank in 2017.

In 2016 he decided to leave the country and settle in Switzerland, partly for "tax reasons".

Lawyers for Mr Bogolyubov declined to comment as legal action is ongoing.

Mikhail Gutseriev

Mikhail Gutseriev is a Russian oligarch who was sanctioned by the UK in August for his close relationship with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. The Pandora Papers reveal that his son owns a multi-million pound office block through a secret offshore company, purchased for more than £40m.

Mr Gutseriev is the founder of Safmar Group, a Russian conglomerate with interests in oil, coal, property and retail.

Following the crackdown on human rights and democracy in Belarus in 2020, the UK and EU have recently brought in sanctions against President Lukashenko, along with Mr Gutseriev and other close associates.

The British government has accused the Belarusian regime of continuing to "crush democracy and violate human rights".

It described Mr Gutseriev as "a prominent Russian businessman who is one of the main private investors in Belarus and a longstanding associate of Alexander Lukashenko". It added that he had "provided support for the government of Belarus, including through use of his business interests".

Mr Gutseriev is no longer involved in Safmar, which is now part-owned by his son, Said, a British citizen.

Said Gutseriev's representatives told the BBC he did not have "any business links with his father".His lavish wedding made headlines in 2016 - it featured performances by Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias and was reported to have cost £1bn.

What is the UK government doing?

Plans for a register of foreign companies owning UK property were first announced in 2016 by then Prime Minister David Cameron, so that "corrupt individuals and countries will no longer be able to move, launder and hide illicit funds through London's property market, and will not benefit from our public funds".

Draft legislation was published two years later and "progress" on changing the law was promised in the 2019 Queen's Speech.

Earlier this year, following the G7 summit, the government reiterated its commitment to create a public register of overseas entities who own UK real estate.

However, the law has still not been introduced to Parliament and was not listed as one of the government's legislative priorities at this year's Queen's Speech.

Labour MP Margaret Hodge told the BBC that when in government David Cameron and his Chancellor George Osborne "promised us that they would create a public register of beneficial ownership here in the UK... but we've been waiting since 2016 for that promise to be enacted".

She added: "It's ready, it's sitting there, it's not complicated... but it has yet to emerge... so it's a scandal that that's not happened."

The government says it is cracking down on money laundering with tougher laws and enforcement, and that it will introduce a register of offshore companies owning UK property when parliamentary time allows.

World leaders

UK properties owned offshore by foreign leaders

The UK property holdings of the King of Jordan and the ruling family of Azerbaijan were exposed by BBC Panorama on Sunday.

Lawyers for King Abdullah said he used his personal wealth to buy the homes and there was nothing improper about him using offshore firms to do so.

Other revelations from the Pandora Papers highlight further links between foreign leaders and offshore ownership of UK property.

The family of Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta, which has dominated the country's politics since independence, secretly owned offshore companies for decades.

One of these firms bought an apartment in central London, according to Land Registry records.

The company was set up by Ngina Kenyatta, the president's mother, and her two daughters Kristina and Anna.

In 2018, Mr Kenyatta told the BBC Hardtalk programme that his family's wealth was known to the public, and as president he had declared his assets as required by law.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky participated in a network of offshore companies, co-owned with his long-time friends and TV business partners, the Guardian revealed on Sunday.

These firms held assets including apartments near London's Regent's Park.

A number of world leaders have released statements denying wrongdoing after featuring in the leak.

Tory donors

Closer to home, major political donors to the Conservatives have invested in properties through offshore companies.

Conservative donors

Mohammed Amersi, bought two properties using offshore companies: a Mayfair townhouse and a country home in Gloucestershire. He was revealed by Panorama to have been involved in one of Europe's biggest corruption scandals. He denies any wrongdoing.

Lubov Chernukhin has given more than £1.8m to the party since 2012. The Pandora Papers leak revealed the scale of the secret offshore wealth she shares with her husband, a former Russian minister. It includes a house near Regent's Park in London now worth about £38m, and a mansion in Oxfordshire bought for £10m. The properties were secretly acquired through a network of offshore companies. Mrs Chernukhin's lawyers say she is a British citizen and is entitled to do as she wishes with her money

Russian businessman Victor Fedotov's companies have given £900,000 to MPs. He purchased a Hampshire manor house through a network of offshore companies. Files in the Pandora Papers suggest he made millions from a project that became mired in allegations of corruption. Mr Fedotov's lawyers said "there is no evidence whatsoever" he behaved improperly.

The BBC searched for information about donors to all of the political parties among the Pandora Papers documents but the stories that emerged from the files were about Conservative donors.

The Pandora Papers is a leak of almost 12 million documents and files exposing the secret wealth and dealings of world leaders, politicians and billionaires. The data was obtained by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in Washington DC and has led to one of the biggest ever global investigations. More than 600 journalists from 117 countries have looked at the hidden fortunes of some of the most powerful people on the planet. BBC Panorama and the Guardian have led the investigation in the UK.

#Anglo.txt

4 notes · View notes

tabloidtoc · 4 years ago

Text

National Enquirer, November 16

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Jeffrey Epstein’s madam Ghislaine Maxwell’s nights with Prince Andrew and teen Virginia Roberts Giuffre

Page 2: Brad Pitt kicked married galpal Nicole Poturalski to the curb after getting flak from his ex Angelina Jolie -- Brad’s relationship with Nicole hit the skids after Brad decided he needed to shore up his image during his ongoing custody battle with Angie and his focus right now is to get his dad image back on track and give Angie no more ammo to fling back at him

Page 3: Tiger Woods’ romance with Erica Herman has gone off course over legal troubles and wedding pressure and bickering over where to live and Tiger is so fed up he’s considering ditching his nagging girlfriend in Florida and moving back to his native California -- Erica’s been pressuring him to put a ring on it ever since she moved into his Jupiter Island mansion and that’s something he just won’t do and she’s already taken over his household buying new furniture and remodeling the master bath and building a new closet and hiring a gourmet chef -- California is looking better and better to Tiger who only moved to Florida to play on its tough Bermuda grass which helped improve his swing but now Tiger’s ex Elin lives in Florida with their two kids

Page 4: Miranda Lambert is scoffing at ex Blake Shelton’s newly announced engagement to Gwen Stefani and she’s convinced Blake’s third walk down the aisle has failure written all over it because she thinks Blake’s bad to the bone and this marriage will wind up being a total disaster and after the hell Blake put her through Miranda can’t imagine his life with Gwen would be any different, lifelong bachelor Simon Cowell has had a change of heart since his horrific August accident and he’s finally ready to tie the knot with baby mama Lauren Silverman -- after spinal surgery to repair his broken back the entertainment mogul feels lucky to be alive and walking and the one constant in his difficult rehab after surgery has been Lauren and he wants to pay her back with a ring

Page 5: Train-wreck Wendy Williams’ wacky behavior has TV producers scrambling behind the scenes to find her replacement after her unhinged performance on a recent episode of her talk show where she slurred her words and rambled incoherently -- there had been a hope a chatfest helmed by Nick Cannon could be a safety net should the daytime diva who spent a stint in a sober living house last year not be able to continue hosting but plans for that were pushed back after the comic made anti-Semitic rants in a podcast -- they also tried Jerry O’Connell when Wendy was out for three weeks last year but he tanked with viewers -- Wendy’s a mess and it remains to be seen how long producers will be able to put up with her problems before they decide to pull the plug

Page 6: Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo hinted that she may be making her final rounds -- Ellen who has starred on the show since 2005 and makes $20 million a year admitted she’s considering slipping out of her scrubs after the current season 17 but her departure could spell the end of the beloved series and show creator Shonda Rhimes has said it’s unlikely the show could continue without her but Ellen has also expressed her desire to spend more time with her husband and their three children

Page 7: Mariah Carey’s brother Morgan blasted her memoir as filled with lies and distortions and he’s considering legal action -- the book called Morgan and sister Alison her ex-brother and ex-sister and Mariah wrote Morgan had a long history of violence and when she was six he slammed their mother into a wall -- Mariah also wrote her siblings and mother were heartless in terms of dealing with her as a human being and once she got famous they started treating her like an ATM with a wig on but Morgan is fighting back and looking to hire a lawyer

Page 8: Reese Witherspoon’s marriage to Jim Toth is in the muck after the stunning collapse of his new business venture and tensions are mounting in the Hollywood power couple’s already troubled union now that the streaming service Quibi crumbled after less than six months leaving content acquisition president Jim out of work while Reese’s star continues to rise and there’s a real balance of power that’s been building up and that’s put a serious strain on the relationship -- living in quarantine added to the stress between them as Reese has been holed up with her two kids with ex Ryan Phillippe Ava and Deacon and her son Tennessee with Jim at the family’s ranch in Malibu

Page 9: Dementia patient Kenny Rogers cut his three adult children out of his $250 million will and now sources fear the late country legend could have been tricked into signing the document -- Kenny left everything to his 16-year-old twins sons with fifth wife Wanda and the will also stated it was his intent to specifically exclude his daughter Carole with his first wife and son Kenny Jr. with third wife and son Christopher with fourth wife and their issue as beneficiaries of his estate -- Kenny Sr. would never disown his own children according to the source especially since the singer’s son Kenny Jr. is incorrectly referred to Kenny Rogers III throughout the will -- the wording is not like Kenny Sr. and something is not right and his older kids are thinking about contesting the will

Page 10: Hot Shots -- Kate McKinnon shot a Saturday Night live skit in NYC, Sophia Bush hit the road in L.A. with her co-pilot pup Maggie, pregnant Jinger Duggar Vuolo in Venice with daughter Felicity, Heidi Klum walking the streets in her native Germany, Snoop Dogg saluted young rappers as he accepted BET’s I Am Hip Hop award

Page 11: Unwitting Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler once dabbled in the secret sex cult NXIVM -- the organization masqueraded as a self-help group but in 2017 it was exposed as a pyramid scheme for founder Keith Raniere who forced high-ranking female recruits to become his sex slaves -- in 2010 Jen and Gerry who were dating at the time wound up at one of the introductory seminars but they were turned off by the level of commitment expected and never returned -- they thought it was just a networking opportunity and had no idea what they were getting themselves into, cash-crunched Gwyneth Paltrow is facing hard times like everyone else and is looking to change her free-spending ways -- the belt-tightening caused by the coronavirus pandemic has even hit her lifestyle empire Goop causing her to shut down the London branch and make hard choices for the future -- Gwyneth may be worth $100 million but she and husband Brad Falchuk spend money like it’s going out of style on private jets they use on a whim and they own a fleet of fancy cars and pay steep salaries for staff who are at their beck and call 24/7 and it’s all draining their bank accounts -- they’re looking at making cuts across the board from personal trainers and chefs and drivers to the masseurs and beauticians who come to their house several times a week -- plus the couple believe it’s a bad look for them to be living so high on the hog when the rest of the world is suffering during the pandemic

Page 12: Straight Shuter -- Angelina Jolie spent years developing her own version of the Hollywood classic Cleopatra and now she’s livid that Gal Gadot has stolen the Egyptian queen -- Angie’s dream was to play Cleopatra the role that made Elizabeth Taylor an icon and it was to be the part that won Angie an Academy Award for Best Actress and now that’s over thanks to Gal who will be playing the Queen of the Nile instead, after ABC scrapped plans to honor Regis Philbin with a prime-time tribute Jimmy Kimmel insisted on honoring Regis on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, MSNBC talking head Rachel Maddow is fleeing New York for her Massachusetts farm after hanging a $2.3 million price tag on her NYC pad but Rachel didn’t want potential buyers looking through all the personal stuff at her apartment so all the personal pictures and books and clothing and everything else was shipped out and replaced with staged furniture, Ariel Winter and her dog (picture)

Page 13: Ailing Joni Mitchell opened up about how she’s still struggling to get back to her old self five years after a debilitating brain bleed -- after Joni was found unresponsive in her Bel-Air home in 2015 she said she was forced to relearn everyday tasks because the aneurysm took away her speech and her ability to walk and although she’s showing slow improvement she hasn’t been writing or playing the guitar or the piano, Randy Travis is defying all the odds as he plans the greatest comeback in country music history as he is making amazing progress after suffering a massive 2013 stroke that most believed would end his career forever and he was given just 1% chance of survival and even after he pulled through doctors believed he would be bedridden and unable to speak -- instead his grueling rehab efforts have miraculously put him on the road to realizing his dream of returning to the spotlight -- some of his motivation is financial; last year he sold his Nashville home and released his memoir which was fueled by his need to pay medical expenses after years of not being able to perform

Page 14: Hollywood Hookups -- Channing Tatum and Jessie J have split again, Cole Sprouse and Reina Silva dating, Kate Beckinsale and Goody Grace split

Page 15: Ariana Grande is raising eyebrows with her raunchy new record Positions -- the former squeaky-clean Nickelodeon star who has been dating real estate agent Dalton Gomez spouted off X-rated odes to an unnamed lover on the LP, six months after sidelining her marriage to former quarterback Jay Cutler Kristin Cavallari admitted there are good days and bad days but insisted it’s been nice to be able to focus on herself and figure out who she is now and what she ultimately wants out of life, hotel heiress Kathy Hilton is joining The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as a friend of the main cast which includes her half-sister Kyle Richards

Page 16: Crime

Page 17: On Drew Barrymore’s talk show a psychic guest channeled the spirit of one of the host’s former in-laws but the man in question is very much alive -- medium Anna Raimondi told Drew she sensed the aura of a judge causing Drew to burst into tears and named David a relative of her ex-husband Will Kopelman claiming he’d passed but Judge David Kopelman is alive and still going strong -- Will slammed Anna was a submental hack and said he was surprised that Drew chose to give oxygen to someone like that

Page 18: American Life

Page 20: Cover Story -- Prince Andrew is desperate to quash explosive testimony by his pedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein’s accused madam Ghislaine Maxwell but the socialite’s second secret deposition is torpedoing his return from royal exile -- after Ghislaine danced around details of her relationship with the disgraced Duke of York in testimony released a few weeks ago Andrew is sweating bullets about her second grilling under oath which contains details of their intimate friendship and nights with Epstein’s teen sex slave Virginia Roberts Giuffre

Page 22: Don McLean viciously slammed ex-wife Patrisha Shnier as the worst person her ever knew but in their ongoing war of words she maintains he was abusive to her -- Don is still bitter over a 2016 domestic incident at their home in Maine that landed him behind bars and led to divorce after 30 years of marriage

Page 26: Matthew McConaughey confessed he nearly turned his back on Tinseltown to be a wildlife guide like late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin -- he made a splash in a string of blockbuster rom-coms in the ‘90s and ‘00s but he was eager to move on to meatier movies and even passed on a $14.5 million paycheck in 2010 to seek more substantial roles and the struggle left him considering other careers such as a wildlife guide, Jamie Foxx has been crushed by the death of his beloved sister DeOndra Dixon who was born with Down syndrome

Page 28: Good Catch -- Bachelor stars who are still up for grabs -- Jon Hamm, Owen Wilson, Drew Carey

Page 29: Benicio Del Toro, Ryan Seacrest, Matthew Perry, some stars seem to say I do at the drop of the hat -- Larry King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Bob Thornton

Page 32: Olivia Munn was caught on camera flashing what looked like engagement bling on her left ring finger as she exited a gym following a morning workout in Los Angeles but she reportedly broke up with boyfriend Tucker Roberts last year leaving fans wondering who bought the stunning sparkler

Page 36: Health Watch

Page 42: Red Carpet -- Michelle Pfeiffer

Page 45: Spot the Differences -- Allison Janney on Mom

Page 47: Odd List

10 notes · View notes

paullicino · 5 years ago

Text

Point Roberts

Taken from and generously funded by my Patreon.

“Who else is doing a landing?” asked the customs officer. Someone put their hand up as well as me. Someone else had just had their documents completed. Another person responded affirmatively to every single question asked, including the one about landing, because she was either confused or just wanted to beat the queue.

There wasn’t much of a queue to beat. The waiting room of the border crossing was the size of a living room. On the other side of a broad counter, half a dozen Canadian immigration officers sat around desks, quietly typing away as if they were doing any other job in the world.

* * *

A landing is a formal arrival in Canada. It marks your change of immigration status. Of course, to arrive in Canada, a person must first be outside of Canada. Fortunately, even though Canada is the second-largest country in the world, I was pretty near the edge of it.

I was near a very weird edge of it.

But before I tell you about Point Roberts, I should probably tell you about the corner of British Columbia called the Lower Mainland. Vancouver and its surrounding settlements are all within twenty miles of the United States, making a trip to a different country a very quick, even spontaneous affair. If you’re a Canadian, you can even cross this border without being photographed, fingerprinted or interviewed. Then, suddenly, you’re in the land of Different.

And the land of Different presents all sorts of possibilities, possibilities with substantial economic considerations. Gasoline is much cheaper. Electronics often are, too. International shipping and distribution are no longer relevant, as you become the importer of your own goods. And, in Washington State, firearms are readily available and long guns can be bought by American citizens without need of any permit, or by “non-immigrant aliens” if they spend a hundred and fifty dollars getting a state ID, a hunting license and an Alien Firearms License.

If I stayed in Washington State and got those documents could buy this Barratt rifle that takes bullets half an inch in diameter and which can hit targets almost two miles away. I just called the gun shop to check. They said yes.

The economic pull of the United States pulls Lower Mainlanders south a lot. They order packages to special shipping centers just across the border, then rush back with them. They fill up their cars. They head to shopping malls and department stores. They find everything that’s Different.

This can sometimes create weird problems for distribution. Why even bother to try to sell your product in the Lower Mainland when so many of the customers there are going to come to your country to get it? Why even ship it?

Americans are pulled the other way by the relative strength of their dollar. Right now, those dollars stretch 33% further. They drive up to eat, to camp, to study and to buy medications, including insulin. For someone in Seattle, it’s an easy day trip. For someone closer, it’s barely an afternoon.

As a European, I know that there’s a different version of this strange symbiosis in so many places. Scandinavia has its jokes about who is buying alcohol from which country. British travellers head to France for cheap wine and cigarettes. Italy and France... argue about fashion.

Weird things happen at borders. Weird things. It’s a weird thing to divide the world so arbitrarily and it creates weird behaviours. You walk a short distance and reality is suddenly different. Or you are different. Or both.

* * *

All this contributes to Point Roberts being a weird, weird corner of the world. History is geography, particularly if Britain is involved and, in a classically British move, the Oregon Treaty of 1846 drew a big and broad line across western North America at the 49th Parallel. It divided the continent between the UK and the US. Broad strokes are rarely wise and not only were there some subsequent arguments over who owned which islands (during which a pig was tragically killed), there was also the issue of a piece of land two miles long, jutting south out of Canada.

It’s ours, said the United States. We’re keeping it. They filled it up with soldiers and it became a stopping-off point for travellers headed elsewhere. It would be a little over fifty years before settlers had permission to make their homes there and then the 20th Century would see a gradual influx of immigrants from… Canada.

Point Roberts is full of Canadians. Not completely, but significantly. They own holiday homes. They own boats. They are visiting to collect packages. They are visiting to buy gasoline. They are visiting for the summer. Meanwhile, the Americans there have no hospital, no dentist, no public transport and no high school. They have a lighthouse. They have an airfield. They have a single border crossing through which all traffic must come and go. They assume you’ll have a car.

I walked across it, but not before a man on a bicycle beat me to it, pedalling off into the United States to never be seen again. A sign told pedestrians to follow little painted footprints up to an office door and a man inside asked why I was visiting his country. I had to tell him that I wasn’t and to kick me out.

* * *

Flagpoling is the act of leaving Canada and returning to validate a new visa or, in my case, Permanent Residence documents. I could, in theory, also book an appointment somewhere in Canada to validate my documents but the waiting time for this is long and if you want to be seen within sixty days you must classify as urgent.

People flagpole at the US border all the time. They flagpole at Peace Arch, the fancy monument between British Columbia and Washington. They flagpole at Niagara Falls. They flagpole at Lewiston, Ontario or Sault Ste Marie.

The thing is, all those border crossings are busy. They’re full of tourists and travellers and guards and security. In Point Roberts, one bored man in an office stamped my passport, gave it back to me and told me to walk back around the small building he worked in to the other small building that the Canadians worked in. His colleagues talked about a party that was happening later.

I looked south. A long, bare road ran all the way down to the sea. There were no barriers anywhere. I could just… walk off. The man continued to be bored. Do you need to escort me, I asked him?

“Do you need to be escorted?” he asked. “Are you a danger?”

I walked out. I was in the United States and there was nothing between me and the rest of it. There was, I guess, a chance for the bored man to pursue me if I dashed south. There was also only two miles of land for me to flee too. The range of a high caliber rifle round.

There were hardly any cars. There were hardly any people. There was hardly any anything, just like there never has been.

* * *

I re-entered the United States later that day and I can tell you that Point Roberts has a thousand residents, three places to eat, a couple of gas stations, no sidewalks and a shitty fisherman statue that looks like a budget Gandalf. Most license plates I saw were Canadian. The most developed and impressive structure is a marina. There were hardly any shops. There were hardly any facilities. There was hardly any anything, not even that cyclist, just roads leading into trees and quiet, sleeping houses.

A few more of those are being built. I bet they’ll be sold to Canadians.

While I was there, the sun went down. It plunged into the Pacific and the sky was all dark grey clouds and the distant yellow mottling of tankers, ferries and island towns. I saw a working lighthouse, which I have never before seen in my life, and I discovered it was little more than scaffolding and a lamp. I didn’t care. I’d never seen a lighthouse in person before.

I’d been sick that morning. I hadn’t slept much because I had been expecting to go to Point Roberts, which I’d never done before, to flagpole, which I’d never done before, then hopefully complete my Permanent Residence process, which I’d never done before. When I’d started that process, I was told it might take as little as six to nine months. It had been more than two years and I had received two rejection letters, as well as an email from my lawyer saying this was a big mistake.

My mind had turned everything over and then my stomach had decided to do that, too.

* * *

But as I had crossed straight back into Canada after that flagpoling, nothing at all was happening. Everyone, everywhere was bored. A Canadian border guard asked my why I was entering his country. He scribbled “PR” on a slip of yellow paper that was mostly full of questions about what firearms I might have, maybe which states they were from or what licenses I held.

British Columbia is weird not only because of its ongoing economic symbiosis with Washington State, nor because of the curious exclave of Point Roberts, but also because it cuts off Alaska from the rest of the US. A lot of people like to hunt in Alaska. A lot of people try to bring their guns from other parts of the United States into Alaska through British Columbia. British Columbia doesn’t really like this but it does allow it if those guns and their method of transport fit very, very specific criteria.

It’s the complete opposite to asking for ninety days residence and a twenty dollar hunting license.

Once again, I could apparently have just walked off, back into Canada, but instead I ended up in that living room-sized waiting area. A family sat to my left. Someone who did nothing but read a book the entire time sat to my right. A picture of the Queen of England was mounted dead ahead. That probably wasn’t necessary.

The officer asking who else was landing left the room and she was replaced by a grumpy man who called me up. I showed him what documents I had and he asked me what visa I had with me. I listed the items I’d been posted.

“I can see what you have,” he said. “I don’t need you to tell me what I can already see.” But I didn’t have anything else. Nobody had issued me anything the last time I’d entered Canada and nobody had really cared after hearing that I was waiting for these Permanent Residence documents to arrive, the ones I was laying out now.

The grumpy man made me sign and initial my papers, stating that I hadn’t suddenly committed crimes and forgotten to tell them or got married and forgotten to tell them or had children and forgotten to tell them and yes yes everything was spelled correctly. He took the papers away and joined the other people who were typing quietly at their desks.

A balding man walking in and asked everyone in the room if they’d been seen by an officer. Everyone said yes. “You’re all waiting so patiently?” He asked. “Thank you!”

He walked out.

For some reason, I took a picture of myself. I took it to see if I was suddenly different, but found no signs of this. The Queen stared at me. I sat there in silence. There was no noise and no smell and no movement. I played Peggle nervously on my phone, because at the US border they don’t like you to have your phone out. Nobody here gave a damn. A large TV showed soundless sports recaps.

The grumpy man called my name. He had stapled one of my documents into my passport on what was the shonkiest, most ramshackle way. It was infinitely folded. He had signed and dated it. I will never forget his name.

He gave me a piece of paper with numbers to call to register for health care and social security. My Permanent Resident card would be mailed to me and reach me hopefully two to three weeks after my landing date of September 21st, 2019.

I stood there.

“Do you have any questions?” he asked.

“Is that it?”

He looked up at the room. “Who’s next?”

#America #Canada #Permanent Residence #Point Roberts #weird borders #immigration

15 notes · View notes

acehotel · 6 years ago

Text

Just/Talk: Justin Strauss with Jerry Schatzberg

Since the beginning of his illustrious career in the 50s, Bronx-born Jerry Schatzberg’s singular vision has shaped, shifted and pushed the cultural needle in fashion, music and film the world over. His seminal works are so powerful that they’re indistinguishable from the subject itself — it’s hard to envision Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde without immediately calling to mind Schatzberg’s portrait of him. He's photographed the greats, directed Al Pacino’s starring debut and was a trailblazer for boundary-pushing art. For this edition of Just/Talk, legendary DJ and Ace friend Justin Strauss talks to Jerry about dressing The Rolling Stones in drag, his foray into photography and why Dylan’s iconic LP photo is blurry.

Justin Strauss: I'm really thrilled to meet you. I've interviewed a lot of people. When this opportunity came up, it was really something special for me. Your images are burned into my psyche. I've been buying records since I was seven years old. When I grew up, my dad was into records. The cover you shot for Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde LP is one of the most iconic record covers ever.

Jerry Schatzberg: I hope so. We just had an issue over a cover on a Bob Dylan book I'm doing now, and I think the book cover is beautiful. The German publisher decided they didn't like it. They didn't think they could sell it. I don't know why. I realized after listening to what they were talking about, they just wanted to do their thing. I could just see the board meeting in the morning on how can we get our touch on this and all that. I didn't like anything they submitted.

If somebody shows me something better than what I've got, why not? I'll say it was my idea. But they came through with really terrible stuff. I told the publisher. I said, “No, you'll have to go with the cover we've got.” It's being translated into four different languages. They wanted a little something different in each one so they could tell the difference between the languages, which was just an excuse they gave me.

Finally, I said no to them. Then they said, “Well, let us just submit something.” I said okay. They submitted something, and it again was terrible. “We'll find something else.” They submitted it. It was also terrible. I wasn't being difficult. If somebody does something better than what I've got, I want to do it. It's still going to be my book.

Finally, I got my lawyer involved. They said to him, “We're not going to do the book.” I said, “Okay. I don't care.” That's a good position to be in because, first of all, books don't make a lot of money. Fortunately, I have the final say. My lawyer called back and said, “They're not going to take it.” I said okay. That afternoon, the publisher called back and said, “Okay, we'll take it, but we're not going to take as many books as we were going to.” I said, “I don't care. Fine.” If they sell a bundle of them, they'll order another bundle. Who cares?

And the one of the reasons I like the cover idea is because I'm a visual person. If you put Blonde on Blonde in a window of record covers, it'll always stand out. I think this in a bookstore on a shelf or in a window will also stand out.

Justin: You grew up here in New York?

Jerry: In the Bronx, until I was about 13 or 14. Then we moved to Queens. When I got married the first time, we moved out to Long Island.

Justin: And where did you develop a love of photography?

Jerry: That was all just hating what I was doing and I just had to find something different. I was working for the family fur business, but I hated it. There was a big retail camera store not far from where we worked, Willougby's, I don't know if it's still there. I used to go there for lunch hour, and I'd end up walking around for a couple of hours. I didn't even know I was there for a couple of hours, but my father would let me know when I went back to work because he didn't like that his brothers were working back in the factory and I'd take two hours...

Justin: What was your first camera?

Jerry: I had a camera when I was about eight or nine, or six. It was a plastic little camera. I don’t even know what it was.

When I was getting out of the Navy, I had seen something I liked. It was a 35 millimeter camera, an Argus C3. I didn't take many pictures with it, but one day I saw an ad in the Times for a photographic assistant. I had no idea what that was. But I called the number, and the person there was really an employment agent. I told him my story, and he laughed. He said, “Come on in and I'll see what I can do.”

He sent me out, and the first place I went to was Lillian Bassman Studio, and it was like falling down the rabbit hole. I didn't see anything like this in the Bronx or school or anywhere. The interview went very well except they couldn’t offer me much money. I couldn't take the job.

My uncle worked for a company where, if you rented their diapers each week, they'd give you a free picture of your baby. I told him I’d like to do that, I’ll take baby pictures. My uncle said, “No, there's no money in that.” I said, “Well, how much money?” And what he told me was more than I was offered at the first interview. So he set it up for me and I borrowed money from my mother to buy a camera. When I went out for my first appointment, the baby was sleeping and they wouldn’t let me in. When I went to the second appointment the baby was sick and they wouldn’t let me in. So my uncle was right. There's no money in that.

So I decided I would try to sell the photographs and that was a mistake. My Uncle was very good at it. He'd come back with $40, $50 orders from people who can't afford $10. I didn't like that very much. After a year of suffering through that, I call the employment agency back and he remembered me, and he laughed again. He sent me to two places.

Justin: As a photographic assistant?

Jerry: Yes. The first place was too fancy for me, it was really a catalogue house. They made a lot of money, but they didn’t do anything creative. The second place was up on top of a building. There were other guys waiting when I arrived and I was fourth in line. The stylist didn't know when the photographer was going to arrive, and told the first three guys to go out and get some coffee. After five minutes the photographer arrived, and I was the first in line. I had my interview, and he told me he would probably hire me. I didn’t quite believe him, and I went back to selling pictures on Long Island. I called home that night and my wife told me Bill Helburn had called. That was the photographer who said he would hire me. I figured I probably lost the job. I called him first thing in the morning and I got the job. I probably asked for the least amount of money. I worked for him for two and a half years. When I told him I was leaving, he offered me a piece of the business.

I had made a few friends in the industry. One of them was Bob Cato, who was an art director for Charm Magazine. He promised me work at the magazine, and just after I quit working for Bill Helburn, Bob Cato lost his job at the magazine. Now I had a big studio, a small rental, no work, but lots of experience photographing all the young woman who came to New York wanting to be models. We exchanged photographs for experience.

Justin: When did your work start to appear in Vogue?

Jerry: Through the small advertising agency of my friend, I started to get a few little assignments, around 1954 and, of course, Vogue was the first decent thing that I got.

I said to the secretary as I was leaving, “If I don't hear from him in two or three months, can I call back?” She said, “In two or three weeks, call back.” By the time I got back to the studio, he'd already called to give me an assignment. That was a beginning. It was small assignments, small pictures in the magazine. It was a start.

Justin: Were you into fashion photography?

Jerry: My father was the salesman in the family fur business and, in the showroom, they'd have one magazine, which was Town & Country. I do remember Milton Greene’s name. I guess he was doing most of the photographs for Town & Country at the time. I remember his name, and I didn't pay much attention to the photographs until I was in it.

Justin: And you were always into music?

Jerry: Yeah, even as a kid. I remember I always liked the big bands. I'd be in the car driving with my mother and I'd hear a band, tell her who it was, and she’s be so impressed. I was thirteen years old and I already knew the name of the band.

Justin: And in the 60s, with the Beatles, and the Stones, and Dylan. Were you into all that as well?

Jerry: In the beginning, I was more into rhythm and blues, and that was when I went to college. I went for a year to the University of Miami. It was just starting, and I found two other guys from Jamaica in my neighborhood and we had rented one room on Miami Beach — the three of us lived in that one room. I remember asking one of the bellmen where could we go to listen to music. He said, “Real music?” I said “Yeah.”

He took us out to this place. I guess it was a church, but a small building with spaces between the clapboards. You could see right through them and Count Basie was playing there. The place just shook, but he played for his people, and it was great.

Justin: At some point you merged your love of music and your love of photography and started shooting musicians as well?

Jerry: Oh yeah. Once I was working for magazines, I started to get assignments to do actors and other personalities.

Justin: This was the golden age of fashion photographers, people like Avedon, Penn, William Klein… Did you know them?

Jerry: I didn't know Penn. Actually, Penn bought a camera from me. I knew Avedon. I knew Bill Klein, because we both worked for Vogue. Norman Parkinson, Helmut Newton. When I first started working, I worked mostly in England, and I hadn't gone to Paris. I was friendly with David Bailey, Terrance Donovan and Duffy. They were my buddies. We were working all the time, and playing all the time. We just had a lot of fun.

Bailey told me when Beatles came here and we were all going crazy, he says “Hey, you haven't heard anything. You got to hear The Rolling Stones.” The next time I went over, we went to brunch at a friend's and Mick Jagger came in. At first I didn't know who he was, but he came into the brunch. Dirty sweater, very long dirty fingernails. I was talking to him and then I realized who he was. I hadn't heard the music yet. I said, “Where can I hear you play?” He said, “We're playing this afternoon.”

I said, “Oh, can we all go?” He said, “Yeah.” He called up the theater and put away some seats for us and we went in a caravan of about four or five cars. At the time, Mick’s girlfriend was Chrissie Shrimpton and she was driving his car. I remember that we all went up there, and when we got to the theater, I saw all these people, these kids outside screaming and running after the cars as we turned into the driveway.

We went to the backstage entrance and we couldn't get through the people. Mick got out of his car and started running for the backstage and they're pulling on his sweater, hair, all that. We got in. We fought the crowd and went inside. We watched about four or five groups perform. Red outfits, blue outfits, and I figure The Stones were putting on the chartreuse outfits or something. They came out, and they had his ripped sweater and I started to understand who The Stones were and where they were coming from.

Justin: Then, at one point, you shot the picture sleeve for single “Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadows.” What that your concept to dress them in drag for the sleeve?

Jerry: No, Andrew Oldham, their manager called me up, and said, “The Stones have a new single coming out, would you like to photograph them in drag dressed as their mothers?” I said, “Yeah, but I'd just as soon do them as Americans and shoot in New York.” They're wearing American military uniforms. Right around the corner from my studio was a building that looked just like the building I grew up in the Bronx, so I wanted to photograph them in front of that with a star in the window. We did that, and probably some of the most interesting ones are the back behind the scene there, getting dressed for the shoot.

Justin: To dress them in drag was a revolutionary idea at that time.

Jerry: I wasn’t thinking anything like that. But in the new Dylan book I’m doing, Jonathan Lethem (who did the text) also said “You started something,” referring to that sleeve, and mentioned David Bowie.

After that sleeve came out, Frank Zappa called me and wanted to do a combination of the Mothers of Invention in drag and the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper for the cover of their album We’re Only In It For The Money. We used fruit and vegetables instead of flowers.

Justin: Amazing. And you owned nightclubs?

Jerry: Yes, one was called Ondine. The other one was Salvation. We had a different crowd at Ondine. Ondine started as very café society. The person that started it was a Frenchman named Oliver Coquelin.

I had just come back from London the week that we were opening, and he showed me the records they were going to play and I said, “Oh come on.” Charles Aznavour, that's alright once in a while. So I took him to Colony Records and we bought about $100 worth of records and he said, “Oh, my patrons are not going to like that.” I said, “Do you want a successful club, or do you want just have your patrons?” We opened. We were very successful, and then Sybil Burton opened the club Arthur and that took a big chunk out of our business.

My partner, the person I found to manage the club, was friendly with the groupies, the kids that would come in there and give us atmosphere. They were telling us about the bands from California and I figured the way we should go was for the young people.

We brought in the Doors before their album. We brought in Buffalo Springfield before their album. We brought in Jimmy James and the Blue Flames, who a year later became Jimi Hendrix. Linda Keith, who was Keith Richard’s girlfriend at the time, told us about this guitarist she had seen down at Cafe Wha, a club in the Village.

But things were up and down at Odine. The stockholders reneged on the deal they had with me and wouldn’t pay me. I said, “Okay, I'm leaving,” because the same guy that offered us funding was starting another club, which was Salvation. I said to Bradley, my partner, “Let's go down and let's go with the other club.” We did, and Jimmy James (Hendrix) had just come back from London — he opened the club for us just one night, the first night. After that, we just had a disc jockey.

Justin: But no one knew who he was at that point?

Jerry: No, nobody knew who he was, but the club had a good reputation. We had everybody come to that club.

Justin: And was Andy Warhol and his crew hanging out at your club?

Jerry: They'd come, but they'd rather hang out at the Factory, although Albert Grossman, Bob Dylan’s manager called me and asked me if I would photograph Edie Sedgwick. He thought there was something there. I said, “Well, what?” He said, “I don't know, but there's something there.” I said yeah, I would. I was walking the street and there's Andy with Barbara Reuben who was an underground filmmaker.

“Hey, Andy. How you doing?” “Oh, good. How you doing?” “Oh, I'm photographing Edie…” and I sensed something because he didn't like anybody stepping into his territory. I didn't think I was stepping into his territory...I'm just photographing Edie. I'm not making her my super star or anything. I told him Albert asked me to and he goes, “Oh yeah, fine. Bye.” I get back to the studio and Barbara calls me and says, “Andy wants to know if you'll do five minutes of Edie for his film of her?”

I said, “yeah I’d like to” because I'd been playing around with a film camera. Hang up. She called back five minutes later. “Andy wants to know if he can do five minutes too? He's doing five minutes.” I thought for a minute. “Yeah, sure.” Hang up. She calls, “Can I come down?” I said yeah, everybody can come down. Everybody showed up. The Velvet Underground showed up. All of his gang showed up for the shooting, and I made them stay in the studio. We were in the dressing room. We did it. I have my footage but I’ve never seen Andy’s footage because, while we were shooting, Bobby Neuwirth said to Andy, “Andy there’s no film in the camera,” and Andy said, “oh it doesn’t matter.”

Justin: Did you ever photograph Velvet Underground as a band ?

Jerry: No. I photographed Nico when she was a model. I've got some good photographs of Edie. She's probably one of the most asked for photographs that I have. People just know of Edie, so Andy did a good job.

Justin: Tell me how the Dylan Blonde on Blonde album cover shoot came about.

Jerry: Albert Grossman, Bob’s manager, called me for that. I'd already been photographing Dylan.

Justin: Where was that picture taken?

Jerry: In the meatpacking district. The building doesn't exist anymore. We've tried to find it. People have asked, and then there was actually a search made for it, but they can't find the building. Some guy seems to have found the location because he plugged it into other things that might have been there.

Justin: It was one of the first rock double LPs and the way you used the one photo to cover both of the LP sleeves...

Jerry: Robbie Robertson, in his book, claims that it was his idea to do the double spread. That may be, because it wasn't my idea. I thought it was Dylan's idea, but in his book Robbie talks about it and how he suggested doing it that way.

Justin: When you shot that picture, it's a little blurry, and a little different. Did you know that was the cover, and did you know that it would have the effect it did?

Jerry: No. If they had asked me to send in my choice, I would never have sent that. It was the beginning of February. Dylan had on this little jacket. I didn't want to put on a big coat or anything, so I just had a little jacket. It was cold, and we were shivering. I grabbed about four images where it's blurred like that, moving.

Justin: So it's blurred because you were cold and moving the camera.

Jerry: Yes. Dylan, when he saw the photographs from that day, he picked that picture, which I was delighted about.

Justin: It's a great choice. It was really a breakthrough album, musically and visually. For me as a kid buying records, and for a long time after, record covers were almost — if not as — important as the music. It was what you saw first because we didn't have the ability to hear things before we bought them like we do now. You'd see a record in the record store. “Wow. This looks cool. I'll buy it.”

Did you ever think that in 2018 you'd be talking about this record cover still, that people are still blown away by it?

Jerry: No, no. I'm delighted. I think of these German publishers bullshitting me on the telephone. It's Bob Dylan. Put Bob on the cover and people will buy it. What are you talking about, that you want to change this, you want to change the type, and think people won't understand it.

Justin: So you're doing record covers with the biggest artists of the day, you're doing fashion photography shoots for Vogue. You're living a dream life right in the 60s, early 70s. And you’re a big part of it.

Jerry: Nora Ephron did a piece. It had something to do with “where's it happening.” I was always where it was happening. Her articles were good. She did five photographers. I think she did Hiro, Avedon, Halsman, me and somebody. I think it was at the Post, when it was a liberal.

Justin: Did you know or feel like that time and the work you were doing would have such an impact on modern culture?

Jerry: No, those things you know after. We were just living our lives and doing our thing.

Justin: When or what motivated you to want to go from what you were doing to making movies?

Jerry: When I went to do the collection for Vogue, I wanted to take my favorite model, Anne St Marie, with me to do the collection. Vogue said “No, we've got to find a new girl. She's been around.” I got so angry with that because she was still a great talent, a great beauty. I thought that was so unfair to her. That happened to many models. In those days, they started in their twenties, early twenties.

Justin: You got upset with Vogue for not letting you use the model you wanted to use for your shoot?

Jerry: No, I was pissed off at that story. I wanted to tell that story and I couldn't figure out how. I thought maybe I'd just do a series of photographs and show how beautiful this person is and all that. “No, we don't want to work with her. We've had too much of that.” It's that kind of power trip I didn't like; I always had it in my mind. Then there were a couple of producers from LA that got in touch with me, and they were doing a TV special, The World's Most Beautiful Women. Would I be interested in being an advisor on this?

I said, “yeah, of course.” They came in. They were two interesting guys. Not too interesting, but they were always fighting with one another. I remember that. They had this thing, and I said, “Who's directing it?” They said, “We don't have a director yet.” I said, “You know, I've been shooting film.” And they said “Let us see it.” I showed it to them. They liked it. They showed it to ABC. They liked it. So I was the director now. We went over, and it wasn't just cosmetic beauty. It was women that had more substance, like Antonia Fraser and Queen Sirikit of Thailand and Claudia Cardinale.

I did Antonia, and then we were waiting for Queen Sirikit to come into London, and she kept canceling. Finally, I told them I had an arrangement. I've got a job. I've got to get back to do that job, and I'll come back again. I left, and maybe two days after I left, she came to London and I couldn't come back. So they decided they would shoot her. They did, and the two guys are still fighting all the time. They each confiscated one segment, the one that I shot, and the other one. They wouldn't give it to each other. The network just canceled them out. But it gave me the experience, and I felt that maybe this is the way to tell my story.

I started to develop that story. It took me four years to get it on, but I started to develop it. I came back here. I talked to some friends of mine who knew a French writer. I got in touch with him. He was coming over to do something in California. I paid him to write a screenplay for me. He did. I liked it, but I didn't like him. He was just a pain in the ass. I didn't want to put up with that, so I just figured I'd take the loss and, by that time, I had already told my story to Faye Dunaway, and she fell in love with the character. So she became part of the project, and it was much easier at that point.

Justin: She had already starred in Bonnie & Clyde, which was a huge film.

Jerry: Yeah, I met her when she was doing her first film. Esquire sent me down to Florida to shoot her and then she did another film for Sam Spiegel, and then she did Bonnie & Clyde. When they came back to New York, Marianne Downy — her press agent — said, “Why don't you call Schatzberg and see if he'll do more photographs with you?” She did. I said, “Yeah, I'd love to,” and she had actually just got an apartment here on Central Park West. Went there, and looked like a hurricane had hit the place. But we became friends, and then once we were having lunch or dinner, she said, “What else are you doing?” I said, “I'm working on this film.”

I told her about the story and she fell in love with it and the character. Then she met the woman that the story is based on, so it just kept building. Through her agency, we got a deal with Warner Brothers. I found a writer, and he did a terrible screenplay. The first screenplay was pretty good, the Frenchman, but I just couldn't deal with him.

Then I was in an elevator in Los Angeles at the Beverly Wilshire, and somebody in the back said, “You Jerry Schatzberg?” It was a producer I had met at a party and he remembered me. He said, “What are you doing here?” I said, “I'm looking for a writer.” “Like what?” I told him a little bit about my story. He said “I just worked with a writer you should meet. I think she's great. But the director doesn't like her screenplay.”

I said, “Can I read it?” He sent me the screenplay and I fell in love with it. I called her up and I asked if she'd come and meet me and Faye Dunaway at the Beverly Wilshire, and she said, “Yeah.” I thought she'd kiss our rings or something. Shine my shoes. She was very nice, said “Yes, thank you” and she left.

I was going to do the film with film producer Ismail Merchant. I told him the story, and he was in India. He invited Faye and I to India. We went to India.

Justin: You and Faye Dunaway were romantically involved at this time?

Jerry: At the time, yeah. We went to India. Then we went around the rest of the world and back. I kept calling Ismail and telling him, “We've got to make a deal with this writer. I really want to use this writer.” He says, “Well, I've got to finish this film with James Ivory.” “Yeah, but you're telling me that all the time, and it'll go on and on and on, and I won't have a writer. I really want this writer.” I finally called him, and I said, “Ismail, we're going to have to end it because I'm moving on.” We made a deal with Paramount. No, first I went out to California. I rented a house there and I called Carole Eastman — who was the writer — and I asked her to come. I want to talk to her. She said, “Oh yeah, yeah.”

But every time I talked to her I said, “Don't worry. I haven't forgotten about you, Carole. I haven't forgotten about you.” She came up to the house. She says, “I can't stay very long because I've got a friend of mine in the car and she's got a bad toothache, and I've got to take her to the dentist.” I figure “Oh, she's making her escape.” I said, “Well, I've got a tape I'd like you to listen to.” “How long is that? Two and half hours? Oh no, I can't.”

I said, “How much can you listen to?” “Well, let's play the first ten minutes. Let me see what it is, and then we'll see.” In the car was Helena Kallianiotes, she played the hitchhiker in Five Easy Pieces. I said, “Well, do you want to invite your friend in?” She said, “No, no. She doesn't want to. She's shy.” I put the tape on. She sits there for two and half hours listening to the tape. She decided she wanted to do that film, so we made a deal. We became good friends. I'd go out to dinner with her and spend six hours with her just talking about it and all that. It was just great.

Justin: So what happens to this film?

Jerry: Then we got the script. I love the script. I brought it to the executive producer Bob Evans at Paramount to read. He didn't like it. He hated it. I said, “Oh, that's too bad.” He thought he was going to get Antonioni’s Blow Up, and my film was not Blow Up. Blow Up might have made more money, but my film was not that. My film's a really good film. I was just delighted with it.

Freddy Fields was my agent then. He said, “I've got maybe one more shot. I don't know where we go now, but I've got one more shot we'll try. I'm going to give it to Paul Newman and his company, see what they think.” Paul and Joanne Woodward read it and they loved it. Joanne had a roommate that had the same experience and she fell for it. My original thinking before I had met Faye, was thinking of either Joanne or Anne Bancroft as the aging model, and then just get a younger actress to do the other part. But after meeting Faye I thought she could do the part from beginning to end.

So we started off, and it worked beautifully. I remember the first time I wanted to bring Paul the script, let him read the script and talk about the script. We got there and before we even started working, Joanne came running out of the house. Sharon Tate and Jay Sebring had been murdered. They were very friendly with Jay, and I was very friendly with Sharon. We couldn't work and I just left. We were up in Connecticut and I called Roman Polanski who was in London. I went out to California for the funeral. It was a really sad time.

Justin: After all this, how does your first film Puzzle of A Downfall Child about an aging fashion model, whose life is now falling apart, finally get made?

Jerry: Well, in 1970 I took the film to Oregon, where Paul was shooting something. I know we showed it to Paul, his crew, and Henry Fonda. He loved the film. People loved the film. Then it was invited to the San Francisco Film Festival, and a Frenchman had seen it there. First of all, I didn't know the Frenchman, but he told me later that when he saw the schedule, he said, “Oh, a film by a bullshit fashion photographer. I'm not even interested.” He turned out to be an important person in the film world. I didn't know him. He called me and said, “I've called Universal because I want to represent the film in Paris and I just want you to know and we're moving ahead.” I said, “Wow. Goodness, that's fantastic.”

I brought the film to Universal’s executive's home to show his friends at his private screening room. They were all eating and drinking and half of them were drunk. I’m there and I hear people saying “I didn’t get that. What was that?” After the screening, the executive says, “I want to talk to you.” He takes me into a toilet and keeps me there for 20–25 minutes trying to convince me that I should have somebody do voiceover at the beginning to tell you what the film is about. I said, “I think if you just sit and watch it, you'll find out what the film is about.” He went on and on and he said “I won't change it unless you agree to it.” I said, “Okay, I don't agree to any changes.” Then he changed it.

I spoke to Pierre and told him what had happened at the executive’s house. He said, “I’ll speak to them.” He called Universal and said “I won't take the film unless it's the original Schatzberg film.” They said, “Oh come on, Pierre. We know what we can sell and what we can't sell.” He said, “I don't care.” Pierre said, “We won’t take it.” They had other prospects, so they said “we'll leave the European version as the original, and we'll do what we want in America.” They did, and I hated it. Every time it would come on, I'd just cringe. But then when years later when they went to restore the film, they restored my version because that was the first version submitted to them. The people in the labs didn't know which one, so they restored my version.

Justin: Your next film The Panic in Needle Park certainly made a big splash.

Jerry: Yeah. Well, that was sent to me right at the end of my finishing Puzzle, and the film lab scratched the last six minutes of my negative. Screw came loose and just scratched the negative all the way to the end. I had a safety, but you can see the difference when the film changed. Now digital has made it so you can do that stuff, but I was very upset. I got the script for Panic at that same time. I didn't like the script. I don't know if I liked it or not, but I didn't like it in my mind. I was really too concerned about Puzzle and the lab's mess.

Justin: Who approached you to direct the film?

Jerry: My agent. They had the script that Joan Didion and John Dunne had written. They were looking for a director, and she saw my film and loved it. I went to my business manager and he said, “There's a good script around.” I said, “What's that?” He said, “It's called Panic in Needle Park.” I said, “Funny, I think I just turned that down.”

He asked why and I didn't tell him about the scratching. I said, “Drugs. I don't know. Too many friends have died.” We're having conversation and he's trying to talk me into it and he says, “You know Al is interested in it.” I had seen Al with him on stage four or five years before that, and I remember saying to him if I ever made a film, that's a guy I'd like to work with.

Justin: Al Pacino, we are talking about. This was his first movie role?

Jerry: This was his first. He had a small role in Me, Natalie or something like that, but this is his first major role. My agent was trying to get him as a client, so we went backstage afterwards and the difference between seeing him on stage and seeing him backstage, you could see how great an actor he was. On stage, he just blew me away, and then he was this pussycat backstage. I went back, read it again that night. Called up the producers again and told them how foolish I was, and they agreed.

Dominick Dunn was the producer, and he was at a party and he was talking to the publisher Helen Gurley Brown about this film. She says, “Well, that sounds terrific. Why don't you talk to Richard?” Richard Brown was her husband, a producer with Richard Zanuck. So my agent talked to him about the film, there at the party, and then he went and gave him the script. Then they said, “Well, what about the directing. I don't know his work.” So they looked at Puzzle, maybe the beginning and the end, and they said okay. Now I was the director of his film.

Everything was going fine. We started to do some pre-production. They decided they didn't want Pacino. He was too old. He was thirty-one looking twelve. I said to Nick, “Nick, the reason I'm doing this film is because Pacino is involved.” “I know,” he said, but let's go through the charade of casting and at the end tell them it's got to be Pacino.”

I trusted him, we went through the process of casting, and the last actor that came to see me was Robert DeNiro. He was pretty good.

Justin: That's a tough choice.

Jerry: But then the more I thought about it, for me Al is the character. Even though DeNiro is a great actor and he did a great job auditioning with it, Al is the part. So I left it at that. One day I'm looking in a store window on Third Avenue, and I hear a voice behind me saying, “Man, I really want to do that part.” I turn around and it's DeNiro. It's like a deer in the headlights, and you don't know what to say, so I told him the truth. He looked at me, and he turned and walked away. Through the years, we see each other, “Hi.” That's all. Just like that.

There was a tribute to Morgan Freeman at Lincoln Center. I was speaking and he was speaking. We nodded at each other. hey wanted us to come back on stage after Morgan spoke, and so I come out. I was standing there. I forget who I was talking to, but DeNiro walks by me. He stops. He comes back. “Hi Jerry.” It took forty years for him to say “Hi, Jerry” to me. That was it. He would have been great in it.

Justin: Well, I think you made the right choice.

Jerry: Yeah, Al was pretty good.

Justin: People still talk about New York in those days, how New York is not the same. What's your take on it?

Jerry: It's not the same. But you have to adjust. I'm not the same.

Justin: The world is not the same. It's not a change for a better or a change for worse. It's just things always change.

Jerry: Well, for some people it's a change for better. Some people it's a change for worse. There are probably some things I don't like about it. There were less restaurants, and I enjoyed going to the few that were special. Now there are more restaurants, and I enjoy going to the ones that have good food.

Justin: How do you feel about the internet, and how it's taken over everyone's life?

Jerry: Oh, that's changed everything. That changed the whole film world. I haven't done a film in ten years. I've been working on one, but I stopped working because I figure my legacy is going to be in my photographs.

Justin: Yes, do you keep up with what's going on with current photographers?

Jerry: So many that I don't know them. Now that you can take a picture and take it again, and again, and again. I see some wonderful things. People have wonderful eyes. They don't experiment as much, and the ones that do experiment do too much experimenting, doing things that have no soul. They add graphics to them, but they don't have any individual souls. It's tough to find people that can take a portrait like Penn, or get the excitement that Avedon gets in a picture.

Justin: Was there anyone that you wanted to shoot that you never got to shoot?

Jerry: I would have liked to have shot Miles Davis. I would have like to have shot James Dean. But I shot so many.

Justin: You've had quite an amazing life. How old are you now?

Jerry: Ninety-one.

Justin: Any regrets?

Jerry: Of course there's always regrets, but regrets are not anybody else's business but mine. But I've had a good life. I'm not complaining. I've lived a good long life.

Justin: I look forward to your next movie, I hope you finish it.

Jerry: I really like the way it's going. Now that I've finished with the book, we're going to concentrate more on that because I think I've gotten some interesting ideas on it.

Justin: I could talk to you from now til tomorrow.

Jerry: No, you can't.

Justin: I can’t. But I would like to.

Jerry: Let’s call this part one then.

#Jerry Schatzberg #just/talk #interview #justin strauss #nyc #ace hotel new york #yes #photography #film #faye dunaway #bob dylan #blonde on blonde #ace new york #legends

9 notes · View notes

huntressjinsoul · 7 years ago

Text

Girl’s Day

Rating: T, Mentions of drinking and sex

Pairings: FemMC x Estela, Michelle x Quinn, Zahra x Craig, Grace x Aleister, Diego x Raj, Sean x Jake (platonically but could be viewed as romantic)

Summary: The girls of the Endless Summer gang have a girl’s day together (also has a character cameo from a diff book 👀)

Author’s Note: In honor of Endless Summer coming back from war. This takes place when they all eventually get off the island and save the world. No angst bc there’s already enough of that just fun fluff

“I can’t believe I got roped into this.”

“Oh come on, Zahra, it’ll be fun,” Quinn said excitedly.

“Seat belt babe,” Michelle told Quinn sternly but softly.

“Yeah, Z, it’ll be fun and relaxing,” MC grinned as she turned to face Zahra from her passenger seat. “You have the directions pulled up right?” She directed that question towards Estela. She nods quietly as she pulls off from the driveway.

“Whatever, at least I have the back row all to myself,” Zahra mumbles as she stretches out.

“Where are we going first Michelle?” Grace asks the girl beside her.

“Well, we’re going to the mall to shop for a while, then we’re gonna go for some brunch just like I promised before. We’ll go to the spa afterwards near the mall. Finally, we’re gonna go back to Sean and Craig’s apartment to get dressed for cluuuuuubbbbiiinnnggg,” Michelle answered animatedly while singing the last part.

“So that’s why you texted us to bring a club dress to their apartment,” Estela said quietly.

“Ooooo that looks great on you Grace.”

“You really think so, Quinn?” Grace asked timidly. The girls were shopping for dresses in the mini boutique at the mall, minus Estela and Zahra, who looked bored out of their minds.

“Yes, it looks great. Now can we move along now?” Zahra asked exasperatedly.

“Hold on, I have to choose between these three outfits,” MC told her, then directed her attention to Estela, “Estela, which one looked better on me?”

Estela looked up from her phone and studied the outfits closely. “The red one,” she replied before going back to her phone.

MC shrugged then stowed the other two outfits away. “Alright I’m done. Let’s go pay for these.” Grace, Michelle, Quinn, and MC went to pay for the clothes while the other two waited for them. Afterwards, MC and Quinn dragged their blushing girlfriends to Victoria’s Secret with Grace and Zahra silently chuckling at them.

“You should totally get this for yourself Grace,” Michelle holds up a matching bra and panties set and Grace blushes. “Plus, imagine Aleister’s reaction to it. Poor guy won’t even speak coherently once he sees you.”

“I-I’ll think about it,” Grace replies.

“Don’t buy it just for Aleister though. You are a strong, intelligent, and sexy woman all on your own. If you want to buy it, buy it because you want to,” Michelle added. Grace’s face changed into a look of confidence and took the set in her arms.

“Alright let’s go and pay before Zahra dies of boredom in this place,” MC giggles as she glanced over to said person, who’s half asleep on the bench. Estela wakes her up and the girls go to Gamestop, upon Zahra’s request of course.

“Now this is more my style,” Zahra grins as she quickly enters the store like a kid in a candy shop. “No way! They have the new expansion for Aeternum Chronicles: Legend of the 7 Crystals! Craig’s gonna freak when I buy this for him.”

“Aww that’s so sweet,” Quinn stated, then looked at Michelle, “We should get into playing video games too.”

Michelle and Zahra laugh, as if it’s a joke. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s a good idea, sweets. Me and video games don’t mesh well.”

“I can verify that. She was playing with me and Grace and killed both of us and then herself,” Zahra snorts as Grace giggles and nods, confirming the story.

On the other side of the store, Estela is browsing the video games with MC behind her. “Isn’t this your favorite one babe?” MC asked Estela as she reached for the game and handed to her.

“Hmmm. I didn’t realize they released a new Assassin’s Creed game yet,” Estela said as she inspected the game.

MC took the opportunity to wrap her arms around Estela from behind, holding her close. “Y’know, watching you play that game turns me on a bit. Imagining you as Ezio or Desmond is hot,” she whispered into Estela’s ear.

Estela blushed a deep red and turned slightly to meet MC’s gaze. “Good to know.” She kissed MC’s cheek.

“Hey lovebirds, let’s go! We’re all done here,” Michelle said, interrupting them. They all quickly pay for their things and made it out to the parking lot to go to eat brunch.

“So, Estela, in honor of your first time having brunch, I’m gonna take you to my favorite place ever,” Michelle said as everyone got out of the car. They walked into the restaurant, and Michelle was immediately greeted by the waiter, Daniel. He led them all to their seats and pulled out menus for them all.

“So what does one eat for brunch?” Estela asked, a bit confused. MC mentally awwed at her face.

“I usually get something sweet,” Quinn replied, “Like something I would eat for breakfast like a cinnamon roll or a strawberry crepe.”

“I just want a sammich,” Zahra says bluntly.

“I guess I’ll get the sandwich,” Estela mumbled. “What are you getting MC?”

“I’ll just go with a small salad,” she shrugged. The girls gave their orders to Daniel and carried on with their conversation.

“But seriously it sucks that we all had to be held back a year because of that trip,” Michelle said. “It already takes long enough to become a neural surgeon regularly, now I have to double down the effort,” she groans.

“I’m sure you’ll do great,” Quinn replies, kissing her girlfriend’s cheek. “After we graduate, I’m gonna open up a bakery just like I said I would and everyone’s invited for free desserts.”

“Oooo yes! Score!” Zahra exclaimed. Everyone looked at her amusedly. “What? The girl makes good pastries.”

“What are the rest of you girls doing after you graduate?” MC asked the remaining girls.

“I’ll probably work for my mother’s company or help Aleister rebuild Rourke Industries,” Grace replied happily. “After coming home, I flew out and had a long talk with my mom and we’re finally on good terms again.” The girls gave out congratulations to her while she beamed.

“I don’t know what I’m doing yet. Maybe start my own tech company or something. Or get into the esports scene,” Zahra shrugged. “What’re your and Estela’s plans?”

“I don’t know. After all the shit we’ve been through on that island, I just want to lay low for a while,” MC answered truthfully. The girls silently agreed on that, knowing that MC experienced a lot more worse things than them. “Maybe become a private investigator or a journalist or something.”

“I think I’m gonna go into law school,” Estela said. “There’s this pro bono firm I’ve been looking to intern in.”

“A PI and badass lawyer? Remember me when you guys become the new legal power couple.” The girls laughed at Zahra’s comment before Daniel came back with all their food. They carried on to less serious conversations while they ate. After they finished, they all went back to the car and drove to the spa place.

“Now remember, MC, Zahra, no eating the cucumbers,” Michelle told them as they entered the building. The said girls glared at her while the others giggled silently. “Reservations under Nguyen. Party of six please,” she told the hostess. They were all led inside the spa place and went off to do whatever they wanted.

“Thanks for booking this place, Michelle, I already feel relaxed,” Grace said happily.

“No problem, Gracie. I wanted to treat all of us like queens for a few hours,” Michelle replied as she wrapped her hair up. “Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a sauna calling for me with Quinn in it,” she smirked as she walked towards the sauna.

“Aye no fucking in the sauna!” MC called out, getting the attention from the other customers. They all glared at her while she blushed embarrassingly. “Oops, probably shouldn’t have said that out loud.”

Grace chuckled, “C’mon, let’s go get our nails and hair done before you embarrass yourself further.” She dragged a still flustered MC away from the main room and into the side salon room.

Meanwhile, Zahra and Estela were getting massages together, getting their muscles relaxed. “Sooo,” Zahra said, trying to start up a conversation.

“Yes?” Estela replied.

“Can you like, teach me all your combat moves and stuff? Cause you’re seriously badass and I wanna learn.”

“Sure, if you teach me how to hack. I’ve been wanting to learn… for reasons.”

“Yeah, sweet,” Zahra grinned. Their masseuses looked up at each other and silently made alarmed faces, but shrugged at each other and didn’t say anything before going back to their jobs.

After a few hours later, the girls finished all their treatments up. MC had lost rocks, papers, scissors between the four of them and had to pull Quinn and Michelle out of the sauna. She looked mortified after they all left and told the other three girls, “I can never unsee what I saw,” and, “you guys owe me so much.” Grace and Zahra doubled over laughing while Estela patted MC’s back comfortably. Michelle blushed as red as a tomato while Quinn looked smug and satisfied. They all piled up in the car again and went back to Sean and Craig’s apartment. The guys were all there playing poker.

“Hey, you girls want to join in for a few rounds?” Diego grinned as he held out a beer.

“You might not want to, cause I’m on a winning streak,” Jake smirked. The whole gang was able to clear Jake’s name after returning to the U.S and reunite him with his family.

“It’s just luck,” Sean grumbled.

“Well if it’s luck, does that includes getting lucky with you, Steve Rogers?”

Raj does a spit take all over the table, choking out hearing Jake’s statement. Diego is right behind him in a quick stride, patting his boyfriend’s back. “Deep breaths, babe.”

“What did I say about getting a room you two?” Aleister said, annoyed.

“Annnnyyyyways… we’ll have to take a rain check on this lovely poker night. The girls and I gotta get dressed to go clubbing,” Michelle interrupted. She dragged the girls into Craig’s room and pulled the outfits out of the closet. “Well thank god Craig doesn’t use his closet and just leaves his clothes everywhere.”

“Speak for yourself, you know how hard it is to get it on when you’re tripping over everything?” Zahra snarked. MC laughed as she helped Michelle with the clothes. They laid and handed out the outfits.

“Alright, Quinn and I are on make-up and Grace will do hair. No offense to you girls MC, Estela, and Zahra, but you girls couldn’t tell a make-up brush to a broom,” Michelle stated. While MC looked offended, Estela and Zahra looked at each other and shrugged, silently agreeing. “The bathroom’s across the hall and Sean’s room is the next door. Let’s take turns getting dressed and glammed up and then wow the boys with our looks.”

When they all finished dressing, Michelle and Quinn put the final adjustments on Grace and Zahra while MC and Estela put the final adjustments on each other’s outfits. Estela and Zahra didn’t want to hassle and wear a dress and donned jeans and a bomber jacket for Estela and a leather one for Zahra. Michelle and Quinn wore semi-matching short blue dresses. Grace wore a yellow jumpsuit while MC wore her LBD. “Alright ladies, we are ready so let’s go and give these boys a run for their money,” Michelle said as she clapped her hands.

The girls walked out of Craig’s room and into the living area where the boys were playing Mortal Kombat. Craig was up against Aleister while the others cheered them on until Diego spotted the girls. “Well you girls look muy fuego!” he exclaimed.

Raj turned to look at the girls and Diego, pouting. “Hey, I’m feeling a little jealous here.”

“I’m gay, not blind Raj,” Diego said then pecked him on the lips before getting off of the arm of the sofa. “Have fun ladies, but not too much fun. I don’t want to get a call from MC saying that you’re all in the middle of skinny dipping in a fountain.” Aleister and Craig dropped their controllers and turned around. Once they saw their respective girlfriends, their jaws dropped to the floor.

Craig climbed over the back of the couch- but tripped and face planted- got back up and rushed over to Zahra. “Can boyfriends be invited to clubbing as well? You look frickin great.”

“Keep it in your pants Hsiao. We’ll be back at a reasonable hour so we won’t deprive you of our beauty. C’mon ladies, let’s go have some fun!”

Aleister caught Grace before she left through the door. “Ahem, have fun and be careful, sweetheart.”

Grace kissed him on the cheek, “I will. Have fun with the guys.” She heard a scoff and a faint ‘not likely’ before she smiled and walked out.

“Have fun girls! I’ll be sure to have Steve Rogers and me decent before you come back!” Jake called out. Sean blushed and hit him on the shoulder.

“I want shots!” MC yelled over the booming music. “C’mon Michelle, come get them with me.” MC dragged Michelle off to the bar while the others found a table.

Michelle was trying to keep up with MC, but she ran into someone roughly.

“Excuse you!” “Watch where you’re going!”

“Wait… Becca! Hey, I haven’t seen you around Hartfeld,” Michelle exclaimed.

“Meech! Oh my god, I haven’t seen you in awhile either! How’s it going? Was your trip fun?” Becca smiled at her.

“Umm, it was very adventurous I’ll say that,” Michelle replied. “I’m doing good, pre-med is still kicking my ass. I heard you left the sorority. What happened?”

“I went through some troubles the past year and my own damn pride made me a total bitch to Madison. I left it because I couldn’t afford the membership but I’m happy to say that everything’s alright now.”

“Well, that’s great. I have to go to help my friend carry the drinks, but we should hang out sometime. I have a new phone so do you mind giving me your number again?” Michelle took out her phone as Becca shook her head. She put her number in the phone and gave it back. Once they exchanged goodbyes, Michelle walked over and helped MC carry the trays of shot glasses.

“So, who was the blonde?”

“An old sister at my sorority. She was one of the few sisters I actually held in high regard for and confided in. We were thought of as total bitches but we didn’t care- we grounded each other.”

“I’m glad she was there for you,” MC said. They walked over to the table where the rest of the girls were and laid out the glasses. “Alright, five glasses for each. Let’s get hammered tonight!” The girls cheered and downed their glasses. Everyone, except for Estela and Zahra, felt slightly buzzed by the time they finished the shots and a drink of their own.

After most of them were tipsy, Quinn dragged all of the girls, Zahra reluctantly, onto the dancefloor. Grace laughed as Quinn attempted to twerk on Michelle, who looked equally happy and embarrassed. Zahra disappeared somewhere amongst the crowd and dragged Grace with her.

MC and Estela were dancing at their own pace until a sensual song played. MC decided to be bold and turned around to grind on Estela. She heard Estela have a sharp intake of breath and smirked. Estela held onto MC’s hips as they continued to dance. After a few seconds, MC felt Estela’s lips on her neck and gasped. They weren’t always the ones who showed PDA, but as of right now, both of them didn’t care.

“If it weren’t for the other girls, we’d be catching a car back to your apartment,” MC said breathlessly.

“Well thank god we are because I am not letting you girls get kicked out for public indecency.” Michelle butted in.

Estela immediately removed her hand from the front of MC’s pants and blushed. MC faced Michelle and Quinn, who were smirking at the blushing couple. “Uhh we got a little carried away?”

“Right,” Quinn giggled, “Meech and I were wondering if you’ve seen Zahra and Grace? We haven’t seen them for awhile now.”

“Eh, we shouldn’t worry about them that much. I mean, how much trouble can they get in?” MC shrugged.

“Apparently a lot since they appear to be getting kicked out,” Estela pointed out in the direction of the door. Sure enough, the bouncers were escorting a smug Zahra and a worrisome Grace out the door.

“Guess we have to cut this girls’ night out short,” Michelle pouted. The girls walked over toward the door and followed Zahra and Grace out. “What happened?”

“We were on our way to the restroom when this dude came onto Grace. He was really drunk and wasn’t taking no for an answer. When he grabbed Grace, I reacted and punched him in the face. Really wished I kicked him in the balls instead because his face hurt my hand,” Zahra explained.

“Oh my god, are you ok, Grace, Zahra?” Quinn asked as she inspected said girls for any bad injuries.

“Yeah, we’re fine. I’m just glad Zahra was there to help me out.”

“Eh, it’s no problem. Support your local girl gang, or whatever the hell Quinn said about sticking together,” Zahra shrugged.

“Well, let’s go back to the guys’ apartment and we can crash in my apartment since it’s right next to theirs,” Grace said. The girls nodded and took two separate Ubers home since all of them couldn’t fit in one. Once they got back to the apartment, Grace ushered them in to hers. “We can raid the guys’ for their food. I was supposed to go shopping for food tomorrow.”

“Sweet, Craig has a cheese puff stash and I know where it is,” Zahra grinned. The girls went over to Sean and Craig’s apartment and found that the guys were already asleep. “Pshh, what a couple of old men.” Diego was on Raj’s lap cuddled into his neck while Craig and Aleister were asleep on the floor. Jake had his head rested on Sean’s shoulder from their place on the couch, whether that it was intentional or not, they’ll never know.

The girls raided their refrigerator while Zahra took the cheese puffs. They quickly dipped out of there and carried out the food back to Grace’s apartment. The girls stayed up watching movies and talking until the wee hours of morning until they all crashed.

The last thing Michelle thought as she looked around the sleeping girls was Best Family Ever.

49 notes · View notes

katsmanlaw · 3 days ago

Text

Simplify your real estate transactions with Aaron I. Katsman. We're your trusted lawyer for buying a home in Queens, NY, and a reliable real estate attorney in Long Island and Nassau County.

#Lawyer for Buying a Home in Queens and Long Island #NY

0 notes

elitesvouchers12 · 5 years ago

Text

Ny Real Estate Ownership Guide

This article is designed to be a roadmap for those first time homebuyer or seller. Throughout, I'll guide you because of the many steps of purchasing or selling your property and provide you with in the process how to avoid the most common mistakes. You will also learn both the appropriate and psychological problems often encountered. For most people, buying (or selling) a home is one of the biggest part of living the "American dream". It's also probably the biggest investments they will ever produce. Not surprising then, that many find this experience to be highly exciting but also worrisome at the same time. Achieving the final transaction and additionally transfer of funds for the property (referred to because the "closing") can leave many home owners feeling exhausted, sometimes depressed. The same can be said for buyers. However , should the process is done correctly, it can also be both interesting and remarkable for everybody involved. The ultimate outcome depends on many factors: instance, energy needed to devote to the transaction, thoughtfulness and tolerance. All these traits are included in the process, and all will offer an impact on your bottom line. That's why preparation is key in any specific successful transaction. The process, complicated by multiple transactions in addition to waiting periods, can be quite confusing. Parc Canberra EC transactions require proficiency. Those wanting total control of the transaction with a do-it-yourself attitude can make many costly mistakes. So unless individuals and sellers have a solid background in Real Estate, individuals stand to lose thousands of dollars in any given transaction. Saving regarding New York Real Estate Attorney Fees Trying to save a few further dollars on legal fees may sound like a nice suggestion, especially for those with large down payments. But this strategy might possibly backfire. You may end up being penny-wise, but broke in the long run. There are a lot detailed procedures involved in the purchase process that the vast majority in consumers may overlook. In one of the biggest purchases you will ever have, it's simply not the time to "bargain shop". Remember the crucial element criteria: if you can't afford to see the big picture in your transaction you probably aren't ready to close the deal. The amount of allowed by the law fees charged should not be the deciding factor in hiring a special New York Real Estate Lawyer. You retain a New York Property Lawyer because you trust that they will represent your best interest in any transaction. The bottom line is that you want a New York Real Estate Lawyer you possibly can trust, if trust becomes an issue you are well instructed to seek another New York Real Estate Lawyer, no matter how minimal the fees are. For the most part, a New York Real Estate Solicitors aim to satisfy their clients and keep that happiness within the legal bounds of the law --all at the same time. Typically the happier their clients, the busier the New York Housing Attorney will be with future clients. So it makes commonsense as much as it makes dollars sense to retain the latest York Real Estate Lawyer who aim is to achieve the particular client's goal in the real estate transaction. Real Estate transactions focus on use of standard legal language. It is quite understandable therefore, if a buyer or seller do not understand the terms used by the transaction. First-time homebuyers have the worst experience. That's the reason why it makes sense to hire a New York Real Estate Lawyer this type of represent your interest and can help you avoid pitfalls along with unnecessary problems. If not detected prior to closing, once a dilemma occurs, it can take time and money to correct the situation. Your lawyer with experience in New York real estate law can help steer a buyer or seller away from costly mistakes. How much home fits my needs? When buying a home, you will have to determine what property will fit your needs. Picking the right somewhat property to purchase requires careful planning, organization, and lose. Since most people don't have the time, real estate brokers can be extremely helpful on letting you understand the many issues you might encounter. The things involved can be overwhelming. What matters need further inquiry? Which homes come with bad neighbors? There are many matters you choose to need to inquire about when you look at different properties the fact that interests you. However , some issues are common to most realty purchases. A simple tip is to determine what borough you like to exist. If you plan on living in Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Remote island, Manhattan or Long Island, you may want to deal with a broker because borough. Coop or Condos? Cooperatives are the most popular building purchased in New York City. One reason for this is a trend beyond expense-ridden properties where foreclosures are common. Another reason for coop popularity is convenience. Deals can be less expensive (about 1 / 2 the price of a condo) and may involve less paperwork from the closing. Less financial stress and fewer headaches may appear good, right? But what most buyers don't know will be that when you buy a co-op, you're NOT buying the physical flat. Actually, you're buying "shares" of a corporation that keeps the building which contains the co-op on its secure. Also keep in mind that, just like any other company, a co-op seems to have officers such as a president, a vice-president and a treasurer. And like any other company they're responsible for the well being of your coop. If the coop suffers a financial meltdown, you could potentially lose your apartment investment altogether. What happens if I achieve decide to buy a coop? You receive a stock certificate along with a proprietary lease. The co-op requires that each coop operator pay a "maintenance fee". If you own a condo, you're going to be paying a "common charge. " Usually, the each month fee paid by a shareholder is almost double the bill paid by condo owners. Sometimes a co-op primarily "owns" the improvements, and some other company or enterprise owns the land. This form of co-op is not an obvious situation, but it does exist. Your New York Real Estate Legal practitioner should be able to assist you in determining if you are purchasing such a property. Whereby does the maintenance fee go? How is the investment property? When an "entity" (i. e. some organization or perhaps other company) holds a mortgage of the co-op, the house corporation must pay a monthly mortgage payment to bank. The "maintenance fee" charged to coop users helps the corporation offset this cost. By charging each one shareholder a charge per share the "maintenance fee" helps pay the city taxes on the property as a whole and even pay for the expenses in maintaining the property (such because superintendent or doorman) The "common charge" for a property helps offset the expenses associated with the maintenance of the making. Elevators, painting, cleanliness and any landscaping all want funding not to mention the common areas of the residential unit. It is very important note that the monthly fee is not fixed. Just like hire, it can be increased. In buying a condo, however , you are investing in a portion of the physical building in which the apartment is located. In which case you own part of the building and will receive a deed to the place that shows that you are the legal owner. The common rates for condos usually tend to be stable. Most co-ops need to have that a seller receive approval by the board before aiming to sell. Likewise, the buyer must also be approved by the panel to make sure that the buyer will be a "responsible" co-op owner. One exception to this rule to this situation is when the coop has a special popularity as being a "sponsor unit". That means that when the building was initially converted into a co-op, the co-op conversion plans able the sponsor of the building to reserve the right selling unsold shares without board approval. If you are purchasing typically the co-op from the original sponsor, then most likely you will not require board approval. The same applies to subletting the unit. In most cases you absolutely need permission. In some cases, purchasing the unit from the original sponsor, will probably entitle you to the same rights and privileges as the bring in. Recently after the cost of fuel skyrocketed, many co-ops and condos monthly fees increased. So when buying a hen house or condo make sure that you understand the financial future implications. Ask for the financial information before signing on the the important point. Should I buy a single or multi-family residence? One of the most widespread dilemmas encountered when purchasing a home is whether to obtain a "single-family home" or "muti-family home". Common sense dictates that a single-family home will cost you significantly less than a multi-family place, and will appreciate accordingly. What are the advantages? The peace that comes with it is enticing for some. Not having to deal with renting to visitors, and the headaches of hiring (or being) a landlord. However , on the other side of that argument, a multi-family home could be a financial plus: the rental income helps with the regular monthly mortgage payments and makes ownership less financially stressful. How must a real estate agents help me? Normally the first person you will have direct contact with in the purchase or sale of area or residence, is a real estate agent. Most people use them rather than complete the work themselves. The agent works for his or her supervisor, and they are labeled "brokers". The kind of relationship you have with the agent can have a main impact on how well you as a buyer or seller, figure out the initial process, and transaction. Two important points: Providers can normally provide good advice and suggestions regarding your order or sale. Since they're well-educated in both the property trading markets and their field, they are can give you past efficiency for a particular property. However , although the agent may seem to be effective for you, unless expressly contracted for, they normally improve the seller! What is a Binder? Why is it important? A binder (otherwise known as an "offer to purchase") is the first of all document secured by a minimal money deposit. You will ordinarily sign a binder at the moment that you decide to make owner an offer to purchase. This tells the seller that you are fascinated by making the purchase. Once the Binder Agreement is completed, the real estate broker or agent will present it towards the seller. If accepted, the property will no longer be shown to audience. It is important to note that the binder, unlike a contract regarding sale, is subject to a time limit. Unless the binder details the money to be refunded, it will be forfeited under almost all circumstances. What should I know about the "Contract of Sale"? The contract of sale is the first formal place of the buying and selling process. When you have retained a New York Real estate property Lawyer and have made an acceptable offer, at this point in time, you will and the seller will sign a contract of good discounts. The seller's New York Real Estate Attorney will normally produce the contract and then the buyer's New York Real Estate Solicitor will review the contract to make sure that you are protected as a result of any future problems (both legal and residential issues). It's also important to note that when the buyer signs the contract, a fabulous "Down Payment" is given to the seller for the seller's San francisco Real Estate Attorney to hold in a special account called the "Escrow". The seller's New York Real Estate Attorney is required through ethical rules to do so. However , not to worry: the entire amount of money will of course, be credited to the buyer and put on the final outstanding balance at "closing. " The biggest error a buyer or seller can make is signing an important contract of sale before getting adequate legal reflection. A contract of sale is an agreement to purchase not to mention sell the property. Once it's signed, it becomes the legal document. If you change your mind and want to transformation the terms of the agreement or if you want out of the contract altogether, then you will find yourself in an extremely frustrating legalised bind. That's why an experienced New York Real Estate Lawyer is necessary during the process, especially at the beginning stages. The contract of selling dictates exactly how the transaction will proceed. It states how payments will be made and collected, and contains the important details. Tell your New York Real Estate Lawyer each detail which you think is important and essential to you intensions. For example , maybe you are selling another property while simultaneously the purchase of a home. Since the sale of your property is a condition, who condition is a major detail that you should tell your New You are able to Real Estate Lawyer since, the other "party" may have not recognized your offer had they known such a condition. A second issue that sometimes comes up is the issue of occupancy. Generally a house is sold vacant. However , if you would like to keep the present tenants, it is a good idea to tell your New York Real Estate Legal counsel (assuming it's not a new construction), and that by itself can save you occasion and hassle in the process of renting the property later on. In the form of seller, should I have my home inspected? Home inspections can make or break the deal. A New York Real Estate Lawyers can secure a condition in the contract of sale that allows the buyer to refuse to purchase the property if the home inspector determines that the structure is not physically sound. Termite challenges or signs of other wood-destroying insects are amazing reasons for a buyer to opt out of the contract. In such instances the seller usually return the buyer's down payment and all of us walks away from the table. Home inspections are relatively comfortable, inexpensive and will save you a lot of time and money. Finding a Texas Real Estate Lawyer? When looking for legal representation, most importantly, you will want New York Real Estate Attorney whom you feel comfortable with. If you don't feel at ease with a particular New York Real Estate Attorney, chances are that you will not need a good working relationship. An experienced New York Real Estate Lawyer, what person you feel comfortable with, can be greatly beneficial in explaining and also reducing the mystery out of buying or selling real estate in Los angeles. Your New York Real Estate Lawyer can review and organize the contract of sale, order title insurance, plus conduct key parts of the transaction. Making sure the property you may be purchasing has no undisclosed liens. If they do exist, a different York Real Estate Lawyer can take care that they will be happy prior to the closing. The last thing you need is to have uncertainties and questions about your transaction. You want to make sure that since of course the documents are signed and notarized, that you understand what just happened and that you are confident that everything was basically done correctly. When should I close the deal? The termination is the climax of the transaction. The buyer's New York Properties Attorney is normally the ringmaster who coordinates the time as well as place of the closing. The closing is where the social gatherings meet to finalize the deal. Normally the parties notice at the meeting are the seller and their New York Realty Attorney, the bank's New York Real Estate Attorney, and the heading representative. What occurs at the closing table can be digested to three major steps: The bank makes the payday loan to the buyer and in return the buyer gives the bank an interest in the property (Mortgage) The buyer turns that loan to the site the seller and in turn receives a deed from the dealer The title company makes certain that the seller does genuinely own the property they are transferring Unless there are any dangerous outstanding issues, the closing can take about 2-3 time. At this stage, the buyer should have obtained homeowners Insurance prior to the ending. Since not all insurance companies charge the same prices for the buying value of a house you might want to shop around before the closing. Last but not least, a day or two prior to the closing, it's always a good idea to instigate a walk though of the property to make sure that it is in the very same condition as when you decided to buy it.

0 notes

mariethemushroom · 5 years ago

Text

Ny Real Estate Ownership Guide

This article is designed to be a roadmap for those first time homebuyer or seller. Throughout, I'll guide you because of the many steps of purchasing or selling your property and provide you with in the process how to avoid the most common mistakes. You will also learn both the appropriate and psychological problems often encountered. For most people, buying (or selling) a home is one of the biggest part of living the "American dream". It's also probably the biggest investments they will ever produce. Not surprising then, that many find this experience to be highly exciting but also worrisome at the same time. Achieving the final transaction and additionally transfer of funds for the property (referred to because the "closing") can leave many home owners feeling exhausted, sometimes depressed. The same can be said for buyers. However , should the process is done correctly, it can also be both interesting and remarkable for everybody involved. The ultimate outcome depends on many factors: instance, energy needed to devote to the transaction, thoughtfulness and tolerance. All these traits are included in the process, and all will offer an impact on your bottom line. That's why preparation is key in any specific successful transaction. The process, complicated by multiple transactions in addition to waiting periods, can be quite confusing. Real estate transactions require proficiency. Those wanting total control of the transaction with a do-it-yourself attitude can make many costly mistakes. So unless individuals and sellers have a solid background in Real Estate, individuals stand to lose thousands of dollars in any given transaction. Visit here : Ola EC Saving regarding New York Real Estate Attorney Fees Trying to save a few further dollars on legal fees may sound like a nice suggestion, especially for those with large down payments. But this strategy might possibly backfire. You may end up being penny-wise, but broke in the long run. There are a lot detailed procedures involved in the purchase process that the vast majority in consumers may overlook. In one of the biggest purchases you will ever have, it's simply not the time to "bargain shop". Remember the crucial element criteria: if you can't afford to see the big picture in your transaction you probably aren't ready to close the deal. The amount of allowed by the law fees charged should not be the deciding factor in hiring a special New York Real Estate Lawyer. You retain a New York Property Lawyer because you trust that they will represent your best interest in any transaction. The bottom line is that you want a New York Real Estate Lawyer you possibly can trust, if trust becomes an issue you are well instructed to seek another New York Real Estate Lawyer, no matter how minimal the fees are. For the most part, a New York Real Estate Solicitors aim to satisfy their clients and keep that happiness within the legal bounds of the law --all at the same time. Typically the happier their clients, the busier the New York Housing Attorney will be with future clients. So it makes commonsense as much as it makes dollars sense to retain the latest York Real Estate Lawyer who aim is to achieve the particular client's goal in the real estate transaction. Real Estate transactions focus on use of standard legal language. It is quite understandable therefore, if a buyer or seller do not understand the terms used by the transaction. First-time homebuyers have the worst experience. That's the reason why it makes sense to hire a New York Real Estate Lawyer this type of represent your interest and can help you avoid pitfalls along with unnecessary problems. If not detected prior to closing, once a dilemma occurs, it can take time and money to correct the situation. Your lawyer with experience in New York real estate law can help steer a buyer or seller away from costly mistakes. How much home fits my needs? When buying a home, you will have to determine what property will fit your needs. Picking the right somewhat property to purchase requires careful planning, organization, and lose. Since most people don't have the time, real estate brokers can be extremely helpful on letting you understand the many issues you might encounter. The things involved can be overwhelming. What matters need further inquiry? Which homes come with bad neighbors? There are many matters you choose to need to inquire about when you look at different properties the fact that interests you. However , some issues are common to most realty purchases. A simple tip is to determine what borough you like to exist. If you plan on living in Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Remote island, Manhattan or Long Island, you may want to deal with a broker because borough. Coop or Condos? Cooperatives are the most popular building purchased in New York City. One reason for this is a trend beyond expense-ridden properties where foreclosures are common. Another reason for coop popularity is convenience. Deals can be less expensive (about 1 / 2 the price of a condo) and may involve less paperwork from the closing. Less financial stress and fewer headaches may appear good, right? But what most buyers don't know will be that when you buy a co-op, you're NOT buying the physical flat. Actually, you're buying "shares" of a corporation that keeps the building which contains the co-op on its secure. Also keep in mind that, just like any other company, a co-op seems to have officers such as a president, a vice-president and a treasurer. And like any other company they're responsible for the well being of your coop. If the coop suffers a financial meltdown, you could potentially lose your apartment investment altogether. What happens if I achieve decide to buy a coop? You receive a stock certificate along with a proprietary lease. The co-op requires that each coop operator pay a "maintenance fee". If you own a condo, you're going to be paying a "common charge. " Usually, the each month fee paid by a shareholder is almost double the bill paid by condo owners. Sometimes a co-op primarily "owns" the improvements, and some other company or enterprise owns the land. This form of co-op is not an obvious situation, but it does exist. Your New York Real Estate Legal practitioner should be able to assist you in determining if you are purchasing such a property. Whereby does the maintenance fee go? How is the investment property? When an "entity" (i. e. some organization or perhaps other company) holds a mortgage of the co-op, the house corporation must pay a monthly mortgage payment to bank. The "maintenance fee" charged to coop users helps the corporation offset this cost. By charging each one shareholder a charge per share the "maintenance fee" helps pay the city taxes on the property as a whole and even pay for the expenses in maintaining the property (such because superintendent or doorman) The "common charge" for a property helps offset the expenses associated with the maintenance of the making. Elevators, painting, cleanliness and any landscaping all want funding not to mention the common areas of the residential unit. It is very important note that the monthly fee is not fixed. Just like hire, it can be increased. In buying a condo, however , you are investing in a portion of the physical building in which the apartment is located. In which case you own part of the building and will receive a deed to the place that shows that you are the legal owner. The common rates for condos usually tend to be stable. Most co-ops need to have that a seller receive approval by the board before aiming to sell. Likewise, the buyer must also be approved by the panel to make sure that the buyer will be a "responsible" co-op owner. One exception to this rule to this situation is when the coop has a special popularity as being a "sponsor unit". That means that when the building was initially converted into a co-op, the co-op conversion plans able the sponsor of the building to reserve the right selling unsold shares without board approval. If you are purchasing typically the co-op from the original sponsor, then most likely you will not require board approval. The same applies to subletting the unit. In most cases you absolutely need permission. In some cases, purchasing the unit from the original sponsor, will probably entitle you to the same rights and privileges as the bring in. Recently after the cost of fuel skyrocketed, many co-ops and condos monthly fees increased. So when buying a hen house or condo make sure that you understand the financial future implications. Ask for the financial information before signing on the the important point. Should I buy a single or multi-family residence? One of the most widespread dilemmas encountered when purchasing a home is whether to obtain a "single-family home" or "muti-family home". Common sense dictates that a single-family home will cost you significantly less than a multi-family place, and will appreciate accordingly. What are the advantages? The peace that comes with it is enticing for some. Not having to deal with renting to visitors, and the headaches of hiring (or being) a landlord. However , on the other side of that argument, a multi-family home could be a financial plus: the rental income helps with the regular monthly mortgage payments and makes ownership less financially stressful. How must a real estate agents help me? Normally the first person you will have direct contact with in the purchase or sale of area or residence, is a real estate agent. Most people use them rather than complete the work themselves. The agent works for his or her supervisor, and they are labeled "brokers". The kind of relationship you have with the agent can have a main impact on how well you as a buyer or seller, figure out the initial process, and transaction. Two important points: Providers can normally provide good advice and suggestions regarding your order or sale. Since they're well-educated in both the property trading markets and their field, they are can give you past efficiency for a particular property. However , although the agent may seem to be effective for you, unless expressly contracted for, they normally improve the seller! What is a Binder? Why is it important? A binder (otherwise known as an "offer to purchase") is the first of all document secured by a minimal money deposit. You will ordinarily sign a binder at the moment that you decide to make owner an offer to purchase. This tells the seller that you are fascinated by making the purchase. Once the Binder Agreement is completed, the real estate broker or agent will present it towards the seller. If accepted, the property will no longer be shown to audience. It is important to note that the binder, unlike a contract regarding sale, is subject to a time limit. Unless the binder details the money to be refunded, it will be forfeited under almost all circumstances. What should I know about the "Contract of Sale"? The contract of sale is the first formal place of the buying and selling process. When you have retained a New York Real estate property Lawyer and have made an acceptable offer, at this point in time, you will and the seller will sign a contract of good discounts. The seller's New York Real Estate Attorney will normally produce the contract and then the buyer's New York Real Estate Solicitor will review the contract to make sure that you are protected as a result of any future problems (both legal and residential issues). It's also important to note that when the buyer signs the contract, a fabulous "Down Payment" is given to the seller for the seller's San francisco Real Estate Attorney to hold in a special account called the "Escrow". The seller's New York Real Estate Attorney is required through ethical rules to do so. However , not to worry: the entire amount of money will of course, be credited to the buyer and put on the final outstanding balance at "closing. " The biggest error a buyer or seller can make is signing an important contract of sale before getting adequate legal reflection. A contract of sale is an agreement to purchase not to mention sell the property. Once it's signed, it becomes the legal document. If you change your mind and want to transformation the terms of the agreement or if you want out of the contract altogether, then you will find yourself in an extremely frustrating legalised bind. That's why an experienced New York Real Estate Lawyer is necessary during the process, especially at the beginning stages. The contract of selling dictates exactly how the transaction will proceed. It states how payments will be made and collected, and contains the important details. Tell your New York Real Estate Lawyer each detail which you think is important and essential to you intensions. For example , maybe you are selling another property while simultaneously the purchase of a home. Since the sale of your property is a condition, who condition is a major detail that you should tell your New You are able to Real Estate Lawyer since, the other "party" may have not recognized your offer had they known such a condition. A second issue that sometimes comes up is the issue of occupancy. Generally a house is sold vacant. However , if you would like to keep the present tenants, it is a good idea to tell your New York Real Estate Legal counsel (assuming it's not a new construction), and that by itself can save you occasion and hassle in the process of renting the property later on. In the form of seller, should I have my home inspected? Home inspections can make or break the deal. A New York Real Estate Lawyers can secure a condition in the contract of sale that allows the buyer to refuse to purchase the property if the home inspector determines that the structure is not physically sound. Termite challenges or signs of other wood-destroying insects are amazing reasons for a buyer to opt out of the contract. In such instances the seller usually return the buyer's down payment and all of us walks away from the table. Home inspections are relatively comfortable, inexpensive and will save you a lot of time and money. Finding a Texas Real Estate Lawyer? When looking for legal representation, most importantly, you will want New York Real Estate Attorney whom you feel comfortable with. If you don't feel at ease with a particular New York Real Estate Attorney, chances are that you will not need a good working relationship. An experienced New York Real Estate Lawyer, what person you feel comfortable with, can be greatly beneficial in explaining and also reducing the mystery out of buying or selling real estate in Los angeles. Your New York Real Estate Lawyer can review and organize the contract of sale, order title insurance, plus conduct key parts of the transaction. Making sure the property you may be purchasing has no undisclosed liens. If they do exist, a different York Real Estate Lawyer can take care that they will be happy prior to the closing. The last thing you need is to have uncertainties and questions about your transaction. You want to make sure that since of course the documents are signed and notarized, that you understand what just happened and that you are confident that everything was basically done correctly. When should I close the deal? The termination is the climax of the transaction. The buyer's New York Properties Attorney is normally the ringmaster who coordinates the time as well as place of the closing. The closing is where the social gatherings meet to finalize the deal. Normally the parties notice at the meeting are the seller and their New York Realty Attorney, the bank's New York Real Estate Attorney, and the heading representative. What occurs at the closing table can be digested to three major steps: The bank makes the payday loan to the buyer and in return the buyer gives the bank an interest in the property (Mortgage) The buyer turns that loan to the site the seller and in turn receives a deed from the dealer The title company makes certain that the seller does genuinely own the property they are transferring Unless there are any dangerous outstanding issues, the closing can take about 2-3 time. At this stage, the buyer should have obtained homeowners Insurance prior to the ending. Since not all insurance companies charge the same prices for the buying value of a house you might want to shop around before the closing.

0 notes

torontotravelblog · 6 years ago

Text

Toronto Travel Prep Guide

Toronto, Canada can sometimes get confused with just another city, as it’s neither the capital nor the cultural favorite like Montreal. However, there’s so much more to it than skyscrapers! The neighborhoods like Kensington Market, Distillery District, Queen Street West, and Chinatown offer so many chances for exploration. The yearly Toronto International Film Festival is one of the city’s most popular events. Shops, ethnic eats, and street art all make Toronto a great destination for all types of travelers.

If we’ve left anything out or you’d like to join the conversation, please leave comments below!

Toronto Travel Expenses Tips

Toronto is a reasonably priced destination for travelers, especially when compared with other North American cities like New York or Miami. As long as you know how to cut corners, you’ll be able to get plenty of bang for your buck in Canada.

Enjoy the free attractions. You don’t have to spend a fortune to appreciate Toronto. For example, the street art that covers the city is completely free, as are the parks! Tour Guys offers a number of free tours of the city. The Art Gallery of Ontario has free admission on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The Bata Shoe Museum offers “pay what you like” admission on Thursdays from at 5 pm. The Scarborough Historical Museum also offers the same system every day.

Exploring Graffiti Alley in Toronto, Twirl the Globe

The Big List of Free Things to Do in Toronto, Frugal Mom Eh

Skip cabs and cars. Leave the car behind because you won’t need it unless you’re venturing out further. Public transportation is easy to use, including the metro, buses, and trams. If you’re trying to go even cheaper, there’s bike rentals. Toronto is also extremely walkable and doesn’t have too many hills. I had no trouble walking from the bus station to my hostel.

How to Get Around Toronto with Subway and Streetcars, For Two, Please

Stay in one of the neighborhoods. The advantages of staying outside of the Central Business District are many. Not only will you save some loonies, but you’ll also get to experience Toronto like a local. I recommend the Kensington Market area.

Exploring Toronto’s Kensington Market Neighbourhood: A Travel Guide, Brittany Thiessen

Essential Gear to Pack for Toronto

Pack for Toronto like you would just about any other big city. It certainly depends on the season, but summers are mild and winters can be extra chilly with snow. Learn how to pack light for cold weather travel.

Comfy shoes– If you plan on walking during most of your visit, which I recommend, be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes.

Light waterproof jacket– Not only is this good to have in case of a sudden rain storm, but it will also keep you from having to buy a cheap poncho at Niagara Falls!

Cash– Change over your money to use on public transportation. Cards are accepted just about everywhere else, but I didn’t have coins one night on the train and had to borrow.

What to Pack for Summer Activities in Eastern Canada, Tortuga Backpacks

Books to Read Before Visiting Toronto

There are a number of books set in the city of Toronto but not all reach national acclaim. But these are a good few to start with before your trip.

Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood– A controversial painter returns to her home city of Toronto for a retrospective of her work. While there, she remembers her childhood and friends. Grab a copy on Amazon.

Headhunter by Timothy Findley– A librarian is reading a book when a character jumps out of the page. She frantically searches the streets of Toronto in search of him before it’s too late. In the meantime, a number of children end up in institutes with the same disease. Grab a copy on Amazon.

The Killing Circle by Andrew Pyper– A failed novelist joins a writer’s group in hopes of finding inspiration. During this time, a serial killer is terrorizing Toronto. He listens to the tales of a fellow writer, which sound familiar to what’s going on in real life. Grab a copy on Amazon.

Consolation by Michael Redhill– Telling two stories at separate points in time in Toronto, a geology professor throws himself from a ferry and a young apothecary is struggling to make his life in a new country. Grab a copy on Amazon.

Lemon by Cordelia Strube– A high school girl named Lemon has a dysfunctional life and decides not to try and fit in any longer. Grab a copy on Amazon.

Movies to Watch Before Visiting Toronto

Fans of shows like Degrassi may know the skyline well, but the independent film scene is also thriving in Toronto.

Breakfast with Scot– Based on the novel of the same name, a gay retired hockey player lives with his sports lawyer partner in Toronto. Their lives are changed in when they take in his brother’s stepson. Grab a copy on Amazon.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World– Another film based on a popular series, Michael Cera stars as Scott, who must battle the ex-boyfriends of the girl he likes in honor to win her heart. Grab a copy on Amazon.

This Beautiful City– The lives of four Toronto residents collide one night when a woman jumps from her window in a suicide attempt and runs into a couple trying to recover from addiction. Grab a copy on Amazon.

The F Word/What If– The film had different names in some countries, but it starred Daniel Radcliffe. He stars as a medical school dropout who falls in love with his best friend, who happens to be with her live-in boyfriend. Grab a copy on Amazon.

Top Things to Do in Toronto

Toronto has the most attractions and museums of any Canadian city, so you certainly won’t get bored. If you plan on visiting a number of them, get a CityPass or other combination pass. And don’t forget about the outdoors as well!

CN Tower– The most imposing structure in the Toronto skyline, go to the top for the best views or even a walk along the edge!

Niagara Falls– While not in Toronto proper, this easy day trip showcases the beautiful waterfall that straddles the American and Canadian borders.

St. Lawrence Market– This food hall predates the current trend, offering butchers, bakeries, and much more.

Casa Loma– Once a private home, this castle is now a museum and event space where you can see how the other half lives.

Hockey Hall of Fame– Sports fans will appreciate a trip to the museum devoted to Canada’s favorite pastime.

Centre Island– The island across the harbor from downtown has its own theme park and petting zoo, open seasonally.

Art Gallery of Ontario– This art museum’s collection includes works from Africa, Oceania, Europe, and, of course, Canada.

Bata Shoe Museum– It seems like an odd choice for a museum, but this one has four galleries of footwear ranging from ancient China to the modern day.

Royal Ontario Museum– Memorable exhibits at this museum include Chihuly glass, dinosaur fossils, and Egyptian mummies.

Tours– There’s a tour for every interest including street art, beer, history, and even pork. I recommend Urban Adventures and Tour Guys. Or search on Viator.

Caroline in the City Guide to Toronto, Caroline in the City

The Travelettes Guide to Toronto, Travelettes

Things to Do in Toronto, Canada, Y Travel Blog

Where to Stay in Toronto

There’s an accommodations option for every price range, starting from the hostels and going up to luxury hotels.

Planet Traveler is a luxurious hostel with a rooftop patio, full kitchen, and computers for you to use.

The Drake Hotel is a chic boutique hotel in the heart of the hip Queen Street West district.

Thompson Toronto is a luxury hotel with the best rooftop pool in the city.

The Ivy at Verity is a boutique property with unique rooms, each different from the next.

AirBnB is another option, which is ideal for a more local experience and additional space.

What Not to Do in Toronto, Conde Nast Traveler

Food and Drink in Toronto

You may not think of Canada when it comes to well-known dishes, but you will certainly eat well in Toronto.

Poutine– Ah yes, a Canadian classic. The hand cut fries are topped in brown gravy and cheese curds and can be found all around town. Some varieties are standard while others are topped with pulled pork and other offbeat toppings.

Craft beer– Toronto has a surprising number of craft and local breweries like Steam Whistle, Left Field, and Granite breweries.

Caesar– Don’t call it a Bloody Mary! This Northern interpretation uses Clamato juice instead of tomato juice.

Butter tart– These tarts are totally decadent with butter and sugar in a pastry crust.

Anything at Tim Horton’s– You can’t go to Canada without stopping by this quintessential coffee shop for a cup and a doughnut.

My 10 Must Eats in Toronto, This Beautiful Day

Toronto: Where to Eat, Round the World Girl

The post “ Toronto Travel Prep Guide “ was appeared first on HER Packing List

IV Vitamin Drip Therapy Toronto Clinic - The IV Lounge

0 notes

rtirman-blog · 7 years ago

Text

6 Intro to Linden Blvd

The Day of Infamy, the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, I was 5 years old. I have no recollection of that moment in history. It was not long after that when we moved to 264 Linden Boulevard.

The war changed things- meatless Tuesdays, air raid drills, a Rosie-the-Riveter mother, stealing from the 5-and-10 (Woolworths), smoking cigars, and playing hooky from school. I suppose I can’t blame the war for my stealing, smoking, and skipping school… that would take a good lawyer. However, when I tell you about me in those days, you would have to conclude that something was going wrong within me or within my life or both.

The effort to beat the Germans and Japs reached our household. Mother went to work at Sperry’s assembling airplanes for the war. (I am assuming she was working on planes- I suppose it could have been tanks or jeeps). Nonetheless, whatever she did, she was probably good at doing it. She was someone whose talents I always admired. Anything she put her mind to doing got done, and done as well as any professional could do it. Although I had very little knowledge of all her achievements, what I witnessed was enough. Perhaps I am guilty of putting a halo over her head because I was actually most proud of her looks- she was real pretty. I guess that is what is meant by the “halo affect”

By this time in my life, as I’ve told you, I was officially a bed-wetter. For sure, this put me at odds with my mother, even if screaming on a street corner wasn’t doing the job. A wet bed really “pissed her off”. She was not fun when she got angry. She would scream, yell, and sometimes hit, which was not a crime in those days. Besides, her anger always seemed justified to me. If I got yelled at, or hit, I deserved it.

One morning, when we were living on Linden Blvd, I awoke very early before anyone else in our apartment was awake. I had wet the bed. Quickly, I pulled the sheet off the bed, and put a clean one on it. Not smart! This led to double trouble. Not only was the original sheet wet and reeking from urine, the new sheet got just as wet and smelly as the original sheet. The mattress was soaked through. Putting the new sheet on the bed was akin to putting a blotter on a puddle of ink. So I ended up getting slapped for wetting the bed and for being stupid.

I’m certain Daddy didn’t agree with how she handled things. I would like to think he would have intervened in that bed-wetting incident, but that’s impossible- he wasn’t there. I think he was in the Army.

Today, as I look back, it’s interesting to me how I viewed Brooklyn through a self-devised map. As I saw it, Flatbush Avenue ran north and south. Basically, on the east side of Flatbush Avenue, Bedford, Rogers, Nostrand, New York, and Utica Avenues ran parallel to it. On the west side of Flatbush Avenue, the parallel streets are Ocean Avenue and Ocean Parkway. All the Avenues from D to N ran perpendicular to Flatbush. Also, Linden Boulevard, Farragut Road, Church Street, Ditmas Avenue, Dorchester Road, Foster Avenue, and Clarendon Road ran perpendicular to Flatbush. It isn’t a perfect grid because some of those “parallel” streets curve and even cross. The Flatbush-Nostrand Junction is a good example. Even Flatbush Avenue started going southeast below Avenue D. But when I was little, it’s how things appeared to me in my immediate neighborhood. It helped me not feel lost and to know how to get home.

Brooklyn has far more than the Flatbush area. There are well known neighborhoods that I would only be able to tell you where I think they are located. Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Brownsburg, Flatlands, Canarsie, Coney Island, Marine Park, are some of the areas in Brooklyn that I can think of. Excluding Coney Island, if I’ve been to any of them more than three times in my life, that would surprise me.

At six years of age, living on Linden Boulevard, going east, Utica Avenue was about as far as I would dare to go. It was as if it was the edge of the world. Westward, Linden Boulevard ended at Flatbush Avenue. So for all practical purposes, there was “foreign” land to the west of Flatbush Avenue. Going north on Flatbush would get me to Prospect Park, the Botanical Gardens, The Grand Army Plaza, and to the Manhattan Bridge, as well as Borough Hall and Brooklyn Heights. Going south on Flatbush you would eventually be on an old cobblestone road, built during the depression by the WPA. Flatbush eventually goes over the Rockaway Bridge to Riis (pronounced Reese) Park, a beach where the water had waves. Riis Park is not part of Brooklyn. It is actually a part of Queens that swings south around Brooklyn. Coney Island was fun because there were lots of carnival entertainment places – Steeplechase, Luna Park, The Wonder Wheel, the Cyclone roller coaster, and lots of other stuff. But there were so many jetties that the water between them was as calm as a swimming pool. No one rode waves at Coney Island- there were none. On the other hand, Riis Park had waves to challenge all swimmers- but no rides.

That’s enough of this geography lesson. Most readers could care less. But writing all that down, however inaccurate as it may be, helps me to recall lots of experiences in my life. Also, as I said before, it kept me from feeling lost,

I’m pretty sure our address was 264 Linden Boulevard. It was a 4-story apartment building on the south side of the street. It was close to the corner of Nostrand Avenue. The apartment was on the second floor. I can remember only one time when both mother and Daddy were there together in that apartment.

I stole 5 bucks ($5) from Daddy, went to the 5 and 10 (Woolworth’s), and bought myself an American Flag, a drum, and drumsticks. What comes next is insight into how brilliant I was as a youngster. To not get caught, I hid my purchases behind my parents’ bedroom door. I don’t know what I was thinking. I suppose I thought they would never go into their bedroom again or, if they did, they would not shut the door. Naturally, none of that happened. They discovered the goods rather quickly, and they pinned it on me in an instant.

Next thing I knew, my mother dragged me to the 5 and10. I had to tell the manager of the store about stealing the money from my parents to buy my patriotic purchases, and to request a refund in exchange for the returned, unused merchandise. I also had to apologize to my mother in front of the manager. The manager made the exchange with a brief lecture.

Looking back at that incident today, my first thought was that the manager went along with it because he didn’t want to have to deal with my mother. However, the thought does occur to me the manager might have been trying to make points with my mother. Remember I told you how beautiful she was. However, $5 was quite a sum to most people trying to make a living during the war. He may have had instant compassion for my mother and our family, who might have to “go without” because of a little patriotic, brat-thief.

In my memory, my father was not involved one iota in correcting the situation I created… my mother did it all. It seems to me, disciplining his children was not part of my father’s concept of “fatherhood”. That doesn’t mean he didn’t do anything to keep me, and my brothers, on the right track. I would never have consciously done anything that would have hurt or embarrassed my dad. That certainly would help keep me on the “straight-and-narrow”. However, when you think about my judgement from birth to 18, it speaks to the notion that my father wasn’t a disciplinarian.

My mother’s corrective actions, more uncomfortable as they may have been, would probably lead me up the same path. From today’s perspective, both parents helped me and my brothers grow up with a sufficient sense of guilt and shame.

1 note · View note

sunlitneon · 5 years ago

Text

New York Real Estate Ownership Guide

This article is intended to be a guide just because homebuyer or dealer. All through, I'll manage you through the numerous means of buying or selling your property and disclose to you in the process how to keep away from the most widely recognized slip-ups. You will likewise learn both the lawful and mental issues frequently experienced Real Estate For a great many people, purchasing (or selling) a house is one of the greatest piece of living the "American dream". It's additionally likely the greatest speculations they will ever make. Not amazing at that point, that many see this experience as energizing yet in addition troubling simultaneously. Accomplishing the last exchange and move of assets for the property (alluded to as the "end") can leave many mortgage holders feeling depleted, even discouraged. The equivalent can be said for purchasers. Be that as it may, if the procedure is done accurately, it can likewise be both intriguing and energizing for everyone included. A definitive result relies upon numerous variables: time, vitality expected to commit to the exchange, astuteness and tolerance. Every one of these attributes are remembered for the procedure, and all can affect your main concern.

That is the reason planning is key in any effective exchange. The procedure, confounded by numerous exchanges and holding up periods, can be very befuddling. Land exchanges require aptitude. Those needing complete control of the exchange with a do-it-without anyone's help mentality can commit numerous expensive errors. So except if purchasers and venders have a strong foundation in Real Estate, they remain to lose a large number of dollars in some random exchange.

Saving money on New York Real Estate Attorney Fees

Attempting to spare a couple of additional dollars on legitimate expenses may seem like a pleasant thought, particularly for those with enormous up front installments. Be that as it may, this technique may reverse discharge. You may wind up being penny-wise, however broke over the long haul. There are many point by point systems engaged with the buy procedure that by far most of shoppers may ignore.

In perhaps the greatest acquisition of your life, it's just not an opportunity to "deal shop". Recollect the key criteria: on the off chance that you can't stand to see the 10,000 foot view in the exchange you presumably aren't prepared to settle the negotiation. The measure of lawful expenses charged ought not be the central factor in procuring a specific New York Real Estate Lawyer. You hold a New York Real Estate Lawyer since you believe that they will speak to your wellbeing in the exchange. Basically you need a New York Real Estate Lawyer you can trust, if trust turns into an issue you are very much encouraged to look for another New York Real Estate Lawyer, regardless of how low the charges are. Generally, a New York Real Estate Lawyers intend to fulfill their customers and keep that fulfillment inside the lawful limits of the law - all simultaneously. The more joyful their customers, the busier the New York Real Estate Attorney will be with future customers. So it bodes well as much as it bodes well to hold a New York Real Estate Lawyer what aim's identity is to accomplish the customer's objective in the land exchange.

Land exchanges include utilization of standard legitimate language. It is very justifiable at that point, if a purchaser or vender don't comprehend the terms utilized in the exchange. First-time homebuyers have the most noticeably terrible experience. That is the motivation behind why it bodes well to contract a New York Real Estate Lawyer who can speak to your advantage and can assist you with staying away from entanglements and pointless issues.

If not distinguished before shutting, when an issue happens, it can require significant investment and cash to address the circumstance. A lawyer with involvement with New York land law can help steer a purchaser or dealer away from expensive missteps.

What sort of home meets my requirements?

When purchasing a home, you need to figure out what property will meet your requirements. Picking the correct sort of property to buy requires cautious arranging, association, and penance. Since the vast majority don't have the opportunity, land intermediaries can be incredibly useful in letting you comprehend the numerous issues you may experience. The inquiries included can be overpowering. What is important need further request? Which homes accompany awful neighbors? There are numerous issues which you have to ask about when you take a gander at various properties that intrigues you. In any case, a few issues are regular to most land buys. A straightforward tip is to figure out what district you like to live. On the off chance that you plan on living in Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan or Long Island, you might need to manage a representative in that precinct.

Coop or Condos?

Cooperatives are the most famous property bought in New York City. One explanation behind this is a pattern away from cost ridden properties where dispossessions are normal. Another purpose behind coop ubiquity is accommodation. Arrangements can be more affordable (about a large portion of the cost of an apartment suite) and may include less desk work in the end. Less budgetary pressure and less cerebral pains may sound great, isn't that so? Yet, what most purchasers don't know is that when you purchase a center, you're NOT purchasing the physical loft. As a matter of fact, no doubt about it of an organization that claims the structure which contains the center on its property. Likewise remember that, much the same as some other organization, a community has officials, for example, a president, a VP and a treasurer. What's more, much the same as some other organization they're liable for the prosperity of the coop. On the off chance that the coop endures a monetary emergency, you could lose your condo speculation inside and out.

What occurs on the off chance that I do choose to purchase a coop?

You get a stock endorsement and a restrictive rent.

The center necessitates that every coop proprietor pay an "upkeep expense". On the off chance that you own an apartment suite, you'll be paying a "typical charge." Usually, the month to month expense paid by an investor is practically twofold the expense paid by condominium proprietors.

Once in a while a community just "possesses" the enhancements, and some other organization or association claims the land. This type of community isn't the typical circumstance, yet it exists. Your New York Real Estate Attorney ought to have the option to help you in deciding whether you are buying such a property.

0 notes

wekewar173 · 5 years ago

Text

The Secrets to Accomplishment to Investing in Real Estate

This is exactly why preparation is input any effective transaction. The method, complicated by multiple transactions and waiting intervals, can be very confusing. Property transactions involve expertise. These looking complete control of the exchange with a do-it-yourself perspective may make several costly mistakes. So until buyers and sellers have a solid history in True Estate, they stay to reduce 1000s of pounds in just about any given transaction.

Trying to save yourself a couple of additional pounds on legal charges may seem such as for instance a wonderful idea, specifically for individuals with large down payments. But that strategy might backfire. You might turn out to be penny-wise, but broke in the long run. There are many step-by-step techniques active in the purchase procedure that a large proportion of consumers may overlook. Realtor Leads

In one of the biggest buys of your lifetime, it's simply not the time for you to "discount shop ".Remember the important thing conditions: in the event that you can't manage to begin to see the major picture in the transaction you probably aren't willing to close the deal. The quantity of legitimate charges charged should not function as choosing aspect in hiring a particular New York True Estate Lawyer. You keep a New York Real Property Lawyer when you trust that they may symbolize your best fascination with the transaction. The bottom line is that you want a New York Real House Attorney you can confidence, if trust becomes an issue you are well suggested to find anotherNew York Real House Attorney, no matter how minimal the expenses are. For the most part, a New York True Property Lawyers aim to satisfy their clients and hold that pleasure within the legitimate bounds of the law --all at the exact same time. The happier their clients, the busier the New York True Estate Attorney will be with potential clients. Therefore it makes wise practice around it creates pounds feeling to keep a New York Actual House Attorney who intention is to attain the client's purpose in the real estate transaction. Actual Property transactions involve utilization of typical legal language. It's really understandable then, in case a buyer or seller don't understand the phrases found in the transaction. First-time homebuyers have the worst experience. That's the reason why it's wise to employ a New York True House Lawyer who will signify your curiosity and can allow you to prevent issues and needless problems.

Or even detected just before shutting, after a problem occurs, it will take time and income to fix the situation. An lawyer with knowledge in New York real estate law will help drive a buyer or retailer away from expensive mistakes.

When investing in a house, you've to find out what house may match your needs. Choosing the proper sort of home to buy involves cautious preparing, company, and sacrifice. Since most persons do not have enough time, real-estate brokers can be extremely useful in making you realize the countless issues you might encounter. The issues involved can be overwhelming. What matters need further inquiry? Which homes come with poor neighbors? There are lots of matters that you need to inquire about once you look at different properties that pursuits you. But, some problems are normal to many property purchases. A simple suggestion is to determine what borough you like to live. If you plan on surviving in Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Ny or Long Island, you might want to cope with a broker because borough.

Cooperatives are the most popular home bought in New York City. One basis for this can be a tendency far from expense-ridden homes where foreclosures are common. Yet another reason for coop reputation is convenience. Offers can be less costly (about half the price tag on a condo) and may possibly require less paperwork in the closing. Less financial pressure and fewer headaches may appear excellent, correct? But what most buyers do not know is that when you get a co-op, you are NOT purchasing the physical apartment. Really, you are getting "shares" of a corporation that possesses the making which provides the co-op on its land. Also bear in mind that, the same as every other organization, a co-op has officers such as a leader, a vice-president and a treasurer. And exactly like some other company they're responsible for the well being of the coop. If the coop undergoes an economic meltdown, you may lose your residence expense altogether.

0 notes

trunewsofficial · 5 years ago

Text

AG Fires BoP Chief Over Epstein ‘Suicide’

In the wake of the reported “suicide” of convicted pedophile former financier Jeffrey Epstein, and in the midst of an investigation into the same, Attorney General William Barr has announced a complete change in leadership at the Bureau of Prisons. Dr. Kathleen Hawk Sawyer will now serve as BOP director, and Dr. Thomas Kane will serve as her principle deputy. Hawk Sawyer served as the BOP director for more than a decade during the George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush presidencies. The attorney general said: “I am pleased to welcome back Dr. Hawk Sawyer as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Under Dr. Hawk Sawyer’s previous tenure at the Bureau, she led the agency with excellence, innovation, and efficiency, receiving numerous awards for her outstanding leadership. I am also pleased to announce Dr. Thomas R. Kane as the Deputy Director of BOP. Dr. Kane served in the Bureau for over thirty years under four Attorneys General and is known for his expertise and proficiency in prison management and organization. During this critical juncture, I am confident Dr. Hawk Sawyer and Dr. Kane will lead BOP with the competence, skill, and resourcefulness they have embodied throughout their government careers. “I would also like to thank Hugh Hurwitz, Acting Director of BOP, for his dedication and service to the Bureau over the last fifteen months. I have asked Mr. Hurwitz to return to his responsibilities as Assistant Director of BOP’s Reentry Services Division, where he will work closely with me in overseeing the implementation of one of the Department’s highest priorities, the First Step Act.” According to their Justice Department bios: • Hawk Sawyer began her Bureau of Prisons career in 1976 as a psychologist at the Federal Correctional Institution in Morgantown, W.V., and subsequently held positions of increasing responsibility as Chief of Psychology Services at Morgantown; Senior Instructor at the Bureau of Prisons' Staff Training Academy in Glynco, Ga.; Associate Warden at FCI Fort Worth, Texas; the Bureau's Chief of Staff Training at STA; and Warden at FCI Butner, N.C. In May 1989, she was selected as Assistant Director for the Program Review Division, where she was responsible for developing and implementing a system of internal controls for all Bureau operations. In 1992, Attorney General Barr appointed Dr. Hawk Sawyer as Director of BOP. While serving as director for over a decade, she introduced the Forward Thinking Initiative, which was designed to prepare the agency to meet future demands and conditions. Additionally, she implemented reengineering initiatives intended to identify and eliminate unnecessary or redundant functions in order to maximize staff attention to inmates and yield agency-wide cost savings. While director, Hawk Sawyer received numerous awards for service and leadership, including the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Management in 1992, the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service in 1994 and 2000, and the Presidential Distinguished Executive Award in 1997. She served as director until she retired in 2003. • Kane served in the Bureau of Prisons from 1977 to 2018, including 30 years in multiple senior leadership positions such as chief of staff, assistant director,deputy director, and acting director under four Attorneys General. While at BOP, he provided long-term leadership for the enhancement of processes to assess prisoner risk level and need for treatment, as well as the BOP business process by reengineering initiatives resulting in significant organizational cost efficiencies and process improvement. Additionally, he served as a member of the FBI Advisory Policy Board for Criminal Justice Information Services, the District of Columbia Sentencing Commission, and the BOP Health Services Governing Board. Kane received numerous awards and other recognition throughout his career, including the Attorney General’s Medallion, two Meritorious Presidential Rank Awards, and the BOP Distinguished Service Medal. Kane also serves as a member of the American Psychological Association and the American Correctional Association. While it seems the Justice Department went out of its way to frame the leadership change as something positive, the timing suggests otherwise. Barr has previously said he was angered by “serious irregularities” at New York City’s Metropolitan Correctional Center, where Epstein is said to have taken his own life due to the failure of staff to prevent the “suicide.” But that is just the latest in a number of new developments related to the disgraced former financier and those who surrounded him. Here’s a small sample of the other headlines today: NOT COOPERATING Staff at the MCC are reportedly “not cooperating” with the Justice Department’s investigation into Epstein’s reported “suicide.” According to staffing records, 20 of the 21 guard posts at the facility were filled the day before he died—belying the original narrative that the staff was spread too thin and overworked, leading to lapses. NOT SATISFIED Epstein’s lawyers say they’re not buying the official coroner’s report regarding his reported “suicide.” They say they plan to launch their own “independent and complete investigation” into his reported death. EX-COP CELLMATE ‘CLEARED’ A lawyer representing ex-cop Nicholas Tartaglione said his client was cleared of “any wrongdoing” in the reported “first suicide attempt” that nearly claimed Epstein’s life. At a judge’s request, the MCC’s warden said an internal investigation was conducted, but he “cannot divulge any information.” LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT Epstein signed his final will two days before his reported “suicide,” leaving everything he owned to a trust run by a group of attorneys. Jeffrey Esptein claimed then that his estate was worth $578 million, which is nearly $20 million more than he told a judge last month during a bond hearing. SICK BIRTHDAY ‘GIFT’ Unsealed court documents now allege Epstein once had three 12-year-old girls flown in from France for him to abuse as a sick birthday present from long-time friend and frequent visitor to Little Saint James Island, modeling talent scout Jean-Luc Brunel. QUEEN’S CONNECTION The Daily Mail has published photos taken from Queen Elizabeth II’s rural estate at Sandringham, where he took part in a pheasant shoot with Prince Andrew. Ghislaine Maxwell was also photographed taking part in the hunt, which offered the opportunity to rub elbows with the world’s most powerful people. VOW OF LOYALTY After Epstein was released from his sweetheart jail term in Florida, The Daily Mail reports Prince Andrew had “vowed to remain loyal” to the disgraced former financier. This despite the fact a number of advisers were warning the eighth in line to the British crown was warned to distance himself from the convicted pedophile. MOVING OUT Speaking of Epstein’s former majordomo, The Daily Mail also published photos of a woman believed to be her older sister, who was seen removing bags and personal items from the oceanfront home of tech CEO Scott Borgerson. This comes just days after Borgeson claimed Maxwell had never been staying in his home near Boston. ZORRO RANCH PROBE It is now being alleged that the FBI is now investigating Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico, which has been tied to claims the former financier was running a breeding farm. It’s also been reported that he attempted to “insinuate himself” into the New Mexico scientific circles that are the legacy of the Manhattan Project that developed the U.S. military’s first nuclear weapons. (Photo Credit: U.S. Marshal Service) source https://trunews.com/stream/ag-fires-bop-chief-over-epstein-suicide

#TRUNEWS - Rick Wiles

0 notes

visionnepal3-blog · 6 years ago

Text

National Cheat Sheet: Moody’s launches CRE data portal, Trump’s childhood home hits the market … & more

Clockwise from top left: Trump’s childhood home in Queens seeks $2.9M via bidding process, Moody’s Analytics’ new commercial real estate data portal will compete with CoStar, a report claims some 55,000 Keller Williams agents could be inactive ‘ghosts,’ and shopping mall operator Simon Property Group has a record fourth quarter in the midst of nationwide retail woes.

Moody’s new CRE data portal to compete with CoStar The Real Deal has had its eyes on a potential showdown that became a reality this week when Moody’s Analytics officially made public its plans to give real estate data behemoth CoStar Group a run for its money. The financial services information giant has launched its commercial real estate data portal, known as the REIS Network, through which users will be able to access data from firms like CompStak and Rockport VAL. Moody’s named the portal after the commercial real estate data company it snapped up for $278 million last year. CoStar had long been interested in buying REIS, but antitrust concerns dissuaded the two parties. “Our goal is to become a leading source for data and analytics for commercial real estate transactions,” said a statement from Moody’s Analytics Accelerator executive director Keith Berry. [TRD]

Keller Williams could have 55,000 ‘ghost’ agents, report claims More than 160,000 agents in the U.S. appear on Keller Williams’ official roster, but as many as 30 percent of those individuals could actually be “ghosts,” or agents who are inactive, don’t have a license or, in some cases, are dead, sources told Inman. Keller Williams president Josh Team acknowledged the numbers were off, but disputed Inman’s sources, stating that the amount of “ghost” agents likely stood between 10,000 and 15,000. Team noted that Gary Keller, who returned to his namesake firm last month as CEO, “took immediate action” when he learned there were agent count “inconsistencies” in January. [TRD]

Simon Property Group has record Q4 despite mall industry woes Malls nationwide have taken a hit in the so-called “retailpocalypse,” but that didn’t stop Simon Property Group from having a record fourth quarter. The retail giant’s net income increased by 25 percent in the last three months of 2018, to $712.8 million, as its funds from operations jumped 3.5 percent, to $1.2 billion. CEO David Simon said in an earnings call that he was “excited” about the ways in which the mall industry has had to adapt. “There’s always been disruption in our industry,” said Simon, noting that he was “concerned about a few retailers,” but that ongoing unrest in the space is “something we’ve been able to withstand.” The good news for Simon came as Tom O’Hearn, CEO of fellow shopping mall titan Macerich, said the company expected more store closures in 2019. [TRD]

US commercial property sales almost set a new record in 2018 The total value of U.S. commercial properties that sold for $2.5 million or more in 2015 was a record $569.9 billion. In 2018, the total value nearly hit that record, clocking in at $562.1 billion, according to Real Capital Analytics data cited by the Wall Street Journal. Property prices increased by 6.2 percent from 2017 to 2018, due in part to the fact that there’s “still a lot of capital out there chasing deals,” Ariel Property Advisors president Shimon Shkury told the outlet. “When you have less inventory to choose from, you’re going to be a little bit more aggressive in pricing.” [TRD]

MAJOR MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

Trump’s childhood NYC home seeks $2.9M via secret bidding President Donald Trump’s childhood home in Queens has hit the market for $2.9 million. Trump’s father built the Tudor-style house in the 1940s, and Trump lived there until he was around 4-years-old, the Wall Street Journal reported. In recent years, the home has been available for rent. Prospective homebuyers will participate in a sealed bidding process that is meant to keep the process “low key,” Compass agent Edward Hickey, who has the listing, told the Journal. “One of the reasons we’re doing it the way we are is to prevent a circus atmosphere,” Hickey said. “We anticipate that there will be a lot of curiosity.” [TRD]

Miami mansion sets record for highest single-family home sale A waterfront mansion has broken its own record for the highest single-family home sale in Miami-Dade County. The 10-bedroom, 14-bathroom home on Indian Creek Island sold for $49.9 million — breaking the record it set when it sold for $47 million back in 2012. A limited liability company managed by Russian lawyer Andrey Kaydin sold the property to Angouleme Holdings II Limited Land Trust, which may be managed by a Qatari businessman. The home is one of 40 properties on the private island, which has been dubbed the “billionaire bunker” due to its über-affluent residents, who include activist investor Carl Icahn and car dealership magnate Norman Braman. [TRD]

WeWork planning to open its first location in Beverly Hills Beverly Hills is getting its very first WeWork, sources told TRD. The co-working giant, now known as “The We Company” following a recent rebranding, plans to lease what was once the Creative Artists Agency Building. Former CAA executives Michael Ovitz and Robert Goldman still own the four-story edifice, which was designed by architect I.M. Pei. The building has a Roy Lichtenstein mural in its central atrium, a 94-seat screening room and an underground parking lot. Sony Music operated out of the building until it relocated to Culver City more than a year ago. WeWork, which also said this week that it would open in South Africa, declined to discuss the deal. [TRD]

Penthouse in San Francisco seeks record sale with $41M price tag A San Francisco penthouse could set a record for the priciest home sale in the city if it snags the $41 million it’s asking for, the Wall Street Journal reported. The apartment in Related California’s 56-story Avery tower, which is currently under construction, has four bedrooms, a gym and a private rooftop terrace. It’s also near the shuttered Transbay Transit Center. There are some doubts as to whether the penthouse will actually sell for $41 million or take a price chop. Compass analyst Patrick Carlisle told the outlet that San Francisco’s luxury market has seen slower sales amid stock volatility in the technology sector. [TRD]

Amid deep freeze, Chicago realtor rents hotel rooms for homeless A Chicago realtor and her husband rented out 20 rooms for the homeless when temperatures in the Windy City dropped below zero last week, the Chicago Tribune reported. Candice Payne, 34, a managing broker at 5th Group Realty & Management, and her husband paid $70 for each room at the Amber Inn in Bronzeville after convincing a group of people camped outside in the South Loop to take her up on the offer. The next day, Payne and friends paid for rooms for even more people. “We wanted to get as much of them out of there as possible,” Payne said. “This is just regular people trying to help.” Payne’s efforts earned her accolades this week on Ellen DeGeneres’ morning television show. [TRD]

Johnny Cash’s ex-Tennessee estate up for sale at nearly $4M A lakefront estate once owned by music legends Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash is up for sale, according to Forbes. The Texas businessman that currently owns the 4.5-acre estate in the Nashville suburb of Hendersonville, Tennessee, is seeking to sell the land to a developer or builder for $3.9 million. A buyer would then be able to divide it into several residential lots. “It’s been on the market for a while, but we didn’t have an appraisal like we have now and also the permission from the owner to sell it to a builder-developer… and allow it to be split up,” listing agent Stan Peacock of Crye-Leike told the outlet. Most of the home that Cash once lived in on the property was destroyed in a 2007 fire. [TRD]

Source: https://therealdeal.com/2019/02/08/national-cheat-sheet-moodys-launches-cre-data-portal-trumps-childhood-home-hits-the-market-more/

0 notes