A few years ago I wrote a short Christmas story.  The story is set in Tonga and the idea for the story sprang from my observations about the way Tongans deal with religious diversity.  By way of introduction, here first is an excerpt of an email I sent earlier this year in which I am discussing with a Mormon the impact of Mormonism in the South Pacific and attempting to make sense of the informal separation of church and state that  I witnessed on one remote, outer island of the Kingdom of Tonga:

Here’s another way the presence of Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses liberalize the outer islands: their presence in the society adds to the cultural mix and forces a kind of separation of church and state – at least on a local level.  This is hilarious to think about, by I’ve witnessed school superintendents and teachers forgo government mandated religious observances of the state religion (Free Wesleyan Methodism) at school functions – yes, breaking the law – out of deference to the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses present.  The village allowed the school principle to NOT fly the Tongan Flag on the school flag pole, because it’s presence offended the Jehovah’s Witnesses who believe flags are idolatrous.  Their were only three JW families on the whole island and that flag pole stayed empty!  The majority decided those three families were more important than their own flag.  Isn’t that remarkable? This is what was weird about religious diversity in Tonga.  There was so much mutual criticism and condemnation and intolerance inside the churches, and so much tolerance and even accommodation in the village.

And the short story:

“They teach a funny religion over there!  And they are pitiful today because they do not remember the birth of Sisu,” accused the Tongan in a mighty roar.

The boards creaked under the weight of his shifting, heavy frame.  He pointed from his pulpit towards the corrugated metal hut across the Ha’apai village where three families met each Sunday morning.  The congregants knew he meant the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

In the pew, old Maukie nodded his head and wondered at the folly of these believers in false doctrines, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons.

“We must protect our children from their lies!” the minister added.

“True,” Maukie said.  The word was a lilting, three syllables in Tongan and Maukie said it slowly in unison with other Wesleyan men around him.

He was relaxed from the kava he’d drank that morning and his mind quickly drifted away to his day yesterday fishing with Inoke.

Aisea Uele, Tengei Tatafu and I embark on a fishing expedition.

Maukie fished with Inoke every week.  Maukie’s family thought he was a much luckier fisherman than he really was because of Inoke’s skill.  Maukie returned the favor by pretending he didn’t know Inoke regularly dug up taro and yams from his plot in the bush.  They did not speak to each other all that much around the village.  They didn’t go to the same church and couldn’t sit around the kava circle together because Inoke’s church forbade drinking kava.  They kept their distance and didn’t really know what to make of each other.

It was different on the rolling waves beyond the reef.

The day before, Maukie dragged the dugout canoe down the beach and paddled hard against the waves.  He could see Inoke out where the surf was breaking against the edge of the reef.  The sounds of the village faded behind him and, shortly, he was alongside Inoke’s canoe.

“Find fish?” he said.

“Lots of fish,” Inoke said.  “Too much to eat.  My wife’s butt will get bigger tomorrow.  That’s fine with me!”

The two of them laughed and grinned at each other.  They made more jokes about their wives and watched their hand-held lines cutting through the waves.  They talked to each other and to the fish they were trying to catch.  They used words they would not use in front of their children.

“We’re just men out here,” Inoke said at one point.  “Just men.”

“True,” said Maukie.  He intoned the word slowly like he said it in church.

The two were close enough to the island to see the village’s five churches but much too far away to hear the competition of the evening service bells.

When the sun dipped below the horizon, Inoke started throwing fish into Maukie’s canoe.   “Fish, fish, lots of fish!” he said.  “Eat yourself to death, tomorrow.”

Maukie had to walk by the corrugated metal Kingdom Hall on his way home from church.  He saw Inoke come out with his family.  Inoke wore missionary pants and looked very foolish to Maukie.

Maukie nodded at the group of Jehovah’s Wittnesses and, having just been reminded they believe there’s something wrong about Christmas, gave the standard Tongan greeting that literally translates as Thank you for the goodness on this day.

Inoke said the same.

Maukie went home to a big Christmas feast with all his family.  His family congratulated Maukie on his fine catch.  They sang and prayed and celebrated the birth of Sisu.

Part of Maukie wished he could be out to sea fishing with Inoke.

NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Scientists Discover and Image Explosive Deep-Ocean Volcano.

“Scientists funded by NOAA and the National Science Foundation recorded the deepest erupting volcano yet discovered, describing high-definition video of the undersea eruption as “spectacular.” Eruption of the West Mata volcano, discovered in May, occurred nearly 4,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, in an area bounded by Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.”

Stop by the site and see the video; it’s incredible and the sounds are amazing!

Chris Henry!It’s sad when you can’t get a sista to respect and just be a wife,it’s all ways a problem and this is one of the end results of not getting respect inyour own home or as a BLACKMAN!

I was in school today, in Algebra 2 to be specific, and I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. A text from my dad. “Henry died today”. I immediately felt depressed.

This “Henry”, as you probably already know if you have watched any sports coverage today, is Chris Henry, wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. Henry, who fell off the back of a pickup truck yesterday in North Carolina and passed away today, has sure had a troubled past. With multiple arrests, such as possession of marijuana and assault, things looked awful for the young wideout. At one point, Henry was no longer known for his talent on the gridiron, but his criminal history.

But, the 26-year-old kid out of West Virginia decided it was time to turn things around. He met a woman by the name of Loleini Tonga, and fell in love with her. He knew he was going to marry this woman. He started to become less of a distraction on and off the field.

Now, it is all over. The feel-good story from Cincinnati is now a tale of tragedy and loss. It is saddening. This is a truly terrible day in the NFL.

Cincinnati Bengal Chris Henry died Thursday after a domestic dispute in North Carolina.

According to police, Henry and his fiancee, Loleini Tonga had been arguing when Tonga tried to drive away in a pickup. Henry jumped into the bed of the pickup and the couple continued arguing as Tonga drove, until Henry fell out of the pickup and landed on the road. He was in critical condition before being declared dead at 6:36 a.m. Thursday.

No charges have been filed, but homicide detectives are investigating.

So sad, R.I.P. Chris.

Members of our South Bay Los Angeles 350 Climate Action Group speak to our representatives and fellow activists in Copenhagen at Friday night’s Candlelight Vigil in downtown Hermosa Beach.  Unedited and unrehearsed, our straight from the heart messages.

And here’s some still photos from our event.  To see our Flickr photo slide show click here.

That’s our co-host and 350 supporter, the Mayor of Hermosa Beach, Michael DiVirgilio, behind the big number 5.

And here’s your Creative Greenius and 350.org Organizer for the South Bay Los Angeles 350 Climate Action Group.  That big smile on my face is because our community showed up and brought their compassion for our brothers and sisters across the Pacific who live on the small island nations, like Tuvalu.  If you’re a regular Creative Greenius reader you know how concerned I am about the plight of island states like Tonga, the Carteret Islands, the Maldives and Kirabati.  It breaks my heart to think of those people paying the price for the way we live our lives here in the USA but it gives me great hope for the future that my friends and neighbors now stand with me on their behalf.

24-Nov, Tuesday-Suva, Fiji

When I first read the description for this dive, I thought “oh, heck no”. Once I was in Fiji, I got swept up in the group-think and it sounded like a blast. Then I found out I was wait-listed and was a bit sad. Persistence is the key and I got in.

So what was the dive? A shark encounter. Staff led us down to almost 100 feet where we knelt and watched a diver feed chunks of tuna to giant fish and sharks. We then went up to 30 feet and did the same, just different variety of fish and sharks. For the second dive, we went down to 60 feet and saw several bull sharks, all about 10 to 12 feet long. It was really cool.

This is giant trevally. There were a bunch of them and they were humongous. You can’t tell with the picture but others were estimating them to be in the 150 to 200 pound range.

Reef shark (above), which you see at the higher depths. They are harmless.

Uh-oh, bull shark. These suckers were huge. And a little scary.You see them at the lower depths.

How many bull sharks do you see?

25-Nov, Wednesday Savusavu, Fiji

Getting ready for the day’s dives. It was rainy in the morning, but cleared up and was sunny later on.

Pretty, pretty coral.

This is kind of funny. A remora kept trying to attach itself to me and clean me. I’d feel it, swipe it away, and it would come back. You can see it on my cheek. I had little marks on my cheek and neck after the dive.

We went to Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Fiji Islands Resort for our surface intervals between dives. Best place for a surface interval (usually you are just stuck on the dive boat). It’s also the place where my friend Dom got married 9in 2005). Isn’t it a gorgeous location for a wedding?

27-Nov, Friday Vava’u, Tonga

The dives I did in Tonga were my favorites of the trip not only because I dove with Jean-Michel Cousteau, but because the the water was so clear, deep, and open. The fish were plentiful and the coral was simply amazing. I would love to got back to Tonga for a month during whale season (it’s right on the path of whale migration) and dive everyday.

Vava’u, Tonga is also the first place on earth to see the sunrise. Isn’t that cool?

It looks like Jean-Michel is speaking to us about something serious like climate change or shark-finning, but I think we were talking about King Kong.

Nancy, Jean-Michel’s girlfriend and me.

Fantail coral. Isn’t it gorgeous?

Coming up in Vacation Pictures, part three:

• Two Saturday, November 28s! (more International Dateline mumbo jumbo)
• Rarotonga and Aitutaki, Cook Islands (Hiking!)
• Cyclones! on way to Bora Bora, French Polynesia
  

Rent: $5,750
Security: 1 months
Details
Size: Three Bedroom
Ownership: Rental Property
R/B/B: 5/3/2
Availability: Immediate
Term: 12 – 24 Months
Neighborhood: Flatiron District
Apartment Features
Kitchen: Dishwasher; Window: Oversized Windows; High Ceiling; Abundant Closets;
Building Description
Cross Streets: Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue.
Concierge; Elevator; Post-war; Built 2008; Loft; 20 Floors; 100 Apartments.
Building Amenities
Bicycle Room; Fitness Room; Rooftop Deck; Common Storage Room;
Building Policies
Pets Allowed.

R.S.V.P. for a tour:
Jamie Knuckles
NestSeekers International
Direct: 646-443-3760
Cell: 347-323-8671
Email: sanguinejamie@gmail.com
Amenities
Brand New Building Same developers as 75 Wall Street. Condo Finishes at Rental Prices. Penthouse Great layout Small rooms but great outdoor space. Nice Amenities, but location is the selling point.

* Doorman
* Concierge
* Health Club
* Elevator

You’ll be in the heart of a dynamic neighborhood that pulses with the energy of galleries and artists, restaurants and clubs, boutiques and markets. Here, where West Chelsea meets The Meatpacking District, the urban fabric ranges from unpaved cobblestone streets.

Rent:
* $3,895 Studio available
* $7,095 2-Bedroom available

Building Amenities and Services

* Doorman
* Concierge
* Gym/fitness center (with fitness concierge)
* Children’s playroom/space
* Parking garage (24-hour attended, indoor)
* Elevators (9)
* Spa
* Lounge
* Terrace
* Library
* Business center
* Pet spa
* Bicycle storage
* Garden

Apartment Features and Amenities

* Bamboo flooring
* Floor-to-ceiling windows
* Dishwasher
* Washer and dryer
* Sub-zero refrigerator
* Walk-in closets (some units)
* Terrace (some units)

Rules and Restrictions * Pets allowed

You’ll be in the heart of a dynamic neighborhood that pulses with the energy of galleries and artists, restaurants and clubs, boutiques and markets. Here, where West Chelsea meets The Meatpacking District, the urban fabric ranges from unpaved cobblestone streets.

Situated at the nexus of West Chelsea, Gansevoort and the Meatpacking District, this luxurious residential building represents a new exciting style of living in a historic downtown location. The Building renters the unique opportunity to experience unprecedented services and amenities including the first fully integrated Equinox Fitness Club within a residential tower.
Amenities: Dining Room, Washer/Dryer, Central A/C

R.S.V.P. To Preview:
Jamie Knuckles
Nest Seekers
Direct: 646-443-3760
Cell: 347-323-8671
Email: sanguinejamie@gmail.com

Amenities

* Dining Room
* Washer/Dryer
* Central A/C

Renting
❚ Free of maintenance obligations.
❚ Not committed to staying in a
house or neighborhood.
❚ Can move quickly.
❚ Free of costs, such as homeowner’s
insurance and property taxes.
Buying
❚ Build equity.
❚ Tax advantages*.
❚ Stable monthly payments.
❚ Strong sense of community.
❚ Place for family and relatives to live.

The options are countless and time is of the essence in this high-demand market. Let a professional lead you through the process and help you make it an enjoyable experience.

Offering: One to Five Bedrooms, Condominiums, Lofts, Penthouses and Townhouses,

NEIGHBORHOODS: Soho, Tribeca, Greenwich Village, Upper East Side, and Upper West Side, Park Avenue, and Harlem. Also, the Hamptons offer quality living as great as anywhere else in the New York.
Have a wonderful day –looking forward to speaking with you soon.

R.S.V.P. for a tour:
Jamie Knuckles
Sales Director
Nestseekers International
Cell: 347-323-8671
Email: sanguinejamie@gmail.com

http://www.nestseekers.com/Company/Agent/718

APARTMENT INFORMATION:
APARTMENT Conv-4 BEDROOM
Apt. #43G
RENT: $7328.75
BATHROOMS: 2

APARTMENT FEATURES:
All apartments have 9-foot high ceilings.
Most apartments with spectacular East River and/or cityscape views.
Marble bathrooms with marble topped vanities.
Individually controlled heat and air conditioning.
Every apartment features bay or corner windows.
Energy efficient, tinted dual-glazed windows.
White mini-blinds on all windows.
Private intercom system to doorman.
Individual electronic alarm system at each apartment entrance.
Many apartments include full-size washers and dryers.
Selection of cable television hook-ups available.
Full 8-foot high doors.
3/4 inch solid oak parquet floors.
Contemporary kitchens with side-by-side icemaker refrigerators, self-cleaning ovens, built-in microwaves, instant hot water dispensers and ceramic tile floors.
Many apartments feature windowed kitchens.
BUILDING FEATURES:
Landscaped building entrance, framed with limestone piers.
Elegant lobby with domed ceiling.
Attentive, uniformed doorman at your service 24-hours a day.
Beautifully decorated corridors with designer alabaster lighting fixtures and wall sconces, crown moldings and decorative wood-framed apartment entrance doors.
High-speed passenger elevators with separate service elevator.
Separate monitored service entrance, with attendant.
Attended indoor garage.
Package room with delivery escort.
Fully equipped, air conditioned laundry facility with closed circuit TV security.
Cheerfully designed children’s playroom.
Magnificent swim and fitness center with landscaped and furnished sun terrace.
55-foot lap swimming pool.
Fully equipped exercise and aerobics room.
Recreational lounge (with full kitchen facilities – ideal for private parties – by reservation.)
Men’s and women’s locker rooms, with separate saunas and showers.
Fully furnished conference room (by reservation).
PREVIEWS ARE AVAILABLE AT YOUR REQUEST!
TO SCHEDULE A VISIT CONTACT:
JAMIE KNUCKLES AT: 347-323-8671
Email: sanguinejamie@gmail.com
Amenities
Full Service Luxury Building.

* Doorman
* Health Club
* Pool
* Roof deck
* Elevator

* Washer/Dryer
* Central A/C

Sutton Place! Portfolio Sensational, Remarkable Unsurpassed
3 Bedroom / 2.5 Bath
$7,500 Immediate
Large Space – Room To Entertain – Kitchen with Granite Countertops
New White Oak Strip Flooring – Marble Bath

2 Bedroom / 2 Bath
$4,800 Immediate
Kitchen with Granite Countertops – Marble Baths
New White Oak Strip Flooring – Marble Baths

4 Bedroom / 3.5 Bath
$8,900 Immediate
Large Space – Room To Entertain – Separate Dining – Eat-in Kitchen

Kitchen with Granite Countertops – Marble Baths

The building has a free health club, garage, valet service, concierge, doorman, bicycle room, storage space, a wine cellar, and it permits pets.

• FT Doorman
• Full Service Garage
• Health Club
• Elevator
• Located in Beekman/Sutton Place

R.S.V.P. for a preview:
Jamie knuckles
Nestseekers
Direct: 646-443-3760
Cell: 347-323-8671
Email: sanguinejamie@gmail.com
Amenities

* Central A/C

Turtle Bay Luxury*
Rent: $5,900
Lease Type: Condo Sublet
Details
Size: One Bedroom
Ownership: Condominium
R/B/B: 3/1/1.5
Availability: Immediate
SF/SM: 880/82
Term: 12 – 24 Months
Apartment Features
AC: Central; Kitchen: Windowed; Dishwasher; Bathroom: En Suite; Window: New Windows; Washer/ Dryer; High Ceiling; Powder Room; Recessed Lighting;

Exposure / View: North; West/ Open

Building Description
Cross Streets: Second Avenue and First Avenue.
Full Service; Elevator; Post-war; Built 2001; Mid-rise; 20 Floors; 64 Apartments.

Building Amenities
Bicycle Room; Garage; Fitness Room; Laundry Room; Maid Service; Valet;

Building Policies
Pied-A-Terres Allowed. W/D Allowed. Pets Allowed. Sublets Allowed.

R.S.V.P. for a preview:
Jamie Knuckles
Sales Director
NestSeekers International
Direct: 646-443-3760
Cell: 347-323-8671
Email: sanguinejamie@gmail.com
Amenities
Bicycle Room; Health Club; Valet.

* Doorman
* Concierge
* Health Club

Clinton Hill Brooklyn Development Site!
APPROVED! In Clinton Hill
You Can Build In Clinton Hill!
$1,490,000
Development site for sale with pre-approved plans for 34 Condo units. In the heart of Clinton Hill neighborhood. The building will have 6 studios, 18 one bedrooms, and 10 two bedrooms units. Condos and co-ops average about $500 per square foot. Rentals average $1,600 to $2,000 for a one-bedroom and upward of $1,800 for a two-bedroom. The C and G subways serve the area. Both stop on Washington Avenue; the G also stops at Classon Avenue. The Clinton Hill area is one of the highest points in Brooklyn.

You are getting a tremendous deal on this development site!

Building Description:
Exclusive project for Condominiums in Clinton Hill (Brooklyn)
Investment Proposal

*Overview For Asset Investors*

82 Irving Place (Clinton Hill)
Brooklyn, New York 11238
Type: Vacant development site with pre-approved plans for residential condominiums.
•Location:Located in Clinton Hill, a few minutes from downtown Brooklyn.
•General description: Condominiums of 8 stories including Cellar; with 7 parking spaces and 34 storage bins for residents on the ground level.
•
Vacant site area:
28,103.22 SF + 6,531.04 SF Cellar = 34,634.25 total SF.

The vacant site has a proposed residential project which has been approved by the DOB; such project is of 34,634.25 SF and would maximize the building’s FAR (Floor area ratio).
•
Project: Thirty-four Condominiums (Three to Five per floor), with three Penthouses, a luxury building with balconies and some units with terraces.
Individual storage spaces for tenants and Parking.
•
Currently vacant land.
82 Irving Place is a Condominium of 34,634.25 SF of vacant development site, with 8 stories including the Cellar and Roof.
•
Presently, the development site is located between an apartment complex and mix-use buildings on Irving Place in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn, an area that has experienced a renaissance of growth.

The building has the DOB (Department of Buildings) approval for the construction of 34,634.25 square feet for residential use, thus maxing out the FAR. (Floor Area Ratio).
Total SF approved by DOB: 34,634.25 SF

Nest Seekers International, has exclusive marketing rights for proposed project which has been approved for residential Condominiums by the DOB ( Department of Buildings).

Project description:

Thirty-Four Condominiums, Including Three Penthouse units on the eighth floor.

Three to Five apartments per floor.

Availability of balconies and terraces in some units.

Common area with Lobby, a rear garden in the back of building.

Parking areas and individual storage.

Natural light, high-quality materials and excellent location.
Note: Set-up available upon request.

Investors R.S.V.P. for a tour of the site:
Jamie Knuckles
Nest Seekers International
Direct: 646-443-3760
Cell: 347-323-8671
Email: sanguinejamie@gmail.com

P.S. Profitable, let real estate work for you.
Dollars make sense when invested in this project.
Investors take note! Hit a home run!
Amenities

* Terrace
* Balcony

Financials
Furnished: $7,500
Security: 2 months
Details
Size: One Bedroom
Ownership: Condominium
R/B/B: 3/1/1
Availability: Immediate
Term: 1 – 12 Months
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Apartment Features
Kitchen: Dishwasher; Bathroom: Marble; High Ceiling;

Building Description
Cross Streets: Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.
Full Service; Elevator; Post-war; Built 1999; Mid-rise; 10 Floors; 50 Apartments.

Building Amenities
Garage; Hotel Style Service; Business Center;

Building Policies
Pied-A-Terres Allowed. W/D Allowed. Pets Allowed.
Building Notes:

* The Phillips Club offers ownership membership as well as extended stay accommodations. These apartments can not be used as a permanent residence. This building is akin to owning a time share in lieu of staying at a hotel when in NYC.
* The Phillips Club is a member-owned luxury residence combining the advantages of home ownership with the conveniences of the city’s finest hotels, The Club offers unequaled amenities, service and privileges without recurring hotel expenses.
* The Phillips Club offers 24-hour concierge, daily maid service (nightly fee during use), and privileges at the Reebok Sports Club/NY.
* The Reebok Sports Club/NY offers rooftop in-line skating and running. Music-filled, junior Olympic size swimming pool for lap swimming. 40 -foot climbing wall. Two full-court, regulation-size basketball gymnasiums. State-of-the-art 13,000 SF coed weight-training gym. Cardiovascular deck with 5,000 SF of computerized training equipment. Challenges. Muscles and mind, recharged. Complete spa facilities including steam rooms, saunas and Jacuzzis. Large, luxurious locker rooms with towel service. Paul Lebrecque salon and spa. Exhaustive. Fitness evaluation center. Personalized instruction. Nutritional counseling. Child care center “For Kids Only.” Landscaped sundeck.
* Business amenities include: Multi-line telecommunications system with voicemail. Dataport for computer hookup. Fax machine in each residence. 24-hour business center. Conference room. Conference facilities at Reebok Sports Club/NY.

R.S.V.P. for a tour:
Jamie Knuckles
Cell: 347-323-8671
Email: sanguinejamie@gmail
Amenities
* The Phillips Club offers ownership membership as well as extended stay accommodations. These apartments can not be used as a permanent residence. This building is akin to owning a time share in lieu of staying at a hotel when in NYC.
* The Phillips Club is a member-owned luxury residence combining the advantages of home ownership with the conveniences of the city’s finest hotels, The Club offers unequaled amenities, service and privileges without recurring hotel expenses.
* The Phillips Club offers 24-hour concierge, daily maid service (nightly fee during use), and privileges at the Reebok Sports Club/NY.
* The Reebok Sports Club/NY offers rooftop in-line skating and running. Music-filled, junior Olympic size swimming pool for lap swimming. 40 -foot climbing wall. Two full-court, regulation-size basketball gymnasiums. State-of-the-art 13,000 SF coed weight-training gym. Cardiovascular deck with 5,000 SF of computerized training equipment. Challenges. Muscles and mind, recharged. Complete spa facilities including steam rooms, saunas and Jacuzzis. Large, luxurious locker rooms with towel service. Paul Lebrecque salon and spa. Exhaustive. Fitness evaluation center. Personalized instruction. Nutritional counseling. Child care center “For Kids Only.” Landscaped sundeck.
* Business amenities include: Multi-line telecommunications system with voicemail. Dataport for computer hookup. Fax machine in each residence. 24-hour business center. Conference room. Conference facilities at Reebok Sports Club/NY.

* Doorman
* Concierge
* Health Club
* Pool
* Elevator
* Garage

Union Square! Obsession For Union Square!
Financials
Rent: $8,995
Details
Size: Two Bedroom
Ownership: Rental Property
R/B/B: 4/2/2
Availability: 9/7/2009
Apartment Features
Dining Area; AC: Central; Heat: Central; Kitchen: Open; Dishwasher; Window: New Windows; Oversized Windows; Penthouse; Powder Room; Abundant Closets; Floor To Ceiling Windows; Alarm Security System;
Exposure / View: North; East/ Park
Building Description:
Cross Streets: Fourth Avenue and Broadway.
Full Service; Elevator; Post-war; Built 1998; High-rise; 27 Floors; 240 Apartments.
Building Amenities:
Health Club; Laundry Room; Rooftop Deck; Digital TV; High Speed Internet Access;
Building Policies:
Pets Allowed One dog per apartment. Weight Limit 20 lbs.

R.S.V.P. for a preview:
Jamie Knuckles
NestSeekers International
Direct: 646-443-3760
Cell: 347-323-8671
Amenities

* Dining Room
* Central A/C

Upper West Side Super Gem!
Price: $2,300,000
Common Charges: $1,915
Real Estate Taxes: $82
Financing: 90%
Details
Size: Two Bedroom
Ownership: Condominium
R/B/B: 4/2/2
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
SF/SM: 1617/150
Apartment Features
Dining Area; AC: Central; Kitchen: Eat In; Windowed; Dishwasher; Bathroom: New/ Marble; Window: New Windows; Oversized Windows; Washer/ Dryer; Terrace; High Ceiling; Library/Den; WIC;
Exposure / View: North; East; West/ City; River

Building Description
Cross Streets: West 99th Street and West 100th Street.
Full Service; Elevator; Post-war; Built 2006; High-rise; 37 Floors; 64 Apartments.

Building Amenities
Garden; Fitness Room; Pool; Nursery; Cinema Room;

Building Policies
Pied-A-Terres Allowed. Sublets Allowed.
Broker Summary Immediate Occupancy Ariel – Traditional living like never before! These two stunning developments were designed by renowned architects Cook + Fox and Cetra/Ruddy, and offer traditional layouts with all the modern amenities of glass-curtain-wall construction. Services and amenities abound, including 24/7 doorman, concierge services, fitness by LaPalestra with 51 indoor swimming pool and outdoor basketball court, theater, billiards parlor, residents lounge with banquet space, elaborate childrens playroom, and a pet grooming salon! Steps to the best of the Upper West Side, including Central and Riverside Parks, all the cultural gems, schools, shopping, dining, and transportation.

R.S.V.P. for a tour:
Jamie Knuckles
Sales Director
NestSeekers International
Direct: 646-443-3760
Cell: 347-323-8671
Amenities
Immediate Occupancy Ariel – Traditional living like never before! These two stunning developments were designed by renowned architects Cook + Fox and Cetra/Ruddy, and offer traditional family layouts with all the modern amenities of glass-curtain-wall construction. Services and amenities abound, including 24/7 doorman, concierge services, fitness by LaPalestra with 51 indoor swimming pool and outdoor basketball court, private theater, billiards parlor, residents lounge with banquet space, elaborate childrens playroom, and a pet grooming salon! Steps to the best of the Upper West Side, including Central and Riverside Parks, all the cultural gems, schools, shopping, dining, and transportation.

* Doorman
* Concierge
* Health Club
* Pool
* Roof deck
* Elevator

* Terrace
* Washer/Dryer
* Central A/C

sanguinejamie@gmail.com

Greenwich Street Residences Luxury
Corner unit 2 BEDROOM is over 1100 sq. ft. and features an SUNNY north / east exposure, high 11 ft. ceilings, and a huge living room with ample space for a full dining area. This unit is one of our DESIGNER READY
Price: $981,000
CC: $1149
Real estate tax: $397
Kitchen has Sub-zero Fridge, Viking Range and Microwave, Fisher/Paykal 2-Drawer Dishwashers, instant hot water tap, In-wall ipod docking station, and much, much more! Marble bath with deep soaking tub has both a Rain shower, and a handheld. Unit has 5 Large closets, one of which is a Large walk-in hall closet measuring about 5ftX6ft & built out with Elfa System. Great location, near all train lines, parks, shopping, theaters, dining. Full five star Hotel-like service with concierge and 24-hour doorman… and Very Reasonable Common Charges! Free continental breakfast is served to residents Monday through Friday. Full gym access included for all residents with free trainers and abs/Pilates/yoga classes. Building has a fantastic game room with billiards, darts and large flat screen TV. There is also an Amazing common roof deck space with towel and drink service on weekends, and an indoor “Harbor Room – Sky Lounge” which is also available for private parties. Free Wi-Fi in all common areas! This is a spectacular building to live in!

Located on Greenwich Street, this building is on the cutting edge of designer development. This art deco tower rises 37 stories with sweeping views of the city skyline, Hudson River and beyond. All of the residences feature oversized windows and soaring ceilings. Enter through the buildings art deco façade into a grand marble lobby featuring a hand carved reception desk and grotto water fountain.

5-Star amenities include a café, library with grand piano and fireplace, billiards room w/ flat screen TV, Harbour Room featuring lounge seating, poker table, dining room w/ kitchen and spectacular views and SKY DECK, with lounges and day beds all in traditional South Beach style.

This unit is being offered at attractive prices. Together with our completed common spaces and 5-Star amenity program, Greenwich Club Residences is a spectacular product and we look forward to working with you and getting your transactions closed.
R.S.V.P.
Jamie Knuckles
NestSeekers International
Direct: 646-443-3760
Cell: 347-323-8671

http://www.nestseekers.com/24139/Financial_District_Luxury_Greenwich_Street_Residences_Luxury_Corner_unit_2_BEDROOM

Amenities

* Dining Room
* Central A/C

Rent: Furnished: $6,300
Security: 2 months
Apartment Features
Kitchen: Dishwasher; Bathroom: Marble; High Ceiling;
Details
Size: Studio
Ownership: Condominium
R/B/B:2/0/1
Availability: Immediate
Term: 1 – 12 Months
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Building Description
Cross Streets: Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.
Full Service; Elevator; Post-war; Built 1999; Mid-rise; 10 Floors; 50 Apartments.

Building Amenities
Garage; Hotel Style Service; Business Center;

Building Policies
Pied-A-Terres Allowed. W/D Allowed. Pets Allowed.

Building Notes:

* The Phillips Club offers ownership membership as well as extended stay accommodations. These apartments can not be used as a permanent residence. This building is akin to owning a time share in lieu of staying at a hotel when in NYC.
* The Phillips Club is a member-owned luxury residence combining the advantages of home ownership with the conveniences of the city’s finest hotels, The Club offers unequaled amenities, service and privileges without recurring hotel expenses.
* The Phillips Club offers 24-hour concierge, daily maid service (nightly fee during use), and privileges at the Reebok Sports Club/NY.
* The Reebok Sports Club/NY offers rooftop in-line skating and running. Music-filled, junior Olympic size swimming pool for lap swimming. 40 -foot climbing wall. Two full-court, regulation-size basketball gymnasiums. State-of-the-art 13,000 SF coed weight-training gym. Cardiovascular deck with 5,000 SF of computerized training equipment. Challenges. Muscles and mind, recharged. Complete spa facilities including steam rooms, saunas and Jacuzzis. Large, luxurious locker rooms with towel service. Paul Lebrecque salon and spa. Exhaustive. Fitness evaluation center. Personalized instruction. Nutritional counseling. Child care center “For Kids Only.” Landscaped sundeck.
* Business amenities include: Multi-line telecommunications system with voicemail. Dataport for computer hookup. Fax machine in each residence. 24-hour business center. Conference room. Conference facilities at Reebok Sports Club/NY.

R.S.V.P. for a preview:
Jamie Knuckles
Nestseekers International
Cell:347-323-8671
Amenities
* The Phillips Club offers ownership membership as well as extended stay accommodations. These apartments can not be used as a permanent residence. This building is akin to owning a time share in lieu of staying at a hotel when in NYC.
* The Phillips Club is a member-owned luxury residence combining the advantages of home ownership with the conveniences of the city’s finest hotels, The Club offers unequaled amenities, service and privileges without recurring hotel expenses.
* The Phillips Club offers 24-hour concierge, daily maid service (nightly fee during use), and privileges at the Reebok Sports Club/NY.
* The Reebok Sports Club/NY offers rooftop in-line skating and running. Music-filled, junior Olympic size swimming pool for lap swimming. 40 -foot climbing wall. Two full-court, regulation-size basketball gymnasiums. State-of-the-art 13,000 SF coed weight-training gym. Cardiovascular deck with 5,000 SF of computerized training equipment. Challenges. Muscles and mind, recharged. Complete spa facilities including steam rooms, saunas and Jacuzzis. Large, luxurious locker rooms with towel service. Paul Lebrecque salon and spa. Exhaustive. Fitness evaluation center. Personalized instruction. Nutritional counseling. Child care center “For Kids Only.” Landscaped sundeck.
* Business amenities include: Multi-line telecommunications system with voicemail. Dataport for computer hookup. Fax machine in each residence. 24-hour business center. Conference room. Conference facilities at Reebok Sports Club/NY.

* Doorman
* Concierge
* Health Club
* Pool
* Elevator
* Garage

APARTMENT INFORMATION:
APARTMENT 5 BEDROOM Penthouse Duplex
Apt. #52G
RENT: $22458
BATHROOMS: 5.5

APARTMENT FEATURES:
All apartments have 9-foot high ceilings.
Most apartments with spectacular East River and/or cityscape views.
Marble bathrooms with marble topped vanities.
Individually controlled heat and air conditioning.
Every apartment features bay or corner windows.
Energy efficient, tinted dual-glazed windows.
White mini-blinds on all windows.
Private intercom system to doorman.
Individual electronic alarm system at each apartment entrance.
Many apartments include full-size washers and dryers.
Selection of cable television hook-ups available.
Full 8-foot high doors.
3/4 inch solid oak parquet floors.
Contemporary kitchens with side-by-side icemaker refrigerators, self-cleaning ovens, built-in microwaves, instant hot water dispensers and ceramic tile floors.
Many apartments feature windowed kitchens.
BUILDING FEATURES:
Landscaped building entrance, framed with limestone piers.
Elegant lobby with domed ceiling.
Attentive, uniformed doorman at your service 24-hours a day.
Beautifully decorated corridors with designer alabaster lighting fixtures and wall sconces, crown moldings and decorative wood-framed apartment entrance doors.
High-speed passenger elevators with separate service elevator.
Separate monitored service entrance, with attendant.
Attended indoor garage.
Package room with delivery escort.
Fully equipped, air conditioned laundry facility with closed circuit TV security.
Cheerfully designed children’s playroom.
Magnificent swim and fitness center with landscaped and furnished sun terrace.
55-foot lap swimming pool.
Fully equipped exercise and aerobics room.
Recreational lounge (with full kitchen facilities – ideal for private parties – by reservation.)
Men’s and women’s locker rooms, with separate saunas and showers.
Fully furnished conference room (by reservation).
PREVIEWS ARE AVAILABLE AT YOUR REQUEST!
TO SCHEDULE A VISIT R.S.V.P. for a VIP TOUR:
JAMIE KNUCKLES AT: 347-323-8671
Amenities
Full Service Luxury Building.

* Doorman
* Health Club
* Pool
* Roof deck
* Elevator

* Terrace
* Dining Room
* Fireplace
* Washer/Dryer
* Central A/C

Well my household has officially become one of the many affected by job cuts due to the recession. Hubby was laid off last Thursday.  After the initial shock, we were grateful that he at least had been given a severance package. With mounting grocery prices and a family of five to feed it won’t last very long.  Although our kids are older, they’ve all stayed home in order to save money while they go to school and work to pay their own bills. But any one of us could be the next to be laid off – the youngest has was laid off her first job early this year and just recently began working again.

This has sparked an even stronger  motivation to really get a home based biz up and going. Through the years when my kids were younger i’ve tried many. They say necessity is the mother of invention, well necessity is also motivational. I’m going to give another shot and share what works, doesn’t work and hopefully get some helpful tips from others.

The Limu Company features a great product that i have already been using for 2 years. The results from drinking Original Limu every day twice a day have been felt through no more allergies, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and higher HDL (good) cholesterol levels, less food cravings (coke, etc.). We’ve managed to go through the year without getting the flu – at the most a cold but nothing more serious. That alone is worth gold! And now they’ve added an energy drink – Blu Frog featuring seven essential B vitamins!

Recently came across a new venture – Ardyss International.  Between work, school and taking care of my family there is never enough time to exercise to get the weight off. Ardyss features a great product that takes off 2-3 inches by wearing the BodyMagic undergarment. I tried one on recently and it felt comfortable, no binding! And of course it helped me to look great! A friend said it looked like I’d had a breast lift – my stomach was flat (hadn’t had that in years), hips lifted. I immediately became a distributor to get my garment at the lower price and I figure more women will want this too – who doesn’t want to look great in their clothes?!

I get my BodyMagic this week and will post before and after pics….

I hadn’t posted a record from Oceania in nearly a year, so I thought I’d post both sides of this little gem (totaling three little gems) from the Kingdom of Tonga. Although similar to the majority of the music of Polynesia, much (though not all) Tongan music has been influenced by the presence of visiting and colonizing Europeans, who first arrived in Tongan waters in the early 17th century. Over time, Tongans adapted some aspects of their folk songs and lyrical poems to these outside influences, while strongly preserving other types of their traditional music. Interestingly, Tonga is the only Polynesian nation that was not formally colonized by a European country. Part of the British Western Pacific Territories until 1952 (and occupied by the United States from 1942-1945), it remains a constitutional monarchy, and has been continually governed by indigenous Tongans. Deeply rooted traditions still thrive, such as the faikava, the traditional kava drinking party where men drink kava for hours, talking and singing.

These three short tracks were sung by the female duet of Tupou and Fakaua, two ladies-in-waiting of the Tongan queen Sālote Mafile‘o Pilolevu Tupou III, who reigned from 1918 to 1965. The young duo were invited to the UK in 1954 and stayed sixteen days. They performed traditional songs for Queen Elizabeth, and recorded six sides for the company on their trip. These feature simple ukelele and guitar accompaniment, the two most common musical instruments used throughout Polynesia. What I enjoy about these pieces, besides the sweet melodies themselves, is the hushed style of vocals. It’s as if someone snuck the duo into a recording studio late at night, and they were trying to keep their voices down, and as close to the microphone as possible.

Palu Vava’u Tupou & Veiongo Fakaua – Taio
Palu Vava’u Tupou & Veiongo Fakaua – Vanavana
Palu Vava’u Tupou & Veiongo Fakaua – Fakopo Oka To E Takapu

Technical Notes
Label: HMV
Issue Number: JO. 411
Matrix Number: OEF.273-1A/OEF.274-1A

Expect another post in the next week or two!