Kirby Sommers

Costa Cruise Disaster: Spotlight Shifts to Carnival – Where’s Micky?

2012-01-26T08:52:00.000-05:00

Carnival knew!

In my article of January 19th "Who is to Blame: The Captain or the Company" I posed the question: were Captain Schettino's actions really instructions from Carnival? I discussed how Schettino was taking the fall for the greater good of company (Carnival). As it turns out: I was right. Carnival and the Costa's big boys did know. Despite CEO Micky Arison's desire to stay out of the line of fire the world is abuzz with this important bit of information. Please share widely. - Kirby Sommers

Here's a great piece by attorney Jim Walker of Cruise Law

Costa Cruise Disaster: Spotlight Shifts to Carnival – Where’s Micky?

It was only a matter of time before the public would realize that the crash of the Costa Concordia involved far more than just the actions of a reckless cruise ship captain. Costa's quick smack down of Captain Schettino (photo left) was not an impulsive outburst by the Costa CEO Pier Luigi Foschi. It was undoubtedly a decision carefully thought out with the involvement of the Carnival decision makers in Miami.

If Schettino had to be lynched by public outrage to save the cruise corporations, so be it.

However, It seems that the much talked about "fly-by" of Giglio may not, after all, have been showboating of an unpredictable captain but initiated and approved by the cruise line itself back in Genoa. And if Costa knew about and ratified the dangerous maneuvers which took over 4,000 lives perilously close to the rocks, then what does this say about the safe operations of the entire Carnival fleet with its fleet of over 100 ships carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers every day?

The spotlight has now moved from Captain Schettino to Costa in Genoa and now to Carnival Corporation here in Miami. But where is Carnival's CEO Micky Arison?

Arison is trying to remain anonymous. But that's hard to do. After all, he is the smiling face of the Carnival "fun ship" fleet. He is the big name owner of a high basketball team of superstars, seen at court side rubbing elbows with celebrities at the Miami Heat games. But he obviously does not want to be identified with this mess. Arison does not want his mugshot to be posted alongside the likes of bad guy Schettino or rat fink Costa CEO Foschi (photo right).

Two days ago I wrote that Arison and other Carnival cruise executives are ruining their reputations by not flying to Italy and speaking to the surviving passengers and crewmembers.
Now;the international press is calling Arison out.
Cruise writer John Honeywell of the U.K.'s Mirror wrote a strongly worded article today demanding answers from Arison -- 'Concordia: Arison Must Act Now'.

The London Independent followed suit by the article: Concordia's Invisible US Owner Branded "A Disgrace".

Independent quoted Italy's La Republica newspaper asking: "Who is this mysterious boss and how has he managed to remain like a ghost since the tragedy?"

Business Insider was to the point with 'Carnival Is Failing Spectacularly In The Handling Of Its Costa Concordia Crisis'.

Where is Micky Arison?" asks The Wall Street Journal in an article 'Carnival CEO Lies Low After Wreck'.

The Miami Herald, which will usually shy away from any critical issues which may embarrass the cruise lines which advertise with the newspaper, published the article 'Carnival Cruise Lines Faces a Hostile PR Tide'.

The Herald quoted two PR experts saying: “Micky Arison should come out, and take ownership, and get in front of the story."

But now with around 30 dead or missing from the Concordia wreck, Arison is nowhere to be seen. Arison has never stepped up to the plate to address unpleasant issues, like sexual assaults on his fleet of cruise ships, Carnival's avoidance of taxes, or exploitation of foreign crewmembers.

I don't see Arison appearing anytime soon before a microphone to discuss the deaths of his cruise guests either.

Photo credits:

Captain Schettino: Karl Ritter

Costa CEO Foschi: Tano Pecoraro / AP

Carnival Ceo Arison: Reuters

601 Chartres Street New Orleans RENTAL SCAM ALERT!

2012-01-25T10:55:00.000-05:00

RENTAL SCAM ALERT!!

SCAMMER: Terry Green
terry.green30@aol.com

LOCATION: New Orleans cottage apartment furnished rental

This person is a SCAMMER. She/he posts on Craigslist with great photos of a furnished 2 bedroom apartment. THE ADDRESS BELONGS TO A RESTAURANT!! ***SCAM ALERT*** DO NOT SEND MONEY TO THIS PERSON. ***SCAM ALERT!!***

From: Terry Green
Date: January 16, 2012 11:11
To: C Warner
Subject: Re: $275 / 2br - 2 Bedroom Balcony Apt ------ Heart of the French Quarter !! (French Quarter)

Hello Lauren,

The house cost $200 per night. You are required to make a Refundable Deposit of $200 as security fee to hold the house for you. The fee will be given back to you on the day you will be checking out of the house. The security fee is for possible damages. Check the below quotes for the cost of nights you intent to stay in the house.

2 NIGHTS = $400 50% DEPOSIT= $200 SECURITY FEE = $200

Rental Rate: 2BEDROOMS- $200 / REFUNDABLE SECURITY FEE- $200

Availability: Available
Cleaning Fees: NO
Payment Medthod: Moneygram

Check In Time 1:00 PM / Check Out Time 11:00 AM

Cleaning fee plus VAT are included in the cost per night. Full Broadband Internet, WiFi Wireless Internet, Washer,Dryer,Linens Provided and more.

As soon as you have the 50% of the rent fee paid plus the $200 Refundable Security fee, the house will be booked for you for the chosen dates and your receipt of payment will be issued. As soon as I read from you to know you are interested in the house, I will send you the Rental Terms with Booking and Agreement form to complete with necessary information and you will have to return it to complete your reservation.

Regards,

Terry Green
terry.green30@aol.com

This person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union or MoneyGram with a promise that you can have the keys to a property that does not belong to him.

Sounds safe. It's not!

At other times, he will ask for proof that you are able to pay the deposit and rent due to a string of time wasters.This proof is in the form of a Western Union or MoneyGram payment to a lawyer,a friend or family member.

In either case, if payment is made and you give this person the details, they will collect the money.You will not hear from them again.

UPDATE INFO:

The booking terms and agreement form has been email to you. Proceed to locate to any nearest Moneygram location or visit their website on www.moneygram.com to look for the nearest location to you. The money should be sent using the money in minute mode so that the owner can be able to pick it up at any nearest moneygram location. Here is the owner's information to send the deposit to.

Robert Munei
5439 Hermitage Ave
Adelanto, CA 92301

Once the deposit has been transferred, you will be given 8 Digit reference number. you will then get back to me with it together with your full senders name and address. Also get back to me with the filled booking terms and agreement form so i could finalize your reservation.

Terry Green
terry.green30@aol.com

Carnival Executives Partying in Miami: Costa Tragedy Not a Big Deal

2012-01-24T11:01:00.000-05:00

As we grieve for the people who have lost their lives on Carnival Corporation's Costa Concordia and wonder how Carnival will compensate over 4,000 people who will forever be traumatized by their near death experience -- I thought you might be interested in reading an article written by attorney Jim Walker who also keeps a blog called Cruise World News. You'll be as stunned as I was when you come across the part where Carnival's key executives have been seen having a grand time partying at numerous black tie affairs in Miami. -- Kirby Sommers

Cruise Crisis Management FAIL – How Carnival is Ruining its Reputation Following the Costa Concordia Disaster

By Jim Walker

A cruise line's reputation in a time of crisis is often formed not by the circumstances which caused the crisis but by the company's attitude, appearance, and action afterwords.
I call this the "three A's" of cruise line crisis management: attitude, appearance & action.
When disaster strikes and passengers are injured or killed during a vacation cruise, the U.S. public has a remarkable capacity to forgive the individuals and companies involved. Part of this tendency to forgive, rather than judge, is tied to the Judeo-Christian heritage of our country - where we sacrifice resentment and seek redemption in the process.

In practical terms, Americans understand that accidents are inevitable. "Sh*t happens," the saying goes. Bad things happen to good people. An individual or company should be forgiven if they demonstrate a humble and respectful attitude; they appear on the scene to take stock of the problems they caused; and they take prompt action to help others injured by their conduct.

So how have the principal actors in this drama performed so far?

Captain Francesco Schettino failed miserably. His attitude has been defiant. His appearance? None. He abandoned ship in dereliction of the traditional maritime duty to stay with the vessel dating back to the Medieval Sea codes. He fled the scene of a crime. His actions? Self preservation. Disregarding orders by the Italian Coast Guard to return to the cruise ship and assist in the evacuation. Lying. I slipped-and-fell-into-a-life-boat defies reason and belief.

Costa's chief executive, Pier Luigi Foschi, and parent company Carnival's CEO, Micky Arison, are close behind the disgraced captain in trying to ruin their reputations.

Arison admittedly expressed his condolences from the comfort of his 200 foot luxury yacht in the Miami area. But carefully crafted corporate PR statements go only so far. He failed to appear at the scene. How hard is it to hop in a Gulfstream jet and fly to Rome and then head over to the island of Giglio?

In Miami, we hear snickering that as the Costa Concordia sits on its side with dead passengers still trapped inside, some of the the Carnival executives have been seen gallivanting around town at black-tie gala parties and even Miami Heat professional basketball games. (CEO Arison owns the Miami Heat.) But it was only this weekend, one week after the crisis started, that Arison sent senior executive Howard Frank to Italy. Even then, Howard appears to be in Genoa where Costa's headquarters are located. He apparently has no intention of making an appearance at the scene of death and destruction.

Although the physical presence of corporate executives at the scene of a mass disaster may be largely symbolic, such visual images are important to demonstrate the corporation's attitude of concern and compassion.

President George Bush was perceived as demonstrating the right attitude when he appeared at the remains of the Twin Towers following 9/11. He was photographed (left) standing on a pile of smoking rubble, with his arm around a fire chief, encouraging other fire fighters through a bullhorn. But when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and images of panicked residents waving to helicopters on the roof of flooded house were broadcast on the cable news stations, the president was no where to be seen. Photographs of President Bush (below right), later published of him looking from a window on Airforce One 35,000 feet over the disaster below, made him appear aloof and disconnected and did his reputation more harm than good.

Carnival has managed prior cruise disasters effectively in the past. When an engine room fire disabled the Splendor cruise ship in 2010, Carnival sent a team of executives from Miami to San Diego where they conducted a highly publicized press conference at the port. Carnival offered reimbursement of all cruise fares, waived all onboard purchases and promised a free cruise in the future.

Carnival followed the "three A's" of crisis management perfectly. Its attitude was humble. It appeared on the scene. And it took immediate action to solve the problem.

I was so impressed that I wrote an article praising Carnival and providing my opinion why it should not be sued for the accident.

But Carnival does not seem to know how to act following the Concordia disaster.

We hear Carnival's CEO Arison finally saying the rights things. Five days after the crisis unfolded later, he finally tweeted "I gave my personal assurance that we will take care of each & every one of our guests, crew and their families" He included a link to a press release issued by Carnival promising to take care of everyone. But this weekend, there are news reports that the cruise survivors were stunned and insulted when Costa CEO Foschi offered a 30% discount on future cruises as part of proposed compensation to stave off lawsuits.

A 30% discount? Talk about pouring salt into the wound. The cruise industry collects over $35,000,000,000 (billion) a year mostly from tax paying Americans yet it pays no U.S. federal taxes because it registers it vessels overseas and incorporated itself in Panama to avoid U.S. tax, wage and labor laws, and health and safety laws. Arison himself is the richest person in Florida with a net worth of over $4,000,000,000.

Carnival will not hesitate to make a claim against its underwriters for payment of $500,000,000 for its wrecked cruise ship as well as seeking hundreds of millions of dollars for the lost revenue caused by not being able to collect money from passengers sailing on the cruise ship in the future. It is now rightfully facing public ridicule by offering a discount worth a few hundred dollars to avoid litigation. I hate to think what the families of the dead loved ones think about taking a discounted Costa cruise in the future.

Carnival and CEO Arison have a mixed reputation in Miami over the years. Lots of travel agents love Arison. But Arison has faced more than his fair share of critics for Carnival's avoidance of taxes, exploitation of foreign crewmembers and indifference to the problem of women and children being sexually assaulted on Carnival's cruise ships. Consider these articles (by Miami New Times): "Is Mickey A Greedy Corporate Pig?" or "The Deep Blue Greed - The Arison Clan Built Carnival into a Money Machine by Cleverly Avoiding Tax Laws" or "Carnival? Try Criminal.

Carnival has enormous financial resources and insurance proceeds to respond to the disaster and compensate the families who are suffering because of its reckless captain. It can take care of the mess and salvage its reputation. But does it have the corporate ethics to do so? We know that CEO Arison loves the limelight when his businesses are successful. But if Arison and Carnival's executives don't care enough to appear in Giglio to speak with the survivors directly and assess the situation personally, they risk earning reputations no better than that of their arrogant and cowardly Captain Schettino.

Photo credits:

Top: News Pictures / Rex Features

Carnival Corp Authorized Salute which Led to Concordia Disaster at Sea, by Kirby Sommers

2012-01-22T15:01:00.000-05:00

Carnival Corp (CCL), parent company of the Costa Concordia, are hoping the public will not know about their practice of "saluting" in their tireless effort to recruit new passengers.

The video clip shown here is just a few months old. It clearly shows the Costa Concordia sailing close to the island in Carnival Corporation's never ending quest of luring new customers onto their massive ships.

According to transcripts of his hearing with investigators, Captain Schettino insists Costa executives ordered him to maneuver the ship close to the island in order to "please passengers and attract publicity".

"It was planned, we should have done it a week earlier but it was not possible because of bad weather," Schettino said."They (Carnival/Costa) insisted. They said: 'We do tourist navigation, we have to be seen, get publicity and greet the island'."

Carnival Corp (CCL) is the largest cruise ship operator in the world. The company was started in 1971 by Meshulam Riklis and Ted Arison. When Arison denounced his U.S. citizenship and returned to Israel in an effort to avoid paying estate and inheritance taxes on the $10 billion he socked away, his son Micky became Carnival’s CEO.

In 2012 Micky’s net worth was estimated at $4.5 billion (after dropping $1.3 billion) according to Forbes Magazine.

2012 Copyright Kirby Sommers

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Order your copy of 'Carnival Cruise: The Definitive History of the Company and the men behind the doomed Costa Concordia,' by Kirby Sommers

Carnival Cruise: The Definitive History of the Company Behind the Doomed Costa Concordia, by Kirby Sommers

2012-01-22T09:23:00.000-05:00

Carnival Corp (CCL) is in the midst of a maelstrom of criticism and outrage over the handling of the evacuation of the Costa Concordia after it capsized on Friday 13, 2012. The sinking of the Concordia is the modern day Titanic. This book offers a unique insight into the history of Carnival Cruise and the ruthless men who created the world’s largest cruise company.

Take an inside look as the author traces the evolution of Carnival from its humble beginnings, through its period of incredible growth, to the tragedy of the Costa Concordia at sea. Find out how two ruthless men came together in pursuit of profits with no regard for the ordinary person whose pockets they emptied.

The story begins with Meshulam Riklis and Ted Arison -- founders of Carnival Cruises in 1971.

It is a unique tale of hubris, ambition, and more importantly, one of greed. Carnival’s success was due to targeting the poor. Instead of appealing to the privileged, they went after the masses, following the business model which had worked so well for Meshulam Riklis -- the nickel and dime store operator with ties to the mob.

The sinking of the Concordia brings into focus how Carnival brainwashed the consumer. It shows how a corporation, throughout its history, systematically and ominously obscured the truth.

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Order your copy of 'Carnival Cruise: The Definitive History of the Company and the men behind the doomed Costa Concordia,' by Kirby Sommers

Carnival’s CEO Micky Arison Guilty of Placing Profits Over People, by Kirby Sommers

2012-01-21T10:22:00.000-05:00

Just in! Patrick Kuhn’s rant about Carnival being guilty of placing profits over people:

(Carnival Corp (CCL) Costa Concordia) Sister company? How about calling it what it is: a subsidiary company. The layman shouldn't be too quick to accept the manufactured "It's all the Captain's fault" story, either. Now Carnival wants to focus on the positive "out of respect" for those who perished aboard one of their vessels? Who are they trying to fool? Are they waiting for the next big international crisis, hoping it will distract potential customers long enough that everyone stops asking the really hard questions, like, "What's the root cause of this disaster?"

Here's my opinion on the matter: The problems afflicting Carnival Cruise Lines run far, far, far deeper than a captain abandoning his ship before passengers, and people who work in the maritime industry know that better than the hired mouthpieces and spin doctors working for Carnival Cruise Lines, directly and indirectly (they simply repeat what they're told to repeat, to the point they believe their own story, or they find another job).

Let's make no mistake about it: The vessels owned and operated by Carnival Cruise Lines in the United States are spectacular, they really are. Should you choose to set sail aboard one, you'll be impressed by their size, the atmosphere, the crew-members' nifty uniforms--all of which adds to the illusion of absolute safety at sea. But what most passengers don't realize is the ships they board are foreign-flagged for a lot of reasons--taxes, labor law evasion, Jones Act evasion, liability evasion, which is especially helpful when something catastrophic occurs and lots of people burn to death or drown.

You see, Micky Arison might be a multi-billionaire living the very, very good life in Boca Raton, Florida, but don't ever expect to see Carnival Cruise Lines offering "good paying jobs" aboard their vessels. No, they offer "fun" jobs, and the crewmembers they recruit primarily from third-world countries might agree, provided their definition of "fun" is toiling 12 to 16 hours per day, every single day, for the duration of their contract, for wages far less than the American minimum wage--which explains why competent, professional sailors won't go anywhere near cruise ships.

Salty, seasoned, veteran sailors know better than anyone cruise ships, generally, are catastrophes waiting to happen, and for the most part it comes down to numbers. 3,200 crewmembers aboard a ship that carries 4,000 passengers?

Yeah. That's an expensive ratio. The only way to keep it all exceptionally profitable for owners and executives is start the hiring process with one simple requirement: Don't apply if you're looking for a good-paying job. Apply only if you're willing to work yourself half to death for near-nothing, and no, it won't really be all that much fun, either, especially if you work below decks, far from passenger scrutiny.

Where do you recruit? Third world countries, of course, for a number of reasons: Pay-expectations are substantially less from a person who grew up on a thimble of rice per day. Secondly, when you're paid near-nothing, you're trapped, you can't simply quit, like an American can and will as soon as the ship bumps the dock, because airfare for the no-notice flight half way around the world represents two or three months' of your pitiful, legalized-slavery income. What does pay have to do with passenger's safety? Everything. Absolutely everything. Professional, seasoned sailors who with the professional background to keep passengers alive in a worst-case scenario?

Yeah. Good luck finding them. If they're aboard, they're few and far between, whereas people--good, kind-hearted, but otherwise incompetent sailors, if you can even call them sailors, most of whom never in their wildest dreams expected to battle a three-deck fire--are plentiful.

And if you think the US Coast Guard tails cruise ships 500 miles out to sea, think again, the real world doesn't work that way. In fact, the real world is covered by 330 million square miles of water, so if the ship is ablaze or sinking, passengers can--and already did (on the Concordia) -- are dependent on the crew for survival.

The crewmembers’ passengers interact with above decks--well, at least they all speak some English. The crewmembers who work below decks, the ones who are pouring onto the weather decks from all directions--they speak a dozen or more different languages, so they can't even communicate with each other, much less coordinate a mass-casualty effort effectively.

Combined with screaming, horrified passengers, they just add to the ensuing chaos. But, hey, Carnival Corp’s Micky Arison is not interested in "professional" sailors, he's interested in cheap sailors. Dirt cheap, and they're not sticking around to die alone at sea aboard a doomed vessel. Heck no, they're grabbing a lifeboat for themselves the moment self-preservation takes over their senses, especially when they see the Captain being lowered over the side. Was he at fault?

Was the Captain 100% responsible for this ship hitting the rocks? To a limited degree, yes. But one has to understand that the Captain aboard almost all ships serves two purposes: He's an administrator, primarily. And he's the fall-guy.

When the ship pulls in and out of port, yes, he'll be on the Bridge, but another captain, called a pilot, who's attached to the port, not the ship, will bring the ship to its birth. But while out to sea--as was the case here--the Captain has little or nothing to do with safe navigation of the vessel.

Those responsibilities are delegated to the Chief Mate, the Second Mate, and the Third Mate (there may be multiple aboard "Gray Hulls" (military vessels) and cruise ships. The person standing closest to the wheel is the Helmsman--he's unlicensed and he takes orders from whatever mate is on watch.

Again, the only time he takes orders from the Captain is when the ship is maneuvering in and out of port, or when some knit-wit Captain aboard a cruise ship who earns less than an American truck driver wants to show passengers that "he's the boss," which always annoys everyone on the Bridge regardless of what they say aloud, or AFTER all hell has broken loose.

Anyway, it's the Bridge Team and the Engineers who are most directly responsible for safe navigation of the vessel, not the Captain per se. Step 1: PROTECT THE PASSENGERS BY RE-FLAGGING SHIPS OPERATING IN AMERICAN WATERS TO AMERICA AND CONFORM TO THE JONES ACT.

If nothing else, at the very, very least, (Carnival Corp) should fill key positions with American sailors. And America really does have some of the finest sailors in the world. Sailors Union of the Pacific offers the absolute best of the best unlicensed sailors--career sailors, where the average age is 56 years old (compared to the alternative "union," which amounts to little more than a head-hunter organization, although it's certainly a safer option that's what's taking place now), whereas licensed positions (officers) on the Bridge should be provided by Master's, Mates, and Pilots Association. Engineers: MEBA.

Carnival Cruise Lines remains guilty of placing profits over people at the risk of crewmembers and passengers alike.

Will Micky follow through? I am 99% certain he won't, because let's face it: Legalized slavery is exceptionally profitable, even when said profits materialize at the risk of trapped crewmembers, and especially American passengers who simply don't know any better. Again, that's my opinion on the matter.

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Order your copy of 'Carnival Cruise: The Definitive History of the Company and the men behind the doomed Costa Concordia,' by Kirby Sommers

How can it be that reporters didn't know Carnival Corp owned doomed Concordia? Kirby Sommers

2012-01-20T09:39:00.000-05:00

One week ago today Carnival Corp's (CCL) Costa Concordia grabbed headlines around the world when the ship's hull was torn making it the largest cruise disaster on sea since the Titanic 100 years ago.

As many of you know I have been writing daily reports, including commentaries and historical facts, about the history of Carnival Cruise Lines (otherwise known as Carnival Corp).

Writers everywhere have been linking their websites to mine for my latest researched piece. Apparently, it is big news that Carnival Corp owns the Costa Concordia. I naively always assumed the world knew this important bit of cruise line history. But it didn't.

According to Michael Grace whose website is called Cruise Line History, he was immediately contacted by the press when he linked to my story 'The Murky Waters of Carnival' -- where I trace the background of the owners of the ill fated Concordia.

Here's an email I received form Michael this morning:

Dear Kirby Sommers... Great piece on the background of Carnival. I used the piece on my website and credited you with a link to your blog. I get a lot of hits... over a hundred thousand yesterday. Carnival Corp is a menace. If okay with you would love to use the other pieces... the poor kid from Argentina... it is time Arison and his group be exposed for the menace that they are. They've taken great companies like Cunard and turned them into the equivalent of Walmart afloat. Again many thanks and hope okay to use your blog... I normally don't do current news... but this is worth it. Arison will be spending a good deal of bucks to turn this pr disaster around. I believe he thought, foolishly, he could hide in Miami... I was in Europe when this happened... heading back to LA via Miami. I had two phone calls from reporters Sunday... who'd checked out my website. I made it clear that Carnival owned Costa. They were clueless about any connection. Thanks, Michael Grace

Other journalists like Danny Schector, News Dissector, have been linking to my reports from day one.

And today I received a ton of email inquiries from even yet more reporters wanting my permission to link.

My answer to all of you is YES! On the condition that you request permission BEFORE you post. Please add link to the original post on my blog. I strongly request you do not simply copy my work and post it on your website.

To those who question how it is I know so much about Carnival Corp., the answer is simple. I had a long term relationship with Ira Riklis, son of Meshulam Riklis, who co-founded Carnival with Ted Arison. So I know how these guys think and how they run their companies.

Again, please link directly to my blog, and refrain from just copying my pieces.

I am happy to work collaboratively with all writers wishing to expose what really transpired on the Concordia which has resulted in the death of a known 11 -- which may tragically increase to as high as 31 fatalities.

2012 Copyright Kirby Sommers

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Order your copy of 'Carnival Cruise: The Definitive History of the Company and the men behind the doomed Costa Concordia,' by Kirby Sommers

Who Should Be Blamed: The Captain or The Company, by Kirby Sommers

2012-01-19T18:09:00.001-05:00

Carnival Cruise (CCL) and its CEO Micky Arison are getting blasted online for responding as poorly to the Concordia’s tragic disaster as Captain Schettino is for abandoning ship.

Here’s an online post written by the daughter of a survivor: ‘My mother and her boyfriend were on this ship. I am so thankful they were able to get out alive. So hard to get information now from the states. Waiting until the morning breaks in Italy to begin calling again. I will never go on a large ship like this. Thanks for giving out information that Carnival owns these ships. Arison sounds like a total coward, hiding out in Miami…’

Perhaps Arison, who recently hired public relations firm Burson-Marsteller to help spin media reports, should listen to the disgruntled online reports and go to the scene of the accident. Arison has yet to set foot in Italy. Rather he is “overseeing” the response from Carnival’s corporate office in Miami approximately 5,000 miles away from the island of Giglio where the wreckage still sits.

It is a perfect public relations ploy.

While the world is fixated on placing the blame on Capt Schettino, Carnival sits back and watches. They’re there, but they’re not. And if no one sees them, maybe no one will blame them. Right?

On Thursday, January 19th six full days after the tragedy Carnival finally “suspended” Schettino.

If the captain is to be fully blamed, then he should have been given the boot when he was arrested. But, that didn't happen. For all we know Schettino’s attorney may very well be getting paid by Carnival.

After all in an unregulated industry where profit is the only game and scapegoats can be easily bought the scenario is entirely plausible. Carnival may have actually convinced Schettino to take the fall for the greater good of the company. So is the man a coward for abandoning ship or is he a corporate hero?

Remember Schettino has been with Carnival Corp (CCL) for 11 years. In 2002 he was hired by Costa as a safety officer. He then served as a staff captain and was appointed captain in 2006. That’s a long time to develop feelings of loyalty for his employer.

Earlier today CNN reported that Schettino called Carnival in Miami right after the ship’s hull was torn open. Which indicates that Schettino, an experience seaman, was already alarmed. We all know he didn’t follow protocol, but the real question is why?

Schettino wasn’t a novice skipper. Some 30 years ago he attended the respected Nino Bixio Nautical Institute in Piano di Sorrento, in Naples.

Did the big boys at the top tell him to do certain things during that phone call?

So far the public has responded with rage at Schettino’s actions. But what if those actions were really instructions?

When Schettino had the conversation with his bosses, he probably already knew water was gushing in and was aware that if he stayed on course the ship would sink like the Titanic did some 100 years ago.

Instead he turns the ship and heads closer to shore. By doing so he probably did save the lives of thousands of people.

Look, I am not trying to make a case for Schettino. What I am trying to do is look behind why someone with his experience would fail to place a Mayday call of distress?

The answer may be more complex than one would initially surmise.

2012 Copyright Kirby Sommers

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Order your copy of 'Carnival Cruise: The Definitive History of the Company and the men behind the doomed Costa Concordia,' by Kirby Sommers

Carnival tells survivor: Sue us, by Kirby Sommers

2012-01-19T10:28:00.000-05:00

Carnival Corp (CCL) owners of the Costa Concordia told a survivor to sue them. The company, who has been heavily criticized for their crafty maneuverings by registering its ships in foreign countries in order to avoid paying U.S. taxes, appears to be unfazed with the multitude of lawsuits coming their way.

Fernando Tofanelli, a passenger who had to rescue himself approached Carnival/Concordia for help with out of pocket expenses. The company’s reply was “sue us”. Tofanelli, an Italian Argentinian student, found their response to be “utterly disgusting”.

The death toll has climbed to 11 at the time of this writing with 20 people still missing. On Wednesday, January 18th rescue crews had to stop their search operations after the wreckage shifted several inches. On Thursday January 19th the search and rescue mission has been changed to a recovery operation.

As of this writing a class action lawsuit has already been initiated against Concordia by Codacons, an Italian consumer defense organization, on behalf of 70 passengers. The lawsuit is seeking 10,000 euro or $12,773 per person for “the fear suffered, the holidays ruined and the serious risks endured,” said Carlo Rienzi of Codacons.

Concordia is today’s Titanic. It will go down in history as one of the most horrifying catastrophes at sea. The Carnival/Concordia case is so unique in its severity that the only certainty is intense litigation.

Under the terms of the Carnival/Concordia ticketing agreement all passengers, regardless of nationality, have to file their claims in Genoa, Italy.

There is speculation the case is so spectacular in nature that the standard agreement, which has saved Carnival in the past, may not do so now. American maritime lawyers predict the Costa Concordia disaster may set precedence in the U.S. and if does it will open the floodgates for lawsuits against the company.

A look at the numbers may shed some light on how much Carnival may have to shell out if everyone sued.

There were approximately 4,200 people on board comprising of 3,216 passengers and about 1,000 crew members. The number of Americans was 126 with 2 confirmed deaths and 2 still unaccounted for.

If all foreign passengers joined the class action lawsuit the number would rise from 70 to 3,090 making it a $40 million lawsuit and the largest of its kind in history.

The Concordia's crew employment contracts probably require them to use arbitration instead of lawsuits to settle any disputes. Even so, there are almost 1,000 of them with at least one confirmed death. This could mean an additional $5 million out of Carnival’s pockets.

Americans, however, are expected to challenge the Athens Convention, an international agreement, which caps cruise owner liability to $80,000 per person in the event of injury. With possibly four deaths and 122 distraught passengers the amount for the loss of life may be as high as $7.2 million with an anticipated $61 million lawsuit among the survivors.

In the past Carnival has created a public relations nightmare by offering "full-refund-plus-a-free-cruise" to passengers whose lives were put in danger. But is this tactic going to work on the survivors of the Concordia when the last thing they want to do is set foot on one of their cruise ships again?

Remember, Carnival earns literally billions each year in profits, and pays less than one percent in U.S. taxes by registering their vessels in Liberia and Panama. The world has been watching and everyone is alarmed. This has affected the cruise industry as a whole as can be seen with the drop in stock prices.

So the question is will Carnival try to hold on to their dollars at the expense of their image? Analysts predict this time Carnival will pay.

Copyright 2012 Kirby Sommers

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Order your copy of 'Carnival Cruise: The Definitive History of the Company and the men behind the doomed Costa Concordia,' by Kirby Sommers

Titanic Theme Song Playing on Concordia at time of Sinking, by Kirby Sommers

2012-01-18T09:09:00.001-05:00

The theme song for the hit movie 'Titanic' My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion was playing in the Costa Concordia's restaurant at the time of the ship's disaster. Can you imagine how unnerving it must have been for the people who were listening to this as they fought for their lives?

In another ironic twist the granddaughter of a Titanic survivor was also onboard the Concordia when it capsized.

Read full story reported by The Telegraph here.

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Order your copy of 'Carnival Cruise: The Definitive History of the Company and the men behind the doomed Costa Concordia,' by Kirby Sommers

The Murky Waters of Carnival Corp, by Kirby Sommers

2012-01-16T18:16:00.019-05:00

In response to the largest passenger ship disaster since the sinking of the Titanic 100 years ago, Carnival Corp (CCL), has placed the blame entirely on Capt Francesco Schettino. A spokesperson for the company stated that Schettino made an “unapproved, unauthorized” deviation in the course of the Concordia whose hull was torn open on Friday 13th when the ship struck rocks off the island of Giglio, Italy.

As survivors speak angrily about their horrifying ordeal, images eerily similar to those seen in the movie Titanic have emerged. Sandra Rogers a 62 year-old grandmother from Minorca told a reporter from the Daily Mail: “There was no women and children first policy. There were big men, crew members, pushing their way past us to get into the lifeboats.”

Carnival Corp (CCL) claims the partial sinking of the Concordia will cost them approximately $85 million to $95 million in lost earnings for the year. When compared to the $6.5 million dollars Carnival paid for their first ship in 1972 one can safely conclude the company which now owns over 100 passenger ships has deep enough pockets and insurance to absorb this loss.

The origin and rise of the largest cruise company in the world is rooted in what some might call murky waters.

Meshulam Riklis and Ted Arison (born Theodore Arisohn) founded Carnival Cruise Lines. The pair became friends in Tel Aviv (the then British Mandate of Palestine) while attending school during the early 1940s. In 1971 Arison approached Riklis who owned, among other businesses, American International Travel Services (AITS) of Boston to help him get back into the cruise business.

Two previous ventures had soured for Arison. In 1968 the Israeli government impounded his small cruise ship for monies owed. Instead of paying the money to retrieve his ship, he abandoned it, swiftly putting all the passengers onto another vessel. The second incident happened soon thereafter in 1971 after when Arison had a nasty falling out with his Norwegian Caribbean Cruise Line (NCL) partner Knut Kloster.

Riklis and Arison had more than just a school in Israel in common. They both earned well deserved reputations of being ruthless barracudas in their primal pursuit of financial gain.

The enterprising Riklis/Arison pair purchased “Empress of Canada” from Canadian Pacific for $6.5 million and renamed the ship “Mardi Gras”. On its maiden voyage it ran aground with approximately 500 people on board before it ever left Miami.

In February of 1973 Riklis used AITS to purchase the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas for $56 million. The hotel had ties to infamous mobster Meyer Lansky. The Nevada Gaming Commission had Riklis dispose of its interests in Carnival or lose the hotel’s gaming license. Riklis and Arison exchanged a document whereby Riklis sold his 50% share in Carnival for $1. People familiar with the transaction believe the Riklis family still own a portion of Carnival.

Carnival Corp. (as it is known today) became the mega giant it is by registering their ships in foreign countries in order to avoid paying U.S. taxes. The company is also notoriously known to exploit Third World laborers who work on their ships for slave wages. A recent lawsuit by a former employee shows the company paid him a paltry $1.70/hour. Their lobbyists, on the other hand, receive a small fortune to ensure tax laws don’t change in Congress.

On October 8, 1999, almost 10 years after Arison denounced his U.S. citizenship and returned to Israel in an effort to avoid paying estate and inheritance taxes, he passed away of a heart attack at the age of 75.

Arison's son Micky (owner of Miami Heat) became Carnival’s CEO. In 2012 Micky’s net worth was estimated at $4.5 billion (after dropping $1.3 billion) according to Forbes Magazine.

His daughter Shari inherited one-third of his wealth making her the richest woman in Israel.

In 2002 Forbes Magazine reported that Meshulam Riklis left his business creditors holding the bag for approximately $4 billion. The companies included the Riviera, McCrory Corp., McCrory Parent Corp., E-II Holdings and Dylex.

In 2010 a then 86 year-old Meshulam Riklis married 51 year-old Tali Sinai. When asked exactly how much he was worth by a reporter, the billionaire replied: “What difference does it make? I can only wear one pair of shoes at a time.” His son, Ira Riklis, told this writer on numerous occasions that his father worked hard on staying off the Forbes 400.

2012 Copyright Kirby Sommers

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Order your copy of 'Carnival Cruise: The Definitive History of the Company and the men behind the doomed Costa Concordia,' by Kirby Sommers

Carnival Cruise Lines: A Titanic Experience, by Kirby Sommers

2012-01-15T09:45:00.002-05:00

Miami based Carnival Cruise (CCL) isn’t wasting any time before running its well-known bear commercial (the one with the screaming bears attacking the in couple in their car) in the wake of the tragic sinking of the Concordia off the cost of Isola del Giglio, Italy on Friday the 13th.

As I watched the news this morning I was somewhat taken aback when the commercial aired seconds after hearing first hand accounts from some of the terrified passengers who spoke of having to fend for themselves since neither the crew nor the captain helped them in any way.

Here's the commercial:

Over 4,000 people evacuated and at this time there are five confirmed deaths and 17 people still missing. Captain Schettino faces manslaughter charges while the giant Carnival Corporation has yet to address allegations of its delayed evacuation response.

The incident is the most dramatic cruise ship accident since the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank on April 15, 1912 killing 1,517 people. Rose Metcalf, a 22 year-old British dancer who worked on the ship as a performer told her father it “felt like the sinking of the Titanic.”

Fabio Costa, a cruise-ship shop worker, told the BBC: “We just saw a huge rock, that was probably where the ship hit, and people were having huge trouble trying to get on the lifeboats. So at that point we didn’t know what to do, so it took hours for people to get off the ship. It was easier for people to jump into the sea because we were on the same level as that water. So some people pretty much just decided to swim as they were not able to get on the lifeboats.”

Carnival Corporation came under fire when The New York Times reported on February 1, 2011 that over a five year period the company has paid total corporate taxes equal to only 1.1 percent of its cumulative $11.3 billion in profits thanks to an obscure tax loophole.

Carnival (CCL) owns 100 ships and has 10 more on order. Its brands include Carnival, Holland America Line, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises, Cagliari and Palermo.

Carnival was created by Meshulam Riklis and Ted Arison. In 1990 Arison denounced his U.S. citizenship and returned to Israel with billions of dollars he took from tax paying U.S. passengers in order to avoid paying estate and inheritance taxes. Riklis famously sold his stake in Carnival to Arison for $1.

2012 Copyright Kirby Sommers

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Order your copy of 'Carnival Cruise: The Definitive History of the Company and the men behind the doomed Costa Concordia,' by Kirby Sommers

How Rich Men Cheat, by Kirby Sommers

2012-01-12T08:38:00.001-05:00

Many of my dedicated readers continue to ask me where the "How Rich Men Cheat" article is, so am reposting here. I wrote this during the Tiger Woods sex scandal and it seems to have hit a nerve among women who wanted info on how to spot a man's cheating ways. So, happy reading and I certainly hope your man stays true! - Kirby

Ira Riklis' handwritten note included with flowers he sent

How Rich Men Cheat

In the wake of Tiger Woods jaw-dropping sex scandal there is only one thing for Elin to do and that is to divorce her narcissist bed hopping at the drop of a hat hubby.

She should not blame the other women and she should not give him another chance. All this blame-the-other-woman nonsense is ridiculous. It’s pretty difficult to image a woman chasing someone as famous as Tiger Woods and demanding he sleep with her. Tiger did the chasing. Tiger did the cheating. And only Tiger should pay, both literally and figuratively for not keeping his junk in his pants.

I know this firsthand. I know because I was once the other woman to one very private billionaire by the name of Ira Riklis. We had an eight-year relationship that would make every one of Tiger Woods “transgressions” pale by comparison. Even in the pre-internet days of the 1980s-90s, Ira was a master of “transgressions.”

This is how Ira cheated (which will give you an indication of how the rich, powerful and famous do it, pun intended):

1. He told me he loved me.

2. He talked about getting a divorce.

3. He talked about marrying me.

4. He verbally compared my body to hers (always telling me how perfect mine was compared to hers because, according to him: “her body changed since she had the kids”).

5. He’d go off on his month long ski trips with wife and kids in tow and call me constantly (which, btw, is called cheating on your wife when you’re on vacation)

6. He would have me book hotel reservations in my name – then he would call the hotel, ask for me and have me tell him which room number I was in, whereupon he would come on over without ever having to stop at the front desk. (That’s an art form he must have acquired from his famously wicked father Meshulam Riklis, or something he must have perfected from previous adulterous romps).

7. He would hand me a wad of cash to pay for the hotel rooms several days or weeks after my/our stay so I could take care of the bill in cash and there would be no trace no trace back to him. Officially, I was the only one to actually sleep in the room. Ira would come and go. Sometimes, quite literally. Unless, of course, we traveled outside of New York City.

8. He would have me make my own airline reservations and then meet me in front of the terminal. We’d then make our way to the reservations clerk where he would hand over another wad of cash to pay for my roundtrip fare -- again making sure there was no paper trail.

9. He asked me to buy black suits to wear in public so that in the event we’d bump into someone he knew on the streets of New York City; he could introduce me as “his banker.”

10. He sent me flowers with handwritten notes (yes, handwritten notes because there was a time when no one sent emails or texted).

11. He had me set up fictitious corporations so he could write checks out to them in order for me to have the money to buy expensive “Lejaby” lingerie and the deliciously decadent “Fogel” stockings – both of which he turned me on to. And, of course, I needed to keep on buying those notorious black suits…

12. He would take me shopping in other cities and always paid cash. The shopping trips were pretty similar to the scene in Pretty Woman with the “obscene amount of money” and fawning talk. Which, frankly I liked. Having someone fawn over you while you shop is always nice. Unlike the Pretty Woman scenario, Ira stayed with me while I changed in the dressing room.

And what makes Ira’s cheating ways much more twisted than Tiger Woods is back when I first refused to have anything to do with him -- being married and all, and basically disappeared from his life -- Ira had me hunted down.

Yes, hunted down. He paid a hefty $150,000 to a man named Dave to have him find me. That was a lot of money in the mid 80’s. It took six months for this Dave guy to fetch me for him. Of course, this was before Google got in the business of spying. I guess it wouldn’t cost him a cent to find me now.

Oh well...

Bottom line is he chased me. And, then when I said no, he chased me some more. And, then some more, until I finally gave in.

Elin, the other women are not the problem. It’s the easy thing to believe. And it’s a lot easier to blame all those other women than to blame the man you love.

After all, when you blame the man you love, in essence you’re blaming yourself.

Stop blaming yourself and move on. Tiger’s stripes aren’t going to change. You and your children deserve better. To base your happiness and the happiness of your children on someone who is completely self-centered would be the wrong road to take.

You and you alone are in control of your destiny. After all, leaving the louse is all the revenge you’ll need.

Oh, I left Ira in 1993 and yes, he got caught too.

2009-2012 Copyright by Kirby Sommers

Did you forget about Newt Gingrich's Sex Scandal? And everything else?

2012-01-09T19:55:00.001-05:00

Newt Gingrich

If you have forgotten about Newt Gingrich's sex scandals and a host of other things he probably hopes no one remembers, take a look at an old post I have here from 2007:

http://kirbysommers.blogspot.com/2007/03/newt-gingrich-blames-victims-of.html

Kirby Sommers

UPDATE: Mark Everson and Paige Roberts Red Cross Affair to Remember, by Kirby Sommers

2012-01-09T11:15:00.003-05:00

The post titled 'Mark Everson and Paige Roberts Red Cross Affair to Remember' is one of the most read on my blog -- even now -- over four years after the scandal which forced Mark Everson, CEO of the American Red Cross to resign after only six months on the job. Everson was hand picked by President G.W. Bush to help boast the tarnished image the Red Cross acquired as a result of their poor response to Hurricane Katrina.

Seems Everson started his tenure at the Red Cross with a sex scandal ...STAY TUNED...story will follow later!

Kirby

PREFACE to The Secret Life of Billionaire Ira Riklis, by Kirby Sommers

2012-01-07T13:25:00.013-05:00

Meshulam Riklis

After I found the courage to walk away from Ira Riklis in the fall of 1993, two entertainment attorneys approached me while I was still living in California. They talked about purchasing the rights to my life story. An offer just shy of $10 million was discussed. I rejected the offer for what I believed were good reasons.

My baby nephew was still a child and I didn’t want him to hear about my life via a movie or be subjected to scandalous news at his age. He was enjoying the sort of enchanted childhood every person deserves and I wanted him to grow up emotionally unscathed. He is now in his 30s. Additionally, my mother was still alive and although I suffered enormous physical and mental abuse by her as a child, I didn’t want to inflict any injuries upon her. My mother passed away just over two years ago after falling in her apartment and breaking her hip at the age of 88.

Different people at different times approached me with all kinds of offers to buy the rights to my story. Whether or not I discussed Ira Riklis by name was optional. Not the case with two other men who somehow stumbled upon me in New York in the spring of 2004.

The men were Ron Friedman and Peter Rodino, III.

Ron Friedman is the son of the late Sidney Friedman. Friedman was an attorney who counted among his clients Audrey Hepburn and The New York Giants. He passed away in 1997 at age 83.

Peter Rodino, III is the son of Peter Rodino, Jr who was the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee during the impeachment hearings that led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation for Watergate – the most infamous political scandal in the history of the United States. The elder Rodino passed away in 2005 at the age of 96.

Friedman and Rodino’s interest in my story at the time was for a book and a movie to be worked on simultaneously.

Friedman told me Rodino's interest in getting the story out was because of a personal vendetta he held against Meshulam Riklis. Apparently Rodino’s father lost a great deal of money when the Riklis family (led by Meshulam Riklis via Rapid American Corp) bankrupted the McCrory Stores in 1992.

The McCrory Stores were an American institution and had been around since John Graham McCrorey opened his five and dime store in Scottdale, Pennsylvania in 1882.

Meshulam Riklis purchased McCrory in 1960. In ‘63, the company was the fourth largest retailer in the United States. By the time Riklis’ famous sleight of hand was done, shifting assets from one company to another, McCrory was left with liabilities of $110 million against assets totaling only $66 million.

Even the art work which was technically owned by McCrory such as Piet Mondrian's "Composition with Yellow" and Fernand Léger's "Contrastes de formes," was transferred by Meshulam Riklis to a Riklis family owned company. The same is true of the company’s assets. This allegedly put a lot of money into the Riklis family coffers but left both creditors and stockholders with nothing.

During 2004 with both Friedman and Rodino by my side, I approached The New York Post to make a statement about the forthcoming book and movie. The Post was very interested in my story and was getting ready to run a cover piece titled: “More Skeletons out of the Riklis closet.”

The reporter spoke both to Ira Riklis and his attorney, Max Wild (the Wild story took another turn, but I will leave it for another day). In the end, I’m not sure what really transpired. I was told that Ira ok’d the word “girlfriend” (??). I was also told that both Ira and his attorney applied some pressure on the editor which resulted in stopping the story from going to press.

It seemed no matter what I did, Ira was always quick to thwart all my efforts in the telling of my story – which shows he’s a lot more like his father than even he would like to admit. To try to boast my morale, Friedman told me I had an “evergreen story” and it would always be timely.

I have continued to receive many inquiries and offers for my story. Whether by it’s current title: “The Billionaire’s Woman: A Memoir” or by former working titles which I’d rather not list here since they’re all pretty good, and I might choose to use them at some future date. (To read a synopsis you might want to see "Secret Life of Billionaire Ira Riklis" here).

But hey, if you know anyone who wants to buy the rights to my story for say, $10 million or more, this time, I might just bite.

Copyright 2012 Kirby Sommers

NOTE: Obviously, this is not the book's actual 'preface.' It is a behind the scenes look at some of the events and people who have been part of the book's journey.

Woman Fatally Crushed in Elevator Accident, by Kirby Sommers

2011-12-15T10:13:00.064-05:00

Suzanne Hart, a 41 year old executive at Y&R with offices at 285 Madison Avenue on 40th Street, was killed on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 in a freak elevator accident.

According to witnesses and the firemen who responded to the emergency, the elevator doors stayed open but started its ascent with Ms. Hart still halfway out, pinning her between the first and second floors. “ It seems like her body is what stops the elevator’s movement,” a fire official said.

This is a horrific accident and one which could have been avoided.

Despite what the newspapers and media are reporting about the elevators at 285 Madison Avenue having no outstanding elevator problems, they are wrong. If you go to the Department of Building's website, you will find over a dozen OPEN/ACTIVE elevator complaints. And, at the tail end of this long list, the latest violation posted after yesterday's horrific accident is labeled a "Construction" issue.

285 Madison Avenue is owned by WPP -- the umbrella company for Y&R and Wunderman.

Y&R, which was Young & Rubicam when it opened its doors in 1926 at 285 Madison Avenue, will be moving to 3 Columbus Circle on the West Side, near the Time Warner Center. Other companies that are part of the Young & Rubicam Group division of WPP are also leaving. They include Blast Radius, BrandBuzz, Bravo, K & Lee, the KBM Group, VML, Wunderman and ZAAZ.

I know a lot of owners of commercial buildings in the city, and most simply don't care about safety complaints or city violations. Spending money on upkeep is often ignored. Think about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 that killed 146 workers (including kids). Even with the creation of safety codes after this horrific event, many building owners continue to run their buildings with little or no care about the safety of their tenants. This accident is another case in point.

I personally believe WPP should be held accountable. They knew their elevators had problems and did nothing to correct the issues. Hey, I know it costs well into seven digits to replace a faulty elevator. But, isn't one human life worth a lot more?

Rest In Peace, Suzanne Hart.

2011 Copyright Kirby Sommers

UPDATE, December 16, 2011

I've done a little digging and am including here some information the news may not be sharing with you.

The tax records show that 285 Madison Avenue is owned by Young and Rubicam, Inc with an address at the same building.

Same tax records estimate their yearly estimated gross income at $14,656.00.

The elevator accident that took the life of Suzanne Hart on December 14, 2011 could have been prevented.

History of safety violations in its elevators

Since 1999 the building has been written up with 56 violations, 34 for "failure to maintain elevators." Just this past June all the elevators in the building received an unsatisfactory rating.

The Department of Building records are generic in nature. They don't give the public details, they merely place violations under a label. For example, the latest violation given to 285 Madison Avenue is labeled "Constuction."

What this really means is that when the elevator's ascent was stopped between the first and the second floor, the impact on Suzanne Hart's body was so great it actually damaged the area around the elevator. However, the records say nothing about the tragic loss of life, and anyone who isn't familiar with the freak accident, would never be the wiser.

And, that's one of the problems with the records kept by the Department of Buildings. They're opaque. Generic labeling of violations have to change. I believe the public has a right to know what potential hazards exist when entering either a commerical property or a residential one.

Meanwhile, the employees of Y&R have been working from home. The building is being evacuated. Literally. Every business at 285 Madison Avenue is being told to stay away.

A little late, in my opinion. Had the landlord been proactive in addressing the elevator problems, even as late six months ago, when they were, once again brought to their attention, this tragedy could have been avoided.

The Common Cold or More? How to Treat.

2011-12-14T10:08:00.001-05:00

Having had a cold now for what seems like forever, I am sharing below some information you may find useful when (not if) you catch one too. Keep your tissues off the keyboard and read carefully. Off to bed with me. - Kirby

COMMON COLD SYMPTOMS

PHARYNGITIS
Description:
What is pharyngitis? POSTNASAL DRIP
Description:
What is postnasal drip? RHINITIS
Description:
What is rhinitis? RUNNY NOSE
Description:
What is a runny nose? SINUSITIS
Description:
What is sinusitis?

Pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of your throat, which is called your pharynx. This may include the surrounding lymph tissue, called your tonsils. Lymph tissue helps to fight infections.
A virus, bacteria, or a fungus may cause pharyngitis. Antibiotics may be used to treat bacteria, or a fungal infection. However, antibiotics won't work if a virus has caused your pharyngitis.
Viruses are the most likely cause of of the common cold symptoms of pharyngitis. Other causes of pharyngitis include:
- Bacteria - such as Group A ß (beta)-hemolytic strep (STREP), or neisseria gonorrhea
- Allergies with post-nasal drip, causing your throat to be sore and irritated
- Trauma from heat, alcohol, or irritating agents (such as smog or smoke) can cause symptoms of the common cold
- Fungus, such as candida (yeast infection)
You may be more at risk for developing pharyngitis if:
- You have recently received chemotherapy, or your immune system is weakened from your disease.
- You have another illness that has lessened your ability to fight a viral or bacterial infection.
- You use alcohol, and smoke cigarettes. These may cause your throat to be irritated.
- You have diabetes
- If you are under a lot of stress, and lead a very active lifestyle
- You live or work in a place with lots of people (such as day care centers, schools, or prison systems)

What are some common cold symptoms to look for?

You may have a sore throat
You may have fever or chills, or feel "achy".
You may have trouble swallowing food or liquids, as it may be painful. Your glands or lymph nodes may be swollen.
It might feel as if there is a "lump" or something caught in your throat.
There may be white or grayish patch in the back of your throat.
You may be overly tired, or very weak (fatigued).

Things you can do to help alleviate common cold symptoms:

Avoid crowds or people with colds, especially if chemotherapy or your disease has weakened your immune system. Report fever, chills, or any other signs of infection or symptoms of a cold immediately to your healthcare provider.
Wash your hands often. Do not share food, drinks, or towels with anyone.
Dispose of your toothbrush, and get a new one. Your old toothbrush may have bacteria and germs.
Your doctor or healthcare provider may swab the back of your throat, to send for culture. This is to see if your common cold symptoms of pharyngitis are caused by a bacterial infection. Follow the instructions given to you by your healthcare provider until the throat culture results are available.
Keep your mouth clean with baking soda and salt rinses. You can mix 1/4 tsp. of baking soda and 1/4 tsp. salt in 8 ounces of water, and use as a mouthwash, as often as you like. Most people gargle with this solution 4 times a day.
Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid every 24 hours, unless you were told to restrict your fluid intake, and maintain good nutrition.
If you have pain in your throat, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol() up to 4000 mg per day (two extra-strength tablets every 6 hours). If you have a bleeding disorder, you should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, as well as aspirin, because these drugs may interfere with blood platelets, or prolong bleeding.
If you have swollen glands, you may place a warm washcloth or compress to the area, 4 times a day, for 20 minutes at a time. This may help relieve some discomfort.
Use hard candy, or lozenges to soothe your throat.
If you have a strep pharyngitis, you should not return to school or work unless you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours.
Make sure you tell your doctor, as well as all healthcare providers, about any other medications you are taking (including over-the-counter, vitamins, or herbal remedies). Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin unless your healthcare provider permits this when common cold symptoms are present.
Remind your doctor or healthcare provider if you have a history of diabetes, liver, kidney, or heart disease.
In general, eating a well -balanced meal, limiting salt intake, high fat and high cholesterol foods is recommended. However, if you have a sore throat, avoid foods with a high acid content (spaghetti sauces, tomatoes), and deep fried foods (fried chicken or pork). If you have pain swallowing solid food, try thinner soups, or foods until your throat pain improves.
Try to exercise or move around, as tolerated, to maintain your optimal level of functioning.
After you recover from your common cold symptoms, discuss with your healthcare provider how you can create a specific exercise program to suit your needs. Make sure to exercise, under the supervision of your healthcare provider. Walking, swimming, or light aerobic activity may help promote the flow of oxygen in your lungs and blood. Exercise may also help your immune system.
You should avoid alcohol. Alcohol may irritate an already sore throat.
If you are still smoking, STOP. Smoking will further irritate your throat and nose. Discuss ways to quit smoking with your healthcare provider.
If you are ordered a medication to treat this disorder, do not stop taking any medication due to symptoms of a cold unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Take the medication exactly as directed. Do not share your pills with anyone. If you miss a dose of your medication, discuss with your healthcare provider what you should do.
If you experience symptoms or side effects, especially if severe, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
Keep all your appointments for your treatments.

Drugs that may be prescribed by your doctor for common cold symptoms:

Treatment of all types of pharyngitis includes rinsing with salt and soda solution, and Tylenol for comfort.
- If your pharyngitis is a result of postnasal drip and rhinitis, treatment of rhinitis due to allergies may include removing what has caused the allergic reaction (allergen), and controlling the common cold symptoms.
- If the rhinitis was due to an allergy, or an infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe decongestants, antibiotics, and humidified air. Nasal antihistamines, steroids and decongestants may help to control your common cold symptoms.
- If you have bacterial pharyngitis, your doctor or healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotic therapy.
Antibiotics: The strep bacteria are important to get rid of, if you, or someone in your close household contact (such as children, and those with a weakened immune system) is at risk for rheumatic fever. The most common antibiotics prescribed for a strep infection, are Penicillin V, or Amoxacillin. You will most likely be ordered one of these antibiotics for at least 10 days. Even though you may feel relatively well in 2 to 3 days, make sure you take all the prescribed medication for the symptoms of the common cold, to get rid of the infection.
- Persons with a fungal infection may receive an anti-fungal antibiotic, such as Nystatin, to treat your throat infection. If you are ordered Nystatin, you will be told to swish the oral solution for 30 seconds, and then swallow it.
- These are the most commonly suggested antibiotics, which will treat the bacteria that are often present in strep infections. However, depending on your overall health status, and your healthcare provider, he or she may suggest that another antibiotic be used for the common cold symptoms.
- Remember: The main reason to treat a possible strep infection is to prevent rheumatic fever. Not everyone with pharyngitis has a strep infection, so not everyone with pharyngitis will receive antibiotics.
Tylenol - If you have throat pain, in addition to sucking on lozenges and salt water gargles, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol() up to 4000 mg per day (two extra-strength tablets every 6 hours). It is important not to exceed the recommended daily dose of Tylenol, as it may cause liver damage. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.
- If you have a bleeding disorder, you should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, as well as aspirin, because these drugs may interfere with blood platelets, and prolong bleeding.
Do not stop any of your medications abruptly, without discussing with your healthcare provider.

When to call your doctor or health care provider about symptoms of a cold:

Persistent fever of 100.5º F (38º C), chills, or a worsening sore throat (possible signs of infection, especially if you are undergoing chemotherapy).
Shortness of breath, or increased trouble swallowing, may suggest an abscess has formed (an infected area) in your throat or tonsil area.
If you notice a green, brown, black or bloody discharge or mucous from your nose, or from a cough
Dark colored urine, or painful urination
Bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes, or new, unexplained bruises.
Any new rashes on your skin, especially if you have been taking a new antibiotic or medication
If your throat pain worsens, or does not improve in 3-4 days, return to your healthcare provider for an evaluation of your common cold symptoms.

"Postnasal drip" is a term used to describe drainage from your nose that runs down the back of your throat. You might notice this more if you are lying down. Viruses causing a rhinitis, or inflammation in your nasal passages, are the most common cause of a post-nasal drip. You may also notice postnasal drip if you have sinus congestion, or a sinus infection (sinusitis).
Antibiotics may be used to treat a bacteria or fungal infection. However, antibiotics won't work to treat your symptoms if a virus has caused your postnasal drip.
You may be more at risk for developing symptoms of the common cold, postnasal drip if:
- You have recently received chemotherapy, or your immune system is weakened from your disease. You may be prone to developing a cold virus, rhinitis, or sinus infection.
- You have another illness that has lessened your ability to fight a viral or bacterial infection.
- You use alcohol, and smoke cigarettes. These may cause your throat to be irritated.
- You have diabetes
- If you are under a lot of stress, and lead a very active lifestyle
- You live or work in a place with lots of people (such as day care centers, schools, or prison systems)
Postnasal drip occurs because as a cold virus attacks and infects your nose passages, and sinus cavity. Your immune system reacts to this attack by creating mucus.
The mucus is usually thin and clear, and works by trapping bacteria and small particles. The mucus will then flush or clean the virus out of your body, through your nose, or down the back of the throat.
The bacteria start to change the color of the mucus after about 2 or 3 days, as the mucus continues to clear out germs. The color of mucus can suggest that there may be bleeding or infection present. It may also be yellowed, due to age.
Post-nasal drip is usually associated with rhinitis, which is a swelling and irritation of your nasal passages. Rhinitis leads to common cold symptoms or runny nose, itching of the nose, throat or eyes, sneezing, and congestion. Many people associate postnasal drip and rhinitis with the common cold, or allergy symptoms. If you have post-nasal drip, you will often have rhinitis as well.

What are some common cold symptoms to look for?

You may have a sore throat, fever or chills. You may feel "achy". The sore throat is usually a result of your postnasal drip.
You may feel as if you need to clear your throat often.
The postnasal drip may make you cough.
You may have a runny nose, with sneezing and an "itchy" nose, that feels 'congested", or blocked.
You may have pain or tenderness over your forehead, cheekbones, or behind your eyes (your sinus passages).
You may be tired, or very weak (fatigued), if you have a viral or a bacterial illness.

Things you can do about the common cold symptoms:

Postnasal drip is usually a symptom of a sinus infection, or rhinitis. It is usually caused by a virus. Treatment for postnasal drip involves treating your common cold symptoms, and the underlying cause of your illness.
If you have an allergic rhinitis that is causing your postnasal drip, using decongestants (such as antihistamines) and topical nose sprays may help.
If you have inflammation in the back of your throat, or a sore throat (pharyngitis), it is most likely a result of your postnasal drip. Depending on your overall health status, and other symptoms of the common cold, your doctor or healthcare provider may swab the back of your throat, to send for culture. This is to see if there is pharyngitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Follow all the instructions given to you by your healthcare provider until the throat culture results are available.
Keep your mouth clean with baking soda and salt rinses. You can mix 1/4 tsp. of baking soda and 1/4 tsp. salt in 8 ounces of water, and use as a mouthwash, as often as you like. Most people gargle with this solution 4 times a day.
Use a vaporizer or a humidifier to moisten the air. Avoid dry air when common cold symptoms are present. Even though you it may seem as if your secretions are draining appropriately, they may still form a "blockage", causing a subsequent sinus infection. Humidified air will help liquefy your mucus secretions to drain when you are congested.
Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid every 24 hours, unless you were told to restrict your fluid intake, and maintain good nutrition. Keeping well hydrated will prevent congestion, and also liquefy your secretions.
If you have pain in your joints, muscles, or throat due to the symptoms of a cold, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol() up to 4000 mg per day (two extra-strength tablets every 6 hours). If you have a bleeding disorder, you should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, as well as aspirin, because these drugs may interfere with blood platelets, or prolong bleeding.
If your healthcare provider thinks that you have a strep pharyngitis in addition to your post-nasal drip symptoms, you should not return to school or work unless you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours.
If you have swollen glands as a result of a viral illness, you may place a warm washcloth or compress to the area, 4 times a day, for 20 minutes at a time. This may help relieve some discomfort, symptoms of the common cold.
Use hard candy, or lozenges to soothe your throat, if it has become sore.
Oftentimes, postnasal drip is caused by allergies in the environment (allergic rhinitis). Avoiding what has caused the allergy symptoms is the best way to treat an allergic rhinitis. This includes:
- Ridding your house of common, allergy-causing substances, or decrease the amount, by keeping it clean. Dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches and mold spores all cause allergy symptoms, and may be found in the home.
- Outside ragweed, tree pollen, grasses and mold spores often cause allergies. Ragweed causes an allergic rhinitis in about 75% of allergy sufferers. If you have severe allergies, avoid spending unnecessary time outside during the months of mid-August, until the first frost (known as, the "peak months"), without first taking an antihistamine.
- Also, wear a particulate respirator, or a high-efficiency mask, when working outside or gardening during the peak months.
- Dusting furniture and floors with damp mop routinely. Vacuum at least weekly. Many electric vacuums actually spread dust mites - so make sure to clean your vacuum periodically.
- Eliminate exposure to household pets when symptoms of a cold or an allergy are present. Washing them won't necessarily help, as with cats, the allergen is found in their saliva, not their hair.
- Prevent dampness in your home. Keep the air humidity at less than 50%.
- Remove carpets that may trap dust. If your carpets are on concrete, they may build up mold spores. Remove them, too.
- Discuss with your healthcare provider the symptoms of a cold or an allergy you are experiencing. Keep a diary to help determine what it is that you are allergic to. You may live your whole life without allergies, and they may develop as you age. Nasal antihistamines, steroids and decongestants may help to control your symptoms.
Your doctor or healthcare provider may suggest that you see an allergy specialist for skin testing, if your allergies are severe, or if they do not respond to treatment.
- A skin test is a relatively painless procedure, where an allergy specialist will place a small amount of an allergy-causing substance either on top of, or under your skin.
- After about 20 minutes, the allergist will see if there is a reaction at the site that the test was placed.
Avoid crowds or people with colds, especially if chemotherapy or your disease has weakened your immune system. Report fever, chills, or any other signs of infection of common cold symptoms immediately to your healthcare provider.
Wash your hands often. Do not share food, drinks, or towels with anyone.
Make sure you tell your doctor, as well as all healthcare providers, about any other medications you are taking (including over-the-counter, vitamins, or herbal remedies). Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin unless your healthcare provider permits this.
Remind your doctor or healthcare provider if you have a history of diabetes, liver, kidney, or heart disease.
In general, eating a well -balanced meal, limiting salt intake, high fat and high cholesterol foods is recommended. However, if you have a sore throat, avoid foods with a high acid content (spaghetti sauces, tomatoes), and deep fried foods (fried chicken or pork). If you have trouble swallowing solid food, or if you feel nauseated due to the postnasal drip, try bland, thinner soups or foods until your throat pain improves.
Try to exercise or move around, as tolerated, to maintain your optimal level of functioning.
After you recover from your illness, discuss with your healthcare provider how you can create a specific exercise program to suit your needs. Make sure to exercise, under the supervision of your healthcare provider. Walking, swimming, or light aerobic activity may help promote the flow of oxygen in your lungs and blood. Exercise may also help your immune system.
You should avoid alcohol. If you are still smoking, STOP. Smoking will further irritate your throat, and the mucus membranes in your nose. This will contribute to your common cold symptoms. Discuss ways to quit smoking with your healthcare provider.
If you are ordered a medication to treat this disorder, do not stop taking it unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Take the medication exactly as directed. Do not share your pills with anyone. If you miss a dose of your medication for symptoms of a cold, discuss with your healthcare provider what you should do.
If you experience symptoms or side effects, especially if severe, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
Keep all your appointments for your treatments.

Drugs that may be prescribed by your doctor for common cold symptoms:

Postnasal drip is usually a symptom of a sinus infection, or rhinitis. A virus usually causes this symptom of a cold. Treatment for postnasal drip involves treating your common cold symptoms, and the underlying cause.
- Treatment of postnasal drip caused by a sinus infection may include antibiotic therapy, decongestants, humidified air (such as a vaporizer or a steamy shower), and drinking lots of fluids.
- Treatment of rhinitis due to allergies (which may be causing your postnasal drip) includes removing what has caused an allergic reaction (allergen), and controlling the symptoms through the use of antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays.
- If the rhinitis was due to an infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe decongestants, antibiotics, and humidified air. Nasal steroids, antihistamines, decongestants and saline sprays may also help to control your symptoms of the common cold.
Antibiotics: Infectious rhinitis or sinusitis has most likely caused your postnasal drip. If you have been diagnosed with allergic rhinits, you will most likely not be prescribed an antibiotic, unless your illness has been prolonged, and an infection has occurred.
- If you have developed pharyngitis, and are at risk for rheumatic fever, your doctor or healthcare provider may want to protect you against developing strep. The most common antibiotics prescribed for a strep infection, are Penicillin V, or Amoxacillin. You will most likely be ordered one of these antibiotics for at least 10 days.
- If you have had a prolonged illness and postnasal drip, you may develop a sinus infection (sinusitis). The first-line treatment of a sinus infection includes Amoxacillin 500mg by mouth, 3 times a day, for 10-14 days.
  - These are the most commonly suggested antibiotics, which will treat the bacteria that are often present in strep and sinus infections. However, depending on your overall health status, and your healthcare provider, he or she may suggest that another antibiotic be used to treat the common cold symptoms.
- Even though you may feel relatively well in 2 to 3 days, make sure you take all the prescribed medication, to get rid of the infection.
- Persons with a fungal infection may receive an anti-fungal antibiotic, such as Nystatin, to treat your throat infection. If you are ordered Nystatin, you will be told to swish the oral solution for 30 seconds, and then swallow it.
- The main reason to treat a possible strep infection is to prevent rheumatic fever. Not everyone with pharyngitis has a strep infection, so not everyone with pharyngitis will receive antibiotics.
Antihistamines: If you have sneezing, watery eyes and itching, antihistamines may prevent nasal congestion due to allergies, and decrease common cold symptoms of postnasal drip.
- Non-prescription antihistamines include most commonly Diphenhydramine (Benadryl (r)), and Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton (r)). However, these drugs may leave you drowsy, and with a dry mouth.
- Newer prescription antihistamines without side effects of dry mouth, drowsiness or sedation, include Loratadine (Claritin (r)), and Fexofenadine (Allegra (r)). You can take one of these pills daily, everyother day, or whenever you have symptoms. These medications may be prescribed alone, or in combination with a decongestant (such as Loratadine/Pseudoephedrine Claritin-D (r)).
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids (steroids) work locally to decrease nasal irritation and inflammation, if given in the form of a nasal spray (topical). This is good for symptoms of a cold, because you don't have to worry about any unfavorable, long-term side effects of steroids from a short-term, local use. Only a small amount is distributed through your body. Common topical nasal steroids include Budesonide (Rhinocort (r)), and Fluticasone propionate (Flonase (r)).
Decongestants: May be helpful in a pill form. or as a nasal spray (topical), to relieve a feeling of "blockage"; or common cold symptoms of a runny nose. The most commonly prescribed pill to treat congestion is Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed(r)). A commonly used nasal spray decongestant is Azelastine (Astelin (r)). Antihistamines, in combination with a decongestant, work well in some people, as the decongestant will enhance the effectiveness of the antihistamine. Be careful using decongestants, though, if you have a history of high blood pressure. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Tylenol: If you have muscle, joint or throat pain from your illness, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol() up to 4000 mg per day (two extra-strength tablets every 6 hours). It is important not to exceed the recommended daily dose of Tylenol, as it may cause liver damage. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.
- If you have a bleeding disorder, you should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, as well as aspirin, because these drugs may interfere with blood platelets, and prolong bleeding.
Do not stop any of your medications abruptly, without discussing with your healthcare provider.

When to call your doctor or health care provider about symptoms of a cold:

Fever of 100.5º F (38º C), chills, or a worsening sore throat (possible signs of infection, especially if you are undergoing chemotherapy).
Shortness of breath, or increased trouble swallowing, may suggest an abscess (an infected area) has formed in your throat.
If you notice a green, brown, black or bloody discharge or mucous from your nose, or from a cough
Dark colored urine, or painful urination
Bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes, or new, unexplained bruises.
Any new rashes on your skin, especially if you have been taking a new antibiotic or medication
If your common cold symptoms worsen, or do not improve in 3-4 days of seeing your healthcare provider, you must call them for an evaluation.

Rhinitis is a swelling and irritation of your nasal passages, leading to symptoms of cold such as runny nose, itching of the nose, throat or eyes; sneezing, and congestion. Many people associate rhinitis with the common cold, or allergy symptoms.
How does rhinitis develop?
- Your nose is made up of two nasal passages, and is covered by a mucus membrane. Mucus is a thin, clear, watery substance that works to "clean out" your nose, by trapping small particles and bacteria, before washing them away.
- If you become congested, or there is a "blockage" of one of your nasal passages, the other will compensate to help you breathe.
- If there is constant irritation of mucous in your nasal passages, you may develop rhinitis.
There are many types of rhinitis. These include:
- Allergic rhinitis - this is irritation of your nasal passages, caused by allergies. This includes seasonal allergies (such as pollen, or hay fever), or animal allergies from a pet (such as a cat or a dog). This is a very common form of rhinitis.
- Non-Allergic rhinitis - Many things may cause you to develop a non-allergic rhinitis. This includes:
  - Overuse of certain types of nasal sprays to clear your nasal passages, such as Afrin, can cause a "rebound" effect, with worsening common cold symptoms of congestion, and runny nose. This is called rhinitis medicamentosis. Therefore, if you are ordered a nasal spray, discuss with your healthcare provider whether or not you may use it for longer than 3 to 5 days in a row.
  - Certain medications and diseases have rhinitis as a side effect.
  - Congestion and irritation may occur due to irritants, such as smoke and pollution
  - As you age, your nasal passages may dry out over time. This usually happens in the elderly population.
  - Blockage due to polyps or foreign objects in the nasal passages may lead to rhinitis. Treatment includes removing the cause.
- Infectious rhinitis - is caused by a virus, bacteria
  - If you have symptoms of a cold for less than 6 weeks (including runny nose, itching, sneezing and congestion), you are considered to have an acute rhinitis.
  - If your common cold symptoms last longer than 6 weeks, you may have a chronic rhinitis, caused by allergies, or structural problems in your nose.

What are some common cold symptoms to look for?

You may have a sore throat, fever or chills. You may feel "achy". The sore throat is usually a result of postnasal drip. (Postnasal drip is a term used to describe drainage from your nose that runs down the back of your throat).
You have a runny nose, with sneezing and an "itchy" nose. Your nose may feel 'congested", or blocked.
You may be tired, or very weak (fatigued).

Things you can do to help alleviate common cold symptoms:

If you have an allergic rhinitis, using nasal or oral (by mouth) decongestants and antihistamines, may help.
Avoiding what has caused the allergy symptoms is the best way to treat an allergic rhinits. This includes:
- Ridding your house of common, allergy-causing substances, or decrease the amount, by keeping it clean. Dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches and mold spores all cause allergy symptoms, and may be found in the home.
- Outside ragweed, tree pollen, grasses and mold spores often cause allergies. Ragweed causes an allergic rhinitis in about 75% of allergy sufferers. If you have severe allergies, avoid spending unnecessary time outside during the months of mid-August, until the first frost (known as, the "peak months"), without first taking an antihistamine.
- Also, wear a particulate respirator, or a high-efficiency mask, when working outside or gardening during the peak months.
- Dusting furniture and floors with damp mop routinely. Vacuum at least weekly. Many electric vacuums actually spread dust mites - so make sure to clean your vacuum periodically.
- Eliminate exposure to household pets. Washing them won't necessarily help, as with cats, the allergen is found in their saliva, not their hair.
- Prevent dampness in your home. Keep the air humidity at less than 50%.
- Remove carpets that may trap dust. If your carpets are on concrete, they may build up mold spores. Remove them, too.
- Discuss with your healthcare provider the symptoms of a cold or allergy you are experiencing. Keep a diary to help determine what it is that you are allergic to. You may live your whole life without allergies, and they may develop as you age. Nasal antihistamines, steroids and decongestants may help to control your symptoms.
Your doctor or healthcare provider may suggest that you see an allergy specialist for skin testing, if your allergic rhinitis is severe, or if it does not respond to treatment.
- A skin test is a relatively painless procedure, where an allergy specialist will place a small amount of an allergy-causing substance either on top of, or under your skin.
- After about 20 minutes, the allergist will see if there is a reaction at the site that the test was placed.
Avoid crowds or people with common cold symptoms, especially if chemotherapy or your disease has weakened your immune system. Report fever, chills, or any other signs of infection or symptoms of a cold immediately to your healthcare provider.
Wash your hands often. Do not share food, drinks, or towels with anyone.
If you have inflammation in the back of your throat, or a sore throat (called pharyngitis), it is most likely a result of postnasal drip. However, depending on your overall health status, and other common cold symptoms, your doctor or healthcare provider may swab the back of your throat, to send for culture. This is to see if your pharyngitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Follow the instructions given to you by your healthcare provider until the throat culture results are available.
Keep your mouth clean with baking soda and salt rinses. You can mix 1/4 tsp. of baking soda and 1/4 tsp. salt in 8 ounces of water, and use as a mouthwash, as often as you like. Most people gargle with this solution 4 times a day.
Use a vaporizer or a humidifier to moisten the air. This will help liquefy your mucus secretions when you are congested.
Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid every 24 hours, unless you were told to restrict your fluid intake, and maintain good nutrition. Keeping well hydrated will prevent congestion, and also liquefy your secretions. It may seem that your have a constant runny nose, but there may be some "hidden" congestion, that could lead to a sinus infection.
If you have pain in your joints, muscles, or throat due to common cold symptoms, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol() up to 4000 mg per day (two extra-strength tablets every 6 hours). If you have a bleeding disorder, you should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, as well as aspirin, because these drugs may interfere with blood platelets, or prolong bleeding.
If you have swollen glands from a viral infection, you may place a warm washcloth or compress to the area, 4 times a day, for 20 minutes at a time. This may help relieve some discomfort.
Use hard candy, or lozenges to soothe your throat.
If your healthcare provider thinks that you have a strep pharyngitis in addition to your rhinitis, you should not return to school or work unless you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours.
Make sure you tell your doctor, as well as all healthcare providers, about any other medications you are taking (including over-the-counter, vitamins, or herbal remedies). Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin unless your healthcare provider permits this.
Remind your doctor or healthcare provider if you have a history of diabetes, liver, kidney, or heart disease.
In general, eating a well -balanced meal, limiting salt intake, high fat and high cholesterol foods is recommended to help alleviate common cold symptoms. However, if you have a sore throat, or feel ill, avoid foods with a high acid content (spaghetti sauces, tomatoes), and deep fried foods (fried chicken or pork). These can cause you to feel nauseated. If you have throat pain while swallowing solid food, try thinner soups, or foods until your throat pain improves.
Try to exercise or move around, as tolerated, to maintain your optimal level of functioning.
After you recover from your illness, discuss with your healthcare provider how you can create a specific exercise program to suit your needs. Make sure to exercise, under the supervision of your healthcare provider. Walking, swimming, or light aerobic activity may help promote the flow of oxygen in your lungs and blood. Exercise may also help your immune system.
You should avoid alcohol when symptoms of the common cold are present. If you are still smoking, STOP. Smoking will further irritate your throat, and the mucus membranes in your nose. Discuss ways to quit smoking with your healthcare provider.
If you are ordered a medication to treat this disorder, do not stop taking the medication unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Take the medication exactly as directed. Do not share your pills or nose sprays with anyone. If you miss a dose of your medication, discuss with your healthcare provider what you should do.
If you experience symptoms or side effects, especially if severe, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
Keep all your appointments for your treatments.

Drugs that may be prescribed by your doctor to treat common cold symptoms:

Treatment of rhinitis due to allergies may include removing what has caused the allergic reaction (allergen), and controlling the symptoms.
If your rhinitis is due to an infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe oral decongestants, antibiotics, and humidified air. Nasal antihistamines, steroids and decongestants may help to control your symptoms as well.
Your healthcare provider may suggest allergy shots if you have severe, seasonal allergies.
Antibiotics. Infectious rhinitis is less common than allergic rhinitis. Therefore, you will most likely not be prescribed an antibiotic for your rhinitis.
- However, if you have developed pharyngitis, are at risk for rheumatic fever, your doctor or healthcare provider may want to protect you against developing a strep infection. The most common antibiotics prescribed for a strep infection, are Penicillin V, or Amoxacillin. You will most likely be ordered one of these antibiotics for at least 10 days.
- If you have a prolonged rhinitis, it may lead to a sinus infection. If you have been diagnosed with a sinus infection, you will most likely receive antibiotics. The first-line treatment of a sinus infection includes amoxacillin 500mg by mouth, 3 times a day, for 10-14 days.
- These are the most commonly suggested antibiotics, which will treat the bacteria that are often present in strep and sinus infections. However, depending on your overall health status, and your healthcare provider, he or she may suggest that another antibiotic be used to treat common cold symptoms.
- Even though symptoms of the common cold may be gone in 2 to 3 days, make sure you take all the prescribed medication, to get rid of the suspected infection.
- Remember: The main reason to treat a possible strep infection is to prevent rheumatic fever. Not everyone with pharyngitis has a strep infection, so not everyone with pharyngitis will receive antibiotics. Rhinitis will often be treated with antihistamines and decongestants to prevent a sinus infection.
Antihistamines: If you have sneezing, watery eyes and itching, antihistamines may prevent nasal congestion due to allergies.
- Non-prescription antihistamines include most commonly Diphenhydramine (Benadryl (r)), and Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton (r)). Side effects of these drugs may leave you drowsy, and with a dry mouth.
- Newer prescription antihistamines without side effects of dry mouth, drowsiness or sedation, include Loratadine (Claritin (r)), and Fexofenadine (Allegra (r)). You can take one of these pills daily, every other day, or whenever you have common cold symptoms. These medications may be prescribed alone, or in combination with a decongestant (such as Loratadine/Pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D (r)).
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids (steroids) work locally to decrease nasal irritation and inflammation, if given in the form of a nasal spray (topical). This is good for common cold symptoms, because you don't have to worry about unfavorable long-term side effects of steroids, from a short-term, local use. Only a small amount is distributed through your body. Common topical nasal steroids include Budesonide (Rhinocort (r)), and Fluticasone propionate (Flonase (r)).
Decongestants: May be helpful in a pill form. or as a nasal spray (topical), to relieve a "blockage"; or symptoms of a runny nose.
- The most commonly prescribed pill to treat congestion is Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed(r)).
- A commonly used nasal spray decongestant is Azelastine (Astelin (r)).
- Antihistamines, in combination with a decongestant, work well in some people, as the decongestant will enhance the effectiveness of the antihistamine. Be careful using decongestants, though, if you have a history of high blood pressure. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Tylenol: If you have muscle, joint or throat pain among your common cold symptoms, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol() up to 4000 mg per day (two extra-strength tablets every 6 hours). It is important not to exceed the recommended daily dose of Tylenol, as it may cause liver damage. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.
- If you have a bleeding disorder, you should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, as well as aspirin, because these drugs may interfere with blood platelets, and prolong bleeding.
Do not stop any of your medications abruptly, without discussing with your healthcare provider.

When to call your doctor or health care provider about symptoms of the common cold:

Fever of 100.5º F (38º C), chills, or a worsening sore throat (possible signs of infection, especially if you are undergoing chemotherapy).
Shortness of breath, or increased trouble swallowing, may suggest an abscess (an infected area) has formed
If you notice a green, brown, black or bloody discharge or mucous from your nose, or from a cough
Dark colored urine, painful urination
Bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes, or new, unexplained bruises.
Any new rashes on your skin, especially if you have been taking a new antibiotic or medication
If your common cold symptoms worsen, or do not improve in 3-4 days of seeing your healthcare provider, you must call them for an evaluation.

A "runny nose" is a defense mechanism of your nose and immune system that occurs when your nasal passages are attempting to clear away viruses, bacteria or particles. A runny nose can lead to rhinitis. Rhinitis is a swelling and irritation of your nasal passages, resulting from symptoms of a runny nose, itching of the nose, throat or eyes; sneezing, and congestion. Many people associate rhinitis and a runny nose with the common cold, or allergy symptoms.
How does a runny nose develop?
- Your nose is made up of two nasal passages, and is covered by a mucus membrane. Mucus is a thin, clear, watery substance that works to "clean out" your nose, by trapping small particles and bacteria, before washing them away.
- If you become congested, or there is a "blockage" of one of your nasal passages, the other will compensate to help you breathe.
- If there is constant irritation of mucous in your nasal passages, your nose will start to "run", or drain mucus down the back of your throat (called postnasal drip), or out your nose. This will lead you to develop the common cold symptoms of rhinitis.
There are many types of rhinitis, all of which have the common cold symptom of a runny nose. These include:
- Allergic rhinitis - this is an irritation of your nasal passages, caused by allergies. This includes season allergies (such as pollen, hay fever), or animal allergies (from a cat or a dog). This is a very common form of rhinitis, with a runny nose being the foremost common cold symptom.
- Non-Allergic rhinitis - Many things may cause you to develop a non-allergic rhinitis with nasal discharge. This includes:
  - Overuse of nasal sprays to clear your nasal passages, such as Afrin, can cause a "rebound" effect, with worsening symptoms of congestion, and runny nose. This is called rhinitis medicamentosis. Therefore, if you are ordered a nasal spray, you must use it no longer than 3 to 5 days in a row.
  - Certain medications and diseases have rhinitis and a runny nose as a side effect.
  - Congestion and irritation may occur due to irritants, such as smoke and pollution can cause your nose to run
  - As you age, your nasal passages may dry out over time. This usually happens in the elderly population. Your nose may secrete small amounts of mucus, but a runny nose is less common, as dry nasal passages are common.
  - Blockage due to polyps or foreign objects in the nasal passages may lead to rhinitis, with common cold symptoms of a runny nose. Treatment includes removing the cause.
- Infectious rhinitis - is caused by a virus, bacteria or a fungus
  - If you have symptoms of a cold for less than 6 weeks (including runny nose, itching, sneezing and congestion), you are considered to have an acute rhinitis.
  - If your common cold symptoms last longer than 6 weeks, you may have a chronic rhinitis, caused by allergies, or structural problems in your nose.

What are some common cold symptoms to look for?

You may have a sore throat, fever or chills. You may feel "achy". The sore throat is usually a result of postnasal drip. (Postnasal drip is a term used to describe drainage from your nose that runs down the back of your throat).
You have a runny nose, with sneezing and an "itchy" nose. Your nose may feel 'congested", or blocked.
You may be tired, or very weak (fatigued), if you have an illness, such as the cold or influenza (the flu).

Things you can do for common cold symptoms:

If you have a runny nose, or allergic rhinitis, using decongestants (such as antihistamines) and topical nose sprays may help.
Avoiding what has caused the runny nose and allergy symptoms is the best way to treat your symptoms. This includes:
- Ridding your house of common, allergy-causing substances, or decrease the amount, by keeping it clean. Dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches and mold spores all cause allergy symptoms, and may be found in the home.
- Outside ragweed, tree pollen, grasses and mold spores often cause allergies. Ragweed causes an allergic rhinitis in about 75% of allergy sufferers. If you have severe allergies, avoid spending unnecessary time outside during the months of mid-August, until the first frost (known as, the "peak months"), without first taking an antihistamine.
- Also, wear a particulate respirator, or a high-efficiency mask, when working outside or gardening during the peak months.
- Dusting furniture and floors with damp mop routinely. Vacuum at least weekly. Many electric vacuums actually spread dust mites - so make sure to clean your vacuum periodically.
- Eliminate exposure to household pets. Washing them won't necessarily help, as with cats, the allergen is found in their saliva, not their hair.
- Prevent dampness in your home. Keep the air humidity at less than 50%.
- Remove carpets that may trap dust. If your carpets are on concrete, they may build up mold spores. Remove them, too.
- Discuss with your healthcare provider the common cold symptoms you are experiencing. Keep a diary to help determine what it is that you are allergic to. You may live your whole life without allergies, and they may develop as you age. Nasal antihistamines, steroids and decongestants may help to control your common cold symptoms.
Your doctor or healthcare provider may suggest that you see an allergy specialist for skin testing, if your runny nose or allergic rhinitis is severe, or if it does not respond to treatment.
- A skin test is a relatively painless procedure, where an allergy specialist will place a small amount of an allergy-causing substance either on top of, or under your skin.
- After about 20 minutes, the allergist will see if there is a reaction at the site that the test was placed.
Avoid crowds or people with common cold symptoms, especially if chemotherapy or your disease has weakened your immune system. Report fever, chills, or any other signs of infection immediately to your healthcare provider.
If you are still smoking, STOP. Smoking will further irritate your throat, and the mucus membranes in your nose. Discuss ways to quit smoking with your healthcare provider.
Wash your hands often when you have symptoms of a cold. Do not share food, drinks, or towels with anyone.
If you have inflammation in the back of your throat, or a sore throat (pharyngitis), it is most likely a result of your postnasal drip. However, depending on your overall health status, and other common cold symptoms, your doctor or healthcare provider may swab the back of your throat, and send it for culture. This is to see if your pharyngitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Follow the instructions given to you by your healthcare provider until the throat culture results are available.
Keep your mouth clean with baking soda and salt rinses. You can mix 1/4 tsp. of baking soda and 1/4 tsp. salt in 8 ounces of water, and use as a mouthwash, as often as you like. Most people gargle with this solution 4 times a day.
Use a vaporizer or a humidifier to moisten the air. Avoid dry air. This will help liquefy your mucus secretions when you are congested. Although you may have a runny nose, it is important that these secretions continue to drain, to prevent overgrowth of bacteria in your sinuses from congestion.
Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid every 24 hours, unless you were told to restrict your fluid intake, and maintain good nutrition. Keeping well hydrated will prevent congestion, and also liquefy your secretions.
If you have pain in your joints, muscles, or throat caused by common cold symptoms, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol() up to 4000 mg per day (two extra-strength tablets every 6 hours). If you have a bleeding disorder, you should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, as well as aspirin, because these drugs may interfere with blood platelets, or prolong bleeding.
If you have swollen glands, you may place a warm washcloth or compress to the area, 4 times a day, for 20 minutes at a time. This may help relieve some discomfort.
Use hard candy, or lozenges to soothe your throat.
If your healthcare provider thinks that you have a strep pharyngitis in addition to your runny nose or rhinitis, you should not return to school or work unless you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours.
Make sure you tell your doctor, as well as all healthcare providers, about any other medications you are taking (including over-the-counter, vitamins, or herbal remedies). Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin for symptoms of the common cold unless your healthcare provider permits this.
Remind your doctor or healthcare provider if you have a history of diabetes, liver, kidney, or heart disease.
In general, eating a well -balanced meal, limiting salt intake, high fat and high cholesterol foods is recommended. However, if you have a sore throat and loss of appetite due to your symptoms, avoid foods with a high acid content (spaghetti sauces, tomatoes), and deep fried foods (fried chicken or pork). If you have pain swallowing solid food, try thinner soups, or foods until your throat pain improves.
Try to exercise or move around, as tolerated, to maintain your optimal level of functioning.
After you recover from your common cold symptoms, discuss with your healthcare provider how you can create a specific exercise program to suit your needs. Make sure to exercise, under the supervision of your healthcare provider. Walking, swimming, or light aerobic activity may help promote the flow of oxygen in your lungs and blood. Exercise may also help your immune system.
You should avoid alcohol. If you are still smoking, STOP. Smoking will further irritate the mucus membranes in your sinuses, and nose, accentuating yoru common cold symptoms. Discuss ways to quit smoking with your healthcare provider.
If you are ordered a medication to treat this disorder, do not stop taking the medication unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Take the medication exactly as directed. Do not share your pills or inhalers with anyone. If you miss a dose of your medication, discuss with your healthcare provider what you should do.
If you experience symptoms or side effects, especially if severe, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
Keep all your appointments for your treatments.

Drugs that may be prescribed by your doctor to treat common cold symptoms:

Treatment of rhinitis and a runny nose due to allergies may include removing what has caused an allergic reaction (allergen), and controlling the common cold symptoms. If the rhinitis was due to an infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe decongestants, antibiotics, and humidified air. Nasal antihistamines, steroids and decongestants may help to control your symptoms of a cold.
Your healthcare provider may suggest allergy shots if you have severe, seasonal allergies.
Nasal antihistamines, steroids and decongestants may help to control your symptoms.
- Treatment of a runny nose may include antibiotic therapy if an infection is present, decongestants, humidified air (such as a vaporizer or a steamy shower), and drinking lots of fluids.
- Treatment of a runny nose or rhinitis due to allergies may include removing what has caused an allergic reaction (allergen), and controlling the common cold symptoms through the use of antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays. .
Antibiotics. Runny noses due to infection are less common than a runny nose due to allergies. Therefore, you will most likely not be prescribed an antibiotic for your runny nose.
- However, if you have developed pharyngitis, or are at risk for rheumatic fever, your doctor or healthcare provider may want to protect you against developing a strep infection. The most common antibiotics prescribed for a strep infection, are Penicillin V, or Amoxacillin. You will most likely be ordered one of these antibiotics for at least 10 days.
- If you have a prolonged runny nose, or the common cold symptoms of rhinitis, it may lead to a sinus infection. If you have been diagnosed with a sinus infection, you will most likely receive antibiotics. The first-line treatment of a sinus infection includes amoxacillin 500mg by mouth, 3 times a day, for 10-14 days.
- Even though you may feel relatively well in 2 to 3 days, make sure you take all the prescribed medication, to get rid of the infection.
- These are the most commonly suggested antibiotics, which will treat the bacteria that are often present in strep and sinus infections. However, depending on your overall health status, and your healthcare provider, he or she may suggest that another antibiotic be used.
- Remember: The main reason to treat a possible strep infection is to prevent rheumatic fever. Not everyone with pharyngitis has a strep infection, so not everyone with pharyngitis will receive antibiotics.
- It is important, when you have a runny nose, to maintain a clear nose. This will prevent a future sinus infection.
Antihistamines: If you have a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and itching, antihistamines may help to decrease your common cold symptoms.
- Non-prescription antihistamines include most commonly Diphenhydramine (Benadryl (r)), and Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton (r)). However, these drugs may leave you drowsy, and with a dry mouth.
- Newer prescription antihistamines without side effects of dry mouth, drowsiness or sedation, include Loratadine (Claritin (r)), and Fexofenadine (Allegra (r)). You can take one of these pills daily, every other day, or whenever you have common cold symptoms. These medications may be prescribed alone, or in combination with a decongestant (such as Loratadine/Pseudoephedrine Claritin-D (r)).
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids (steroids) work locally to decrease nasal irritation and inflammation, if given in the form of a nasal spray (topical). This is good, because you don't have to worry about bad long-term side effects of steroids from a short-term, local use. Only a small amount is distributed through your body. Common topical nasal steroids include Budesonide (Rhinocort (r)), and Fluticasone propionate (Flonase (r)).
Decongestants: May be helpful in a pill form, or as a nasal spray (topical), to relieve a "blockage", or common cold symptoms of a runny nose.
- The most commonly prescribed pill to treat congestion is Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed(r)).
- A commonly used nasal spray decongestant is Azelastine (Astelin (r)).
- Antihistamines, in combination with a decongestant, work well in some people, as the decongestant will enhance the effectiveness of the antihistamine. Be careful using decongestants, though, if you have a history of high blood pressure. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Tylenol: If you have muscle, joint or throat pain from your common cold symptoms, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol() up to 4000 mg per day (two extra-strength tablets every 6 hours). It is important not to exceed the recommended daily dose of Tylenol, as it may cause liver damage. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.
- If you have a bleeding disorder, you should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, as well as aspirin, because these drugs may interfere with blood platelets, and prolong bleeding.
Do not stop any of your medications abruptly, without discussing with your healthcare provider.

When to call your doctor or health care provider about common cold symptoms:

Fever of 100.5º F (38º C), chills, or a worsening sore throat (possible signs of infection, especially if you are undergoing chemotherapy).
Shortness of breath, or increased trouble swallowing, may suggest an abscess has formed (an infected area).
If you notice a green, brown, black or bloody discharge or mucous from your nose, or from a cough
Dark colored urine, or painful urination
Bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes, or new, unexplained bruises.
Any new rashes on your skin, especially if you have been taking a new antibiotic or medication
If your common cold symptoms worsen, or do not improve in 3-4 days of seeing your healthcare provider, you must call them for an evaluation.

What do the sinuses do?
- Sinuses are important, as they affect the sound of your voice, reduce the weight of the skull, and provide insulation for your skull. The sinuses are located behind your eyes, forehead, and cheekbones. The paranasal sinuses (meaning, "around the nose") connect the nasal passages to the sinus cavity.
- Sinuses are air filled spaces, found in your skull. They are lined with a membrane that secretes mucus (called, a mucus membrane), which drains into the nose and the back of the throat. The mucus contains bacteria-fighting substances, called antibodies.
- The sinuses are usually sterile and free from bacteria. It is important that the sinuses remain open and unblocked, to clear out bacteria. When there is an infection present, the membrane in the sinuses will create more mucus, to "flush out" bacteria. If there is a blockage, they are unable to drain.
Sinusitis is the swelling and inflammation of the mucus membranes that line the paranasal sinuses.
Sinusitis is usually caused by a blockage or obstruction in the sinuses. This leads to less clearance of mucus from the sinus cavity. Because the mucus membrane is unable to clear bacteria from the sinus cavity, bacteria can grow. Anything that causes a blockage in the sinus drainage system can cause sinusitis.
True cases of sinusitis usually take 10 to 14 days to develop. People may feel sinus pain for a "few days", but these common cold symptoms this can often be relieved by a decongestant.
Other causes of sinus infections are:
- A recent upper respiratory infection or cold, causing congestion (and sinus blockage)
- A fungal infection in those with impaired immune systems
- Allergies - either seasonal or related to something in the air, causing congestion and blockage to the sinuses
- Deviated septum - this most commonly occurs when the septum of the nose is "off center", usually due to a broken nose, or trauma to the face.
- Tumors in the paranasal sinuses, or nose cavity
- Swimming or diving
- A foreign body may be stuck in your nose
- Polyps (a benign growth) in your nose, causing a blockage.
The sinus infection may labeled as:
- Acute - when there is a quick onset of symptoms, resolving in a few weeks to a month
- Subacute - With symptoms lasting less than 3 months
- Chronic - this is due to a prolonged inflammation of the sinus cavity, with symptoms lasting greater than 3 months.

What are some common cold symptoms to look for?

You may have a headache, facial pain or pressure over the affected sinus cavity. Some people complain of a severe toothache, caused by an infected sinus (usually maxillary), which is located near your cheekbone.
Yellow or green nasal discharge.
You may have a sore throat, fever or chills. You may feel "achy". The sore throat is usually a result of postnasal drip. (Postnasal drip is a term used to describe drainage from your nose that runs down the back of your throat).
You may have a cough caused by postnasal drip, which becomes worse when lying down.
At first, you have a runny nose, with sneezing and an "itchy" nose. Your nose may feel 'congested", or blocked. This may progress into a sinus infection if your nose passages remain blocked.
You may have a prolonged respiratory infection (with cough and fever), for more than 10-14 days.
You may be tired, or very weak (fatigued).
Your face may be swollen

Things you can do to help alleviate common cold symptoms:

If you notice that you are feeling "ill", with common cold symptoms and a blocked nose, which sometimes may be due to allergies, discuss with your healthcare provider whether or not you may take a decongestant or nasal spray. This may promote drainage of the sinus cavity, and prevent a sinus infection.
If you have a history of recurrent sinus infections, discuss with your healthcare provider whether or not to take decongestants at the first sign of congestion.
Use a vaporizer or a humidifier to moisten the air. This will help liquefy your mucus secretions when you are congested. Avoid dry heat.
Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid every 24 hours, unless you were told to restrict your fluid intake, and maintain good nutrition. Keeping well hydrated will prevent congestion, and also liquefy your secretions.
Avoid swimming or diving while you have a sinus infection.
If you are still smoking, STOP. Smoking will further irritate the mucus membranes in your sinuses, and nose. Discuss ways to quit smoking with your healthcare provider.
Keep your mouth clean with baking soda and salt rinses. You can mix 1/4 tsp. of baking soda and 1/4 tsp. salt in 8 ounces of water, and use as a mouthwash, as often as you like. Most people gargle with this solution 4 times a day.
Postnasal drip is usually a symptom of a sinus infection, or rhinitis. It is usually caused by a virus. Treatment for postnasal drip involves treating your common cold symptoms, and the underlying cause.
If you have an allergic rhinitis, using decongestants and topical nose sprays may help promote sinus and nasal drainage.
Symptoms of sinusitis, rhinitis and the "common cold" are all similar. If your sinusitis is caused by a prior allergic rhinitis, it is important to avoid what has caused your allergy symptoms. This includes:
- Ridding your house of common, allergy-causing substances, or decrease the amount, by keeping it clean. Dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches and mold spores all cause allergy symptoms, and may be found in the home.
- Outside ragweed, tree pollen, grasses and mold spores often cause allergies. Ragweed causes an allergic rhinitis in about 75% of allergy sufferers. If you have severe allergies, avoid spending unnecessary time outside during the months of mid-August, until the first frost (known as, the "peak months"), without first taking an antihistamine.
- Also, wear a particulate respirator, or a high-efficiency mask, when working outside or gardening during the peak months.
- Dusting furniture and floors with damp mop routinely. Vacuum at least weekly. Many electric vacuums actually spread dust mites - so make sure to clean your vacuum periodically.
- Eliminate exposure to household pets. Washing them won't necessarily help, as with cats, the allergen is found in their saliva, not their hair.
- Prevent dampness in your home. Keep the air humidity at less than 50%.
- Remove carpets that may trap dust. If your carpets are on concrete, they may build up mold spores. Remove them, too.
- Discuss with your healthcare provider the common cold symptoms you are experiencing. Keep a diary to help determine what it is that you are allergic to. You may live your whole life without allergies, and they may develop as you age. Nasal antihistamines, steroids and decongestants may help to control your symptoms.
Your doctor or healthcare provider may suggest that you see an allergy specialist for skin testing, if your allergic rhinitis is severe, or if it does not respond to treatment.
- A skin test is a relatively painless procedure, where an allergy specialist will place a small amount of an allergy-causing substance either on top of, or under your skin.
- After about 20 minutes, the allergist will see if there is a reaction at the site that the test was placed.
Avoid crowds or people with common cold symptoms, especially if chemotherapy or your disease has weakened your immune system. Report fever, chills, or any other signs of infection immediately to your healthcare provider.
Wash your hands often. Do not share food, drinks, or towels with anyone.
If you have inflammation in the back of your throat, or a sore throat (pharyngitis), it is most likely a result of post-nasal drip. However, depending on your overall health status, and other symptoms, your doctor or healthcare provider may swab the back of your throat, and send the swab for culture. This is to see if your pharyngitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Follow the instructions given to you by your healthcare provider until the throat culture results are available.
If you have pain in your joints, muscles, or throat due to common cold symptoms, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol() up to 4000 mg per day (two extra-strength tablets every 6 hours). If you have a bleeding disorder, you should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, as well as aspirin, because these drugs may interfere with blood platelets, or prolong bleeding.
If you have swollen glands, you may place a warm washcloth or compress to the area, 4 times a day, for 20 minutes at a time. This may help relieve some discomfort.
Use hard candy, or lozenges to soothe your throat.
If your healthcare provider thinks that you have a strep pharyngitis in addition to your rhinitis, you should not return to school or work unless you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours.
Make sure you tell your doctor, as well as all healthcare providers, about any other medications you are taking (including over-the-counter, vitamins, or herbal remedies). Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin unless your healthcare provider permits this.
Remind your doctor or healthcare provider if you have a history of diabetes, liver, kidney, or heart disease.
In general, eating a well -balanced meal, limiting salt intake, high fat and high cholesterol foods is recommended. However, if you have a sore throat, avoid foods with a high acid content (spaghetti sauces, tomatoes), and deep fried foods (fried chicken or pork). If you have pain swallowing solid food, try thinner soups, or foods until your throat pain improves.
Try to exercise or move around, as tolerated, to maintain your optimal level of functioning.
After you recover from your common cold symptoms, discuss with your healthcare provider how you can create a specific exercise program to suit your needs. Make sure to exercise, under the supervision of your healthcare provider. Walking, swimming, or light aerobic activity may help promote the flow of oxygen in your lungs and blood. Exercise may also help your immune system.
You should avoid alcohol when common cold symptoms are present.
If you are ordered a medication to treat this disorder, do not stop taking any medication unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Take the medication exactly as directed. Do not share your pills with anyone. If you miss a dose of your medication, discuss with your healthcare provider what you should do.
If you experience symptoms or side effects, especially if severe, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
Keep all your appointments for your treatments.

Drugs that may be prescribed by your doctor to treat common cold symptoms:

Viruses and upper respiratory infections may be present before a sinus infection. This is because the mucus that is secreted by your mucus membranes to fight an infection will often cause a blockage of sinuses. With improper drainage of the sinus cavity, bacteria may form over a few days to a few weeks.
- If you have had congestion over a few days, your healthcare provider will often prescribe over the counter decongestants, humidified air (such as a vaporizer or a steamy shower), and drinking lots of fluids. If you are better hydrated, this will make your secretions thinner, and easier to drain. The decongestants and humidified air will promote drainage of the sinuses and hopefully, prevent the growth of bacteria in the sinus cavity.
- If you have had a prolonged period of congestion, and may have developed a sinus infection with bacteria, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotic therapy to treat your infection. You will usually take these in addition to nasal decongestants or sprays, and decongestant pills.
Treatment of rhinitis due to allergies may include removing what has caused an allergic reaction (allergen), and controlling the symptoms of the cold. If the rhinitis was due to an infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe decongestants, antibiotics, and humidified air. Nasal antihistamines, steroids and decongestants may help to control your common cold symptoms.
- Treatment of postnasal drip caused by a sinus infection may include antibiotic therapy, decongestants, humidified air (such as a vaporizer or a steamy shower), and drinking lots of fluids.
- Treatment of rhinitis due to allergies may include removing what has caused an allergic reaction (allergen), and controlling the scommnon cold ymptoms through the use of antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays.
Antibiotics. The first-line treatment of a sinus infection includes amoxacillin 500mg by mouth, 3 times a day, for 10-14 days. This depends on your healthcare provider. Other commonly used antibiotics include Amoxacillin/clavulanate (Augmentin (r)), trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim (r)), and Clarithromycin (Biaxin (r)). These are usually used if you are more at risk for infection due to an altered immune system, or if amoxacillin did not work.
- Even though you may feel relatively well in 2 to 3 days, make sure you take all the prescribed medication, to get rid of the infection. It is important to clear the sinus infection, so that a chronic and prolonged sinus infection will not occur.
- These are the most commonly suggested antibiotics, which will treat the bacteria that are often present in sinus infections. However, depending on your overall health status, and your healthcare provider, he or she may suggest that another antibiotic be used.
Antihistamines: Should only be used with a sinus infection if you have an allergic cause of the infection, as these drugs tend to slow drainage and secretions from the sinuses. However, if you have sneezing, watery eyes and itching, antihistamines may prevent nasal congestion due to allergies, and decrease common symptoms of postnasal drip.
- Non-prescription antihistamines include most commonly Diphenhydramine (Benadryl (r)), and Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton (r)). However, these drugs may leave you drowsy, and with a dry mouth.
- Newer prescription antihistamines without side effects of dry mouth, drowsiness or sedation, include Loratadine (Claritin (r)), and Fexofenadine (Allegra (r)). You can take one of these pills daily, every other day, or whenever you have symptoms. These medications may be prescribed alone, or in combination with a decongestant (such as Loratadine/Pseudoephedrine Claritin-D (r)).
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids (steroids) work locally to decrease nasal irritation and inflammation, if given in the form of a nasal spray (topical). This is good for symptoms of a cold, because you don't have to worry about bad long-term side effects of steroids from a short-term, local use. Only a small amount is distributed through your body. Common topical nasal steroids for the treatment of sinusitis include beclomethasone dipropionate (Beconase(r) or Vancenase (r)) and Fluticasone propionate (Flonase (r)).
Decongestants: May be helpful in a pill form or as a nasal spray (topical), to relieve a "blockage"; or symptoms of a runny nose.
- The most commonly prescribed pill to treat congestion is Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed(r)).
- A commonly used nasal spray decongestant is Azelastine (Astelin (r)).
- Antihistamines, in combination with a decongestant, work well in some people, as the decongestant will enhance the effectiveness of the antihistamine. Be careful using decongestants, though, if you have a history of high blood pressure. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Tylenol: If you have headaches, muscle, and joint or throat pain from your illness, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol() up to 4000 mg per day (two extra-strength tablets every 6 hours). It is important not to exceed the recommended daily dose of Tylenol, as it may cause liver damage. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.
If you have a bleeding disorder, you should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, as well as aspirin, because these drugs may interfere with blood platelets, and prolong bleeding.
Do not stop any of your medications abruptly, without discussing with your healthcare provider.

When to call your doctor or health care provider about symptoms of the common cold:

Fever of 100.5º F (38º C), chills, or a worsening sore throat (possible signs of infection, especially if you are undergoing chemotherapy).
Swelling around the eyes, severe facial pain, or reddened and inflamed areas near your eyes - seek emergency assistance
Shortness of breath, or increased trouble swallowing, may suggest an abscess may have formed (an infected area) in your throat.
Trouble breathing should be evaluated immediately
If you notice a green, brown, black or bloody discharge or mucous from your nose, or from a cough
Dark colored urine, or painful urination
Bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes, or new, unexplained bruises.
Any new rashes on your skin, especially if you have been taking a new antibiotic or medication
If your symptoms worsen, or do not improve in 3-4 days of seeing your healthcare provider, you must call them for an evaluation. You should also return to the clinic in 10 to 14 days (after your antibiotic therapy) for an evaluation.

References for Common Cold Symptoms:

MD Consult: A resource for clinicians. (2002). [On-line]. Available:

Merideth, P. V. & Horan, N. M. (2000). Adult primary care. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company.
Seller, R. (2000). Differential diagnosis of common complaints. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company.
Tierney, L.M, McPhee, S.J & Papadakis, M. A (2001). Current medical diagnosis and treatment 2001, Fortieth Edition. Appleton and Lange: Stanford, CT
Uphold, C.R and Graham, M. V. (1999). Clinical guidelines in adult health (5th Edition). Gainesville: Barmarrae Books.

The Difference Between Herman Cain and Bill Clinton: Hillary Clinton, by Kirby Sommers

2011-12-05T13:35:00.153-05:00

An article in the Daily News last week claims that Herman Cain is making Bill Clinton look like an innocent. I disagree.

It starts like this:

‘The TV reporter asked the married presidential candidate about a woman who was claiming they’d carried on a secret romance.

“Was she a friend, an acquaintance?”

“I would say a friendly acquaintance.”

“She is alleging . . . a 12-year affair with you.”

“That allegation is false,” the candidate shot back.

The candidate was Bill Clinton on “60 Minutes” back in 1992. Hillary was at his side.

The Clinton campaign had just been rocked by the sultry Gennifer Flowers, who held a bizarre New York news conference to release tapes of her late-night pillow talk with Bill, then the governor of Arkansas. '

Indeed Cain has brought to mind some of the more colorful Clinton denials. Like his own Gennifer Flowers moment in the form of Ginger White who claims the pair had a 13-year "sexual relationship." When asked if he knew the woman, Cain dismissed White as just an “acquaintance.”

Although similarities exist within their respective sex scandals - including an almost identical finger-wagging, self-righteous rebuttal when Cain was confronted of sexually harrassing four other women. It is here however where the difference emerges and it does so in the form of their wives. Gloria Cain merely played the "that-doesn't-sound-like-my-husband" song. Hillary Clinton's stance was a lot different. She hopped, leapt, and stretched out her wings like a vulture in a storm hiding her husband's foibles within its folds.

Both Clinton and Cain have been accused (in Clinton's case, proven) of being creepy sexual predators. Clinton "an innocent" when compared to Cain? I think not. Hey, not even the slam and dunk'em Tiger Woods can beat Clinton in nailing any woman in any way possible when felt like relieving himself. When Clinton felt the urge, he'd satisfy it as quickly as if he simply needed to urinate. And any depository, whether welcome or not was enlisted.

Remember Paula Jones? Sure you do. How about Juanita Broaddrick? Do you remember her?

Broaddrick was an Arkansas woman who worked on Clinton's campaign when he was attorney general. On April 25, 1978 she was brutally raped by Bill Clinton during his first run as Governor for the state of Arkansas.

She told NBC's Lisa Meyers the story. NBC, under intense pressure by the White House at the time, shelved the interview. It wasn’t until Broaddrick took her story to The Wall Street Journal that it became public.

The Journal went into some detail about Mrs. Broaddrick's horrible ordeal:

‘ Mr. Clinton … got her onto the bed, held her down forcibly and bit her lips. The sexual entry itself was not without some pain, she recalls, because of her stiffness and resistance. When it was over, she says, he looked down at her and said not to worry, he was sterile -- he had had mumps when he was a child.

"I felt paralyzed and was starting to cry," recounts Broaddrick.

As he got to the door, she remembers, he turned.

"This is the part that always stays in my mind--the way he put on his sunglasses. Then he looked at me and said, 'You better put some ice on that.' And then he left." ‘

In an interview on Fox News that can be seen here, Broaddrick claims that Hillary Clinton has always covered up for Bill. She adds that Hillary thanked her for keeping quiet and that she (Hillary) accepted it all because of power and money.

Hillary, who was humiliated time and time again was never going diminish the value of the Clinton/Clinton stock equity. She is the one person who could have exercised restraint on him, but instead supported his misogyny. She supported his lies. She even helped to silence his victims. The end game? Her love of the view from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

While Bill Clinton had no moral code of conduct as it pertained to his wife, or his constituents, he sailed right on into the White House. This was a team effort. A Bill/Hillary win. Had Hillary turned against him at any time, we'd barely remember his name. Which means that Hillary by virtue of her own blinded quest for power was his accomplice. She is, to Clinton's victims, an equal opportunity predator.

Cain doesn't have an arranged 'marital' partnership. And the White House is no longer in sight for him. When caught, he almost appears to have a conscious – even if only with Gloria Cain. After resigning as the Presidential candidate, he rejoiced: ”I am at peace with my wife. And she is at peace with me!"

2011 Copyright Kirby Sommers

Landlord Links: Avoid broker fees! 100% no fee apartments. A no brainer, by Kirby Sommers

2011-12-02T10:04:00.004-05:00

Landlord Links, my best selling e-guides now have their own website at http://landlordlinks.net/.

ABOUT LANDLORD LINKS: Landlord Links take the renter directly to the Landlords' available apartment listings.This way they can see real apartments in real time and bypass brokers and their absurd fees.

Landlord Links are only available via the http://landlordlinks.net/ website. They are categorized by neighborhoods (for apartments priced $2,000-$5,000), and by price if below the $2000/mo rate. (Currently only Manhattan with all neighborhoods).

Remember since Landlord Links are emailed to you in the form of a ebook with hyperlinks (that's how you get to listings!!), there is no expiration date (you'll see fresh updates every day), and there's no membership fee. Get once. Use anytime!

Happy holidays, everyone!

Kirby Sommers
Landlord Links, Creator

Dominque Strauss-Kahn: New Book Claims Maid Wanted to Perform Oral Sex on Him, by Kirby Sommers

2011-12-01T11:32:00.014-05:00

Seriously, I just can't take this absurdity any longer.

A new Dominique Stauss-Kahn biography to be released on December 8, 2011 shows the twisted mind of an egomaniac. In the book written by Michel Taubmann, Stauss-Kahn claims that when he stepped out of the bathroom naked and encountered Nafissatou Diallo, he saw it as a 'proposition.'

He claims that Diallo 'gazed' at his body and especially his 'manhood.' He then added that he 'agreed' to allow her to perform oral sex on him. Yeah, right, give me one of the hallucinogenic drugs Strauss-Kahn is obviously taking.

So, at the age of 62 when most men need Viagra to get an erection, the sight of his flaccid penis and uneven sagging testicles made Diallo drop her feather duster and scurry onto her knees. According to him, she simply could not resist the temptation of taking the old flesh of a stranger into her mouth, willingly -- keeping it in her mouth until he reached orgasm.

Let's remember what the physical evidence showed. Investigators found bruises on her vagina and traces of semen in the room.

The consenting tryst, if we are to believe Strauss-Kahn, took place within 7 minutes.

It is documented evidence that from the time Diallo stepped into Strauss-Kahn's room with her key to when he later called his daughter, seven minutes had elapsed.

Brusing and consent during a period of seven minutes is inherently inconsistent. While it is probable that he did not need to plop down a Valium, he did need to get physically stimulated in order to ejaculate. This is plausibly why she suffered brusing on her genitalia.

Remember, Diallo told investigators that he violently attacked her when she walked in to clean his room. She was forced to perform oral sex on him. I for one, believe her. When a man is in a state of sexual arousal, it begins in his mind. So he didn't have to have an erection when the assault began, he merely had to have the stirrings of desire.

I have been raped and know from first hand experience that when someone is forcing himself on you, a man's strength, even a older man's strength will overpower a smaller sized female. So when Strauss-Kahn attacked Diallo, it makes sense that he would have grabbed her vagina forcibly, bruising her in the process, as he was becoming stimulated. It doesn't take a Rhodes Scholar to piece together what happened in that room on that dreadful day.

In Taubmann's make believe book, Strauss-Kahn further argues that she was there as part of a 'set-up.' Taubmann says phone records show Strauss-Kahn last used his work phone -- the IMF Blackberry around the time the incident took place and suggests Diallo could have taken it. The robbery of his cell phone might have been part of a political plot to bring him down since he was seen as the top contender in France's presidential race at the time.

This sounds more like dementia and incoherent rambling from a man who feels no remorse for relieving himself on helpless women, like inconsequential sneezes, whenever he feels the urge.

This is a sad tale, not just for Diallo, and not just because it touched a raw nerve with me and made me remember a time in my life when I too was forced to do something I had no consent in. It is a disgrace that a woman who came here from West Africa looking for refuge from genital mutilation and rape, believing as she did, in the American promise of equality. There is justice and equal protection for all. Whether you are rich or poor; whether you are black or white.

Nafissatou Diallo found out the way I once did, that Justice in American is not blind after all.

###
2011 Copyright Kirby Sommers

Oh No, Not Another Red Cross Sex Scandal, by Kirby Sommers

2011-11-29T17:59:00.015-05:00

Red Cross scandals are no longer the exception to the rule. They are now the norm. The internet has made it possible for people around the globe to hear about the misappropriation of donor dollars with the equally offensive sex scandals that often accompany Red Cross executives' sexual appetites.

In China, this past summer, the Red Cross found itself embroiled in the latest red faced scandal when a 20 year old brat named Guo Meimei used her blog to tell the world about her lavish lifestyle. One allegedly supported by donations made to the Red Cross Society of China.

Meimei's lover is reported to be Guo Changjiang, Vice-President of the organization. Since Chanjiang is married, Meimei is referred to as his 'second wife.' The nubile 20 year old has also been linked to Wang Jun, another older and also married Red Crosser who was a member of the Board of Directors. Jun resigned as soon as the news hit the net.

China's Red Cross Society (CRCS) came under fire after the scandal found its way to the Internet. Netizens were infuriated when Meimei, who claimed on Sina Weibo (the Chinese version of Twitter) to be the general manager of a company called Red Cross Commerce (an offshot of the Red Cross in charge of selling cars to CRCS), where she happily showed off her designer duds, furs, Maserati, Lamborghini, and her palatial villa.

China's internet surfers became furious questioning whether the 20 year old's opulent lifestyle was financed by donations to the Red Cross. They were so incensed that donors simply stopped supporting the Red Cross.

Although both Guo and the Red Cross Society publicly denied having any ties to one another, repeated disclosures from inside sources continue to flood the internet.

The Red Cross Society of China found itself plunged into an unprecedented crisis of trust. Has the Red Cross lost its credibility? Absoluely. Guo’s scandal became a beginning in China rather than an end in exposing the problems of the state-run non-profit organization. One which monopolized the country’s philanthropic causes and suffered from a complete lack transparency. Pretty similar to how the Red Cross operates in the United States.

What's interesting is that after Guo’s sex scandal, the Red Cross Society of China decided to stop all commercial activities, even though they denied the tawdry affair.

What we're left with here is once again facing the sad fact that donations really don't filter down to those in need, but are first plundered by those in charge.

FOR OTHER RED CROSS SEX SCANDALS, see the Mark Everson / Paige Roberts affair here.

###

2011 Copyright Kirby Sommers

American Red Cross Faces Another Discrimination Lawsuit, by Kirby Sommers

2011-11-29T10:28:00.005-05:00

Here's another example of how The American Red Cross fires people because of race, sex, and age.

A discrimination lawsuit against the American Red Cross (ARC) has made it up to the Federal Court and is scheduled to be heard on the week of December 12, 2011.

Rosalind Clayton, a 48-year-old African American woman who worked as a telerecruiter originally filed her suit in the Circuit Court of St. Louis City. Since then the case was transferred to federal court, where I believe it belongs considering the discrimination charges.

Clayton, a telerecruiter, claims racial, sexual and age-related discrimination after being fired last December. The suit alleges that Clayton had been working the day shift at an American Red Cross facility, but was reassigned to the night shift "so that a fellow recruiter, a white male under the age of 40, could work the day shift per his request."

The complaint further alleges that after Clayton complained, the American Red Cross wrongly wrote her up for excessive tardiness and placed on a 60-Day Improvement Plan "despite the fact she had an excellent employment record." Clayton further states in the lawsuit that the Red Cross created false productivity statistics, which they used to terminate her.

What most people don't know about the American Red Cross is that a good portion of money raised in the name of "helping people" is used on a battery of lawyers who are constantly going to court to fend off lawsuits.

All kinds of lawsuits.

Lawsuits because they caused the death of thousands of people due to tainted blood, lawsuits because of discrimination, and lawsuits because ARC systematically nevers owns their mistakes or their cover-ups.

The Red Cross, in my opinion, seems to have the attitude that they are above the law. They can get away with anything because they have deep pockets. And, if they break the law, trust me, they will find a way to either make the offended party wrong -- even if it means bending or breaking the law, again.

The American Red Cross is no more than an Enronish non-profit organization who cares nothing for the people who toil day in, day out throughout their labrynith of Chapters around the world.

I wish Rosalyn Clayton well, and hope she doesn't settle for the paltry $5,000-$9,000 the Red Cross usually offers those who sue them as hush money.

###

Copyright 2011 Kirby Sommers

Marilyn Monroe's dressing recipe

2011-10-27T08:31:00.000-05:00

In her own handwriting:

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir, by Kirby Sommers CHAPTER NINE

2011-10-25T12:51:00.013-05:00

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir, by Kirby Sommers
Published by TulipMania, LLC

CHAPTER NINE

Six months later I have found my way back to school and resumed my studies as an Art History major. I have even gotten a part time job as an administrative assistant for a bank owned company that buys and maintains airplanes.

It is a particularly cloudy October afternoon in 1986 and I sit cross-legged on my sofa in big slouchy socks, a pair of jeans and a baggy gray sweatshirt. About a dozen oversized books lay scattered beside me as I read and reread the passages I’ve outlined in yellow in preparation for midterm exams.

I focus on an image of two figures. A man and woman are seated together in a French café. They appear to be in a catatonic state. At first glance they seem to be dressed appropriately until you realize they are not. There is a sense of carelessness in what they’re wearing. Their clothes look as if they have been slept in, they’re somewhat disheveled and one can imagine they might have an offensive smell too. The eyes of both figures elude mine. While the man looks to the right off canvas, the woman stares vacantly downward, her body is slouched every so slightly but one gust of wind could easily push her onto the table and into the cloudy greenish drink which sits on the table in front of them.

It is Edgar Degas’ L’Absinthe.

The woman is lost to the wanderings of her mind. As I stare at her I find something both disconcerting and familiar at her state of isolation. Although I do not drink, nor do I use drugs I have come to be close friends with loneliness and isolation. As I ponder this thought, the buzzer rings loudly.

Not just once, but like someone’s finger is stuck on it and my ears are assaulted by the deafening loud annoying buzzer which has filled up every corner of my small one bedroom apartment. I’m not expecting anyone and try to ignore it but whoever’s finger is on it is not going anywhere. I feel trapped.

After ten long minutes of trying to get past this and let whomever it is to tire themselves out, the buzzing continues. I’m livid and push my books aside to go see what asshole is being such a pest.

“Who is it?” I bark sharply.

“It’s me, Ira.”

I let out an audible gasp and stand there confused. I am thrown off my center and quickly look around my apartment so as to remind myself that I am home and not in my work apartment, which in fact doesn’t even exist anymore.

My heart begins to race and skip beats and I can hear it against my chest. Thumpty thump thump thump. Thumpty thump thump thump. And because I think maybe, just maybe, I’ve heard wrong, I ask again: “Who is it?”

“It’s me Ira,” he repeats.

I gasp for air and try to remember everything I ever told him. I know I never told him my real name. I never told him anything that would lead him here. But somehow this client, this Ira, this person who is to me like every other person I met at a time in my life that I really just want to forget, this person has the audacity to be standing in my lobby with his finger on my buzzer and has now crossed into my space.

My personal space.

Into my life.

My personal life.

A life he knows nothing about. A life he has no part in.

So how is it that Ira is here in the vestibule of the small eyesore of a building I live in?

My building is perhaps the ugliest building on an otherwise pretty tree lined street where families live in private town homes and well-maintained brownstones. It is over 100 years old and looks every bit its age. It has a drab gray exterior and an unsightly stoop with seven steep tilting steps one has to climb carefully because they are as narrow as they are high. There are odd cracks here and there with loose and missing pieces of concrete and looks as if a giant had at one time placed one massive foot on the whole of the stairs leaving his footprint on the uneven broken steps.

In years to come I will look back at that defining moment and will realize that I did not think about Ira’s own apartment, or apartments, as he later explained, having taken two enormously huge co-ops and merging them into a palatial home on ultra glam Park Avenue, the most exclusive residential address in all of New York.

He lives in a spectacular limestone covered building with truly magical beauty in every detail. A sought after address well known among the elite for its spacious and unique apartments. There are beautiful twisting wrought iron staircases, soaring 18-foot ceilings, original stone flooring in some of the apartments, and all are topped off with over sized windows overlooking Central Park.

His set of apartments is on a street where neighbors have names like Astor and Rockefeller, and where Barbara Hutton and Samuel Kress once took the same elevator he takes to go up to their respective apartments. The New York Times recently summed up the building as “Where Sumptuous is no Exaggeration.”

Park Avenue is the only place in all of New York where you will see flowers even on the coldest and most miserable days of the year. Where begonias, cherry trees, and tulips line the median that separates the traffic going North and South. Nothing ever looks bad in this small enclave of approximately 12 city blocks that make up the neighborhood where only the very rich live and where money literally line the streets.

The life of the high class girl call who wasn’t ever real and the real me are at odds with each other. One doesn’t exist any more and the one that is left doesn’t know how to handle this sticky and quite unexpected situation because somehow Ira has climbed those steep, broken and narrow steps and has pushed himself into my real life.

The flashbacks begin. I remember my other place, it was much nicer visually than the place I call home, but it was just a workplace. A place where men would come and go. Literally.

I gulp for air and feel my chest restricting and then I put my finger on the speak button and press down again.

“I’m busy, go away.” My voice is stern and I hope he disappears.

“It’s taken me six months to find you, just give me one minute.”

“No!” My body is trembling and I feel like a trapped animal and indeed I was.

“Just let me speak to you for a few minutes, please.”

“Give me your phone number. I’ll call you in a few days.” I lie, then absurdly add: "I’m studying for midterms,” and immediately after those words leave my lips, I think wait, that’s too much information to give this non-entity.

“No, give me your number and promise to meet me for lunch at The Plaza on Thursday. Do that and I’ll go away,” he insists.

“Promise?”

“Promise,” he echoes.

So, like an idiot because I can’t think, I give him my real phone number, and less than one minute later my phone rings.

“I couldn’t wait till Thursday,” Ira chirps smugly. In my mind's eye I can see him standing at the old phone booth on the corner of Broadway across the street.

“How did you find me?”

As if losing his composure, he fires off a flurry of sentences. “I hired a retired police officer I know. I give a lot of money to their police functions. Dave is his name and I trust him to keep this quiet. I paid him $150,000 to find you for me. It took six months. I’ve missed you. I love you. See me please.”

I’m too dumbfounded to say anything. I’m taken aback by the $150,000 figure. A lot of money. The whole thing is so invasive. I have been hunted down. And now my head does a backward somersault. How did he find me? How did find me? Oh my god, how did he find me?

I felt inherently violated. For some odd reason Rita Hayworth pops into my mind and I recall her famous quote: “Every man I knew went to bed with Gilda and woke up with me.”

It was exactly how I felt. I wasn’t the vamp he met when he paid for sex. I was just an ordinary girl.

What I will not know for years to come is that Ira has been spying on me. He already had my phone number. Asking me for it was just a ruse and I’m being followed wherever I go. Two days later on Thursday I meet him at The Plaza when it was still The Plaza before Donald Trump bought it.

I follow him quietly to the Oak Room. He never orders lunch. I spot two other men walk in behind us and sit down immediately to our right, which I think is weird since the whole place is empty. Nothing feels right and I simply want to leave. And then Ira gave me a good reason to do just that.

“I want to see you exclusively,” he tells me in a monotone voice as though he's ordering a glass of water. “Just see me, no one else. I’ll pay you.”

“I’m not for sale! The girl you met and the girl I am are two different women. I’m not interested!” Flush with anger and completely insulted, I storm out.

I will not know when I ride my bike through Central Park in the following days, weeks and months to come and bump into Ira on his own bike that it was not coincidental. He is, in fact, spying on me. He has become my stalker.

Someone has told him I'm in the park on his orders so he can zip on over and chat me up. He is priming me by making me feel he is becoming my friend. I will not know for years to come -- even after I become his mistress of many years that my phones are tapped and every single move I make is being recorded for him. Someone else is writing my diary for the sole purpose of one man's folly. In time I will succumb. But for now, the man who one day will turn me into his sex slave is merely spying on me.

###
To read more, visit http://thebillionaireswoman.com
Some chapters excluded. Book in its entiretly will be available for purchase soon.

2011 Copyright Kirby Sommers
Published by TulipMania, LLC

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir, by Kirby Sommers CHAPTER 8

2011-10-25T12:46:00.005-05:00

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir, by Kirby Sommers
Published by TulipMania, LLC

CHAPTER EIGHT

The day I left the ‘business’ began like any other. I only have ‘regulars’ and today I have an appointment with a well-known caricaturist, Ray (name changed), for one hour this afternoon.

“Hi,” I whisper sweetly, as I open the door.

“It’s great to see you,” he smiles broadly, with the warmth of a favorite uncle. “It’s been a while…a long while.” Ray’s hand absentmindedly pushes back his silvery white crop of hair. He strides toward my bedroom carrying a parcel, and looks as if he’s headed toward a podium to give a speech on his now famous black and white portraits.

I follow him, concentrating on his widow’s peak. I have one too, and when I was a little girl I heard an old wives tale -- if you have a widow’s peak you’ll outlive your mate. I stare at his and the image of his wife springs to mind.

“About a month, you must have been busy to stay away so long. I’ve missed you,” I coo. And as clients go, I really did. He’s a nice man and a wonderful artist.

“Before we start, I have a gift for you. It comes from here,” he places his hand over his heart. “You’re just a marvelous girl.” His blue eyes twinkle mischievously. He offers me the package, and begins to shed his clothes in anticipation of our little romantic snuggle which is not expected to include penetration, but is expected to bring a satisfied grin to his face.

I sit on the edge of the bed, somewhat quizzical of what he’s handed me, and with the gift on my lap I carefully remove the plain brown wrapper, which exposes thin tightly rolled sheets of white paper held in place with a rubber band. Ever so gently, I push the rubber band off, careful not to damage the paper. There are three drawings and I let out an audible gasp as they unroll before me.

My head is spinning and I feel as if I am floating away. I hear Ray’s voice.

“I did them from memory, I usually like to work from a photo, but with you...” Ray stops mid-stream; perhaps already sensing something isn’t right.

Quickly I move from one to the next. I am naked in all three, with the exception of my ever-present high heels. The first shows me opening the front door with only Ray’s large nose protruding into the apartment. The second shows me walking away, my ass bare for the world to see, and in the third, I am returning from the kitchen, carrying a glass of wine for him.

My eyes are glued to the graceful, flourishing and bold circles, which form images of me. Suddenly, my mind is racing with questions. How many of these are there? Has he been drawing me from the very start? What is meant as a gift feels like a trespass. Looking at these drawings is more than I can bear. I suddenly realize, as if for the first time: this is what he sees when he sees me. I am a whore. Nothing more. Not to him. Perhaps not to anyone.

Up until this moment I have been able to hold on to my pain. Even at my very lowest, I have pushed through and haven't allowed myself to slip away into self-loathing and disgust. I have kept my two worlds apart. The person I have to be in this room with these men, my clients, is one. And I am another.

No matter what I do, I silently think to myself, I will never be more than a body to use. Have I actually disappeared and am I just reduced to this? To a caricature of the woman I feel I am inside. To a woman no one but me can see? It's as clear as being jolted awake while in deep slumber. I have ceased to exist and slowly I sink into a dark place in my heart and in my soul. A place I have visited many times, but have refused to acknowledge I live there.

Ray is still talking, I can hear his voice, but I no longer know what he’s saying. The words simply don’t register. All I know is that I don’t want to be here and I especially don’t want him to be here. What I want is to crawl away and die.

Despite the overwhelming sense of despair, I hear myself graciously thanking him for his gift. I offer an impromtu excuse and tell him I’m not feeling well.

It is the first time I break apart in front of a client. It is also the last time.

Ray looks confused and is somewhat started. But he gathers his disgarded clothes, puts them back on, and is gone. I know he is insulted by my response, and that he may never call me again, but I don't care.

The gut wrenching drawings lay on the bed taunting me, almost. I quickly grab them and take them out of the bedroom and into my livingroom where I collapse on the sofa. I spread them out again and once again they jolt me to the core. Tears run down my face like shards of glass.

I shred his carefully drawm images into confetti them and then desecrate them further by throwing them into the incinerator where I hope they will burn, along with my past.

It is the last appointment and the last day in my career as a call girl.

###

To read more, visit http://thebillionaireswoman.com
Some chapters excluded. Book in its entiretly will be available for purchase soon.

2011 Copyright Kirby Sommers
Published by TulipMania, LLC

The Millionaire's March: Exposing Corporate America's Dirty Little Secrets, by Kirby Sommers

2011-10-13T11:18:00.011-05:00

(Photo) Kirby Sommers on 59th Street and Fifth Avenue attending the

Millionaire's March on Tuesday, October 11, 2011

I found out about the Millionaire's March planned by the anti-Wall Street protestors early Tuesday morning, and knew it was something I wanted to support. The meeting place on 59th Street and Fifth Avenue right across the street from Central Park was relatively empty when I first arrived, save for the media and the ominous heavy police presence. By noon, however, there were at least 300 people waiting for the march to begin. The interesting part about who was there was that it was a cross section of New Yorkers. A mixture of the young, and the not so young. The employed and the unemployed. Vietnam vets and young soldiers just back from Iraq. People of all colors. There were some with Ivy League educations and some with limited education. If there ever was a fair representation of the 99% of America, this was certatinly it.

A reporter with a camera walked straight toward me and with his microphone just inches away asked: "Why are you here?" It was an easy reply: I'm the 99% percent ex-girlfriend/mistress of the 1% billionaire Ira Riklis, whose family business interests, political machinations, and tax manipulations have all contributed to the disappearance of what was once known as The American Dream. For we are now deeply entrenched in the worst economic crisis the people of the United States have ever known since the Great Depression.

The Carnival Corporation wouldn’t have much of a business without help from various branches of the government. Over the last five years, the company has paid total corporate taxes — federal, state, local and foreign — equal to only 1.1 percent of its cumulative $11.3 billion in profits.

Carnival Cruise Lines

When Ira was in hot pursuit of me, one of the early things he tried to give me was a vacation on Carnival Cruise Lines. “It’s a family owned business,” he shrugged trying to make light of his illicit offer. “You need a vacation and it would be nice for me to give you one while keeping it in the family.”

Meshulam Riklis (Ira’s junk bond king father), who co-owned and founded Carnival Cruise Lines in the early 1970s with Ted Arison and who famously sold his stake in Carnival to Arison for the princely sum of $1 years before Ira made the ‘family business offer’ comment never fooled the press who have continued to write about this $1 ownership transfer with a wink and a nod.

So did the junk bond king best remembered for ripping of thousands of Americans know something about tax loopholes? Using one of Ira’s favorite expressions: “ya betcha.”

Thanks to an obscure loophole in the tax code, Carnival can legally avoid most taxes.Over the last five years, the company has paid total corporate taxes — federal, state, local and foreign — equal to only 1.1 percent of its cumulative $11.3 billion in profits.

In February [2011], The New York Times reported:

‘The Carnival Corporation wouldn’t have much of a business without help from various branches of the government. The United States Coast Guard keeps the seas safe for Carnival’s cruise ships. Customs officers make it possible for Carnival cruises to travel to other countries. State and local governments have built roads and bridges leading up to the ports where Carnival’s ships dock.’

Richard Clarida, a Columbia University economist who, under President George W. Bush worked for the Treasury Department, has said: “A dirty little secret is that the corporate income tax used to raise a fair amount of revenue.”

The Occupy Wall Street movement, which has now spread across the country, has to add to its list of grievances tax loopholes given not just to the top 1% of the wealthy, but to their companies as well.

So what ever happened to Ted Arison? After collecting billions of dollars from hardworking Americans and living it up in his Miami mansion, where he registered the Miami-based cruise conglomerate in Panama to avoid paying U.S taxes, he returned to Israel. In a calculated move to avoid paying estate and inheritance taxes, he denounced his U.S. citizenship.

Arison’s son Micky, is the current CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines. In 2009, it was reported that he earned a total compensation of $7,201,110. And for all we know, Carnival may still be a Riklis family owned company as well.

###

Kirby Sommers is a writer and Founder of Landlord Links - the only way to rent no fee in New York City.

Manhattan's Apartment Shortage Spikes Price, by Kirby Sommers

2011-07-19T04:59:00.004-05:00

I'm reposting a New York Post piece about the very tight rental market and the inevitable rent increases for apartments in Manhattan.

If renters ever needed help, the time is now.

Landlord Links, which I created years ago, makes it possible for you to at least avoid pesky broker fees. That's a whole lot of change since the rental shortage has also made any concessions a thing of the past. Which means if the landlord isn't 'hiding' the broker's fee in your rent, brokers now have you up against the proverbial fee wall. You don't get to pass go, sign a lease, and move into a new place until you hand over a barrel of cold cash as in 15% commission of the first year's rent.

Using Landlord Links, however, still lets you do just that. Pass go. Pay zilch in broker fees.

In any event, here's the story which ran last week in the New York Post -- it isn't pretty -- but then, if you're apartment hunting...you probably already know. Read, weep, and then go grab some Landlord Links. - Kirby Sommerrs

###
The rent's high? Too damn bad!

Manhattan apt. shortage spikes prices

Bad news for renters: The Manhattan apartment market is thistight.

Rent increases this year are unusually high, over 10 percent in larger apartments -- while vacancy is "ridiculously low," said Gary Malin, president of Citi Habitats.

Only 0.72 percent of Manhattan apartments were available in the last three months, the lowest quarterly rate since the firm began tracking vacancies in 2002, Malin added.

Try finding a place in SoHo/TriBeCa, the area with the fewest available apartments.

The rate there is a miniscule 0.37 percent -- or about 1 vacancy for every 270 apartments.

And when supply is scarce and demand is high, well, you know what happens to prices, especially for nonregulated apartments.

The average monthly rent for a studio in Manhattan is a whopping $1,976, up 9.1 percent from the same time last year.

And that's the lowest increase in apartment categories, according to Citi Habitats' residential rental-market report for the second quarter of 2011, which was released today.

Three-bedroom apartments, which are relatively difficult to find in Manhattan, now average $4,985, up 11.3 percent in the past year.

One-bedrooms average $2,672, an increase of 9.2 percent, and two-bedrooms average $3,757, a 10.8 percent jump, according to the report.

Add in a doorman or even an elevator, and the numbers rise.

The average rent for a one-bedroom Manhattan apartment is $2,476 -- if it's a walk-up.

But it's $2,850 with an elevator and $3,405 with a doorman. Doorman buildings built after 2004 average $3,868 for a one-bedroom.

The tight market and other factors shift conditions "vastly in the landlords' favor," said Malin.

So move-in concessions -- such as a landlord waiving one month's rent or paying a broker's fee -- "are, for the most part, a thing of the past," Malin said.

In June 2010, 28 percent of Citi Habitats' Manhattan rental transactions included such incentives, but the number shrank to just 11 percent last month.

There are several reasons for the tight market, including Manhattan's recovery from the recession at a faster rate than the rest of the country, the low increase in housing stock, and the reluctance of residents to move out of their current apartments, Malin said.

In addition, people in the market for a studio or a one-bedroom tend to be renting rather than buying because they may not expect to be in the same apartment in five years or they have problems with financing, among other reasons, he said.

The Tar Baby Lawsuit Against the American Red Cross, by Kirby Sommers

2011-07-08T14:26:00.004-05:00

I continue to receive calls and emails from both insiders and former employees of The American Red Cross (ARC), regarding their alleged illegal practices. And, I have also heard about "anonymous" posts slamming me written by ARC bosses. ARC is that way, I sadly discovered: they represent themselves one way when being interviewed by the press and then behalf in an entirely different manner behind the scenes. With regard to many of my readers' request, I am reposting a story I researched and wrote in late 2009-2010. - Kirby Sommers

The Tar Baby Lawsuit Against the American Red Cross, by Kirby Sommers

(The Toy Collins Discrimination Lawsuit)

Toy Collins, the Health and Safety Director for the American Red Cross Rock River Chapter who was fired on July 16, 2007 and who worked for the Red Cross for eight years, has countered with a lawsuit dated September 12, 2008 against the federally chartered stalwart non-profit that validates every suspicion uttered over the years about the Red Cross’ racism, sexism, ageism and retaliatory practices.

“Tar baby is what Lauren called me. Her and Karen would giggle and laugh at me when I complained. But that’s what she called me,” a distraught Collins said during a recent interview.

Lauren Zimmerman is the Emergency Service Director and Karen Kennedy is the Human Resources Director.

In an office of 23 people, Collins was the only African American paid staff member.
When a superior – or anyone, for that matter, calls you “tar baby” – well that’s as offensive as calling you a nigger. Making matters worse, it wasn’t a one-time offense. It happened on a regular basis.

During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 following heavy criticism that fell on the American Red Cross for their poor performance with minorities -- the storm is credited with pulling the white veil of secrecy off the Red Cross -- showing they are not used to dealing with people of color within the United States. According to the Red Cross’s own statistics, in that year, only 5 percent of the volunteers were black, 4% Hispanic and 2% Asian within the sprawling 700 plus chapters across the country.

So, one would have to question why employees of the American Red Cross engage in offensive behavior (as is evidenced by approximately 200 lawsuits against them during a period of approximately 6 years) by African Americans, women, aging employees, or anyone who doesn’t fit in with their culture -- even after the spotlight cast its light on their egregious errors. The answer to this is simple: change within an organization as large as the Red Cross does not happen overnight. And changing someone’s lifelong beliefs is not realistic. Not even when they’re wrong -- no one changes how they think or behave on a dime.

Toy Collins arrived at the Red Cross as a volunteer in 1998. At the time, The Red Cross wanted a 2% increase in African American donors and Mrs. Collins seemed to fit the bill. Well articulated, well educated and well connected, Collins was able to get more contributions into the local Rock River chapter than any other volunteer.

Toy proved to be a valuable commodity as a liason between the Red Cross and the African American community. On October 2000 Cynthia (Cindy) Waddick, at the time the Executive Director, offered Toy a paid staff position as the Health and Safety Community Coordinator. The job was meant to capitalize on Toy's connections within the community.

As Toy recalls, she worked hard. She was proud to be working with the American Red Cross. Until one day in 2003, when the position just above hers opened up – that of the Health and Safety Director. A Health and Safety Director can hire people and has real responsibilities. It’s a management level position. And, at the Rock River Red Cross Chapter there were no black management employees. At least, not yet.

Collins approached Waddick and applied for the job.
“I like you where you are,” Waddick told Collins after she submitted her application, adding: “You aren’t management material.”

Yet Waddick turned around and offered Collins the job at a salary of $16,000/year. The promotion would have meant Toy getting a substantial decrease in salary. She declined and suddenly realized what had happened. It was an intentional gesture meant from keeping her from going up within the ranks.

By offering Collins less money than she was making, Waddick knew Collins couldn’t afford the pay cut and wouldn’t accept the “promotion.”
Except this is illegal. It’s an old trick used by higher ups within the American Red Cross, and used in this case, by Cindy Waddick to prevent Toy Collins from getting a promotion.

Meanwhile, Tyler Doty, a man applied for the same job.

“Tyler is young and will run circles around you.” With those words Cindy Waddick sealed Toy’s fate and hired Doty. However, within her words and actions, Waddick was also making it clear that: Toy was a woman, was too old, and was too black to be part of Red Cross management.
This folks, is called discrimination on the basis of gender, race, and age.

And the story would have ended there were it not for the fact that Doty wasn’t qualified and quit after just 7 short months, making the position available again. This time, with no other applicant in sight, Toy Collins was hired and then, as the saying would have it, all hell broke loose. Because, then, the retaliation part of Toy’s hellish existence within the Red Cross began in full force.

-Originally posted by Kirby Sommers on Tuesday, January 12, 2010

LANDLORD LINKS: Want to avoid rental apartment broker fees in Manhattan?

2011-07-08T07:07:00.000-05:00

PRESS RELEASE

July 8, 2011
By: C.R. Ackley

LANDLORD LINKS: Want to avoid rental apartment broker fees in Manhattan?

Kirby Sommers, a real estate expert and writer created Landlord Links to help renters avoid broker fees. As the name implies, Landlord Links connects apartment seekers directly to any landlord’s database. ““People don’t need a tag along broker to help them find an apartment, they just need access to information,” Sommers adds.

She is best known for having helped Hurricane Katrina survivors connect to new homes across the country in the aftermath of the costliest hurricane to happen in the United States.

As Sommers explains: “In 2005 while helping to house survivors, I suddenly realized there were people in my own backyard who needed help. That’s when I came up with the concept of Landlord Links.”

Which translates into a lot of savings for renters since incentives have disappeared, and an astronomical 15% broker fee is now attached to most apartments.

“It’s not a membership website but rather a source for renters where they can snap up landlord data and find a really good deal,” says Daniel Rassman who recently rented an apartment using Landlord Links. “I got a list of every landlord on the Upper West Side, which is where I wanted to live, and included with the landlord info was a link that connected me to that landlord’s database. Landlord Links are absolutely brilliant.”
Want to avoid broker fees? Then snap up Landlord Links.

Copyright 2011

Ira Riklis Using Kirby Sommers metatags to Cover Up His Secret Sex Life

2011-07-02T06:55:00.003-05:00

BLOG FOR IRA RIKLIS uses meta tags “Kirby Sommers” and “The Secret Life of Billionaire Ira Riklis," - highlighted below) in an attempt to cover up my exposing what he did to me. He stalked me, wired my phones, had me followed, spied on me, (continues to spy on me), sexually exploited me, and attempted to have me killed.

SEE ENTIRE HTML CODED DOCUMENT FOR THIS BLOG POST WRITTEN FOR IRA RIKLIS ON NOVEMBER 29, 2009 --

http://www.irariklis.com/2009/11/coaching-key-success

NOTE: this page won't accept the html tags, to get script, just go to the page above, click on VIEW SOURCE and you will see "Kirby Sommers" as well as "The Secret Life of Billionaire Ira Riklis."

Or, email me and I will be happy to send you entire copied html code for this page.

-Kirby Sommers
July 2, 2011

i-Dweller.com Offers Renters No Broker Fee Apartments in Manhattan, by Kirby Sommers

2011-06-13T04:39:00.001-05:00

With the rental market tight, rents rising, and broker fees everwhere, I am reposting an old Press Release about i-Dweller's no broker fee services. i-Dweller was created to help renters bypass brokers and go directly to owner listings. No other online resource does this. If your goal is to save money, avoid bait and switch apartments, and steer clear away from brokers, then become an i-Dweller! - Kirby

###

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

New Service for New York City Renters: i-Dweller

Kirby Sommers, a Manhattan based real estate broker, today announced a unique new service for renters in New York City. For qualifying apartment seekers, i-Dweller will provide direct access to landlord’s listings. The service will be of tremendous value to anyone seeking to rent an apartment in the city.

“We’ve been catering to the needs of the renter for a while now and believe in empowering the renter with information. There’s no need for a tag-along agent when a person can access the very same data and save thousands of dollars.” she said of the i-Dweller Program.

A survey conducted by Property and Portfolio Research estimates vacancy rates in Manhattan at 3.7 percent and predict the number will shrink to 3.3 percent by the end of this year and to 2.9 percent by 2011.

With landlords and brokers in Manhattan holding all the cards, i-Dweller was created to give the rental consumer an edge. “Why not help the renter, give them another weapon in their arsenal and help keep them in the city?” Sommers states. The i-Dweller total access program which is offered as a one hour tutorial has an introductory cost of $199.

Tamy Rofe who relocated from Florida to Manhattan said: "i-Dweller helped me so much. The fact that I can call during the rental process, that’s great. That’s follow-up. These landlords are specific to my search and price. The experience was great.” Namish Shah, another apartment seeker echoed the sentiment. “The service is excellent. This is what I need. I get tired of going through Craigslist and things falling through and dealing with people who aren’t on the up and up.”

New Yorkers cannot afford to ignore or minimize the housing crunch in Manhattan. Nor can anyone keep running after unprepared rental agents whose only focus are commissions. “Empowering New Yorkers is what i-Dweller is about. Getting rid of the middleman is our goal entirely.” Sommers adds.

###
Kirby Sommers is also the Founder of LANDLORD LINKS - our do it yourself option and the only way to rent no fee!

Landlord Links: Chapter One, by Kirby Sommers

2011-06-06T07:54:00.011-05:00

Chapter One. The creation of Landlord Links

Landlord Links and What They Do

I created Landlord Links to empower renters in New York City. As a native New Yorker and a renter, I always knew there had to be a better way to find great no broker fee apartments than by trolling Craigslist and other unreliable websites. Landlord Links became the solution.

By using Landlord Links, you bypass the ‘broker nonsense,’ which includes more than just ridiculously high fees. Real estate agents and brokers create distance between you and your future landlord. If you want to be happy in your new apartment, you’ve got to meet your landlord.

Meeting your new landlord at lease signing with a tag along broker won’t do it. All the congenial handshakes and fake smiles won’t give you want you need. You need to see the real deal. Which means meeting the landlord in the landlord’s place of business. You and only you should have final say over who is going to be in your life for the duration of your tenancy. And, meeting him or her gives you a ‘gut feeling’ you’ll never get through an intermediary who is commission driven.

Landlord Links gives you this while saving you a ton of money in the process.

Think about it: wouldn’t it be great just to cruise through landlords’ current apartment listings whenever you want? Landlord Links let you do just that. You get to search directly inside landlords’ available apartment databases. You’ll be able to see apartments never advertised and get the ‘inside scoop.’ Why should someone else get first dibs on a great place just because they know about a particular building? My feeling is: “why not you?” Landlord Links give you that and more.

They also make your apartment hunt less stressful and more efficient.

You’ll find landlord and building contact information for apartments matching your search criteria along with hyperlinks connecting you inside landlords’ new rental listings!

Again, all this without the hassles you’re certain to find on Craigslist and other freebie websites where over 90% of apartment ads are fake, misleading, expired, or even worse, posted by criminals looking to con you out of your rent money.

Apartment listings are updated daily. By landlords! Which translates into: real apartments, offered by real landlords, in real time. Aside from money, time is a precious commodity for New Yorkers. Our time is eaten up by a variety of daily demands. A day can disappear without any progress very easily when you’re apartment hunting. Landlord Links ensure you don’t waste valuable time.

Not least of all Landlord Links save you money. A bundle. This year almost every apartment on the market has a whopping 15% broker’s fee attached to it. By using Landlord Links you won’t have to pay a dime in fees. A savings just shy of 2 month’s rent. A no brainer approach to finding your new apartment – hey, use your savings for furniture or taking in the fantastic array of things to enjoy in our wonderful city!

I also include here some of my inside tips which will help you save even more money. For example, you’ll find out how to see if there’s money ‘hiding’ in the asking rent. You’ll even learn stuff you’d never think about on your own, and hopefully, you’ll be able to avoid costly rental mistakes. Above all, they put you in charge!

NYC Apartments: Is No Fee Really No Fee, by Kirby Sommers

2011-02-24T07:29:00.002-05:00

Most renters opt for the “no fee” apartment route, either through a broker, a landlord, or a management company. But is this really a no fee apartment? Or, have you just paid a hidden fee?

Zigzagging my way through the snow and ice covered streets of the West Village I try to keep up with two local rental agents who have agreed to speak with me. I ask them a simple question:

“Is no fee really no fee?”

“Renters are stupid! They don’t know they always pay a fee!” Rental Agent A exclaimed. (I am going to keep their names out of this, if for no other reason than their personal safety!).

“Absolutely,” Rental Agent B adds with a grin. “They think the landlord is gonna swallow up their fee? No way. I get paid and the renter pays me every time!”

I’m a born and raised, true to life, completely jaded New Yorker. Not the burbs, but Manhattan. The real deal. Jaded New Yorkers are not surprised by anything. I am wrong.

Their candid answers surprise even my jaded New York soul. It wasn’t what they said. It was how they said it. But I digress, so back to what happened.

“How many people would you say call on your for fee ads?”

Agent B quickly answers: “None. My calls and appointments come from my no fee ads, some of them pay the fee after I show a crummy no fee apartment, but the truth is the tenant pays every time.” He smirks.

“The base rent is higher when a renter signs a lease for a no fee apartment,” I’m quick to point out. “Do you think your renters know they pay your commission?” I am now firmly convinced my AptStar Handholding Service is the best thing to happen in the New York City since the smoking ban in 1982.

“Renters don’t know, no way,” Agent A adds. “These people want a free ride. But, you know, there’s no such thing. And then if they stay in the apartment a second year, they pay the fee again! This time instead of coming to me it ends up in the landlord’s pocket. You think the owner is going to say: hey, you paid an inflated rent last year. I am now going to give you that money back. No way. What do renters know? Ahh, that’s why I call them stupid! They pay this fee over and over again.”

And these men, as much as their attitude made my skin crawl and re-affirmed why I am the ultimate anti-broker; renters always pay a broker’s fee, whether they know it or not.

For example, if the base rent is $2,000 per month and the broker’s commission is one month’s rent, (which I will use for clarity’s sake, since the current commission is really 15% of the first year’s rent). Yes, that’s an ouch!

Okay, so using a flat $2,000 and only one month fee as an example: the new rent is $2166.67. Over the course of 12 months you pay the hidden fee slowly during the course of the one year lease term.

In real estate lingo this is called “pay as you go.” Except no one ever bothers to tell you it’s coming out of your pocket.

So, is no fee really no fee? The answer is no. Like broker A said: “There’s no such thing as a free ride.”

What makes this hidden fee even more insidious is that landlords and management companies change how the broker’s fee is paid depending on market conditions.

When market conditions are tight, as they are right now, most apartments have a 15% fee attached to them. They’re not advertised as being “no fee.” However, these newly minted “fee” apartments could very well have been offered in previous years as “no fee.”

Bottom line: the rent has been inflated for all apartments in the city with these hidden fees. And, unless you know the entire rental history of the building and the landlord’s fee structure, you can’t even negotiate the extra money they’ve added on to the asking rent.

The “no fee” approach has forced many people out of the city and kept many from renting in the city. If you’re still hanging on and renting in Manhattan, then throw a “My Rent is too Damn High” party, and don’t forget to invite your landlord.

Why You Might Need A Roommate in New York City, by Kirby Sommers

2011-02-09T08:03:00.002-05:00

The high cost of living in New York City forces many people to choose between getting a roommate and renting a more desirable apartment, than going at it alone in a walk up or moving to the outer boroughs.

If your budget is an indicator of what you can and cannot afford, then having roommates is the answer.

Even established professionals or those who are caught in a career switch choose to live with a roommate in order to stay in the city; or stay in their favorite neighborhood, or to keep a phenomenal apartment they have fallen in love with.

If you choose to have a roommate, then a written agreement is a must.

Even if your roommate is your best friend, it’s a good ideal to put it in writing. It can avoid arguments and makes everyone’s expectations clear.

You don’t need an attorney to do this. A plainly written agreement is enforceable.

What you need to cover:

1. Rental amount

2. When rent is due

3. The term of your “lease” or the length of time the roommate is going to be residing in the apartment

4. The specific space, or bedroom, and the common areas of the apartment covered by your arrangement (include kitchen use, an often overlooked area)

5. Any restrictions on chores, guests, sleepovers and possible changes in the amount of rent being paid (as a result of perhaps a roommate who turns into two when the boyfriend or girlfriend starts sleeping over everyday).

Having a written agreement will help you and your roommate define your parameters and will help avoid potential problems.

To Anonymous who works for Ira Riklis

2011-01-27T11:38:00.002-05:00

To Anonymous,

You sent me this in a comments post on "The Secret Life of Billionaire Ira Riklis" --

"Flash forward to 1991 and a similar scenario would play out in the very same apartment when someone broke in and tried to kill me. Someone I believe sent by Ira."

then you wrote:

"Someone tried to have me killed in 1992 and I strongly believe that person was sent by Ira."

And now, you’ve sent me another comment. I think it somewhat unfair that you write anonymously, while I write without hiding. My name is out and center.

Let me make something very clear. I am not looking for sympathy from anyone. I only want to tell my story. It’s an important one to tell. It reveals things about a man, in this case: Ira Riklis that should be told.

He broke the law. Many times. However, I will only speak to what he did to me personally. There is a law against stalking. There is a law against illegal phone and wire tapping. There is a law against paying for sex. There is a law against attempted murder.

I made a mistake, so I do thank you for bringing it to my attention. It wasn’t 1991. It was 1992. June of 1992 to be more precise.

A man broke into my apartment. The details of this are in my book. So I won’t do a step by step here. I will tell you that I was held at knifepoint for five days.

On a the fifth day, a Thursday, I managed to convince the man who was holding me hostage that I needed to go to my store on Columbus Avenue. Otherwise my staff were going to be concerned and I needed to show myself. I told him I would be back in one half hour. He let me go, but told me if I did not return he would go to the store and kill me, along with my employees.

The moment I walked into my store, I called Ira. I told him what had happened. Knowing he had a bodyguard and that the security companies were in full swing, I asked him for a bodyguard.

He told me: “It is too late.”

I didn’t get that at first. I was panicked and confused and afraid.

Ira then told me to stay put in the store and that he would be right over.

Stupidly I was afraid something would happen to him. I was in this part of my life with him completely brainwashed. And didn’t want to endanger him in any way.

Within 10 minutes he was in my shop.

There was (and still is) a small loft area upstairs where I had an office and where I kept some inventory. He held me and told me I had to leave New York City right away.

That surprised me. Here is one of the more powerful men in the world with all these political connections, with all the police connections, with all the money and power and he is telling me I have to leave NYC and I have to do it now.

Ira then hands me $1,000. That’s it. One thousand dollars. He tells me I am to go to the airport, I am to get on the first flight that is going anywhere. He then tells me I am not to stay on that flight, that I should change flights and then get on another one.

When I ask him why, he tells me just in case this man should follow you. I am somewhat confused but I am in shock as well and all I could do at that moment was listen to who I believed had my best interests at heart.

Ira was adamant that I not go to where I knew anyone.

He insisted I go somewhere that I had never been to before.

He told me once I arrived to wherever I was going, that I should NOT call him.

He insisted I should NOT tell him where I was.

Fortunately for me, I did not follow all his suggestions. And did go to where I had friends.

But…how far do you think I would have gotten with a mere $1,000? Not far at all. Because as the years went by and I pieced together a ton of other stuff, I realized I had been set up. It started in 1991 and the culmination was to have been on those days in 1992.

And after many years of telling the police, friends, and anyone who asked that Ira had nothing to do with it. That instead, he saved my life. After a long, long time, I realized he in fact was the one who tried to have me killed.

The Billionaire's Woman, Subtitle: The Secret Life of Ira Riklis, Chapter Five

2011-01-27T10:54:00.001-05:00

One doesn’t ever start off wishing to become a call girl. It sort of bumps into you and before you even know what’s happening you find yourself in a room with no doors. During that episode of my life I never met a woman who aspired to be what she became.

“Once in, never out.” The Johnny Carson look alike with a cigarette the size of a small brown stump dangling on his lip looking like it was about to pop out and hit me in the eye is giving me the once and the twice over. I am now officially merchandise and it doesn’t feel good at all.

I try not to fidget as I stand in what looks like someone’s apartment, in a livingroom where the furniture is still new and unused. Except this isn’t anyone’s home. It’s a whorehouse on Fifth Avenue in New York City, and it’s similar to hundreds of other make believe apartments neatly tucked away across Manhattan where women sell themselves everyday to businessmen from 9 to 5 and where neighbors never suspect anything of this sort is happening right next door.

My heart is going thumpety, thump, thump. It’s almost in my throat. My palms are clammy and I wonder if I’m going to make it through this interview at all. I take another look at him. He’s wearing a preppy sweater vest under a white shirt with khaki pants. Geez, who knew pimps looked like someone’s dad?

Adding to my distress over being raped, I also lost my job in a small publishing company, which I loved, and my floundering new business as a fashion designer was suddenly in the toilet. So much for going at it on your own.

Now I’m pregnant and my ex-boyfriend doesn’t believe I didn’t just have sex with the guy because I wanted to. He doesn’t believe me when I tell him I was forced into my apartment and pushed against the wall and even though I screamed he penetrated me anyway.

What kind of girl gets date raped, unless I really wanted it, was his take. So he wasn’t getting involved and he wasn’t going to help me. I was on my own.

I need $200 for an abortion. As uncomfortable as it felt to stand in front of this perve in his preppy clothes, it was even scarier to think about having the baby. Would I be just like my mother?

I wouldn’t even be there in that place on that day contemplating this if she hadn’t already given my sister the green light that selling me was an okay thing to do. She asked me, months ago, to do my sister-the-hooker a favor and help her out with a client. There wouldn’t be any sex she assured me. He would only look at your feet, she told me. You have such pretty feet. You could help your sister. Hasn’t she done so much for us?

Flash forward 20 some odd years as I stand next to my mother’s limp body on her deathbed in the hospital.

“I’m not going to say what you want me to say.” She has an oxygen mask on her face. So it’s hard to hear what she says and I know she must be using all her might to speak really loud for anyone to hear her. At 88 she was doing just fine until she fell in her apartment breaking her hip.

My sister, mom’s love child has decided mom isn’t going to get her hip replaced. She’s decided it is too risky an operation based on the fact that mom also suffers from respiratory issues.

So now my mother is lying in the hospital for almost a week with a broken hip and has this mask covering most of her face and it is obvious to me, she doesn’t want to die.

I reach out and hold her hand. Within minutes, she lets my hand go. Even in middle age my mother still hates me. I place my hand by my side and repeat her words.

“You’re not to going to tell me?”

“No, I’m not going to tell you,” her eyes seer into mine and even in her condition where she must be under the most excruciating pain because my sister has also ordered the doctors not to give her an IV which could have lessened her pain, there is still an air of defiance in her weak voice.

We both knew it was an apology I wanted. An explanation. Something that would make me understand why I was so unimportant that I could be sold. Wasn’t this the same woman who wouldn’t even let me date? But, selling me was okay?

Even after I pulled my life together. Even after I pulled other people’s lives together. Even after I was called a “hero” for helping Hurricane Katrina survivors. Even after I reintroduced myself to me and knew who I was, I still wanted desperately to hear two words: “I’m sorry.” She died without ever giving me those two words.

But that day years earlier, as I stood meekly in front of the pimp who absurdly resembled the dad of any sitcom television show, I knew there was no way I was going to inflict the kind of pain my mother made me feel on my own child. No, the pain was going to stop with me.

So I was stuck there, absorbing my new reality and trying to understand how my older sister, 14 years my senior and the woman who took care of me as a child, how is it possible that this is her only solution to my problem?

I did not understand why I was still alive and how the world went on at all. My eyes glazed over and my brain slipped out of my ears, landing all over my feet and on the carpet like a distorted Dali painting - where two opposite states of being obliterate and discredit the world of reality.

Warren’s words began to bounce back and forth in my head: Once in, never out. Not for me, I chanted quietly. Not for me. Not for me. I’ll get out. Not for me.

“How old are you anyway? I don’t sell kids.”

“Old enough,” I retorted in an out of body kind of half hallucinatory state. This could not really be happening to me. I was practically a virgin. I knew the names and the dates of the guys I had slept with. I could count them on one hand. I mentally renamed myself the virgin whore.

“Take your clothes off. Let me see what you look like.” Warren’s voice was huskier now and I didn’t like how this was going at all. My eyes immediately darted to my sister’s face and sensing my fear she flashed him a cold look shaking her head.

It felt protective and I was grateful. In that moment, I forgot I had gone to her to borrow the $200 I needed. Instead she talked me into coming here so I could earn the money. I’ll never really know why she did and in all the many years since I’ve never asked her. Perhaps it was her way of getting even with the infant my mother saddled her with when she was only just a 14-year-old kid herself. The bad blood that has existed between my mother and myself has been passed on to her. It washes over me like thick black tar. I am painfully reminded of being alone in the world. There is no one to protect me. I would spend the rest of my life trying to cleanse myself of the stain her actions and this moment placed on my soul.

It was the beginning of a long journey and if I could, I would go back to that precise day, to that exact moment and turn on my black 4 inch stilettos leaving them both where they belonged in the make believe livingroom in the make believe world of sex for pay.

I am lulled back by his voice.

“You have a beautiful sister, Gigi, why deny me the pleasure of seeing the goods?”

Whatever small part of me which held out hope that someone, anyone - my former boyfriend, my mother, my sisters, a stranger on a white horse, would somehow rescue me, have faded.

NYC: Is a No Fee Apartment Really No Fee? By Kirby Sommers

2011-01-24T19:29:00.001-05:00

Most people opt for the “no fee” broker route, either through a broker or a landlord. But is this really saving you money? Or have you just paid a hidden fee?

Zigzagging my way through the snow and ice covered streets of the West Village I try to keep up with two local rental agents who have agreed to speak with me. I ask them a simple question:

“Is no fee really no fee?”

“Renters are stupid! They don’t know they always pay a fee!” Rental Agent A exclaimed. (I am going to keep their names out of this, if for no other reason than their personal safety!).

“Absolutely,” Rental Agent B adds with a grin. “They think the landlord is gonna swallow up their fee? No way. I get paid and the renter pays me every time!”

I’m a born and raised, true to life, completely jaded New Yorker. Not the burbs, but Manhattan. The real deal. Jaded New Yorkers are not surprised by anything. I am wrong.

Their candid answers surprise even my jaded New York soul. It wasn’t what they said. It was how they said it. But I digress, so back to what happened.

“How many people would you say call on your for fee ads?”

Agent B quickly answers: “None. My calls and appointments come from my no fee ads, some of them pay the fee after I show a crummy no fee apartment, but truth is the tenant pays every time.” He shrugs.

“The base rent is higher when a renter signs a lease for a no fee apartment,” I’m quick to point out. “Do you think your renters know they pay your commission?” I am now firmly convinced my AptStar Handholding Service is the best thing to happen in the city since smoking was banned in restaurants in 1982.

“Renters don’t know, no way,” Agent A adds. “These people want a free ride. But, you know, there’s no such thing. And then if they stay in the apartment a second year, that renter pays the fee again! This time instead of coming to me it ends up in the landlord’s pocket. What do they know? Ahh, that’s why I call them stupid! They pay this fee over and over again.”

And these men, as much as their attitude made my skin crawl and re-affirmed why I am the ultimate anti-broker are correct. You, the renter, pay a broker’s fee whether you know it or not.

For example, if the base rent is $2,000 and the broker’s commission is one month’s rent, the new rent is $2166.67. Over the course of the 12 months (which is the standard one year rental), the owner has hidden the fee in the asking price and you pay it slowly over time.

In real estate lingo this is called “pay as you go.” Except no one ever bothers to tell you it’s coming out of your pocket.

In the real world this is called conning you and driving the cost of living in New York City way beyond absurd. What’s you take on it?

Manhattan Rental Prices 2011, by Kirby Sommers

2011-01-20T14:01:00.000-05:00

As we enter the rental market of 2011 in New York City we do so with landlords gaining back the leverage they lost in September 200 from the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc which triggered the rental market’s meltdown and where cheaper rents with rental concessions were found everywhere.

Take Glenwood Management Corporation as an example. The hi-rise luxury landlord with 25 apartment buildings in Manhattan stopped offering rent concessions in March 2010. In 2009, there was a lot of negotiating. That’s not happening now.

What does this mean for real rental numbers in 2011?

The December 2010 average for studio apartments in Manhattan is $1,828, for a one bedroom it is $2,481, for a 2 bedroom it is $3,476 and for the most difficult of all apartments to find – a 3 bedroom, it is $4,813. And, this is for regular buildings, meaning walk-ups and buildings without amenities.

If you want a doorman building then the numbers increase -- $2,230 for a studio, $3,204 for a one bedroom, $4,692 for a 2 bedroom, and $6,192 for a 3 bedroom.

Then there are new developments with a doorman which include all rentals built after 2003 and the rental prices for these apartments (which usually include amenities like a gym) are $2,634 for a studio, $3,667 for a 1 bedroom, $6,413 for a 2 bedroom, and $8,942 for a 3 bedroom.

When someone asks me where to look for the best value for their dollar, I usually tell them one of two areas: Upper East Side and Uptown, north of 125th Street. The most expensive neighborhoods in New York include, SoHo, NoLiTa, West Village, Chelsea, and Greenwich Village. Every now and then a rare find pops up, and if you’re lucky enough to find such a gem, grab it. It will be imperfect, it will be a walk up, it will not be new and pristine, but it will be in one of the most sought after neighborhoods in the city, and thus, an enviable find.

Rents on the West Side saw the steepest increase per square foot, rising 12 percent to an average $55.31. Rents in the downtown area south of 42nd Street rose 5.3 percent a square foot to $49.86, while rents on the East Side, between 42nd and 96th streets, fell 6.4 percent to $44.94.

In general, however, there are things to look for when looking for a deal.

Proximity to transportation is one of them – or rather, lack of proximity. If you have to walk 4 or more blocks to the subway (like on the Upper East Side where the most affordable apartments are found East of Second Avenue to York Avenue) rents are going to be cheaper.

The same holds true if you have to hike up to the top floor of a five or six story walk-up --which has an upside – the climb will keep you in shape, and you’ll think twice about the apartments on the 2nd or 3rd floors where the tenants are paying several hundred dollars more than you are for the same apartment.

2011 copyright Kirby Sommers

http://i-dweller.com/

Spotting Rental Scams, by Kirby Sommers

2011-01-13T07:55:00.008-05:00

The rental market in New York City is one of the most competitive markets in the world. There are fewer apartments on the market at any given time than the vast number of people who are looking to rent one. This has made websites like Craigslist a breeding ground for fraud. These fake listings are so pervasive; it is likely that 90% of the ads you click on aren’t real.

However, it’s not just the bait and switch ads brokers post that you have to watch out for. There are professional criminals posting apartment ads everyday, making an already difficult process even more disconcerting.

So, the question is: how do you spot these scams? The following are a few things to watch for.

Does the rent seem extremely low?

Does the landlord tell you he or she lives in another country?

Look on the bottom of the ad and see who listed the ad. If it says: Management Company, Owner’s rep, a series of commas, or anything you cannot put into a search engine and pull up results – this is a red flag. It means the ad was posted in the “by owner” section by a broker who is pulling a bait and switch, or a con artist who is looking to con you. Pass on these ads.

Look for the phone #. If you see a picture with a phone number and it is not actually a written part of the ad, pass on this ad. This is a scam.

When replying via email, does the email have typos or poor grammar? Does something seem off? If so, pass on this apartment. This is a scam.

If you see an apartment and it is owned by a small landlord, ask to see their ID. Write down their information. There have been cases where someone “rents” an apartment to multiple people. These people collect rent and security deposits from as many people as they can and then disappear with tens of thousands of dollars. To ensure the person you rent from is legit, run a search on their name with the words “scam” and "fraud" attached to it, run a search on their phone #, run a search on their address. If this person has had any previous scams or has duped a renter in the past, chances are you might come across some information which will save you a ton of headaches and the loss of your money.

If you have contacted the legal landlord or the management company of a real apartment and you receive a phone call from a broker claiming you owe them a commission, call the owner and management company immediately. DO NOT sign anything with the broker who calls you “out of nowhere.” If the landlord or management company tells you they have an “exclusive with this broker,” and you really do not want to pay a broker fee, then pass on this apartment. If the landlord or management company didn’t disclose this information to you in the first place, this isn’t the type of landlord you want to rent from.

Take a close look at the photo and when calling for an appointment, always ask if this is the exact photo of the apartment. And then ask when the picture was taken. Even landlords and management companies will post old stock photos taken when the apartment was newly renovated.

In the current economy, if you are looking to rent a condo or coop, ask the owner of the apartment for proof that they are not in arrears on their mortgage. If they do not want to share that information with you, pass on the apartment. No matter how good the deal may be, it is not worth having to move again because the person might go into foreclosure.

Brokers have earned a bad reputation. But they’re not the only ones you have to watch out for. So before handing over any of your money to anyone, it is up to you to do a little research.

Finding an apartment is a stressful and challenging experience, but if you’re on your toes you’ll succeed in renting an apartment without the hassle of dealing with a con artist.

If you want additional assurances, then go to a broker with a good reputation, or use Landlord Links. With Landlord Links you'll go straight to the source and you'll save on broker fees.

A Public Service Announcement by Kirby Sommers and http://landlordlinks.net

Apartment Hunting in NYC: Manhattan Reality Check, by Kirby Sommers

2010-11-30T18:26:00.001-05:00

Let’s talk about what I like to call “The Dream”. The dream of finding a one bedroom, one bath apartment in an elevator building with a doorman in a super hot neighborhood, near all transportation for $1,800 a month or less. Reality Check: impossible expectations.

What you get for the money will certainly surprise first time apartment seekers. Hey, it’ll turn a smile upside down on veteran apartment dwellers too! Affordable studios and one-bedroom apartments are small. Everything is small in the city. Carrie Bradshaw’s “Sex and the City” digs don’t exist in the city, at least not in the affordable range category.

How small? I’ve seen some and wondered what was the landlord thinking? So, what to do when an apartment is large enough to be considered a great closet, but not large enough to be thought of as an apartment?

You learn how to separate your wants from your needs. You prioritize. You make a list of the things you won’t compromise on and a list of the things you can live without. Then you go out, tweak the list a couple of times if you have to, and grab the best find!

Hey, I don’t want to burst your apartment bubble before you’ve even begun your hunt. I simply want you to go into the process with open eyes and know what’s really there. That’s not to say truly fantastic can’t-live-without-apartments don’t exist. They do. They’re just few and far between. Which is why being able to see apartments with the help of LANDLORD LINKS is a great tool for anyone looking to rent in Manhattan.

You can see great apartments no one is advertising. You have access to listings that, until I made this information public, were only known and available through brokers. Smart brokers. Well informed brokers. And, you have real apartments to choose from, not phantom apartments.

Let’s go back to size. This is the best city in the world, so is size all that important? New York has a unique quality and it’s free to anyone who chooses to make this his or her home: it pulses. Really.

So what if you have to sleep in a closet until you can afford your next great place? The young and young-at-heart spend less time at home and more time playing in the city.

But, you’d better grab one before the price tag goes up! Because, believe it or not, landlords don’t mind sitting on empty apartments. They’d rather do that, in some cases, than rent anything below asking price. Yup. Surprises me too!

How to avoid broker fees in NYC: AptStar Handholding Service by Kirby Sommers

2010-11-17T02:14:00.002-05:00

How to avoid broker fees. (NYC)

So you're searching for an apartment, and you've realized broker fees are everywhere. Making things worst still is that many management companies and (ouch) some landlords have jumped on the "fee" bandwagon.

So, how do you avoid broker fees?

First rule of thumb: any website where anyone can submit listings is bound to have the following:

1. Broker listings (which are posted in the "Owner" section)
2. Expired listings (the best way to describe the landscape of apartments in the city is to compare these to the stock market. The status of any apartment on the market can change 2 minutes after a real post, by a real landlord is advertised.

*(More so on any FREE website -- because none of these "expired listings" are removed. So you'll contact the person who posted it and frankly, waste your time.

Finding a real apartment, in real time by owner is key. You'd probably agree. But how often has that happened to you as you search for an apartment? Chances are not much. I'd even go as far as saying that you "bump" into brokers more than you'd like.

That is why I created several unique Renters Services -- I will speak here only about my personalized AptStar handholding service which is dedicated 100% to finding your new place. It is not free, it does not owe its soul to advertisers or to landlords or to anyone.

It is set up to be 100% on the renter's side.

The modest one time cost will not cost you your firstborn, or anything close to what brokers are demanding.

Listings are fresh, nothing is expired. All are no broker fee because you are contacting the landlord directly. And, the help you receive is tailor made to help you. You can be done with your search in two days. You can use the money you save and keep that dough in the bank or use it on furnture and stuff.

Oh...no search database to sort through. All is done for you. (Think about this: anyone submitting "new" listings into another search database is going to spit out expired listings -- keep the stock market analogy in mind.) No, the listings are chosen for you and sent to you, fit like a glove and are fresh from landlords.

For additional information on the AptStar Handholding Service, see my website(s):

http://i-dweller.com/
http://kirbysommers.com/

Or just call me -- you'll find my number on my websites. Then call me, you'll be really happy you did.

Kirby Sommers

TESTIMONIAL: "For a person who has moved 20 or more times this is the best service I have ever received. Kirby, you found me a great apartment in one day, got me a great landlord, and saved me thousands of dollars in broker fees. Thank you." -Larry Zigerelli, Chairman and CEO, Levitz Furniture

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir, CHAPTER THREE, by Kirby Sommers

2010-11-10T20:29:00.006-05:00

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir
Subtitle: The Secret Life of Ira Riklis, by Kirby Sommers

'The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir' is published by TulipMania, LLC

CHAPTER THREE

At 17 I fall in love with more than just the written word. I find magic in both blank sheets of paper, as well as in yards of uncut fabric. During this year as I prepare to graduate at the top percentile of my class, I write my first magazine article. To my amazement and delight, it becomes a two part series and is used as the front cover “attention grabbing story,” as told to me by the publisher.

On the heels of this incredible feat, I win a Beauty Pageant. I am resplendent in my tiara, cradling an armful of roses, the popping flash of cameras surrounding me create an illusion of large colorful balloons and behind the glow of this moving collage I hear a booming voice announce I’ve won a brand new car, a trip to the Caribbean, a cash prize and dozens of other goodies. It’s bewitching and seductive.

The contest was my mother’s idea and even though she beat me before I left for the finals and called me a whore and told me that now she wasn’t going to come along with me because I choose the wrong dress and I can’t do anything right -- the moment the crown was placed on my head and the flowers were placed in my arms I thought to myself: I can do anything.

Strangely enough I also wanted my mother to be there. I felt empty without her in that venue on that night. So when a journalist pushes through the other media who have formed a circle around me and pushes a microphone into my face and tells me that my parents must be proud and he’d like a comment from them, I immediately push through him and the popping cameras and head to the ladies room cradling my tiara because it’s teetering on my head and feels like it’s going to fall off. I ask a woman who flashes me a broad and happy smile and congratulates me for a quarter. “I want to call my mother. Can I borrow a quarter please?”

I don’t even hear what else she says because in that moment which should have been mine, I want my mother. I want my abusive mother who uses me as a punching bag to be with me there and to see me in my moment of glory. I have to tell her I’ve won. Surely this will prove to her that I’m not worthless.

It didn’t change a thing. All it did was to put my winnings into her pocket. Which wasn’t surprising at all since she had been taking any money that happened to come my way since the time I was 13 and started working parttime in a neighborhood boutique.

That was still a magical moment for me even if I didn’t get to keep my winnings, and If I had to choose between these two memorable events of my 17th year, I would choose the former. Seeing my words on the printed page struck a deeper chord within me. So, I fend off the offers for a modeling career and am curiously aware that I don’t want to use my looks to get through life, it would be too much of a cop-out. It’s way too easy.

I have come to accept that I am pretty. I also know I want more, and have great belief that I can get it with my other gifts, which aren’t as visible. Except that even as I tell myself this, my hopes for my future are defined by what I see around me, and it is what I do not want to become which frightens me. The ugliness of the neighborhood, the random violence, the bitterness of my mother; and I realize deep within the soft curve of my belly, deep in this newly emerged woman’s body, that somehow my looks are the way out of here. And in that reality, how was I to know that Ira Riklis, living in luxury, already married, is beginning to wait for me?

By the time I’m 25 I start to design and sell my own clothing line. I am beginning to get the better of that little voice inside my head that reminds me I am nobody, that I’ve no idea how to talk to people, that I’ve no idea what I’m doing standing in a showroom or in someone’s store selling my work, when all I really want to do is run and hide.

Even as this is happening, I know it stems from the abuse - which has changed from physical to just mental torment - by my mother. The panic attacks come on suddenly and I am trying to teach myself out of them.

Just as I taught myself my schoolwork when I was sick, and how I taught myself to sew, I am adamant that I will win, and so I don’t run. I face it, and just as I am close enough to touch the light, the unthinkable happens. I am date raped and discover to my horror I’m pregnant.

Published by TulipMania, LLC

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir, CHAPTER TWO, by Kirby Sommers

2010-11-10T19:59:00.006-05:00

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir
Subtitle: The Secret Life of Ira Riklis, by Kirby Sommers

'The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir' is published by TulipMania, LLC

CHAPTER TWO

I am a child of divorced parents. I have two sisters who look nothing like me. We’re so different all I do almost every day of my childhood is to wonder if I am adopted. My daydreams are full of fantasies that often take the form of having my mother take the wrong baby home by mistake.

My real mother, the one I yearn for, the one that resembles the mothers on TV, I cling to the hope that one day she’ll burst through the front door, reclaim me as her child and hold me close to her where it is safe and warm and loving.

Meanwhile, the mother I’m stuck with who beats me with her fists with hate contorting her face, and who whips me with a belt while she screams and tells me how horrible I am until welts cover my body, and who allows her boyfriends and the other men who pay to rent a room in our apartment to touch me in my private places, this mother decides early on that of her three daughters, I am the one most likely to succeed in finding the right man. A euphemism she uses for rich man. So, she stops short of killing me because I will someday when I am grown up I will do right by her and prove to her that I am not the despicable unlovable child she has made me believe I am.

At 14, she figures I don’t need an education for this, so I am yanked out of school like my older sister was 14 years earlier to help my mother with me when I was born. This put an end to my sister’s education and would poison my sister’s heart against me throughout our lives.

Handing me a broom, mom orders me to start sweeping. “One day,” her voice is shrill and angry. “You’ll marry someone rich and buy me a yellow house.” I swear she made me believe I owed her something. And I paid. With my life, with my body, and with every broken shred of my young soul, I paid.

Fortunately I suffer a mild heart attack. I am in bed for six months, and it is here in my bedroom, with the wall of infirmity keeping her at bay that I discover I can push her world away and disappear into my own. I’ve been a reader since I was a toddler, and now left alone, I devour my schoolbooks. I lose myself in daydreams. I want to become an archeologist or an actress or a writer or a business tycoon. I begin to feel better and know I’m not meant to stay there sweeping floors.

When her lover, the neighborhood doctor, comes in to examine me and unbuttons my pajama top to take a look see at my newly formed breasts and cups them before he presses the cold stethoscope against my skin I know this is the only chance I have.

I’m terrified and can’t move. I feel his hand cup my right breast and I try to avert his stare. But his face is close to mine and I can feel his breathe on me.

My words come out slowly. “Mommy… doesn’t… want me… to… go back to… school. Please… talk her… out… of… it. I want to go back… please...” At 70, he still has a full head of hair. His clear blue eyes and wide grin don’t disguise the fact that he’s a dirty old man.

I used to believe my mother was in love with him. I didn’t know she was using him as she would use me in years to come. But that day, when the dirty old guy was busy feeling me up in my bedroom, I got lucky. He must have said something to my mother, because after that I was allowed to go back to school.

I am even given the opportunity of skipping a grade because the months spent studying in bed have gotten me past 11th grade requirements. But I opt to stay with my class. I am happy to be among my friends, and even more grateful that for a few hours each weekday I am not home with her.

“You’re just like your father!” My mother’s face has that look. I brace myself for another beating - one I know I don’t deserve. I’m a good girl. I’ve proven myself to be a good student. I am even shy. Too shy and withdrawn to look for ways to displease her, but somehow I always do.

I wonder why my younger sister, who’s only one year my junior, is treated differently. Why is she loved and I am not? The answer waits for me far into the future, when I’m a grown woman that I inadvertently learn the truth. My younger sister is my mother’s love child, and I indeed am just like my father. I won’t know for decades to come that she married him only because she needed a husband to care for her and three children from her first marriage.

And when I finally learn this truth, I’ll realize that I reminded her of a marriage to a man she didn’t love. I will go back in time and try to make sense of the fact that when she looked at me, she saw him – in the twinkle of my eyes, in the upward slope of my high cheekbones, in my quest to be creative, in my generous spirit, in my resilience. And as much as I fight to be nothing like her, I will realize that in her womb, through the polynucleotide chain of DNA, she has imprinted on me, much like a stamp in a passport, her will to survive. I will always be amazed that I inherited my strongest and most cherished trait from the same woman who made my survival almost impossible. By the time my mother is 21, she is already a widow with three small children to care for: at a time when a woman’s options are few, and marriage is the only solution.

Help end violence against women and children. A portion of all sales will be given to organizations that help women and girls who have been victims of both physical and sexual abuse. To purchase your signed copy of “A Billionaire’s Woman: A Memoir,” by Kirby Sommers CLICK HERE.

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir, CHAPTER ONE, by Kirby Sommers

2010-11-10T19:37:00.008-05:00

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir
Subtitle: The Secret Life of Ira Riklis, by Kirby Sommers

'The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir' is published by TulipMania, LLC

CHAPTER ONE

What happens when a billionaire with the mind of a sex-starved teenage boy and no personal restraints sets his sights on one woman? Under normal circumstances the answer would be marriage. But, what if the billionaire is already married and is a closet sex freak?

The kind of freak who has a tissue box at the ready whenever a new issue of Victoria’s Secret arrives in the mail, has a stash of girlie magazines neatly stacked away in his office safe, and indulges in prostitutes-a-la-Spitzer.

A pathetic loser, you might say.

Think again: it’s Ira Riklis, 56-year-old mega rich son of corporate raider Meshulam Riklis. Riklis is also a long-time friend and political contributor to Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, former President Bill Clinton and disgraced New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, to name just a very few. And if birds of a feather ever flocked, then the last two names on this short list proves birds do.

The Eliot Spitzer sex scandal, more than any of the ones preceding it or following it, and those yet to be revealed, all expose the fact that men lie about sex and how they get it.

Let’s face it. Men cheat. I should be politically correct and say: “a lot of men cheat.” Very few men don’t. If you’re among the short list of women with such a man, hold on to him because he’s an anomaly.

The monogamous man has been on the list of soon to be extinct mammals for as long as prostitution has existed. It hasn’t been labeled the world’s oldest profession without the continuously growing demand for the services of the women and men who make this their daily work.

There was a time when I’d ask: “who doesn’t know this?” Who doesn’t know that men cheat? Apparently a lot of women don’t know, or at least, they pretend not to know.

The Eliot Spitzer affair caused a massive sonic meltdown in the hearts of women everywhere. If Spitzer cheated on his wife, Silda, the woman who stood by his side as he made his public mea culpa; the woman who looked as if she had aged a decade in a matter of days; a woman known for her beauty, charm and intelligence – if her husband cheated on her – well then what does that mean for everyone else? That moment made women everywhere take a sideways cat slit glance at their mates and and made a small fortune for anyone peddling botox.

However, what you have to know is there’s a huge difference in the way men perceive cheating and the way women see it. When a man pays for sex, in his mind he isn’t cheating. I know this first hand. I know this from being told by my clients that seeing me prevented them from “cheating”. After all, they would argue: “We’re not having an affair. An affair, now, that would be cheating”.

It was confusing in the beginning. I’m a woman and to me cheating is cheating. There are no blurry lines. No bullshit. No gray areas.
###

Ira Riklis is the principal of Sutherland Capital Management, Inc., a private holding company primarily involved in the home-security market. It’s a company he has owned for a long time, one named after a sailboat he has (or had), and a company he started while sharing space in his father’s office when they used to rent three floors from Donald Trump at the Trump Towers next to Tiffany’s on Fifty Seventh Street and Fifth Avenue.

When his father reneged on Trump and stopped paying rent on both his office and his apartment (which he shared with then wife Pia Zadora) they were all kicked out of the building by Donald Trump. Meshulam Riklis left New York and went to Los Angeles with Zadora while Ira stayed in New York and moved into an office on Fifty Seventh Street right off Madison Avenue where he has been ever since.

A portfolio company he owns, which btw, is a company he delved into as a direct result of having me hunted down, C.O.P.S. Monitoring, has become the second, perhaps even the largest wholesale home monitoring company in the world. Combined with sister company, SafeGuard Security (an alarm installation, service and monitoring company), the recurring monthly revenue ranks in the top 50 companies (out of 15,000 companies) in the United States. Additionally, stakes are held in other companies involved in home and commercial alarm accounts.

Other investments include SNIP, a telephone and internet service provider (which I honestly believe he uses even today as a vehicle to spy on me), a hedge-fund consolidation company, a ladies-clothing designer and marketer, a ski-equipment rental chain, various real estate partnerships with an emphasis on strip-shopping centers.

He is also the Vice-Chairman (at least he was when I met him) of Rapid American Corporation – a business that left companies bankrupt and people destitute; and a business with ties to The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra which originated in Sicily during the mid 19th century), and notorious gangsters such as Bugsy Siegal and Meyer Lansky (The Jewish Mafia). But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Some 20 plus years ago I was the woman Ira Riklis preyed upon, spied on, and coerced into becoming his sex slave. He did this to me at a time in my life when I was the most vulnerable. And he knew it. That is how predators find their victims. They peer into your soul and find the holes. They fool you into believing they can fill those aching gaps for you. They seek out women who have been sexually abused as children, had absent fathers or who are going through periods of low self-esteem. In my case, all three factors were present. If I had been an apple, I would have been the ripest apple on the tree.

Later when I left that world of sex for pay behind and was followed into my real life by can’t take no for an answer Ira Riklis who forked over $150,000 to a man named Dave, a former police chief, and instructed him to scour the city of New York in search of a woman whose name he never really knew and who, in fact, never truly existed. Only later, much later when I became his reluctant mistress – scratch that – when he manipulated me into becoming his sex slave, only then did I understand how different cheating was: for men.

Many years after being caught and thrown into the a gilded cage that was more like a rotting dungeon, I would be confronted by my own wounded Silda Spitzer in the form of Diana Riklis. Except in my case, as I already said, it was really cheating. For a long time.

Years flew by and disappeared down the toilet along with Ira’s sperm-filled condoms, which he always insisted I dispose of in the toilet and not in the trash. I never figured out why until the Ira years were over.

The cheating part was confusing at first. Ira was definitely cheating. He was the one who was married and lied to his wife and everyone around him daily. But was I cheating? Was I complicit? I knew I had to lie to protect him, and I did. I lied and protected him even after I didn’t have to lie anymore.

Every now and again my thoughts would stray to Patty Hearst who in 1974 was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) and the infamous photo of her robbing a bank while yelling at the bank’s customers with an M1 carbine rifle cradled in her arms. I knew she been brainwashed by her captors, and without recognizing that I had indeed be subjected to chronic abuse from the time I was an infant and which continued in different ways into adulthood, I somehow felt a connection with her. I didn’t connect it at the time to abuse, I only felt there was something similar about her and her willingly walking into a bank with a rifle and me willingly walking into a bedroom with Ira. I knew on some level that I moved along in sync with Ira for reasons that had to do more with my captor and how he manipulated me than freewill. Freewill wasn’t something I discovered for a long, long time.

I lied all those years and many years after it ended to protect my abuser. In many ways when I look back on it now I see the similarities between lying to protect my abusive mother and lying to protect the man who used my body as a trash receptor for his sperm with no regard for my well being.

Published by TulipMania LLC

The Billionaire's Woman, chapters can now be read on my blog, Kirby Sommers

2010-11-10T19:29:00.003-05:00

I have written my memoir which I first thought would be called “Cinderella Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” but which I present to you here as “The Billionaire’s Woman: A Memoir.” This book has had a long gestation period. It was first written as a work of fiction (and even had another name: “Naked with a Stranger”), which a prominent publishing company showed some interest in when I completed it in the mid 1990’s.

When they abruptly changed their minds I thought it was for the best because my story, I have always felt, should be told the way it happened. The real way. I am a survivor of child abuse, sexual abuse, and mental manipulation.

There are many survivors in the world. I firmly believe that by sharing our stories it helps others heal. I know I have been able to help a lot of people because of the pain I encountered. Without that pain I would not have been able to have the compassion I had for those whom I helped in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Pain is a universal condition. It does not matter from where our pain originates. When it lies heavily in our hearts and in our souls, it is all the same. I will continue to help both women and children, and frankly, anyone who has been victimized until they too can say: “I am a victim no more, for I am a survivor.” – Kirby Sommers

‘”The Billionaire’s Woman: A Memoir” is Kirby Sommers’ long awaited memoir of her painful eight year forced affair with Ira Riklis, a multi-billionaire who counts among his close friends Vice President Joe Biden, Bill Cilinton, Hillary Clinton, Eliot Spitzer, Ed Rendell and other well known politicians and celebrities.

Kirby opens the book with a question: “What happens when a billionaire with the mind of a sex-starved teenage boy and no personal restraints sets his sights on one woman?” As Kirby finds herself ensnared in the claws of a sexual predator and becomes his sex slave, she discovers strengths she never knew she possessed.

Sommers’ memoir is a wonderfully written cautionary tale, and an eye opening account of how sex slavery can happen anywhere – even in New York City with a seemingly well-respected man who did a dreadful thing.’

I am posting chapters from “The Billionaire’s Woman: A Memoir” here on my blog. If you are interested in receiving a signed copy of my book you can order one here: http://kirbysommers.com/_wsn/page14.html

I want to personally thank Daniel Segal, Raoul Felder, A. Kodish, Linda Berman, Tracey Zannotti, Gustave Blache III, Mr and Mrs Erik Noble, Yee Wah Gregiore, everyone who pre-ordered my book (too many to name here), and all my friends who along the way listened to my story and who graciously offered their support as I sent them various parts of my book for their review.

As for the names in my book, all have been changed except for Ira Riklis, and people who are public figures like Joe Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Joe Biden, Ira's father Meshulam Riklis, his ex-wife Pia Zadora and anyone else who is either a political figure or a celebrity.

At first I wanted a big publisher behind me. I am happy to be publishing it on my own. It seems to be the right way because not only did I save myself; I am proud to say I did it on my own.

Feedback, as always, is welcome.

Kirby

A Matchmaker for Renters in Manhattan delivers no broker fee apartments

2010-09-29T20:18:00.003-05:00

Here's a recent Press Release about my AptStar Handholding Service! - Kirby

###

Real estate may be all about location, location, location, as the saying goes, but most rental apartment listings offer very little beyond that.

Kirby Sommers has filled the gap by offering renters not another search website, but rather an apartment matchmaking opportunity she calls her AptStar Handholding Service.

While most listings provide only the minimal information on apartments, Kirby’s unique service allows apartment hunters to use terms like “eclectic, really sunny, kid-friendly, and every imaginable description along with the most desirable tag words any Manhattan bound renter can mutter: “no broker’s fee.”

Ms. Sommers interviews prospective clients extensively before taking on the task of finding their perfect fit. If she takes you into her inner circle, it’s as good as a done deal. Your apartment is found.

“I’m more of an apartment matchmaker than anything else and am really dedicated to helping my clients. Everyone who has used my service has been matched up with the apartment they’ve described to me. Add to that the bonus of no broker fees and reduced rents! Since I don’t collect commission, I can pass it on to my clients.”

The service costs renters anywhere from $350-$500, and it’s a win/win for everyone. Kirby matches her rental clientele to the right apartments more quickly and accurately. She gets paid for her time, renters save on broker fees, and landlords get informed renters who are ready to sign a lease.

Kirby Sommers has redefined ‘the perfect match,’ and has revolutionized the rental real estate market with her renters services. Even your mother would be proud.

http://kirbysommers.com/
AptStar Handholding Service

(Kirby Sommers is also the creator of Landlord Links)

"The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir" by Kirby Sommers / Order Serialized Book!

2010-09-27T15:12:00.011-05:00

I’m thrilled to announce that “The Billionaire’s Woman: A Memoir” is being offered to the public as serialized segments. It’s a better way for me to offer my readers a personalized experience that can’t be replicated with just the finished product.

This format allows you to send questions and receive answers – a much richer experience for both myself and the audience as the story unfolds. Talk about interactive!

I didn’t expect to receive the enormous outpouring of questions and comments that flooded my inbox after I published a snippet of the book right here on my blog.

Those emails (even phone calls) gave me the idea for serializing the project.

A new segment will be sent to subscribers every month. The first installment is “The Secret Life of Billionaire Ira Riklis,” which has been on my blog since April, 2009.

It has been tweaked, filled in, and ready to be emailed to subscribers on October 2, 2010.

Every month thereafter, a new segment of the book will appear in your inbox.

I’m also launching a new website http://thebillionaireswoman.com/ soon which will contain additional information relevant to the multiple issues my book explores.

I thank you for your support to date and hope you will stay tuned for more!

Subscribe today and lend your voice to end the violence against women and children!

Kirby

ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED. NO PAYPAL ACCOUNT REQUIRED.

Subscribe now by clicking on Buy The Book! 1st Segment available October 2nd!

How to Avoid Bait and Switch ads on Craigslist, Kirby Sommers

2010-09-27T06:30:00.003-05:00

Read "How to Avoid Bait and Switch Ads on Craigslist" by clicking on the link to my new blog NO FEE NYC (http://nofeenyc.blogspot.com). Here's the post:

http://nofeenyc.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-avoid-bait-switch-ads-on.html

Mint Murray Hill Alcove Studio, Kirby Sommers

2010-09-27T06:26:00.004-05:00

Here's a great apartment you can get for no fee with my AptStar Handholding Service -- just click to see post on my new blog: NO FEE NYC (No Fee New York City Apartments):

http://nofeenyc.blogspot.com/2010/09/mint-murray-hill-alcove-studio-with.html

NYC Apartment Layouts, by Kirby Sommers

2010-09-27T06:15:00.005-05:00

Hi all,

I notice my new blog: NO FEE RENTALS NEW YORK CITY (http://nofeenyc.blogspot.com) isn't showing up in search results, so am going to link these posts until they do. Here's "NYC Apartment Layouts" -- with all info you need on the different types of apartment layouts in New York City. Enjoy! - Kirby Sommers

http://nofeenyc.blogspot.com/2010/09/nyc-apartment-layouts-by-kirby-sommers.html

Launching my new No Fee New York City Blog, Kirby Sommers

2010-09-23T17:18:00.003-05:00

Hi all,

Today I launched the start of my new NO FEE NEW YORK CITY BLOG:

nofeenyc.blogspot.com

So, anything having to do with saving renters money on broker fees will be on that blog. It's going to be full of informative stuff that YOU are going to want the scoop on, so tune in !

Whether you're relocating to New York City or are moving from one neighborhood to another you're going to want to save money. And I can do that for you!!

See you at NO FEE NYC !!

Kirby

Ira Riklis, The Spammer - From Nick to Ira with love

2010-08-17T04:49:00.004-05:00

I received this email from Nick, which I am posting here. Ever since I published the first chapter of "The Secret Life of Billionaire Ira Riklis," in April of '09, Ira has been paying a lot of people a lot of money to bury the story. Although I feel badly that people like Nick who run legitimate forums -- which Ira is spamming -- I am happy people see him for what he really is. -Kirby Sommers

###
EMAIL FROM NICK:

I actually found out about Ira Riklis because SEO spammers from the Phillipines were registering fake profiles on a web forum I run. It happens all the time, where small time web shops (and international mail order pharmacy spam) pay these people to spam forums with links pointing to their website.

The goal is to game search engine results. So when I saw "ira riklis" in some form on at least 3 different accounts over the last 2 weeks, I knew something was weird. The blogs linked the fake accounts linked to were all fluff - "ira riklis loves the yankees" and like, 1 article "by ira riklis", but all on different blogs.

I got yet another one today, and I felt compelled to dig a little deeper and see why anyone would do such a thing. I can confidently say that he is paying someone to create vacuous blogs, with his name attached, with the intent of getting them listed on the top 10 results of Google, thereby bumping you off. I thought you might be interested. Here is an example of the otherwise pointless blogs. Note the emphasis on using his name frequently since they are trying to boost the page's rank for that term, linking mainly to his own name, with sites he controls:

http://www.irariklis.org/
http://www.iradriklis.com/
http://www.irariklis.com/
http://www.riklis.org/
http://www.iradoronriklis.org/

I tried to find clues as to what this was about in the WHOIS information, but found a bunch of different companies representing the domains:

http://whois.domaintools.com/irariklis.org
http://whois.domaintools.com/iradriklis.com
http://whois.domaintools.com/irariklis.com
http://whois.domaintools.com/riklis.org
http://whois.domaintools.com/iradoronriklis.org

I wondered what what was all about, but when I saw his Linked In page, it all made sense, those companies are all his. I bet he slipped his little SEO scheme into the books at those places if they are cited as the registrant. What a dick.

And after reading your blog, it makes sense what a fucking pathetic piece of shit he is. I'd really appreciate if you could get me a phone # I could use to contact the guy.

Btw, out of all the crap posted on those spam blogs, this one I thought this was the funniest:

http://www.irariklis.net/
http://whois.domaintools.com/irariklis.net

I don't know if this is even of interest to you, but you should be aware that he is definitely throwing money to try and bury the truth you are exposing. But despite his best efforts to bury it, I still found your site. Good for you for exposing him as the prick he is.

-Nick

Ira Riklis hijacking kirbysommers.blogspot.com ???

2010-06-27T09:06:00.003-05:00

My blog has had the same problem as a similar one I found on a list serv -- another website appears in place of my blog. This is the information I have found as it pertains to Harold Fuchs who posted a message I am reposting here.

One (of many) links that have MY kirbysommers.blogspot.com name on it is:

http://kirbysommers.blogpsot.com/#True

AND Here is an email I just sent to Harold Fuchs who reported a similar problem

Subject: Harold Fuchs re: AZT problem Hijacked site

Harold Fuchs re: AZT problem hijacked site

Hi Harold

I came across your thread as I searched for a solution to my own "hijack" for my blogspot with the same website AZT which you apparently saw when you clicked on your site. Thing is with me, this is an ongoing problem -- and all the links on the left side of the page, as well as the CONTACT page has MY name on it.

Did this stop happening to you? And is the name Ira Riklis familiar to you -- of the last name Riklis ??

Here's a link -- this is the same site -- all you have to do is remove the #True and you'll have the home page which I get redirected to when I try to go to my blog on wordpress, now owned by Google.

Your reply would be appreciated -- thanks, Kirby Sommers

###

AZT.COM

AZT.COM—MEGA-SITE of Bible, church, Christian & religious info, & studies. Easy to navigate

http://blogpot.com/

http://www.mail-archive.com/users@openoffice.org/msg101085.html

[users] Web Site Hijacked?
Harold FuchsFri, 03 Oct 2008 03:38:19 –0700
Gentlepeople, I just went to . The site seems to have been hijacked bya company called AZT.com. The opening sentences on the web site say "WELCOMEto an easy to navigate MEGA-SITE of Bible, Christian, church & religiousinformation, sermons & studies. Includes the audio & written Bible, sounddoctrine, prophecy, a photo tour of Israel and spiritual warfare. If it's inthe Bible, it should be here. Among the Web's most complete Christian sites,by God's mercy (app. 6000 pgs & 4000 subjects). A few minutes reading thispage could PROVE to you the Bible is true. " If the site hasn't been hijacked then the DNS has. Firefox's "Page Info"says the site really is www.openoffice.org Help! -- Harold FuchsLondon, England
Please reply *only* to users@openoffice.org
> Gentlepeople,>> I just went to . The site seems to have been hijacked> by a company called AZT.com. The opening sentences on the web site say> "WELCOME to an easy to navigate MEGA-SITE of Bible, Christian, church &> religious information, sermons & studies. Includes the audio & written> Bible, sound doctrine, prophecy, a photo tour of Israel and spiritual> warfare. If it's in the Bible, it should be here. Among the Web's most> complete Christian sites, by God's mercy (app. 6000 pgs & 4000 subjects). A> few minutes reading this page could PROVE to you the Bible is true. ">> If the site hasn't been hijacked then the DNS has. Firefox's "Page Info"> says the site really is www.openoffice.org>> Help!>> --> Harold Fuchs> London, England> Please reply *only* to users@openoffice.org> This is really weird. Less than 5 minutes after I sent the above, theproblem has gone away and www.openoffice.org is back on the air. Ideasanyone? -- Harold Fuchs London, England
Please reply *only* to users@openoffice.org
users@openoffice.org

WHO IS DATA FOR OPENOFFICE.ORG
Domain ID:D7200454-LROR Domain Name:OPENOFFICE.ORG Created On:12-Jun-1999 05:21:53 UTC Last Updated On:30-Apr-2010 00:24:58 UTC Expiration Date:12-Jun-2012 05:22:31 UTC Sponsoring Registrar:Tucows Inc. (R11-LROR) Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED Status:CLIENT UPDATE PROHIBITED Registrant ID:tu4H8KLgpNr1VbOf Registrant Name:Sun Microsystems, Inc. Registrant Organization:Sun Microsystems, Inc. Registrant Street1:4150 Network Circle Registrant Street2: Registrant Street3: Registrant City:Santa Clara Registrant State/Province:CA Registrant Postal Code:95054 Registrant Country:US Registrant Phone:+1.6509601300

Red Cross: Where is the money for Haiti? Donations Missing in Action, by Kirby Sommers

2010-04-26T17:41:00.005-05:00

The American Red Cross has been known for taking the money and leaving the scene of the disaster for well over 100 years. But, it doesn't take anyone who's been around for 100 years to remember what happened with the donations that poured in for Hurricane Katrina victims, or to recall how Red Cross lined their pockets after 9/11, or how they handled the tsunami, or how they have handled every catastrophe as one walks backwards in a time machine -- which is easy now, since we've all learned how to do Basic Research 101.

I'll make it clear: The American Red Cross is always happy when disaster strikes -- because that's when they make most of their money. Death, grief, despair, and famine are catnip to the American Red Cross -- in fact one could say their pockets grow at a proportionate rate as the amount of people who die. The more dead, the wealthier the Red Cross becomes. Do they spend the money on the problem at hand? No. Do they care? No. Are they going to change. No.

During the outrage that happened in 2007 when I started to follow the Katrina money, Kay Wilkins changed her story 4 times, the Red Cross called the Means to Recovery program "a rumor" (this was actually on their main phone # as a recorded message -- when they stopped taking calls from outraged survivors), and now with Haiti the Red Cross is still missing in action. As is the money.

Red Cross admits it diverted Haitan funds to pay their debts!!

2010-04-26T17:22:00.003-05:00

The American Red Cross is at it again !! This time filling their coffers with donations meant for Haitan relief. Instead they've been caught...again...diverting funds to pay off their debts!! And this is just what they've admitted! What else are they doing with the money since it's certainly not helping the people in Haiti?! -Kirby Sommers

The Friday Haiti Coalition will hold another Protest Rally in front of the American Red Cross Headquarters on Monday April 26, 2010 at 4PM.

The Red Cross HQ is located at 429 West 49th Streets between 9th and 10th Avenues, New York City. After their first protest a few weeks ago, the American Red Cross issued a statement concerning the allocation of monies --over $400 million-- donated to Haiti since the earthquake.

Red Cross officials admitted to using some of the funds to pay their debts and vowed to be transparent and to spend every cent of the donations for Haiti on Haiti. They also said permanent housing will be the priority. We must push for immediate action now.

Housing is needed right now! The Coalition, which has sent two delegations to Haiti to deliver relief, are concern about the upcoming rainy and hurricane season. The situation on the ground continues to be precarious. Where is the money going! The Coalition will make several specific demands on the American Red Cross regarding the provision of permanent shelters that would withstand the storms sure to come very soon.

The Coalition meets every friday at Sistas' Place, 456 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn NY. For more information call (718) 398-1766.

Open Letter to Readers about "The Secret Life of Billionaire Ira Riklis," by Kirby Sommers

2010-04-16T11:20:00.009-05:00

Open Letter to Everyone who has sent me emails with questions and comments about my “relationship” with Ira Riklis.

The very first post on my blog was written on March 8, 2007 and it related to my probono work on behalf of Hurricane Katrina survivors. Three years later I continue to write about injustices that happen to other people.

One year ago I included my personal story of abuse and injustice when I published: “The Secret Life of Billionaire Ira Riklis.”

I want to make something perfectly clear. I am a survivor. I am not a victim. Not anymore. And when I helped Katrina survivors, it was done because I recognized a pain so deep that only someone who has felt a similar pain can empathize with. It is the pain I once felt at the hands of this man, Ira Riklis, who years ago pushed and plotted his way into my life.

Although my book will be available shortly, I will give you all a sneak peek as to why I felt the need to write anything at all about this dehumanizing episode in my life.

1. Someone tried to kill me in 1992 and I strongly believe the attack was orchestrated by Ira.

2. Although Ira claims to be a supporter of education, he pulled me away from completing and getting my BA – because, after all, why have me spend my time studying and improving myself when I could whittle away my days with him?

3. I had an abortion because of Ira – this abortion left me unable to bear a child. So while he already had 2 children and is now a grandfather, the ability for me to have my own family was ripped away from me.

4. He took advantage of the fact, that at the time, I was terribly vulnerable and slowly he turned me into something I never wanted to be. You might call it “the other woman.” I call it a sex slave.

5. He controlled me by making sure I didn’t have any money to leave him. And after years of psychological manipulation, I walked away with less than $100 to my name. I was finally free.

There are many other things this cowardly man did to me that I won’t delve into here, but which I cover in my book.

I have dated other rich and powerful men. I have been married. And I have talked about no one but this one man who committed crimes against me and was able to get away with all of them.

The re-telling of my story has given other women the courage to fight their own battles. It has given both men and women the strength of knowing not to give up. My motto: never quit!

Kirby Sommers

Nicole Kidman on Violence Against Women

2010-04-03T13:45:00.003-05:00

Ira Riklis, political contributions

2010-03-29T23:06:00.001-05:00

Kirby Sommers

Costa Cruise Disaster: Spotlight Shifts to Carnival – Where’s Micky?

601 Chartres Street New Orleans RENTAL SCAM ALERT!

Carnival Executives Partying in Miami: Costa Tragedy Not a Big Deal

Carnival Corp Authorized Salute which Led to Concordia Disaster at Sea, by Kirby Sommers

Carnival Cruise: The Definitive History of the Company Behind the Doomed Costa Concordia, by Kirby Sommers

Carnival’s CEO Micky Arison Guilty of Placing Profits Over People, by Kirby Sommers

How can it be that reporters didn't know Carnival Corp owned doomed Concordia? Kirby Sommers

Who Should Be Blamed: The Captain or The Company, by Kirby Sommers

Carnival tells survivor: Sue us, by Kirby Sommers

Titanic Theme Song Playing on Concordia at time of Sinking, by Kirby Sommers

The Murky Waters of Carnival Corp, by Kirby Sommers

Carnival Cruise Lines: A Titanic Experience, by Kirby Sommers

How Rich Men Cheat, by Kirby Sommers

Did you forget about Newt Gingrich's Sex Scandal? And everything else?

UPDATE: Mark Everson and Paige Roberts Red Cross Affair to Remember, by Kirby Sommers

PREFACE to The Secret Life of Billionaire Ira Riklis, by Kirby Sommers

Woman Fatally Crushed in Elevator Accident, by Kirby Sommers

The Common Cold or More? How to Treat.

The Difference Between Herman Cain and Bill Clinton: Hillary Clinton, by Kirby Sommers

Landlord Links: Avoid broker fees! 100% no fee apartments. A no brainer, by Kirby Sommers

Dominque Strauss-Kahn: New Book Claims Maid Wanted to Perform Oral Sex on Him, by Kirby Sommers

Oh No, Not Another Red Cross Sex Scandal, by Kirby Sommers

American Red Cross Faces Another Discrimination Lawsuit, by Kirby Sommers

Marilyn Monroe's dressing recipe

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir, by Kirby Sommers CHAPTER NINE

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir, by Kirby Sommers CHAPTER 8

The Millionaire's March: Exposing Corporate America's Dirty Little Secrets, by Kirby Sommers

Manhattan's Apartment Shortage Spikes Price, by Kirby Sommers

The Tar Baby Lawsuit Against the American Red Cross, by Kirby Sommers

LANDLORD LINKS: Want to avoid rental apartment broker fees in Manhattan?

Ira Riklis Using Kirby Sommers metatags to Cover Up His Secret Sex Life

Ira Riklis Blog

i-Dweller.com Offers Renters No Broker Fee Apartments in Manhattan, by Kirby Sommers

Landlord Links: Chapter One, by Kirby Sommers

NYC Apartments: Is No Fee Really No Fee, by Kirby Sommers

Why You Might Need A Roommate in New York City, by Kirby Sommers

To Anonymous who works for Ira Riklis

The Billionaire's Woman, Subtitle: The Secret Life of Ira Riklis, Chapter Five

NYC: Is a No Fee Apartment Really No Fee? By Kirby Sommers

Manhattan Rental Prices 2011, by Kirby Sommers

Spotting Rental Scams, by Kirby Sommers

Apartment Hunting in NYC: Manhattan Reality Check, by Kirby Sommers

How to avoid broker fees in NYC: AptStar Handholding Service by Kirby Sommers

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir, CHAPTER THREE, by Kirby Sommers

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir, CHAPTER TWO, by Kirby Sommers

The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir, CHAPTER ONE, by Kirby Sommers

The Billionaire's Woman, chapters can now be read on my blog, Kirby Sommers

A Matchmaker for Renters in Manhattan delivers no broker fee apartments

"The Billionaire's Woman: A Memoir" by Kirby Sommers / Order Serialized Book!

How to Avoid Bait and Switch ads on Craigslist, Kirby Sommers

Mint Murray Hill Alcove Studio, Kirby Sommers

NYC Apartment Layouts, by Kirby Sommers

Launching my new No Fee New York City Blog, Kirby Sommers

Ira Riklis, The Spammer - From Nick to Ira with love

Ira Riklis hijacking kirbysommers.blogspot.com ???

Red Cross: Where is the money for Haiti? Donations Missing in Action, by Kirby Sommers

Red Cross admits it diverted Haitan funds to pay their debts!!

Open Letter to Readers about "The Secret Life of Billionaire Ira Riklis," by Kirby Sommers

Nicole Kidman on Violence Against Women

Ira Riklis, political contributions