You purchase your dream home. You live there for a while soaking up the amazing view that sold you on the property in the first place. Then the new neighbors arrive and build a gargantuan home that entirely blocks your incredible view making for a poor residential experience. As a creative tenant, how do you react?

A city councilman, Mark Easton, lives in this neighborhood. He had a beautiful view of the east mountains, until a new neighbor purchased the lot below his house and built.

Apparently, the new home was 18 inches higher than the ordinances would allow, so Mark Easton, mad about his lost view, went to the city to make sure they enforced the lower roof line ordinance. Mark and his new neighbor had some great arguments about this as you can imagine - not great feelings. The new neighbor had to drop the roof line - no doubt at great expense.

Recently, Mark Easton called the city and informed them that his new neighbor had installed some vents on the side of his home.
Mark didn’t like the look of these vents and asked the city to investigate. When they went to Mark’s home to see the vent view, this is what they found…

This 4-Foodies’ Steak Night tasting, attendees will have the opportunity to sample a 5 course dinner prepared exclusively by the executive chef, Jason Miller along with two of Primehouse’s signature cocktails. Primehouse opened in the Fall of 2007 and is the latest addition to B.R. Guest’s New York properties. Primehouse New York delivers a twist on conventional steakhouse fare and modern design elements for a contemporary dining experience. Primehouse New York marks the return of Chef Jason Miller to his hometown of New York. A French Culinary Institute graduate, Chef Miller brings close to 20 years of experience to the role of Executive Chef-Partner at Primehouse New York. Miller utilizes his personal style and creative flair to redefine the American steakhouse, intermixing new menu items with classic offerings. The menu for this event includes:

Appetizers:

Littleneck Baked Clams (Roasted, Lemon, Garlic, Fresh Herbs)
New Wedge (Heart of Romaine, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Maytag Blue Cheese)
Peruvian Scallop Ceviche (Aji Peppers, Coriander, Citrus, Country Toast)

***

Entrees:

Petit Bone-in Park Avenue South Filet
Lemon Pepper Rubbed Organic Chicken

***

Sides:

Creamed Spinach
Old School Hash Browns
Grilled Asparagus
Roast Garlic Whipped Potatoes

***

Sampling of Primehouse Desserts

TASTE: A 5 course steak dinner
DRINK: 2 complimentary drinks. Cocktails include: Relentless (Reyka Vodka, blackberries, & sage), Quotient (Hendricks Gin & St. Germain)
DATE: Monday, April 14th
PLACE: Primehouse (Park Avenue South at 27th Street)
TIME: 6:30PM - 8:30PM
COST: $95

3-Legged Dog Media and Theater Group presents
FIRE ISLAND
A multidimensional beach party!

Written by Charles Mee
Directed by Kevin Cunningham

Explore the many ways in which people experience the birth and dissolution of relationships through Charles Mee’s new text, Fire Island. Party “Fire Island style” in a surround 3D HD collaged array of video through simultaneous multiple perspectives of this beautiful, eccentric barrier island and the people who go there.

To buy or reserve tickets go to:
www.3leggeddog.org
or call
212.352.3101

April 10 - May 3
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Added performances April 23 and 30th.
Doors open at 6pm
with music, installations and Free Beer!
Docking in Cherry Grove for the performance at 8pm!
@ 3LD Art & Technology Center
80 Greenwich St. and Rector St.
www.3ldnyc.org

Fact: Over 120 million Americans drink coffee. Fact: Over 25% of us consume over 15 BILLION cups of coffee from chain coffee shops each year. That’s enough paper cups to ring the Earth 55 times not to mention all of the plastic lids, and the water and power consumed to make the coffee we enjoy! Going green takes some of the smallest steps that we can easily incorporate into our everyday living. Here is a list from Low Impact Living of ways to become an eco-conscious coffee consumer:

1. Bring your own reusable coffee mug to work and to the coffee shop.

2. Get a reusable coffee filter for your coffee pot

3. Did you know that coffee grounds make a great input for your composter?

4. Ride your bike or walk to the coffee shop

5. If you’re at the coffee shop and you’ve forgotten your reusable mug, perhaps you can refuse the plastic lid.

6. Buy certified organic, fair-trade, shade-grown coffee whenever you can

On the evening of March 14th, internationally renowned artist, Bettina Werner, a.k.a., “Queen of Salt” is hosting a house-warming event exclusive to the LifeAt residents of Lower Manhattan at her magnificent loft at 15 Broad. Meet the artist, experience her unique salt artwork and get to know your fellow LifeAt neighbors while receiving complementary chair massages sponsored by LifeBooker!

Residents of 15 Broad, Cocoa Exchange and 88 Leonard are cordially invited to attend this event. If you are interested in attending this private event please RSVP by emailing RSVP@LifeAt.com and we will send you the details. Space is limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Each resident will be able to bring one guest to the event and we ask that you bring along your favorite bottle of wine or champagne.

Is your neighbor expressing too much concern about your personal life? Do they ask too many questions about what is going on behind the walls of your apartment? Here are some tips on how to deal with a much too nosy neighbor as tactfully as possible:

1. Be the stronger person. Don’t fall for being nosy like them. Just get on with your business, nonchalantly and happily. If they have nothing better to do than watch you all day, then that is their waste of time, not yours.

2. Act as if you’re doing nothing. That gives them less reason to watch.

3. Move your activities to your backyard. Or choose another spot where they can’t see you.

4. Keep your house locked. If you’re on vacation, you might install video cameras. Although, this could be bordering on paranoia and if you really do suspect them of entering your property, you should firmly ask them to cease entering it and warn them that the next time they do this, you will call the police.

5. Make loud clapping noises in the backyard. Or flash your lights outside. If they keep watching, these activities will possibly irritate them and send them back indoors.

6. Make a code name for them whenever you see them. For example, “activity” or “spiders.” This will clue your family to behaving accordingly.

7. Build a fence. If you want to stop them peeking, a fence may be an option. Check local by-laws on fencing and also consider if you want to feel penned in just because your neighbors are nosy.

8. Be elusive and disarming. If they go outside, go back in and come out in 5 minutes. Wave at them vigorously and say “hi, how are you?” Ask them if you can borrow a cup of sugar or their lawnmower. If you keep asking for things, they will probably start hiding from you.

Their lawn becomes an expression of their feelings for you…

MishMash.com counts down the top 11 neighbors from hell. I don’t necessarily think that these are the worst things that your neighbor could do but they are hilarious! Check out favorites such as the garden of gnomes, large pig statues, the house of a thousand blow-up Christmas ornaments, and asphalt in the front yard. There goes the neighborhood!

The Climate Change Chocolate bar is meant to educate while tasting great. It comes in a festive wrapper with 15 tips for lightening your environmental impact. These helpful hints teach you how to save energy by making small changes to your daily habits.

Climate Change Chocolate comes with a verified *TerraPass offset of 133 pounds of carbon dioxide reductions which is equivalent to an average person’s CO2 output per day. In addition, the carbon emissions associated with the production and distribution of the chocolate bar has been balanced out. Climate Change can be found at your local Whole Foods store. Please login to your LifeAt account and check the Neighborhood Guide to find the nearest Whole Foods store.

* A carbon offset is a certificate representing the reduction of one metric ton (2,205 lbs) of carbon dioxide emissions, the principal cause of global warming.

In the market for a new apartment? Renter beware! How many times have you moved into what you thought was the perfect place only find out a month later that it is barely livable? Before you start looking at places to rent, read through this list of questions to better prepare yourself for finding the perfect apartment:

- What’s the neighborhood like? Is it a good neighborhood or a bad neighborhood? Does it fit your personality and lifestyle?

- Who are the nearest neighbors? Do they have kids? Pets?

- How is the place heated and cooled?

- Are there enough windows and which direction(s) do they face?

- How much closet space is there?

- How old is the wiring? Count how many outlets there are and if they have a grounding socket. Few outlets and/or two-pronged outlets often indicate older wiring, which can be a safety concern.

- How present is the landlord or building management? You want your landlord to be available when you need assistance, but it can be intrusive and uncomfortable to have him or her around all the time or coming by unannounced.

- What are the policies and laws regarding pets?

- How big are the rooms? Also note stairwells, hallways and doors. Maybe your couch will fit in the living room, but will you be able to get it in?

- Is there parking?

- Check for insects and rodents. If the place is in need of repair or paint, find out what will be done before you move in. Don’t just look at the surface of things and make assumptions.

- Does the building have LifeAt in it? Remember when moving into a new place, LifeAt can be a great tool to introduce you to your new neighbors and neighborhood.

Good luck with finding your new home and happy hunting!