LAWRENCE PROPERTIES UPDATEUPDATE RESIDENTIAL MANAGERS SINCE 1925 • NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2002 Making A Difference: SENIOR MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE BERNICE LUGO Volunteering and Donating in New York City A Lifetime Career of Professionalism and Service ven before the unspeakable tragedy of list of organizations throughout New York that 9/11, the year 2001 was designated world- would welcome your time, talent, and energy. E wide as the International Year of the Volunteer. In fact, statistics indicate a rapid rise in the number of American adults who volunteer, with more than 50% of American adults now donating their time and energy to causes where they feel they can make a difference. In a recent speech, President George W. Bush exhorted Americans to commit to lifelong volun- teer service, saying, "My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years, four thou- Photo by Bob Newey sand hours over the rest of your lifetime, to the You don’t find many like Bernice Lugo service of your neighbors and your nation. Many these days — the residential management vet- are already serving, and I thank you." The fact is, GENERAL VOLUNTEER eran whose career has evolved simultaneous- ly with the industry over the past three-and-a- while an immediate increase in volunteer activity INFORMATION was experienced in the direct aftermath of half decades. She’s among the select few, the September 11th, volunteers are in constant elite, who have mastered the tasks of manag- demand. For example, on the day this article was Mayor's Voluntary Action Center ing people’s homes and investments, who written, www.volunteermatch.org posted 212/788-7550 commit every day to accomplishing an ever- 32,569 volunteer opportunities, all searchable by New York Cares expanding list of challenges, who maintain a zip code so you can find something close to 212/228-5000 healthy sense of humor and personal equilib- home. Information on this site includes the name The Volunteer Referral Agency rium while performing to an exacting standard and location of the organization, the type of help 212/889-4805 of responsiveness and productivity. No, there needed, and the duration of the volunteer duty, Volunteer Support Project aren’t many like Bernice, one of the most from one-day events to ongoing gigs. 212/442-3114 experienced real estate professionals in the Similarly, at the All New York SuperGuide city. It only makes sense that such an accom- website at www.allny.com, you can get the con- AIDS plished manager would find herself here at tact information of organizations from A to Z that AIDS Resource Center (Bailey House) Lawrence Properties. need volunteers. And New York Cares, which 212/633-2500 Born and bred in New York, Bernice began claims to be the largest volunteer organization in Gay Men's Health Crisis her real estate career in 1968 as a receptionist New York City, posts a constantly updated list of 212/367-1000 for a real estate management organization. By volunteer opportunities through the city, and Children's Hope Foundation the mid-70s, she had become proficient in offers a catalogue of corporate giving opportuni- 212/233-5133 executing not only the administrative work ties, including corporate sponsorships, in-kind God's Love We Deliver attendant to real estate management, but also donations, and promotional opportunities. Log on 212/294-8100 the often intimidating payroll and finance to www.nycares.org for more information. responsibilities. In those days, she worked If you can donate your time ... ANIMALS almost exclusively with subsidized housing, If you’d like to volunteer, here is just a partial Bide-A-Wee Association, Inc. establishing a troubleshooting department 212/532-4455 between the company and the government ASPCA agencies that oversaw the properties. 212/876-7700 Bernice’s introduction to the world of shared-interest property management took the In this issue… form of a baptism by fire when, in the very THE ARTS Making A Difference . 1 Ballet Hispanico early 1980s, she was assigned to manage the 212/362-6710 company’s first co-op property, an expansive development in downtown Brooklyn. Shortly Senior Management Executive Roundabout Theater thereafter, Bernice accepted an offer from Bernice Lugo . 1 212/719-9393 another residential management firm, this Ask Anton . 2 Negro Ensemble Co. time as site manager of a 1,100-unit commu- 212/582-5860 nity undergoing conversion to cooperative Such Interesting People . 3 status. For the next seven years, Bernice (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 3) 1 Making A Difference (cont’d from page 1) affect how easy the paint is to apply, how well it BLIND AND DEAF Ask Anton hides surface imperfections, how consistent the Helen Keller Services for the Blind color will be on the surface, how well the paint 718/522-2122 will adhere, and how long it will last on the sur- American Sign Language Institute face. Cheaper paints may seem like a bargain 212/675-7275 but may require more coats and probably won’t New York Society for the Deaf last as long. For my money, investing in a high 212/777-3900 quality paint makes more sense since it will look better and last longer. CHILDREN, DAYCARE, GUARDIANSHIP, (FYI, I’ve intentionally omitted oil-based AND FOSTERING paint because it’s smelly and allergy-provoking. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of NYC It’s also more difficult to apply, harder to clean 212/686-2042 Photo by Bob Newey up, and takes longer to dry. Its best applications Boys Club of New York Not a day goes by that Lawrence Properties are commercial, anyway. So save yourself the 212/534-2661 doesn’t respond to our residents with answers to headache. There are better choices.) Jewish Board of Family/Children's Services real-life, day-to-day household operating ques- Under any circumstances, be sure to follow 212/582-9100 tions. This issue of the LP Update launches Ask any building rules and policies regarding apart- Make-A-Wish Foundation Anton, our Q and A column dedicated to your ment painting. For example, your building will 212/505-9474 most frequently asked queries. Doing the probably require proof that your painter is answering is our own in-house expert, Director licensed and bonded, and will require a certifi- Volunteer Services for Children of Operations Anton Cirulli. cate of insurance. There may also be restrictions 212/867-2220 regarding when work can be performed, and Question: My apartment needs a new paint policies about cleanliness in the common areas. THE ELDERLY job, especially in the kitchen and bath. I want to Speak with your Lawrence Properties managing Alzheimer's Association choose the right paint but I’m confused by the agent for more information before you start your 212/983-0700 different types of finishes and the wide range of project. Good luck! paint prices. What type of paint should I use? Question: I have a lovely terrace that attracts THE ENVIRONMENT What else do I need to know? pigeons. How can I get rid of the birds? I don’t Partnership for Parks Anton responds: Go to a paint store and the want to hurt them. 212/360-1330 first thing the clerk will ask is whether you want Anton responds: Pigeons can be problemat- a flat, semigloss, or high gloss finish. These ic. The first thing to do is make sure that you’re IMMIGRANTS terms describe the level of light not providing a source of food or water for your 42nd Street Public Library reflectance, or sheen, of the paint. unwanted visitors. If pigeons still land on your Conversation Workshops For example, matte or flat terrace, try affixing a silver-colored or mylar 212/930-0501 (they mean the same pinwheel to the sur- International Center thing) has a low light faces where they 212/255-9555 reflectance. tend to appear since New York Association for Typically used for pigeons don’t like to New Americans walls and ceilings, share space with any- 212/425-5051 matte or flat paint thing else that moves, is best applied in especially if it’s shiny. LITERACY low traffic areas Strips of colored plastic Literacy Volunteer Program because removing or aluminum foil that blow 718/723-7662 stains from it is dif- in the breeze also may be ficult. Next up is an effective. You can also try installing a MEALS eggshell finish, which has a slightly higher gloss scarecrow, an owl statue, or the silhouette of a Citymeals on Wheels than matte/flat. Eggshell finish paint is appro- hawk, all of which scare pigeons and are avail- 212/687-1234 priate everywhere you would apply matte/flat, able in home centers and garden shops. But the and also on trim, where it gives a less shiny sad truth is, pigeons wise up to the decoys even- SCHOOLS AND TUTORING effect than semigloss. A semigloss finish is tually, making these imposters progressively New York School Volunteer Program shinier, more stain-resistant, and easier to clean ineffective deterrents. While you say you don’t 212/213-3370 than matte/flat and eggshell, making it more want to harm the birds, consider that they are advisable for high-traffic areas. (Satin or silk carriers of dangerous bacteria and parasites. If WOMEN finish paints fall between eggshell and semi- you can’t get rid of them yourself, you may need Sanctuary for Families gloss and give different levels of sheen depend- the services of a professional exterminator. 212/349-6009 ing on the brand. Your paint retailer will be able Lawrence Properties Director of Operations Safe Horizons to tell you more about the individual brands the Anton Cirulli is a veritable font of information 800/621-HOPE store carries.) Finally, there’s high gloss, which when it comes to apartment life in the Big is the most durable, stain resistant, and easiest to Apple.