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Great-granny, facing eviction from home to fight in court for right to live in peace

Great-granny, facing eviction from Brooklyn home, to fight in court for right to live in peace

Mark Morales
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Monday, August 15th 2011, 4:00 AM

Mary Ward, 82, is being booted from the house she's lived in for 44 years. She received 18 letters on the same day last week informing of the imminent eviction.
 
Debbie Egan-Chin/News
 
Mary Ward, 82, is being booted from the house she's lived in for 44 years. She received 18 letters on the same day last week informing of the imminent eviction.

 

Feisty great-grandmother Mary Lee Ward has been battling to keep her modest Brooklyn house since the late 1990s.

The victim of a predatory subprime mortgage lender that went bankrupt in the housing crash four years ago, Ward has nearly lost the Bedford-Stuyvesant home a number of times - and faces eviction yet again on Friday.

"There is no way I'm going to leave this place. Not alive," said a teary-eyed Ward. "This is my home for 44 years. I've put everything into it."

Ward, 82, was desperate for extra money back in 1995 to pay for a lawyer to help keep her great-granddaughter from being adopted. Ward found a flyer in her mailbox from Delta Funding, a subprime mortgage lender, promising her a cash advance of $10,000 if she borrowed against her one-family frame house on Tompkins Ave.

Ward signed. She said she has seen only $1,000 of the cash she was promised and has been in and out of courtrooms battling banks - and even her own lawyers - for more than a decade.

She thought her home was safe after Delta Funding sent her a letter in 2001 saying they would cancel the loan.

Ward says what she didn't know was that Delta Funding never rescinded the loan, and that banks have been playing hot potato with her mortgage for years.

The company was sued by the feds in 1999 for civil rights violations for targeting minority-group members - especially black women - in Queens and Brooklyn. The company went bankrupt in 2007, along with many other subprime lenders.

But Ward's house remained in limbo.

She says the latest owner, 768 Dean Inc., bought her home at a foreclosure auction last September. "They're trying to throw me out and I have nowhere to go," Ward said.

She said she received 18 eviction letters in the mail just on Aug. 6.

Representatives of 768 Dean Inc. could not be reached for comment.

Ward, who lives on $840 a month from Social Security, saysher $82,000 loan has now morphed into a debt of $200,000.

She huddled with her new legal team, lawyers for the grass-roots group Common Law, late last week to talk strategy. Legally, there's nothing they can do, but they're hoping they can rally people together for next Friday's showdown with city marshals, representatives of the group said.

"We're hoping that with the support of her neighbors and fellow New Yorkers, she'll be able to get some bargaining power back," said Common Law lawyer Karen Gargamelli.

Ward said she tosses and turns every night and looks forward to the day when she can rest easy.

"Just let me have a little peace," she said.

Entry #5,257

Woman sues company for sexual harassment; Their response? She' too ugly

Woman sues for sexual harassment at People's Choice Realty; Their response? She's too ugly to touch

Oren Yaniv
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Thursday, August 11th 2011, 2:40 PM

Priscilla Agosto alleges male co-workers at People's Choice Reality exposed themselves, rubbed up against her and even asked for oral sex.
 
Nicholas Fevelo for News
 
Priscilla Agosto alleges male co-workers at People's Choice Reality exposed themselves, rubbed up against her and even asked for oral sex.

 

A 23-year-old lesbian says the Brooklyn real estate office she once worked in is a den of deviants where raunchy sexcapades were the norm.

But the bosses she's suing say she's too ugly to harass.

Priscilla Agosto ran a gauntlet of sexual humilition - verbal and physical - in her 14 miserable months at People's Choice Realty, her suit against its three bosses says.

No less than seven male employees made lewd advances at her - even after she complained to the bosses, she said in papers filed in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

Her male co-workers exposed themselves, rubbed up against her and even asked for oral sex, she alleges.

And they even offered $500 to watch her have sex with her girlfriend, she said.

"I hope and pray that by sharing my story, anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation will have the courage to speak up," said Agosto.

Odelia Berlianshik, the owner of the Williamsburg firm, denied the charges - and launched a shocking attack on Agosto's appearance.

"Who would touch her? She's an ugly girl anyway," she said of the former secretary. "She made up a story because she didn't want to work."

Agosto's lawyer Brendan Chao said another former employee corroborated much of his client's account.

He only brought the suit recently, he added, because a complaint had to be first filed with the city's Commission of Human Rights.

Agosto worked in real estate office from January 2008 until March 2009.

The discrimination suit seeks unspecified back pay and benefits.

"People attacked her ethnicity, her gender, her sexual orientation," said Chao.

She finally quit after things got physical. An employee slapped Agosto across the face, but when she came crying to Berlianshik, the suit said, her boss "waved her away."

Berlianshik conceded the slapping incident took place, but claimed the worker was instructed to say he's sorry.

"He apologized and offered to buy her lunch," she said.

Berlianshik is named in the suit as are Mickey and Richard Berlianshik, the other co-owners.

Entry #5,256

UPDATE: Possible drug overdose in death of mega pastor in NY Hotel

Possible drug overdose eyed in Florida pastor Zachery Tims' death in Times Square hotel room: source

Rocco Parascandola

DAILY NEWS POLICE BUREAU CHIEF

Monday, August 15th 2011, 6:01 PM

 

Pastor Zachery Tims was found dead Sunday in his room in the W Hotel in Times Square.
 
Pastor Zachery Tims was found dead Sunday in his room in the W Hotel in Times Square.

The Florida pastor found dead in a Times Square hotel room may have died of a drug overdose, according to a police source.

A small glassine envelope containing a white powder was found in Zachery Tims's pocket, the source said.

The powder will be tested to determine if it cocaine, heroin or any other drug. An autopsy on Tims was inconclusive, and further tests are being conducted.

Tims, 42, the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, was found dead Friday evening in his 37th-floor room at the W Hotel on Broadway.

He was lying face up in a walkway between the bedroom and the living room area, the source said. His body had no obvious signs of trauma.

Based on what family members told police, none of Tims' jewelry was missing, and it does not appear he was robbed of any other belongings.

Police believe he was alone when he died because hotel staff had to break through the door's security bar, which can only be put in place from  inside the room.

The hotel had no comment.

But a second source said police are checking to see where Tims had been during his stay in the city and who he called.

He had come to the city for a meeting and was due to leave Thursday for Texas.

The source said he did not check out that day. On Friday, hotel workers went to his room and discovered his body.

Tims and his wife, Riva, founded the church in Orlando in 1996. It now has 8,000 members.

Two years ago, the couple divorced after he admitted having an affair with a stripper.

Riva Tims, who shared custody of their children, could not be reached yesterday for comment.

Entry #5,255

Naked Lawyer Challenges Girlfriend To Sword Fight

Naked Lawyer Challenges Girlfriend To Sword Fight

13 August 2011

Naked Lawyer Challenges Girlfriend To Sword Fight

 

[Titusville, FL] On Wednesday, a Central Florida defense attorney who specializes in murder cases threatened his live-in girlfriend with, first, a large mirror and then a sword, according to a report in the Florida Today.

He also threatened to kill her. And he was naked.

The lawyer – Terry Lee Locy, 36 – was arguing with his girlfriend about his excessive drinking when he removed a door mirror and held it up over his head as if to hit her with it, says the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

His girlfriend then grabbed the mirror hook from the door and hurled it it Locy, hitting him in the head and causing a cut.

Naturally, Locy then took a shower – perhaps to cool off? – only to emerge naked and carrying a sword. He then handed the sword to his girlfriend and warned her that she was going to need it.

Locy then went to get a bigger sword and proclaimed to the girlfriend that he was going to kill her. The woman ran but Locy slammed her against a a piece of furniture and punched her repeatedly. She was eventually able to call for help.

Locy escaped the home, naked and still wielding the sword. He’s now in a heap of trouble for his verbal threats and acts of violence, including domestic violence battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a third-degree felony.

He could spend up to five years in prison if convicted. Good thing he is a defense attorney.

He was eventually arrested, released and was ordered to submit to an evaluation of his mental health.

Yes, Terry Lee Locy used his driver’s license photo for his on-line bio

There’s Something About Terry

Locy, a Florida native, has two offices: one in Rockledge and another in Cocoa. It is, or was, all part of his having “ambitions for further expansion” of his law practice. Since 2005, Locy has been licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and Florida.

Since 2008, he has been licensed to practice in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

His specialties are appeals, constitutional law and criminal law. He is a Phi Beta Kappa. While at University of Massachusetts – Amherst early on in his collegiate career, he studied English Medieval History, which would explain the whole sword thing.

He finished up his schooling at the University of Miami School of Law. While there – according to Locy – he was “a popular young gentleman known for his quick wit and his athletic physique.”

According to his Cornell University Law School bio, “Terry L. Locy possesses an energetic, articulate, innovative, but most importantly, an intensely aggressive style of litigation that often leaves his opponents fuming and courtroom onlookers entertained and wanting more.”

True, he does put on quite a show, although I think we’ve all had enough of his shenanigans for now.

 

By: Mark Christopher/Sunshine Slate

Entry #5,253

Fornula1 fan receives bionic hand from Mercedes team

Telegraph.co.uk

F1 fan receives bionic hand from Mercedes team

A teenage Formula One fan has been fitted with a souped-up artificial hand after he offered to sell advertising space to Mercedes - on his prosthetic limb.

Matthew James, who has received a bionic hand paid for by the Mercedes Formula 1 team.
 
Matthew James, who has received a bionic hand paid for by the Mercedes Formula 1 team. Photo: HEMEDIA

10:04AM BST 14 Aug 2011

Matthew James, 14, who was born without his left hand, sent a cheeky letter to Ross Brawn, boss of F1 team Mercedes GP Petronas, asking for £35,000 to pay for a top-of-the range artificial limb.

In return, shrewd Matthew said he would allow the company to sponsor the hand by putting the Mercedes logo on it - like ads seen on F1 cars.

But Mercedes where so touched by Matthew's ''intelligent and moving letter'' they agreed to help him and teamed up with firm Touch Bionics, who create and fit hi-tech artificial limbs.

Together they designed his own customised i-LIMB Pulse - the most advanced prosthetic limb in the world.

The hand is so versatile Matthew can grip a pen to draw pictures and write, tie his shoe laces and catch a ball.

The hand, made from high-grade plastic with a black silicone socket, literally plugs into Matthew's arm.

Two electrodes on the inside of the socket detect electrical impulses made by the muscles in Matthew's lower arm.

The signals are then beamed to a mini-computer in the palm which translates the messages into movements, replicating a normal hand.

After being fitted with the hand last Friday Matthew said: ''It is just amazing.

''My old artificial hand was not great, it had a pretty basic open close mechanism similar to a clamp.

''But with this one I can do everything, it is just like the real thing.

''It is going to make such a big difference to my life.

''It also looks really cool - the outer-shell is see through so you can actually see the mechanics working.

''They are even going to put a little Mercedes badge by the wrist.''

Each finger is powered by an individual motor which allows the digits to move independently.

The hand is protected by an aluminium chassis-style casing which is capable of supporting a load of up to 90kg (14st).

Amazingly, it is even fitted with Bluetooth technology to allow Matthew to hook up to a computer wirelessly to track the strength and speed of his movements.

Matthew, from Wokingham, Berks., travelled to Touch Bionic's HQ in Livingston, Scotland, to take control of his new hand.

Matthew, who lives with his father Rob, 44, mum Tina, 42, said: ''I am actually looking forward to getting back to school so I can test it out, it's going to be so much fun.

''I like science and am planning to go into engineering but I used to struggle with lab experiments - now they should not be a problem.

''I also love sport but anything that involves two hands, like cricket, has always been a struggle but now I can compete with the other lads.

''It is really amazing technology and I am so grateful to Touch Bionics and Mercedes.''

After receiving the letter in June, Mercedes invited Matthew to their headquarters, where he toured the factory and met racing legend Michael Schumacher.

The company said they were unable to pay for the hand but agreed to help Matthew raise the money, by asking fans and sponsors to make donations.

Touch Bionics also agreed to fit the hand and train Matthew at their state of the art facilities for free, which would have otherwise cost £25,000.

Matthew was born with a congenital defect which meant his left arm only developed up to his wrist.

Incredibly, Matthew, who goes to the prestigious Reading School, is a brown belt in Karate and hopes to pursue a career as an engineer with F1.

Dad Rob, an IT consultant, said: ''We are so proud of him.

''He has wanted a Touch Bionics limb since he was young but we have never been able to afford it.

''He contacted Mercedes on his own volition and they were so impressed by his intelligence and maturity that they agreed to help.

''He has never let his disability get him down but he has also always strived to achieve his best and now he truly feels he can with the i-LIMB Pulse.

''It's about having the best tool available to allow him to live his life and get on with what he wants to do.''

Ruth Burns, spokeswoman for Touch Bionics, said the technology allowed patients to experience a wide range of natural movement.

She said: ''The hand works by taking instructions from the muscles in the residual limb. It's a case of a patient practising what muscles trigger the right movements.

''Patients can't sense touch but they can feel vibrations through the hand.

''Most patients find it hard to move the hand at first but Matthew has already progressed to several movements. He is very bright.''

Ross Brawn, who attended the same school as Matthew, said: ''Matthew's letter to the team was very touching.

''It was of particular personal significance given my close relationship to Reading School.

''Looking closely at the i-LIMB Pulse, we realised how much our technologies in Formula One had in common with those used to create this cutting-edge prosthetic limb.

''We realised we may be able to offer some synergies to Touch Bionics to assist their invaluable research.

''Meeting Matthew, and hearing first-hand how the new device would improve his quality of life, was a pleasure and I am delighted that our initial contact has now led to such a positive conclusion.''

 

Entry #5,249

Female smokers at higher heart-disease risk

Study: Female smokers at higher heart-disease risk

Simeon Bennett - Aug. 14, 2011 12:00 AM

Bloomberg New



GENEVA - Women who smoke are 25 percent more likely than their male counterparts to develop heart disease, and the risk increases the longer women maintain the habit, according to research published in theLancetjournal.

The higher risk could be because the toxicants in cigarettes have a more potent effect on women than they do on men, researchers from the University of Minnesota and Johns Hopkins University wrote after surveying data from 4 million people in 86 studies spanning 45 years.

Women account for one in five of the world's 1.1 billion smokers and almost one in three tobacco-related deaths, the authors wrote. Women also take up smoking faster than men in some developing nations where smoking has traditionally been a male habit, according to the World Health Organization.

"What makes the realization that women are at increased risk worrisome is that the tobacco industry views women as its growth market," Matthew Steliga, a thoracic surgeon at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Carolyn Dresler, director of Arkansas's Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program, wrote in an editorial accompanying the study, which was published Thursday.

Previous studies have produced conflicting evidence on whether there's a difference in heart-disease risk between men and women who smoke, the researchers said.

Rachel Huxley, from the University of Minnesota, and Mark Woodward, from Johns Hopkins, scoured four online databases for studies about smoking and heart disease published between 1966 and 2010.

From an initial list of 8,005 articles, they found 26 that contained information from 86 studies involving 3.9 million people around the world.

Compared with non-smokers, women who light up have a 25 percent greater chance of coronary heart disease than male smokers, independent of other risk factors, the authors found.

While male smokers consume more cigarettes on average than women, women may extract more carcinogens and other poisons from cigarettes than men, the researchers said. That may also explain why female smokers have twice the risk of developing lung cancer, they said.

"Cigarette smoking is one of the main causes of coronary heart disease worldwide and will remain so as populations that have so far been relatively unscathed by the smoking epidemic begin to smoke to a degree previously noted only in high-income countries," Huxley and Woodward said.



Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/08/14/20110814women-smoking0814.html#ixzz1V3JA26ry
Entry #5,247

Obama job rating sinks below 40% for first time

Gallup: Obama job rating sinks below 40% for first time

President Obama leaves the Oval Office on Saturday on his way to play golf at Andrews Air Force Base.

President Obama leaves the Oval Office on Saturday on his way to play golf at Andrews Air Force Base. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press)

 

Michael A. Memoli

August 14, 2011, 10:31 a.m.

 

President Obama's summer woes have dragged his approval rating to an all-time low, sinking below 40% for the first time in Gallup's daily tracking poll.

New data posted Sunday shows that 39% of Americans approve of Obama's job performance, while 54% disapprove. Both are the worst numbers of his presidency.

Obama's approval rating has hovered in the 40% range for much of 2011, peaking at 53% in the weeks following the death of Osama bin Laden.

But Americans' view of his job performance continued to tick downward as the debt-ceiling debate heated up. By the time he signed legislation averting a federal default, he was mired in the low-40% range.

The polling setback comes as the Republican race to unseat him has kicked into overdrive. The past week has been dominated by the activity in Iowa ahead of the Ames Straw Poll, and the entrance of a new contender in Texas Gov. Rick Perry. The candidates have routinely assailed Obama's leadership in appealing to conservative activists who dominate this stage of the nominating contest.

Obama is set to launch something of a counter-offensive on Monday with a three-day bus tour of the Midwest, a trip that includes two stops in Iowa. The White House denied that the itinerary was politically motivated, however.

The three-day tracking poll was conducted from Aug. 11-13.
Entry #5,246
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