Rebecca Salome Foster

Rebecca Salome Elliott Foster (October 24, 1848 - February 22, 1902) was an American woman from Alabama known as a City Missionary and prison relief worker in New York City at the city jail. She became known as the "Tombs Angel" because she attended to suspects held before trial at The New York Halls of Justice and House of Detention (otherwise known as "The Tombs"). She expanded her caring to provide guidance and sometimes small financial support, job seeking assistance, and other aids to newly released prisoners, trying to help them in the transition to the outside world, before the field of probation officer was established in 1901.
Biography.
She was born as Rebecca Salome Elliott on October 24, 1848, in Alabama, the daughter of planter John Howard Elliott and his wife Margaret Adele (née Blue). Her parents likely moved to New York before or during the war, perhaps having been one of those planter families who had close ties with people in the city through business.
During the last year of the Civil War, at the age of 19 Rebecca Elliot married Union colonel and attorney John Armstrong Foster (March 5, 1833-February 11, 1890) on February 28, 1865, at Calvary Church in New York. It was designed in 1848 by James Renwick, Jr. at 4th Avenue and 21st Street. She continued to attend this church in the future. One of her daughters later said she remembered family stories that a member of President Abraham Lincoln's cabinet attended her parents' wedding. John Foster was mustered out of the Army in August 1865 and was brevetted as a brigadier general in September 1865.
The Fosters had four children together, only two of whom survived to adulthood: Salome (Lomie) Elliott (1865-1867); Marie Louise (1867-), married Francis S. Colt; Jeanette Jennie (1873-1958), married William C. Bowers; and John (Johnnie) Armstrong (1873-1879).
Her husband John Armstrong Foster was from Schoharie County, New York. He had moved with his parents to New York City when young. At the age of 28, he had enlisted as a private in the Civil War in April 1861 in Co. “F” 7th NY Infantry SM, but was mustered out in June. The following year, in November 1862, he was commissioned into Field & Staff 175th NY Infantry, where he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
The newly married couple lived in New York City. In later life, John Foster suffered from alcoholism, lost his friends, and abandoned his family in 1888. Foster initially supported herself and her daughters from her pay working for the Presbyterian City Mission Society of New York. After John Foster abandoned the family, she wore the black mourning clothes of a widow when in public. Her husband died February 11, 1890, and she became a widow in fact. He was buried at the gravesite of his parents in Woodlawn Cemetery, The Bronx.
From the mid-1880s on, Rebecca Foster worked assisting people who were charged and defendants in the New York legal system, especially before they went to trial. She was involved with women defendants. She became known as a "Tombs Angel" because she ministered to suspects and criminals incarcerated at The New York Halls of Justice and House of Detention ("The Tombs"). She was one of two women who became notable in this role, the other being Ernestine Schaffner, who also worked on behalf of prisoners from about 1870 until her death in 1903.
Foster eventually worked on her own as a volunteer with prisoners in the "Tombs". Besides ministering to the needs of the incarcerated pending trial, she had gained considerable respect from government officials. She acted as an unofficial court investigator and advisor, trying to ascertain the facts of each inmate's case and giving her judgment as to whether the person was innocent or guilty of charges. She also worked to support former prisoners in their lives after they were released, taking a role as a kind of "ad hoc" "probation officer" well before that formal system was established in New York in 1901.
In later life Rebecca Salome Foster lived as a resident at the Park Avenue Hotel. At the age of 54, she was one of at least 14 people who died in the destructive fire there on February 22, 1902.
Her funeral at Calvary Church was attended by a large crowd that spanned many classes. She was buried in the same plot as her husband and his parents at Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York. One tombstone monument is inscribed with all four of their names and dates. (See photo at Find-a-Grave)
Legacy and honors.
Foster's role as the somewhat anonymous "Tombs Angel" was publicized by newspapers after her death. Her funeral on February 25, 1902, at the Calvary Church in Manhattan, was attended by many people whom she had saved from conviction, notable reform figures, and officials and court judges.
After her death, leaders of the City Club initiated a campaign to commission a monument to honor her. Leading judges and President Theodore Roosevelt joined the fundraising effort. The sculptor Karl Bitter was commissioned to create a marble monument to Foster. It is a bas-relief, featuring her and a prisoner. It also had a medallion portrait of her, and a bronze frame by Charles Rollinson Lamb. The work was installed in 1904 at the old Criminal Courts building. It was removed to storage in 1940 when the building was being demolished for replacement.
The monument was rediscovered in the 21st century, and restored, although the medallion and bronze frame had been lost ( or stolen) through the decades. It was rededicated on June 25, 2019, when it was installed in the lobby of the New York Supreme Court located at 60 Centre Street in Manhattan. Its restoration and dedication are part of an effort the city is making to recognize women whose contributions have not been formally memorialized.


Thomas B. Kidner

Thomas B. Kidner (1866–1932) was one of the founders of the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy (NSPOT) later renamed the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). He served as president of the society from 1923 to 1928.
Life.
Kidner was born in 1866 in Bristol, England. He migrated to Canada in 1900 as one of three teachers selected by the Macdonald Manual Training Fund of Canada to introduce technical education to elementary school children. While in Canada he had many roles in education and passionately incorporated manual training into his programs including the programs to rehabilitate soldiers returning from World War I in Canada he ran from 1916 until coming to the United States. These programs gained the attention of Eleanor Clark Slagle, Elizabeth Upham-Davis, and members of the US Federal Board for Vocational Education.
These programs were a product of Kidner's time as the vocational secretary of the Military Hospitals Commission. After being named vocational secretary he promptly moved to Ottawa in January 1916. In Ottawa, he was given the duty of preparing soldiers returning from World War I to return to their former vocational duties or retrain soldiers no longer able to perform their previous duties. He developed a program that engaged soldiers recovering from wartime injuries or tuberculosis in occupations even while they were still bedridden. Once the soldiers were sufficiently recovered they would work in a curative workshop and eventually progress to an industrial workshop before being placed in an appropriate work setting. He used occupations (daily activities) as a medium for manual training and helping injured individuals to return to productive duties such as work.
While involved with NSPOT, he used his background as an architect to help build the foundation for occupational therapy including pushing for a national registry and training standards to ensure that occupational therapists were properly trained to treat clients. He also pushed for occupational therapy to stay within the medical field. Kidner's association with the medical professional association in the United States to head towards this goal and even helped push for the occupational therapy insignia to include components of the medical insignia.
He is credited with bringing crafts, in general, as the intervention for treatment in occupational therapy beginning at the Military Hospitals Commission in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Within AOTA, his main concern was to establish the structure and function of the association. He began a registry of therapists and instituted standards in education and desired all therapists to promote OT and keep the profession in the public eye.
After leaving NSPOT/AOTA, Kidner worked with the National Tuberculosis Association, as the head of the Advisory Service on Institutional Construction until 1926. He then returned to his original occupation, working as an architect from 1926 until his sudden death in 1932. Little is known about the circumstances of his death.


Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement


United States Senate Committee on Interoceanic Canals

The United States Senate Committee on Interoceanic Canals was established on December 15, 1899 and terminated on January 2, 1947, when its functions were transferred to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. The Committee on Interoceanic Canals succeeded the Select Committee on the Construction of the Nicaragua Canal, 1895-99. The initial focus of this committee was on legislation to authorize the construction of an isthmian canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.


Andy (goose)

Andy (1987 – October 19, 1991) was a goose that was born without webbed feet. It became well known as the sneaker-wearing goose. Andy was killed in 1991 by an unknown perpetrator.
Background.
The grey goose was born in 1987 without webbed feet and lived on a farm in Harvard, Nebraska. When Andy was two years old, Gene Fleming from nearby Hastings became aware of the plight of the bird. Fleming was a member of a local charity for disabled children and inventor and he thought he would be able to help. Fleming took care of Andy and his mate, Polly, and moved them to his farm in Hastings.
Initial attempts at providing Andy with more mobility included a skateboard-like prosthesis which did not work. Fleming then fitted Andy with specially adapted baby-sized shoes and he successfully taught the bird to walk with them. Subsequently, Andy caught the attention of the media and a sportswear manufacturer, that offered a lifetime deal to supply shoes – the bird wore out a pair of shoes in about one month.
Andy became a role model, especially for disabled children. With his shoes, Andy was able to walk, swim and fly which was supposed to give hope to people with disabilities.
On October 19, 1991, Andy disappeared, and a day later he was found dead in a local park with his head and wings removed. The local community collected US$10,000 as a reward to apprehend the murderer; however, the killer could not be identified.


Homelessness in Germany

Homelessness in Germany is a significant social issue, one that is estimated to affect over 860,000 people. Since 2014, there has been a 150% increase in the homeless population within the due to the inclusion of refugees. Reportedly, around 22,000 of the homeless population are children.
Researchers maintain that the legal definition of homelessness in Germany is quite narrow. In addition, the country has yet to publish statistics on homelessness at a Federal Level despite it being an ongoing and widespread matter.
Background.
Prior to WWII.
In 1933, the Nazis pass a Law "against Habitual and Dangerous Criminals", which allowed for the relocation of beggars, homeless, and the unemployed to concentration camps.
WWII and its impact.
In 1942, British bombing raids destroyed a total of 3.6 millions homes, with 7.5 million Germans left homeless. As war continued, refugees fled further into Germany.
Current statistics.
The homeless levels have risen more than 4% between 2017–2018. In addition, according to BAGW's report, refugees are more likely to be homeless. The number of homeless people with a refugee background increased by 5.9%. A majority of the homeless population is men (three in four). There is a worrying increase in the amount of young homeless in some countries including Germany.
Housing.
The Federal Government acknowledges that homelessness in Germany is caused by multiple factors, "such as financial, domestic, and individual psychosocial reasons" and that it is not merely rooted in the lack of affordable accommodation However, Germany is currently short about 2 million homes to comfortably accommodate its people. According to Global Homelessness Statistics, "Around 50% of poor households spend more than 40% of their disposable income on housing". The Berlin Homeless Shelter Association provides housing to the homeless population in Berlin, Germany.
Prevention.
Research has been conducted to investigative proactive ways to prevent homelessness. People being evicted from their homes is one of the most common factors for homelessness. Some instruments used to stop the eviction process, include financial support, legal provision for cases of hardship, and assistance negotiations with landlords. As stated by Dr. Busch-Geertsema, coordinator of the European Observatory on Homelessness, prevention is categorized in several ways: primary prevention (larger risk groups), secondary prevention (those being threatened with eviction), and tertiary prevention (persons who are already homeless).


Kennedy Channel

Kennedy Channel (; ; ) is an Arctic sea passage between Greenland and Canada's most northerly island, Ellesmere Island.
It was named by Elisha Kane around 1854 during his second Arctic voyage in search of the lost Franklin expedition. It is not entirely clear, however, for which Kennedy he named the channel. Kane may have had his fellow explorer William Kennedy in mind, whom he had met a few years previously while both were involved in earlier searches for Franklin's expedition. However, most historians believe it was named for John Pendleton Kennedy, the United States Secretary of the Navy during 1852 to 1853, under whose direction Kane's second Arctic voyage took place.
Geography.
It forms part of Nares Strait, linking Kane Basin with Hall Basin. From the south, its beginning is marked by Capes Lawrence and Jackson; its junction with Hall Basin is marked by Capes Baird and Morton. It is about 130 kilometres in length, between 24 and 32 kilometres in width and averages water depths between 180 and 340 metres.
It contains Hans Island, which is claimed by both Canada and Denmark, because it is located close to the middle between the two coastlines, but about 1000 meters closer to Greenland's coast. The channel also contains two more islands, Franklin Island and Crozier Island which are located much closer to the Greenland coast and therefore belong to Greenland. Hannah Island is located at the mouth of the Bessel Fjord, northeast of Cape Bryan.


Fixed Survey Meter

The Fixed Survey Meter was a specialist detection instrument used by the Royal Observer Corps during the Cold War between 1958 and 1982 to detect ionising radiation from nuclear fallout generated by a ground burst.
Overview.
The instrument was designed and built by the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston as a replacement for the Radiac Survey Meter No 2 which could only be used above ground. The Royal Observer Corps’ need was for an instrument that could be read from inside the protected environment on the underground post.
The instrument had an analogue mechanical dial with a pivoted needle indicator on a scale that covered 0.1 roentgens to 500 roentgens. Powered by three obsolete high voltage batteries (15 volt and 30 volt), that had to be specially manufactured, the meter was contained in a sturdy enamelled metal case. The controls featured an on-off switch combined with a calibration adjustment and a multi-position battery test switch.
The batteries were contained within a clip-on cassette that took several minutes of careful preparation. A spare cassette was also pre-prepared to enable quick battery changes during operations.
The meter was connected by a heavy duty cable to an ionisation chamber mounted onto a telescopic rod that was fed up a probe pipe in the ceiling of the monitoring post so that the probe was above ground. The top of the probe was protected by a polycarbonate dome that prevented fallout from entering the post.
Operations.
The delicate instruments were kept at the group controls in an air conditioned and de-humidified storage room and only issued to posts during Transition To War. Once at the posts the instrument was unpacked from its wooden transit case and prepared for use.
If radiation readings approached the 400 roentgen level the telescopic rod was quickly collapsed and the probe reinserted to a distance below the surface that reduced the dial reading by a factor of ten. Thus the instrument became capable of producing accurate readings to a level of 5,000 roentgens per hour external reading. Shielded readings were prefixed with the word "Red". When readings fell again to an indicated reading of 40 the probe was restored to full height.
Once fallout had arrived anywhere in the group regular five-minute readings were taken from all posts and displayed on the post boards in the operations room
Codeword.
The arrival of any radioactive fallout at the post was reported immediately with the codeword FIRST FALLOUT followed by post designation and the time e.g. "First Fallout - Shrewsbury 56 post - Oh three fifty two".
Training.
Posts were provided with a dummy FSM trainer, known as the FSMT, that was identical in every way to the operational instrument except that it had a slot on its rear that permitted a roll of plastic trace, fed into the machine by a clockwork mechanism, to make the dial operate realistically over the 24 or 48 hours of a weekend exercise.
Withdrawal.
Between 1983 and 1984 the FSM and FSMT were withdrawn from use and scrapped. The instrument was replaced by the Plessey PDRM82(F), the fixed version of the new Civil Defence meters. The new polycarbonate cased meters were less delicate and this permitted them to be permanently stored at the monitoring posts instead of being retained at the group controls.
References.
Main reference "Royal Observer Corps Training Manual" published by HMSO


Will of Henry VIII of England

The will of Henry VIII of England was a significant constitutional document, or set of contested documents created in the 1530s and 1540s, affecting English and Scottish politics for the rest of the 16th century. In conjunction with legislation passed by the English Parliament, it was supposed to have a regulative effect in deciding the succession to the three following monarchs of the House of Tudor, the three legitimate and illegitimate children (the Third Succession Act expressly recognised the illegitimacy of Henry's daughters) of King Henry VIII of England. Its actual legal and constitutional status was much debated; and arguably the succession to Elizabeth I of England did not respect Henry's wishes.
Last testament.
Henry VIII made a final revision to his last will and testament on 30 December 1546. It was signed using the "dry stamp", a device in use since 1545 and under the control of Anthony Denny and John Gates. It confirmed the line of succession as Edward, Mary and Elizabeth; following them, the Grey and Suffolk families. The will was read, stamped and sealed on 27 January 1547, when the dying king was past speech. He died within hours, the next day.
The document still exists, but this fact was not generally known or accepted by the 1560s, when some believed it was lost, or had been destroyed.
Executors.
The will appointed 16 executors. That body had little impact in the short term because its powers were given to a smaller group. It was officially (with one other) the council of Edward VI of England until 12 March 1547, when Protector Somerset nominated the council. The effective end of the Somerset Protectorate came in early 1550. Those executors who were still alive (13 of the original 16, Browne, Denny and then Wriothesley having died) had a leading constitutional role, in theory from 13 October 1549.
The executors comprised:
Pollard wrote that the traditional view, that the balance of the group of executors on the religious question was deliberately poised to create an equilibrium, is mistaken since the exclusion of Stephen Gardiner tipped the balance to the evangelical reformers. MacCulloch considers that in 1550, after the fall of Somerset, there was a balance but that the evangelicals manoeuvred to a position of superiority.
Third Succession Act.
The constitutional standing of Henry VIII's last will depended on the Third Succession Act that received the royal assent in 1544. Section VI of the act provides that the line of succession, if not continued by the king's children by his marriages, should be regulated by the contents of the king's last will. The wording is conditional on the will being signed by the king's hand. The issue of the "dry stamp" signature was brought up in the context of Anglo-Scottish diplomacy, carried out by Robert Melville on behalf of Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1567. Since the provisions of the will disadvantaged all the claimants of the House of Stuart, the point remained important.


Real estate in Panama

Real estate in Panama is about how the Republic of Panama's real estate industry has grown since 2006, as foreign investments helped to fuel Panama's economy and housing market.
In spite of the economic and housing market growth, poverty is a problem in Panama. Most indigenous people live in extreme poverty while others located in rural areas live in basic poverty. Lack of sanitation, electricity, basic water, health, and education amongst the poor is a serious problem affecting Panama’s housing conditions.
In an attempt to encourage foreign investments for real estate projects and infrastructure, the government of Panama enacted laws protecting foreigners and citizens who make investments.
Corruption permeates the real estate market including claims of drug profits and money laundering financing real estate projects.
Similar to the U.S. and Canada, Panama uses a system of publicly recorded titled deeds as proof of real estate ownership. A unique Rights of Possession system exists allowing individuals to occupy unused government lands in order to make improvements to them.
Background.
The Republic of Panama is located in Central America between the Republic of Costa Rica and the Republic of Colombia. Its political structure is that of a presidential representative democratic republic with a multi-party system.
Since the Panama Canal opened in 1914, The Economy of Panama has depended on banking, transportation, and the service industry. According to a 2012 report by the U.S. State Department, Panama is open to foreign investment with a generally positive investment climate and "sterling economic success" enjoying high economic growth with expected continuing "strong growth in the years ahead". The World Bank reported Panama has experienced the fastest economic growth in Latin America for the past ten years. In spite of its growing economy, nearly 25% of Panama's population lives in poverty in 2015.
Poverty.
The World Bank states that while Panama has experienced the fastest economic growth since 2006, indigenous children have "significantly less access to basic services such as education, electricity and sanitation than children in rural or urban areas." The World Bank also claims that Panama has the largest inequality of separation between the rich and the poor in the world. Poverty amongst the indigenous areas is "abysmal" where 95% are poor and 86% "live in extreme poverty". In the rural areas away from the cities 65% live in poverty and 39% live in extreme poverty.
According to the Global Brigades, an international non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating health problems and economic disparity, nearly 30% of Panama’s population lives in poverty in rural communities lacking in basic water, health, and education.
Investment security.
According to Christopher Howard who has authored 15 books on retiring and investing in Latin American countries including Panama wrote: "Foreign investment is encouraged by a business oriented government". Professors Edward Jackiewicz and Jim Craine of California State University at Northridge claim that Panama in 2010 found a temporary niche "as a safe place to invest". Panama has a specific law protecting foreign investments called Law 54 of 1998. According to the Panama government, The Foreign Investor Protection Law states that foreign investors have the same rights as nationals in Panama.
The U.S. State Department reported in 2013 that numerous U.S. investors complained about fraud and corruption involved with purchases of titled real properties in Panama. Other possible investment risks are connected to long standing corruption, cronyism, being a zone for cocaine transshipments and drug money laundering, and high exposure to North and South American economic environments.
History: 2006 - present.
Panama's real estate market began to grow in 2006.
2006 - 2007
The building boom began with the proposed skyscraper project called the Palacio de la Bahia , even though it was cancelled in 2006. A second tall skyscraper project was also proposed around the same time. The Ice Tower was to be 104 stories on the seafront Avenue Balboa in Panama City began construction in 2007, but was cancelled later that year. The media publicity regarding both of these projects generated interest in Panama real estate. "The real estate boom in Panama City started in 2006." The failure of the Palacio de la Bahia and Ice Tower skyscraper projects generated a lot of international media publicity.
Panama City's real estate boom really got a lift when Donald Trump announced the construction of a huge hotel, casino, condominium apartments, and office building on the waterfront in 2006. The Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower was to be a $220 million development including a hotel, casino, yacht club, full-service spa and a private beach club. The 70 story Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower building shaped like a ship's sail was to be the most expensive and largest building south of the United States with Donald Trump's name helping Panama's image worldwide. Donald Trump's Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower began construction in 2007 and the hotel officially opened on July 6, 2011.
The former U.S. Howard Air Force Base was to be developed on a specialized economic zone of 1,400 hectares called the Panama Pacifico to be developed by London & Regional Properties from the United Kingdom , with an initial investment of $705 million, which included 20,000 homes, according to the government's Panama Pacific Agency (APP).
Reuters claimed that Panama's construction boom may have been fueled by illegal drug money based on the amount of empty new condominium buildings while construction continued including 9 out of 10 of Latin America's tallest buildings.
Corruption has always been a factor effecting Panama's economy. In February 2007, a study published by Vanderbilt University disclosed the cost of Panama's corruption on its economy was between $600 million and $1.2 billion causing the nation's growth rate to fall 0.5% to 1% in 2006.
Despite all of the positive publicity there were some speculating a real estate bubble would burst because most Panamanians couldn't afford the high prices and not enough foreigners would purchase the expensive new apartments.
The skyscraper construction boom caused abusive conditions by developers against buyers resulting in a Third Court of Appeals of Panama decision dated November 27, 2007 whereby new rules were created to stem the abusive conditions in new construction purchase and sales contracts.
Regardless of the real estate economic boom, The World Bank published a report in 2007 calling for more progress with poverty reduction in Panama.
2008
Spanish real estate developer, Interplus, planned US$280 million real-estate investments in two projects in Panama City's Balboa Avenue." Spanish real estate developer, Marina d'Or, planned a US$18.6 million condominium tower in Panama in 2008. The $246 million investment began for The Hard Rock Hotel in Panama City in 2008. Investors from the U.S., Colombia, Europe, and Mexico were looking to invest in construction projects.
In 2008, Panama's poverty rate remained high in spite of the country's strong economic growth.
2009
The effects of the 2008 global economic crisis had little effect on Panama's housing market compared to other countries. 7,656 new Panama homes were sold from September 2008 to September 2009 with a net of $861 million USD. Every part of Panama was seeing an increase in shopping mall developments in 2009.
Venezuelans deposited over $1.4 billion USD into Panama banks in 2009. Venezuelan capital amounted to $2.5 billion in 2009 in Panama's Colon Free Zone.
According to The Economist, "Panama's income distribution is among the least equal in the world."
2010
Panama's 29 banks were offering up to 98% financing for 30-year mortgages with preferential interest rates including free appraisals and commission waivers in 2010.
The new residential and business park complex, Panama Pacifico, was expected to invest $345 million USD in the next five years.
Panama's real estate market grew in 2010 due to increase in tourism, having U.S. Dollar currency, growing economy, good medical care, and low cost of living. Tourism grew by 6% and it was estimated that 1.9 million would visit Panama in 2011.
Panama was now experiencing a buyer's market because of a condominium over supply. According to the president of Panama's real estate association, there were up to 8,000 unsold luxury apartments while other market observers were claiming as much as 15,000 unsold apartments.
In 2010, Panama's poverty level was 29.8% of its population.
2011
Construction of residential and non-residential properties grew by 64% in April. Panama's Superintendency of Banks (government banking watchdog) issued a study of the real estate market showing growth in the construction sector. Bank loans for commercial construction grew by 32.4% from June 2010 to June 2011.
Fifty skyscrapers had been built or were near completion since 2007 raising questions about over development in Panama City having dreams of first world hope built on third world infrastructures. In spite of the growing economy and proclaimed real estate boom, many new condominium buildings were unoccupied suggesting no tenants and absentee owners with U.S. law enforcement officials believing the construction boom was based on illegal money laundering. Over building of offices created a bubble and the rural poor remained poor as the economic boom had no effect on them. The real estate boom did not help Panama's poor as approximately 1/3 lived in poverty.
2012
Panama's present and future infrastructure projects included a new rail system, new roadways, airport expansion, large-scale event venues, mega shopping malls, and thousands of new hotel rooms. Prices continued to rise in Panama's housing market with no signs of a housing bubble. A group of Panamanian companies called, Convivienda, projected $665 million in sales for 2012 delivering 7,429 new homes. During the first seven months, $918 million of approved building permits for construction projects amounted to a 45.3% increase over the same period in 2011.
President Ricardo Martinelli vetoed items contained in a law passed by the National Assembly which would have curbed abuses by the construction industry against purchasers of new construction properties. The new law intended to prevent developers from taking advantage of purchasers in regards to abandoned projects, delays in completion caused by developers, and limits on how much developers could increase contracted sales prices for increased costs of materials.
Colón, Panama, the largest free zone in Latin America, was a blight of crime and poverty in spite of a booming economy where parts of the population were excluded form its economic success. Panama's economic growth in 2012 did not result in better conditions for its poor due to government policy mistakes leaving no effective policies to reduce poverty.
2013
During January 2013, Panama banks granted $2.92 billion in construction loans, which was more than $89 million than in January 2012. During the first quarter of 2013 building permits rose by 60% totaling $156 million for homes and commercial buildings. During the first half of 2013, luxury office buildings created another construction boom for Panama. The Panama construction sector saw an increase of 427% in construction loans over the past 3 years.
Foreign buyers boost Panama real property prices in anticipation of the completion of the third locks for the Panama Canal. During the first six months in 2013, construction projects values were $956 million which was an increase of $38 million during the same period in 2012. New high-end luxury apartments market had surged over the past five years due to increasing purchase power by Panamanians and foreigners with income expecting higher quality housing. Second homebuyers from Canada, the U.S., Colombia, and Venezuela were buying up a 20-mile beachfront stretch near the resort town of Coronado, Panama.
Rental prices increased dramatically due to the increase of foreigners and multinational companies where rents in Panama City rose 40% over the past five years.
In Panama City 1997 there were around 1,400 hotel rooms and in 2013 there were more than 15,000 rooms with an additional 4,500 rooms under construction. While its economy expanded over the past five years by 50%, Panama still struggled with poverty and crime. The BBC reported that while Panama had the fastest growing economy in Latin America with new buildings going skywards; the poor indigenous communities were not benefitting from the new wealth. While Panama's economy was averaging 9% growth over the past five years, it still had one of the largest disparities between the wealthy and the poor in Latin America.
2014
Panama's economy kept thriving as a banking and regional business hub. In 2013, building permits values increased by 27% and were expected to keep the same pace in 2014 as the construction boom in Panama continued. The New York Times in its April 3, 2014 edition proclaimed: "Panama Capitalizes on Glimmers of Resurgence"
Despite apparent economic growth, office vacancies were soaring at the highest percentage in Latin America.
Corruption in Panama was still a major problem with the Russian mafia controlling prime real properties in Panama City. Panama was a country of contrasts with parts of Panama City compared to Singapore, Miami, and Dubai while others parts were similar to the slums of Rio de Janeiro and parts of the countryside experienced 90% poverty. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that Panama had failed to reduce tax evasion, fraud, and money laundering involving the purchasing of commercial and industrial real properties, other luxury assets, and financial services.
Since taking control of the Panama Canal from the U.S. in 2000 the country had seen dramatic growth with visible prosperity in Panama City, but Panama still suffered from widespread poverty. While Panama prospered over the last 10 years, the benefits were not shared by all where the country's welfare still needed to be lifted.
2015
In 2015, international investors were said to fuel Panama City's real estate growth. Foreign investments in Panama of $1.7 billion in the first quarter of 2015 increased by 32% over the same period in 2014 according to the National Institute of Statistics and Census. Panama City's real estate market was experiencing substantial rising sales and prices. Like Miami, Panama City relied heavily on foreign investors who were finding real estate investments very attractive. "With current and developing projects, Panama was once again proving a boom time for renters of construction equipment." For the first time, Panama City’s real estate market was seeing a significant increase of European buyers, primarily from Italy, Spain and Switzerland.
Panama over built hotel rooms created a crisis in the hotel industry where as much as 70% was discounted for hotel rooms to attract customers.
A Bill before Panama's National Assembly in 2015 sought to tighten money laundering controls as the country remained on the gray list of the Financial Action Task Force(FATF)which negatively effected the nation's economy. A recent International Monetary Fund report indicated that gaps existed in money laundering controls involving real estate agents, insurance brokers, casinos, and lawyers transactions.
Panama needed to get rid of its reputation as a major transit for illegal immigrants and illegal drugs and a money laundering haven while 33% of its population lived in poverty. Panama was still a poverty stricken country. Panama continued to have the highest economic growth rate in the American continent while the Ministry of Finance announced a reduction in the poverty rate over the past year on October 8, yet over 10 percent of the population remains in “extreme poverty”. In spite of the housing boom, construction of luxury apartments made the dream of owning a home further away for the majority of citizens. Panama's Vice-President and the Cabinet Council proposed that the National Assembly pass a new law specifically for the extradition of Russian fugitives.
Real estate ownership.
Titled properties
There are two types of real property ownership. One is the traditional titled deed ownership seen in most countries. The second is called "Rights of Possession" which is the right to occupy government owned properties with the ability to transfer the rights to others.
Similar to "fee simple" title in the U.S., Panama titled property is the most secure method of owning real estate. Title deeds filed with the government's Public Registry verify one's title allowing banks to issue mortgage loans using the property as collateral (finance).
Public registry
Ownership of private property transfers when the title deed is registered with Panama's Public Registry. Liens, mortgages and other security instruments are registered in Panama's Public Registry with online access to most of this information. The link to Panama's Public Registry is: http://www.registro-publico.gob.pa/
Rights of possession
People can take possession of government land to improve it. This is called "Rights of Possession" that can be passed down to the next generation and to the next. These rights can be sold to other parties including foreigners.
Concession properties
Concession (contract) properties are government grants to public property allowing individuals or companies to occupy for a specific purpose such as developing a marina or a hotel. Most concessions are for 20 years and may be renewed. Concessions are popular in coastal areas and government protected lands. The government protects the concession rights through a written contract. Title insurance is available for concession properties. In 2015, a new law was created allowing for marine concession rights to be used by investors as collateral for loans.
Real estate trusts
In 2010, Panama created a new law allowing for Real Estate Trusts, which are based on the U.S. Real estate investment trust (REIT) and made changes to the tax laws in 2014 allowing investors to avoid paying a Capital Gains Tax while the Trust only pays a 5% Dividends Tax. Small investors can join other investors in forming a Real Estate Trust to purchase real estate to develop and lease.
Real estate taxes
Panama has a Property Tax based on the value of the land and its improvements with the maximum annual rate being 2.1% of the total value. Prior to 2012, Panama had several laws exempting certain residential real properties from paying the property tax for 20 years. Starting in 2012, the property tax exemption changed to 15 years for residential properties valued up to $100,000 USD; 10 years for properties valued from $100,000 to $250,000; and a 5-year exemption for properties valued above $250,000. Non-residential and commercial properties enjoy a 10-year exemption.
Panama also has a Title Transfer Tax of 2% of the actual value of the real property imposed when the seller transfers the title to the buyer. There is also a 10% Capital Gains Tax which can be reduced to 5% if owned by a corporation selling its corporate shares instead of title to the property which also avoids the 2% Title Transfer Tax.
Rental income taxes for property owners is exempt for the first $30,000 USD and has a 27% rate on income above that amount. The Capital Gains Tax differs for individuals who only pay a 10% rate while real estate dealers (individuals selling multiple properties per tax year) pay up to 27% and corporations pay a flat 30% rate.
Condominiums
Panama has a Horizontal Property Law for condominiums. This law governs condominium units as well as a condominium building's common areas like the pool, lobby, gym, and social areas. Panama's Public Registry has the Horizontal Property Regime Section where all important documents are recorded such as the land's title deed and the condominium's rules & regulations.
There are Panama laws protecting real property buyers. Law 6 of 2006 prohibits the construction industry from engaging in advertising fraud. In 2007, Panama's Ministry of Housing enacted regulations preventing real estate developers and their promoters from selling or advertising properties before the approval of the project's Master Plan. Panama's National Environmental Authority also has regulations over real estate developments. Panama real estate buyers also are protected by Law 45 of 2007 known as the Consumer Protection Act allowing the Consumer Protection Agency to investigate buyer's complaints against real estate developers and agents.
Condominium hotels
Condo Hotels are popular in Panama especially in Panama City and along the beaches of both coasts. Investors purchase an apartment in either the hotel building or an adjoining apartment building. The developer of the hotel will manage the advertising, renting, and cleaning of the apartment and will share the income with the investor. Users of the apartments will have access to the pool, gym, spa, tennis courts, restaurants, and other hotel amenities.
Real estate brokers
Definition
Panama law defines a real estate broker as one who professionally and habitually operates as an agent, intermediary, mediator, or representative in real estate transactions. The law excludes people who work as administrators, promoters, maintenance providers, and rent collectors working for a licensed real estate broker. Because of these exceptions, many foreigners work as promoters for Panama real estate companies.
Licensing
A Panama real estate agent (broker) license is only available to a Panama citizen or a foreign resident (of at least five years) who must take required courses and pass a written examination administered by the Ministry of Industry & Commerce; obtain a $10,000 bond covering malpractice claims; pay a $25 annual fee; obtain a police record showing no felonies were committed; and obtain a Power of Attorney.
Realtors in Panama
In order to become a "Realtor" a licensed real estate broker must be a member of the Panamanian Association of Real Estate Brokers and Developers (ACOBIR) and then apply to be a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Law governing real estate brokers in English
Here is a link to the translation from Spanish to English of The Law Governing Real Estate Agents in Panama: http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20070303100422247
Multiple listing service in Panama
Not until 2014 did Panama start its first Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for real estate offices and agents to share their listings with each other and to have a system for sharing a commission (remuneration) when sales occur. The MLS was created by the Panama Association of Brokers and Real Estate Developers (ACOBIR) in existence since 1973.
Mortgages
Panama banks offer a real estate mortgage to its citizens and foreigners. Foreigners will pay a higher interest rate and can obtain up to 75% financing and can qualify if they have good credit.
Escrow companies
Panama has a few escrow companies, which will collect the buyer's payments and hold them until the seller transfers the property's title to the buyer. The escrow company will perform a title search to make sure no liens or encumbrances exist, verify that the seller is the true owner, and will pay the real estate commission and other costs spelled out in the Buy-Sell Contract.
Title insurance
The first title insurance company in Panama was Chicago Title Insurance Company from the U.S. Title insurance is available in Panama to protect buyers from liens, encumbrances, and defects to the title.
Developing real estate
Panama's urban areas are divided by zoning codes setting forth the type of construction, area and height restrictions, density, allowable activities, and parking spaces. Areas are divided into commercial, residential, or mixed usage. These codes must be followed in order for a real estate development or a builder to obtain a construction permit and an occupancy permit. A builder needs to obtain approval from eight government agencies in order to begin construction of real property in Panama.
Renting properties
Real estate leases are governed by the Civil Code of 1917, which covers most residential leases and all commercial and industrial leases. The security deposit for a residential rental is deposited with the Ministry of Housing along with the rental agreement and the security deposit is returned to the tenant after the lease expires unless the property owner claims property damage or past due rent payments. The tenant can terminate the lease before it expires with at least 30 days written notice before the next rent payment. Property owners cannot terminate leases early.


Leucostethus

Leucostethus is a genus of frogs in the family Dendrobatidae, in the subfamily Colostethinae. The frogs are found in the western Amazon rainforest.
The members of this genus are unique among the Colostethinae in that both males and females lack dark colouration on the ventral part of their bodies. The genus is named combining the Greek words "leukos" ('white') and "stethos" ('chest').
There are six species in this genus.


Kim Raisner

Kim Raisner (born December 30, 1972 in West Berlin) is a retired modern pentathlete from Germany. She competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, where she finished fifth in the women's event with a score of 5,312 points. She won the bronze medal in the 1999 world modern pentathlon world championships.
Raisner is currently coaching the women's national modern pentathlon team since her retirement in 2005, and works as a part-time physiotherapist. She is also the head coach for her compatriot Lena Schöneborn, who led her team to win the team relay gold medal at the 2005 World Modern Pentathlon Championships in Warsaw, Poland, and later became an Olympic champion for the women's event in 2008.


Snow shovel

A snow shovel is a shovel designed for snow removal. Snow shovels come in several different designs, each of which is designed to move snow in a different way. Removing snow with a snow shovel has health risks, but can also have significant health benefits when the snow shovel is used correctly, especially when a modern kind of snow shovel is used that lets one remove snow without lifting it. These include snow sled shovels, also called "snow scoops" and "sleigh shovels", which are large and deep hopper-like implements fitted with a wide handle and designed to scoop up a load of snow and slide it to another location without lifting.
History.
The earliest known snow shovel was found in a bog in Russia. Estimated to be 6,000 years old, its blade was made from a carved elk antler section. According to archaeologists, the antler piece was tied to a wood or bone handle.
Features.
All snow shovels consist of a handle and a scoop. Sometimes there may be a shaft connecting handle and scoop, while in other snow shovels, the handle is extended and attaches directly to the scoop.
Most snow shovels are designed for either pushing snow or lifting snow, although some are crossovers which can do either job. Some snow shovel scoops have sharpened blades which can chip away and lever up slabs of ice.
Handles may be straight or bent. Straight handles make the pushing angle easier to adjust and snow throwing easier compared to a bent handle. Long handles enable the user to leverage their weight for pushing snow, but shorter handles make tossing snow easier. Plastic and fiberglass handles are lightweight, while wood handles are heavy. Metal handles conduct heat away from the hands more readily than other kinds of handles, so they feel colder.
Some handles include a D-shaped grip or padded grip at the end of the handle. There may also be extra grips in the middle of the handle to assist with the snow shovel's lever action when lifting snow.
Snow shovels designed for lifting snow generally have smaller scoops than snow shovels designed for throwing snow. A typical push-type shovel scoop would be about 24 inches across with a wide, blunt blade, while a lift-type shovel scoop may be half that size. A narrower scoop makes the removal of deep, wet, or heavy snow easier. Scoops with a large curve can carry more snow, while those with a shallow curve are intended to push snow rather than carry it. Metal scoops are studier than plastic but heavier, and they also require more maintenance. Steel and steel-edged scoops are heavier than aluminum or plastic, but are also more durable. Although they are very good for dealing with ice, they can also damage delicate outdoor home surfaces.
Many homeowners who deal with large amounts of snow have multiple snow shovels for different types of snow. If lifting is a concern, then they may choose separate shovels for lifting versus pushing. Otherwise, users may wish to have a shovel for fresh light snow and another one to manage icy hard snow.
Safe usage.
Shoveling snow is hard work. In a single winter, shoveling a typical driveway can involve moving more than 25 tons of snow. Health risks associated with shoveling snow include heart attacks (myocardial infarction), worsening of existing breathing issues, sprains and strains, slips and falls, back injuries, hypothermia and frostbite, and accidents involving road traffic.
Persons doing snow shoveling can reduce their risk of injury by shoveling snow when it is fresh and light. Slip-resistant boots protect against user falls. Appropriate clothing prevents hypothermia and frostbite. Ideal snow shoveling clothing for the rest of the body is lightweight, layered, and water-repellent to increase ventilation while maintaining insulation.
Proper snow throwing technique minimizes strains and back injuries. Recommended technique is that when lifting snow, the user bends their knees to collect the snow while maintaining a straight back, then straightening the legs to stand and lift. It is best to lift snow by using the shovel as a lever. Never lift snow with a side-twisting motion, as that can lead to injury.
Shoveling snow is a known trigger for myocardial infarction among people at risk for heart problems and who do not regularly engage in strenuous physical activity. People who suffer from pre-existing heart or breathing problems should consult their doctor before shoveling snow.
When done correctly, snow shoveling can provide good exercise. One hour of shoveling snow can burn 600 calories. Shoveling snow also builds bone and muscle mass and is a good form of aerobic exercise.
In popular culture.
"In Advance of the Broken Arm", a 1915 readymade sculpture from Marcel Duchamp, consisted of a regular snow shovel with "from Marcel Duchamp 1915" painted on the handle. The artwork, which used to hang in Duchamp's studio, is now lost.


High Acres Landfill


Agriculture Retention and Development Act

The Agriculture Retention and Development Act of 1981 bought permanent deed restrictions on New Jersey farms so that they had to always remain as farms, and could never be sold for housing or for non-farming commercial development.
History.
In 1976 the state started a pilot program. The effect was to slow farmland loss in the state. By 1994 it had saved .


Frank Treasure

Francis William "Frank" Treasure, Sr. (10 January 1925 – 9 April 1998) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the South Fremantle Football Club in the Western Australian National Football League (WANFL). He also represented Western Australia in five interstate matches. Treasure was inducted into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Career.
Treasure began his career playing for CBC in the Fremantle Ex-Scholars' competition. He participated in 1942 and 1943 for in the Western Australian National Football League (WANFL), which was restricted to players under the age of 18 for the duration of World War II. He joined the Australian Army in February 1943 as a corporal in the 47th Battalion, serving until the end of the war, and playing in several army football teams in New Guinea.
Treasure rejoined South Fremantle for the 1946 season. He played mainly as a half-back flanker, gaining selection in the Western Australian state team in 1949. Treasure finished second in the 1951 Sandover Medal to 's Fred Buttsworth, won South Fremantle's best and fairest and was again selected in the state team. He was elected captain of South Fremantle for the 1954 season, serving in that role until the end of the 1955 season, when he accepted a position as playing coach of the Coolamon Rovers Football Club in the South Western District Football League (SWDFL) in New South Wales. Treasure returned to South Fremantle for the 1957 season, retiring at the end of the season. In total, he played 254 games for South Fremantle, at the time a club record.
Treasure accepted a position as coach of the Meckering Football Club in the Avon Football Association (AFA) in 1958, winning a premiership in his first season. He returned to Fremantle in 1961, and held various positions at South Fremantle, including selector and property manager. His son, Frank Treasure, Jr., played 61 games for South Fremantle from 1974 to 1977.
Treasure died of mesothelioma in April 1998, aged 73. He was inducted into the Fremantle Football Hall of Legends in 1998, and into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2010.


Water Engineers for the Americas

Water Engineers for the Americas (WEFTA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2002.
In rural populations around the world, approximately 15% of people do not have access to improved water systems, and between 30-50% have unimproved sanitation systems. Focusing on Latin American communities, WEFTA's mission is to ensure access to potable water and proper sanitation, reduce waterborne diseases, protect the environment, and lessen the burden of hauling and disinfecting water on families, especially the women and children.
Structure.
WEFTA is an all-volunteer organization. The volunteer board of directors is made up of water engineers and community development professionals from several firms in the southwest United States, most notably Souder Miller & Associates (New Mexico) and Aqua Engineering (Utah). Engineers from these and other firms donate their expertise to help communities in Latin America build and maintain simple, inexpensive potable water and basic sanitation systems. Volunteers use vacation time or are on loan from their companies while on assignment. WEFTA works only when requested by the benefitting community, which covers the volunteer’s expenses on the ground. Transportation to projects is donated by individuals and through grants to cover overhead expenses through the Wallace Genetic Foundation. WEFTA also partners with UniversalGiving to raise fund for projects. 100% of any other donations received by WEFTA go directly to fund material costs for projects (such as PVC pipe, hand pumps, water purifiers, etc.).
How it Works.
A community needing water or sanitation generally hears about WEFTA through word of mouth. A leader of that community fills out an application and submits it to WEFTA in Santa Fe or to a local WEFTA volunteer. Before committing to a project, a WEFTA member meets with the entire community to identify the community leader who will manage the role of the beneficiaries of the project. The local community must collect 30-40% of the material cost of the project or apply for these funds from their municipalities or regional governments. WEFTA often matches these funds, which are low due to the low-tech nature of the projects. The community performs all unskilled labor and also collects materials such as gravel or sand, depending on the project. One or more water engineers visit and live within the community and design the simplest, most easy to maintain system possible to provide potable water and/or basic sanitation. The volunteer stays until the project is completed and WEFTA returns approximately every two years to ensure that the system is still functioning and is well maintained. Once a community is engaged with WEFTA, WEFTA guarantees to maintain and repair the water system for life with the help of the community.
Work to Date.
In 2011, WEFTA was invited by a group of municipalities in the Urubamba Valley of Peru—the Sacred Valley of the Incas and site of a quickly developing tourism industry—to devise a simple solution for waste water treatment of the polluted Urubamba river. WEFTA representatives have made several trips there and submitted plans to use cheap, effective organic biodigesters to replace the costly and inefficient traditional chemical or filtration plants.
In November 2013, WEFTA entered into a partnership with USAID-ACCESO to promote health and livelihoods of over 300,000 residents of western Honduras with WEFTA upgrading and building new water system worth approximately US$350,000 to achieve those ends.
As of May 2014, WEFTA has completed 62 projects in seven countries (Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Peru). These projects have directly provided approximately 3,400 families (17,000 individuals) with potable water and/or basic sanitation or waste water treatment. WEFTA has worked with partners around the country and at the request of Save the Children in Honduras, Habitat for Humanity in Guatemala and Peru, Lutheran World Relief, and Homes from the Heart.
In addition to designing and building water systems, WEFTA also provides training and education to partners in the countries it serves, seeking to empower local engineers and technicians to carry forward the work WEFTA has started with community-based, self-help projects. WEFTA has also held several WASH-in-Schools programs and built toilet, shower and drinking-water facilities for regional schools in Peru and Bolivia.


Leslie Fox (GC)

Leslie Owen Fox (4 December 1904 – 26 December 1982) was awarded the George Cross for '...performing his duty in a most gallant and determined manner' when rescuing an injured man from a bombsite in Fulham on the 20 February 1944.
20 February 1944.
Leslie Owen Fox, a carpenter by trade, was a Deputy Leader in the West Kensington Heavy Rescue Squad. The Heavy Rescue Squad was a Civil Defence Service brigade detailed to make bombed out buildings as safe as possible so rescue of any trapped people could be attempted.
The squad is usually composed of a bricklayer, a plumber, an electrician and a group of general labourers, all of whom completed a first aid course.
On the 20 February 1945, Fox was called to the neighbouring borough of Fulham where a number of houses had been destroyed and incendiaries had set fire to the wreckage. Beneath the rubble cries of a trapped man could be heard and Fox started to tunnel towards him.
Fox had to dig while being sprayed with water to prevent him being burned by the fires around him. After two hours of digging he managed to burrow and located two people. Fox returned to his comrades to discuss how to extricate the man but his tunnel then collapsed. Undeterred, he started digging again and soon shored up the tunnel which allowed a trained first aider to enter and see to the injured man, who was subsequently safely removed.
George Cross citation.
Notice of his award was published in the London Gazette on the 20 February 1945.
Sale of medal.
Fox's George Cross was sold in June, 2008 and reached a hammer price of £20,000.


Sri Lanka Police Weeratha Padakkama

The Sri Lanka Police Weeratha Padakkama ("Sri Lanka Police Police Gallantry Medal") is awarded to police officers in Sri Lanka for gallantry or brave performance of duty. It is awarded by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). The medal replaced the Ceylon Police Medal for Gallantry which was awarded until Ceylon became a Republic in 1972.


George Fencl Award


Maryland-National Capital Park Police

The Maryland-National Capital Park Police (MNCPP) is the law enforcement branch of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) and has two divisions, one in Prince George's County and one in Montgomery County in Maryland. The MNCPP in Prince George's County is also known as "Maryland Park Police" or "Maryland Park." The MNCPP in Montgomery County is known as "The Montgomery County Park Police"
History.
The Maryland Park Police was created by the MNCPPC in 1953 by legislation to patrol and police all of the designated parks in Prince George's and Montgomery counties. For the first two years of its existence, Maryland Park officers had only a single car to share and had to use it until it became defunct.
Duties.
The MNCPP is a full-service, bi-county agency charged with investigating crimes and traffic infractions committed within MNCPPC jurisdiction.
Fleet.
The Maryland Park Police use a fleet of Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors, Harley Davidson Police Edition Motorcycles, Ford Taurus, Ford Explorers, Chevrolet Impala, Chevy Tahoes, Dodge Chargers, ATVs, mountain bikes, and horses.


W Boston Hotel and Residences

The W BOSTON Hotel and Residences is a 301-feet-tall tower (92 m) located in the Boston Theater District of Downtown/Midtown neighborhood, Boston, Massachusetts (USA). The 26-story building, completed in 2009, is a mixed-use development with hotel, condo, restaurant, spa, retail, and bar components.
W BOSTON is located across the street from the Boston Transportation Building, with the official address of 100 Stuart Street. It is managed by Marriott International as part of the W Hotel chain and was W Hotel's 35th hotel, opening in October 2009. The development comprises one restaurant, MARKET by Jean Georges (Closed), two bars, W Lounge and TUNNEL (formerly DESCENT, closed), the latter being the destination bar, a spa, BLISS, a retail store, W Hotels The Store (Closed), the 235-room hotel, on floors 3-13, and 123 branded luxury residential condominiums, on floors 14-26.
The architecture firms that designed the W BOSTON Hotel and Residences are William Rawn Associates, Architects Inc. and TRO Jung Brannen Inc. The interiors are designed by Bentel and Bentel Architects. The building is developed by Sawyer Enterprises.
Development.
In 2001, originally known as the Loews Project, the developer Sawyer Enterprises was set to construct the Loews Hotel on the site of the now W Boston. However, after 9/11 all projects were stalled. In 2007, the project was revived and W Hotels became the new hotel to be on site. The original plan for an all-hotel building was restructured into a mixed-use development. The fall of 2007, W Boston broke ground. The building was completed by early 2009. However, as the hotel was set to open in late summer/fall, developer lacked funding to furnish the remaining the hotel rooms, install fixtures for the residences, or complete the remaining public spaces of the hotel including the bar and restaurant spaces to the standards that people expected from the W Brand. If uncompleted, the hotel would not be allowed to open on time. As the City of Boston offered a program to revive stalled projects during the tough economic times, the W Boston project was granted an additional $10 million to finish the remaining spaces. W Boston finally opened October 29, 2009.
Hotel.
W BOSTON.
Opened in the fall of 2009, the 235-room hotel has seven room classes including two WOW Suites and one "Extreme WOW" Suite. These suites are the hotel's specialty suites.
W Hotels The Store.
The hotel's gift shop which sold clothing, jewelry, toys, etc. After being open for just two years, due to slow business as well as a chain-wide decision, the store closed September 2011.
MARKET By Jean Georges.
Three Michelin Star Chef, Jean Georges Vongerichten's fine dining restaurant in W Boston. Opened in November 2009.
In December 2013, Market announced that it would close. The Last dinner service was December 21.
BLISS Spa.
New York based spa, integral of the W Hotels Chain. Opened Spring/Summer 2010
W Lounge.
Originally called 'The Living Room', the W Lounge is part W Boston's lobby area.
DESCENT.
Underground Destination Bar/Lounge/Nightclub, Opened November 2011. Near the end of December 2012, Descent closed down for what the W Boston calls a "re-invigoration." Plans for a re-opening or a new bar took place during 2013.
James Joseph Salon.
A Newbury Street salon opened October 2012 on Level 1 of where the Bliss retail space used to be.
The Boston Sun Glass Company.
Opened November 2012, a sun glass retail store in the space of the original W Hotels The Store.
TUNNEL.
Opened October 10, 2013, TUNNEL is a bar, located in the former DESCENT space. The owner is Brian Lesser of The Speakeasy Group who also runs Storyville, Tavern Road, Vine Brook Tavern, Alden and Harlow, Sweet Cheeks in the Boston area.
Condo.
The Residences at W Boston.
A branded, full service condominium building comprising 123 private residences. Located on the upper floors of the building, residents have access to all components of the hotel including the hotel gym, FIT. Residents have their own private, separate entrance, lobby, and elevators. Initial prices ranged from $400s to $4.55mm.
2013 HGTV Urban Oasis.
For the location of the 2013 HGTV Urban Oasis, The Residences at the W Boston was chosen. The sweepstakes gave away a 1-bedroom, 1 ½-bath 1,000-square-foot residence located on the 24th floor of the Residences at W Boston and all-new 2014 Acura MDX, with the total prize package worth over 1 million.
April 2010 bankruptcy.
Due to slow sales of the condos and weak hotel economy during the fall of 2009, the developer filed for Ch 11 Bankruptcy Protection April 2010. The developer came out of the bankruptcy the summer of 2011, after winning court battle with Prudential Insurance, which sought foreclosure on the development.
Sale of W Hotel Boston.
The hotel component was sold in March 2011 to Pebblebrook Hotel Trust at the price of $89.5 million. The residential component is still owned by Sawyer Enterprises.
October 2012 bankruptcy reversal.
Early October 2012, the appeals court reversed the previous ruling of the allowance of SW Boston to exit bankruptcy.
April 2014 bankruptcy case resolution.
In April 2014, the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals remained in favor of the bankruptcy judge who blocked efforts by the Prudential Insurance Co. of America to foreclose on the remaining condominiums owned by developer SW Boston at the W Boston Hotel & Residences, ending the legal back and forth over SW's post-bankruptcy reorganization plan.


Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue

The Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (Redningsselskapet in Norwegian, commonly shortened to RS) is the only organization wholly dedicated to assisting people and vessels at sea along the extensive Norwegian coastline.
Overview.
Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue is a charity organization funded partly by membership fees, partly by donations, and partly by government subsidies. It employs 197 professional seamen, 60 at the head office in Oslo, and 14 in the regional branches. The organization has 4,200 volunteers, and around 111,000 paying members. Pleasure craft owners can sign up for a "totalmedlemsskap" (Total Membership), a service and assistance package deal.
The organization's vision is "None Shall Drown".
The organization publishes the quarterly magazine "RS-Magasinet".
Vessels.
The organization operates 51 vessels stationed along the Norwegian coastline, as well as one each stationed on the lakes of Femunden and Mjøsa. 26 of the rescue craft along the coast are larger, permanently manned, sea-going, aluminium-hulled craft called "redningsskøyte" (Rescue Cruisers). The other are smaller craft manned by voluntary "sjøredningskorps" (Rescue Corps).
There were 7,869 launches in 2017, assisting 21,190 persons, including saving 35 lives and 111 vessels.
The organization also operates four ambulance vessels on the coast of Helgeland and Nordland.
Official mascot.
The society's official mascot is Elias the Little Rescue Boat, who is the main character of an animated series on national television, books and merchandise. Elias is used by local chapters of the society to teach children about safety at sea. The TV series were nominated for best children's TV series in the Emmy Awards.
History.
Inspired by the British RNLI, the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue was founded by the "Kristiania Kjøbmannsforening" (Kristiania Merchant's Association) in Kristiania (now Oslo) 9 July 1891, with the goal of increasing safety at sea by rescuing lives and property. The first rescue boat went into service in 1893.
All vessels names carry the prefix "RS" (for "Redningsskøyte") and a number. Until 1893 the organization used pilot craft designed by Colin Archer. The first boat purpose-built for the organization was RS 5 Liv, which was the result of a design competition won by Christian Stephansen. After some design changes by Colin Archer, the craft was built in 1893–1894. She served until 1934, rescuing 132 lives, saved 41 ships and assisted 1338 others.
The first ship class commissioned by the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue was the Colin Archer class, designed by Colin Archer but drawing heavily on experience from the work with "Liv". The first ship of the class, "'RS 1 Colin Archer" was launched in 1894. It served until 1933, rescued 274 lives and 67 ships, and assisted 1522 ships.
The extremely rugged Colin Archer class sailing vessels became iconic in Norway, and to this day several of the class are used as private pleasure craft, or preserved in museums. The class is still popular today, and vessels are still built based on Archer's drawings.
An updated and motorized design by Bjarne Aas was launched in 1932, with RS 38 Biskop Hvoslef being the first in class.


IMO 4907062


Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training program

The Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training program (JOBS) was a welfare-to-work program created by the Family Support Act of 1988 to replace the Work Incentive program (WIN) created by the Social Security Act Amendments of 1967. The Family Support Act put the program under titles IV-A and IV-F of the Social Security Act, and the regulations were codified at .
JOBS was replaced by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in 1997 pursuant to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996.
References.
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Charles Reed (footballer)

Charles Reed (24 October 1882 – 1950) was an English footballer who played as a left back in the Football League for Barnsley and Clapton Orient and in non-league football for Sunderland West End, Darlington and Sunderland Rovers.
Life and career.
Reed was born in 1882 in Sunderland, a son of William Reed, a flour miller, and his wife Elizabeth. The 1901 Census shows the 18-year-old Reed living in Sunderland with his parents and ten siblings and apprenticed as a caulker.
He played football for Sunderland West End before signing for Barnsley as "a promising left full-back" in May 1905. He made his club and Football League debut on 23 September 1905, replacing George Stacey at left back for a Second Division match at home to Burslem Port Vale which Barnsley won 4–0. He went on to make 15 appearances in league and FA Cup, and was offered a further year despite reports that "the strains of Second Division football proved too much for him", but terms could not be agreed and he returned to Sunderland West End for 1906–07.
A year later, "now expected to bear out his early promise", Reed rejoined Barnsley. He had a run of 16 matches between mid-October and mid-January, but lost his place to Albert Milton and appeared just once more. Reed spent the 1908–09 season with North-Eastern League club Darlington, and then returned to the Football League with Clapton Orient. He played twice in their 1909–10 Second Division campaign, but would not re-sign for 1910–11 because Orient would not pay him over the summer. He returned to Sunderland where he resumed his North-Eastern League career in October 1910 with Sunderland Rovers.
The 1911 Census shows Reed living in the parental home in Lime Street, Sunderland, and working as a shipbuilders' caulker cutter. The 1939 Register finds Reed living with his wife Emily and a daughter of working age in Robinson Street, Hendon. Reed was employed as a road labourer for Sunderland Corporation and also acting as an ARP warden, while Emily was an office caretaker. Reed died in 1950; his death at the age of 67 was registered in the Durham Eastern district in the second quarter of that year.


Pilsen Neighbors Community Council

Pilsen Neighbors Community Council is a grassroots organization that was founded in 1954. Its organizing efforts focus on civil rights issues such as education, health care, housing and immigration reform. They are responsible for ground breaking events in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. PNCC was the lead organization in helping build Alivio Medical Center, that is now a very important institution in the Pilsen neighborhood. They are also instrumental in the building of Benito Juarez High School.
PNCC focuses on developing new community leaders through its network of "Core Teams". PNCC has worked in alliance with Churches, other community-based organizations and schools to make its voice heard on a path to citizenship, education funding reform, economic development, and universal healthcare.
Through its network of core teams, PNCC trains and equips clergy, principals and neighborhood leaders to organize residents who desire a voice in public policy decisions affecting their lives. PNCC has been the vehicle through which residents have organized and won many victories, among them, Eighteenth Street Development Corporation, Benito Juarez High School, El Valor Corporation, Esperanza School, Pilsen Alliance and a handful of local schools.
Mission and goals.
Mission statement
"Pilsen Neighbors works to establish policies and practices in the Pilsen and Southwest Areas that bring about justice and equity; and empower the faith community investing the development of leaders, and pastors through training and action."
PNCC's goals are to:
History.
In 1954, on Chicago’s near west side, a new civic organization called Pilsen Neighbors Community Council (PNCC) emerged as Eastern European immigrants banded together to confront their community’s most pressing needs. In the late sixties and early seventies, the Pilsen neighborhood underwent a major demographic change with a dramatic influx of newly arriving immigrants from Mexico. These new arrivals transformed the Pilsen community and PNCC was reinvigorated by the new group of residents and switched from providing social services to a more vocal, organizing engine. Our banner was now being raised to rally residents on grass-roots community action. This new process brought PNCC to the front-line on many issues and a series of great successes.
Fiesta del Sol.
Fiesta del Sol is an annual fund raising event organized by the Pilsen Neighbors Community Council (PNCC). In 1972 Fiesta de Sol began as a celebration to commemorate PNCC’s role in securing the city’s commitment to building Benito Juarez High School. Today, Fiesta del Sol continues to reflect PNCC’s desire for social transformation reflected in community organizing.
Starting off as a block party Fiesta del Sol has evolved into a nationally publicized event with an attendance of over 1.3 million people during the four-day event. In addition unlike other festivals, Fiesta del Sol is alcohol and tobacco-free.
Teresa Fraga, a long time PNCC board member and leader says, “The sun is a vital symbol to the Mexican-American people.” Although there is no written statement which would confirm this, the name “Fiesta del Sol” is indeed representative of many things Mexican.
During the 1980s Fiesta del Sol hosted the “Voladores de Papantla” (The Flyers), a group of four men who “fly” upside down from a 75-foot tree pole secured by a rope that is tied around their waists. The 1500-year-old rite is a sacred homage to Quetzalcoatl, the Morning Star. The flyers were led by a priest dressed in red and white (to represent the sun), into a circle which rotates at the top of the pole–the priest sits at the center. The symbolism is tied with the connection to the importance of nourishing the soil for cultivation of crops and their knowledge of Astronomy and the Universe. The ritual is combined with dance, music, poetry and art.
“Immigrants are the people who toil the soil.” We are people who work under the sun…and we also celebrate under the sun.” To Fraga, the name “Fiesta del Sol” seems only “natural.”
Moreover, the sun is a universal symbol representing power, vitality and strength. PNCC continues to evoke that positive energy through Fiesta del Sol every year.
References.
http://pilsenneighbors.org/beta/press-room
http://fiestadelsol.org/index.php/about-fiesta


IMO 2226583


IMO 5008356


Montana Stream Access Law

The Montana Stream Access Law says that anglers, floaters and other recreationists in Montana have full use of most natural waterways between the high-water marks for fishing and floating, along with swimming and other river or stream-related activities. In 1984, the Montana Supreme Court held that the streambed of any river or stream that has the capability to be used for recreation can be accessed by the public regardless of whether the river is navigable or who owns the streambed property. On January 16, 2014, the Montana Supreme Court, in a lawsuit filed by the Public Land/Water Access Association over access via county bridges on the Ruby river in Madison County, Montana reaffirmed the Montana Stream Access Law and the public's right to access rivers in Montana from public easements.
Details of Stream Access.
The core law creating the Montana Stream Access law began with Article IX, section 3 of the 1972 Montana Constitution, which addressed state ownership of Montana waters. In 1984 in "Montana Coalition for Stream Access, Inc. v. Curran," the Montana Supreme Court held that "under the public trust doctrine and the 1972 Montana Constitution, any surface waters that are capable of recreational use may be so used by the public without regard to streambed ownership or navigability for nonrecreational purposes." This decision was expanded upon in the same year by "Mont. Coalition for Stream Access, Inc. v. Hildreth". Both cases noted that streambed access did not imply that the public had a right to cross private lands to access streams. Following "Curran" and "Hildreth", the Montana Legislature enacted the Stream Access Law in 1985. An Attorney General's opinion added trapping to the list of permissible recreational uses. The question of stream access at bridge crossings was resolved by HB 190 in 2009. The law states that a landowner may erect fences abutting bridge structures to control livestock so long as the fence includes approved access features such as gates, stiles etc..
Classification of waters.
The law creates two classifications of waters capable of recreational use: Class I and Class II. Class I are waters which are capable of recreational use and have been declared navigable or which are capable of specific kinds of commercial activity including commercial outfitting with multi-person watercraft. Class II waters are all other rivers and streams capable of recreational use that are not Class I waters.
Class I Waters


Paruwrobates

Paruwrobates is a genus of frogs in the family Dendrobatidae. The frogs are found in the Pacific slopes of the Andes in southern Colombia and northern Ecuador.
There are three species in "Paruwrobates":


Anne Naysmith

Anne Naysmith ("née" Smith; 1937 – 10 February 2015) was a British classical pianist who became notable later in life for sleeping rough in Chiswick, West London.
She was born in Southend-on-Sea, Essex in 1937. Her family moved to Hounslow, West London when she was eight. The 'Nay' was added much later.
Naysmith studied with Harold Craxton and Liza Fuchsova at the Royal Academy of Music, and gave a well received recital at Wigmore Hall in 1967, but experienced personal difficulties in the late 1960s and was evicted from her house in Prebend Gardens, Chiswick. Following her eviction Naymsith slept in her car, a Ford Consul, for 26 years until 2002 when it was towed away following campaigning from neighbours to have it removed. Naysmith then lived in a handmade shelter next to Stamford Brook Underground station.
"The Guardian" noted parallels with Mary Shepherd, the subject of Alan Bennett's 1999 play "The Lady in the Van", who had also been a classical pianist.
At 01:00 on 10 February 2015 Naysmith died after being struck by a lorry on Chiswick High Road. Naysmith was buried at Chiswick New Cemetery on 7 March 2015.


Life Saving Medal (Vietnam)

The Life Saving Medal () was a medal awarded by the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) during the years of the Vietnam War.
It was awarded, or posthumously awarded, to military personnel of all grades, government officials and civilians who exhibited extreme bravery in risking their lives to rescue other people in distress. The Life Saving Medal was also intended for foreigners who risked their lives to rescue Vietnamese citizens in distress. An example of this was the awarding of the Life Saving Medal to Major Rex Clark, an Australian Army officer, for rescuing a young girl who was drowning in Da Nang harbour.
The Life Saving Medal had only one class and was awarded by authority of the Chief of Joint General Staff of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, and presented by the President of the Republic of Vietnam.
Australians who received this award were allowed to wear it in uniform.


Kent v Kavanagh

 is an English land law case, concerning easements. It concerns physically shared amenities with physically divided ownership as to the land or surface on which they rest.
Facts.
Constructed in 1907, numbers 56 and 58 in a semi-detached housing estate were built with a path between them, giving access from a road to the back gardens. The boundary between the two was the mid line of the path. On 14 May 1976 the estate owners sold number 56 to the tenants under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 section 8 i.e. the lessees (tenants) exercised their rights to leasehold enfranchisement (purchase the freehold underlying their house). The tenants had not required an express right of way be included under LRA 1967, section 10(3)(a). In October 1976 number 58 was also enfranchised. In 2003, the occupants of number 56 sued number 58 for a right of way.
The learned judge at first instance rejected the claim that any right appertained to number 56 under the Law of Property Act 1925, section 62(2) because there was no evidence the path was used for gaining access to the back garden at the time of the conveyance. But he accepted an easement over the path should be implied into the 14 May 1976 conveyance under "Wheeldon v Burrows" because it was necessary for reasonable enjoyment.
Judgment.
Chadwick LJ held that there was no difficulty in implying into each lease the grant and reservation of reciprocal rights to share the pathway.
The alternative type of implied easements, under "Wheeldon v Burrows", did not apply where between the land conveyed and that retained, there was common ownership, but not common occupation. There needed to be both. Hence it is inapplicable to standard leasehold enfranchisement.


Chief Coastguard

In many territories and countries worldwide the Chief Coastguard is the highest-ranking officer of the Coastguard Service. Chief Coastguards are responsible for the policy, planning and execution of a Coastguard Service. In some countries this means that the Chief Coastguard is "de facto" Chief Executive officer of the Coastguard Service, although more commonly the Chief Coastguard reports to a government minister or executive agency, board or committee.
HM Chief Coastguard (United Kingdom).
Function.
In the United Kingdom, the head of the operational Coastguard service bears the title "Her Majesty's Chief Coastguard", usually shortened to simply "Chief Coastguard". When in uniform he or she wears markings similar to those of a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy. The Chief Coastguard is the most senior member of the Coastguard service; he or she reports to the Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (who is a civil servant, and not an operational coastguard), who in turn reports direct to the United Kingdom Government through the Secretary of State for Transport.
According to the official website of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the functions of the Chief Coastguard are to co-ordinate five main tasks:
Recent office holders.
John Astbury became Chief Coastguard in 1996 and combined this post with that of Director of Operations for the newly formed MCA in 1998. He retained this post until he became Chief Executive of the MCA in 2007: he was appointed a CBE in 2005. He was succeeded by Peter Dymond in 2007.
Peter Dymond retired from the office of Chief Coastguard in 2009, and was appointed OBE for his meritorious service. He was replaced by Chief Coastguard Rod Johnson, who served until 2013. Pending the appointment of a new Chief Coastguard, Mr Dymond returned to the role as Acting Chief Coastguard until he retired in and was succeeded by Richard Martin, OBE, JP.
Chief Coastguard's Commendation (award).
Members of HM Coastguard are entitled to receive long service awards after stated periods of continuous service, but the Chief Coastguard is empowered to award the additional "Chief Coastguard's Commendation" as an award for bravery, or for exceptionally meritorious service. There are usually several annual awards of such commendations. During 2009, for example, a total of six awards were made.


Neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis

Neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis (NEH) usually is a cutaneous complication of chemotherapy, but it can also occur for other reasons. It consists of fever and non specific skin lesions. It is rare, and self-limited.
Signs and symptoms.
Fever and a non specific skin eruption – with reddening (erythema) and swelling (oedema) of the skin – are the most common symptoms of NEH. Patients usually present with the skin eruption 1-2 weeks after use of the cytotoxic drug. Sometimes, the skin eruption can be painful. Skin eruptions can be located on the extremities, trunk, and face. Severe lesions are rare, and can mimic cellulitis. Generalised lesions resembling erythema multiforme have been reported.
Cause.
The overwhelming majority of neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis (NEH) is seen in people with cancer, especially leukaemia, who receive chemotherapy with a cytotoxic drug. These include: Bleomycin, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, doxorubicin, lomustine, mitoxantrone, topotecan, and vincristine.
NEH was first described in 1982 in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who had received cytarabine as chemotherapy.
Cancer itself, infections, and other medicinal drugs also can lead to NEH. NEH has been reported in patients with cancer who have not received any form of chemotherapy (i.e., as a paraneoplastic syndrome), in patients with HIV and/or AIDS, and after the use of paracetamol (acetaminophen). Also the use of targeted agents can lead to NEH, e.g. imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
NEH has also been described without any known reason (idiopathic cases), including idiopathic cases in children.
The exact cause of NEH is unknown. In patients receiving chemotherapy, it has been postulated that a high concentration of the cytotoxic drug in sweat has a direct toxic effect on the eccrine glands.
Diagnosis.
In all cases of suspected NEH, a skin biopsy should be performed, because the clinical symptoms are non specific, but the histopathological findings on the biopsy are specific. The biopsy shows characteristic changes of the eccrine glands, the major sweat glands of the body.
In NEH, eccrine gland necrosis, and neutrophils surroundings the eccrine glands, are typical findings on biopsy. If the chemotherapy has recently been administered, chemotherapy induced neutropenia may be present, and, as a result, the neutrophils may be absent. But the other characteristic finding, i.e. eccrine gland necrosis, can still be seen. A vacuolar interface dermatitis also is visible in glands and ducts, along with necrosis of the lining cells.
In addition, in patients receiving chemotherapy, keratinocyte atypia can be seen.
Prevention.
A single case report suggested that oral dapsone may be useful for prevention. However, the efficacy of oral dapsone as prevention has not been demonstrated very clearly until now.
Treatment.
NEH is self-limited and usually resolves without treatment. In the overwhelming majority of the cases, spontaneous resolution occurs within 1–2 weeks.
However, if the patient developed NEH after chemotherapy, the offending cytotoxic drug has to be discontinued, and the patient must avoid this particular cytotoxic drug in the future, because NEH usually re occurs upon re exposure to the same cytotoxic drug.
Despite the fact that NEH is self limited and usually resolves without treatment, some researchers use treatment, mainly systemic corticosteroids, although the efficacy of such a therapy has not been demonstrated in a large randomised controlled clinical trial until now.


Harold Hopkins (actor)

Harold Douglas Hopkins (6 March 194411 December 2011) was an Australian film and television actor.
Early life.
Hopkins was born in 1944 in Toowoomba, Queensland. He attended Toowoomba Grammar School as a day boy in 1958 and 1959. During the 1960s, he worked as an apprentice carpenter, and was exposed to asbestos fibres without protective masks or clothing. He and his twin brother John enrolled at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, with Harold graduating in 1967.
Harold Hopkins married twice. His second marriage was to Sue Collie, an actress he met in Melbourne in 1977, while starring in the original stage production of David Williamson's "The Club" at the MTC.
Career.
Hopkins appeared in 16 films over the course of his career, including classic Australian films "Don's Party", "The Picture Show Man" and "Gallipoli". He was nominated for an Australian Film Institute Award in 1981 for his supporting role in "The Club". Hopkins also appeared in more than 160 episodes of Australian television series such as "Barrier Reef", "Homicide", "The Godfathers", "Twenty Good Years", "Sara Dane", "A Nice Little Earner" and "". He also had a major co-starring role opposite Jeanie Drynan in the 1969 ABC drama "Pastures of the Blue Crane".
Hopkins' last audition was for a role in Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby", although he knew he would not live to play the role.
He won a Penguin Award in 1974 for his portrayal of Percy Deane in John Power's docudrama "Billy and Percy".
Death.
In 2011, Hopkins was diagnosed with mesothelioma, believed to be due to his asbestos exposure in the 1960s. He died in a Sydney hospice in Wahroonga on 11 December 2011.


WAULT

WAULT, short for weighted average unexpired lease term, is a measurement used in commercial real estate to quickly judge the value of contracted rents in a property, or more commonly, a portfolio of properties. It is one of the many key performance indicators (KPIs) used in the field.
A WAULT is simply the product of currently contracted rental income between now and the time the leases expire for any given tenant, summed across tenants, and then divided by the total annual income of the property or portfolio being studied. The result is expressed in years. A closely related measure is the WAULT to break, which sums the individual rents to their first break, the point where the tenants can legally leave their lease. The basic definition is also known as WAULT to expiry to make the distinction clear.
Depending on the market conditions, one might desire a high or low WAULT. For instance, if the rental market is strong and rents are rising, a low WAULT is desirable as that indicates that the current leases are going to expire or renegotiate in the short term and rental incomes are likely to rise. Conversely, in soft markets a long WAULT indicates steady income through lean periods.
A WAULT-like value can also be expressed using leased areas instead of rents. Depending on the property type this may be a better indication of the market, as some leases like anchor tenants and kiosks might skew the results on a purely rent basis. This measure is sometimes known as a WALE, for weighted average lease expiry, although this terminology is not as common as WAULT.


Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Bremen

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Bremen (Deutsch: Seenotleitstelle Bremen) is responsible for coordinating air-sea rescue for the German sea-area of North Sea and Baltic Sea. It covers a shoreline of 3.660 km length and is owned an operated by German Maritime Search and Rescue Service at their headquarters in the Hanseatic City of Bremen.
The center receives emergency calls and coordinates search and rescue activities in its area of responsibility. It also leadis and coordinates about 60 German SAR-boats, run by the search and rescue service.
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Bremen runs "Bremen Rescue Radio" (Call: „Bremen Rescue“), which listens on VHF channels 16 and 70 (Digital Selective Call), as well on shortwave 2187,5 kHz, DSC.
After the omission of the regular coastal radio stations it was necessary within the framework of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System to have a station for the German sea areas A1 and A2. The Danish Lyngby Radio covers sea area A2 by medium frequencies, while Bremen Rescue Radio covers sea area A1 for the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, operating at VHF with a network of repeater along the coastline. The official handover of coastal radio service took place on January 12, 1999.


Reticulated poison frog

The reticulated poison frog ("Ranitomeya ventrimaculata"), known in French as dendrobate à ventre tacheté, is a species of poison dart frog. It is native to South America, where it can be found in Brazil, southeastern Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, and Peru.
Toxicity.
"R. ventrimaculata" secretes poison through glands in the skin which protect it from fungi and bacteria as well as from predators, which are also warned to stay clear by the aposematic coloration. It is therefore often included among the dart-poison frogs, although its toxin is comparatively weak. "R. ventrimaculatus" produces its poison by ingestion of a species of mite.
Description.
The frog is active during the day. It grows to a size of about , with males smaller than females. Its base color is black, and it has yellow lines or dots on the back, whereas the belly has bluish or grayish color with interspersed black patches (hence the name "ventrimaculatus"); the color of the belly continues into a netlike pattern on the legs.
"R. ventrimaculata" reach adulthood at an age of six months. The females attach four to eight eggs to leaves beneath the water level, where they are inseminated by the male. The tadpoles leave the eggs after 12 to 16 days, the male carries them one by one to puddles or similar minute bodies of water; as the tadpoles are omnivorous and cannibalistic, they are separated from each other in the process. Metamorphosis into a frog is complete after 60 to 80 days; at which point they become independent of their parents but tend to remain in close proximity.
Habitat.
It lives in tropical rainforests, in trees and sometimes on the ground. It is threatened by habitat loss.


United States v. Bestfoods

United States v. Bestfoods, 524 U.S. 51 (1998), is a United States corporate law case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that the indirect liability of a parent corporation under CERCLA is to be determined by its control over a subsidiary's facility, rather than the relationship between the corporation and subsidiary.
Facts.
A chemical manufacturing plant developed a significant pollution problem after many years of operation. The companies in charge of operations at the plant were wholly owned subsidiaries of, first, CPC International Inc. (CPC). Following ownership by CPC, the chemical manufacturing plant was owned by Aerojet- General Corp (Aerojet). In 1981, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered to have the site cleaned up. To reimburse the cleanup, the federal government filed suit under Section 107 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. Section 9607(a)(2). Section 107 grants the federal government permission to seek reimbursement for cleanup costs from "any person who at the time of disposal of any hazardous substance owned or operated any facility."
The question before the court, was whether a parent corporation that exercised control over the operations of a subsidiary be held liable under CERCLA Section 107(a)(2)?
Decision of the Court.
In a unanimous decision in favor of the United States, Justice Souter wrote the opinion of the Court. The Court noted that, "But a corporate parent that actively participated in, and exercised control over, the operations of the facility itself may be held directly liable in its own right as an operator of the facility."