Floods spared historic Farnsworth House in Illinois

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

American preservationists breathed a sigh of relief in August as the Farnsworth House, a Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed house widely considered a masterpiece of modern architecture, was spared by flooding along the Fox River in Plano.

Storms deluged much of the Midwest, causing rivers throughout the region to overflow their banks. At the Fox River in Plano flood waters spilled over four acres of the 58-acre Farnsworth House site. Waters continued to rise through August 24, until they were just 18 inches from the front door.

According to the reporting of the Chicago Tribune preservationists developed a disaster management plan on the spot. Staff used boats to access the house and once inside raised the vulnerable furnishings to higher levels atop crates.

Flooding along the Fox River in 1996 caused a large plate glass window in the steel and glass home to break, resulting in $250,000 damage and preservationists feared a repeat of that incident.

“We really lucked out and can look at this as a drill,” Barbara Campagna, architect for National National Trust for Historic Preservation, told Preservation Online.

The Farnsworth House was completed in 1951 and designed by internationally famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Chicago doctor Edith Farnsworth. The house is a National Historic Landmark and a nationally significant example of modern architecture. As one of the most famous examples of such architecture, the Farnsworth House was unprecedented at the time of its completion.

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Sarasota Real Estate On Florida’s Gulf Coast}

Submitted by: Jerry Martinez

The world class, world famous Key Islands; Casey Key, Siesta Key and Longboat Key are just part of the great Sarasota real estate available in this tropical paradise that people are coming to experience by the 1000s each year. The white sand beaches, unbelievable views and scenery, lush tropical landscaping and water front views make the Key Islands very sought after, and very expensive private and secure get a ways for those who can afford to live here. The Keys are famous for their large estates with mansions and grounds that are lush and private, yet close to the beaches, entertainment and night life Sarasota is famous for. Sarasota real estate to most people means upper end, high quality, homes built with old world craftsmanship, outstanding architecture and design, and high end pricing. Everything in Sarasota is the best you can purchase anywhere.

The downtown area of Sarasota, has gone through a major transformation in recent years, and is boasting some of the finest high rise condominiums, town homes and luxury apartments to be found anywhere. There are many diverse neighborhoods in Sarasota and when you visit here be sure to visit all of the neighborhoods to see the unique homes and designs in each one.

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There is a home for every taste and desire. Also, this a great time to buy due to the extension of the 2009 $8000.00 Tax Credit for First Time Buyers. The new deadline is April 30, 2010, with closing by June 30, 2010. The HUD Secretary has announced that the credit may be used as part of the downpayment also. Talk to your real estate professional for more details on this program, but remember any real estate purchase has to be closed by June 30, 2010.

The commercial buildings in Sarasota are new or have been remodeled and the business districts have great specialty outlets, chic shops, retail stores, imported accessory outlets, and fantastic restaurants that feature world wide types of cuisine. The downtown also features many museums, with arts and cultural activites/events year round. Many commercial and business properties are available at great prices and just about every type of building is available for purchase or lease.

Near by the downtown area are beautiful older neighborhoods, clean and well maintained with older traditional type 2-3 bedroom homes, sitting on tree lined streets. High traffic retail stores and store front buildings, mall outlets, and specialty shops can be found in today’s real estate market also. Sarasota promotes the theatre, ballet, opera’s and international film festivals which also draw many outsiders to experience these fine events. Now is the time to get serious about investing in the hottest market around and to do that you should see a local Sarasota Realtor, broker or agent and ask to see the MLS Listings for current real estate for sale in Sarasota.

You won’t be sorry knowing that any Sarasota real estate investment will pay back dividends for you and your family for years to come. This is truly a beautiful place to live, to enjoy life and to enjoy the wonderful Sarasota residents as friends as they are warm and welcoming and very proud of their city.

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China completes “mammoth” Three Gorges Dam hydro-electricity project

Saturday, May 20, 2006

The People’s Republic of China has announced the completion of an enormous dam across the Yangtze River, an important milestone for the world’s largest hydroelectric project. The official Xinhua News Agency reports the event as a “landmark in the construction of the project.”

Launched in 1993, the Three Gorges Project, including the 2,300 metre long, 185 metre high dam with 26 power generators, is being built in three phases on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River – China’s longest river. Built with over 16 million m3 of concrete, the Three Gorges Dam is considered the biggest reinforced concrete dam in the world.

The Three Gorges Reservoir is capable of holding nearly 40 billion m3 of water, including a space of 22.15 billion m3 for extra flooded water. With a length of more than 6,300 km and a natural fall of 5,400 metres from the west to the east, the flood-prone Yangtze River is the third largest in the world.

The gigantic project is expected to generate around 15 million megawatts of electricity, 84.7 billion kWh annually when the entire project is completed in 2008. But whilst proponents of the world’s largest hydropower project laud the increased electricity generation and improved flood control as benefits to China, opponents claim destruction of the environment, ruin to China’s cultural heritage – disaffecting millions of local residents.

“In my view, building the Three Gorges dam is a ridiculous and evil farce,” says dam opponent Dai Qing. “Many people have known something is wrong with the project, but few have dared to speak up,” she said. After it becomes operational, the 660km reservoir created by the dam will drown 13 towns, 4500 villages and 162 archaeological sites.

Friends of the Earth (FoE) are also strident vocal critics. “The dam is having a titanic social and environment impact,” the group said this week. “Sometimes people are being moved out by truncheon and bulldozer because they refuse to leave their home for fear of not being rehoused. Human rights violations are massive and brutal,” it said. FoE pointed to evidence that the dam was already having a serious environment impact.

FoE points to a scientific study by the East China Normal University in Shanghai, published in March in Geophysical Research, which said that in 2004, the Three Gorges dam has reduced the supply of sediment to the Yangtze delta to just 35 per cent of the norm.

Millions of tonnes of silt are drawn along the Yangtze river every year, and critics argue the dam will intercept much of it – with potentially disastrous consequences. They say the lack of sediment further downstream would lead to soil erosion, and the accumulation of sediment in the reservoir could raise the dam level, submerging even more land.

Opponents say the reservoir could fill with the accumulated garbage from tens of millions of households. The China Yangtze River Three Gorges Project Development Corp. has spent $2.5 million on a vessel to collect as much as 7 million cubic feet of garbage that accumulates at the dam each year, according to Xinhua. Some argue that the impact of the dam project will contribute to the extinction of the rare Yangtze river dolphin.

The dam project will force the relocation of a total of 1.13 million people, and communities that have lived in the area for millennia will disappear. Researchers warn sedimentation and rising water levels in the reservoir will lead to the evacuation of tens of thousands more people.

But as the waters rise, that which can not be saved will disappear along with some world famous natural scenery. Critics say the dam is under threat from earthquakes, with two geological fault lines nearby. Officials working on the project counter this by saying the worst that can happen is a tremor measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, while the dam is built to withstand force 7.0.

“Although the dam is now complete, we still have a long way to go and cannot become self-satisfied or relax our efforts in the least,” Li Yongan, general manager of the Three Gorges Project Development Corp, said. The official China Daily in an editorial called for people to remember the more than 100 workers whom died during the dam’s construction. “The best possible way to repay such a debt of gratitude is to make sure the highest safety and quality standards are observed up till the very end of the entire building process,” the editorial said.

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Inexpensive Party Favor Ideas To Wow Your Guests!

By Elizabeth Chastain

Your party favors need not be expensive, only memorable. It is always fun to try to match the favor to the party’s theme. Also, remember presentation is everything. You can easily turn a simple, inexpensive party favor into a jaw-dropping, wow that’s great kind of a favor.

Baskets, cellophane bags or brightly colored paper bags tied with colorful curling ribbons and decorated with stickers in keeping with the party’s theme, all work great to hold the favors. Other options are teacups, planters, or decorative cardboard boxes.

PARTY FAVOR IDEAS FOR KIDS

There are many ways that you can make your child’s next birthday celebration special. You can use inexpensive party favor ideas to help make your celebration a success, without spending a lot of money. Here are some suggestions to consider.

Inexpensive gift certificates to local fast food restaurants. One or two dollars each should be sufficient. This idea is not only inexpensive, but it also takes a lot of the work out of making your own party favors.

Smaller children always enjoy coloring books and crayons, both of which are inexpensive. Another option would be to give each child a reading book. These are great options for cold weather events, where the kids will be inside most of the time. It is also a great way to keep little hands and minds busy.

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Other options that kids enjoy are sheets of stickers or rub-on tattoos. Small toys that are theme-related also make for a great party favor. For example, give small race cars for a NASCAR party or a beanbag dinosaur for a Dinosaur party.

If you are having a party with a Valentine theme, select red or pink bags and fill with candy hearts, a heart-shaped eraser and notepad, and Valentine pencils. Another idea would be to provide each child with a small cardboard box to decorate in Valentine style. They could paint the box; add glitter, sequins, hearts, stickers, etc.

PARTY FAVOR IDEAS FOR ADULTS

Although party favors are not a necessity for an adult party, they are a classy and very welcome addition. If you are hosting a couples party, then you might consider opting for “couple” gifts as opposed to giving out individual ones.

Put some loose tea in a decorative cellophane bag, place the bag into a floral teacup and add a cinnamon stick with curling ribbons. In the alternative, fill a mug full or a champagne flute with Hershey Kisses.

Place votive candles into organza bags and tie off with decorative ribbons.

Fill a small bucket with golf tees.

Create a CD containing music that is in keeping with the party’s theme.

Place decorative soaps onto a ceramic soap holder and put it into a cellophane bag. Tie off with colorful ribbons.

A key chain that is in keeping with the party theme. This way, when it is used, it will serve as a fun reminder of a great time.

A book and a bookmark is another option. Select books from various categories and by all means, visit the Best Seller’s section of your bookstore, and then let people pick out a book and bookmark as they leave.

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Fifteen killed in apartment fire in Osaka, Japan

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

A seven story concrete apartment building in the Naniwanaka Naniwa Ward of Osaka, Japan was set ablaze, killing at least 15 people. The fire started early in the morning on October 1st in the Video DVD Cat sex shop on the first floor.

At least eight people were rescued from the building, four of whom were seriously injured in the fire. Most of the injuries and deaths were caused by smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning. According to authorities, all of the fatalities were in private viewing rooms in a video shop that was located on the first floor of the building.

The sex shop had 32 cubicles for watching videos, all of which were equipped with a bed, television, and video deck. Due to the beds, and a shower, shops like this are often used as cheap hotels. A customer, who fled to safety when the fire started, said to the media that the inside of shop was dark, and that he had difficulty seeing where he was going as he escaped.

Witnesses said that they first noticed a burning smell at 2:30am local time, and that the fire was reported to Osaka Fire Department around 3am. 40 fire trucks and 120 firefighters took part in the efforts to bring the blaze under control. The fire was extinguished at around 4:30am, after burning for about one and a half hours. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

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US stock markets reach 12-year lows

Thursday, March 5, 2009

US stock markets dropped to twelve-year lows on Thursday, amidst falling confidence in the financial sector and worries over whether the US automobile manufacturer General Motors will be able to keep operating.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 4.08%, or 280.52 points, at the closing bell, reaching a level of 6595.32, a new 12-year low. The Nasdaq Composite lost 54.15 points, or 4%, to 1299.59, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 plunged by 30.27 points, or 4.25%, closing at 682.60.

Every stock in the Dow Jones, other than Wal-Mart, either lost ground or remained even, and all stocks in the S&P 500 index lost ground.

General Motors’ shares lost 15.5% after the auto firm announced that its auditors had “substantial doubt” over whether it would be able to keep operating.

Shares of financial companies were lower by nine percent, with Bank of America losing 11.7% and Citigroup falling by 9.7%.

“What’s most worrisome is that we haven’t hit the crescendo yet,” said Bill Groeneveld, the head trader for vFinance Investments. “Asset-management divisions are getting calls to just liquidate everything, and we haven’t seen the big players come back in at all.”

“This is one of the worst bear markets in the last 100 years; it started out with the credit crisis and the subprime [loans], but it is like a forest fire that has raced across the clearing and ignited other parts: Autos, auto parts, the insurance companies have been hit very hard. The credit crisis is causing an unraveling of industry after industry because the banks don’t lend,” said David Dreman, the chief investment officer of Dreman Value Management.

European markets were also lower today, with the London’s FTSE index losing 3.2% and the DAX index of Germany falling by five percent.

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The Benefits Of Having Your Wedding Beneath A Tent

byAlma Abell

What have you envisioned for your wedding day? While you may not have considered having your big day beneath a tent, if you are trying to stick to a budget, or looking for a unique and intimate soiree, then there are a number of benefits offered by hosting your wedding beneath a tent, making it something that might be worth looking into.

The Advantages Offered by Wedding Tents

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Using a wedding tent can be much cheaper than renting a banquet hall or some other type of venue. This alone is, in many cases, enough to sway a couple into considering a wedding tent for their big day; however, there are a number of other advantages, as well. When you opt for a wedding beneath a tent, then it will open up to a brand new array of options when it comes to the location of the big event. While a hall may be great looking, having a wedding outside is aesthetically pleasing and offers you that little something extra that any indoor venue will never match.

Additionally, renting a space outside at the beach or in a part is much less expensive and, in many cases, completely free. If you, or a person that you know owns some property that you absolutely love, then you can easily erect a tent in the yard, or on any other piece of property.

In addition to finding wedding tents for sale for your big day, you can also choose to rent the decorations, tables and chairs, as well as the dance floor and any other accessory that you need. Additionally, you can find these wedding tents in a number of different colors, which will help to create the look that you desire.

Set the Mood

When you use a wedding tent, it will open you up to a number of options when it comes to where you can actually have your wedding. It will also allow you to create the mood that you want, just like you could if you hosted your wedding inside.

The choice of décor, colors and flowers will help you to create the style that you really want, just like it would in an indoor venue. These options make it an affordable and stylish option for anyone planning a wedding. The flexibility alone will be enough appeal for most couples to choose this option.

If you are interested in wedding tents for sale, visit the Canopy Mart website for more information.

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Ontario Votes 2007: Interview with Green candidate Russ Aegard, Thunder Bay-Atikokan

Monday, September 24, 2007

Russ Aegard is running for the Green Party of Ontario in the Ontario provincial election, in the Thunder Bay-Atikokan riding. Wikinews’ Nick Moreau interviewed him regarding his values, his experience, and his campaign.

Stay tuned for further interviews; every candidate from every party is eligible, and will be contacted. Expect interviews from Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, New Democratic Party members, Ontario Greens, as well as members from the Family Coalition, Freedom, Communist, Libertarian, and Confederation of Regions parties, as well as independents.

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Commonwealth Bank of Australia CEO apologies for financial planning scandal

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Ian Narev, the CEO of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, this morning “unreservedly” apologised to clients who lost money in a scandal involving the bank’s financial planning services arm.

Last week, a Senate enquiry found financial advisers from the Commonwealth Bank had made high-risk investments of clients’ money without the clients’ permission, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars lost. The Senate enquiry called for a Royal Commission into the bank, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Mr Narev stated the bank’s performance in providing financial advice was “unacceptable”, and the bank was launching a scheme to compensate clients who lost money due to the planners’ actions.

In a statement Mr Narev said, “Poor advice provided by some of our advisers between 2003 and 2012 caused financial loss and distress and I am truly sorry for that. […] There have been changes in management, structure and culture. We have also invested in new systems, implemented new processes, enhanced adviser supervision and improved training.”

An investigation by Fairfax Media instigated the Senate inquiry into the Commonwealth Bank’s financial planning division and ASIC.

Whistleblower Jeff Morris, who reported the misconduct of the bank to ASIC six years ago, said in an article for The Sydney Morning Herald that neither the bank nor ASIC should be in control of the compensation program.

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