May-June 2023

AMAZ NG BU LDINGS

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES OF FRANCE

AMERICA’S FAVORITE RCHITECTURE

YOU NEED (OR MIGHT WANT) TO KN W

HOUSING THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS (PART II)

REAL ESTATE

F THE FU URE

ARTCH TECTURE

TR E DAT

THE RICHEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

THE DISCOMBOBULATED THOUGHTS OF DAN QUAYLE THE TOP SUBURBS IN THE U.S.

FLOATING INTEREST RATES

EMERGING TRENDS AND INNOVATIONS IN REAL ESTATE

HOUSING PRICES AROUND THE WORLD

THE VOICE OF REAL ESTATE

The Best Diversions

Give yourself the gift of smiles. J

A handsome, artbook-style volume with the best Diversions to appear in over the last decade. A compendium you will treasure for years to come.

"This collection is laugh-out-loud funny!"

Kirkland Review of Books

"Prescription: Read 3-4 pages a day for a month. It’ll brighten your day! And make it last a month."

Susan Carnegie, The Montreal Voice

From Where I Sit

The Editor’s Page in is almost totally devoted to humor and wisdom and this is a collection of some of the best of them.

Vertical Lines I and II

Compilations of Sarcasm, Word Play, and Witticisms from the pages of

"This is simply genius. I kept on laughing the whole day when I read it."

Maria Tariq

"...absolutely hilarious! I laughed so hard that it brought tears to my eyes."

Randal Maynard

also from The CREST Publications Group

My Hand Book Leading With My Heart

"Incisive yet expansive - as if the psychology of R.D. Laing encountered the self-exploration of Hugh Prather to help readers delve into their own thought, experiences and behaviours."

The Rockford Tribune

"Curiously intense and ironic. This is a work that will make you think and feel and you will revisit it over and over.

Marion Danziger, The Toronto Town Crier

S.H.I.T. from the Internet

“An often off-color (but always entertaining and almost always hilarious) collection of jokes that you will read, enjoy – and probably tell –over and over.”

Joey Cousins, The Greenwich Times

"It matters not who we have been, or why, with whom, or how. What matters is that we have met and who we are from now."

Original reflections on new love, its flame, intensity, and all-consuming spirit. Short, poetic expressions of heartfelt longing, passion, and desire. Intimate expressions of tenderness and adoration, accompanied by romantic pictures. A wonderful gift for someone you love.

“So simple. So eloquent and beautiful. Absolutely wonderful!”

Allison Templeton

A Book

"A perfect companion to Vertical Lineshumor in bite-sized pieces.”

Ellen Campbell, Sinclair Book

Reviews

unite! this!

"Dyslexics of the world, untie!”

Punsters of the world, read shit!"

L. Bartow. The Network Bookshelf

09 INB X | ON THE COVER

17 THE RICHEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD A Visual Capitalist Graphic.

19 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Part 8 of a pictorial series – the designated sites of France.

26 TOP US SUBURBS THAT FEEL LIKE BIG CITIES

To see where people can find the right mix of amenities to support a modern lifestyle, StorageCafe ranked the best 100 suburbs by livework-play environment.

30 AMERICA’S FAVORITE RCHITECTURE

Part 8 of a series — a pictorial of #s 106-120 in an AIA survey.

37 THE FACTOR Les Choux de Créteil.

32 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE FLOATING INTEREST RATE

G. Brian Davis simplifies a sophisticated financial instrument.

44 REAL ESTATE F THE FU URE

El Cosmico - BIG, ICON and hotelier Liz Lambert have joined forces to reimagine a 62-acre community with large-scale 3D-printed structures in Marfa, Texas.

33 PROFILES IN REAL ESTATE

Contributing Editor Roxana Tofan interviews Simon Castillo of SAS Texas Capital.

36 HOUSING PRICES AROUND THE WORLD

A Visual Capitalist Graphic.

38 EMERGING TRENDS AND INNOVATIONS IN REAL ESTATE Cam Dowski opines on the wealth of technology available to real estate professionals today.

40 HOUSING THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Sylvia King-Cohen offers part 2 of a series on providing suitable living facilities for an all-too-often neglected segment of our population.

There’s more in our web edition at thenetworkmagazine.online

ABOUT US

Now in our 31st year, reaches over 500,000+ architects, engineers, developers, brokers, construction managers, property and facility managers, bankers, lawyers, appraisers, investors, service providers, and many more throughout the U.S. via subscription and social media! We proudly serve and service any and all real estate associations bimonthly. If your group would like to be included, please let us know. Email: editor@thenetworkmagazine.online or call the number above.

EXECUTIVE STAFF

ANDREW A. FELDER: Publisher/Managing Editor. aafelder@thenetworkmagazine.online

XENIA MONTERO: Associate Editor and Art Director. xeniam.design@gmail.com

ANNETTE LAWLESS: Social Media Manager. annettelawless@hotmail.com

MARK ANGLE: Director of Business Development. mark@thenetworkmagazine.com

MARIA TARIQ: Technical Director, Book Division. mariatariq070213@hotmail.com

MUKUL TRIPATHI (SAM): Website Manager. sam@cypher-squad.com

ADVISORY BOARD

LINDSEY KOREN, Director of Communications, American Society of Interior Designers.

JONATHAN KRAATZ, Executive Director, USGBC Texas.

RICK LACKEY, CEO, REAL Professionals Network.

AIMÉE LEE, National Accounts Director, Recycle Across America.

LESLIE ROBINETT, Marketing and Communications Manager, International Facility Management Association.

LAURA MACDONALD STEWART, RID, FASID, IIDA, LEED AP, Editor of Plinth & Chintz.

MICHELLE THATCHER, CEO, The U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce.

JESSICA WARRIOR, Director of Property Management, Granite Properties.

WHAT OUR READERS ARE saying

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

ROSE-MARY RUMBLEY: Herstory.

ANTHONY BARBIERI: Legal.

ROXANA TOFAN: Profiles in Real Estate

T. J. EDWARDS : Whatever Happened To...?

Copyright ©2023 The CREST Publications Group, 2537 Lubbock Avenue Fort Worth, TX 76109. All rights reserved. All information contained herein (including, but not limited to, articles, opinions, reviews, text, photographs, images, illustrations, trademarks, service marks and the like (collectively the “Content”) is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. The Content is the property of The CREST Publications Group and/or third party licensors. You may not modify, publish, transmit, transfer, sell, reproduce, create derivative work from, distribute, republish, display, or in any way commercially exploit any of the Content or infringe upon trademarks or service marks contained in such Content. GENERAL DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: magazine contains facts, views, opinions, statements and recommendations of third party individuals and organizations. The publisher does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other information displayed and any reliance upon same shall be at the viewer’s sole risk. The publisher makes no guarantees or representations as to, and shall have no liability for, any content delivered by any third party, including, without limitation, the accuracy, subject matter, quality or timeliness of any Content. Change of address: Mail to address above or email editor@crestpublicationsgroup.com

Rose-Mary Rumbley

T. J. Edwards

Anthony Barbieri Roxana Tofan

Andrew A. Felder Xenia Montero

Maria Tariq Mark Angle Mukul Tripathi (Sam)

Annette Lawless

April is NAtioNAl poetry Month. Launched by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month celebrates poets’ integral role in our culture. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and, of course, poets, marking poetry’s important place in our lives.

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by San Francisco–based OpenAI; it launched in November 2022 (GPT stands for generative pre-trained transformer.) We turned to ChatGBT and asked it to generate two odes to tall buildings and, in less than a minute, here is what it generated.

ODE TO TALL BUILDINGS

Oh, tall buildings reaching for the sky, Majestic structures soaring high, A symbol of our human might, A testament to our will to fight.

Your steel and glass, a modern art, A sight that leaves us in awe and smart, A reflection of our progress made, A promise of a better trade.

Several times over the last few years, has evolved in response to the suggestions of our readers. Well, in the immortal words of Ronald Reagan, “here we go again.”

Many of you have written to say that, in addition to the Diversions and Vertical Lines, you really enjoy the humor and lighthearted and informational pieces that accompany the real estate news in each issue. We sincerely thank you for that. Beginning with this issue, we are giving a new recognition to those pieces which generically will take on the name “You Need (or might want) To Know”. What has been a multipage feature by that name will continue under that general banner but will specifically be called ‘Factoids’. TrueDat, The Editor’s Note, Humorous Quotations, Artchitecture, Important Voices, and Whatever Happened To…? will fold gently under than banner, as well.

This is more of an evolution than a change. In fact, it is more of an acknowledgement of an evolution that has already taken place. Why? And why do we include things which are not strictly related to real estate?

…because real estate may be everywhere, but it isn’t everything.

AND IF THIS CREATIVITY DOESN’T ADEQUATELY BLOW YOUR MIND, THE IMAGES ON THIS PAGE WERE CREATED BY ANOTHER AI PROGRAM — WWW.BING.COM/CREATE !

BY ANDREW FELDER Managing Editor & Publisher

aafelder@thenetworkmagazine.online

From Burj Khalifa to the Eiffel Tower, Your beauty takes our breaths away each hour, Your height, a challenge to conquer, Your grandeur, a sight to ponder.

Oh, skyscrapers, how you dominate, With your presence, you leave us in a state, Of wonder, inspiration, and awe, A sight that fills us with a sense of raw.

Your lights, a beacon in the night, A sight that fills us with delight, A symbol of our human pride, A tribute to our progress worldwide.

Oh, tall buildings, how you amaze, A sight that never ceases to blaze, A wonder that inspires our dreams, A sight that makes us beam.

From towering heights, you watch over us, A silent sentinel without a fuss, A symbol of our human grace, A testament to our will to race.

Oh, skyscrapers, you stand so tall, A sight that fills us with a call, To aspire, to dream, to soar, To reach for heights, never seen before.

ODE TO TALL BUILDINGS II

Oh towering giants, reaching for the sky, Majestic and proud, you catch every eye. Your metal and glass reflect the sun's glow, A symbol of progress, a modern day show.

From your heights, we see the world below, The bustling city, the rivers that flow. You hold within you, countless stories and dreams, Of those who've lived and loved, and made it their scene.

The rush of elevators, the hum of air, The breathtaking views, that none can compare. The energy you radiate, is infectious and grand, A testament to human innovation, in this land.

Though some may argue, that you are a bane, A threat to nature, a symbol of disdain.

I see your beauty, your grandeur and might, And to me, you are a beacon, of human insight.

So here's to you, tall buildings, standing tall and true, A testament to progress, a symbol of what we can do. You inspire us to dream, to aim for the sky, And remind us of what's possible, as we pass you by.

Our PDF edition is an exact replica of the printed magazine and our web edition has many more articles and features. Browse, search, and save your favorites, or check the archives for something you want to read again!

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

SYLVIA E. KING-COHEN

CAM DOWSKI (P. 40) is a real estate investor and founder of We Buy Houses Chicago.

With more than ten years of experience in the real estate industry, Cam has established a reputation for his expertise in helping homeowners sell their properties quickly and efficiently. His company has assisted thousands of homeowners, and Cam is known for his fairness, reliability, and ability to get the job done. During his free time, Cam likes to stay active and spend quality time with his family. He is an enthusiastic runner who takes part in marathons each year. Additionally, Cam is a big supporter of the Chicago Cubs and can often be spotted cheering on his favorite team at Wrigley Field.

(P. 44) originally from Oklahoma - graduated from Oklahoma State University. During her time in graduate school at OSU, she was the first Black person to be named editor of The Daily O’Collegian, the college newspaper. She went on to become the first Black female editor of a major Oklahoma daily, the prize-winning Weatherford Daily News. She also worked for the Harte-Hanks newspaper chain in Texas and for The Dallas Times Herald before moving to the Atlanta Journal-Constit ution as a sports editor. She moved to New York in 1995 to become the high school and college sports editor for New York City edition of Newsday. She worked for Newsday in various capacities before leaving in 2019. She now is a publicist working for the PR firm Todd Shapiro Associates.

BRIGADIER GENERAL

THOMAS J. EDWARDS (P. 36) recently retired from the Army after 30 years of service and moved to San Antonio, Texas in May of 2022. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Military Officers’ Association of America, and the 82d Airborne Division Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina, and master’s degrees from Oklahoma University, the Naval War College, and the Army War College.

THE UPSIDE OF DOWNTIME...

Fans of will love these compilations of humor from the last decade.

The Best of Diversions is just that – the very best of the hilarious Diversions that have appeared on the pages of the magazine. Vertical Lines is over a hundred pages of wit, witticisms and sarcasm that have appeared between the pages (”in the gutter”, as they say). They are both available at your favorite online bookseller and you can see samples at the link here My Handbook is... well... look at the cover comments and a few sample pages. You’ll know soon enough if it’s for you.

the network bookshelf on days off on off-days on rainy Sundays if you’re alone if you need a break to pass the time to brighten your day to sharpen your skills to open your mind to make you smile turn to thenetworkmagazine.online

G. BRIAN DAVIS (P. 34) is a real estate investor and the co-founder of Sparkrental, who, along with his wife and daughter, spends most of the year overseas. He loves hiking, exotic wine, travel, and food, not necessarily in that order. He plans to reach financial independence by age 42.

ROSE-MARY RUMBLEY (P. 48) holds a Ph.D. in communications from the University of North Texas. She is a well-known speaker in Texas and enjoys researching each and every topic. She is a Contributing Editor of and Herstory appears in every issue.

ROXANA TOFAN (P. 36) is the owner of Clear Integrity Group in San Antonio, Texas and the company’s principal broker in Texas, Ohio and South Carolina. Her main focus is multifamily commercial brokerage in San Antonio area and property management. She enjoys taking over nonperforming properties and turning them around. She is also a Contributing Editor of and her Profiles of Survival will appear in every issue. In addition to her company, her passion is giving back to the community as she volunteers for various support organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, Special Olympics, Alzheimer’s Association and supporting the military. She loves to travel with her teenage children and supporting their extra-curricular activities.

ON THE COVER

‘VENICE GIANT’

by Hansruedi Ramsauer

“There is a general statement to my images,which embodies my philosophy of life: your point of view decides how you see life. We can change our lives accordingly by changing our perspective.”

INB X

The early reviews on Vertical Lines II are starting to come in…

What a riot ... thanks for being such a day brightener!!

So wonderful!

MITCH HEDLUND, PORTLAND OR Awesome!

ANNETTE LAWLESS, WICHITA, KS

TOOOOOO CUTE

Thank you!!!!

CAROLYN JOHNSON FLETCHER

Your new book looks so fun!  "I run like the winded.”— Haha!  I love it so much.

ALEX BUNKER, LAKELAND, FL

Dear Humans,™

We need your help. Seriously.

Did you know the amount of waste going into oceans every day has increased from 48,000,000* pounds to 61,000,000** pounds per day since recycling began to collapse worldwide? C'mon man, please give us a hand.

Here are four easy things you can do to help fix it:

Wherever accepted, recycle all clean office paper, flattened cardboard, empty metal cans, glass bottles/jars, and plastic bottles/jugs in the recycling bin. Compost your food waste whenever possible, and put all other non-recyclable items in the trash bin. When it comes to plastic, refuse it, and don’t use it!™ Because plastic never really goes 'away.' And despite what it says on the packaging, studies show, other than plastic bottles and jugs, most plastics are not being processed.***

Start displaying the society-wide standardized labels on your recycling bins to make it possible for everyone, everywhere to start recycling right.

Visit RecycleAcrossAmerica.org to learn more.

Enough is enough.

With urgency,

Marcus the Manatee Volunteer Sea Life Spokesmanatee for Recycle Across America®

Marcus

"Let's recycle right ! " ® Society-wide standardized labels on bins make it easy.

EMPOWERING GROWTH

With IFMA, you can propel your career forward, keep pace with a changing industry and bring added value to your organization.

Imagine the information and resources that IFMA’s community of 20,000+ people provide.

IFMA has the training, networking and leadership opportunities you need grow your career.

IFMA’s knowledge and expertise will enable, empower and equip you to solve challenges today and in the future.

Become part of the global community of FM professionals today.

FACTOIDS

TERRITORIAL SEA

territoriAl seA, As defiNed by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (about 13.67 miles) from the baseline (usually the mean low-water mark) of a coastal

NAUTICAL MILES

One nautical mile is the length of one minute of arc along the earth's equator. One nautical mile is equal to 1.15078 statute miles; one statute mile is equal to 0.86897 nautical miles. Obviously, they are different because the Earth is round. Not so obviously (but when you think about it, it makes sense), the distances travelled by planes and spaceships are measured in nautical miles.

country. The territorial sea is regarded as the sovereign territory of that country, although foreign ships (military and civilian) are allowed innocent passage through it, or transit passage for straits; this sovereignty also extends to the airspace over and seabed below. Adjustment

of these boundaries is called, in international law, maritime delimitation.

If the 12 nautical mile limit would overlap with another country's territorial sea, the border is the median point between the countries' baselines.

On my way home last night, I was mugged by a thief. He pointed a knife at me and said, “Your money or your life.” I told him that I am married—so I have no money and no life. We hugged and cried together. It was a beautiful moment.

LITTORAL AND RIPARIAN RIGHTS

In United States law, littoral rights are rights concerning properties that abut static water (like a bay, sea, or lake). Riparian rights are rights concerning properties along moving water (like a river or a stream). Both are also concerned with the use and enjoyment of the shore, and like land rights, and they are governed by the states, not the federal government.

Oceanfront property (also governed by the applicable state’s laws) can have very different rules and regulations. The specific rights afforded under the doctrine of littoral rights may be spelled out by statute or case law. In Florida, for example, littoral rights encompass: "(1) the right to have access to the water; (2) the right to reasonably use the water; (3) the right to accretion and reliction; and (4) the right to the unobstructed view of the water." It has been held by the courts of Florida that "littoral rights are private property rights that cannot be taken from upland owners without just compensation."

KOUMPOUNOPHOBIA

Koumpounophobia is the term used to describe the phobia of clothes buttons. This phobia regularly leads to feelings of fear and disgust when sufferers are exposed to buttons either visually or physically. It is estimated that less than one percent of the U.S. suffers from this phobia. The most common forms of treatment for koumpounophobia are behavioral therapy and cognitivebehavioral therapy.

ANISOCORIA

Anisocoria is a condition characterized by an unequal size of the eyes' pupils. Affecting up to 20% of the population, it is often entirely harmless, but can be a sign of more serious medical problems such as a nervous system problem, a viral infection, a history of damage to the eye, and worse—the risk of having a stroke. (Pictured: David Bowie had anisocoria.)

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., had an aversion to buttons, which manifested in a dislike for buttons on computer hardware and his choice to wear a turtleneck shirts instead of shirts with buttons. Some have speculated that this influenced the trend towards touchscreens and virtual keyboards in the design of Apple devices.

é Steve Jobs, wearing a shirt with no buttons, holds up a touchscreen iPad tablet.

PANDORA'S BOX

Pandora's box is an artifact in Greek mythology connected with the myth of Pandora in Hesiod's c. 700 B.C. poem Works and Days. When Prometheus stole fire from heaven, Zeus (the king of the gods) took vengeance by presenting Pandora to Prometheus' brother Epime-

PARONOMASIA

Paronomasia is the use of a word in different senses or the use of words similar in sound to achieve a specific effect (usually humor or comic relief) or a dual meaning. It is word play— punning Some samples: (Feel free to smile or groan—or both.)

Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends.

I used to be a tap dancer until I fell in the sink.

‘Curl Up and Dye’ (the name of a beauty salon in London)

‘Oh look—it has B-12 in it. I didn’t know that B-4.’ (from a commercial for Kellogg’s Bran)

‘Thai Me Up’ (the name of a Thai restaurant in New York City)

‘Award Wieners’ (the name of a hot dog stand in Disneyland)

"I have a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it." (Groucho Marx)

theus. Out of curiosity, Pandora opened a jar left in the care of her husband which contained sickness, death and many other unspecified evils, which were then released into the world. The container mentioned in the original account was actually a large storage jar, but the word was later mistranslated. From this story

has grown the idiom "to open a Pandora's box", meaning to do or start something that will cause many unforeseen problems. A modern, more colloquial equivalent is "to open a can of worms".

A burglar entered a bedroom, tied up the husband and wife, kissed the wife’s ear, and went to the bathroom. The husband said to the wife, “Satisfy him or he will kill us. Be strong. I love you.” The wife said to the husband, “He didn't kiss me. He whispered in my ear that he is gay. He needs Vaseline and I told him it's in the bathroom. Be strong. I love you, too.”

CREDIT: LAWRENCE ALMA-TADEMA , PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

ATMOSPHERIC RIVER

Recent weather phenomena in California have brought this term into the news. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, atmospheric rivers are relatively long, narrow regions in the atmosphere – like rivers in the sky – that transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics. While atmospheric rivers can vary greatly in size and strength, the average atmospheric river carries an amount of water vapor roughly equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Exceptionally strong atmospheric rivers can transport up to 15 times that amount. When the atmospheric rivers make landfall, they often release this water vapor in the form of rain or snow.

Learn more about how NOAA studies atmospheric rivers, and track current atmospheric river conditions.

The Kentucky Derby is the oldest sports event in the US. It is held annually and first began in 1875. The second oldest sports event in the US is the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show which began in 1876.

The average MLB baseball lasts for 5 to 7 pitches. Around 850,000 balls are used on average per season. The league spends about 5.5 million dollars on baseballs per season. At the beginning of every game, at least 90 balls are required on hand. On average, about 60-70 baseballs are used per game.

RANDOM FUN SPORTS FACTS

Despite the fact that tennis originated in France, they don’t use the word deuce at the French Open. Instead, you’ll hear the chair umpire state “égalité,” which translates to “equality.”

Baseball umpires are required to wear black underwear, so that they would not be ashamed if their pants were ever to split. Until 1859, umpires sat in padded rocking chairs behind the catcher.

Pittsburgh is the only American city where all 3 major sports teams use the same colors—black and yellow. (These colors are based on the ones in William Pitt’s coat of arms.)

The faceoff in hockey was not its original term. Originally it was called a puck-off.

The Olympics stopped using actual gold medals after 1912. Since then, all of the gold medals that were given out have been made of silver and given a gold plating. (At the time, one ounce of gold was roughly around $20.) Today, the Olympic gold medals are required to be made of 92.5% silver and only contain a minimum of 6 grams of gold. n

(IMAGE CREDIT: NOAA)

é A storm darkens the sky at the mouth of the Russian River, north of Bodega Bay, Calif. The storm was driven largely by an "atmospheric river" over California.

A NON-TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO BUSINESS COLLECTIONS

Business-to-business debts require special, focused expertise and finesse... and the selection of your commercial collection service is an important decision. It revolves around Service, Trust and Recovery. Rates are important, and recovery is the objective (the bottom line)... but there is more to it.

The company you choose will be handling your money, talking to your customers, and representing you in the marketplace. You want your money as soon as possible – but you don’t want to lose clients.

At Arsenal Business Collections (ABC), you’re never out-of-pocket for our services. We collect (at prearranged terms) and when – and only when – we succeed (i.e., once we collect money owed to you), do we get paid. There is no fee UNLESS and UNTIL we collect!

Our payment is contingent upon your recovery – so our success is integrally tied to yours.

As a privately-owned company, we make decisions based on what is best for clients, not shareholders or outside investors. Our focus is exclusively on improving your bottom line, and we have the knowledge and experience to deliver exceptional results.

A TALL WHITE HAT WITH A FULL POUCHED CROWN (A CHEF’S HAT) IS CALLED A TOQUE IT HAS 100 FOLDS WHICH ARE SAID TO REPRESENT 100 WAYS TO COOK AN EGG.

Sesame Street’s Count von Count's love of numbers isn't just quirky. In traditional vampire folklore, the bloodsuckers have , an obsessive preoccupation with numbers.

Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. Their deaths were exactly 50 years after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

An avocado never ripens on the tree. Farmers can use trees as storage and keep avocados fresh for up to seven months

Flyting in 15th- and 16th-century Scotland is like a modern-day rap competition during which rappers improvise clever disses and put-downs against other rappers. The makars (a Scottish word for "poets") engaged in verbal duels in which they voiced elaborate criticisms in verse against their rivals. (The base of flyting is the ancient verb flyte (also spelled flite), meaning "to contend" or "to quarrel.")

Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia

is the medical term for ice cream headaches

Crayola means “oily chalk.” The name combines craie (French for “chalk”) and ola (short for “oleaginous,” or “oily”).

Dr. James Naismith invented basketball; however, he’s the only Kansas Jayhawks basketball coach with a losing record

The ampersand symbol is formed from the letters in et It’s the Latin word for ‘and.’

SOME

CATS

ARE ALLERGIC TO HUMANS. (YOU COULD BE THE REASON YOUR CAT IS SNEEZING.)

Dogs are capable of understanding up to 250 words and gestures. The average dog is as intelligent as a 2-year-old child.

THE MANCHINEEL TREE IS A SPECIES OF FLOWERING PLANT WHICH RANGES FROM TROPICAL SOUTHERN NORTH AMERICA TO NORTHERN SOUTH AMERICA. THE NAME MEANS ‘ LITTLE APPLE ’ IN SPANISH), FROM THE SUPERFICIAL RESEMBLANCE OF ITS FRUIT AND LEAVES TO THOSE OF AN APPLE TREE. IT IS ALSO CALLED BEACH APPLE. A PRESENT-DAY SPANISH NAME IS MANZANILLADELAMUERTE, "LITTLE APPLE OF DEATH" BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THE MOST TOXIC TREES IN THE WORLD: THE TREE HAS MILKY-WHITE SAP WHICH CONTAINS NUMEROUS TOXINS AND CAN CAUSE BLISTERING. THE SAP IS PRESENT IN EVERY PART OF THE TREE – BARK, LEAVES, AND FRUIT. TOUCHING IT CAN LEAVE CHEMICAL BURNS ON YOUR SKIN, ITS FRUIT IS TOXIC, AND ITS BARK—WHEN BURNED—CAN CAUSE BLINDNESS.

the UNited NAtioNs edUcAtioNAl, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value to cultural or natural heritage which have been nominated by countries that are signatories to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Natural heritage is defined as natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation, or natural beauty. Greece ratified the UNESCO Convention in 1981.

Currently, 49 properties in France are inscribed on the World Heritage List. 42 of these are cultural properties, 6 are natural properties, and 1 is mixed. Four properties are transboundary properties. The first was added to the list in 1979 and the latest in 2019. Five properties were submitted in 1979. The tentative list of France contains 37 properties.

01/ The Abbey Church of Saint-Savinsur-Gartempe is a Roman Catholic church located in Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, in

FRANCE

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION

WORLD HERITAGE LIST

Poitou, France. The Romanesque church was begun in the mid-11th century and contains many beautiful 11th- and 12th-century murals which are still in a remarkable state of preservation. The church is often referred to as the "Romanesque Sistine Chapel" and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

02/ The Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay.

The Cistercians are a Catholic religious order of monks and nuns that branched off from the Benedictines and follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. They are also known as Bernardines, after Saint Bernard himself, or as White Monks, in reference to the color of the cowl (choir robe) worn by the Cistercians

over their habits, as opposed to the black cowl worn by Benedictines.

03/ Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments is an area containing a collection of monuments in the city center of Arles, France, that has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.

04/ Vézelay Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in the east-central French department of Yonne. It was constructed between 1120 and 1150. Now the Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, it is one of the great masterpieces of Burgundian Romanesque architecture. It was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979 because of its importance in medieval Christianity and outstanding architecture. Relics of Mary Magdalene can be seen inside the Basilica.

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SUPERBENJAMIN, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

05/ The Belfries of Belgium and France are a group of 56 historical buildings commemorate the civic (rather than church) belfries serving as an architectural manifestation of emerging civic independence from feudal and religious influences in the French Flanders area of France and Flanders region of Belgium. (Pictured: Town hall of Loos and its belfry.)

06/ The Port de la Lune (Port of the Moon) is the name given to the harbor of Bordeaux, dating to the Middle Ages, because of the shape of the river crossing the city. It is represented by a crescent on the coat of arms of Bordeaux, and by three interlaced crescents in the logotype of the municipality.

07/ The Canal du Midi is a 150-mile-long canal in Southern France. Built in 1789, it is considered one of the greatest construction works of the 17th century.

08/ The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Amiens is a Roman Catholic church. situated on a slight ridge overlooking the River Somme 75 miles north of Paris. It was built almost entirely between 1220 and 1270 and is a classic example of the High Gothic style of Gothic architecture.

09/ Bourges Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Stephen. Built atop an earlier Romanesque church from 1195 until 1230, it is largely in the High Gothic architectural style and was constructed at about the same time as Chartres Cathedral.

10/ Chartres Cathedral is a Catholic church 50 miles southwest of Paris. Mostly constructed between 1194 and 1220, it stands on the site of at least five cathedrals that have occupied the site since the 4th century. It is in the High Gothic and Romanesque styles.

11/ The Musée Saint-Remi is an archaeology and art museum housed in the former Abbey of Saint-Remi, founded in the sixth century. The Basilica of Saint-Remi, adjacent to it and consecrated in 1049, was its abbey church. Both buildings have been listed as part of a UNESCO World Heritage

Site because of their outstanding architecture and importance in the early French monarchy.

12/ The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape is located in the southern part of central France with over three millennia of agro-pastoral history.

13/ Avignon is located on the left bank of the river Rhône. The commune had a population of 93,671 as of the census results of 2017, with about 16,000 living in the ancient town center enclosed by its medieval walls. It is France's 35th largest metropolitan area and its fastest-growing in France from 1999 until 2010.

14/ The Routes of Santiago de Compostela pass through the following several regions and played an important role in "religious and cultural exchange", the development of "specialized edifices" along the

Husbands are the best people to share secrets with. They'll never tell anyone, because they aren't even listening.

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routes, and their "exceptional witness to the power and influence of Christian faith among people of all classes and countries in Europe during the Middle Ages."

Father: “Socrates said, ‘I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing... and that is that I know nothing.’” Son: “How did he know that?”

Father: “His wife told him.”

15/ Albi is a commune in southern France. It is on the river Tarn, 53 miles northeast of Toulouse. The episcopal city, around the Cathedral Sainte-Cécile, is known for its unique architecture. The site includes the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, dedicated to the artist who was born in Albi.

16/ The Saline Royale (Royal Saltworks) is a historical building at Arc-etSenans in eastern France. The architect was Claude-Nicolas Ledoux (1736–1806), and the work is an important example of an early Enlightenment project in which the architect based his design on a philosophy that favored arranging buildings according to a rational geometry and a hierarchical

relation between the parts of the project.

COMMONS

17/ The Fortifications of Vauban consist of 12 groups of fortified buildings and sites along the borders of France. They were designed by renowned military architect Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633–1707) during the reign of King Louis XIV. They range from citadels to mountain batteries and sea fortifications, to bastion walls and towers. (Pictured: Citadelle Besançon)

18/ Saint-Émilion is a commune in southwestern France. In 2016, it had a population of 1,938. It is a medieval city with a long, living history of wine-making, Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets

19/ Le Havre (means "the harbor" or "the port") is a major city in Normandy region of northern France. It is situated on the right

bank of the estuary of the river Seine very close to the Prime Meridian.

20/ Mont-Saint-Michel is a tidal island and mainland commune in Normandy. The island is approximately one-half nautical mile off the country's north-western coast and is 17 acres in area. The mainland part of the commune is 971 acres As of 2019, the island had a population of 29. Louis XI recognized the reverse benefits of its natural defense and turned it into a prison.

21/ The Palace of Fontainebleau (34 miles southeast of Paris) is one of the largest French royal châteaux. The medieval castle and subsequent palace served as a residence for the French monarchs from Louis VII to Napoleon III. Francis I and Napoleon were the monarchs who had the most influence on the palace as it stands today. It became a national museum in 1927.

PHOTO: KIMDIME69 TRANSLATION OF THE DEUTSCH: MAP OF MR MANFRED ZENTGRAF, VOLKACH, GERMANY, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PHOTO: PALAIS DE LA BERBIE , CC BY-SA 4.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PHOTO: ROLF SÜSSBRICH, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA

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22/ The Palace of Versailles is a former royal residence built by King Louis XIV located about 12 miles west of Paris. The palace is owned by the French Republic and about 15,000,000 people visit the palace, park, or gardens of Versailles every year, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.

23/ The Seine is a 483-mile-long river in northern France which flows through Paris and into the English Channel. Nearly its whole length is available for recreational boating; excursion boats offer sightseeing tours of the river banks in the capital city, in which there are 37 bridges across the Seine.

24/ Place Stanislas is a large pedestrianized square in the city of Nancy. Built between 1752 and 1756, the square is s an excellent example of 18th-century urban architecture.

25/ The Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century AD to carry water over 31 miles to the Roman colony of Nemausus. It is the

tallest of all Roman aqueduct bridges, as well as one of the best preserved.

26 Provins is a commune in north-central France that is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and importance throughout the Middle Ages as an economic center.

27/ Lyons is the third-largest city of France. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône, to the northwest of the French Alps, 243 miles southeast of Paris.

28/ Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps are a series of stilt house settlements in and around the Alps built from about 5000 to 500 BC on the edges of lakes, rivers or wetlands. There are 111 sites located variously in Switzerland (56), Italy (19), Germany (18), France (11), Austria (5) and Slovenia. Contrary to popular belief, they were not erected over water, but on nearby marshy land. Because the lakes have grown in size over time, many of the original piles are now under water.

29/ The Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley consists of 15 prehistoric sites in the Vézère valley mostly in and around Les Eyzies-de-TayacSireuil, which has been called the "Capital of Prehistory." It has played an essential role in the study of the Paleolithic era and its art.

30/ Strasbourg is the largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France and the official seat of the European Parliament. It is located at the border with Germany in the historic region of Alsace.

31/ The Roman Theatre of Orange was built early in the 1st century AD. The structure is owned by the municipality of Orange and is one of the best preserved of all Roman theatres. Playing a major role in the life of the citizens, who spent a large part of their free time there, the theatre was seen by the Roman authorities not only as a means of spreading Roman culture to the colonies,

I yelled “COW!” at a woman on a bike and she gave me the finger. Then she plowed her bike straight into the cow. I tried.

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PHOTO: JONATHAN MARTZ, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

It was only after we got married that I realized he stutters.

but also as a way of distracting them from all political activities.

1st Woman: “How did you meet your husband?” 2nd Woman: “I’m a pharmacist. One day he came in to buy condoms and he asked for XXXXXL.

32/ The Loire Valley spans 170 miles in the middle stretch of the Loire river in central France. It is referred to as the Cradle of the French and the Garden of France due to the abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards (such as cherries), and artichoke, and asparagus fields, which line the banks of the river. (pictured: Château d'Azayle-Rideau.

33/ The Cité de Carcassonne is a medieval citadel situated on a hill on the right bank of the River Aude. It was restored at the end of the 19th century and is exceptional testimony to the architecture and planning of a medieval fortress town.

34/ Calanques de Piana are Corsican calanques located in Piana in the Gulf of Porto. (Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean, and a calanque is a steep-sided valley.) It includes other sites in the Gulf of Porto, due to its beauty, rich marine biodiversity, and unique maquis shrubland.

35/ The New Caledonian barrier reef is a barrier reef located in New Caledonia in the South Pacific, being the longest continuous barrier reef in the world and the third largest after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

36/ Réunion is an island in the Indian Ocean that is an overseas department and region of France. It is located 422 miles east of Madagascar and has a population of 873,102. It holds the status of a region of France, and is an integral part of the French Republic. Réunion is an outermost region

of the European Union and along with the fellow French overseas department of Mayotte are the only eurozone regions located in the Southern Hemisphere.

37/ The Pyrénées – Mont Perdu straddles the border between Spain and France in the Pyrenees mountain. The summit of Monte Perdido is on the Spanish side of the border. The site includes two bordering national parks: the entire Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in Spain and the eastern part of Pyrénées Occidentales National Park in France.

38/ The Nord-Pas-de-Calais Mining Basin is a mining basin in Northern France that is famous for its long history of coal extraction and its testimony to a significant period in the history of industrialization in Europe.

MAP: SUPERWIKIFANBOURGEOIS.A, CC BY-SA 4.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

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PHOTO: ALEXANDER BARANOV FROM MONTPELLIER, FRANCE, CC BY 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

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Husband: “What’s for dinner?” Wife: “Nothing.”

39/ The Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc Cave contains some of the best-preserved figurative cave paintings in the world, as well as other evidence of Upper Paleolithic life. The picture is estimated to be 31,000 years old.

40/ Climats, terroirs of Burgundy is a cultural landscape and a series of sites that exemplify the viticulture practices of the Burgundy wine region. The climats are small, precisely delimited land parcels that differ from each other in microclimate, geography, soil, and grape type. The Burgundy climats are the birthplace of the terroir system of French wine, where each geographical region has its own unique wine.

41/ Champagne hillsides, houses and cellars is the name given to several sites

in the Champagne region known for their historical ties to the production and sale of champagne.

42/ The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement consists of a selection of 17 building projects in several

countries by the Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier. They demonstrate how Modern Movement architecture was applied to respond to the needs of society and show the global range of a style and an architect. (Pictured: Assembly Building, Chandigarh, India)

Husband: “We had nothing last night.” Wife: I know. I made enough for two days.”

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41

40

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Husband: “I’m going down to the pub. Put your coat on.” Wife: “Ooh. Am I coming?” Husband: “No. I’m turning off the heat.”

43/ Marae Taputapuatea is a large marae complex at Opoa in Taputapuatea, on the south eastern coast of Raiatea. The site features a number of marae and other stone structures and was once considered the central temple and religious center of Eastern Polynesia.

44/ The Chaîne des Puys a north-south oriented 25-mile-long chain of cinder cones, lava domes, and maars in the Massif Central of France. The name of the range comes from a French term, puy, which refers to a volcanic mountain with a rounded profile.

45/ The French Southern and Antarctic Lands consist of: Adélie Land, the French claim on the continent of Antarctica; Crozet Islands, a group in the southern Indian Ocean, south of Madagascar; Kerguelen Islands, a group of volcanic islands in the southern Indian Ocean, southeast of Africa; Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands, a

group to the north of the Kerguelen Islands; and the Scattered Islands, a dispersed group of islands around the coast of Madagascar. (Pictured: One of the Crozet islands)

46/ The Great Spa Towns of Europe consists of 11 spa towns across 7 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, and United Kingdom) that were developed around natural mineral water springs. From the early 18th century to the 1930s, Western Europe experienced an increase in spa and bathing culture, leading to the construction of elaborate bath houses. These would often include gardens, casinos, theatres, and villas surrounding the springs and the bath houses. (Pictured: The Roman Baths in Bath, England)

47/ Cordouan lighthouse is an active lighthouse located 4.3 miles at sea, near the mouth of the Gironde estuary in France. At a height of 221 feet, it is the tenth tallest "traditional lighthouse" in the world.

48/ The Nice agglomeration extends far beyond the administrative city limits, with a population of nearly 1 million and an area of 287 sq mi on the French Riviera, the southeastern coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, at the foot of the French Alps, Nice is the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast; it is 8 miles from the principality of Monaco and 19 miles from the French–Italian border.

49/ Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe encompasses 94 parts in 18 European countries. Together, the sites protect the largest and least disturbed forests dominated by the beech tree. (Pictured: Beušnica waterfalls in western Romania)

PHOTO: KULIA PETZ, CC BY 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PHOTO: ROMARY ASSUMED (BASED ON COPYRIGHT CLAIMS) CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS.

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TOP US SUBURBS THAT FEEL LIKE BIG CITIES

[RANKED

BY LIVE-WORK-PLAY ENVIRONMENT]

quiet, tree-lined streets, good schools and large backyards – or large rooftop gardens. But as many suburbs began to experiment with new urbanist principles, we’ve now come to enjoy vibrant, better connected communities, which are more diverse in terms of housing, business and lifestyle amenities.

The road ahead is not without its challenges, and there are of course geographic variations, but some places have succeeded in fostering sustainable, mixed-use development that can cater to the needs of both multi-generational households and young professionals who can now work from anywhere.

To see where people can find the right mix of amenities to support a modern lifestyle, StorageCafe (a sister division of Yardi Matrix) set out to identify the best US suburbs with urban flair. Their Maria Gatea led the analysis of 912 cities with populations between 10K and 100K in the 100 largest metropolitan areas and looked at several factors including: housing affordability, new construction, housing diversity (single-family, multifamily homes); demographics; business environment; shopping and dining amenities; health; education; safety; transportation options; and self-storage prices and availability (as a way to maximize home space).

the liNes betweeN UrbAN and suburban living are getting blurry across the country. People have been seeking the comfort and privacy of suburbs while also craving city-like amenities – and it has driven a massive redesign of the suburban environment.

In fact, the American suburb has come a long way from the typical bedroom community with white picket fences where driving was a must, and one could only dream of an oat milk latte. Much of the original appeal is still there, including the

To calculate the number of retail stores, restaurants and health care and social assistance establishments related to population, they used U.S. Census data and made estimates based on ZIP code data. To assess education, they created a ranking based on standardized test results, numbers of public schools per 1,000 locals and student-to-teacher ratios. Obesity rates and life expectancy were calculated based on county-level data from the CDC.

See the methodology and the complete 100 suburb list <HERE>. n

Work from home tip: Blowing on the wine in the mug will help convince your zoom meeting that your tea is hot.

é Edina

é Boca Raton

ART

CH TECTURE

HANSRUEDI RAMSAUER

TEXTURED PERCEPTION IS REALITY

digitAl Artist hANsrUedi rAmsAUer found his way to art by accident. The self-employed web designer from Switzerland started experimenting with Photoshop a few years ago. He opened an Instagram account and posted a picture every day. What was meant to be an exercise quickly led to a large following.

Big brands like Hyundai, Disney, Adobe, Columbia Sportswear and Toyota started working with him. He was also part of an exhibition series to raise awareness about the world's oceans. Organized by TheOceanAgency and UNESCO, the images were shown in Paris, Lisbon, and Geneva. More venues will follow.

Hansruedi Ramsauer is also active in the NFT scene. You can find his works on foundation.app and knownoirigin.io. (An NFT is a digital asset that can come in the form of art, music, in-game items, videos, and more. They are bought and sold online, frequently with cryptocurrency, and they are generally encoded with the same underlying software as many cryptos. Although they’ve been around since 2014, NFTs are gaining notoriety now because they are becoming an increasingly popular way to buy and sell digital artwork.)

Hansruedi Ramsauers goal is to point out the importance of perspective. Just as the photographer can choose the

perspective he uses for a picture, everyone can choose the perspective of how he/she looks at a life situation. We can change our lives by changing our perspective on life. That is why perspectives play an important role in his work. n

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

(WAYNE DYER)

Being a little older, I am very fortunate to have someone call and check on me every day. He's from India and he's very concerned about my car warranty.

WHY ARTCH TECTURE ?

Great art is among the most sublime, meaningful, and redeeming creations of all civilization. Few endeavors can equal the power of great artwork to capture aesthetic beauty, to move and inspire, to change perceptions, and to communicate the nature of human experience. Great art is also complex, mysterious, and challenging. Filled with symbolism, cultural and historical references, and often visionary imagery, great artworks oblige us to reckon with their many meanings.

Architects and designers (many of our readers) have a lot of influence on the way we perceive the world. A structure often plays a significant part in how we experience a place. (Think of a restaurant, a museum, an arena, a stadium... even an office building - virtually anywhere!) The interior design impacts our sensory perception, our comfort, and our physical connection and there is also artistry in the exterior design. (That’s why we call it artchitecture.)

AMERICA’S FAVORITE RCHITECTURE

As pArt of the commemoration of the organization's 150th anniversary in 2007, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced the list of the 150 highest-ranked structures as "America's Favorite Architecture". It was based upon a study by Harris Interactive over the course of two years polling a sample of the AIA membership and later polling a sample of the public. The public's preferences were ranked using a "likeability" scale developed for the study. AIA president R.K. Stewart

acknowledged that the rankings did not represent architects' professional judgments, but instead reflected people's "emotional connections" to buildings. As a result, many buildings that architects consider highly significant did not make the list.

In our last seven issues, we presented the top 105. This is Part 8 of our 10-part series and here are 106-120 n

I said I was good at making decisions. I didn't say the decisions I made were good.

BY G. BRIAN DAVIS

Are yoU lookiNg for a new mortgage or loan? Or maybe you're just curious about the different interest rates available to you? Either way, it's important to know about floating interest rates, also known as variable interest rates.

WHAT IS A FLOATING INTEREST RATE?

Simply put, floating interest rates are inter-est rates that change over time. Unlike fixed interest rates, which remain the same throughout the duration of a loan or investment, floating interest rates fluctuate with market conditions. These rates are typically tied to a benchmark rate, like the prime rate, which is set by the Federal Reserve.

In addition to mortgages and credit cards, personal loans can also be subject to floating interest rates. They are typically referred to as variable rates as opposed to fixed rates. While fixed interest rates offer stability and predictability, floating interest rates can provide borrowers and investors with greater flexibility and the potential for lower interest rates over time.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The benchmark rate, such as the prime rate, is set by the Federal Reserve. This rate serves as a baseline for floating interest rates on loans and investments. When the Federal Reserve adjusts the benchmark rate, it can have a domino effect throughout the economy, causing floating interest rates to rise or fall in response.

For example, let's say you have a variablerate mortgage with an interest rate that is tied to the prime rate. If the Federal Reserve raises the prime rate, your mortgage interest rate will likely increase as well. On the other hand, if the prime rate falls, your mortgage interest rate could go down. It's worth noting that not all loans and investments with floating interest rates are tied to the prime rate. Some may be tied to other benchmark rates, such as the federal funds rate. However, the basic principle remains the same - when the benchmark rate goes up or down, so do floating interest rates.

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE FLOATING INTEREST RATE

BENEFITS

One of the benefits of floating interest rates is that they can be more responsive to changes in the economy than fixed rates. For example, if interest rates are high when you take out a fixed-rate mortgage, you'll be stuck with that rate for the duration of the loan. However, with a floating-rate mortgage, your interest rate could potentially decrease over time if the benchmark rate goes down. While fixed interest rates may provide stability and predictability, floating interest rates offer a variety of benefits that you simply can't ignore.

Flexibility: One of the biggest benefits of floating interest rates is their flexibility. Unlike fixed interest rates, which remain the same for the entire term of the loan, floating interest rates fluctuate based on market conditions. This means that if interest rates go down, your payments will go down as well, resulting in savings in interest over the loan's life.

Adaptability: Floating interest rates are also adaptable to changes in the market. If inflation starts to rise, for example, the interest rate on your loan will adjust accordingly. This means that you won't be stuck paying a high fixed interest rate when market conditions change.

Lower initial payments: Floating interest rates often come with lower initial payments than fixed interest rates. This can be especially beneficial for those who are just starting out or who are trying to save money on their monthly payments.

Increased competitiveness: Because floating interest rates are so flexible, they can be a great way to stay competitive in a constantly changing market. If your competitors are offering lower interest rates, for example, you can adjust your interest rates accordingly to stay competitive.

RISKS

Of course, there is also some risk involved with floating interest rates that you need to be aware of:

• Your payments can go up. Let's say you take out a loan with a floating interest rate of 4%. Your payments are based on that rate and your budget accordingly. But what if the rate jumps to 6%? Suddenly, your monthly payments are significantly higher than you anticipated.

• There is a possibility that you will pay more interest over the course of the loan. You could end up paying more interest if the interest rates continue to rise than if you had a fixed rate.

• Floating interest rates can be unpredictable. The market is constantly changing, and it's hard to predict what interest rates will do. This can make it difficult to budget and plan for the future.

Opportunity for savings: With floating interest rates, there's always the opportunity to save money. If interest rates go down, your payments will go down as well, which can save you a significant amount of money over the life of the loan. And since interest rates are constantly changing, there's always the potential for savings.

It's important to carefully consider your options and make sure you're comfortable with the level of risk involved before choosing a floating interest rate product. Over all, the floating interest rate can be a useful tool for borrowers and investors alike, but it's important to understand the risks involved. Whether you're considering an adjustable-rate mortgage or a floating interestrate bond, make sure to do your research and carefully consider your options. n

The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.

G. Brian Davis is a real estate investor and the co-founder of Sparkrental.

PROFILES IN REAL ESTATE

A guy walks into a lumberyard and asks for some two-by-fours. The clerk asks, “How long do you need them?” The guy answers, “A long time. We're gonna build a house.”

SIMON CASTILLO, SAS TEXAS CAPITAL

to eNgAge with more real estate investors, as we grow our own real estate business, we decided to join a new group called Wealth & Whiskey. Well, how can we go wrong with that? We attended their monthly Meet Up at Ranger Creek Distilling and found an interesting group of people looking to build wealth through real estate. It is a great mastermind-style meetup where those attending network and learn from each other. That is where I met Simon Castillo, the principal of SAS Texas Capital.

Like many real estate investors, Simon started in 2004 with single family homes and survived the 2008-2009 recession because his properties were providing cash flow and he avoided variable and shortterm debt. He continued to acquire single family homes, but started to realize that he was going to run out of money, time, and patience before he could get to the type of financial freedom he was hoping to attain. In 2019, he discovered the world of real estate syndications and was blown away by the fact that he had not known about how to invest in multifamily properties sooner. He initially invested in his first syndication deals while learning and increasing his network and preparing himself to make the jump to active general partner. Since 2021, he has been a general partner on four multifamily acquisitions totaling over 400 units and has $38 million in assets under management.

Roxana: What does your company do and where do you operate?

Simon: We acquire multifamily apartment complexes on a value-add basis. Our typical acquisition is 100+ units, Class B or C property, that has a long-term owner that is now ready to sell and presents us an opportunity to add value through renovations and/or management efficiencies. We will syndicate these acquisitions, meaning that we will bring in investors and in return provide them with favorable returns, tax benefits and cash flow. All our acquisitions are currently in San Antonio, TX.

Roxana: How do you measure success?

Simon: We measure success by whether we are operating and maintaining our properties the best we

can and providing our residents with a better living experience. We also must meet our investor expectations. Our investors put their trust in us by investing their precious capital in our project and we hold that trust to highest degree possible. Our mission is to bring as many people as possible along with us to share in our journey towards building wealth.

Roxana: How has business been and what do you see ahead for the future?

Simon: Our 4 acquisitions have been in the past three years, so we have been very happy with the ways things are turning out so far. Interest rates were historically low, the lending markets were active and the deal flow was good. When I stop and think about it, we are still early in our multifamily journey although we have come a long way the past three years. With a podcast started, a meet up and many other things in the pipeline, I am excited to see what the next three years hold.

BY ROXANA TOFAN

news lately. There was a banking crisis, we saw major banks fail for the first time since 2008, there are fears of recession and inflation. When investors are fearful or uncertain, they tend to become paralyzed and not do anything. I would say that is the wrong reaction to have. When there is fear in the market, there will also be opportunities. As investors, we must be ready when those opportunities become available. I would also add that I analyze 12-15 deals per month and there is still a large spread between what sellers are asking for and what buyers can pay. Sellers are still clinging to their 2021 property valuation and ignoring the fact that there have been 9 interest rate increases since then.

Roxana: What is your favorite part of what you do?

Simon: Everything! I love real estate and can honestly say it is my passion. But this is a people business and though I identify as an introvert, I have enjoyed meeting so many different people along the way, from investors to tenants to brokers, lenders, property managers and many more. I enjoy hosting my podcast, Invest Smarter on Apple iTunes and Spotify—another way I was able to step out of my comfort zone.

Roxana: Who is your competition? Or how do you compete?

Simon: I feel like real estate and especially commercial real estate is a team game, so I don’t view other investors as competition. There are ways for us to partner together on deals and to help each other. My hope is to partner with other investors so that together we can go further and faster than trying to go at it alone. Networking is key to finding and building relationships with brokers and potential partners. In today’s world, social media plays a large part in helping to become known as a thought leader in the real estate investing space as well as educating people to the opportunities available to them.

Roxana: As a syndicator what is your take on the current market?

Simon: If I could sum up the current market in one word, it would be FEAR! There are many headwinds making the

I have been operating and brokering in the commercial real estate and apartment industry for the last 22 years. I certainly have seen my share of market ups and down. Over the last five to seven years, apartment syndication has grown with numerous investment opportunities. In the current market (with interest rates high and sale pricing yet to adjust), it is important that investors stay educated through market studies and articles, podcasts and staying in touch with operators on the ground. Simon stays inspired by surrounding himself with smart people that come on his podcast and share their knowledge and expertise, while also getting the hidden benefit of learning directly from them. n

Roxana Tofan is a commercial real estate and business broker and the founder and owner of Clear Integrity Group in San Antonio. She is also a Contributing Editor of roxana@clearintegritygroup.com

BY T. J. EDWARDS

KEEPING AMERICA’S CLASSIFIED INFORMATION SECRET?

from 1991 throUgh 2021, I served in the military across the United States and overseas (including three tours at the Pentagon and two combat tours in the Middle East). Over that period, I witnessed a range of security protocols and vigilance when it came to the access, storage, and protection of America’s classified information and secrets. But I never witnessed a fool-proof system for keeping America’s secrets safe.

It was always hard and meticulous work. It could even be hazardous duty with career ending consequences for those who didn’t take handling classified information seriously enough. Not to mention the constant reminder in the back of your head, based on training and the importance of the classified material, that even an honest mistake meant mishandling classified documents could send you to jail. That is why I can’t help wondering what is happening to our country’s classified information and important secrets? Are we somehow more sloppy and less accountable with classified information? Is classified information now less secure or less protected than in the past?

I mean “What-the-heck?” is going on with America finding unauthorized classified documents publicly stored or released in social media? What is the story? In late 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided the personal residence of a former president of the United States and found hundreds of unauthorized classified documents and materials. Then in February 2023, the FBI searched the personal residence our current president where they also found unauthorized classified documents. Searching a former vice president’s residence yielded similar results. Let’s be honest, these headlines do not actually inspire confidence when it comes to America’s ability to secure and protect our classified information and secrets. “But wait, there is more….” as we often hear in television commercials. “More” classified documents seem to pop-up daily in public.

On April 10, 2023 the Associated Press published an article titled, “Leaked documents a ‘very serious’ risk to security, Pentagon says”. That same day, the Washington Examiner reported, “The leak heard around the world: ‘A nightmare’ for US, NATO, and Ukraine”.

America’s most recent classified document breach allegedly comes from a 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guardsman (Jack Teixieira). He apparently posted more than 100 classified documents to the social media networking site Discord. These classified secrets spread to other interested audiences—to Twitter, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Pentagon, and among numerous foreign governments (Russia, Ukraine, and China to name a few). At a minimum, this latest classified document breach is embarrassing to the U.S. military and our country.

America’s leaders and intelligence officials must do more to properly protect and store our country’s classified information and secrets. This isn’t a Republican problem. It isn’t a Democrat problem. This is an American problem. And it isn’t an entirely new problem. During World War II for example, the Navy posted operational security posters that warned Sailors, “Loose Lips Sink Ships.” This caution remains accurate today. What is a classified document - you ask?

Unfortunately, a detailed answer takes significant time and explanation (which is part of the challenge). However, at the core, classified documents are documents that contain sensitive information and are only accessible to authorized personnel. These documents often contain infor-

mation related to national security, military operations, and other important matters. Classified documents play a critical role in ensuring the safety and security of a nation by keeping that information safeguarded. The U.S. system for classifying secrets is based on the idea that our government has access to significant information that is not available, or at least not widely available, to private citizens or organizations. Keeping classified information from falling into the wrong hands must remain non-negotiable for America and its leaders.

Foreign powers and adversaries want to use America’s classified information to gain an advantage (militarily, diplomatically, financially, etc). We already know the devastating impacts that unauthorized data leaks have on public security, reputation, and finances. Information disclosure risks are even of greater concern in today’s digital age. Risks not just to our country, but also to individuals and businesses.

We live in an increasingly connected and digital world. Thirty years ago, it took weeks and months to pull together the type of information necessary to create classified documents. Today, that timeline is considerably shorter. Given the explosion in new technologies like artificial intelligence, more and more data is available to collect and connect. In many cases, our government seems behind the curve in terms of even keeping up. The world we live in today is drastically different than just five years ago, let alone thirty years ago.

é Jack Teixeira

New technologies are giving rise to an altogether new threat: troves of personal data, much readily available, that can be exploited by foreign powers. This is why national security professionals and members of Congress are so concerned with the Chinese commercial company “Tik-Tok”. Each new piece of information, by itself, is relatively unimportant. But combined, these pieces can give foreign adversaries unprecedented insights into the personal lives of many Americans.

The United States must adapt its methods for protecting confidential and classified information. It is essential to implement practical strategies for preventing leaks and protecting our nation’s secrets. This can include using encryption technology, implementing access control measures, training employees on security best practices, and developing policies to prevent unauthorized access. By taking these steps, our government and other organizations can seriously reduce the risk of data breaches and protect vital information from malicious actors.

With the advancements in technology, the protection of classified and confidential documents should be easier and more secure than ever before. We have technology solutions available now that enable organizations to protect their sensitive data from unauthorized access, malicious attacks, and other potential threats. Technology can also help organizations ensure that only authorized personnel have access to confidential documents. But technology alone isn’t the only answer. Regrettably, technology isn’t a fix-all or “easy-button.” We still need strong American leadership when it comes to enforcing the discipline and precision required for handling and managing classified information. Americans should demand accountability from these leaders, as well as any other persons, groups, or adversaries caught leaking or mishandling classified information. A lack of leadership and accountability with America’s classified information undermines our country’s democracy and, increasingly, our U.S. national security. n

LES CHOUX DE CRÉTEIL

les choUx de créteil (a/k/a The Cabbages of Créteil) is a group of ten 15-story cylindrical residential buildings, in a suburb of Paris, France. The buildings were designed by architect Gérard Grandval and were completed in 1974. The area where the towers were built was an old cabbage field—no doubt the inspiration for the architect’s design (and the name of the development).

The 5.5 feet tall, curved balconies were supposed to have all sorts of ornamental plants and small trees, but that never happened. In 1998 the municipality decided to upgrade the area, and, to encourage social intermixing, a fourth of the apartments were dedicated to students.

The project was recognized as a "Heritage of the 20th Century" by the French Ministry of Culture in 2008 n

tjedwardsjr23@gmail.com

T. J. Edwards recently retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of service.

GLOBAL HOUSING PRICES

HAVE CHANGED SINCE 2010

COUNTRIES WITH INCREASED HOUSING PRICES (2010–2022)

Many other emerging market economies also saw housing prices increase. In India and Malaysia, housing prices are up by 59%. Likewise, the Philippines (50%) and Colombia (40%) also saw real prices increase faster than the global average. However, not all countries logged big housing price increases. Some countries in Europe, including France, Belgium, and Croatia, and Asia, including China, and Singapore, all saw less than 20% growth in real prices.

IS YOUR COUNTRY IN A HOUSING BUBBLE?

From the housing prices of countries listed above, the data can point to the emergence of potential housing bubbles in Iceland, New Zealand, and Canada. However, bubbles are usually only fully identified and measured after they have burst (or have started to). Otherwise, if their inflated values hold through sudden changes in market conditions, they can simply point to more accurately-priced demand. There are a variety of reasons that can lead to housing price growth. Some of them are listed below, taken from a speech delivered by the deputy governor of the Bank of Canada back in 2015:

iN mANy coUNtries AroUNd the world, it seems like house prices have been constantly climbing. Houses fulfill a rare mix of necessity, utility, sentimentality, and for many, also act as a primary investment to build wealth. And it’s that last angle, combined with increasing demand in many countries, that is driving housing prices skyward.

Using data from the Bank of International Settlements, Ehsan Soltani of Visual Capitalist ranked the change in real residential property prices for 57 countries from 2010 to 2022.

Real prices assess the value of a good after adjusting for inflation. This is expressed in constant values relative to a base year, in this case, 2010. Nominal prices do not adjust for inflation. In the dataset of 57 countries, 80% have seen increases in housing prices in the last 12 years. Advanced economies, or the most developed countries in the world, have seen the highest increases. But across all measured countries, the real price of housing has increased nearly 30% on average since 2010.

COUNTRIES WITH DECREASED HOUSING PRICES (2010–2022)

MACROECONOMIC

Rising disposable incomes, lower longterm interest rates.

DEMOGRAPHIC

Population growth, increased migration, and shifts in family structure.

CREDIT CONDITIONS

Broader access to and more efficient funding of mortgage credit.

OTHER FACTORS

Improvements to macro-policy framework, international investment, and regulatory and tax changes.

And specific local factors also play a part in many markets. In Iceland for example, tourism growth and the surge in shortterm rentals have also contributed to

the housing crisis. Meanwhile, in the U.S., restricted housing supply is one of the factors pushing prices up.When you factor in successive interest rate hikes to combat inflation and rising mortgage rates, the housing market remains at the forefront of discussion more so than ever. The question is, what comes next for the world’s housing prices?

BY RCAM DOWSKI

EMERGING TRENDS AND INNOVATIONS IN REAL ESTATE

the reAl estAte iNdUstry is one of the most dynamic and complex sectors in the world. It is constantly influenced by various factors such as market conditions, consumer preferences, technological innovations, regulatory changes and more. As a professional home buyer, I know how crucial it is to stay informed and updated on the latest trends and innovations in real estate that can affect your business and career.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING

One of the most exciting trends in real estate is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to automate, optimize and personalize various processes and tasks. AI and ML are technologies that enable machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, decision making and more. AI and ML can help improve the efficiency, accuracy, speed and quality of real estate services and operations. For example:

• Valuing properties based on data and digital images, using automated valuation models (AVMs) that can outperform traditional appraisal methods.

• Underwriting mortgages based on AI’s risk calculations, using factors such as credit scores, income, debt, property condition and market trends.

• Analyzing data to identify opportunities, predict outcomes and optimize strategies, using ML algorithms that can learn from historical and real-time information.

• Generating leads, qualifying prospects, negotiating deals, and providing customer service, using AI-powered platforms that can tailor recommendations, communicate with clients, and handle transactions.

• Managing properties, facilities, and energy consumption, using AI-based systems that can monitor, control, and optimize various aspects of building operations.

BLOCKCHAIN AND SMART CONTRACTS

Another trend that is transforming the real estate industry is the use of blockchain and smart contracts to facilitate transactions and agreements. Blockchain is a technology that enables the creation of a distributed ledger that records transactions in a secure, transparent, and immutable way. Smart contracts are self-executing contracts that are encoded on the blockchain and execute automatically when predefined conditions are met. Blockchain and smart contracts can help reduce costs, risks, errors and frauds in real estate transactions and agreements.

Blockchain and smart contracts can also enable new ways of owning, managing and trading real estate assets. For example, blockchain can enable tokenization, which is the process of dividing a property into fractional ownership units that can be easily bought and sold on a digital platform. Tokenization can increase liquidity, accessibility, and affordability of real estate assets. Smart contracts can also enable peer-to-peer transactions, which can eliminate intermediaries and simplify the process of

buying and selling properties. By using blockchain and smart contracts, you can benefit from more efficiency, transparency and security in your real estate transactions and agreements.

INTERNET OF THINGS AND 5G

A third trend that is gaining momentum in real estate is the use of the internet of things (IoT) and 5G to connect devices and systems in buildings and cities. IoT is a technology that enables devices and systems to communicate with each other via the internet. 5G is a technology that enables high-speed wireless connectivity with low latency and high capacity. IoT and 5G can help improve functionality, performance, and security.

IoT and 5G can also enable new possibilities for enhancing the user experience and creating value in real estate. For example, IoT can enable smart lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), security and access control systems that can adapt to the preferences and behaviors of occupants. 5G can enable immersive technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) that can create engaging and interactive environments for users. By using IoT and 5G, you can benefit from more convenience, comfort and innovation in your real estate projects and operations

CO-LIVING AND CO-WORKING

Co-living and co-working spaces are shared spaces that offer accommodation and work facilities for individuals and groups. Co-living and co-working spaces can provide convenience, flexibility, affordability, community, and collabora-

tion for users. Co-living and co-working spaces can also create new opportunities and challenges for the owner, company and investors.

These can also cater to different needs and preferences of users. For example, co-living spaces can offer different types of rooms, amenities, and services to suit different lifestyles and budgets. Co-working spaces can offer different types of desks, offices, and meeting rooms to suit different work styles and projects. By using co-living and co-working spaces, you can benefit from more choice, diversity, and personalization in your real estate experience.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE MARKETING

Social media and online marketing are platforms and strategies that use the internet to reach and engage potential customers. Social media and online marketing can help increase visibility, awareness, trust, and loyalty for real estate brands and professionals. Social media and online marketing can also help generate leads, conversions, and referrals for real estate businesses.

This can also enable new ways of showcasing and selling properties and services. For example, social media can enable live streaming, virtual tours, 360-degree videos, and interactive features that can enhance the presentation and experience of properties. Online marketing can enable email marketing, content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising that

can drive traffic and sales to websites and landing pages. By using social media and online marketing, you can benefit from more creativity, reach and results in your real estate promotion.

VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY

One of the most exciting trends in real estate is the use of virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) to create immersive and interactive experiences for buyers and sellers. VR and AR can help buyers visualize properties without visiting them in person, saving time and money. They can also help sellers showcase their properties in the best possible way, highlighting features and amenities that might otherwise go unnoticed.

VR and AR can also enable new possibilities for enhancing the user experience and creating value in real estate. For example, VR can enable gamification, storytelling, personalization, and customization that can make the property viewing more engaging and memorable. AR can enable annotation, information, simulation, and comparison that can make the property evaluation more informative and accurate. By using VR and AR, you can benefit from more differentiation, satisfaction, and loyalty in your real estate transactions.

SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY

Another trend that is transforming the real estate industry is smart home technology. Smart home technology refers to devices and systems that can automate,

monitor, and control various aspects of a home, such as lighting, temperature, security, entertainment and more. Smart home technology can improve the comfort, convenience, safety and efficiency of a home, as well as increase its resale value.

According to Forbes, smart home technology is not only a consumer preference but also a driver of real estate demand. Builders and realtors are increasingly incorporating smart home features into their projects and listings, as they recognize the benefits of attracting buyers and enhancing their satisfaction. Some of the most popular smart home devices include voice assistants, smart thermostats, smart locks, smart cameras, and smart speakers.

SUSTAINABILITY AND GREEN BUILDING

Sustainability and green building refer to practices and principles that aim to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and enhance their social and economic benefits. Sustainability and green building can help lower energy consumption, water usage, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as improve health, well-being, productivity, and profitability.

This can also enable new opportunities and challenges for real estate stakeholders. For example, sustainability can help attract more customers, investors, partners, and employees who value environmental and social responsibility. Green building can help comply with more regulations, standards and certifications that require higher performance and quality. By using sustainability and green building, you can benefit from better reputation, competitiveness, and growth in your real estate business.

Real estate is an industry that is constantly evolving and innovating. These exciting trends and innovations can help you improve your efficiency, performance, security, user experience, value proposition and growth in your real estate projects and operations. n

Cam Dowski is a real estate investor and founder of We Buy Houses Chicago info@webuyhouseschicago.co

HOUSING THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

BY SYLVIA E. KING-COHEN

PART 2 OF A 3-PART SERIES WITHOUT STAFF THERE WOULD BE NO GROUP HOMES

from the momeNt she steps through the door of the group home in Wading River, N.Y., Ildiko Czigany’s main thought is of the five residents and how their day is going. Czigany, the residential manager for the group home, says she feels like a mom of clever, rambunctious sons, and she wants their every experience to be the best possible.

“They keep you on your toes,” says Czigany, 53, who has spent more than 25 years in healthcare and has been the residential manager here since 2020. She chose to work with special-needs individuals after a prolonged illness and hospital stay. change. Someone who usually is chatty and helpful, may not feel like being either today.”

One of the residents, Victor, is a clothes horse and loves to go shopping. Another, Peter, is really shy until he gets to know you.

Willowbrook’s many issues were brought to light by Rivera, who filmed such warehousing atrocities as patients spending the day semi-naked, banging their heads against walls and existing in squalor. There were no classes, no socialization, the barest of medical care and no attempt to integrate them into society. Thanks to the efforts of some determined parents and that young television reporter, these types of inhumane living conditions were outlawed. In a landmark 1975 federal court settlement, New York agreed to move Willowbrook’s residents into the group homes of which people are now familiar. It took until 1993 to fully close the facility, which housed more than 5,000 patients. This population had to be integrated into society. A task that isn’t always easy.

é Connor Thumser, 29, who works in finance in Manhattan during the week, was just looking for something to fill his weekend while his now fiancée finished her law degree. Two years on and she's a lawyer, but he has decided that he doesn't want to leave. "I have such a bond with the guys here," says Thumser, as he folds laundry. "I don't look at it as work anymore. Just wonder what the guys are up to when I walk in the door." Thumser says the only problem is that after doing chores at the group home, he is less inclined to do his chores at home.

“People had helped me so much that I wanted to give back,” Czigany explains of her long recovery from a stroke and meningitis. “They love to talk, they’re funny and they’re all individual. I think that is what people who don’t interact with this population don’t understand. They’re all individual and they each have a range of things they can do and want to do. And, on any given day it could all

While Victor spent time in the kitchen helping to prepare dinner and keeping an eye on the brownies, Thomas finally came into the kitchen in time to set the table. On the menu today: salad, barbecue ribs, broccoli, mashed potatoes, and brownies.

“What people don’t understand is that this is their home, not ours,” says Czigany, who is employed by RISE Life Services, a not-for-profit headquartered in Riverhead, a town on the North Fork of Long Island. It provides a range of services to those in need on the North Fork and across Long Island. “We don’t tell them what to do, we ask them what they want.”

The group home concept grew out of the closing of the warehousing facilities of 50 years ago. Due in part to the reporting of a young Geraldo Rivera, Willowbrook State School in the Borough of Staten Island and others like it across New York State were closed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates Autism Spectrum Disorder affects roughly 5.4 million people in the United States 18 and older. This translates to 2.21 percent of adults or approximately 1 in 45.

“There aren’t enough group homes,” says Charles Evdos, executive director at RISE Life Services, which operates 32 homes across Long Island for 250 residents and employs 300 residential staff. When clients age out of school when they turn 21, families turn to such organizations as RISE to provide classes, training, activities – and housing. “There are all sorts of fears, such as a group home will bring down the property values. A group home is a good neighbor. We maintain the property inside and out. Our homes are beautifully landscaped and often, unless someone told you, you might not know it is a group home.”

To head off problems, Evdos’ staff conducts outreach into the community before and after a home is purchased to allay concerns. They’ll invite members

é Some artwork is just too good to be hidden away. Just as at any other home, arts and crafts find their way to a display space. Painting is a regular activity for the residents at the group home in Wading River, N.Y. Other favorites include game nights, an evening watching baseball or other sports and, of course, a movie and popcorn.

“Life is like a box of chocolates. It doesn’t last long if you’re fat.” (Joe Lycett)

of the community for a visit, which helps them understand the level of care staff provides. Evdos says it often is an eyeopener for visitors to understand the extensive training staff undergoes. Each staffer is certified in CPR, first aid, deescalation techniques and administration of medication. Staff must be recertified on a yearly basis.

businesses and industries are fighting for an ever-smaller pool of applicants.

“We’re looking at a number of issues,” Evdos explained. “Our clients are getting older. Caregivers are getting older. Housing is more expensive and salaries we’re paying staff are not keeping up with the cost of living. Our staff hadn’t had a COLA [Cost of Living Allowance] in twelve years until last year. We can’t compete with other businesses. Our COLA in 2022 was 5.2 percent, but the cost of living was at 10 percent.”

Organizations such as RISE average about $18 per hour. For comparison, the state pays around $23 per hour, plus a state pension and benefits.

é This activity board at the group home in Wading River, N.Y., shows just a portion of the things that the residents and staff take part in. Staff may offer suggestions, but it is the residents who decide what they do each day. Activities can include arts and crafts, shopping, bowling, museums, sporting events or just coolin in the backyard when the weather permits.

In addition to medical needs, Czigany and fellow staffers plan arts and crafts, teach life skills and help residents reach individual goals that can be as diverse as having a checking account to learning how to bowl or attend a sporting event. Most homes also celebrate holidays, birthdays, and other life events, just as would any household.

“The more we know about them, the better our relationship is with residents,” says Czigany, who adds that if the clients can’t agree on what they want to do on a given day, staff steps in with some direction. “We can make suggestions, but it still is up to them to work it out.”

Staff also is responsible for getting clients to their appointments, whether medical, recreational or educational.

“They’re not just sitting around watching TV all day,” Evdos says. “We offer classes, cultural programs, job programs, shopping trips, trips to the movies or bowling. All these activities also require staff.”

The ratio of staff to client can range from 1-to-1 to 4-to-1, depending on the needs of the individual. Unfortunately, staffing has become more of an issue as more

Czigany says that the salary is not the most important consideration.

“I really love the guys in this house and I want them to be safe and happy,” says Czigany, whose training includes ways to reduce a client’s response to behavioral changes and triggers. She also is trained in CPR and how to dispense medications. “You don’t go into this business because you want to get rich. You go into it to make a difference in someone’s life, to help others who need you.”

Evdos says many in the public mistakenly view Czigany and her fellow workers as babysitters. “All our staff are highly trained and are devoted to helping our clients live as full a life as possible,” Evdos said. “They’ll tell you they have two families: the one they have at home and the one they have here in the group home.”

Group homes are staffed 24 hours a day. This model, while costly, does work. During the warehousing days, the average lifespan of a special-needs individual was in the 40s. Healthdirect. gov reports that in the 1940s, a child with Down syndrome had a life expectancy of 12 years. Now, the expectancy is 60 years, and some even live into their 80s. Those with autism spectrum disorder live well into their 50s, longer depending upon the care they receive. This is shorter than the average population, but still longer than during the days of warehousing. This also

puts strain on the system to house and care for this population.

“Even when you’re having a bad day, you can’t stay in a bad mood with these guys,” says Czigany. “They make you laugh, feel appreciated and that you’re important to their lives.”

Without Czigany and likeminded workers, there would be no group homes. Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more difficult to staff group homes. In fact, with the rise in the cost of homes and the inability to compete with fastfood chains and retail stores paying more to attract and retain workers, it is difficult for group homes to retain workers. And, it is even more difficult to open more group homes, which are much needed across the country. Waiting lists are long and openings are few and far between with the average wait for a non-emergency placement in the years instead of weeks or months. The Staten Island Advance newspaper reported in 2022 that the wait for a placement in a group home in New York can be as much as eight years.

Jeanette Permenter, operations director for the Office for People with Developmental Difficulties at RISE, is on the front-line of the training for staff. “Without the staff we and others provide, the special-needs individual would not reach his or her potential as an adult. Our hope is that clients in our group homes will be as independent as possible.”

She says that what makes a good frontline worker is patience, compassion and the understanding that what they do will change someone’s life.

“We have open conversations with our staff about what they want to do and their particular skills,” says Permenter, who once was a front-line worker. “You have people who want to work directly with clients. You also have others who may want to help with cooking, or helping someone learn to use a bank account.”

In addition to direct-support personnel, there is an interdisciplinary team manager, case manager, nurse and behavior specialist.

“We also include the family and the individual,” Permenter says of what it takes to help the individual be as successful and as independent as possible. We’re not babysitters, who are just there to make sure the client eats and is safe. We’re teaching life skills.”

Permenter says standard certification includes first aid; CPR; Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention, known as SCIP; and AMAP, which is the Administration of Medication and Procedures. Other training includes behavioral modification and medical procedures, diabetes skin integrity, two-person transfer and meal planning.

Permenter explains that all the pieces have to be in place long before residents walk through the door of a home.

“It is becoming harder to find and purchase homes,” Permenter says. “Can we do the necessary renovations? Is public transportation available for the staff? They have to be able to get to work. Consistency is extremely important because turnover is detrimental to the client. You become their family.”

Front-line worker Connor Thumser on the surface seems like an unlikely candidate for the job. His girlfriend was in law school and he was looking to fill time during the weekends from his finance job. That was two years ago, and the 29-year-old says he has no plans on quitting.

“I really didn’t know about this population,” Thumser says. “I knew a couple of people in high school, but that was it. I had a lot of misconceptions about them and what I’d be doing. It is totally different from what I expected. I know that I am making an impact in their lives. We’re helping them pave their own path in life. My fiancée has graduated law school and I am still here on the weekends. I know that if we weren’t here, this house couldn’t be here, but this is not my workplace. It is their house and you have to remember that.”

remaining 10 percent find it isn’t the profession for them. There are career paths for those who remain: senior direct professional, manager, member of administration, clinic work and behavioral intervention specialist are a few of the possibilities.

“The job they do requires a caring individual who enjoys working with people,” says Evdos, who has to be mindful of how the money is spent and staff retention. “We are held to mandates that are not reimbursed. We had a $2 million dollar budget cut. These things all add to the difficulty in retaining staff. We’re competing with companies in other industries that can offer more money, more benefits.”

In recent years, the state has taken over placement of clients in group homes. It sets the priority for who gets moved to the front of the line when an opening becomes available.

In addition to residential homes, RISE Life Services’ other activities includes the running of two food pantries, a suicide-prevention program for 24 and younger, a sensory garden that was designed for residents but also is open to the public, a day-hab program and the arts-focused RISE in Spirit facility.

“Probably the hardest component of training that our staff has to go through is getting to know the resident, understanding their triggers, getting to know their histories,” explains Permenter, who started her career as direct support as a summer job. “Change is hard for everyone, but especially for this population. Our support team works with the client to make him or her more independent. You have to have communication, trust – and family involvement. Family involvement is vital to the process.”

Permenter says 80 percent of the reason workers leave is because of pay. Lack of career opportunity is 10 percent, and the

“New York State needs to think out of the box,” Evdos says. “The state was forced to think out of the box after Willowbrook. We need that kind of thinking again. We also need to accept that we need to see those people who work with our clients as front-line heroes and treat them and pay them accordingly. We need to make sure they know that we value them beyond the current job they’re doing and that there is a future in this industry.”

Find out more about Rise Life Services at riselifeservices.org.

All pictures courtesy of Sylvia E. KingCohen / RISE Life Services. n

I’ve written a song about tortillas. Actually, it’s more of a rap.

Sylvia E. King-Cohen is a publicist with the PR firm Todd Shapiro Associates. Skingcohen2021@gmail.com

é Enjoying some pregame antics are residents, from left, Nicholas, Peter and Thomas. The three are baseball fans and look forward to an evening of kicking back and cheering. If all the chores are done, staffers often will take in the game with them.

é Ildiko Czigany, 53, residential manager at at group home in Wading River, N.Y., keeps an eye on the ribs she is preparing for the five residents at the group home. She says that working with the residents keeps her on her toes. She has been with RISE since 2020m but has been a health care professional for 25 years.

A Multi-Discipline Network

for Real Estate Professionals REAL

REAL ESTATE F THE FU URE EL COSMICO

big, icoN ANd texAs-based hotelier Liz Lambert have joined forces to reimagine the infamous nomadic campground hotel El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas. The new 62-acre community will feature large-scale 3D-printed structures including domes, arches, vaults, and parabolic forms, enhancing the guest experience with a pool, spa, and shared communal facilities. Breaking ground in 2024, El Cosmico will continue to celebrate the convergence of creative culture and the minimalistic natural environment of the Marfa landscape.

To celebrate the project, a partnership with the Long Center for the Performing Arts brings a taste of El Cosmico to Austin, Texas during the SXSW. The 3D-printed pavilion combines the architectural design themes planned for El Cosmico in Marfa in a single, sculptural space for culture and community in the heart of downtown Austin.

The first time

I got a universal remote control,

I thought, ‘This changes everything!’

“A man walks into a chemist’s and says, ‘Can I have a bar of soap, please?’ The chemist says, ‘Do you want it scented?’ And the man says, ‘No, I’ll take it with me now.'”

(Ronnie Barker)

“Our collaboration will El Cosmico and ICON has allowed us to pursue the formal and material possibilities of cutting-edge 3D-printed construction untethered by the traditional limitations of a conventional site or client. Liz Lambert 's legacy for reimagining hospitality and her pioneering of a contemporary Texas aesthetic combined with the Minimalistic nature and culture, art and landscape of Marfa has been the perfect fit to pursue a new architectural vernacular language for El Cosmico in Marfa. Organic shapes, Euclidean circular geometries and a color palette born from the local terroir makes El Cosmico feel as if literally erected from the site it stands on.”

(Bjarke Engels, Founder & Creative Director of BIG)

The design is informed by the unique connection between the high desert landscape and cosmic organizations. The new hotel and homes feature organic curves and domes, a primordial architectural language that can only be achieved by 3D-printing. ICON’s technology excels at creating soft shapes and curved surfaces, making it possible to bring this

design vision to life. The project provides a natural continuation of unique experiences, building on El Cosmico's legacy at the intersection of art, nature, and hospitality in Marfa, TX. Another facet of the project will be to assess the opportunity to 3D-print affordable housing in Marfa to serve the evolving needs of the town.

As an outpost of El Cosmico, a permanent pavilion for music and performances emerges from the natural slope of the Long Center’s front lawn in Austin.

The adobe-like color and texture of the horizontally layered wall appears like geological strata in an exposed cliff. Inspired by the Uruguayan engineer and architect Eladio Dieste, the sinuous curves at the foot of the pavilion provide both structural stability and social niches for the audience and performers. Organic form as structural function. n

All renderings courtesy of ICON and BIG.

Went to the zoo. There was only one dog in it. It was a shih tzu.

My girlfriend said, “You act like a detective too much. I want to split up.” “Good idea,” I replied. “We can cover more ground that way.”

A PERSONAL LOOK AT GREENLAND HILLS

for a house in 1923 and Greenland Hills is loaded with these Tudors.

There were many prominent Dallasites in the neighborhood in the 1930s. Next door to me lived Mrs. H. L. Peoples, a member of the Dallas School Board. The Roffinos lived next door to her. Roffino Stadium today stands on the campus of Bishop Lynch High School in East Dallas.

BY ROSE-MARY RUMBLEY

with her daddy, while he "wrote up" the SMU football games.

The Lavorns lived on Monticello. One of the Lavorns now lives in Stanley Marcus's home on Nonsuch Lane. If you remember when Mr. Lavorn bought the house, he wanted to tear it down. There was such a furor over such an action, that he decided to redo the house rather than raze it.

the city of dAllAs grew in every direction, but the North side seemed to get all the glory—not to belittle the folks who grew up and live in Lakewood, the lovely area in the East by White Rock Lake. In fact, there was a separate little town known as East Dallas with quite a population that was later annexed into the city. However, Ross Avenue seemed to be the "mainstream" northward in the beginning of the city. The Ross Brothers were wine distributers and salesmen who prospered in Dallas. Residential areas grew on each side of Ross Avenue-Swiss Avenue on the east side and Cole Avenue on the west side.

McMillan Street ran on northward with an area called Vickery Place established there. Then after Goodwin Street, Greenland Hills came to be with Vanderbilt the first street. I grew up on Vanderbilt, went to college, married, and lived elsewhere, but when my mother died, I inherited the house, and my husband and I moved in in 1984. My husband and I planned to live there until we decided what we were going to do with our lives. We never decided, my husband died in 2009, and I lived there until I

was 90 years old, fell down, and was forced to move to assisted living. Please, no tears. I'm doing well!

My blessed son-in-law, Ken Beam, who was a landscaper for the Dallas Park and Recreation Department for years, sold the house and all that was in it. Do you realize what I have just written? He did it all! All the work of selling a house and getting rid of years of "plunder"–my Daddy's term for stuff in the house. How fortunate for me.

Actually, my blessed neighbor, bought the house and did NOT tear it down.

Now, that thought, TEAR IT DOWN, brings me to the description of the houses in Greenland Hills--Tudor style. Most of these 100-year-old houses are being "redone" rather than being torn down.The Henry VIII House of Tudor was a popular style

Across the street from me was Judge Whitely. Many county judges lived in the neighborhood. Judge Brannan lived on Monticello for many years.

On Vanderbilt lived George White, Sports Editor of the Dallas Morning News. I was friends with his daughter, Darlene. We spent many a happy evening in the press box

Dr. Justin Ford Kimball, Superintendent of the Dallas Schools, lived in the neighborhood. He rode the school bus with us kids. Why not? There was a war on, and gasoline was rationed.

It was a happy neighborhood, and it still is! All are welcomed. Yes, the houses sell for way more than they did in the 30's, but they are worth it. n

Rose-Mary Rumbley has written three books about her native city – Dallas. She has also written “WHAT! NO CHILI!” and a book about the 300th anniversary of the invention of the piano. She has appeared on the stage at the Dallas Summer Musicals and at Casa Mañana and was head of the drama department at Dallas Baptist University for 12 years. Today she is on the speaking circuit and teaches drama classes at Providence Christian School. Her loving views of Texas history appear in every issue of rosetalksdallas@aol.com

heNNy yoUNgmAN, violiNist ANd comedian, was born in Liverpool, England in 1906 and died in New York when he was 91 years old. Columnist Walter Winchell gave him the title of ‘The King Of One Liners’.

THE KING OF THE ONE-LINERS

Do you know what it means to come home at night to a woman who'll give you a little love, a little affection, a little tenderness? It means you're in the wrong house; that's what it means.

I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to stop going to those places.

When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.

A drunk was in front of a judge. The judge says, "You've been brought here for drinking." The drunk says, "Okay, let's get started.”

I once wanted to become an atheist, but I gave upthey have no holidays.

If at first you don't succeed... so much for skydiving.

If you're going to do something tonight that you'll be sorry for tomorrow morning, sleep late.

My grandmother is over eighty and she still doesn’t need glasses. Drinks right out of the bottle.

Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.

The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret.

I've got all the money I'll ever need. If I die by four o’clock.

HENNY YOUNGMAN

The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret.

She’s been married so many times she has rice marks on her face.

A doctor gave a man six months to live. The man couldn’t pay his bill, so he gave him another six months.

My grandmother is over eighty and she still doesn’t need glasses. Drinks right out of the bottle.

Most women are attracted to the simple things in life. Like men.

When you battle with your conscience and lose, you win.

Some have been thought brave because they were afraid to run away.

A man walks into a library and says, ‘I hope you don’t have a book on reverse psychology.

Americans are getting stronger. Twenty years ago, it took two people to carry ten dollars' worth of groceries. Today, a five-year-old can do it.

Just got back from a pleasure trip: I took my mother-in-law to the airport.

I’ve been in love with the same woman for forty-one years. If my wife finds out, she’ll kill me.

If you're gonna do something tonight that you'll regret tomorrow morning, sleep late.

My brother was a lifeguard in a car wash.

My brother-in-law died. He was a karate expert, then joined the army. The first time he saluted, he killed himself.

A doctor says to a man, "You want to improve your love life? You need to get some exercise. Run ten miles a day."

Two weeks later, the man called the doctor. The doctor says, "How is your love life since you have been running?"

"I don't know, I'm 140 miles away!"

A self-taught man usually has a poor teacher and a worse student.

A bum came up to me saying, "I haven't eaten in two days!" I said, "You should force yourself!"

dAN QUAyle (JAmes dANforth Quayle) was the 44th vice president of the United States (1989–93) in the administration of President George H.W. Bush. He previously represented Indiana in the U.S. House of Representatives (1977–81) and the U.S. Senate (1981–89). These are some of his most famous malapropisms.

On Education

Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children. We’re going to have the best-educated American people in the world.

You take the United Negro College Fund model—that what a waste it is to lose one’s mind, or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.

On Geography

We have a firm commitment to Europe. We are a part of Europe. I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix. It’s wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago. The western part of Pennsylvania is very, uh, Midwestern. Midwestern. And the eastern part is more . . . east. Uh, the Midwest . . . Uh, Pennsylvania is a very important state, a big state. The western part is—Pennsylvania is a divided state, like Tennessee is divided into three parts. Pennsylvania is divided into two parts. You have western Pennsylvania and then you have eastern Pennsylvania. Hawaii is a small state. It is a state that is by itself. It is a—it is different than the other forty-nine states. Well, all states are different, but it’s got a particularly unique situation. Hawaii has always been a very pivotal role in the Pacific. It is in the Pacific. It is a part of the United States that is an island that is right here.

THE DISCOMBOBULATED THOUGHTS OF DAN QUAYLE

On Politics

This election is about who’s going to be the next President of the United States. One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Vice-President, and that one word is ‘to be prepared.’ "I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican."

Master Detective

When I have been asked during these last weeks who caused the riots and the killing in L.A., my answer has been direct and simple. Who is to blame for the riots? The rioters are to blame. Who is to blame for the killings? The killers are to blame.

Time Traveler

On Outer Space

Space is almost infinite. As a matter of fact, we think it is infinite. For NASA, space is still a high priority. It’s time for the human race to enter the solar system. Mars is essentially in the same orbit. Mars is somewhat the same distance from the Sun, which is very important. We have seen pictures where there are canals, we believe, and water. If there is water, that means there is oxygen. If oxygen, that means we can breathe.

On Family Values

Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it. Republicans understand the importance of bondage between parent and child.

The real question for 1988 is whether we’re going to go forward to tomorrow, or past to the... to the back.

I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy—but that could change.

I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future. The future will be better tomorrow.

The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation’s history. I mean, in this century’s history. But we all lived in this century. I didn’t live in this century.

Zen Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things.

We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur. I stand by all the misstatements that I’ve made.

About a month before he died, my uncle had his back covered in lard. After that, he went downhill fast.

1 T (Alabama Crimson Tide)

2 P (Arizona Wildcats)

3 F (Arizona State Sun Devils)

4 AA (Arkansas Razorbacks)

5 A (Army Black Knights)

6 Q (Auburn Tigers)

7 O (Cincinnati Bearcats)

8 U (Duke Blue Devils)

9 S (Georgia Bulldogs)

10 B (Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets)

ANSWERS FROM THE MARCH/APRIL CONTEST: COLLEGE TEAM NAMES

11 Z (Illinois Fighting Illini) 12 E (Indiana Hoosiers)

13 G (Iowa Hawkeyes)

14 X (Kansas Jayhawks)

15 C Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns)

16 H (LSU Tigers)

17 Y (Maryland Terrapins)

18 D (Miami Hurricanes)

19 I (Michigan Wolverines)

20 J (Nebraska Cornhuskers)

21 L (North Carolina Tar Heels)

22 K (Ohio Bobcats) 23 R (Ohio State Buckeyes)

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR CONTEST WINNERS!

Talia Vernon of Brooklyn, NY David Finnegan of Savannah, GA

Shannon Pearson of Bend, OR Dina Rainier of Princeton, NJ Kevin Kosinski of Amarillo, TX

Each will receive a copy of Vertical Lines II, the newly released compilation of the one- liners that appear on most pages (like this one) of (See Page 3 for how to get your own copy.)

BOLO (BE ON THE LOOK OUT) FOR WHAT'S COMING NEXT

Our cover and Artchitecture pages will be graced by the unique surrealistic paintings of Raceanu Mihai Adrian, a self-taught Romanian who is inspired by everything around us.

We will bring you pictures of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Switzerland in the ninth installment of our series, and we will continue our series on America’s Favorite Architecture according to the AIA. Attorney and renowned specialist Christian Torgrimson will delve into the world of eminent domain.

In Herstory, Contributing Editor Rose-Mary Rumbley takes on the history of publishing to explain what makes a best seller. Freida Davis will offer advice on Factors to Consider When Looking for a Real Estate Broker.

Sarah King-Cohen will contribute the final part of her multi-issue series of profiles of highly specialized real estate organizations that cater to the needs of the disabled population, and we will tap into hilarious, deadpan, and ironic comedy of Steven Wright. (A sample: “Right now I’m having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.”)

Want more? Of course, there will be other specially contributed articles from various segments of the real estate industry as well as our affiliates, You Need (or might want) to Know, Wow Factors, Real Estate of the Future, Diversions, Tru Dat, Vertical Lines, Whatever Happened To...? and much MUCH more.

LINK : MARKET PLACE AND DIRECTORY

ASSET | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE

JANITORIAL SERVICES:

LEGAL:

DIVERSI NS

PAVING:

C NTEST: FIRST LADIES

Most would probably recognize the first ladies of the US during their own lifetimes and maybe even pick out a few famous one from before. Here’s a fun chance to see how many you can identify. Match the picture with the name. (To make it a little easier, we’ve included the number of the president/first lady along with the name. If you even get half of them, you’re doing extremely well!)

Scan or copy this page and send your entry to editor@thenetworkmagazine.online or fax it to 817.924.7116 on or before May 31st for a chance to win a valuable prize. *

1. Martha Dandridge Custis Washington

2. Abigail Adams

3. Martha Skelton Jefferson

4. Dolley Dandridge Payne Todd Madison

5. Elizabeth Kortright Monroe

6. Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams

7. Rachel Donelson Jackson

8. Hannah Van Buren

9. Anna Tuthill Symmes Harrison

10. Julia Gardiner Tyler

11. Sarah Childress Polk

12. Margaret Mackall Smith Taylor

13. Abigail Powers Fillmore

14. Jane Means Appleton Pierce

16. Mary Ann Todd Lincoln 17. Eliza McCardle Johnson

Dent Grant

Hayes

Garfield

Scott Harrison

History Buffs

James Buchanan, our 15th president, was the only bachelor-president; Grover Cleveland was both the 22nd and the 24th president; and Woodrow Wilson had two wives during his tenure as president. (No – not at the same time. ☺)

E - Martha Dandridge Custis

Washington

M - Abigail Adams

T - Martha Skelton Jefferson

B - Dolley Dandridge Payne Todd

Madison

J - Elizabeth Kortright Monroe

U - Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams

AA - Rachel Donelson Jackson

RR - Hannah Van Buren

UU - Anna Tuthill Symmes Harrison

V - Julia Gardiner Tyler

S - Sarah Childress Polk

CC - Margaret Mackall Smith Taylor

PP - Abigail Powers Fillmore

I - Jane Means Appleton Pierce

P - Mary Ann Todd Lincoln

BB - Eliza McCardle Johnson

L - Julia Boggs Dent Grant

JJ - Lucy Webb Hayes

O - Lucretia Rudolph Garfield

R - Ellen Herndon Arthur

LL - Frances Folsom Cleveland

TT - Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison

Z - Ida Saxton McKinley

H - Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

EE - Helen Herron Taft

QQ - Ellen Axson Wilson

II - Edith Bolling Galt Wilson

SS - Florence Kling Harding

OO - Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge

Y - Lou Henry Hoover

G - Eleanor Roosevelt

NN - Elizabeth (Bess) Wallace Truman

DD - Mamie Doud Eisenhower

A - Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy

F - Lady Bird Johnson

K - Patricia Nixon

W - Betty Ford

MM - Rosalynn Carter

D - Nancy Reagan

KK - Barbara Bush

N - Hillary Rodham Clinton

X - Laura Bush

C - Michelle Obama

Q - Melania Trump

HH - Dr. Jill Biden

*If you just can’t wait to see the answers, look here:

www.whitehousehistory.org/galleries/ first-lady-portraits

...BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT'S WHAT YOU KNOW

We Speak Real Estate

The Arsenal Companies are a diversified consulting, educational and publishing group, dedicated to service in the real estate industry. With national reach, regional strength and local sensibilities, we serve and service large and small companies as well as governmental entities in acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, licensing, contracting, procurement, insurance certificate tracking, educational program development, mediation services and collections.

Our Contracts and Procurement Services Division provides solutions and services that help real estate owners and companies effectively manage their contractual needs and commitments. We provide industry knowledge and we practice deal facilitation rather than obstruction. Whether you are a property, facility or asset manager, your functions are integrally related to real estate contracts. Quality management is all about contracts.

Procurement

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Procurement Administration

Supplier Recognition Programs

RFI, RFP, RFQ Administration

Leasing

Acquisitions, dispositions, renewals, surrenders, amendments, abstracting, administration, interpretation – our professionals are experienced in residential, commercial, industrial, professional and retail leasing issues of all kinds.

Don’t assume that problems won’t occur. Plan what you can do to avoid them. A small reduction in costs can be the equivalent of a substantial increase in value. We suggest ‘refinements’ to improve language and reduce direct and indirect costs. Our attorneys have successfully resolved leasing issues for both small and Fortune 100 corporations – effectuating $millions in savings.

Vendor/Supplier Resourcing

Vendor Reduction Programs

Customized Purchase Orders

Are the contracts for services and supplies which your organization uses prepared for your organization – or are they the vendor’s or contractor’s agreement forms? Wouldn’t you be better off if those agreements and purchase orders were revisited from your perspective? Isn’t it time you fortified your real estate related contracts?

Contract Negotiation and Drafting Services

Do you have contract issues that call out for review, interpretation and the advice of a specialist? Do you have a service contract which is about to expire and will need to be renewed or replaced? Do you have oversight of a real estate or facilities function which has been given savings targets? Have you considered ‘outsourcing’ this part of your real estate function but fear a loss of control?

We analyze the details of your proposed service contracts before they begin - while you still have leverage. Or, we can review your existing service contracts, help reveal cost efficiencies and/ or savings opportunities. We look for pragmatic solutions that are sensitive to your business interests, anticipating issues that may arise, and we assist in minimizing those risks that cannot be avoided.

Leases are highly specialized documents. A few words can make a world of difference. Anyone with experience.