January-February 2024 by thenetworkmagazine

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 / VOL 32 / ISSUE 1

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1992 FACTOIDS TR E DAT UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES OF BRAZIL HOMELESSNESS HITS A RECORD HIGH REAL ESTATE F THE FU URE WHERE SNOWBIRDS FLY THE MILLENNIAL'S GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE INVESTING THE SOARING COSTS OF STUDENT HOUSING MISS ELAINE E. YUSS THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES ARTCHTECTURE 270 PARK AVENUE THE TRIAL OF JEFFERSON DAVIS IN THE N WS: PROPERTY VALUES ARE IN FREEFALL TRENDI THE

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from the pages of

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."

"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."

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

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

“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

A Book "A perfect companion to Vertical Lines humor in bite-sized pieces.” Ellen Campbell, Sinclair Book Reviews

unite! "Dyslexics of the world, untie!” this! Punsters of the world, read shit!" Available at your favorite online bookstores Amazon, BarnesAndNoble, Alibris and in the Apple Book Store.

L. Bartow. The Network Bookshelf

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/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ROSE-MARY RUMBLEY TELL THE (HIS)STORY OF MAIL DELIVERY IN THE U.S.

MASTHEAD Editor’s note

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

– TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ROXANA TOFAN LOOKS AT THE WHO? WHAT? WHY? WHEN? WHERE? AND HOW? OF THE PRACTICE

THE FOUR CONCEPTS OF SELF HOW THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR GOT THEIR NAMES WORDS IN THE NEWS GET YOUR OWN TODAY BOOBY-TRAP THE CENTER OF THE EARTH—NULL ISLAND

TR E DAT BLUSH, THE GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA, THE GOURMAND SYNDROME, SKIN, BLINKING, AUTOLYSIS, FINGERPRINTS, SWALLOWING, THE SAHARA DESERT, VIKING, AUSTRALIA, DOG’S HEAD TILT

DIVERSI NS

MISS ELAINE E. YUSS — FUNNY ONE-LINERS FROM A LOT OF FUNNY PEOPLE–PART III.

FACTOIDS HOW THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR GOT THEIR NAMES

INQUIRING MIND

MARKETPLACE AND DIRECTORY

DETAILED ANSWERS TO LAST ISSUE’S CONTEST—WHO AM DAT?

MARK MCGWIRE AND SAMMY SOSA?

THE RABBIT

THE LINK

BACKPAGES —

59 40

AFTER MY VASECTOMY BARELY MANAGING SHIRT TREADMILL

JEAN-FRANÇOIS RAUZIER’S HYPERPHOTOGRAPHY OFFERS AN ABUNDANCE OF PERSPECTIVE

OLD PEOPLE’S T-SHIRTS

ARTCH TECTURE

INB X | ON THE COVER

FACTOIDS

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR T.J. EDWARDS LOOKS BACK AT ‘THE GREAT HOME RUN RACE OF 1998.”

THE

PAGE

THE TRIAL OF JEFFERSON DAVIS; 100+ YEAR-OLD CONVICTIONS OVERTURNED IN NOVEMBER.

BACKPAGES — OUR ADVERTISERS, WINNERS FROM LAST’S ISSUES CONTEST, BOLO (COMING NEXT ISSUE).

C NTEST — I SHOT THE SHERIFF

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THE BLUEPRINT 21

HOMELESSNESS IN THE U.S. REACHES A RECORD HIGH DISTURBING NUMBERS REPORTED BY HUD.

THE

FACTOR

HABITAT 67

EMERGING HOUSING MARKETS

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL AND REALTOR.COM’S ANNUAL REPORT ON WHERE HOME PRICES ARE EXPECTED TO APPRECIATE.

24 THE MILLENNIAL’S GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE

INVESTING WHILE IN YOUR 20s AND 30s.

27 CLIMATE CHANGE AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD

THE DRASTIC EFFECT OF GLOBAL WARMING IN THE HIMALAYAS.

28 PROPERTY VALUES IN FREEFALL

15 LARGE U.S. MARKETS WITH PRICE DROPS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AND CONDOS.

EGAL VIEW– BURNETT V. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

THE COURT ORDERS MAJOR CHANGES AT THE LARGEST TRADE ASSOCIATION IN THE U.S.

34 THE SOARING COSTS OF STUDENT HOUSING

A REAL ESTATE PROBLEM CAUSING A LOOMING CRISIS IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

35 WHERE SNOWBIRDS FLY

THE TOP SUN-DRENCHED DESTINATIONS THIS WINTER.

36 270 PARK AVENUE –

JP MORGAN CHASE’S NEW WORLD HEADQUARTERS

FOSTER+PARTNERS’ DESIGN CHANGES THE NYC SKYLINE (FOR THE BETTER).

44 REAL ESTATE F THE FU URE

THE SPIRAL—A BIOPHILIC SKYSCRAPER IN NEW YORK CITY.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES PART 12 OF OURPICTORIAL SERIES –THE DESIGNATED SITES OF BRAZIL

47 IN THE N WS — WEWORK A BANKRUPTCY WITH POTENTIALLY STAGGERING IMPLICATIONS.

MAPPED: THE WORLD AS 1,000 PEOPLE

A VISUAL CAPITALIST’S VIEW OF WHERE MOST PEOPLE LIVE.

WHAT CITIES HAVE BUBBLE RISKS IN THEIR PROPERTY MARKETS? AN ANALYSIS OF WORLD MARKETS.

54 THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

THE THIRD INSTALLMENT IN OUR PICTORIAL SERIES.

THE 11

HABITAT 67

MORPHEUS MOKA

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 / VOL 32 / ISSUE 1

ABOUT US

A publication of CREST Publications Group 2537 Lubbock Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76109 Tel: 214-755-2277 Fax: 817-924-7116 www.thenetworkmagazine.org

Now in our 32nd year, reaches millions of 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: aafelder@thenetworkmagazine.org or call the number above.

EXECUTIVE STAFF

ANDREW A. FELDER: Publisher/Managing Editor. aafelder@thenetworkmagazine.org XENIA MONTERO: Associate Editor and Art Director. hello@agosto.studio ANNETTE LAWLESS: Social Media Manager. annettelawless@hotmail.com MARK ANGLE: Director of Business Development. mark@thenetworkmagazine.org MARIA TARIQ: Technical Director, Book Division. mariatariq070213@hotmail.com MUKUL TRIPATHI (SAM): Website Manager. sam@cypher-squad.com

Andrew A. Felder

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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. JESSICA WARRIOR, Director of Property Management, Granite Properties.

WHAT OUR READERS ARE saying

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

ROSE-MARY RUMBLEY: Herstory. ANTHONY BARBIERI: Legal. ROXANA TOFAN: 6Q –Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. T. J. EDWARDS : Whatever Happened To...? Rose-Mary Anthony Roxana Rumbley Barbieri Tofan

T. J. Edwards

Copyright ©2024 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 magazine contains facts, views, opinions, statements and service marks contained in such Content. GENERAL DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: 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@crestnetwork.com.

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If you think you're smarter than the previous generation... 50 years ago the owner's manual of a car showed you how to adjust the valves.Today, it warns you not to drink the contents of the battery.

Editor’s note

BY ANDREW FELDER Managing Editor & Publisher aafelder@thenetworkmagazine.org

THE HELICOPTER

Ed and his wife Norma faithfully go to the state fair every year, and every year Ed would plead, “Norma, I’d like to ride in that helicopter.” Frugal Norma would always sternly reply, “I know Ed, but that helicopter ride is fifty bucks, and fifty bucks is fifty bucks!” After years and years of failed attempts, one year Ed and Norma went to the fair, and an exasperated Ed begged, “Norma, I’m 78 years old. If I don’t ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance.” To this, unflappable Norma, with hands on hips replied, “Ed, that helicopter ride is fifty bucks, and fifty bucks is fifty bucks!” The pilot overheard the couple and said, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say a word, I won’t charge you a penny! But if you say one word, it’s fifty dollars.” Ed and Norma looked at one another with a nod of final agreement and a big smile on their faces, up they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again. But still not a word. When they landed, the pilot turned to Ed and said, “By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn’t. I’m impressed!” Ed sheepishly replied, “Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Norma fell out… but you know, fifty bucks is fifty bucks!”

THE STATE TROOPER

On his 65th birthday, Jeff bought himself a brand-new Corvette convertible. He took off down the road, flooring it to 80 mph and enjoying the wind blowing through what little hair he had left on his head. ‘This is great,’ he thought as he roared down the Florida highway. He looked in his rearview mirror and saw a state trooper behind him, blue lights flashing and siren blaring. ‘I can get away from him with no problem,’ Jeff thought as he flew down the road at over 150 mph. But then, it suddenly hit him. ‘What am I doing? I'm too old for this kind of thing.’ He pulled over to the side of the road and waited for the trooper to catch up with him. The trooper pulled in behind the Corvette and walked up to the side of the driver's side of the car. “Sir, my shift ends in 10 minutes and today is Friday. If you can give me a reason why you were speeding that I’ve never heard before, I’ll let you go.” Jeff looked at the trooper and said, “Years ago, my wife ran off with a Florida state trooper. I thought you were bringing her back.” “Have a great day!” said the trooper.

THE COLLEGE STUDENT

A not necessarily well-prepared college student sat in his life science classroom, staring at a question on the final exam paper. The question directed, ‘Give four advantages of breast milk.’ What to write? He sighed, and began to scribble whatever came into his head, hoping for the best: 1. No need to boil. 2. Never goes sour. 3. Available whenever necessary. So far so good–maybe. But the question called for a fourth answer. Again, what to write? Once more, he sighed. He frowned. He scowled, then sighed again. Suddenly, he brightened. He grabbed his pen, and triumphantly scribbled his definitive answer: 4. Available in attractive containers of varying sizes. He received an A.

THE TRUCK

One day, an elderly man named Jimmy was walking down Main Street when he saw his old buddy Bubba driving a brand-new pickup. Bubba pulled up to him with a wide grin. “Bubba, where'd you get that truck?” “Mary gave it to me,” Bubba replied. “She gave it to you?” Jimmy asked incredulously. “I knew she was kinda sweet on ya’, but a new truck?” “Well, Jimmy, let me tell you what happened. We was driving out on County Road 6, in the middle of nowhere. Mary pulled off the road, put the truck in 4-wheel drive and headed into the woods. She parked the truck, got out, threw off all her clothes, held her arms open wide, and said, ‘Bubba, take whatever you want.' So, I took the truck.” “You're a smart man, Bubba! Them clothes never woulda fit you.” n

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ANDRA HOPULELE (P. 28) is a Senior Real Estate Writer at Point2. With over seven years of experience in the field and a passion for all things real estate, she covers the impact of housing issues on our everyday lives. She writes about the financial implications of the new generations entering the housing market and about the challenges of homeownership. Her studies and articles have appeared in publications like REM Online, Yahoo Finance, Which Mortgage, and Le Quotidien.

MIA MILLER (P. 24) lives in the Philippines. She is a former research analyst turned freelance writer who has always been fascinated by the power of words. In her free time, she hones her craft by writing short stories, articles, and blog posts. She loves to explore the great outdoors, practice yoga, indulge in her love of cooking, listen to K-pop music and following her favorite artists.

Writers

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 6Q feature appears 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.

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. He is also a Contributing Editor of thenetwork and his Whatever Happened to…? feature appears in every issue.

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. 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.org

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

I got a seniors’ GPS. Not only does it tell me how to get to my destination, it tells me why i wanted to go there.

Contributing

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INB X

Now that I've lived during a plague, I understand why most Renaissance paintings are of chubby women lying around without a bra.

You do such great work! I feel better now about my love of renting vs. buying! I love the flexibility of my apartment but had been feeling like I was making a semi-poor financial decision! JESSICA WARRIOR, DALLAS, TX The magazine is truly amazing quality. (Even my - otherwise quite scatter-brained son noticed the beautiful print!) Outstanding and very professional. KINGA BRITSCHGI, BOISE, ID Always enjoy your magazine filled with great articles and a great sense of humor! BILL CONLEY, ST LOUIS, MO

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ON THE COVER

‘BABEL 25 - BARCELONA’ by Jean-François RAUZIER

The images of Jean-François RAUZIER or more precisely his photomontages thwart time, even invert it. They draw their origins from reality, our reality. The eye recognizes patterns, architectures, reassuring fragments of things seen and remembered. At the same time, what is there before us, what is presented in the imposing form of a photographic painting, is something completely different... Let's take the Babels series. Babel offers the example of a Western myth that has become, over time, universal. For Jean-François RAUZIER, Babel is experienced in the present. The maze of references, the disjunction between an overall composition and the infinite blurring of details have only one goal: to set our imagination in turmoil. There is chaos at home. But a chaos that joins the cosmos. Yes, this is indeed an art that must be mentally reconstructed to better force it to blend into our eternal thirst for dreams. — Damien Sausset

Great job - informative and unique content! RUTH HARISS, MUMBAI, INDIA I never know what to expect when I flip through the pages of ... but it’s always something enjoyable. Mostly it's stuff I never would have discovered or even looked up on my own but it's really interesting. NORMA VALENTINE, NYACK, NY I found The Ocean Clean-Up project to be really eye-opening— so much so that I've done quite a bit of research on the topic since reading about it in your magazine, and the more I learn, the more I know I will get involved. Thank you for covering this very important topic! ADAM KOSKI, HILTON HEAD, SC

editor@thenetworkmagazine.org

‘Sonja’ the Sea Lion

Volunteer Spokes-Sea Lion for Recycle Across America®

Dear Huma ™ ns,

We nee d

Displaying the society-wide standardized labels on recycling bins are the #1 solution to fix the recycling crisis today. There is a standardized label created for every type of recycling sorting system and every kind of bin.

your he lp.

Seriousl y. Did you know th at more into our than 68 oceans million p e veryday ounds o have b ? And a een rec f waste round 6 ycled a is dump Unfortu 0% of th n ed d m nately, a a n t waste u fa c re tu c re could y d c ling is no or world into som wide du t doing ething n as well e to pu ew. in tons o as it sho blic con f trash b uld be in fu si on abo eing mis the U.S. day, oft ut recyc takingly en mak ling, wh thrown ing the ic h in results to recyc recycla ling bins bles use each less. One of the best ways to waterw prevent ays is to waste fr make it om goin ensure easy fo the recy g into o r p eople to c ceans a lables c the non recycle nd an be u profit so ‘properl se d c a iety-wid gain. Th y’ to he have b e stand a lp t een pro is w hy displa ardized ven to b ying labels o recyclin e the # n g crisis, re 1 solutio cycling in turn h n to solv bins dispose elping to e the U.S d of in o prevent . and g ceans a these m lobal round th aterials e world from be or littere Here’s h ing d. ow you can he service lp . Reach provide out to y r, and e our emp standard lected o loyer, re ized lab fficials, u cycling e ls rging th on recy everyon em to d cling bin e recyc is s p le w lay the s it more a hin you oceans nd recy r comm healthie cles righ unity. W r for sea t, it will h hen life ... an elp kee d huma p the ns. Yours Tru ly,

Sonja

To learn more, contact: info@recycleacrossamerica.org or visit:

Recycle Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to expediting environmental progress by introducing society-wide standardized labels on recycling bins, to make it easy and possible for the public to begin to recycle properly, wherever they might be.

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THE FACTOR HABITAT 67

TAXIARCHOS228, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS VASSGERGELY AT THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE WIKIPEDIA, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

é Habitat 67's interlocking forms, connected walkways and landscaped terraces were key in achieving Safdie's goal of a private and natural environment within the limits of a dense urban space.

BRIPIRIE / BRIAN PIRIE FROM OTTAWA, CANADA, CC BY 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The original development (which contained 158 units and was completed in 1967) was financed by the federal government, but is now owned by its tenants, who formed a limited partnership that purchased the building in 1985. (Several apartments have since been joined to create larger units, reducing the total number.) Each unit is connected to at least one private landscaped garden terrace, built on the roof of the level below. It was designed to integrate the benefits of suburban homes—namely gardens, fresh air, privacy, and multileveled environments—with the economics and density of a modern urban apartment building. n

THOMAS LEDL, CC-BY-SA 4.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

I am as swift as a gazelle. An old one. With arthritis. Run over by a Land Rover 8 days ago.

Habitat 67 is one of the most adventurous and iconic apartment complexes in the world. Designed by IsraeliCanadian architect Moshe Safdie as part of his master's thesis at the School of Architecture at McGill University, an amended version was built for Expo 67 (the World’s Fair) on the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal, Quebec, Canada It makes use of prefabricated concrete ‘modules’ stacked as high as 12 per section.

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FACTOIDS

Robert Burns

The four concepts of self are often attributed to American psychologist Carl Rogers. He wrote about them in his book "On Becoming a Person" (1961). However, the concepts themselves have been around for much longer. They were even discussed by Scottish poet Robert Burns in his poem "To a Louse, on Seeing One on a Lady's Bonnet at Church" (1786). In the poem, Burns compares the louse to a mirror, reflecting the different ways in which we see ourselves.

think about the most. However, this self is not always accurate. We may have a distorted view of ourselves, either overestimating or underestimating our own worth. The concept of the "you as others see you" can be traced back to the Roman philosopher Seneca, who argued that our reputation is more important than our reality. The "you as others see you" is the self that is perceived by others. It is the self that is created through our interactions with others. This self is often different from the "you as you see yourself." Others may see us in ways that we do not see ourselves, and they may have different opinions about us. Friedrich Nietzsche

And the concept of the "you as you really are" can be traced back to the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who argued that there is no such thing as a true self, and that we are all constantly changing. The "you as you really are" is the true self. It is the self that is not influenced by our own perceptions or the perceptions of others. It is the self that is beyond our control. However, it is also the self that is most difficult to know. Michel de Montaigne

Plato

The concept of the "you as you see yourself" can be traced back to the Greek philosopher Plato, who argued that we each have an inner self that is hidden from others. The "you as you see yourself" is the self that we are most familiar with. It is the self that we see in the mirror, and it is the self that we

The concept of the "you as you would like others to see you" can be traced back to the French philosopher Michel de Montaigne, who argued that we all wear masks to hide our true selves. The "you as you would like others to see you" is the self that we want others to see. It is the self that we present to the world, and it is the self that we hope others will like. However, this self may also be a distortion of the truth. We may try to hide our flaws and weaknesses, and we may try to make ourselves look better than we really are.

The four concepts of self are not mutually exclusive. They are all important aspects of the self, and they interact with each other in complex ways. The way we see ourselves is influenced by the way others see us, and the way we would like others to see us is influenced by the way we see ourselves. And the way we really are is influenced by all these factors, as well as by our experiences, our values, and our goals. By understanding the four concepts of self, we can better understand ourselves and our relationships with others. We can also learn to accept ourselves for who we are, flaws and all.

I do not have Alzheimer's. I have ‘Some-timers.’ Sometimes I remember and sometimes I don't.

THE FOUR CONCEPTS OF SELF

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HOW THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR GOT THEIR NAMES Nowadays we follow the Gregorian calendar. It is based on the ancient Roman calendar (which is believed to have been created by Romulus—the first king of Rome (around 753 BC). The Roman calendar had 12 months but only 10 of the months had names. (In deep winter, the government and military weren’t active, so they didn't bother with names for them; they didn't only had names for the time we think of as March through December. MARCH was named for the Roman god of war, Mars (because this was the time of year to resume military campaigns interrupted by winter). APRIL (comes from the Latin word aperio, “to open or bud”) because this is when plants begin to grow. MAY was named for the Roman goddess Maia, a nurturer and an earth goddess, who watched over the growth of plants. (It is also, from the Latin word maiores, “elders,” who were celebrated during this month.)

The rest of the months were numbered. Their original names in Latin meant the fifth (Quintilis), sixth (Sextilis), seventh (September), eighth (October), ninth (November), and tenth (December) month. Eventually, January (Januarius) and February (Februarius) were added to the end of the year, giving all 12 months proper names. JULY was named to honor Roman dictator Julius Caesar (100 B.C.– 44 B.C.) after his death. In 46 B.C. It was Julius Caesar, who (with the help of Sosigenes) developed the Julian calendar, the predecessor to the Gregorian calendar. AUGUST was named to honor the first Roman emperor (and grandnephew of Julius Caesar), Augustus Caesar (63 B.C.– A.D. 14). (Augustus comes from the Latin word augustus, meaning venerable, noble, and majestic.)

FEATUREDPICS, CC BY-SA 4.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

It's weird being the same age as old people.

JUNE was named for the Roman goddess Juno, patroness of marriage and the well-being of women. (It comes from the Latin word juvenis, which means “young people.”)

SEPTEMBER comes from the Latin word septem, meaning “seven,” because it was the seventh month of the Roman calendar. OCTOBER comes from octo, the Latin word for “eight.” When the Romans converted to a 12-month calendar, this name stuck.

DECEMBER comes from the Latin word decem, “ten.” Same reasoning again.

NOVEMBER comes from the Latin word novem, “nine.” Same reasoning as October.

JANUARY was named for the Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways. Janus was depicted with

two faces, one looking into the past, the other into the future. FEBRUARY comes from the Latin word februa, “to cleanse,” and was named Februalia—a festival of purification and atonement during this period.

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Ukraine |/juːˈkreɪn| is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast. It also borders Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; and Romania and Moldova to the southwest; with a coastline along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south and southeast. The name of Ukraine comes from the old Slavic term for “borderland.” “The Ukraine” is the way the Russians referred to that part of the country during Soviet times. Now that it is a country, a nation, and a recognized state, it is just ‘Ukraine’. And it is incorrect to refer to “the Ukraine,” even though a lot of people do it.” The term Holocaust |ˈhäləˌkôst| comes from a Greek word meaning "burnt offering." Technically, it means the destruction or slaughter on a mass scale, especially caused by fire or nuclear war. It has come to by synonymous with the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million

GAZA STRIP Gaza Strip |ˌɡäzə ˈstrip | is a narrow (25 mile) strip of territory in Palestine, on the southeastern Mediterranean coast,

European Jews by the Nazi German regime between 1941 and 1945. Hamas | häˈmäs | is an acronym of an Arabic phrase which means "Islamic Resistance Movement". This Arabic word ḥamās means "zeal", "strength", or "bravery". Ironically, it comes from the

with around 2.2 million Palestinians on approximately 140 square miles of land. When Israel was established in 1948, many Palestinian refugees were forced to move to the strip of land. Administered by Egypt from 1949, and occupied by Israel from 1967, it became a self-governing enclave under the PLO–Israeli accord of 1993 and elected its own legislative council in 1996. In 1967, Israel gained control of Gaza after its victory in the Six-Day War against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. A Palestinian uprising in 2000 unleashed a new wave of violence between Israelis and Palestinians, and Israel decided to leave

same root as the Hebrew and Aramaic word ḥāmās, which means “violence” or “wrong.” Hezbollah |hɛzbəˈlɑ)| is a Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group. In Arabic, it means. 'Party of Allah' or 'Party of God.’

Gaza in 2005, withdrawing its forces and removing some 9,000 Jewish settlers living there. In June 2007, Hamas (a terrorist organization) defeated Fatah in a series of violent clashes, and since that time Hamas has governed the Gaza portion of the Palestinian Territories, while at the same time they were ousted from government positions in the West Bank. The strip is named after its densely populated capital of Gaza City. The Canaanites likely gave Gaza its name, which means “strength” in ancient Semitic languages. The Egyptians called it “Gazzat” (prized city).

BOOBY-TRAP A booby-trap is something such as a bomb which is hidden or disguised, and which causes death or injury when it is touched. The term "booby" comes from the Spanish word "bobo," which means stupid or foolish. The idea behind a booby trap is to lure someone into a seemingly harmless situation, only to have them fall victim to a hidden danger. So, the term "booby trap" refers to a trap that is intended to catch someone who is foolish or not paying attention.

I just ordered a life-alert bracelet so if I get a life, I'll be notified immediately.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

TH1098, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

GET YOUR OWN TODAY! Axolotls are salamanders and are unusual among amphibians in that they reach adulthood without undergoing metamorphosis. They can stay young (known as neoteny) and fully regenerate lost limbs. Unfortunately, they are near extinction.

The axolotl is native only to the freshwater of Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in the Valley of Mexico More than two decades ago, there were about 6,000 of these tiny salamanders for every square kilometer in the lake. But the last count from 2014 showed only around 36 axolotls per square kilometer, according to ecologist Luis Zambrano, who helped conduct the recent census. (1 square kilometer = 0.39 square miles)

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will provide donors with an adoption certificate and allow them to name their pet salamander. They can pay for the creature’s meal and their habitat.

Never tell your secrets in a cornfield.There are too many ears.

To try to save this critically endangered species, Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM) has launched a campaign to ask people to virtually adopt axolotls. The project

In recent years, the little salamander has become popular thanks to social media and the Minecraft video game, which has led to an increased demand for pet axolotls. You can expect a baby or juvenile axolotl to cost between $30 and $75 for your standard, common breed. (There are more exotic morphs and types that can cost between $100-$1,500, but these really are for collectors.) You can virtually adopt an axolotl (or several other types of sea creatures <HERE>.

at the International Meridian Conference in Washington D.C. The French abstained from the final vote; they had

campaigned for the Paris meridian. So 1884 is year zero for our point at zero north, zero east. n

THE CENTER OF THE EARTH - NULL ISLAND If you were to try to visit Null Island, all you would see is water in the Gulf of Guinea. That's because there is no such place. Null Island is a fictional location that represents the points of coordinates 0ºN latitude and 0ºE longitude on the Earth's surface. It is an imaginary spot on the Atlantic Ocean near the western coast of Africa. The Equator, equidistant from the poles, gives us the northern and southern hemispheres. The Greenwich meridian, which divides the world in eastern and western hemispheres, is a more arbitrary line. Its status as the world’s prime meridian was only established in 1884,

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IN THE USA

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/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

BRAZIL 03

WORLD HERITAGE LIST

é Fernando de Noronha.

02 01

é Mountains (Serra dos Órgaos) at the entrance of Teresópolis, Brazil.

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), geo-logical 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. As of 2023, there are 23 World Heritage Sites in Brazil, including fifteen cultural sites, seven natural sites and

é Cathedral of Brasília by Oscar Niemeyer—the symbol of Brasília.

one mixed site. In addition, there are twenty-three properties on its tentative list. 01/ The Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves consist of 930 miles of mountain ranges and escarpments that run parallel to the Atlantic Ocean coast At the time of the European discovery of Brazil (1500), the area supported a rich and highly diversified ecosystem, composed mainly of lush tropical rain forest, called Atlantic Forest. 02/ Brasília Planned and developed by Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer in 1956, Brasília was created ex nihilo in

order to move the capital from Rio de Janeiro to a more central position. Together with Chandigarh in India it is the only place where Corbusier's design principles of urbanism have been applied on large scale. [Creatio ex nihilo (Latin for "creation out of nothing") is the doctrine that matter is not eternal but had to be created by some divine creative act.] XDONAT, CC BY 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

03/ The Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves. As one of the few insular habitats in the South Atlantic, this site is essential as a feeding ground and reproduction space for marine organisms including endangered and

People who ask me what I'm doing tomorrow probably assume that I even know what day of the week it is.

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION

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é NASA location map of the Atlantic Forest biome in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

07 There’s a store on Main Street where you can get dead batteries free of charge.

é The Negro River flowing through the eastern edge of Brazil’s Jaú National Park.

é Salvador Historical Center, Bahia, Brazil.

the Cerrado’s 7,770 square miles are privately owned. ANGELADEPAULA, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

06/ The Atlantic Forest biome extends along the Atlantic coast of Brazil from Rio Grande do Norte state in the northeast to Rio Grande do Sul state in the south and inland as far as Paraguay and the Misiones Province of Argentina, where the region is known as Selva Misionera. It is characterized by a high biodiversity and endemism (the state of being a species found in a single defined geographic location).

é Vegetation in Pirineus State Park, Goiás.

threatened species, most notably the hawksbill sea turtle. CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-SHARE ALIKE 3.0 UNPORTED

04/ The Central Amazon Conservation Complex. As the largest protected area in the Amazon basin, the site is notable for its high biodiversity, range of habitats such as várzea and igapó forests and number of endangered species. It has been recognized by various conservation agencies as a high priority region.

05/ The Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks are a vast ecoregion of tropical savanna in eastern Brazil, The two parks are one of the world's oldest tropical ecosystems and an important refuge for species in times of climate change. Together they are also the second largest of Brazil's major habitat types, after the Amazonian rainforest and account for 21% of the country's land area (extending marginally into Paraguay and Bolivia). About 75% of

07/ The Historic Center of Salvador de Bahia (a/k/a the Pelourinho [Portuguese for "Pillory"] or Pelo) was the first Brazilian capital and town of the first slave market in the New World— the city's center during the Portuguese colonial period and was named for the whipping post in its central plaza where enslaved people from Africa were publicly beaten as punishment for alleged infractions. FERNANDO_DALLACQUA [2], FLICKR, CC BY 2.0 VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

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é Historic center of Goiás.

é Praca Tiradentes -the main square of Ouro Preto.

é Catedral Metropolitana de Diamantina.

08/ São Luís (Saint Louis) is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Maranhão. Located on Upaon-açu Island (Big Island, in Tupi Language), it has preserved the complete rectangular town plan and numerous historical buildings making it a prime example of a Portuguese colonial town. é The Monastery of São Bento in Olinda.

09/ The Historic Center of the Town of Diamantina is a well-preserved example of Baroque architecture. The 18th-century colonial town was founded in an inhospitable environment of rocky mountains and became a center of diamond mining in the 18th and 19th centuries. PHOTOGRAPHS BY LEANDRO NEUMANN CIUFFO, CC-BY-2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

11/ The Historic Center of the Town of Olinda was founded in 1537. It prospered as a center of sugar-cane production. Following looting by the Dutch in the 17th century, the historic center dates largely to the 18th century with a harmonious combination of buildings, gardens, churches, convents and chapels. PREFEITURA DE OLINDA -FLICKR, CC BY 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

10/ The Historic Center of the Town of Goiás was founded in 1727 by the bandeirante explorer Bartolomeu Bueno da Silva. (The bandeirantes were slavers, explorers, adventurers, and fortune hunters in early Colonial Brazil. ) It has preserved much of its colonial heritage and is an example of a European settlement in the interior of South America. ANTÔNIO RICARDO GOMES DE SOUZA CC BY-SA 4.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

12/ The Historic Town of Ouro Preto: The prosperity of the town as the center of the Brazilian gold rush in the 18th century is reflected in numerous preserved churches, bridges and fountains many of them designed by the Baroque sculptor Aleijadinho. ALVESGASPAR, CC BY-SA 3.0 VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

13/ Iguaçu National Park: Together with Iguazú National Park on the Argentinian side, the park protects Iguazu Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls, and is home to many rare and endangered species such as giant anteater or the giant otter. ENALDO VALADARES, CC BY-SA 3.0 VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

14/ The Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Miní, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa María Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of São Miguel das Missões (Brazil): Each of the five ruined Spanish Jesuit missions founded amidst a tropical forest in the land of the Guaraní people in the 17th and 18th centuries is characterized by a specific design. IAN STORNI MACHADO -OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 4.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

I never forget a face, but in your case, I’ll be glad to make an exception.

é Historic Center of São Luís.

/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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é Aerial view of the Iguazu Falls.

é Parity, Rio de Janeiro. I made a huge To Do list for today. I just can't figure out who's going to do it.

é Ruinas in Brazil.

15/ The Pampulha Modern Ensemble is an urban project designed around an artificial lake (Lake Pampulha). It includes a casino, a ballroom, the Golf Yacht Club, and the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi. The buildings were designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer. DANIEL RAPOSO -OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 4.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

16/ The Pantanal Conservation Area contains four protected areas, encompassing the world's largest freshwater wetland ecosystem and the world's

é A flooded grasslands and savannas ecoregion in the Pantanal.

largest flooded grasslands. Located mostly in Brazil, it extends into portions of Bolivia and Paraguay. It is home to an abundant number and diverse range of species.

ALICIA YO AT THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE WIKIPEDIA, CC BY-SA 3.0

17/ Paraty and Ilha Grande - Culture and Biodiversity is a preserved Portuguese colonial (1500–1822) and Brazilian Imperial (1822–1889) municipality. The name originates an abundant local fish. In the late 17th century, Paraty was

the endpoint of the Gold Route, along which gold was shipped to Europe. Its port was also an entry point for tools and African slaves, sent to work in the mines. MARIORDO MARIO ROBERTO DURAN ORTIZ, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

18/ Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes Between the Mountain and the Sea: The listed site consists of an exceptional urban setting rather than built heritage. It encompasses the key natural elements that have shaped and inspired the development of the city: from the highest points of the Tijuca National Park's mountains

é Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio De Janeiro.

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/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

é The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos.

é Painting of two animals. This is considered the symbol of the park.

é São Francisco Square.

down to the sea. They also include the Botanical Gardens, established in 1808, Corcovado Mountain with its celebrated statue of Christ and the hills around Guanabara Bay, including the extensive designed landscapes along Copacabana Bay which have contributed to the outdoor living culture of this spectacular city. ARTYOMINC, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

19/ The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos is an 18th-century Roman Catholic basilica designed in the Baroque style with an Italian-inspired Rococo interior. It is noted for its grand outdoor stairway with statues of Old Testament prophets. The interior has seven side chapels which illustrate the Stations of the Cross; each has a polychrome sculpture made by the artist Aleijadinho. They are considered masterpieces of an original, moving, and expressive form of Baroque art. HALLEYPO, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

20/ São Francisco Square in the Town of São Cristóvão São Francisco Square is an open space surrounded by Portuguese colonial-period buildings such as the Church and Convent of Santa Cruz

(São Francisco Church), the Misericórdia Hospital and Church, the Provincial Palace and buildings from later periods. MINISTÉRIO DA CULTURA, CC BY 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

21/ Serra da Capivara National Park is among the oldest human communities in South America, featuring a great number of cave paintings, some dating as early as 25,000 years ago. VITOR 1234, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

22/ The Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site is in the former harbor area of Rio de Janeiro in which the old stone wharf was built for the landing of enslaved Africans reaching the South American continent from 1811 onwards. An estimated 900,000 Africans arrived in South America via Valongo.

é Empress Pier—built to welcome Teresa Cristina when she came to marry Dom Pedro II.

HALLEY PACHECO DE OLIVEIRA, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

23/ The Estate of Roberto Burle Marx (1909–1994), a Brazilian landscape architect (as well as a painter, print maker, ecologist, naturalist, artist and musician) whose designs of parks and gardens made him world-famous. He is accredited with having introduced modernist landscape architecture to Brazil. He created a garden at his estate with about 3500 species of plants. HALLEY PACHECO DE OLIVEIRA, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS. n

é The Estate of Roberto Burle Mar.

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Getting older is just one body part after another saying, “Ha ha, you think that's bad? Watch this!”

/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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HOMELESSNESS

IN THE U.S. REACHES A

RECORD HIGH

[HOMELESSNESS IS A HOUSING PROBLEM]

That is the ugliest top I’ve ever seen, yet it compliments your face perfectly.

The number of homeless people in the US surged to a record high of more than 653,000 early in 2023, as COVID-19 pandemic-aid spending faded, according to new federal data. The increase reflects a concurrence of factors: rising housing costs, limited affordable housing units, the opioid epidemic, and the expired pandemic-era aid that had helped keep people in their homes. Reporting in the middle of December, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) said, this upsurge was also influenced by growth in numbers of migrants seeking shelter in cities like New York City, Massachusetts, and Chicago. This dramatic increase represents a 12% spike from the previous year, marking the most significant rise and the highest total since comparable data was first published in 2007. Before this year, excluding the pandemic years when counts were skewed, the biggest increase was 2.7% in 2019.

Despite initial fears that there would be a surge in homelessness during the pandemic, temporary eviction moratoriums helped keep vulnerable individuals housed for a while; this was reflected in relatively stable homeless counts. Now, however, the surge is happened due to a challenging rental market with low vacancy rates, the end of pandemic-era housing programs, and an uptick in first-time homelessness experiences. Chronically homeless people (defined as those who have been homeless for at least one year or periodically over three years) increased from last year by 12%. And fully two-thirds of chronically homeless people were unsheltered in this year's count—a record! More than one-quarter of homeless adults counted this year were over age 54, and homelessness among veterans increased by 7% between the 2022 and 2023 counts.

ACCORDING TO HUD: 70,650 more people were recorded as homeless in 2023 than in 2022.

About 20 of every 10,000 people living in the U.S. were homeless on any given single night in 2023. Homelessness increased about

16% among families with children and more than 7% among veterans.

The number of homeless Asian and Asian Americans increased 40% in the past year. The number of unaccompanied youths experiencing homelessness rose 15% in this year's count, and the number of homeless people in families with children went up by a similar amount. The data also indicated that the Hispanic or Latino population constituted 55% of the increase in homelessness between 2022 and 2023, primarily due to an influx of migrants in cities like New York City and Chicago. HUD is providing resources such as grants to aid groups and housing vouchers to help address the homelessness crisis. And the agency is launching new programs to boost the number of homeless people who get into permanent housing. However, as Jeff Olivet, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, described the persistent challenge, “The problem is that for every person who exits homelessness, another becomes homeless.” n

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/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

TR E DAT Skin

actually makes up for

Dogs tilt their heads when you speak to them to listen more accurately for familiar words (such as 'walk') and helps them to better understand the tone of your voice. If a dog doesn't tilt its head that often (as those with shorter muzzles might), it's because it relies less on sound and more on sight.

PBRUNDEL, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Australia is wider than the moon. The moon is 2,113 miles in diameter, while Australia’s diameter from east to west is almost 2,485 miles.

REID CAMPBELL, CC0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Humans cannot

swallow and breathe at the same time

Only a quarter of the Sahara Desert is sand. Most of it is covered in gravel, though it also has mountains and oases. And it isn’t the world’s largest desert. Antarctica is. (PICTURED: A SATELLITE IMAGE OF THE SAHARA BY NASA WORLDWIND)

While some people blink more than others, most people blink around 15 to 20 times every minute. As a result of the constant blinking we do on a daily basis (though a blink may only last a split second, this results in most of our eyes being closed for about 10% of the time that we are awake The Gourmand Syndrome happens when someone suffers an injury in the right anterior cerebral hemisphere of their brain. From then on, the person will mostly show preference to eat only fine foods

Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt. 138 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt; Sudan has 255. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid the tomb of pharaoh Khufu, Built in the early 26th century BC, over a period of about 27 years, the pyramid is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only wonder that has remained largely intact. NINA AT THE NORWEGIAN BOKMÅL LANGUAGE WIKIPEDIA, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

While ironically, enzymes are the substance that acts as a catalyst in living organisms, they may also be useful to us once we die. After death, enzymes keep working and feeding on fluids produced during something called autolysis – a process that happens once a person dies.

The (now common) term

‘Viking’

wasn’t used to describe medieval Scandinavians until 1840. Today, it has come to describe those involved in raiding expeditions, as Scandinavians originally used the term, and even Scandinavians in general.

16%

of a human’s

body weight When you

blush,

your stomach also becomes red just like your face does. This is because all your capillaries widen whenever you feel a little bit shy or embarrassed, which in turn increases blood flow. This blood flow is what is responsible for the red blush color

The first thing that develops in a human embryo is the anus; the second thing to be developed is the mouth, Go figure! The human embryo develops fingerprints after three months. Towards the 17th week of pregnancy, an embryo’s fingerprints are basically set in stone. From that point on, those fingerprints will never change again until the person is dead, and every single fingerprint out there is completely unique to one person. LUNAR CAUSTIC, CC BY-SA 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

When I was a child, my father told me I could be anyone I wanted to be. Nowadays, they call that identity theft.

When turkeys are scared or excited (like when the males see a female they’re interested in) the pale skin on their head and neck turns bright red, blue, or white. (i.e., they blush) The flap of skin over their beaks, called a snood, also reddens.

/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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TRENDI G

I wasn’t being rude. I just said what everyone else was thinking.

The Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com®’s Emerging Housing Markets Index looks at key housing market data, as well as economic and quality of life metrics, to determine emerging housing markets that are expected to see future home price appreciation. The Index lists those cities with a lower cost of living, strong employment and convenient commutes came out best as higher mortgage rates and prices have caused home sales to slow nationwide. These emerging housing markets are poised to fare relatively better. Five state capitals made the current list. See the whole analysis, the methodology and find house listings in these markets <HERE>. The Top 20 Emerging Markets for Fall 2023 (each of which is hyperlinked to select listings in that city) are:

1. Topeka, Kan. 2. Elkhart-Goshen, Ind. 3. Oshkosh-Neenah, Wisc. 4. Fort Wayne, Ind. 5. Lafayette-West Lafayette, Ind. 6. Racine, Wis. 7. Manchester-Nashua, N.H. 8. Concord, N.H. 9. Columbus, Ohio 10. Johnson City, Tenn. 11. Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, Tenn.-Va. 12. Jefferson City, Mo. 13. Springfield, Ohio 14. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, Calif. 15. Dayton, Ohio 16. Janesville-Beloit, Wis. 17. Canton-Massillon, Ohio 18. Knoxville, Tenn. 19. Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, Conn. 20. Worcester, Mass.-Conn.

VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Emerging Housing Markets

Also check out the 2024 Housing Market Forecast and Predictions: Housing Affordability Finally Begins to Turnaround. n

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Product Video

/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

BY MIA MILLER

THE MILLENNIAL'S GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE

INVESTING WHILE IN YOUR 20s AND 30s

WHY REAL ESTATE IN YOUR 20S AND 30S?

Why not, right? Your 20s and 30s are a crucial phase, perfect for embracing adventure, taking risks, and shaping your future. Here's a closer look at why real estate is a great choice for millennials: • Long-term Wealth Building: Investing early allows millennials to leverage time, benefiting from compound growth and property appreciation over the years. • Diversification of Investment: Real estate adds diversity to investment portfolios, reducing risk by spreading assets across different categories. • Tangible Asset Ownership: Unlike stocks or bonds, real estate provides tangible ownership, providing a sense of security and control over their investments.

SETTING REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT GOALS

In the realm of real estate, the journey begins with a vision. Before you dive headfirst into the market, take a moment to set your real estate investment goals. Imagine your ideal future. Is it financial independence, a diversified portfolio, or perhaps accumulating wealth for generations to come? Visualize the endpoint, and then work backward. Remember: Every investor's path is unique, and your real estate journey should align with your individual objectives. Whether you're aiming to build passive income, secure retirement, or explore the thrill of property flipping,

clarity in your goals is your compass in the vast landscape of real estate possibilities. The road to real estate success is paved with financial considerations. Before taking the plunge, ensure that you consider all the costs associated with the real estate venture. From property acquisition and maintenance to legal fees and unexpected contingencies, a comprehensive understanding of expenses will ensure that you're financially prepared for the journey. Your goals are the North Star guiding your investment ship. They not only provide direction but also act as a constant reminder of why you embarked on this exciting real estate adventure in the first place.

GETTING STARTED

Once you’ve established your goals, you’re ready to take your first steps into the world of real estate investment.

1. CONDUCT THOROUGH RESEARCH

Before you dip your toes into the real estate pool, it's essential to understand the waters. Research market trends, property values, and the economic climate. Identify areas with potential growth and untapped opportunities. The more you know, the more informed your decisions will be.

2. DEFINE YOUR INVESTMENT STRATEGY

A multitude of investment strategies exists, ranging from long-term rentals to fix-and-flip projects. Define your strategy meticulously, considering

your goals, risk tolerance, and available resources. Whether your preference leans towards steady income, quick returns, or a balanced mix, tailor your approach to align precisely with your aspirations.

3. SET A REALISTIC BUDGET

One of the cardinal rules in is to know your financial limits. Set a realistic budget that encompasses not just the initial property cost but also additional expenses like renovations, taxes, and contingencies. Being financially savvy from the outset sets the stage for a smoother investment journey.

4. SELECT THE RIGHT PROPERTY

The property you choose can make or break your investment. Consider factors such as location, potential for appreciation, and the condition of the property. Whether it's a cozy residential home or a commercial space with high foot traffic, make sure it aligns with your overall investment strategy.

5. BUILD A KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM

No one sails the real estate seas alone. Assemble a team of professionals, including real estate agents and contractors, and get support in the field of real estate fund accounting. Their expertise will be invaluable in making informed decisions and navigating potential challenges along the way.

6. ENSURE ONGOING MARKET MONITORING

The landscape is dynamic, with market conditions constantly evolving. Regu-

A: Nobody knows.

For millennials in their 20s and 30s, the path to financial freedom unfolds as an exhilarating adventure, with real estate investment holding the key. In this article, we'll reveal hidden gems, address challenges, and outline strategies for savvy millennials venturing into the world of real estate.

Q: What would you call someone with just a nose and no body?

Feature

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/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

larly monitor trends, keeping an eye on factors that may impact your investment. Staying informed positions you to adapt your strategy as needed, maximizing the potential for success.

LOCATION MATTERS (DUH!) CHOOSING THE RIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD

A new restaurant opened downtown. It’s called ‘Karma.’They don’t have a menu.You just get what you deserve.

Why does location matter so much? Think of it as the backdrop to your real estate story. The right neighborhood can enhance property value, attract reliable tenants, and contribute to overall investment stability. On the flip side, a less-than-ideal location might lead to stagnant property values or difficulties in finding suitable renters. Factors to consider: • Property Appreciation: Look for neighborhoods with a history of steady property value appreciation. This indicates a healthy real estate market and the potential for your investment to grow over time. • Amenities and Infrastructure: Proximity to essential amenities like schools, parks, shopping centers, transportation, and reliable infrastructure can significantly impact the desirability of a neighborhood. • Crime Rates and Safety: Safety is paramount. Research crime rates in potential neighborhoods to ensure your investment is in a secure environment, attracting both residents and potential buyers. • Future Development Plans: Investigate any upcoming development plans

for the area. Infrastructure improvements or new attractions can positively influence property values.

BALANCING AFFORDABILITY AND QUALITY

While choosing the right neighborhood is crucial, it's also essential to strike a balance between affordability and quality. A high-end neighborhood might promise allure, but it could strain your budget. A more affordable area might have great potential but will require thorough research to ensure a positive return on investment.

INVEST IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

While studying and evaluating neighborhoods, consider that it may be wise to invest in residential properties. Residential real estate often provides a stable and consistent income stream. Millennials with a focus on comfort and lifestyle find residential properties appealing. The demand for rental homes remains high, making residential investments a strategic choice for longterm gains.

CHALLENGES AND PITFALLS: HOW TO OVERCOME HURDLES

Embarking on a real estate journey is a thrilling endeavor, but it's not without its share of challenges, such as: • Market Volatility: Real estate markets can be unpredictable. Economic fluctuations, interest rate changes, and unforeseen events can impact property values. Being prepared for market volatility is essential.

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• Financing Obstacles: Securing financing for real estate ventures can be challenging, especially for millennials. Stringent lending criteria, credit scores, and down payment requirements can pose hurdles. Exploring alternative financing options is crucial. • Property Management: Once you own a property, effective management becomes paramount. Dealing with tenants, property maintenance, and unexpected issues can be timeconsuming. Developing a solid property management plan is important.

STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME

• Diversification: Spread your investments across different types of properties and locations. Diversification helps mitigate risks associated with market volatility, ensuring that a downturn in one area doesn't adversely affect your entire portfolio. • Build Strong Financial Foundations: Strengthen your financial position by improving your credit score, saving for a substantial down payment, and exploring government-backed loan programs. You can also strengthen your financial foundation by paying off your title or personal loans quickly. A robust financial foundation increases your chances of securing favorable financing. • Professional Property Management: Consider hiring professional property management services. This not only alleviates the burden of day-to-day management but also ensures that your investment is well-maintained and that your tenants are satisfied. • Continuous Learning: Stay informed about market trends, legalities, and industry best practices. Continuous learning equips you to adapt to changes, make informed decisions, and anticipate challenges before they become obstacles.

CONCLUSION

Congratulations! You've journeyed through the millennial's guide to real estate. Armed with knowledge, strategies, and a dash of excitement, you're ready to take on the world of property investment. Remember: Stay informed, adapt to changes, and enjoy the ride. n Mia Miller is a research analyst turned writer who is passionate about words and ideas. miamiller.blogs@gmail.com

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/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

ARSENAL BUSINESS COLLECTIONS

A NON-TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO BUSINESS COLLECTIONS

It’s easy as ABC

Accounts Receivable Tracking them is good. Collecting them is better! 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.

Arsenal Business Collections 2537 Lubbock Avenue Fort Worth, TX 76109 Tel: 214-755-2277 Fax: 817.924.7116

www.thearsenalcompanies.com

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Collaborating with the UN and European partners, the Nepalese government has adopted a plan to tackle these challenges to the best of its ability. Researchers on the environmental news site Mongabay have criticized the plan saying that it should pay more attention to the most vulnerable segments of Nepalese society.

CLIMATE CHANGE – AT –

An aerial view of Mount Everest

At the summit of the world, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres recently made a journey to the base of Mount Everest in Nepal to deliver a cautionary message. Guterres and his colleagues are determined to prevent the Earth's temperature from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (34.7 degrees

é Antonio Guterres

IAEA IMAGEBANK, CC BY 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

If I’m smiling, I’m contemplating doing something really bad. If I’m laughing, I’ve already done it.

BABASTEVE, CC BY 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

THE TOP OF THE WORLD

Fahrenheit) compared to preindustrial times. Over the past century, the temperature has already increased by approximately half of that amount, indicating that humans must take more significant action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change. However, the situation in the Himalayas is even more dire. One-third of Nepal's mountain ice has melted in the last three decades due to global warming. “I am here today to cry out from the rooftop of the world: Stop the Madness!” he declared, emphasizing the need to put an end to the "fossil fuel era" worldwide. Climbers who have conquered Mount Everest, the tallest mountain (29,033 feet) on Earth, have observed that the summit is now drier and grayer than in

previous generations. Scientists have also predicted that glaciers in the region could lose up to 75% of their volume by 2100, leading to severe water shortages. Nepal has experienced other detrimental effects of climate change. Monsoons have triggered floods and landslides, forcing villagers to abandon destroyed communities. Warmer temperatures have attracted mosquitoes carrying diseases like dengue (according to Foreign Policy Magazine). The country needs substantial investments to address these transformations, particularly because many Nepalese have constructed their homes on steep slopes that are being altered by melting ice and increased water flow.

These concerns may have been at the forefront of the minds of officials from various nations who elected Nepali atmospheric scientist Maheswar Rupakheti to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Rupakheti is the first Nepali representative on the panel, recognized by Third Pole, an environmental organization working in the Himalayan region.

The country has the potential to make improvements and has been receptive to new initiatives such as implementing innovative agricultural techniques to combat climate change. However, Nepal is a small nation whose destiny is largely influenced by the actions and tolerance of other countries regarding pollution. n

DIVERSI NS – OLD PEOPLE'S T-SHIRTS If you're happy and you know it, it's your meds. To me “drink responsibly” means don't spill it. Sorry I'm late... I didn't want to come. A little Gray hair is a small price to pay for all this wisdom. When I was a kid, i wanted to be older... This crap is not what I expected. Everyone was thinking it. I just said it. The best thing about the good old days was that I wasn't good, and I wasn't old. Some days the supply of curse words is insufficient to meet my demands. Science doesn't care what you believe. You are about to exceed the limits of my medication. On your mark, get set... go... away! My relationship with whiskey is on the rocks. I have stopped listening... so why are you still talking. The secret of enjoying a good wine: 1. Open the bottle to allow it to breathe. 2. If it doesn't look like it's breathing, give it mouth to mouth. If you can't laugh at yourself, let me do it. Patience is a virtue. It's just not one of MY virtues. I am who I am... your approval isn't needed. 4 out of 3 people struggle with math. Twinkle twinkle little star, point me to the nearest bar.

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/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

TRENDI G

Property Values in Freefall

BY ANDRA HOPULELE

Some brave buyers, however, decided to take the plunge: Despite historic high mortgage rates, they jumped at the opportunity to buy in a desperate, ‘now or never’ attempt to finally become homeowners. Fast forward to September 2023 and all they really got was homes that are losing value. Because of the year-over-year price drops in many of the largest U.S. cities, new homeowners would have to sell their homes for less money than they bought them for. Point2 analyzed large housing markets and found that: Single-family homeowners lost up to $223 every day for the past year, totaling $81,250, while condo owners lost up to $122,500, or $336 in value each day.

Some highlights from the study by Point2: Market Correction Hits Close to Home: Condo owners in 36 cities and single-family homeowners in 25 key markets are feeling the weight of the price corrections. What's more, in 15 major U.S. cities, both single-family and condo owners are experiencing considerable Y-o-Y losses. This means they would need to sell their home for less than they bought it for — an unsettling prospect for any owner. As mortgage rates choke buyers’ attempts at homeownership, home prices ground to a halt in many cities, and they’re dropping fast in others. In fact, it’s the markets that rose the fastest that are now entering correction territory at the highest speed.

  » »

This could mean that buyers who were determined to secure a home at the height of the pandemic buying frenzy are now feeling the market’s one-two punch: First by overpaying and now in home value loss.

15 LARGE U.S. MARKETS WITH PRICE DROPS FOR BOTH SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES & CONDOS

Check out the full data set and accompanying visuals: here: www.point2homes.com/news/us-realestate-news/2023-owners-hit-by-homeprice-decline.

City

Median Single-Family Home Price 2023

Percentage Loss

Median Condo Price

Percentage Loss

2023 vs. 2022

2023

2023 vs. 2022

Memphis, TN

US$170.000

-17,10 %

US$165.000

-12,20 %

New Orleans, LA

US$251.095

-9,00 %

US$321.156

-3,50 %

Detroit, MI

US$64.277

-7,90 %

US$221.824

-7,40 %

Oakland, CA

US$869.407

-6,80 %

US$574.843

-7,00 %

San Francisco, CA

US$1.556.250

-5,00 %

US$1.037.500

-10,60 %

San Antonio, TX

US$275.000

-5,00 %

US$180.000

-1,10 %

Colorado Springs, CO

US$450.715

-3,20 %

US$291.323

-1,00 %

North Las Vegas, NV

US$410.000

-2,80 %

US$238.966

-6,00 %

Henderson, NV

US$495.995

-2,70 %

US$269.000

-12,90 %

Austin, TX

US$575.000

-2,50 %

US$420.000

-5,60 %

Honolulu, HI

US$1.301.264

-2,10 %

US$514.100

-0,90 %

Nashville, TN

US$440.048

-1,90 %

US$371.521

-2,40 %

Jacksonville, FL

US$325.000

-0,80 %

US$215.000

-6,50 %

Chandler, AZ

US$556.500

-0,60 %

US$343.000

-2,70 %

St. Paul, MN

US$288.434

-0,30 %

US$202.299

-1,20 %

Point2 is a division of Yardi Systems Inc.n Andra Hopulele is a Senior Real Estate Writer at Point2, a division of Yardi Systems Inc. andra.hopulele@yardi.com

I used to work as an origami teacher, but I hated it.There was too much paperwork.

The American housing market is not for the faint-hearted. The unexpected rollercoaster that was the pandemic was followed by another period of heart-stopping inflation, rising mortgage rates, uncontrollable price increases and generalized anxiety about all things involving homeownership.

Owners Who Struggled to Buy Last Year Have Been Bleeding Money So Far

/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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EGAL VIEW BURNETT V. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS On November 8th, after an 11-day trial in the case of Burnett v. NAR et al, the eight-person jury in a Kansas City, MO federal courtroom issued a landmark ruling, ordering the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and several large real estate brokerages* to pay nearly $1.8 billion in damages to home sellers who were allegedly forced to pay excessive fees. The jury (after less than three hours of deliberations) found that the NAR and the brokerages had conspired to artificially inflate the commissions paid to real estate agents, violating antitrust laws.

I am busy right now; can I ignore you some other time?

The case was brought by a group of home sellers who alleged that the NAR's mandatory buyer broker commission rule, which requires sellers to pay a commission to a buyer's agent even if they do not use one, was anticompetitive and inflated home prices. The plaintiffs also alleged that the NAR had engaged in other anticompetitive practices, such as restricting access to multiple listing services (MLSs) to non-NAR members. The jury's verdict is a major blow to the Chicago-based NAR, which is the largest trade association in the United States, with over 1.5 million members and over $1 billion in assets. It owns the trademark to the word ‘Realtor,’** and in much of the country, a real estate agent’s ability to buy, sell and market homes dependent on the payment of its membership dues. The NAR has long been criticized for its anti-competitive practices, and this ruling could lead to significant changes in the real estate industry, particularly after sexual harassment allegations against the organization's president led to his resignation this summer. In addition to the damages award, the jury also ordered the NAR to make several changes to its policies, including: • Removing the mandatory buyer broker commission rule. • Allowing non-NAR members to access Multiple Listing Services. • Prohibiting the NAR from using its size and influence to coerce real estate agents into joining the association. The NAR has said that it will appeal the verdict, but it is unclear whether it will be successful. The Department of Justice is also currently investigating the NAR for antitrust violations. The ruling in this case is a major victory for consumers, who could see lower home prices as a result of the changes that the NAR is required

YOUR COMMERCIAL FLOORING SPECIALIST CARPET, TILE, CONCRETE, WOOD

to make. It is also a significant step forward for competition in the real estate industry.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR HOME SELLERS?

If you are a home seller, you may be able to save money on your real estate transaction because of this ruling. The NAR's mandatory buyer broker commission rule is no longer in effect, so you may be able to negotiate a lower commission with your agent. You may also be able to find an agent who is not a member of the NAR, which could further reduce your costs.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR HOME BUYERS?

If you are a home buyer, you may not see any immediate impact from this ruling. However, it is possible that home prices could come down in the long run as a result of increased competition in the real estate industry.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS?

Real estate agents who are not members of the NAR may see an increase in business as a result of this ruling. However, all real estate agents will likely face increased competition in the years to come. * N.A.R., alongside Keller Williams, Anywhere Real Estate (formerly, Realogy), Re/Max and HomeServices of America, had been on trial in an antitrust suit brought by nearly half a million Missouri home sellers. The home sellers asked for damages of $1.78 billion. Before heading to trial, both Re/Max and Anywhere Real Estate opted to settle, with Re/Max paying $55 million and Anywhere Real Estate (whose subsidiaries include Coldwell Banker, Century 21 Real Estate, and Sotheby’s International Realty) paying $83.5 million in damages. ** Not all licensed real estate agents (salespeople and/or brokers can call themselves ‘Realtors.’ You must be a dues-paying member of the N.A.R. to do so. n

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT!

You deserve to work in an eco-friendly, clean, sanitized environment. Your carpet is your largest filter of allergens, dirt, bacteria, and viruses. When it is truly clean, your flooring promotes your health and that of your staff and clients.

www.NextLevelKlean.com Jason@NextLevelKlean.com

Jason Cox 214-991-2988

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ARTCH TECTURE

JEAN-FRANÇOIS RAUZIER AN ABUNDANCE OF PERSPECTIVE 01

A precursor of digital assembly, Jean-François RAUZIER invented the concept of hyperphotography in 2002, recognized today throughout the world. He brings together thousands of photos taken with a telephoto lens to compose different surrealist universes from existing sites, mainly heritage sites, enchanting us with his disproportionate works. Going from the infinitely large to the infinitely small, his compositions arouse obvious enthusiasm with each public presentation. These places acquire an extraordinary dimension, tinged with poetry, welcome new characters and entities, and abound with various references. His work is exhibited in France and throughout the world and is included in major contemporary art collections. In 2021-2022, he presented Utopia, a permanent exhibition of the artistic programming of the France Pavilion for the Universal Exhibition - Dubai 2020. From May 2 to July 31, 2022, he spent 3 months

I changed my password to ‘Incorrect.’ Now, when I can’t remember my password, my computer says my password is ‘incorrect.’

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Askhole. A person who constantly asks for your advice, yet always does the opposite of what you tell them.

01/ Babel 17 -Miami 03/ San Pau 05/ Jérome Bosch IA veduta 07/ Fashion 09/ Louvre 11/ Ufizzi Gallery

02/ Barre Dubuisson 04/ Veduta 3496 06/ Babel IA 112 08/ Alessandrina 10/ Rires 12/ Scala del Bovolo

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in artistic residency at the Claude MONET Foundation, Giverny, as part of the Munn Artist & Volunteer Programs. Since December 2022, it has been taking over the new Terminal 1 Paris Charles de Gaulle with a journey of 54 monumental luminescent sequences from the Ballade de Paris project. The large format photographs of Jean-François RAUZIER transfigure reality. They impose their obsessive frontality and invite the viewer on an unprecedented journey into the visible. By distorting the Euclidean dimension, by juxtaposing the whole and the details, he offers a plastic approach which stands out from the unique point of view of the Renaissance. But above all, his evocative panoramic images place contemporary man at the heart of a dizzying network of knowledge which makes him master of a new space-time where the macrocosm and the microcosm, the virtual and the concrete, the rational and the imagination. His quest: “seeing both a wider view and a close-up, stopping time and being able to examine all the details of a still image.” In other words, by using a cinematic language, which his work often references, one achieves

both a 180° panoramic image and an ultra-close zoom. Why? To indicate, among other things, what escapes the eye, knowledge, and reason. And to find the hidden proof of an intrigue which presents itself to the viewer in its blinding truth. An original and inspired approach to move from the singular to the universal and to combine the present with the timeless. RAUZIER speaks to us about our world, here and now, in its cruel beauty and its sumptuous decay. Looking closer, the art of this artist comes from much further afield and ultimately attempts to update a genre often considered moribund: Baroque. However, the Baroque, and this since the classical era, serves to characterize an art of equivocation, dislocation, transgression, and transformation. His works operate on a kind of evidence. They play on a tension, a tension between a fairly classic overall composition and the labyrinth of details where the eye gets lost. The operation is not innocent. Editing becomes the language par excellence of all the contradictions that surround us. It makes visible a daily life that moves forward hidden. It is as if each composition wants

I’d love to help you, but I don’t even play an active role in my own life anymore.

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to mislead our eyes, to make us better understand that there is in this bewilderment a form of resistance to the artifices of our present. n

See more of and/or purchase the artist’s work at Belair Fine Art, or Artsper.com. 11

Life’s a soup and I’m a fork.

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.)

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TRENDI G The Soaring Costs of Student Housing is a Real Estate Problem

Over the last decade, student housing costs have undergone a staggering surge, surpassing inflation rates by a substantial margin. This trend, influenced by an intricate interplay of market dynamics, increased demand, and localized supply shortages, has created a formidable financial hurdle for students seeking affordable accommodation; it is one of the biggest drivers of rising college prices in the U.S. Recent statistics paint a vivid picture of the uphill battle faced by students in securing affordable housing. Comparisons between on-campus and offcampus housing costs reveal a stark reality, where the expenses of lodging often outweigh other educational expenditures, placing an enormous strain on students' financial resources.

é Crampton Housing UMass Amherst

The ramifications of soaring housing costs reverberate through students' lives, exerting financial pressure that hampers academic performance and detrimentally affects mental well-being. Moreover, low-income, disabled, and marginalized students encounter exacerbated accessibility challenges, sometimes forced to balance multiple jobs to sustain themselves. According to the Journal’s study: “Two decades ago, living in the most expensive room at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, for an academic year cost the equivalent of about $5,900 in today’s dollars. That amount won’t buy a student even the cheapest bed at UMass this school year. One student there (name withheld) has cerebral palsy and needs to live in a first-floor room. (She) now a junior, asked for a shared bedroom in the honors dorm her first year to help keep her debt low. She was assigned a single instead, which in honors housing ran about $10,900 that year.” The escalating costs of student housing pose a formidable threat to higher education accessibility. They widen socioeconomic disparities, hindering diversity within educational institutions and impeding the overall progress of society. At Louisiana State University (another of the universities in the Journal’s study) the 5-year-old, 1500-bed Nicholson Gateway dorm costs between $10,300 and $16,700 per person for two semesters.

é Manzanita Hall at ASU

The Wall Street Journal reported that Arizona State University students are paying more than $9600 this year to live in a shared bedroom in a 15-story on campus dorm—80% more than what students paid to live in the same building 20 years ago, adjusted for inflation. In fact, of the 12 universities the Journal studied, (in today’s dollars) the least expensive dormitory cost increased by 70%. At Binghamton University—part of the New York State University system—the cheapest housing option has more than doubled (to over $10,000 for two semesters in a shared room) in those 20 years. Over the same period, ASU’s rates have nearly tripled to around $20,700 for this academic year. The fluctuating nature of the real estate market significantly impacts the cost of student accommodations, as do university policies and enrollment rates. The allure of luxurious amenities and additional services adds an extra layer to the escalating costs, further burdening students. And food plans have also contributed to overall escalating costs of higher education.

The resolution to this crisis necessitates multifaceted approaches. Policy reforms at the university and governmental levels, alongside proactive initiatives aimed at providing affordable housing options for students, are imperative. Equally crucial is the promotion of financial literacy and budgeting resources to empower students in managing their expenses. Amid the challenges, there exist beacons of hope. Instances of effective housing cost management strategies, driven by collaborative efforts between universities, local governments, and private entities, serve as guiding lights amidst this crisis. As the trajectory of housing costs continues its upward climb, a proactive, forward-thinking approach is indispensable. Sustainable, long-term strategies must be developed and implemented to ensure equitable access to affordable student housing, prioritizing the fundamental right to education for all. Addressing this issue demands a collective effort, emphasizing collaboration, advocacy, and innovative solutions. Only through concerted action can we alleviate this crisis and pave the way for a future where education remains accessible to every aspiring student, regardless of their financial circumstances. n

You look like something I drew with my left hand.

In the landscape of higher education, the issue of student housing costs has evolved from a mere logistical concern into a significant financial burden. The escalating expense of student housing has multifaceted dimensions. It has profound implications on students, education accessibility, and society at large.

GROSSBILDJAEGER, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

A Looming Crisis Impacting Higher Education

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TRENDI G Where Snowbirds Fly

Top Sun-Drenched Destinations This Winter It’s that time of year where those dreading the cold start dreaming of traveling to southern states where it always feels like summer. While this trend is not new, it certainly received a huge boost recently from younger snowbirds – or zoombirds. With remote work still in play, zoombirds are joining the traditional snowbird clientele in spreading their wings towards places with rising mercury. But where should snowbirds fly?

To help inspire sun-seekers find a place to stay, StorageCafe examined 215 warm-weather cities and mapped out the places that provide the best price-to-amenities ratio for snowbirds of all ages. From well-known hot spots to up-and-coming snowbird vacation spots and hidden gems, these 100 destinations check all the lifestyle boxes for the ditch-the-cold-for-a-month-or-more life while also considering the affordability aspect. If your phone doesn’t ring, it’ll be me.

Their selection criteria encompassed key snowbirding factors, such as Oct.-Mar. average temperature, seasonal housing availability – plus RV spots, oceanfront and park space per capita, safety, restaurants, golf courses, internet speed, accessibility to health centers and more. All factors considered, while bigger cities tend to steal the limelight, smaller communities can often offer an ideal blend of attractions – from balmy weather to limitless fun and safe streets. Notably, 40 of the best cities on this year’s list have populations of less than 50,000. Florida holds strong to its reputation as the king of snowbird destinations, with almost half of the cities in the top 100 located

within the Sunshine State. Renowned for its stunning beaches and tropical climate, Florida caters to both traditional vacationers and new snowbirding enthusiasts. It is followed by Texas, which secured 27 cities on the list, and California with 18 cities. And the top 10 hottest places for snowbirds are: 1. Venice, FL 6. Mission, TX 2. Vero Beach, FL 7. Apache Junction, AZ 3. Fort Pierce, FL 8. Tarpon Springs, FL 4. Naples, FL 9. Fort Myers, FL 5. Lake Wales, FL 10. Clermont, FL Here’s a link to an interactive version of the map which appears below. You can view the top locations in each state ranked by their ability to respond to snowbirds’ needs for quality living environment: storagecafe.com/blog/best-places-for-snowbirdsin-the-us/#datawrapper-chart-euT29. There are plenty of opportunities for fun in all warm-weather states. But when it comes to overall friendliness for those seeking mild winters, Florida is hard to rival. It has been popular for so long that it has honed its infrastructure and optimized services to efficiently meet the needs of snowbirds, but also zoombirds. Unsurprisingly, Florida reigns supreme on the list of top 100 cities for snowbirds, boasting an impressive 42 cities that make the cut. However, some locations might surprise you in and out of the Sunshine State. Texas secured 27 cities on the list, followed by California with 18. StorageCafe is a nationwide self-storage search website and a part of Yardi. The site currently features more than 25,000 storage facilities listings, all verified and up to date. n

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We featured London-based Foster+Partners in our Jan-Feb 2019 issue. Now, another of their remarkable designs is about to redefine the modern workplace with a flexible design focused on health, wellness, and hospitality. The new stateof-the-art global headquarters for JPMorgan Chase at 270 Park Avenue in New York City is well on the way to fruition and is slated to be completed in 2025. New York City’s largest all-electric tower with net zero operational emissions will exceed the highest standards in sustainability, and it will have an expansive public plaza. The 1,388-foot 60-story skyscraper will help define the modern workplace with 21st century infrastructure, smart technology and 2.5 million square feet of flexible and collaborative space that can easily adapt to the future of work.

Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman of Foster + Partners, said: “The unique design rises to the challenge of respecting the rhythm and distinctive streetscape of Park Avenue, while accommodating the vital transport infrastructure of the city below. The result is an elegant solution where the architecture is the structure, and the structure is the architecture, embracing a new vision

that will serve JPMorgan Chase now and well into the future.” Jamie Dimon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of JPMorgan Chase added: “We are extremely excited about the building’s state-of-the-art technology, health and wellness amenities, and public spaces, among many other features. It is in the best location in one of the world’s greatest cities.” The new building will house up to 14,000 employees –replacing an outdated facility designed in the late 1950s for about 3,500 employees. In addition

Never give up on your dreams. Stay in bed and sleep on.

JPMORGAN CHASE’S NEW GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS

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to operating on net zero carbon emissions, the building will use state-of-theart building technology and systems to ensure it operates as efficiently as possible, including: • Intelligent building technology that uses sensors, AI and machine learning systems to predict, respond and adapt to energy needs. • Advanced water storage and reuse systems to reduce water usage by more than 40%. • Triple pane glazing on the façade and automatic solar shades connected to HVAC systems for greater energy efficiency.

If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t more people happy?

• Outdoor terraces featuring natural green space and plantings. • Doubling the amount of outside, fresh air and continuously monitoring air quality to improve the overall health and well-being of employees. • Using advanced HVAC filtration systems to continually clean outdoor air as it comes into the building, while simultaneously cleaning recirculated air.

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• Designing 50% more communal spaces and 25% more volume of space per person –giving more choices in where and how to work. (Flexible column-free floor plates will allow space to easily change layout and floor design, including inter-floor connections.) • Offering a state-of-the-art health and wellness center that will feature fitness areas, yoga/cycling rooms, physical therapy, medical services, modern mother’s rooms and prayer and meditation spaces. • Designing a large and modern food hall featuring diverse food operators and healthy menus as well as a worldclass conference center at the top of the 60-story tower offering unobstructed city views and dynamic events for clients and employees. • Creating a touchless journey for employees and visitors with more than 50,000 connected devices that will make it the most connected, data-driven high-rise building in New York City. • Bringing nature indoors through biophilic design, including wide use of natural plants and healthier furniture and building materials. • Bringing in 30% more daylight than a typical developer-led, speculative office building and using circadian lighting to minimize the effects of electric light and support a healthier indoor environment. The project also recycled, reused, or upcycled 97% of the building materials from the demolition – far exceeding the 75% requirement of the leading green building standard. Joseph Allen, Associate Professor and Director of the Healthy Buildings program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and CEO of 9 Foundations commented: “Designed with a health-first mindset in all aspects, this project proves you can have both excellent indoor air quality for occupants, while also addressing sustainability goals that improve the health of the community by reducing impacts on the planet. This building sets new standards of excellence for healthy building in New York City and around the world.” All images courtesy of Foster + Partners ©️ dbox / Foster + Partners. n

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Apart from being physically exhausted, financially challenged, overweight and mentally unstable, everything’s going really well.Thanks.

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– WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? AND HOW? BY ROXANA TOFAN

My wife and I had words, but I didn't get to use mine.

A few years ago, when a friend suggested that I learn to practice transcendental meditation (TM), my immediate reaction was, “No way! In what world would I be able to stay still for 20 consecutive minutes doing nothing?” My friend laughed but he didn’t give up that easily. He had recently started practicing TM and was seeing benefits from meditating. He encouraged me to look up video testimonials of other people. Did you know Gwyneth Paltrow, Ellen DeGeneres, Russell Simmons, Katy Perry, Susan Sarandon, Candy Crowley, Soledad O'Brien, and George Stephanopoulos are a just few of the celebrities practicing TM? And as of this year, Jerry Seinfeld had been practicing TM for over 40 years.

WHAT TM or Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural, and easily- learned technique that involves silently repeating a mantra, a specific sound or word, to help the mind settle into a state of deep restful awareness. The practice is designed to allow the individual to transcend ordinary thought and experience a unique state of restful alertness, distinct from waking, sleeping, or dreaming. The use of a word or sound (mantra) is chosen for the individual practitioner. The meditation process aims to transcend ordinary thought and experience a deep state of restful awareness.

WHO TM was popularized by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, an Indian guru and teacher, in the 1950s and 1960s. It is practiced by people of all ages and diverse backgrounds around the world.

WHERE One of the notable aspects of Transcendental Meditation is its flexibility regarding the practice location. It can be done in various settings, including the comfort of one's home, at a meditation center, or even in a quiet outdoor space. The key is to find a peaceful environment where one can comfortably sit with closed eyes, in a quiet place, free from distractions.

TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION HOW TO DO TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION • Sit in a comfortable chair. Keep your back and neck straight. Close your eyes. • Begin with 30 seconds of quiet. Ease into the mantra, a meaningless "vibration word" your teacher gave you. • Repeat the mantra in your head at no particular rhythm. • Don't think about your breathing. • Let the mantra draw your attention, but allow thoughts to float by. • You may experience moments of "transcendence," a pleasant feeling of restful alertness. • Meditate for 20 minutes. Take three manta-free minutes before opening your eyes. • Practice twice daily, ideally before breakfast and again before dinner.

WHY People practice Transcendental Meditation for various reasons, including stress reduction, improved mental clarity and focus, relaxation, enhanced creativity, and personal development. It is often believed to have positive effects on mental and physical well-being. Scientific research has explored its potential benefits for mental and physical health, with reported positive effects on reducing anxiety, improving cardiovascular health, and promoting overall resilience to stress.

WHEN Transcendental Meditation can be practiced at any time of the day. Ideally, practitioners are encouraged to meditate twice a day for about 15-20 minutes each session. The flexibility of the practice allows individuals to incorporate it into their daily routines according to their schedule and preferences.

HOW It's important to note that Transcendental Meditation often involves learning the technique from a certified TM teacher and includes a specific initiation and guidance process. www.tm.org is a good place to start learning more, as well as how to find TM in your area. The technique of Transcendental Meditation is typically taught by certified instructors in a standardized manner. Individuals undergo a course where they receive personalized instruction on how to use the mantra and how to allow the mind to settle into a state of transcendence. The teaching process involves one-on-one instruction and follow-up sessions to ensure correct practice. During the practice itself, individuals sit comfortably with closed eyes and silently repeat the mantra. If the mind starts to wander, the practitioner gently brings the attention back to the repetition of the mantra. The practice is effortless and doesn't involve concentration or controlling the mind but rather allowing the mind to naturally settle into a state of restful awareness. TM involves a repetition of a mantra to achieve a state of restful awareness. My friend convinced me to at least spend 4 evenings learning this practice. It was then when I received my mantra (a word specific to me). When I told my instructor that I just couldn’t turn my brain off from thinking, I was reminded to let my thoughts come and go, and to try to bring my attention back to the repetition of my mantra. I have now practiced TM for just over four years. In the beginning, I was very discipled and meditated twice a day. Now, it is often difficult to even find 20 minutes of time to meditate. Ironically, the less time I have to meditate, the more important it is for me to make time for it. Practicing meditation brings me increased focus, more patience and tolerance. Ultimately, the days that I meditate I can accomplish more during the day than during the days that I do not meditate.

Maybe TM will work for you. It can reduce stress, increase attention, improve sleep, and help gain a new perspective on situations to include increasing patience and tolerance. Try it out and let me know what you think! 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

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BY T.J. EDWARDS

Baseball greats Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa are both retired, and their careers were notable for their performances during the 1998 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, often referred to as the "Great Home Run Race”, for their pursuit of the single-season home run record. Mark McGwire played as a first baseman and is best known for his time with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He had a powerful and prolific home run-hitting career. He finished the 1998 season with 70 home runs versus the 66 home runs by Sammy Sosa, a record that stood until Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs in 2001. Sammy Sosa, a Dominican Republic native, primarily played as an outfielder. He is best known for his time with the Chicago Cubs, where he became one of the franchise's all-time greats. He played for several teams throughout his career, including the Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers. McGwire and Sosa, along with other prominent figures in baseball, were called to testify before the United States Congress in 2005 as part of an inquiry into steroid use in the sport. The hearing was held by the House Government Reform Committee. During the hearing, both McGwire and Sosa addressed questions related to their possible use of performanceenhancing drugs (PEDs) and their knowledge of the prevalence of steroids in baseball. McGwire's testimony was characterized by his refusal to answer specific questions about his past steroid use. He repeatedly cited the Fifth Amendment (which protects individuals from

...MARK MCGWIRE AND SAMMY SOSA?

é Sammy Sosa –Then and Now

é Mark McGwire –Then and Now

self-incrimination) and did not give direct answers to questions about whether he had used steroids during his playing career. Sammy Sosa, on the other hand, denied ever using steroids and stated that he had never taken any performanceenhancing substances. He maintained that his accomplishments were the result of hard work and natural talent. The congressional hearing in 2005 was a significant moment in the ongoing discussion about steroids and PEDs in baseball. The testimonies of players, including McGwire and Sosa, raised public awareness about the prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport and led to increased scrutiny and changes in MLB's drug testing policies. Seven seasons after that record-breaking year, MLB and the MLB Players’ Association began the first drugtesting policy with penalties – which began as a paltry 15-game suspension, but now has been strengthened to 80 games for first-time offenders.

In January 2010, Mark McGwire publicly admitted to using steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) during his baseball career, including before he achieved his record-breaking home run season in 1998. At the time of his admission, McGwire had recently been hired as the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. In a statement released to the Associated Press, McGwire expressed remorse for his actions and acknowledged that he had used steroids on and off for nearly a decade, starting in the late 1980s. He stated that he took these substances to recover from injuries as an aid in his recovery and also for performance. The admission was a significant moment, as McGwire had been one of the central figures in the discussion about steroids in baseball. McGwire's confession came against the backdrop of increased scrutiny on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball and marked a departure from his previous stance, including his evasive testimony before Congress in 2005. The statement had implications not only for McGwire's personal legacy but also for the broader conversation about the impact of steroids on the integrity of the sport. McGwire took a long hiatus from baseball but eventually returned as a coach. He reunited with the Cardinals taking on the hitting coach position in 2009. He moved west in 2012 to take on the same position with the Dodgers. After three seasons there, he jumped to the Padres to be their bench coach. In 2018, he again stepped away from baseball to spend more time with his family in Mission Viejo, CA where he spends a lot of his time watching his sons play

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THE FACTOR A BUILDING SHAPED LIKE A TRAIN

Sosa turned to the business world after his baseball career. He has declined to discuss specifics of his business ventures during a 2018 interview, but he has a truly global organization, ranging from oil in the Dominican Republic, stormproof housing in Panama, real estate in the UAE and beverages and hospitality in the United Kingdom. Sosa has houses in a number of places including Miami and Santo Domingo, but he lives in the United Arab Emirates. In addition to his business ventures, he also enjoys being a family man with his wife and their four children. No stranger to controversy, the Dominican slugger is a proponent of skin bleaching; he has been using bleaching cream for well over a decade and has pulled off a Michael Jackson-esque transformation. He has also has noticeably straightened his hair. Sosa and a few of his teammates have kept in touch. He has yet to be welcomed back by the Cubs, while McGwire remains idolized in St. Louis and Oakland, and is in frequent contact with former teammates and coaches. Both received a diminishing number of votes for inclusion in the Hall of Fame as the years have passed. McGwire is no longer eligible and Sosa is not likely to achieve that status either. n

T. J. Edwards retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of service. He is a Contributing Editor of . tjedwardsjr23@gmail.com

NYAO148, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The two became friends on the field, but it has been more than 20 years since McGwire has seen or spoken with Sosa. McGwire retired in 2001. His admission added to the ongoing narrative about the challenges and complexities associated with the use of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports. Sosa retired in 2007 and has not made a similar admission to date.

Moka Station

Mooka (a/k/a Mōka) is a city located in central Japan with an estimated population of 78,720 in 30,203 households. The total area of the city is 64.61 sq mi. It is known for the Mooka Railway, which operates steam locomotives — and the station building headquarters . In the small city of Mōka, the station building company headquarters stands out. In 1997 it was transformed into a four-story replica steam train. Complete with a smokestack, headlight, and window wheels, the Mōka Station is an architectural artwork that serves not only as a train station but also contains a fourth-floor observation deck, and a ground-floor local information center.

MORPHEUS AT CITY OF DREAMS

Morpheus is a neo-futurist luxury hotel in Macau (a/k/a Macao)—a special administrative region of China (which means that it operates under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle.) The hotel was developed and is run by Melco Resorts & Entertainment. Opened in June 2018, Time Magazine described it as "the world’s first free-form exoskeleton-bound high-rise: a grid of steel envelops 40 stories of glass with a fluidity inspired by Chinese jade carving." The interior has a gaming floor, a rooftop pool, a modern-art gallery, and restaurants by world-renown chefs. The hotel's 772 rooms include nine two-story "sky villas," three of which have private pools. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and developed by Melco Resorts for $1.1 billion, the hotel is the first building in Asia without a singular internal column and tops out at 520 feet. n

Macau is an autonomous region on the south coast of China, across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong.A Portuguese territory until 1999, it reflects a mix of cultural influences. Its giant casinos and malls have earned it the nickname, "Las Vegas of Asia."

STÖRFIX, LIZENZ: CREATIVE COMMONS, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

baseball. McGwire is the father of six children including triplets.

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“I'm Going To Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter And Make Believe It Came From You.” That song was popular when I was a kid, in 1939. Later, Fats Waller recorded it and once again it became a hit. Letters! We all love to get them. Some of us even love to é Fats Waller write them. in 1938. The Bible is a collection of letters attributed to God, and, His Apostles, and the Saints, to us. Many talented writers have had their letters published. In one case, a collection of letters created a novel. Mankind likes to communicate, and the written word is one way to send a thought, some words of encouragement, instructions, and our feelings of love. There are several ways written words were sent in days past –a paid courier, a servant, a friend– all eager to carry these written words, which we later called "letters." Today we depend on the US Postal Service which started on July 26,1775, when the Continental Congress realized there had to be better communication. The job of creating mail service was placed entirely upon Ben Franklin. That is why Ben's statue is in front of the Smithsonian Postal Museum in Washington, D.C.

é National Postal Museum. When one is in our nation's capital, the Postal Museum is a "must see." It is in the old Washington Post office across the street from the old Train Station. They

THE (HIS)STORY OF MAIL DELIVERY go together--letters and trains. This is beautifully brought out in the Postal Museum. The train is there with the big hook on the side of the station's outside wall. The train slows down and the conductor grabs the bag of mail off the hook and the mail is on its way to its destination.

stamp collecting came to be. (Only one panel of 100 of the inverted stamps was ever found, making this error one of the most prized in philately. A single Inverted Jenny was sold at a auction in 2007 for $977,500.)

The museum brings other "postal" stories. There are clips from the TV show Blondie. Remember, Dagwood would always run into Mr. Beasley, the post man, and the letter flew everywhere. Then there was Cliff from Cheers! He was the postman that always stopped in at the bar to be refreshed. And don't forget Gracie Allen's postman. He cried real tears. He always left with this comic message, "Remember, Mrs. Burns, keep smiling." Then he would burst into tears.

One of the most famous stamp collections is at the museum of Franklin Roosevelt. He often posed in the Oval Office with his rare stamps. Many people still are into stamp collecting. A collector may pay an enormous amount for a rare stamp.

In the very beginning of sending letters, the person who received the letter paid for the delivery. As time went on, many who were on the receiving end, refused to pay. "I don't care to read what this person has sent." The poor deliverer was stuck! No money! So, it was decided that the one who sends the letter pays for the delivery. This created the need for the postage stamp. The first stamp was used in England in 1840; Queen Victoria, pictured on it. In 1847, the US postage stamp was created. It pictured—who else? —good, ol' Ben Franklin. Much later, in 1918, the stamp pictured an airplane, the Flying Jenny. Someone there at the printer's shop was not watching and several sheets of the "Flying Jenny" stamp were printed upside down. These ‘upside down stamps’ were considered rare, and, thus,

In the beginning letters were placed in the hands of the receiver. As time went on, the Postal Service saw the need of a place for the letters–the mailbox. A letter carrier, Philip Downing of Rhode Island, created the first mailbox. He decided that it should be blue, and to this day mailboxes are blue.

Philip B. Downing designed a metal box with four legs which he patented in 1891. He called his device a street letter box and it is the predecessor of today’s mailbox.

Delivering mail became a personal scene with the coming of the stagecoach. The Postal Service divided the routes into what they called "stages"—distances between post offices. The coach that delivered the mail was called "a stagecoach." These coaches only carried mail, until later, when passengers began to travel with the mail. (I always loved the western movies, with at least one stagecoach holdup in the film.) The story of mail delivery would not be complete without talking about the Pony Express. This mail service only lasted 18 months. It was too expensive and by this time Samuel Morse had his code singing on the wires. (Send a "wire"–not a letter!) We're experiencing a similar thing with email. Why write a letter when you can use your computer? The Pony Express went from St. Joseph, MO to Sacramento, CA. There were 75 horses traveling the 1,800 miles. The riders were small young boys who were brave to risk their lives for the mail. One Pony Express rider was only 11 years old! Nevertheless, the Pony Express didn’t last long. But our mail service is everlasting. As the mail carriers say, and this is straight from the ancient Greek saying: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” n

é llustrated Map of Pony Express Route in 1860 by William Henry Jackson ~ Courtesy the Library of Congress.

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

The irony of life is that, by the time you're old enough to know your way around, you're not going anywhere.

BY ROSE-MARY RUMBLEY

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THE TRIAL OF JEFFERSON DAVIS

é Jefferson Davis.

é Gerrit Smith.

é Cornelius Vanderbilt.

CONVICTIONS OVERTURNED – 100+ YEARS LATER

é Horace Greeley.

There have been plenty of trials of the century in American history, but the prosecution of Jefferson Davis for treason would surely have topped the 19th century list—if it had happened. Frustration is trying to find your glasses without your glasses.

The then former confederate president was released 150 years ago on $100,000 bail (well over $1 million today), but more eye opening than the amount was the list of the 20 men—rich men, who put up the money, including three of the most passionate unionists in the country. One of them was Gerrit Smith, a member of the ‘Secret Six’ who had helped finance John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. Another was Cornelius Vanderbilt, who had donated a huge steamship to the US Navy. And Horace Greeley, the publisher of the New York Tribune who had urged his readers, “Forward to Richmond!” when the Civil War broke out. Davis had been held at Fort Monroe in Virginia for nearly two years. When asked to explain why they now were helping Davis, they said it was because he was being denied a timely trial, and that the nation needed to heal. Greeley said to the New York Union League Club, “Gentlemen, I arraign you as narrow-minded blockheads, who would like to be useful to a great and good cause, but don't know how. Your attempt to base a great, enduring party on the hate and wrath necessarily engendered by a bloody civil war, is as though you should plant a colony on an iceberg which had somehow drifted into a tropical ocean.” Davis wasn't always known for disunion. As a U.S. senator and secretary of war in the 1850s, he was a champion of expanding the Capitol into the majestic structure it is today. He was a determined advocate for states’ rights. In 1867, he was prepared to argue that he did not betray the country because once Mississippi left the union, he was no longer a US citizen. Many people thought his trial would be the test case on the ‘legality’ of secession, and well-respected people thought he had a chance of winning. President Andrew Johnson didn’t take any chances. On Christmas Day in 1868, he pardoned all former Confederates from the crime of treason, frustrating Northerners bent on revenge, lost-cause Southerners, and newspaper headline writers all around the country. n

Largest Murder Trial in the History of the United States. Scene during Court Martial of 64 members of the 24th Infantry United States of America on trial for mutiny and murder of 17 people at Houston, Texas August 23, 1917. Trial held in Gift Chapel Fort Sam Houston. Trial started November 1, 1917, Brigadier General George K. Hunter presiding. Colonel J.A. Hull, Judge Advocate, Council for Defense, Major Harvey S. Grier. Major D.V. Sutphin, Assistant Advocate. Prisoners guarded by 19th Infantry Company C, Captain Carl J. Adler.

The Houston race riot of 1917 (a/k/a the Camp Logan Mutiny) was a mutiny and riot by 156 soldiers from the allBlack 24th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army. The incident occurred within a climate of overt hostility from members of the all-white Houston Police Department (HPD) against members of the local black community and black soldiers stationed at Camp Logan. Following an incident where police officers arrested and assaulted some black soldiers, many of their comrades mutinied and marched to Houston, where they opened fire and killed eleven civilians and five policemen. Five soldiers were also killed, some by friendly fire. In accordance with policies of the time, 118 soldiers were tried in three courts-martial; 110 were convicted, 19 were executed, and 63 were sentenced to life imprisonment. Gregg Andrews, author of Thyra J. Edwards: Black Activist in the Global Freedom Struggle, wrote that the riot "shook race relations in the city and created conditions that helped to spark a statewide surge of wartime racial activism". In November 2023, the Army set aside all 110 convictions. The service records of all the soldiers will now show that they were honorably discharged. n

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REAL ESTATE

F THE FU URE

FROM THE HIGH LINE TO THE SKYLINE THE SPIRAL— A BIOPHILIC SKYSCRAPER IN NEW YORK CITY

Developed by Tishman Speyer and built by Turner, The Spiral has officially opened its doors to major companies including Pfizer, Debevoise & Plimpton, Turner Construction and HSBC, among others. Located on West 34th Street between Hudson Boulevard and 10th Avenue, The Spiral neighbors the elevated High Line and Bella Abzug Park on Manhattan’s west side. The commercial high-rise, designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in collaboration

The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. Saved from demolition by neighborhood residents and the City of New York, the High Line opened in 2009 as a hybrid public space where visitors experience nature, art, and design.

Named the world’s Best Tall Building in its category by The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat at the organization’s annual conference, The Spiral visually extends the landscape of the nearby High Line Park up and around The Spiral’s exterior, allowing access to green outdoor terraces from each of the building’s 66 stories.

with Adamson Associates and structural engineer WSP Cantor Seinuk, measures 66 stories and 2.8 million square feet, reaching a height of 1,031.5 feet. The Spiral is pursuing LEED Silver certification. The tower is BIG’s first completed supertall, and first completed commercial high-rise in New York. From street level, the tower draws the eye upwards to the ribbon of greenery

that extends the High Line beyond West 34th Street and into the Manhattan skyline. Reminiscent of a conservatory, the tower’s glass panel façade offers passersby a look into the building’s bright and spacious lobby, adorned with artwork by Dutch studio DRIFT and lush foliage, which can be accessed via entrances on both Hudson Boulevard and 10th Avenue.

I dialed a number and got the following recording: "I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, you are one of the changes."

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As a gesture to the building’s surroundings, The Spiral’s lobby incorporates seven different metals to honor the area’s industrial history, with floor panels measured to the exact dimensions of the precast concrete planks spanning the High Line. I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

The Spiral slowly reduces in volume as it rises, following the zoning envelope of the site. Its stepping language resonates with the design aesthetics of classic Manhattan skyscrapers

“The Spiral punctuates the northern end of the High Line, and the linear park appears to carry through into the tower, forming an ascending ribbon of lively green spaces, extending the High Line to the skyline. The Spiral combines the classic Ziggurat silhouette of the premodern skyscraper with the slender proportions and efficient layouts of the modern high-rise. Designed for the people who occupy it, The Spiral ensures that every floor of the tower opens up to the outdoors, creating hanging gardens and cascading atria that connect the open floor plates from the ground floor to the summit into a single uninterrupted workspace. The string of terraces wrapping around the building expands the daily life of the tenants to the outside air and light. As the trees and grasses, flowers and vines have taken root over the last two summers, The Spiral is slowly becoming an ascending ribbon of green wrapping around the entire silhouette of the tower - like a 1,000-foot-tall vine at the scale of the city’s skyline.” Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director, BIG.

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floors via a grand staircase, suggesting an alternative to elevators and encouraging interaction amongst colleagues.

such as the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center, while its slender proportions and use of modern materials and detailing speak to the design features of contemporary high-rise architecture. Cascading landscaped terraces and hanging gardens climb the tower in a spiraling motion to create a unique, continuous green ribbon that wraps around the façade of the building and supplies each office floor with readily accessible terrace space.

February, along with vertical trellises with English and Boston ivy that keep their leaves through the winter. The plant palette differs on each side of the building depending on sun orientation and endurance against high-velocity winds. “The Spiral pioneers a new landscape typology by bringing gardens to a high rise. Its continuous cascade of green-ery from one level to another provides office spaces with a new vertical dimension of social and biophilic connectivity. Designed to strengthen collaboration and wellbeing, each terrace hosts plantings specific to the varying daylight, winds and temperatures at every floor of the tower. These gardens will welcome neighboring birds, bees and butterflies to expand New York's biodiversity to the city skyline.” -Giulia Frittoli, Partner, BIG

On the 66th floor, The Spiral offers its very own ZO Clubhouse, reserved exclusively for people to gather, connect and recharge in the private lounge or open-air terrace. The Spiral promotes a contemporary workplace where nature becomes an integrated part of the office environment and spatial features are continuously adaptable to the changing needs of its occupants. To foster a connection to the outdoors and support The Spiral’s interior foliage, a generous ceiling height and specially selected exterior glass coating enables a deeper incursion of natural light. The building’s water management system collects overflow rainwater to treat and redistribute throughout the tiered landscaping, allowing it to save millions of gallons of water annually. This not only promotes sustainable irrigation–it also further cements The Spiral as a green addition to the Manhattan skyline. n All photographs © Laurian Ghinițoiu and used by permission of BIG.

With approximately 13,000 square feet of outdoor space, a landscape of The Spiral’s size has never been installed at or above 300 feet elevation in New York City. Most of the plant species on the ground cover are native to the American prairie, making them resistant to high winds and droughts. As the building rises, a second layer of shrubs and taller bushes that blossom in winter are introduced, and finally, the landscape is crowned with single- and multi-stem trees that flower as early as

As The Spiral ascends, each floor’s accessible terrace offers impressive views over Manhattan, the Hudson River and New Jersey. Select floors offer a double height amenity space and the option to connect adjacent

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A man comes home and finds his wife with his friend in bed. He shoots his friend dead, and his wife says, "If you continue to behave like this, you will lose ALL your friends!"

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IN THE N WS

Now, creditors holding 92% of the company's secured debt have agreed on a Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) that will significantly reduce existing funded debt and include cutting back its portfolio of office leases. Fed by an era of cheap borrowing, WeWork took the traditional business of commercial real estate and expanded it into a vision of transforming the way people work, right down to chic amenities such as free kombucha and beer, hammocks, and rock-climbing walls. According to its website, it now offers office space at 660 current or soon-to-open locations in 119 cities worldwide. At the time of the Chapter 11 filing, it controlled about 47 million square feet.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The company took on tens of billions of dollars in debt to amass its large portfolio of leased office space. However, demand for shared office space never reached the level necessary to match the large acquisitions it made. The lack of tenants meant the company couldn’t offset those losses or make their sizable rent payments on the office space they’d leased. Since it had taken on debt to fund its lease portfolio, the underperformance gradually pushed the company into bankruptcy. It began unraveling when a debt-fueled spending spree on leasing office space ran up against insufficient demand from businesses and freelancers. The COVID-19 pandemic (which resulted in many office employees working from home) made things worse.

BUSINESS MODEL

Founded in 2010, WeWork’s business model is/was based on the proposition that it could lease and refurbish office space, and then rent the properties primarily to start-ups, small companies, freelancers, and even larger business entities at marked-up rates, essentially

WeWork Coworking Space, 333 Seymour, Vancouver. acting as a middleman. It was centered around the concept of co-working, where individuals and organizations could rent office space on a flexible basis, avoiding long-term commitments and the overhead associated with traditional office leasing. In addition to flexible lease agreements, WeWork organized events, networking opportunities, and provided shared spaces to encourage collaboration and interaction among its tenants. They also offered swanky amenities (as noted above), scalable solutions, technology integration (including a mobile app for managing bookings, accessing spaces, and connecting with other members), and expanded services beyond traditional office space. (The company ventured into co-living arrangements with WeLive, and explored services like WeGrow, an education platform.)

THE ROAD AHEAD

The potential ramifications of WeWork's bankruptcy filing on the commercial real estate market could be significant. It will depend on the specific circumstances surrounding the bankruptcy, how it is managed, and broader economic conditions. Commercial real estate markets are dynamic, and the fallout from such events can evolve over time. Some potential consequences: • Landlords who have leased space to WeWork may face financial losses if the company is unable to fulfill its lease obligations. This could lead to a decrease in property values for those landlords. • If WeWork vacates properties, landlords may struggle to find replacement tenants, which could lead to higher vacancy rates. • The bankruptcy could erode confidence in the commercial real estate market, causing investors to become more cautious and hesitant to invest in co-working and shared office space ventures. • Lenders and financial institutions may reassess their willingness to finance commercial real estate projects, especially those asso-

ciated with co-working spaces, leading to a tightening of credit for such ventures. And there might be a reevaluation by landlords and investors of the co-working business model, which could lead to changes in the industry dynamics. • Landlords may explore alternative uses for their spaces, such as converting them into traditional office spaces or exploring other commercial uses. • Companies that were considering co-working spaces may opt for more traditional leasing arrangements, potentially impacting the demand for shared office spaces. • The bankruptcy may have international repercussions, affecting commercial real estate markets in different regions. • The bankruptcy could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny of co-working spaces and shared office providers.

TAKE-AWAYS

When borrowing expenses are low, investors bring less scrutiny to where they put their money. However, in the last two years, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates at the fastest pace in more than two decades, making borrowing more expensive for businesses and consumers alike. The WeWork bankruptcy filing offers valuable lessons about the importance of realistic valuations, robust business models, effective leadership, investor due diligence, market awareness, adaptability, and cultural considerations in the business world. n

NICKI DUGAN POGUE FROM SAN FRANCISCO, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

I choked on a carrot this morning, and all I could think of was, "I'll bet a doughnut wouldn't have done this to me."

WeWork, the office-sharing company that experienced an incredible rise and sudden decline (symbolizing and symptomatic of the excesses of business startup culture) filed for bankruptcy late last year. (A similar process is under way in Canada, but other global operations are expected to continue unaffected.) In 2019, the company was valued at $47 billion. By the week following the November 6th New Jersey filing, that value had plummeted to $45 million.

GOTOVAN FROM VANCOUVER, CANADA, CC BY 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

(A CAUTIONARY TALE)

The kitchen area at the WeWork location on Broad Street in Manhattan.

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/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

Walking each day can add minutes to your life. In total, at age 85, this will enable you to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $7000 per month…………….

“A good time for laughing is when you can.” – Jessamyn West “Focus, focus, focus! What am I, a telescope?” – Naruto Uzumaki

“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving faster than you is a maniac, and anyone going slower than you is a moron?” – George Carlin

“Everything is funny, as long as it’s happening to somebody else.” – Will Rogers

“Always be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home.” – Phyllis Diller “I DREAM OF A BETTER TOMORROW, WHERE CHICKENS CAN CROSS THE ROAD AND NOT BE QUESTIONED ABOUT THEIR MOTIVES.” – RALPH WALDO EMERSON

“Free your mind and your ass will follow.” – George Clinton

“I’m not confused. I’m just well mixed.” – Robert Frost “If you don’t know where you are, a map won’t help.” – Watts Humphrey “I intend to live forever. So far, so good.” – Steven Wright

“Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you’re donating blood.” —Bill Murray

“It’s hard to get lost if you don’t know where you’re going.” — Jim Jarmusch “If you let your head get too big, it’ll break your neck.” — Elvis Presley

“When I was a boy the Dead Sea was only sick.” – George Burns “I am an early bird and a night owl... so I am wise and I have worms.” — Michael Scott, ‘The Office’

“I’m killing time while I wait for life to shower me with meaning and happiness.” – Bill Watterson “I love mankind… it’s people I can’t stand!!” – Charles M. Schulz “THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE AMERICAN DREAM, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BE ASLEEP TO BELIEVE IT.” – GEORGE CARLIN

“Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.” – Will Rogers

“If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?” – Abraham Lincoln

“CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN. NAKED PEOPLE HAVE LITTLE OR NO INFLUENCE IN SOCIETY.” – MARK TWAIN

“Money is not the most important thing in the world. Love is. Fortunately, I love money.” – Jackie Mason

“A pessimist is a person who has had to listen to too many optimists.” – Don Marquis “If you’re going through hell, keep going. “ – Winston Churchill “If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead.” – Johnny Carson "It is sad to grow old but nice to ripen." – Brigitte Bardot

If you need an ark, I Noah guy.

MISS ELAINE E.PART YUSS III

This is our third installment of “Miscellaneous” sayings— things that people have expressed that make you smile, or make you think, or maybe both. Our readers have appreciated these for a variety of reasons. So, remember, if God is watching us, the least we can do it be entertaining.

/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

“The day after tomorrow is the third day of the rest of your life.” – George Carlin “All the world’s a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed.” – Sean O’Casey “There are good days and there are bad days, and this is one of them.” – Lawrence Welk

“Always drink upstream from the herd.” – Will Rogers

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“Tell the negative committee that meets inside your head to sit down and shut up.” — Ann Bradford

“So long as your desire to explore is greater than your desire to not screw up, you’re on the right track.” — Ed Helms “If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” – Confucius

Is a Will defined as a dead giveaway?

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says “I’m possible!” — Audrey Hepburn “People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” — Winnie the Pooh “I KNOW WORRYING WORKS, BECAUSE NONE OF THE STUFF I WORRIED ABOUT EVER HAPPENED.” — WILL ROGERS

“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

“My favorite machine at the gym is the vending machine.” — Caroline Rhea “Do or do not. There is no try.” — Yoda

“SOMETIMES THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED IS LESS TRAVELED FOR A REASON.” — JERRY SEINFELD

“I drink to make other people more interesting.” – Ernest Hemingway “If you don’t know where you’re going any road will do.” — Lewis Carroll

“My friends tell me I have an intimacy problem. But they don’t really know me.” —Garry Shandling

“May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions.” —Joey Adams

“Happen to things, don’t let things happen to you.” — Stephen Covey

“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do day after tomorrow just as well.” — Mark Twain “Some people die at twenty-five and aren’t buried until they are seventy-five.” – Benjamin Franklin

“It takes less time to do a thing right, than it does to explain why you did it wrong.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “Doing nothing is very hard to do… you never know when you’re finished.” – Leslie Nielsen “A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.” – William James “It is better to have one person working with you than three people working for you.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” – Winston Churchill

“Don’t mind your make-up, you’d better make your mind up.” — Frank Zappa “Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use.” — Wendell Johnson “Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.” — Voltaire

“Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons.” — Woody Allen “The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised.” — George Will “It’s not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.” — John Wooden

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/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

MAPPED:

The World as

1,000 People The world’s population has doubled in size over the last 50 years! In 2022, we reached the mark of 8 billion living on Earth. According to UN estimates, by July 2023, all the people in the world numbered 8,045,311,447. In this map, Visual Capitalist used population estimates from the United Nations Population Division to illustrate the world’s population as if the Earth had only 1,000 people. Countries with a

Country

🇮🇳 India 🇨🇳 China 🇺🇸 United States 🇮🇩 Indonesia 🇵🇰 Pakistan 🇳🇬 Nigeria 🇧🇷 Brazil 🇧🇩 Bangladesh 🇷🇺 Russia 🇲🇽 Mexico 🇪🇹 Ethiopia 🇯🇵 Japan 🇵🇭 Philippines 🇪🇬 Egypt 🇨🇩 DRC 🇻🇳 Vietnam 🇮🇷 Iran 🇹🇷 Türkiye 🇩🇪 Germany 🇹🇭 Thailand

population of below 7.6 million did not make our cutoff to be visualized but are included in overall calculations and can be accessed at the link at the bottom of this page. Asia is by far the world’s most populous region, with over 4.7 billion people. The continent, led by India and China, represents 59% of the total population. Imagining the Earth with only 1,000 people helps illustrate this more easily.

Total Population (July 2023)

Share of 1000 Global People

1.428.627.663

178

1.425.671.352

177

339.996.563

277.534.122

240.485.658

223.804.632

216.422.446

172.954.319

144.444.359

128.455.567

126.527.060

123.294.513

117.337.368

112.716.598

102.262.808

98.858.950

89.172.767

85.816.199

83.294.633

71.801.279

India would account for 178 people and China would have 177. Here is the estimated population in July 2023 for each country, and how many people their residents would constitute out of 1,000: Africa is the second most populated continent with 182 out of 1,000 people, led by Nigeria (28), Ethiopia (16) and Egypt (14). As of July 2023, Africa’s total population stood at an estimated 1.5 billion people. Despite seeing a decline in population over the last decades, Europe still is the third in terms of total population, making up 92 out of 1,000 people and led by Russia (18), Turkey (11), and Germany (10). If the world only had 1,000 people, North America would have only 75 inhabitants, with 42 in the United States. Meanwhile, South America would account for 55 people led by 27 from Brazil, and Oceania would have just 5 people (with 3 in Australia). While population projections to the end of the century differ, they mostly agree on the same general principle: the global population is rising but that growth rate is slowing. Eventually the population will peak (sometime between 2064-2086) and begin shrinking from there. Over the next few decades, the ranking of the most populous countries will likely remain relatively unchanged, with India and China at the top of the pecking order. Shortly after 2050, however, the population of Nigeria is projected by some sources to surpass that of the United States and become the third-largest country in the world. Other countries expected to see significant growth in population are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, the U.S., Uganda, and Indonesia. n

See the remaining 217 entries <HERE>.

/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

Which Cities Have in Their Property Markets? Buoyed by low interest rates for the last decade, many property markets have seen substantial price growth since 2010. Experts have warned that real estate bubbles—in which the price of assets moved up far beyond their intrinsic value are forming. The UBS Global Real Estate Bubble Index analyzes the real estate market of 25 major cities across the globe and assigns them a score between -0.5 and 2.0 to convey bubble risk. The higher the score, the more imbalanced the market is, with those above 1.5 in “bubble-risk” territory. Visual Capitalist visualized the data in the map on the opposite page, and charted the real property price changes in the last year.

Here is the full rankings for bubble risk in all 25 property markets:

RANKED: CITIES WITH RISING RENTAL PRICES

Even as property prices have cooled in most of the analyzed real estate market, the rental market for many cities, like Vancouver (+10.7%) and Toronto (+6.0%) has moved swiftly in the opposite direction. Inflation is a key reason, pushing up incomes, in turn leading to rising rents. Furthermore, owners-occupants with tenants seek to pass on higher mortgage costs to reduce their financial burden. n

Rank City

Real Property Price Growth (YoY)

🇦🇪 Dubai 14,60 % 2 🇺🇸 Miami 6,00 % 3 🇯🇵 Tokyo 3,60 % 4 🇺🇸 New York 3,20 % 5 🇪🇸 Madrid 2,90 % 6 🇸🇬 Singapore 2,80 % 7 🇨🇭 Zurich 1,50 % 8 🇧🇷 São Paulo 1,40 % 9 🇨🇭 Geneva -0,10 % 10 🇮🇱 Tel Aviv -0,70 % 1

Here’s the ranking of real property price changes between 2022–2023. See the next 15 HERE: visualcapitalist.com/mapped-which-cities-have-bubble-risk-in-their-property-markets

RANKING BUBBLE RISK BY CITY

Zurich, with its high-income earners and the country’s low interest rates, has been steadily climbing the real estate bubble-risk rankings, 5th in 2021, to 3rd in 2022, to the top spot this year. Unlike many of its former peers in the risky territory, local prices adapted to increased mortgage rates this year, and have stayed elevated.

/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

NATIONAL REGISTER OF

HISTORIC PLACES

é The Skagway Bazaar Shop in the Skagway Historic District and White Pass encompasses a significant portion of the area within the United States associated with the Klondike Gold Rush. It includes the historic portion of Skagway, Alaska, including the entire road grid of the 1897 town, as well as the entire valley on the United States side of White Pass all the way to the Canada–US border. Almost 100 buildings remain from the Gold Rush period. Portions of the district are preserved as part of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.

Since its inception in 1966, more than 95,000 properties have been listed in the National Register. Together (as of 2020) these records hold information on more than 1.5 million individual resources– buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects–and therefore provide a link to the country's heritage at the national,

DAKOTA L., CC BY-SA 4.0 VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

DIEGO DELSO, CC BY-SA 4.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The National Park Service is a department within the Department of the Interior. It reviews nominations that Americans believe are worthy of preservation submitted by states, tribes, and other federal agencies and list eligible properties in the National Register, and, through the National Register Bulletin series and other publications, if offers guidance on evaluating, documenting, and listing different types of historic places.

state, and local levels. Almost every county in the United States has at least one place listed in the National Register.

é The Texas School Book Depository, now known as the Dallas County Administration Building, is a seven-floor building facing Dealey Plaza in Dallas. The building was Lee Harvey Oswald's vantage point during the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. The Warren Commission concluded that Oswald, an employee at the depository, shot and mortally wounded President Kennedy from a sixth floor window on the building's southeastern corner; Kennedy died at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Located at 411 Elm Street on the northwest corner of Elm and North Houston Streets in downtown Dallas, the building is a Texas Historic Landmark.

The Historic Preservation Act also created corresponding State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO). Initially, the National Register consisted of the National Historic Landmarks designated before the Register's creation, as well as any other historic sites in the National Park system. Approval of the act, which was amended in 1980 and 1992, represented the first time the United States had a broad-based historic preservation policy. Clearly there are far-too-many properties for us to list here, but in each issue, we will bring you pictures of several interesting properties from the Register with links to learn more about them.

MCGHIEVER, CC BY-SA 4. VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the official list of the nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the Register is administered by the National Park Service and is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.

é The Blue Earth County Historic Courthouse is the former courthouse of Blue Earth County, Minnesota, United States, in the city of Mankato, the county seat. Completed in 1889 and designed by Minneapolis architects Haley & Allen, it combined a Second Empire roof and dome with Italianate features. The stone was provided by a local quarry, with various techniques giving it both rusticated and ashlar surfaces. The copper-sheathed dome is capped with a statue of Lady Justice.

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

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Nothing spoils a good story more than the arrival of an eyewitness. (Mark Twain)

THOMSON200, CC0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

é Council House in New Echota was the capital of the Cherokee Nation in the Southeast United States from 1825 until their forced removal in the late 1830s. It is located in present-day Gordon County, in northwest Georgia, 3.68 miles north of Calhoun at the confluence of the Coosawattee and Conasauga rivers, which join to form the Oostanaula River. Archeological evidence has shown that the site of New Echota had been occupied by ancient indigenous cultures for thousands of years prior to the historic Cherokee Native Americans.

SHADOW2700, PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

é The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was funded in May 1959 and erected soon after by Western Neon. The sign was designed by Betty Willis at the request of Ted Rogich, a local salesman, who sold it to Clark County, Nevada. Located in the median at 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South, some consider the sign to be the official southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. The sign, like most of the Strip, actually sits in Paradise, NV, roughly 4 miles south of the actual city limits of Las Vegas.

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é Spiegel Grove, a/k/a Spiegel Grove State Park, Rutherford B. Hayes House, Rutherford B. Hayes Summer Home and Rutherford B. Hayes State Memorial was the estate of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States, located in Fremont, Ohio. (Spiegel is the German and Dutch word for mirror.) The traditional story is that the estate was named by Hayes' uncle Sardis Birchard, who first built it for his own residence. He named it for the reflective pools of water that collected on the property after a rain shower. Rutherford Hayes inherited the estate and moved there in 1873. He died in 1893 and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery next to his wife who had died in 1889. Following the gift of this home to the state of Ohio for the Spiegel Grove State Park, their bodies were reinterred at Spiegel Grove in 1915. They are buried at a memorial on the property. The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, established in 1916, is also located here.

é The Mazomanie Downtown Historic District is in Mazomanie, Wisconsin. It has surviving structures built as early as 1857. The first settlers in the area arrived in 1844 –English immigrants sent by British Temperance Emigration Society, a collective which selected members by drawing lots to be set up with 80-acre farms in Dane County. By 1849 600 of these lucky ones had arrived. They were producing a little surplus wheat, but with no local market they were not prospering, and the emigration society stopped funding more arrivals.

MEHER ANAND KASAM, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

THOMAS WOLF, WWW.FOTO-TW.DE, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

é Snoqualmie Falls is a 268-foot waterfall located east of Seattle on the Snoqualmie River. It is one of Washington's most popular scenic attractions and is known internationally for its appearance in the television series Twin Peaks. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the Falls every year. For the Snoqualmie People, who have lived since time immemorial in the Snoqualmie Valley in western Washington, Snoqualmie Falls is central to their culture, beliefs, and spirituality. A traditional burial site, to the Snoqualmie, the falls are "the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer" and "where prayers were carried up to the Creator by great mists that rise from the powerful flow.” The mists rising from the base of the waterfall are said to serve to connect Heaven and Earth.

Listed properties are generally in one of five broad categories, although there are special considerations for other types of properties. The five general categories for National Register properties are: building, structure, site, district and object. Buildings, as defined by the National Register, are distinguished in the traditional sense. Examples include a house, barn, hotel, church, or similar construction. They are created primarily to shelter human activity. The term building, as in outbuilding, can be used to refer to historically and functionally related units, such as a courthouse and a jail or a barn and a house. Structures differ from buildings in that they are functional constructions meant to be used for purposes other than sheltering human activity. Examples include an aircraft, a grain elevator, a gazebo and a bridge. Objects are usually artistic in nature, or small in scale compared to structures and buildings. Although objects may be movable, they are generally associated with a specific setting or environment. Examples of objects include monuments, sculptures, and fountains. Sites are the locations of significant events, which can be prehistoric or historic in nature and represent activities or buildings (standing, ruined, or vanished). When sites are listed, it is the locations themselves that are of historical interest. They possess cultural or archaeological value regardless of the value of any structures that currently exist at the locations. Examples of types of sites include shipwrecks, battlefields, campsites, natural features and rock shelters. Historic districts possess a concentration, association, or continuity of the other four types of properties. Objects, structures, buildings, and sites in a historic district are united historically or aesthetically, either by choice or by the nature of their development. Over the course of the next several issues, we will bring you a scattering of some of the most interesting of the Register’s listings. If you can’t wait, go <HERE>. n

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/ THE NETWORK / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

LINK : MARKETPLACE AND DIRECTORY ASSET | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE

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THE BACK PAGES ANSWERS FROM THE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER CONTEST: WHO AM DAT?

Many readers who entered the contest from our NovemberDecember issue expressed the fun they had trying to figure out who was who. So, we thought we'd give you a bit more information about all of these famous people. 1/ Lou Gehrig (born Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig) was a professional baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons for the New York Yankees (1923–1939). He was renowned for his prowess as a hitter and for his durability, which earned him the nickname "the Iron Horse". He is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He was an All-Star seven consecutive times, a Triple Crown winner once, an American League Most Valuable Player twice, and a member of six World Series champion teams. He had a career .340 batting average, a 632 slugging average, and a .447 on base average. He hit 493 home runs and had 1,995 runs batted in. In 1939, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame[4] and was the first MLB player to have his uniform number (4) retired by a team. 2/ Charles Lindbergh was an American aviator and military officer. On May 20–21, 1927, he made the first nonstop flight from New York City to Paris, a distance of 3,600 miles, flying alone for 33.5

hours. His aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis, was designed and built by the Ryan Airline Company specifically to compete for the Orteig Prize for the first flight between the two cities. Although not the first transatlantic flight, it was the first solo transatlantic flight and the longest at the time by nearly 2,000 miles. It became known as one of the most consequential flights in history and ushered in a new era of air transportation between parts of the globe. 3/ Clarissa Harlowe Barton (1821 – 1912) was an American nurse who founded the American Red Cross. She was a hospital nurse in the Civil War, a teacher, and a patent clerk. Since nursing education was not then very formalized and she did not attend nursing school, she provided self-taught nursing care. Barton is noteworthy for doing humanitarian work and civil rights advocacy at a time before women had the right to vote. 4/ Florence Nightingale (1820 – 1910) was an English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing. She came to prominence while serving as a manager and trainer of nurses during the Crimean War, in which she organized care for wounded soldiers at Constantinople. She significantly reduced death rates by improving hygiene and living standards. She gave nursing a favorable reputation and became an icon of Victorian culture, especially in the persona of "The Lady with the Lamp" making rounds of wounded soldiers at night. 5/ Ty Cobb, nicknamed "the Georgia Peach", was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) center fielder. He was born in rural

Narrows, Georgia, and spent 22 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, the last six as the team's player-manager; he finished his career with the Philadelphia Athletics. In 1936, Cobb received the most votes of any player on the inaugural ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving 222 out of a possible 226 votes; no other player received a higher percentage of votes until Tom Seaver in 1992. In 1999, the Sporting News ranked Cobb third on its list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players." 6/ William Jennings Bryan was an American lawyer, orator, and politician. He emerged as a dominant force in the Democratic Party, running three times as the party's nominee for President in the 1896, 1900, and 1908 elections. He served in the House of Representatives from 1891 to 1895 and as Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson from 1913 to 1915. Because of his faith in the wisdom of the common people, Bryan was often called "the Great Commoner," and because of his rhetorical power and early fame as the youngest presidential candidate, "the Boy Orator". 7/ Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until 1901. Her 63+-year is known as the Victorian era—a period of industrial, political, scientific, and military change within the United Kingdom marked by a great expansion of the British Empire. In 1876, the British Parliament voted to grant her the additional title of Empress of India. She inherited the throne at age 18 after her father's three elder brothers died without surviving legitimate issue. Victoria, a constitutional monarch, attempted privately to influence

government policy and ministerial appointments; publicly, she became a national icon who was identified with strict standards of personal morality. 8/ Amelia Mary Earhart became the first female passenger to cross the Atlantic by airplane (1928,accompanying pilot Wilmer Stultz), for which she achieved celebrity status. During an attempt at becoming the first woman to complete a circumnavigational flight of the globe on July 2, 1937, she and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean. Disappeared on July 2, 1937. She was declared dead on January 5, 1939. She was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and was one of the first aviators to promote commercial air travel. 9/ Margaretha Geertruida MacLeod, better known by the stage name Mata Hari (was a Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan who was convicted of being a spy for Germany during World War I. She was executed by firing squad in France. The idea of a beautiful exotic dancer using her powers of seduction as a spy made her name synonymous with the femme fatale, and her story has served as an inspiration for many books, films, and other works. It has been said that she was convicted and condemned because the French Army needed a scapegoat, and that the files used to secure her conviction contained several falsifications. Some have said that Mata Hari could not have been a spy and was innocent. 10/ Nicholas II (Nikolai II Alexandrovich Romanov) was the last Emperor of Russia, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland, ruling from 1894 until his abdication in1917. During his reign, Nicholas

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THE BACK PAGES

11/ Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck was a Prussian and later German statesman and diplomat. He rose rapidly in politics, and from 1862 to 1890 he was the minister president and foreign minister of Prussia. Before that, he was the Prussian ambassador to Russia and France and served in both houses of the Prussian parliament. He masterminded the unification of Germany in 1871 and served as the first chancellor of the German Empire until 1890, in which capacity he dominated European affairs. He worked with King Wilhelm I of Prussia to unify the various German states. Bismarck's Realpolitik and powerful rule at home led to him being called the Iron Chancellor. Juggling a very complex interlocking series of conferences, negotiations, and alliances, he used his diplomatic skills to maintain Germany's position. Bismarck disliked colonialism because he thought it would consume German resources rather than reaping the benefit of it but reluctantly built an overseas empire when it was demanded by both elite and mass opinion. 12/ James Naismith was a CanadianAmerican physical educator, physician, Christian chaplain, and sports coach, best known as the inventor of the

game of basketball. After moving to the United States, he wrote the original basketball rule book and founded the University of Kansas basketball program. He lived to see basketball adopted as an Olympic demonstration sport in 1904 and as an official event at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, as well as the birth of the National Invitation Tournament (1938) and the NCAA Tournament (1939). 13/ James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens was an American track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games. He specialized in the sprints and the long jump and was recognized in his lifetime as "perhaps the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history". He set three world records and tied another (all in less than an hour) at the 1935 Big Ten track meet in Ann Arbor, Michigan—a feat that has never been equaled and has been called "the greatest 45 minutes ever in sport". He achieved international fame at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, by winning four gold medals: 100 meters, long jump, 200 meters, and 4 × 100-meter relay. He was the most successful athlete at the Games and, as a black American man, was credited with "singlehandedly crushing Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy". The Jesse Owens Award is USA Track and Field's highest accolade for the year's best track and field athlete. 14/ Dred Scott was an enslaved Black man whose owners had taken him from Missouri, a slave-holding state, into Illinois and the Wisconsin Territory, where slavery was illegal. When his owners later brought him back to Missouri, Scott sued for his freedom and claimed that because he had been taken into "free" U.S. territory, he had automatically been freed and was legally no longer a slave. Scott sued first in Missouri state

court, which ruled that he was still a slave under its law. He then sued in U.S. federal court, which ruled against him by deciding that it had to apply Missouri law to the case. He then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Dred Scott v. Sandford, was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that held the U.S. Constitution did not extend American citizenship to people of Black African descent. The decision is widely considered the worst in the Supreme Court's history, being widely denounced for its overt racism, perceived judicial activism, poor legal reasoning, and crucial role in the start of the American Civil War four years later. 15/ Caroline Amelia Nation (a/k/a Carry Nation or Hatchet Granny) was a radical member of the temperance movement, which opposed alcohol before the advent of Prohibition. She is noted for attacking alcohol-serving establishments (most often taverns) with a hatchet, and was also concerned about tight clothing for women; she refused to wear a corset and urged women not to wear them because of their harmful effects on vital organs. She described herself as "a bulldog running along at the feet of Jesus, barking at what He doesn't like," and claimed a divine ordination to promote temperance by destroying bars. In her autobiography The Use and Need of the Life of Carry A. Nation (1908) she also strongly opposed Freemasonry. 16/ Jonas Edward Salk was an American virologist and medical researcher who developed one of the first successful polio vaccines. In 1947, Salk accepted a professorship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he undertook a project beginning in 1948 to determine the number of different types of poliovirus. For the next seven years, Salk devoted himself

to developing a vaccine against polio. He was immediately hailed as a "miracle worker" when the vaccine's success was first made public in April 1955, and he chose to not patent the vaccine or seek any profit from it to maximize its global distribution. 17/ Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery in Maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York, during which he gained fame for his oratory and incisive antislavery writings. He wrote three autobiographies, describing his experiences as an enslaved person in his Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845), which became a bestseller and was influential in promoting the cause of abolition, as was his second book, My Bondage and My Freedom (1855). Following the Civil War, Douglass was an active campaigner for the rights of freed slaves and wrote his last autobiography in 1881—Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. 18/ Louis Dembitz Brandeis was an American lawyer who served as an associate justice on the Supreme Court of the United States from 1916 to 1939. Starting in 1890, he helped develop the "right to privacy" concept." He was a leading figure in the antitrust movement at the turn of the century, and criticized the power of large banks, money trusts, powerful corporations, monopolies, public corruption, and mass consumerism, all of which he felt were detrimental to American values and culture. 19/ Harriet Elisabeth Beecher Stowe was an American author and abolitionist, best known for her novel Uncle

Bad puns? That’s how eye roll.

gave support to the economic and political reforms promoted by his prime ministers, and advocated modernization based on foreign loans and close ties with France, but resisted giving the new parliament (the Duma) major roles. Ultimately, progress was undermined by his commitment to autocratic rule and defeats sustained by the Russian military in the Russo-Japanese War and World War I. By March 1917, public support for Nicholas had collapsed and he was forced to abdicate, thereby ending the Romanov dynasty's 304-year rule of Russia (1613–1917).

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THE BACK PAGES Tom's Cabin (1852), which depicts the harsh conditions experienced by enslaved African Americans. The book reached an audience of millions as a novel and play, and became influential in the United States and in Great Britain, energizing anti-slavery forces in the American North, while provoking widespread anger in the South. Stowe wrote 30 books, including novels, three travel memoirs, and collections of articles and letters. She was influential both for her writings as well as for her public stances and debates on social issues of the day.

My patience has stretch marks.

20/ Lev Davidovich Bronstein (better known as Leon Trotsky) was a Russian revolutionary, Soviet politician, journalist, and political theorist, and a central figure in the October Revolution, Russian Civil War, and the establishment of the Soviet Union. Ideologically a Marxist and a Leninist, Trotsky's thought and writings inspired a school of Marxism known as Trotskyism. In Lenin's first government, Trotsky was appointed the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs and led the negotiations for the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, by which Russia withdrew from World War I. After Lenin's death in 1924, Trotsky was outmaneuvered by Joseph Stalin and his allies and lost his positions: he was expelled from the Politburo in 1926 and from the party in 1927, internally exiled to Alma Ata in 1928, and deported in 1929. He lived in Turkey, France, and Norway before settling in Mexico in 1937. 21/ Albert Camus was a French philosopher, author, dramatist, journalist, and political activist. He was the recipient of the 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature at the age of 44, the second-youngest recipient in history. His works include The Stranger, The Plague, The Myth of Sisyphus, The Fall, and The Rebel. He was born in French

Algeria and studied philosophy at the University of Algiers. He was in Paris when the Germans invaded France during World War II in 1940. Camus tried to flee but finally joined the French Resistance where he served as editor-in-chief at Combat, an outlawed newspaper. Philosophically, Camus's views contributed to the rise of the philosophy known as absurdism. Some consider Camus's work to show him to be an existentialist, even though he himself firmly rejected the term throughout his lifetime. 22/ Annie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Mosey) was an American sharpshooter who starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West. She developed hunting skills as a child to provide for her impoverished family in western Ohio. At age 15, she won a shooting contest against an experienced marksman, Frank E. Butler, whom she married in 1876. The pair joined Buffalo Bill in 1885, performing in Europe before royalty and other heads of state. Audiences were astounded to see her shooting out a cigar from her husband's hand or splitting a playing-card edge-on at 30 paces. She earned more than anyone except Buffalo Bill himself. Since her death, her story has been adapted for stage musicals and films, including Annie Get Your Gun. 23/ John Brown was an American abolitionist leader. First reaching national prominence for his radical abolitionism and fighting in Bleeding Kansas (a state-level civil war in the late 1850s over whether Kansas would enter the Union as a slave state or a free state). He believed that he was "an instrument of God," raised to strike the "death blow" to American slavery, a "sacred obligation." He was dissatisfied with abolitionist pacifism, and in 1856, Brown and his sons killed five supporters

of slavery in the Pottawatomie massacre, He was eventually captured and executed for a failed incitement of a slave rebellion at Harpers Ferry preceding the American Civil War. The Harpers Ferry raid and Brown's trial, both covered extensively in national newspapers, escalated tensions that in the next year led to the South's long-threatened secession and the American Civil War. (He was found guilty of all charges and was hanged on December 2, 1859, the first person executed for treason in the history of the United States.) He was a hero and icon in the North, where. Union soldiers marched to the new song "John Brown's Body", that portrayed him as a martyr. 24/ Archduke Franz Ferdinand Carl Ludwig Joseph Maria of was the heir presumptive to the throne of AustriaHungary. On 28 June 1914, Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo by the 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip, a member of Young Bosnia. Franz Ferdinand's assassination led to the July Crisis and precipitated Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia, which in turn triggered a series of events that eventually led – four weeks after his death – to Austria-Hungary's allies and Serbia's allies declaring war on each other, starting World War I. 25/ Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian dictator and journalist who founded and led the National Fascist Party (PNF). He was Prime Minister of Italy from the March on Rome in 1922 until his deposition in 1943, as well as "Duce" of Italian fascism from the establishment of the Italian Fasces of Combat in 1919 until his summary execution in 1945 by Italian partisans. As dictator of Italy and principal founder of fascism, Mussolini inspired and supported the international

spread of fascist movements during the inter-war period. In October 1922, following the March on Rome, he was appointed prime minister by King Victor Emmanuel III—the youngest individual to hold the office up to that time. He and his followers consolidated power through a series of laws that transformed the nation into a one-party dictatorship. In 1929, Mussolini signed the Lateran Treaty with the Holy See to establish Vatican City. n

DIVERSI NS: THE RABBIT

A man was driving along the road when he saw a rabbit hopping across the middle of the road. He swerved to avoid hitting it, but unfortunately the rabbit jumped in front of the car and was hit. Being a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, the man pulled over to the side of the road and got out to see what had become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit was dead. The man felt so bad he began to cry. A woman driving down the highway saw the man crying on the side of the road and pulled over. She stepped out of her car and asked the man what was wrong. "I feel terrible," he explained. "I accidentally hit this rabbit and killed it." The woman told the man not to worry… she knew what to do. She went to her car trunk and pulled out a spray can. She walked over to the limp, dead rabbit, and sprayed the contents of the can onto the rabbit. Miraculously, the rabbit came to life, jumped up, waved its paw at the two humans, and hopped down the road. 50 feet away the rabbit stopped, turned around, waved at the two again. It hopped down the road another 50 feet, turned, waved, and hopped another 50 feet. The man was astonished. He couldn't figure out what substance could be in the woman's spray can! He went over to the woman and asked," What was in your spray can? What did you spray onto that rabbit?" The woman turned the can around so that the man could read the label. It said:" 'Hare Spray' Restores Life to Dead Hare. Adds Permanent Wave."

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THE BACK PAGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR CONTEST WINNERS! Alan Koehler of San Antonio, TX won a copy of Investing in Retail Properties by Gary Rappaport. Tammy Winograd of Wooster, MA won a copy of The Best of Diversions from . Toby Brookshire of Cleveland, OH won a copy of Vertical Lines II from . Annalyn Kessenich of Scottsdale, AZ won a copy of Vertical Lines I from . Becca Rachofsky of Boise, ID won a copy of Managing Rental Properties For Maximum Profit by Greg Perry.

BOLO (BE ON THE LOOK OUT) FOR WHAT'S COMING NEXT As we traditionally have in our March issue, we’ll report on the Lake Superior State University’s List of Words Banished From the Queen’s English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness. (As we go to press, we are still in the dark about whether the name will be changed to the King’s English.) And we’ll also bring you the Wayne State Word Warriors list of words that should be brought back from the dustbin of history; and of course, we examine the Marist Mind Set List, a glimpse into the cultural milestones which have molded the lives of those who entered college in the Fall of 2023. We’ll bring you pictures of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Argentina and continue our series about the National Register of Historic Places. And Contributing Editor Roxana Tofan will teach us about Bharathanatyan Arangetram in 6Q–Who,What,Why,When, Where, and How? In Herstory, Contributing Editor Rose-Mary Rumbley opines about the Texas Rangers (of historical law enforcement fame) and the Texas Rangers baseball team. (and we will have two more hilarious pages of quotations (most of which will also be in our Vertical Lines III book which should be available concurrently with this issue. We’ll look at the U.S. border with Mexico and Mexico’s borders with Belize and Guatemala and statistically look at where the illegal immigrants are coming from. Want more? Of course, there will be other specially contributed articles from various segments of the real estate industry as well as our affiliates, Factoids, Wow Factors, Real Estate of the Future, Visual Capitalist Graphic Charts, Diversions, Tru Dat, Vertical Lines, Trending, and much MUCH more. We get a lot into 64 pages!

DIVERSI NS: INQUIRING MIND The mother responded “Honey, women don't talk about their age. You'll learn this as you get older.” The girl innocently then asked, “Mommy, how much do you weigh?” Her mother responded again, “That's another thing women don't talk about, sweety. You'll hear this too as you grow up.”

A little girl and her mother were out and about shopping. Out of the blue, the girl asked her mother, “Mommy, how old are you?”

Still wanting to know about her mother, the girl fired off another question. “Mommy, why did you and daddy get a divorce?” A little annoyed by this line of questioning, the mother answered, “Honey, that's a subject that

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hurts me very much, and I don't want to talk about it now.” The little girl, frustrated, sulked until she got dropped off at her friend's house to play. She talked to her girlfriend about the conversation she’d had with her mother, and her girlfriend said, “All you have to do is sneak a look at your mother's driver's license. It's just like a report card from school. It tells you everything.” Later, the little girl and her mother are at home talking, and the little girl starts off with, “Mommy, Mommy, I know how old you are. I know how old you are. You're 32 years old.”

The mother was shocked, but struggling not to show it, she said, “Sweetheart, now how do you know that?” The little girl shrugged and said, “I just know… and I know how much you weigh, too. You weigh 130 lbs.” “Wherever did you learn that?” her mother asked, a little more irritated. The little girl said, “I just know. And I know why you and daddy got a divorce—you got an ‘F’ in sex.”

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C NTEST: I SHOT THE SHERIFF The killing of a president, prime minister, king, or other prominent world figure can have a profound impact on an entire nation. It can be so shocking that it induces what psychologists refer to as ‘flashbulb memory’ (where many people will forever

recall the precise details of where they were and what they were doing when they learned about the murder). Below is a list of assassins and their victims. Can you match the assassin to his/her picture?

01/ John Wilkes Booth > President Abraham Lincoln 02/ Gavrilo Princep > Archduke Franz Ferdinand 03/ James Earl Ray > Martin Luther King Jr. 04/ Leon Czolgosz > President William McKinley 05/ Mahatma Gandhi > Nathuram Godse 06/ Charles J. Guiteau > President James Garfield 07/ Satwant Singh* > Indira Gandhi 08/ Lee Harvey Oswald > President John F. Kennedy 09/ Ramón Mercader > Leon Trotsky 10/ Mark David Chapman > John Lennon 11/ Sirhan Sirhan > Robert F. Kennedy 12/ Marcus Junius Brutus > Julius Caesar 13/ Andrew Cunanan > Gianni Versace 14/ Yigal Amir > Yitzak Rabin 15/ Charlotte Corday > Jean-Paul Marat *One of 2 assassins; the other was Beant Singh.

GIDEON MARKOWIZ / PHOTOGRAPHER: ISRAEL PRESS AND PHOTO AGENCY (I.P.P.A.) / DAN HADANI COLLECTION, NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ISRAEL / CC BY 4.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Scan or copy this page and send your entry to editor@thenetworkmagazine.org or fax it to 817.924.7116 on or before February 1st for a chance to win a valuable prize.

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ARSENAL BUSINESS COLLECTIONS

...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.

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

Highly focused. Highly specialized. Highly respected.

Procurement Supply Chain Management Procurement Administration

Vendor/Supplier Resourcing

Vendor Reduction Programs Supplier Recognition Programs Customized Purchase Orders RFI, RFP, RFQ Administration

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

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

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?

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.

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.

Leasing

Arsenal Business Collections 2537 Lubbock Avenue Fort Worth, TX 76109 Tel: 214-755-2277 Fax: 817.924.7116 www.thearsenalcompanies.com