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Government policy on MFEZs
The latest Report of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Labour - November 2008 (reproduced below) touches on one of the most discussed topics on this blog - the Government policy on MFEZs. The policy position as directly stated by government is somewhat unclear, so its useful to see the Parliamentarians attempt to get through the mud, but inevitably they come short. Excerpt:
9.2 The role of the MFEZ in improving the competitiveness of Zambia's industries
Your Committee was informed that the establishment of MFEZs in Zambia was meant to stimulate industrial development as laid out in the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP). In this regard, the Government would offer fiscal incentives as provided for in the ZDA Act. The incentives would be as follows:
a) 0% tax rate on dividends of companies operating under the MFEZ for a period of five years of first declaration of dividends;
b) 0% tax on profits made by companies operating in the MFEZ for a period of five years from the first year profits were made. From the sixth to the eighth year, only 50% of the profits would be taxed while for the ninth and tenth year, 75% of the profits would be taxed;
c) 0% import duty on raw materials, capital goods and machinery, including trucks and specialised motor vehicles for the first five years; and
d) deferment of VAT on machinery and equipment, including trucks and specialised motor vehicles for investment in the MFEZ.
9.3 Benefits of MFEZ to ordinary Zambians
Your Committee were informed that the vision of the Government was to establish MFEZs in all districts in the country. Once fully operational, some benefits that the Government envisaged from the MFEZ included:
(a) improved infrastructure, such as telecommunications, schools and medical facilities in thezones;
(b) higher foreign exchange earnings;
(c) increased tax revenues after the expiry of the tax holiday provided under the ZDA Act; and
(d) attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
9.4 Committee's Observations and Recommendations
After careful consideration of the various submissions from witnesses, your Committee wish to make the observations and recommendations set out here under.
i) The operationalisation of MFEZs across the country is not an easy task. It requires vast amounts of resources, land and infrastructure. Your Committee recommend that care is taken to ensure that the land acquired is not used by communities for farming or any other social, religious and economic activity.
ii) Industries operating in MFEZs have the ability to potentially affect the companies that are operating outside MFEZs. This is because they will be enjoying incentives which will reduce their cost of production. Your Committee, therefore, recommend that the operations of MFEZs should not be to the detriment of firms that are operating outside the MFEZs.
iii) The incentives to operate in an MFEZ as provided for in the ZDA Act are very generous. In the past, companies which were given such incentives relocated to other countries when the tax holiday came to an end. Your Committee urge the Government to avoid a repeat of such unfortunate situations.
iv) The MFEZ is an important initiative that will improve the competitiveness of Zambia's industries. However, there are no other companies that have applied to operate in the MFEZs apart from those of Chinese origin. They, therefore, recommend that other companies, particularly citizen influenced and citizen empowered companies, be allowed to compete freely in the Chambishi MFEZ area.
I recently asked whether it was the government's policy to turn all of Zambia into an MFEZ. Well that atleast is answered by the call for "MFEZs in all districts". It also appears to have noted the issue relating to land. But other than that, I found the report shockingly poor, particularly in three aspects.
First, it ignores the fundamental issues. I would have like the MPs to have focused on three critical questions which have been raised before. The first issue relates to the lack of economic analysis that has underpinned the government MFEZ policy, or atleast the fact that if such analysis exists it has not been made available to ordinary Zambians. It would be good to know just how government reached the decision that MFEZs are good value for money. The second issue is whether MFEZs the right way to attract investment and can they really make any serious dent on poverty? I was particularly hoping that Parlimentarians would atleast be interested in looking at whether MFEZs have been successful in other countries in achieving objectives. Finally, and perhaps more importantly, how does the government vision of MFEZs in every district fit in within the current environment of a slow down in global economic growth? Simply put, is MFEZ policy still viable? and should we rely on a such a policy that may well be overrated?
Secondly, the assessment is wholly lacking in a clear exposition of the costs. While the report is keen to highlight the "benefits" it falls far short in discussing the costs. It seems to me that the key issue regarding MFEZs is whether the public is fully aware of the costs and benefits associated with it. I do not think the report has done a good job at clarifying what those costs are and whether in general the MFEZ policy as it stands constitutes a net benefit to Zambia in the short to medium term (say over the minimum period of 10 years). The key direct costs of course is the forgone tax revenue that may have accrued to GRZ without the MFEZ policy. A key element of the analysis is the issue of what would happen if the tax breaks and concessions are not made. Would Zambia get the investment anyway from other players, with the additional tax revenue? That is certainly possible if one believes there are credible alternatives to encouraging FDI divorced from the large tax breaks Government has offered. I have previously suggested that what we should focus on is to develop a bureaucratic hands-off approach, the freedom to invest across sectors, and promote contestable markets (with import competition, and privately financed infrastructure being two of the key factors - see the blog here).
Finally, the assumed benefits appear misguided or at worst intentionally misleading. Let us be clear from the start. All the stated benefits to "ordinary Zambians" are not actually "benefits" there are possible intermediate means for achieving some increase in welfare to ordinary Zambians in the future. They are therefore means to an end, not ends or benefits in themselves.
I was particularly struck by the bizarre "benefit" of "foreign exchange earnings". May be its my holiday season, but just how is this a benefit?
Moving from the bizarre to the misleading, I really don't understand how the MPs concluded that there are benefits in terms of "improved infrastructure, such as telecommunications, schools and medical facilities in the zones". I found this difficult to reconcile with previous government statements as discussed on two previous blogs - A Zambian Shenzhen or just another DA? and A Lumwana MFEZ? In both instances the government makes it clear that it will provide the infrastructure . In particular as part of the Chambishi MFEZ, the government has promised to "build roads and set up telecommunications, and water facilities in the [multi - facility economic] zone".
Then there's the speculative benefit of "increased tax revenues after the expiry of the tax holiday provided under the ZDA Act". Its quite interesting that the government has never really stated public that this as a key benefit. The reason is quite obvious. The Chambishi zone will roughly cost the companies $800m, with a profit of $900m annually. In short, they will get back the money from a single year of operation. After that the issue of whether they remain or leave is really down to market conditions, and of course whether after year 10 they can get better deals elsewhere. There's really nothing to stop these companies from abandoning ship like others did under the Chiluba era. To speak of tax revenue benefits is therefore highly speculative.
Surprisingly the MPs ignored the "employment" and "diversification" angles, which has been central to the Government's public case. It cannot be ignored that the main benefits appear to be coordinated employment creation and diversification of the Zambian economy. Indeed beyond the economic zones, there are will be a host of firms providing services to those firms within the free tax zone (generating catalytic employment). However, the extent to which this employment is really additional is debatable. Also as we have discussed previously, diversification is a complicated process. The existing empirical consensus is that it is difficult for emerging economies, like Zambia, to extract potential benefits of spillovers when a large technological gap exists between domestic and FDI firms operating in the MFEZ. If government wants to use MFEZ as diversification tool, it needs to put the MFEZ policy within a broader economic policy context. The government has to take the necessary steps to invest in basic non-MFEZ infrastructure, education and training, and above all encourage Zambian firms to invest in technological development. These policies will do a great deal in increasing Zambian firms technological capability, and hence make it easier for firm outside the MFEZ to benefit from spillovers of foreign firms within the MFEZ. But even then, the road is still uncertain as discussed in the blog - FDI and domestic spillovers...
Publish at Scribd or explore others: parliamentary report zambia
THEMES : diversification, investment, land
The biggest benefits of MFEZs I see are jobs. There is a competition all over the world to attract companies to establish operations because they create jobs. For example in America, many governors of the individual states travel overseas to attract businesses to set up operations in their states.
http://www.ocm.auburn.edu/clippings/2006/061606.html#15326221
Cho,
"I have previously suggested that what we should focus on is to develop a bureaucratic hands-off approach, the freedom to invest across sectors, and promote contestable markets (with import competition, and privately financed infrastructure being two of the key factors "
Unfortunately a hands-off approach is not enough because of the previously mentioned competition for foreign companies and the jobs they create. Therefore incentives need to be given to attract them. Now if foreign mining companies are ruining the roads because of their heavy trucks, then the solution is to charge the trucks tolls for roads usage.
Some of the foreign countries can also fund some of the MFEZ infrastructure, as they are doing in the case of the Chambishi MFEZ.
Another major reason for creating MFEZs is that foreign companies are able to access more capital and thus create more jobs than local ones.
MFEZs should be just one part of an integrated approach to creating jobs. For example, the government could set up small business incubators to encourage Zambians to get together and provide training to them at low cost to help them start their own businesses.
Chola Mukanga 3 January 2009 at 14:02
Kafue,
"a bureaucratic hands-off approach" does not mean "no government intervention". I would sure have have said that if thats what I meant!
There's a role for government to play in creating wealth, and this is blog is littered with many of the areas we have identified where for example government could act to eliminate coordination failures and so forth. As it turns out the example I give of private led finance of infrastructure requires a "legislative framework" that realigns the incentives accordingly.
The emphasis is therefore on HOW government acts, rather that IF government should act at all.
You are correct to note that Zambia is competing against other countries to attract foreign capital. The question is what attracts foreign direct investment. My view is that there are many ways that could occur rather than through MFEZ. Case in point is the evidence discussed on the blog In praise of larger and larger firms...
In terms of job creation as a benefit. I assume you mean the "personal income tax" that flows from this and some form of "multiplier effect" through the additional income in the economy. The point here is that this benefit is likely to be small and may not make a discernible impact on economic growth. This is why the macro evidence on MFEZs and economic growth is mixed.
"In terms of job creation as a benefit. I assume you mean the "personal income tax" that flows from this and some form of "multiplier effect" through the additional income in the economy."
No, what I mean is that people who did not have jobs, now have jobs. Those who had very low incomes now have higher incomes. There tends to be an underestimation on how easy it is to create sustainable good jobs. MFEZs are a good tradeoff between creating many higher income jobs and the ease of creating them.
Jobs in themselves are not a benefit (actually in cost benefit analysis they are treated as a cost, but I won't go into that).
My basic point is that what matters is the income generated, that is somehow captured in those jobs.
On an individual level, it means the additional pay tax to government plus what remains to the worker to inject in the local economy...and any multiplier effects from that.
Jobs for themselves are meaningless because if people chose one job they give up another activity (presumably one that sustains them in someway, assuming it is not stealing)- so jobs have "opportunity cost".
The key therefore is to create jobs that are truly additional and with significant multiplier impacts.
Now on MFEZs...you raise an interesting point actually....if we take Solwezi as an example. You will see that the boom in mining has not necessarily benefit the locals in terms of jobs...the employment has gone to people outside...but the INCOME spent has has helped the town boom...even local AIDs has increased...
See Solwezi's double boom...
"Jobs for themselves are meaningless because if people chose one job they give up another activity "
How about those who are without jobs? They have no activity to give up, just inactivity.
"You will see that the boom in mining has not necessarily benefit the locals in terms of jobs...the employment has gone to people outside."
Why does it matter that Zambians from other areas of the country are hired for the mining jobs? Maybe they have mining expertise that the locals do not. The overall number of unemployed Zambians has decreased.
"How about those who are without jobs? They have no activity to give up, just inactivity."
Those without jobs either have very high reservation wages (which is extremely unlikely) or at the very bottom of the wage scale (which is very likely).
Job creation therefore adds very little, it moves people up the ladder...and allows the very bottom in society to take up jobs....but for the very bottom and inactive...their new wages are minimal...and the multiplier effect basically zero...at the national level...unless you created many many of these poor paid jobs...
What drives growth is productivity...not employment...
Employment is the politicians way of selling it to the public who often never think through the pitch..
"Why does it matter that Zambians from other areas of the country are hired for the mining jobs? Maybe they have mining expertise that the locals do not. The overall number of unemployed Zambians has decreased."
You have a point. I was merely pointing out that it can even have negative impacts on the local area. It is distributional issue.
In terms of national decrease in unemployment....as I say above...that may be true but the impact is minimal because the marginal change (from the national perspective) is usually through less valued employment..
An example of American states attracting foreign companies to invest in them:
http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/106412/America's-Foreign-Automaker-Capitals;_ylt=ArtGFZzegmF8tTFHNRerFhhO7sMF
Yakima 11 January 2009 at 10:08
That link didn't work for me, but when I shortened it to: http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/106412/ then it works fine.
Yakima,
Thanks for the corrected link.
MrK 30 January 2009 at 07:44
IDE DISCUSSION PAPER No. 134
Unlocking the Potential of Zambian
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
"Learning from the international best practices – the Southeast Asian Experience"
Chibwe CHISALA*
Also check out the Local Economic Development Network Africa:
This is an excellent page with links to papers on SMEs, incubators, etc.
On the importance of SME's in job creation and wealth creation in the UK:
Accelerating the SME economic engine: through transparent, simple and strategic procurement
On latest figures, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) constitute 99.9 per cent of businesses in the UK, employing 59 per cent of the private sector workforce and making up 52 per cent of business turnover. They are potentially major suppliers to government but often SMEs face substantial hurdles in winning contracts.
This is our goal, and what we should aim for. Already, the marketeering sector employs 17 times more people than the entire mine sector (1,000,000 versus 58,000), so there is no excuse. We need to take money from the mines and put it into agriculture and infrastructure.
MrK 22 February 2009 at 07:21
Stakeholders worry about minimum investment threshold in EPZ
By NKOLE CHITALA
MOST stakeholders have expressed concern at the US$ 500,000 minimum investment requirement in the Multi Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) saying the amount will bar local entrepreneurs from operating in the zones.
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati said under the reform process Government had realised that there were 520 licenses some of which were forgotten and continued to increase.
"If you want to set up a hotel you need to have 21 licenses, and five per cent of turnover is attributable to licenses, so we are reforming the system," he said.
He said 226 licences were irrelevant and creating fatigue and bureaucracy hence the need for change.
There is a reason for licenses, safety and standards come to mind. However duplication, irrelevancy and slow processing of licenses should be avoided. Take a look at what other countries require to get an idea of what is needed and why.
Here is the website for licenses in Singapore, an economic success story, to get an idea of what is needed:
https://licences.business.gov.sg/SHINE/sop/WebPageHandler?p=OASIS&pn=SelectLicences
Kafue001 27 May 2009 at 14:59
Article on attracting investment to Africa:
http://www.lusakatimes.com/?p=12878
Zambia Budget 2009
Kuti waseka....
Competition in mismanagement (public theft?)...
Ministerial Statement : Fertiliser Support Program...
Ministerial Statement : CIA Ghost Prisons
Full international gateway liberalisation?
IMF World Economic Update
Insights from Chiefs (Senior Chief Kapalaula II)
And another thing..
Towards lower mining taxes...2nd Edition
Fallout from the Financial Crisis
Kundaisms...
Insights from Chiefs (Chief Kapalaula II)
NCC Discussion Updates (Foreign Missions, MPs, Pre...
Profiting from chaos?
ZIPPA :Call for Articles
Linking Zambia (House of Chiefs)
Zambia First Investment Fund / Zambia Airways
Ministerial Statement : Mining Industry
Some free cheer ?
Presidential Speech (Full Transcript)
A mid-week rant.....on the state we are in..
Ministerial Statement on Suspension of Zambian Air...
Dora's silent question...
Towards lower mining taxes...
Linking Zambia (Chanda Chishala)
Reflections on Zambian Airways (Guest Blog - KBM)
NCC Discussion Updates (Ministries)
A manifesto of solutions?
Linking Zambia (National Constitution Conference)
ZIPPA on 'Wealth Creation', again...
Executive Issues - January 2009
IMF to the rescue?
A death blow to Zambian aviation?
Mine Watch (Lumwana & Mokambo)
Food security and trade restrictions..
Is government about to nationalise ailing mines?
Inflation Statistics - December 2008
Zambia Diaspora Connect Blog
Linking Zambia (Limbani)
On food prices and children schooling...
How has the global slowdown affected Zambian touri...
Quick links (Cash transfer, cell phones, societies...
Zambia Diaspora E-Conference 2008 Preliminary Repo...
On tax incentives...
Passport renewal petition...
A better vision for agriculture....
Zambia 2008 : Key Economic Events
Insights from Chiefs (Chief Ndake)
Insights from Chiefs (Chief Macha)
Eliminating government waste...
Is this the solution for competitive parties?
Cementing Mozambique...
Culture and national development
The politics of Zambian Petroleum...
A parliamentary report worth reading....
Fact Check (VP George Kunda)
Food Watch (Zambezi)


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When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in St. George's Chapel in May, her mother Doria Ragland was the only member of her immediate family in attendance. This should come as no surprise to anyone who's been following the now-Duke and Duchess of Sussex: Markle is extremely close to her mother.
So close in fact, Doria was in attendance at the launch of Meghan's first official project: the Together cookbook, which is raising money for the Hubb Community Kitchen in London.
While at the event, Doria introduced herself as "Meg's mom," and she left the women of the whose recipes fill the cookbook with a poignant message.
"I'm just as excited as you are. I'm so glad I can put the face with the recipes. I'm going to make everything," she said. "The power of women. We make things happen. We're curious, we say yes, we show up. I'm inspired."
She recently revealed her favorite part of the wedding week.
Ragland was a social worker.
"She works specifically with the geriatric community," Markle said in the past. Markle has also described her mother as "a free-spirited clinical therapist," who teaches yoga.
It's unclear at this point if Raglad still works at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in Culver City, California. Rumor has it she's planning to move to the UK to be closer to her daughter.


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Friday December 3
Christmas Carols by Candlelight at Settlers Park, 5.30 for 6pm. The event is open only for residents and associated members and families of those. Chairs will be provided. Bring your torch and mask. Limited seats.
Ladies' Night Market at Port Alfred High School Hall from 6pm. Ladies only. Tickets R25, includes a welcome drink. Fundraiser for PAHS, El Shaddai Christian Academy and Kowie Foundation School.
Friday December 3 and Saturday December 4
Sunshine Coast Bonsai Club annual show at the Girl Guide Hall in Port Alfred. Show hours are from 10am to 4pm Friday and Saturday. All are welcome. Demonstrations by David Brewis on Saturday.
Potjiekos competition at the Port Alfred Ski-boat Club. Teams of two people per pot. Teams must supply their own ingredients. Rice, green salad and wood will be supplied. Prizes are R1,000 for first place, R750 for second place and R250 for third place. There is also a prize for best looking potjiekos station. Spectators are welcome to purchase a plate of various potjies on the day for R60. Plating is at 4.30pm. Entries are limited. WhatsApp Alan with a picture and the name of your team on 065-611-2357.
Ladies' Night Market at Port Alfred High School open to the public from 9am to 3pm.
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Word of Truth Ministries Jingle and Mingle Christmas festival. Good food, exciting stalls, music and load of entertainment for the children. Starts at 10am.
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Kenton Run for Fun. Starting at 4.30pm from the Kenton Town Hall. R50 adults, R30 children under 12. All funds raised to be donated to Child Welfare Kenton/Bushman's.
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Franky and The Misfits return to the Royal St Andrews Hotel to usher in the new year. A 9-piece swing/jazz band, playing the likes of Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Michael Bublé, Dean Martin and Robbie Williams. Two ticket options available: A buffet dinner at R420 per adult and R210 per child under the age of 12 at The Paper Nautilus Restaurant, or a plated five-course fine-dining dinner at R435 per adult at The Thistle Restaurant. The dress code for The Thistle is smart casual and no children under the age of 10 are permitted. Both New Year's Eve options include the two-hour Misfits extravaganza and a glass of bubbly. Book now on: (046) 604-5400 or reservations@rsah.co.za

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Aston Students' Union also has its own student accommodation, Aston Brook Green.


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Year in Review: Another Aspen real estate sales boom with $4 billion-plus sold in 2021
The U.S. dollar volume of residential and total home sales in Pitkin County also broke new ground in 2021, but breaking ground to actually build a home in 2022 will be a different story.
Sales of real estate in Pitkin County – including mansions, commercial buildings, hotel fractions, vacant lots, horse stables, employee housing, and every other type of property that comes with a price tag – broke the $ 4.6 billion mark in 2021.
Revenue for December was $ 586.1 million based on an investigation by the Aspen Times of real estate transactions filed with the Pitkin County's Clerk & Recorder's Office.
And sales for the first 11 months of 2021 were $ 4.1 billion, according to Land Title Guarantee Co. The majority of that sales volume comprised residential property transactions – 822 closings combined for $ 3.3 billion in revenue through November, Land Title Guarantee said.
Any local real estate agent will tell you these are gaudy statistics. But behind the eye-catching numbers in 2021 was the increasing difficulty, or even impossibility, of working and living in Aspen and Pitkin counties.
The housing crisis forced Aspen City Council to pass an emergency law on December 8th that bans residential development within city limits. The moratorium was created in the form of Ordinance 27 which stated that "the residential property market in Aspen is no longer providing meaningful and affordable housing for local residents due to unprecedented increases in home prices and a lack of supply over time." The housing system is on it instructed to provide the vast majority of housing for local residents and workers. "
Through November 2021, the average sales price for a single family home in Aspen was $ 11.8 million, according to the Aspen Board of Realtors. The median price for those 11 months was $ 9.6 million.
For all residential property contracts across Pitkin County from January to November, the Land Title Guarantee had an average sales price of $ 4 million.
The city's moratorium prohibits residential development until June 8th and also prohibits the issuance of new short-term rental licenses until September 30th. The city council and employees have announced that they will use this time with the help of advisors to create land. Use regulations and measures to reduce affordable housing that meet community needs as reflected in the Aspen Area Community Plan, which addresses housing and the quality of life for employees and other aspects of life here.
The city council's moratorium action sparked both praise and disapproval in the community.
A lawsuit by the Aspen Board of Realtors is currently challenging the city council's justification – that continued building activity affecting the climate was an emergency – for passing the moratorium. A petition is also pending to get the council to either repeal the ordinance or refer the matter to Aspen voters.
"Until the effects of the moratorium are better known and understood, it will create a great deal of uncertainty in the residential real estate development and redevelopment process in Aspen," said realtor Tim Estin of Aspen Snowmass Sotheby's International Realty in his annual report.
Uncertainty does not inspire confidence in buyers, said Estin.
"Uncertainty is not good for the markets and, in addition to the lack of inventory, can lead to a further slowdown in the real estate market, at least until more clarity comes into focus. I heard about real estate deals just 7-14 days after the moratorium was announced, "he wrote.
Even so, sales of $ 186.2 million were filed Monday through Thursday at the Pitkin County Clerk & Recorder's Office, which was closed for the holidays on Friday.
These transactions included home sales of $ 10.5 million, $ 12.5 million, $ 19.5 million, and $ 29.8 million, respectively. The largest deal last week, however, was $ 44.5 million for a house on Red Mountain and a vacant lot next to it. The buyer was a company controlled by former NHL player and Canadian businessman Patrick Dovigi.
This would be the most expensive sale in Pitkin County for most years, but not in 2021. Another Red Mountain home sold for $ 72.5 million in June – the highest amount ever for a home sale in the county would. The buyer? Again it was Dovigi.
The lack of inventory is one of the culprits for the soaring prices, noted Brittanie Rockhill of Douglas Elliman.
"The Aspen / Snowmass real estate market did not disappoint in 2021, setting an even higher record for revenue and dollar volume than the record-breaking previous year," she said in an email on Friday. "The shortage of stock continues to drive pricing in Aspen and Snowmass."
Compared to 2020, inventory levels between the Aspen and Snowmass Village residential real estate markets declined 24% in 2021, Estin said. Compared to 2019, it was also down by 9%.
"Residential property prices in Aspen and Snowmass Village have skyrocketed in the past two years," he said. "The local inventory of properties for sale is at its lowest level in 12 years, and while prices have steadily increased, the past two years – in the context of a pandemic – have been a rocket ship. Demand upwards; Supply down; Prices – based on inventory – up and down. "
The demand is so great that owners of open market homes not for sale have received unsolicited calls from real estate agents claiming they have potential buyers in line.
Before 2021 came, 2020 was the standard bearer for total sales in Pitkin County, with $ 4.1 billion in transactions according to the Land Title Guarantee.
To compare, both 2018 and 2019 saw total sales of $ 1.8 billion, according to the Land Title Guarantee, down from $ 1.9 billion in 2017, $ 1.4 billion in 2016, and $ 2 billion in 2015 .
Commercial highlights of 2021 included the sale of the Mountain Chalet in Aspen for $ 68 million, the sale of the Aspen Hotel for $ 37.5 million, and the sale of the Casa Tua building $ 17 million.
Related Topics:AspenbillionplusboomEstateRealReviewsalesSoldyear
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Arlington Real Estate Property Values See Modest Increase for 2022 – Official Website of Arlington County Virginia Government
BC saw a record number of new homes registered for construction in 2021, but Bank of Canada data suggests a significant proportion of these are likely to be bought by investors.
The Bank of Canada study used data from mortgage and credit bureaus to determine the percentage of homes in the country that were purchased by first-time buyers, repeat buyers, and investors.
It concluded that investors and repeat buyers account for an increasing proportion of mortgage-backed home purchases in Canada.
"Home purchases are increasingly being driven by existing owners," write the authors of the study in their conclusion.
"It is within this group that investors have seen the largest increases in their share of home purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Because the study looked at mortgage data, the authors said it doesn't capture homes bought for cash or by businesses.
The study found that first-time buyers accounted for 47 percent of the market as of June 1, 2021, up from 53 percent at the start of 2015.
Meanwhile, both repeat buyers and investors in the market have increased. In the study, "repeat buyers" are those who buy a new home and sell their old one, while "investors" are those who buy a new home and hold on to their old home, often with the goal of renting out one of the properties as a source of income.
Repeat buyers represented 33 percent of the market in June 2021, up from 30 percent in January 2015, and investors represented 21 percent of the market, up from 18 percent.
Investor purchases grew the most during the COVID-19 pandemic, as home sales and prices soared. Investors bought twice as many homes in June 2021 as in June 2020, representing a 100 percent increase in the number of purchases.
Repeat buyers increased 66 percent over the same period, while purchases from first-time buyers increased 47 percent.
The Bank of Canada study was released the same week the BC government announced a record number of new enrollments in 2021.
"Data on registered new construction is collected at the beginning of a project, before building permits are issued, making it a leading indicator of BC housing activity," the province said in a press release.
The latest figures from BC Housing show that 53,189 new homes were registered in BC in 2021. That's a 67.5 percent increase from 2020 and the highest annual total since the provincial housing department began collecting data on new housing registrations in 2002.
The total includes 12,899 purpose-built rental apartments, a 47.7 percent increase over the previous year.
"This report demonstrates that when cities work with us to quickly secure building permits for these registered units, we can meet the challenge of increasing the supply of much-needed rental housing for individuals, families and seniors in BC," said David Eby, BC Attorney General and Minister in Charge of Housing, in the provincial release.
"The numbers show that together we can respond to the more than 25,000 new people who have moved to British Columbia in the last three months in search of homes, and the thousands more we know who are still living coming," Eby added. "We can only successfully meet this great challenge if we have committed partners in cities, the federal government, nonprofit organizations, First Nations and the private sector to get these Registered Homes built and open."
However, the majority of newly registered homes are not rentals, and Bank of Canada data suggests a significant number of them will be purchased by investors as BC's housing market continues to slip out of reach of many would-be newcomer buyers.
In an interview earlier this month, UBC director of urban economics and real estate Thomas Davidoff told CTV News that current conditions are benefiting people who already own properties rather than those trying to enter the market.
"If we continue to have an environment of very low interest rates and very high rental growth, then yeah, I think it's going to get harder and harder for people to accumulate down payments and really be able to amortize mortgages over their working lives," Davidoff said.
Roaring U.S. housing market may cool, keep climbing as Fed ends emergency support
Home prices in the U.S. have risen nearly 20% over the past year, giving home-owning families a major financial boost during the pandemic.
But Wall Street, a major source of home finance, sees major questions ahead for the red-hot housing market after the Federal Reserve shifted its focus to fighting inflation as the economy recovers from the pandemic.
"The increase in house prices contributed significantly to the growing net of households
worth and likely to decelerate due to higher interest rates and falling affordability," wrote the fixed income strategy team at Brad Tank and Neuberger Berman in its first-quarter outlook.
"In addition, the state's mortgage forbearance programs have not been extended and households benefiting from the relief must resume paying."
The Fed's monetary policy pivot in December includes a plan to raise interest rates faster than expected weeks ago, but also a faster end to its emergency asset purchase program, which is now likely to be March.
That leaves the market with "two key questions," according to the Neuberger team, about how much mortgage bond supply others will have to absorb as the Fed shrinks its nearly $8.8 trillion balance sheet. And what happens to the surge in home prices and refinancing activity if interest rates rise as much as expected?
Read: Housing construction is in the grip of an inflationary storm – and it is being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic
Why living isn't like 2008
After the 2008 financial crisis, the government's importance in the US housing market grew, in part through its mortgage guarantees, but also through the accumulation of borrowings in the $8.2 trillion agency mortgage market.
Agency mortgage bonds accounted for 66% of all housing debt in December, according to the Urban Institute. That made the sector a benchmark for 30-year mortgage rates, even during the recent refinancing boom, when lenders originated more than $1 trillion in home loans each quarter.
The government's outsized presence in the mortgage market led to swaying in mortgage rates and lending standards after the subprime debacle a decade ago, but it has also guided government housing relief during the pandemic to stave off a wave of evictions and foreclosures.
Many borrowers, rocked by job losses in 2020, stayed in their homes rather than face late fees, collections and worse until the economy could get back on a firmer footing.
Now, forbearance rates on all home mortgages, even those held by banks, have fallen sharply since their pandemic peak, recently set at a low 1.7% in November (see chart), on higher wages and low unemployment.
Declining home loan arrears
In terms of households, that means only about 835,000 homeowners were in forbearance in November, according to Deutsche Bank researchers, compared to 4 million before the pandemic.
Other key departures from the crisis of the last decade are a current housing shortage rather than an oversupply, coupled with a new era of institutional landlords in the single-family home market.
That means deep-pocketed private equity owner Zillow Z, -2.21%,
and other Wall Street-funded firms compete with families looking for property.
Mortgage experts say the momentum could help home prices continue to normalize in 2022, even as 30-year mortgage rates rise and homes become harder for families to afford.
See: High-poverty neighborhoods in Twin Cities are seeing an explosion of investor-owned homes. The Minneapolis Fed is now keeping track
"Rising interest rates won't make house prices go negative, but they can certainly slow house price increases," Scott Buchta, head of fixed income strategy at Brean Capital, said in a phone call.
His forecast says prices will rise 6% to 10% this year, depending in part on where 30-year mortgage rates are headed.
Which rate is too high?
As it did after the 2008 crisis, for the past two years the Fed has loaded its balance sheet with government bonds and agency mortgage-backed securities during the pandemic to maintain liquidity flow and creditworthiness.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell is now hoping for a "soft landing" by raising interest rates and tightening funding conditions to curb inflation without damaging jobs or triggering a recession.
Many on Wall Street now expect short-term interest rates to rise potentially four times this year, from 0% currently to 0.25%. However, longer-term rates are likely to depend on how aggressively the central bank reduces its holdings of mortgage bonds, Buchta said, particularly as the Fed works to bring annual inflation closer to its 2% target of 7% in December.
"I don't think they want to shock the markets," he said, noting that historically, house price inflation has been about 2% to 3% faster than inflation, or about 5% growth per year. "20% is not sustainable."
However, every 100 basis point increase in the 30-year mortgage rate means a loss of purchasing power of about 13% for a homeowner who needs financing, Buchta estimates.
In other words, affordability, which is already an issue for many families looking beyond the market price, could get a lot worse.
See also: Interest rates are rising – but the Fed's actions could make it easier to get a mortgage
According to the Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR), the average selling price in Naples by the end of November 2021 was up 31% compared to November 2020, while inventory was down 76%.
Adam Vellano, Sales Manager in Naples at Compass Florida, states in the November 2021 NABOR report: "Year-on-year business growth of the kind we saw last year is simply not feasible in today's market. But our topic is exactly what all other industries are facing right now: supply. We just become the store that sells out."
Will the real estate market collapse?
"Adam's observation is spot on. Stock is becoming very scarce which means it is a seller's market. If you're 65 or older, there's never been a better time to start selling your home," notes Tom Mann, Vice President of Moorings Park Communities and Senior Living Expert, "I'm seeing the 'data' in real time. In 2021, Moorings Park Communities saw record sales. And everyone who moved in sold their previous home in record time and for record prices." Mann continues, "Most boomers and seniors that we deal with saw it as an opportunity to take money off the table before this real estate market collapses."
Luxury keeps Naples' boomers close by
"Obviously when you sell your home you have to move somewhere, and luckily for us, that choice was overwhelmingly a Moorings Park community. With prices ranging from just $421,000 to over $5 million, Moorings Park's three communities were designed for those with sophisticated tastes – those who want a lifestyle surrounded by beautiful scenery, delicious meals, life-enriching activities and amenities, and the first and want the nation's first prize-winning health and wellness programs," notes Mann.
"One of the reasons we were drawn to Moorings Park Grande Lake was the clubhouse. You really feel like you are in a resort. The three restaurants, the pool, the fitness center, the salon and spa, the theater…everything. It's spectacular!" says Marvin Easton, who recently sold his home in Port Royal.
All three Moorings Park communities not only offer the best and most diverse housing options in the entire Naples area, but also some of the most incredible views in all of Southwest Florida.
Location remains important
Location, location, location. When it comes to real estate, location is the most important variable. All three Moorings Park communities are just minutes from the wonderful restaurants and shops of 5th Avenue South and beautiful Naples beaches. And while location still reigns supreme in the real estate world, luxury accommodation and views come second.
Take Moorings Park, for example, which is just off Goodlette-Frank Boulevard. In a rare opportunity, a limited number of residences are currently available. Located just steps from the infamous clubhouse, these residences offer some of the finest panoramic views in the entire community.
Homes range in size from 882 to 2,700 square feet. They are perfect for those seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle while living in a residence that overlooks the lushly landscaped grounds, parks and shimmering lakes. Moorings Park admission fees range from just $421,000 to over $4 million, with a 50% refund option available. "I expect all 12 of these residences will be reserved by May," confides Mann. "So if you are interested in attainable luxury, now is your chance!"
Located directly on the Golden Gate, the residences at Moorings Park Grande Lake offer a magnificent view of a 75-acre lake framed by the manicured fairways and greens of the Naples Grande Golf Course just beyond.
Moorings Park Grande Lake offers two-bedroom plus den or three-bedroom plans ranging from 2,230 to 2,735 square feet under air, each with the area's largest lanais creating stunning indoor and outdoor living perfect for entertaining.
Two fabulously designed penthouses measuring over 6,000 square feet were also recently released, one of which has already been sold. Moorings Park Grande Lake admission fees start at $1.6 million to over $5 million and are 70 percent refundable, a portion of which is tax deductible.
Moorings Park in Gray Oaks, located directly at Pulling Airport, offers the best of both worlds. In addition to all of the amazing amenities and services found at the luxurious community clubhouse, residents of Moorings Park in Gray Oaks also receive a sports membership at Gray Oaks Country Club, which includes access to three championship golf courses, eight tennis courts, bocce ball , pickleball, casual and fine dining restaurants, resort style swimming pool and spa, wellness center and much more.
"With so many great amenities available to residents of Moorings Park in Gray Oaks, they may have trouble deciding where to start their day — or how to end it," comments Mann. "But that's just one more reason why our Moorings Park at Gray Oaks members are having twice as much fun."
Moorings Park at Gray Oaks consists of stunning residences overlooking three themed gardens as well as penthouse style residences in the clubhouse. The square footage of these spacious homes ranges from 2,067 to over 7,000 square feet. Entry fees start at $1 million, with a 50% refund option available.
Internationally renowned for the very best in wellness
In addition to on-site social and recreational facilities, Moorings Park Communities has also been driving innovation in retirement living for over 41 years, including the latest medical advances, wellness trends for baby boomers and what retirees could be doing to live their best life.
This month, the International Council on Active Aging recognized Moorings Park Communities as the top wellness-based communities in the Americas.
Moorings Park Communities will host an informational presentation explaining why the three Naples area campuses, Mooring Park, Moorings Park at Gray Oaks and Moorings Park Grande Lake, are simply the best in Southwest Florida. And you're invited!
The presentation, hosted by Mann, will touch on the three campuses, all ideally located just minutes from downtown Naples, with an emphasis on the value of each and how accessible the good life is. Guests will be socially distancing and receive a gourmet packed lunch to go at the end of the presentation.
The informational presentation will take place on Wednesday, January 19 at 11:30 am at the Sheffield Theater at Mooring Park's prestigious Center for Healthy Living® at 132 Moorings Park Drive. Moorings Park is located on Goodlett-Frank Road and adjacent to the Country Club of Naples.
Those interested in attending the informational presentation on the 19th are asked to call 239-232-3903 or visit MooringsPark.org/Events by Monday, January 17th.


On the shores of Loch Hosta with panoramic views, this turf-roofed lodge/cabin offers an idyllic holiday retreat. The incredible landscape surrounding the lodge is a paradise for outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts. Loch Hosta is one of the best fishing lochs on the island and home to many visiting birds ranging from golden eagles to corncrakes. A gentle stroll takes you to the beautiful Hosta Beach with its rolling dunes, white sand and turquoise waters. Day trips to the islands of Harris, Lewis, Eriskay and Barra are all easily accessible. Shops and pubs 8 miles, restaurant 10 miles.
All on ground floor: Living room/kitchen with wooden floor, double (5ft) bed and sofa bed. Shower room with toilet.
Multi-fuel burner in living room (initial fuel inc). Oil CH, elec, bed linen and towels inc. DVD. CD. Elec hob. Combi m/wave/oven/grill. W/machine. T/dryer. Enclosed natural garden with sitting-out area and furniture. BBQ. Parking (2 cars). No smoking.
1st comment: Like living in a comfortable bird hide. Great for ornithologist and naturalists. June 2012.
2nd comment: This is a lovely place for a real remote getaway. It's small, but very cosy and a really romantic hideaway. We loved it. Great location on a loch and 10 minutes walk from a beautiful white sand beach with dunes. Birds and wildlife all around. Excellent walks on deserted beaches that stretch for miles. If you're looking to get away from it all - then you can't do much better than this! April 2011.
3rd comment: The property has a fantastic location and with excellent views. The accommodation is very snug and cosy for an individual or couple. The wood burning stove was great and the facilities were good. Oct 2010.
4th comment: Beautiful location and very cosy. Perfect for couples wanting to get away from everything. Sept 2010.
5th comment: Fantastically cosy, quiet hideaway. Well worth the travel. Tons of variety for birdspotters and some awesome beaches nearby. Dec 2010.
6th comment: Liked the location, comfortable, lovely comfortable bed, acceptance of dog with secure garden, peaceful. Aug 2010.
7th comment: Simple and cosy, with great views. The coal fire added to the experience. July 2010.
8th comment: Little and cosy. Great location and great views. Private. July 2010.
9th comment: Exactly like the picture on the web-site in a lovely peaceful area. Plenty of fishing nearby for those inclined and a WOW! factor, beach at Hosta. Had a wonderful time. June 2010.
10th comment: Great location, close to the ferry terminals. Great views from the cabin, very private place. Lovely outdoor terrace. June 2010.


zoom Tony SebastianTony Sebastian has been involved with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for 16 years, and since November 2014 he has served as the chairperson of its International Board – the first Asian person to fill this role.
Born in Sarawak, Malaysia, Mr. Sebastian lives in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. A wildlife ecologist by training and a conservation-planning specialist by profession, he now provides consultancy services in many aspects of development and planning across Asia and the Middle East. He specializes in the fields of conservation, agriculture & wetlands, forestry, policy and international conventions.
Mr Sebastian is committed to strengthening FSC's presence in Asia. He has over 20 years of experience working with governments and non-governmental organizations across 17 Asian countries – including more than 16 years with FSC in Malaysia.


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Don't Link your Facebook Fan Page and Twitter Statuses
Last August Facebook gave Pages administrators the ability to publish their Facebook updates to their Twitter accounts automatically. Administrators can decide whether to share updates with their Twitter followers at all, and if so, which type of information to share, such as status updates, links, photos, notes, and events.
This, my friends, is what my friend Chris Brogan has coined "robot activity." I agree and would go further and say you shouldn't do it.
Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce Social Media Workshops
This morning I presented a couple of workshops for the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce (NY) on Facebook and Twitter, and how they can be effectively used by small businesses. Both sessions were packed with very interesting people, representing health care organizations, personal training, sports marketing, tourism, and so many more. I was particularly excited to meet Megan Ogulnick, who recently moved to this area from Chicago, to fill the roll as Manager of New Media for the Hudson Valley Renegades, and look forward to collaborating on some local networking opportunities.
Division III Releases Social Networking Rule Change for Communicating with Prospective Student-Athletes
The Division III Management Council just released their newly adopted "noncontroversial change to the Division III electronic transmissions limitations." They've given it a retroactive effective date of August 1, 2008 to match when their original legislation went into effect. They've also released this article: "DIII Council opens up use of Read more…
Is Your University Using Twitter to Its Fullest Potential?
Last summer I did research for my independent study project in graduate school that resulted in "The Use of Social Media in Higher Education for Marketing and Communication: A Guide for Professionals in Higher Education." The research was largely done in June and July 2008. During this time, very few Read more…


Although there are several homemade bread recipes out there in cyberspace, finding healthy homemade bread recipes can be a little more challenging to find. Our recipe for Tropical Homemade Bread calls for healthy ingredients, making it one our best healthy homemade bread recipes.
Grease a 9"x5" pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine crushed pineapple, eggs, and bananas in a medium bowl until fully combined.
Add flours, vanilla, salt, baking soda, and brown sugar and mix.
Chop the dried fruits and add to mixture, then add Nature's Eats Macadamia Nuts and Nature's Eats Shredded Coconut. Fold to combine.
Pour batter into baking pan and bake for 50 minutes.
This sweet bread will surprise your taste buds with the bites of dried pineapple, mango, and light crunch of macadamia nuts. This Tropical Homemade Bread is soft and moist with an undertone of banana flavoring.


Seeking a Strong Account Leader - Celtic, Inc.
Are you an account executive at an ad agency looking for growth and new opportunities? Are you interest in broadening your horizons by working on a wide variety of accounts and project assignments? Are you looking for a culture that fosters independence, mutual respect, creativity and fun?
If so, Celtic is seeking an experienced account executive (5 years minimum) to manage a variety of project assignments for our consumer and B2B clients, including: advertising, events, promotions, collateral materials, digital assignments, and more. The individual will work directly with our clients and account teams to develop and execute marketing communication programs that deliver results.
A strong communicator (written and verbal) who can effectively communicate and interact with coworkers, clients, vendors, etc.
Important Note: Please do not submit a resume unless you have a minimum of five years experience as an account executive at a marketing communication agency.
Celtic is a full-service marketing communication agency based in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. Our diverse client base gives us a chance to work on wide variety of campaigns for clients in the active lifestyle, travel and tourism, financial services, manufacturing, and restaurant industries – sometimes all in one day! Our services are just as well rounded as our client base, and include: branding, advertising, media planning and buying, public relations, social media, web development, promotions, and more.
Since 1992, Celtic has built an environment where hard work, creative thinking, and having fun are prized. Our culture is based on respect, flexibility, independence, and the opportunity to grow. Interested in learning more about our agency and culture?
Send your resume to brianm @ celticinc dot com. Include a one-paragraph statement about why you're the best candidate for the position (based on the qualifications above) and how you'll help Celtic excel at account service and project management.


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Technology In The Arts - Emerging Science and Technology Trends > Blog > Technology > Watch SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Launch – the First of Its Five Missions This Year
Watch SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Launch – the First of Its Five Missions This Year
Watch a rare launch of SpaceX's massive Falcon Heavy rocket livestreamed on SpaceX's YouTube channel.
"Nearly five years have passed since the massive Falcon Heavy rocket made its successful debut launch in February 2018," writes Ars Technica.
"Since then, however, SpaceX's heavy lift rocket has flown just three additional times."
Why? It's partly because there is simply not all that much demand for a heavy lift rocket. Another factor is that SpaceX has increased the performance of its Falcon 9 rocket so much that it can complete a lot of the missions originally manifested on the Falcon Heavy. However the main reason for the low cadence has been due to a lack of readiness of payloads for the new rocket, particularly from the US Department of Defense. But now this trickle of Falcon Heavy launches may turn into a flood. [Sunday's launch is the first of potentially five launches this year]
SpaceX completed a hot fire test of the rocket on Tuesday, and declared that the vehicle was ready for liftoff. The rocket will use a brand new core stage, and side-mounted boosters that have flown into space one time, as side-mounted boosters on the USSF-44 Falcon Heavy mission that launched on November 1 2022.
What's it carrying? Space.com writes:
The main payload is a military communications satellite called Continuous Broadcast Augmenting SATCOM 2, which the Falcon Heavy will send to geostationary orbit, about 22,200 miles (35,700 kilometers) above Earth. Also flying Saturday is a rideshare spacecraft called Long Duration Propulsive ESPA (LDPE)-3A, a payload adapter that can hold up to six small satellites, according to EverydayAstronaut.com. LDPE-3A will carry five Space Force payloads on USSF-67. Among them are "two operational prototypes for enhanced situational awareness and an operational prototype crypto/interface encryption payload providing secure space-to-ground communications capability," Space Force officials said in an emailed statement on Friday….
If all goes according to plan, the two side boosters will come back to Earth shortly after liftoff on Sunday, making vertical touchdowns at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, which is next door to NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The central booster will not return, instead ditching into the Atlantic Ocean….
USSF-67 is part of a busy week for SpaceX. The company also plans to launch 51 of its Starlink internet satellites to low Earth orbit atop a Falcon 9 on Thursday, January 19.
Previous Article SpaceX reaches agreement to limit Starlink interference
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I love this trip down memory lane! You bring the scenes to life beautifully and evoke a time that was the beginning of immense change not only in London and England but eventually in and around the Western world. Society has never been the same since.
I concur with the comments of Ceeanna. The piece is truly nostalgic of the 60's and was well written.


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Major new park district fuel reduction work in mid-canyon, by Bill McClung
BACK IN THE 1970S, the Conservancy's secretary and newsletter editor, Marilyn Goldhaber, and her husband Nat lived on Park District land in a small farm house up a driveway about .2 miles above Gelston Road. They raised a few goats, which occasionally got loose onto Claremont Avenue, and generally took care of the land. Their place was connected to Gelston Road, the site of the original Marron ranch house, by an old utility road, along which the previous owners could walk under the live oaks and enjoy wonderful views of Claremont Canyon.
By the 1980s the Goldhabers had moved to Stonewall Road, the old farm house was removed by the Park District, and the pathway to Gelston was recolonized by the dense native north coastal scrub that now characterizes most of the south-facing side of Claremont Canyon. This year, that old farm road is being restored as a part of a major four-part effort of the Park District to improve the wildfire safety of the mid-Canyon area. Substantial reduction of fuels has been achieved around Gelston Road, the house, and the area that was logged in 2006 has been cleared of resprouts and weeds. When completed and maintained, this large area will provide a strategic link in the system of fuel breaks that may be critical to successful fire containment in the future.
We asked Assistant Fire Chief John Swanson to describe what has been done recently by the Park District to maintain and expand the Mid-Canyon fuel reduction zone and he provided these details:
"We removed between 60 and 75 trees from the "MidCanyon Site" on the slope above Claremont Avenue to reduce hazardous fuels, while at the same time improving wildlife habitat. Many of the trees were overhanging or could easily reach Claremont Avenue if they fell, so their removal also mitigates a long-term hazard to traffic and public safety. Most of the trees designated for removal were eucalyptus, though some bays and oaks were also removed to reduce
identified the project as within "proposed critical habitat" for the Alameda whipsnake.
"Tree removal work was preceded by some tree limbing and ladder fuel reduction by a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) crew from Delta Conservation Camp, under the direct supervision of a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE) fire captain. EBRPD Fire Captain Brian Cordeiro specified what work was to be done and then provided oversight.
"Trees were removed by a contractor, Phillips & Jordan, and a subcontractor under their direction. All trees to be removed were individually designated by EBRPD Resource Analyst Kerry Bearg, a professional forester. He was on the site daily to administer the contract and work with the contractor to ensure that the project's fire hazard reduction objectives were being accomplished, while protecting natural resources. Fire Captain Brad Gallup, also a graduate forester, provided additional assistance and oversight.
"Vegetation Management Specialist David Amme from EBRPD's Stewardship Department provided project implementation monitoring and advice.
"The contractor, Phillips & Jordan, was selected through a competitive bidding process.
"Funding was provided largely by a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, through their National Fire Plan Wildland Urban Interface Initiative.
"In the coming weeks, we will be seeding native grasses onto areas of disturbed soil to provide soil cover and protection during the coming winter rainy season. Additionally, we will be assessing other site improvement needs, including maintenance activities for the next several years.
"Following ladder fuel reduction work at the MidCanyon site, the CDCR Delta Crew, supervised by EBRPD Fire Captain Cordeiro, cut and stacked brush and downed ladder fuels. The lower limbs of others were pruned to reduce the vertical continuity of fuels that could otherwise lead to fires ascending into the tree crowns, increasing fire intensity and leading to potential for mid to long-range spotting through ember production.
"The US Fish and Wildlife Service trees along an old trail that parallels Claremont Avenue between Gelston Street and the Mid-Canyon site. Piles will be burned when conditions are favorable."
The Conservancy wishes to express its appreciation for everyone involved in this complex and challenging work.
Newer PostA brief history of wildfire in Claremont Canyon
Older PostMembers tell us what they think, by Marilyn Goldhaber


These are brief explanations of these seven virtues.
Yuki (Valor) Possessing the bravery/courage to face all of life's challenges squarely with a resolute and moral heart. It is important that bravery and courage should not be confused with pride. Bravery and courage are necessary to identify and achieve life's goals and the setbacks that surround them.
Jin (Benevolence) A feeling of good will to all, a magnanimous and compassionate state founded on the understanding that we are all the same and should be treated with the same respect regardless of station or situation. This requires lifelong practice and discipline (shugyo) to counter the more current and prevalent sentiments of judgment, separatism, mistrust, etc.
Gi (Rectitude) Right behaviour, conduct and character. Gi is closely linked to justice and a person that possesses the character to act swiftly and resolutely for the cause of justice. This type of character is not borne of mere intellectual understanding. It is much more an instinctive and intuitive understanding of that which is naturally good and just.
Rei (Etiquette) Rei is refers to the courtesies and conduct required to be a functional contributor to family, dojo, society, etc. This type of conduct, or right action, is not practiced because one may be ostracized if not adhering to such conduct. It is much more important to realize that courtesy is a fundamental right of each individual, a major facet of the Iemoto system, and fundamental to the successful transfer of the lessons of Budo.
and honesty, is comprised of acting and communicating in an honest and rigorous manner as well as possessing the virtue of integrity. Integrity: being truthful, keeping our word, and cleaning up the mess when we do not, is an integral factor in the establishment and nurturing of successful relationships.
Chugi (Loyalty) The primary application of Chugi is detailed in the character Gi or duty. Duty to family, based on filial piety (Ko) is a fundamental aspect of this virtue. Duty and obligation must then transferred to relationships in the dojo and all of life's endeavours. We must also be loyal to our own goals, plans, objectives and the realistic path of attainment. Here, makoto, being absolutely honest with ourselves, is imperative in defining such a realistic path.
Meiyo (Honour) Meiyo could be considered to be the sum – total of the previous six virtues. One practiced in and possessing the above listed virtues would certainly emerge from this disciplined lifestyle as an honourable individual. The self-esteem and honour of such an individual would be consistently above reproach. Like the samurai of old, a stain on one's honour/name, should be a sense of great shame for the Budoka and avoided at all cost.


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India Mahdavi's monograph maps her long, illustrious career in design
India Mahdavi's eponymous monograph reveals the inner workings of the French designer over a fabulous 20-year career
Nicole Newby
Thierry Depagne
More than just a collection of highlights, the monograph also offers a peek inside India Mahdavi's mind
"It's the first time that I used colour in such a radical way, like propaganda. This room became important through the monochromatic use of colour, through the immersive experience that it offered," says Paris-based designer India Mahdavi of the now ubiquitous Millennial Pink that cloaks The Gallery at Sketch, London's "most Instagrammable" restaurant. The 2014 project is among several iconic spaces—restaurants in New York, Paris, and Tokyo; boutique hotels in Mexico and Monte Carlo; residences; and even a private cinema—documented in her new monograph, which maps a 20-year career.
Trained at the Beaux-Arts de Paris, Mahdavi worked as an artistic director for Christian Liaigre before opening her own multidisciplinary practice, followed by a showroom, boutique, and gallery at Rue las Cases. She's best known for her use of colours that feel at once familiar and otherworldly, whether it's the grass greens that hint at a fairy-tale garden at the Ladurée Geneva patisserie or the brilliant, decisive swathes of blue at the Monte-Carlo Beach hotel. She's also launched equally memorable pieces of furniture, such as the Bishop stool, many of which have stemmed from her interior design projects. "With the spaces and experiences I create, I want people to feel that they are the actors and directors of their own lives," says Mahdavi.
More than just a collection of highlights, the monograph also offers a peek inside an artist's mind. Photos of ladyfinger biscuits (the inspiration for the Charlotte chair at The Gallery), fabric swatches, and other disparate objects form mood boards for each project. Replete with a booklet of personal photographs, the book—with every turn of the page—lets the reader slip a little deeper into the wondrous, singular world of India Mahdavi.
In This Story: Beach Design Gallery Hotel India India Mahdavi Interior Design New York Paris Spaces Tokyo


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Home > Sports > Ex-teammates of late triathlete make more abuse allegations against staff
Ex-teammates of late triathlete make more abuse allegations against staff
Former teammates of a late triathlete who took her own life after enduring years of apparent abuse claimed Monday physical and verbal harassment was rampant on their semi-pro club.
In a press conference at the National Assembly, the two triathletes, whose identities were being withheld, supported allegations made earlier by Choi Suk-hyeon, with whom they had competed with on the Gyeongju City Hall team in Gyeongju, 370 kilometers southeast of the capital.
Two teammates of the late South Korean triathlete Choi Suk-hyeon speak at a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul on July 6, 2020, in support of Choi's allegations of physical and verbal abuse by her coaching staff. Their faces are blurred to protect their identities. (Yonhap)
Choi, a junior bronze medalist at the 2015 Triathlon Asian Championships, was found dead on June 26 in her home in Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul. In her last text message to her mother, Choi asked to "expose crimes of those people," in an apparent reference to her alleged abusers.
In months leading up to her passing, Choi had claimed that she was repeatedly struck by her coach, team therapist and two older teammates. She had also been asked to go three days without eating because she'd failed to keep her weight down, and she had once been forced to gobble up 200,000 won (US$167) worth of pastries as a punishment for ordering a soft drink during a team meal.
The two teammates said they had been afraid of repercussions, but they worked up the courage to support Choi and uncover the truth. They apologized to Choi's surviving family for not acting sooner and not joining Choi in seeking criminal charges against the alleged abusers.
"Our triathlon team at Gyeonggju City Hall was an empire for the coach and a select few athletes," they said. "Physical and verbal abuses were common occurrences. The coach constantly hit us, and the team captain was a bully too."
The two teammates supported Choi's claims of abuse and said they are also victims.
"We got hit more than 10 days out of a month, while we were competing in Gyeongju," they added. "I hope that these abusers will admit their guilt and receive due punishment."
In months leading up to her passing, Choi had pressed abuse charges against her coach, team therapist and two older teammates in Gyeongju. In late May, Gyeongju police forwarded Choi's case to the prosecution and recommended an indictment on charges of assault and extortion. It wasn't until last Thursday that Daegu District Public Prosecutors Office said it had been investigating the case and will soon interrogate those facing abuse allegations.
In April, Choi also filed a petition with the Korea Triathlon Federation and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), seeking punishments for her alleged abusers. Neither of the organizations took action.
Choi had made audio recordings of occasions when she was physically and verbally abused by the team staff and teammates, and these disturbing clips had been reported on television news, sparking further outrage nationally.
These two teammates made more shocking claims, and while Choi's allegations centered mostly on the coach and the therapist, the two also pointed to the team captain.
"The captain said Suk-hyeon and her father were both psychos and didn't want anyone to become close to her," one teammate said. "The captain once dragged me to the rooftop and almost forced me to jump off. I had to beg for my life. And when I missed practice with the flu, the captain had someone hit me with a piece of lumber."
The two teammates also alleged the therapist sexually harassed them and claimed, "He once said, 'I am going to drive Suk-hyeon to suicide.'"
The two said Gyeongju police downplayed the gravity of the situation when investigating Choi's charges. They were called in for additional questioning, but a police detective told them he didn't want to hear any more allegations of what Choi had already said, and he felt the alleged abusers would get away with a fine and nothing more.
United Future Party Rep. Lee Yong, former head coach of the national bobsleigh team, helped arrange the press conference and praised the two athletes for their courage in coming forward.
"I will protect them the best I can," Lee added.
Six other Gyeongju triathletes shared their traumatic experiences with Lee.
According to Lee, one triathlete suffered a broken finger after the coach kicked her in the hand, and another had her eardrum ruptured when the coach slapped her in the face.
One athlete was forced to take swimming practice soon after an appendectomy, with stitches still on the area.
Choi earlier claimed she was forced to drink alcohol while training with the Gyeongju club before her high school graduation. One athlete supported the claim, saying the coach forced high school athletes to drink during their training camp in New Zealand in 2015. The underage athletes were told to throw up and keep drinking afterward because they needed that kind of toughness to be triathletes, according to that athlete.
Some of these athletes have already left Gyeongju, and they said they were asked not to talk about rampant abuses to anyone outside Gyeongju.
Choi's tragedy is the latest illustration of a deeply hierarchical, "win-at-all-costs" sporting culture in South Korea, where coaches or older teammates have been known to resort to abusive behavior against younger athletes in the name of getting the most out of them.
It's also a somber reminder of just how far the country has to go to eliminate physical, verbal, emotional and even sexual abuses in sports. It was about 1 1/2 years ago that Cho Jae-beom, former coach for Olympic short track speed skating champion Shim Suk-hee, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for physical assault while also facing trial for sexual assault charges.
National sports officials went up in arms over one of the most high-profile abuse cases involving an athlete, but their repeated calls for stern measures ring hollow now in light of Choi's passing. The national sports community has balked at outside authorities' attempts to reform, but it has to prove capable of cleaning up itself.


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