Money Conversion

The great news received last week from the Heritage Lottery Fund means that the 125-year lease on the Arts and Crafts Centre can now finally be signed between Bury Council and the Fusiliers. The building will be formally handed over to Lieutenant Colonel Eric Davidson next Monday by council leader Wayne Campbell and chief executive Mark Sanders. Colonel Eric will be responsible for the building's management until the contractors take over the site to begin the conversion work at the beginning of July.

Ever mindful of the money which still needs to be raised to complete the project, the steering group have elected to press on with the project in spite of a £400,000 shortfall to ensure that the costs do not rise through inflation. The costs of construction are currently estimated to rise by about four per cent each year so a delay in a £3.4 million project can quickly result in having to raise a further £136,000 to cover the increase in costs.

Poway eyeing Oak Knoll apartments for conversion to low-income homes

POWAY ---- Pressured by the state to plan more low-income housing, city officials say they're thinking about turning some of the aging apartment buildings along Oak Knoll Road into homes for low- and very low-income residents.The idea is tucked inside a housing plan the city plans to submit to the state in the next few months.

TICs growing in popularity, price and swankiness

"Newly remodeled elegant (unit) with custom finishes and traditional details. Three bedrooms (incl. Master Suite), two baths + den. Custom kitchen w/Viking appliances, Bosch d/w, granite counters & breakfast area. Formal living & dining room have/wood burning fireplace, leaded glass doors & original built-ins. Master has walk-in closet & bath w/marble, soaking tub & cherry cabinetry. Hardwood floors throughout. Upgraded electrical & plumbing, independent parking & storage ... $1,195,000."

If this sounds like one of those swanky condo developments, think again. This million-plus home is really a three-letter acronym that once spelled the kiss of real estate death: TIC.

In the early days of the real estate boom, the tenancy in common, or TIC, presented the bleeding edge of affordable homeownership in San Francisco.

Sudan: South Sudan to Get One Currency

Forged Ugandan and Kenyan shillings are circulating in Sudan. On February 26, Badru Mulumba interviewed Kornelio Koriom Mayik, the director of the Bank of Southern Sudan (BoSS) about the forged currencies and why donors refused to fund the harmonisation of the currency

Crusaders teach Force respect

Wellington - The Canterbury Crusaders punished the Western Force for a lack of respect in the 10th round of rugby's Super 14, beating the Perth-based team 53-0 for their 100th win in the tournament. The Crusaders, now a threatening second on the championship table, are the benchmark by which all Super 14 teams are measured, having won six Super 12 titles in 10 years and last year's inaugural Super 14. By that standard alone, they have earned the respect of their opponents. But the Force, dizzied by their rise to third place on this season's ladder, showed scant respect for the Crusaders' record in the leadup to the game. .

Manly grind out tough win over Warriors

The Manly Sea Eagles have crafted a tough win at Brookvale today, defeating the Warriors 13-10, after trailing 6-0 at the halftime break. The Sea Eagles claimed their fourth successive Premiership victory with a powerful second half to storm home over a Warriors side that ultimately lost it's legs in the late stages of the game. Brett Stewart's first half, while brilliant in attack and defence, served him short as he was denied up to three tries either through great Warriors defence, or silly errors by fellow players that cost him the four pointers. His dues finally were paid after halftime as he scored the second of Manly's two quick tries between the 50th and 60th minutes to turn a six-point deficit into a 4-point lead. New Zealand opened the scoring earlier in the match, crossing after 14 minutes through pointscoring machine Tony Martin, who converted his own try.

Google: Master Of Closing The Loop?

I gave SEO Book's Aaron Wall a big mention for his piece on trust earlier this week, but he's got another post out now that deserves as much attention: Google as the Invisible Hand of the Online Economy. In it, he covers things such as how by being everywhere, Google reinforces things for Google itself. It's not necessarily a new concept, but he freshens it up by looking at some recent moves. Check it out, and I'll share some of my own thoughts below on how Google continues to "close the loop" and establish systems that reinforce its dominance. Could that potentially set it up for an anti-trust move?