The Penfield, a proposed $62 million, 254-unit luxury apartment building at 10th and Minnesota streets in downtown St. Paul, received its final funding approval Wednesday from a divided city council. Construction could begin in June.

The council voted 4-3 to approve a tax-increment financing district for the building, which will effectively recycle $15 million - 25 years of property taxes generated by the site - back into project development. The city's loan agreement with Dougherty Mortgage is expected to close July 15.

The city will act as developer on the six-story apartment building, which will be bounded by 10th, 11th, Robert and Minnesota streets. A Lunds grocery has signed a long-term lease for the Penfield's ground level, but it will not receive any TIF money or city subsidy. Lunds would be downtown St. Paul's first upscale supermarket.

A Central Corridor light-rail transit station will be situated within two blocks of the site, which once housed the city's downtown law enforcement center.

"This is the last hurdle on the Penfield that requires (city council) action," said council member Dave Thune, chairman of the St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority. "It's real this time. This is probably one of the biggest changes for the whole face of downtown."

Thune hailed the Penfield as a "spectacular" addition, but others were critical.

Using anticipated property-tax money to build projects that are more typical of the private sector is

controversial enough, but the prospect of putting public money toward high-end housing struck some members of the council as a poor idea.

Council President Kathy Lantry had previously expressed concern about exposing the city to financial risk and questioned why the city was concentrating so many resources on a single project, rather than building more affordable housing. On Wednesday, she joined council members Melvin Carter and Russ Stark in voting against the TIF district.

Before the vote, James White, a resident of Fairmount Avenue in St. Paul, told the council he had serious concerns about the Penfield, which has gone through various designs since 2005. Previous plans called for a 40-story tower, a hotel and condominiums. A development partnership, Alatus and Sherman Rutzick & Associates, backed out when the housing market collapsed during the recession.

"If two private developers rejected this project, why are you putting taxpayers on the line?" White said.

Thune said federal mortgage insurance from HUD will back up the deal, and he noted that 46 percent of the housing in downtown St. Paul is already considered affordable or below market rate, much of it aimed at low- to middle-income workers. The Penfield will add more market-rate housing to the mix.

"We need both to have a healthy downtown," he said. In Lowertown, the city also is developing the Lofts at Farmers Market, a five-story, 56-unit luxury rental building at Fifth and Wall streets. He said about half those units have been pre-leased.

Thune's support for the Penfield was echoed by downtown activist Larry Englund, who said adding an upscale grocer and market-rate housing will draw young professionals and spur private development.

Council member Dan Bostrom voted for the project but said his biggest reservation is that the Penfield will not be connected to the skyway system, leaving the redeveloped law enforcement building effectively isolated from the rest of downtown's commercial sector.

"I spent a lot of time at that old building," said Bostrom, a former police sergeant, in an interview after the vote. "That was my home for 26-1/2 years."

The project, which will be managed and marketed by Village Green Residential Properties, is expected to be complete by the end of July 2014.

In other council action Wednesday, council members approved a TIF district for the old Schmidt Brewery on West Seventh Street. A developer, Dominium, plans to turn part of the brewery into 260 units of affordable housing for artists. Thune said the developer hopes to close on the project in May.

Acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the city council also approved low-income housing tax credits for rehab work at St. Alban's Park, a series of affordable housing units along Selby and Dayton avenues. A rehab loan went to the St. Philip's Gardens low-income housing project on Concordia Avenue at Avon Street.

Frederick Melo can be reached at 651-228-2172. Follow him at twitter.com/FrederickMelo.

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St. Paul gives final OK to downtown Penfield project and its Lunds grocery store

At a time when the Minot area can ill afford to lose any potential housing, an early morning fire destroyed a large apartment building Wednesday in southwest Minot.

The fire occurred at Chateau Apartment Homes, located at 1725-2nd Ave. SW, near Arrowhead Shopping Center. It involved only one of the building's two units, the Eastern building, according to Investors Real Estate Trust Properties, owners of the complex.

"Construction was currently under way within both the Eastern and Western buildings of the complex," IRET stated in a prepared release. "The Eastern edifice of the complex contained 32 of the 64 total apartment units at the Chateau."

"The building was under construction because of the flood," said Chief C.J. Craven of the Minot Fire Department. "I believe they had just (gutted) it, so the inside was just bare wood."

Craven said the building was fully involved when fire units arrived.

Craven also said it did not appear that anyone was inside the building at the time of the fire, but he couldn't be sure until the investigation is complete.

IRET stated no injuries were reported in the blaze.

The fire was reported at 2:34 a.m. Wednesday. Fire units were on the scene about five minutes later.

Craven said the building had temporary electrical power for construction purposes, and Montana Dakota Utilities was contacted later Wednesday morning to shut off natural gas to the building.

IRET praised the fire department's work at the scene of the fire.

"We at IRET are extremely grateful for (the fire department's) work to ensure that the nearby neighborhood, its people and property were never in any danger from today's unfortunate fire," IRET said.

Firefighters remained on the scene late Wednesday. Craven said his department will probably work with IRET to erect fencing and get security around the site.

He added that it will likely be Friday before fire officials and insurance investigators dig into the site to try determine a cause.

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Apartment building destroyed in Minot fire

ALBANY, New York, February 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

New Report Added in ResearchMoz Reports Database Clean Coal Technologies Markets and Trends Worldwide, 2nd Edition

Coal is expected to continue to be a dominant fuel in power generation due to its low cost and abundance. Nearly 7 billion tonnes of coal were produced globally in 2010, and over 40% of global electricity was coal powered. On a levelized cost of production basis, the global market value of coal-fired electricity exceeded $400 billion. Nonetheless, conventional coal power generation is a leading contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions and is increasingly being regulated and disincentivized. Further, clean and renewable energy sources are beginning to challenge conventional fossil fuels.

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Clean coal technologies that improve the environmental performance of coal power generation are expected to enable coal to remain an attractive fuel option well into the future. Several clean coal technologies that increase efficiency of coal power plants and reduce emissions are actively being developed and deployed to meet these challenges. As development and adoption of these technologies has increased, the global value of electricity generation using clean coal technologies has concurrently grown to $63 billion in 2010 and is further expected to grow to $85 billion by 2020.

While coal washing, particulate, and emissions treatments have been in use for several decades, recent advances in these technologies have substantially improved the effectiveness and reduced the cost of these solutions. As a result of these advances and increasing emissions regulation around the world, the adoption of technologies that reduce SO2, NOx and particulate emissions has accelerated over the past decade. Concurrently, combustion technologies including super critical (SC), ultra-super critical (UC) pulverized coal combustion (PCC), and circulating and pressurized fluidized bed combustion (FBC) technologies are increasing the power conversion efficiencies of coal power plants. These advanced technologies have enabled simultaneous improvements in emissions and economics of coal-fired generation. Advanced power plant designs incorporating gasification and combined cycle power generation (IGCC) have also been recently commercialized and have demonstrated significantly higher efficiencies of up to 45 percent. Such high efficiency coal power technologies reduce the production of carbon dioxide as they combust less coal per unit of power generated and have demonstrated emissions reductions of up to 33 percent over conventional pulverized coal technologies.

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However, the greatest opportunity for the coal industry to reinvent itself as a clean power source lies in the maturation and deployment of carbon capture and sequestration technologies (CCS). CCS technologies enable the capture of carbon dioxide from coal power conversion processes and sequester it in underground and offshore geological formations; virtually eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from coal combustion. While CCS technologies and processes have been leveraged in industrial and oil and gas applications for decades, it is only in recent years that the technologies have been adapted and demonstrated on large-scale coal power plants. The success of these early projects could pave the road for truly clean coal power.

Global Clean Coal Technologies and Markets provides a detailed discussion of the key technologies, deployed or in development, to address the environmental impact of coal. The various clean coal technologies that hold the most promise for commercial deployment are discussed in the report. CCS and other clean coal technologies are reviewed from the point of view of their current status, likely future performance and R&D needs, and potential for commercial adoption. The report also includes a broad review of the market for clean coal technologies for coal-fired electricity generation. The global market demand for coal, electricity, and clean coal-fired electricity is quantified and projections for growth in demand are provided, along with the key factors influencing this growth in leading coal consuming nation around the world. Global Clean Coal Technologies and Markets details the current and projected percentage of electricity generated by clean coal technologies. The historical and projected market value of the clean coal technologies is also covered. The report includes profiles of 15 companies actively engaged in the clean coal market, and also details current and potential US employment in the sector. The ongoing research, development, commercialization and deployment of clean coal technologies is expected to generate a significant number of direct, indirect and induced jobs over the next 10 to 15 years. The construction and operation of coal-fired power plants that incorporate clean coal technologies will also result in the creation of tens of thousands of jobs across a variety of sectors. The report provides an overview of coal- and electricity-related employment and details projections for expected growth.

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Report Methodology

The information in Global Clean Coal Technologies and Markets is based on primary and secondary research. Primary research entailed gathering information from firms and individuals involved in development of clean coal technologies, coal production, and coal-fired electricity generation to obtain information on the developing market and factors shaping the industry. Secondary research entailed data gathering from relevant sources, including government and industry publications, company literature and corporate annual reports.

What You'll Get in This Report

Global Clean Coal Technologies and Markets contains important insights and projections regarding the future of this market around the world. The report provides both comprehensive data and analysis. Subscribers will benefit from extensive data, presented in easy-to-read and practical charts, tables, and graphs.

Global Clean Coal Technologies and Markets provides a detailed discussion of the key technologies, deployed or in development, to address the environmental impact of coal-fired electricity generation as well as broad review of the global market for clean coal technologies for coal-fired electricity generation. The global market demand for coal, electricity, and clean coal-fired electricity is quantified and projections for growth in demand are provided, along with the key factors influencing this growth in leading coal consuming nation around the world. The report includes profiles of 15 companies actively engaged in the clean coal market, and also details current and potential US employment in the sector.

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If your company is already doing business in the energy markets, or is considering entering the marketplace, you will find this report invaluable. It provides a comprehensive package of information and insight not offered in any other single source. You will gain a thorough understanding of the current global market for clean coal technologies, as well as projected markets and trends through 2020.

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ResearchMoz: Clean Coal Technologies Markets and Trends Worldwide, 2nd Edition

RESTAURANT REVIEW To standard pupusas and a hearty breakfast, this cafe adds an array of traditional dishes. By JILL WENDHOLT SILVA The Kansas City Star

By JILL WENDHOLT SILVA The Kansas City Star

Updated: 2012-02-23T01:26:12Z

Keith Myers

A vibrant “Savior of the World” mural watches over El Salvadoreño’s diners in downtown Overland Park.

El Salvadoreño

7926 Santa Fe Drive

Overland Park

913-871-6165

No website

Facebook: Yes

Star rating

Food: ??½

Service: ??

Atmosphere: ??

Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Entree average: $

Vegetarian options: Bean and cheese or loroco (like broccolini) pupusas, boiled and fried yucca, traditional breakfast without beans, enchiladas with no meat or ask your server.

Handicap accessible: Yes

Kids: High chairs are available.

Noise level: Perfect for pleasant conversation.

Reservations: First come, first served. But call for parties of more than six.

Star code:?  Fair, ?? Good, ??? Excellent, ???? Extraordinary

Price code: $ Average entree under $10; $$ Average entree under $20; $$$ Average entree under $30; $$$$ Average entree over $30

Code of ethics: Starred reviews are written after a minimum of two visits to a restaurant. When required, reservations are made in a name other than the reviewer’s. The Star pays for reviewer’s meals.

What to drink

El Salvadoreño does not have a liquor license. Still, the blenders behind the bar get a workout.

The café’s drink menu includes plenty of “liquados,” served in both slushy and milkshake styles. Horchata and fresh-squeezed limeade are popular, as is the tamarindo, an iced drink that tastes roughly like a cross between apple cider and iced tea.

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El Salvadoreño offers a taste of El Salvador in JoCo

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b426a8/construction_chemi) has announced the addition of the "Construction chemicals market in Poland, 2011" report to their offering.

Construction chemical market in Poland, 2011, Development forecasts for 2011-2014 is a unique compilation of data, news and market analysis, focused on five major segments and product groups: mixed building mortars, ceramic tile bonding agents, flooring adhesive compounds, and plasters used for interior and exterior purposes. The report includes information on value, structure, leading producers and consumer buying habits. It forecasts market growth based on consumer information and economic and industry growth statistics.

The centerpiece of this valuable document is a survey of 400 industry professionals that provides input on top producers, purchasing habits, and factors considered in choosing products. The survey includes bricklayers, tiling specialists, thermal insulation installation experts, and plaster and flooring installation experts. PMR's team of professional analysts has taken their extensive input and utilized it to calculate statistics and compile listings of the most popular products, manufacturers and distribution channels in the country.

The report also examines factors currently influencing the market and those expected to do so during the forecast period. Trends in pricing, improved chemical application processes, contractor improvements and fluctuating market shares of key producers are responsible for recent market developments and have significant potential to affect the future. Construction chemical market in Poland, 2011, Development forecasts for 2011-2014 addresses these issues and more, including analysis of the product selection process and consumer reviews of nine market leaders: Atlas, Baumit, Henkel, Izolbet, Knauf, Kreisel, Mapei, Saint Gobain and Selena.

Key Topics Covered:

Methodology Executive summary Adhesives for ceramic tiles and other types of cladding Masonry mortar Thermal insulation systems Floor screed Traditional thick-coat plaster Interior finish plaster Cross-case analysis of the survey by product groups Development forecasts for 2012-2014 Competitive environment of the construction chemicals market List of graphs List of tables

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b426a8/construction_chemi

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Research and Markets: Construction Chemicals Market in Poland, 2011

Tenants: Dick's Sporting Goods, J.C. Penney, Macy's and Sears are anchors; more than 120 other stores.

Moving in: Green Spa massage center, The Limited, Smart Toys.

Renovating: Aeropostale, American Commodore, American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, Belongings (added Pandora jewelry), Buckle, Cache, Charlotte Russe, Claire's, Dairy Queen/Orange Julius, Express (adding men's clothing), Freedom Wireless, Gap, Hat World (changing to Lids), Hot Topic, Justice, Kay Jewelers (expanding), Mastercuts, Morini, Motherhood Maternity, Pacific Sunwear, Pro Image, Starbucks Coffee, Wet Seal, Yankee Candle.

More West Hills news, discussion, events and more at YourMoonTownship.com

Kim Leonard is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review staff writer and can be reached at 412-380-5606 or via e-mail.

The Mall at Robinson said Wednesday it will add stores and remodel common areas while 25 of its tenants freshen up with a whole new look, or at least new paint and carpet.

The mall owned by Forest City Enterprises Inc. marked its 10-year anniversary in October. Mall officials asked tenants to upgrade after a decade at their own expense, said Beth Edwards, general manager, and, "Most of them do want to provide their latest look."

As to new stores, The Limited will open at the mall by Nov. 1, Smart Toys will open in April and a Green Spa massage center, by the end of March.

The most dramatic change may be Express' move to a larger space, with the addition of men's clothing, Edwards said. Buckle and American Eagle Outfitters will remodel to their newest store concepts, and work will be staggered through the year so that not too many stores will be under construction at once. Some retailers may move temporarily.

The Mall at Robinson also will replace carpet and otherwise upgrade common areas. Installation of Wi-Fi access to the Internet was completed in the last three weeks, she said.

Established malls need to switch it up occasionally. "For a mall that has been around about a decade or so, you want to keep it exciting or shoppers will go somewhere else" such as newer centers, said Audrey Guskey, marketing professor at Duquesne University.

"It pays for stores to be constantly upgrading. The atmosphere is very important." The growing Settlers Ridge retail complex that opened three years ago is about a mile from the mall.

Edwards said she doesn't know much Forest City is investing in upgrades to The Mall at Robinson. The center's tax assessment was reduced last year from $104.7 million to $93.5 million.

And Cleveland-based Forest City said this month that while it has no immediate plans to divest properties in Pittsburgh, it plans to focus on rental properties in seven cities that don't include Pittsburgh or Cleveland.

Paige Beal, marketing professor at Point Park University, said it's standard for malls to stipulate that stores be upgraded every 10 to 15 years. "It's not in the mall's best interests to have a store become obsolete or old-looking," she said.

Edwards said the mall, 96 percent occupied, also is looking to diversify its store mix with options for professionals and other, more mature shoppers -- in addition to keeping stores that appeal to teens and young families.

?

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Mall at Robinson polishing itself up, adding tenants

DISCLAIMER: Thank you for visiting WOI's My Home Web Site. The information provided on this site is contributed by our medical partners, each of whom has paid a fee in order to provide content on their particular medical specialty. The information provided through this site is provided as general health guidelines and intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It may not be applicable to your particular health condition and is not intended as a substitute for the individual advice of a qualified medical professional. Our medical partners are solely responsible for the content they have provided here, and for ensuring that such content is accurate and complies with applicable laws. WOI is not responsible for this content, does not sponsor or endorse the goods or services of our participating partners, and makes no representation with respect to the accuracy of the content herein provided or the goods and services of those who have provided it.

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ABC5 WOI-DT News, Weather, Sports in Des Moines, IAMy Home, Des Moines, IA, Directory of Local Business Leaders, Your ...

POSTED: 11:46 pm MST February 22, 2012 UPDATED: 11:56 pm MST February 22, 2012 RIRIE, Idaho -- Flash flooding devastated a home near Ririe Wednesday.The extremely high winds and warm temperatures caused snow to melt in the higher elevations and flow toward the home on Birch Creek Road. Flood waters filled up the home's basement and washed out the sewer. Much of his front yard is now a mud pit.Todd O'Dell has lived with his family in the home for 9 years and says he's never seen flooding like Wednesday's.?I'm at the bottom of the hill and it just piled up right in my front yard,? he said.O'Dell said he was nearly done remodeling the basement when the flood waters completely knocked out all progress.?This winter has been a really weird winter weather-wise,? he said. ?The ground's frozen. (The water) just comes everywhere you can possibly imagine.?Wednesday was a rough day for O'Dell, but he says it will all work out.?You gotta deal with it. There's a lot of people out there who are in worse conditions than I.?O'Dell said he's thankful for the Bonneville County Road and Bridge crew as well as friends and neighbors who responded quickly to the emergency.One other home on Birch Creek Road flooded Wednesday, but luckily it was contained to the front yard. View the discussion thread.blog comments powered by

Original post:
Flash Flood Hits Ririe Home

Sears Home Services Puts Top-Shelf Cabinets Within Reach

Longwood, FL (PRWEB) February 22, 2012

When designing a dream kitchen or simply updating the space for resale, the installation of new kitchen cabinets can make a world of difference in solving lifestyle, workspace and storage issues. Sears Home Services’ cabinet installation services offers both budget and environmentally friendly options for new kitchen cabinets.

“Before buying new kitchen cabinets, it’s important to address the four key organizational storage areas,” said Ginger Jackson, manager, Sears Home Services. “By making the most of every space in your kitchen, you can reduce clutter, keep what you need within reach and update your home’s style.”

Jackson outlines the four key storage areas to consider before planning for your new kitchen cabinet installation:

1.    Kitchen Storage – Adding easy-to-reach cabinets, a built-in spice rack, Lazy Susan, wine wrack or even a roll-out pantry will greatly expand a kitchen’s storage space and update its appearance.

2.    Food Preparation – Adequate workspace is key to satisfaction in the kitchen, so the addition of a kitchen island that integrates cabinets into the design allows for increased storage and functionality.

3.    Cooking Areas – To make food preparation and cooking areas safer and more convenient, consider adding storage drawers and cabinets to keep items like utensils, pots, pans and hot pads within easy reach of the stove and oven.

4.    Clean-up – Most modern kitchens include elements for easy cleanup in the design, like a handy pullout waste container by the sink, and cabinets for glasses and plates near the dishwasher.

Selecting the right company for your cabinet installation is an important part of the planning process. It is critical that the contractor provides the following:

For nearly a decade, Sears Home Services has provided cabinet installation services to millions of homeowners across the county. From kitchen remodeling to cabinet refacing services, all work is backed by Sears Home Services satisfaction guarantee. For more information or to access kitchen remodeling tips, visit http://www.searshomeservices.com.

About Sears Home Services

Sears Home Services is a division of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), the nation’s fourth largest broadline retailer with more than 4,000 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. As the nation’s largest provider of homes services, Sears Home Services provides more than 11 million service calls annually. For more information, visit the website at http://www.searshomeservices.com.

###

Larry Costello
Sears Home Services
847-286-9036
Email Information

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Sears Boosts Home Value with New Kitchen Cabinet Installation and Offers Environmentally Friendly Cabinets Choices

On-Site continuing education course provides 21 LU/HSW/SD credit hours from the American Institute of Architects with surviving examples from millennia of building history.

Msida, MALTA (PRWEB) February 23, 2012

Six-thousand-year-old ancient structures are a starting point for an illustration of a multi-disciplinary approach to the preservation of historic properties. “Conservation of Architectural Heritage” will use classroom lecture, labs and escorted field trips to introduce a working concept of the marriage of architecture, archaeology and other sciences. Details of the course #G127MLA101 are available on-line at http://www.OTSF.org/AIACES.htm. Offered in both March and October 2013, the 10-day on-site course addresses options and methodologies for safeguarding irreplaceable built heritage, while still attending and protecting the needs of the modern public that seeks to experience it. Registered architects and designers will earn 21 Learning Units in the essential field of Sustainable Design.

The islands of Malta and Gozo, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere in the world. Malta's patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire's most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. Participants in this course will be introduced to these challenges by a team of specialists who are actively working on different aspects of the preservation of Malta's built heritage.

The course includes visits to several of the most salient of the island's monuments accompanied by a heritage conservation specialist, and which will be used as case studies to illustrate and stimulate discussion of some of the management and conservation challenges presented in the course lectures.

By introduction to many successful examples of adaptive reuse over centuries, participants will gain experience and inspiration for application in their practice. They can expect to design new public projects with a fuller historic understanding of the evolution of monumental architecture, particularly the world’s purest and most original expression of sensitivity to the union of nature and preplanned enclosed ceremonial space. Most attendees will also correct their education about the beginning of architecture.

Malta and Gozo are home to megalithic structures that were created by a highly developed people more than a thousand years ahead of Stonehenge and the pyramids. The earliest known use of forecourts, retaining walls, and ring compression systems are evidenced in megalithic construction. Malta’s extraordinary Hal-Saflieni Hypogeum mirrors design features of the temples including corbelled ceilings in a superb subterranean example of architecture in the negative. Ongoing research by the University of Malta in the field of archaeoacoustics and the sound behavior of the Hypogeum have been introduced on major television networks.

For a free brochure, email postal address to AIACES(at)OTSF(dot)org

The course is provided by the Florida-based nonprofit OTS Foundation and the University of Malta’s Faculty for the Built Environment. OTSF is a registered provider for the American Institute of Architects, has operated for Elderhostel and currently runs a Malta program for the Road Scholar organization of adventures in lifelong learning. Educational outreach about Malta's megalithic legacy and new research in the field of archaeoacoustics are currently being prepared by OTSF for a travelling lecture in the USA.

###

Linda Eneix
The OTS Foundation
941 918 9215
Email Information

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American Architects to Study the World’s Oldest Freestanding Buildings for Lessons in Conservation and Sustainable ...