A Cleveland hospice center has started working with Tom Davis, the owner of Aerial Anthropology to provide patients with a final trip. Aerial Anthropology will send a drone to the location of the patient’s choice and relay a real-time view. One man decided to use the drone to fly over his former neighborhood, job site and church. Another woman decided to get a final view of the lake her family had been visiting for generations.

The idea came to Tom when the daughter of a friend became so sick she was not able to leave the house. Davis planned to use the drone to take the child on a tour of her favorite places but luckily she recovered before the flight.  Tom decided his idea would be more beneficial for individuals who will not recover, giving them a temporary reprise from their confinement.  The program has been a huge success in Cleveland. Before the program began patients often asked hospice workers to drive them by landmarks that hold importance and sentimental value.

Tom Davis hopes to expand the program nationwide.

Half of Florida’s real estate licensees must be renewed by September 30, 2017. Real estate professionals can determine when their license expires by searching the Florida Licensing Portal.

How do I renew my Florida real estate broker or sales associate license?

1. Complete the 14 hours of continuing education including 11 hours of specialty and 3 hours of Florida Law Core – Florida Approved Online HD Video Continuing Education Courses
2. Step 2: Go to MyFloridaLicense account to renew your license and pay the appropriate renewal fee
   Brokers – $77 | Sales Associates – $69

What happens after I complete my Florida real estate broker or sales associate continuing education?

Real Estate Training Institute will submit your continuing education certificates to the state within 1 to 2 business days. Once your continuing education has been submitted you can complete the renewal process
*You will be able to print a copy for your records immediately after course completion.

Do I have to complete continuing education if my license Florida real estate license is inactive?

Yes. Inactive license holders must complete 14 hours of continuing education including 11 hours of specialty and 3 hours of Florida Law Core and pay state renewal fees – Brokers – $77 | Sales Associates – $69

As of July 1, 2015, all Rhode Island contractors must obtain 5 hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle. Renewal cycles begin the day contractors receive a license and end on the first day of the month two years later. If you received your card on May 15^th, 2015, your renewal date is May 1, 2017.

Builders License Training Institute offers approved online continuing education classes in a complete 5-hour package or as individual courses at www.licensetobuild.com/.  Classes are mobile friendly and available from the date of purchase to the end of the renewal cycle, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Course certificates are submitted by Builders License Training Institute the next business day.

A recent study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution details a surprising experiment involving tomato plants and Beet Armyworms. Beet Armyworms are an invasive species of caterpillar from Southeast Asia that wreaks havoc on a wide variety of vegetation including asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, turnips, and tomatoes. The caterpillars are incredibly detrimental to plants because they feed on foliage and fruit.

Recent experiments may have found a solution to the Armyworm problem. Scientists sprayed tomato plants with a concoction of chemicals designed to induce a defensive response. Defense responses are common among plants, for example, coffee and nicotine are both byproducts of plants intended to stave off pests. To the surprise of the scientists, the caterpillars cannibalized before eating plants using the defense response. Perhaps even more fascinating, the plants communicated the defense response amongst themselves until the entire plot was emitting the defense response, including plants that had no interaction with the spray. Continued experiments are necessary for scientists to determine new, less invasive ways to trigger the defense response but this may be the start of a new, very effective, method of controlling pests.

 Building on Budget by Design is approved continuing education for AIA members in all 50 states!

Course Description
This course is designed to teach the benefit of good design for meeting client needs and budgets. By the end of this course, you will know how to use design to limit costs associated with materials and labor, within the scope of current codes and regulations.

After completing this course you will be able to integrate design concepts with current codes and regulations, translate the intentions and goals of the customer into a safe and cost effective project, understand the process of securing the appropriate information that will help to develop a scope, schedule, and budget. Additionally, you will be able to develop a building program that provides for less complexity and better price understanding through design adjustments. You will also learn to outline at least one design strategy based on site standards, code compliance, requested design and budget, and utilize current materials and goods to ensure proper construction practices, all with an eye for budgetary constraints.