Question: (Tribune Media Services) -- Look out for cancellation penalties. Beware of energy surcharges. And watch for facilities fees.

Hertz lost $73 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

No, not on your airline ticket. Not on your hotel folio. You may find these new extras on your next car rental bill.

Beleaguered auto rental firms are quietly adding new surcharges designed to lift revenues in a recessionary economy.

To get an idea of how absurd it's becoming meet Jim Swofford. He found a mysterious $5 fee on his Hertz bill recently, which a representative described as a cancellation fee. Car rental companies typically don't charge their customers for cancellations, so Swofford, who frequently rents from Hertz, said he didn't want another car he'd reserved for later.

"That'll be $25," the agent told him.

"So I jokingly said I would not cancel but just be a no-show," he remembers. "She said that would result in a $50 fee."

Or talk to Eric Hegwer, a photographer from Austin, Texas, who spotted a $1 "energy surcharge" on his Hertz car rental bill recently. "My previous rentals didn't have one," he says.

I asked Hertz about the two new surcharges. Company spokeswoman Paula Rivera told me the cancellation fee, which was added in December, applied only to prepaid reservations and is meant to "reimburse Hertz for the paperwork and billing involved with a prepaid reservation."

The fee also covers part of the company's cost of holding vehicles for prepaid reservations. The energy surcharge, which was added in October, bills all rentals in most states an additional $1 a day "to offset the increasing costs of utilities, bus fuel, oil and grease," she said. 1. who lost something?
2. what?
3. when did the lose it?
4. was something new added?
5. what?
6. what was their purpose?
7. who made the addition?
8. who takes photos?
9. where is he from?
10. who spoke for the corporation? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. Hertz
2. $73 million
3. Fourth quarter of 2008.
4. Yes.
5. Surcharges.
6. To lift revenues.
7. Auto rental firms.
8. Eric Hegwer
9. Austin.
10. Paula Rivera.

Q: CHAPTER VII

COLLEGE DAYS

Sam and Grace sat in a corner of the piazza for the best part of half an hour, and during that time the girl told of her various doings at Hope and about the news from home, and Sam related what had occurred at Brill, omitting, however, to tell how Tom had sent Spud and Stanley into the old well hole. There was a good deal of nonsense added to the conversation, and it must be admitted that Sam held Grace's hand as much as she would permit. They also spoke about the wedding of Dick and Dora, and of the good times they had enjoyed on that occasion.

Tom and Nellie took a stroll through a little park opposite the hotel. What they talked about none of the others knew at the time, but Nellie came back looking very sober and thoughtful, so that her sister wondered if Tom had really and truly proposed to her. Tom was whistling softly to himself, as if to keep up his courage.

"Well, I guess it is time to start on the return, if you young ladies have got to be in by ten," said Dick, at last. "Even as it is I haven't allowed any time for punctures or breakdowns."

"Perish the thoughts of such happenings!" cried Grace.

"We've had our blow-out where I like it best--at the hotel," added Sam, and this joke caused a smile.

As before, Dick drove the car, with Dora beside him, and the others in the tonneau. He had all his lights lit, making the roadway almost as bright as day. Once out of town, the oldest Rover put on speed until they were flying along grandly.

1. Unknown.
2. Yes.
3. a little park
4. Two
5. Tom and Nellie
6. Unknown.
7. Tom's proposal.
8. Nellie's sister.
9. by ten
10. Dick
11. Sam and Grace.
12. At Hope.
13. At Brill.
14. Two.
15. Spud and Stanley
16. No.
17. Yes.
18. Dick and Dora
19. Dick.
20. No.

Numbered questions:
1. How many people walked through the plaza?
2. Did anyone walk through a place together?
3. What was it?
4. How many people?
5. Who?
6. What did they speak of?
7. What was it suspected they spoke of?
8. Who thought so?
9. What time did the girls have to leave by?
10. Who said it was time to go?
11. Who had been seated together for around 30 minutes?
12. Where had she previously been?
13. And him?
14. How many people fell in a gap?
15. Who were they?
16. Did he let her know about this?
17. Were they touching?
18. Who was married?
19. Who was driving when everyone left?
20. Was he slow?

input: One South African artist is using the street as his canvas and changing lives in the process.

Ricky-Lee Gordon, who goes by his artist name Freddy Sam, describes himself as a creative activist who hopes to bring about social change through his projects.

His latest ambition is to transform the Cape Town suburb, Woodstock, with murals full of color and positive messages.

He says that business owners are happy for murals to be painted on their buildings because the color is rejuvenating the area.

"The area, the landscape and the architecture is really rundown and neglected so a mural can do a lot for an environment," Gordon said.

"Woodstock is I guess the up and coming art precinct. It was a thriving textile and clothing industry and community. A lot of families would move here to get work in these factories, but these factories unfortunately are closing down," he continued.

Gordon explains that the cheap rent in Woodstock is now attracting artists and galleries to re-locate to the area but it's not the only draw.

"Artists like to be surrounded by real culture, and there's a real culture here. There's a mix of people and it makes for an interesting life on the street," he added.

'Traffic light' artists paint a brighter future

Gordon is also getting the community involved. One of the organizations he works with is the Percy Bartley orphanage, a home to boys aged eight to 18 years.

"When I found out about this home, I proposed to the sponsor to give us funding to rejuvenate the home with colors and murals," Gordon said. 1. What is Gordon's artist name?
2. What city does he live in?
3. What is the name of the orphanage?
4. Who is housed there?
5. What age?
6. What does Freddy Sam paint?
7. What is on them?
8. Do business owners like them?
9. What industry is big in Woodstock?
10. Is rent expensive there?
11. Who does it attract? Return numbered answers in your output.

output:
1. Freddy Sam
2. Woodstock
3. Percy Bartley
4. boys
5. eight to 18 years
6. murals
7. positive messages.
8. yes
9. textile and clothing
10. no
11. artists and galleries