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Noteworthy

Briefs and news of note.

By TIMES WIRES
Published May 20, 2006

Sherpa takes 16th trip up Everest

A Sherpa guide whose friends have refused to let him retire got his 16th view of the world from its highest peak Friday - extending his record. Appa, who like most Sherpas uses only one name, reached Mount Everest's 29,035-foot peak while guiding a group of international climbers. The modest, slightly built 46-year-old guide is one of the most respected climbers in the mountaineering community. He says his wife does not like to see him risk his life, but the family depends on the once-a-year climb, for which he earns about $1,500. Several other Sherpa guides have made the ascent 10 times.

Model Mao portrait available to high bid

A portrait of China's founding communist leader is getting the ultimate capitalist treatment. The 36-by-27-inch painting of Mao Tse-tung that was used as a model for portraits hung above Beijing's Tiananmen Square in the 1950s and '60s will be sold at auction June 3, and is expected to bring $120,000-$150,000 at the sale, which is open to both Chinese and foreign bidders. Mao led communist forces to power in 1949 after a civil war. He ruled until his death in 1976, plunging China into repeated upheavals that killed millions of people.

THE UNUSUAL

In case of doubt, just read the tattoo

To be clear, Mary Wohlford of Decorah, Iowa, does not want to be resuscitated. In fact, if she shows up in an emergency room, doctors will find those instructions. Tattooed. On her chest. Wohlford, 80, got the "Do not resuscitate" tattoo in February. While she hopes she has made her wishes perfectly clear, some experts doubt that the tattoo would be legally binding, though they gave her credit for originality. Wohlford also has a living will hanging on the side of her refrigerator.

UPDATE

Ecoterrorism

A federal grand jury has indicted four people in a 1998 firebombing at a Vail ski resort that caused an estimated $12-million in damage, one of the most devastating ecoterrorism attacks in U.S. history. Two of the suspects are in custody in Oregon facing arson charges in separate cases. The whereabouts of the other two suspects, Josephine Sunshine Overaker, 31, and Rebecca J. Rubin, 33, are unknown.

The week ahead

TODAY: Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki to announce new Cabinet.

SUNDAY: Citizens of Montenegro vote on a referendum on whether the tiny republic should become independent from Serbia, completing breakup of former Yugoslavia.

TUESDAY: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meets with President Bush for first time.

THURSDAY: Pope Benedict XVI begins four-day visit to Poland.

FRIDAY: Congress begins recess until June 5.

[Last modified May 20, 2006, 07:58:15]