Imagine a tour of Portland offered by landscape architects. They would probably take you off the beaten tourist path, perhaps to narrow Vera Katz Park.

Here, they would explain that the greenery was cleverly designed alongside the Portland Armory annex, the first building on the National Register of Historic Places to earn the highest green building certification, and the repurposed home of Portland Center Stage.

Yes, smart use of existing buildings, energy, water, nature and transportation are top topics for a profession focused on sustainable, urban design.

And landscape architects are in heaven here, according to the Landscape Architect's Guide to Portland, Oregon, a new digital guide to the city that can be viewed on a smartphone, tablet or computer screen, with links to downloadable maps and bike routes.

It's a great guide for visitors to become acquainted with Portland's five "quadrants" and for residents to be reminded of the city's leading role in providing parks and plazas, as well as less scenic waste management systems. There's even a nod to theMississippi Avenue Food Cart Pods and the Pearl District Brewery Blocks.

The free guide was researched and written by members of theOregon Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects to educate city leaders, urban planners and designers around the world.

At the Oct. 7 launch party at the urban-oasis Lan Su Chinese Garden, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said, "ASLA is one of the secret weapons for livability. The profession blends the built environment with the natural environment. This guide is a visual portrayal of the unique elements that we are so proud of here."

Portland's landscape architects -- from those who established grand parks in theearly 20th century to those creating waterfront parks and bicycle infrastructure today -- have played a crucial role in making the city a better place to live, said Mark A. Focht, president of ASLA and first deputy commissioner of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.

"Landscape architects have long played a major role in designing the city's public realm, and the key spaces between buildings that serve as the connective tissue for communities," said Focht.

Lloyd Lindley, who heads his eponymous Portlandurban design, planning and landscape architecture firm, introduces the guide by explaining Portland's evolution since agrarian Native Americans civilizations and speculates about the future of sustainability, including renewable energy efforts.

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Guide to sustainable Portland: American Society of Landscape Architects applaud PDX successes

HOUSTON --

Ada Palmer said a sign from the city of Houston appeared in her front yard on Thursday, only to disappear days later. It required her to "cut high grass and weeds" on her property by October 25, or face a fine.

"The main feeling I had is like I was attacked," said Palmer.

The grandmother, who has spent her life running her own lawn service, takes pride in her knowledge of plants and flowers.

"I don't think it's ugly," said Palmer. "Right now, it looks like a weed because it goes to seed in the fall."

The city defines a weed as "a rank and uncultivated growth .. more than 9 inches in height .. or which, regardless of height, is liable to become unwholesome."

Palmer's neighbors don't seem to have any problem with her yard.

"I think it's a natural landscape design, nothing that's uncommon," said neighbor Giovanni Delacruz.

"It's wonderful from my window. It looks nice. I enjoy it," said neighbor Rajesh Garee.

Palmer said she's willing to mow a little for the sake of compromise, but she sure hopes it won't come to that.

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Elderly woman's yard center of neighborhood complaint

HOUSTON --

Ada Palmer said a sign from the city of Houston appeared in her front yard on Thursday, only to disappear days later. It required her to "cut high grass and weeds" on her property by October 25, or face a fine.

"The main feeling I had is like I was attacked," said Palmer.

The grandmother, who has spent her life running her own lawn service, takes pride in her knowledge of plants and flowers.

"I don't think it's ugly," said Palmer. "Right now, it looks like a weed because it goes to seed in the fall."

The city defines a weed as "a rank and uncultivated growth .. more than 9 inches in height .. or which, regardless of height, is liable to become unwholesome."

Palmer's neighbors don't seem to have any problem with her yard.

"I think it's a natural landscape design, nothing that's uncommon," said neighbor Giovanni Delacruz.

"It's wonderful from my window. It looks nice. I enjoy it," said neighbor Rajesh Garee.

Palmer said she's willing to mow a little for the sake of compromise, but she sure hopes it won't come to that.

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Elderly woman's yard center of complaint

Its that magical time of year when brightly colored yard signs dot the landscape of our neighborhoods, confirming our political suspicions about the neighbors we do not like. One particular set of signs caught our eye over the last week or so and theyre for a candidate we vote for every time we make scrambled eggs.

TexJoys adorable election signs have popped up around Old Town with slogans like My vote is at steak and Yes, we cayenne. They dont lobby for one side or the other; theyre just reminding you to, as the sign reads, Vote 4 flavor.

And to, you know, vote in general.

Early voting started today, so heres a little information to guide you on your magical election adventure. Have fun rocking the vote. (Do people still say that?) Local early voting locations Whats on the Nov. 4 ballot Davis, Abbott divided on SE Texas issues

beth@thecat5.com @BeaumontBeth on Facebook & Twitter

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Yes we cayenne: TexJoy's election yard signs are adorable

What Plainfield Central started on Friday night along Harvey Rd., the Oswego East football team was able to finish and return in kind.

Yielding several big plays early and trailing 17-0 in the second quarter, the Wolves solidified and saw big plays of their own on the way to a 34-17 win.

Oswego East improved to 2-5, with a 1-4 mark in Southwest Prairie Conference action, and visiting Plainfield Central fell to 0-7, and 0-5 in the SPC landscape.

Helping the winning effort was the triumphant return of senior quarterback Tyler Kennedy, back from a knee injury sustained in the first week and last previous win for the Wolves over Woodstock.

"This is Tyler's second year in the system and he understands what we're trying to do," Oswego East head coach Tyson LeBlanc said.

Also back was senior tight end Noah Mlsna, who was injured in preseason prep.

"Getting Noah back was big, both Tyler and Noah has good games today. When we have Tyler behind center it gives us a little extra confidence," LeBlanc said.

Things got off to a dubious start in gradually chillier temperatures, as Plainfield Central's Jonathon Perez took the opening kickoff down to the 3-yard line where quarterback Marcus Hayes set up from scrimmage and took it in for the touchdown and 7-0 lead just 18 seconds into the game.

Oswego East was able to get the ball moving in its first drive, and Kennedy completed a pass to freshman target I'Shawn Stewart for a 31-yard pickup. The next play went the other way and then some, as Roger Thigpen picked off a Wolves' pass for a 78-yard interception return for a 14-0 lead with 10:05 to go in the first.

The Wildcats would convert on their last drive of the quarter thanks to a 27-yard field goal with 4:39 to go for a daunting 17-0 lead.

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Snapping the spell

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) October 21, 2014

The Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate (HRACRE) held its annual Excellence in Development Design Awards ceremony on October 14, 2014 at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Cheatham Annex Cottages and Comfort Station team were presented with the top design award, the Jurors Award, and an Award of Excellence for Best Recreation/Entertainment/Hospitality Project.

An excerpt from the judges comments: Despite the modest program and building type, the simple yet inventive detailing elevated the project. We love how the buildings are nestled into the wooded setting. The vernacular form and scale are very appropriate for the use and context.

The Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facility is a $6.5 million, 20-acre campground at the Naval Weapons Station Yorktown incorporating 16 cottages with views of Cheatham Pond, 50 RV pads, 20 primitive campsites, and support facilities. Considered a prime spot on the east coast for outdoor recreation for active duty, reserve, and retired military and their dependents, care was taken during design to preserve the natural setting of the mature hardwood forest while restoring areas that had previously been used for a firing range and storage yard. The project was designed to meet LEED Silver certification standards. Timmons Group provided site engineering and planning, landscape architecture, and sustainable design services for the project.

Our design team understands the importance of facilities that develop and encourage biophyllic relationships with nature. We appreciate the judges recognition of this extraordinary project," said LuGay Lanier, Landscape Architecture Principal for Timmons Group.

Project team members included: Owner: National Weapons Station Yorktown/Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation General Contractor: W.M. Jordan Company Architect: PMA Architecture Civil Engineer and Landscape Architect: Timmons Group Mechanical Engineer: Hickman Ambrose, Inc. Structural Engineer: Speight, Marshall & Francis, P.C.

Timmons Group was pleased to be a part of the design-build team and proud to have been a part of such a successful project which provides a place of rest and relaxation for our military families, veterans, surviving spouses, DoD employees, and their guests," said Nicholas Hadiaris, a Site Development Project Manager at Timmons Group. We congratulate all of the team members on receiving this recognition for a truly outstanding project.

HRACRE promotes the commercial real estate industry by educating its members on key issues, monitoring and addressing industry-related legislation, and taking the lead in the industrys evolution within the Hampton Roads region.

About Timmons Group Timmons Group is a multi-disciplined engineering and technology firm recognized for nearly twenty years as one of Engineering News Records (ENR) Top 500 Design Firms in the country. The firm provides economic development, civil engineering, environmental, GIS/geospatial technology, landscape architecture and surveying services to a diverse client base. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Timmons Group has regional offices throughout Virginia and North Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.timmons.com.

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Cheatham Annex Project Wins HRACRE Awards

CAMIRA amateur photographer Glenys Passier was the big winner in this year's Ipswich Enviroplan Photographic Competition, taking out the overall winner's prize, two prize categories, a runners-up award and a special mention for four of her entries.

With more than 1100 entries received this year for the popular competition, the result was a coup for the keen photographer, whose love of nature comes through in her images.

Her winning entry titled Fairy Lamps captured a close-up view of a delicate fungi growing out of an old tree stump, creating its own magical landscape.

Living on a couple of acres in the leafy suburb of Camira, Ms Passier said her passion for photography started with capturing images of her pets and bird photography.

"I just take photos when the opportunity arises," she said. "The camera is never too far from me and I just keep both eyes open.

"I don't often get the opportunity to photograph fungi but I just noticed these tiny bumps coming up on an old chinese elm tree stump and the flowers were just so dainty and the colour was unreal."

Judged over eight categories, the competition also highlighted stunning work from students including Indooroopilly State High School student Matthew Watson who was named the overall student winner for his work titled Golden Wings.

Environment and Conservation Committee chairwoman Heather Morrow said the competition was getting bigger and better each year.

"From over 1100 entries, 69 have been presented with an award or an honourable mention, and all will be up for the People's Choice award, decided by the public," Cr Morrow said.

"Whether it's natural landscapes, flora, fauna, or the Bremer River, entrants have captured the natural beauty of Ipswich in surprising and creative ways."

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Nature lover scoops the pool for photography competition

Oriental Garden Makatis vision of providing hardworking professionals a tranquil retreat from the rush of city living continues with its third and final tower, One Lilac Place.

MANILA, PhilippinesFederal Land, one of the most experienced and trusted property developers in the metro, continues to evolve the landscape of the business district of Makati City with its new and ongoing residential projects.

Upwardly mobile urbanites still have a chance to own a personal haven in the city at One Lilac Place, Oriental Garden Makatis third and final tower. The 35-storey, 568-unit premium residential tower joins its predecessors, the Lotus and Orchid Towers, in redefining cosmopolitan living and breathing life to the once lesser-known Chino Roces neighborhood.

Situated in an advantageous location within the bustling Makati Central Business District, One Lilac Place is in keeping with Oriental Garden Makatis original vision of providing a relaxing and comforting city condo home especially for go-getting professionals and executivesthose who are busy carving their own path and working towards success. With such a lifestyle that calls for increased mobility and flexibility, One Lilac Place truly delivers.

With an enviable address along Chino Roces Avenue, unit owners are afforded accessibility to office buildings, corporate headquarters and vital establishments like premier hospitals, commercial hubs, and academic institutions. Also integrated within the locale are other major thoroughfares such as Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Ayala Avenue, Pasay Road, and South Superhighway.

At One Lilac Place, the perfect balance between work and play is achieved with amenities that leave nothing to be desired. Residents can come home to a host of relaxing facilities such as an adult swimming pool, jacuzzi, childrens wading pools, gym and fitness center, and an Asian-inspired gazebo complete with landscaped gardens and a Koi pond. For other activities and social engagements, residents can make use of the clubhouse and multi-purpose hall, childrens play area, and indoor game room.

Services such as 24-hour security, ample parking space, fire detection and alarm system, stand-by power generator, sewage treatment plant, passenger and service elevators, sprinkler system, garbage chute, mail room and house entry phone complete the comfortable and secure living experience.

Set on expanding its signature brand of top quality yet reasonably priced city developments, Federal Land also welcomes the newest addition to its Makati CBD portfolioPaseo de Roces. Also located along Chino Roces Avenue, its pioneering mixed-use design provides a more entrepreneurial value proposition for todays high-achieving individuals and young families.

Paseo de Roces residents can relish the conveniences of living and working in one space with the innovative myHOBS concept.

Recognizing the important role that customer experience plays in defining a more efficient and productive city lifestyle, Paseo de Roces introduces myHOBS (stands for Home, Office, Business, Shops)a practical innovation that lets homeowners manage and design their own spaces to fit their growing needs and preferences. Self-employed professionals, freelancers, and start-up entrepreneurs will find this new working atmosphere exciting and nurturing. Leisure and downtime are also integrated into the Paseo de Roces way of living, with dining, shopping and retails options merely a stones throw away.

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Federal Land enhances Makati skyline with CBD projects

The Lakes Region Conservation Trust's newest conservation acquisition was explored by about 30 people this weekend.

The 192-acre Fogg Hill property in West Center Harbor has outstanding wetlands, glacial erratics, rare plants, an old growth forest and a high-elevation kettle bog.

Ecologist Dr. Rick Van de Poll, of Sandwich, who completed a Natural Resources Inventory for the town in 2011, led the four-hour hike Saturday morning and pointed out many of the rare and important resources being protected by the effort.

He wrote in the inventory, The Fogg Hill property provides a critical conservation link between the only level peat bog in the area and the largest un-fragmented forest block of land in Center Harbor.

"It provides watershed protection to both Lake Winona and the Snake River, both of which contribute valuable public drinking water supplies to Meredith.

"This remote upland area contains a mix of unusual forest types of venerable age, complete with high value wildlife habitat and rare plant species. The conservation of this parcel provides an anchor to protecting a landscape that will be used and appreciated for generations to come.

Located at the end of Fogg Hill Road off Piper Hill Road, a very small parking area is offered right now. Those who use the property are asked to park in what looks like the trail head.

They will also need a GPS to find their way around.

A skidder road leads through a mixed forest and will be used to remove a large tractor trailer which was dumped on the property decades ago. That work is being done this fall.

Hiking trails will be built with volunteer help to take in all the aspects of the forested tract, including its "Hopper" a huge glacial cliff area with talus slope, near a ridge line with views to Lake Winnipesaukee.

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Hikers explore newest conservation acquisition, Fogg Hill

On Sunday, Oct. 12, I wrote several e-mails to political officials and other RDN officials complaining about the smoke problem resulting from the Island Valley Farms land-clearing burn going on near Church Road. I also phoned in a complaint to the conservation officer at the RDN and the B.C. Air Quality Office.

Here is a list of the officials that were contacted: Earle Plain (air quality meteorologist), Jim Standen (assistant minister of the environment), B.C. Air Quality Office, RDN bylaw complaints department, conservation officer, MLA Michele Stilwell, RDN Area G Director Joe Stanhope.

Out of those contacts, only two replied, and those were Stilwells office and the Office of Environmental Complaints. The latter informed that the burning had been suspended pending an investigation by the conservation officer.

This issue affected the health of many people over a wide area of Oceanside and the lack of response from the officials contacted is cause for concern.

Jerry Filipski French Creek

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Little response to the smoke