An old weatherboard-clad farmhouse rests on a hillside overlooking the James River in Nelson County, where it has stood since 1840.

Rock Cliff is an interesting home: short doors connect the 1840 section of the house with the new construction of 1882, and its front stoop is made of stones from an old canal lock.

Its most unique feature, however, has nothing to do with design or construction. It has to do with its inhabitants.

Rock Cliff has been continuously owned by the Cabell family and its descendants for almost 300 years.

It currently is owned by Andrew and Digna Gantt, who have been working diligently to restore and maintain the property, which now is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.

It just feels like home, Andrew said.

Rock Cliff started as a land grant of about 6,000 acres along the James River to Dr. William Cabell in 1734. By the time John Cabell, the last of William Cabells children, died, the property had grown to 60,000 acres on both sides of the James River, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior registration form for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

Before the Cabells, the land long had been inhabited by the Monacan Indian tribe.

The multiple-branched Cabell familys three-century tenure in the area is an enduring testimony to William Cabells skill and foresight in selecting this area for permanent settlement, the historic register documentation reads.

Cabell deeded the land to his son, Col. William Cabell, who gave it to his son, Mayo Cabell. Mayo Cabell sold the property, then 640 acres, to the great-great grandson of Dr. William Cabell, Dr. William Andrew Horsley, who descended from Cabells daughter Mary Cabell Horsley.

William Andrew Horsley, Andrew Gantts great grandfather, practiced medicine from an office still standing on the property.

When the 1882 addition to the 1840 house was constructed, the two halves didnt connect, forcing residents to walk out one side and back in the other,

In Dr. Horsleys daughter Anna Maria Perkins Horsleys diary, she described her father cutting a door on the second floor from the old house into the new addition, calling it not pretty but convenient, the historic register documentation reads.

Anna Maria Horsley diary indicates her father was a general practice doctor who set bones and delivered babies. Dr. Horsleys lower income patients would pay doctors fees with goods rather than money.

Family tradition holds that during the Civil War, Union General Philip H. Sheridan and his troops arrived at the area near Rock Cliff in March of 1865 on their way to sever Confederate supply lines by destroying the Virginia Central Railroad and the James River and Kanawha Canal.

Andrew said his grandmothers diary described Sheridans troops arrival at Rock Cliffs back porch. She was about 7 years old when that happened.

They were scuffling and fighting over a glass of wine. One of them told me, Get out of the way, you damn little rebel. I had expected monsters but they were just ordinary men, Andrew quoted.

Horsleys modest income as a doctor was just enough to keep Rock Cliff in the family when many of his ancestors lost their homes, Andrew said.

After William Andrew Horsleys death in 1887, the 637-acre property was divided among his five children and then subdivided among their heirs, and so on.

It was Andrews father, Dr. William Andrew Horsley Gantt, who set out to reassemble the homestead. Dr. Gantt had a storied history of his own. He worked as Chief of the Petrograd Unit of the American Relief Administration, helping with famine relief in Russia starting in 1922.

There he met Dr. Ivan Pavlov and became interested in his conditional reflex studies using a bell and a salivating dog. He stayed until the end of the program in 1923, and then returned from 1925 to 1929 to continue work with Pavlov. He later established a Pavlovian laboratory at Johns Hopkins University.

He formed the theories of schizogenesis and autokinesis which became the foundation of our modern understanding of the link between stress and psychological suffering and physical illness, the form states.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Gantt published seven books and authored 700 articles; he was nominated but did not receive the Nobel Prize in 1970.

Andrews father is the one who first installed plumbing in the house.

He knew nothing about plumbing but he got books from Montgomery Ward, Andrew said. Montgomery Ward, in those days, this was 1940 or so, would loan out tools and instruction books if you bought the materials from them. So thats what my father did and he knew absolutely nothing about plumbing. He was a doctor and a psychiatrist but he did all this himself. He read up on it the night before and the next day he would do what he read up on.

Beginning in 1930, Andrews father started trying to buy back all the fragmented pieces of his old homestead, finishing in the 1970s. The current Rock Cliff is a 692-acre property.

I remember when he finally bought the last piece from a cousin who had 1/84th of the farm, Andrew said. She did not want to sell it. ... I remember the day she finally did. He had great big hands, my father, and he was sitting there rubbing them together.

Andrews father died in 1980.

At one point in its history, the Rock Cliff house was leaning perilously, about to collapse under the forces of time. But Andrews father saved it.

My father rescued it and then we did more rescuing, Andrew said. We will do what we can to maintain it and if we cant, we wont. But we will still keep it. Whether my children will have that attitude, who knows?

The tan weatherboard-clad house stands among ancient oak trees. The original house features three banks of windows and a screened-in, columned front porch. The later addition sticks out on the left hand side, with its tin-clad roof sitting a little lower than the original.

A 1965 addition gave the back of the house a two-story porch. A bay window was added in 2000 and the house was extended out the back to accommodate a kitchen renovation.

In 2009, one chimney on the 1882 addition was removed and rebuilt and a carport added.

Much of the houses historic character has been maintained, and subsequent renovations have been respectful to the houses original look.

The windows are framed by the louvered shutters and some original windows remain, which the couple clad with plexiglass to cut down on drafts without altering its historic look.

The floors still are the original heart pine, and each room has 10-foot ceilings with dimensions Andrew calls just about perfect. The original construction consists of four large rooms, with four more added in the newer construction.

The staircase in the oldest portion of the house is open, featuring square newel posts and balusters but curves gracefully at the top.

I used to slide down the banister all the time, Andrew said with a chuckle.

The fireplaces feature a simple carved wood mantle with a triangular center panel and wood mantel shelves.

The upstairs rooms in the original house both were bedrooms and one has doors cut small enough that an average-sized adult must duck to get through to allow access to the newer addition.

A back staircase between the kitchen and den leads to the second floor in the 1882 side, which contains a modern bathroom and a small office where one can see the original weatherboarding on the 1840 construction preserved.

The older part of the house, Andrew said, has some ghosts. He recalled once seeing three female forms float across the original parlor, and Digna noted other guests have refused to stay there.

The house is decorated with all kinds of art, from impressionistic paintings to hand-drawn maps and even a bust of Andrews father.

The plaster has been reworked to eliminate the cracking common in a home that is more than a century old.

Digna said the man who repaired the walls told the couple if any of Andrews ancestors were to return, they would feel right at home, since all the alterations kept with the original character of the house.

My goal during the remodeling is if you didnt know it before, you wouldve never realized anything had been changed, Andrew said.

The estate now is about 673 aces of timber with 19 acres of open land. Several creeks cut through the property, the largest of which is Haw Creek that passes through the canal towpath before emptying into the James River.

As a kid, I loved it down there, Andrew said. I would wander around all over the place and nobody restricted me. Id get lost in the woods. My father told me if you ever get lost in the woods, just follow the creeks and youll get back home.

Behind the house sits a circa-1854 smokehouse, a circa-1825 office, circa 1854-summer kitchen, the circa-1860 cemetery and a circa-2008 garage.

The property was entered into the historic register in 2015 and the community itself now is part of the Norwood-Wingina Rural Historic District, encompassing a number of historic homes and buildings.

Andrew once wanted to farm the land but after running the numbers, he learned it wouldnt be profitable. Instead some 450,000 trees have been planted there, making it a modest timber farm with just enough income to maintain the property.

It was a terrible eye-opener, Andrew said. A small dairy farm is all it could support so I changed professions and went into economics [at Cornell] got a Ph.D. in economics but I have always loved the place so now I can do it as a hobby rather than as a living.

While Rock Cliff endured over the centuries, the modern world at times has threatened its character most recently when a natural gas pipeline was proposed that would cut through the property.

Now the land has a measure of protection being on both the state and national historic registers.

It has remained a beloved homestead for the Cabell-Horsley-Gantt family through the generations. Andrew and Digna hope it will remain in the hands of Cabell descendants.

I trust our children will do what is right for them, Andrew said. If I had the money, I would put the whole thing in a historic trust but I dont have the money and I dont wish to control what my children do.

PHOTOS: Generations of Cabell family found home in 1840 estate

Rock Cliff is an interesting home: short doors connect the 1840 section of the house with the new construction of 1882, and its front stoop is made of stones from an old canal lock.

Its most unique feature, however, has nothing to do with design or construction. It has to do with its inhabitants.

A living room at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A bust of Andrew Gantt's father at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A living room at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A dining room at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

The original exterior of the house is seen at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A nook at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

Stairs at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A bedroom at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A bedroom at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt. The upstairs rooms in the original house both were bedrooms.

The original exterior of the house is seen behind a book shelf at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A map at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

Andrew and Digna Gantt at their home in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A graveyard at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A gravestone at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

A graveyard at the home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

The home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

The home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

The home of Andrew and Digna Gantt in Nelson on November 14, 2019.

Sidener is the special publications editor for The News & Advance. Reach her at (434) 385-5539.

Go here to read the rest:
Generations of Cabell family found home in 1840 estate - Lynchburg News and Advance

Before answering my questions about Fruits, Vegetables; Fruit and Vegetable Salad his new exhibition opening at the Whitney Museum of American Art New York-based artist Darren Bader says that he has a specific (read: irreverent) style and he hopes its not too much of an annoyance. I tell him its not an annoyance at all and start with an easy one: Where do you get your ideas? Oh, you know, the magical world of ideas, he replies.

His exhibition, which takes place on the eighth floor of the Whitney, comprises a previously untitled work that the museum acquired in 2015 but has never displayed until now. When viewers emerge from the lift on the eighth floor, they will discover a cornucopia of fresh fruit and vegetables, each variety presented as a sculpture on its own wooden plinth. Four times a week, museum staff will collect the ripened fruit and vegetables and according to Baders instructions make a salad. The slicing and dicing will be captured on film and projected in the empty gallery, after which the salad will be served to viewers. Staff will then replenish the plinths with fresh produce, and so the process will continue.

Nature has long had a role in Baders playful, provocative work. In 2011 he let loose two goats in a gallery. He intended to feature a couple of cats, too, but realised that wouldnt do because as he wrote in an accompanying announcement cat predator, goat prey. Instead, he encouraged viewers to adopt a cat from an animal shelter in the East Village and, in that way, own a Bader artwork of their own. The following year, he created Lasagna on Heroin, which is exactly what it says on the tin: a serving of lasagne injected with heroin.

His works are a puckish update of Marcel Duchamps readymades, which present objects from daily life (a urinal, a shovel) as high art. Although, as Bader points out, Were 107 years post-premiere of the storied readymade, so notions of high art and daily life are not what they were. The installation at the Whitney also nods to other works across art history that have engaged with food. I mention Make a Salad by Alison Knowles, a founding member of the Fluxus group, which also included Yoko Ono. This 1962 performance piece, in the past few years revived at Tate Modern in London and on the High Line in New York, involved Knowles chopping vegetables in time to live music, then serving the mix to the audience.

Theres also that hovering green apple revisited again and again by Rene Magritte; Giuseppe Arcimboldos whimsical Vertumnus, which depicts Roman emperor Rudolf II as a Roman god made out of fruit and veg; and even Maurizio Cattelans banana, which was duct-taped to a wall and sold for $120,000, before being eaten by another artist at Art Basel in Miami last month. Bader comes back at me with his own equally appetising affinities: early Gabriel Orozco, a Mexican artist who makes use of myriad found objects; Urs Fischers Untitled, which features the screwed-together halves of an apple and a pear suspended from a ceiling; and Hollis Framptons voluptuous Lemon, a video work in which the titular object is lasciviously perused in light and shadow. In the past, Bader has described food as natures impeccable sculpture. I ask him to expand on that and he replies, Human optics being human optics

To Christie Mitchell, the curator behind this exhibition, Baders work is about appreciating natural produce. Its a luscious thing, she says, but theres also a hint of decomposition. The salad-making is presumably, in part, a practical way around the works natural shelf life. Yes and no, says Bader. With no, Id guess I thought the mere display of fruits and vegetables wasnt rigorous enough of an art proposition; the salad element added extra texture.

And extra pairs of hands. The fact that the work involves not only Bader but also museum staff and viewers makes it highly collaborative. Its a labour of love. Well, yes, shopping for produce several times a week and then keeping an eye on it is not something thats in our normal schedule, says Mitchell. She adds, however, that the Whitney receives a number of requests from artists that are out of the ordinary. Also, its been great to see the excitement of the staff in the Studio Caf, for instance, who are always surrounded by art but not necessarily part of it.

Baders edible artwork calls into question not only what art is, but also the way in which museums collect and display it. It stimulates thoughts about the relationship between art and consumer, as well as the consumption of food and entertainment. Plus, its funny. When I ask him whether sticking fruit and veg on plinths in a museum makes it art, he tells me he wouldnt know. Either way, lets hope it tastes as good as it looks. Speaking of which, what does it mean to eat a work of art? Beyond my ken, says Bader.

Go here to see the original:
How do you follow heroin lasagne? The artist who wants you to dice his veg - The Guardian

CES is the biggest consumer tech event of the year and gives us a glimpse of the latest and best technology that will be launch throughout the year. So what are some of the highlights of this years show?

Time will tell how good the Suunto 7 is, but this is the first multi-sports watch in a long time to use WearOS. It could be one last hail mary to compete with Garmins' increasingly feature-rich range of sports watches, but it is a risky bet with the questionable battery life that WearOS brings. One thing is for sure, this looks like one of the best WearOS devices of the year.

Unlike the Suunto 7, or other fitness watches, the Withings ScanWatch is more of a health watch. It is fitted with a medical-grade electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor which monitors your heartbeat constantly and can detect irregular heartbeats which are a symptom of arrhythmia. There is also an Sp02 sensor which contentiously tracks blood oxygen levels and can identify sleep apnea risks in advance.

The Yale Linus Smart Lock solves the concerns many people have with smart locks, you can still use your normal keys so you don't have to worry about the battery dying on your or some other sort of failure. It is not the first product to do it, I have reviewed the Nuki 2.0 Smart Lock which does the same, but this looks sleeker with a superior build.

The Netatmo Smart Door Lock is arguably more impressive than the Yale Linus, they claim to be ultra-secure, you get 2 years battery life and the design can accommodate any thickness of door. However, you are still reliant on electronic keys and until the product hits the market and is thoroughly tested, people (including myself) will be concerned about the potential of locking or unlocking issues.

The LG OLED48CX brings OLED technology to smaller screen TVs, with this 48-inch model it is apparently able to reproduce a sharp picture quality, with the density of the 8 million-plus pixels comparable to a 96-inch 8K TV. Furthermore, this model has support for Nvidia's G-Sync tech, which means the TV can sync with compatible PCs and support 4K 120fps gaming.

While rollable and 8K TVs maybe more headline-worthy most people won't be buying one this year, The Panasonic HZ2000 takes a great OLED TV and makes it better by introducing the next generation of Panasonics custom-made Master HDR OLED Professional Edition panel, as well as an improved version of its HCX Pro Intelligent processor.

The LG is a 7.1.4-channel system with forwarding- and up-firing units in the soundbar plus two wireless rear speakers. The soundbar is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, HDMI eARC, 4K HDR passthrough, and Google Assistant.

For people that prefer speakers and amp, the Focal Chora 826-D incorporates a Dolby Atmos into the speaker itself with a speaker driver installed above the loudspeaker that directs the sound towards the ceiling at a carefully calculated angle, so that the audio signal is reflected around the entire room. The result has the listener wrapped in the sound and immersed in a highly realistic 3D world.

I have been very impressed with 1More earphones in the past, and they have finally entered the True Wireless market. However, the 1More True Wireless ANC also incorporate active noise cancelling pitting themselves against the popular Sony WF-1000XM3 earphones and one of the few brands that are both true wirelesses with ANC. Furthermore, these are priced below both the Sony WF-1000XM3 and the Apple Airpods Pro

Sennheiser hopes to make noise-cancelling headphones more affordable with the HD 450BT Headphones, while there are plenty of cheap ANC headphones out there, I doubt many will be able to compete with the audio quality typically associated with Sennheiser

Microsoft announced the 8.3-inch Microsoft Surface Duo which gave us the first glimpse of foldable laptops but won't launch until the end of this year. Lenovo will pip them to the post with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 which is a 13.3-inch OLED (2048 x 1536) foldable laptop. Unlike the Surface Duo, this is a single foldable OLED similar to the Samsung Fold and Huawei Mate X. It will launch with Windows 10 as its operating system but a Windows 10X will be available at a later date.

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is the thinnest Chromebook, at 0.4 inches, it features Intels new 10th Gen processors with a fanless design and a 13.3-inch 4K AMOLED panel.

I will admit, high refresh rate monitors are a little wasted on me but there is a big demand for them and Asus are consistently pushing the boundaries of performance with their products The ROG Swift 360 is the first monitor of its kind, hence being the best monitor at CES, but this comes with a caveat, this is just a 24.5-inch which is considerably smaller than the common 27-inch models gamers love.

Another piece of technology that featured in many new products at CES is mini-LED. Mini LED is a transitional technology between traditional LED and Micro LED, which is used on the Samsung The Wall TV. The Acer Predator X32 is one of the new products featuring this and is based on a 10-bit IPS panel with a 38402160.

It is similar to the Acer 27 Predator X27 but ramps up the spec, with the smaller monitoring using 384-Zone Mini LED-based Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) backlighting whereas this uses 1,152 zones which then allows Acer to crank up the brightness to 1400 nits in HDR mode.

This is a G-Sync Ultimate monitor with a refresh rate of 144 Hz which ticks the boxes for most gamers. The downside of this product is the price, which is an insane 3,299 in Europe and $3,599 in the USA.

I am already deaf in one ear, and singling out peoples voice is bad enough as it is. For people that require hearing aids, this problem is even more pronounced, but the OrCam Hear helps solve this. OrCam Hear works by identifying and isolating someone's voice from a crowd and then beaming their speech to Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids. It uses lip reading and body gestures to figure out which voice you most need to hear in a given moment and intuitively switches when there's someone else you want to listen to.

Last Updated on 12th January 2020

Read this article:
The Best of CES 2020 Including Smart homes, Fitness, Laptops, Audio and More - Mighty Gadget

After months of being out of operation, the Mossmorran Fife Ethylene Plant is to be started up again soon, with joint operators Exxon Mobil revealing what residents nearby can expect to see.

Mossmorran has been flaring for months to burn off gas which can't be processed while two boilers are being repaired.

There have been a growing number of complaints over excessive flaring at the Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP), which some residents say even causes vibrations throughout their homes and results in sleepless nights.

The plant will be restarted soon, with a date yet to be confirmed, but here's how Exxon Mobil - who run the plant jointly with Shell - say it will happen.

STEP 1: ETHANE GAS ARRIVES

The ethane is needed to begin sequence of generating steam and starting major machines.

There will be a 3-4 day journey for natural gas from the North Sea via St Fergus near Peterhead.

The ethane gas will be separated at the Shell plant next door and sent to FEP,

As major process machinery not yet started, some gas is diverted to flare.

STEP 3: BOILER AND FURNACE OUTPUT INCREASED

Both combine to generate the steam needed to start major machines

Steam and water vapour will be visible from the plant

STEP 2: FLARE SIZE MANAGED

Some of ethane gas sent to furnaces and some to ground flare

Remainder sent to elevated flare

These steps combine to reduce elevated flare size

Steam will be added to ensure the flare burns clean

STEP 4: MAJOR PROCESS MACHINERY STARTED

Three major compressors started

Each started individually in sequence

Visible steam will start to reduce as it is consumed by the machines

STEP 5: DISTILLING TOWERS STARTED

Final stage of start up

Three distilling towers brought online

Elevated flare will fluctuate but will not increase

STEP 6: SAFE RE-START COMPLETE

Ethane gas now being turned into on-spec ethylene

No longer in elevated flare

On-spec ethylene piped to Braefoot Bay terminal

Total time for safe re-start around 6 days

More here:
Mossmorran is going to restart soon: Here's what's going to happen - Fife Today

Hunting and Recreational Land for sale in Lamar County, Texas. This acreage features a variety of topography, wooded acreage, creek, ponds, game trails, wildlife, open pasture, and hunting and country farmhouse located in Powderly, Texas. Great potential for hunting, recreation, open pasture, equine, livestock, fishing, and more.

The 76 wooded acres are available for your enjoyment just miles from Pat Mayes Lake in Northeast, Texas. This expansive property would be great for hunting with its many game trails throughout and a creek running through the middle of it for access to water. Wildlife on the land features deer, wild hogs, coyotes and bobcat can all be found on this wonderful place for hunting and/or recreational use.

A rustic farmhouse sits on high ground overlooking much of the acreage with 2 rooms used as bedrooms, a full kitchen and bathroom with shower. This would make a great hunting camp or a place to stay while building your dream home.

This property provides privacy at the end of a dead-end road with 2 different access points and is fully fenced and cross fenced if you would like to run a few heads of livestock. There are several large open pastures for livestock or game.

There is a decent change in elevation for the area with the entire property being rolling. With high spots and a deep creek in the middle of the acreage, a small lake could easily be put in for fishing and duck hunting.This wonderful property your get-away from it all. Schedule a showing today! 570 CR 45060, Powderly TX 75473

$269,900

Click here to view the full listing.

See the rest here:
Country home and hunting property for sale in Powderly || $269900 - eParisExtra.com

Black and White Marble are durable and stylish with a sophisticated look, these panels are highly popular due to their alluring qualities and low maintenance characteristics.

LAS VEGAS (PRWEB) January 17, 2020

Fibo Group, a global leader in waterproof wall panel systems for residential and commercial building and remodeling applications, will be introducing its 100% waterproof wall panel system for the kitchen and bath at the 2020 International Builders Show Jan. 21-23. Featuring new designs and styles for the U.S. market, Fibo will be hosting product installation demonstrations for builders and remodelers.

Were thrilled to showcase our Fibo waterproof wall panel system applications to the U.S. market at the 2020 International Builders Show, said Anders Carlson, CEO Fibo Group. The Fibo waterproof wall paneling system is a durable, low maintenance alternative to kitchen backsplashes, shower enclosures and wet room wall coverings for both residential and commercial buildings. Since 1952, weve led the European market with our innovative designs, and now were expanding distribution in the U.S. where demand for cost-effective and durable wet room wall panel applications is increasing.

Manufactured in its newly expanded, state-of-art plant in Norway, Fibo waterproof wall paneling system offers an eco-friendly, durable and cost-effective alternative to wall systems that guard against water, mildew and other moisture-related problems. The product features a unique Aqualock click system that simplifies the installation process and minimizes joints lines for a seamless look.

Standard wall panels are sized 23.62 x 15.74 inches and can be mounted directly onto wood or steel studs, existing walls or over ceramic tiles. The Fibo waterproof wall panel system does not require a water vapor barrier or waterproof membrane behind the panels, helping builders and remodelers save on labor and material costs. The strong laminate surface can withstand direct water exposure and large temperature fluctuations and features a 15 year warranty when installed and maintained correctly.

Fibo waterproof wall panel systems typically install five times faster than traditional ceramic tiles, said Carlson. Offering a valuable proposition to builders looking to decrease labor costs.

The new introductions to be showcased at the International Builders Show are complemented by an expanded range of Fibo products.

The Classics: Black and White Marble

Durable and stylish with a sophisticated look, these panels are highly popular due to their alluring qualities and low maintenance characteristics. Part of the Marcato wall panel collection the largest and most varied and the Kitchen Board collection, these versatile options are available for bathroom and kitchen applications in a silk finish. The Marcato applications come in a variety of tile patterns, and are also offered without grout lines.

Bring Out the Best in Your Kitchen

Fibo Kitchen Boards are a stylish option for kitchen backsplashes. The easy-care and maintenance-free panels are water resistant, providing a safe and durable solution for any residential kitchen design. The Kitchen Boards are supplied in packs of two panels that are 23.6 x 22.8 and can be mounted directly onto studs, existing screw-fixed walls or over ceramic tile.

A Contemporary Take: Grey Sand

The Adagio Collection, with its smooth surface and no grout lines, introduces Grey Sand, a distinctive, matte grey tone that is a little more sophisticated, yet still delicate and soft. Grey Sand complements other designs in this collection, which have been used in thousands of bathrooms and wet rooms over Northern Europe for decades. These panels create a sleek and modern feel throughout the room.

A Touch of Color: Dusty Blue

With its matte finish, Dusty Blue is part of the Color Collection. A sophisticated shade of blue, this wall panel pairs well with other colors, and can liven up any bathroom without going overboard on color. Dusty blue is available with 0.07 white grout lines or without.

Return to Natural Roots: Olive Green

Also new this year to the Color collection is Olive Green, a subdued, arboreal shade that evokes nature. This panel has undeniable appeal that can both tone down or jazz up a space. Olive green is available in an extra matte finish with 0.07 white grout lines or without.

About Fibo GroupFibo Group is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality waterproof wall panel systems. Established in 1952 and based in Lyngdal, Norway, the company serves residential and commercial customers across the new construction, repair and remodel, and manufactured housing market throughout Scandinavia, Europe, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Its 100% waterproof wall panel system for kitchen, bath and other wet room applications has been lauded for its eco-friendly, durable and easy to install features and can be seen in numerous high profile buildings. The product was introduced to the U.S. market in 2018 and is sold through distributors. For more information about Fibo and its products in North America, please visit: https://fibosystemusa.com/.

Share article on social media or email:

See more here:
Fibo Systems to Introduce New Decorative Waterproof Wall Panel System to the North American Market at the 2020 International Builders Show - PR Web

Shorewood

Built in 1988, this four-bedroom, four-bath house has 3,872 square feet and features a two-story foyer, vaulted ceilings, built-in bookcases, eat-in kitchen, three-season porch, full finished walkout basement, deck and three-car attached garage. Listed by Dwight Erickson, EXP Realty, 612-270-8614.

Minneapolis

Built in 1958, this three-bedroom, three-bath house located in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood has 1,810 square feet and features two bedrooms on the upper level, formal dining room, hardwood floors, balcony, full walkout basement and deck. Listed by Chris Ames, Re/Max Results, 651-552-2301.

Afton

Built in 1988, three-bedroom, this three-bath house has 2,516 square feet and features a bedroom on each level, fireplace, hardwood floors, full finished walkout basement with a second kitchen, four-season porch, deck, patio, greenhouse, gazebo and two-car detached garage on a 10-acre lot. Listed by Cheryl Schopf, Re/Max Results, 651-324-8910.

Note: Listings active as of Jan. 15.

Photos provided by Dwight Erickson/ Chris Ames/ Nine Nelson, In View Fotos

Read the original:
Home listings: What $549900 buys in the Twin Cities area - Minneapolis Star Tribune

AUSTIN, Texas Its one of the most distinctive features in Austin: Lady Bird Lake flowing through the center of the city.

But its a lake that wouldn't have happened had it not been for the need for flood control and more electric power for a growing city in the 1960s.

Originally, there was no lake, as the Colorado River flowed through the citys center and technically, it still does.

Throughout Austins history, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Colorado River was wild and unpredictable, with floods that washed away trees and turned the river banks to mud occurring frequently.

It took two developments to tame the Colorado and eventually create the lake. First, the construction of a series of dams built by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) to control the flow of water in the river. And second, a need for more electric power for a growing city.

RELATED:

Security cameras installed after car break-ins at Bull Creek Greenbelt

Toxic algae cost the City of Austin up to $35,500

Historians pinpoint the birth of Town Lake as it was known then to 1959. When the City determined that the Seaholm Power Plant couldnt be expanded to meet new demand, an additional power plant was built on Holly Street in East Austin.

To provide cooling water for the plant, the City constructed Longhorn Dam, and it was the water that was held back by that dam that created Town Lake.

The beautification process and the hike and bike trails Austinites know today had to wait until the early 1970s, when then-Austin Mayor Roy Butler led efforts to beautify the banks of the lake. He tapped former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson and a committee of volunteers whose work created the trails, flowering plants and gazebos that adorn the banks of the lake today.

The hike and bike trail now carries the name of Mayor Butler and his wife, Ann. And, in 2011, the Austin City Council voted to change the name of Town Lake to Lady Bird Lake.

WATCH:The Backstory: North vs. South Austin tug of war 1987

PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING:

'We are seeing an increase in violent crime' | Austin police chief gives updates on weekend's multiple shootings, assaults

Defenders: How refugees impact Texas, U.S.

President Donald Trump will speak at American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Austin

Man who took out Texas church shooter receives Governor's Medal of Courage in Austin

Read the rest here:
Austin's Lady Bird Lake is the result of flood control and the need for more electric power - KVUE.com

By Rick Geffken

By Rick Geffken

Monmouth County history is more than a collection of dusty old books, tattered letters and fading black and white photographs sitting in boxes or stacked on shelves. A new oral history project by the Monmouth County Historical Association (MCHA) aims to show that the lives of people and events happening to all of us today are worth preserving for future historians.

The project got underway Dec. 23 when its originators, MCHAcolleagues Dana Howell and Joe Zemla, sat down to speak with Harriet Bernsteinand Luisa Paster to record the married couples story of their successful 2008lawsuit against the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. Bernstein and Pasterhad been denied permission to get married in a civil union ceremony at the Methodistcommunitys boardwalk gazebo. A New Jersey judge ruled against the Methodistorganization.

The idea for the oral history project began six months ago whenHowell, a research librarian atthe MCHA, was intrigued by the concept during one of her archivistcertification classes. We realized there was a deficit in our holdings thatneeded to be addressed, namely the lack of more culturally diverse stories,she said. The MCHA has a treasure trove of historic gems spanning severalcenturies of history. We just thought it was time to broaden the cultural scopeto make our offerings more relevant to a wider audience.

She began brainstorming the idea with Zemla, an associate curatorat the Freehold-based organization. He did a quick survey of the MCHA holdings.Were obviously strong in 18th and 19th centurycollections but lacking in others, he said. The timing of the oral historyproject fit nicely with the MCHAs new strategic plans for renewing its missionto preserve and celebrate the history of Monmouth County for everyone.President Linda Bricker enthusiastically endorses the idea. This project fitsthat objective so well, she said.

We knew we were going to have to be very proactive to accomplishour goal of diversification, Howell explained. Often well get calls aboutdonations that start with, I dont know if this is old enough for you guys,but

As it turned out, Bernsteinand Paster contacted Howell after she had reached out to Garden State Equality,a statewide LGBTQ advocacy and education organization. The recent Decemberinterview with the couple was conducted at the MCHA-owned CovenhovenHouse in Freehold. Although the 1738 Dutch colonial-style home was chosen forits privacy, the setting made for a nice contrast with the 21stcentury Monmouth County zeitgeist Bernstein and Paster represent. Futureinterviews will be conducted at MCHA headquarters or other locations convenientto participants.

The four-channel video recordertechnology used for the interviews is unassuming, which encourages candor fromthe interviewees. The interviewers themselves have an informal conversationalstyle which puts participants at ease right away.

The two MCHA staffers are hopingto do one recorded interview per month. Now that the project has started, Zemlabelieves it will become self-sustaining after a while as people come forwardwith interesting accounts of events in their lives. These will be cataloguedand added to the organizations 70 Court St. library in Freehold, andeventually posted on the MCHAs website.

The long-range plan for the MCHAoral history project is to include a wide variety of groups, interviewed inphases, such as the long-established African American community, the morerecently arrived Hispanic community, senior citizens and the Jewish community,especially for stories their grandparents have passed down from World War II.Others on the wish list are military veterans and survivors and families ofvictims of the 9/11 terrorist attack of the Twin Towers who will be visitingNew York for the 20th anniversary next year.

Howell said they are open toideas. Well continue to record stories from all the previous groups as wemove through each phase. After that, well continue the program to includepretty much anyone who has an interesting story to tell.

The MCHA will accept oral histories collected by other people to add to its collection as well. Anyone interested in contributing to the oral history project can use the special email address: digitalarchives@monmouthhistory.org. Howell and Zemla can also be reached via the MCHA website monmouthhistory.org or at 732-462-1466.

This article originally appeared in the Jan. 9, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.

Link:
Monmouth County Historical Association Kicks Off Oral History Project - The Two River Times

Monday the nation and the First Coast celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Heres a look at some of the area events that are being held in honor of the civil rights leader on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020.

Jacksonville

The Annual MLK Holiday Grand Parade will be held in Downtown Jacksonville beginning at 10 a.m.

The parade will wind through the streets, beginning at Daily's Place Amphitheater on Bay Street and will conclude at Johnson Street near the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

Live entertainment and food will be set up along the parade route.

More information

A day of service calledPaint the Town on MLK Dayis being held in Northwest Jacksonville. The Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corporation and National Health Corps Florida AmeriCorps are inviting the community to join them from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Organizers and residents will paint 10 homes in the Riverview neighborhood.

More information

The Timucuan Parks Foundation is holding a MLK Day of Service Volunteer Project at Hanna Park. The nonprofit organization and the city of Jacksonville will be leading projects, including invasive plant removal, trail maintenance and shoreline cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park at 500 Wonderwood Dr.

Volunteers should identify themselves as volunteers to park staff at the front gate and meet by 9 a.m. at the lakefront parking lot. Participants should wear closed-toed shoes and clothes they dont mind getting dirty.

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is offering free art engagement activities and special commemorations from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission. Highlights will include art-making activities, live music, demonstrations by artists, and complimentary trolley transportation between the Cummer Museum and the Ritz Theatre and Museum. Ecumenical prayers for peace, coordinated with OneJax, will be held at 3 p.m. at both locations.

Fernandina Beach

The Martin Luther King Jr. Parade begins at Peck Center, 516 S. 10th St. at noon. It will move up Ash, South Second and Centre streets.

More information

St. Augustine

The 35th Annual Commemorative Breakfast Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held at the Mark W. Lance Armory, 190 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. The guest speaker will be Fedrick C. Ingram, president of the Florida Education Association.

More information

A Remembrance March starting at AME Church at 11:30 am, 86 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. in Lincolnville to the Plaza de la Constitucion, 170 St. George St., in the citys center square, will also be held. Speakers will present in the gazebo from noon until 2 p.m.

More information

Editors Note: If your group has an MLK event on Monday that you would like listed in this story, kindly email the information to bbortzfield@wjct.org by 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17.

Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.

Go here to read the rest:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Events Across The First Coast - WJCT NEWS