Remember a couple of months ago, when it seemed like every brand under the sun was announcing their own color of the year? Now that 2020 has some meat on its bones, its worth asking: What is the color of the year? Well, it depends on who you ask.

In what has become a cottage industry within the home furnishings business, the race to select the color of the year attracts participants from across the spectrum. Of course, just as important as your color selectionsome might say even more importantis getting the word out about your choice and eliciting the corresponding press coverage.

The final months of 2019 produced a plethora of palettes, with enough options to satisfy just about anyones color preferences. The predictions have come from a wide swath of sources, including home decor media, paint companies, forecasting servicesand of course Pantone, perhaps the best-known color predictor of all.

Pantone began life making color cards for the cosmetics industry in the 1950s, but since the 1960s has been focused on the design and graphics fields, supplying color standardization systems that allow color communication among people on different continents speaking various languagesa way to keep hues consistent across space and time.

In 1999, the brand began selecting a color of the year, relying on a complex method that looked at trends and color usage, but largely has been a proprietarynot to mention arbitraryprocess. That year it selected Cerulean, and ever since, its color choice has been highly anticipated, garnering extensive press coverage, including on the front page of The Wall Street Journal.

In a pattern that calls to mind a chicken-and-egg situation, Pantone color selections often become self-fulfilling prophecies. Recent choices, including Living Coral (2019), Greenery (2017) and Radiant Orchid (2014), have proven to be particularly popular, showing up across the home and fashion industries. Others, like 2012s Tangerine Tango and 2009s Mimosa, have turned out to be harder to move into the product mainstream.

In December, Pantone anointed Classic Blue (thats Pantone color #19-4052 if youre keeping score) as the 2020 Color of the Year, setting off stylists around the world to get out their color chips. Its a color that anticipates whats going to happen next, said Laurie Pressman, the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, which selects the Color of the Year. Whats the future going to bring as we move into the evening hours?

While other sources have been in the color-picking business for some time, this year in particular has brought out the prognosticators. Paint company Benjamin Moore picked First Light, a pinkish hue that it said reflects the morning, rather than Pantones evening. Also thinking pink is paint supplier Valsparwith Bombay Pinkand HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, which selected a blush shade called Romance.

Paint brand Sherwin-Williamsnot to be confused with the aforementioned branded collaboration with HGTVseemed to be on the same color wavelength as Pantone, naming Naval its choice for 2020. Yet another paint supplier, Behr, chose Back to Nature, an outdoor-inspired green; Glidden picked a blue-tinted gray called Whirlwind; and PPG gave the nod to Chinese Porcelain, another shade in the blue family.

But its not just paint companies making color picks. Etsy, the e-commerce site for handcrafted products, announced chartreuse as its choice, saying the bold shade of green is known for increasing energy, encouraging unconventional thinking and evoking feelings of growth and harmony. Trend forecasting company WGSN settled on neo mint, which looks exactly like it sounds.

Most of the paint companies predictions come in the context of an entire range of complementary tonesbecause if one color of the year is good, a dozen must be even better. And whether any of these forecasters consulted Chinese zodiac signs is another matter entirely. Now that were fully into the Year of the Rat on the Chinese calendar, feng shui aficionados say that gold, blue and green are considered particularly lucky colors for 2020, while we are urged to avoid yellow and brown.

Makes sense: Avoiding yellow and brown for your home and wardrobe is pretty sound advice to follow in almost any year.

____________

Warren Shoulberg is the former editor in chief for several leading B2B publications. He has been a guest lecturer at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business; received honors from the International Furnishings and Design Association and the Fashion Institute of Technology; and been cited by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN and other media as a leading industry expert. He was also a guest on the BOH podcast, and his Retail Watch columns offer deep industry insights on major markets and product categories.

Homepage photo: Shutterstock.com

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What's the color of the year? It depends on who you ask - Business of Home

WE DONT NEED TO LIKE THEM: Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of the U.S. Central Command told Congress yesterday that hell be carefully tracking the actions of the Taliban as the United States withdraws roughly 3,400 troops from Afghanistan in the coming months and will recommend ending the drawdown if he doesnt like what he sees.

We're going to go to 8,600 by the summer. Conditions on the ground will dictate if we go below that, McKenzie testified before the House Armed Services Committee. If conditions on the ground are not permissive, my advice would be not to continue that reduction.

That would not be my decision, that would be my advice, he stressed. That will be based on the performance of the Afghan military, their ability to incorporate the Taliban if the Taliban is going to be incorporated at all.

We dont need to trust them. We dont need to like them. We dont need to believe anything they say. We need to observe what they do, and we have the capability to do that, he said.

IT WAS THE PLAN ALL ALONG: At the hearing, Kathryn Wheelbarger, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, confirmed that the Pentagon decided months ago that it had several thousand more troops than needed in Afghanistan, and Defense Secretary Mark Esper was ready to order a drawdown, peace deal or no peace deal.

It was in October that Gen. Scott Miller, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, recommended the force reductions and began quietly sending hundreds of troops home. Based on Millers advice, we were prepared, and then planned, to go to 8,600, Wheelbarger said.

The secretary was prepared to adjust the force posture in the absence of an agreement, if that was in our national security interest, she said, but no decision had been made to do so.

THE SECRET ANNEXES: The Trump administration has provided the Congress side letters that lay out the specific provisions the Taliban have agreed to, including spelling out their responsibility to reduce the level of violence in the country and mitigate the threat from the remnants of al Qaeda.

But the Pentagon said there are legitimate reasons why the annexes, known as military implementation documents, must remain secret. We have some constraints on information we don't want to have out in the full public domain, said spokesman Jonathan Hoffman at yesterdays Pentagon briefing. That would include operationally sensitive information regarding troop movements, information that may be of interest to ISIS and al Qaeda and other entities that are operating in Afghanistan.

Some members of Congress whove reviewed the documents bristled at the classification, insisting theres nothing in them that puts U.S. troops in danger.

I've read the entire agreement, and I see no reason why they could not be released, said Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado. I believe, as do many people on this committee, that the American public deserves to know under what terms we are withdrawing from Afghanistan.

Twenty-four hundred Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan. Over 20,000 had been wounded. This is America's war, not any one administration's war, Crow said.

BUT THE TALIBAN CAN READ THEM: It's an agreement with the Taliban, it makes sense for them to read the documents, said Hoffman at the Pentagon when asked about debate. The agreement with them, it provides information on process and how we will be implementing these.

For example, Hoffman said, with our movement of forces, it's necessary to deconflict that with the Taliban. So there's information that is necessary to be provided, and it's perfectly normal to do that in a diplomatic negotiation.

Good Wednesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyres Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by David Sivak. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesnt work, shoot us an email, and well add you to our list. And be sure to follow us on Twitter: @dailyondefense.

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HAPPENING TODAY: Adm. Craig Faller, commander, U.S. Southern Command, is scheduled to brief reporters at the Pentagon at 2:30 this afternoon, while Esper delivers remarks at the National Defense University's President's Lecture Series at Ft. McNair.

Both events will be streamed live on the Pentagons website. https://www.defense.gov

CORONAVIRUS FENG SHUI: In accordance with the new social distancing protocols, the chairs in the spacious Pentagon briefing room were no longer arranged in rows, but rather spaced 6 feet apart as reporters were updated yesterday on the coronavirus threat.

One wag referred to the arrangement as business class seating.

THE LATEST NUMBERS: While nationwide, the number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus, the numbers in the military remain low, according to Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Friedrichs, joint staff surgeon.

Here are the numbers of people who have tested positive:

In addition, six people are currently being evaluated, and 143 have been tested at 13 Department of Defense laboratories.

MARINES IDD: The Pentagon has released the names of two Marine Raiders, who were killed in Iraq Sunday assisting Iraqi forces in clearing an ISIS cave complex.

The Marine Special Operations Forces were Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo, 34, of Simi Valley, California, and Capt. Moises A. Navas, 34, of Germantown, Maryland.

Both were assigned to 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

BEWARE THE BEAR: NORAD reports that the U.S. and Canada intercepted two Russian Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance aircraft Monday that were flying off the coast of Alaska and entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone over the Beaufort Sea.

Although the planes did not enter either U.S. or Canadian airspace, at one point, they came as close as 50 nautical miles to Alaskas coast. The aircraft were intercepted by U.S. F-22s and Canadian CF-18 fighters in addition to support aircraft. The Russian aircraft remained within the identification zone for about four hours, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command.

KEANE HONORED: President Trump has bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, on former Army Vice Chief of Staff retired Gen. Jack Keane, who he called a courageous warrior and fearless patriot.

In 2006, Jack helped engineer the surge that stabilized the deteriorating situation in Iraq and allowed Iraqis to finally take charge of their own future, Trump noted at a White House ceremony yesterday. In the years since, Jack has continued to offer his sage counsel to military and policy leaders, and to visit our troops on the frontiers. And Jack, I have to say, has given me a lot of good advice too.

Jack Keane is a visionary, a brilliant strategist, and an American hero, he said. General, you will be remembered as one of the finest and most dedicated soldiers in a long and storied history of the United States military. No question about it.

Washington Examiner: Taliban talks with Afghan government to move forward as US troop withdrawal hangs in the balance

New York Times: In a Reversal, Afghanistans Leader Agrees to a Phased Release of Taliban Fighters

Washington Examiner: UN calls on Iran to 'release all prisoners' during coronavirus outbreak

Washington Examiner: Nearly 200 North Korean soldiers dead from coronavirus: Report

Washington Examiner: Here's the 1-mile-radius coronavirus containment area Andrew Cuomo just erected around a synagogue in New Rochelle, New York

CNN.com: U.S. Military Expected To Announce Halt To Troop And Family Relocation Moves In Areas Impacted By Coronavirus

Stars and Stripes: Dont Panic, Says Naples-Based Admiral As Italy Shuts Down Over Coronavirus

Defense News: F-35 Work Continues In Italy Despite Coronavirus Lockdown

Breaking Defense: Coronavirus: AUSA Cancels Huntsville Conference

Defense One: Iran and Russian Media Push Bioweapon Conspiracies Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

Washington Post: Pentagon: Difficult Terrain Slowed Recovery Of Remains Of 2 Marines In Iraq

Wall Street Journal: After a Buildup to Counter Iran, U.S. Troops Begin Leaving Mideast

Asia Times: Chinas Navy Shipbuilders Are Outbuilding Everybody

Breaking Defense: Air, Space Force Leaders Near Missile Warning Plan

Task & Purpose: The Taliban is allowed to read classified documents related to the Afghan peace deal, but you cant

Bloomberg: U.S. Sees War-Zone Drones as New Improvised Explosive Devices

The Economist: A constitutional ploy may keep Vladimir Putin in power until 2036

WEDNESDAY | MARCH 11

7 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd,, Arl Association of the United States Army Breakfast series, with Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier, deputy chief of staff of the Army G-2 (intelligence). https://www.ausa.org/events/breakfast-series-berrier

8:30 a.m. 14th and F St. N.W. Woodrow Wilson Center's Africa Program, the Institute for Defense Analyses, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Africa Symposium: Advancing Africa's Governance, Peace, and Security, with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa and Security Affairs Whitney Baird delivering remarks, Maj. Gen. Christopher Craige, director of strategy, engagement, and programs at U.S. Africa Command. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/africa-symposium

9 a.m. 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. N.W. Access Intelligence LLC Satellite Conference and Exhibition, with Air Force Lt. Gen. David Thompson, vice commander of the Air Force Space Command, Clare Grason, chief of the Air Force Space Command's Commercial Satellite Communications Office; and Derek Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency. https://www.satshow.com/

10 a.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. N.E. Heritage Foundation discussion with White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien. https://www.heritage.org/defense/event

10 a.m. 2118 Rayburn House Armed Services Committee hearing National Security Challenges and U.S. Military Activity in North and South America, with Kenneth Rapuano, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and global security; Adm. Craig Faller, commander, U.S. Southern Command; Gen. Terrence OShaughnessy, commander, U.S. Northern Command. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

10 a.m. 138, Dirksen Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing on the Navy and Marine Corpss FY 2021 budget request, with acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday, and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger. https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings

2 p.m. 2212 Rayburn House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities Hearing: Reviewing Department of Defense Science and Technology Strategy, Policy, and Programs for Fiscal Year 2021: Maintaining a Robust Ecosystem for Our Technological Edge, with Michael Griffin, under secretary of defense for research and engineering; Bruce Jette, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology; James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition; William Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology, and logistics. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

2:30 p.m. Pentagon Briefing Rm. 2D972 Navy Adm. Craig Faller, commander, U.S. Southern Command, briefs reporters at the Pentagon. Streamed live on https://www.defense.gov/Watch/Live

2:30 p.m. 2118 Rayburn House Armed Services Subcommittees on Seapower and Projection Forces and Readiness Joint Hearing: Sealift and Mobility Requirements in Support of the National Defense Strategy, with Gen. Steve Lyons, commander, U.S. Transportation Command; Mark Buzby, U.S. Maritime Administration; Vice Adm. Ricky Williamson, deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Lt. Gen. David Nahom, Air Force deputy chief of staff for plans and programs. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

2:30 p.m. 106 Dirksen Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel hearing on programs in the Department of Defense, with Matthew Donovan, performing the duties of the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness; Virginia Penrod, acting assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs; Thomas McCaffery, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs; Thomas Constable, acting assistant secretary of defense for readiness; Elizabeth Van Winkle, executive director, office of force resiliency. https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings

3 p.m. Ft. McNair Defense Secretary Mark Esper delivers remarks at the National Defense University's President's Lecture Series. Streamed live on https://www.defense.gov/Watch/Live

6 p.m. 1957 E St. N.W. George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs discussion on "The State of the Transatlantic Alliance, with former NATO Deputy Secretary-General Rose Gottemoeller. http://elliott.gwu.edu

THURSDAY | MARCH 12

9 a.m. 2118 Rayburn House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness Hearing: FY21 Navy and Marine Corps Readiness Posture, with James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy, research, development, and acquisition; Adm. Robert Burke, Vice Chief of Naval Operations; Gen. Gary Thomas, Assistant Marine Corps Commandant. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

9:30 a.m. 2212 Rayburn House Armed Services Subcommittee Strategic Forces hearing: FY21 Priorities for Missile Defense and Missile Defeat Programs, with Gen. Terrence OShaughnessy, commander, U.S. Northern Command; Vice Adm. Jon Hill, director, Missile Defense Agency; Lt. Gen. Daniel Karbler, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; Rob Soofer, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy; Cristina Chaplain, director, contracting and national security acquisitions team, Government Accountability Office. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

10 a.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. N.W. United States Institute of Peace discussion on "A Peace Regime for the Korean Peninsula, with Scott Snyder, director of the Council on Foreign Relations Program on U.S.-Korea Policy; Kathleen Stephens, president and CEO of the Korea Economic Institute; Jacob Stokes, senior policy analyst at USIP; Joseph Yun, senior adviser at USIP; Frank Aum, senior expert on North Korea at USIP; and Patricia Kim, senior policy analyst at USIP. https://www.usip.org/index.php/events/peace-regime-korean-peninsula

2 p.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. N.E. Heritage Foundation discussion on "Shining a Spotlight on Human Rights in North Korea, with Kwang Cheol-Hwan, founder and chairman of the North Korea Strategy Center; Eiko Kawasaki, chairwoman of Action for Korea United; and Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. http://www.heritage.org

4 p.m. 1521 16th St. N.W. Institute of World Politics lecture on "The Role of the U.S. Military Under the NDS (National Defense Strategy) Over the Next Decade, with Col. Jon Duke, deputy director of operations at the Marine Corps Headquarters. https://www.iwp.edu/events

FRIDAY | MARCH 13

8 a.m. 1135 16th St. N.W. American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security breakfast, with Special Inspector General John Sopko discussing Corruption: A Threat to Rule of Law and Sustainable Peace in Afghanistan. https://www.americanbar.org/news

9:30 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. N.W. Center for Strategic and International Studies discussion on "Army Air and Missile Defense," with Maj. Gen. Robert Rasch, program executive officer for Army Missiles and Space; Brig. Gen. Brian Gibson, director of the Army Air and Missile Defense Cross-Functional Team; Barbara Treharne, senior analyst at the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization; Brian Green, nonresident senior associate at CSIS; and Thomas Karako, director of the CSIS Missile Defense Project. http://www.csis.org

10:30 a.m. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discussion on "France's Defense Strategy, with French Ambassador to the U.S. Philippe Etienne; and former Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, president of CEIP. http://carnegieendowment.org/

We dont need to trust them. We dont need to like them. We dont need to believe anything they say. We need to observe what they do, and we have the capability to do that.

Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of the U.S. Central Command testifying before Congress on the withdrawal agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban.

Link:
Top commander says Afghanistan withdrawal plan does not rely on trusting the Taliban - Washington Examiner

Manufactured homes offer two things buyers find very appealingthe ability to customize and a cost-per-square-foot that is much lower than other new construction.

Ordering a prefab home may seem leading-edge, but manufactured homes already make up 10 percent of new construction in the U.S. Buyers place orders at local retailers where they can tour model houses (often from several manufacturers), look at floor plans and pick out cabinets, trim, flooring and other options. And, if a homeowner wants to remove a wall from the floor plan, have nine-foot ceilings, or turn their bath into a spathey can.

Consumers want homes truly customized to their lifestyle and taste and builders have responded with new flexibility in design, said Joan Brown of the Northwest Housing Association.

More house for the money

Along with custom features, house buyers also want value. Factory construction means home builders dont have to wait on weather delays, overbooked subcontractors and lost materials. Streamlined manufacturing delivers significant savings, reducing the cost of constructing manufactured homes to $50 to $75 per-square-foot or half the cost of site-built homes. This is without land and site prep costs, which vary by location.

Money that might be lost to delays and waste can go to home upgrades or stay in the buyers pocket, Brown added, noting that factory construction also offers reliable project management, inspections and timely delivery.

Adding long-term value

Brown suggests that home buyers add custom features that increase their homes value in the long run. After all, for most people, their home is their largest investment. Adding a garage or upgrading your energy package will make your home more enjoyable, add resale value and save money over time, Brown said.

Comparison shopping helps buyers make smart choices. Different manufacturers and sales centers offer different home features and services. Buyers should plan on visiting several manufactured home retailers and asking about standard and custom features before making a decision.

By theNorthwest Housing Association

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(MENAFN - GetNews) Regency Custom Homes, a leading home builder in Arizona since 1999 has recently launched a new and revamped website that has been designed keeping their clients' convenience in mind. Modernism, relevant content, mobile compatibility, and impressive speed are just some of the features of the new website in which their new and existing clients will be able to inform themselves better regarding the services provided by their company.

Scottsdale, AZ - Regency Custom Homes, a leading home builder in Arizona since 1999 has recently launched a new and revamped website that has been designed keeping their clients' convenience in mind. Modernism, relevant content, mobile compatibility, and impressive speed are just some of the features of the new website in which their new and existing clients will be able to inform themselves better regarding the services provided by their company.

"At Regency Custom Homes, we sincerely believe our team is comprised of the finest craftsmen in Arizona. As a custom home builder, we are committed to delivering the highest quality custom designed homes on time and on budget. Our unique approach ensures that the entire process of building your luxury estate is not only streamlined but also enjoyable!" Said Steve Wiggins, the spokesperson for Regency Custom Homes, regarding the quality of their services.

Regency Custom Homes is owned and operated by Steve Wiggins, a prestigious engineer with vast experience in the construction industry, including dealing with projects of massive proportions. Mr. Wiggins' vision was to found a company that could offer unique designs, exceptional finish work, and true quality. Two decades after establishing Regency Custom Homes, Steve Wiggins, and his staff remain true to their founding principles by helping their clients to build unique and luxury customized residences in Phoenix and the neighboring areas.

Luxury Home Builders - Regency Custom Homes is considered synonymous with reliability, as their name has been featured in the summer 2016 edition of SuCasa magazine and in the 2019 RED Awards by Luxe Interiors + Design. For the last five years, they have been the proud recipient of 'The Best of Houzz awards including distinctions design & customer service, among other recognitions.

"Steve operates with a very high level of professionalism that reflects his education, his extensive experience, and his personal values. It is that combination that I would say makes Regency Custom Homes a truly exceptional builder. An added bonus that Steve brings is the ability to offer design ideas and alternatives throughout the construction process that really enhance the beauty and value of the project. Finally, expect the project to be completed on-time and on-budget. Highest recommendation!" Said a past client, regarding his experience hiring Regency Custom Homes to build his family's home.

Regency Custom Homes is located at 7377 E Doubletree Ranch Rd #170, Scottsdale, AZ 85258. For immediate assistance from the award-winning Luxury Home Builders , contact their team via phone at (480) 367-1959 or send online inquiries via email to . For additional information regarding their services or to request a free quote, visit their website.

Media Contact Company Name: Regency Custom Homes Contact Person: Steve Wiigins Email: Send Email Phone: (480) 367-1959 Address: 7377 E Doubletree Ranch Rd #170 City: Scottsdale State: AZ Country: United States Website: https://regencyhomes-az.com/

MENAFN1003202000703268ID1099828386

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Regency Custom Homes, the Top Luxury Home Builders in Scottsdale, AZ Announce New Website - MENAFN.COM

Corbett Canyon painter Mark Bryan is in therapy. Art therapy, that is. And he's been in session ever since the 2016 presidential election.

"I went to bed and Hillary Clinton was ahead," Bryan remembered of Election Day. "I woke up and Donald Trump was elected president."

Bryan's latest exhibit, Fake News, lets viewers into his artistic processing of the Trump era with a biting collection of 25 oil paintings. Fake News is on display at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) through April 26.

"I go after people I don't like. They get the satirical treatment," Bryan explained with a laugh. "What is so disturbing to me is how many people are down with Trump. I was completely blown away that Trump won."

Art has turned Bryan, a self-described introvert, into an extrovert through the satirical oil paintings he creates. He expresses his emotions and opinions on canvas, whether it be politics, religion, or whatever is lurking in his subconscious mind.

Walking into SLOMA, I am immediately taken in by Bryan's 2017 painting, Feeding the Baby, which depicts Trump with his former strategist Steve Bannon. The painting shows a caricature of a smiling Bannon as he spoon-feeds Trump a bite of Bannon's Special KKK Cereal, with sugar-coated KKK hood-shaped marshmallows. The president, also a caricature, is sitting at a baby-sized desk, on top of a larger desk, in the Oval Office of the White House. On Trump's little desk, decorated with dollar signs and a 1950s Richie Rich comic emblem, sits a Hello Kitty drawing he is working on and an electronic tablet open to Twitter.

Bryan explained that the cat drawing is a reference to the president's famed recording in which he used vulgar terms to describe grabbing women.

Another of Bryan's attention-grabbing pieces is Foreverland, a 2019 religious commentary piece that's particularly intriguing. In the painting, Jesus is the featured amusement park ride, with angels circling above his head. Next to Jesus, there is a ticket booth for those who want to buy their way into heaven. If the Jesus ride isn't for them, there are other rides: an Islamic rollercoaster or a Buddhist Ferris wheel to take a spin on. For those who know they have been bad and are ready to feel the heat, the ride to hell is also offered.

"Pick a religion," Bryan said.

Bryan said he comes up with ideas for his paintings by thinking about the "big picture," not just one idea. Then he figures out how to make a visual story of what's on his mind. He calls the end result a "slice of time."

Growing up in LA in the 1950s, Bryan's mother introduced him to the arts through her own arts and crafts projects and by taking him to museums. He was shy and introverted, and drawing became a vehicle to create his own reality.

In 1968, Bryan attended Cal Poly to study architecture, but left two years later to attend Otis College of Art and Design, LA's first independent professional school of art.

After college, Bryan returned to SLO County and started work as a contractor, designing and building custom homes, while raising his two kids. In 1977, he built a custom home for his family in Corbett Canyon, where he still lives today. Three times a week, he surfs, usually in Pismo Beach or Morro Bay.

Since 2000, Bryan has worked solely as a professional artist. In addition to his political and religious art, Bryan also enjoys creating pop surrealism pieces because they come from his subconscious imagination. Painting the current president, which he's done six times in three years, is getting a bit old, he said.

"I don't want to paint Trump all the time," Bryan said.

Arts Writer Rebecca Howes is waiting in line for the Jesus ride. Send arts story tips to rhowes@newtimesslo.com.

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Artist Mark Bryans Fake News exhibit allows viewers into his subconscious mind and art therapy sessions - New Times SLO

Freshly painted & beautifully maintained home on 4.45 acre lot w/woods, sprinkler, FABULOUS L SHAPED SALT WATER POOL, pool house, hot tub, paver patio, screened in porch! Impeccably maintained 35'x35' detached garage,insulated,drywalled & painted w/12' & 10' doors, plus 3car side entry gar! Endless entertaining options, w/Amazing full bar in fin walk out lower lvl w/Fam Rm w/gas fplc, huge rec rm,2 addl rms/sleeping areas,huge full bath,exercise area,built in storage! Stunning, sweeping staircase in the 2 story entry foyer! Great Rm w/custom brick fplc, gorgeous new hardwoods in frml dining w/butler pantry, rich wood panels in den! Kitchen offers stainless appl,island w/brkfst bar,custom designer backsplash,plan desk,WI Pantry,brkfst area! Mn Flr Mstr suite w/lux bath/2 WIC! 3 lg bdrms up,1 w/en suite bath/others share J&J bath,all w/WICs! Fantastic MFL,newer roof,front/back stairs,Kubota Tractor Incl,Warranty! Private development w/many $1Million+ homes! 15 min to Chesterfield Valley!

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Want an equestrian estate? See some of the most expensive homes that just hit the St. Louis market - STLtoday.com

Miami Beach, Fla. | $299,000A one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo on the first floor of a 1941 Art Deco building

This apartment is in an 18-unit, four-building Art Deco complex known as the Dixon, after its architect, Lawrence Murray Dixon, who designed several Miami Beach hotels, including the Marlin, Raleigh, Tudor, Tides and Tiffany. It is in the South Beach neighborhood, a third of a mile west of Ocean Drive and the beach. The shops along Lincoln Road are less than a mile north and those on Washington Avenue are several short blocks east. The 36-acre Flamingo Park, which has an aquatics center with an eight-lane lap pool, is a block north.

According to FloodIQ, an online research tool, the property is now at minimal risk of flooding in all but hurricane category 3 conditions; it will be much more vulnerable by 2033, if sea levels rise at their current rate.

Size: 685 square feet

Price per square foot: $436

Indoors: The owner, an architect, converted the two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit into one with a single bedroom and bathroom, adding luxurious finishes like limestone floors, soapstone countertops and custom doors encased in galvanized steel. Hurricane-impact windows were also installed.

The windowed kitchen was redone with quilted-stainless-steel wall surfaces, a cedar pantry lined with storage and top-grade appliances, including a Viking range. A closet in the entry hall has a hookup for a washer and dryer, if residents choose not to use the buildings no-cost laundry machines.

In the bedroom, floor-to-ceiling curtains wrap around a corner window and a custom-organized closet. The bathroom has a walk-in steam shower and a multitiered stone vanity with a basin sink.

Outdoor space: There is lush landscaping as you enter the building, and a shared green space out the back door, with tables, lounges, a hammock and an herb garden. No off-street parking is available, but there is zoned street parking for residents.

Taxes: $2,724, plus a $558 monthly homeowner fee that includes flood insurance

Contact: Rene M. Grossman, Compass, 305-804-4302; compass.com

This house is in a town of about 3,700 people, in mid-coast Maine, about an hour north of Portland and 100 yards south of Route 1, also known as Main Street. It is within walking distance of antiques shops and lobster restaurants, including Reds Eats, around the corner. The nearby Sheepscot River is tidal and about 15 miles from open ocean. It is visible from the property in winter and can be seen in glimpses in summer.

Size: 2,500 square feet

Price per square foot: $124

Indoors: For the last 20 years, an out-of-state couple have used the house as a seasonal second home, although it is built for year-round occupancy. After buying it, they stripped every trace of lead paint, updated some wiring and plumbing, and put in a new kitchen and bathrooms. (The several fireplaces are operable, but the chimneys are unlined.)

In the entrance hall, the walls display an antique layer of milk paint that was discovered after other layers were removed. To the left is a living room with antique pumpkin-pine floors, a wood-burning fireplace and French doors opening to the backyard. Another set of French doors leads to a study that is next to a full bathroom and could easily serve a main-floor bedroom. A nearby exterior door offers additional possibilities for a self-contained guest suite.

Turning right from the front door takes you into a combined dining room and kitchen with a fireplace, faux-finished walls, pumpkin-pine floors and wood cabinetry with granite countertops. Sliding doors open to the back.

One upstairs bedroom is painted robins-egg blue and has an en suite bathroom with a painted porcelain sink embedded in a vintage wood cabinet. Both rooms have fireplaces. The two additional bedrooms share a bathroom with a custom vanity.

Outdoor space: The rocky, sloped property in back has been landscaped with nine distinct zones based on feng shui principles. The area contains rock walls, plantings, statuary, small bridges and a pair of ponds with a waterfall. (A pump controls the water flow.) Parking is in an attached one-car garage.

Taxes: $5,357

Contact: Kathy Wyman, William Raveis Real Estate, 207-522-1275; raveis.com

The listing agent recently gut-renovated this property with her husband, a contractor, who is one of three owners. (Another owner is a carpenter who worked on the project.) It is in a commercial neighborhood about a mile east of Charlottesvilles downtown mall and three miles east of the University of Virginia. The house is within walking distance of restaurants and an elementary school, and about a block from the Route 250 bypass, which connects major roads in the area. It has two-family zoning should a new owner choose to convert it into a duplex.

Size: 1,125 square feet

Price per square foot: $276

Indoors: The front door opens into a living room with the original oak floors, solid wood wall paneling and a refinished wood-burning fireplace. To the right is the kitchen, which has tiled surfaces, stainless steel appliances, new windows and a slim breakfast bar built along one wall. A pantry closet was added next to the back door for more storage.

Two bedrooms are on the first floor. They share a bathroom faced in ceramic and decorative glass tile, which has a combined tub and shower. The second floor is taken up by a master suite consisting of a bedroom with hardwood floors, a study and a bathroom with a walk-in shower and a stacked washer and dryer.

Outdoor space: The property includes a private driveway and a fenced backyard.

Taxes: $2,172 (2019)

Contact: Mary Jane Check, Roy Wheeler Realty Company, 434-265-0684; roywheeler.com

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$300,000 Homes in Florida, Maine and Virginia - The New York Times

The Canadian Home Builders' Association of Northern B.C. came together to recognize and honour members of the local and regional residential contruction industry at the Northern B.C. Housing Awards of Excellence ceremony that was held at the Courtyard by Marriott on Saturday night.

There were twenty-one awards up for grabs in five different categories. Big winners on the night were Copper Falls Custom Homes who picked up five awards, including Custom Home Bulder of the Year. Bragg Construction won four awards with Belledune Homes Ltd., Lithium One Homes picking up three awards on the evening.

A full list of categories and winners is below.

New Home: Production or Custom Home

Best Single Family Detached Home under $350k - KG Homes, Prince George

Best Single Family Detached Home $350k-$500k - Lithium One Homes, Prince George

Best Custom Home under $500k - Icon Homes, Quesnel

Best Custom Home $500k-$750k - Angles Drafting & Design, Fort St. John

Best Custom Home $750k-$1,000,000 - Copper Falls Custom Homes, Prince George

Best Custom Home over $1,000,000 - Copper Falls Custom Homes, Prince George

Best Multi-Family Development - Bragg Construction, Prince George

Best Residential Urban Infill - Bragg Construction, Prince George

Renovation Categories

Best Residential Renovation under $50k - Bragg Construction, Prince George

Best Residential Renovation $50k-$100k - Copper Falls Custom Homes, Prince George

Best Residential Renovation over $100k - Belledune Homes, Prince George

Design Categories

Best Kitchen Design: New Home under $50k - Belledune Homes, Prince George

Best KitchenDesign: New Home over $50k - North Nechako Homes, Prince George

Best Master Suite Design: New Home - Lithium One Homes, Prince George

Best Any Room: New Home or Renovation - Lithium One Homes, Prince George

Best Innovative or Special Feature: New Home or Renovation - Copper Falls Custom Homes, Prince George

Special Achievement Awards

Environmental Initiative Award: Residential or Commercial - BC Housing, Project in Fort St. John

Innovative Construction, Architecture or Design Award: Residential or Commercial - Lambert Built, Prince George

Superior Customer Service: Supplier or Sub-Trade - Marathon Eavestroughing, Decks & Rails,& Rails, Prince George

Grand Housing of Excellence Awards

Residential Renovator of the Year - Belledune Homes, Prince George

Single Family Production Home Builder of the Year - Bragg Construction, Prince George

Custom Home Builder of the Year - Copper Falls Custom Homes, Prince George

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Residential construction industry recognized at Northern B.C. Housing Awards of Excellence - Prince George Citizen

A new transit-oriented development is on the way in Carrollton with office, hotel and retail space.

The $300 million Carrollton Gateway development is planned along Interstate 35E at Broadway and Dickerson streets.

Local developer Namhawk LLC is building the project, starting with a six-story, 325-unit apartment block with retail and restaurant space on the ground floor.

A 150,000-square-foot office building is planned in the second phase.

The Carrollton Gateway mixed-use project is across the street from DARTs Trinity Mills commuter rail station.

Ratliff Group LLC will be the manager for the development, and Page Architects designed the first phases of the project and the master plan.

Construction is set to begin later this year.

The first phase apartment community will include a fitness center, a third floor terrace, a pool with cabanas and a coworking and meeting space.

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$300 million Carrollton development includes apartments, retail and office - The Dallas Morning News

UPTOWN A parking lot that for years served patrons of the Uptown Theatre and other entertainment venues will be redeveloped into a five-story apartment building.

Developer JAB Realty is seeking a building permit to begin turning the parking lot at Lawrence and Magnolia avenues into a five-story, 54-unit apartment building with ground-floor retail space, city records show. The project is a transit oriented development, meaning it can offer fewer than the citys required number of parking spaces because of its proximity to major public transit lines.

A building permit has yet to be approved, city records indicate. The development would replace a parking lot behind the Uptown Theatre that has been around for nearly 60 years, according to Uptown Update.

Chicago-based JAB Realty bought the parking lot last year for $3.45 million, property records show.

Little else is known about the planned development, however. The developer is not seeking a zoning change as the propertys current zoning allows for high-rise housing. That means the project does not require aldermanic approval, like many developments that require zoning changes.

Ald. Matt Martins office only learned of the development proposal after a 47th Ward staffer saw construction signage at the site. Josh Mark, Martins director of development and infrastructure, said he then searched the propertys address in building permit databases, and then asked City Hall staff for help learning more. The developer is using the address 4806 N. Magnolia Ave., which previously was not used for the property, complicating the search, Mark said.

As-of-right building highlights a dichotomy in Chicagos development approval process, Mark said.

Either [aldermen] have veto power and full say, or we have zero power, Mark said.

Renderings of the development have not yet been made public, Mark said. A representative for JAB Realty did not respond to a request for comment Monday.

Once built, the building would neighbor the Uptown Theatre, which is undergoing a $75 million renovation that would make the long-dormant theater the center of Uptowns reinvigorated entertainment district. After years of fits and starts, work on the theater renovation is scheduled to ramp up this year, Ald. James Cappleman (46th) previously said.

JAB Realtys project is just the latest large-scale apartment project planned for Uptown and it isnt the only one where a parking lot property will be repurposed for residential use.

A few blocks east of the JAB site, Cedar Street is working to turn another long-time parking lot off Lawrence Avenue into an 84-unit rental complex. Closer to the lakefront, developers are seeking to redevelop a parking lot at the former Immaculata High School campus into a 23-story senior living center.

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Parking Lot Behind Uptown Theatre Will Be Turned Into 5-Story Apartment Building - Block Club Chicago