We want street food quarter

1:33pm Tuesday 25th February 2014 in News

MARKET traders want a street food quarter in Colchester.

Stalls selling food in the town centre are not grouped together and do not have permission to have tables and chairs.

Street food chefs want Colchester Council, which designates pitches, to turn Culver Street West into a food quarter.

Ken Flatt, who runs a curry stall, said: Ive been here for six years. Weve been on our own for a long time.

It would be better for all the food stalls to be together.

The key is to have variety having three burger stalls in a rowwould be bad for business.

Mr Flatt wants the council to allow stallholders to put out a small number of tables and chairs for customers.

Sue and Alex Forbes, who run the Free Ranger, a specialist burger and hot dog stand, said: The council should have us all together.

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We want street food quarter

Considering how poor Ukraine's economy is, it might come as a surprise to see just how extravagantlyits president lived.

ViktorYanukovychhas reportedly abandoned hisUkrainian home for an undisclosed location while violent protests continue leaving the gaudy presidential palace open tothe public.

"You can see people crowding up to the president's country estate. They're not looting it. They're not trashing it. They're simply walking around the grounds, bringing children, taking photographs as if they were tourists," CBCreported.

"The massive rare car collection. The zoo filled with exotic birds. Beautiful gardens. RandomGreek gazebos. The golf course. The tennis court," reportedAl Jazeera).

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Pictures fromYanukovych'shouse spread onsocial media including this, showing a giant wooden ship on his estate reportedly used as a banquet hall. (ViaTwitter / @AnshuVari)

London's Channel4 news reports the estate probably costs more than the president's annual salary of about 50,000 euros. That's about $70,000 U.S. dollars. The estate was likely funded through personal wealth.

Yanukovychis currently refusing to resign from power of the country despite the country's parliament voting to oust him from power. But a BBC commentator says the exposing of his lavish lifestyle is, in some ways, validation to the protestors.

"To get this kind of glimpse behindthe curtain of the opulent life that ViktorYanukovych was leading in a country which is on its knees economically, that may make people think they were right to push for his overthrow," BBCreported.

Ukraine's Speaker of Parliament has been given interim presidential powers.

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Bizarre finds inside Ukraine president's abandoned house

ABILENE, Texas -

One Big Country family is working to renovate the old Abilene mill building and turn it into a winery and event center.

After getting rezoning approval from the city council in January, the McDowells started construction to transform the inside and outside of the property.

"That's always great when you can find something with history. And just redoing an old building and keeping it from being demolished is always good too," said co-owner of the winery Bridget McDowell. "We're excited about it coming back into play in to Abilene."

McDowell and her daughter bought the old Texas Mill and Elevator Company building on Locust Street in October.

"When we started looking at it structurally it was just built when things were built right," McDowell said.

The building was built in 1910. After five months of construction the McDowells expect construction to be done and the business to open May 1. McDowell said they already have weddings booked almost every month from June until February 2015.

"We're going to have a huge outdoor area. We have fire pits and covered gazebos and an outdoor space for weddings and outdoor large parties," McDowell said.

There is a lot of open space for when there arent events there also.

"We're going to have individual seating for if you want to just come one evening and have a glass of wine and just sit and relax and feel like you're somewhere other than West Texas," said McDowell.

Link:
Big Country family renovates historic Abilene building for new winery

Project which lost everything in fire is grateful for donations

3:50pm Sunday 23rd February 2014 in News By Julia Breen

A STONEMASON has donated equipment to a volunteer project which lost 10,000 worth of goods in an arson attack.

Volunteers have worked for more than ten years to restore the woodland and gardens around Gisborough Priory.

But on Monday, February 10, arsonists set a fire underneath the projects metal storage unit, which destroyed the wooden floor and all the contents, causing damage worth 10,000.

Now Darlington stonemason David France has donated replacement wheelbarrows, garden tools including spades, forks, a rake, a hoe, and health and safety equipment.

Gisborough Priory Project board member Jenny Thomas said that all its fundraising paperwork, garden tools, signs, information boards, wheelbarrows, gazebos, marquees, catering equipment and much more had been lost.

But she said: People have been very kind and we are very grateful for the donations we have received.

She praised the kindness of visitors to the woodland, who she said had been donating more money over the weekend. The annual Snowdrop walk was held today (Sunday, February 23) and proceeds from this years fundraising will go towards replacing lost goods.

Cleveland Police are treating the attack as arson and anyone with information can contact PC Carl Drinkel by calling 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555111.

Continued here:
Stonemason replaces some equipment lost in arson attack at volunteer project

Location, location, location.

If you've lived in this area for any length of time, you've noticed that Coeur d'Alene is growing. Luckily, it retains the small-town atmosphere that we love - but growth is inevitable. And if you look around, you'll notice the lake to the south, Canfield Mountain to the east, and the Spokane River to the west. So that growth has to head northwest, toward the prairie.

And that's where you'll find The Landings.

"The Landings is in a special location," says Brad Richmond, Realtor with Northwest Realty Group, representing Hallmark Homes. "The growth comes northwest from downtown. This is where all the land is. You're right in the middle of that." He points out how easy it is to get to Post Falls and Spokane, but that the neighborhood is also close to the services of Coeur d'Alene, to schools and to shopping. The Prairie Trail runs right past it, so you can access the wide network of bike and walking trails in the area. It's centralized in Kootenai County, he says. You're truly in the middle of everything.

One of the many benefits of living on the prairie is the views. "You have mountain views all the way around," Richmond says, "with Canfield, Signal Point and Rathdrum Mountains."

Hallmark Homes has been constructing homes in The Landings for two and a half years. Richmond says in the past year, three new builders have started homes in the neighborhood, highlighting the continuing popularity of and interest in it.

"It's a very diverse neighborhood," says Richmond. Homes range from $140,000 to more than $300,000. There are apartments and condos, as well as single-family homes.

There is a strong homeowners association, as well as an active neighborhood watch program. They maintain a comprehensive website that serves as a great resource for the residents of the area. HOA fees are $175/year, which cover maintenance of the common areas.

The crown jewel of The Landings is Landings Park. "This park is a home run," says Richmond. The developer donated 11 acres, and worked with the city to create this beautiful spot. It features a playground and splash pad for summer fun for the kids; basketball, volleyball and tennis courts; paved bike trails and walking paths; a disc golf course; covered gazebos and restrooms. Every spring and summer, the community sponsors special events.

Hallmark Homes is a local, family-run business owned by Mike Fitzgerald and his son Michael. Fitzgerald has been in the business most of his life, and his son has followed in his father's footsteps. "He's an old-school builder," says Richmond, who has been selling for Hallmark Homes for 15 years, and joined Northwest Realty Group a year ago. "He includes standard

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Neighborhood of the week: The Landings

Ice Sweeps Away Docks On The Muskingum River

The Muskingum County Emergency Management Agency is keeping a close eye on the Muskingum River.

Ice broke loose on the Muskingum River Friday afternoon, tearing out docks, gazebos, trees, and other debris. EMA Director, Bo Keck, said his office has been monitoring the river ever since it froze across earlier this winter. He called what happened Friday "devastating."

"We're a little concerned about the Lorena right now. And then of course down stream, what's this gonna do going down into the Philo area," Keck explained.

So far no homes have been damaged, and as ofright now, Keck said there's not much they can do.

"We were concerned it would back up behind the bridges and of course put a lot of weight there. And now our concern is the damn here at the Y-Bridge to make sure it doesn't back up, that it just keeps going over it."

At this point, Keck said theywill continue monitoring the river.

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Ice Sweeps Docks And Debris Down The Muskingum River

We had another cruise ship in port on Monday but if I hadn't seen it I would be none the wiser. Why isn't it reported/advertised before the arrival so locals and businesses can get involved?

I was lucky enough to be in Akaroa over Waitangi Weekend and in the four days there they had five cruise ships in and the locals went to much effort to welcome the visitors.

There were a number of gazebos on the wharf and waterfront with information and tour opportunities for the visitors and nearly every shop in the town had welcome signs in their windows and there was a market with locals selling their wares.

There were also local limousine rides, vintage car rides even motorbike sidecar rides - all of which were extensively used as a novelty ride around the town.

Having been on cruises myself I know first hand that you don't always book your excursions before arriving in the port, rather wait and see what the locals offer on arrival.

I see Aoraki Tourism has an extensive list on its website welcoming the visitors and listing things to do but after speaking to a few visitors down the street, they were completely unaware of this.

My question is: Who is responsible to advertise the arrival and allow locals to promote Timaru and wider South Canterbury, and why don't we (Timaru) do more to welcome visitors?

Some examples: Approach schools, charity or sporting groups to raise extra money by selling items direct to the tourists.

Approach the vintage car or local car clubs and giving them the opportunity of providing rides.

Advertise that a ship of visitors is due a few days before it arrives and encourage local business to welcome them.

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Letter: Cruise ships

Only a handful of stalls were at Sudbury market on Saturday as the bad weather keeps stall holders away.

Ross Bentley Monday, February 17, 2014 3:00 PM

Market traders in west Suffolk have thanked loyal customers for supporting them during the bad weather - but warned the heavy rain and wind is taking its toll.

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On Saturday, Sudburys normally vibrant market of 30 stalls was reduced to six vans as traders with canopies decided it was too windy to set up. Over in Bury a reduced market went ahead minus the gazebos after a safety meeting between market officers and traders was held the night before.

The high winds of Saturday follow on from flooding the weekend before and torrential rain over the past weeks that has reduced custom.

Dan Ashdon, who runs Waters Edge Provisions on Sudbury market selling eggs, spices and dry goods, said he was a few hundred pounds down on what he normally takes at this time of year.

Today it has been too dangerous for the stall-holders to set up and last week people were preoccupied with the floods but we have very loyal customers who support the market whatever the weather - its the passing trade weve missed out on.

Fishmonger Dave Monro said he had his regulars - some he has been serving for 20 years - to thank for keeping him ticking over. Its been the second year that February has been bad - last year it was really cold and we had snow but we want to thank those customers who keep coming rain or shine, he said.

In Bury, fruit and veg trader, Martin Hart, said he was hopeful trade would pick up when the weather improves.

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Sudbury/Bury: Market traders admit heavy rain and high winds has hit takings but thank loyal customers for coming out ...

QUEENSBURY For SUNY Adirondack students who smoke, the gazebos on campus offer a safe haven.

I come out here to enjoy my smoke after all the stress from school, said Whitney Morehouse of Lake George.

Morehouse also likes the chance to socialize with other smokers.

Theres so many people that I dont see on a regular basis that Ill see out here, she said.

The gazebos are the colleges only designated smoking areas, but that will change in the fall when the campus goes tobacco-free.

The Board of Trustees in December voted to move forward with the plan to prohibit cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes from campus. The decision brings the college in line with a SUNY goal of getting all campuses smoke-free.

College officials are stressing education instead of punishment and are hosting workshops next week for students and staff looking to snuff their smoking habits. The first workshop will start at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Miller Auditorium of Dearlove Hall. A second workshop is slated for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20.

Some students dont plan to attend the sessions. Tricia Pratt, of Wilton, said she has been smoking for 25 years and doesnt plan to quit.

Ive figured its my only bad habit, she said.

It is a habit brought on by stress, say smokers, and its hard to stop.

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SUNY Adirondack offering workshops to help students quit smoking before campus goes tobacco-free

Worried about your wedding dress being damaged before the big day, your cake supplier going bust or your wedding day being rained out? Theres insurance for that.

With the cost of the average Australian wedding reaching $54,000, brides and grooms are increasingly taking out insurance.

The products insurers are selling protect the wedding party against such events as severe weather, the bride or groom being struck down with a sudden illness, loss of wedding documents and damage to gazebos, staging, flooring, chairs, tables and so on.

Some products will also protect the bride and grooms home contents while away on their honeymoon if the home is burglarised and their wedding gifts are stolen.

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Sejal Patel, who moved to Australia from England three years ago, spent about $200 on insurance to cover her destination wedding in Thailand in April.

In England theres insurance for everything - wedding insurance is much bigger, says Patel, who is preparing for her wedding in Phuket.

I probably got it because of the large cost of the wedding and Id heard of it. I assumed it was the normal thing to do.

In Thailand we have the hotel where we are having the wedding and there are multiple suppliers, so in case anything goes wrong we want to be covered.

We were also thinking about weather and if something happens to the hotel before we get there wed need to be covered.

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Australian insurers are now offering 'wedding cover'