HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Dorry Clay, a small business owner unable to save for retirement, is counting on the Connecticut legislature to establish a state-run retirement savings account accessible to millions of workers.

Lawmakers in Connecticut and other states are responding to a widespread loss of private-sector pensions, a lack of access to employer-sponsored retirement accounts in smaller businesses and stagnant incomes that make it hard for workers to contribute to their own retirement plan or company account.

The measures vary in their details, but the general aim is to establish a retirement fund in a state agency that would collect employee contributions, invest the money and pay out benefits when employees retire.

Financial services businesses are fiercely lobbying to defeat the proposals, calling the proposed state-run enterprises unnecessary and a threat to private business. Opponents already have claimed one victory this year, knocking off a public retirement system proposed in the West Virginia Legislature.

Clay, 54, says her savings ran out after she lost a job and was diagnosed with cancer. Now, as a business owner, she says she has "no feasible way" to save for retirement and worries she'll have to work into her 70s.

"You can do everything right, go to school, be talented, work and things happen," she said.

Catherine Ernsky, president of the Connecticut financial planning firm Ernsky Group, said financial planning services can tailor retirement plans without the state's help.

Business lobbyists also are fighting the proposal, with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association putting the legislation at the top of its list of legislative targets. Lou Tashash, owner and president of R-D Manufacturing Inc., a precision sheet manufacturer employing 14 workers in East Lyme, sees it as a burdensome mandate.

"We already have a system in place that Connecticut is proposing. It's called Social Security," he said. "Why does the state feel it has to do something that's already on the federal level?"

Details still are being worked out before Connecticut's legislative session ends at midnight Wednesday. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy supports the ideals behind the bill, a spokesman says, but his administration is negotiating with legislative leaders "on the best way forward."

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States seek a spot in retirement plan landscape

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The Upper Garden at George Washington's historic home of Mount Vernon is shown in full bloom. (Mount Vernon/Newport News Daily Press/MCT)

Photo by HANDOUT

Mount Vernon's gardeners used this heavy stone roller to firm and flatten the soil of the bowling green, making the grass easier to cut. They also rolled the gravel in the serpentine paths, crushing and killing any weeds that might have popped up and maintaining a uniform surface. (Mount Vernon/Newport News Daily Press/MCT)

Photo by HANDOUT

The lower garden at George Washington's historic home of Mount Vernon provided produce that was frequently used to feed the Washington household. (Mount Vernon/Newport News Daily Press/MCT)

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George Washington drew up these notes and plans for a Ha-Ha Wall at his Mount Vernon estate in 1798. (Mount Vernon/Newport News Daily Press/MCT)

As a young surveyor and before serving as our country's first president, George Washington developed the ability to measure up a landscape and to take advantage of its natural features. He also had an eye for spatial awareness, and learned by observation, by reading, and by the study of new styles of landscape design.

Later, he put those skills to use creating a landscape plant for his now-historic home, Mount Vernon in Fairfax, Va., along the banks of the Potomac River, according to Mount Vernon curators.

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Diggin' In: Landscaping at Mount Vernon

A train trip from Sydney to Perth aboard the Indian Pacific is poetry in motion.

Those familiar with Dorothea Mackellar's My Country will feel it come to life, almost line by line, during the four day, three night journey.

In the harbour city, a whisker before 3pm on a Wednesday afternoon, the adventure begins.

From the bar carriage with a G&T in hand (yes open bar) watch Sydney whip by before the train climbs through the majestic Blue Mountains.

Some parts were bushfire ravaged in October, but already the trees are sprouting new shoots.

Kangaroos bound along side the train as the landscape changes to rolling grazier fields.

The train passes herds of what crew members dub summer cows - "some are black, some are red, some are white and some are brown."

As the sun sets, and the train nears Parkes, bound for Broken Hill, it's dinner time in the grand dining cart - the Queen Adelaide restaurant.

It's a delightful opportunity to get to know your fellow traveller.

The gentle jingle of cutlery punctuates the excited chatter.

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All aboard for a train adventure

Exhibition in London will focus on the trials and tribulations of Lakeland hill farmers

11:00am Sunday 4th May 2014 in News By Allan Tunningley

THE real life trials and tribulations of hill farmers in Cumbria will be revealed in a major London exhibition this year.

Billed as one of the most far-reaching explorations of upland life, the Land Keepers project will be shown at the Royal Geographical Society in November.

It marks the culmination of three years research by writer Harriet Fraser and her photographer husband Rob.

The aim was to look beyond Lakelands chocolate box image to discover the reality of life for those mostly closely connected to the world-renowned landscape.

Backed by funding from the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), DEFRA and the European Union, the pair have been chronicling the reality of upland farming in the early part of the 21st Century.

Harriet said it had been a compelling and valuable exercise, throwing up information which could influence and help policy makers in the future.

Not only have we learned a huge amount about hill farming practices and culture, we have seen a wide variety of demands on the uplands and the challenges many in the farming community are facing, she said.

Weve heard widespread concern for a sustainable future for the industry and practical ways to ensure rich biodiversity in the national park.

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Exhibition in London will focus on the trials and tribulations of Lakeland hill farmers

LONG HILL TWP. The Thursday, May 8, meeting of the Long Hill Historical Society will feature Professor Hsu, a Chinese-American artist, who as a resident of Long Hill has been inspired by the natural beauty of the area.

The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.

A long time friend of the Hsu family, Jane Hecht, will share her perspective on Professor Hsus local landscape paintings.

Included in the paintings to be discussed will be those on permanent display in the Long Hill Municipal Building and the library.

Ming Hsu will talk of her fathers devotion to art and his popularity in China as a world class artist.

Professor Hsu will join the group if health permits.

For more information call (908) 647-2111.

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Landscape artist to be featured at Long Hill Historical Society meeting May 8

A bill that would allow the establishment of a state veterans cemetery in Orange County earned unanimous support in the Assembly's Veterans Affairs Committee, the bill's author, Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), announced.

The bill is expected to be heard in the Appropriations Committee next week.

Quirk-Silva, who chairs the Veterans Affairs Committee, said in a statement, "Orange County's veterans and their families deserve an accessible location to celebrate the life and contributions of the brave men and women who have courageously served our nation."

Assembly Bill 1453 is a necessary step toward the construction of a cemetery for local veterans, who have pushed for the city of Irvine to make room for one in the Orange County Great Park.

It would request a federal grant to establish the cemetery to be run by the state.

Members of the local veterans community spoke at the bill's committee hearing in Sacramento, according to a news release from Quirk-Silva's office.

"I believe that a Southern California state veterans cemetery would be a valuable benefit [to] the families of those soldiers who spent part or all of their lives defending our freedoms," said Robert Brower, a longtime Irvine resident and a decorated Vietnam veteran.

Officials throughout the county have backed the bill, though some have expressed concern about getting veterans' hopes up when the state may not have the money to maintain such a facility.

Others have said Quirk-Silva, in taking up the veterans' plea, is making the idea something of a political football. Quirk-Silva is up for re-election this year.

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Political Landscape: Assembly veterans committee supports O.C. cemetery

Wind turbines at Bungendore, near Canberra, are not to the liking of Treasurer Joe Hockey. Photo: Bloomberg

Treasurer Joe Hockey has attacked wind farms as utterly offensive and a blight on the landscape in the latest sign that the Abbott government intends to cut back on renewable energy.

Mr Hockey told Macquarie Radios Alan Jones that driving to Canberra from Sydney meant he passed the Bungendore wind farm near Lake George on the NSW side of the ACT border.

Can I be a little indulgent? I drive to Canberra to go to Parliament ... and I must say I find those wind turbines around Lake George to be utterly offensive, Mr Hockey said. I think theyre a blight on the landscape.

Mr Hockey said he could not stop the wind turbines operating: "We can't knock those ones off because they're into locked-in schemes and there is a certain contractual obligation I'm told associated with those things."

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The Treasurer said the government was intent on cutting massive duplication and indicated more of the climate change-related agencies would be pared back in the budget. He appeared to err, however, saying that the Clean Energy Regulator would go in light of Commission of Audit recommendations.

Well, they say get rid of the Clean Energy Regulator, and we are, Mr Hockey said. A spokeswoman said Mr Hockey had meant to say the Clean Energy Finance Corp, the green investment bank, would go.

NSW Greens upper house member John Kaye said the Treasurer's comments were a worrying signal that the federal and NSW Coalition governments were preparing to undermine Australias renewable energy industry.

Pandering to the Flat Earth, anti-wind brigade, crosses both parties of the Coalition and the federal-state divide, Mr Kay said.

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'Utterly offensive blight on landscape'

'Why we're moving money up the hill'

3:51pm Thursday 1st May 2014 in News

Ihave visitedthe Lake District today to see first-hand the vital role that Cumbrias moorland farmers that play in preserving this treasured landscape.

Ivalued meeting sheep farmers, hearing their concerns and finding out more about how they support your local community.

Sheep farming has a long heritage in the Lakes rather like dairy in my county, Shropshire and even today, farmers continue to play a crucial part in maintaining one of Englands most beautiful landscapes.

Thats why my department, Defra, announced last week that we are moving money up the hill as part of our reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

This means that moorland farmers many of them Lake District sheep farmers will receive 90 per centmore money per hectare. From next year, they can expect about 56 per hectare, a 26 jump.

This money is vital for the Lake Districts farmers because their role extends far beyond producing traditional Herdwick lamb although thats obviously a crucial element.

By grazing their herds on this tough terrain, they maintain the entire upland environment: everything from tiny insects to flocks of farmland birds. Without their hard work, drystone walls would collapse, habitats would change dramatically and distinctive local foods like that Herdwick lamb would struggle to thrive.

Not only do moorland farmers in Cumbria have a vital role in preserving local heritage and traditions, they also help help make the Lake District the fantastic tourism destination that it is today.

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'Why we're moving money up the hill'

Weekend retreat: Skylodge's infinity pool. Photo: John Downs

A hotelier has opened his mountain lodge to a lucky few guests, writes Erin O'Dwyer.

I arrive for a night at the new six-star Skylodge, on Mt Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland, after a two-week beach holiday that ended too soon. It is a post-holiday holiday designed to beat the back-to-work blues. And it does.

Within the hour, I have demolished the cheese platter, refilled my champagne glass twice, and I am lazing back in the infinity pool, looking out from the lush escarpment to the glittering line of Gold Coast towers beyond.

A four-poster bed. Photo: John Downs

It is exactly what owner Robert Maas had in mind when he launched the lodge late last year.

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Skylodge was designed as a family home. When Maas bought the property a decade ago, the 80-year-old farm house was in need of care. He moved it from the southern end of the property to the escarpment edge, in order to make best use of the views. Then he renovated it, wrapping it in exquisite modern Queensland-inspired architecture.

The result is a long bunker-type lodge that melts into the landscape. The original cottage sits at the southern end, linked to the rest of the house by wide timber verandahs, silver-painted weatherboards and a corrugated-iron roof.

The dining table. Photo: John Downs

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Splendour on the hill

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA (PRWEB) April 29, 2014

On July 19, James Spratt White, V (also known as Jay), will take off on a journey to recreate his great-grandfathers historic bike ride 75 years ago from Rock Hill, SC to the 1939 Worlds Fair in New York. Historic Rock Hill will kick-off the 75th Year, Still One Gear Tour on July 18, with a send off party inviting the public to cheer White on as he begins his 800 mile bike journey. Local cyclists are also invited to begin this ride with White to commemorate this historic event.

In 1939, 64 year old businessman James Spratt White, II made the journey from Rock Hill, SC to Flushing, NY as Rock Hills goodwill ambassador to spread the message that Rock Hill is a Good Town. He traveled through ten states and over 800 miles during his historic trek on his trusty bike, Old Betsy.

Now 75 years later, his great-grandson James Spratt White, V (Jay), will make the same journey on a replica of Old Betsy named Old Betsy II, honoring the historic bike ride with the same mission as his grandfather. The ride will conclude at the 75th anniversary of the 1939 Worlds Fair where White will be spreading the word of how Rock Hill, SC is a good biking town.

At the time of my great-grandfathers historic bike ride, Rock Hill was a big bike community, known for racing and the city won several regional championships, says White. Rock Hill has recently had a huge resurgence in cycling with its newest amenities such as the Giordana Velodrome and its other biking amenities. Rock Hill has become the Epicenter of cycling in the Southeast, and theres a difference between biking activities in a town and a good biking town.

The journey, which begins on July 19, will take two weeks to complete and will be documented through Facebook and a video blog. I want to do the same exact thing that he did as much as possible including taking the train back, states White. If still in existence, White plans to even stop at certain shops and restaurants that his great-grandfather visited. White and his team are working on a finish line celebration and hope to shake the hands of the officials of the Worlds Fair same as James Spratt White, II did in 1939.

In conjunction with the tour, Historic Rock Hill will present a public exhibit, Riding Through Rock Hill: A Retrospective on Cycling, that takes a look at the rich cycling history of Rock Hill and the White Familys love for cycling. The exhibit will feature the original Old Betsy along with other vintage and modern bicycles.

The focus of the exhibit will be the history of biking in Rock Hill and will also feature the current cycling landscape of Rock Hill including the Giordana Velodrome and mountain biking trails.

About Historic Rock Hill Historic Rock Hill, a 501c3 non-profit organization, was formed as a Mid-Town Preservation Association in 1986. Our mission is to preserve and protect the historic resources of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and to enhance the livability of its historic areas. Membership is open to anyone interested in historic preservation and stewardship of Rock Hills historic resources. Historic Rock Hills administrative offices are located in The White Home, located in the heart of the East Town Neighborhood District in Rock Hill. Historic Rock Hill is governed by a thirteen-member Board of Directors, which meets monthly in the upstairs conference room at The White Home. For more information please visit our website at http://historicrockhill.com/.

About the Rock Hill/York County CVB The Rock Hill/York County CVB is the destination marketing organization (DMO) responsible for developing an authentic, unified identity for York County, SC. As a DMO, the CVBs goals are to promote the long-term development and marketing of their destination, focusing on convention, sports and leisure sales, tourism marketing and services. The organization works in collaboration with the CVB Board as well as the York County Council and appropriate funding sources. In 2008, the Rock Hill/York County CVB became the first accredited destination marketing organization in South Carolina.

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Historic Rock Hill Kicks Off 75th Year, Still One Gear Tour Celebrating the Past and Future of Cycling on July 18 ...