Maine is drafting plans for its share of nearly $9 billion in home energy and efficiency rebate funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, with a straw proposal due out by the end of the year for input from contractors and other professionals who will be on the front lines of promoting new and expanded incentives to the public.

The landmark 2022 climate legislation known as the IRA included two programs focused on household rebates for weatherization, electrification and more, aiming to reduce energy use, costs and emissions for low-income families in particular.

Maine and other states are crafting applications to the U.S. Department of Energy that detail how they hope to use the funding on new and expanded incentives. States will have to balance offering larger rebates with ensuring more availability, while navigating overlaps with existing programs and considering new goals.

The IRA programs at issue include $4.3 billion across all states for energy-saving retrofits and another $4.5 billion across states and tribes for efficient electric appliances and equipment.

Its an unprecedented amount of money to be going to this particular thing of helping people make their homes more modern, cleaner, healthier and cheaper to operate, said Kristin Eberhard, the senior director of state and local policy with the electrification advocacy group Rewiring America.

Maine, for its part, can get about $36 million from each program and, under each, must direct a minimum of about $11.5 million to low-income households and another $2.8 million or more to low-income people who live in multifamily housing.

Its really transformative, Eberhard said. Its going to have a much bigger impact than anything weve seen up to date on those harder-to-reach households.

Maine energy officials say these groups are already a priority for growing the impact of existing rebates, and will be top of mind in their IRA plans.

Were trying to figure out where the gaps are and how we could deploy these funds to fill some of those gaps, said Efficiency Maine Executive Director Michael Stoddard, whose quasi-governmental agency oversees state energy incentives.

Through rebates, loans, aggressive marketing and coordination throughout the supply chain, Maine has emerged as a national leader in deploying electric heat pumps, which provide high-efficiency space heating, cooling and water heating.

Buildings are an entrenched source of planet-warming carbon emissions in Maine, where a greater share of households rely on home heating oil than any other state. That dependence declined from 70% to 56% in 2022, the state reported on Nov. 9.

Maine has already met the initial 2025 heat pump target in its climate action plan, but lags behind on its goal for getting the technology into lower-income homes.

The state already offers hundreds of dollars off heat pumps for people of any income. Lower-income families can get $2,000 off their first unit. For those who qualify for government assistance, both equipment and installation may be free.

This 100% coverage is essential for the lowest-income families, Eberhard said those who cant put up anything. But Maines existing program only has so much funding, she said. It can only reach so many households.

So some of that is where these rebates are going to come in and give an infusion where they will be able to reach a lot more low-income households, Eberhard said. They know how to do it now. Its just the money to do it.

Efficiency Maine, working with MaineHousing and the Governors Energy Office the federal designee for receiving this IRA money is contemplating new income tiers to help make higher rebate amounts more accessible, according to Stoddard.

People with the lowest income might qualify for the highest rebates $8,000 or 100% of project costs for heat pumps, under IRA rules. And the state might split the moderate-income category, which will receive lower rebates, into two tiers, offering more flexibility for people at different income levels than under current programs.

People in multifamily buildings are able to qualify alone or collectively, based on their income or the share of tenants in the building in each bracket. The IRA also includes rules that would allow renters to request rebates for their apartments.

Stoddard expects IRA funding will be especially useful for moderate-income households to move toward whole-home heat pump systems, which are a key part of Maines long-term electrification goals.

But just as important, he said, is what Maine doesnt plan to do with its IRA funds.

What these IRA rebate programs enable us to do is expand and extend the number of customers that we can serve but its not likely that its going to dramatically change the amount of incentive on any individual project, Stoddard said. That may be true in other states where theyve had no programs until this money came along, but thats not the case in Maine.

Several kinds of heat pump hot water heaters, for example, are basically free under current incentives, so Stoddard doesnt expect to emphasize those for IRA funding.

Likewise, he doesnt expect Maines single-family home insulation rebates will change. He said the IRAs rules for modeling energy savings for these rebates could be onerous or too costly for individual customers.

Instead, Stoddard expects Maine to focus this pool of money again on multifamily buildings, where the IRAs requirements may be easier to accommodate in bulk.

These rebates come from the efficiency portion of IRA, and will vary depending on how much energy the user will save hence the need for modeling. But weatherization isnt the only allowable path to achieving those savings, Stoddard said, meaning that multifamily buildings could also use this money for heat pumps.

State applications for this IRA funding have to include consumer education and outreach plans and other strategies, including a market transformation plan on how the use of this money will help lead to ongoing home energy investments.

Eberhard said Maine has already set a standard for this kind of transformation with its approach to heat pumps working upstream with suppliers, distributors, contractors and retailers to make savings and resources as accessible as possible.

If we had that in every state in the country, where you walked into Lowes [and heat pumps were front and center], and your contractor knew how to do it, and your distributor could take care of the rebate thats a real game-changer, she said.

Theres no hard deadline for states to apply for the IRA rebate funds, and the money is available through the fall of 2031. But Dan Burgess, who heads the Maine Governors Energy Office, said efforts like those that Maine has already established should make its IRA rollout easier.

I think were in a good place to put these funds to good use and to hopefully be one of the early states moving forward with a rebate program, he said.

Continue reading here:
Maine hopes IRA money will get heat pumps to more people ... - Energy News Network

Visit the islands off season to take in all the natural beauty and avoid the crowds

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Just behind the fishing village of Camara de Lobos on Madeira, you can see Cabo Girao, the highest cape in Europe Photo courtesy of Juergen Sack / iStock Via Getty Images Plus

Travel to Portugal has increased exponentially in recent years, as many continue to discover the cultural and culinary riches of the year-round destination and its stunning capital city, Lisbon.

Especially when considering winter vacation ideas, there are two Portugal gems worth exploring off the mainland: Madeira island and her sibling, Porto Santo.

On a map these islands look closer to Morocco, but the archipelago is an autonomous region of Portugal. Madeira, noted for volcanic peaks, pebble beaches, and flower-bedecked gardens, is the gateway to the region. A smaller island, Porto Santo, is arid, dotted with prickly pear and other cacti, and coated with a long swath of yellow sands.

You can catch daily direct flights from many European cities to Madeira; all fly into Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport (aka Funchal Airport) in Santa Cruz, the main hub of the island. From the U.S., you can get direct flights to Lisbon on TAP Air Portugal, the countrys budget airline thats better than many other budget airlines, and then travel from Lisbon to Madeira.

Once on Madeira, you can either fly on BinterCanarias or take a ferry to reach Porto Santo. Flights take about 25 minutes, and the ferry about 2.5 hours.

With mild temperatures (60 to 70 F), Madeira and Porto Santo make for a lovely winter getaway from the chilling temperatures found in many other parts of Europe. Traveling to Madeira and Porto Santo in the winter means avoiding the throngs of tourists that flock here during the summer months. Plus, hotel rates tend to be lower, except for dates between Christmas and New Year's Day.

There's so much to explore on Madeira and Porto Santo, we've highlighted six places that show off the finest outdoor treasures these Portugal islands have to offer.

Unlike other levadas, the Levada do Alecrim doesn't present anything too precipitous or vertigo-inducing Photo courtesy of Carlos Gouvia

Madeira is called the "Garden Island" for a reason. To really see the natural beauty of this lush and verdant landscape, get out and explore one of the many forests and trails. A stone-laden ribbon of a hiking trail, the Levada do Alecrim wanders through a forested landscape thick with the heather that once blanketed most of the island. This ancient forest is so ecologically important, its recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Water droplets trickle from leaves, stems, and rocks. A narrow water channel seemingly clinging to the cliffside parallels the path, following the lands steep contours. At a little more than 2 miles each way (hike in and back along the same trail), walking this path is a serene experience, with sightings of yellow buttercups, wild purple orchids, and the tiny Madeira firecrest, Europes smallest bird. The sounds of water tumbling from the waterfall at trails end pulls you in, and a bracing pool awaits.

It's easy to spend the day wandering to all the swimming, eating, and drinking venues found along the seaside promenade in Funchal Photo courtesy of Francisco Correia

Meandering along Madeiras rugged south coast, join the walkers and joggers ambling along the 2-mile seaside promenade between the Lido area and Praia Formosa, a popular beach, in Funchal. Take in the sights along the way, including verdant gardens and green spaces, pebble beaches, public swimming pools, and cafes.

While winter waters might be a bit cool, if youre out for a swim, stop at one of the public bathing complexes, Ponta Gorda and Lido, for saltwater pools. Or check out tide pools among volcanic rocks around Piscinas Naturais da Doca do Cavacas. From here, the views of Europes highest sea cliff, Cabo Girao, cant be beat.

Hungry? Stop for a bite at popular waterfront eateries like Sushi by Gavinas.

Stairs and paths climb the many levels of Madeira Botanical Garden, where, at the top, a cable car provides a scenic ride to the village of Monte Photo courtesy of Ricardo Faria Paulino

Set on a steep hillside almost 1,000 feet above sea level, the Madeira Botanical Garden is home to over 2,000 different plant species from all over the globe.

A network of dark stone paths and steps climb and weave through the vast acreage. The garden is typically thronged with visitors, who often cluster on the lower levels, leaving the upper tiers with a more peaceful vibe. There, isolated benches are scattered about, providing views of the blooms and the sea.

Vote Now: Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights (10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2023)

The landscape is divided into themed sections that include aromatics, camellias, and the flora of Madeira. One of the gardens signature sights is the Choreographed Gardens, a mosaic of ornamental bloodleaf plants displaying purple, pink, yellow, and red hues. The Madeira Botanical Garden is open every day year-round, except for Christmas Day.

Visitors often are captivated by the many bird species, plants, and the carp swimming in the pools at Quinta das Palmeires Photo courtesy of Francisco Correia

Porto Santo island might be defined by its aridness, but the one-acre Quinta das Palmeiras is a leafy refuge, combining a petite garden with an equally wee zoo that's home to myriad winged creatures.

Peacocks will meet you along the dirt paths, greylag geese and wood ducks float on ponds, and birds flit about at every turn. Sulfur-crested cockatoos, Australian parakeets, and fantails are just a few of the many species found here.

The landscape is lush with Canary Island date and desert fan palms, Monterey pines, Surinam cherry, and Natal plum trees. Depending on the time of year, the many shades of green might be punctuated by brilliantly hued blossoms, whether its the pinks and yellows of red hot pokers or the scarlets of firecracker plants.

Some people enjoy strolling from their hotel along the long stretch of Porto Santo Beach Photo courtesy of Francisco Correia

Porto Santo is blessed with more than 5 miles of uninterrupted golden sands along its south coast, perfect for beach walking or simply a relaxing day of sunning and swimming no matter the time of year.

Both the fine sands and the clear, turquoise waters are recognized for their bone, joint, and muscle healing properties, thanks to a high mineral content. (Dont be alarmed when you spot someone covering their body or just their limbs with sand.)

A favorite Porto Santo beach among locals and visitors is Calheta Beach at the south coasts terminus, with its more secluded vibe and stellar sunrises and sunsets.

Overlooking the beach and the black lava rocks scattered on the sand and offshore, the casual Restaurante Ponta da Calheta has a pleasant terrace for lunch or dinner. Grilled limpets, octopus carpaccio, and bolo do caco, a traditional Madeiran flatbread, with garlic butter are among the tasty menu offerings.

Because Porto Santo is primarily a beach destination, many hotels close for the season, so check ahead. Two hotels youll find open in winter are Porto Santo Hotel and Spa and the all-inclusive Pestana Porto Santo.

Unlike other levadas, the Levada do Alecrim doesn't present anything too precipitous or vertigo-inducing Photo courtesy of Carlos Gouvia

Some of Porto Santo's finest panoramic views are along the steep, rugged Pico do Castelo trail that climbs to the islands highest peak. Once youve parked near an old cannon part of the defense from pirates centuries ago the short route navigates up a series of steps that zig-zag this way and that.

From the top, youll see planes landing on the airports single runway, the brilliant green 27-hole golf course, jagged offshore islets in the distance, and the grand expanse of Porto Santo before you. Beside your path, delicate wildflowers grow atop a low stone wall.

Not far from the top, theres a bust of Antonio Shiappa de Azevedo, who was key in reforesting the island. Once at the summit, a garden shaded by Monterey and maritime pines and other trees beckons you to stop and sit a while.

More:
Why Portugal should be on your winter travel bucket list - USA Today

I have a mini-vacation coming up, flying out of Newark Liberty International Airport for a more tropical climate.

And I was recently shopping around for airport parking options. As I have written about previously, I strongly prefer to park on airport property rather than in a local off-airport lot it is usually cheaper, faster, and more convenient.

As you may know, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey which operates the airport offers several parking options at a variety of price points. Ranging from $25 a day at the P6 Economy lot, to $38 a day at the P4 Daily garage, to $44 a day at the Short-Term Terminal lots. (Note: Those are the current prebooking rates.)

Imagine my surprise when I discovered a brand new option on the airport web site. For a parking lot I have never heard of before.

Lot 151. It just oozes mystery and intrigue. Maybe it's because the name is so close to "Area 51". Maybe because 151, among other things, shares its name with a popular high-proof rum.

An updated EWR parking map shows Lot 151 is situated on the northern edge of airport property, at the corner of Brewster Rd. and Conrad Rd.

According to the Newark Airport parking booking site: "Available for a limited time! Safe and official. Free shuttle-bus service direct to terminals; travel time 10 minutes depending on the terminal. One bus stop closer to terminals than P6 Economy, also lowest price."

The fine print indicates that a human staff member will be on-site to verify a prepaid booking, and allow access to and exit from the lot. The price seems to be equal to the discounted prepaid rate for the nearby P6 Economy lot $25 a day.

But here is the most curious part that is all the information available about Lot 151. There is no other mention of "Lot 151" on the Port Authority web site. Nor anywhere on the internet a Google search returns very few relevant, useful entries. (Other than a recommendation from one Redditor who apparently parked there in 2022.)

So is this parking lot real? Will there be an actual attendant there? With frequent shuttle service to EWR's terminals?

Yes, Lot 151 is real.

I took a drive up to Newark this week, and discovered the infrastructure is in place to turn it into a public parking lot. There were no cars parked there yet, and no attendants on-duty.

It is clearly meant to be an overflow lot.

Prepaid online bookings are available from Saturday, November 18, 2023 to Wednesday, November 29, 2023 coinciding with the busy Thanksgiving travel weeks. (I suspect those dates will be extended through the Christmas holiday season too, if needed.)

However, I'm not sure Lot 151 is a good option for the average airport traveler, except as a last resort. The directional signage is particularly bad you need to know exactly where you're going, and/or follow signed to "North Area" and "Building 151" to find the lot.

There is also no telling how frequently shuttle buses will run between Lot 151 and the terminals. (They will probably share service with the P6 Economy lot, which is only a half-mile down the road.) Security could be an issue too, given how remote and desolate the northern apron of the airport is.

The bottom line: Lot 151 is a relatively new option at Newark Airport. But park at your own risk. Personally, I'll be leaving my car somewhere less mysterious on my upcoming trip.

Dan Zarrow is Chief Meteorologist for Townsquare Media New Jersey. Check out Dan's weather blog or follow him on Facebook for your latest weather forecast updates.

Take a look at the top travel destinations in the country for Thanksgiving in 2023.

[WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter private or abandoned property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing.]

Gallery Credit: Sandi Hemmerlein

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Unraveling the mystery of Newark Airport's new 'Lot 151' - New Jersey 101.5 FM

Lots of luxury residential buildings have pools. In order to differentiate themselves in this increasingly crowded aquatic landscape, some developers are getting creative. The latest entry in that out-of-the-box thinking is in London, where the apartments at Embassy Gardens today unveiled the worlds largest floating acrylic pool.

The structure is rather aptly dubbed Sky Pool, as its suspended about 115 feet in the air. It connects the two Embassy Gardens towers at their roofs, and is about 82 feet long46 of those feet are suspended in mid-air, although residents who are a bit afraid of heights can paddle in the water at either the end of the structure, where the structure is docked on the rooftops and more closely resembles two ordinary outdoor swimming pools.

The pool connects the two luxury residential towers at Embassy Gardens.EcoWorld Ballymore

Naturally, it took quite a bit of planning to suspend so much water in mid-air. The project represents a collaboration between architecture firm Arup, engineers Eckersley OCallaghan and acrylic fabricator Reynolds Polymer Technologies. Arups lengthy resume includes work on Singapores jaw-dropping Jewel Changi Airport and Denmarks spiraling Camp Adventure tower; Eckersley has worked on everything from a Mars concept home for astronauts to a revamp of the TWA Flight Center in New York.

The high-flying Embassy Gardens structure was first built at Reynolds facility in Colorado before it was eventually shipped to London. To prevent the 10-foot pool from cracking under the immense weight of all the water (plus people), it was made with a bottom thats nearly 12 inches thick. For those who are still a bit squeamish about swimming so high up, rest assured that the project has also been tested by its manufacturers many, many times for safety.

The pool wont obstruct the sky for passerby, meanwhile, residents paddling through it will enjoy views of the nearby Thames and beyond.EcoWorld Ballymore

Of course, youll need a membership to take a dip. All residents are automatically enrolled in Embassy Gardens Eg:Le Club, which grants access not just to the futuristic water feature, but a slew of other amenities as well, including a gym, movie theater, lounge and a more by-the-book indoor pool. For those interested in buying in, prices start at about $1.4 million at current exchange.

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The Worlds First Sky Pool Is Suspended 115 Feet Above the Streets of London - Robb Report

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwams College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Delroy Tyrrell from Trincity, Trinidad has announced his commitment to Lindsey Wilson College for the 2021-22 school year and beyond.

I chose Lindsey Wilson because of the incredible family atmosphere! And very amazing staff members and of course swim team!

Tyrrell is a backstroker who has represented Trinidad and Tobago internationally at the Carifta Swimming Championships (2017, 2019) and the CCCAN Swimming Championships (2017).

Outside of the pool, Tyrrell plays chess professionally and does debating and public speaking. He speaks three languages (and is currently learning two more) and provides translating services in his country. Academically, Tyrrell is an aspiring virologist.

Best SCM times (converted to SCY):

Best LCM times (converted to SCY):

Lindsey Wilson recently placed second at the Mid-South Conference Championships. Tyrrells best converted times would have scored for the Blue Raiders in the A finals of the 100 Back and 200 back.

The NAIA National Championships were canceled this year due to COVID-19.

It is with great pleasure that I give my official commitment to Lindsey Wilson College. All glory to God first and foremost. To describe the journey to this point as rough would be an understatement. Only my close friends would know how long I spoke about going to college and continuing swimming. For years I sat and listened to the closest people to me tell me Ill never go and I should just do what everyone else is doing and stop or just stop swimming altogether. For a while I actually considered stopping and just thinking that it was all pointless. I thought that I had failed for yearsssss because I couldnt get this one simple dream. I stand here 5 long years later to tell you all that I told you I would do it. Going from being in an immensely dark place to now being able to say that I am a recipient of LWCs full tuition Wesley Scholarship award, being the first international student to receive this award, and being the first athlete to be awarded this award. I can confidently tell you, if you want something and you want it that badly. I dont care how long it takes. Go get your dreams. I cant wait to be a part of the Blue Raiders family. God bless you all, keep working hard. If you want to hear my full story feel free to message me. Thanks again to God and here I come LWC!! #GoRaiders #LWCisfamily

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [emailprotected].

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Trinidad and Tobago National Teamer Delroy Tyrrell Commits to Lindsey Wilson - SwimSwam

Carley Rickles came to a realization thats unfamiliar to most landscape architects when she was beginning the landscape plan for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). There was, strictly speaking, no site. As part of Los Angeless ambitious program to alleviate its housing crisis by dropping ADUs across the citys legendary single-family-home horizon, each structure would sit in a backyard that could contain different dimensions, constraints, and contexts.

Rickless landscape design would be paired with a crisp and angular garden shed-like unit designed by Jennifer Bonners MALL, a creative practice that stands for Mass Architectural Loopty Loops, Miniature Angles & Little Lines, or Maximum Arches with Limited Liability. It felt like all we had to draw from was the architecture, Rickles says.

So, the Atlanta-based Martin Rickles Studio (composed of Rickles and the artist and architect Jennifer Martin) extrapolated the abstract geometry of Bonners design and put together a planter-based graphic kit of parts, Rickles says, that could weave around and through whatever might be behind the back doorbirdbath, pool, or actual garden shed. Every house is going to be different with different conditions, and we need to be able to respond to that, she says.

Lean-to ADU, the name of the 515-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bath collaboration between Bonner and Martin Rickles Studio, is part of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safetys catalogue of preapproved ADU designs, with entries from local and national firms, both new and established. With over two-dozen templates, city officials are looking to elevate ADU design while also offering an expedited over-the-counter approval process, as the former Los Angeles Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne and current Los Angeles chief design officer told Carolina A. Miranda,his successor at the Los Angeles Times.

Bonners ADU riffs on Los Angeless regional vernacular housing types, as well as the omnipresent backyard shed. And Rickless landscape uses this same geometric palette of circles, rectangles, parallelograms, and very acute triangles, she says, an echo of the front facade roof line. These shapes are defined by wavy metal edger planting bedsand arrayed in any pattern thats pleasing. Sketched and rendered with an Instagram collage aesthetic, with hearty helpings of millennial pink and teal, it looks like a ready-made boutique Airbnb offering.

Absent site-specific context and guidance, Rickles was able to draw on the history of Los Angeles landscape design from the late Ruth Shellhorn. Born in 1909, Shellhorn was a native Angeleno and pioneer in the design of Southern California landscapes at a time when there were few women practicing. She was best known for her work at Disneyland, where, in just a handful of months, she designed the parks pedestrian circulation system, planned landscapes, and selected plantings. Rickles took inspiration from Shellhorns horizontal beds of geometric plantings that depict Mickey Mouse. I thought that this idea of literally having pop culture embedded in the landscape would be something interesting to bring forward, especially in California, by this heroine of landscape architecture, she says.

Shellhorn was important for the way she used landscape to frame retail experiences, designing courtyard-like landscapes that presented shopping as a lifestyle, with intense sun-dappled plant textures and colors to evoke a subtropical aesthetican approach that became synonymous with Southern California landscape design. She was also attracted to narrative and theatrical applications of plants, like the brambled melaleuca trees planted at the Sleeping Beauty Castle, which are sinister and twisted in the way of a fairy tales second act.

For Lean-to ADU, Martin Rickles Studio includes native plants such as desert marigold, blue fescue, red buckwheat, and desert globemallow. Surrounding the geometric planters, Rickles says the remaining yard will be green gravel, a satirical take on the still-aspirational environmental dead-end of standard single-family-home turf lawns. Rickles sees this as a corrective thats meeting a social and ecological need, she says.

By flexibly nesting a new design typology within the suburban residential pattern, Martin Rickles Studios landscape promises to assert just enough of its own identity to be a good neighbor.

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THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME - Landscape Architecture Magazine

If you build it, they will come. The Field of Dreams tagline certainly applies to the three-part PBS docu-series Life at the Waterhole (7 p.m., PBS, TV-PG, check local listings).

Filmed in Tanzania with the cooperation and literal blessings of local tribes, Waterhole brings a bit of reality TV surveillance to the parched African landscape.

Host and renowned conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan visits with a local Maasai leader to discuss the effects of rising temperatures on both humans and animals. Surveying a village with many hand-dug wells, he learns just how precious water can become during the dry seasons that are increasing in length and severity. These wells draw the attention of local wildlife, including elephants that can drink up an entire well in one sitting.

Sanjayan and his team then decide to create an artificial watering hole. This will keep animals from bothering the Maasai and offer a unique vantage point for studying wildlife behavior.

Next to the waterhole, they create a concrete structure large enough to house a kind of ad hoc TV studio. It also is rigged with dozens of minicameras, similar to the house on Big Brother and the restaurants on Real Housewives. Just dont go looking for these beasts to throw chardonnay at each other.

It takes less than 45 minutes for local warthogs to discover the pool, where they cool themselves with rambunctious mud baths. Thermal cameras show how the mud lowers the warthogs temperatures some 7 degrees, a lifesaver in the severe heat. The arrival of elephants really advertises this resort. As they trample the rough brush, elephants create a highway for other creatures, including impalas, leopards and hyenas. And not everyone gets along.

During three Wednesday episodes, Waterhole will follow the pool scene by day and night, in the dry season and after the rains arrive, making the makeshift hangout less necessary and popular.

The theme of being spied upon continues on the finale of Home Economics (7:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG), wrapping up its freshman season after seven episodes. At a get-together for the folks anniversary, suspicions spread about the real plot to Toms novel and his mining his relationship with his siblings for material.

Also concluding their seasons tonight, The Goldbergs (7 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) cliffhangs with talk of engagement rings; Jackie comes down to earth after her Jeopardy! appearance on The Conners (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14); and the kids imagine the worst about Danny just as he embarks on a road trip with Jean on Call Your Mother (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).

If she could turn back time. Seen earlier on Paramount+, Cher and the Loneliest Elephant (7 p.m., Smithsonian) follows the singer to Pakistan, where she uses her considerable influence to help relocate a 4,000-pound pachyderm to an animal preserve. I got you, babe.

TONIGHTS OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

A transplant procedure goes South on Chicago Med (7 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

A place for Kidd on Chicago Fire (8 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

NOVA (8 p.m., PBS) sifts through new evidence about the cause of the explosion of the Hindenburg in 1937, an aviation disaster covered live on radio, broadcast to a horrified audience.

A crime ring makes things personal on Chicago P.D. (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).

Tyrell seethes on A Million Little Things (9 p.m., ABC, TV-14).

Human: The World Within (9 p.m., PBS, TV-PG, check local listings) explores the immune system and the ways the body defends itself.

CULT CHOICE

A movie star (Ellen Burstyn) calls on some unusual experts after her daughters (Linda Blair) condition begins to turn heads in the 1973 shocker The Exorcist (9 p.m., Sho2).

SERIES NOTES

Kids Say the Darndest Things (7 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) ... The Masked Singer (7 p.m., Fox, TV-PG) ... A rude homecoming on Kung Fu (7 p.m., CW, r, TV-PG) ... A Nigerian pipeline faces attack on SEAL Team (8 p.m., CBS, TV-14) ... Game of Talents (8 p.m., Fox, TV-PG) ... The Drew crew targets Everett on Nancy Drew (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) ... Hondo stews on S.W.A.T. (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).

LATE NIGHT

Charles Barkley is booked on Conan (10 p.m., TBS) ... Lisa Kudrow and Tamika Mallory are booked on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (10:35 p.m., CBS) ... Jimmy Fallon welcomes Blake Shelton, Horatio Sanz and musical guests Regard, Troye Sivan and Tate McRae on The Tonight Show (10:34 p.m., NBC) ... Sen. Bernie Sanders, Action Bronson and Brian Frasier-Moore visit Late Night With Seth Meyers (11:37 p.m., NBC).

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Not everyone gets along at the pool - Kankakee Daily Journal

LISTING OF THE DAY

Location: Brentwood, Tennessee

Price: $2.95 million

This five-bedroom house in a celebrity-favored suburb of Nashville has just emerged from a total makeover.

The owners completely renovated the house from top to bottom, said listing agent Kim Brannon, of Zeitlin Sothebys International Realty. This was going to be their forever home, but now they need to move to Florida.

She described the renovation as very sophisticated with a number of high-end finishes. The home is in the city of Brentwoods Annandale neighborhood, which is just south of Nashville.

Whats great about this neighborhood is that its as far north as you can go in Brentwood and still be in Williamson County, which is known for its excellent schools and lower property taxes, compared to adjoining Davidson County, where Nashville is located, she said. Its also just 15 minutes from downtown and the airport, which makes it very attractive.

More: Tennessee Estate With a Full Recording Studio

The main floor of the home has formal living and dining rooms, a large mudroom with cubbies and a fully updated kitchen with new quartzite counters, stainless-steel appliances and an island. The kitchen opens to the hearth, or family room, which has a custom entertainment center and a vaulted ceiling with wood beams.

The primary bedroom suite, which features a new bathroom with Carrara marble, floating cabinets, a standalone tub, an oversized shower and a separate water closet, is also on the first floor.

The second floor holds a new massive executive office with maple judges paneling and a coffered ceiling, Ms. Brannon said. There is also an attached smaller office for an assistant, or it can be used as a second office.

More: Nashville, Tennessee, May See Major Hike in Property Taxes

In addition, the floor has three en-suite bedrooms with walk-in closets, and a media room with a wet bar and a small refrigerator.

The lower level has a pub room with brick floors and a walk-in wine vault with a cork floor and iron gates. Other architectural and design features in the home include nine- to 12-foot ceilings, hardwood floors throughout (except in the carpeted media room), new light fixtures and multiple fireplaces.

The backyard looks like a park and is very private, Ms. Brannon said. The fenced yard features a covered brick patio, a plunge pool with two waterfalls, a spa and all new landscaping, including tall evergreens for screening.

It also has room for a full pool, which the owners were planning to install, she said.

From Penta: Basquiat Skull Painting Sells for US$93.1 Million at Christies

Stats

The 7,302-square-foot house has five bedrooms, six full bathrooms and two partial bathrooms. It sits on a 0.96-acre lot.

Amenities

Amenities include two two-car garages, a separate guest or in-law suite, a bar, a plunge pool, an oversized spa, a pub room and a walk-in wine vault that can hold about 1,000 bottles.

Neighborhood Notes

Annandale is probably one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Brentwood because its really, really well groomed, Ms. Brannon said. It features 14 acres of linear parkland with walking trails, lakes and fountains.

Brentwood as a whole is known for its parks system, she said.

More: Country Singer Carrie Underwood Lists Tennessee Home for $1.45 Million

Agents: Kim Brannon and Ami Kase, Zeitlin Sothebys International Realty

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A Newly Renovated Mansion Outside of Nashville With a Pub and a Wine Vault - Mansion Global

The market research report entitled Global Swimming Apparel Market 2021 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2026 was recently released by MarketsandResearch.biz contains systematic details in terms of market valuation, market size, revenue estimation, and geographical spectrum of the business vertical. The report reviews global Swimming Apparel industry by-products or services offered, downstream fields, end using customers, historic data figures regarding revenue and sales, market context, and more. It collectively studies the current state of affairs of the market rate, share, demand, development patterns, and forecast within the coming back years.

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The report investigates the global Swimming Apparel market and delivers in-depth market information based on the data related to export and import along with the ongoing industry trends in the global market. The report deeply observes the competitive structure of the market worldwide. The report comprises a detailed summary of the various firms, manufacturers, organizations, and other competitive players in this market. It then highlights a comprehensive market evaluation that reveals patterns in market size by sales & volume, existing growth drivers, information, and market progress validated by the industry.

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The report comprises a competitive analysis of the key players functioning in the global Swimming Apparel market and covers in-depth data related to the competitive landscape of the market and the recent strategies & products that will assist or affect the market in the coming years. A deep study of factors including various dynamics of the industry, the regional markets, value chain analysis, consumption, demand, key application areas has been considered in the report. This study provides a conclusive study about the growth plot of the market for forthcoming years.

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Global Swimming Apparel Market 2021 Industry Development, Analysis of Driving Factors and Growth Forecast to 2026 KSU | The Sentinel Newspaper - KSU...

Australias Northern Territory is vast, with a range of environments and climate. In the tropical Top End, there are two major seasons, the Dry (roughly April to September) and the Tropical Summer (October to March), while down south the Red Centre experiences a temperate four-season cycle. Whatever the season, there is always a place to find a panoramic view, a unique experience, a refreshing swim, or an invigorating hike. Before taking a plunge anywhere in the Northern Territory wilds, always seek advice from parks staff and heed all signage.

Just a two-hour drive from Darwin, Litchfield National Parks dramatic sandstone geology sets the scene for some of Northern Territorys most scenic swimming spots, pleasant hikes and fascinating ecology.

Water is the star of Litchfield it falls from the sky, percolates through sandstone fissures, and falls again over ancient fault lines into deep, clear plunge pools. Depending on water flows, swimming at Litchfield is possible year-round and designated, croc-free swimming areas are accessed by road (Buley Rockhole, Florence Falls, Wangi Falls, Cascades and Walker Creek), 4WD track (Tjaynera Falls and Surprise Creek Falls), or short walk (Greenant Creek Walk).

Several Darwin-based tour companies visit Litchfield as a day trip. For the best experience, take a small-group tour, such as Ethical Adventures, with the flexibility to avoid the peak crowds and the permits necessary to access little-visited water holes.

Some waterfalls are better looked at than swum under. Check out Tolmer Falls, one of Litchfields most spectacular cascades, especially in the Wet, with a pleasant walk through swaying native hibiscus to the viewing platform. Wangi Falls plunges into a huge fish-filled swimming hole, but here swimming is restricted to the Dry season.

You can also look forward to exploring brand new areas of the national park soon, with new recreational swimming areas and campsites - Litchfields Central Valley - opening in 2021.

Kakadu National Park is also a year-round destination, but the seasons will dictate where and how you can spend your visit. The northern section of Kakadu comes into its own as a hiking and swimming destination in the Dry. The largest waterfall in the park, Jim Jim Falls, all but dries up, but the pool beneath is a magnet for adventurers equipped with a 4WD and prepared to tackle a 1.2-mile return hike if needed.

Come the Wet season, the falls are a ferocious torrent and access along the floodplain is blocked. This is when scenic flights from Jabiru are at their best. Kakadu Air have several daily flights try to get a seat on the sunset flight, when the escarpment glows in the warm evening light, shadows delineate the stone landscapes and the waterfalls (particularly Jim Jim Falls) are simply stunning.

The spectacular rock art sites at Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock) are open throughout the year with all-season paved roads for access. Several short hikes along well-marked trails in the northern section of the park are always open in the Dry and sometimes partially open in the Wet.

Longer hikes with trail markers but not formed trails, such as the Barrk Sandstone Bushwalk at Burrungkuy, explore exposed stone terrain and should only be attempted by experienced walkers carrying sufficient water and supplies. Overnight walks require a special permit from the Bowali Visitor Information Centre.

In southern Kakadu head to Motor Car Falls and Boulder Creek both are short-walk destinations in Yurmikmik country, are great for swimming, and are accessible all year. You may need a 4WD during the Wet to get to the trail heads. Swimming is best here in the early months of the year, between January - April, though be alert for sudden water level rises. A pair of goggles will reveal a tropical underwater landscape teeming with an aquarium-level variety of fish.

Wondering why its called Motor Car Falls? In 1946 an intrepid tin miner went off-road in a trusty Chevrolet truck. He didnt get far, stopped by the boulder-strewn creek and falls that now bear this memorable name.

In the Dry, other swimming options open in the south. An exquisite pool surrounded by rocky ledges lies below Maguk Falls, and a chain of pools above the falls is just waiting to be explored. Impressive Gunlom Falls is accessible by 2WD on an unsealed road and offers a large plunge pool below the falls.

Nitmiluk National Park, about 19 miles from Katherine, is one of the Northern Territorys must-see destinations. The parks headline feature is the series of 13 deep gorges carved by the Katherine River. In the Wet, the enormous power of the river is a sight to behold by boat. If youre headed there between June October, the gorge is buzzing with recreational activities.

The regions famous river cruises operate year-round, but the program will vary depending on water levels. In addition to cruising through the awesome gorge, the park has around 75 miles of trails, from short walks to multiday hikes. Another great option to appreciate the grandness of the gorges is from a helicopter.

Most hikes in Nitmiluk start from the park HQ, the Nitmiluk Centre, and climb above the gorge. Hikes are available year-round, though walkers must always be prepared for hot conditions and carry plenty of water. Nitmiluks famous Jatbula Trail is a five-day walk toward Leliyen (Edith Falls). Its open from May to September, with rock art and swimming opportunities at the end of each day in perfectly positioned campsites.

Finally, wrap up your Nitmiluk National Park tour under your own steam by canoe. Boats can be rented at the Nitmiluk Centre and you will be transported to the second gorge, where the adventure begins. If youre prepared to portage your canoe between gorges, the reward is solitude amongst a wealth of humbling scenery. Gecko Canoeing & Trekking offers a range of multi-day, fully guided canoe safaris on the Katherine River.

Darwin, Northern Territory: Australias hidden gem

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Perfect plunges and heavenly hikes in Australias Northern Territory - Lonely Planet Travel News