San Antonio's beautiful River Walk at dusk. Photo: Getty Images

Every day feels like Christmas at Mi Tierra, San Antonio's best-loved bakery and restaurant. Neon-coloured fairy lights, draped over every wall, are migrating to the ceiling, while glittering star-shaped piatas hang in flocks overhead. Adding to the festive feeling is the colourful array of cakes and biscuits on display, laden with nuts or flavoured creams or super-sweet dulce de leche.

Mi Tierra is a local landmark, one of the favourite gathering places for San Antonio's large Mexican community. This southern part of Texas used to belong to Mexico, and the majority of the population is still Hispanic. You can feel the influences everywhere: in the restaurants; in El Mercado, the largest Mexican market in the US, which lies just across the way from Mi Tierra; and in the murals.

A mural at a convenience store near Mission Concepcion. Photo: Getty Images

Mexicans have elevated the mural into an art form, and more than 100 works adorn walls in the neighbourhood known as Westside. Depictions of the Virgin Mary both in traditional and psychedelic purple versions alternate with other images, including colourful floral patterns. My particular favourite, outside La Chiquita bakery, shows couples dancing while a guitarist plays, accompanied by an accordion. The dance steps are marked on the footpath beneath the mural, so you can practise the steps.

Advertisement

The Latin influence has dominated San Antonio since the 17th century, when Spanish priests established a number of missions here. Living alone on the frontier, the missionaries built self-sufficient communities that featured not just magnificent churches but also gardens and orchards, kitchens and workshops. Most of the missions now lie just outside town however, the one in the centre of town has become a touchstone of Texan history.

The mission originally known as San Antonio de Valero is now better known as The Alamo, and was the scene of a disastrous battle in Texas's fight for independence from Mexico. At the next battle, the Battle of San Jacinto, the Texan troops rode into battle crying, "Remember the Alamo!" and vanquished the much larger army of General Santa Anna. For many Americans, The Alamo is something approaching a shrine, but the building itself is dark and offers little to see.

Mexican wrestling masks at a souvenir store in Mercado Plaza. Photo: Getty Images

Read the original here:
Hola San Antonio!

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is trimming its costs by operating the 'cut and drop' system from this year.

GRASS clippings are no longer being picked up by city council maintenance staff on fields and verges to cut costs and help 'save the planet'.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is trimming its costs by operating the 'cut and drop' system from this year.

It means mown grass is only collected from the city's park and residents' gardens.

But the policy has angered residents' groups who are sick of the grass clippings blowing around.

Eaton Park Residents' Association has called for leading councillor Andy Platt to attend its next meeting after complaining about the policy.

Association chairman John Caulkin said: "When it rains, the sheer number of loose grass clippings make the pavements slippier and we've had residents who have fallen over as a result of this. The whole place looks like a pig sty as a result of the council's 'cut and drop' policy. It's a mess because the pavements get covered in clippings."

John Owen, chairman of Trentham Residents' Association, said scattered grass clippings can cause unwanted weeds and moss to grow.

He said: "I think this is just penny pinching, I don't see why they can't take the grass clippings away with them as they used to.

"But if they are going to leave the grass cuttings there another solution would be to scrape them up into one big pile, out of the way, and left to decompose. The reason people don't leave grass cuttings all over their gardens is that moss and weeds start to grow and before you know it you have more moss than grass."

Read the original:
The Sentinel commented Stoke-on-Trent City Council slammed for no longer collecting...

City looking over Kingston law

On Thursday, Newburgh's City Council discussed a Kingston law that holds tenants accountable for maintaining rental properties. July 10, 2014Leonard Sparks/Times Herald-Record

By Leonard Sparks

Published: 2:00 AM - 07/11/14

CITY OF NEWBURGH Eula Brock remembers them, a group of hard-drinking tenants who once rented the first floor of the building she owns on Carpenter Avenue in the City of Newburgh.

They drank and they dirtied, littering the property and overwhelming her patience.

"I actually had to get rid of them, they were so nasty," she said. "If you don't have clean tenants, after a while, you'll have destruction."

Newburgh's landlords have long complained that the city's code punishes them for damage caused by tenants without holding those renters accountable.

Some see the solution in Kingston, whose officials approved in 2012 a Tenant Accountability Act, making renters share responsibility for keeping properties clean and safe

The council discussed Kingston's law on Thursday, agreeing to create a task force that will bring landlords and tenants together around the issue.

Go here to read the rest:
Newburgh takes up tenant accountability

EDMOND If youve got a problem at the U.S. Senior Open Championship, odds are Charlie Pierce will know.

As the chief field marshal, hes the man who is in charge of more than a 1,000 volunteers and by default the resident problem-solver at Oak Tree National. This weeks senior championship, which runs through Sunday in Edmond, marks the eighth time hes volunteered at a senior open; hes worked six womens opens; and one PGA Open.

And he does it all for free.

The soon to be 56-year-old Hutchinson, Kan., resident volunteers at an average of two big golf tournaments a year, leading thousands of volunteers a year. As the volunteer who is often among the first to arrive each day at 6 a.m. and the last to leave at about 8 p.m. the U.S. Golf Association even gives him his own golf cart that has his initials on the front when he volunteers.

I dont lose my patience very often, he says.

When people mob a golfer seeking an autograph, he is the one who steps in to help a golfer escape. Hes the one who helped re-arrange walkways after this weeks rainstorm made the existing ones a muddy mess. His people also deal with guests who have imbibed too much alcohol. He oversees the gatekeepers who make sure people stay off the course when golfers are playing.

Every golf course has got something crazy, he said. This golf course its (holes) 10, 11, and 18. Thats where most of the trouble is. They all cross over and they all mix up. So youve got a lot of people going different directions. So youve got to figure out whats the best way for them to go, the most efficient way for them to go.

Pierce, himself, is always on the go.

You getting enough fluids and stuff? Youve been out here three straight days, he queries one volunteer as he speeds by in his golf cart to address the latest problem an allegation about lack of strong volunteer leadership on Hole 16 and a volunteer who gave away all the Powerade to course visitors drinks that were supposed to hydrate other volunteers working in the scorching heat.

Then his radio buzzes. Uh oh. Charlie where is that scooter down at?

Originally posted here:
Marshall Pierce brings his experience to senior open

By TODD ZEIGLER Copy Editor

Exit 28 along Interstate 64 East, the first off-ramp outside Jefferson County, used to be relatively sedate.

To the left, a Pilot truck stop, the Shelby County Flea Market behind a chain link gate and at the end of the road, an equine and livestock supply store. To the right, a gas station and miles and miles of neighborhoods with large lots, leading out into the Kentucky countryside and the American Saddlebred capital of the world.

Come July 31, the road to the right will become much more active. That is the ribbon cutting date for The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass, the brand new shopping center located on Veechdale Road just off the interstate. The 374,000-square-foot outlet retail destination will consist of seven buildings containing 80 stores featuring top names like Nike, J.Crew, Brooks Brothers and Banana Republic.

Ask Simpsonville City Administrator David Eaton about it, and hell tell you that he didnt believe it would ever happen.

About three years ago, Gary Skoien, president of the Horizon Group Properties development company, came to visit Eaton and Mayor Steve Eden, expressing interest in the area for an outlet retail center.

He left, and the mayor and I looked at each other and honestly, we didnt think wed ever see them again, Eaton said. Six months later, he came back and said Weve decided this is where were going to locate.

Eaton said that the Horizon group, which has built other outlet centers in Oklahoma City, Okla., El Paso, Texas and Woodstock, Ga., chose Simpsonville for a number of features. They liked the fact that it was the first exit outside of Jefferson County. They liked the close proximity to college campuses. It is centrally located between the major population centers of Louisville, Frankfort and Lexington. It is close enough to Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee to attract out-of-state shoppers.

They felt it was a very good location to be at, and they jumped on it, Eaton said.

Horizon has enjoyed success with outlet destinations in recent years, and Eaton said he believes the success of the The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass will be found in the kind of shopping experience outlet mall shopping encourages.

Read the original:
Registers to Ring

Forest Service opens more trails

Closures slowly being lifted since Beaver Creek Fire

By GREG MOORE Express Staff Writer

More roads and trails on the Ketchum Ranger District closed since the Beaver Creek Fire last August are being opened in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Baker Creek Road north of Ketchum, which has been closed at a point about three miles from state Highway 75 at the junction with the East Fork of Baker Creek, is now open to provide access to the Norton Lake and Baker Lake trails. District Ranger Kurt Nelson said crews have been working on the road for the past three weeks replacing culverts and rebuilding drainage ditches.

Weve been shifting the crews around, repairing fire damage, he said.

Nelson said numerous trees are still down across the Norton Lake and Baker Lake trails, and that log walkways have been rebuilt across wet areas but have spikes sticking up along the sides from the old walkways.

Deer Creek Road, north of Hailey, has been opened as far as Wolftone Creek, about seven miles from the highway. Beyond that, foot traffic only will be allowed.

Camping in the Deer Creek drainage remains prohibited, for safety reasons.

Weve still got pretty high potential for debris flows and flash floods, Nelson said.

Go here to see the original:
Forest Service opens more trails

QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS

Economic ProgrammeInterest Rates 1. Hon PHIL HEATLEY (NationalWhangarei) to the Minister of Finance: How will the Governments responsible fiscal management help to ensure interest rates will remain lower than they were in the previous economic cycle?

Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Associate Minister of Finance) on behalf of the Minister of Finance: The Government will continue to responsibly manage its finances by being careful with its spending and focusing on delivering better results to New Zealanders. It is important that we do not allow interest rates to increase to levels seen in 2007 and 2008, when homeowners were paying almost 11 percent on their floating mortgages. That would be irresponsible. So we have stuck to our very tight operating allowances for new spending and revenue initiatives for 2014-15, and that allowance will increase marginally to $1.5 billion in the 2015 Budget. Treasury has confirmed that this is around the upper limit of new spending before it starts to materially affect interest rates, and it is well below the enormous $7 billion operating allowance under Labour in 2008.

Hon Phil Heatley: What are some of the benefits of the Governments responsible approach to carefully managing its finances?

Hon STEVEN JOYCE: There are a number of benefits. Firstly, the Government remains on track to return to fiscal surplus in the current financial year. Secondly, the latest Budget projections indicate that net Government debtand I stress that is excluding the New Zealand Superannuation Fundwill have fallen to around 13 percent of GDP by 2023. In dollar terms that will be about $150 billion less than Treasury projected before our first Budget in 2009. Thirdly, we have been able to redirect taxpayers money to where it achieves the best results, such as the $500 million package for families and children, which we announced in Budget 2014. The Governments responsible fiscal management is delivering many benefits to New Zealanders.

Hon Phil Heatley: What other examples[Interruption] Mr Speaker, the crowds are cheering; I cannot hear myself.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Just get on with the question. Otherwise we will move somewhere else.

Hon Phil Heatley: What other examples can he provide of the Governments responsible fiscal management delivering better results for New Zealanders?

Hon STEVEN JOYCE: There are many. I could just give one example: my colleague the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment has released figures today showing the Governments strong focus on results in tertiary education is delivering for New Zealanders. In 2013 a record 25,800 domestic students completed Bachelors degrees, which is 24 percent higher than those who graduated in 2008. Overall, the number of qualifications achieved in 2013 by all students was 20 percent higher than 5 years ago. Also, the performance of Mori and Pasifika students is improving dramatically. The number of Mori students who have completed Bachelors

degrees has increased by 62 percent since 2008, and the number of Pasifika students has increased by 56 percent over that same period. Back in the 2000s, the previous Government threw more and more money at tertiary education and the number of people achieving degrees stayed static at the 20,000 mark. With a focus on performance and results we are lifting achievement and delivering a more skilled economy.

More:
Questions and Answers - July 3

SEA-TAC INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT We have all been on one, the escalator, and we know that serious injuries can happen

Take, for example, the 2012 incident at Bellevue Square when seven people were hurt when the escalator malfunctioned.

But state officials say mechanical problems are to blame for only a small number of cases.

On weekdays, about 100,000 travelers will come and go from Sea-Tac Airport, and the gridlock often starts on escalators.

I get nervous that someone is going to stop at the top and I have my bag and I am going to crash into them, traveler Bob Howe said.

There were more than 300 escalator-related injuries in the past five years across Washington.

Our percentage of the usage of escalators is really high compared to anywhere else in the state, the general manager of Aviation Maintenance, Stuart Mathews, said.

They see it time and time again travelers in a rush losing their balance. Signs remind riders to hold on to handrails but many are gripping on to their luggage instead.

The state Department of Labor and Industries is brainstorming different ways to make escalators safer.

Read this article:
Nervous riding an escalator? You may have reason to be

mom style food tech home money health crafts More3

Browse Articles & Videos By Category

Kristen Marquette

Kristen Marquette has been a professional writer since 2009 when FireLight Books published her debut novel, "The Vampiric Housewife." Since 2000 she has helped students hone their written and verbal skills in English as a tutor. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University.

Give your home curb appeal by adding or revamping your walkways. Walkways add interest, color, design and convenience to your front yard. Don't forget to decorate your front step as well. This makes your home seems warm and welcoming. When designing a walkway and front step, make sure the two complement each other.

When installing a walkway from the sidewalk to your front step or from the driveway to the door, choose between two basic designs -- a straight walkway or a curved walkway. Straight walkways give your front lawn and your guest direction to the front door of your house and can add a formal, traditional feel to your house. Curved walkways meander a bit before taking your visitors to the door as they swerve around bushes and flowerbeds. The curves of these paths please the eye, add interest to your yard and provide a casual, informal appearance.

The material you choose for your walkway adds color and pattern to your yard. Choices abound in durable materials that hold up to the elements. Natural stone can complement your house in both color and style. Bluestone is an interesting mix of blues, tans and sometimes purples. Travertine generally consists of beiges, caramels and grays. Alternatively, design your own pattern with brick, or fill in your walkway with concrete. To add color to a concrete walkway, stain it. Pavers can resemble stone or brick. To create a congruent look between the house and walkway, continue your walkway material up the front steps.

Once you have your walkway in place, make it really stand out by adding decoration. Outline the walkway with wood, stone or concrete trim. Plant colorful flowers along side it. Give your front yard a little romance -- and security -- by adding lights along the path. Use rope lights, stake lights or solar lights that charge during the day and glow at night. Add a bamboo or metal trellis over the walkway for a quaint, cottage feel, or place benches next to the path so you or your visitors can sit outside and admire the lawn and neighborhood.

Your front step connects to the walkway so you want it to make an impact on guests and passersby. Plant colorful and fragrant flowers in terra cotta and decorative pots, and place them on your front steps. Show a little whimsy and let a gnome or statute of a woodland creature welcome your guests. For a formal touch, flank your steps with regal lion or sphinx statues or large decorative urns.

Front Step & Walkway Ideas. Give your home curb appeal by adding or revamping your walkways. Walkways add interest, color, design and...

Read more:
Front Step & Walkway Ideas - eHow | How to - Discover the ...

Published: Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 5:27 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 5:27 p.m.

SARASOTA - Benderson Development is taking initial steps to start building a 250,000-square-foot retail lifestyle center with a 150-room hotel at the corner of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road.

The center will blend entertainment with dining and shopping, similar to what Westfield Group has planned for Southgate Mall at Bee Ridge Road and Tamiami Trail, a property that began renovations earlier this year.

Officials with Manatee County-based Benderson presented the project, called Siesta Promenade, to a Sarasota County development review committee this week. A formal workshop with residents in nearby neighborhoods was held Thursday night.

Siesta Promenade would group relatively small retail buildings lined around the edges of the center. Shoppers would park in the middle and walk to restaurants, bars and shops.

While Benderson did not name any retailers interested in opening in the center, the demand for space along the Stickney Point and U.S. 41 corridor is strong, said Todd Mathes, the companys director of development.

Initial plans call for development to begin by spring 2015, Mathes said. The 24-acre property was previously a mobile home park. It has been vacant for some time.

Interest in bringing new retail and restaurant options to south Sarasota has increased in recent months.

Last month, Benderson Development announced that Total Wine and Sports Authority will open in the renovated Pelican Plaza on U.S. 41 near Sarasota Square Mall, not far from where Hobby Lobby, a craft store chain that is new to the market, opened last year.

All of a sudden a huge demand popped up in this area. Its amazing, Mathes said.

See the rest here:
Retail center, hotel planned at Siesta Promenade