Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The artist Ana Vizcarra Rankin is sitting under a blanket of stars. From her vantage point, she can see both Orion and the Southern Cross. Polaris shines from its position in Ursa Minor and in the distance, there are the twinkling lights of Mexico City.

The Philadelphia-based artist, who was born in Uruguay, can almost hear the constant fireworks exploding in the night sky from the festival celebrating the Lady of Guadalupe from her spot on a floor pillow in the upper-level of the gallery at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design.

The blanket of stars above her is her piece Untitled Starmap (Mexico), which is part of Holding Space, an interactive installation, a mediation room with star art and pillows. Holding Space is part of Rankins Butterfly Effect exhibit, which runs at PCA&D through April 12.

By inviting people to gaze into the night sky of Mexico, she is playing with perspective. The viewer is in two places at once. Rankin is in Mexico in her mind and in Lancaster in her body. Rankin envisions the Holding Space as a place for students and visitors to let their thoughts drift.

Im a big advocate of just sitting around in the dark, Rankin says. Its super nice to sit outside and relax and not be staring at a screen. Enjoy the darkness, enjoy the silence.

The blanket of stars that hangs overheard on the gallerys ceiling represents the approximate location of the night sky from a trip Rankin and her husband took to Mexico. She made the work by sketching the night sky with her naked eye while in Mexico and using various star gazing apps to check her positions. Rankins work takes on vast subjects like the universe or the planet and makes them personal.

For instance, the night sky above her reminds her what she was looking at during her trip to Mexico. Constellations and single stars have long been used as a navigation tool. As an artist, Rankin uses the night skies to navigate her position in the world, as well as her memories and emotions.

Butterfly Effect features art based on star maps, world maps, changes in ocean temperatures, the amount of planes in a sky in a given location on a given moment in time and paintings of different nebulas. Theres plenty of room to think, explore and engender curiosity.

The Butterfly Effect is from chaos theory, Rankin says. Its this idea that a seemingly infinitesimal and inconsequential occurrence can affect its surroundings in ways that are extraordinary and supermassive. The guy that coined the term used as an example that a butterfly flapping its wings in the U.S. could cause a typhoon in the Pacific Ocean.

Rankin admits shes taken liberties with some of the scientific material, but shes allowed, she says. Shes an artist, not a scientist, and artists are allowed to be biased, she says.

One of her pieces, Warm Acid Bath, shows the change in ocean temperatures due to acidification.

These heat maps are all rainbow-colored, and I am particularly partial to the idea of the rainbow as a symbol of diversity and inclusiveness, Rankin says. Im using this imagery that is hopeful and positive even to indicate a lot of the things that are going wrong, because I think its not too late. I think we can dig ourselves out of this. Weve just got to plant more trees.

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She may be speaking as an artist and not a scientist, but shes about as close to a scientist as an artist can get. Her father is a professor of animal sciences and her mother a professor of literature.

Dinner conversations were like freewheeling lectures for Rankin and her family. There was often dry ice in the freezer. Rankin and her siblings would go to her fathers lab and gaze into the microscope at the tiny worlds on the slides. Her mothers influence drew her into making art about mythology.

I have always been an artist from when I could speak, Rankin says. Theres a little Super 8 film of me going Yo quiero ser una artista! My hands on hips saying I want to be an artist!

Rankin moved with her family from Uruguay to Oklahoma when she was 11. Later, she moved to Philadelphia and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in art history from Temple University and her Master of Fine Arts from Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Her work in Butterfly Effect offers a chance to view our world through a different perspective. For example, her piece El Sur is an inverted world map.

You think about your position on the planet and if youre always on the bottom and suddenly it gets flipped, it changes the way you think of yourself and where you are with respect to the rest of the world, Rankin says. I mean, you have to think of the world in some way, and it makes sense to homogenize things to a certain degree, but I think theres a danger to this idea that everything has to be so standardized.

The standardization of things is something Rankin is obviously fond of playing with.

I think one of the biggest disservices we do to ourselves is this idea of standardization up to a point where you dont even know the questions you are not asking, Rankin says. The more you are bombarded by the same image over and over again, the less you even consider that an alternative is possible. So, as an agent of chaos, I can be like Hey, but what if, this were quote-unquote upside down. And its not even upside down. Theres no upside down in space.

Here she pauses.

Thats what I love about making this kind of art, Rankin says. Every day is like an existential conundrum.

What: Butterfly Effect.

Where: Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, 204 N Prince St.

When: Through April 12. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Cost: Free.

pcad.edu/gallery-exhibit/butterfly-effect-by-ana-vizcarra-rankin.

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Artist Ana Vizcarra explores a sense of being from a personal perspective and scientific observations - LancasterOnline

The five-star hotel is close enough for those all-important business meetings, but feels a satisfying world away when it's time to unwind

Apparently you should never mix business with pleasure however, a truly exceptional five-star hotel does exactly that.

The Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai is located at the edge of Dubais Downtown district and it does both rather well. Located just moments beyond the low-rise Arabian architecture of the areas exclusive Old Town neighbourhood, the hotel, which opened its doors just over two years ago, is close enough for access to those all-important meetings, with Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) just a short taxi journey away.

And yet its setting, on the edge of the Dubai Water Canal, where joggers and cyclists breeze by without a single care in the world, appears a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

There is an air of calm as soon as you pass through the revolving doors, where you are greeted by an art installation of Dubais impressive skyline; a hand-blown chandelier lends the space an impressive majesty.

Locally inspired art features throughout reception and into the elevators, with natural wood finishes and Arabesque patterns offering a touch of style that references the local culture and artistic heritage.

The hotel is large enough to feel a sense of privacy, but intimate at the same time to experience the personal touch from staff. It boasts 166 king rooms and 65 suites including 32 corner suites, 15 deluxe, 13 executive suites, four VP suites and one presidential suite. The deluxe suite is huge at 65 square metres and the floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning views. A striking feature is Picassos camel sketch above the bed, re-interpreted into a 3D iron rod sculpture, it brings a sense of personality and avoids the anonymity that often pervades even five-star hotel rooms.

For those looking to burn off some energy there is the option to use the hotel bicycles and join the cyclists around the canal, or visit the gym on the third floor, which boasts a selection of Technogym equipment, weights and striking images of Burj Khalifa.

Indulgence beckons at the Six Senses Spa which is located on level five and features six treatment suites that are each dedicated to a different sense skilled therapists will knead and massage away the last of your business traveller fatigue, instilling a sense of profound contentment and relaxation.

And in terms of food, there is more than enough to satisfy your appetite.

Enjoy the sunset view with live entertainment and shisha at Bhar, with flavours from Chef Mohanad Al Shamali and sample his trademark Black Cod Syadieh, as well as other creations such as Crispy Soft-Shell Crab Saj with garlic mayo and harissa and duck fat chips. Basta! the brainchild of celebrity chef David Myers, combines the feel of a Roman trattoria, Florentine steakhouse and Neapolitan pizzeria into one restaurant. The new brunch is another highlight.

The Renaissance is also home to Chef Masaharu Morimotos first UAE outpost of his famed-eponymous restaurant.

And then theres the signature restaurant, award-winning Bleu Blanc. A creation of Myers, it combines French chic with the warmth of a farmhouse and is considered something of a gastronomic destination by the citys food cognoscenti.

While its location on the edge of Business Bay leads one to conclude it is a business hotel, the truth is the property is much more. It ticks all the boxes in that respect, but also offers free shuttle services to Dubai Mall, Kite Beach and La Mer and it is just a five-minute walk to Downtown, the citys de facto entertainment and lifestyle centre.

Renaissance-hotels.marriott.com

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Combining business and pleasure at The Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai - ArabianBusiness.com

Beginning Thursday, tree removal work on Bridge Avenue will require the intermittent closure of Bridge Avenue to allow the safe removal of large trees, according to a press release. The tree removal contractor will work in the general area between Hawthorne Avenue and Marshall Street on Bridge Avenue.

The public is asked to honor the detour and follow the signed route to ensure the safety of both the public and the crew working on the trees.

The road closures will be lifted at the end of each working day so that Bridge Avenue is open to traffic in the evenings and overnight. The work will take about a week and half, weather permitting.

Anyone with questions about the closures or nature of the work can contact Phil Wacholz, assistant director of Public Works, at 507-377-4378.

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Tree removal work begins on part of Bridge Avenue - Albert Lea Tribune - Albert Lea Tribune

GENESEE COUNTY, MI The removal of trees as part of preparation for a road widening project will impact a section of Hill Road for several days.

The Genesee County Road Commission announced trees will be removed beginning Monday, March 2 in the right-of-way on Hill Road, between Saginaw and Center roads in Grand Blanc Township.

Daytime lane closures are scheduled from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 2 and Tuesday, March 3.

Motorists are advised to slow down and allow additional time to reach their destination.

The same portion of road will be fully closed to all thru traffic from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day beginning Wednesday, March 4 for approximately one week, per the county road commission.

Motorists will need to seek an alternate route.

Gerrad Godley, the county road commissions construction department manager, said the widening project is scheduled to begin in April and be completed by end of August.

He noted the work is being done as the portion of Hill Road is heavily traffic, a main thoroughfare for Grand Blanc Community Schools, two cemeteries in the area, and experiences a high volume of commuter traffic to and from Interstate 475.

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Tree removal to impact traffic along Hill Road in Grand Blanc area - MLive.com

Dear Editor:

I am deeply upset and disturbed by the removal of numerous trees recently on the lot at the corner of Glenside Road and Route 22 in Scotch Plains. Many residents in the neighborhood, which is also my neighborhood, have approached me and asked why these trees were removed, as they had been there for as long as we could remember and provided a sound barrier from the Route 22 traffic.

The answer, provided by the state, is that ONE person complained about visibility. I am confused as to how one persons complaint can result in the removal of dozens of trees that have been there for decades. While I acknowledge that there were some downed trees from storms in the past, I dont know why so many had to be cut down, and the tree stumps are still on that lot as of March 1, 2020. I understand that the state is possibly changing landscaping contractors, but I implore you to provide us with trees for that lot as soon as possible, and we, the residents of Scotch Plains, will plant them ourselves.

Our newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust.

We do not want to have to wait until the DOT approves a new landscaping contract this fall. In Scotch Plains, we have an active Green Team that is committed to educating residents on how to incorporate more sustainable habits into daily living, and planting trees and conserving our green space (especially near highways) is near the top of the list. Not only do trees absorb the noise from the highway, but they also turn the harmful emissions from vehicles into clean air for all of us to breathe. Having the state come in and remove so many of our trees is contradictory to our mission.

In fact, I was planning to reach out to the state about providing more trees along the adjacent state property that surrounds the gas station. Additionally, we have many deer in the area that rely on the small regions of open space and now that is one less area for them to inhabit.

In the future, I hope that the state will reach out to the Township of Scotch Plains ManagerAl Mirabellabefore infringing on such fragile space. Please advise as to when the stumps will be removed and when we can expect to receive new trees for us to plant in that area. Thank you.

Elizabeth Stamler (and other concerned residents)CouncilwomanScotch Plains

Editor's Note:This letter was sent to the NJDepartment of Transportation advising them of Councilwoman Stamler's (and her neighborhoods) concernwhen trees were removed along Route 22. It was sent on March 2, 2020, via email to Christopher Tomlin, Executive Director of the North region, DOT.

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I Am Deeply Disturbed by The Removal of Numerous Trees in Scotch Plains - TAPinto.net

Ship Bottom officials arent letting any grass grow under their feet, so to speak. For the second consecutive meeting, the governing body has taken steps to strengthen beach and dune protection in the borough after a clear cutting of dune vegetation at a new build on 17th Street, set to play out in municipal court this week.

At the councils Feb. 25 meeting, the council unanimously passed Ordinance 02-2020 C after a public hearing that netted no public comment. The ordinance sets the maximum fine for anyone violating or failing to comply with the boroughs beach protection and bulkhead law at $2,000.

The maximum fine is set by state authority, not local. Ultimately, the monetary fine in a court proceeding is determined by the municipal court judge, Borough Solicitor Christopher J. Connors said during the meeting.

Currently, the monetary fine is set at no more than $1,000, with the possibility of imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days or community service not to exceed 90 days, or a combination of the three as determined by the municipal judge. Imprisonment, community service and the discretion of the municipal judge remain the same in the proposed measure.

Prior to the passage of Ordinance 02-2020C, the council discussed putting into play tree trimming regulations similar to those Barnegat Light has established.

I want an ordinance, Mayor William Huelsenbeck said of tree trimming regulations, not a memo.

Councilman Tom Tallon said if the boroughs code enforcement officer needs to be onsite for a tree trimming, then a permit fee should be included in any proposed measure.

Kathleen Flanagan, borough coordinator, said the tree cutting incident on 17th Street was a situation where too many trees were removed than were permitted to be eliminated.

In Ship Bottom, if trees are dead, they can be removed as long as the homeowner or landscaper has the permission of the borough engineer, according to Flanagan.

Someone said he said yes to the clear cutting, Flanagan said of Frank Little, borough engineer.

In January, Judge James Liguori adjourned the case of the cutting of dune vegetation until March 5, allowing the appropriate parties time to develop and submit a plan to restore dune vegetation. Under municipal code, dune restoration requires an application be made that includes a description of the activities to be performed, the equipment to be used and any other information the borough engineer deems necessary to properly review the proposed work. Restoration work cannot begin until a permit has been issued by the borough. The work must then begin within 10 days and be completed within 30 days unless otherwise approved by the governing body, according to municipal code.

At the Jan. 16 court date, the only individual present on the matter was a contractor, who said his sign was on the property, but he didnt remove the dune vegetation. The homeowner and any other individual party to the removal of dune grasses and trees were expected to be issued summonses to appear in municipal court on charges they violated Ship Bottoms beach and dune maintenance laws.

In Ship Bottom, preserving the beach-dune system is the responsibility of the property owner if or when maintenance is necessary on private property, according to the boroughs municipal code. Should the property owner fail to begin or complete the work within the approved time frame, the borough has the right to perform the work. The cost would be assessed to the property owner as a lien and levied as a tax on the land, under municipal code. Restoration work must be finished by May 15 and cannot begin any earlier than Oct. 15 unless approved by the borough council.

Gina G. Scala

ggscala@thesandpaper.net

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Ship Bottom to Consider Ordinance to Regulate Tree Cutting - The SandPaper

Cutting trees can be costly especially if theyre in town open space.

The Board of Selectmen has accepted a $43,000 settlement from property owners and their contractor held responsible for cutting trees on town open space land the third monetary settlement of tree-cutting on open space in eight years.

Together the three settlements have brought the town $153,000 most of it flowing into the towns open space fund, with perhaps $30,000 or $35,000 going to legal fees, Conservation Commission chairman James Coyle estimated.

The cutting down of trees that have been standing for decades has serious and far reaching repercussions, Coyle said to The Press. Trees serve functions in our ecosystem that no other organism can entirely match. Among other functions they reduce CO2, provide oxygen, moderate temperature, provide habitat for wildlife, and reduce erosion. And last but not least, they are beautiful to look at and soothe our souls.

First Selectman Rudy Marconi viewed the legal action that led to the settlement as a stand by the town in defense of its open spaces.

You cant go on town property and cut trees, Marconi said. You should know where your property lines are.

Marconi spoke as the most recent settlement, stemming from tree-cutting in open space off Peaceable Ridge Road, was being considered by the selectmen before their 4-to-0 vote to approve it on Wednesday night, Feb. 19.

In the settlement agreement the property owners deny any knowledge of the removal of such trees until being notified by the Town of Ridgefield Conservation Commission of an open space violation.

Marconi noted that the town had reached settlements in two other cases of tree-cutting in open space one for about $23,000 off Barrack Hill Road and another for $80,000 off North Salem Road.

Coyle said there was more than money to the settlement.

An integral part of this is the property owners agree to clean up the mess they made, Coyle told the selectmen.

But the money is part of it.

Well take part of that settlement and do some replanting, Coyle said.

He gave The Press the background that led to the agreement.

The settlement at Peaceable Ridge Road relates to the cutting down of five large (16- to 24-inch diameter) trees on the towns West Mountain/McManus Section open space, Coyle said. The cut trees were spotted by a Conservation Commission member in the spring of 2019.

The property owner had hired a landscape contractor to do some clearing on his property. Unfortunately the contractor did not respect the property boundary and the five trees were on town open space.

A Notice of Violation pursuant to the Ridgefield Open Space Use Ordinance Chapter 262 was issued in June 2019 for the unauthorized cutting of trees and placement or dumping of waste materials, including cut trees.

Discussion at the selectmens meeting revealed that the contractor was paying $27,500 of the settlement, and the homeowners were paying $15,500.

Colye told the selectmen a lot of negotiating went into the agreement.

We went around and around and did a little compromising, Coyle told the selectmen.

Selectman Sean Connelly asked if the $43,000 was a sufficient amount to discourage similar violations in the future.

Someone says Im going to get a really nice view here. Is that enough of a deterrent? he asked.

Coyle said the value of the trees cut was assigned in accordance with the latest revision of The Guide for Plant Appraisal, as published by the International Society of Arboriculture, Urbana, Illinois which he described as a manual in its ninth of tenth edition.

A lot of factors help determine the trees monetary value.

Its a function of the diameter of the trees, the location of the trees, Coyle said.

This is a number accepted by the courts, he added.

The courts have at times imposed penalties exceeding the value of the trees cut, according to Coyle.

Had this violation proceeded to trial, he told The Press, the judge would have been able to apply a penalty of up to five times the value of the trees cut down.

In one of the largest settlements to date in Connecticut (a court decision relating to a property in Old Lyme), the judge applied a penalty multiplier of 3.5 to the calculated amount (the State Law allows a judge to apply a penalty multiplier of 1-5). This resulted in damages and court costs of $650,000, he said.

Coyle described for The Press the two other significant settlements in Ridgefield concerning tree cutting.

In 2016 a property owner on North Salem Road cut down five trees on town-owned open space property allegedly to improve his lake views. A nearby homeowner informed the Conservation Commission, the cutting was stopped, and an investigation conducted. The town went to court and reached a settlement in 2017 for $85,000.

The tree-cutting on Old Sib Road happened in 2012 and involved the loss of about a dozen trees.

This was settled out of court for around $25,000,. Coyle said.

The Conservation Commission takes great pride in our vast network of open spaces in Ridgefield, he said. We both maintain those open spaces and enforce our Open Space Use Ordinance to protect them.

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Ridgefield tree cutting leads to $43000 settlement - The Ridgefield Press

With spring coming, encouraging residents to FireSmart their homes and properties as they plan their spring cleanup projects was a priority at the City of Quesnels Forestry Innovation Centre open house.

At the open house, held Saturday, Feb. 29, representatives from the Citys Forestry Initiatives Program, the B.C. Wildfire Service and the United Way Fire Mitigation Project were available to provide information about reducing your risk during wildfire season.

The Citys Forestry Initiatives Program has new FireSmart information banners, which will be displayed during the PeeWee provincials and the Central Interior Hockey League Coy Cup, at the Quesnel Library and at the Quesnel Arts and Recreation Centre in the coming months.

The City will also have a booth with FireSmart information at the Quesnel Home and Outdoor Adventure Show April 18-19 and is planning another Forestry Innovation Centre open house at the end of April. The City is also working on organizing a Wildfire Preparedness Day for a date to be determined in May.

FireSmart B.C. tips for homeowners include everything from moving firewood 10-30 metres from your home and cleaning your roof and gutters of leaves and pine needles to having a wildfire evacuation plan with your household and keeping grass cut to less than 10 centimetres.

The United Way Fire Mitigation Project helps seniors and people who face mobility or mental health barriers protect their homes through the FireSmart principles.

The program runs until the end of August, and supervisors Ray Jungaro and Gary Horley say theyve been working pretty much all over the region so far.

Last month, they met with people who live around Troll Ski Resort, and Horley says they will start doing some pruning work there once the snow melts a bit. They are also going to present information about the program at a public meeting April 15 at the Sunset Theatre in Wells, which is being organized by the Wells-Barkerville Community Forest.

Were looking forward to that, said Horley. Its pretty well promoted by their Community Forest. I think well spend quite a bit of time east.

Horley and Jungaro held a meeting in Alexandria last week, and they expect theyll be doing quite a bit of work there too.

Through the United Way Fire Mitigation Project, a crew of four, led by a trained supervisor, will conduct fire mitigation assessments and activities on residential properties, following the guidelines set out by FireSmart Canada and B.C. Wildfire Service.

The crew will do a formal assessment of your property to identify areas where your home may be at risk, looking at everything from the materials used to build your home to the type of vegetation on your property. After the assessment, crew members will do some mitigation activities, such as moving woodpiles and relocating flammable materials to a safer distance, clearing dead organic waste from your property, clearing gutters and basic landscaping maintenance, such as pruning tress and shrubs of their dead limbs and removing tall grasses.

They will also provide recommendations and information on how to have other activities, such as tree removal and thinning or roof replacement, done.

This project is aimed at seniors and community members who face mobility and/or mental health barriers who have difficulty or are unable to complete the activities themselves. For those who meet the eligibility requirements, the service is free.

This winter, Jungaro and Horley and their crew have also been helping clear driveways for seniors who cannot do it on their own.

We were glad we could do that, said Horley.

The crew also recently helped a senior who had been badly hurt by chopping and stacking her firewood.

Jungaro and Horley will be taking part in Local FireSmart Representative training March 25-26, and after that, they will be included in the B.C. FireSmart website.

Jungaro and Horley will be presenting more information about the Fire Mitigation Project April 18-19 at the Quesnel Home and Outdoor Adventure Show.

For more information about the United Way Fire Mitigation Project, contact Ray Jungaro at 250-992-1508 or Garry Horley at 250-991-6143 or email either of them at quesnel@unitedwaytnc.ca.

For more information about FireSmart, visit firesmartbc.ca.

READ MORE: Quesnels United Way Fire Mitigation Project has been a success so far

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Importance of FireSmarting your home highlighted at Quesnel open house - Quesnel Cariboo Observer

City crews are removing trees along the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Latoria Road in Colwood to make way for the construction of new roads on the Olympic View development. There will be 34 new lots for single family home and three sites for multi-family townhomes. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

Crews near intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Latoria Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tree removal for a new development may impact traffic in Colwood Tuesday and Wednesday.

City crews and an arborist are working near the intersection of Latoria Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Wednesday, March 4.

Trees have been coming down since Tuesday to make way for a new development in Colwood.

City crews and an arborist were working at the intersection of Latoria Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway to prepare for the Olympic View development, which will become a four-way intersection down the road.

Traffic came to brief stops as crews topped trees and began clearing the area for development.

RELATED: Colwood approves new single-lane roundabout at intersection with immediate need for improvement

ALSO READ: Royal Bay student hit by driver while heading to first day of 2020 classes

Currently, the owners of the Olympic View property are preparing for the construction of new roads as a next step in creating 34 lots for single family homes and three sites for multi-family townhomes.

Designs for a single-lane roundabout at Veterans Memorial Parkway and Latoria Road are being finalized now.

Though trees may be coming down, there is a tree management plan in place that will keep hundreds of trees and protect environmentally sensitive areas. The Olympic View development will be designed to fit homes into the natural landscape.

aaron.guillen@goldstreamgazette.com

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City crews will be removing trees along the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Latoria Road in Colwood on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Courtesy of City of Colwood)

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Tree removal may impact traffic in Colwood Tuesday and Wednesday - Victoria News

I love trees! From live oaks in Louisiana, sequoias in California to Cypress trees deep in south Georgia swamps, I have traipsed across the country to see natures tallest treasures. So today is super easy to drive up Habersham Street to the Savannah Tree Foundation Georgia Arbor Day Block Party at Green Truck Pub.

Checking out the colorful tents, live demonstrations and a cool green produce truck, I head over to talk with foundation Executive Director Zoe Rinker. Charged with preserving, protecting and planting urban trees locally, Zoe tells me, Green Truck Pub wanted to celebrate their 10th anniversary and came up with the idea of celebrating trees on Arbor Day.

Loving how this event focused on families that plant together stay together, it makes senses that the next people I see are Hunter Cattle Co. A fan since day one, I hug Del and Debra Ferguson, then take a seat on a hay bale to get an update on my favorite grass fed, no antibiotics, hormones, ingredients or preservatives cattle family.

With close to 1,000 cattle on their 300 acre farm and with partnering farmers, Del tells me they are selling grass fed beef to Green Truck Pub, Elle Tran and Local on 17 and how excited they are to debut their clean, natural meadow bloom tallow soaps and lotions.

After a pic of them with sons Daniel and Riley, I trot over for pics of photo reluctant Nancy Hayward with Constantinos Papaconstantinou and Jen Hayward, then the leader of all things healthy, the indomitable Paula Kreissler.

I once said, wherever she leads I will follow, and I cannot express how I love and admire the woman that made smoking indoors illegal and has changed local school food plans. After a long hug of love, I pose her with Joa Bello and Melissa Memory winners of the best names of the day.

Next I pose Zoes husband Rob with Savannah Tree Foundation board member Jody Trumbull and office administrator Haley Gary. The Florida native tells me, Savannahs trees are the entire reason we moved to here. It took us three years to get here and we want to put down roots.

Another person with love of trees is with Evergreen Tree Service, Jenna and Robert Cuilty. Busy snipping and shaping a small evergreen, the Savannah loving couple tell me, We are tree care solutions and do everything from plant health care to tree removal and pruning.

Across from their tent is a big group of guys making a lot of noise with their wood turning mid-lathe. With 43 members offering free demonstrations on the last Thursday of each month at Georgia State Railroad Museum, I pause to hear Lowcountry Turners President Dan Lee talk about the bowls, platters and vessels on his display table.

Dan shows birch from his backyard, cherry wood from Hurricane Matthew and a live oak from Wilmington Island, then the finished product. I may be obsessed with this new-to-me nonprofit as I watch Lonnie Bott make nice little cuts into a tulip poplar wood blank, then hand me a colorful tiny spin top!

Dragging my feet away, I head over to pose Mark Bowen from Forsyth Farmers Market in front of his fresh produce truck, then pause Savannah Derby Devil member Kiona Heredia aka CleoCatra, Sarah Handy aka Handy Dufresne, and Ivette Foreit aka Ms. Elle Crisis for a fun pic.

Slowing down, I wait for Zoe to wrangle Green Truck Pubs Whitney and Josh Yates away from a standing-room-only restaurant. We love trees, and planting trees is the best way we can give back to the community that supports us. Having a friend-raiser along with matching donations all month will make our goal of 10 trees possible, shares the fellow tree lovers.

With a final lap through the perfect Sunday party, Zoe shares, Today was particularly exciting because of all the children attending, thats truly who we are planting for. The trees we plant today will continue to provide shade, clean the air and beautify our community well into the future.

Amen! With future plans to track down some aspens in Yellowstone National Park, I will remain content to live in a city cuddled by the long arms of century-old oaks, swaying pines and magnificent magnolias. Thank you Savannah Tree Foundation for being the ultimate caretaker of our natural treasures!

Invite Bunny to your gathering, gala or other social event. Contact Bunny at 912-844-1122 or email her at bunnyware@aol.com.

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BUNNY IN THE CITY: Friend-raiser explores the value of trees - Savannah Morning News