Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design
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December 23, 2019 by
Mr HomeBuilder
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Lawn Grass & Turf Grass Market 2019 Key Factors and Emerging Opportunities with Current Trends Analysis 2026 - Market Research Sheets
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December 23, 2019 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Photo: AdShooter/Stock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
An inaccurately forecast hurricane saved a lot of superintendents some trouble (but not the unnecessary prep work), while floods and drought were common themes in this years report. The labor challenge? We had to laugh when Daniel Francis, president of the Cincinnati GCSA, said, Im not going to talk about labor. Everyone knows labor is a problem.
For our 2019 State of the Industry report, sponsored by Nufarm, we once again embarked on a journey to learn what the golf season was like across the country. We talked to GCSAA chapter presidents and representatives to learn about regional weather, disease pressures, challenges and successes. This report, surveying 13 different states, covers a lot of ground.
Were happy to see that many of these reports are positive. It seems that despite some challenging weather conditions and the omnipresent labor issue superintendents had a lot to be proud of in 2019. But that doesnt mean they are celebrating just yet. Like TPC Louisiana Superintendent Brandon L. Reese reminds us, Our business never stops. Its a little bit of a slowdown, but not much. The grass has slowed down, but things dont slow down a ton.
We talk with 19 superintendents around the country in this report. To jump to a specific interview, click on their name below.
President, Long Island GCSASuperintendent, Seawane Golf & Country Club, Hewlett Harbor, N.Y.
Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?
It was pretty normal. Rounds were slow in the beginning because it was a little wet, but then it picked up. April, May were a little light, and then the weather turned for the better. I would say we were down in the beginning of the year and then picked up to normal.
How was the weather for your area this year?
It was kind of a wet early spring, and then it basically stopped raining.
What was the disease pressure like in your area in 2019?
Not bad, maybe two weeks all summer were kind of sketchy. We dealt with Pythium and brown patch during those hot spells. During the heat and humidity, those are typical.
What was the biggest challenge faced by your area this year?
Labor, by far. Finding either qualified assistants or even qualified crew members, which is getting to be more and more difficult every year. I started using a lot more part-time summer help. We began employing more women this year. Right now, I have a couple women this fall who will get their kids off to school, then work 8:30 to 1:30 every day. That seems to be the possibility moving forward, is having more females whore looking for part-time work during the day.
Were there any notable success stories from your area/chapter this year?
We had a great turnout for membership and our local chapter at the PGA Championship at Bethpage since the PGA was on Long Island.
What are your expectations for 2020?
Its supposed to be a cold winter, so superintendents in our area, the No. 1 thing on their minds is, Are we going to make it through without any winterkill or damage? We certainly dont want to go into spring with any turf loss, but like the old saying goes, If Mother Nature wants it, shes going to take it. Hopefully, member participation and member rounds will go up. Hopefully, well be able to grow the game a little more than we are right now, trying to come up with ways to get people more involved in the game.
As interviewed by Sarah Webb
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Rick Lewis, president of the Maine GCSA, is superintendent at Willowdale Golf Club. His chapter experienced a wet spring and cooler-than-normal temperatures. (Photo: Willowdale Golf Club)
President, Rio Grande GCSADirector of golf course maintenance, Towa Golf Club, Santa Fe, N.M.
Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?
It was much improved overall. The courses in the state generally all received good moisture in the winter, meaning we had more snow than we had seen in the previous three to four years. Course conditions were a lot better going into the spring.
How was the weather for your area this year?
Moisture was a little more than what we (normally) see. For us, moisture is very precious, unlike in some parts of the country. I think the weather pressure played a good and bad factor. Because of the moisture, we did lose some rounds because it rained. Were very much like Colorado, where we can boast 300 days of sunshine, but when the rain comes, sometimes it comes all at once when the monsoons hit. The moisture overall for the year was continuously good. We didnt have big stretches where there was no moisture at all, like wed had in previous years.
What was the disease pressure like in your area in 2019?
Disease pressure is fairly low for us in the state in general due to the dryness. Most of the diseases are fungal diseases. Not that guys dont spray, we do, but were not battling things like the East Coast often has to do.
What was the biggest challenge faced by your area this year?
Generating consistent rounds overall is always an issue. Were in a situation where rounds arent increasing really anywhere in the country, and in our area, when you have a downturn, its hard to fight back.
Were there any notable success stories from your area/chapter this year?
In the area, Black Mesa had some issues with enough water and better-quality water. In the last two years, they got their water issues worked out, and their conditions greatly improved. It was a course that was in the Top 100 courses in Golf Digest. During those years when they were going through those issues, it affected a lot of us in this area. Were very grateful that theyre doing better and helping everyone at the same time with their reputation as a Golf Digest Top 100 club. As for the chapter, we are very close to having our Best Management Practices (BMP) project done. Im guessing well have that published within the next six months.
What are your expectations for 2020?
Going into this winter now, it doesnt look like its going to be as good of a moisture winter for the entire state. I think some pockets of the state will get normal moisture, but others will get less than normal. The winter is the big trigger on how next year will start out for us.
As Interviewed by Sarah Webb
Immediate past president, Colorado GCSASuperintendent, Pole Creek Golf Club, Tabernash, Colo.
Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?
From what I heard, numbers were up, definitely here in my specific region in the mountains. We pretty much lost all of June to weather; we also had snow, but we rebounded in July, August and September. We had a really strong last three months.
How was the weather for your area this year?
We had rain in most of May and then a little snow in June, so it was pretty cold. We werent turning on much irrigation in that time. And then it really dried out for us in July, August and September. It was too dry. October was unusually snowy, and now in November, we are back in a dry spell. In Colorado statewide, it was the coldest October in quite some time.
What was the disease pressure like in your area in 2019?
Our biggest one was coming out of the winter. We had a lot of snow mold because a lot of our courses were under snow for over 200 days. The only one we really deal with otherwise is anthracnose. We dont get much pressure up here (in the mountains). I think we all kind of spray similar fungicides for anthracnose, and I think its pretty common around here.
What was the biggest challenge faced by your area this year?
I would say the labor. Our biggest challenge up here where Im located is housing for all of our laborers. Being in a resort town, the housing market is terrible. Its tough on those who arent making as much money.
Were there any notable success stories from your area/chapter this year?
Our biggest one is our BMPs just came out. That and we just had our third annual conference, and the numbers every year are growing, so that has been a real success.
What are your expectations for 2020?
Hopefully, to have another successful season on all the golf courses, and hopefully, weather cooperates. Thats the big one, getting weather to cooperate and continuing to have strong numbers.
As interviewed by Clara McHugh
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Immediate past president, Idaho GCSASuperintendent, Oquirrh Hills Golf Club, Tooele, Utah
Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?
I think the season was generally pretty good. Most years, the weather plays a significant part in the success of the season, and that was true for this year. We had a wet spring but pretty good weather the rest of the way. We had a couple weeks of significant cold in October, but it has warmed back up, and we are getting some extra play now in November, which is a bonus.
How was the weather for your area this year?
Overall, we had a pretty good weather year. The spring was wet. We had quite a bit of rain March, April and into May. At my course, we had a years worth of precipitation in that three-month period. After that, it dried out for most of the rest of the summer. Many areas went 60-plus days with no rain, but we didnt get very hot. There is quite a wide variety of climate/temperature/precipitation in our area, from desert to mountain/desert to high-elevation mountain courses.
What was the disease pressure like in your area in 2019?
This is one area in which we usually do not have too much trouble. Other than snow mold in the winter, not too many problems, other than maybe some localized microclimate issues. Low humidity levels and pretty good air movement seem to keep most diseases at bay.
What was the biggest challenge faced by your area this year?
I am not aware of anything specific, challengewise. Usually water and water availability are significant concerns, but with our winter snowpack and wet spring, that wasnt any issue this year. My best guess would be related to revenue, growth of the game and having the funding available for equipment and capital improvement projects.
Were there any notable success stories from your area/chapter this year?
We have been spending time working on our BMPs and are looking forward to completing that next year. There were some courses that I know had some success with junior golf programs and introducing young players to the game.
What are your expectations for 2020?
The general feeling that I get from other superintendents and course managers is a quiet optimism. Most courses saw a slight improvement by years end with revenue/play, and hopefully, that trend will continue. Several courses are looking at updating some equipment and capital improvements on the golf course.
As interviewed by Clara McHugh
President, Carolinas GCSASuperintendent, Carolina Golf Club, Charlotte, N.C.
Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?
Overall, it was another good year for golf in the Carolinas. There were four USGA Championships contested in our region in 2019 (U.S. Womens Open, U.S. Senior Womens Open, U.S. Amateur and U.S. Senior Amateur), and I think they definitely raised the level of excitement for golf in North and South Carolina this year.
How was the weather for your area this year?
The weather was definitely a major talking point again. The year started off wet, on the heels of a record-breaking fall the year prior. Summer was excessively hot and dry for some but still wet for others, me included. September saw a flash drought that lasted nearly 50 days, and we still had record-high temperatures in early October. We set an all-time record high of 99 degrees F on Oct. 2 in Charlotte.
What was the disease pressure like in your area in 2019?
We had some spring dead spot (SDS) like always on our bermudagrass fairways. Were assisting NC State University with some fungicide trials for SDS this year. I still manage bentgrass putting greens, and the hot and wet combination this summer kept me on my toes treating for Pythium root rot.
What was the biggest challenge faced by your area this year?
Labor! Finding folks who want to work is a major hurdle.
Were there any notable success stories from your area/chapter this year?
There were four USGA Championships conducted in our area this year. Also, our chapter raised a new record amount ($61,000) in the Rounds 4 Research auction.
Im hopeful after a challenging year like 2019 that there is only one direction golf can go up! Heres to a prosperous and weather-friendly 2020, fingers crossed.
As interviewed by Christina Herrick
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President, Virginia GCSA Superintendent, Blacksburg Country Club, Blacksburg, Va.
Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?
The season for playing golf in our region was pretty good. There were very few rainy days and not too many periods of extended heat. Our rounds are up 18 percent over last year, we sold out our large-member tournaments and league play participation was up. I hope this is a trend that others around the state observed as well.
How was the weather for your area this year?
The weather this year was interesting. We started off the year like we ended last year, wet. Then in June, someone turned off the spigot. We received 4 inches of rain for the entire summer, half of which fell in a one-week period. Thats about 8 inches below average for that time period. During this time, much of the state was in some level of drought. Fortunately, some timely rains have fallen over the past couple of weeks, but there are still some areas that would benefit from a good rain.
What was the disease pressure like in your area in 2019?
Disease pressure was low. With a lack of rainfall, extended leaf moisture was not an issue.
What was the biggest challenge faced by your area this year?
Labor! Finding, hiring and retaining all levels of our team was/is a challenge. As the labor pool shrinks, it has become increasingly difficult. And we are not alone. I have several members who are business owners that specialize in a trade, and they are experiencing the same issues.
Were there any notable success stories from your area/chapter this year?
Our chapter has been very active with state government recently. There have been several pieces of legislation introduced during the last couple of sessions that were detrimental to our industry. We have been able to meet with the delegates and present our point of view. Now we are recognized by members of both the House and Senate in the Statehouse.
What are your expectations for 2020?
In 2020, I expect more of the unexpected. Weather is always a crapshoot, and Mother Nature is undefeated. We are going to have to be even more creative to attract and retain labor. Policymakers are going to continue to introduce legislation that is related to our industry. It will be important to stay vigilant and keep an eye on bills coming out of the Capitol.
As interviewed by Christina Herrick
Georgia GCSA board member Superintendent, Big Canoe Golf Club, Jasper, Ga.
Generally speaking, how was the golf season in your region?The peak golf season of April through October was terrific. We beat rounds numbers from last year in every peak month.
How was the weather for your area this year?
After a wetter-than-normal start, the weather was incredible. Average or below-average rainfall in every month after April meant golfers had no excuses to not be out playing. The drought of late August to early October tested our irrigation system, but rains returned in mid-October, and everything is looking good again.
What was the disease pressure like for your area in 2019?
Average. No severe outbreaks that were unexpected. Prolonged heat into September meant we extended our preventive treatments for a month longer than normal.
What was the biggest challenge faced by your area in 2019?
Staff recruitment and retention continue to be a major challenge. Unemployment rates continue to be historically low, which is a good thing overall, but has meant fewer job seekers at the entry level. Also, the H-2B visas were tough to get, and that labor group was late to arrive and came in fewer numbers.
Read the rest here:
Golfdom's 2019 State of the Industry report - Golfdom magazine
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December 23, 2019 by
Mr HomeBuilder
A study by SAP Concur shows bleisure trips are on the rise. Here are some ways to make them count
The following are some convenient golf and spa packages to consider going into the new year.
PGA National Resort & Spa South Floridas popular vacation, meetings, wellness and golf destination is offering its value-packed Gold Golf Package for a South Florida stay-and-play winter getaway to treasure.
PGA National offers 90 holes of high-caliber golf on five courses, including the famed Champion Course that is home to the popular PGA TOUR Honda Classic and past host of the Ryder Cup, PGA Championship and several Senior PGA Championships.
PGA National also offers the David Leadbetter Golf Academy and David Pelz Scoring Game School for individual instruction and group clinics; Every Ball Counts a science-based, statistics-driven training system for golf improvement -- is offered at its off-site Estates Course; as is a state-of-the-art club fitting at Cool Club.
From Jan. 1 April 14, 2020 the Gold Golf Package starts at $339 (per person, per night, double occupancy) and offers deluxe accommodations with private balcony or terrace, full daily breakfast in the Palm Terrace restaurant, and one round per day (with cart) on the resorts five superb layouts.
Both The Palmer and The Champion courses require a $50 and $135 surcharge, respectively. The offer additionally features unlimited range balls and complimentary bag storage. Resort fees and taxes are included.
Through the Gold Golf Package, guests can combine a golf vacation while enjoying the areas Major League Baseball spring training as the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals share The Ballpark at Palm Beaches. The nearby Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter serves as the home of the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins.
They can also enjoy the high-tech 33,000-square-foot Sports & Racquet Club featuring a wide array of fitness activities and classes.
The property is 15 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) and one hour from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
Season of the Witch at Myrtle Beach
Mystical Golf is showcasing "Myrtle Beachs finest 54 holes of golf on its acclaimed Witch, Man-O-War and Wizard courses with stay-and-play packages to start the 2020 golf season in style.
From January through May, guests will discover wall to wall emerald green fairways rather than dormant brown conditions found on most courses during winter and spring months. The lush conditions are the result of Mystical Golfs substantial investment in overseeding with Ryegrass, emulating the agronomic practices of top courses like Augusta National.
From Jan. 1, the three-day Gold Package begins at $96 (per person, per day, taxes included). It includes three rounds with cart on each of the celebrated layouts (plus one additional complimentary afternoon round), three nights lodging in a three-bedroom villa, free IHOP breakfast daily (available 24 hours per day), and a gratis steak dinner at Logans Roadhouse (includes non-alcoholic beverages, taxes).
Added package highlights include two free beers and lunch at the course each day, complimentary daily range balls, instant replay round for cart fee only, and $15 gift card toward a golf shirt in any of the three well-stocked pro shops. Extra night stays are available at a moderate cost per person.
The resorts three layouts are highlighted by fun elements such as the only back-to-back island greens in the game (Man-O-War), a front nine of dramatic holes weaving through secluded swampland teeming with wildlife (The Witch), and a splendid layout reminiscent of Scotland and Irelands classic courses complete with authentic sod-faced bunkering and castle-style clubhouse (The Wizard).
Man-O-Wars 15th hole ranks among GOLF Magazines Five Most Memorable Island Greens alongside No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass, the Alcatraz hole at PGA Wests Stadium Course and Coeur dAlene Resorts movable, floating putting surface. The course is known for its back-to-back island greens and water features touching every hole. With a commanding 141 slope rating, the par-72, 6,967-yard layout is offset by straight-forward shots and excellent, bent-grass greens.
The Witch sits on 500 acres of tranquil cypress groves and wetlands teeming with flora and fauna. Tactical play is rewarded on the par-71, 6,702-yard layout. With 4,000 feet of bridges wending through swamps (front nine) and rolling hills (back nine), golfers may spy cranes, bald eagles, alligators and black bears.
The Wizard presents deep bunkers, mound-framed fairways and dramatic elevation changes. Trademark stone bridges and an Old-World, castle-style clubhouse add character to the par-72, 6,721-yard shot-makers course.
The Witch, Man-O-War and The Wizard are in the heart of Myrtle Beach and within 15 minutes of Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR).
Worth the Wellness in Los Cabos
The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Los Cabos is hosting a Wellnessing Getaway in 2020 from February 19 21. Hosted by experts in health, nutrition, and wellness, the 3-day lineup of wellness-focused activities includes a number of yoga and fitness classes, healthy cooking and nutrition workshops, session on skin care, sonotherapy, ancestral cuisine, traditional Mexican rituals, and other considerations. All Wellnessing Getaway activities are included in the nightly rate.
A Mexican spiritual guide will kick off the retreat with an opening ritual calling on the elements. Then, it's onto some high impact with a workout from wellness influencer and certified personal trainer Rachel DeVaux, whose GOOD SWEAT program combines HIIT and circuit training with strength and compound movement.
Additional activities the first day include a masterclass in skin care from Adriana Azuara, founder of All4Spas; vigorous vinyasa complemented with guided yogic sleep and glowing body paint, led by international yoga teacher Danica Johnson; and an ancestral dinner on the beach.
Day 2 is another day of all-encompassing wellness complete with active stretching, a plant-based culinary class, and sound therapy.
The final day of the getaway offers a mindful yoga practice with pranayama, where guests can learn about breathing practices that help calm and balance both the mind and body; an interactive healthy cooking class; and a closing ritual on life in harmony.
Travelers seeking an all-encompassing wellness retreat can opt to stay in one of the resort's duplex wellness suites that offer a variety of fitness and wellness amenities.
Rates start at $695 in an Ambassador Suite and $787 in a Wellness Suite per person per night based on double occupancy.
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Golf and Spa: Packages that Guarantee Time Off Well Spent - Business Traveler USA
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December 22, 2019 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Misinformation abounds; we read in scientific literature that native juniper trees are invasive pinyons are often regarded as such, and both are treated as if they were undocumented immigrants.
David Charlet, Shah-Kan-Daw,Anthropogenic simplification of vegetation structure.
Utahs Dixie National Forest just released a scoping letter for the Pine Valley Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project. Its the latest in a never-ending barrage of federal agency Pinyon-Juniper, Sagebrush and other woody vegetation killing projects that are turning public lands into hot, dry, ugly, weedy wastelands. This one targets 320,000 acres of the Pine Valley Ranger District north of St. George, including 250,000 acres of Inventoried Roadless Areas. The landscape includes an immense laccolith (a lens shaped mass of igneous rock). It lies at the intersection of three Ecoregions Great Basin, Mojave and Colorado Plateau and is high in biodiversity. California Condor, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Goshawk, Townsend Big-eared Bat, Spotted Bat, Elk, Mule Deer, Wild Turkey, Flicker, Grey Vireo, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Virginias Warbler and Brewers Sparrow are listed as species of concern. Theres resounding silence about Pinyon Jay, a species whose population is plummeting as its pine nut producing forest habitat is being obliterated by federal agency vegetation treatment projects.
The Forest Service relies on a modeling report by The Nature Conservancy prepared under a Challenge Cost-Share Agreement. The report proclaims that TNC can foretell the future with Landscape Conservation Forecasting TM modeling.
Future conditions of the Districts major ecological systems, under alternative management scenarios, can be predicted with computer state-and-transition models.
TNCs crystal ball is trademarked, perhaps to create the illusion that this is cutting-edge stuff, or to dissuade activists prying into the process. Assumptions abound, with value judgements on the worth of plant communities heartily thrown into the mix. Crested wheatgrass seedings (exotic cattle forage grass) are considered benign. Encroaching native Pinyon, Juniper and Ponderosa Pine trees are high risk or bad actors.
Predictably, TNC finds that the Forests woody plant communities, even Serviceberry (a whopping 70,000 acres) and Cliffrose (11,000 acres) categories, are drastically uncharacteristic. Serviceberry is 100% departed from the condition TNC claims it should be in. Who knew there was a major Serviceberry and Cliffrose health crisis on our National Forests? Theres not. Its all about how the modelers contrived to define and categorize what the plant community living in a particular land area should be.
Categorizing the plant community as what an agency desires to be the dominant plant species, rather than what is present or what the late successional stage actually is, clears the way to justify destroying mature and old growth woody plant communities reducing them to bare dirt, ash, and the ultimate goal, grass for livestock forage.
If you were to go out on the Dixie Forest and look at TNCs Serviceberry sites, you would see PJ, some Ponderosa Pine and a variety of shrubs growing there. Its the conifers that are the projects target. TNC states the major problem in Serviceberry sites istree encroachment by Pinyon-Juniper and Ponderosa Pine. The Dixie Forest can apparently get the most bang for the buck (a consideration in the TNC report) by slaying these trees. Why have trees when they can be replaced with exotic grass for cows instead? Any Serviceberry or Cliffrose plants present are likely to be killed as collateral damage in the vegetation purge being set in motion.
TNC models the outcome of various forest destruction methods. For Serviceberry, these are: Chainsaw-Lopping, Herbicide+Plateau+Seed, Hypo-Hatchet-Spyke, Contractor Masticate+Herbicide+Seed, Inhouse Masticate+Herbicide+Seed, Rx Fire, Thin+Herbicide+Seed. A stench of herbicide wafts from the screen just reading about it.
The Spyke HydroAx (I had to Google it) is an herbicide squirting ax that mainlines poison into a tree trunk. Seeding is to be done using exotic grass. The type of chemical generally referred to as herbicide is not revealed. Its likely to be the persistent plant poison Tebuthiuron, sold as Spike, that kills a broad range of woody vegetation. But who knows, it could be 2,4-D, glyphosate (Round Up), drifting Dicamba or a toxic brew of them all. Outside Roadless areas, all methods except chainsaws and fire are modeled for use. Inside Roadless areas, TNC finds a modest amount of tree encroachment which is high risk, so the forest would be Spyke hydro-hatcheted or burned in an Rx fire. They delight in making plant killing sound beneficial. Following deforestation, watersheds are proposed to be doused with Plateau (Imazapic) herbicide that interrupts plant seed germination and is touted as preventing cheatgrass.
Theres already a big cheatgrass problem on this heavily grazed Forest that suffers many kinds of human impacts, with flammable cheatgrass carpeting understories of trees and shrubs in some areas, especially dominating in wildfire sites. Project disturbance will only make matters worse. Cheatgrass thrives in machine disturbed soils, hot deforested sites, and torn up cryptogamic crusts. These crusts are vital components of arid ecosystems, a living soil covering of lichens, mosses and blue-green algae that help prevent weeds, limit erosion, and sequester CO2. TNCs vegetation community descriptions and modeling are dead silent about crusts.
Cheatgrass relishes the hot, dry conditions created by clearing the land of micro-climate moderating woody plants. It loves cattle grazing trampling tears up soils, manure and urine nutrients abound, and a half ton dispersal agent spreads seeds all over the place.
A new scientific paper has yet again demonstrated that livestock grazing causes cheatgrass. Project disturbances will generate the perfect storm of conditions for cheatgrass to dominate in this chronically grazed landscape. No amount of herbicide will prevent it. TNC models project outcomes with proper livestock grazing, without detailing what this means. If it is grazing under the Forest Plan standards, the weeds stem from those failed policies. Another recent paper warns that frequent fires from annual arson grasses are causing forest loss.
with climate change and human assistance we are moving to a grass world.
The grasses are, more or less, like kindling. If someone lights a match and throws in the middle of a forest, it is unlikely a fire will start, but throw it in a field of cheatgrass and odds are that its going to catch.
This raises the specter that arid mountains are fated to become treeless as cheatgrass and other annual weeds drive fire after fire, precluding native plant recovery. Proposing radical disturbance of the Pine Valley project in a landscape highly vulnerable to weed expansion is madness.
TNCs cheatgrass cure-all is Plateau herbicide. Ive seen its handiwork in plenty of places. BLM revels in spraying this chemical in its cattle-centered fire rehab projects, and its own woody vegetation assaults. Plateau does not discriminate between cheatgrass seeds and native plant seeds when it halts germination. It disrupts natural recovery that may be taking place. Spray hype ignores that Plateau (plus 2,4-D or other chemicals that may be mixed in if cheatgrass has already started germinating) can kill the perennial native grasses and forbs that survived fires. BLM sprayed it to control cheatgrass after the Holloway Fire in eastern Oregon. Result: Gray stripes of dead herbicide-killed bunchgrass and lots of cheatgrass. In the aftermath of the 2015 Owyhee Idaho-Malheur Oregon Soda Fire, BLM spent vast sums on aerial spraying of Plateau. Theres now an explosion of cheatgrass and seas of expanding medusahead.
TNCs Pine Valley modeling for Wyoming Sagebrush (85,000 acres, 100% departed) and other communities follows the Serviceberry pattern in lockstep. Areas occupied by trees are categorized as sage sites, found to be highly departed and uncharacteristic. In the immortal words of Ely BLM whose massive PJ killing projects have long relied on TNC methods, the forests are out of whack. This can only be cured by laying them to waste. For the 100,000 acres of Pine Valley Pinyon-Juniper forest that TNC concedes is present, 83% of the PJ is in a state of Departure. Across the landscape, TNC finds an out of balance build up of conifers.
Landfire website information is key in TNC, BLM and the Forest Service categorizing plant communities in an earlier successional state as the norm, with minimal woody vegetation cover. Clicking on BPS at the Landfire site takes you to a TNC Conservation Gateway site. TNC has long been deeply involved in generating the data that underlies the manipulation of woody vegetation communities, with work supported by taxpayers through Challenge Cost Share grants. The FRCC site is cited as a joint government and TNC site:
Homepage of the Interagency and The Nature Conservancy Fire Regime Condition Class website, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, The Nature Conservancy, and Systems for Environmental Management.
I truly dont understand the whole circular reasoning process. I do, however, understand enough from reviewing scores of agency documents using BPS, FRCC and similar model artifices and classifications to justify radical deforestation and sagebrush destruction, to believe that this methodology has become a huge problem for conservation of wildlife habitats and biodiversity. I encourage other activists and scientists more skilled than me to critically examine it. The BPS and FRCC categories are used as the basis for finagling ways to attack late successional forests and shrubs. This lays the foundation for disrupting natural plant succession, preventing mature forests from developing, and destroying those that exist. Heres a typical goal from an Ely BLM document: Move the landscapes within the watersheds towards Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) 1, with a mosaic of seral stages attaining the potential cover percentages of grasses and forbs for the respective biophysical settings (BpS).
What Ely BLM does to a PJ forest that TNCs models proclaim to be Out of Whack.
In Pine Valley, TNC admits that PJ grows in the similar elevation and precipitation zone as Serviceberry, but points to a hodgepodge of references at the Landfire site to proclaim that Serviceberry, not PJ is what should be present. Departure is based on the difference between the plants on the land now and the plants that are claimed to have been present under pre-settlement conditions.
Fire return intervals and Fire Regime Condition Class from Landfire data (which TNC has been deeply involved in, and funded for, developing over the years) are used to divine pre-settlement plant reference communities. These fire return intervals are used to plot the Historical Range of Variability (HRV). FRCC uses the departure from HRV. The modeled plant community is called the Biophysical Setting (BPS). Monocultures of flammable cheatgrass and old growth forests can end up in the same agency FRCC category, Class 3. How can that be? Under the models, cheatgrass burns too frequently (which is true), and mature forests and sage have not burned frequently enough. Hence, the only recourse is treatment. Somehow it is only ever the forests that get treated by the Feds, not cheatgrass monocultures. Placing plant communities in FRCC Classes 2 and 3 is used by agencies for fire risk fearmongering. Class 1 is the stark ideal.
A cardinal rule seems to be to never look outside the artificial world you are creating, to see what evidence is around you. Never consult historical sources from or about the early settlement era such as explorer or settler journals, Mining District records, the early Interior Departments General Land Office survey records or other sources. Never look at all the past agency veg clearing projects that drastically altered communities. Never look at what the land can tell you, the weathering stumps of very old trees, or blackened soils from charcoal processing. In this case, that extends to never look at the Forests Website. There, up until recently, by a photo of a stone monument to Mountain Meadows Massacre victims, was a photo of charcoal kilns from the regions iron ore mining and other evidence of considerable early settlement era disturbance.
The Dixie country is no stranger to trickery and deceit. At Mountain Meadows in the project area, the Mormons Utah Territorial Militia (Nauvoo Legion) armed Southern Paiutes and coerced them into joining a militia attack on an emigrant wagon train bound for California. The Whites plotted to pin the attack on the Paiutes. Militiamen disguised themselves as Native Americans but feared some emigrants had seen through their disguises. Using a white flag of truce, they led all the emigrants over 8 years old to slaughter. John D. Lee, the only militiaman to be convicted, believed Brigham Young may have ordered the attack and concealed evidence. Surviving children recounted seeing the militiamen washing off war paint.
Back to the TNC report. Its full of little boxes and connecting lines, called state and transition models. These diagrams of little boxes make it all appear very complicated when basically they represent disrupted plant community succession stages. The modeling rigamarole is aimed at keeping woody plant communities from existing on the land as a late successional climax stage, i.e. a fully developed forest and/or shrubland.
The modeling is also infused with value judgments about the benign nature of crested wheatgrass, forage kochia and other plants the Forest Service and cattlemen prefer, in developing something termed Unified Ecological Departure defined with nonsensical jargon. This can only be cured by huge influxes of federal funds totaling as much as $550/acre for PJ mastication and herbicide, or $800/acre for aspen thinning.
The Wests Arid Forests Are Being Ripped Apart Based on Modeling Chicanery Targeting Woody Plant Communities
Beautiful wild places and irreplaceable wildlife habitat across public lands are being destroyed based on these convoluted modeling schemes. In Bodie Hills Bi-State Sage-Grouse country of California and Nevada, a TNC report is used by BLM as a basis for manipulation across the landscape. In Montana, TNC is aiding cattle ranchers in targeting lower elevation Douglas fir for eradication.
Nevada Ely BLM Watershed Assessments (Cave and Lake Valleys, South Steptoe, Egan Johnson project and many others) are masterpieces of the Dark Arts and arcana of modeling deception in support of landscape-level attacks on forests and sagebrush. Fire return intervals and other information embraced and/or developed by TNC undergird the documents. The 2019 Ely BLM Long and Ruby Valley Watershed EA continues to use TNC Biophysical Setting (BPS) info via the Landfire sites link to TNCs own conservation.org website.
In Idaho, Owyhee BLM, NRCS, TNC and cattle ranchers long schemed to destroy the ancient juniper forests on Juniper Mountain by using bogus fire return intervals and other information from the Landfire site to model the trees out of existence. If a short enough fire return interval is used, the modeling finds that forests cant exist because the land burns too often. This aids BLM and the livestock industry immensely in Rangeland Health Assessment process. It provides a tree scapegoat that distracts attention from livestock damage. The land is defined as unhealthy because there are junipers present. Rather than deal with the cows, the agency gets rid of the trees. Abracadabra. Ancient forests vanish.
Voodoo vegetation modeling map for Juniper Mountain, used to justify napalming many thousands of ancient Western Juniper trees across the rugged mountain. The maps left sidebar has no indication of any juniper at all being present. Zero juniper communities are mapped.
Juniper Mountain was covered in Western Juniper forest before the trees were modeled out of existence, and fated for treatment.
Six-foot diameter charred stump of Western Juniper after the Juniper Mountain forest was napalmed by BLM.
These projects destroy native vegetation to generate more cattle forage across the West all the while claiming lofty goals of restoring pre-settlement plant communities, fire suppression, saving sage-grouse or other species, when in fact they are doing just the opposite.
Expanse of Juniper Mountain Western Juniper, some still smoking in the aftermath of Owyhee BLMs Rx burn.
The Dixie Forest modeling madness is mirrored in methods being used by federal agencies across the West. Ignore what is on the land now especially mature and old growth forests. Ignore crusts. Use the shortest fire return/disturbance intervals you can get away with. Ignore history. Conjure up plant community categories heavy on grass and short on woody plants. Categorize plant communities growing in the elevation and precipitation zone where Pinyon-Juniper grows as some other type of plant community with shorter fire return intervals. Design Ecosites and other models to justify keeping the land in a permanent state of arrested development, where theres more grass and less woody plant cover. Cloaked in scientific garb, TNC operates as an agent, enabler and tool of government and corporate policies tailored to benefit the livestock, logging and other industries, getting government grants for its work.
Sagebrush communities cant rest easy either. Mature and old growth sagebrush with denser canopies exceed the amount of cover the models allow. Sage with splendid crusts but sparse grass cover, or sites where the cows have killed off understory plants, are similarly found to be deviant and uncharacteristic. Sagebrush that provides crucial habitat for Pygmy Rabbit, Brewers Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, Sage Sparrow and Sage-grouse must be mowed, roller-beat or otherwise abused. Passive restoration, removing grazing disturbance to heal understories, is verboten.
Heres my non-trademarked Future Forecasting (even without consulting what happens when the Wheel of Fortune is reversed in the little Tarot book I found soggy in the street one day):
Intertwined wild cards of climate change, weeds and grazing, now rule. Arid mountain ranges are becoming treeless. They are under siege from hotter temperatures, climate-driven fire and other stresses. Federal deforestation projects that denude mountains of climate-moderating trees and woody plant cover worsen the Climate Crisis. They fast forward potentially irreversible forest and shrub community loss.
David Charlets Shah-Kan-Daw paper, written after a trip to Iran in the Bush Iraq War years, lays out the path the public lands are on. What happened to Irans forests and shrubs over many millenia is happening to the arid West in a heartbeat, less than 200 years. Federal projects based on flawed models are driving ecosystems past a point of no return.
Instead of elaborate scheming to justify killing more trees and shrubs under a relentless Manifest Destiny management mindset, we must preserve all that we have. Shred the heap of BLM and Forest Service plans authorized or in the works, based on dodgy models designed to disrupt native woody communities. End weed-causing grazing. Apply the funds saved to developing bio-controls for annual grasses. Reforest and restore shrubs across our public lands.
Cheatgrass and other weeds thriving 2 or 3 years after BLM cut and burned junipers in Pole Creek on Juniper Mountain.
A wall of cheatgrass and bulbous bluegrass from Owyhee BLM Pole Creek juniper burning continuous tinder dry grass where four years ago there was forest cover.
Link:
Voodoo Vegetation Modeling Dooms Native Forests and Wildlife Habitat - CounterPunch
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December 22, 2019 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Homeserve (LON:HSV) had its price target lifted by investment analysts at HSBC from GBX 1,000 ($13.15) to GBX 1,090 ($14.34) in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, December 12th, Stock Target Advisor reports. The firm currently has a reduce rating on the stock. HSBCs price objective points to a potential downside of 14.04% from the stocks previous close.
Other analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Liberum Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Homeserve in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating and set a GBX 1,360 ($17.89) target price on shares of Homeserve in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a GBX 1,500 ($19.73) price target on shares of Homeserve in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. UBS Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Homeserve in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Peel Hunt reaffirmed an add rating and set a GBX 1,350 ($17.76) price target (up previously from GBX 1,250 ($16.44)) on shares of Homeserve in a research report on Monday, November 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. The stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of GBX 1,342 ($17.65).
HSV opened at GBX 1,268 ($16.68) on Thursday. Homeserve has a fifty-two week low of GBX 847.50 ($11.15) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 1,298 ($17.07). The companys 50-day moving average is GBX 1,214.53 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 1,173.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.24 billion and a P/E ratio of 38.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 86.86, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.23.
HomeServe plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides home repair and improvement services to household customers under the HomeServe brand. It offers plumbing, drainage, electrics, water supply pipe, gas supply pipe, appliance repair, pest infestation, and locksmith services, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services.
See Also: Roth IRA
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Homeserve (LON:HSV) Price Target Raised to GBX 1,090 at HSBC - Slater Sentinel
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December 22, 2019 by
Mr HomeBuilder
If youve been to Mexican spot Mission or Hawthorne on U Street, youre familiar with the Mission Group mentality: lively bars with frequent food-and-drink happy hours and tons of no-fee event spaces. Co-founders Fritz Broganand ReedLandryare sticking to the same formula for the newest addition to their restaurant family, the Admiral, a seafood spot opening today in Dupont Circle.
While Mission is all about tequila, the Admirals drink of choice is bourbon. Specifically, 75 different types of American whiskey. If you prefer brews over booze, a dozen draft lines are pouring classics like Pacifico, Stella Artois, and Sam Adams as well as two draft cocktails.Still riding the hard seltzer train? The bar serves both Truly and White Claw.
Keeping in step with the Admirals sister spots, happy hour is daily with both food and drink specials. The first session from 4 PM to 7 PM features half-price oyster platters, $7 draft cocktails, and select beers for $5 or $8. On Thursday through Saturday starting at 11 PM there are more half-price bivalves in addition to shot specialsliquid courage to dance to the DJ.
The restaurants name is in homage to Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont (you may be familiar with a certain circle also named in tribute). For chef Roberto Hernandez, the moniker beget the menu. It was like: Admiral. Navy. Seafood. Ocean. Thats the road weve got to take, says Hernandez.
The nautical menu is the marriage of seafood plates and global pub favorites. Hernandez looked to New England for a buttery lobster roll on a potato bun. Dishes like jambalaya and hushpuppies are pulled from the south. Jumbo lump crab dip gratin is a tribute to the Mid-Atlantic, and oysters at the raw bar are sourced from Virginia.
Theres also plenty of land-loving bar snacks like brisket sliders, bourbon BBQ chicken wings, and french fries made in-house. The restaurant is opening with a preview menu until December 24 and will unveil the full offerings on December 26.
The restaurants pice de rsistance is a massive 200-seat outdoor patio with its own bar, lounge area, and event space. While the patio is currently winterized the team is exploring adding heaters for cold weather.
In the meantime, you can pull up a chair indoors. Like the menu, the decor plays on the seafaring theme with navy banquettes and light-washed wood. Eighteen flat screen TVs are scattered across the space, which means the bar can play both the big game and the big political showdown (it is Washington, after all).
Bottomless brunch will be available on weekends in January 2020.
The Admiral. 1 Dupont Circle., NW.
Join the conversation!
Daniella joined Washingtonian in August 2018. She is a University of Wisconsin-Madison grad and lives in Logan Circle.
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The Admiral Opens In Dupont Circle With Daily Oyster Happy Hour And A Massive Patio - Washingtonian
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December 22, 2019 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Carl R Staub
AVON LAKE, Ohio -- The stately brick colonial at 31940 Lake Rd. has everything you could ask for in a lake house: a grand two-tier patio with views of the Cleveland skyline, dock access for your boat, and plenty of space inside and out for entertaining,
"This home has incredible curb appeal, quality finishes and a great floor plan," says Howard Hanna listing agent Kim Crane. "The lake access is amazing and really sets this apart from other lakefront homes. With over 10,000 square feet of living space this home is also an incredible value for the price tag."
Built in 2006, the home has 3 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms and huge finished walkout lower level. On the market for just a couple of weeks, the home is available for $1,950,000.
Keep on reading for more photos and information about the home.
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
See the full listing
Address: 31940 Lake Road
City: Avon Lake
Price: $1,950,000
Square footage: 10,381
Year built: 2006
No. bedrooms: 3
No. bathrooms: 5.5
Lot size: 0.91 acre
School district: Avon Lake City School District
Real estate agent and contact info: Kim Crane, Howard Hanna
p: (440) 333-6500
e: kim@kimcranehomes.com
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
The living spaces on the main level feature tall ceilings, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, and wood moldings and trim.
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
The sun room, with accessed from the family and dining rooms, is covered in oak and has a slate floor.
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
The kitchen features cherry cabinets, granite counters, tin ceiling, breakfast area, bar and butler's pantry.
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
The office has an atrium with an additional workspace on the second level.
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Bedrooms and bathrooms
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
The first-floor master suite comes with lakefront views, en-suite bathroom and a spiral staircase down to the lower level.
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
The two upstairs bedrooms share a Jack-and-Jill bathroom.
Carl R Staub
Finished basement
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
From the listing: "The walkout lower level is finished and includes a family/media room with a fireplace, three rec rooms, a full kitchen, two full baths, ample storage space, and patio access."
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Outdoor spaces
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
The outdoor space includes a multi-level patio with several seating options, 180-degree views of the lake and walkway down to the dock and shoreline.
Carl R Staub
Carl R Staub
For more information on 31940 Lake Rd. in Avon Lake, contact Kim Crane, Howard Hanna at (440) 333-6500 or kim@kimcranehomes.com.
Originally posted here:
Brick colonial with amazing lake access in Avon Lake asks $1.95M: House of the Week - cleveland.com
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December 22, 2019 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Just because winter is here doesnt mean that you cant move forward with some of those all-important outdoor projects. Get in front of the outdoor season while the temps are cooler, so you have more time to enjoy your staycation area when its warm! Here are a few outdoor projects that can be completed this winter:
Warm up with a fire feature:
With the unpredictable weather in Clarksville, Tennessee, an outdoor fire feature can be enjoyed most months of the year. An outdoor fire pit or fireplace can add warmth to the season as well as create an inviting social atmosphere. Fire features also give your outdoor living area a beautiful focal point. The grill master in your house might also enjoy a new outdoor kitchen! You can browse the AR Stoneworks outdoor fireplaces and kitchen products here.
Splash around by spring:
Avoid the rush! By installing a pool in the off season your family will literally be able to splash into spring and take advantage of your investment the moment mother nature starts sending out those warm days. AR Stoneworks offers a stunning line of unique fiberglass pools with over 30 models in dazzling colors. All Custom Fiberglass Pools are backed with a lifetime warranty! Start your pool process today!
Upgrade your driveway, patio or pool deck with pavers:
The winter months are the perfect time to install hardscape projects such as pavers, retaining and garden walls. Pavers can be installed in place of asphalt and concrete or they can be overlayed over your existing media. Paver overlays save a lot of money on demolition and give the area a new updated look. They have a lifetime guarantee against cracking and are on average six degrees cooler under the hot sun than other media. AR Stoneworks offers a variety of pavers, including quality pavers from Belgard. Belgard pavers are designed to be strong, durable, stylish and environmentally friendly, ensuring your driveway or patio will stand the test of time.
De-stress with a spa:
The holiday season tends to bring on more stress. Step outside your fast-paced life and into the soothing, effervescent waters of a new swim spa or hot tub. Along with inground, fiberglass options AR Stoneworks also carries Shoreline modular spas. Shoreline spas are custom built with a host of features like, Bluetooth Radio, LED lights, high efficiency performance pumps and a variety of jets and seating arrangements that will ensure a spa experience that fits your physique and lifestyle.
Upgrade your indoor fireplace:
Is your staycation area inside? Freshen up the look of your indoor fireplace with veneer stonework. The team at AR Stoneworks will make your dream fireplace come to life with a custom design. Update an older home with a more modern veneer stone fireplace. Veneer comes in a variety of natural and manufactured styles, colors and cuts.
You can contact AR Stoneworks for all of your staycation area needs by calling 931.218.2828 or filling out the form below.
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Improve your backyard this winter with these easy projects - Clarksville Now
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December 22, 2019 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Posted 12-20-2019 by Janae Pierre.
Bryan Stevenson (center) joins Walter McMillian and his family after his exoneration in 1993.
Equal Justice Initiative
The film Just Mercy premieresFriday in Montgomery. Its based on civil rights attorney Bryan Stevensons efforts to free Walter McMillian, who was wrongfully charged with murder in 1988 and sentenced to death row. A year later, Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a Montgomery nonprofit that defends people who may have been wrongly convicted, often due to the color of their skin.
Anthony Ray Hintoncredits the Equal Justice Initiative with saving his life.
Had it not been for EJI, theres no doubt in my mind I would have been executed by now, he says.
In 1985, Hinton was convictedof murdering two fast food restaurant managers in Birmingham. Hinton told detectives he didnt do it, but he says they didnt care.
He [the detective] said but since yall always taking up for one another, take this rap for one of your homeboys who truly did it,' Hinton says. And that cost me 30 years of my life.
Thirty years. That washow long Hinton spent on death rowbefore the state exonerated him in 2015.Decades later, wrongful convictions are still not unusual in Alabama. Kira Fonteneauis the former public defender for Jefferson County.
Not much has changed, she says. The conditions that set people up to be wrongfully convicted still exist in the system today.
Take race, for example. Fonteneau says people of color are being locked up for things they didnt do.
And we see that because there are a lot of things that go along in the criminal justice system that often will make it either easier for people to plea or for their version of the events not to get told in trials, she says.
Fonteneau says often times people of color cant afford an attorney or an expert witness two things that are vital in many cases.
Carla Crowder is an attorney and executive director of Alabama Appleseed, an advocacy group that focuses on criminal justice issues. She says in Alabama, people of color are at a major disadvantagebecause of structural racism across the entire criminal justice system.
You have vastly disproportionate numbers of white prosecutors and district attorneys, Crowder says. The appellate courts are entirely white and the Alabama Supreme Court.
Thats why many civil rights attorneys believe Stevensons work, chronicled in his memoir,is so important.They say hes leveling the playing field to make sure people have the legal representation they need to fight a system much larger than themselves.
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Just Mercy Sheds Light on Lack of Change in AL Justice System - WBHM
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December 22, 2019 by
Mr HomeBuilder
As it settles into New Yorks cultural fabric, the Shed the $475 million arts center in Hudson Yards that opened earlier this year has a question to answer: After a flashy first season that has included a kung fu musical, Bjrk and a concert series conceived by the director Steve McQueen, how do you keep people interested?
The venues sophomore season, announced Friday, is a response to that question.
One thing we wanted to do was to have a wide enough range of commissions in that first season to demonstrate that there was something for most people in our program, Alex Poots, the Sheds artistic director and chief executive, said in an interview.
Theres less pressure on this season to do everything, he added.
Its still an eclectic mix.
The 2020 season will include the world premiere of Help, a theatrical work by the author and poet Claudia Rankine that explores white male privilege a subject that Rankine also addressed in an article in The New York Times Magazine this year. Help will be directed by Taibi Magar, with movement choreography by the dancer Shamel Pitts. It will debut in March.
The United States premiere of Misty, a play by the British playwright and actor Arinze Kene, will come in September. Misty had a buzzy debut in London at the Bush Theater last year, before transferring to the West End. The Shed has commissioned an altered version.
In May, the Sheds flagship space, the McCourt Theater, will host a large-scale interactive artwork from the visual artist Toms Saraceno, part of an exhibition, Particular Matter(s), that deals with climate change.
The season will also feature work by the artists Ian Cheng and Howardena Pindell, plus commissions from the Sheds Open Call program, which develops work by New York artists.
Alongside newcomers, the 2020 slate will feature artists behind two of the first seasons big shows.
The choreographer William Forsythe, who brought A Quiet Evening of Dance to the Shed this year, will return to the venue in October to debut a new work jointly commissioned by the Shed and Boston Ballet.
And after leading an interpretation of Verdis Requiem at the Shed last month, the conductor Teodor Currentzis, along with the MusicAeterna chorus and orchestra, is set to perform another program in November, the details of which will be announced next year.
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The Sheds Second Season to Feature New Commissions and Familiar Faces - The New York Times
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