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I have been bombarded with questions from readers today regarding a Powerpoint slide that has leaked depicting a drastically refitted Japanese Izumo class helicopter carrier with a pair of catapults and an angled landing area with arresting cables. In other words, the slide, which is from General Atomics, shows a Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) reimagining of Japan's two largest warships. Then it was proclaimed by another site that Japan "has grand ambitions" to do this and buy the F-35C to pair with it. The problem here is that there is no actual evidence of this being the case. It's recklessly uninformed at best, straight-up fantasy at worst.

In other words, no, General Atomics is not a ship designer, builder, or a complete ship systems integrator. So, this is very likely, if not absolutely some lighter concept art to pitch their catapult capabilities to Japan based on a theoretical designa common tactic in the blue sky world of future defense capabilities discussions. There is a rendering for virtually everything.

The fact of the matter is that Japan is already buying 43 short-takeoff and vertical landing F-35Bs and is modifying its Izumo class carriers for this aircraft, specifically. This process has been made easier because, just as posited, the Japanese Ministry of Defense kept this possibility in mind when it originally ordered what are the country's largest warfighting vessels since the end of World War II.

In the single slide we have, the modified Izumo class looks pretty cool as a conventional aircraft carrier, but the amount of work that would be required to realize such a conversion would be massive. In addition, although it seems that most people think slapping catapults and an angled flightdeck on an existing helicopter carrier is a relatively straightforward way of making a CATOBAR aircraft carrier, it's not.

The added systems, mass, and huge changes in weight distribution that the ships were never designed for have snowballing impacts, regardless of cost. The vessels' sea handling, speed, and fuel economy alone can be heavily impacted, and large parts of their interiors would have to be redesigned. That's not saying it is impossible, but it makes little sense. Beyond that, the design shown in the slide is something of a nightmare for CATOBAR operations on multiple levels. A very limited amount of deck space and the inability to launch any aircraft while recoveries are underway are just a couple issues that are glaringly apparent.

The Essex class from World War II is probably the best example of a relatively straight-forward flattop being turned into a post-WWII-era jet-capable carrier, but that was also a major undertaking and those ships were already designed as fixed-wing carriers. More so, in an era where the F-35B is available, an aircraft capable of 'first day of war' operations alongside its A and C variant cousins, such an intricate and risky project has small advantages for this size of ship. Even the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are still learning just how much combat capability they can squeeze out of their own similar amphibious assault ships with a heavy contingent of F-35Bs embarked.

If Japan really wanted to go with a conventional carrier design, then it would be best off just building those ships specifically for the task, not tearing apart the helicopter carriers they already have that were already designed with the F-35B in mind. But once again, there is no great reason for this nor is it anything but a hypothetical drawing as far as well know, and Japan has never shown interest in such an undertaking or footing the bill for introducing a CATOBAR capability into its force structure in the first place.

So, fun picture. We can always dream. But unless there is a whole story we don't know, this image is little more than a common marketing exercise, and no, Japan has no intention of executing such a vision.

Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com

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No, Japan Isn't Going To Install Catapults And Angled Decks On Its Izumo Class Carriers - The Drive

From InDepth NH:

By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org | 2 hours ago

CONCORD, NH If you need to get in the holiday mood, head over to your State House where the halls have just been decked and it sure smells great.

It is a particularly good time of year to visit the people's house where you can stop by the visitors center and pick up New Hampshire ornaments for your own Christmas tree or buy a necktie for your uncle who misses New Hampshire now that he lives in Florida.

Virginia Drew, director of State House Visitors Center, said there is a festive mood of goodwill and hope for the coming year happening around her.

Virginia Drew speaks at the Visitors Center at the State House. Paula Tracy video

"We are gearing up for what will be another wonderful holiday season at the State House," Drew said.

She encouraged people to come and "take a slower pace" to the holidays, and visit the various chambers which are also decorated with natural boughs from trees across the state.

People who come, she said, are "assaulted by the beauty and the smells of Christmas."

She noted that in addition to the large tree on the State House lawn, they will soon have a Jewish Menorah. "We celebrate all the different parts of the holiday season at the State House."

Last week, the state received a gift from the New Hampshire Christmas Tree growers, through the New Hampshire Christmas Tree Promotion Board.

As part of the New Hampshire/Vermont Christmas Tree Association, the state was given trees for "official" holiday decorating. The trees are also provided for the Bridges House in East Concord, which will be a site for official functions in Concord.

Hall of Flags at the State House.

In the Hall of Flags, there are ten 30-inch wide wreaths hanging on all of the stately pillars bringing the fragrant smell of state's balsam woods to life.

Up in the Executive Council chamber, a gorgeous balsam fir has been placed in the corner near the state and American flag and it is now encircled by poinsettias. The tree has been decorated with colored lights and ornaments donated by visiting schoolchildren. This year, the official state holiday trees come from the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests' Christmas Tree Farm at the Rocks in Bethlehem.

Gov. Chris Sununu's tree.

The 1,400-acre Rocks Estate was gifted to the Forest Society in 1978 by the family of the original owners, International Harvester co-founder John Glessner and his wife, Frances, who acquired the property in 1882 for a summer home.

When giving the farm to the Forest Society, the family made the stipulation that a crop always be maintained in the fields. That crop for more than 30 years has been Christmas trees and today there are more than 40,000 trees grown on the farm.

You, too, can get your Christmas trees there. The organization has cut-your-own as well as pre-cut options. Or take a horse-drawn hayride through the fields, enjoy some caroling and other events to get you in the holiday spirit.

The Rocks is also home to the NH Maple Experience Museum. Maple syrup is produced on the farm and maple production is part of the educational programming.

The New Hampshire Christmas tree industry is valued at over $3 million annually and represents nearly 200 tree growing operations of all sizes. For more information on how to get your farm-fresh New Hampshire tree, like the one at the State House, visit http://www.agriculture.nh.gov, or visit the NH Christmas Tree Promotion Board website http://www.nhchristmastrees.com.

This story was originally published by InDepth NH.

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Deck The State House Halls With Cheer And Smell Of Balsam - Patch.com

Kate Chastain from Below Deck recently revealed she and chief stew Hannah Ferrier from Below Deck Mediterranean are no longer friends.

Chastain hinted about the fallen friendship when she chatted with Danny Pellegrino on his podcast. She also poked at Ferrier on Twitter, joking about Ferriers tablescapes. Chastain proudly showed off one of her tablescape photos too, sharing she loves doing them.

But she later directly addressed the falling out on various live appearances both at BravoCon and when she appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. Ferrier has been silent about the feud but may have cryptically made a comment about it on her Instagram story.

Ferrier has been busy celebrating her birthday and traveling. But she posted to her Instagram story that there are two sides to every story. Learn to be ok with people not knowing your side of the story, she wrote. You dont have to prove anything to anyone. She followed the post with a video where she is giving someone the side-eye too. Ferrier did not indicate the post was about Chastain, but at the same time, shes remained silent about the falling out.

Instead, Ferriers posts have primarily been about traveling and enjoying time with friends and family. In her Instagram story, she shared video of some delicious food she was enjoying with a friend.

She also asked fans and friends to donate to her favorite charity for her birthday too, instead of sending her gifts. Hey guys! Sooooo its my birthday on Saturday and instead of presents this year I am asking for a donation to@lifelineaustralia this is a charity I have worked with for years and having suffered from anxiety its close to my heart. Any donation is greatly appreciated, she posted to Instagram.

Ferrier and Chastain seemed to have a fun and playful friendship. They would often discuss what it would be like to co-stew. Plus, they seemed to genuinely like each other. So the news that they were no longer speaking surprised fans.

Chastain shared that Ferrier talked about her behind her back. Over the years, watching Hannah, I could just always tell we had very different styles of being a chief stew, but I just wanted to be supportive,Chastain shared at BravoCon, Bravos The Daily Dish reports.But now, were not really friends because I heard she was talking poorly about me behind my back.

Chastain claimed she tried to get to the bottom of the issue so she sent Ferrier a text. I was like, You know, I dont like what you said,' she said. And she left me unread and never answered. Like if she had answered, Id be like, No worries! Or, Whatever.' Chastain continues to follow Ferrier on Instagram. However, Ferrier has stopped following Chastain.

Read more here:
Is Hannah Ferrier From 'Below Deck Med' Finally Responding to Her Fallout With Kate Chastain From 'Below Deck?' - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Its just hard to keep up with that kind of amount, he said. Its not the season or the earliness, its the amount in such a short period of time.

Taming the overwhelming amount of snow was made more challenging when four of the towns 12 snowplows broke Monday night because of unexpected mechanical issues, Gallant said.

It slows everything down because it takes about five hours to do the town once, he said. We have 134 miles of road.

The snow was still falling in Winchendon Tuesday morning, making roads that have already been cleared look like they havent been touched by a snowplow, Gallant said. The snowplow drivers have been working in rotations around the clock for the past 48 hours, he said.

Despite the challenges, Gallant said, most Winchendon citizens have been positive and understanding.

They know its hard to deal with this much this fast, he said.

Keith Newton, the superintendent of the Department of Public Works in Royalston, estimated that the town received about 26 inches. He said the most prominent challenge was the moisture content of the snow. The flakes froze as soon as they hit the ground, creating a thin layer of ice that is dangerous and hard to plow.

Newton said receiving this amount of snow is not an unusual event for the town, but the two back-to-back snowfalls Sunday and Monday night were hard to plan for.

Because Ive been here all my life, no, this is not a usual event, he said. People that live here are really well adjusted to it. They took it in stride.

Nicolas Bosonetto, the commissioner of public works in Fitchburg, was driving a snowplow himself Tuesday morning. He said the town is using all hands on deck to make sure the 220 miles of road in the city remain clear. Many other departments were pitching in to help, using every plow they could find.

If anything has a plow on it, its out there, he said.

Bosonetto said the town has received about 20 inches since 1 p.m. Sunday and said snowplow drivers have been working nonstop for the past two days. The city was prepared for the foot of snow forecast to hit Sunday night, but the additional 10 inches over the past day were a bit of a surprise as the forecast only called for 3 additional inches, Bosonetto said.

The fluctuating temperatures in Fitchburg have made plowing the roads even more challenging as the snow melts and refreezes, Bosonetto said.

This is a heavy amount for the first snow, he said. Usually we ease into it.

Duane Pease, the Middlefield town administrator, also said that the amount of snow from the second wave of the storm caught the town a bit by surprise.

But, despite getting about 20 inches of snow from the storm, the roads were mostly clear as of early Tuesday afternoon, he said. The towns three-person plowing crew worked overnight Monday to ensure that roads were usable for the morning commute.

New Bedford saw around 8 inches of snow as of Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Police Lieutenant Nathaniel Rodriguez encouraged those driving to make sure to clean the snow and ice off their car before getting on the road.

That even goes for snow on top of your vehicle, he said. That can slide down onto your windshield and essentially make you blind and could cause an accident, and ... the wind can take it back onto [the] vehicle behind you.

Maria Lovato can be reached at maria.lovato@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @maria_lovato99.

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All hands on deck to plow snow in communities that saw more than 2 feet of snow in 48 hours - The Boston Globe

Getting on a superyacht in Thailand and flirting with a handsome gentleman sounds like a great time, and it sure sounded like the perfect vacation for the most recent Below Deck charter guest, Lynn Schuster from Gilbert, AZ. She brought five of her fabulous friends along for the ride, and as the group of moms explained on their preference sheet, they cant wait for a much-needed girls trip.

Its gonna be their first international trip together, Captain Lee read, unaware that *he* was one of their top attractions to check out. Hey, they dont call him The Stud of the Sea for nothing! The group also included Wendy Brunet, a Season 6 guest who came aboard with Steve, or as Captain Lee calls him, Mr. Foam Man. And while chief stew Kate Chastain remembered her as being relaxed and chill, well, she turned it up a notch with this group.

In between their beach picnic near a cave of bats, the ladies indulged in their sexual appetite before dinner was served, sneaking upstairs to get a glimpse of Captain Lee with no shirt on as he got ready to join them for the meal, and giggling all the way.

Chef Kevin served them the authentic Italian cuisine they requested for their white themed dinner party, and its a real wonder that these women werent spilling any of the red wine all over their white dresses. The more Lynns glass was refilled, the more she divulged to Captain Lee, telling him, You were like Thor with no shirt on! and I had a bad Botox job, can you tell? and We just want everyone to party with us, we dont want anyone to have to work. She even had a heart to heart about her personal life, telling the Captain, Thats why I have a hard time finding a man. I dont fit into a category. Its gonna take a really special man to tie me down.

When its right it will happen, he assured her. How did you morph from Chicago to California? he asked, wisely changing the conversation.

Oh, I followed the Grateful Dead, she told him as Kate and Courtney laughed from the kitchen. Captain Lee could only muster an okay, when presented with that information. Oh, but Lynn wasnt done yet! I lived in a Volkswagen bus, I was a total hippie. I sold sir fry around the country, I pierced noses and ears.

This is a revelation, Captain Lee announced, which was naturally met with Lynns signature giggle, the same one she was putting into overdrive during the whole dinner conversation.

Tune in next week to see if she is as enthusiastic about her tip as she is flirting with the Captain.

Below Deck airs Monday at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo.

Where to stream Below Deck

More here:
'Below Deck' Charter Guest Lynn Schuster Has The Time of Her Life Flirting With Captain Lee - Decider

Every Thursday,Bravo DigitalsMegan Seguraand Erik J. Macbring you exclusive interviews with Bravolebs likeVicki Gunvalson,Nene Leakes, andStassi Schroeder, plus expert commentary and behind-the-scenes secrets straight from Bravo execs. Listen, like, and subscribe toThe Daily DishonApple Podcasts,Spotify, andGoogle Play, and make yourself part of the conversation by tweeting us@Bravotvwith the hashtag #BravoDailyDish.

Although you may have spotted the two stealing a kiss earlier this season on Below Deck, when Ashton Pienaar stopped by The Daily Dishpodcast, he revealed that his relationship with Kate Chastain will take a turn for the worst and that the two are no longer friends today.

"Shes making it pretty clear that shes going after me already on social media. Shes already name calling and getting the misogynistic male stripper name tag thrown my way already. There hasnt been any drama on camera with her and I yet. So, its a clear strategy of her to build up or to put me down already with the fans," Ashton said. "She knows whats coming and shes obviously trying to build something against me already. So, well see how it all pans out."

So, to be clear, they're not friends: "No. Not at all," he said.

As to how this shift happened, Ashton said, "The whole thing with me and Kate throughout the whole season, its a tight program in terms of everything that happens within those six or seven weeks. It was towards the end of the season where emotions are high. You know, its been a long season. Everybodys tired."

And with some hindsight, Ashton reflected, "I could have definitely handled things differently frommy end,which I fully agree on. But things could have been handled differently from both sides, and Im the type of guy that can take myself out of a situation and be like, cool, this is where I went wrong, what I could have done differently, and I think I would just appeal to the audience to understand that theres always two sides and just see two perspectives. And its not only on the show; its in life, you know. You might feel so strongly towards one opinion, but its not the only opinion. Whether you like it or not there is another side, whether you like the way somebody behaved or what theyre saying to you, its coming from somewhere, and its not just that those people are crazy."

With those cryptic hints as to what's to come this season, make sure you don't miss Below Deck every Monday at 9/8c. Preview, below.

Preview

Did Kate Chastain Just Disrespect Captain Lee Rosbach?!

The Daily Dish is your source for all things Bravo, from behind-the-scenes scoop to breaking news, exclusive interviews, photos, original videos, and, oh, so much more. Subscribe to The Daily Dish podcast, join our Facebook group, and follow us on Instagramfor the latest news hot off the presses. Sign up to become a Bravo Insider and be the first to get exclusive extras.

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Ashton Pienaar Previews the Demise of His Relationship with Kate Chastain This Season of Below Deck - Bravo

Live 95.9 is teaming up with Berkshire Money Management for an interactive contest to give you the opportunity to win $500 in holiday cash!

Announcing the Live 95.9 'Deck Your Pet' contest. Starting Monday, Dec. 9 listeners can head to our website, or theLive 95.9 app, to post photos of their pets in their holiday outfits. Photos will be added daily and the deadline to submit your photos will be on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, the interaction continues, as friends, family and fellow listeners will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite holiday pet at our website, only one vote can be cast. The voting will last until 6:00 pm on Dec. 18 and will narrow the choices down to the Top-3 vote getters which will be tabulated on the 19th. A panel of judges will choose the winner of the $500 grand prize, which will be announced on Slater & Marjo In The Morning on Friday, Dec. 20 along with Allen Harris from Berkshire Money Management.

Check back Monday morning for the official entry page at our website, theLive 95.9 appand ourFacebook page. This year you will be able to submit one photo per pet no matter how many furry friends are in your household. Looking forward to seeing all of these great photos. For a list of contest rules,you can check them out here.

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$500 Could Be Yours Courtesy of 'Deck Your Pet' - Live 95.9

As the Town of Chapel Hill works to provide more parking while reducing its surface lots downtown, plans for a parking deck on the West End of Franklin Street are being developed.

Town staff presented an updated proposal for a five-level parking deck to the Chapel Hill Town Council on November 20. The deck, located off South Roberson Street and where the West Franklin Basnight Lane and Courtyard lots sit, is estimated to contain more than 450 spaces. The council unanimously approved moving forward with the plans by authorizing the town manager to proceed with financial planning.

In its presentation, town staff said the construction of a deck on the West End would free up the equivalent of five surface parking acres of land, which the town hopes could then be developed into new business.

Chapel Hill mayor Pam Hemminger spoke with WCHLs Aaron Keck following the council meeting. She said while the measure still promotes automobile use instead of alternative forms of transit, the town must improve parking to attract businesses like the health-tech company Well, which recently announced its move to Franklin Street.

We want to encourage to get out of their cars in all kinds of ways. Hemminger said. But the reality is if we build a parking deck on the West End, we can get rid of all these little surface lots, have more office space and add the vibrancy downtown.

Hemminger said adding a deck also would help bring more residents into the West End as well. She said during the town council race this year, she would ask people how they felt about the idea.

I would just ask people on the campaign trail whether they come downtown and would they like a parking deck down there, said Hemminger. [They would say], If I had a parking deck, I would come because I know there would be a place to park. Theres lots of places to park, but its a lot of small places on the West End, which adds to the confusion. With all those the small lots, [drivers] are not sure theyll get a space. Having a deck, youll know where to aim.

The presentation shows Chapel Hill is considering both spaces for lease and an hourly rate for public parking in the deck, like seen in other parking areas downtown.

The next step is a public hearing about the parking deck plans, which is set for the town councils February 12 meeting.

Photo via Town of Chapel Hill.

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Proposed West End Parking Deck Gets Approval From Chapel Hill Town Council - Chapelboro.com

GLENVILLE --The town has hired an architect to design a new Town Hall to be built on land behind the current building, which will be converted into a town public safety building.

The Town Board voted Wednesday to spend $7,800 for the next phase of design work with CSArch of Albany, which under an earlier contractdeveloped the concept for expanding town government at its existing Glenridge Road location. The Town Board chose that option from among a series of options presented in August.

Town officials have said for years that theyneed to do somethingabout the current building a former movie theater where the offices are oddly configured and located on several different levels. The courts and Police Departmentneedmodernization, and the proposed renovation would expand those departments into the rest of the existing Town hall.

Town Supervisor Chris Koetzle said he hopes the initial design work can move forward quickly.

"I've told them I'd like to have it in time for my State of the Town Address on Jan. 8," Koetzle said. "That might be a little tight, but certainly by the end of January."

Assuming the preliminary design work is accepted by the town, Koetlze said he hopes detailed engineering and architectural design can be done in time to put the project out to bid and start construction next fall. If the new building is ready in late 2021, the town offices would move in, and the renovation work at the current Town Hall would take place in 2022.

"The nice thing is we'll be able to do it in phases," Koetzle said.

Plans call for the town to builda6,300-square-foot structure on a four-acre, town-owned plot that includes a former residence now used by the town historian's office. The land is east of the current Town Hall, and separated from it by the Schenectady County Library property; the properties connect behind the library, though. Between the town properties, the town has 6.5 acres.

"Renovating the existing Town Hall as a public safety building for the police and court functions, and building a new Town Hall/Town Offices building on the adjoining site appears to be the best option for expansion, functionality, practicality and overall cost," the earlier feasibility study concluded.

The feasibility study estimated the total construction costs for renovating the current building and erecting a new building at between $4.75 million and $5.75 million.

The town has an unspent$1.5 million state grantto improve its police station, which Koetzle believes could be applied to the project. The offices moved into the new building would includebuilding and planning, the town clerk, town supervisor, assessing and financial management.

Koetzle said the hope is that between the state grant andcapital funding the town has already set aside, Glenvillewill only need to borrow about $2.5 million, which would be paid off over a number of years.

"I think we're in good shape to do this with little impact on taxpayers," Koetzle said.

Reach Gazette reporter Stephen Williams at 518-395-3086,[emailprotected]or@gazettesteveon Twitter.

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Glenville hires architect to design new Town Hall - The Daily Gazette

Marchetto Higgins Stieve Architects (MHS Architects), a premier architectural, planning and design firm specializing in residential and mixed-use multifamily developments, has been named Firm of the Year a highly-esteemed award given by the American Institute of Architects-New Jersey Chapter (AIA-NJ). The honor, which was announced as part of AIAs 2019 Service Awards, distinguishes MHS Architects as an exceptional architectural firm and recognizes its impressive success and significant expansion over the past year.

With demand growing for walkable, city-centric living and substantial redevelopment efforts underway throughout New Jerseys urban centers, real estate developers have increasingly relied on MHS Architects extensive experience and inventive solutions for transforming inner cities and downtowns into vibrant, sustainable neighborhoods, leading the company to expand in size by nearly 25% in 2018-19. Notable assignments recently completed by the firm include Bijou Properties 424-unit 7 Seventy House rental building in Hoboken, K. Hovnanian Homes Nine on the Hudson waterfront condominium building in West New York, and Roseland Residential Trusts Metropolitan Lofts rental building in Morristown, among others.

Were incredibly honored and appreciative to receive such a prestigious award, said Founding Principal Dean Marchetto, FAIA, who has led the firm for its nearly 40 years in operation.

This is a tribute to our entire team of architects, planners and staff in recognition of their exemplary efforts to serve our development clients in award-winning fashion. Their unwavering dedication and commitment to both design and community building has allowed us to expand our scope of services and enter many new and exciting markets throughout the state. Their creativity and tireless work ethic have us well positioned for continued growth in the years to come.

With offices in Hoboken and Jersey Citys Journal Square, MHS Architects performs architecture, land planning and urban design for mixed-use projects ranging from four-to-forty stories throughout New Jersey. The firm places heavy emphasis on building a sense of belonging and community, and creates public awareness surrounding each development through a process of community participation and involvement. Guided by the principles of Smart Growth and the New Urbanism, one of the firms most significant architectural accomplishments has been the vital role it has played in the rebirth of Hoboken as a residential community, having designed and completed more than 100 buildings in the mile square city.

MHS Architects has experience in various market types and size, and is on the cutting edge of trailblazing development trends in New Jersey, including the movement to bring downtowns back to small towns, designing and planning for transit-oriented, smart growth developments, and the critical trend of implementing green, sustainable architecture. To achieve client goals and introduce well-designed, responsible projects that complement existing municipal structures, MHS Architects relies on its expertise working with community boards and municipal officials to gain valuable local insight and input.

The AIA-NJ Firm of the Year honor is the eighth award for MHS Architects in 2019 and the 50th award for the firm in total. MHS Architects has worked for some of the most prominent real estate developers in the region. In addition to the aforementioned, these include KRE Group, Hartz Mountain Industries, Toll Brothers City Living, Albanese Organization, Kushner Companies, Fields Development Group and SILVERMAN: Building Neighborhoods

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Marchetto Higgins Stieve Architects Honored as Firm of the Year by American Institute of Architects-New Jersey Chapter | Marchetto Higgins Stieve...