Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Virginia Smith

Thursday, August 07, 2014

Hughes is that rare soul who prizes what other designers and gardeners despise - more so if it's scarred by deer browsing, insect damage or disease.

That's because, in addition to designing ecologically responsible landscapes, Hughes, 46, is a skilled woodworker who makes rustic furniture from garden "debris," a kind of plant-world Dumpster diver.

"It's a nice marriage, landscaping and woodworking," says Hughes, whose five-year-old business is called Weatherwood Design. It comprises about 70 percent landscaping and 30 percent woodworking.

Storm-felled trees and gnarly vines make good raw materials. So do pruned branches, old barn boards, and stuff plucked from the side of the road.

An arborist friend scouts out intriguing branches and discarded trunks. Hughes helps the Natural Lands Trust and local preserves thin out invasives or dead trees. And every July 4, again with permission, he rescues unwanted driftwood from death by bonfire at a public beach on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

The wood might sit for years on the 0.4-hectare property he shares with his widowed dad, Merritt Hughes, a retired English teacher. Logs, planks, oddball sticks and scraps are stacked along the driveway, in the yard, and in and around Hughes' densely packed, unheated 50-square-foot workshop.

"It's hard to throw anything out," he says of the jars of nails, screws and bolts, the bits of this or that, and the saws, planes and other tools of his trade.

Drying wood outside is challenging. But if rain and snow are his nemeses, water is also a friend. "My best ideas come in the shower," he says.

See the article here:
Poetry in the wood

Connie Osiers favorite color is purple. How do I know? It was pretty obvious when I drove up to her South Hill home for this interview for the July Garden of the Month sponsored by the Inland EmpireGardeners.

Her front yard was a sight for sore, heat-stressed eyes. Velvety purple petunias, pink and white Stargazer lilies and light purple zinnias lined the walk to the dark blue front door. The lilies fragrance added to the sensual treat. A magnificent purple-leaved laceleaf Japanese maple draped over a wall at the foot of the sidewalk. Container plantings of mixed purple

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PAT MUNTS photo

Connie Osier shares a moment in her award-winning garden with Zamboni her tuxedocat. (Full-size photo)

Connie Osiers favorite color is purple. How do I know? It was pretty obvious when I drove up to her South Hill home for this interview for the July Garden of the Month sponsored by the Inland EmpireGardeners.

Her front yard was a sight for sore, heat-stressed eyes. Velvety purple petunias, pink and white Stargazer lilies and light purple zinnias lined the walk to the dark blue front door. The lilies fragrance added to the sensual treat. A magnificent purple-leaved laceleaf Japanese maple draped over a wall at the foot of the sidewalk. Container plantings of mixed purple annuals and chartreuse sweet potato vine adorned the front step and border beds. Below a small sitting area by the front door are large Endless Summer hydrangeas that rounded out the color theme. More on themlater.

Osier and her family have lived in their 1939 house for 25 years. We basically had to demo the yard in the beginning and start from scratch, she said. Osier helped the process along by taking landscape design classes at Spokane Community College which helped sharpen her skills for creating an exciting series of spaces starting with her entrance garden through to her backyard full of fruit trees, vegetables andchickens.

The space along the east side of the house is planted with aspen, alpine firs and wildflowers that combine to make you feel as if you are walking along a North Idaho trail. This garden was created after a major water line break meant everything including a large pine had to go. The pine was rotten and hanging over the neighbors irreplaceable tile roof, shesaid.

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Gardening: July garden showcases the color purple - Thu, 07 Aug 2014 PST

AMERICAS Next Top Model (ANTM) alum Allison Harvard and one of Manila's most stylish celebrities Tim Yap shared to a pool of fashionable Kagay-anons what their brand of fashion and style are at Centrio Mall recently.

Allison and Tim are considered to be two of the Philippines' finest in the fashion landscape. To heed pieces of fashion advice from these icons, one can never go wrong.

Juggling her modeling and endorsing stints in the country, Allison first had a taste of the fashion scene here two years ago for a clothing brand.

After that, she came back to walk the runway for Filipino world-renowned fashion couturier Michael Cinco.

The multi-hyphenate Tim dabbles in TV and radio hosting, writing, entrepreneurship and styling.

Fashion inspiration

Growing up, Alli, as Ms. Harvard is fondly called, looks up to singer-songwriter Courtney Love and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.

Love and Westwood inspired her effortless grunge, punk and rock 'n roll outfit-of-the-day.

But, Alli disclosed that her biggest fashion inspiration is her daddy which explains her tomboy statement.

Tim, on the other hand, considers Tom Ford's shape and silhouette and Andy Warhol's craziness as his primary fashion inspiration.

View original post here:
Allison Harvard, Tim Yap dish on fashion

August 6, 2014

Benton Police Department

A man at the Dogwood Lake Apartments on Highway 5 reported his cell phone was stolen at the apartment pool. A man on West Cross Street reported his Echo backpack blower was stolen from his landscape trailer. A man on Pinewood reported that his stereo system was stolen from his vehicle. A man on South Fourth Street reported someone broke into his shed and stole items. A woman on Hidden Meadows reported her residence was broken into and items stolen.

Saline County Sheriff's Office

Angela Collatt was arrested in Traskwood for driving on a suspended licensee. Jarod Gills was arrested in Mabelvale for driving while intoxicated. A man reported theft of property in Benton. A woman in Little Rock reported her ex boyfriend was threatening and possibly stalking her. A woman in Mabelvale reported that her family member was assaulted. A man reported that his ex in Traskwood refused to return his child of which he had full custody.

Bryant Fire Department

Bryant fire fighters responded to five medical calls and one carbon monoxide alarm.

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Daily Dispatch Aug. 5, 2014

Dear Editor:

It is now necessary for me to make the following points of clarification to correct the misrepresentation of facts authored in Mr. Finchers article in last weeks paper entitled Recommendation could change towns landscape.

The article refers to the hill in downtown Pagosa located between South 6th and 7th streets and Navajo and Piedra streets which includes an undeveloped alley running north and south between Navajo and Piedra.

Mr. Fincher states that the alley runs the full length of the ridge above the cliff which is totally inaccurate. In fact if you walk the alley to be vacated which is stacked out and, anyone interested may do so, you will notice that the alley is well below the ridge and the views of the river and town are for the most part obstructed by the ridge.

Consequently, with limited views, the alley is not suitable for use as a trail and, if in fact, the alley did traverse the ridge I doubt the planning commission would have made the recommendation they did in lieu of a possible future trail.

At the first planning commission meeting to discuss the vacations for the alley as well as the undeveloped part of Navajo Street running over the hill there was an overwhelming majority in support of vacating both the alley and Navajo Street. Not only was there overwhelming support but there were objections to a trail for privacy reasons.

None of the five property owners bordering the proposed vacations as well as neighbors close by had any objections. There were only two objections including Mr. Andersons which Mr. Fincher profusely quoted. However I find it very interesting that none of the many supporters were not mentioned nor what they had to say was reported.

Also the suggestive use of the word concession in the article for my willingness to work with the town to formalize the use of 6th Street which runs though my property as some kind of deal for the approval of the application is not only absurd but I resent the implication. No matter what I would be willing.

The misinformation continues with Mr. Fincher stating at the end of his article that Adams also advocated for banning cargo containers and metal sided buildings which I never advocated in any way shape or form. It is simply untrue.

Mr. Fincher, I believe that the residents of Pagosa place a certain public trust in our local news coverage for unbiased accuracy. I would hope that you would honor that trust.

See the article here:
Towns landscape

A Prince Georges County zoning authority has denied Wal-Marts request to build a supercenter in Oxon Hill, about a mile from National Harbor.

The decision, issued this week, appears to bring to a halt the companys plans to expand in Prince Georges and is a victory for a group of Oxon Hill parents that has been fighting the project for years.

Wal-Marts plan called for a 100,310-square-foot store on 15 vacant acres owned by the Peterson Cos. adjacent to John Hanson Montessori School on Oxon Hill Road near Indian Head Highway.

Because the county enacted legislation two years ago limiting the size of big-box stores with groceries to 85,000 square feet, Wal-Mart was requesting special permission to build a larger store.

The companys application also asked the county to waive a requirement to have direct vehicular access to an existing arterial roadway.

Instead, the company wanted the county to allow access via an internal street.

Maurene Epps McNeil, the countys zoning hearing examiner, reviewed the case and concluded that the project would adversely impact residents/workers in the area and be detrimental to the use of adjacent properties.

The projects parking design would present safety hazards to students at John Hanson and nearby Oxon Hill High School, the hearing examiner said. Some students would have to cross two vehicular entrances into the proposed store, including one that would be used by trucks going to the loading dock.

Noise stemming from the project would potentially affect the experience of students at John Hanson, who would be able to hear the delivery trucks idling or hear the workers unloading, since the loading area is adjacent to that schools property, the decision said.

Parents of students at John Hanson and Oxon Hill High have voiced concerns about security and the environmental impact on the school community.

See original here:
Wal-Marts request to build supercenter in Oxon Hill denied by zoning official

National Trust acquires Hambledon Hill

Updated 8:55am Thursday 7th August 2014 in News

The spectacular Hambledon Hill, one of the finest Iron Age hillforts in Dorset, has been acquired by the National Trust.

Built over 2,000 years ago, the massive earthwork defences lie over one of the most significant early Neolithic landscapes in Western Europe, dating back almost 6,000 years, and is a place that half of British butterfly species call home.

Standing at twice the height of the White Cliffs of Dover and taller than the Shard in London, Hambledon Hill occupies an area of land the size of 50 football pitches. From the summit of the hillfort you can see across three counties Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire and get a real sense of its prehistoric strategic importance.

Jerry Broadway, a National Trust volunteer working on Hambledon Hill, said: When I come here I feel like someone would when they go into St Pauls Cathedral.

When there is no-one else around and I sit on the top of the hill looking at the view I feel very privileged. And to play a small part in looking after the hill is a good feeling.

This is the first hillfort acquired by the National Trust in Dorset for 30 years.

The Trust now cares for seven hillfort sites in a county which is internationally renowned for these special historical places.

Simon Ford, National Trust wildlife adviser, pictured right, said: The beauty of a magical place like Hambledon Hill is the combination of a rich natural and archaeological story that goes back thousands of years.

More:
National Trust acquires Hambledon Hill

SHANE RHODES SHANE RHODES SHANE RHODES SHANE RHODES SHANE RHODES ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ John Edens LAUREN COSTELLO SITA TAUFA SITA TAUFA SITA TAUFA WILMA McCORKINDALE/Fairfax NZ COLLEEN McKINNEL JOE WATT EVAN HARDING/ Fairfax NZ ASHLEIGH JACKSON MEG BARTON ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ DEBBIE JAMIESON/ Fairfax NZ DEBBIE JAMIESON/ Fairfax NZ EYETOEYE PHOTOS WILMA MCCORKINDALE/ Fairfax NZ JESSICA RAUBENHEIMER GORDON MCDIARMID GORDON MCDIARMID SHANAE FORBES Bruce Bernasconi NZTA CHRIS WATSON SUPPLIED Barry Harcourt Wilma McCorkindale

Traffic heads north into white-out conditions on SH1 1 (Tutu Hill Rd) in the Clutha District.

Trucks crawl north up SH1 at Kaihiku (between Balclutha and Clinton).

Traffic heads south into white-out conditions on SH1 (Tutu Hill Rd) in the Clutha District.

Emergency services personnel check out a truck crash on Beacon Hill Road about 6km north of Waipahi.

A grader gets to work on Edenale Hill in Southland.

A calf tests out the snow on the outskirts of Ohai.

Peter Templer of Puketihi Farm, Ohai, feeds out to his sheep.

The main street of Ohai is postcard pretty in the snow.

Rachael Johns, 15, gets towed by Shayna McLeod 14, both of Nightcaps.

Excerpt from:
Live: Heavy snow blankets the south

SHANE RHODES SHANE RHODES SHANE RHODES SHANE RHODES SHANE RHODES ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ John Edens LAUREN COSTELLO SITA TAUFA SITA TAUFA SITA TAUFA WILMA McCORKINDALE/Fairfax NZ COLLEEN McKINNEL JOE WATT EVAN HARDING/ Fairfax NZ ASHLEIGH JACKSON MEG BARTON ROBYN EDIE/ Fairfax NZ DEBBIE JAMIESON/ Fairfax NZ DEBBIE JAMIESON/ Fairfax NZ EYETOEYE PHOTOS WILMA MCCORKINDALE/ Fairfax NZ JESSICA RAUBENHEIMER GORDON MCDIARMID GORDON MCDIARMID SHANAE FORBES Bruce Bernasconi NZTA CHRIS WATSON SUPPLIED Barry Harcourt Wilma McCorkindale

Traffic heads north into white-out conditions on SH1 1 (Tutu Hill Rd) in the Clutha District.

Trucks crawl north up SH1 at Kaihiku (between Balclutha and Clinton).

Traffic heads south into white-out conditions on SH1 (Tutu Hill Rd) in the Clutha District.

Emergency services personnel check out a truck crash on Beacon Hill Road about 6km north of Waipahi.

A grader gets to work on Edenale Hill in Southland.

A calf tests out the snow on the outskirts of Ohai.

Peter Templer of Puketihi Farm, Ohai, feeds out to his sheep.

The main street of Ohai is postcard pretty in the snow.

Rachael Johns, 15, gets towed by Shayna McLeod 14, both of Nightcaps.

Read more:
Snow blankets south

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Excerpt from:
Land Clearing Of East Texas -- Longview Texas - Tyler Texas