Anna Eisenstein grew up in Annapolis during the Depression-era 1930s and wartime 1940s. After marrying Edwin Gilbert Greenberg, a USNA ‘50 graduate, the Greenberg couple, along with their children, lived in postings around the United States, northern Italy and Japan. Overseas, the Navy family traveled to other countries, like China, Israel and Turkey, picking up memories and mementoes along the way.
The Greenbergs did not return to Annapolis until 1973. Annapolis had changed significantly in the two decades Anna had been gone — and has continued to change. The Greenbergs found a two-story home, built in 1962, at the end of a cul-de-sac off Spa Road. Cloaked in pale gray siding with white trim and darker, slate gray shutters and rooftops, the house sits on a small rise with a clear view of Aberdeen Creek sparkling a few dozen yards away and a community marina.
They had barely settled in and begun renovations to the house before Anna plunged into volunteer activities in her beloved hometown. “My parents’ influence set the example for my volunteerism, my love for people,” she explained.
Edwin passed away in October 2004. Anna could have thrown in the towel then and spent her golden years resting on her laurels. Yet, today, Anna is still busy with activities that would fell someone one-quarter her age. Here’s the short list: Anna is a member of the Board of Visitors and Governors of St. John’s College, a member of the Board of the Friends of St. John’s College, on the board of the Anne Arundel Public Library Foundation, a board member of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, plus a board member of Scholarships for Scholars, Inc. which provides scholarships to public, private and home-schooled high school seniors throughout the county. She is also active in the congregations of Knesseth Israel Annapolis and Beth Shalom in Arnold.
And, she still finds time to lovingly spoil her three grandchildren — all girls — when they come to visit. Or, when she visits.
Anna has been lauded and applauded through the years. Citations from various Maryland governors and certificates from several organizations line a stairwell in her home. In her library, a space is reserved for her awards and trophies.
Today, she is being presented with the Hadassah Centennial Award by the Hadassah Annapolis Chapter as part of its 100th birthday celebration.
Just inside the front foyer, a beautiful cabinet rests alongside the honeydew striped wall. Lacquered a cream color, its front doors feature several bas relief Japanese figures in an outdoor scene. “The chest is from Japan,” said Anna. “Or did we find it in Hong Kong? The bowl on top of the chest is from Israel and the silk fruit is from Japan, too.”
“This house is filled with accents of places I’ve lived,” she said.
Turning to the opposite wall, hanging there is a framed and signed Nancy Hammond print depicting a bouquet of gorgeous flowers.
“I love to collect works by local artists. I have them all through the house,” Anna said. “Gerry Valerio did a terrific portrait of my husband that hangs in the library. Phyllis Avedon painted my portrait, which is in the master bedroom. I also have works by Lee Boynton, Eric Smith, photographer Marion E. Warren and Elliott Zuckerman. Bonnie Roth Anderson did the wonderful pastel children’s portraits in the living room.” She has also collected paintings and sculptural works from around the world.
To the right is the sun-filled, elegant living room. Most of the furniture was inherited from Anna’s parents. It had been custom-made for them, and, later, Anna had the pieces restored and re-upholstered. Nestled next to the curvilinear couch is a wooden bachelor’s chest, originally used to hold a gentleman’s folded shirts, sweaters and underwear. “It has a Bombay front,” Anna said, pointing to its sinuous silhouette.
Atop the upright piano are busts sculpted in Italy, over 40 years ago, of Joyce Greenberg and David Greenberg when they were preschoolers. The terracotta busts rest on short pedestals of pink marble.
The library, in the center of the main floor, can be reached from the front hallway, the living room and via the dining room, too. White, wooden built-in cabinetry lines one mimosa-colored wall. The unit’s shelves are filled with books, small artworks and several of Anna’s awards.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Homes: garage land
With a large apartment on the top floor of a converted Arts & Crafts villa in Edinburgh, Marjo McLaren, her husband Chris and their two teenage daughters weren't short of space, exactly. But they did have two niggling problems. First, to reach the garden they share with neighbours, they had to go down two flights of stairs, through a communal hallway and across part of the neighbours' garden. "We were constantly running up and down to use the loo, or to fetch food and drinks," McLaren says. And second, McLaren, an independent travel agent, needed somewhere to work.
The answer was sitting at the bottom of the garden – a run-down garage that stored family junk: trampolines, bikes, skis, surfboards and old furniture. So the couple hired architect Jens Bergmark, who knocked it down and built a modern structure that could function as an office, a garden room and even somewhere for guests to stay.
This multipurpose studio, which cost 50,000, has a living space, a sleeping platform, toilet, shower, kitchenette and wood-burning stove. McLaren works here, her daughters have sleepovers here, and the family use it for garden parties.
To get round planning permission Bergmark built the studio on the same footprint as the old garage. He created a pitched roof designed to mirror the roof of the villa and the greenhouse. This design also created a double-height ceiling space, big enough for a mezzanine level.
Inside, windows face south and east, and large sliding glass doors lead into the garden. A sophisticated heating system provides hot water and underfloor heating, alongside a Morso stove for particularly chilly days. Pull-out ladders access the sleeping platform and are stored in a cupboard to the right of the kitchen.
Finishes and furniture are unfussy, including recycled crushed floor tiles, a lounge chair and stool from Ikea, and a Marcel Breuer Wassily Chair, a reproduction of a Gerrit Rietveld Red Blue chair and a nest of tables from Habitat.
The luxury of owning a home-within-a-home that's bigger than some flats hasn't passed McLaren by. "You could happily live in here," she admits. "We might even rent it out during the festival." As multi-use spaces go, four-in-one isn't bad.
The answer was sitting at the bottom of the garden – a run-down garage that stored family junk: trampolines, bikes, skis, surfboards and old furniture. So the couple hired architect Jens Bergmark, who knocked it down and built a modern structure that could function as an office, a garden room and even somewhere for guests to stay.
This multipurpose studio, which cost 50,000, has a living space, a sleeping platform, toilet, shower, kitchenette and wood-burning stove. McLaren works here, her daughters have sleepovers here, and the family use it for garden parties.
To get round planning permission Bergmark built the studio on the same footprint as the old garage. He created a pitched roof designed to mirror the roof of the villa and the greenhouse. This design also created a double-height ceiling space, big enough for a mezzanine level.
Inside, windows face south and east, and large sliding glass doors lead into the garden. A sophisticated heating system provides hot water and underfloor heating, alongside a Morso stove for particularly chilly days. Pull-out ladders access the sleeping platform and are stored in a cupboard to the right of the kitchen.
Finishes and furniture are unfussy, including recycled crushed floor tiles, a lounge chair and stool from Ikea, and a Marcel Breuer Wassily Chair, a reproduction of a Gerrit Rietveld Red Blue chair and a nest of tables from Habitat.
The luxury of owning a home-within-a-home that's bigger than some flats hasn't passed McLaren by. "You could happily live in here," she admits. "We might even rent it out during the festival." As multi-use spaces go, four-in-one isn't bad.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Sunshine & orange blossoms
Any homeowner would love to raise a small patch, if not a garden, in front of his/her home. But your pockets should indeed be deep if you aspire to have a garden in front of your home, considering rising land prices in metropolises
So, how will you manage to have some amount of greenery in your home in such a scenario? Opt for perennial climbers which occupy very little space and can spread across maximum vertical space such as a fence, a compound, pillar, wall or roof. One such climber is the flame vine, also known as Golden Shower and Orange trumpet creeper, etc. The botanical names of this creeper are Pyrostegia venusta, Bignonia venusta and Pyrostegia ignea. It belongs to the family Bignoniaceae.
It is a fast-growing, sturdy, evergreen creeper, and a native species of Brazil, now popular in India. It has compound leaves growing opposite each other on the stem. Each leaf has two-three oval pinnae, pointed at the tip. Often, the apical pinna (leaflet) is modified into curled tripartite tendril, which coils around any support it gets and the climber clings to it to grow further. It starts blooming profusely in November and continues to do so till the end of March in Bangalore.
Flowers are bright reddish orange in colour and found in clusters of 2-50 flowers. Each flower is about three inches long with tubular corolla with petals separated at the tip and look like five lobes bent backwards. Calyx is small, cup-like and light green in colour. Every day, three-five flowers bloom in the morning and soon the corolla falls down. A circular nectariferous tissue is present at the base of the ovary, producing nectar. Honey bees, small bees and black ants are drawn to the flowers. Humming birds are also attracted to this creeper. The flower clusters are often borne on the tip of the branches and droop, creating a spectacular scene.
This creeper hardly needs any maintenance. It tolerates both acidic and alkaline soil. It tolerates partial shade and also partial drought. But if it gets more sunlight, it flowers profusely. It is virtually pest and disease-resistant. Recent research has revealed that this creeper has healing properties.
As it grows, its stem becomes hard, and hence, it is advisable to plan the growth of the creeper in advance and provide support accordingly. I had a limited gardening space in my previous residence. But I could successfully grow this creeper on the ground floor and it reached the terrace on the third floor with vertical support. When it reached the balcony of my second floor, I pruned it and the climber branched into two.
I then directed one branch through the hooks of the hanging pots in my balcony and the second branch climbed and spread on the small roof of the decorative tiles on the balcony. When it started flowering, it gave a beautiful look.
My present residence, where I shifted three years back, has slightly more garden space, and I planted this creeper in the left corner of my compound along with Phyllocactus and bamboo of small variety. It grew very well in both the directions (90 degrees to each other) horizontally along the compound and in the front. It not only covered the small sloping roof at the entrance of my house completely, but also created a virtual curtain with its hanging branches full of drooping clusters of flowers.
So, how will you manage to have some amount of greenery in your home in such a scenario? Opt for perennial climbers which occupy very little space and can spread across maximum vertical space such as a fence, a compound, pillar, wall or roof. One such climber is the flame vine, also known as Golden Shower and Orange trumpet creeper, etc. The botanical names of this creeper are Pyrostegia venusta, Bignonia venusta and Pyrostegia ignea. It belongs to the family Bignoniaceae.
It is a fast-growing, sturdy, evergreen creeper, and a native species of Brazil, now popular in India. It has compound leaves growing opposite each other on the stem. Each leaf has two-three oval pinnae, pointed at the tip. Often, the apical pinna (leaflet) is modified into curled tripartite tendril, which coils around any support it gets and the climber clings to it to grow further. It starts blooming profusely in November and continues to do so till the end of March in Bangalore.
Flowers are bright reddish orange in colour and found in clusters of 2-50 flowers. Each flower is about three inches long with tubular corolla with petals separated at the tip and look like five lobes bent backwards. Calyx is small, cup-like and light green in colour. Every day, three-five flowers bloom in the morning and soon the corolla falls down. A circular nectariferous tissue is present at the base of the ovary, producing nectar. Honey bees, small bees and black ants are drawn to the flowers. Humming birds are also attracted to this creeper. The flower clusters are often borne on the tip of the branches and droop, creating a spectacular scene.
This creeper hardly needs any maintenance. It tolerates both acidic and alkaline soil. It tolerates partial shade and also partial drought. But if it gets more sunlight, it flowers profusely. It is virtually pest and disease-resistant. Recent research has revealed that this creeper has healing properties.
As it grows, its stem becomes hard, and hence, it is advisable to plan the growth of the creeper in advance and provide support accordingly. I had a limited gardening space in my previous residence. But I could successfully grow this creeper on the ground floor and it reached the terrace on the third floor with vertical support. When it reached the balcony of my second floor, I pruned it and the climber branched into two.
I then directed one branch through the hooks of the hanging pots in my balcony and the second branch climbed and spread on the small roof of the decorative tiles on the balcony. When it started flowering, it gave a beautiful look.
My present residence, where I shifted three years back, has slightly more garden space, and I planted this creeper in the left corner of my compound along with Phyllocactus and bamboo of small variety. It grew very well in both the directions (90 degrees to each other) horizontally along the compound and in the front. It not only covered the small sloping roof at the entrance of my house completely, but also created a virtual curtain with its hanging branches full of drooping clusters of flowers.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Council reveals celebrations to mark Olympic Torch arrival
MAGHERAFELT District Council has planned a number of exciting activities surrounding the arrival of the Olympic torch relay to make sure the once-in-a-lifetime event is one which will be ingrained in our memories.
The inclusive celebrations are expected to be the biggest participating events ever organised by Magherafelt District Council and include a collaborative art project; a community carnival parade and a schools’ celebration.
The community carnival parade will take place on June 6 in Magherafelt and is expected to attract large crowds in the build-up to the arrival of the world-renowned flame.
The carnival will kick off at 6pm and include evening entertainment in the Diamond area with a celebration of excellence both in dance and music. The Council is delighted that the North Eastern Education and Library Board are making available their full broadcast production team to produce an on-line recording of the event.
Groups, charities and businesses from across the Council district have been asked to get involved and dress up carnival style. The emphasis will be on visual expression and groups can use the event as a platform to increase greater awareness about their cause.
200 prizes will be awarded to winning groups from each of the following categories: Most original group; Most colourful group; Most expressive group; Most musical group; Most relevant to the Olympics.
No one group will win more than one prize and groups will be asked closer to the time to nominate which category they would like to enter.
In the run up to the celebrations, residents of the district will be asked to nominate individuals as their Olympian Greek god or goddess. Nominees should be sports people who have been successful nationally or internationally. The top 12 nominations will then become Magherafelt’s 12 Olympian Greek gods/ goddesses who will be profiled before and during the events and form part of the carnival parade.
As part of the collaborative art project, community groups and schools are producing a piece of art/graphics to be transferred on to a ceramic tile. The Northern Regional College has agreed to produce a frame for the tiles which will be used to create an abstract torch shape. The artwork will express collectively what this event represents to people of the district and form part of the legacy of celebrations. The torch will then be installed as a piece of public art at an agreed site.
In addition to the images being used on the art piece, the images will also be displayed on banners throughout the town as part of pre-event marketing.
Groups have be asked to submit a 21cm X 21cm image on paper before March 31. After this a workshop will be held on Saturday April 24 where an artist will help transfer the image on to a ceramic tile.
Currently 29 schools have signed up and agreed to take part in the schools celebrations on June 7. Schools have been asked to submit numbers and to date over 2000 children have signed up to take part on the day. On the morning of the torch arrival, schools will be involved in a series of celebrations and displays at Meadowbank Sports Arena, which will start at 10am and will finish off with the children lining the streets during the torch visit.
The inclusive celebrations are expected to be the biggest participating events ever organised by Magherafelt District Council and include a collaborative art project; a community carnival parade and a schools’ celebration.
The community carnival parade will take place on June 6 in Magherafelt and is expected to attract large crowds in the build-up to the arrival of the world-renowned flame.
The carnival will kick off at 6pm and include evening entertainment in the Diamond area with a celebration of excellence both in dance and music. The Council is delighted that the North Eastern Education and Library Board are making available their full broadcast production team to produce an on-line recording of the event.
Groups, charities and businesses from across the Council district have been asked to get involved and dress up carnival style. The emphasis will be on visual expression and groups can use the event as a platform to increase greater awareness about their cause.
200 prizes will be awarded to winning groups from each of the following categories: Most original group; Most colourful group; Most expressive group; Most musical group; Most relevant to the Olympics.
No one group will win more than one prize and groups will be asked closer to the time to nominate which category they would like to enter.
In the run up to the celebrations, residents of the district will be asked to nominate individuals as their Olympian Greek god or goddess. Nominees should be sports people who have been successful nationally or internationally. The top 12 nominations will then become Magherafelt’s 12 Olympian Greek gods/ goddesses who will be profiled before and during the events and form part of the carnival parade.
As part of the collaborative art project, community groups and schools are producing a piece of art/graphics to be transferred on to a ceramic tile. The Northern Regional College has agreed to produce a frame for the tiles which will be used to create an abstract torch shape. The artwork will express collectively what this event represents to people of the district and form part of the legacy of celebrations. The torch will then be installed as a piece of public art at an agreed site.
In addition to the images being used on the art piece, the images will also be displayed on banners throughout the town as part of pre-event marketing.
Groups have be asked to submit a 21cm X 21cm image on paper before March 31. After this a workshop will be held on Saturday April 24 where an artist will help transfer the image on to a ceramic tile.
Currently 29 schools have signed up and agreed to take part in the schools celebrations on June 7. Schools have been asked to submit numbers and to date over 2000 children have signed up to take part on the day. On the morning of the torch arrival, schools will be involved in a series of celebrations and displays at Meadowbank Sports Arena, which will start at 10am and will finish off with the children lining the streets during the torch visit.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Homeless shelter faces hurdles in move
The largest homeless shelter for men in Rhode Island has 88 beds, three showers and no doors on the bathroom stalls. Here, privacy is an unknown luxury.
But the men line up at Harrington Hall anyway, often 100 or more a night. Those left without a bed sleep on the floor or leave, perhaps heading to a moving truck business that sometimes leaves its trucks unlocked overnight.
"These are people that have fallen down and can't get back up and I'm one of them," said Mike Dalba, a 50-year-old who worked as a computer specialist before becoming homeless six years ago following the death of his son. "You're nuts just to be here. If you're not nuts, you will be."
The group that runs Harrington Hall has plans to move to better quarters at a shuttered women's prison nearby. But the proposal is being fought by local leaders and residents concerned about a handful of sex offenders who call Harrington Hall home.
"There are other areas that you could use that are more rural where there isn't such a concentration of children," said Suzanne Arena, a Cranston resident who has two children ages eight and 10.
"I don't think sex offenders belong somewhere like this. I never wanted them here."
Harrington Hall was never meant to be a permanent part of the community -- or a long-term solution to the state's homelessness problem.
The Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless estimates that 4,400 people in the state, which has a population of just over 1 million, experienced homelessness in 2010.
Harrington opened as an emergency winter shelter in 2005 to address a rise in the state's homeless population. But the numbers kept growing and Harrington stayed open -- to the dismay of nearby residents.
The shelter occupies a former gymnasium on the grounds of the state's Adult Correctional Institutions. Several other nearby buildings have been converted into state government offices.
Harrington is within walking distance to a youth athletic field, a library, day-care centers and elementary schools.
Harrington's main room features row upon row of beds. Microwaves and a large food-warmer sit at one end where they're used to prepare dinner.
The doors open at 5 p.m., though several men typically show up early, smoking and talking outside. At night they read, play chess or watch a television that's rolled out in the front of the room.
Large fans circulate the air, which is heavy and warm even though it's early spring. The air conditioning doesn't work.
"The food's not bad, but the bathrooms are awful," said longtime Harrington resident Wayne Mackie, 60. "No privacy at all."
The state recently installed new windows and exterior doors. Yet the three bathrooms have no doors on the toilet stalls. Floor tiles are cracked or missing. Black mold fills the crevices and corners. One bathroom has no toilet paper -- the dispenser is bolted to the wall in the hallway instead.
"How do I say this? This is screwed up," said Sen. John Tassoni, D-Smithfield, during a recent tour of the shelter. "This is not fit for man. The people in Guantanamo Bay have better accommodations."
Tassoni is the leading legislative supporter of plans to move the shelter to the closed women's prison a few blocks away. That facility has enough space for a full-service kitchen and room for job training, educational programs and substance abuse help, said Jean Johnson, executive director at the House of Hope Community Development Corp., which has run Harrington since 2009. The new facility would also feature small apartments for men trying to get their lives back on track.
But the men line up at Harrington Hall anyway, often 100 or more a night. Those left without a bed sleep on the floor or leave, perhaps heading to a moving truck business that sometimes leaves its trucks unlocked overnight.
"These are people that have fallen down and can't get back up and I'm one of them," said Mike Dalba, a 50-year-old who worked as a computer specialist before becoming homeless six years ago following the death of his son. "You're nuts just to be here. If you're not nuts, you will be."
The group that runs Harrington Hall has plans to move to better quarters at a shuttered women's prison nearby. But the proposal is being fought by local leaders and residents concerned about a handful of sex offenders who call Harrington Hall home.
"There are other areas that you could use that are more rural where there isn't such a concentration of children," said Suzanne Arena, a Cranston resident who has two children ages eight and 10.
"I don't think sex offenders belong somewhere like this. I never wanted them here."
Harrington Hall was never meant to be a permanent part of the community -- or a long-term solution to the state's homelessness problem.
The Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless estimates that 4,400 people in the state, which has a population of just over 1 million, experienced homelessness in 2010.
Harrington opened as an emergency winter shelter in 2005 to address a rise in the state's homeless population. But the numbers kept growing and Harrington stayed open -- to the dismay of nearby residents.
The shelter occupies a former gymnasium on the grounds of the state's Adult Correctional Institutions. Several other nearby buildings have been converted into state government offices.
Harrington is within walking distance to a youth athletic field, a library, day-care centers and elementary schools.
Harrington's main room features row upon row of beds. Microwaves and a large food-warmer sit at one end where they're used to prepare dinner.
The doors open at 5 p.m., though several men typically show up early, smoking and talking outside. At night they read, play chess or watch a television that's rolled out in the front of the room.
Large fans circulate the air, which is heavy and warm even though it's early spring. The air conditioning doesn't work.
"The food's not bad, but the bathrooms are awful," said longtime Harrington resident Wayne Mackie, 60. "No privacy at all."
The state recently installed new windows and exterior doors. Yet the three bathrooms have no doors on the toilet stalls. Floor tiles are cracked or missing. Black mold fills the crevices and corners. One bathroom has no toilet paper -- the dispenser is bolted to the wall in the hallway instead.
"How do I say this? This is screwed up," said Sen. John Tassoni, D-Smithfield, during a recent tour of the shelter. "This is not fit for man. The people in Guantanamo Bay have better accommodations."
Tassoni is the leading legislative supporter of plans to move the shelter to the closed women's prison a few blocks away. That facility has enough space for a full-service kitchen and room for job training, educational programs and substance abuse help, said Jean Johnson, executive director at the House of Hope Community Development Corp., which has run Harrington since 2009. The new facility would also feature small apartments for men trying to get their lives back on track.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Maio — M Suites Hotel’s Italian gem
MAIO, the newest dining destination in M Suites Hotel, is like icing on the cake for the recently-refurbished all-suites hotel here.
Housed in a charming old mansion in the hotel’s rear compound, Maio is set amid a lush garden and is easily accessible from Jalan Straits View Six, either through Jalan Skudai or Jalan Straits View.
From this entrance, a private driveway will lead you directly to the parking lot at Maio’s doorstep.
Even as you park your car, your eyes will be riveted to the fascinating facade of this hidden gem.Painted in pale yellow, this mansion has a foyer bordered by a wallwhich incorporates a series of attractive arches.
Terracotta floor tiles and lazily whirring ceiling fans above add to the charming Mediterranean feel.
In the lobby, one can get a clear view of the chefs working in the kitchen and also the stone oven where breads and pastries are baked.
Here’s where Chef Ahmad Zaim Abdullah and his team are busy whipping up a range of Mediterranean and Italian food for connoisseurs of their innovative culinary creations.
From complex concoctions to plain flatbreads seasoned with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, meals at Maio are scrumptious because they are freshly-made with quality ingredients.
Since its soft opening three months ago, Maio has been attracting a steady stream of customers who appreciate good food served in an elegant ambience.
Diners can enjoy their meal in a tastefully-appointed dining room that boasts a cosy corner complete with dark leather armchairs, reminiscent of a traditional gentleman’s club in old England.
A marble chess set, laid out in an alcove, is ready for players to pit their skills.
Out in the garden terrace, a glass wall is designed to bring the garden almost up to your table while inviting natural light for an airy atmosphere.
Just ask for Maio’s daily specials and Chris, short for Christian Bernard De Mello, the outlet manager, will give you his recommendations.
If you have any preference, feel free to discusswith him and don’t be surprised when the versatile chefs are able to whip it up for you – if they happen to have all the ingredients.
The restaurant has also successfully hosted several private parties with specially-designed menus.
While waiting for the Calamari Ai Ferri antipasto to be served, my appetite was whetted with freshly-baked ciabatta bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic syrup.
The Calamari Ai Ferri waschargrilled squid lightly flavoured with spicy lime and chilli dressing.
TheMaio Caesar Salad is another refreshing appetiser created with a choice of grilled sliced beef bacon or tender chicken meat, tossed in romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, topped with parmesan cheese and a light Caesar dressing.
If you are a fan of French Onion Soup, you will be delighted that it is served here topped with a layer of freshly-baked puff pastry.
Gently lift the pastry to release the aroma from the piping hot soup which is thick with slivers of sliced onions. There are no hard and fast rules, so you can choose to dip the pastry into the soup or set it aside to separately savour the flaky puff.
Coffee lovers can end the meal with a cup of Affogato made with a tiny scoop of Haagen-Dazs vanilla ice-cream topped with a shot of hot espresso, as well as taste their tantalising Tiramisu.This halal version of Italian cheesecake certainly lives up to expectations, but if you are not into coffee or chocolate, there’s a range of desserts to choose from, including the delectable baked cheesecake with strawberry sauce.
“We get many repeat customers who just want more of the same food,” said De Mello.
“Our signature pizza is also popular for takeaways.In fact, a corporate client whose employees are long-stay guests in M Suites are not moving them to another hotel because they don’t want to miss their meals in Maio.”
Housed in a charming old mansion in the hotel’s rear compound, Maio is set amid a lush garden and is easily accessible from Jalan Straits View Six, either through Jalan Skudai or Jalan Straits View.
From this entrance, a private driveway will lead you directly to the parking lot at Maio’s doorstep.
Even as you park your car, your eyes will be riveted to the fascinating facade of this hidden gem.Painted in pale yellow, this mansion has a foyer bordered by a wallwhich incorporates a series of attractive arches.
Terracotta floor tiles and lazily whirring ceiling fans above add to the charming Mediterranean feel.
In the lobby, one can get a clear view of the chefs working in the kitchen and also the stone oven where breads and pastries are baked.
Here’s where Chef Ahmad Zaim Abdullah and his team are busy whipping up a range of Mediterranean and Italian food for connoisseurs of their innovative culinary creations.
From complex concoctions to plain flatbreads seasoned with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, meals at Maio are scrumptious because they are freshly-made with quality ingredients.
Since its soft opening three months ago, Maio has been attracting a steady stream of customers who appreciate good food served in an elegant ambience.
Diners can enjoy their meal in a tastefully-appointed dining room that boasts a cosy corner complete with dark leather armchairs, reminiscent of a traditional gentleman’s club in old England.
A marble chess set, laid out in an alcove, is ready for players to pit their skills.
Out in the garden terrace, a glass wall is designed to bring the garden almost up to your table while inviting natural light for an airy atmosphere.
Just ask for Maio’s daily specials and Chris, short for Christian Bernard De Mello, the outlet manager, will give you his recommendations.
If you have any preference, feel free to discusswith him and don’t be surprised when the versatile chefs are able to whip it up for you – if they happen to have all the ingredients.
The restaurant has also successfully hosted several private parties with specially-designed menus.
While waiting for the Calamari Ai Ferri antipasto to be served, my appetite was whetted with freshly-baked ciabatta bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic syrup.
The Calamari Ai Ferri waschargrilled squid lightly flavoured with spicy lime and chilli dressing.
TheMaio Caesar Salad is another refreshing appetiser created with a choice of grilled sliced beef bacon or tender chicken meat, tossed in romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, topped with parmesan cheese and a light Caesar dressing.
If you are a fan of French Onion Soup, you will be delighted that it is served here topped with a layer of freshly-baked puff pastry.
Gently lift the pastry to release the aroma from the piping hot soup which is thick with slivers of sliced onions. There are no hard and fast rules, so you can choose to dip the pastry into the soup or set it aside to separately savour the flaky puff.
Coffee lovers can end the meal with a cup of Affogato made with a tiny scoop of Haagen-Dazs vanilla ice-cream topped with a shot of hot espresso, as well as taste their tantalising Tiramisu.This halal version of Italian cheesecake certainly lives up to expectations, but if you are not into coffee or chocolate, there’s a range of desserts to choose from, including the delectable baked cheesecake with strawberry sauce.
“We get many repeat customers who just want more of the same food,” said De Mello.
“Our signature pizza is also popular for takeaways.In fact, a corporate client whose employees are long-stay guests in M Suites are not moving them to another hotel because they don’t want to miss their meals in Maio.”
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Newly built Colonial mixes tradition with modern flair
Sophisticated functionality is the hallmark of the newly constructed Colonial house at 30 Long Lots Lane, at the corner of Long Lots Road in Westport.
This six-bedroom house has edgy and transitional finishes, which incorporate the best aspects of a traditional colonial house with a contemporary flair for more modern living. Contained within its 4,658 square feet of living space are contrasting dark oak floors and white millwork and details.
Built this year by SIR Development on a 0.4-acre lot, this house has a thoughtful design that flows from room to room, and it has over-sized windows that bring abundant natural light into the structure.
Although it sits on a corner property with one of the bordering roads a well-traveled one, Long Lots Lane itself is a quiet semi-circular street where children safely play and ride their bicycles. The property is enclosed with fencing and there is room for an in-ground pool.
Retail stores and restaurants are a short distance away and local public schools are also nearby, making this an ideal location.
The front of the property along Long Lots Road has a stone wall topped with a tall privacy fence. A bluestone walkway leads from the driveway, which is accessed from Long Lots Lane, to the front door, which faces Long Lots Road.
The house has three finished levels and the unfinished walk-up attic could easily be finished to add a fourth. The front door has multiple paned sidelights and a transom adding to the natural light that the over-sized windows invite inside.
Detailed millwork and trim were created on site by a team of carpenters. The living room has a fireplace with a decorative white wood mantle and French doors to the family room, which has a stone fireplace flanked by built-in bookshelves topped with a four-paned window.
Decorating the lower walls of the formal dining room is recessed paneled Wainscoting.
The gourmet kitchen has Carrera marble counters and a center island as well as high-end appliances including a GE Monogram refrigerator, Viking Professional six-burner range top, Bosch dishwasher and Electrolux wall-mounted ovens.
Between the kitchen and dining room is a butler's pantry with white glass-front cabinets.
There is a pantry closet in the kitchen, and both the kitchen and butler's pantry have Carrera marble subway tile backsplashes.
Off the kitchen is a mudroom, which has a honed slate tile floor, a closet, storage cubbies, a door to the side door and access to the two-car attached, under house garage.
On the second floor there are five bedrooms. The sixth bedroom is on the lower level, which also has a full bath and a fieldstone, wood-burning fireplace with a red brick firebox. The raised stone hearth is topped in slate. The bath has two entrance doors, one from the bedroom and one from the hallway.
The master bedroom has a tray ceiling. Its bath features a Carrera marble double vanity and the same marble floor, a water closet, large shower, a large walk-in closet and a smaller utility closet.
The second floor laundry room has a ceramic tile floor that gives the appearance of stone. Four spacious bedrooms round out the second floor. They are arranged as two sets of Jack and Jill bedrooms with a shared bath for each pair.
This six-bedroom house has edgy and transitional finishes, which incorporate the best aspects of a traditional colonial house with a contemporary flair for more modern living. Contained within its 4,658 square feet of living space are contrasting dark oak floors and white millwork and details.
Built this year by SIR Development on a 0.4-acre lot, this house has a thoughtful design that flows from room to room, and it has over-sized windows that bring abundant natural light into the structure.
Although it sits on a corner property with one of the bordering roads a well-traveled one, Long Lots Lane itself is a quiet semi-circular street where children safely play and ride their bicycles. The property is enclosed with fencing and there is room for an in-ground pool.
Retail stores and restaurants are a short distance away and local public schools are also nearby, making this an ideal location.
The front of the property along Long Lots Road has a stone wall topped with a tall privacy fence. A bluestone walkway leads from the driveway, which is accessed from Long Lots Lane, to the front door, which faces Long Lots Road.
The house has three finished levels and the unfinished walk-up attic could easily be finished to add a fourth. The front door has multiple paned sidelights and a transom adding to the natural light that the over-sized windows invite inside.
Detailed millwork and trim were created on site by a team of carpenters. The living room has a fireplace with a decorative white wood mantle and French doors to the family room, which has a stone fireplace flanked by built-in bookshelves topped with a four-paned window.
Decorating the lower walls of the formal dining room is recessed paneled Wainscoting.
The gourmet kitchen has Carrera marble counters and a center island as well as high-end appliances including a GE Monogram refrigerator, Viking Professional six-burner range top, Bosch dishwasher and Electrolux wall-mounted ovens.
Between the kitchen and dining room is a butler's pantry with white glass-front cabinets.
There is a pantry closet in the kitchen, and both the kitchen and butler's pantry have Carrera marble subway tile backsplashes.
Off the kitchen is a mudroom, which has a honed slate tile floor, a closet, storage cubbies, a door to the side door and access to the two-car attached, under house garage.
On the second floor there are five bedrooms. The sixth bedroom is on the lower level, which also has a full bath and a fieldstone, wood-burning fireplace with a red brick firebox. The raised stone hearth is topped in slate. The bath has two entrance doors, one from the bedroom and one from the hallway.
The master bedroom has a tray ceiling. Its bath features a Carrera marble double vanity and the same marble floor, a water closet, large shower, a large walk-in closet and a smaller utility closet.
The second floor laundry room has a ceramic tile floor that gives the appearance of stone. Four spacious bedrooms round out the second floor. They are arranged as two sets of Jack and Jill bedrooms with a shared bath for each pair.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Bevy of buyers takes closer look at The M
If the turnout for a recent grand opening celebration at The M at Englewood South is any kind of indicator, the market for condominiums in North Jersey is |heating up fast. The Pinnacle Companies, a developer |of luxury homes throughout the New York Metro Area, recently announced that the grand opening of the new community of elegant condominiums in the heart of Bergen County attracted a crowd of prospective buyers.
"We were extremely pleased that hundreds of prospective buyers came out to view the completed building and responded so favorably at the grand opening of The M," said Mary Boorman, senior vice president of The Pinnacle Companies. "The community appeals |to diverse visitors ranging from singles and families to empty nesters. With people coming from Bergen and surrounding counties as well as from New York City and other states, it's obvious that this community is fulfilling a niche for the buying public."
The M, which presents sophisticated urban living |on Route 4 - close to the George Washington Bridge and within 12 miles of Midtown Manhattan - offers 125 one-, two- and two-bedroom plus den residences priced from $274,990.
The M's architectural style is sleek and urban, |featuring modern kitchens with maple cabinetry, under-counter lighting, granite countertops, GE Profile stainless steel appliances, and many of the two-bedroom models have center islands. Laundry areas are spacious and include GE side-by-side washers and dryers. The spacious layouts feature nine-foot ceilings (10 feet |on the first floor) and entire walls of windows, and many of the homes have either views of the golf course or the central courtyards.
Additional features include elegant en-suite master bathrooms with granite countertops and double-sink vanities, oak hardwood flooring in the living area, ceramic tile flooring in the entry hall and kitchen, and plush carpeting in the bedrooms. A powder room is included |in almost all of the homes. One garage space is included in the price and shuttle service to New Jersey Transit bus stop is also provided.
Additionally, Pinnacle has two innovative lease-|to-purchase options that allow renters to place a portion |of their monthly payment into as escrow account to eventually be applied toward the sales price.
The "License to Occupy" option requires pre-approved, potential homeowners to sign a contract for six months to a year as well as an occupancy agreement for the same time period. Pinnacle saves approximately 50 percent of their rent in an escrow account toward the down payment. A small down payment ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 is required to start the program. The potential homeowner must close within a year of signing.
With the "Lease Now, Buy Later" option, pre-approved, potential homebuyers sign |a condominium lease and, at the end of a one-year term, are offered a home at a price guaranteed at the time the lease is signed. Pinnacle then gives them approximately 25 percent |of their lease payments back toward the down payment.
"Visitors at the grand opening expressed interest in both our for-sale and our lease-to-own programs," Boorman added. "It was clear to us that the recent favorable economic news has signaled a bottoming out of the market. We believe that many people are looking to buy before interest rates and eventually prices go up. Those interested in The M at Englewood South need to act soon to take advantage |of the current economic climate."
Amenities at The M at Englewood South include an outdoor pool and a residents' lounge that is well-suited for large parties and entertaining. Buyers will also receive a year's membership at The Gym Englewood, 20 Nordhoff Place, the upscale fitness center. Maintenance also includes satellite TV and Internet service, and the community will |be offering attractive audio/video packages |as upgrades.
"We were extremely pleased that hundreds of prospective buyers came out to view the completed building and responded so favorably at the grand opening of The M," said Mary Boorman, senior vice president of The Pinnacle Companies. "The community appeals |to diverse visitors ranging from singles and families to empty nesters. With people coming from Bergen and surrounding counties as well as from New York City and other states, it's obvious that this community is fulfilling a niche for the buying public."
The M, which presents sophisticated urban living |on Route 4 - close to the George Washington Bridge and within 12 miles of Midtown Manhattan - offers 125 one-, two- and two-bedroom plus den residences priced from $274,990.
The M's architectural style is sleek and urban, |featuring modern kitchens with maple cabinetry, under-counter lighting, granite countertops, GE Profile stainless steel appliances, and many of the two-bedroom models have center islands. Laundry areas are spacious and include GE side-by-side washers and dryers. The spacious layouts feature nine-foot ceilings (10 feet |on the first floor) and entire walls of windows, and many of the homes have either views of the golf course or the central courtyards.
Additional features include elegant en-suite master bathrooms with granite countertops and double-sink vanities, oak hardwood flooring in the living area, ceramic tile flooring in the entry hall and kitchen, and plush carpeting in the bedrooms. A powder room is included |in almost all of the homes. One garage space is included in the price and shuttle service to New Jersey Transit bus stop is also provided.
Additionally, Pinnacle has two innovative lease-|to-purchase options that allow renters to place a portion |of their monthly payment into as escrow account to eventually be applied toward the sales price.
The "License to Occupy" option requires pre-approved, potential homeowners to sign a contract for six months to a year as well as an occupancy agreement for the same time period. Pinnacle saves approximately 50 percent of their rent in an escrow account toward the down payment. A small down payment ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 is required to start the program. The potential homeowner must close within a year of signing.
With the "Lease Now, Buy Later" option, pre-approved, potential homebuyers sign |a condominium lease and, at the end of a one-year term, are offered a home at a price guaranteed at the time the lease is signed. Pinnacle then gives them approximately 25 percent |of their lease payments back toward the down payment.
"Visitors at the grand opening expressed interest in both our for-sale and our lease-to-own programs," Boorman added. "It was clear to us that the recent favorable economic news has signaled a bottoming out of the market. We believe that many people are looking to buy before interest rates and eventually prices go up. Those interested in The M at Englewood South need to act soon to take advantage |of the current economic climate."
Amenities at The M at Englewood South include an outdoor pool and a residents' lounge that is well-suited for large parties and entertaining. Buyers will also receive a year's membership at The Gym Englewood, 20 Nordhoff Place, the upscale fitness center. Maintenance also includes satellite TV and Internet service, and the community will |be offering attractive audio/video packages |as upgrades.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
School Committee Approves $2.3 Million Bid On Meadowbrook
School Committee members approved a $2.3 million bid on fixing long-standing moisture problems at Meadowbrook Farms School during their meeting Tuesday night in a 5-1 vote. Committeeman Paul Martin voted against the bid; Mary Ellen Winter was absent.
The bid, by Tower Construction, came in $900,000 below what had been estimated for the work, which included removing all flooring — the top tiles, the stop-gap subflooring applied 8 years ago, and the asbestos floor tiles that were originally installed — as well as fixing the building’s negative air flow.
The proposed fix came after a year of testing at the building and several months of discussions by the School Building Committee, the School Committee and, eventually, the Town Council on whether or not Meadowbrook was worth it. Studies indicated, however, that the town will continue to need all four elementary schools into the foreseeable future so the hope that with sixth graders moving to Cole one of the elementary schools could be shuttered was proved false.
All three panels voted to increase the original allocation for Meadowbrook under the voter-approved $52 million bond question in 2008, but with some ambivalence. At issue was a school long known for its moisture problems, one that had undergone more than one previous “fix.”
According to Sean Sullivan of project manager Strategic Building Solutions (SBS), the new work will begin right after school lets out in June. It will continue through the summer, the following school year, and through summer 2013.
That bothered Meadowbrook parent David Gecawich, who urged the School Committee to consider using the bid savings to arrange to have the work done without students present, citing potential danger from the asbestos removal.
Paul Martin questioned the entire project, citing earlier failed fixes and Gecawich’s questions.
“We have all these questions.… If there are so many questions on it, I can’t see approving something that costs $2 million when people have so many concerns.”
Chairwoman Deidre Gifford reminded Martin that the panel had already voted to approve the project and the vote before them was on a bid, not the project itself.
Regarding the asbestos removal, Sullivan said, “It’s all done under state regulations.”
“Has the safety been properly addressed for this project, with the kids in the school?" Committeeman Jack Sommer asked. “Yes,” said Sullivan.
“There’s not a lot of wiggle room in the state regulatory process,” said Gifford. “You have to do certain things and it’s very costly.”
She continued, “These are understandable and legitimate concerns. Every question that the families at Meadowbrook have about this process needs to be answered. But it needs to be answered with the right people in the room and we need to not be speculating.”
She said she and Supt. Victor Mercurio were meeting with Jon Winikur of SBS and Jay Gowell of the School Building Committee on Thursday and they would arrange a meeting with the contractor, someone from the state health department as well as SBS to talk to Meadowbrook parents about the process.
“I don’t think anyone really likes the idea,” said parent Barbara Brusini of the plan to carry out the construction and abatement during the school year. Still, she said, “the work needs to be done.”
The bid, by Tower Construction, came in $900,000 below what had been estimated for the work, which included removing all flooring — the top tiles, the stop-gap subflooring applied 8 years ago, and the asbestos floor tiles that were originally installed — as well as fixing the building’s negative air flow.
The proposed fix came after a year of testing at the building and several months of discussions by the School Building Committee, the School Committee and, eventually, the Town Council on whether or not Meadowbrook was worth it. Studies indicated, however, that the town will continue to need all four elementary schools into the foreseeable future so the hope that with sixth graders moving to Cole one of the elementary schools could be shuttered was proved false.
All three panels voted to increase the original allocation for Meadowbrook under the voter-approved $52 million bond question in 2008, but with some ambivalence. At issue was a school long known for its moisture problems, one that had undergone more than one previous “fix.”
According to Sean Sullivan of project manager Strategic Building Solutions (SBS), the new work will begin right after school lets out in June. It will continue through the summer, the following school year, and through summer 2013.
That bothered Meadowbrook parent David Gecawich, who urged the School Committee to consider using the bid savings to arrange to have the work done without students present, citing potential danger from the asbestos removal.
Paul Martin questioned the entire project, citing earlier failed fixes and Gecawich’s questions.
“We have all these questions.… If there are so many questions on it, I can’t see approving something that costs $2 million when people have so many concerns.”
Chairwoman Deidre Gifford reminded Martin that the panel had already voted to approve the project and the vote before them was on a bid, not the project itself.
Regarding the asbestos removal, Sullivan said, “It’s all done under state regulations.”
“Has the safety been properly addressed for this project, with the kids in the school?" Committeeman Jack Sommer asked. “Yes,” said Sullivan.
“There’s not a lot of wiggle room in the state regulatory process,” said Gifford. “You have to do certain things and it’s very costly.”
She continued, “These are understandable and legitimate concerns. Every question that the families at Meadowbrook have about this process needs to be answered. But it needs to be answered with the right people in the room and we need to not be speculating.”
She said she and Supt. Victor Mercurio were meeting with Jon Winikur of SBS and Jay Gowell of the School Building Committee on Thursday and they would arrange a meeting with the contractor, someone from the state health department as well as SBS to talk to Meadowbrook parents about the process.
“I don’t think anyone really likes the idea,” said parent Barbara Brusini of the plan to carry out the construction and abatement during the school year. Still, she said, “the work needs to be done.”
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Queen relaxes with gin after formal duties
Clutching a tumbler of gin and Dubonnet with a slice of lemon and three ice cubes, the Queen, black handbag perched on her left forearm, worked the room as she has so many times before.
Moments earlier she had been guided to the Royal Gallery in the Palace of Westminster by Commons Speaker John Bercow and the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Marquis of Cholmondeley, for a drinks reception.
With the loyal addresses and the formal part of the morning finished, it was time for her to relax and enjoy herself in ornate surroundings.
Two paintings from 19th century artist Daniel Maclise dominate the Gallery's flanks, one depicting the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo and the second Nelson's death at Trafalgar.
Beneath the great works and portraits of her predecessors on the United Kingdom's throne, the Queen surveyed the hundreds of MPs and peers gathered to receive her and mark her 60 years on the throne.
Labour leader Ed Miliband was a last-minute arrival to the impressive room, searching for the door keeper holding the sign reading Group 3 and 4, a group in which he was supposed to be that very moment.
"Mr Miliband, Mr Miliband," called the Commons official to no avail, so in stepped shadow Olympics minister Tessa Jowell to rescue her lost leader, adopting a football terrace boom to bellow: "Ed! Ed!"
Ms Jowell and fellow party big beasts Keith Vaz, Sadiq Khan and Peter Hain immediately formed a protective ring around Mr Miliband, who later beamed that today was a "wonderful, memorable occasion" for people to "pay tribute to the extraordinary service of Her Majesty".
He gushed: "We saw the huge affection, gratitude and admiration for her expressed by the reaction to her speech.
"Everybody here will remember this occasion for the rest of their lives."
But if the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition was cutting it fine for his date with royalty, Prime Minister David Cameron very nearly missed his slot altogether.
He appeared in the disorganised line-up red-faced, breathless and gently perspiring, but still bowed low as the Queen offered her hand.
With the Government's health reforms returning to the Commons today, perhaps his mind was temporarily and understandably elsewhere.
The Queen saved her seemingly most genuine of smiles for her fellow octogenarian, Father of the House Sir Peter Tapsell, who was first elected to Parliament 55 years ago.
When the Queen left the group of Conservative grandees, Mr Cameron was quickly handed a glass of chilled Champagne and began guzzling, his left hand resting in his trouser pocket as he relaxed and chatted with Foreign Secretary William Hague.
The Queen carried on, surrendering softly spoken words to her subjects and smiling graciously as they offered platitudes.
Former energy secretary Chris Huhne, who quit the Cabinet after being charged with perverting the course of justice over allegedly passing speeding points to his ex-wife Vicky Price, smiled and laughed as he enjoyed the free bubbles being passed around.
He appeared not to have a care in the world, despite facing a theoretical life sentence if he is found guilty of the offence, which he denies.
Mr Bercow was today at his most attentive, rarely leaving the Queen's side, revelling in his ceremonial role, flashing small grins at his allies and larger smiles at his foes.
He was particularly keen for the monarch to meet modernisers in the shadow Cabinet including Caroline Flint (energy), Chuka Umunna (business) and Yvette Cooper (home affairs), who is tipped as a future Labour leader and, perhaps one day, Britain's second woman prime minister.
There was a quick reprimand from a Lords official for Labour MP Geraint Davies who, in breach not just of protocol but also Parliamentary rules, held aloft his iPhone in an attempt to snatch a picture of the Queen as she passed by, presumably fearing he would get no closer.
The flustered Swansea MP need not have worried as he was introduced to the sovereign some 20 minutes later, though with time to spare he perhaps should have practised his bow.
The Queen, serenaded by an eight-piece mini-orchestra, was at her most animated during the 40-minute mingle when she became involved in a deep discussion with Labour MP for Stoke on Trent, historian Tristram Hunt.
Could Mr Hunt really be telling the ruler why he believes a new state started today would never accept a monarchical system, a theory about which he spoke at length on the floor of the House just two weeks ago?
"We were discussing the Minton tiles on the floor of the Royal Gallery, which were made in the Minton factory in Stoke," he explained.
"She was fascinated by them, and it meant I was able to plug my constituency."
One of today's trickiest meetings for Her Majesty could have been with the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who last week declared he would quit the post at the end of the year.
A sombre Dr Williams refused to divulge the contents of his audience with the Queen, but admitted they had discussed his decision.
He described today's occasion as "wonderful" and praised "three excellent speeches".
However, the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, tipped to succeed Dr Williams, was altogether more flamboyant, laughing and joking with the Duke of Edinburgh before the Queen arrived to share their mirth.
"It was a wonderful joke, but this particular joke is so special it will go with me to the grave," teased the cleric.
He confided that he and Tory Party chairwoman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi initiated a standing ovation for the Queen on their side of Westminster Hall, hailing the "heartfelt thanksgiving" offered by peers and MPs for her six-decade reign.
Meanwhile, officials held their breath as Prince Philip and Baroness Trumpington, the 89-year-old peer who hit the headlines last year when she flicked a colleague a V-sign while sitting on the red benches, entered into debate.
What politically incorrect observations might the duo be exchanging?
When asked, Baroness Trumpington was typically forthright: "We were sharing a joke which is none of your business."
Moments earlier she had been guided to the Royal Gallery in the Palace of Westminster by Commons Speaker John Bercow and the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Marquis of Cholmondeley, for a drinks reception.
With the loyal addresses and the formal part of the morning finished, it was time for her to relax and enjoy herself in ornate surroundings.
Two paintings from 19th century artist Daniel Maclise dominate the Gallery's flanks, one depicting the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo and the second Nelson's death at Trafalgar.
Beneath the great works and portraits of her predecessors on the United Kingdom's throne, the Queen surveyed the hundreds of MPs and peers gathered to receive her and mark her 60 years on the throne.
Labour leader Ed Miliband was a last-minute arrival to the impressive room, searching for the door keeper holding the sign reading Group 3 and 4, a group in which he was supposed to be that very moment.
"Mr Miliband, Mr Miliband," called the Commons official to no avail, so in stepped shadow Olympics minister Tessa Jowell to rescue her lost leader, adopting a football terrace boom to bellow: "Ed! Ed!"
Ms Jowell and fellow party big beasts Keith Vaz, Sadiq Khan and Peter Hain immediately formed a protective ring around Mr Miliband, who later beamed that today was a "wonderful, memorable occasion" for people to "pay tribute to the extraordinary service of Her Majesty".
He gushed: "We saw the huge affection, gratitude and admiration for her expressed by the reaction to her speech.
"Everybody here will remember this occasion for the rest of their lives."
But if the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition was cutting it fine for his date with royalty, Prime Minister David Cameron very nearly missed his slot altogether.
He appeared in the disorganised line-up red-faced, breathless and gently perspiring, but still bowed low as the Queen offered her hand.
With the Government's health reforms returning to the Commons today, perhaps his mind was temporarily and understandably elsewhere.
The Queen saved her seemingly most genuine of smiles for her fellow octogenarian, Father of the House Sir Peter Tapsell, who was first elected to Parliament 55 years ago.
When the Queen left the group of Conservative grandees, Mr Cameron was quickly handed a glass of chilled Champagne and began guzzling, his left hand resting in his trouser pocket as he relaxed and chatted with Foreign Secretary William Hague.
The Queen carried on, surrendering softly spoken words to her subjects and smiling graciously as they offered platitudes.
Former energy secretary Chris Huhne, who quit the Cabinet after being charged with perverting the course of justice over allegedly passing speeding points to his ex-wife Vicky Price, smiled and laughed as he enjoyed the free bubbles being passed around.
He appeared not to have a care in the world, despite facing a theoretical life sentence if he is found guilty of the offence, which he denies.
Mr Bercow was today at his most attentive, rarely leaving the Queen's side, revelling in his ceremonial role, flashing small grins at his allies and larger smiles at his foes.
He was particularly keen for the monarch to meet modernisers in the shadow Cabinet including Caroline Flint (energy), Chuka Umunna (business) and Yvette Cooper (home affairs), who is tipped as a future Labour leader and, perhaps one day, Britain's second woman prime minister.
There was a quick reprimand from a Lords official for Labour MP Geraint Davies who, in breach not just of protocol but also Parliamentary rules, held aloft his iPhone in an attempt to snatch a picture of the Queen as she passed by, presumably fearing he would get no closer.
The flustered Swansea MP need not have worried as he was introduced to the sovereign some 20 minutes later, though with time to spare he perhaps should have practised his bow.
The Queen, serenaded by an eight-piece mini-orchestra, was at her most animated during the 40-minute mingle when she became involved in a deep discussion with Labour MP for Stoke on Trent, historian Tristram Hunt.
Could Mr Hunt really be telling the ruler why he believes a new state started today would never accept a monarchical system, a theory about which he spoke at length on the floor of the House just two weeks ago?
"We were discussing the Minton tiles on the floor of the Royal Gallery, which were made in the Minton factory in Stoke," he explained.
"She was fascinated by them, and it meant I was able to plug my constituency."
One of today's trickiest meetings for Her Majesty could have been with the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who last week declared he would quit the post at the end of the year.
A sombre Dr Williams refused to divulge the contents of his audience with the Queen, but admitted they had discussed his decision.
He described today's occasion as "wonderful" and praised "three excellent speeches".
However, the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, tipped to succeed Dr Williams, was altogether more flamboyant, laughing and joking with the Duke of Edinburgh before the Queen arrived to share their mirth.
"It was a wonderful joke, but this particular joke is so special it will go with me to the grave," teased the cleric.
He confided that he and Tory Party chairwoman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi initiated a standing ovation for the Queen on their side of Westminster Hall, hailing the "heartfelt thanksgiving" offered by peers and MPs for her six-decade reign.
Meanwhile, officials held their breath as Prince Philip and Baroness Trumpington, the 89-year-old peer who hit the headlines last year when she flicked a colleague a V-sign while sitting on the red benches, entered into debate.
What politically incorrect observations might the duo be exchanging?
When asked, Baroness Trumpington was typically forthright: "We were sharing a joke which is none of your business."
Monday, March 19, 2012
Toronto Trump Tower’s design is controlled but sexy
It’s the middle of the warmest winter on record for Toronto, but I’ve picked the one blustery winter day to tour the newly opened Trump Tower Hotel & Residences.
Head turned into collar away from the lashing wind, I almost miss the entrance. In actual fact, though, it’s not hard to miss, so discreetly is it tucked just in from the corner on Adelaide St. W. Although grand, the hotel is also so restrained you don’t at first notice that the lobby’s marble tiles extend outdoors to pave the driveway as well.
This is not what I expected, coming of age in a time when luxury hotels trumpeted their arrival in gaudy ways, and when the name Trump conjured up images of brash gold jewellery and flesh kissed by tanning salons.
The notion of Trump doesn’t seem to jive with our notion of Toronto, which some people describe as “New York run by the Swiss.” But then again, this city has been reinventing itself the last few years as fast as a man in mid-life crisis, and what we once took for granted — reliability to the point of stodginess — may actually be morphing into chic and derring-do.
Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in the middle. It’s apparent the moment I step into the seriously luxurious but understated lobby. And it’s what happens when The Donald meets Toronto the Good: controlled sexiness.
The first clue is the lobby’s size — grand but never dwarfing — and the 3,000-pound Czech crystal sculpture scaling the reception desk wall that designer Dan Menchions tells me required heavy-duty horizontal brackets just to support the weight.
The sculpture is a giant shimmery cherry blossom branch, the same motif that runs throughout the hotel, showing up in the laser-cut steel ceiling relief above the elevator bay, and in digitally enhanced photo art gracing the hotel suites. It also shows up as an accessory to the palette — reddish hues fluctuating from throaty pink, through soft lavender into aubergine, maroon and deep reddish brown set off the underlying cream, grey and black. In fact, Menchions could be the palette’s poster child, in cream shirt, skinny black jeans and modish black coat whose collar is lined in maroon silk.
He explains his choice of palette — for the hotel, not his outfit — as champagne and caviar, light and dark, and though the really good stuff comes from endangered wild sturgeon, I take his point. The only departure seems to be the gold metallic leather chairs in the bar, though they do echo the flecks of gold in the granite bar counter and the bronze enamel of the elevator doors.
Menchions and his II by IV design team, who have coddled this project for the past five years, have designed virtually everything from the laser-cut cherry blossom ceiling in the elevator bay, to the lobby’s walls in white onyx slabs and granite window moldings, right down to the sheets, pillowcases and bathrobes.
We tour from place to elegant place, winding through the bar, the restaurant, and then up stairs with railings of the same laser-cut steel. On into the grand ballroom, lit by wall sconces with maroon lampshades and dangling black crystals, and where gliding across cool tiles gives way to the plush wool of carpet. The ballroom has that rarefied air of a London gentlemen’s club, a stately Chicago hotel, or an Eastern European castle. I forget the Trump has only been open three weeks.
How Menchions has pulled this “aging” feat off is by combining significantly opulent elements — geometric marble tiles, granite walls, Macassar ebony facing — with the whimsical and unexpected. There are lavender crystal chandeliers in the spa; handmade French lace is sandwiched between two pieces of tempered glass in the screen above the restaurant; the black leather Queen Anne restaurant chairs have patent leather backs; and a massive plasterwork relief takes up one whole wall of the restaurant, each stigma of the swirling floral pattern embedded with a huge crystal bead.
There’s also a persistent juxtaposition of hard and soft materials. Take the small corridor to the restaurant’s washrooms, for example: soft pale walnut floors in an French herringbone pattern under a modern chandelier that spills hundreds of crystal droplets of light. Consider for a moment that so much effort was expended in such a tucked away corner of the hotel.
That kind of attention to detail is everywhere. The restaurant’s mezzanine level looks out over Bay St., where there is a row of tall buildings mirrored in the wine fridge glass, lining up perfectly with the rows of wine. Bronze enamel elevator doors are a subtle reminder of past luxuries — important hotels had hand-cranked traction elevators and the staff to operate them.
The hotel suites are all calm comfort with a repeating cherry blossom reference above the beds and Japanese detailing on the bathroom vanities.
The hotel suites, rising in price the higher the floor they are, are either in the Trump Business level or the Club Business Level, culminating in the presidential suite, which is 4,200 square feet and $20,000 a night. Yes, Menchions says, people really do have that much spending money.
The suites can be closed off or opened depending on how many are travelling, so a family with two kids (or one plus a nanny) can have two spacious rooms (550 square feet each as opposed to the more typical 350) and ensuite baths for each.
A corner suite, Menchions says, can take three bedrooms that open up to each other, and some come with a living room, or even a kitchen. If someone wants to rent the whole floor they can, but it would cost hundreds of thousands. But it comes with perks — the spa will come to you in any room on this floor.
Although this hotel and condo residence is the height of grandeur in the early 21st century, never once do I feel intimidated, awkward, or out of place, the way I usually do in such spots. Maybe it’s because my tour guide is the brains behind the design; maybe it’s because I just don’t notice such things anymore. Or maybe it’s just because the place is not only seriously luxurious, but seriously comfortable, too.
Head turned into collar away from the lashing wind, I almost miss the entrance. In actual fact, though, it’s not hard to miss, so discreetly is it tucked just in from the corner on Adelaide St. W. Although grand, the hotel is also so restrained you don’t at first notice that the lobby’s marble tiles extend outdoors to pave the driveway as well.
This is not what I expected, coming of age in a time when luxury hotels trumpeted their arrival in gaudy ways, and when the name Trump conjured up images of brash gold jewellery and flesh kissed by tanning salons.
The notion of Trump doesn’t seem to jive with our notion of Toronto, which some people describe as “New York run by the Swiss.” But then again, this city has been reinventing itself the last few years as fast as a man in mid-life crisis, and what we once took for granted — reliability to the point of stodginess — may actually be morphing into chic and derring-do.
Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in the middle. It’s apparent the moment I step into the seriously luxurious but understated lobby. And it’s what happens when The Donald meets Toronto the Good: controlled sexiness.
The first clue is the lobby’s size — grand but never dwarfing — and the 3,000-pound Czech crystal sculpture scaling the reception desk wall that designer Dan Menchions tells me required heavy-duty horizontal brackets just to support the weight.
The sculpture is a giant shimmery cherry blossom branch, the same motif that runs throughout the hotel, showing up in the laser-cut steel ceiling relief above the elevator bay, and in digitally enhanced photo art gracing the hotel suites. It also shows up as an accessory to the palette — reddish hues fluctuating from throaty pink, through soft lavender into aubergine, maroon and deep reddish brown set off the underlying cream, grey and black. In fact, Menchions could be the palette’s poster child, in cream shirt, skinny black jeans and modish black coat whose collar is lined in maroon silk.
He explains his choice of palette — for the hotel, not his outfit — as champagne and caviar, light and dark, and though the really good stuff comes from endangered wild sturgeon, I take his point. The only departure seems to be the gold metallic leather chairs in the bar, though they do echo the flecks of gold in the granite bar counter and the bronze enamel of the elevator doors.
Menchions and his II by IV design team, who have coddled this project for the past five years, have designed virtually everything from the laser-cut cherry blossom ceiling in the elevator bay, to the lobby’s walls in white onyx slabs and granite window moldings, right down to the sheets, pillowcases and bathrobes.
We tour from place to elegant place, winding through the bar, the restaurant, and then up stairs with railings of the same laser-cut steel. On into the grand ballroom, lit by wall sconces with maroon lampshades and dangling black crystals, and where gliding across cool tiles gives way to the plush wool of carpet. The ballroom has that rarefied air of a London gentlemen’s club, a stately Chicago hotel, or an Eastern European castle. I forget the Trump has only been open three weeks.
How Menchions has pulled this “aging” feat off is by combining significantly opulent elements — geometric marble tiles, granite walls, Macassar ebony facing — with the whimsical and unexpected. There are lavender crystal chandeliers in the spa; handmade French lace is sandwiched between two pieces of tempered glass in the screen above the restaurant; the black leather Queen Anne restaurant chairs have patent leather backs; and a massive plasterwork relief takes up one whole wall of the restaurant, each stigma of the swirling floral pattern embedded with a huge crystal bead.
There’s also a persistent juxtaposition of hard and soft materials. Take the small corridor to the restaurant’s washrooms, for example: soft pale walnut floors in an French herringbone pattern under a modern chandelier that spills hundreds of crystal droplets of light. Consider for a moment that so much effort was expended in such a tucked away corner of the hotel.
That kind of attention to detail is everywhere. The restaurant’s mezzanine level looks out over Bay St., where there is a row of tall buildings mirrored in the wine fridge glass, lining up perfectly with the rows of wine. Bronze enamel elevator doors are a subtle reminder of past luxuries — important hotels had hand-cranked traction elevators and the staff to operate them.
The hotel suites are all calm comfort with a repeating cherry blossom reference above the beds and Japanese detailing on the bathroom vanities.
The hotel suites, rising in price the higher the floor they are, are either in the Trump Business level or the Club Business Level, culminating in the presidential suite, which is 4,200 square feet and $20,000 a night. Yes, Menchions says, people really do have that much spending money.
The suites can be closed off or opened depending on how many are travelling, so a family with two kids (or one plus a nanny) can have two spacious rooms (550 square feet each as opposed to the more typical 350) and ensuite baths for each.
A corner suite, Menchions says, can take three bedrooms that open up to each other, and some come with a living room, or even a kitchen. If someone wants to rent the whole floor they can, but it would cost hundreds of thousands. But it comes with perks — the spa will come to you in any room on this floor.
Although this hotel and condo residence is the height of grandeur in the early 21st century, never once do I feel intimidated, awkward, or out of place, the way I usually do in such spots. Maybe it’s because my tour guide is the brains behind the design; maybe it’s because I just don’t notice such things anymore. Or maybe it’s just because the place is not only seriously luxurious, but seriously comfortable, too.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sedgwick Farms Colonial pulls off traditional or mid-century modern decor
There's the old debate as to whether one can teach an old dog new tricks, but what about old homes?
Can a stately Colonial Revival home, built more than a century ago, find new life with mid-century modern furnishings and fixtures, including an original Sputnik chandelier illuminating its otherwise traditional front-to-back foyer?
Steven Kern and Josephine Nieuwenhuis believe it can, and that's how they've decorated their six-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath home at 226 Brattle Road in Sedgwick Farms, on the market for $320,000.
"This house can accommodate anything, because the space is so big," said Kern, who is executive director of the Everson Museum. "It can accommodate open-floor plan mid-century, even though it's not."
During the couple's four-year residence, the 4,165-square-foot home -- one of the first homes built in Sedgwick Farms -- has been the setting for many dinner parties, sometimes for as many as 60 guests. Visitors are treated to a dramatic entrance through the original solid timber front door, bordered by a leaded-glass fanlight and sidelights.
The nearly 30-foot by 9-foot foyer, with its original oak floors and graceful staircase, has doorways on either side offering wide views of the dining room and living room. A walk-in coat closet and powder room are close at hand, as is a door to the back garden.
The square dining room offers plenty of elbow room as well as natural light. A swinging service door gives way to a butler's pantry with original cabinetry reaching to the 9-foot ceiling. There are ceramic-tile counters, and set beneath a window, the original stainless steel sink spans the pantry's depth.
Nieuwenhuis, a chef, food consultant and writer originally from the Netherlands, uses the kitchen to develop new recipes. She uses the breakfast nook as her office. The nook's windows overlook the back garden, and a door opens to the patio and detached two-car garage.
The kitchen has raised-panel maple cabinets topped with crown molding, and solid surface counters with an integrated sink. There is a ceramic tile backsplash, five-burner gas range, dishwasher and an auxiliary staircase to the second floor. Another door opens to the cellar, which has 8-foot ceilings and several rooms the couple use as a root cellar, a wine cellar and a laundry room. Plumbing is in place for another bathroom, and Nieuwenhuis uses the original stone sinks to wash and dye wool and silk for her textile projects.
The front-to-back living room, which measures 30 feet by 16 feet, has a wood-burning fireplace flanked by double French doors. Beyond the French doors is a Florida room with original terra cotta floor tiles, windows and storms. The Florida room's heat supply is separate from the rest of the home, so it can be turned on and off as needed. Nieuwenhuis said they enjoy having coffee out there when it's snowing. Kern likes the view the room affords of the surrounding neighborhood.
"You see this curve of Brattle Road -- that is just beautiful geometry," Kern said. "That makes for a special urban view, because it's not on a grid."
A spider web transom above a triple window adorns the main staircase landing. There are four large bedrooms on the second floor, including the master, which has an en suite full bath as well as an adjoining wood-paneled library, divided from the bedroom by glass doors. The couple decided against resurrecting a capped corner fireplace in the library, but the option remains for new owners.
The walk-up attic, which once housed servants, has two more bedrooms and a full bath with a clawfoot tub. The attic also has three cedar closets as well as some unfinished storage space.
Can a stately Colonial Revival home, built more than a century ago, find new life with mid-century modern furnishings and fixtures, including an original Sputnik chandelier illuminating its otherwise traditional front-to-back foyer?
Steven Kern and Josephine Nieuwenhuis believe it can, and that's how they've decorated their six-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath home at 226 Brattle Road in Sedgwick Farms, on the market for $320,000.
"This house can accommodate anything, because the space is so big," said Kern, who is executive director of the Everson Museum. "It can accommodate open-floor plan mid-century, even though it's not."
During the couple's four-year residence, the 4,165-square-foot home -- one of the first homes built in Sedgwick Farms -- has been the setting for many dinner parties, sometimes for as many as 60 guests. Visitors are treated to a dramatic entrance through the original solid timber front door, bordered by a leaded-glass fanlight and sidelights.
The nearly 30-foot by 9-foot foyer, with its original oak floors and graceful staircase, has doorways on either side offering wide views of the dining room and living room. A walk-in coat closet and powder room are close at hand, as is a door to the back garden.
The square dining room offers plenty of elbow room as well as natural light. A swinging service door gives way to a butler's pantry with original cabinetry reaching to the 9-foot ceiling. There are ceramic-tile counters, and set beneath a window, the original stainless steel sink spans the pantry's depth.
Nieuwenhuis, a chef, food consultant and writer originally from the Netherlands, uses the kitchen to develop new recipes. She uses the breakfast nook as her office. The nook's windows overlook the back garden, and a door opens to the patio and detached two-car garage.
The kitchen has raised-panel maple cabinets topped with crown molding, and solid surface counters with an integrated sink. There is a ceramic tile backsplash, five-burner gas range, dishwasher and an auxiliary staircase to the second floor. Another door opens to the cellar, which has 8-foot ceilings and several rooms the couple use as a root cellar, a wine cellar and a laundry room. Plumbing is in place for another bathroom, and Nieuwenhuis uses the original stone sinks to wash and dye wool and silk for her textile projects.
The front-to-back living room, which measures 30 feet by 16 feet, has a wood-burning fireplace flanked by double French doors. Beyond the French doors is a Florida room with original terra cotta floor tiles, windows and storms. The Florida room's heat supply is separate from the rest of the home, so it can be turned on and off as needed. Nieuwenhuis said they enjoy having coffee out there when it's snowing. Kern likes the view the room affords of the surrounding neighborhood.
"You see this curve of Brattle Road -- that is just beautiful geometry," Kern said. "That makes for a special urban view, because it's not on a grid."
A spider web transom above a triple window adorns the main staircase landing. There are four large bedrooms on the second floor, including the master, which has an en suite full bath as well as an adjoining wood-paneled library, divided from the bedroom by glass doors. The couple decided against resurrecting a capped corner fireplace in the library, but the option remains for new owners.
The walk-up attic, which once housed servants, has two more bedrooms and a full bath with a clawfoot tub. The attic also has three cedar closets as well as some unfinished storage space.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Retreat with modern touch
The Sixties and Seventies may have been diametrically opposed when it came to the fashions stakes, but when it came to new housing, styles were very similar.
A lot of the homes built in this period where rather plain looking things, a bit boxy, and not really that interesting.
This period of house building also saw a few head-turning properties popping up around the country.
One such house is The Tustings, in North Street, Winterton.
This large 1960s-style house, with its accompanying 2.3 acres, including orchard, gardens, lawn tennis court and kitchen garden, is a wonderfully country retreat.
This is a modern house, for modern living, but set in a surrounding that could easily give you the impression that you are living in any period in history.
But by looking back at the house from the stunning gardens, you are quickly brought into the present.
The Tustings is on the market for 750,000 with Grice And Hunter, who describe the property as a "unique and outstanding country residence".
And you can't argue with them.
The Tustings is a bit of a one-off, as you won't see too many properties in this area from the 1960s or 1970s holding such a prime position, in the middle of beautiful Lincolnshire countryside.
The house itself is set well back from the road, and whose imposing oak double front doors are reached via a pair of sturdy iron gates and along a lengthy drive.
Its entrance hall is impressive in both size and appearance.
Just as all entrance halls should be, it is bright and airy, and very welcoming.
A combination of bare brick and limestone flooring welcomes you as you enter but the eye is immediately drawn to the architecturally- interesting staircase.
It is open plan and almost floats up to the first floor.
There is also a handy cloakroom just off the hall, plus a handy toilet and sink.
The main sitting room is a stunning space, helped by the tri-aspect views over the beautiful gardens.
And if the huge windows fail to let in enough light, the room has a range of spot and wall lights to brighten up the space.
A rather nice feature of the room is its fireplace.
Set into a bare brick rustic wall is a raised open grate and raised hearth.
But sitting in front of the fire is a huge Westmoreland slate shelf.
Set within the rustic brick walling are oak-lined niches, perfect for displaying photos in frames.
Another stunning room is the home's impressive dining room.
Due to its large bow window looking out over the rear gardens, it's another bright and airy room, and comes with wooden flooring coving and multi-down lights that can be adjusted by a dimmer control.
It's a great room for entertaining, with more than enough space to easily seat 12 or more guests. As well as these two grand rooms, the house also possesses less formal spaces, such as the private sitting room.
Measuring a little over 16ft x 15ft, it's by no means a small room.
It is carpeted and comes with views out over the extensive front gardens.
The home's breakfast kitchen is yet another impressive space, and comes with a beautiful Chiselwood kitchen in natural ash and curved Corian counter tops, that sit perfectly in the kitchen's large bow window.
Its random-patterned marble floor has a heating system beneath it, giving the feet a real treat when making the coffee first thing is the morning.
On a practical note, the kitchen comes with a twin sink and drainer, plus a range of integrated Miele appliances including ceramic hob, extractor, dishwasher, refrigerator, steam/pressure oven and two electric ovens – one with rotisserie.
A side entrance from the garden leads to utility and service areas, which include an extensive range of wall and base units, granite worktops, limestone tile flooring, fan heater, and provision for laundry appliances, wine fridge and freezer.
There is also a stable door through to the kitchen, plus a door connecting the utility room with the double garage.
From here, access to the garden room and conservatory is also gained.
Built for year-round use, these rooms offer the perfect informal family spaces. There are French windows that lead out on to a delightful garden terrace, plus views from two other aspects.
Being a garden room, the floor has been tiled using glazed terracotta tiles, which adds a certain degree of practicality.
And should you feel a little chilly, there is a cast iron gas stove, heater and radiator to warm you up.
Upstairs you'll find a "salon" landing, with a picture window and views to the west. There is also coving, carpeting and an affective multi-lighting system.
From here, you'll find access to the home's five double bedrooms and family bathrooms.
The master bedroom suite is an impressive affair, with fitted ladies and gents wardrobes, north and west-facing windows, dressing room, walk-in robes room, and bathroom finished in grey-veined marbled walls, floor and vanity surfaces.
There is also a stylish bath, toilet, twin washbasins, vanity cupboards, drawers and handy storage.
Bedroom two is carpeted and comes with shelved cupboards, coving, and views of rolling Lincolnshire countryside.
The third bedroom, which is used as a guest bedroom, has views to the south and east has a range of fitted wardrobes and wall lighting. It is coved and carpeted.
Bedroom four has more great country views, coving and handy built-in wardrobes.
The fifth bedroom has a range of fitted wardrobes and top cupboards. The land surrounding the house is stunning.
There's two-plus acres to enjoy, including a tree-lined frontage, and a low-maintenance mature lawned and landscaped grounds, with fantastic amounts of seasonal colour throughout the year.
As well as various terraces, patio areas and an orchard and kitchen arden, there is also a lawned tennis court.
A lot of the homes built in this period where rather plain looking things, a bit boxy, and not really that interesting.
This period of house building also saw a few head-turning properties popping up around the country.
One such house is The Tustings, in North Street, Winterton.
This large 1960s-style house, with its accompanying 2.3 acres, including orchard, gardens, lawn tennis court and kitchen garden, is a wonderfully country retreat.
This is a modern house, for modern living, but set in a surrounding that could easily give you the impression that you are living in any period in history.
But by looking back at the house from the stunning gardens, you are quickly brought into the present.
The Tustings is on the market for 750,000 with Grice And Hunter, who describe the property as a "unique and outstanding country residence".
And you can't argue with them.
The Tustings is a bit of a one-off, as you won't see too many properties in this area from the 1960s or 1970s holding such a prime position, in the middle of beautiful Lincolnshire countryside.
The house itself is set well back from the road, and whose imposing oak double front doors are reached via a pair of sturdy iron gates and along a lengthy drive.
Its entrance hall is impressive in both size and appearance.
Just as all entrance halls should be, it is bright and airy, and very welcoming.
A combination of bare brick and limestone flooring welcomes you as you enter but the eye is immediately drawn to the architecturally- interesting staircase.
It is open plan and almost floats up to the first floor.
There is also a handy cloakroom just off the hall, plus a handy toilet and sink.
The main sitting room is a stunning space, helped by the tri-aspect views over the beautiful gardens.
And if the huge windows fail to let in enough light, the room has a range of spot and wall lights to brighten up the space.
A rather nice feature of the room is its fireplace.
Set into a bare brick rustic wall is a raised open grate and raised hearth.
But sitting in front of the fire is a huge Westmoreland slate shelf.
Set within the rustic brick walling are oak-lined niches, perfect for displaying photos in frames.
Another stunning room is the home's impressive dining room.
Due to its large bow window looking out over the rear gardens, it's another bright and airy room, and comes with wooden flooring coving and multi-down lights that can be adjusted by a dimmer control.
It's a great room for entertaining, with more than enough space to easily seat 12 or more guests. As well as these two grand rooms, the house also possesses less formal spaces, such as the private sitting room.
Measuring a little over 16ft x 15ft, it's by no means a small room.
It is carpeted and comes with views out over the extensive front gardens.
The home's breakfast kitchen is yet another impressive space, and comes with a beautiful Chiselwood kitchen in natural ash and curved Corian counter tops, that sit perfectly in the kitchen's large bow window.
Its random-patterned marble floor has a heating system beneath it, giving the feet a real treat when making the coffee first thing is the morning.
On a practical note, the kitchen comes with a twin sink and drainer, plus a range of integrated Miele appliances including ceramic hob, extractor, dishwasher, refrigerator, steam/pressure oven and two electric ovens – one with rotisserie.
A side entrance from the garden leads to utility and service areas, which include an extensive range of wall and base units, granite worktops, limestone tile flooring, fan heater, and provision for laundry appliances, wine fridge and freezer.
There is also a stable door through to the kitchen, plus a door connecting the utility room with the double garage.
From here, access to the garden room and conservatory is also gained.
Built for year-round use, these rooms offer the perfect informal family spaces. There are French windows that lead out on to a delightful garden terrace, plus views from two other aspects.
Being a garden room, the floor has been tiled using glazed terracotta tiles, which adds a certain degree of practicality.
And should you feel a little chilly, there is a cast iron gas stove, heater and radiator to warm you up.
Upstairs you'll find a "salon" landing, with a picture window and views to the west. There is also coving, carpeting and an affective multi-lighting system.
From here, you'll find access to the home's five double bedrooms and family bathrooms.
The master bedroom suite is an impressive affair, with fitted ladies and gents wardrobes, north and west-facing windows, dressing room, walk-in robes room, and bathroom finished in grey-veined marbled walls, floor and vanity surfaces.
There is also a stylish bath, toilet, twin washbasins, vanity cupboards, drawers and handy storage.
Bedroom two is carpeted and comes with shelved cupboards, coving, and views of rolling Lincolnshire countryside.
The third bedroom, which is used as a guest bedroom, has views to the south and east has a range of fitted wardrobes and wall lighting. It is coved and carpeted.
Bedroom four has more great country views, coving and handy built-in wardrobes.
The fifth bedroom has a range of fitted wardrobes and top cupboards. The land surrounding the house is stunning.
There's two-plus acres to enjoy, including a tree-lined frontage, and a low-maintenance mature lawned and landscaped grounds, with fantastic amounts of seasonal colour throughout the year.
As well as various terraces, patio areas and an orchard and kitchen arden, there is also a lawned tennis court.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Kiwi Ingenuity challenges multinational technology
CEMIX a New Zealand owned and operated building products manufacturer, using the finest of locally sourced material combined with kiwi number 8 wire mentality is challenging the multinationals by launching market leading innovative products produced at its ISO9001 quality assured facilty at Onehunga in Auckland.
CEMIX has had a highly awarded 2011, being a finalist in the annual Green Ribbon Awards by the NZ Government Ministry of Environment, finalist in the Annual Hardware Awards and featuring in the Deloittes Fast50 fastest growing companies’ index.
CEMIX’s latest product innovation called Rubberflex is a revolutionary flexible light weight new tile adhesive for walls and floors, for most tile type indoors and outdoors, that will provide, kilogram for kilogram, up to 20% more coverage/spread-rate than most other similar products available in the NZ market. This now means, metre for metre, applicators will be using LESS adhesive but, kilogram for kilogram, fixing more tiles per M2. This translates CEMIX RUBBERFLEX into a truly path breaking innovative product providing unmatched value and performance.
Paul Castle of Tileworks, one of New Zealand’s largest tiling contractor says ; ‘We initially trialled RUBBERFLEX for fixing 60 M2 of 450 x 450 porcelain tiles onto a typical poured concrete slab complete with the usual ups and downs. Our Tilers were immediately surprised at how easily the adhesive combined and mixed and the fact that they got two and a half buckets of adhesive from the one bag. Our measurement of the job gave us unmatched real coverage. Our Tilers have accepted RUBBERFLEX with not one complaint or moan which probably says a lot about the quality of the product.’
Alan Polkinghorne, Business Development Manager at CEMIX, states, ‘innovation and creative breakthrough thinking process is synonymous with CEMIX. This product is based on a hi-tech rapid drying formula which will allow the Tilers to grout faster than conventional products available in the market’.
Tony Park, one of NZ’s most respected and experienced tiling professionals said: "CEMIX RUBBERFLEX is one of the most revolutionary tile adhesive products in many years, as it delivers everything that a Tiler expects, but using less product. The difference is that it spreads much further, kilogram for kilogram, thereby delivering up to 20 per cent more coverage than most standard tile adhesives."
CEMIX has had a highly awarded 2011, being a finalist in the annual Green Ribbon Awards by the NZ Government Ministry of Environment, finalist in the Annual Hardware Awards and featuring in the Deloittes Fast50 fastest growing companies’ index.
CEMIX’s latest product innovation called Rubberflex is a revolutionary flexible light weight new tile adhesive for walls and floors, for most tile type indoors and outdoors, that will provide, kilogram for kilogram, up to 20% more coverage/spread-rate than most other similar products available in the NZ market. This now means, metre for metre, applicators will be using LESS adhesive but, kilogram for kilogram, fixing more tiles per M2. This translates CEMIX RUBBERFLEX into a truly path breaking innovative product providing unmatched value and performance.
Paul Castle of Tileworks, one of New Zealand’s largest tiling contractor says ; ‘We initially trialled RUBBERFLEX for fixing 60 M2 of 450 x 450 porcelain tiles onto a typical poured concrete slab complete with the usual ups and downs. Our Tilers were immediately surprised at how easily the adhesive combined and mixed and the fact that they got two and a half buckets of adhesive from the one bag. Our measurement of the job gave us unmatched real coverage. Our Tilers have accepted RUBBERFLEX with not one complaint or moan which probably says a lot about the quality of the product.’
Alan Polkinghorne, Business Development Manager at CEMIX, states, ‘innovation and creative breakthrough thinking process is synonymous with CEMIX. This product is based on a hi-tech rapid drying formula which will allow the Tilers to grout faster than conventional products available in the market’.
Tony Park, one of NZ’s most respected and experienced tiling professionals said: "CEMIX RUBBERFLEX is one of the most revolutionary tile adhesive products in many years, as it delivers everything that a Tiler expects, but using less product. The difference is that it spreads much further, kilogram for kilogram, thereby delivering up to 20 per cent more coverage than most standard tile adhesives."
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Sell elementary schools
Kearney Public Schools may sell Riverdale and Stone elementary schools.
During Monday’s meeting, the KPS Board of Education gave administration the authority to begin selling the schools.
“I definitely think the interest is out there,” said Director of Finance Chris Nelson.
At its November meeting, the board decided to close the schools. It cited the district’s loss in finances as the main factor in closing the schools.
The district lost $3.8 million in state aid this school year and was forced to dip into its cash reserve.
Keeping Stone and Riverdale open would require the district to use more of that cash reserve.
Nelson said the district is getting the schools appraised.
“We expect that to be completed within the next one to two weeks,” he said.
Nelson said potential buyers have already expressed interest in the properties.
“I would note that, even before tonight, I have been receiving inquiries,” he said.
The board’s approval will allow the administration to market the properties.
Board President Julie Agard asked if Stone could remain in the district.
“Have we looked really carefully at the possibility of using Stone for some other purpose, at least in the short term?” Agard asked.
“I’m not sure we could identify a purpose at this point,” Nelson replied. Staff has not considered keeping the school.
“Maybe we should not be in a big hurry to sell Stone,” Agard said.
“It’s still a structurally sound building,” board member Kyle Harshbarger said.
Although the board gave staff permission to begin the process, the board can decline an offer, Nelson said.
Also Monday, the board accepted the resignation of Eldon Haas, fifth-grade teacher at Northeast Elementary School. His resignation was effective Feb. 21.
During Monday’s meeting, the KPS Board of Education gave administration the authority to begin selling the schools.
“I definitely think the interest is out there,” said Director of Finance Chris Nelson.
At its November meeting, the board decided to close the schools. It cited the district’s loss in finances as the main factor in closing the schools.
The district lost $3.8 million in state aid this school year and was forced to dip into its cash reserve.
Keeping Stone and Riverdale open would require the district to use more of that cash reserve.
Nelson said the district is getting the schools appraised.
“We expect that to be completed within the next one to two weeks,” he said.
Nelson said potential buyers have already expressed interest in the properties.
“I would note that, even before tonight, I have been receiving inquiries,” he said.
The board’s approval will allow the administration to market the properties.
Board President Julie Agard asked if Stone could remain in the district.
“Have we looked really carefully at the possibility of using Stone for some other purpose, at least in the short term?” Agard asked.
“I’m not sure we could identify a purpose at this point,” Nelson replied. Staff has not considered keeping the school.
“Maybe we should not be in a big hurry to sell Stone,” Agard said.
“It’s still a structurally sound building,” board member Kyle Harshbarger said.
Although the board gave staff permission to begin the process, the board can decline an offer, Nelson said.
Also Monday, the board accepted the resignation of Eldon Haas, fifth-grade teacher at Northeast Elementary School. His resignation was effective Feb. 21.
Monday, March 12, 2012
What Happened to Gaming's "Middle Class?"
The divide at this year's GDC between independent developers and AAA game makers seemed wider than ever. Panelists referred to working with teams of a few dozen, or over 200, and almost never something in-between. We observed this dichotomy in nearly every aspect of the show, even the recruiting pavilion where major publishers and social game startups competed for space and talent.
Mid-sized companies still exist in the industry, just not in the public eye. HD-development and the economic crisis destroyed the old middle class of developers and publishers (remember Midway?) and the companies that have taken their place don't produce content directly for consumers. If you recognize their names at all, it's probably only from five-second splash screens that run before a game's main menu. You've no doubt played games that take advantage of the Unreal Engine, Havok Physics, or SpeedTree. Called middleware, these services provide a short-cut for developers who don't want to undertake the laborious process of creating their own game making tools. Why spend months creating things from scratch when there are cheaper and less time consuming options available.
Developers can now choose two routes to viability when making games, finding a publisher or going indie. Those that choose the former tend to make large AAA titles, while indie developers generally tackle much smaller projects -- or, if they do have a large game, like Minecraft, they still maintain surprisingly small headcounts at their studio. Developers that want to create something in the middle don't have the money to fulfill their vision, and publishers won't invest because a mid-sized game's profit potential can't justify it. At GDC, Saints Row: The Third Design Director Scott Phillips explained how his team took a middle class (if uncharacteristically successful) series, and turned it into something that could go head-to-head with Modern Warfare 3 and Skyrim. Phillips pointed out some serious flaws in the first two SR games, and explained how the team improved upon them.
THQ, the publisher of Saints Row, spent the last fifteen years capitalizing on licensed titles while releasing tiles like Company of Heroes or Dawn of War -- well received games with relatively small, but dedicated communities. The two halves of the publisher's portfolio let them enjoy a fair level of success. However, 2011 marked a major shift in the publisher's strategy as it tried to emulate Call of Duty with Homefront, and largely abandoned licensed titles (a genre that's proven unprofitable in the current market). Turning Saints Row from an enjoyable-despite-its-flaws breakout hit, and turning it into a major event was the natural extension of this strategy.
If a mid-sized company wants to turn a profit they must downsize, turn to outsourcing, or, like THQ, invest the capital into development necessary to compete with EA and Activision. The market now resembles that of the '80s and early '90s, where garage development produced major hits alongside the big players like Sierra or EA. Of course, teams were so small then that the distinction between indie and studio-development was a matter of a dozen individuals, not hundreds. CEO of Loot Drop, a social game developer, John Romero and pointed this out while on a panel about the state of independent games, "The platform is different, and the monetization is different. You just don't sell games on Facebook...but the games are very similar to the way they were back in the early '80s."
On that same panel, Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney drew attention to the efficiency of small development teams saying, "Infinity Blade was more profitable per man hour than Gears of War 3." In a world where an iPhone game presents a better investment opportunity than a AAA-retail game like GoW3, who would volunteer their money to fund a milquetoast project aimed squarely at the middle?
With the market in its current state, it's no wonder middleware vendors filled the show floor. They seemed to have a solution for every game design issue imaginable -- from the ones you'd expect, like graphics and physics engines, to off-the-shelf solutions for AI, particles, and even narrative. All the financial chaos we've seen play out in the past six or seven years is merely a high-profile side show created by shifting economic incentives. For every developer we've seen shutter their doors in the past ten years, it seems an indie studio or middleware developer started up -- though not necessarily in the same locations, the industry's shift game development in the UK devastated, while new studios start in China every day. Kept away from the public eye, middle-class developers don't make games anymore, they create tools other game makers use every day.
Mid-sized companies still exist in the industry, just not in the public eye. HD-development and the economic crisis destroyed the old middle class of developers and publishers (remember Midway?) and the companies that have taken their place don't produce content directly for consumers. If you recognize their names at all, it's probably only from five-second splash screens that run before a game's main menu. You've no doubt played games that take advantage of the Unreal Engine, Havok Physics, or SpeedTree. Called middleware, these services provide a short-cut for developers who don't want to undertake the laborious process of creating their own game making tools. Why spend months creating things from scratch when there are cheaper and less time consuming options available.
Developers can now choose two routes to viability when making games, finding a publisher or going indie. Those that choose the former tend to make large AAA titles, while indie developers generally tackle much smaller projects -- or, if they do have a large game, like Minecraft, they still maintain surprisingly small headcounts at their studio. Developers that want to create something in the middle don't have the money to fulfill their vision, and publishers won't invest because a mid-sized game's profit potential can't justify it. At GDC, Saints Row: The Third Design Director Scott Phillips explained how his team took a middle class (if uncharacteristically successful) series, and turned it into something that could go head-to-head with Modern Warfare 3 and Skyrim. Phillips pointed out some serious flaws in the first two SR games, and explained how the team improved upon them.
THQ, the publisher of Saints Row, spent the last fifteen years capitalizing on licensed titles while releasing tiles like Company of Heroes or Dawn of War -- well received games with relatively small, but dedicated communities. The two halves of the publisher's portfolio let them enjoy a fair level of success. However, 2011 marked a major shift in the publisher's strategy as it tried to emulate Call of Duty with Homefront, and largely abandoned licensed titles (a genre that's proven unprofitable in the current market). Turning Saints Row from an enjoyable-despite-its-flaws breakout hit, and turning it into a major event was the natural extension of this strategy.
If a mid-sized company wants to turn a profit they must downsize, turn to outsourcing, or, like THQ, invest the capital into development necessary to compete with EA and Activision. The market now resembles that of the '80s and early '90s, where garage development produced major hits alongside the big players like Sierra or EA. Of course, teams were so small then that the distinction between indie and studio-development was a matter of a dozen individuals, not hundreds. CEO of Loot Drop, a social game developer, John Romero and pointed this out while on a panel about the state of independent games, "The platform is different, and the monetization is different. You just don't sell games on Facebook...but the games are very similar to the way they were back in the early '80s."
On that same panel, Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney drew attention to the efficiency of small development teams saying, "Infinity Blade was more profitable per man hour than Gears of War 3." In a world where an iPhone game presents a better investment opportunity than a AAA-retail game like GoW3, who would volunteer their money to fund a milquetoast project aimed squarely at the middle?
With the market in its current state, it's no wonder middleware vendors filled the show floor. They seemed to have a solution for every game design issue imaginable -- from the ones you'd expect, like graphics and physics engines, to off-the-shelf solutions for AI, particles, and even narrative. All the financial chaos we've seen play out in the past six or seven years is merely a high-profile side show created by shifting economic incentives. For every developer we've seen shutter their doors in the past ten years, it seems an indie studio or middleware developer started up -- though not necessarily in the same locations, the industry's shift game development in the UK devastated, while new studios start in China every day. Kept away from the public eye, middle-class developers don't make games anymore, they create tools other game makers use every day.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Onteora district provides retirement incentives
As Onteora Central School District officials begin to discuss how staff will be divided among the new grade configuration changes for the 2012/2013 school year, trustees approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that gives senior teachers a window of retirement incentives. Such a measure, it is hoped, will prevent massive layoffs. The incentive provides a boost of $26,000 to teachers who worked beyond their eligibility of retirement and lifts penalties for teachers who are coming upon eligibility. Teachers will have until March 14 to take the incentive “and based on that, we are hopefully going to positively impact the budget by being able to reduce the amount of people that might require unemployment,” said district superintendent Dr. Phyllis Spiegel-McGill. She said that the district is in similar discussions with the Onteora Non-teachers Association. “We may want to open that up to people who have either passed (retirement) eligibility and also who may experience a penalty, but are getting ready to retire,” McGill said. “The other piece that I want the board to discuss is if we want to offer $7500 or if you think we should be looking at a little bit more, or where we should be in terms of coming into an MOA.”
The new configuration calls for two Kindergarten-through-three schools on each end of the district, at Phoenicia and Woodstock Elementary Schools, while Bennett Elementary at the Boiceville site will become an intermediate school housing grades-four-through-six. As a result 28.5 employee cuts are projected — a number that may fluctuate, according to the superintendent. McGill said in order for Bennett to retain its third grade for the one year, a part of the plan designed to keep young students from having to switch schools in consecutive years, it may need an additional teacher. Also, to date there are 97 incoming Kindergarten children for the fall of 2012. McGill said Woodstock will most likely get three kindergarten classrooms and Phoenicia Elementary will house two. An outlined budget will be presented at the next board of education meeting on March 20 at Woodstock Elementary.
Board trustees discussed what action to take, if any, on the West Hurley school buildings. McGill recommended an updated appraisal on market value, including ones on the other school buildings in the district. Trustee Rob Kurnit said the town of Hurley has the property assessed at $3.9 million. However, he said, in 2008 the Pyramid group assessed the market value of the property between $650,000 and $750,000. Trustee Tony Fletcher said, “So the Hurley assessment and the realtor’s assessment appears to be very different.” The board agreed that an updated valuation was necessary.
Kurnit listed a few possible problems with restricted zoning and the bond for the roof that is not completely paid for. Assistant Superintendent Victoria McLaren said it’s zoned for school. Fletcher asked, “What does that mean if we were to put the building on the market?”
“I believe we would need to speak to the Hurley zoning board,” McLaren said.
Kurnit said, “It also has an overall residential zone. So if you wanted to put in a home for the aged there perhaps it would be feasible, but that is what we need to find out.”
Trustee Tom Hickey said, “Generally, the whole area is zoned residential then you have an exemption for the school…so whoever would want to use it would have to apply for a variance depending on what they would want to use it for.”
Fletcher was concerned that the playground equipment was a liability. McLaren said, they have posted signs, “but ultimately it’s our responsibility.” Trustees will tour the facilities and look into equipment removal.
The new configuration calls for two Kindergarten-through-three schools on each end of the district, at Phoenicia and Woodstock Elementary Schools, while Bennett Elementary at the Boiceville site will become an intermediate school housing grades-four-through-six. As a result 28.5 employee cuts are projected — a number that may fluctuate, according to the superintendent. McGill said in order for Bennett to retain its third grade for the one year, a part of the plan designed to keep young students from having to switch schools in consecutive years, it may need an additional teacher. Also, to date there are 97 incoming Kindergarten children for the fall of 2012. McGill said Woodstock will most likely get three kindergarten classrooms and Phoenicia Elementary will house two. An outlined budget will be presented at the next board of education meeting on March 20 at Woodstock Elementary.
Board trustees discussed what action to take, if any, on the West Hurley school buildings. McGill recommended an updated appraisal on market value, including ones on the other school buildings in the district. Trustee Rob Kurnit said the town of Hurley has the property assessed at $3.9 million. However, he said, in 2008 the Pyramid group assessed the market value of the property between $650,000 and $750,000. Trustee Tony Fletcher said, “So the Hurley assessment and the realtor’s assessment appears to be very different.” The board agreed that an updated valuation was necessary.
Kurnit listed a few possible problems with restricted zoning and the bond for the roof that is not completely paid for. Assistant Superintendent Victoria McLaren said it’s zoned for school. Fletcher asked, “What does that mean if we were to put the building on the market?”
“I believe we would need to speak to the Hurley zoning board,” McLaren said.
Kurnit said, “It also has an overall residential zone. So if you wanted to put in a home for the aged there perhaps it would be feasible, but that is what we need to find out.”
Trustee Tom Hickey said, “Generally, the whole area is zoned residential then you have an exemption for the school…so whoever would want to use it would have to apply for a variance depending on what they would want to use it for.”
Fletcher was concerned that the playground equipment was a liability. McLaren said, they have posted signs, “but ultimately it’s our responsibility.” Trustees will tour the facilities and look into equipment removal.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Ceramic Industries profits fall
Tile and sanitaryware manufacturer Ceramic Industries on Thursday said headline earnings declined 26.9% to R64.5 million for the six months ended 31 January 2012, while headline earnings per share decreased to 377.5 cents from 522 cents previously.
A dividend of 110 cents was declared from 140 cents per share in the previous period.
Group operating profit declined 31.9% to R65.8 million and revenue increased 4.9% to R809.4 million rand.
The group said that in the period under review trading conditions in the building and construction industries in both South Africa and Australia remained subdued, featuring low levels of public and private sector investment.
It added that in a deliberate strategy to retain market share, it reduced average selling prices by 4%, eroding profitability of the business. Margins across the group declined by 4.4%.
Operating profit from tiles decreased 35.6% to R58.5 million.
Finance income for 2012 includes a R15.2 million foreign exchange gain on the repayment by the Australian operation of a portion of its loan account, Ceramic Industries said.
“Notwithstanding payment of a special dividend of R304 million during the prior reporting period, the group noted that its cash reserves remained robust at R305.5 million.
Ceramic's sanitaryware division, comprising its Betta and Aquarius operations, continued to deliver improved results, based on remedial measures implemented over the past two years, it said.
Betta's production volumes increased to 621 892 pieces from 544 954 pieces in 2011, and sales volumes increased to 648 215 pieces from 567 904 pieces.
Aquarius, which produces drop-in and free-standing acrylic baths for the local and export market saw production volumes increase to 67 232 pieces from 49 884 pieces, and sales volumes increased to 69 108 pieces from 53 627 pieces.
Ceramic Industries' sanitaryware division increased operating profit by 27.2% to R7.3 million.
In the company's tile division experienced sales of 16.7 million mSquared which outstripped production of 15.0 million mSquared. Export sales increased to R95.4 million.
Production volumes increased to 7.2 million mSquared and sales volumes grew to 8.0 million mSquared at the group's Pegasus factory which manufactures low cost large format glazed tiles for the DIY and contract market.
Production volumes declined to 2.4 million mSquared at Vitro which produces at the up-market domestic and contract sectors.
Production volumes increased to 2. 7 million mSquared and sales volumes improved to 3.0 million mSquared at Samca Floor Tiles, who's factory's range comprises predominantly large format fashionable pressed glazed floor tiles.
While, Samca Wall Tiles, which is the only factory in the group and the country that manufactures wall tiles saw production volumes decline to 2.6 million mSquared.
In contrast to the modest improvement in operational performance reported by the South African factories, the group's Australian plant, Centaurus, delivered a particularly disappointing result.
This operation, which comprises 11% of Ceramic's turnover, reported a substantial decline in both production and sales volumes, and caused a disproportionate impact on the group's profitability.
The business operated at a loss of R24 million for the period.
Looking ahead, the company said current challenging trading conditions were expected to prevail in the industry for the foreseeable future.
A dividend of 110 cents was declared from 140 cents per share in the previous period.
Group operating profit declined 31.9% to R65.8 million and revenue increased 4.9% to R809.4 million rand.
The group said that in the period under review trading conditions in the building and construction industries in both South Africa and Australia remained subdued, featuring low levels of public and private sector investment.
It added that in a deliberate strategy to retain market share, it reduced average selling prices by 4%, eroding profitability of the business. Margins across the group declined by 4.4%.
Operating profit from tiles decreased 35.6% to R58.5 million.
Finance income for 2012 includes a R15.2 million foreign exchange gain on the repayment by the Australian operation of a portion of its loan account, Ceramic Industries said.
“Notwithstanding payment of a special dividend of R304 million during the prior reporting period, the group noted that its cash reserves remained robust at R305.5 million.
Ceramic's sanitaryware division, comprising its Betta and Aquarius operations, continued to deliver improved results, based on remedial measures implemented over the past two years, it said.
Betta's production volumes increased to 621 892 pieces from 544 954 pieces in 2011, and sales volumes increased to 648 215 pieces from 567 904 pieces.
Aquarius, which produces drop-in and free-standing acrylic baths for the local and export market saw production volumes increase to 67 232 pieces from 49 884 pieces, and sales volumes increased to 69 108 pieces from 53 627 pieces.
Ceramic Industries' sanitaryware division increased operating profit by 27.2% to R7.3 million.
In the company's tile division experienced sales of 16.7 million mSquared which outstripped production of 15.0 million mSquared. Export sales increased to R95.4 million.
Production volumes increased to 7.2 million mSquared and sales volumes grew to 8.0 million mSquared at the group's Pegasus factory which manufactures low cost large format glazed tiles for the DIY and contract market.
Production volumes declined to 2.4 million mSquared at Vitro which produces at the up-market domestic and contract sectors.
Production volumes increased to 2. 7 million mSquared and sales volumes improved to 3.0 million mSquared at Samca Floor Tiles, who's factory's range comprises predominantly large format fashionable pressed glazed floor tiles.
While, Samca Wall Tiles, which is the only factory in the group and the country that manufactures wall tiles saw production volumes decline to 2.6 million mSquared.
In contrast to the modest improvement in operational performance reported by the South African factories, the group's Australian plant, Centaurus, delivered a particularly disappointing result.
This operation, which comprises 11% of Ceramic's turnover, reported a substantial decline in both production and sales volumes, and caused a disproportionate impact on the group's profitability.
The business operated at a loss of R24 million for the period.
Looking ahead, the company said current challenging trading conditions were expected to prevail in the industry for the foreseeable future.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Swearing-in ceremony for PJ’s new councillors called off
CONFUSION reigned at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) this morning when the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 10.30am yesterday was called off five minutes before the start.
An official from the city council came out and told the 19 out of the 23 present to disperse since the swearing in was called off due to technicalities.
The media members who were just as eager to witness the swearing-in ceremony were then told to go to the mayor’s office in the second floor.
There the mayor did not show up but MBPJ Public Relations Officer Zainun Zakaria issued a statement which said the swearing-in ceremony had been postponed on technical grounds.
“This is beyond our countrol,” the statement said. The statement also stated that the absence of four councillors had nothing to do with the ceremony being postponed.
The absent councillors were Latheefa Beebi Koya, Derek Fernandez, Tiew Way Keng and Ir. Tiong Boon Keong.
However, it was learnt that the eleventh hour decision was forced upon the council as there were objections from various quarters on the appointment of three councillors — Tang Fuie Koh and Harmony Ghani Ismail from PKR and Anthony Thanasayan (NGO).
A source from the State Secretariat said three councillors who had already been issued with the appointment letters on Tuesday evening might be dropped because of the objections.
It was also learned that Tang, a senior councillor, was not in a state executive councillor’s good book while Harmony was said to be at loggerheads with his PKR division chief for Petaling Jaya Utara.
Thanasayan is slated to be dropped due to pressure from certain NGO groups.
Another controversial figure is newcomer Norliana Mohamad, who entered the fray as a NGO.
However, a number of people had pointed out that she was a PAS member — PJS Ketua Muslimat PAS.
When asked, Norliana admitted that she was a PJS Ketua Muslimat PAS but explained that she was appointed under the NGO quota.
One councillor said PAS must make a clear stand on Norliana’s case and not deprive another NGO from getting the post.
Several other councillors told The Star, apart from the PKR duo Thanasayan should be retained as he had brought changes and benefits for the disabled in Petaling Jaya.
“Earlier PJ did not have tact tiles or special walking paths for the disabled but now we have it along the main roads. Another area that he helped to promote was the welfare of animals,” said a social activist.
She added that the state government must reconsider Thanasayan for the councillor’s post as he has a wealth of knowledge on providing benefits for the physically challenged and animal welfare.
An official from the city council came out and told the 19 out of the 23 present to disperse since the swearing in was called off due to technicalities.
The media members who were just as eager to witness the swearing-in ceremony were then told to go to the mayor’s office in the second floor.
There the mayor did not show up but MBPJ Public Relations Officer Zainun Zakaria issued a statement which said the swearing-in ceremony had been postponed on technical grounds.
“This is beyond our countrol,” the statement said. The statement also stated that the absence of four councillors had nothing to do with the ceremony being postponed.
The absent councillors were Latheefa Beebi Koya, Derek Fernandez, Tiew Way Keng and Ir. Tiong Boon Keong.
However, it was learnt that the eleventh hour decision was forced upon the council as there were objections from various quarters on the appointment of three councillors — Tang Fuie Koh and Harmony Ghani Ismail from PKR and Anthony Thanasayan (NGO).
A source from the State Secretariat said three councillors who had already been issued with the appointment letters on Tuesday evening might be dropped because of the objections.
It was also learned that Tang, a senior councillor, was not in a state executive councillor’s good book while Harmony was said to be at loggerheads with his PKR division chief for Petaling Jaya Utara.
Thanasayan is slated to be dropped due to pressure from certain NGO groups.
Another controversial figure is newcomer Norliana Mohamad, who entered the fray as a NGO.
However, a number of people had pointed out that she was a PAS member — PJS Ketua Muslimat PAS.
When asked, Norliana admitted that she was a PJS Ketua Muslimat PAS but explained that she was appointed under the NGO quota.
One councillor said PAS must make a clear stand on Norliana’s case and not deprive another NGO from getting the post.
Several other councillors told The Star, apart from the PKR duo Thanasayan should be retained as he had brought changes and benefits for the disabled in Petaling Jaya.
“Earlier PJ did not have tact tiles or special walking paths for the disabled but now we have it along the main roads. Another area that he helped to promote was the welfare of animals,” said a social activist.
She added that the state government must reconsider Thanasayan for the councillor’s post as he has a wealth of knowledge on providing benefits for the physically challenged and animal welfare.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Travelers Not Required To Pay $500M In Asbestos Settlements
A federal judge ruled that The Travelers Cos. doesn't have to pay more than $500 million in settlements for thousands of people claiming asbestos-related health problems linked to one of the insurer's former policyholders.
At issue are people suffering maladies stemming from asbestos that was used in many household, industrial and military products from roofing shingles and car brakes to floor tiles and Navy vessel insulation. Travelers provided general liability coverage and other insurance between 1947 and 1976 to Johns Manville Corp., the largest manufacturer of asbestos products and raw asbestos in the U.S. for much of the last century.
The court decision is the latest in a legal volley that has already resulted in aU.S. Supreme Courtdecision in 2009. Yet, aspects of it continue to be challenged. The case pits Travelers against 26 state-court actions that were bundled into three settlements and mediated by former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo between 2002 and 2004.
Those settlements were fought by outside parties, including Chubb Indemnity Insurance Co., which said it didn't want Travelers to be off the hook for future liabilities as a condition of the settlements. In the most recent ruling, the federal judge said that as a result of other court decisions, the Cuomo settlements do not absolve Travelers of future claims from Chubb and other insurers. As a result, Travelers is not required to pay the thousands of people sickened from inhaling microscopic asbestos fibers.
"While Travelers was willing to pay the additional $500 million to obtain complete peace through a clarification that any and all claims against it related to its handling of asbestos claims were enjoined ... this is not the relief Travelers obtained," U.S. District Court Judge John G. Koeltl of the Southern District of New York wrote in a Feb. 29 decision.
"Moreover, there is nothing unfair about not requiring Travelers to make the payments under the settlement agreements if it is not contractually bound to do so," Koeltl said.
Manville declared bankruptcy in 1982 as it faced a tidal wave of lawsuits from people who had various health problems associated with asbestos.
Asbestos is a generic name for six minerals in nature that were used during much of the 20th century in the manufacture of thousands of products: wallboard, floor tiles, roofing shingles, ceiling tiles, cement, textile products, automotive brakes, paper products and other items, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Asbestos materials can break apart into microscopic particles easily inhaled, and people who were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis for work have developed several types of life-threatening diseases, including lung cancer, according to the CDC.
The federal government has banned asbestos for different uses in several stages starting in 1973 through the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants.
The three settlements in the most recent lawsuit are separate from, and in addition to, an initial settlement in 1986 when Travelers agreed to pay $80 million to a bankruptcy estate to cover Manville's asbestos liabilities. The 1986 court orders intended "to fully and finally extricate Travelers from the Manville morass," according to court files.
Many new lawsuits emerged after the 1986 court orders, however, with new victims pursuing different legal claims based on state consumer statutes and common law theories. Those lawsuits were based on the underlying premise that Travelers "acquired knowledge about the dangers of asbestos from claims in the 1950s, recognized the potential for future escalation of asbestos litigation and began to influence Manville's purported failure to disclose knowledge about asbestos hazards," court documents say.
The lawsuits filed after 1986 were bundled by U.S. Bankruptcy Court and mediated by Cuomo.
In the federal court ruling last week, Judge Koeltl reversed a decision signed Dec. 16, 2010, by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Burton R. Lifland, who said the dispute had "gone on for too long, especially for those asbestos victims who have yet to be fully compensated."
Lifland compared the legal plight of people with asbestos-related health problems to a "Sisyphean cycle," a reference to the endless and unavailing task of the mythological Greek king Sisyphus who pushed a rock up a hill only to have it escape and roll downhill repeatedly and forever.
"The same parties that were present thirty years ago are again before this court in this long-standing saga," Lifland said in his 2010 decision. "The relief sought by the parties is still the same — compensation for the thousands of asbestos victims who continue to await their agreed-upon settlement payments."
At issue are people suffering maladies stemming from asbestos that was used in many household, industrial and military products from roofing shingles and car brakes to floor tiles and Navy vessel insulation. Travelers provided general liability coverage and other insurance between 1947 and 1976 to Johns Manville Corp., the largest manufacturer of asbestos products and raw asbestos in the U.S. for much of the last century.
The court decision is the latest in a legal volley that has already resulted in aU.S. Supreme Courtdecision in 2009. Yet, aspects of it continue to be challenged. The case pits Travelers against 26 state-court actions that were bundled into three settlements and mediated by former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo between 2002 and 2004.
Those settlements were fought by outside parties, including Chubb Indemnity Insurance Co., which said it didn't want Travelers to be off the hook for future liabilities as a condition of the settlements. In the most recent ruling, the federal judge said that as a result of other court decisions, the Cuomo settlements do not absolve Travelers of future claims from Chubb and other insurers. As a result, Travelers is not required to pay the thousands of people sickened from inhaling microscopic asbestos fibers.
"While Travelers was willing to pay the additional $500 million to obtain complete peace through a clarification that any and all claims against it related to its handling of asbestos claims were enjoined ... this is not the relief Travelers obtained," U.S. District Court Judge John G. Koeltl of the Southern District of New York wrote in a Feb. 29 decision.
"Moreover, there is nothing unfair about not requiring Travelers to make the payments under the settlement agreements if it is not contractually bound to do so," Koeltl said.
Manville declared bankruptcy in 1982 as it faced a tidal wave of lawsuits from people who had various health problems associated with asbestos.
Asbestos is a generic name for six minerals in nature that were used during much of the 20th century in the manufacture of thousands of products: wallboard, floor tiles, roofing shingles, ceiling tiles, cement, textile products, automotive brakes, paper products and other items, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Asbestos materials can break apart into microscopic particles easily inhaled, and people who were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis for work have developed several types of life-threatening diseases, including lung cancer, according to the CDC.
The federal government has banned asbestos for different uses in several stages starting in 1973 through the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants.
The three settlements in the most recent lawsuit are separate from, and in addition to, an initial settlement in 1986 when Travelers agreed to pay $80 million to a bankruptcy estate to cover Manville's asbestos liabilities. The 1986 court orders intended "to fully and finally extricate Travelers from the Manville morass," according to court files.
Many new lawsuits emerged after the 1986 court orders, however, with new victims pursuing different legal claims based on state consumer statutes and common law theories. Those lawsuits were based on the underlying premise that Travelers "acquired knowledge about the dangers of asbestos from claims in the 1950s, recognized the potential for future escalation of asbestos litigation and began to influence Manville's purported failure to disclose knowledge about asbestos hazards," court documents say.
The lawsuits filed after 1986 were bundled by U.S. Bankruptcy Court and mediated by Cuomo.
In the federal court ruling last week, Judge Koeltl reversed a decision signed Dec. 16, 2010, by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Burton R. Lifland, who said the dispute had "gone on for too long, especially for those asbestos victims who have yet to be fully compensated."
Lifland compared the legal plight of people with asbestos-related health problems to a "Sisyphean cycle," a reference to the endless and unavailing task of the mythological Greek king Sisyphus who pushed a rock up a hill only to have it escape and roll downhill repeatedly and forever.
"The same parties that were present thirty years ago are again before this court in this long-standing saga," Lifland said in his 2010 decision. "The relief sought by the parties is still the same — compensation for the thousands of asbestos victims who continue to await their agreed-upon settlement payments."
Monday, March 5, 2012
Electrical work one of the last pieces to decide for Bay City Hall project
Major work at Bay City Hall is on hold until an electrical contractor is hired.
"We're still looking at numbers," said Dana Muscott, city clerk and deputy city manager for administrative services. "We haven't decided who we're going with yet."
Speaking of numbers, she could not provide provide a price tag for the project so far, saying Friday that she had been unable to speak with the insurance adjuster that day. In August, a city attorney said the insurance company, Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority, already had paid out $5.5 million.
The extensive project, in the wake of an Oct. 12, 2010 fire that occurred during the city's $1.6 million reroofing project, has not led to higher insurance premiums, she said. "We had a renewal last year, and it did not affect it at all."
Her understanding is that MMRMA goes after the contractor's insurance company to recoup costs.
The city sued Gregory Construction and Mihm Enterprises in June, seeking an unspecified amount of damages from three incidents that caused water damage at City Hall. Officials have said the fire that shut down the historic building was caused by a grinder used on the roof by a Mihm employee. Muscott has no idea what happened to the employee.
The city received a letter Thursday saying a case evaluation has been scheduled for Aug. 2. A settlement conference was set for May 9, but it now has been adjourned to Aug. 9. Proceedings will take place in Bay County Circuit Court.
The roof has been a continuing issue, with tiles blowing off as recently as October. "That's all been inspected," Muscott said, and the Bay City Commission should hear a report from the architect soon.
"The main thing that's been going on right now is the HVAC system and the demo," Muscott said.
The HVAC installation — by Goyette Mechanical of Flint — has worked out very well, she said, because those workers could proceed without other contractors underfoot. All of the hot and chill water pumps have been installed. A spiral tube will be delivered this week and tubing then can be connected.
The city did not put the electrical work it is waiting on out for bid. That was the job of SERVPRO, a Zilwaukee-based disaster recovery company.
Electrical bids were due back the first week of February. SERVPRO reviewed them, and has presented qualified bids to Muscott and the architects, who have sent questions back.
Plumbing and other contractors are lined up, but the city must sign off as a a package, Muscott said. "It just makes sense to do it that way and we're almost there."
If for example the insurance provides for carpet and she wants to go with refinishing an existing hardwood floor, she gets a financial credit for carpet. That money might then be applied to work on a ceiling in a different room, for example.
"There's just going to be deducts on some items and additions on others, so we just have to make sure that all balances so we're not spending any money at all," she said.
The aim is a zero net effect, except for items that are paid for by grant, such as reproduction lighting, or that the city specifically approved spending for, such as the $1.28 million HVAC system.
"We're still looking at numbers," said Dana Muscott, city clerk and deputy city manager for administrative services. "We haven't decided who we're going with yet."
Speaking of numbers, she could not provide provide a price tag for the project so far, saying Friday that she had been unable to speak with the insurance adjuster that day. In August, a city attorney said the insurance company, Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority, already had paid out $5.5 million.
The extensive project, in the wake of an Oct. 12, 2010 fire that occurred during the city's $1.6 million reroofing project, has not led to higher insurance premiums, she said. "We had a renewal last year, and it did not affect it at all."
Her understanding is that MMRMA goes after the contractor's insurance company to recoup costs.
The city sued Gregory Construction and Mihm Enterprises in June, seeking an unspecified amount of damages from three incidents that caused water damage at City Hall. Officials have said the fire that shut down the historic building was caused by a grinder used on the roof by a Mihm employee. Muscott has no idea what happened to the employee.
The city received a letter Thursday saying a case evaluation has been scheduled for Aug. 2. A settlement conference was set for May 9, but it now has been adjourned to Aug. 9. Proceedings will take place in Bay County Circuit Court.
The roof has been a continuing issue, with tiles blowing off as recently as October. "That's all been inspected," Muscott said, and the Bay City Commission should hear a report from the architect soon.
"The main thing that's been going on right now is the HVAC system and the demo," Muscott said.
The HVAC installation — by Goyette Mechanical of Flint — has worked out very well, she said, because those workers could proceed without other contractors underfoot. All of the hot and chill water pumps have been installed. A spiral tube will be delivered this week and tubing then can be connected.
The city did not put the electrical work it is waiting on out for bid. That was the job of SERVPRO, a Zilwaukee-based disaster recovery company.
Electrical bids were due back the first week of February. SERVPRO reviewed them, and has presented qualified bids to Muscott and the architects, who have sent questions back.
Plumbing and other contractors are lined up, but the city must sign off as a a package, Muscott said. "It just makes sense to do it that way and we're almost there."
If for example the insurance provides for carpet and she wants to go with refinishing an existing hardwood floor, she gets a financial credit for carpet. That money might then be applied to work on a ceiling in a different room, for example.
"There's just going to be deducts on some items and additions on others, so we just have to make sure that all balances so we're not spending any money at all," she said.
The aim is a zero net effect, except for items that are paid for by grant, such as reproduction lighting, or that the city specifically approved spending for, such as the $1.28 million HVAC system.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Real lives behind new hit book on Mumbai slums
In her Mumbai shack, Manju Waghekar wonders if she will regret revealing the grim secrets of corruption, alcoholism and death among her friends and family for a searing new book on life in an Indian slum.
Manju, 23, is a central figure in “Behind the Beautiful Forevers”, a true story that reviewers have hailed as an instant classic and a ground-breaking account of modern poverty.
Written by American journalist Katherine Boo, the book paints an intimate and often shocking picture of a community where rats are fried for dinner, suicide is common, sex is a commodity and one woman drowns her child.
Manju’s own mother, Asha, is exposed as a corrupt “slum boss” who sleeps with men to gain influence and who has mysterious connections with thuggish police and crooked politicians. Her father is depicted as an absent drunkard, her best friend dies by eating poison, and the innermost secrets of her heart are split onto the page. “I have read the book, and I liked it even though it made me cry,” Manju, who speaks good English, told AFP in Annawadi, a slum located next to Mumbai’s international airport and tucked behind the five-star Hyatt Regency hotel. “It is truth, not fiction,” she says. “Everyone in Annawadi knows. If I don’t say these things about my family, someone else will, so why let them gossip?”
Manju teaches at school for five hours a day as well as giving free language lessons and studying for an MA degree in English literature on a University of Mumbai correspondence course.
She, like several other people featured in the book who spoke to AFP, has unshakeable faith in Boo, who visited Annawadi daily for extended periods between 2007 and 2011. “What she has written is what I am,” Manju says. The passages about her mother Asha are more sensitive territory, and Manju has not yet told her every detail of the contents of the book, which was published in February.
“But the allegations are true,” Manju says shyly. “I mean her extramarital affairs and the corruption. This is how life is here. She is a single mother and did these things as there was no other option. She protects us.”
Manju says her mother will soon chose a husband for her but that she wants to continue teaching and become a principal. She also dreams of visiting the beaches of Goa one day.
The book has been called “exquisitely accomplished” by the New York Times and “the most astonishing non-fiction account of the underbelly of urban Indian life” by India’s Business Standard daily.
Whether it will have a positive or negative impact on Annawadi’s 3,000-plus residents is uncertain, but such a gripping narrative about life among the 335 ramshackle huts is set to provoke strong reactions from readers worldwide.
Manju’s mother Asha is not bothered by the fuss, even though she is aware that the book describes how she used her non-profit organisation to claim thousands of dollars from the government to fund fake schools.
Sitting on the floor of the family shack in a beautiful sari and gold jewellery, she waves away specifics by explaining she does not read English. “It doesn’t make a difference to us as our lives will be the same,” she says. “Without support from a husband, whatever little I can do for my family I do, that is the story of one single woman bringing up three kids in a slum.
“The only thing that I am worried about is if anyone misuses this information, for example my daughter is getting married soon. If someone helps us, then that is fine.”
The book’s main storyline revolves around an incident just around the corner from where Asha and her children live, when a one-legged woman named Fatima died after setting herself on fire.
Fatima’s neighbours, the Husains, were blamed for her death, which occurred during a dispute about renovations to a wall between their two huts.
Sitting beside the same wall, Akhtar Husain explains that his parents and brother Abdul were dragged into a court case that lasted years due to endless legal delays and policemen demanding bribes. “Our family would have tea and coffee with Katherine (Boo) often,” Akhtar says. “She was here when Fatima died and she witnessed the embalming.
“We are OK about the book as Katherine always told us ‘I am a writer and I want to know how you live your lives’.”
Manju, 23, is a central figure in “Behind the Beautiful Forevers”, a true story that reviewers have hailed as an instant classic and a ground-breaking account of modern poverty.
Written by American journalist Katherine Boo, the book paints an intimate and often shocking picture of a community where rats are fried for dinner, suicide is common, sex is a commodity and one woman drowns her child.
Manju’s own mother, Asha, is exposed as a corrupt “slum boss” who sleeps with men to gain influence and who has mysterious connections with thuggish police and crooked politicians. Her father is depicted as an absent drunkard, her best friend dies by eating poison, and the innermost secrets of her heart are split onto the page. “I have read the book, and I liked it even though it made me cry,” Manju, who speaks good English, told AFP in Annawadi, a slum located next to Mumbai’s international airport and tucked behind the five-star Hyatt Regency hotel. “It is truth, not fiction,” she says. “Everyone in Annawadi knows. If I don’t say these things about my family, someone else will, so why let them gossip?”
Manju teaches at school for five hours a day as well as giving free language lessons and studying for an MA degree in English literature on a University of Mumbai correspondence course.
She, like several other people featured in the book who spoke to AFP, has unshakeable faith in Boo, who visited Annawadi daily for extended periods between 2007 and 2011. “What she has written is what I am,” Manju says. The passages about her mother Asha are more sensitive territory, and Manju has not yet told her every detail of the contents of the book, which was published in February.
“But the allegations are true,” Manju says shyly. “I mean her extramarital affairs and the corruption. This is how life is here. She is a single mother and did these things as there was no other option. She protects us.”
Manju says her mother will soon chose a husband for her but that she wants to continue teaching and become a principal. She also dreams of visiting the beaches of Goa one day.
The book has been called “exquisitely accomplished” by the New York Times and “the most astonishing non-fiction account of the underbelly of urban Indian life” by India’s Business Standard daily.
Whether it will have a positive or negative impact on Annawadi’s 3,000-plus residents is uncertain, but such a gripping narrative about life among the 335 ramshackle huts is set to provoke strong reactions from readers worldwide.
Manju’s mother Asha is not bothered by the fuss, even though she is aware that the book describes how she used her non-profit organisation to claim thousands of dollars from the government to fund fake schools.
Sitting on the floor of the family shack in a beautiful sari and gold jewellery, she waves away specifics by explaining she does not read English. “It doesn’t make a difference to us as our lives will be the same,” she says. “Without support from a husband, whatever little I can do for my family I do, that is the story of one single woman bringing up three kids in a slum.
“The only thing that I am worried about is if anyone misuses this information, for example my daughter is getting married soon. If someone helps us, then that is fine.”
The book’s main storyline revolves around an incident just around the corner from where Asha and her children live, when a one-legged woman named Fatima died after setting herself on fire.
Fatima’s neighbours, the Husains, were blamed for her death, which occurred during a dispute about renovations to a wall between their two huts.
Sitting beside the same wall, Akhtar Husain explains that his parents and brother Abdul were dragged into a court case that lasted years due to endless legal delays and policemen demanding bribes. “Our family would have tea and coffee with Katherine (Boo) often,” Akhtar says. “She was here when Fatima died and she witnessed the embalming.
“We are OK about the book as Katherine always told us ‘I am a writer and I want to know how you live your lives’.”
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Centennial Mall campaign begins public fundraising
Barbara Deweese Day was a seventh-grader at Irving Junior High School when she watched the Sower as it was hoisted from its bed in a train car to its perch atop the Capitol.
Standing on a first-floor parapet, she looked down at the giant lying in the train car and watched as the sculpture was winched slowly up to the top, where it has stood for almost 82 years, looking northwest across the Nebraska landscape.
Day, who will be 93 this month, has a number of Capitol connections and Nebraska stories.
Martin-Day Construction, her father-in-law's construction company, did the excavation work for the Capitol in the early 1920s.
Her grandfather's stately home -- and barn for the horse team and pony -- stood across the street from the Capitol at the northeast corner of 16th and J streets.
Day is among the hundreds of Nebraskans who donated to the Centennial Mall renovation during the early, silent campaign that raised about $5.7 million from government and private sources.
Thursday morning, the Centennial Mall campaign kicks off its public fundraising drive, seeking the rest of the $9.6 million needed for renovation and an endowment for future maintenance.
The redesign of the entire seven-block mall will celebrate Nebraska's legacy of stewardship and will include three fountains, new walkways and landscaping and a pathway of Nebraska names and stories.
The Spirit of Nebraska Pathway will be a series of granite and bronze plaques placed along the twin walkways that frame all seven blocks.
Individuals and businesses can buy tiles or sponsor tiles for notable Nebraskans.
It is envisioned that these blocks will become a "mosaic of Nebraskans" and tell their stories.
Part of the Day contribution, funded through a family memorial fund, will be used for a plaque honoring Day's husband, George, who died three years ago.
George Day loved fountains, his wife said. He thought there should be a fountain in the center of Oak Park for people to enjoy during their drive into Lincoln.
About 20 years ago, a $50,000 gift from the Edith R. Day Memorial Fund honoring Barbara Day's mother-in-law was used to repair the K Street fountain.
The George Day plaque likely will say "He loved fountains" and be placed near one of the new fountains.
Construction on the middle three blocks of the mall from M to P streets will be done this summer, in connection with a separate downtown street rehabilitation project.
The rest of the renovation will begin after the $9.6 million goal is reached.
Donations so far include $1.5 million from private donors, $3 million from the city, $550,000 from Windstream, $500,000 from the Lincoln Community Foundation on behalf of the Sheila Dickinson Dinsmore Graf Fund and $500,000 from the Lancaster County Visitor's Improvement Fund. Other funding partners include the Nebraska Environmental Trust, State Farm, the Cope Foundation of Kearney and the Junior League of Lincoln.
Standing on a first-floor parapet, she looked down at the giant lying in the train car and watched as the sculpture was winched slowly up to the top, where it has stood for almost 82 years, looking northwest across the Nebraska landscape.
Day, who will be 93 this month, has a number of Capitol connections and Nebraska stories.
Martin-Day Construction, her father-in-law's construction company, did the excavation work for the Capitol in the early 1920s.
Her grandfather's stately home -- and barn for the horse team and pony -- stood across the street from the Capitol at the northeast corner of 16th and J streets.
Day is among the hundreds of Nebraskans who donated to the Centennial Mall renovation during the early, silent campaign that raised about $5.7 million from government and private sources.
Thursday morning, the Centennial Mall campaign kicks off its public fundraising drive, seeking the rest of the $9.6 million needed for renovation and an endowment for future maintenance.
The redesign of the entire seven-block mall will celebrate Nebraska's legacy of stewardship and will include three fountains, new walkways and landscaping and a pathway of Nebraska names and stories.
The Spirit of Nebraska Pathway will be a series of granite and bronze plaques placed along the twin walkways that frame all seven blocks.
Individuals and businesses can buy tiles or sponsor tiles for notable Nebraskans.
It is envisioned that these blocks will become a "mosaic of Nebraskans" and tell their stories.
Part of the Day contribution, funded through a family memorial fund, will be used for a plaque honoring Day's husband, George, who died three years ago.
George Day loved fountains, his wife said. He thought there should be a fountain in the center of Oak Park for people to enjoy during their drive into Lincoln.
About 20 years ago, a $50,000 gift from the Edith R. Day Memorial Fund honoring Barbara Day's mother-in-law was used to repair the K Street fountain.
The George Day plaque likely will say "He loved fountains" and be placed near one of the new fountains.
Construction on the middle three blocks of the mall from M to P streets will be done this summer, in connection with a separate downtown street rehabilitation project.
The rest of the renovation will begin after the $9.6 million goal is reached.
Donations so far include $1.5 million from private donors, $3 million from the city, $550,000 from Windstream, $500,000 from the Lincoln Community Foundation on behalf of the Sheila Dickinson Dinsmore Graf Fund and $500,000 from the Lancaster County Visitor's Improvement Fund. Other funding partners include the Nebraska Environmental Trust, State Farm, the Cope Foundation of Kearney and the Junior League of Lincoln.
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