Neither of the Ross homers, however, will have the historical significance of Chipper Jones’ two-run homer in the first off Harang.
That homer, the first of three allowed by Harang, moved the Atlanta third baseman into a tie with Mickey Mantle for second-place on the all-time list of switch-hitting RBI leaders at 1,509. Hall of Famer Eddie Murray tops the list with 1,917.
Harang hadn’t allowed a homer in 24 1/3 innings this season until Jones followed a one-out walk to Jason Heyward Tuesday night.
Over the course of his career, Harang has allowed an average of 1? homers per nine innings. The three homers allowed Tuesday night accounted for six of the eight runs scored by the Braves as Harang’s earned run average more than doubled from 1.88 to 3.90.
Still, the Padres were trailing only 3-1 entering the top of the sixth — having scored in the fourth when Orlando Hudson followed a second straight single by Jorge Cantu with a triple that split the gap between left and center.
After Jones led off with a single, Dan Uggla had perhaps the key at-bat of the inning — fouling off three pitches while battling back from an 0-and-2 count to draw a nine-pitch walk. Harang then walked rookie first baseman Freddie Freeman on four pitches to load the bases.
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez rolled a single through the middle of a drawn-in infield to make it 5-1. Ross homered after Harang struck out Nate McLouth.
“The balls up in the strike zone came back to haunt Aaron tonight,” said Padres manager Bud Black, who added the fact that Harang is still feeling the effects of the virus that hit him in Chicago.
2011年4月28日星期四
2011年4月27日星期三
Japan spreads rare earth risk
Japan has been dealt a number of blows over the past few years which have put the country's high-tech production capacity at risk. Most recently, the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Japan in March has directly affected production efforts through rolling blackouts and damaged equipment.
Another issue, and one that has been missed by public scrutiny, is the country's struggle to obtain steady supplies of certain key materials needed to produce its high-tech products. Some of those key ingredients are rare earth elements (REEs), of which China has been cutting back export quotas. China has also reportedly announced that it was going to create a REE strategic reserve, a measure that some analysts feel will give the country more control over the industry. In an industry that is ever
changing, other countries, whose economies and national security depend on technologies produced with REEs, could learn by Japan's example.
While REEs have long been in the cross-hair of industry analysts, the issue of REE production and supply increased its public spotlight in 2010 after a territorial dispute between China and Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyou islands during which China imposed a de facto ban on all rare earth exports to Japan. The ban, according to Japanese Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister Akihiro Ohata, further reinforced the idea that the country needed "to craft a long-term strategy to procure rare earths".
China first began cutting back export quotas for REEs in 2006. Japan began to take action to reduce its reliance on its neighbor by early 2007. Dudley Kingsnorth, executive director of the rare earth consulting company Industrial Minerals Company of Australia (IMCOA), is forecasting global demand to increase from 124,000 tonnes annually in 2010 to 250,000-300,000 tonnes by 2020. Of this amount, he expects 110,000 to 130,000 tonnes to account for the rest of world (ROW) demand [1]. In what could be deemed a race for rare earth elements, Japan has already been placing itself at an advantage by taking early action.
REEs are the 15 elements that comprise the family of lanthanides on the periodic table lamps, plus yttrium and scandium. These metals are vital to the production of hundreds of modern technologies such as cell phones, iPods, computer hard drives, green technologies, and critical military weapons systems.
China dominates the industry, producing over 95% of the world's REEs, but the country has been steadily cutting back export quotas, causing worldwide concern [2]. These cuts are a result of several factors including China's desire to stomp out illegal activity, consolidate the industry and stockpile the metals. These cuts, while seemingly necessary for China, enslave nations to the whims of the country's production quotas.
Japan has been seeking to come up with alternatives over the past five years. While Japan's consumption of REEs has been increasing somewhat steadily over the past three decades, imports from China continue to go down. In December, imports were at 4,080 tonnes after trade resumed following China's de facto ban on shipments. In January, Japan imported 1,783 tonnes from China. In February, that number dropped to 1,138 tonnes. In 1995, the country consumed 7,654 tonnes. In 2000, that figure rose to 13,690 tonnes. In 2005, Japan consumed 18,855 tonnes.
Prior to the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that occurred in March, Sojitz Corporation, a Tokyo-based trading company and one of Japan's largest rare earth importers estimated that Japan would use 32,000 tonnes of rare earths in 2011 [3]. Experts estimate that in the near term, Japan's consumption rate will decrease as the country struggles to regain its footing in the production of high tech products and that the country's consumption rate in 2011 will be less than originally forecasted.
The problem is that Japan does not possess any REEs of its own, forcing the country to rely wholly on imports, approximately 90% of which come from China. Therefore, because of its already tight supplies, Japan will likely continue to seek alternatives outside of China.
Another issue, and one that has been missed by public scrutiny, is the country's struggle to obtain steady supplies of certain key materials needed to produce its high-tech products. Some of those key ingredients are rare earth elements (REEs), of which China has been cutting back export quotas. China has also reportedly announced that it was going to create a REE strategic reserve, a measure that some analysts feel will give the country more control over the industry. In an industry that is ever
changing, other countries, whose economies and national security depend on technologies produced with REEs, could learn by Japan's example.
While REEs have long been in the cross-hair of industry analysts, the issue of REE production and supply increased its public spotlight in 2010 after a territorial dispute between China and Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyou islands during which China imposed a de facto ban on all rare earth exports to Japan. The ban, according to Japanese Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister Akihiro Ohata, further reinforced the idea that the country needed "to craft a long-term strategy to procure rare earths".
China first began cutting back export quotas for REEs in 2006. Japan began to take action to reduce its reliance on its neighbor by early 2007. Dudley Kingsnorth, executive director of the rare earth consulting company Industrial Minerals Company of Australia (IMCOA), is forecasting global demand to increase from 124,000 tonnes annually in 2010 to 250,000-300,000 tonnes by 2020. Of this amount, he expects 110,000 to 130,000 tonnes to account for the rest of world (ROW) demand [1]. In what could be deemed a race for rare earth elements, Japan has already been placing itself at an advantage by taking early action.
REEs are the 15 elements that comprise the family of lanthanides on the periodic table lamps, plus yttrium and scandium. These metals are vital to the production of hundreds of modern technologies such as cell phones, iPods, computer hard drives, green technologies, and critical military weapons systems.
China dominates the industry, producing over 95% of the world's REEs, but the country has been steadily cutting back export quotas, causing worldwide concern [2]. These cuts are a result of several factors including China's desire to stomp out illegal activity, consolidate the industry and stockpile the metals. These cuts, while seemingly necessary for China, enslave nations to the whims of the country's production quotas.
Japan has been seeking to come up with alternatives over the past five years. While Japan's consumption of REEs has been increasing somewhat steadily over the past three decades, imports from China continue to go down. In December, imports were at 4,080 tonnes after trade resumed following China's de facto ban on shipments. In January, Japan imported 1,783 tonnes from China. In February, that number dropped to 1,138 tonnes. In 1995, the country consumed 7,654 tonnes. In 2000, that figure rose to 13,690 tonnes. In 2005, Japan consumed 18,855 tonnes.
Prior to the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that occurred in March, Sojitz Corporation, a Tokyo-based trading company and one of Japan's largest rare earth importers estimated that Japan would use 32,000 tonnes of rare earths in 2011 [3]. Experts estimate that in the near term, Japan's consumption rate will decrease as the country struggles to regain its footing in the production of high tech products and that the country's consumption rate in 2011 will be less than originally forecasted.
The problem is that Japan does not possess any REEs of its own, forcing the country to rely wholly on imports, approximately 90% of which come from China. Therefore, because of its already tight supplies, Japan will likely continue to seek alternatives outside of China.
2011年4月24日星期日
Oddities on sale as dozens of families hit big yard sale
One person’s garbage is another’s gold mine.
That’s the philosophy of any garage or yard sale, and that’s the philosophy that played out writ large on Saturday, when hundreds turned out for a community yard sale at Clemson University’s Institute for Economic and Community Development on Clemson Road, across from the Village at Sandhill.
About 70 vendors signed up to rent $20 lots, on which they could set up shop. Some also forked over $10 for a table.
Paul “Mac” Horton, director of the institute, said the yard sale will bring in about $1,400. Much of that money will cover the cost of mowing the big field where the yard sale was held. What’s left will help the institute get by now that its state funding has been cut.
People brought their food, their household oddities — and a healthy dose of hope that someone would want to buy what they had to sell.
What else could account for the display of the giant ceramic owl/lamp that Sonia Russell and her sister-in-law, Sabrina Walker, were trying to unload?
“It’s $25 for the owl,” Russell said, assuring a passer-by that the owl lamp still works.
The owl, like so many of the items for sale on Saturday, has a story behind it.
Russell’s mother made the owl lamp in 1974 when she was living in Okinawa, Japan, where her husband was serving in the U.S. Army.
Russell said her mother was looking for a way to spend her time while her husband took care of his military duties and decided to take a class. It was there she made the owl, which she also painted.
As the years went on, Russell said, her mother made and collected many things. The two share a love of shoes, and many of them were purchased, too.
In December 2008, however, Russell’s mother had a stroke, and she is not as active as she once was. Russell now serves as caregiver to both her parents and is trying to clear out space in their home so they can get around easier.
So, the owl lamp and boxes of new shoes, all size 9 and 10, were priced to move.
“This is our undercover way of cleaning out space,” Walker said.
Not far away, Sonny Johnson of Tookiedoo (an honest-to-goodness place not far from Elgin) was trying to sell his wares. For him, buying is strictly forbidden, by order of his wife.
“She said, ‘Don’t buy anything if you go out there,’” Johnson said. “I said I’ll try not to.”
Johnson, a retired restaurant owner, is used to snapping up odd finds. He was quail hunting in Texas once when he decided to venture into an old tornado shelter.
His fellow hunters tried to school him on an important local equation: Texas + underground shelter = rattlesnakes.
“They said, ‘Man, there’s snakes out there,’” Johnson said. “I said, ‘They’re going to have to move!’”
Johnson got a pair of old-style kerosene lamps for his trouble, which he had on sale for $100 each on Saturday.
His collection could best be described as old Americana — old signs and farm equipment, an old camera and an old film box. But one item didn’t fit with the rest of the collection.
That would be the Ghostrider-style motorcycle Johnson was trying to sell. He did the detail work himself, affixing University of South Carolina Gamecock roosters all over the bike. The kickstand is a gold-colored Gamecock spur. The seat is hand-stitched leather with the Gamecock logo on the top.
The cock-a-cycle, which Johnson said he’s probably spent $27,000 on, could be had for $11,000 — enough to pay for some home repairs and for a few more forays into the world of other’s people’s stuff.
While deals were being made everywhere, Rich and Kathy Yosick were giving away a few of their items. They had plenty to spare, all with a single theme: Dale Earnhardt.
If things had turned out the way Kathy Yosick wanted, she might not have been spending her Saturday in a giant field hawking Earnhardt memorabilia.
“I prayed for a rich guy and got a guy named Rich,” Kathy Yosick said. But then she laughed, and he did, too.
“He’s been collecting since the 1980s,” Kathy Yosick said.
Most of the stuff commemorated Dale Earnhardt Sr., but there were a few Junior items, too. There were posters and pictures, toy cars and race day ticket stubs. All of it will go.
That’s because a man came by earlier in the day and asked a simple question. “He said, ‘How much for the whole lot?’” Rich Yosick said.
So, the plan was to sell as much stuff as they could and then call that man to see about unloading the rest.
The Yosicks said they’ll be glad to give the Earnhardt stuff new homes, but Rich Yosick looked over it all like a father about to send a child off into the world.
“Yeah, I’ll miss it,” he said. “Absolutely.”
That’s the philosophy of any garage or yard sale, and that’s the philosophy that played out writ large on Saturday, when hundreds turned out for a community yard sale at Clemson University’s Institute for Economic and Community Development on Clemson Road, across from the Village at Sandhill.
About 70 vendors signed up to rent $20 lots, on which they could set up shop. Some also forked over $10 for a table.
Paul “Mac” Horton, director of the institute, said the yard sale will bring in about $1,400. Much of that money will cover the cost of mowing the big field where the yard sale was held. What’s left will help the institute get by now that its state funding has been cut.
People brought their food, their household oddities — and a healthy dose of hope that someone would want to buy what they had to sell.
What else could account for the display of the giant ceramic owl/lamp that Sonia Russell and her sister-in-law, Sabrina Walker, were trying to unload?
“It’s $25 for the owl,” Russell said, assuring a passer-by that the owl lamp still works.
The owl, like so many of the items for sale on Saturday, has a story behind it.
Russell’s mother made the owl lamp in 1974 when she was living in Okinawa, Japan, where her husband was serving in the U.S. Army.
Russell said her mother was looking for a way to spend her time while her husband took care of his military duties and decided to take a class. It was there she made the owl, which she also painted.
As the years went on, Russell said, her mother made and collected many things. The two share a love of shoes, and many of them were purchased, too.
In December 2008, however, Russell’s mother had a stroke, and she is not as active as she once was. Russell now serves as caregiver to both her parents and is trying to clear out space in their home so they can get around easier.
So, the owl lamp and boxes of new shoes, all size 9 and 10, were priced to move.
“This is our undercover way of cleaning out space,” Walker said.
Not far away, Sonny Johnson of Tookiedoo (an honest-to-goodness place not far from Elgin) was trying to sell his wares. For him, buying is strictly forbidden, by order of his wife.
“She said, ‘Don’t buy anything if you go out there,’” Johnson said. “I said I’ll try not to.”
Johnson, a retired restaurant owner, is used to snapping up odd finds. He was quail hunting in Texas once when he decided to venture into an old tornado shelter.
His fellow hunters tried to school him on an important local equation: Texas + underground shelter = rattlesnakes.
“They said, ‘Man, there’s snakes out there,’” Johnson said. “I said, ‘They’re going to have to move!’”
Johnson got a pair of old-style kerosene lamps for his trouble, which he had on sale for $100 each on Saturday.
His collection could best be described as old Americana — old signs and farm equipment, an old camera and an old film box. But one item didn’t fit with the rest of the collection.
That would be the Ghostrider-style motorcycle Johnson was trying to sell. He did the detail work himself, affixing University of South Carolina Gamecock roosters all over the bike. The kickstand is a gold-colored Gamecock spur. The seat is hand-stitched leather with the Gamecock logo on the top.
The cock-a-cycle, which Johnson said he’s probably spent $27,000 on, could be had for $11,000 — enough to pay for some home repairs and for a few more forays into the world of other’s people’s stuff.
While deals were being made everywhere, Rich and Kathy Yosick were giving away a few of their items. They had plenty to spare, all with a single theme: Dale Earnhardt.
If things had turned out the way Kathy Yosick wanted, she might not have been spending her Saturday in a giant field hawking Earnhardt memorabilia.
“I prayed for a rich guy and got a guy named Rich,” Kathy Yosick said. But then she laughed, and he did, too.
“He’s been collecting since the 1980s,” Kathy Yosick said.
Most of the stuff commemorated Dale Earnhardt Sr., but there were a few Junior items, too. There were posters and pictures, toy cars and race day ticket stubs. All of it will go.
That’s because a man came by earlier in the day and asked a simple question. “He said, ‘How much for the whole lot?’” Rich Yosick said.
So, the plan was to sell as much stuff as they could and then call that man to see about unloading the rest.
The Yosicks said they’ll be glad to give the Earnhardt stuff new homes, but Rich Yosick looked over it all like a father about to send a child off into the world.
“Yeah, I’ll miss it,” he said. “Absolutely.”
Spring chicks are here — in boxes
The farm section of the store on South Hamilton Street is a popular spot this time of year for people buying chicks and other small creatures for egg-laying, table fare and plain companionship.
For a couple weeks, part of the store’s sales floor plays host to a veritable menagerie of little farm critters, housed in cardboard boxes and bathed in the light of heat lamps.
“My father began doing it years ago, getting them in the week before Easter,” said John Hubbard, whose father — Wayne — started there more than 35 years ago.
But over the years, the array of small creatures has expanded to include roosters, ducklings, turkeys and rabbits. A visit to the farm store last week took on an added dimension as customers gathered around a small village of oversized furniture boxes cut open to serve as cages for the separate species.
“The kids really like it,” Hubbard said as several students of elementary-school age scooped chicks from one of the boxes. “That’s what I like about having the chicks here — just seeing how the kids react.”
If you have guilty memories of those garishly-dyed peeps of yesteryear that seldom lived a few weeks past Easter, think again.
Hubbard said he and other store employees discourage that sort of misguided behavior. All or nearly all of his chicks are sold for just one reason, he said.
“Egg production,” Hubbard said. “They don’t make good pets. How many times have you seen a chicken on a leash?”
Hubbard runs the store with his brother, Jim. Their dad and mother, Nell, are comfortably retired.
This year, the Hubbards brought in 800 chicks, 100 turkeys, and dozens of roosters, ducks and rabbits.
The rabbits sell for $15 apiece and are the only ones often bought as pets.
If there’s a surprise this year, John Hubbard says it would have to be the turkeys.
They sold like hot cakes compared to Easter 2010, when he was left with so may extras that he ended up giving the turkeys away.
And the ducklings?
“People usually buy them for their ponds,” he said.
The chicks require a fair amount of work to keep healthy. Their hygiene leaves a lot to be desired, so their water must be changed often. The heat lamps are necessary to keep the temperature in the low 90s to maintain the body warmth the chicks can’t generate on their own.
From roosters to rabbits, each species has its own large box that draws onlookers like a magnet. But the ducks have the most space after benefiting from the popularity of the turkeys that used to live in the box next door.
After the last turkey was sold to someone perhaps looking ahead to a future Thanksgiving feast, the Hubbards cut a hole between the boxes to give the ducklings easy access to the little gobblers’ former home.
For a couple weeks, part of the store’s sales floor plays host to a veritable menagerie of little farm critters, housed in cardboard boxes and bathed in the light of heat lamps.
“My father began doing it years ago, getting them in the week before Easter,” said John Hubbard, whose father — Wayne — started there more than 35 years ago.
But over the years, the array of small creatures has expanded to include roosters, ducklings, turkeys and rabbits. A visit to the farm store last week took on an added dimension as customers gathered around a small village of oversized furniture boxes cut open to serve as cages for the separate species.
“The kids really like it,” Hubbard said as several students of elementary-school age scooped chicks from one of the boxes. “That’s what I like about having the chicks here — just seeing how the kids react.”
If you have guilty memories of those garishly-dyed peeps of yesteryear that seldom lived a few weeks past Easter, think again.
Hubbard said he and other store employees discourage that sort of misguided behavior. All or nearly all of his chicks are sold for just one reason, he said.
“Egg production,” Hubbard said. “They don’t make good pets. How many times have you seen a chicken on a leash?”
Hubbard runs the store with his brother, Jim. Their dad and mother, Nell, are comfortably retired.
This year, the Hubbards brought in 800 chicks, 100 turkeys, and dozens of roosters, ducks and rabbits.
The rabbits sell for $15 apiece and are the only ones often bought as pets.
If there’s a surprise this year, John Hubbard says it would have to be the turkeys.
They sold like hot cakes compared to Easter 2010, when he was left with so may extras that he ended up giving the turkeys away.
And the ducklings?
“People usually buy them for their ponds,” he said.
The chicks require a fair amount of work to keep healthy. Their hygiene leaves a lot to be desired, so their water must be changed often. The heat lamps are necessary to keep the temperature in the low 90s to maintain the body warmth the chicks can’t generate on their own.
From roosters to rabbits, each species has its own large box that draws onlookers like a magnet. But the ducks have the most space after benefiting from the popularity of the turkeys that used to live in the box next door.
After the last turkey was sold to someone perhaps looking ahead to a future Thanksgiving feast, the Hubbards cut a hole between the boxes to give the ducklings easy access to the little gobblers’ former home.
2011年4月20日星期三
Annual Caraway ambulance auction raises over $9,000
The annual Caraway Volunteer Ambulance Service auction raised over $9,000 Saturday, April 23, as townspeople and area donors came out to support their local ambulance service.
"As usual our people came out in force for us, making donations and bidding on items," Ambulance Service Director Roger Adcock said. "We had good weather and an excellent attendance."
Some of the items donated included blankets, framed pictures, miniature farm equipment, toys, table lamps, floor lamps, and farm chemicals. There were many choices of items for every age group.
"We cooked 140 boston butts for pre-auction sales," said Adcock. "We sold barabecue sandwiches at the concession stand, along with other auction favorites. Everyone pitches in to help where they can, and we couldn't make it without that. This is a community event, for a community based ambulance service. We depend on the revenue from this event to keep us going all year."
Auctioneers for the day were Bill Harrell of Monette and Gregg Stallings of Manila. Ambulance personnel, EMTs and drivers helped encourage bidding during the auction. Bernard Berry and Mayor Barry Riley assigned bidding numbers at the entrance. Sandy Adcock served as secretary and collection agent for the event.
"As usual our people came out in force for us, making donations and bidding on items," Ambulance Service Director Roger Adcock said. "We had good weather and an excellent attendance."
Some of the items donated included blankets, framed pictures, miniature farm equipment, toys, table lamps, floor lamps, and farm chemicals. There were many choices of items for every age group.
"We cooked 140 boston butts for pre-auction sales," said Adcock. "We sold barabecue sandwiches at the concession stand, along with other auction favorites. Everyone pitches in to help where they can, and we couldn't make it without that. This is a community event, for a community based ambulance service. We depend on the revenue from this event to keep us going all year."
Auctioneers for the day were Bill Harrell of Monette and Gregg Stallings of Manila. Ambulance personnel, EMTs and drivers helped encourage bidding during the auction. Bernard Berry and Mayor Barry Riley assigned bidding numbers at the entrance. Sandy Adcock served as secretary and collection agent for the event.
If it glows indoors, you can find it outdoors too
A trend toward creating "outdoor rooms" has dramatically increased lighting options for homeowners who want to extend their time outside.
Most indoor lighting fixtures -- chandeliers, pendant lights, table lamps -- now have a counterpart designed for patios or decks.
"We have seen outdoor lights absolutely replicating indoor designs," said Anne Robert of The Outdoor Stylist, a website that focuses on home trends.
"Outdoor lighting is a mood setter. It can make or break a design just like it can indoors."
The abundance of products lets you make outdoor spaces more functional, said Rich Young of Outdoor Living Brands in Richmond, Va. "It allows families to extend the square footage of their home," he said. "With the right light, you can extend the evening for dining or reading or other activities outdoors."
When choosing fixtures for outdoor entertaining areas, consider how much light is necessary, said Alene Workman, a spokeswoman for the American Society of Interior Designers. A table needs to have sufficient light so diners can eat, whereas a conversation area may need only soft mood lighting.
Be creative with table lighting, recommends Krissa Rossbund, a senior style editor at Traditional Home Magazine.
"Gone are the days when people hang a chandelier over a table and call it lit," she said.
She suggests hanging two small chandeliers instead of one large one, or buying a chandelier at a flea market and painting it a bright color.
Outdoor chandeliers come in a variety of styles, from mission to modern. Manufacturers also offer many candle chandeliers for outdoor areas that don’t have electricity.
For seating areas, choose a weighted outdoor floor lamp, said Workman, who owns an interior design firm in Hollywood, Fla. "There are wonderful new outdoor lights that are almost art pieces themselves," she said.
Colored lights, illuminated furniture, and subtle fixtures designed to blend with nature will be popular this year, according to design professionals.
Workman expects to see the use of color increase, and "I don’t mean Christmas lights," she said. Landscapers are starting to incorporate subtle red, blue, and pink lights into their work, she said.
Color is particularly appropriate if you are planning a party, Rossbund added. It’s "a fun way to change things up," she said.
Some homeowners are adding a bright pop of color with light-up patio furniture, Robert said. The battery-powered chairs and tables are available in a variety of colors.
International designers like Modoluce and Neoz have created lines of plastic tables and chairs that are lit from within.
Avanzini has a line of wood furniture made with glowing light strips. It helps create a lounge look that Robert thinks will be popular this summer.
"With the rise of staycations, we will see a lot of designs adopting a real bar-type lounge attitude, with perhaps more extravagant and festive pieces," she said.
Moonlight USA sells decorative outdoor illuminated globes, which can glow white like the moon or cast light in a rainbow of colors. The company also makes a tabletop for the globes. The clear acrylic disc has a cut-out center that allows it to rest on top of the globe so it can function as a table.
"The color is very robust," said owner Anke Kondek. "It’s a wow effect."
Homeowners wanting to light a more natural setting may go for a softer, more layered look, said Beth Webb, an interior designer in Atlanta. She favors the custom copper-and-wood pieces made by The Outdoor Lights in Cumming, Ga.
Company president Chris Wakefield has created lights that cast a warm glow around fire pits, dining areas, or outdoor living rooms. Some of his more popular items include punctured copper cylinders that create a firefly effect, stamped copper lanterns, and illuminated, artificial birdhouses. The lanterns can hang from a shepherd’s hook or a tree branch.
Before buying lights for reading, lounging, or dining, the professionals recommend making sure that pathways and steps are properly lit for safety.
"You want light to help you navigate spaces near or around steps," said Jeff Dross, director of education and industry trends for Kichler Lighting.
He and the other experts warned against making outdoor spaces too bright. They suggest using subtle light that is aimed towards the ground wherever possible.
"For most tasks you only need low light," Dross said. "Avoid that glare. Glare forces you to think you need more light than you do."
Most indoor lighting fixtures -- chandeliers, pendant lights, table lamps -- now have a counterpart designed for patios or decks.
"We have seen outdoor lights absolutely replicating indoor designs," said Anne Robert of The Outdoor Stylist, a website that focuses on home trends.
"Outdoor lighting is a mood setter. It can make or break a design just like it can indoors."
The abundance of products lets you make outdoor spaces more functional, said Rich Young of Outdoor Living Brands in Richmond, Va. "It allows families to extend the square footage of their home," he said. "With the right light, you can extend the evening for dining or reading or other activities outdoors."
When choosing fixtures for outdoor entertaining areas, consider how much light is necessary, said Alene Workman, a spokeswoman for the American Society of Interior Designers. A table needs to have sufficient light so diners can eat, whereas a conversation area may need only soft mood lighting.
Be creative with table lighting, recommends Krissa Rossbund, a senior style editor at Traditional Home Magazine.
"Gone are the days when people hang a chandelier over a table and call it lit," she said.
She suggests hanging two small chandeliers instead of one large one, or buying a chandelier at a flea market and painting it a bright color.
Outdoor chandeliers come in a variety of styles, from mission to modern. Manufacturers also offer many candle chandeliers for outdoor areas that don’t have electricity.
For seating areas, choose a weighted outdoor floor lamp, said Workman, who owns an interior design firm in Hollywood, Fla. "There are wonderful new outdoor lights that are almost art pieces themselves," she said.
Colored lights, illuminated furniture, and subtle fixtures designed to blend with nature will be popular this year, according to design professionals.
Workman expects to see the use of color increase, and "I don’t mean Christmas lights," she said. Landscapers are starting to incorporate subtle red, blue, and pink lights into their work, she said.
Color is particularly appropriate if you are planning a party, Rossbund added. It’s "a fun way to change things up," she said.
Some homeowners are adding a bright pop of color with light-up patio furniture, Robert said. The battery-powered chairs and tables are available in a variety of colors.
International designers like Modoluce and Neoz have created lines of plastic tables and chairs that are lit from within.
Avanzini has a line of wood furniture made with glowing light strips. It helps create a lounge look that Robert thinks will be popular this summer.
"With the rise of staycations, we will see a lot of designs adopting a real bar-type lounge attitude, with perhaps more extravagant and festive pieces," she said.
Moonlight USA sells decorative outdoor illuminated globes, which can glow white like the moon or cast light in a rainbow of colors. The company also makes a tabletop for the globes. The clear acrylic disc has a cut-out center that allows it to rest on top of the globe so it can function as a table.
"The color is very robust," said owner Anke Kondek. "It’s a wow effect."
Homeowners wanting to light a more natural setting may go for a softer, more layered look, said Beth Webb, an interior designer in Atlanta. She favors the custom copper-and-wood pieces made by The Outdoor Lights in Cumming, Ga.
Company president Chris Wakefield has created lights that cast a warm glow around fire pits, dining areas, or outdoor living rooms. Some of his more popular items include punctured copper cylinders that create a firefly effect, stamped copper lanterns, and illuminated, artificial birdhouses. The lanterns can hang from a shepherd’s hook or a tree branch.
Before buying lights for reading, lounging, or dining, the professionals recommend making sure that pathways and steps are properly lit for safety.
"You want light to help you navigate spaces near or around steps," said Jeff Dross, director of education and industry trends for Kichler Lighting.
He and the other experts warned against making outdoor spaces too bright. They suggest using subtle light that is aimed towards the ground wherever possible.
"For most tasks you only need low light," Dross said. "Avoid that glare. Glare forces you to think you need more light than you do."
2011年4月18日星期一
OPINION: LINDA GITTLEMAN: Lamp is a bit of Venice in St. Louis
It is, after all is said and done, just a lamp.
A genie won’t pop out, granting you three wishes if you should rub it.
It also didn’t sit in the boudoir of Marie Antoinette or Madame Pompadour.
But it’s a safe bet to say that few lamps with a design known as “Ca’Rezzonico” have been seen around here.
It now sits in the window of the Bustle and Grind antiques store on North Mill Street in St. Louis. Price is $2,200.
The two-tiered candelabra type table lamp came from the Seguso family glass works on the island of Murano in Venice.
Art Smith and his wife Carra Jones Smith, both now deceased, picked up the lamp in Italy in the 1970s.
It’s given that name because “it is based on a highly naturalistic design of a chandelier created by the renowned glassmaker Guiseppi Briati in the 1700s for the palace of a wealthy noble family of Venice with the name Rezzonico,” said Diana Hulme, who used to work at Sotheby’s and now, with her husband and family makes her home in Alma.
Hulme said the family palace still stands in Venice.
A genie won’t pop out, granting you three wishes if you should rub it.
It also didn’t sit in the boudoir of Marie Antoinette or Madame Pompadour.
But it’s a safe bet to say that few lamps with a design known as “Ca’Rezzonico” have been seen around here.
It now sits in the window of the Bustle and Grind antiques store on North Mill Street in St. Louis. Price is $2,200.
The two-tiered candelabra type table lamp came from the Seguso family glass works on the island of Murano in Venice.
Art Smith and his wife Carra Jones Smith, both now deceased, picked up the lamp in Italy in the 1970s.
It’s given that name because “it is based on a highly naturalistic design of a chandelier created by the renowned glassmaker Guiseppi Briati in the 1700s for the palace of a wealthy noble family of Venice with the name Rezzonico,” said Diana Hulme, who used to work at Sotheby’s and now, with her husband and family makes her home in Alma.
Hulme said the family palace still stands in Venice.
Big Values for Antiques Featuring Bugs
Since ancient times, bugs have had their rightful place in art and decorative objects. For instance, in ancient Egypt, bugs were revered in culture and religion. The Egyptians believed that a divine scarab beetle actually pushed the rising sun above the horizon every morning at sunrise. The scarab was responsible for the daily sunrise and thus associated with the process of regeneration, too. With its close association to the sun’s powers, scarabs were used as protective amulets and worn as jewelry. In addition, inscriptions were engraved onto the undersides of the scarab beetles and used as seals.
Ancient Scarabs
Scarabs appear as carvings on furniture, subjects of paintings, details on lamps and in jewelry designs. Of course, possibly the most famous scarab jewelry was fashioned by Cartier and worn by Elizabeth Taylor, who played the young Egyptian queen Cleopatra in the 1963 film of the same name. A Cartier scarab brooch, circa 1924, made of gold, platinum, blue Egyptian faience (used in Egyptian jewelry beginning about 5,500 years ago), round cut diamonds, emerald cabochons, smoky quartz, and black enamel was featured in the exhibit “Cartier and America” and valued in the high six figure range. In 2009, a Cartier scarab belt buckle with a cobalt blue scarab with turquoise faience wings studded with cabochon sapphires and diamonds set in platinum, measuring 5 inches long, sold for an astonishing $302,500.
Creepy Crawly
Fine artists, artisans, and designers throughout the history of art and antiques did not overlook creatures of the insect world in their compositions and constructions. For instance, insects were the subject for such pieces of art and antiques as Italian side tables, French sculpture and Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass lamps. For example, a Tiffany Studios dragonfly table lamp with matching base circa 1905 sold recently for $266,500. Some of the most commonly seen insects are bees, butterflies and dragonflies. Bees, butterflies, and dragonflies all refer to immortality, rebirth and the power of the supernatural. In the 19th and 20th centuries, they were common elements in the objects of the art world.
Many costume and fine art jewelry designers worked with the form of the spider in their designs. A pair of earrings in the shape of a spider, crafted in18-karat yellow gold with a coral body and emerald melee eyes, sold for nearly $500. Also, the pottery firm of Van Briggle attracted collectors with a 5-inch tall apple green spider vase from 1902. The firm’s antique spider vase cost $2,200. Personally, I’d still select one of Van Briggle’s other designs that do not feature spiders.
When it comes to art and antique design, forget about the can of Raid, as bugs of all types are in style and in high demand.
Ancient Scarabs
Scarabs appear as carvings on furniture, subjects of paintings, details on lamps and in jewelry designs. Of course, possibly the most famous scarab jewelry was fashioned by Cartier and worn by Elizabeth Taylor, who played the young Egyptian queen Cleopatra in the 1963 film of the same name. A Cartier scarab brooch, circa 1924, made of gold, platinum, blue Egyptian faience (used in Egyptian jewelry beginning about 5,500 years ago), round cut diamonds, emerald cabochons, smoky quartz, and black enamel was featured in the exhibit “Cartier and America” and valued in the high six figure range. In 2009, a Cartier scarab belt buckle with a cobalt blue scarab with turquoise faience wings studded with cabochon sapphires and diamonds set in platinum, measuring 5 inches long, sold for an astonishing $302,500.
Creepy Crawly
Fine artists, artisans, and designers throughout the history of art and antiques did not overlook creatures of the insect world in their compositions and constructions. For instance, insects were the subject for such pieces of art and antiques as Italian side tables, French sculpture and Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass lamps. For example, a Tiffany Studios dragonfly table lamp with matching base circa 1905 sold recently for $266,500. Some of the most commonly seen insects are bees, butterflies and dragonflies. Bees, butterflies, and dragonflies all refer to immortality, rebirth and the power of the supernatural. In the 19th and 20th centuries, they were common elements in the objects of the art world.
Many costume and fine art jewelry designers worked with the form of the spider in their designs. A pair of earrings in the shape of a spider, crafted in18-karat yellow gold with a coral body and emerald melee eyes, sold for nearly $500. Also, the pottery firm of Van Briggle attracted collectors with a 5-inch tall apple green spider vase from 1902. The firm’s antique spider vase cost $2,200. Personally, I’d still select one of Van Briggle’s other designs that do not feature spiders.
When it comes to art and antique design, forget about the can of Raid, as bugs of all types are in style and in high demand.
2011年4月15日星期五
Indicted capitalist Carlow crushed businesses, spirits
A day after he and his housemate were indicted on federal tax evasion charges, Michael P. Carlow was at his sparse office in a closed Neville Island cement plant.
In the past 20 years, Carlow has gone from the heights of the Frick Building, Downtown, to a federal prison in Morgantown, W.Va., to the drab office near Neville Island's southeastern tip.
Along the way, he went from being called a savior of several struggling companies to the man responsible for their corpses, including the D.L. Clark Co. of Clark Bar fame, Pittsburgh Brewing and its Iron City Beer, and City Pride Bakery -- viewed as the model for a rebirth of manufacturing in Pittsburgh.
On Wednesday, a federal grand jury indicted Carlow, 60, of Upper St. Clair and his housemate, Elizabeth G. Jones, 50, on charges of tax evasion and conspiracy. The nine-count indictment claims the pair used a series of companies to hide Carlow's assets to prevent the Internal Revenue Service from seizing his money and properties to satisfy the $6.4 million he still owes in unpaid taxes, penalties and interest from his 1990s business dealings.
The news elated some and dredged up bitter memories for others.
Chuck Geiger, 67, of Brighton Heights is still angry about Carlow's role in the demise of City Pride, an employee-owned Lawrenceville business that grew out of the closure of 100-year-old Braun bakery.
Geiger and 43 other former Braun employees had pooled their money and their sweat to line up public and private investors, get letters of intent from Giant Eagle, Shop 'n Save and other potential customers, and build the bakery from the ground up. Investors included the state, which kicked in about $1.1 million, and a group of nuns, he said.
"We spent a couple of years working around the clock to build it up," he said.
Then, almost overnight, Carlow gained control of the company in 1993, Geiger said. Eleven months later, Carlow shut it down.
"He ruined everything," Geiger said.
Carlow spent six years in prison after he pleaded guilty in May 1996 to eight charges, including bank fraud, tax evasion, wire fraud and embezzling from an employee benefit fund. The charges came out of a $31 million check-kiting scheme Carlow used to fuel his purchases.
Sitting in a paper-strewn office powered by a portable generator, Carlow on Thursday declined to talk on the record. Wearing a long-sleeved Ralph Lauren polo shirt, bluejeans and running shoes, he politely fended off questions while sitting at a worn meeting table.
The office lies a couple of hundred yards from a padlocked double gate watched by a security guard. The guard and Carlow were the only two people in evidence at the plant that GMI Land Co. bought from Kosmos Cement Co. in June 2007.
Several of Carlow's more recent business ventures, allegedly orchestrated through Jones, have suffered similar fates.
In 2008, Platinum Funding Group of New York funneled $25 million to Jones for the purchase of Cumberland Valley Fabricators, a metal shop in Maryland, and Waddell Construction, a Northern Virginia contractor -- two firms that annually combined for more than $20 million in revenues, records show.
Both companies soon plummeted into insolvency. Platinum founder Eyal Levy was elated yesterday when he learned from a Trib reporter that Carlow and Jones had been charged.
"That's fantastic!" said Levy. "They stole from us. It is about time."
Levy estimated that Platinum lost more than $1 million in the deal the venture capital firm made with Jones that was brokered through Carlow.
Richard Waddell, founder of Waddell Construction, said Carlow snookered him, too.
"I really don't want to talk about it," he said. "But everyone needs to understand that he took me for $1.5 million."
Downtown attorney Richard J. Parks said Florida-based Utica Leasco, an equipment rental company, is in for nearly $3 million with Jones for the former Neville Island cement plant, and his clients have not been paid anything by Jones in 30 months. The company wants either its money back or the property to be sold in a sheriff's sale.
"We've been trying to get a solution for 2 1/2 years for this, and Carlow is still there," said Parks. "That's how slowly the system works."
Hearing that Carlow was selling parts of the plant for scrap, Utica Leasco sent a crew to inspect the 11-acre site. The crew discovered that much of the salvage had indeed been trucked away, Parks said.
A court order allows Neville Island Supply, another Carlow company, to grind slag aggregate to make cement, but the stainless steel flails inside the drum that do the grinding were sold for scrap and so was the copper wiring needed to power the equipment, according to Parks.
Carlow first came to Pittsburgh's attention in 1991 when he bought the D.L. Clark Co. and seemingly rescued its trademark Clark Bar from extinction. The next year, he bought Pittsburgh Brewing, which made Iron City Beer. His stated intent was to turn the floundering companies around, and civic leaders hailed him as a savior of the hometown brands.
At the same time, Geiger and his colleagues had City Pride bakery up and running. While the company was not perfect, Geiger doesn't believe its financial condition was as bad as press stories at the time made it sound. He doesn't know directly because he was in charge of shipping and receiving rather than finances, but he knows they were busy and their customers were happy.
Their efforts attracted national attention, and Geiger ended up traveling to Chicago and New York to talk with other bakery employees trying to save their companies, and he was interviewed by ABC News anchor Peter Jennings.
"As far as I'm concerned, we were doing pretty good," Geiger said.
When Carlow gained control of the company, he brought in his own people, and sales fell when the bakery started producing inferior bread, Geiger said. Carlow said at the time that the company had lost $4 million over the 11 months he owned it.
Read more: Indicted capitalist Carlow crushed businesses, spirits - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_732403.html#ixzz1JZFiWufM
In the past 20 years, Carlow has gone from the heights of the Frick Building, Downtown, to a federal prison in Morgantown, W.Va., to the drab office near Neville Island's southeastern tip.
Along the way, he went from being called a savior of several struggling companies to the man responsible for their corpses, including the D.L. Clark Co. of Clark Bar fame, Pittsburgh Brewing and its Iron City Beer, and City Pride Bakery -- viewed as the model for a rebirth of manufacturing in Pittsburgh.
On Wednesday, a federal grand jury indicted Carlow, 60, of Upper St. Clair and his housemate, Elizabeth G. Jones, 50, on charges of tax evasion and conspiracy. The nine-count indictment claims the pair used a series of companies to hide Carlow's assets to prevent the Internal Revenue Service from seizing his money and properties to satisfy the $6.4 million he still owes in unpaid taxes, penalties and interest from his 1990s business dealings.
The news elated some and dredged up bitter memories for others.
Chuck Geiger, 67, of Brighton Heights is still angry about Carlow's role in the demise of City Pride, an employee-owned Lawrenceville business that grew out of the closure of 100-year-old Braun bakery.
Geiger and 43 other former Braun employees had pooled their money and their sweat to line up public and private investors, get letters of intent from Giant Eagle, Shop 'n Save and other potential customers, and build the bakery from the ground up. Investors included the state, which kicked in about $1.1 million, and a group of nuns, he said.
"We spent a couple of years working around the clock to build it up," he said.
Then, almost overnight, Carlow gained control of the company in 1993, Geiger said. Eleven months later, Carlow shut it down.
"He ruined everything," Geiger said.
Carlow spent six years in prison after he pleaded guilty in May 1996 to eight charges, including bank fraud, tax evasion, wire fraud and embezzling from an employee benefit fund. The charges came out of a $31 million check-kiting scheme Carlow used to fuel his purchases.
Sitting in a paper-strewn office powered by a portable generator, Carlow on Thursday declined to talk on the record. Wearing a long-sleeved Ralph Lauren polo shirt, bluejeans and running shoes, he politely fended off questions while sitting at a worn meeting table.
The office lies a couple of hundred yards from a padlocked double gate watched by a security guard. The guard and Carlow were the only two people in evidence at the plant that GMI Land Co. bought from Kosmos Cement Co. in June 2007.
Several of Carlow's more recent business ventures, allegedly orchestrated through Jones, have suffered similar fates.
In 2008, Platinum Funding Group of New York funneled $25 million to Jones for the purchase of Cumberland Valley Fabricators, a metal shop in Maryland, and Waddell Construction, a Northern Virginia contractor -- two firms that annually combined for more than $20 million in revenues, records show.
Both companies soon plummeted into insolvency. Platinum founder Eyal Levy was elated yesterday when he learned from a Trib reporter that Carlow and Jones had been charged.
"That's fantastic!" said Levy. "They stole from us. It is about time."
Levy estimated that Platinum lost more than $1 million in the deal the venture capital firm made with Jones that was brokered through Carlow.
Richard Waddell, founder of Waddell Construction, said Carlow snookered him, too.
"I really don't want to talk about it," he said. "But everyone needs to understand that he took me for $1.5 million."
Downtown attorney Richard J. Parks said Florida-based Utica Leasco, an equipment rental company, is in for nearly $3 million with Jones for the former Neville Island cement plant, and his clients have not been paid anything by Jones in 30 months. The company wants either its money back or the property to be sold in a sheriff's sale.
"We've been trying to get a solution for 2 1/2 years for this, and Carlow is still there," said Parks. "That's how slowly the system works."
Hearing that Carlow was selling parts of the plant for scrap, Utica Leasco sent a crew to inspect the 11-acre site. The crew discovered that much of the salvage had indeed been trucked away, Parks said.
A court order allows Neville Island Supply, another Carlow company, to grind slag aggregate to make cement, but the stainless steel flails inside the drum that do the grinding were sold for scrap and so was the copper wiring needed to power the equipment, according to Parks.
Carlow first came to Pittsburgh's attention in 1991 when he bought the D.L. Clark Co. and seemingly rescued its trademark Clark Bar from extinction. The next year, he bought Pittsburgh Brewing, which made Iron City Beer. His stated intent was to turn the floundering companies around, and civic leaders hailed him as a savior of the hometown brands.
At the same time, Geiger and his colleagues had City Pride bakery up and running. While the company was not perfect, Geiger doesn't believe its financial condition was as bad as press stories at the time made it sound. He doesn't know directly because he was in charge of shipping and receiving rather than finances, but he knows they were busy and their customers were happy.
Their efforts attracted national attention, and Geiger ended up traveling to Chicago and New York to talk with other bakery employees trying to save their companies, and he was interviewed by ABC News anchor Peter Jennings.
"As far as I'm concerned, we were doing pretty good," Geiger said.
When Carlow gained control of the company, he brought in his own people, and sales fell when the bakery started producing inferior bread, Geiger said. Carlow said at the time that the company had lost $4 million over the 11 months he owned it.
Read more: Indicted capitalist Carlow crushed businesses, spirits - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_732403.html#ixzz1JZFiWufM
500 Bright Easter Eggs Up for Grabs
There is nothing quite like 500 brightly colored Easter Eggs, 50 of them containing prizes other than chocolate, to take the edge off the stress surrounding finals and the end of the semester.
Residence Life will be hosting the Owen "Eggs"treme Hunt Monday, April 18 through Friday, April 22, or until the last egg is found. The hunt is open to all NGCSU on-campus residents
Eggs will be hidden throughout Owen Hall and scattered all around the outside of the building.
With a FREE iPod Touch as the grand prize, participants should consider a few strategies to ensure success:
Good running shoes are a must. It will be necessary to outrun competitors and sprint to the next egg.
A large, sturdy basket for hoarding eggs is another must. Make sure there are absolutely no holes. It would be beyond disappointing for the prize egg to fall through a massive hole.
For all of the vertically challenged people out there, a small portable step ladder so you can reach any and all eggs above your head.
A Wiffle bat for protection from greedy, dangerous hunters. These light, plastic bats can be quite useful to protect your prized eggs against one and all.
Happy hunting to everyone who plans to participate.
Residence Life will be hosting the Owen "Eggs"treme Hunt Monday, April 18 through Friday, April 22, or until the last egg is found. The hunt is open to all NGCSU on-campus residents
Eggs will be hidden throughout Owen Hall and scattered all around the outside of the building.
With a FREE iPod Touch as the grand prize, participants should consider a few strategies to ensure success:
Good running shoes are a must. It will be necessary to outrun competitors and sprint to the next egg.
A large, sturdy basket for hoarding eggs is another must. Make sure there are absolutely no holes. It would be beyond disappointing for the prize egg to fall through a massive hole.
For all of the vertically challenged people out there, a small portable step ladder so you can reach any and all eggs above your head.
A Wiffle bat for protection from greedy, dangerous hunters. These light, plastic bats can be quite useful to protect your prized eggs against one and all.
Happy hunting to everyone who plans to participate.
2011年4月13日星期三
Downsizing mission
It took a year of looking, planning, simplifying and consulting a design expert, but life is prime living in smaller quarters for the Spillings
Karen and Rob Spilling did everything right when it came to downsizing and now they are smiling with a high view over the city.
For 25 happy years, they lived in a 3,000-square-foot home in the Hunt Club area. Then with retirement a reality, they started to explore the idea of moving to a smaller place.
Before their home had been put up for sale, a friend who was a real estate agent phoned to say she had some eager clients. A viewing led to a sale and suddenly the Spillings had to act.
Their transition — from a four-bedroom, two-storey detached suburban home with a backyard pool to a compact two-bedroom highrise condo — is a textbook case of how to successfully downsize. And it's an example for the thousands of homeowners who, as the population ages, can be expected to follow their lead in the coming years.
Over coffee in their new home, an 1,800-square-foot condo they decorated with the help of Ottawa designer Sheila Evans, the couple explains how they did it.
First, they kept a level head.
Though shocked to sell their home so quickly, the couple insisted on being given a full year before the deal closed. They used the time to find a new place to live and prepare for the move.
After considering various options, including adult bungalows, they settled on a highrise condo close to their old neighbourhood. This offered several advantages, not the least of which was being able to keep socializing with old neighbours. And because the condo was still being built, they were able to customize finishes and do things like wire it for sound — something husband Rob is particularly pleased with.
But the condo was still quite a bit smaller than their old home. So the next step was to get rid of as much of their stuff as they could.
"I spent every minute I had de-cluttering," says Karen, adding that the process took a full six months. Just going through boxes of old photos and slides took her a month.
"I enjoyed every minute of it because I was already in a de-cluttering state of mind, and now I could really let loose," she says.
Not everyone is as enthusiastic. Evans says some people find decluttering overwhelming because they feel they are throwing out memories. So they end up moving way too many things to their new home.
"This is the worst mistake you can make because you end up buried," she says.
Karen, however, was merciless. They originally thought they might rent storage space for items they weren't sure about, but in the end, they found they didn't have to.
They threw very little into the garbage; instead they found new homes for as many things as they could, and things that weren't taken by friends and family were donated to charity.
The next step — one that often must be done in tandem with the decluttering — is to measure the new space to see what furniture will fit. The furniture must not only fit in the room, it must also — if the building is a highrise — fit in the elevator.
"If you have an idea of where you are going, it helps you focus on what you need and what you don't," notes Evans.
"We realized we were going to have to get new furniture because a lot wasn't going to fit," adds Karen.
This is when they called in Evans, who measured, drew up plans and helped them plan. "We needed somebody to reassure us," says Karen.
Evans says she tries to find out what downsizers are passionate about, and why. She will try to build a design scheme around their passion. "I have an expression: In downsizing, the end result is upsizing your own living. I feel my job is to help people focus on this ultimate goal."
The Spillings kept a lot of artwork, and a very unique dining room table — a rectangular piece of glass on a mermaid pedestal.
The table now occupies a place of pride in their dining room. What's more, the mermaid, with her curved shapes, provides inspiration for many elements, from the swirling, curved designs in the rugs to the curly shapes of the table lamps in the living room.
"I was in reality designing for Karen, Rob and the mermaid," jokes Evans.
It can be hard to leave things behind, adds Evans, particularly when people are moving from a home in which they brought up a family.
But you can get creative.
She recalls one client who was reluctant to part with the door frame on which the couple's children's heights had been notched.
So the husband took the notched section of the door frame, replaced it with a new un-notched one, and the couple took the memory with them to their new home
Particularly if downsizing coincides with retirement, you also need to plan for a changed way of life.
"Life moves on, and you change and your styles change," says Evans
The Spillings, for example, used to have a house with a garden and a yard. Now their only outside space is a balcony
Being retired, they travel a lot, so there was trade-off: No yard? Yes, but also no yard work in summer or snow shovelling in winter. That means they can turn the key on their condo and leave on a trip at a moment's notice.
And to compensate for the loss of flowers and greenery, many elements of decor — fabrics and artwork, for example — have floral themes.
Because the space was smaller, Rob decided it couldn't be ho-hum. "I wanted to walk in the door every day and go, 'Wow,' " he says.
The couple decided that Karen would have the bigger say on the dining room/living area, while Rob would be responsible for the den — "my man-cave."
Downsizing ends up being all about compromises and trade- offs. To compensate for the loss of her garden, Karen opted for fabrics and artwork with floral motifs in her part of the house
Rob chose a jungle theme for the den, and Evans made sure the two themes — floral and jungle — worked together.
"We spent a lot of time planning every square inch," says Karen, adding that they are thrilled to have done so because they ended up with a space they like. And a new, simplified lifestyle to boot.
Karen and Rob Spilling did everything right when it came to downsizing and now they are smiling with a high view over the city.
For 25 happy years, they lived in a 3,000-square-foot home in the Hunt Club area. Then with retirement a reality, they started to explore the idea of moving to a smaller place.
Before their home had been put up for sale, a friend who was a real estate agent phoned to say she had some eager clients. A viewing led to a sale and suddenly the Spillings had to act.
Their transition — from a four-bedroom, two-storey detached suburban home with a backyard pool to a compact two-bedroom highrise condo — is a textbook case of how to successfully downsize. And it's an example for the thousands of homeowners who, as the population ages, can be expected to follow their lead in the coming years.
Over coffee in their new home, an 1,800-square-foot condo they decorated with the help of Ottawa designer Sheila Evans, the couple explains how they did it.
First, they kept a level head.
Though shocked to sell their home so quickly, the couple insisted on being given a full year before the deal closed. They used the time to find a new place to live and prepare for the move.
After considering various options, including adult bungalows, they settled on a highrise condo close to their old neighbourhood. This offered several advantages, not the least of which was being able to keep socializing with old neighbours. And because the condo was still being built, they were able to customize finishes and do things like wire it for sound — something husband Rob is particularly pleased with.
But the condo was still quite a bit smaller than their old home. So the next step was to get rid of as much of their stuff as they could.
"I spent every minute I had de-cluttering," says Karen, adding that the process took a full six months. Just going through boxes of old photos and slides took her a month.
"I enjoyed every minute of it because I was already in a de-cluttering state of mind, and now I could really let loose," she says.
Not everyone is as enthusiastic. Evans says some people find decluttering overwhelming because they feel they are throwing out memories. So they end up moving way too many things to their new home.
"This is the worst mistake you can make because you end up buried," she says.
Karen, however, was merciless. They originally thought they might rent storage space for items they weren't sure about, but in the end, they found they didn't have to.
They threw very little into the garbage; instead they found new homes for as many things as they could, and things that weren't taken by friends and family were donated to charity.
The next step — one that often must be done in tandem with the decluttering — is to measure the new space to see what furniture will fit. The furniture must not only fit in the room, it must also — if the building is a highrise — fit in the elevator.
"If you have an idea of where you are going, it helps you focus on what you need and what you don't," notes Evans.
"We realized we were going to have to get new furniture because a lot wasn't going to fit," adds Karen.
This is when they called in Evans, who measured, drew up plans and helped them plan. "We needed somebody to reassure us," says Karen.
Evans says she tries to find out what downsizers are passionate about, and why. She will try to build a design scheme around their passion. "I have an expression: In downsizing, the end result is upsizing your own living. I feel my job is to help people focus on this ultimate goal."
The Spillings kept a lot of artwork, and a very unique dining room table — a rectangular piece of glass on a mermaid pedestal.
The table now occupies a place of pride in their dining room. What's more, the mermaid, with her curved shapes, provides inspiration for many elements, from the swirling, curved designs in the rugs to the curly shapes of the table lamps in the living room.
"I was in reality designing for Karen, Rob and the mermaid," jokes Evans.
It can be hard to leave things behind, adds Evans, particularly when people are moving from a home in which they brought up a family.
But you can get creative.
She recalls one client who was reluctant to part with the door frame on which the couple's children's heights had been notched.
So the husband took the notched section of the door frame, replaced it with a new un-notched one, and the couple took the memory with them to their new home
Particularly if downsizing coincides with retirement, you also need to plan for a changed way of life.
"Life moves on, and you change and your styles change," says Evans
The Spillings, for example, used to have a house with a garden and a yard. Now their only outside space is a balcony
Being retired, they travel a lot, so there was trade-off: No yard? Yes, but also no yard work in summer or snow shovelling in winter. That means they can turn the key on their condo and leave on a trip at a moment's notice.
And to compensate for the loss of flowers and greenery, many elements of decor — fabrics and artwork, for example — have floral themes.
Because the space was smaller, Rob decided it couldn't be ho-hum. "I wanted to walk in the door every day and go, 'Wow,' " he says.
The couple decided that Karen would have the bigger say on the dining room/living area, while Rob would be responsible for the den — "my man-cave."
Downsizing ends up being all about compromises and trade- offs. To compensate for the loss of her garden, Karen opted for fabrics and artwork with floral motifs in her part of the house
Rob chose a jungle theme for the den, and Evans made sure the two themes — floral and jungle — worked together.
"We spent a lot of time planning every square inch," says Karen, adding that they are thrilled to have done so because they ended up with a space they like. And a new, simplified lifestyle to boot.
2011年4月11日星期一
Casual Atmosphere, Good Sushi
With their slick décor and stark color schemes, most sushi places in Temecula make great places to take a date. But Gin Japanese Cuisine’s laid-back atmosphere makes it better for lunch with a friend or a meeting with colleagues.
The restaurant sits on Ynez Road south of Winchester Road across the street from the mall. Eleven tables fill the dining room with 11 seats at the bar, though it had no outside seating. It also lacked background music, and the sound of the evening news from the two televisions over the bar did little to set a nice mood.
Luckily, the décor is nice. The windows around the room next to the booths had wooden shutters and paper lamps hung over each table. Some of the windows were covered in Japanese-style paper walls, which was a nice touch.
Otherwise, the restaurant has more of a contemporary American feel, with light colors and modern art on the walls.
The prices are pretty standard and the all-you-can-eat menu is a little fancier than most places, serving up such dishes as my favorite, baked lobster rolls.
The food was excellent – well worth the $19 for the all-you-can-eat lunch. Though all-you-can-eat dinner is $25, the lunch prices are good all day from Monday to Thursday, making it a great deal for dinner. As with many sushi restaurants, the food was served less ornately than they may have for a la carte items, though.
The owner served me, and she was sweet. This must be the usual for her because I overheard her chatting with the family at the next table, asking about how various family members are doing.
For a mellow neighborhood-diner atmosphere with excellent sushi, Gin Japanese Cuisine is a great choice.
The restaurant sits on Ynez Road south of Winchester Road across the street from the mall. Eleven tables fill the dining room with 11 seats at the bar, though it had no outside seating. It also lacked background music, and the sound of the evening news from the two televisions over the bar did little to set a nice mood.
Luckily, the décor is nice. The windows around the room next to the booths had wooden shutters and paper lamps hung over each table. Some of the windows were covered in Japanese-style paper walls, which was a nice touch.
Otherwise, the restaurant has more of a contemporary American feel, with light colors and modern art on the walls.
The prices are pretty standard and the all-you-can-eat menu is a little fancier than most places, serving up such dishes as my favorite, baked lobster rolls.
The food was excellent – well worth the $19 for the all-you-can-eat lunch. Though all-you-can-eat dinner is $25, the lunch prices are good all day from Monday to Thursday, making it a great deal for dinner. As with many sushi restaurants, the food was served less ornately than they may have for a la carte items, though.
The owner served me, and she was sweet. This must be the usual for her because I overheard her chatting with the family at the next table, asking about how various family members are doing.
For a mellow neighborhood-diner atmosphere with excellent sushi, Gin Japanese Cuisine is a great choice.
| table lamps |
Big Style for Small Balconies
With spring upon us and summer mere months away, it’s time to rethink outdoor spaces, especially balconies, those under utilitized rooms suspended from high-rise apartment buildings all over Arlington.
Even if your balcony is barely big enough to wave to neighbors, you can create a stylish outdoor living area.
First determine the purpose and function of the room. Yes, that tiny space just beyond the sliding doors of your apartment is a room.
Are you a foodie? Transform your balcony into an elegant dining room with a pair of bistro chairs and table. The Alfresco collection from Crate and Barrel offers folding bistro table and chairs with several options for cushions. The Pottery Barn Potrero bistro chair was inspired by classic folding chairs found outside cafes in Paris. Charming, this chair easily folds away and Pottery Barn carries cushions in the spectacular Sunbrella, outdoor fabric that retains its color for years.
Need more lounge space? Consider creating an outdoor den. A small rectangular dining table can serve as a desk for your wireless laptop. You can use it as a dining space when not working. Lounge chairs with a colorful accent table, like the rustproof pedestal tables at Crate and Barrel, make a great space to read or relax. Pile on the pillows, and add an outdoor jute or sisal rug for texture.
Go big in your small space. Try an oversized love seat on a small balcony instead of two tiny chairs. Just make sure you leave three feet of space to maneuver. Get instant impact with a tall baker’s rack against one wall that runs from the floor to the ceiling. Fill the rack with various plants to give your balcony that English courtyard atmosphere.
Avoid the drug store plastic chairs. Spend a few extra bucks on wood-grain or wrought iron chairs at places like World Market, IKea or even Kmart. Or splurge on stylish and colorful chairs like the Surf chairs from Crate and Barrel that come in neon green, magenta and caliente red.
Remember to accessorize. Include lighting options such as candles, lanterns or lamps. And don’t forget art. Mount colorful tiles, wrought iron pieces or distressed outdoor clocks on a wall or wreath holder.
Be careful when purchasing pillows, tablecloths, cushions and other items with fabric. There is a difference between indoor/outdoor fabric, outdoor fabric or just normal fabric. If you purchase an indoor fabric or even some indoor/outdoor fabrics, mold and mildew may develop. True outdoor fabrics, such as those made by Sunbrella, have an extra weather-resistant membrane.
Finally, use the space. How sad it is to sit at Market Common in Clarendon and see all those balconies, most with two nondescript chairs with nobody in them. N
Even if your balcony is barely big enough to wave to neighbors, you can create a stylish outdoor living area.
First determine the purpose and function of the room. Yes, that tiny space just beyond the sliding doors of your apartment is a room.
Are you a foodie? Transform your balcony into an elegant dining room with a pair of bistro chairs and table. The Alfresco collection from Crate and Barrel offers folding bistro table and chairs with several options for cushions. The Pottery Barn Potrero bistro chair was inspired by classic folding chairs found outside cafes in Paris. Charming, this chair easily folds away and Pottery Barn carries cushions in the spectacular Sunbrella, outdoor fabric that retains its color for years.
Need more lounge space? Consider creating an outdoor den. A small rectangular dining table can serve as a desk for your wireless laptop. You can use it as a dining space when not working. Lounge chairs with a colorful accent table, like the rustproof pedestal tables at Crate and Barrel, make a great space to read or relax. Pile on the pillows, and add an outdoor jute or sisal rug for texture.
Go big in your small space. Try an oversized love seat on a small balcony instead of two tiny chairs. Just make sure you leave three feet of space to maneuver. Get instant impact with a tall baker’s rack against one wall that runs from the floor to the ceiling. Fill the rack with various plants to give your balcony that English courtyard atmosphere.
Avoid the drug store plastic chairs. Spend a few extra bucks on wood-grain or wrought iron chairs at places like World Market, IKea or even Kmart. Or splurge on stylish and colorful chairs like the Surf chairs from Crate and Barrel that come in neon green, magenta and caliente red.
Remember to accessorize. Include lighting options such as candles, lanterns or lamps. And don’t forget art. Mount colorful tiles, wrought iron pieces or distressed outdoor clocks on a wall or wreath holder.
Be careful when purchasing pillows, tablecloths, cushions and other items with fabric. There is a difference between indoor/outdoor fabric, outdoor fabric or just normal fabric. If you purchase an indoor fabric or even some indoor/outdoor fabrics, mold and mildew may develop. True outdoor fabrics, such as those made by Sunbrella, have an extra weather-resistant membrane.
Finally, use the space. How sad it is to sit at Market Common in Clarendon and see all those balconies, most with two nondescript chairs with nobody in them. N
2011年4月8日星期五
Antique Table Lamps- Free Interrelated Roadmap For Network Hu
If your major interest is info related to antique table lamps or any other like secure wireless network,online computer help, windows orinternational symposium on mobile ad hoc networking and computing, this essay can prove favourable.
A network is a set of linkages among a defined set of folks in which the personality of the linkages is cited. Therefore, a network may be built around job needs or how best to get things done. It could be structured by social interactions or how folk interact informally.
Whether training clients on new services, boosting consumer confidence, inflating sales outreach or personally connecting with their clients to meet their banking wishes - social networking is a crucial communication tool that financial establishments can exploit in a lot of their customer business interactions.
In the meantime -- I'm hoping you have been ready to get a full grasp of the main points related to antique table lamps or other related network security policy, exploit, international symposium on mobile ad hoc networking and computing, technical dictionary,and in the 1st half of this article. Whether you respond Yes or No, keep reading as there's a lot more to expose in this post which will excite you.
Networking is less about meeting new folk than having them remember you later. So how do get somebody to recollect you from the other 10 folk he met that same night? Try these three simple inquiries to make a lasting impression.
The scale of a network defines the amount of info that's shared in the network. Somebody has a much better chance to receive timely, relevant info in a big network than in a little one. The dimensions of the network is Nonetheless, not dependant simply on the amount of actors in the network, but the quantity of non-redundant actors.
We discovered that many people who were also hunting for information related to antique table lamps also searched online for related info like money network card, ethernet cable, and even revision history of list of network marketing companies,router.
Make sure you can see 2 lights on around the network wire. On the computer side follow the network wire into your network card which is usually on the back of your computer. The port seems like an oversized phone port.
A network is a set of linkages among a defined set of folks in which the personality of the linkages is cited. Therefore, a network may be built around job needs or how best to get things done. It could be structured by social interactions or how folk interact informally.
Whether training clients on new services, boosting consumer confidence, inflating sales outreach or personally connecting with their clients to meet their banking wishes - social networking is a crucial communication tool that financial establishments can exploit in a lot of their customer business interactions.
In the meantime -- I'm hoping you have been ready to get a full grasp of the main points related to antique table lamps or other related network security policy, exploit, international symposium on mobile ad hoc networking and computing, technical dictionary,and in the 1st half of this article. Whether you respond Yes or No, keep reading as there's a lot more to expose in this post which will excite you.
Networking is less about meeting new folk than having them remember you later. So how do get somebody to recollect you from the other 10 folk he met that same night? Try these three simple inquiries to make a lasting impression.
The scale of a network defines the amount of info that's shared in the network. Somebody has a much better chance to receive timely, relevant info in a big network than in a little one. The dimensions of the network is Nonetheless, not dependant simply on the amount of actors in the network, but the quantity of non-redundant actors.
We discovered that many people who were also hunting for information related to antique table lamps also searched online for related info like money network card, ethernet cable, and even revision history of list of network marketing companies,router.
Make sure you can see 2 lights on around the network wire. On the computer side follow the network wire into your network card which is usually on the back of your computer. The port seems like an oversized phone port.
Things to Consider When Buying Table Lamps
Depending on what you want table lamps for will determine the type of table lamps you actually buy. However there are a few things to consider before purchasing a product and it is not just whether it will fit your décor or look good with the rest of your furniture.
You will be buying a lamp for a specific reason, sometimes to be able to enjoy your book in bed and other times to see your pool table. When looking for your product you should always have that reason in mind so that you get the right style. It is no use in buying a lamp that looks good when you will not be able to see your book clearly enough with it.
The next thing that you need to consider is where you will be placing your lamp. Think about the size and shape of your table and buy something appropriate for that. If you’re buying something that is really more suited as a floor lamp then it will look ridiculous on your table. You also want room on your table to be able to put other things such as the remote controls for your television or your cell phone. Whatever you put on your bedside tables or side tables, make sure that your lamp base does not take up the entire area.
Of course, the style of the table lamps should come in there somewhere. After all, it should match the room and not stick out like a sore thumb. Consider all the different color and print options that are offered around the stores that you are searching. If your room is bright, then you want a lamp that will compliment it. Also look at the many different materials that are offered as brass or iron lamps could look very antique and may fit with other items or furniture around your room. However, you also want something that will match if you decide to change your home décor completely. Wooden or glass bases tend to match anything and could be a consideration while cream or brown shades tend to match most colors.
You will be buying a lamp for a specific reason, sometimes to be able to enjoy your book in bed and other times to see your pool table. When looking for your product you should always have that reason in mind so that you get the right style. It is no use in buying a lamp that looks good when you will not be able to see your book clearly enough with it.
The next thing that you need to consider is where you will be placing your lamp. Think about the size and shape of your table and buy something appropriate for that. If you’re buying something that is really more suited as a floor lamp then it will look ridiculous on your table. You also want room on your table to be able to put other things such as the remote controls for your television or your cell phone. Whatever you put on your bedside tables or side tables, make sure that your lamp base does not take up the entire area.
Of course, the style of the table lamps should come in there somewhere. After all, it should match the room and not stick out like a sore thumb. Consider all the different color and print options that are offered around the stores that you are searching. If your room is bright, then you want a lamp that will compliment it. Also look at the many different materials that are offered as brass or iron lamps could look very antique and may fit with other items or furniture around your room. However, you also want something that will match if you decide to change your home décor completely. Wooden or glass bases tend to match anything and could be a consideration while cream or brown shades tend to match most colors.
2011年4月5日星期二
The restaurant's seasonal menu -- seafood chowder, rib-eye steak, roast chicken, seared salmon -- is safe. The chef at Eve's at the Garden, William Clifford, probably aims to please a broad clientele. It's also Maine Restaurant Week, so a few of the items from the regular menu are bundled into a three-course, prix-fixe menu. Two of the four of us opt for this. It's a bargain at $30 ($38 with two wine pairings).
A grilled quail ($13 appetizer), an exception on the conventional menu, arrives butterflied, whole figs and greens to the side. I love this delicate dish, the oregano-flecked and honeyed skin golden and crispy, the dark meat moist, with more character than chicken. Using fingers with the tiny bones and looking around at the furnishings, I momentarily imagine myself in a Jane Austen novel.
Our two soups are enjoyable, the oven-roasted French onion ($7) dark and flavor-rich and full of onion strands of good texture (not too soft). Seafood chowder ($8) seasoned with Old Bay has plenty of Maine shrimp, as well as small chunks of scallops and haddock. The accompanying focaccia, airy and anemic, needs to be swapped for something better. With all the wonderful bakers in Portland, this is an easy fix.
All this time, two servers attend to our needs but don't hover. Dishes arrive in a timely manner, with linens and trays adding a touch of ceremony.
Our entrees need a little more attention. The 10-ounce grilled rib-eye that comes with the Restaurant Week dinner (it's $27 for the 12-ounce on the regular menu) lacks the grilled crust from a good searing, even though the interior is flavorful and the requested medium-rare. Its side of garlic-seared kale is strongly seasoned and delicious, and the smoky onion steak sauce makes a nice dip.
The roasted vegetable pot pie, the only vegetarian choice on the night's menu, comes in a bowl topped with two biscuits. The "creamy gravy" dominates the small-cut vegetables as if the dish were a thick soup. Disappointing.
One of my companions enjoys his pan-roasted swordfish steak ($24), cooked perfectly and simply seasoned. It's placed over creamed spinach, and as such, the ensemble looks plainer than it tastes. A dash of a third color would help the plate.
It's hard to quarrel with the ingredients of the rustic lobster ravioli, which was the 2010 Lobster Council Chef of the Year entry and finalist ($26). In this involved entree, large chunks of lobster enrobed in a sweet butternut squash puree are sandwiched between two pasta sheets, which are themselves topped with bacon, sage, walnuts and brown butter.
This dish received praise in the contest, but for me, the briny lobster and sweet/savory squash compete with each other rather than complement. The smoky and nutty flavors of the toppings don't mingle with the filling, and a watery orange liquid surrounds the bowl -- it must have separated from the squash.
Once our table is cleared, our waiter immediately brings apple tarts, ordered at dinner's start with the prix-fixe menu, to two of the four in our party, leaving the others wondering if they've been disinvited to the dessert course. One of us has to chime in to ask about other dessert options and request coffee. It's an unfortunate communication glitch, but the only service misstep.
We fully enjoy the dessert course once it's under way. Coffee arrives strong and fresh-brewed. A flourless dark chocolate torte ($7) with a light chocolate whipped topping is dense, cacao-rich and delicious. That tart is unusual -- flaky crust surrounding a whole baked apple -- and has a nice, pronounced apple flavor.
As we depart, we notice an exquisite orchid arrangement near the restaurant entrance. Every detail of interior design -- lighting, furnishings, accents -- makes for a peaceful and attractive, if conservative, milieu. It is easy to converse and linger in these cushioned surroundings.
The valet returns our car, asks about our meal and opens all four doors for us. We feel like VIPs. If only the entrees elevated to match the atmosphere at Eve's, the restaurant would be a contender with the best of Portland. Right now, it's got some catching up to do.
Nancy Heiser is a freelance writer and editor who lives near Portland. Her work has appeared in national and regional publications.
A grilled quail ($13 appetizer), an exception on the conventional menu, arrives butterflied, whole figs and greens to the side. I love this delicate dish, the oregano-flecked and honeyed skin golden and crispy, the dark meat moist, with more character than chicken. Using fingers with the tiny bones and looking around at the furnishings, I momentarily imagine myself in a Jane Austen novel.
Our two soups are enjoyable, the oven-roasted French onion ($7) dark and flavor-rich and full of onion strands of good texture (not too soft). Seafood chowder ($8) seasoned with Old Bay has plenty of Maine shrimp, as well as small chunks of scallops and haddock. The accompanying focaccia, airy and anemic, needs to be swapped for something better. With all the wonderful bakers in Portland, this is an easy fix.
All this time, two servers attend to our needs but don't hover. Dishes arrive in a timely manner, with linens and trays adding a touch of ceremony.
Our entrees need a little more attention. The 10-ounce grilled rib-eye that comes with the Restaurant Week dinner (it's $27 for the 12-ounce on the regular menu) lacks the grilled crust from a good searing, even though the interior is flavorful and the requested medium-rare. Its side of garlic-seared kale is strongly seasoned and delicious, and the smoky onion steak sauce makes a nice dip.
The roasted vegetable pot pie, the only vegetarian choice on the night's menu, comes in a bowl topped with two biscuits. The "creamy gravy" dominates the small-cut vegetables as if the dish were a thick soup. Disappointing.
One of my companions enjoys his pan-roasted swordfish steak ($24), cooked perfectly and simply seasoned. It's placed over creamed spinach, and as such, the ensemble looks plainer than it tastes. A dash of a third color would help the plate.
It's hard to quarrel with the ingredients of the rustic lobster ravioli, which was the 2010 Lobster Council Chef of the Year entry and finalist ($26). In this involved entree, large chunks of lobster enrobed in a sweet butternut squash puree are sandwiched between two pasta sheets, which are themselves topped with bacon, sage, walnuts and brown butter.
This dish received praise in the contest, but for me, the briny lobster and sweet/savory squash compete with each other rather than complement. The smoky and nutty flavors of the toppings don't mingle with the filling, and a watery orange liquid surrounds the bowl -- it must have separated from the squash.
Once our table is cleared, our waiter immediately brings apple tarts, ordered at dinner's start with the prix-fixe menu, to two of the four in our party, leaving the others wondering if they've been disinvited to the dessert course. One of us has to chime in to ask about other dessert options and request coffee. It's an unfortunate communication glitch, but the only service misstep.
We fully enjoy the dessert course once it's under way. Coffee arrives strong and fresh-brewed. A flourless dark chocolate torte ($7) with a light chocolate whipped topping is dense, cacao-rich and delicious. That tart is unusual -- flaky crust surrounding a whole baked apple -- and has a nice, pronounced apple flavor.
As we depart, we notice an exquisite orchid arrangement near the restaurant entrance. Every detail of interior design -- lighting, furnishings, accents -- makes for a peaceful and attractive, if conservative, milieu. It is easy to converse and linger in these cushioned surroundings.
The valet returns our car, asks about our meal and opens all four doors for us. We feel like VIPs. If only the entrees elevated to match the atmosphere at Eve's, the restaurant would be a contender with the best of Portland. Right now, it's got some catching up to do.
Nancy Heiser is a freelance writer and editor who lives near Portland. Her work has appeared in national and regional publications.
2011年4月1日星期五
Crown Square Shopping Center holding series of exciting events for this month
KUCHING: Crown Square Shopping Center is holding a series of exciting events for April beginning tomorrow.
A classic game of Tug of War contest will see participants drawing lots to decide which team they are on and compete in a test of strengths.
There are two categories, A for children aged seven to twelve and B for thirteen years and above.
According to the management representative Tay Kien Hong, the contest is for family members to try to beat each other in a fun game, and winning fabulous prizes.
The Best Team will take home RM100 Crown Square Cash Voucher (six winners), while consolation winners will take home RM50 Crown Square Cash Voucher (18 winners).
“The number of people per team is between three to six, depending on the turn out that day,” said Tay at a press conference yesterday.
The second event is a recycling campaign where visitors can trade in their recyclables for either 10 packages of Mee Daddy or 370g Royal-B Honey for 10kg of old newspaper or recyclable items.
It will be held on April 9 and exchange period is from 10am to 4pm and limited to the first 100 person only.
This is followed by Creative Table Lamp Making contest to encourage the public to be creative in designing table lamps from recyclable materials on April 10.
The contest is done in pairs, and there is no age limit. However, participants have to bring their own materials for the contest.
The lamp dimensions must not exceed 15cm by 15cm.
Judging is based on the theme (30 per cent), creativity (30 per cent), handmade (25 per cent) and impression (15 per cent), said Tay.
They can register at any time, with RM5 registration fee which is refundable on the contest day.
Best Artwork will take home RM300 Crown Square Cash Voucher (three winners) while consolation winners will take home RM100 Crown Square Cash Voucher (10 winners).
On the following week, Chinese Chess lovers will get an insight on how to improve their skills during a special talk by Chinese Chess East Malaysia Champion 2008, Jonathon Goh.
The talk will be held in Mandarin at 2pm on April 17. Only 50 seats are available.
Though entrance is free, participants need to register in advance by calling The Art Corner at the Crown Square, said Tay.
On the last Sunday of April (24th), kids will get to take part in Easter Day events like Easter Day Colouring Contest held from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
Group A participants, age seven to nine have to cut and paste coloured paper and stick them on the provided eggs in the most creative design, while Group B participants, age ten to twelve have to draw Easter themed drawing.
Group A participants must use the materials provided, while Group B’s drawings must include Easter eggs and egg basket.
The Best Artwork will get RM100 Crown Square Cash Voucher (five winners) while all participants who did not win will take home a box of Mee Daddy.
All events are held at the second floor of Crown Square except the recyclables exchange which is on the ground floor.
Entry forms for all contests is available at The Art Corner, first floor of Crown Square.
For further information, contact The Art Corner at 082-346699 ext 226.
Netizens can also follow up on the latest news and events at the Crown Square by typing ‘Crown Square Kuching’ in the facebook search box.
A classic game of Tug of War contest will see participants drawing lots to decide which team they are on and compete in a test of strengths.
There are two categories, A for children aged seven to twelve and B for thirteen years and above.
According to the management representative Tay Kien Hong, the contest is for family members to try to beat each other in a fun game, and winning fabulous prizes.
The Best Team will take home RM100 Crown Square Cash Voucher (six winners), while consolation winners will take home RM50 Crown Square Cash Voucher (18 winners).
“The number of people per team is between three to six, depending on the turn out that day,” said Tay at a press conference yesterday.
The second event is a recycling campaign where visitors can trade in their recyclables for either 10 packages of Mee Daddy or 370g Royal-B Honey for 10kg of old newspaper or recyclable items.
It will be held on April 9 and exchange period is from 10am to 4pm and limited to the first 100 person only.
This is followed by Creative Table Lamp Making contest to encourage the public to be creative in designing table lamps from recyclable materials on April 10.
The contest is done in pairs, and there is no age limit. However, participants have to bring their own materials for the contest.
The lamp dimensions must not exceed 15cm by 15cm.
Judging is based on the theme (30 per cent), creativity (30 per cent), handmade (25 per cent) and impression (15 per cent), said Tay.
They can register at any time, with RM5 registration fee which is refundable on the contest day.
Best Artwork will take home RM300 Crown Square Cash Voucher (three winners) while consolation winners will take home RM100 Crown Square Cash Voucher (10 winners).
On the following week, Chinese Chess lovers will get an insight on how to improve their skills during a special talk by Chinese Chess East Malaysia Champion 2008, Jonathon Goh.
The talk will be held in Mandarin at 2pm on April 17. Only 50 seats are available.
Though entrance is free, participants need to register in advance by calling The Art Corner at the Crown Square, said Tay.
On the last Sunday of April (24th), kids will get to take part in Easter Day events like Easter Day Colouring Contest held from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
Group A participants, age seven to nine have to cut and paste coloured paper and stick them on the provided eggs in the most creative design, while Group B participants, age ten to twelve have to draw Easter themed drawing.
Group A participants must use the materials provided, while Group B’s drawings must include Easter eggs and egg basket.
The Best Artwork will get RM100 Crown Square Cash Voucher (five winners) while all participants who did not win will take home a box of Mee Daddy.
All events are held at the second floor of Crown Square except the recyclables exchange which is on the ground floor.
Entry forms for all contests is available at The Art Corner, first floor of Crown Square.
For further information, contact The Art Corner at 082-346699 ext 226.
Netizens can also follow up on the latest news and events at the Crown Square by typing ‘Crown Square Kuching’ in the facebook search box.
Outdoor fixtures let homeowners enjoy yards after sun sets
Outdoor fixtures let homeowners enjoy yards after sun sets
A trend toward creating “outdoor rooms” has dramatically increased lighting options for homeowners who want to extend their time outside.
Most indoor lighting fixtures — chandeliers, pendant lights, table lamps — now have a counterpart designed for patios or decks.
“We have seen outdoor lights absolutely replicating indoor designs,” said Anne Robert of theoutdoorstylist.com, a website that focuses on home trends.
“Outdoor lighting is a mood setter. It can make or break a design just like it can indoors.”
The abundance of products lets you make outdoor spaces more functional, said Rich Young of Outdoor Living Brands in Richmond, Va. “It allows families to extend the square footage of their home,” he said. “With the right light, you can extend the evening for dining or reading or other activities outdoors.”
When choosing fixtures for outdoor entertaining areas, consider how much light is necessary, said Alene Workman, a spokeswoman for the American Society of Interior Designers. A table needs to have sufficient light so diners can eat, whereas a conversation area may need only soft mood lighting.
Be creative with table lighting, recommends Krissa Rossbund, a senior style editor at Traditional Home Magazine.
“Gone are the days when people hang a chandelier over a table and call it lit,” she said.
She suggests hanging two small chandeliers instead of one large one, or buying a chandelier at a flea market and painting it a bright color.
Outdoor chandeliers come in a variety of styles, from mission to modern. Manufacturers also offer many candle chandeliers for outdoor areas that don’t have electricity.
For seating areas, choose a weighted outdoor floor lamp, said Workman, who owns an interior design firm in Hollywood, Fla. “There are wonderful new outdoor lights that are almost art pieces themselves,” she said.
Get colorful
Colored lights, illuminated furniture and subtle fixtures designed to blend with nature will be popular this year, according to design professionals.
Workman expects to see the use of color increase, and “I don’t mean Christmas lights,” she said. Landscapers are starting to incorporate subtle red, blue and pink lights into their work, she said.
Color is particularly appropriate if you are planning a party, Rossbund added. It’s “a fun way to change things up,” she said.
Some homeowners are adding a bright pop of color with light-up patio furniture, Robert said. The battery-powered chairs and tables are available in a variety of colors.
International designers like Modoluce and Neoz have created lines of plastic tables and chairs that are lit from within.
Avanzini has a line of wood furniture made with glowing light strips. It helps create a lounge look that Robert thinks will be popular this summer.
“With the rise of staycations, we will see a lot of designs adopting a real bar-type lounge attitude, with perhaps more extravagant and festive pieces,” she said.
Moonlight USA sells decorative outdoor illuminated globes, which can glow white like the moon or cast light in a rainbow of colors. The company also makes a tabletop for the globes. The clear acrylic disc has a cut-out center that allows it to rest on top of the globe so it can function as a table.
“The color is very robust,” said owner Anke Kondek. “It’s a wow effect.”
Homeowners wanting to light a more natural setting may go for a softer look, said Beth Webb, an interior designer in Atlanta. She favors custom copper-and-wood pieces made by The Outdoor Lights in Cumming, Ga.
Company president Chris Wakefield has created lights that cast a warm glow around fire pits, dining areas or outdoor living rooms. Some of his more popular items include punctured copper cylinders that create a firefly effect, stamped copper lanterns and illuminated, artificial birdhouses. The lanterns can hang from a shepherd’s hook or a tree branch.
Before buying lights for reading, lounging or dining, the professionals recommend making sure that pathways and steps are properly lit for safety.
“You want light to help you navigate spaces near or around steps,” said Jeff Dross, director of education and industry trends for Kichler Lighting.
He and the other experts warned against making outdoor spaces too bright. They suggest using subtle light that is aimed toward the ground wherever possible.
“For most tasks you only need low light,” Dross said. “Avoid that glare. Glare forces you to think you need more light than you do.”
A trend toward creating “outdoor rooms” has dramatically increased lighting options for homeowners who want to extend their time outside.
Most indoor lighting fixtures — chandeliers, pendant lights, table lamps — now have a counterpart designed for patios or decks.
“We have seen outdoor lights absolutely replicating indoor designs,” said Anne Robert of theoutdoorstylist.com, a website that focuses on home trends.
“Outdoor lighting is a mood setter. It can make or break a design just like it can indoors.”
The abundance of products lets you make outdoor spaces more functional, said Rich Young of Outdoor Living Brands in Richmond, Va. “It allows families to extend the square footage of their home,” he said. “With the right light, you can extend the evening for dining or reading or other activities outdoors.”
When choosing fixtures for outdoor entertaining areas, consider how much light is necessary, said Alene Workman, a spokeswoman for the American Society of Interior Designers. A table needs to have sufficient light so diners can eat, whereas a conversation area may need only soft mood lighting.
Be creative with table lighting, recommends Krissa Rossbund, a senior style editor at Traditional Home Magazine.
“Gone are the days when people hang a chandelier over a table and call it lit,” she said.
She suggests hanging two small chandeliers instead of one large one, or buying a chandelier at a flea market and painting it a bright color.
Outdoor chandeliers come in a variety of styles, from mission to modern. Manufacturers also offer many candle chandeliers for outdoor areas that don’t have electricity.
For seating areas, choose a weighted outdoor floor lamp, said Workman, who owns an interior design firm in Hollywood, Fla. “There are wonderful new outdoor lights that are almost art pieces themselves,” she said.
Get colorful
Colored lights, illuminated furniture and subtle fixtures designed to blend with nature will be popular this year, according to design professionals.
Workman expects to see the use of color increase, and “I don’t mean Christmas lights,” she said. Landscapers are starting to incorporate subtle red, blue and pink lights into their work, she said.
Color is particularly appropriate if you are planning a party, Rossbund added. It’s “a fun way to change things up,” she said.
Some homeowners are adding a bright pop of color with light-up patio furniture, Robert said. The battery-powered chairs and tables are available in a variety of colors.
International designers like Modoluce and Neoz have created lines of plastic tables and chairs that are lit from within.
Avanzini has a line of wood furniture made with glowing light strips. It helps create a lounge look that Robert thinks will be popular this summer.
“With the rise of staycations, we will see a lot of designs adopting a real bar-type lounge attitude, with perhaps more extravagant and festive pieces,” she said.
Moonlight USA sells decorative outdoor illuminated globes, which can glow white like the moon or cast light in a rainbow of colors. The company also makes a tabletop for the globes. The clear acrylic disc has a cut-out center that allows it to rest on top of the globe so it can function as a table.
“The color is very robust,” said owner Anke Kondek. “It’s a wow effect.”
Homeowners wanting to light a more natural setting may go for a softer look, said Beth Webb, an interior designer in Atlanta. She favors custom copper-and-wood pieces made by The Outdoor Lights in Cumming, Ga.
Company president Chris Wakefield has created lights that cast a warm glow around fire pits, dining areas or outdoor living rooms. Some of his more popular items include punctured copper cylinders that create a firefly effect, stamped copper lanterns and illuminated, artificial birdhouses. The lanterns can hang from a shepherd’s hook or a tree branch.
Before buying lights for reading, lounging or dining, the professionals recommend making sure that pathways and steps are properly lit for safety.
“You want light to help you navigate spaces near or around steps,” said Jeff Dross, director of education and industry trends for Kichler Lighting.
He and the other experts warned against making outdoor spaces too bright. They suggest using subtle light that is aimed toward the ground wherever possible.
“For most tasks you only need low light,” Dross said. “Avoid that glare. Glare forces you to think you need more light than you do.”
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