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Popular Bedroom, bathroom glassware

beibei1 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:10:26 +0200

Popular Bedroom, bathroom glassware

All these assumptions are certainly reasonable and cover some ofthe most likely scenarios. Most vintage glassware, depression orotherwise, comprises items to be used in the dining room orkitchen.

But another avidly sought type of depression glass may have youheaded elsewhere in the house. Items termed bedroom and bathroomglassware are a popular collectible category encompassingdecorative pieces as well as those used for personal grooming. Hereare some of the objects collectors look for.

Lamps

Although lamps are certainly not limited to the bedside table, thatis what many depression era glass lamps were made for. With bothglass bases and glass shades, many of these lamps haven't survivedthe years intact and unscathed, but those that have are much indemand by collectors. Bedside lamps often have figural bases -well-dressed ladies and Scotty dogs are two examples of popularthemes used. Lamps may be clear, coloured or frosted glass. Theymay also have fired-on colour or painted details.

Perfume and Cologne Bottles

Old perfume bottles make up a popular collecting category all theirown, but there is a distinct elegance to those from the depressionera. Plain, patterned, or art deco in style, perfumes and colognesoffer a huge selection to collectors. Some seek single bottles,while others look for matched vanity sets consisting of two or morebottles, a powder jar and sometimes a glass tray. A range ofcoloured glass bottles from amber to cobalt blue can be found. Onecommon collector concern is the difficulty in finding intact glassstoppers for the bottles though, as they were so often damaged orbroken.

Powder Jars

Made to hold facial or body powder, depression era powder jarsoften capture the imagination of collectors who appreciate whimsy.Many jars are either embellished with a figure as a knob on top ofthe cover, or the whole container itself may be figural. Somecommon themes include well-dressed ladies and animals. Non-figuraljars may be patterned or plain. Examples can be found in manycolours in both clear and frosted glass. Some collectors acceptminor wear and roughness on interior cover edges, which is to beexpected from years of moving a lid on and off.

Other Items

For the bedroom, some other collectible items include glass clocks,and guest or night sets consisting of a water pitcher and glass orglasses. For the bathroom, various toiletry jars and containers,soap dishes and even glass towel bars can be found. As with alldepression glass, collectors want pieces in the best conditionpossible without chips or damage.

So whether enjoying someone else's collection of depression glassor perhaps thinking of starting your own, remember this lovelyglassware doesn't have to be restricted to the china cabinet.

Riel Nason catontheporch@yahoo.ca is a columnist, collector andantique dealer living in Quispamsis. Her column appears the lastSaturday of every month.

Now that's a kitchen

beibei1 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:09:37 +0200

Now that's a kitchen

glassware She can sous vide (vacuum-seal) salmon in her RationalSelfCooking Center.

She can whip up a pizza Margherita (with basil from hergarden) in her wood-burning oven.

Or she can just make a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich and call it a meal.

But this 800-square-foot cooking showplace isn't for Leineke'spopular catering company (Joan Leineke Catering). This is her home kitchen. It's the kitchen she and husband Jake, an industrialcontractor, have dreamed about for the 30 years they've lived inFair Oaks.

"The new kitchen replaces the family room, dining room and the oldkitchen," Leineke says. "It took 1 1/2 years to complete, and I'mamazed at how it turned out."

Richard Graber of Graber- Rasmussen Architects in Sacramento wasthe primary architect on the Leineke project.

"I had fun doing it," Graber says. "It's a commercial-type kitchenwith a residential feel."

The redesign was handled by Applegate Tran Interiors of SanFrancisco. (The company opened an office in Sacramento.) It alsoincluded additional square footage to the country/modern home: amaster bedroom/bathroom.

But it's the kitchen that Leineke's personal and professionaltouches heat up.

"The appliances, plenty of counter space and pull-out cabinetsinstead of overhead cabinets were my must-haves," she says.

And ample space to either use or store her 15-inch platters.

For example, the Sub-Zero refrigerator is 26 inches wide (with aneighboring 18-inch freezer).

The 36-inch-wide, six-burner Jade gas range is a beauty, with amighty 18,000 BTUs. (Restaurant stoves are usually 32,000 BTUs.) Itreplaces Leineke's 48-inch monster Garland stove. She even had afaucet built in overhead for easy water access – no trips backand forth to the sink.

The counters (and one island), honed out of antiqued granite, are30 inches deep instead of the traditional 24.

More than 60 cabinets hold dishware, glassware, utensils, pots andpans, even lids.

"I love pull-out cabinets for storing pantry items like vinegarsand oils," Leineke says.

The kitchen incorporates several cooking areas: the main "line,"which is similar to what you might see in a restaurant kitchen, anda pastry- and pizza-making area that's mere steps away from thewood-burning oven, which is surrounded by Venetian plaster. Longpizza paddles and fire-stoking equipment hang on the side. Oak, cutfrom the trees in the backyard, is stored underneath.

Each work area has its own sink (with disposal and trashcompartments). Both are within reach of two smaller refrigerators– for cheeses and pizza ingredients, and bottled and canneddrinks.

There's a dishwasher just for glassware and a Miele washer thatcleans a load in 10 minutes.

With all this storage space, what you don't see in Leineke'skitchen are countertop appliances lined up side by side.

"My Cuisinart, choppers and my dream machine Thermomix (it makeseverything from sorbet to home-baked bread) reside in the'appliance garage,' " she says. The cover rolls up and down justlike a garage door.

Her Kitchen-Aid standing mixer is hidden in the pizza/pastry area,on a lift-out board, "so you don't move it."

Leineke admits that when she saw the final plans on paper, shedidn't realize how much space she would have.

That's why there's also room for a wine-storage unit, a built-incoffee maker and the Rational SelfCooking Center, which Leinekesays her designer wasn't happy about including.

"But I insisted," she says. "You can grill, steam veggies and rice,roast, even fry an egg in it."

Vernon Applegate, the lead designer, e-mailed that the Leinekeproject took a modern approach yet remains informal.

"There is a distinct connection between the landscaping and theinterior and exterior spaces," Applegate says. "It's casual livingreflected in the materials we used, which were earthy and natural."

Find necessities and treasures on a budg...

beibei1 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:08:32 +0200

Find necessities and treasures on a budget in Tulare County

glassware But the expensive part has just begun. Just one start-of-schoolexpense: Furnishing the dorm room or apartment.

Most parents aren't willing to give up everyday furniture for afirst apartment. The idea of having great aunt Edna's heirloomglassware go into an apartment of four 20-year-olds is unthinkable.

But most young adults aren't willing to live on milk crates and eatfrom paper towels all year.

The solution? Once Craigslist and the garage-sale circuit have beenexhausted, there are a number of sources where the comforts of homecan be found at rock-bottom prices.

Thrift shops

At Rescued Treasures on South Mooney Boulevard, the thrift shopthat benefits the Visalia Rescue Mission, the inventory changesday-to-day, depending on recent donations.

Assistant manager Cheryl Miller said the store has been busy withcustomers stocking up for new apartments.

"They're looking for beds that's the big item and other furniture, like couches," she said.

Also popular: kitchen items, including pots, pans and small appliances.

Cathy Knudson shopped at Rescued Treasures with her adult son.

"We're always looking for stuff for him," she said. "We're in themarket for anything unbreakable."

Prices included $75 for a sleeper sofa, $125 for a refrigerator,$65 for a dishwasher, $14 or less for blankets and comforters andas little as 25 cents for cups and plates.

Antique stores

Out in front of the Paris Flea Market on East Main Street, a basketmarked "$1" holds toasters, irons and other gadgets.

"We have a lot of people looking for western items or shabby chic,"saleswoman Norma Gauna said.

They won't be disappointed. Hidden among the refinished-oak rockingchairs and collectable glassware (there's also an operablerickshaw) are some genuine bargains, including a new, pinefull-size futon, complete with mattress, for $99. The matchingchair goes for $39.

Green cotton placemats sell for $2.99, while a glass decanter goes for $2.50.

"With the economy, most people seem to be selling furniture to usrather than buying it from us," said owner Jesse Davis.

And for those looking to add a little personality to a new abode,there's always the Princess Leia action figure, in its originalpackaging, for $19.95. Or a large purse emblazoned with the face ofJulio Iglesias for $35.

For the musically inclined, the store also boasts an entire room ofguitars, from Les Pauls for $299 to a Gibson 12-string acoustic for$149.

Surplus stores

Military surplus stores like Visalia's Surplus City offer suppliesfor the backyard and beyond at affordable prices.

Need a garden hose? It's $7. A canopy for the back patio: $21. Agiant aluminum steamer for soups and shellfish: $26.

While most people don't realize that they need a hammock until

they see one on the shelf, at Surplus City it can be picked up for$19.

Pawn shops

At Farmersville's Hock Shop on Farmersville Boulevard, theinventory runs far beyond the usual jewelry and musicalinstruments. Pawn shops also are a source for used electronics andtools.

"We can't keep TVs in stock because so many people come in lookingfor them," said cashier Cody Lenkton.

A practically new 27-inch TV with remote control can sell for lessthan $200. DVD players go for $25 and a TV/VCR combo can run $50.

Pawn shops also are home to less glamorous items. A three-toolcordless-drill set, still in the box, sells for $125. A gas-poweredlawn mower goes for $30 and a vacuum cleaner for $20.

"We sold a Kirby vacuum cleaner last week for $50," Lenkton said.

Heavy weather injures several passengers...

beibei1 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:07:02 +0200

Heavy weather injures several passengers on Pacific cruise

glassware The shipping company, P & O says it's offering counselling topassengers affected by the impact of heavy weather on the cruiseship, Pacific Sun.

Jonathon Hall reports more than 1700 passengers were aboard for aneight-night cruise through the South Pacific.

On Wednesday night their holiday turned dangerous when the PacificSun encountered seven metre seas and 50 knot winds between Vanuatuand New Zealand.

The ship rolled suddenly, developing a 20 degree list. Passengers,furniture and glassware were thrown around.

The company says it was 'freak incident' and the ship was notstructurally damaged.

The ship docked in Auckland. Three passengers with broken boneswere taken to hospital, another 39 were treated for minor injuries.The company says it planned the cruise route to try to avoid theworst of the extreme weather in the area.

Tags:

pacific

A toast to you

beibei1 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:05:39 +0200

A toast to you

glassware "It's important to have a water glass or water goblet that can alsobe used for iced tea," said Liz Dejean of Liz Dejean Interiors.

That's the bare minimum, but there can be more on the table.

"In a formal setting, glasses can number up to five," Dejean said.

For very special occasions, a champagne flute is a nice touch.

"Every Christmas, my daughters give me a pair of champagne glassesand the next year, I use them to toast the holiday," she said.

Dejean is a proponent of mixing and matching tableware andglassware pieces to add interest to a table setting, so the glassesdon't all have to be in the same style.

Glassware comes in a variety of price ranges, from variety storeprices to the very high end.

"The higher end crystal, such as Baccara and Waterford, are veryrevered possessions that can be passed down to generations. Itmight be cut crystal, colored crystal, even with 14 karat goldbanding. They are truly works of art," Dejean said.

But attractive glassware can be found at any price. Riedel, ahigher-end manufacturer, offers a wide price range, for instance.

"Trydel did a line for Target," Dejean said. "It can be obtainedfor a lesser price."

Wine glasses number among the pieces that should be in the kitchencabinets.

Red wine glasses are shaped differently from white wine glasses.That's not an arbitrary rule, but one that came out ofpracticality.

"The stem of a white wine glass is taller than red wine glasses.That is because the white wine glass should be held by the stem andnot the bowl, because normally, white wine is served chilled, andthe heat of the hand affects the wine," Dejean said.

European wine glasses are in vogue, Dejean said. These resemblejuice glasses.

"Juice glasses aren't used too often, anymore," Dejean said. "Ithink in days gone by, breakfast was served and everyone sat at thetable and ate breakfast."

In today's fast-paced world with staggered schedules, breakfast isoften something that is caught on the fly and formally setbreakfast tables are almost a thing of the past.

"That's why when you go to flea markets, you do find a lot of setsof juice glasses - but those can also double as European wineglasses."

And that's a good place to shop for glassware at a good price,Dejean said.

"When looking for glassware, there are great finds of Depressionglass that can be mixed and matched. And there are parfait glassesthat can be mixed and matched as wine glasses or dessert vessels,"Dejean said.

While coffee cups aren't, strictly speaking, glassware, they areused to serve an important after-dinner beverage. The cup andsaucer may be placed on the table as part of the service.

"But, it is perfectly good etiquette to clear the table and bringcoffee to the table on a tray or it can be in a certain place whereyour gets can get coffee while you're preparing to serve dessert,"Dejean said.

If your guests' tastes tend toward the sophisticated, be sure toinvest in martini glasses, Dejean said.

Dejean also recommends asking guests whether they prefer theircoffee in a cup or a mug.

And even if they don't, you can give more plebeian beverages anelegant treatment.

"I prefer to serve beer in a crystal or glass mug," Dejean said.

The Herald-Dispatch

beibei1 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:03:49 +0200

The Herald-Dispatch

glassware HUNTINGTON -- With just a handful of change, Kathy Miller was theproud new owner of a large, brown purse.

Miller was one of many area residents taking home bargains Saturdayas part of the Citywide Yard Sale in Huntington.

The Neighborhood Institute of Huntington voted to sponsor acitywide yard sale event during its April meeting. Locations werespread throughout the city, including Walnut Hills, Rotary Road andFairfield West.

Christine Hainer was hosting a yard sale for the first time at herhome on Washington Boulevard. Her sister and mother, alsofirst-timers, were in on it, too. Hainer said much of her salescame from items she had in storage.

"I've had this stuff here for two years and I'm not using it. It'stime to get rid of it," she said.

Hainer said she started setting up for the sale around 6:30 a.m.,and already customers began showing up. Despite some early morningrain, business seemed steady, she said.

In Hainer's yard, shoppers kept busy as they looked through clothesand picked up glassware. "How much for this coat?" asked one woman."$5," came the reply.

Many seemed encouraged by a peek of sunshine around 9 a.m. as theyasked one another where other yard sales were located.

Miller of Pritchard and her sister were among the many out lookingfor deals. Visiting yard sales is something she and her sisterenjoy doing when they have the time.

"It's fun," she said.

Miller said she wasn't looking for anything specific. She was justlooking. She had her arms full with throws, purses and homedecorations on Saturday morning.

"You never know what you're going to find," she said.

Nero, Jet and Suburb glassware and crock...

beibei1 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:03:02 +0200

Nero, Jet and Suburb glassware and crockery lines from John Artis

Caterers can create a modern and dramatic front-of-house impactwith John Artis's latest glassware and crockery collection.

Nero chinaware, Jet glassware and the Suburb cocktail range havebeen designed to complement each other on a table.

The Jet glassware range comprises four pieces of stemware, eachwith a black bowl and clear glass stem. Three sizes of wine glassinclude a wine balloon, Champagne flute and an all-black,old-fashioned glass and hi-ball.

The Suburb black cocktail range has three pieces: a cocktail glass,martini glass and a flute, with chunky black stems and a clearglass bowls.

The Nero collection of vitrified porcelain has a deep black glossglaze and includes a charger plate, soup plate, dinner plate anddessert plate, espresso cup and saucer and teacup and saucer.

Waterford brilliant idea for collectors

beibei1 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:02:21 +0200

Waterford brilliant idea for collectors

Very little fine glassware was marketed in Ireland until the 1780sbecause the English government prohibited Irish glass exports. Thisprohibition was designed to protect the English glassmakingindustry. In 1783, just after the export ban was lifted, brothersGeorge and William Penrose opened the Waterford Flint GlassManufactory (later called the Waterford Glass House) in Waterford,which was then one of Ireland's busiest ports. The brothers, bothof whom were Quakers, were determined to take the lead glasstechnology of the time to a higher level. They developed formulasfor mingling molten glass with various minerals to create glasswarethat, while still strong and durable, also showed a uniquebrilliance and felt soft to the touch. This Waterford glass evenhad the feature of giving a certain unusual ring when tapped.

The Penrose brothers decorated their Waterford glass with deeplycut ornamentation that enhanced the natural sparkle of the wares.Typical products included decanters, jugs, fruit bowls, fingerbowls, honey jars and other glassware serving accessories.

In the earliest years, Waterford glass (like all Irish glassgenerally) copied English glass, but soon developed some distinctstyles of its own. Bowls, for example, began to be made withturnover rims and heavy square feet.

At it's height, the Penrose firm had around 70 employees -- managedby another Quaker, John Hill, who was a famous glassmaker in hisown right -- and was one of the most important businesses inWaterford. The market for Waterford glass made by Penrose existedthroughout Europe and America. King George III even ordered someWaterford crystal and it became fashionable in high society todisplay Waterford wares.

The Penrose brothers wisely decided in the early 19th century tosell their interests in the business to several local citizensnamed Ramsey, Gatchell and Barcroft. These new owners keptmanufacturing high quality cut glass, but also expanded theirmarket to the middle class. In 1851, the firm was even awardedseveral gold medals at the Great Exhibition in London.

Even as the firm was gathering these achievements, however, itsdemise was imminent. Earlier, in the 1820s, the British parliamentbegan to levy excise taxes on many Irish exports including glassproducts. By the early 1850s, these excessive taxes were causingmany Irish glassmaking companies to fold. In 1851, the same year inwhich it received the Great Exhibition awards, the Waterford firmfounded by the Penrose brothers was forced to close because of thetax burden imposed by Parliament.

For almost a century, no company manufactured glass under aWaterford name. This changed in 1947, when a small group of mainlyimmigrant workers from war-ravaged Europe set up a small glassfactory less than two miles from the original Penrose site. Thebusiness was a huge success and the operation, which eventuallysettled upon the name of Waterford Crystal, soon moved to itspresent 40-acre site.

The quality of modern Waterford Crystal is (like its predecessor)known throughout the world. The firm has had, for example, samplesof its glassware presented to every American President fromEisenhower to Reagan by the Irish government. Although techniqueshave been refined since the 1950s, the basic glassmaking process isstill the same. The melted crystal, containing alloys of silicasand, lead oxide and potassium carbonate, is poured into a mold. Anexact amount of air is introduced (by artisans who blow by mouthinto tubes reaching inside the mold) at specific points in the moldto shape the piece as perfectly as possible. Once the mold stage isdone, the piece is allowed to cool very slowly in a specialannealing oven that controls the temperature. This cooling takesapproximately three hours.

Once the glass item is cooled, it is then hand-cut withdiamond-tipped wheels. The basic technique requires that thecutting be done at precisely defined and sharp angles so that lightfalling on these angles will be portrayed with a diamond-likebrilliance. The people doing the cutting serve a five-yearapprenticeship before being allowed to cut the glass on their own.

The result is glassware that is unrivaled for its clarity,durability and appearance. Although Waterford crystal appears inplaces like Buckingham Palace and the White House, the single mostpublic Waterford item is arguably the Waterford Crystal Ball usedin each New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. With theWaterford name having such famous associations, it is likely thistradition of Irish glassmaking will carry far into the future.

Joe Devanney, an attorney who lives in Paoli, is a longtimeantiques enthusiast. He may be reached at dlnantiques@cs.com.

Popular Bedroom, bathroom glassware

beibei1 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:20:19 +0200

Popular Bedroom, bathroom glassware

All these assumptions are certainly reasonable and cover some ofthe most likely scenarios. Most vintage glassware, depression orotherwise, comprises items to be used in the dining room orkitchen.

But another avidly sought type of depression glass may have youheaded elsewhere in the house. Items termed bedroom and bathroom glassware are a popular collectible category encompassingdecorative pieces as well as those used for personal grooming. Hereare some of the objects collectors look for.

Lamps

Perfume and Cologne Bottles

Powder Jars

Other Items

So whether enjoying someone else's collection of depression glassor perhaps thinking of starting your own, remember this lovelyglassware doesn't have to be restricted to the china cabinet.

Riel Nason catontheporch@yahoo.ca is a columnist, collector andantique dealer living in Quispamsis. Her column appears the lastSaturday of every month.

Breaking The Metal Mold

beibei1 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:19:45 +0200

Breaking The Metal Mold

At first, the company used the alloy to manufacture products forthe restaurant industry.

It wasn't until the early to mid-'70s that we started selling it atthe retail level, Lefever said.

Wilton Armetale now makes about 700 different cookware andserveware products, Lefever said, turning out about 700,000 items ayear with a work force of 80 to 85 employees and sales runningbetween $15 million and $20 million.

We are the largest manufacturer and supplier of alternative metalin the country, Lefever said. We call ourselves the last manstanding' ... in an industry where made in the USA still meanssomething.

But to grow, he said, the company had to break with that tradition,a decision that Lefever said has not always set well with all itscustomers.

The new lines of glassware and ceramics are not Wilton Armetale'sfirst forays into outsourcing. They're part of a process ofmodernization that began several years ago.

One of the first steps the company took to ensure its future was toinvest about $4 million in new equipment in 1999 and 2000 to makeits Mount Joy foundry operations more efficient and environmentallyfriendly.

Expanding its brand beyond metal was another step in the process.

For us to continue to grow our business, we realized we had tobranch off into other media, Lefever said. The reason we import theglassware and ceramics is we don't have the expertise to do thatourselves.

Importing is also a step that most of Wilton Armetale's competitors- Arthur Court, Mariposa, Namb and Lenox - took some time ago.

We have to constantly reinvent ourselves when we're in an industryas competitive as this, Lefever said.

The company began exploring the idea of outsourcing around 2005,Lefever said, approaching several of its major customers, such asMacy's, to see if there would be a market for cheaper, mass-produced versions of some of the company's original metal breadtrays.

Finding the right supplier in China took about 18 months.

The challenge, Lefever said, was to find an environmentallyfriendly manufacturer that treated its workers right. And it alsohad to be someone who could be entrusted with the formula for theArmetale alloy.

He credits Ivan Jeffery, president of Crescent Brass in Reading anda longtime friend of Fred Wilton, with helping the company find theright supplier.

It's not that difficult to do business in China, Jeffery said,although the idea scares people at first.

Crescent is similar to Wilton Armetale in being a century-oldfoundry that still pours its own metal castings, Jeffery said.

But unlike Wilton, Crescent Brass has been outsourcing some of itsproducts for a long time.

We started in Taiwan and Italy 25 years ago, Jeffery said. We'vebeen in China about 10 years and have developed relationships justlike you would doing business in this country.

Lefever said he and Fred Wilton flew to China and spent more than aweek there visiting with the company's owner.

\It's been a very good relationship, Lefever said. He's an honestbusinessman who has never breached the issue of confidentiality.We've never seen any of our products show up anywhere else.

\It also turned out to be a profitable relationship.

\That first year, we sold 250,000 units, Lefever said.

\But the outsourcing was a big change for our customers, Lefeversaid.

\The company wholesales its products to nearly every departmentstore in the country, along with about 1,800 independent andspecialty shops across the U.S. and Canada.

\Some of them were upset, Lefever explained, and were saying Wiltonis selling out by importing some of its products from China.

That has begun to change, he said, as they've recognized that thequality is not any different from the products made here. And thathas helped pave the way for the company to leverage its well-knownbrand with imported glassware and ceramics.

Jeffery also helped Wilton Armetale find its ceramics supplier. Inaddition to Crescent Brass, he runs a company with a partner inmainland China - Total Source Trading - that imports a variety offinished products and has contacts with a broad range ofindustries.

The ceramics supplier, like the metal supplier, is in GuangdongProvince, in southern China.

Wilton Armetale's connection with its glassware supplier in Mexicois a different story.

Lefever said that relationship grew out of a tour of factories heand Fred Wilton made independent of Jeffery.

During their travels, one of the metal suppliers they were visitingin Guadalajara happened to mention that he also had a factory thatmakes hand-blown glass, Lefever said.

That company, Hacienda Real, is now producing Wilton Armetale's newline of Bello Vaso glassware.

Wilton already has a stock of the glassware at its 80,000-square-foot distribution warehouse on Stony Battery Road, and it hopes tostart shipping its new line of ceramics around Oct. 1, at thebeginning of the busy holiday gift season.

Our goal, over the next three years, is to try to do $1 million ineach product line, Lefever said.

The company had the same goal when it came out with its locallymade Gourmet Grillware a couple of years ago, a line sold throughsuch outlets as Home Depot that is now bringing in $600,000 to$700,000 a year.

That will always be made here, Lefever said. We believe there'salways going to be an advantage to make some of our productsdomestically.

Friends help park win flag

beibei1 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:19:16 +0200

Friends help park win flag

Jul 29 2008

Peter Collins

, South Wales Echo

A VICTORIAN park in central Penarth has been recognised for afourth successive year in a national award scheme.

The Green Flag Award recognises the best green spaces in thecountry, and Penarth’s Belle Vue was judged to be welcoming,safe and well maintained, with a strong involvement from the localcommunity.

The park is managed by Vale of Glamorgan Council’s parks andgrounds maintenance division with the support of a dedicatedFriends of Belle Vue Park organisation.

Councillor Geoff Cox, the council’s cabinet member forvisible and building services, said: “The award is a tributeto the marvellous partnership work of parks staff, the Friends andthe community park keeper.”

As a community association the Friends have raised money to carryout a range of improvements to the park, including a new play area,dog-proof fencing and new beds with flowers, trees and shrubs.

Sibling care appeal

A NEW initiative to recruit foster carers to help keep brothers andsisters together has been launched.

Bridgend Foster Care, which is part of Bridgend Council, has beensuccessfully recruiting and training new foster carers but there isstill a significant shortage of carers who can look after siblings.

Foster care team manager Diana Nyomtato said: “We try as muchas possible to make sure brothers and sisters are kept together butit can be problematic finding carers with homes large enough tocater for more than one child.”

Bridgend Foster Care can be contacted on 01656 642349.

Biggest cheese

HIS year’s Big Cheese Festival in Caerphilly town centre wasa record- breaker as crowds flocked to the site to enjoy the funand blazing sunshine.

As the temperature soared at the weekend, so did visitor numbers,with an estimated 100,000 attending.

Council leader Lindsay Whittle said: “A lot of hard work goesinto organising this major weekend festival and I would like tothank the event team and our sponsors for their continuedsupport.”

Badminton venue chief denies report on f...

beibei1 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:18:48 +0200

Badminton venue chief denies report on flag-related complaint

Special report:

2008 Olympic Games

BEIJING, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Olympic badminton venue chief onTuesday blasted at a report about a flag complaint lodged by aBritish Olympic official, labelling it "totally ungrounded."

Ren Chunhui, executive deputy director of Beijing Olympic badmintoncompetition venue located at the Beijing University of Technology(BJUT), said that the media department of the venue has beeninformed of "the irresponsible report".

An Australian newspaper reported Monday that British Olympicofficial Clive Woodward complained in an official chefs de missionmeeting that the English flag had been hung at the badminton venue,not the Union Jack, an oversight that will upset Scottish, Welshand Northern Irish competitors.

"We didn't hang the English flag in our gym, not Union Jack flageither," said Ren, emphasizing that some Britons working at thevenue can prove it.

"We are considering seeking apology from the reporter," said thevenue chief.

the Olympic badminton competition, scheduled to be held in the BJUTgymnasium from August 9 to August 17, will attract a record50teams.

Waving the flag on Iraq -- now in rerun!

beibei1 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:18:01 +0200

Waving the flag on Iraq -- now in rerun!

Waving the flag on Iraq -- now in rerun! It's hard to predict how Obama's trip will play out with voters inNovember. But McCain has obviously decided that whatever flashystunts Obama pulls off, his own best strategy is to stay on message-- and that means turning the Iraq lemon into lemonade. The war maybe hugely unpopular, warmonger-in-chief Bush's approval rating maybe approaching Vlad the Impaler's -- no matter! Attack! The bestdefense is a good offense! Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!

It's an audacious strategy, and it could prove to be disastrous.Pickett's charge did not succeed for the Confederacy at Gettysburg.But it's right out of the Karl Rove playbook -- and if recenthistory has taught us anything, it's never to underestimate KarlRove.

Rove, and his star pupil Bush, perfected a political tacticreminiscent of the old Green Bay Packer power sweep: Everyone knowsit's coming, but they still can't stop it. And McCain is too smartnot to stay with a proven winner -- especially because he doesn'thave any choice.

The Rove play is based on three things: wrapping yourself in theflag, never admitting you're wrong, and impugning your opponent.These three tactics have one thing in common: They are aimed at thelowest common denominator of the American people. Under normalcircumstances, they have only limited effectiveness. But when thenation is at war, they are extremely potent -- as John Kerry andthe Democrats found out in 2004. And McCain is going to use themand use them and use them.

McCain's repeated claims that we are succeeding in Iraq and muststay the course to final "victory," and his attacks on Obama, aretextbook examples of the Rove-Bush-GOP tactic. Take the

recent speech

in which McCain attacked Obama for not supporting the "surge." "IfSen. Obama had prevailed, American forces would have had to retreatunder fire. The Iraqi army would have collapsed. Civiliancasualties would have increased dramatically," McCain intoned."Al-Qaida would have killed the Sunni sheikhs who had begun tocooperate with us, and the 'Sunni Awakening' would have beenstrangled at birth. Al-Qaida fighters would have safe havens, fromwhere they could train Iraqis and foreigners and turn Iraq into abase for launching attacks on Americans elsewhere. Civil war,genocide and wider conflict would have been likely."

McCain then went on to sketch an even more apocalyptic vision ofwhat would have happened if America had been led by the weak andtraitorous Obama instead of the brave and resolute Bush:

Western Mass. Flag Football League seaso...

beibei1 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:17:39 +0200

Western Mass. Flag Football League season set to open

What do former local high school standouts do when their playingdays are over?

Many of them take to the field in the Western Mass. Flag FootballLeague, which begins its 11th season Friday with two night games atHolyoke High School.

"It's a range from 18 to guys who are 36, 37 years of age," saidChad Gibson of Chicopee, the league's commissioner andsingle-season sack leader. "The majority of high school standoutsfrom the past 15 years have all played in the league."

The 11-team WMFFL plays a 13-game regular season over 15 weeks. Thefirst four weeks and the playoffs are held at Holyoke High School,with the remaining games at Van Horn Park in Springfield. When playshifts to Van Horn, two games are held simultaneously on Saturdaysat 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Gibson, who is in his sixth season as commissioner, hopes to take agroup of all-stars to a World Cup qualifying event, sponsored byflagmag.com, a leading resource on flag football.

The league plays 8-on-8, using NCAA rules. The sidelines areconsidered live, which leads to some pretty spirited tackling thatborders on full contact. High school and college officials call thegames.

"I anticipate in probably five years, my main goal is to have thisleague with approximately 20 to 24 teams," Gibson said.

The 2008 WMFFL campaign begins with a rematch of last November'sSuper Bowl, as Gibson's Maximum Capacity Bears open defense oftheir championship against the No Fear Falcons. The Bears arearguably the league's elite team, having won the last two SuperBowls and four of the eight individual postseason awards in 2007.

Gibson and top defensive back Nate Mercier anchor the defense,while the combination of reigning MVP K.J. Walsh at quarterback andreceiver Juni Delgado give the Bears offensive firepower. Otherelite quarterbacks in the league include the Falcons' RichieSantiago, the Eagles' John Frasco and the Redskins' Tim Klett.

Giant American Flag Will Continue To Fly...

beibei1 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:17:14 +0200

Giant American Flag Will Continue To Fly At Car Dealership

Earlier this month, the commission wanted the flag removed.

"The community decided that they wanted better standards on theroadways," city manager Jay Evans said during an earlier interview."We love the American flag and we are patriotic but there arestandards that are in place now and we need to talk about whetheror not -- in the future -- those are the right standards to have."

Clark launched a full-page ad in a local newspaper asking, "Do youfind the sight of this flag objectionable?" with a photo of theAmerican flag before Monday's decision.

The giant flag is 65 feet higher and 120 square feet bigger thanthe new Leesburg city ordinance allows.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.