Take a tour with us as we discover how this property was saved from despair

Louis Beliveau, the designer of Montreal based La Firme Studio created magic by turning an abandoned shed into a warm and versatile family space, lovingly called The Barn. This residential project in Quebec has saved a 100-year-old building from loss while preserving its vernacular quality.

The Barn is a 4,500-square-feet home, which includes a utility and mechanical room, mudroom and a garage in its basement. The property also embraces a patio, an outdoor swimming pool, and a garden.

The property owners wanted to turn the old barn on the property of their chalet into a secondary country residence. Additionally, owing to their busy lives, they wanted a self-contained retreat, far removed from the noise of the city. The objective was to preserve the rustic character of the barn without compromising modern comfort. The redesigned space separations followed the existing wooden structure, says Beliveau.

Taking up this challenge, Beliveau teamed up with architect Michel Lemieux on the project, which involved stripping an old shed and moving it to a new location on a farmhouse property in Quebec.Beliveau adds, We avoided vertical elements to preserve the eye-line to the view. Since the foundations had to be reworked, every salvageable piece of the original hemlock construction was numbered and carefully stored.

There were plenty of open, semi-open and closed areas at the space, which provided different degrees of privacy. The 30-feet ceiling allowed the space to breathe and invite the natural surroundings inside. Additionally, the large windows rolled a spectacular view of the Sutton Mountains and agricultural landscape. The Barn is located on a hillside and has to be accessed by a footbridge, which leads into the main part of the home on the middle floor. Additionally, there is a basement and a first floor, completing the three-storey property. The entry is enclosed in glass, accessing a double-height dining room with a 35-feet glass wall. The living room has two grey couches, a light grey coffee table and a dark feature wall that accommodates a fireplace. The main floor houses a television room, a space with a pool table and a power room. A steel staircase with powder-coated white steps leads up to four bedrooms and three bathrooms that are arranged in a U-shape. This leaves an opening with views down to the dining table below.

La Firme concludes, Our approach balanced utility, the clients needs and desires, and uncompromising aesthetic standards. From the perspective of a rural house project, one of our concerns was achieving a harmonious balance between the building and its natural surroundings. Additionally, love and respect for materials are in our DNA and we feel them out for their inherent beauty and identify what relates them to the environment. In the case of The Barn, natural materials and textures make for an organic feel that helps integrate the building into the surrounding environment, even from the interior.

Inside John Lennon and Yoko Onos Bed-In for Peace hotel suite in Montreal

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Quebec: The story of this 100-year-old sheds restoration is fascinating - Architectural Digest India

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Miss Universe Jamaica 2019 Iana Olivia Tickle Garcia is a gorgeous, brave, smart, out of many, one lady; now maligned by scurrilous gossip and ignorance. This energy did not greet the 5 in 4 growth target, but there are many who thrive on negatives and snatch defeat from victory with glee, but some are misled.

Iana and her crew are pilloried for wearing a colonial, slave owner-like gown akin to Rose Hall's evil white lady, and this reward for honest effort must hurt. The White Witch Annie Palmer, if she existed, was never convicted in a court and, like our rapacious black criminals, is innocent until proven guilty. Hang her on social media?

This cass-cass is unnecessary as there was no sexy, murderer witch as White Witch is a legendary story and, despite years of speculation, modern scholarship has shown the story to be untrue. (Yates, Geoffrey S The Rose Hall Jamaica Legend)

Dr Yates says this may have started by the strangling of Mrs Palmer at the adjacent Palmyra Estate in 1830 and the novels Zelluco and White Witch of Rose Hall finessed it. But even if the said witch existed, maligning Garcia for a lookalike gown used in the artist's impression of Annie is wrong.

Jamaica uses this to attract tourists, and it works; but not rolling calf legend or Nanny catching bullets in her bum, as they are nasty. Still this raises issues.

First, it proves we need good education, good history to remove ambivalence about Annie Palmer, slavery, and emancipation by reading books. Our facts are from European traders, archaeologists, files, ship manifests, travellers, writers, as Africans have not written their side of trans-Sahara, Indian Ocean or transatlantic slave trades. We can't prosper until people stop whining, accept the past is as it is, move forward and write our own glorious history.

Next, Jamaicans do not handle race issues well. We kin teet, but chat behind back. For decades we take massive aid from whites, yet seem angry at them; why? So white Annie, not convicted of crimes, is hated, but black convict Buju Banton is feted; racism?

Garcia wore an Annie lookalike gown and some blast her, but convicted criminal Dudus wears Prada, Nike, and all wear them gladly? Are blacks entitled to be bad, but not whites? Bob sang country songs but whites must not be in reggae Grammy; racism?

Thirdly, Garcia's Restoration design gown is not proprietary to Annie. Fashion reflects the zeitgeist in Europe, so in war apparel get tight, precise, martial, but in peace, exuberant to excess. After Charles I was beheaded, Oliver Cromwell's republic was drab, puritanical, like death to fashionistas; but the restoration of Charles II in 1661 saw flourescence in art, architecture, and fashion.

The sackback day dress stiff corsetry, cane side hoops, and layered skirts was hot in London and fictional Annie's embroidered in silk-best of Mayfair or copied by her black seamstress so check the V & A collections. Some free blacks owned slaves, were fashionable, and copied London and Paris couture from wives of visiting estate owners. So, today, if notorious Nikki Dread wears Moschino, Zanotti; drinks Moet and Alize, then we must never touch them yuh mad!? Unhand Garcia, you villain!

Four, the tourist industry spent millions promoting Annie Palmer and Rose Hall. We have cashed in, so when did these serpents develop shame? Why should acts of long-dead crazy white people shame us? Shame is our ancestor's brethren who sold them without a GPS to find their way back home; and 250,000 of them here could not rise up, give 28,000 whites a back-siding to free themselves! Rwandan men killed one million using machetes; 200,000 a week, 40,000 a day; our cane cutter ancestors did what? Shame!

Five, Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa is Miss Universe 2019; congratulations! She is black, gorgeous, conscious, has a narrow face, high cheekbones, aquiline nose like Mom and androgynous. Her dad is typical African in physiognomy, but not her or our Garcia (no nuff derriere and flared nostrils). She speaks perfect English and could be any colour. Her people have no angst about apartheid as ours about slavery. After truth and reconciliation, former oppressors and oppressed get closer every day; is this true for Jamaica?

Six, this incident is symptom of a deeper malaise; our people are conflicted as history does not read as they would like, and Africa is silent. We are not heroes in our own story and Rose Hall, its fictional denizens are anathema to our 92.1 per cent black. We see this racism in many issues and it's alive. Cleansing fire can destroy remnants of slavery and colonialism? Why refurbish The Ward theatre? What about a ground zero of great houses, churches, hospital; will this exorcise their demons? No! Quality education can dissolve hate and resolve conflicts of heart and mind so they study war no more. People must stop looking in the rear-view mirror and forward unto growth! Stay conscious!

Franklin Johnston, D Phil (Oxon), is a strategist and project manager; Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK); and lectures in logistics and supply chain management at Mona School of Business and Management, The University of the West Indies. Send comments to the Observer or franklinjohnstontoo@gmail.com.

Now you can read the Jamaica Observer ePaper anytime, anywhere. The Jamaica Observer ePaper is available to you at home or at work, and is the same edition as the printed copy available at http://bit.ly/epaperlive

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English Restoration gowns and mental slavery - Jamaica Observer

There are not many homes in New Zealand that are 165 years old, and even fewer colonial mansions.

Te Mata House outside Havelock North is one of them it was built in 1854by a family of landowners who gifted Te Mata Peak to the people of New Zealand.

And it was the first homestead built in Hawkes Bay, so, history-wise,it sits right alongside other historical homesteads, such as Highwic House and Alberton in Auckland built in 1862 and 1863 respectively. Although neither of those two have been the subjects of the huge modernisation project Te Mata House has undergone.

BAYLEYS HAVELOCK NORTH

Picture perfect - stately Te Mata House in Havelock North was the first homestead to be built in Hawke's Bay. It has been extensively refurbished over three years and is now on the market.

The current owners have spared no expense in the three-year modernisation and refurbishment programme, and have now decided to sell the property.

READ MORE* Devonport villa has glorious past* Devonport landmark restored to splendour* Who bought that Athfield house in Havelock North?

Salesperson Fiona Mackenzie of Bayleys Havelock North saysthe vendor's "labour-of-love"restoration project has"reborn" the 533-square metre home to look even more stately now than when it was first built.

BAYLEYS HAVELOCK NORTH

The gardens, designed by leading Australian landscaper Paul Bangay, include citrus groves, lavender beds and numerous water features.

And it was pioneering farmerJohn Chambers who emigrated from England with his wife, who commissioned the house. Chambersestablished one of New Zealand's biggest pioneering farm dynasties atits zenith, Te Mata House was the homestead for a rural empire that stretched some 7284 hectares from Napier in the north to the Ruataniwha Plains in the south, complete with the landmark Te Mata Peak mountain range at its back doorstep.

Thefarm block was so expansive that Te Mata House was used as an overnight stopping point for travellers. John Chambers is recorded as importing one of the province's first horse-drawn carts and, was a key figure in growing the frozen meat trade in Hawke's Bay. His sons John, Bernard, and Mason gifted Te Mata Peak to the people of New Zealand through a trust.

Today thehome is surrounded by meticulously landscaped lawns, several hundred metres of limestone walls and steps, and hedgerow-bordered gardendesigned by Australian landscaper Paul Bangay. The gardensincludebeds of lavender, citrus groves, and numerous flowing water features all overlooking rows of grapevines on neighbouring Te Mata Estate winery.

BAYLEYS HAVELOCK NORTH

The current owners have respected the original character in the renovation, but added contemporary furniture and amenities in keeping with modern lifestyles.

"Inside, the home now has the style and sophistication to match and even exceed any renovation standard you would see anywhere in New Zealand," says Mackenzie.

Updates includea remote-controlled sound system with speakers discreetly positioned throughout the entire property, the latest ventilation, security and heating technology.

In addition to its spacious entertaining areas on the ground floor, the main house has four double bedrooms on the upper level, all with ensuites.

BAYLEYS HAVELOCK NORTH

Designed to cater to a crowd, the large kitchens opens right up to the pool area.

Other key features include asolid-block room with original iron shutters over the window. The buildingonce doubledas Havelock North's bank, and as a "safe room"for the Chambers family.

Theoriginal school house remains on the property.John Chambers had the thisbuilt for his children to be taught privately as there were no schools in the district. It'snow a children's art house.

The farm's original animal stables and barn have been remodelled into an underground whisky cellar complete with a designer studio apartment flat above.

BAYLEYS HAVELOCK NORTH

Modern formal dining is a little different from 165 years ago, the original floorboards remain.

There's even a state-of-the-art, three-levelchildren's treehouseand adventure playground complex, complete with a fireman's pole, rope net ladder, flying fox, and swing bridges.

Other buildings include a detached two-bedroom cottage for guests or a staff residence with full-size living room, kitchen, bathroom, and private courtyard. There is an18-metre in-ground swimming pool with spa, and a cabana featuring a gymnasium and lounge room with bar facilities.

Equestrian enthusiasts are well catered for as well, with a60m x 20m equestrian dressage arena with lime sand andsprinkler irrigation, and a horse stabling complex consisting of two stalls, a tack room, feed room, and a separate kitchen with laundry.

BAYLEYS HAVELOCK NORTH

This appealing whiskey cellar, with apartment above, is in the original stables building.

"You simply can't replicate history on this magnitude especially when compounded by the former bank vault, the classroom, and even the original fire-escape trap door on the upper balcony, which accesses a steel-rung ladder below," Mackenzie says.

The property,at 337 Te Mata Road, is on two titles and covers 2.2ha. It is for sale by tender through Bayleys Havelock North, with tenders closing on February 11, 2020.

BAYLEYS HAVELOCK NORTH

Each of the four bedrooms on the upper floor has an ensuite bathroom.

BAYLEYS HAVELOCK NORTH

All bedrooms, including this children's room, are spacious with lovely views.

BAYLEYS HAVELOCK NORTH

There's even a cute treehouse and adventure playground for the children.

BAYLEYS HAVELOCK NORTH

Outbuildings include a children's art house (formerly the schoolhouse), a two-bedroom cottage for guests or staff, and a new stables complex.

Read more:
Stunning 165-year-old Te Mata House on the market after huge restoration - Stuff.co.nz

A 15 MILLION stately home is on sale for a cut-price 2.5 million after it was gutted in a suspected arson attack.

Parnham House, built in 1551 near Beaminster, Dorset, was left a shell in the April 2017 blaze.

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Its owner, hedge fund manager Michael Treichl, was arrested on suspicion of arson but drowned in an apparent suicide.

A 3million agreed sale fell through so it is back on the market at 2.5million in the hope it will be snapped up amid fears the external walls could collapse.

Any buyer will have to spend millions on rebuilding and restoring it with all work approved by Historic England.

A spokesperson for Historic England said: "We are aware that the hoped-for sale of Grade I listed Parnham House has fallen through.

"We are aware that the property is now being remarketed.

"The property remains vulnerable, and a rapid resolution is needed on the sale of the property to allow repair and restoration works to begin."

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Price of mansion slashed from 15million to 2.5million after suspected arson attack - The Sun

Its hard to keep up with national politics these days no less whats happening in your state and local governments.Now,try to think back to everything thats happened in state politics since 2009.

It was a major political decade in Minnesota,and believe it or not,some of the stories here rival the intrigue coming out of Washington,D.C.,every day.

From the longest government shutdown in state history to the rise and fall of some of the states most prominent politicians,here are the top stories in state politics between 2009 and 2019,listed in somewhat chronological order:

Then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty discussed the Minnesota Supreme Court's ruling regarding the unallotment case in May 2010.

Jeffrey Thompson | MPR News 2010

Back in the summer of 2009,after lawmakers went home for the year,former Republican Gov.Tim Pawlenty wielded a little-known executive power to unilaterally cut or shift $2.7 billion from the state budget.

Democrats who controlled the House and Senate were furious,arguing Pawlenty used the power to cut spending out of the budget they sent him because he didnt want to sign a tax bill they also sent him to pay for it.The Supreme Court ultimately ruled his use of unallotment was improper,with Pawlentys former law partner and Supreme Court pick Eric Magnuson authoring the deciding opinion against him.

Then-Republican Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch spoke to reporters at a news conference in June 2011.

Tom Scheck | MPR News 2011

The tea party wave in 2010 helped deliver a majority to Republicans in the state House and Senate for the first time since the modern day state Republican Party was designated back in the 1970s.

It gave them the power to shape state policy and budgets for the first time in decades,but there was a big caveat:The first Democratic governor in decades,Mark Dayton,was also elected that year and would repeatedly clash with their agenda.

The grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul remained quiet in July 2011 as the state government shutdown continued.

Nikki Tundel | MPR News 2011

One of Dayton and the Republican-controlled Legislatures biggest disagreements was over the states two-year budget in 2011 and how to close a multibillion-dollar budget deficit.

They couldnt agree to a deal by the end of session in May or by June 30,the end of the fiscal year and the constitutional deadline to pass a balanced budget.State government shut down the next day and stayed shut down for 20 days,easily the longest government shutdown in state history.

Republican state Sen. Amy Koch resigned as majority leader in 2011 after revelations of an affair with a subordinate.

Jeffrey Thompson | MPR News 2011

The tea party wave also brought a rising star lawmaker into the spotlight.Then-Republican Sen.Amy Koch orchestrated her partys takeover of the chamber and was elected Senate majority leader for her efforts the first woman in state history to ever hold that position.

But one year later,Kochs political rise came to an abrupt halt when four male colleagues held a press conference without her to reveal she had an affair with a subordinate.She resigned as majority leader the next day and didnt seek reelection the next cycle.

Her subordinate,Michael Brodkorb,was fired by the Senate,kicking off a wrongful termination lawsuit in which he argued he was treated differently than female staffers who had relationships with male elected officials.He threatened to bring those relationships to light,but never did,eventually settling with the Senate for $30,000.

Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf spoke at a news conference after Minneapolis was selected as the host for 2018 Super Bowl at the NFL's spring meetings in May 2014 in Atlanta.

David Goldman | AP 2014

It was hard to believe the Republican-led Legislature and Dayton could agree on anything,no less a $1 billion new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings that required hundreds of millions of dollars in public subsidy.But they struck a deal in 2012,ending a more than decadelong saga to get the stadium built.

It was a session full of twists and turns,from the defeat of the stadium bill in a key House committee to its unlikely revival in the final days of session.

Demonstrators on both sides of the issue gathered outside the Minnesota House chamber to greet lawmakers as they arrived to take up the same-sex marriage bill at the State Capitol in May 2013.

Jim Mone | AP Photo 2013

While Dayton vetoed many Republican priorities,they were able to bypass him and put two proposed constitutional amendments on the 2012 ballot:a photo ID requirement to vote and a ban on gay marriage (it was already banned in state law).

Democrats launched massive campaigns to defeat the amendments,which voters ultimately did.It was no easy feat:Polling leading all the way up to Election Day showed both amendments had enough support to pass.

The 2012 election also swept Democrats into control of the Legislature and all of state government.By May,theyd flipped the debate from constitutionally banning gay marriage to a successful push to make Minnesota the 12th state in the nation to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Then-MNsure Chair Brian Beutner, left, listened as interim CEO Scott Leitz spoke during a press conference in December 2013 in Minneapolis. Leitz took over after the resignation of April Todd-Malmlov, who faced criticism over complications with insurance sign-ups under the federal health care law.

Glen Stubbe | The Star Tribune via AP 2013

MNsure,MNLARS?Those two government-run IT projects consumed much of the Capitols limited oxygen supply for the better part of the last decade,with technical glitches,cost overruns and long delays for Minnesotans either trying to buy health insurance or update their vehicle tabs and registration.

The MNsure insurance exchange is running more smoothly now,and MNLARS has now been scrapped for VTRS Vehicle Title and Registration System which lawmakers hope wont have the same problems when its rolled out.

Master stone carver Mark Wickstrom selected a tool while working on exterior restoration at the State Capitol in St. Paul in April 2015.

Jeffrey Thompson | MPR News 2015

It started more than a dozen years ago as a $100,000 study to explore the restoration needs on the inside of the Minnesota Capitol.But it ballooned into a $310 million project to revive dulled murals,fix plaster work,install massive slabs of marble to fix the crumbling exterior and rewire the entire structure to make it a modern workspace.

It took years and shut down most of the building during that time,but the idea was to restore the more than 100-year-old building for the next 100 years to come.

In 2017, Minnesota lawmakers scrapped a ban on Sunday liquor sales.

George Dornbach | MPR News 2017

It only took 159 years,but in 2017,Minnesota lawmakers scrapped a ban on selling alcohol on Sundays.Before that,the Sunday liquor sales debate was a perennial issue at the Capitol,making strange bedfellows of Republicans and Democrats who routinely defeated it over religious objections and opposition from liquor stores,who liked not being open on Sundays.

Education Minnesota President Denise Specht joined other groups urging Dayton budget vetoes in May 2017.

Brian Bakst | MPR News 2017

After another messy end to the 2017 legislative session,Dayton zeroed out the Legislatures $130 million operating budget at the same time he signed the rest of the states two-year budget.

It was a final attempt to get lawmakers to renegotiate some tax breaks and teacher licensure provisions they disagreed on,but the Legislature didnt bite.Instead,they sued the governor arguing he violated the Constitutions separation of powers between the Legislative and executive branches.A lower court agreed,but the Minnesota Supreme Court ultimately upheld Daytons veto.

Sen. Al Franken, center, held hands with his wife, Franni Bryson, as he left the Capitol after speaking on the Senate floor in December 2017 in Washington. Franken announced his resignation following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations and a collapse of support from his Democratic colleagues.

Jacquelyn Martin | AP 2017

Allegations of sexual harassment and assault were sweeping up prominent people in the media and politics across the country in 2017,and by late fall,two state legislators resigned amid allegations of repeated inappropriate behavior toward women in politics.

Their stories revealed a broader culture of sexual harassment in workplaces,including the state and national capitols.In Washington,D.C.,Minnesota U.S.Sen.Al Franken was also facing a string of allegations of unwanted groping and forcible kissing.After pressure from his Senate colleagues,he resigned from office in December 2017.

Then-Republican gubernatorial candidates Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, left, and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty at MPR News in August 2018.

Evan Frost | MPR News 2018

Frankens resignation in the middle of his term set off a stunning series of events.It triggered a law that allowed Dayton to appoint his replacement Lt.Gov.Tina Smith until the next general election,which triggered a different constitutional provision requiring the Senate president take over as lieutenant governor.

But there was one problem:The Senate president was Republican Michelle Fischbach,who wasnt exactly thrilled about leaving the chamber to serve alongside a Democratic governor.The Senate fought back in court,but the case ultimately went unresolved.

Fischbach announced shortly after session ended that she would,in fact,take over the lieutenant governor job and leave the Senate.Why?She later became the lieutenant governor candidate alongside Pawlenty as he attempted an executive branch comeback.

Minnesota Republicans took control of part or all of the Legislature for most of the last decade,and in 2018,they flipped two Greater Minnesota seats from Democrat to Republicans.But the party hasn't won a single statewide office since 2006,when Pawlenty was elected to a second term as governor.

Twice,the Republican Party picked Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson as their gubernatorial candidate,only to have him lose handily twice.It's a concerning streak for party operatives,who worry the voting power of the Twin Cities and suburban communities could lock them out of that office for decades to come.

See the article here:
Decade's dozen: The top 12 Minnesota politics stories of the past 10 years - Minnesota Public Radio News

The Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund submitted more than 200,000 signatures to the Colorado Secretary of State's office in favor of reintroducing gray wolves. If enough are validated, the petition will become a 2020 ballot initiative.

Colorado might be getting a little more populated in 2023.

On Tuesday morning, the Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund (RMWAF) handed over 211,093 signatures to the Colorados Secretary of States office in support of a petition to reintroduce gray wolves in Colorado. The signatures, which have been collected across the state since June, will take 30 calendar days to be validated by Secretary of State Jena Griswolds office. If enough are validated (124,632 are required), the petition will become an initiative on the 2020 statewide ballot.

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The Rocky Mountain Wolf Projectand the Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund started gathering signatures this past summer with the help of nonprofits like Defenders of Wildlife, the Wild Foundation, and the Endangered Species Coalition, in the hopes of adding wolves back into Colorados natural landscape.

Delivering these signatures is the first step toward restoring an interconnected population of wolves that stretches from the high Arctic southward to the Mexican border, bringing back a true American species, Joanna Lambert, a professor of environmental studies at the University of Boulder and a member of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, said at a press conference.

The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project works to educate the public about wolf ecology and behavior in the hopes of restoring wolf populations back in Colorado. Gray wolves have been roaming the wild lands of North America for almost a million years. Yet, sometime early in the 1940s, Colorados last wolf howled its very last howl, Lambert said. Our best peer-reviewed science tells us that native species like wolves are essential to the delicate balance of species, species interactions, and ecosystem health.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Colorado Farm Bureau, the Colorados Cattlemen Association, and the Colorado Wool Growers Association all openly oppose the initiative making the 2020 ballot. Many organizations have joined the Stop the Wolf Coalition which is made up of sportsmen, farmers and ranches, and individuals who are concerned about wolf reintroduction in Colorado.

The signatures, which were originally due by December 13, are expected to be validated by the Secretary of States office by January 9. If enough are verified, the petition will be the first time in U.S. history that a restoration initiative of an endangered species will be decided by voters. If Coloradans vote in favor of reintroducing wolves, Colorado Parks and Wildlife would take over implementation and management. And by 2023, Colorado could be home to 2030 gray wolves.

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By restoring wolves, our state can serve as a model of what good stewardship of public lands and wild landscapes looks like.

Victoria manages the social media accounts for both 5280 and 5280 Home and identifies opportunities for growth and engagement. She also writes and edits stories for 5280.com.

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Wolf Reintroduction Is One Step Closer to Becoming a Reality - 5280 | The Denver Magazine

The winners were:

2019 Manufacturing Business Excellence GSM Filtration

2019 Marketing Business Excellence Beyond Engagement

2019 New Business Excellence The Salt Oasis Kingsport

2019 Retail Business Excellence Duke & Fox

2019 Woman-Owned Business Excellence Flight Athletic Academy

2019 Service Business Excellence Appalachian Maid Services

2019 Construction Business Excellence Patterson Homes

2019 Innovation Business Excellence ActionVFX

2019 Food Business Excellence The Main Street Pizza Company

2019 Pillar of Excellence Hunter, Smith & Davis

2019 Young Entrepreneur Business Excellence ARO Creative

2019 Gazelle Business Excellence Mycroft Signs

2019 Veteran-Owned - Rowan Tree Care

More than 300 business leaders and entrepreneurs showed up for the awards gala held at the MeadowView Marriott, including all of Pals operators. The Pals organization was on hand to witness an honored guest, Hal Carmack. Carmack was presented with a special Hidden Gem Award, for his significant but quiet contributions including designing and building 26 of Pals distinctive hot-dog-shaped restaurants.

Don Royston received the 2019 IMPACT Award. Royston is well-known for his role as Santa Claus aboard the Santa Train. Royston was one of the original founding fathers who helped create KOSBE. Royston was also recently recognized with the prestigious Lifetime Member Award during the State of the Kingsport Chamber Holiday Breakfast.

Taylors Martial Arts Academy received a $1,000 cash prize for their efforts and results while participating in KOSBEs new Propel Mentor/Protg Program. The Propel program is a one-of-its-kind opportunity designed for woman-, veteran-, and minority-owned small businesses and disadvantaged businesses including rural, economic, or social disadvantage. The program provides business owners with one-on-one assistance to help them grow their business, and teams them up with a mentor (an established community business leader) and exclusive mastermind group.

The award winners represent the best of the best small businesses in the region, said Dustin Mohr, KOSBE chair-elect and chief operating officer at Martin Dentistry. In an environment that is increasingly competitive, we have recognized the leading businesses and individuals that have impacted the small business community, the city of Kingsport, and beyond.

The nominations, representing 46 businesses and eight individuals, were judged by an independent jury of industry experts. To maintain the integrity and quality of the competition, no staff from the Kingsport Chamber, nor KOSBE was part of the selection process.

About The KOSBEs

The KOSBEs promote economic impact by recognizing small businesses that are leading by example and making an extraordinary contribution to the communities they do business in. The winners exemplify leadership and excellence in overcoming adversity, and a passion for helping others succeed. Award winners serve as inspirational leaders to other local small businesses, and they model best practices that will progress the region as a whole. For a complete list of past winners, visitwww.kosbeawards.org.

About KOSBE

The mission of KOSBE is to be the go-to organization in the area for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their business, by creating and developing the right tools and resources and cultivating the right partnerships. For more information, call (423) 392-8811, or visitwww.kosbe.org.

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Who are this year's KOSBE Award winners? - Kingsport Times News

Bengaluru-based MyGate has reached over 5,000 communities since its launch three years ago and plans to take that number past 30,000 by the end of next year

December12, 20195 min read

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

With rising urbanization, gated communities are increasingly becoming a norm. These communitieswhile ensuring a plethora of additional perks for little extra costpromise security for residents. But as communities grow, it is important to ask: Are security measures keeping up?

When Vijay Arisetty moved out of the Indian Air Force nearly ten years ago following a shoulder dislocation, he thought moving to such a community would give his family the same kind of security that they are used to.

But, you know, aspirations are always much higher than the ground reality, he says.

That was the idea behind MyGate, a Bengaluru-based start-up whose sole aim is to make gated communities safer.

Analyzing the market, Arisetty found that residential real estate was growing rapidly, with most of it coming via the private sector. And of those, very few were individual houses. The trend, already prevalent in tier I cities, has slowly moved to tier II and tier III as well.

The reason, says Arisetty, is people are aspiring for additional luxuries such as a swimming pool, something that they may not be able to afford individually.

And with technology bringing everything from food to medicines to the doorstep through a click, it has subsequently resulted in an increased number of visitors to communities.

As a result, residents also end up interacting with the security personnel multiple times a day.

The processes at the gate have become much more cumbersome and the security guards with their existing skills were not able to perform this job, Arisetty explains.

After zeroing in on these gaps, he went to Shreyans Daga, a friend from a business school with a background in technology, and Abhishek Kumar, who was a colleague of Arisetty during his stint at Goldman Sachs. Both of them agreed to come on-board almost instantly, he says.

Very little has changed in the product since they first launched in 2016, according to Arisetty.

MyGate gives a mobile device to security personnel at the gate, where they only have to input numbers. The simplicity makes sure that even those who are not tech-savvy would be able to use the system conveniently.

There are different modules on the platform, with a separate one each for those who visit the apartments for daily chores, delivery executives and relatives.

For example, if a maid works at a few houses at a gated community, they would need to get their profiles uploaded into the system and would have a six-digit code. Every time they enter, they would have to give the code to the guard at the gate, who would then enter it into his device.

The residents who have employed the maid would then get a notification on their mobile app.

The convenience doesn't stop there. In a scenario where a maid is absent, residents have the choice of seeing the other maids who work at the same society, contact them and avail their services for the given day.

Over time, MyGate has integrated delivery apps such as Swiggy and Zomato into the system, making those transactions more seamless. After an order is placed and a delivery executive is assigned, the resident gets a notification from the MyGate app. Once they approve, the executive is let in.

The company has also added features such as paying monthly dues to the apartment association or those who do daily chores directly through the app.

For us, the initial days were really difficult, says Arisetty.

Considering how the gate is such a complex place where multiple things happen, people were unwilling to believe that such a simple solution could work.

To set the ball rolling, they installed the product for free at three gated communities with roughly 3,000 houses across Bengaluru.

What happened is, when it was being used by these 3,000 houses, there were 6,000 guests coming to these houses on a daily basis. They used to see this and they used to go back to their communities and say that why don't you install MyGate, Arisetty says.

The growth has been exponential since. From 40 communities in 2017, MyGate is now used in more than 5,000 communities in 11 cities. Arisetty says they expect the number to reach 30,000 by the end of next year.

So, has there been a point when they realized that they made it?

He says it was about two years ago, when underground internet cables got cut in Chennai due to a cyclone and MyGate went down for two hours. Around 40 per cent of our user base reached out to us that MyGate is not working and that was like, you know, yes, people are not able to live without MyGate.

The company raised an $8.7 million series A round in October last year from Bengaluru-based venture capital firm Prime Venture Partners and followed that up with a $56 million series B round two months ago, which saw participation from Tiger Global and Chinas Tencent Holdings.

MyGate has always been profitable on a unit economics basis, and thats something which has also contributed to investors believing in their business, says Arisetty.

According to Arisetty, 70-80 per cent of their growth over the next year will come from the 11 cities that they are already present in, with the rest from some tier II locations that they are looking to enter.

We want to go a little bit deeper into each of the cities and then probably move out, he says.

The company is also focused on making the technology better, bringing down the time it takes for a visitor to check in. Currently, it takes a visitor at the gate 20 seconds on average and the company aims to get that down to two seconds.

It's like you ring a calling bell, the bell should ring. It has to be that real time.

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Live In a Gated Community? This Start-Up Is Making It Safer - Entrepreneur

Picture used for illustrative purposes only. Image Credit: Supplied

Dubai: Whether you are a working parent, a stay-at-home mum or dad or an entrepreneur, the UAE's lifestyle can be exhausting. The work hours are long, commute can be long too because of peak hour traffic and most houses have a nuclear family set up. In such situations,getting help at home, whether through a maid to look after your household chores or a nanny to provide childcare services, can make a world of difference. However, there are strict regulations governing the hiring of domestic workers in the UAE. It is important to know the dos and donts in such relationships as well as your rights and the rights of the domstic worker.

So, if you are on the hunt for that perfect family support staff, here is how you can start the process.

Before you begin, ask yourself exactly what you are looking for. It is helpful to ask the following questions:

Once you have answered these questions, the next steps become easier.

Part-time maid or nanny

If you want a part-time help, you need to get in touch with the many maid services in the UAE. This can be an expensive option, with many maid services charging Dh100-150 for four hours of service but it is a great option to consider if you only need help at home occasionally. The charges can be higher if you want the maid to bring her own supplies.

There are no documents or registration required if you choose to hire part-time maids from registered companies as the companies manage their workers' employment processes.

However, it is important to only deal with legitimate businesses and steer clear of any agents who promise part-time househelp without being registered with the relevant local authorities.

To verify that the company you are dealing with is registered with the economic department, you can search for the company on the Abu Dhabi Economic department website hereand the Dubai Economic Department website here.

Full-time maid or nanny

Before you know the processes and options available to you as a UAE resident to get a maid or nanny, it is important to know about the agencies and ministry that oversees the hiring and regulation of domestic workers in the UAE.

What is Tadbeer?

Tadbeer service centers are licensed by the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE). The centers provide integrated services to recruit and employ domestic workers. The centers are available across the UAE and offer various options for families. Whether you want Tadbeer to provide a maid, with all the government paperwork taken care of by the centre, or you already have someone in mind who you would like to sponsor, Tadbeer provides various packages based on your needs.

You can visit any of their centres in the UAE, a list is provided here.

However, these centres are not iterconnected, which means that if you wish to apply for your maid or nanny's visa through Tadbeer, you will need to contact a specific centre to find out what their requirements, fees and processes are. These can vary as Tadbeer has collaborated with other companies that operate the individual centres. So, the packages and offers you get at one centre may not necessarily be the same as another centre.

If you want a full-time house help or nanny, do you want to have her living at your home or outside? The two options are referred to as live-in or live-out. Whichever option makes more sense to you and your family, you will then have several ways of selecting the right person:

Once you have met the right candidate, the next step is getting the necessary paperwork in place, so that they are a legal worker in the country. If you want to get the maid or nanny on your own visa,you have two options

Process to bring a maid or nanny on your own sponsorship

1. If you wish to sponsor a maid on your visa, you need to take the following documents to a typing centre:

a. Tenancy contract for a two bedroom apartment, with maid's room or a three bedroom apartment. Requirements can change, so speak to your typing centre to find out what the minimum requirements are.

b. Salary certificate, showing a minimum salary of Dh10,000.

d. Passport and visa copy

f. Maid passport copy maid photo

g. If the maid or nanny is a national of the same country, you need to get a certificate from the countrys consulate proving you are not related.

If the maid is not in the country, she will require an entry permit to enter the country. This can incur additional costs. Once she is in the country, you need to apply for the medical fitness test, health insurance and Emirates ID processes. The total cost can range from Dh7,000-Dh10,0000, depending on the company you are dealing with.

The visa is valid for one year.

2. In the UAE,Tadbeer is authorised by MOHRE to deal with domestic worker visas. If you wish to get a maid or nanny from Tadbeer, you can do that through their Tadbeer two-year visa service. However, as mentioned earlier, you will need to contact a specific centre to find out what their requirements, fees and processes are. However,there are some aspects and payments that you will need to pay regardless of which centre you approach:

a. the visa processing fees (some centres do not include medical insurance in this amount, so always make sure you check which services are covered)

b.the maid's monthly salary

c. monthly service charges for Tadbeer

d. return ticket every two years.

You can either get the maid under your sponsorship, or she can be under Tadbeer's sponsorship, with a contract between you and Tadbeer that the worker will only work for your household.

Under your sponsorship, you have the ability to set the salary that suits you and the house help. However, each country has independent regulations regarding minimum salary and other criteria such as age. These will be provided by the typing centres or Tadbeer centres.

Single males are not allowed to sponsor maids.

If you do not have a maid or nanny that you already know of, you can approach Tadbeer centres and meet with the candidates they have. This can be a more expensive option but comes with several guarantees. There is no downpayment requried and families need to visit a Tadbeer office with their passport and visa copy and Emirates ID. Once you meet a maid that you like, you simply need to provide post-dated cheques for 24 months, for the two years the maid will be with you.

If you are not satisfied with the maid, the agency allows for a change of four maids in the span of two years.

Families are required to provide food and accomodation to the maid, while Tadbeer manages their salary payment, medical testing and insurance costs, Emirates ID and air ticket costs.

What are their rights?

As per UAE law, domestic workers are entitled to the following:

What not to do...

Whether you are looking for a part-time or a full-time house maid, make sure you deal with registered companies, who send maids on an hour-based system.

Residents hiring illegal housemaids are fined up to Dh50,000 as per the UAE lawwhich stipulates that maids should be sponsored by them or by recruiters. Depending on the case, offenders not only face fines but also deportation.

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How to find a maid or a nanny in the UAE? - Gulf News

By Thomas Harrigan

December 12, 2019

The Giants announced new dimensions for Oracle Park's outfield on Thursday as part of their plan to revamp the park for the 2020 season, which includes relocating the bullpens from foul territory to their new home behind the center-field wall.

Left-center field will move from 404 feet to 399 feet, center field will move from 399 feet to 391 feet, and "Triples Alley" in right-center field will move from 421 feet to 415 feet. The new center-field wall will be seven feet high instead of eight.

The bullpens, which had been located in foul territory since the stadium first opened in 2000, will be placed to the left and right of The Garden at Oracle Park. The Giants shared renderings of how the new bullpens will look on Thursday.

Fans will have a direct view from The Garden into the Giants' bullpen, and two new standing room terraces will be constructed next to the bleachers in left- and right-center field. The terraces will offer views of the playing field and into the bullpens.

The new dimensions could help increase the offensive output at home for the Giants, who went 35-46 while averaging only 3.35 runs per game at Oracle Park this past season, compared to 5.02 runs per game on the road. San Francisco ranked last in the National League with 63 home runs and 271 runs scored at home.

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Giants to move in outfield fences in 2020 - MLB.com