CARSON (CBSLA.com) Some Carson residents are against a new city Planning Commission proposal that would prohibit the use of chain-link fences in residential neighborhoods and business areas.

If passed, people would have three years to comply to the new rules.

Residents Penny Subiate and Douglas Chaney are concerned about how people are going to come up with the money to replace their current fences.

I can understand the beautification that they want to do, but I think they are creating a hardship on some of the residents, Chaney said.

Im retired. My husband is retired. There are only so many dollars coming in. Do I have to make a loan I cant afford because the city doesnt like my fence? Subiate said.

In addition, residents are alarmed because its easier to tag certain kinds of fences with graffiti.

We border right up against big-time gangs, and they just love to come and write. They write on the sidewalks, they write on the fences, they write on the side of your house. Its ugly, Subiate said.

Carson Mayor Jim Dear said while he supports the ban on some business fencing, he said there was a mix-up and residential fences were not supposed to be part of the discussion.

That was not my initiative, it was never part of the initiative from the mayors office, so there is a little disconnect there, he said.

Subiate and Chaney plan to circulate a petition in opposition of the ban. They will present it to the Planning Commission at a Feb. 11 meeting.

Go here to see the original:
Some Carson Residents Oppose Proposed Ban On Chain-Link Fences

Alex Massey, Phoebe Wearne and Angela Pownall The West Australian January 22, 2014, 4:47 am

Angry Northam residents say they do not feel safe after another escape from the Serco-staffed Yongah Hill immigration detention centre yesterday.

Four detainees broke out, sparking a big manhunt and calls for the "unscalable" perimeter fence to be upgraded.

Three were soon captured after climbing at least three fences about 3pm. The other man was found later.

It was the fourth breakout since August and two of the 14 escapees are still on the run.

In a statement through a spokesman, Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison expressed strong dissatisfaction at the performance of the Yongah Hill centre.

He had asked the department to review detainee placements there to ensure those at a higher risk of absconding were in more secure facilities.

Northam Shire president Steven Pollard said the escapes proved people could climb the fences "relatively easily".

It seemed the fences could be scaled in a minute or less, which made it difficult for Serco staff to respond fast enough.

Mr Pollard said the main perimeter fence was meant to be "unscalable", which meant it had no hand holds or attachment points and the top leant inwards.

See more here:
Anger at another Serco escape

TV Watch

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

By Wade Rouse

01/21/2014 at 07:00 AM EST

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills certainly were Monday night, as the ladies got into a boxing ring to learn self-defense while Brandi Glanville took the gloves off with her own father.

"I love that man like crazy," Glanville, 40, said of her father, whom she had upset by wearing a very revealing Oscar dress and also referencing his days as a hippie in her memoir Drinking and Tweeting. "I said he was a drug dealer. He was a marijuana grower."

Continued Glanville: "I haven't talked to him in months. He won't even answer my texts."

But she got the chance when her father and family attended a book signing at a gay pride event in her hometown of Sacramento, where Glanville was the featured speaker.

"I've never seen Brandi this vulnerable and nervous," said Yolanda Foster, who accompanied Glanville and served as mediator, therapist and friend.

Glanville, 40, had the crowd wish her father, Guy, happy birthday and shared the story of how her parents invited the son of their best friends to move into their home after he came out and was kicked out of his family's house.

Go here to read the rest:
RHOBH's Brandi Glanville Reunites with Her Estranged Dad

Theres a steely gleam in Esau Pritchetts eyes as he tells harrowing childhood stories. He keeps his cool, but theres a chilling sense of torture as his voice rises and tenses but never reaches a full outcry.

As Troy Maxson in Fences at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, Pritchett simmers, stretching to endure, until he has lost all he has cared about and only then do we see the full extent of his rage and his pain.

As the nucleus of director Phylicia Rashads perceptive production of August Wilsons Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning classic, Pritchett is emblematic of the powerful characters portrayed in finely calibrated performances by the full cast.

Set in Pittsburghs Hill District in 1957, the action takes place largely on the Maxsons porch, where Wilson probes family ties, economic hardship and racism endured to different degrees by different generations in a time of social change. Set design by John Iacovelli and costumes ESOSA vibrantly evoke the period.

The title refers most explicitly to a fence Troy and Cory have promised to build for Rose. As their friend Bono (a dynamic Phil McGlaston) says, some people build fences to keep people out and others, to keep people in. Rose wants to hold her family tightly close, Troy to keep out the threat of an enemy, in his mind, death.

Rose (played by the single-named actress Portia) has reason for concern. Troy wants his son Cory (Chris Myers) to be as different from him as possible with the exception of a having a loving wife and his approach to parenting can be brutal.

Once a Negro League baseball star born too early for the majors Troy is now a garbage collector. As played by Pritchett, he still has his old charm and bravado, which peek out from beneath a hardened, weary exterior.

Sharing his fathers athleticism, Cory has attracted the attention of a recruiter who has offered him a football scholarship which Troy refuses to let him accept, thinking he will be similarly shut out from professional opportunities.

Throughout the play, both swat at a makeshift baseball substitute hung from a tree they can swing for the fences, so to speak, with flawless aim, but their efforts go nowhere.

Myers physically embodies Corys early tentativeness, his shoulders slumping, intimidated at the sight of his father. In one of the most memorable scenes, he asks Troy, How come you aint never liked me?, a question met with what seems like cold puzzlement. Later, we see that the response comes from Troys desire to help his son to develop calluses, like his own, against harsh realities.

See the original post:
Powerful 'Fences' opens at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton directed by Phylicia Rashad

Verdict

DICK DUNDEE has improved over fences and is now a massive 29lb lower in the ratings over hurdles so looks the one to be on despite his big weight. Might Be Magic scored here in November but couldn't quite get to the in-form Luke's Benefit on a return visit last month and has gone up another 5lb. Tidy Zag won easily at Cork then defied a 6lb rise with a battling success at Tramore for which a 9lb hike looks excessive. The four-year-old Windsor Queen makes her handicap debut after her maiden success on heavy ground at Limerick but this is tougher. Hurricane Sky is gradually getting his act together over timber and should be thereabouts.

Dick Dundee 9-1 (11-5) Prominent early, soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden before straight, no impression in 4th before 2 out, kept on one pace, left moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Make A Track (11-0) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec.

Speed Dial 33-1 (10-5) Soon mid-division, 8th before straight, no impression 2 out, 9th of 16, 19l behind Hop In (10-8) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Dec.

Fire Belt (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Soon chased leaders, moderate 4th 2 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 11l behind Luke's Benefit (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 80-109 in Dec.

Masterofdeception (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led, bad mistake 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra before last, 6th of 7, 40l behind Shanahan's Turn (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Dec.

Shesonlyahorse (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, reminder after 2nd, weakened from 6 out, soon behind, 9th of 13, well behind Aibrean (11-7) at Naas 2m 3f mrs beg chs sft.

Mad For Road (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden in 8th 3 out, no impression and kept on one pace, 9th of 17, 18l behind Royal Flight (11-7) at Down Royal 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 sft in Dec.

Firethorn (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, progress into 9th 3 out, ridden into 3rd before 2 out, no extra before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 17, 8l behind Royal Flight (11-7) at Down Royal 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 sft in Dec.

Windsor Queen (IRE) 9-4fav (10-7) Made all, went clear from before 2 out, reduced lead but always holding on closing stages,, won at Limerick 2m 3yo mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Cassells Rock (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.

Visit link:
Fairyhouse For Fundraisers Handicap Hurdle (80-109) 2m

Verdict

Hit The Headlines hasn't been consistent over fences though his close second to King Massini in a Cheltenham handicap last month would probably be good enough. After a narrow defeat by Los Amigos here in November, Grand Jesture was well beaten by the winner at Thurles which was disappointing. VINO VINO CAVO scored twice over hurdles and has improved with each run over fences, catching the eye with a late run at Thurles last time. He could be good enough in what looks a moderate contest. Hidden Horizons looks best of the remainder as he overcame a couple of errors to finish close up at Downpatrick last month.

Grand Jesture (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along after 3 out and no impression in 6th entering straight, moderate 5th before last and kept on one pace run-in,, 4th of 8, 12l behind Los Amigos (11-3) at Thurles 2m 6f nh nov hdl sft in Dec.

Hit The Headlines (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden entering straight, 4th 3 out, under pressure and no impression when fell 2 out, in a race won by Leish Oscar (11-2) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs sft in Dec, 10 ran.

Hidden Horizons (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division early, progress into 5th at 5th, 3rd before 4 out, 2nd next, ridden to challenge before 2 out, no extra in 3rd run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Kylecrue (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs gd in Dec.

Town Pond (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, pushed along in rear approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up after 3 out,, in a race won by Thunder And Roses (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl sft in Dec, 18 ran.

Presenting Beara (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, 6th of 12, 22l behind Gilgamboa (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Dec.

Pipe Down (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) In rear, some progress on outer after 3 out, never a factor, 9th of 14, 27l behind Authorization (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft.

Vino Vino Cavo (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, moderate 6th early straight, ridden to chase 1st 2 but no impression from before last where 5th, kept on same pace run-in,, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Sitcom (11-5) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs gd in Nov.

Read this article:
Follow Fairyhouse On Facebook Beginners Chase 2m 5f 100y

STACY SQUIRES/Fairfax NZ

TOUGH THREE YEARS: David Ayers, the Waimakariri District Mayor, in Rangioras town centre which still has areas fenced off because of earthquake damage.

Every parking space not blocked by fences is full during Rangiora's rush hour.

There is no unhindered path down the main street and pedestrians cross the road several times to avoid cordons around earthquake-prone buildings.

For a town with little damage compared to its neighbour, Kaiapoi, the perceived lack of progress is hard to understand.

Waimakariri Mayor David Ayers has lived in the North Canterbury since the late 1970s. He and his wife live in the only home left on High St - "the most central house in Rangiora".

"I look at fences, so I'm very conscious of our town centre," he says.

Buildings council has "total control over" are being fixed, like the Town Hall.

Most businesses in Rangiora pre-quake are still trading, but many still battle with insurance companies.

Department store Farmers closed its doors in March 2012, after its building was deemed quake-prone. Fences remain around the prime and central spot, which Ayers says has been "certainly significant for the town".

Continued here:
Lack of progress takes town's toll

DERYNEIA, Cyprus (AP) Time virtually stopped in 1974 for the Mediterranean tourist playground of Varosha. When Turkey invaded Cyprus in the wake of a coup by supporters of union with Greece, thousands of residents fled, and chain-link fences enclosed a glamorous resort that it's said once played host to Hollywood royalty like Elizabeth Taylor.

The town's crumbling, war-scarred beachfront hotels have become an emblem of the country's division between Turks and Greeks. In 40 years, few have set foot inside the town, which remains heavily guarded by the Turkish army and twists of barbed wire.

But that grim scene could present a rare opportunity. Massachusetts Institute of Technology architecture professor Jan Wampler calls it the greatest challenge of his career: he and a team of architects, urban planners, business leaders and peace activists hope to rebuild an entire town to correct past errors and mold a sustainable, ecological habitat.

The grass-roots project the brainchild of Greek Cypriot-American Vasia Markides aims to transform the ghost town into a model eco-city, preserve local character, generate revenue for the debt-ridden country and provide a forward-thinking example of planning in a drought-prone country plagued by overdevelopment.

And Wampler who is the project's lead architect, relishes the possibility of getting it right the second time around.

"This is a tremendous opportunity," Wampler said on the sidelines of a five-day brainstorming seminar to solicit local input on how Varosha should be reborn. "Can we design a sustainable, ecological city with job creation for young people that would be known throughout Europe as an example?"

But the cards may be stacked against them. The town has been the subject of repeated calls for its return to its inhabitants as a confidence-building prelude to a comprehensive peace deal reunifying the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north with the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south. The country's complex politics continue to remain the primary obstacle to the town's return and must be resolved to get the project off the drawing board, said Alexis Galanos, the Greek Cypriot mayor of Famagusta that incorporates Varosha.

With peace talks currently on hold as both sides continue to squabble over how a federated Cyprus should be defined, the project is ultimately an academic exercise. But as project collaborators George Lordos and Ceren Bogac said, it can also serve as an example of people-power where ordinary Cypriots from both sides of the divide can upstage politicians by forging what they envision to be the city of their future.

"It's about letting citizens choose for themselves the road they wish to travel on," says Lordos.

Situated on the island's eastern coastline, Varosha was renowned for its white sand beaches and warm, azure waters. Its buildings are just a few hundred meters away from the village of Deryneia, but they are separated by a United Nations-controlled no man's land that stretches across the country's entire length. Unlike other areas in the north where displaced Turkish Cypriots and mainland Turks settled, Varosha remained vacant in what Greek Cypriots say was a deliberate move to strengthen the Turkish Cypriots' bargaining position in future negotiations.

Read more:
Giving Cypriot ghost town ecological rebirth

DERYNEIA, Cyprus Time virtually stopped in 1974 for the Mediterranean tourist playground of Varosha. When Turkey invaded Cyprus in the wake of a coup by supporters of union with Greece, thousands of residents fled, and chain-link fences enclosed a glamorous resort that it's said once played host to Hollywood royalty like Elizabeth Taylor.

The town's crumbling, war-scarred beachfront hotels have become an emblem of the country's division between Turks and Greeks. In 40 years, few have set foot inside the town, which remains heavily guarded by the Turkish army and twists of barbed wire.

But that grim scene could present a rare opportunity. Massachusetts Institute of Technology architecture professor Jan Wampler calls it the greatest challenge of his career: he and a team of architects, urban planners, business leaders and peace activists hope to rebuild an entire town to correct past errors and mold a sustainable, ecological habitat.

The grass-roots project the brainchild of Greek Cypriot-American Vasia Markides means to transform the ghost town into a model eco-city, preserve local character, generate revenue for the debt-ridden country and provide a forward-thinking example of planning in a drought-prone country plagued by overdevelopment.

And Wampler who is the project's lead architect, relishes the possibility of getting it right the second time around.

"This is a tremendous opportunity," Wampler said on the sidelines of a five-day brainstorming seminar to solicit local input on how Varosha should be reborn. "Can we design a sustainable, ecological city with job creation for young people that would be known throughout Europe as an example?"

But the cards may be stacked against them. The town has been the subject of repeated calls for its return to its inhabitants as a confidence-building prelude to a comprehensive peace deal reunifying the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north with the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south. The country's complex politics continue to remain the primary obstacle to the town's return and must be resolved to get the project off the drawing board, said Alexis Galanos, the Greek Cypriot mayor of Famagusta that incorporates Varosha.

With peace talks currently on hold as both sides continue to squabble over how a federated Cyprus should be defined, the project is ultimately an academic exercise. But as project collaborators George Lordos and Ceren Bogac said, it can also serve as an example of people-power where ordinary Cypriots from both sides of the divide can upstage politicians by forging what they envision to be the city of their future.

"It's about letting citizens chose for themselves the road they wish to travel on," says Lordos.

Situated on the island's eastern coastline, Varosha was renowned for its white sand beaches and warm, azure waters. Its buildings are just a few hundred meters away from the village of Deryneia, but they are separated by a United-Nations-controlled no man's land that stretches across the country's entire length. Unlike other areas in the north where displaced Turkish Cypriots and mainland Turks settled, Varosha remained vacant in what Greek Cypriots say was a deliberate move to strengthen the Turkish Cypriots' bargaining position in future negotiations.

Read more:
Activists say ecological, sustainable rebirth of Cyprus ghost town could be global model

For the love of Concrete - Why invest in concrete fences
Stackwall Manufacturing specializes in manufacturing concrete fence and wall systems as well as other decorative outdoor cement products for residential, hom...

By: Marzena Kmiecik

Here is the original post:
For the love of Concrete - Why invest in concrete fences - Video