Submitted by: Northwest Straits Foundation, written by Kenneth Clarkson

This past August, myself and a few othervolunteers headed out to do our part to help not only our Southern ResidentKiller Whales (SRKWs), but all denizens of the Salish Sea. We were attendingthe Sucia Island Beach Cleanup. The beach cleanup, orchestrated by the Whatcom Marine ResourcesCommittee and NorthwestStraits Foundation, is just one example of collectiveaction being taken by a broad coalition of organizations, agencies andindividuals in order to protect and restore the Salish Sea.

Getting involved with organizationscompleting boots-on-the-ground restoration work is one of the most importantthings you can do to encourage the survival of our SRKWs. Organizations such asthe Northwest Straits Foundation partner with a variety of private and publicinterests to successfully implement restoration projects throughout theseven-county region of the Northwest Straits.

The work of the Northwest StraitsFoundation includes removing derelict fishing gear that harm and entrap marinelife, restoring shoreline areas to create suitable habitat for forage fish(species our salmon eat), installing rain gardens that prevent the flow ofcontaminants into the Salish Sea, monitoring water quality, mapping habitatsuch as kelp forests and eelgrass beds and more.

To learn more about the Northwest Straits Foundation, including their volunteer opportunities, you can attend the Northwest Straits Foundation Holiday Fundraiser at The Firefly Lounge in Bellingham on Thursday, December 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The event will feature live music by theFolk/Americana band Whiskey River Mudflats and presentations by NorthwestStraits Foundation staff. This event is 21+ and there is a $10 cover charge toattend. The $10 cover includes your first drink.

One thing youre certain to hear about arethe successful beach cleanups on Sucia and Lummi Islands. Because of thevolunteer opportunity Northwest Straits Foundation provided, we got to meetsome unsuspecting visitors.

We were almost to Sucia Island when we sawthem. Three majestic orca whales swimming swiftly, looking for food.

Earlier that day, as we boarded the boat,I told the crew I had a good feeling about our orca-sighting chances. Littledid I know, said good feeling would become reality. Id called the Puget Soundhome for seven years and had never seen an orca. I was aware of their plight,privy to their situation and intrigued by their paramountcy within the PacificNorthwest.

But when you see one, it all makes sense.You understand why the restoration and protection of orca habitat and foodsources is critical for the survival of a species not only an indicator of thehealth of an entire ecosystem, but of the collective moral of a region.

We left Squalicum Harbor at 8:00 a.m. onthe dot, seven sleepy volunteers and our captain whos used to the earlymornings. In just a few hours we would meet up with the other half of our beachcleanup crew. Two members of our volunteer team had kayaked over the nightbefore, the rest were taking a boat from San Juan Island. For the heartyadventurer, Sucia Island is a good four to five-hour paddle.

It was a dreary day out on the Salish Sea.We all know dreariness is common in the Pacific Northwest, but in August youhope for better weather. Regardless, we were out on the water, and when youreout on the water even the darkest days feel freeing and full of possibility.

Our core group of volunteers was made upof community members, and staff from the Whatcom Marine Resources Committee, SurfriderFoundation and Northwest Straits Foundation. Forsome it was their first time volunteering. Getting to go to one of the mostremote San Juan Islands only accessible by boat? Not a bad firstvolunteer-experience at all.

We headed West toward Sucia Island andpassed a plethora of harbor seals, a few porpoises and a couple sea lions.Underwater forests of bull kelp flanked both sides of the boat. As the cloudsbegan to lift, we could make out houses situated on the sides of the islandsthat surrounded us. The day had rounded a corner, it wasnt going to be rainingas we picked up pounds of trash after all.

Lummi Island now behind us, we inchedcloser and closer to our destination. Thats when it happened. Perhaps it wasbecause I was intent on finding one, but whatever the reason, out in thedistance I saw my first glimpse of an orca. The orca was far away from us,quite close to the Sucia Island shoreline, but sure enough it was there, fromour vantage point I could make out a large black dorsal fin sticking up out ofthe water. I alerted my fellow volunteers and my claims checked out, they toosaw the orca, but that wasnt all, a good 400 feet or so to its left wasanother black dorsal fin bobbing up and down as it fished the waters South ofthe Sucia Island coast.

We pressed on toward our destination, thedock at Fossil Bay. On the way to the dock you must pass through a narrowchannel. From the helm the captain called out and told us to look to our right.I glanced over and there she was, the third orca of the day, the captain saidshe was a younger female. The juvenile was swimming close to the cliffs thatencompassed Fossil Bay, no doubt on her way out to the more open waters of theSalish Sea, a good idea because if she swam any closer toward the island shedbe in the harbor.

Seeing the orcas was a good omen. Not onlythat, but it was a moment none of us on the boat would forget. That memorywouldnt only last during our brief time on Sucia Island, it would stick withus forever.

The unfortunate reality is moments such asthese will become scarcer if we dont make a change. Southern Resident KillerWhales (SRKWs) throughout the Salish Sea are losing both habitat and food, andto ensure their survival and success we need to work together. As inhabitantsof the Salish Sea region its our duty to protect and restore these waters fornot only the orca, but salmon, Dungeness crab and other marine organisms too.

Attend the Northwest Straits Foundation Holiday Party on Dec. 12 at The Firefly Lounge to learn more about how you can help contribute to local marine conservation efforts in Whatcom County.

Featured photo by Abbie Kunch

See the rest here:
Northwest Straits Foundation: Restoring the Salish Sea - whatcomtalk.com

The number of Sussex County residents without power continues to slowly be restored, from nearly 33,000 on Tuesday evening, to just below 16,000 on Wednesday evening.

According to JCP&L, the restoration estimate for the majority of JCP&L customers, 11:30 p.m. today; and Sussex Rural Electric, today and Friday.

During the daytime Wednesday, the number of individuals with and without power alternatively fell and climbed back up, then fell again, according to JCP&L outage figures. On Wednesday afternoon, the total number of JCP&L and Sussex Rural Electric customers without power hovered at approximately 23,000.

On Wednesday, Sussex Rural Electric described its process as slow but positive; with some of the largest outage areas of groups of 200 to 300 residents, the priorities.

Part of the trend of the rise and fall in power outages was contributed to newly-fallen trees, even 36 hours after the snow had stopped. Within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, National Park Service employees are working to clear trees and plow roads in much of the park south of Layton. Old Mine Road from Route 80 North is essentially closed from fallen trees. A park official said that because the ground is not frozen, the weight of the storms snow and ice is causing many more trees to uproot.

Sussex County

Throughout the day Wednesday, Office of Emergency Management representatives, continued to monitor conditions around-the-clock at both the county and municipal levels.

Additionally local and county officials mobilized shelters and charging and warming stations, which will continue to be open as needed today, maintained in conjunction between the Sussex County Sheriffs Office and American Red Cross. The overnight shelter in the Sussex County Technical Schools McNeice Auditorium became a pet-friendly facility on Wednesday, with pets outside of service animals permitted in designated areas.

We want people to know were here for them, said Diane Concannon, American Red Cross communications director.

Concannon said the Red Cross would be serving breakfast for guests, as well as those without power who would like a meal, after 8 a.m. this morning.

The overnight shelter and meals at designated locations will continue today if needed. Concannon also said those who are in need of warmth, coffee, snacks and to charge their devices are invited to come to the McNeice Auditorium.

On Tuesday night, the overnight shelter hosted eight guests; and Concannon anticipated more on Wednesday night.

A shelter in Vernons Senior Center at 21 Church Street, also remained open Wednesday and will continue to be maintained, until no longer necessary.

Andover Borough

With many of the residents without power since 4:30 p.m. Monday, as of Wednesday evening, approximately 25 percent of the borough was without power.

The borough opened its Andover Borough Park/Community Center/Senior Center building located on 8 Tranquility Road as a charging and warming station for area residents, which will remain open as needed.

Andover Township

With more than 83 percent of its residents without power as of Wednesday evening, Andover Township maintained the Hillside House in Hillside Park, across from the Andover Township Police Department on Lake Iliff Road as a warming station. This location will be open as needed. Access is available from Limecrest Road to Lake Iliff Road.

The Andover Township Municipal Building will also remain available as a warming and charging station as needed, during regular business hours at 134 Newton Sparta Road.

Clean up continues on roadways, such as Goodale Road, which was littered with fallen tree limbs and sticks, as well as trees sitting on power lines.

In lieu of a warming station at the Andover Township Firehouse as originally planned, Danielson said Tuesday the municipal building, as well as the Hillside House, were set up as warming locations. Andover Boroughs Senior Center became another warming location that Andover Township residents could also use.

Branchville

Four percent of Branchville residents were without power, according to JCP&L, on Wednesday evening, one of the municipalities with the fewest number of residents left without power.

Byram

The Byram Township Municipal Building meeting room will remain open around the clock as a warming and charging station, until it is no longer needed, according to a Nixle alert sent by the township on Wednesday afternoon.

The township has remained in constant communications with the residents via Nixle, with updates.

Byram dropped to 3 percent of its residents without power, as of Wednesday evening.

Frankford

Slightly more than 10 percent of Frankford residents who are JCP&L customers, were without power on Wednesday evening. This is a decline from Tuesday night when the municipality was at 22 percent. Frankford Township shared on its Facebook Page on Wednesday afternoon that Longbridge Road was the only one that remained closed as of Wednesday and commended the efforts of its DPW.

As of Wednesday evening, there were 65 Sussex Rural Electric members from Frankford without power, which was a slight increase from 63 on Tuesday evening.

The Sussex County Main Library was open as a charging and warming station, as well as an internet location on Wednesday, at 125 Morris Turnpike. The library hours today are from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Franklin

Franklin has experienced a drop from more than 42 percent without power on Tuesday night, to slightly less than 15 percent on Wednesday evening.

Franklins library was originally set as a warming station on Wednesday, but was without power. The Franklin Fire Department at 137 Buckwheat Road is open as needed for a warming and charging location, where individuals can call ahead if they need a place to warm up.

Fredon

As of Wednesday evening, slightly over 36 percent of Fredons residents were without power - a drop from Tuesday night when 81 percent of the 1,352 residents were without power.

On Wednesday, the township reminded residents on its website and via email blast that if a power line detaches from a pole, JCP&L will repair it, but if the line detaches from a home, it is up to a resident to have an electrician repair the line, before power can be restored.

Fredons school was open on Wednesday for families to warm up, charge their devices, use the guest Wi-Fi and for children to enjoy a movie.

The school called a two-hour delay on Wednesday evening.

Green

After the majority of Green was without power on Tuesday evening, that number dropped to slightly over 37 percent on Wednesday evening.

Earlier in the day, OEM Coordinator Mike Rose said that the efforts were directed to working on restoring power at the Green Hills School, which was without power and has no back-up generator system.

Rose said Wednesday evening that the power in the school was restored in the afternoon, though it was lost again for three hours, but then was back on. He said that it would take approximately eight hours to re-heat the building.

Dependent on directives from interim superintendent Lydia Furnari and if the power is maintained, Rose said the school may or may not be reopened today.

It will also be dependent on road closures, though many of the main roadways have been reopened, he said. While Route 517 between Kennedy Road and Old Hackettstown Road is still closed due to a downed pole; and between Airport Road and Lakeview Terrace because of multiple wires, Rose said the clean-up is moving quickly.

Rose said it is yet to be determined if the warming and charging center will be re-opened today at the Green Township Fire Department, though he said he believes it will be unlikely, based on the amount of power restorations.

Hamburg

As of Wednesday evening, the majority of Hamburg JCP&L customers were restored, with slightly over 7 percent without power. On Tuesday evening, over 50 percent of the residents were without electricity.

Hampton

The restoration process continued in Hampton, with slightly over 17 percent of the residents without power on Wednesday evening, versus 55 percent on Tuesday.

Hardyston

There were two warming stations in Hardyston on Wednesday, which will be maintained if needed. The first was at the Sussex County YMCA at 15 Wits End Road - those who enter over the age of 18, will be required to provide government-issued identification.

The other warming station was the Hardyston Township Municipal Building at 149 Wheatsworth Road which will be open until 4:30 p.m. as a warming and charging location, if needed.

Hardyston residents without power has declined from 34 percent on Tuesday evening to 12 percent on Wednesday evening. There were 135 Sussex Rural Electric members still without power in Hardyston on Wednesday evening.

Hopatcong

Only 28 residents of the close to 6,700 in Hopatcong remain without power, with expected full restoration by 6 p.m. today, according to JCP&L Wednesday evening.

For residents who needed heat and device charging, as well as internet, the The E. Louise Childs Library on 21 Stanhope Sparta Road was open. The location will reopen today from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lafayette

Close to half of Lafayettes JCP&L customers were without power, including Lafayettes Municipal Building as of Wednesday night. According to Township Committeeman Rick Hughes, JCP&L incorrectly identified the building as having its power restored on Wednesday.

If power is restored overnight, Hughes said the building will reopen today. On Wednesday, Hughes said employees were in the building for a brief period; and temporary heaters were set up in the building.

Hughes also said he was on the phone with the townships JCP&L representative with a priority medical need with a resident, who was without power; and cannot stay in a shelter.

Beaver Run Road and the end of Morris Farm Road by Route 94 were still closed as of Wednesday evening, Hughes said.

In Lafayette, 220 Sussex Rural Electric members were without power on Wednesday evening.

Montague

Montague experienced a dramatic rise in power restoration, with less than 7 percent of customers requiring restoration on Wednesday night. On Tuesday night, close to all of the JCP&L customers were without power.

Only one Sussex Rural Electric member remained without power on Wednesday evening.

Newton

Slightly over 17 percent of Newton residents were remaining without power on Wednesday night.

The Newton Town Hall at 39 Trinity St. will be open today until 5 p.m. as a warming and charging location; and individuals can additionally use the buildings WiFi. The town hall and Dennis Library, which has remained a warming station, were also used on Wednesday. The library, located at 101 Main Street, will be open again from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ogdensburg

Ogdensburg made strides in power restoration on Wednesday evening, with over 53 percent of residents without power. On Tuesday, there were 99 percent of the residents.

According to the boroughs Facebook Page on Wednesday night, some power outages may occur again, as power is continually restored.

Sandyston

Sandyston has additionally experienced progress with only 54 percent of the residents remaining without power on Wednesday evening, versus nearly all of the residents on Tuesday evening.

Sparta

As the power restorations climbed and then fell again, about 37 percent of Sparta residents were still without power as of Wednesday night.

Sparta maintained its warming centers into the night on Wednesday at the Police Department, as well as the library and Senior Center. Sparta High School also opened a warming center with showers available, as well as microwaves, to residents.

The shelter set up by the Red Cross and Sussex County Sheriffs Office is at the Sussex County Technical School in Sparta, located at 105 North Church Road.

Further updates will be made available on the Sparta Police Facebook Page at: http://www.facebook.com/sparta.police/ and Sparta Municipal Facebook Page at: http://www.facebook.com/SpartaTownship/.

Stanhope

Less than five Stanhope residents remained without power on Wednesday night.

Stillwater

Stillwater made progress in its power restoration, with approximately 39 percent of the residents without power on Wednesday evening, versus more than 93 percent on Tuesday.

The Stillwater School announced a delayed opening for Thursday morning.

Sussex

Sussex Borough had a slight increase in residents without power on Wednesday evening, at over 12 percent, versus slightly more than 7 percent on Tuesday night.

Vernon

Vernon Township has made strides in its power restoration, with 465 JCP&L customers left on Wednesday evening, versus 995 on Tuesday. There were 2,215 Sussex Rural Electric members on Wednesday evening, versus 4,519 on Tuesday.

In addition to the shelter at the Senior Center on Wednesday, Mayor Harry Shortway said a water buffalo is in place behind the municipal building, available 24 around the clock for residents.

Walpack

Nearly 95 percent of Walpack has remained without power, with full restoration expected by 11:30 tonight.

Wantage

Wantage had 17 percent of its JCP&L customers without power on Wednesday evening and 884 from Sussex Rural Electric.

Sussex-Wantage Regional Schools announced on Wednesday evening it would have a delayed opening.

Read more:
Town by Town recovery updates - Times Herald-Record

One day in 1980, as it sat perched atop the bed of a tractor-trailer, the historic Felts Log House made a sluggish but steady trip from Logan County to its new home at Western Kentucky University.

The journey is documented in an archived black-and-white photograph, where the log structure can be seen plodding its way up what is now WKUs Avenue of Champions, flanked by several vehicles.

Since its construction in Logan County in 1810 and for 150 years afterward the Felts Log House was home to the descendants of Archibald Felts, a Revolutionary War veteran and early settler of Kentucky back when it was considered a frontier.

Felts descendants continued living in the house until the 1960s. In 1978, it was donated to WKU, where it was relocated just outside the Kentucky Museum on campus.

Today, the house is in need of restoration, which will be made possible thanks in part to a new $36,000 grant from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.

Its become an icon for WKU, and we want to preserve that, said Brent Bjorkman, director of the Kentucky Museum. We just cant be more grateful.

Standing in the cabin Monday, Bjorkman noted some deterioration, which he expects will be addressed by a restoration project that will begin in the spring.

It does need a lot of help, he said.

Built from poplar, oak and walnut trees, the two-story cabin is divided by a dogtrot, which is a roofed passage similar to a breezeway. On summer days, Bjorkman said, residents could have used it to flow air through the homes rooms. On one side lies a kitchen and dining area, and on the other, what could have been the Felts bedroom. Two childrens rooms are upstairs, past a steep staircase that twists around a corner.

The cabins living quarters are filled with simple wooden furniture and tools meant to mimic the age, including a sugar chest that a 19th century family could have used to keep supplies.

Its been such a teaching tool here on campus, Bjorkman said, adding that history and architecture have used it in their studies.

Its also become a point of pride on campus, he said. Its not uncommon for people to approach him and identify themselves as descendants of the Felts family, Bjorkman said.

Theres a lot of pride in that, he said.

WKU said the American Antique Cabin Co. described as one of the top consultants nationwide in antique log restoration developed a restoration plan for the house beginning early next year.

It will be restored using period-appropriate materials. Bjorkman said the project will focus on areas near the homes entryway and doors, along with improvements to its chinking, meaning the material between each log that helps insulate the cabin.

The project will offer opportunities for WKU students to view and engage with historic preservation in action, a university news release said.

The Felts Log House has a lot to offer students and visitors to campus, Bjorkman said.

Everyone is drawn to it in a certain way, he said.

Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @BGDN_edbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.

Here is the original post:
Felts Log House at WKU to receive restoration - Bowling Green Daily News

Restoration project is under way at the John Adams birthplace in Quincy.

QUINCY It's set to be a busy off season at the John Adams Birthplace.

The national park has only been closed for a few weeks, but the small historic home on Franklin Street is already shrouded in scaffolding as workers prepare to replace the south and west-facing sides of the house. The siding hasn't been replaced since 1984, facilities manager Kevin Kelly said, and the restoration work "is greatly needed."

"The exterior has really deteriorated," Kelly said. "But it gets tricky to find the talent and materials necessary to do restoration projects like this There's not a lot we can just pick up at Home Depot."

The John Adams Birthplace is a two-story wooden house at the corner of Franklin Street and Presidents Avenue. It was built in 1722 by Deacon John Adams, father to the second president of the United States. John Adams was born there in 1735.

Pine clapboards make up the current siding of the house, and the wood isn't treated or finished in anyway to preserve the historic feel. Kelly said pine isn't rot resistant at all, so this time around builders are going to replace the current wood with boards of Sitka spruce sourced from Alaska in hopes the similar-looking material will hold up better in winter weather.

Wood was replaced on a non-historic addition to the home two years ago and builders took the opportunity to try out another type of wood - ponderosa pine that had been treated with ammonia and quartz. But Kelly said that type of wood ended up with a greenish tint to it and "wouldn't be appropriate" for the historic parts of the house.

And it's not just sourcing material that makes the project hard. Kelly says the way the boards are laid is very particular and hard-to replicate, making the restoration a time-consuming endeavor.

"Each clapboard laps 2 inches and it's an angled, tapered cut that we've tried many times to do with modern machinery," Kelly said. "But it always proves faster and more efficient by hand."

Kelly said the south-facing side the front of the house is expected to be completed by mid-January and the west-facing side by March. If they have extra time before the park reopens in May, they'll start working on the other sides as well.

"We really just thought we were going to replace the bottom 10 boards because those are in the worst shape and have deteriorated the most, but it turns out that we have the talent and it's worthwhile to try to do what we can now," Kelly said.

Last year, the exterior of the Adams Carriage House on Adams Street was replaced.

The birthplace project also includes the replacement of window glass and sashes the part of the window that holds the glass and framework in place.

The restoration is expected to cost $100,000 and will be paid for by visitor fees.

See original here:
Two sides of Adams birthplace to be replaced this winter - The Patriot Ledger

Kris Kringle The Musical has announced the full cast for its upstate New York production in Schenectady next month featuring celebrity narrator Eve Plumb. Kris Kringle The Musical is created by Maria Ciampi (original story, book and additional lyrics), Tim Janis (music, lyrics and original orchestrations), Angelo Natalie (music and lyrics), and Frank Galgano and Matt Castle (orchestrations). The Schenectady production is directed by Frank Galgano and choreographed by Jaimie Selke, with Matt Castle serving as music director. Kris Kringle The Musical will be performed December 14-15 at Proctors (432 State Street) in Schenectady, NY; Proctors.org.

In addition to Eve Plumb ("The Brady Bunch") as Aunty Sugarplum, the show will feature a standout cast of Broadway regulars and industry veterans, including Ashley Chiu (Off-Broadway's KPOP) as Garland Pie, Vivienne Cleary (Off Bway's Once Upon a Mattress) as Ms. Horn, Ron DeStefano (Lincoln Center) as Sky Banner, Elizabeth Ward Land (Broadway's Memphis) as Grandma Kringle, Aveena Sawyer (National Tour of Something Rotten!) as Tinselle Splade, Kyle Sherman (Off-Broadway's Ordinary Days) as Kris Kringle, Christopher Shyer (Broadway's Mamma Mia) as Roy G. Reedy, Jason Simon (Lincoln Center's Show Boat) as Santa Claus, Gerianne Prez (Broadway's In Transit) as Evelyn Nol, Nick Varricchino (Atlantis Theatrical's Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) as Elmer Elf, and Rema Webb (Broadway's The Color Purple, The Lion King) as Mrs. Claus.

The ensemble features Quentin Avery Brown, Marjorie Failoni (Broadway's Escape to Margaritaville), Melissa Jones (Beauty and the Beast National Tour), and Jose Luaces (Broadway's A Christmas Story).

In addition, Kris Kringle The Musical will boast an all-star creative team, including puppetry by Rick Lyon, who created puppets for the Tony Award winning "Best Musical" Avenue Q; lighting design by Tony Award-winner Jeff Croiter; sound design by Emmy Award-winner Matt Kraus; and projections by Drama Desk nominee John Narun.

Kris Kringle The Musical is a brand-new, wholly original Christmas musical for the whole family that reveals the untold story of Kris Kringle. Discover what happens when an evil toy company CEO crosses paths with a young, jobless toymaker whose family name carries a curse with the power to destroy Christmas. From the top of the world in the North Pole, Kris Kringle teams up with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the beautiful Evelyn Nol, a band of hilarious Apprentices and Elves, and magical Toys to remind us what Christmas is really all about - love, hope, and finding a family in the most unlikely of places.

Kris Kringle The Musical has a magnificent score and memorable songs (including "Unwrap the Christmas Magic," "Beautiful," "My North Star," "Something Wonderful in You" and "Green Suede Shoes"), destined to become holiday classics. In February 2018, a Studio Cast Recording was released, starring Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies) and Nikki Rene Daniels (Porgy and Bess; The Book of Mormon), with Janine La Manna (Seussical), Kim Crosby (Into the Woods) and Mary Stout (Beauty and the Beast).

Kris Kringle The Musical made its New York City debut at The Town Hall in November 2017, and was originally narrated by Tony Award nominee, Cathy Rigby.

Eve Plumb started her acting career at age 6, performing in many commercials en route to epic stardom in the 1970s. She is most known for television roles including recent appearances on Crashing, Blue Bloods, The Path, Grease Live, Army Wives and, of course, as the iconic middle sister, Jan Brady, on The Brady Bunch. Plumb has also had key roles in TV movies such as Dawn: Portrait of A Teenage Runaway and Little Women.

Also an accomplished painter, Plumb's stage credits include off-Broadway appearances in Nora and Delia Ephron's Love, Loss, And What I Wore, Unbroken Circle and Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating & Marriage as well as regional theatre work throughout the United States. Recent film appearances include Blue Ruin (Winner Cannes Directors' Fortnight, Sundance Spotlight Festival, Independent Spirit nominee) and Monsoon. TV audiences saw a new side of Plumb - who studied improv comedy at The Groundlings School in Los Angeles - when she shared her love for home renovation and restoration on A Very Brady Renovation on HGTV.

Keenan-Bolger called Kris Kringle The Musical "[a] holiday musical for a new generation-a gorgeous score paired with a heartwarming tale of family and forgiveness." During the 2019 holiday season at Proctors, Kris Kringle will further attest that it is indeed a holiday treat for a new generation by the use, for the first time, of enchanting projections to heighten the storytelling experience.

Tickets for Kris Kringle The Musical range from $20-$60 for Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, and Sunday, December 15 at 2:00 PM. Tickets are available at the Box Office at Proctors, 432 State Street, Schenectady; by phone at (518) 346-6204; and online at proctors.org.

Read the original post:
Eve Plumb to Star in KRIS KRINGLE THE MUSICAL at Proctors Theater - Broadway World

It started with a couple of spots on the ceiling.

Just dirt, they thought, dust collecting near a couple of air ducts on the ceiling of the sanctuary.

But it proved more insidious than that: mold, black mold the visible sign of a disease that had invisibly infected the historic Greene Memorial United Methodist Church for years. The 130-year-old Roanoke church was slowly rotting.

By the time all of the problems were identified and solutions planned, the price tag for treatment reached $1.3 million a dangerous amount for a small congregation, but one the church decided was worth it.

The problems are just about all cleared up now. The sanctuary is spot-free and gleaming under new LED lights.

On Sunday, congregants will return to their old wood pews beneath soaring vaulted ceilings for the first time in a year. Services had been held in the church social hall and even in a large lobby in the meantime.

But the cost of saving the church has strained Greene Memorials coffers. Church leaders decided that preserving the historic building was important in itself, but also crucial to maintaining the congregations mission work, much of which focuses on downtown issues and organizations.

I think were on the edge financially, said Debbie Brown, director of programs and outreach ministries for Greene Memorial.

The church dipped into its endowment to pay the growing bill for the repairs. That means its on the brink of being unable to maintain support for all of its mission programs.

We know that in order to do any more repairs, that is definitely going to cut into anything we can do for the community, Brown said.

So theyve launched a Go Fund Me campaign that aims to raise $300,000.

The hope is that the community the church serves will help revive it financially.

It kind of escalated

Once a closer look revealed in October 2018 that the spots on the sanctuary ceiling were mold, the bad news kept coming.

The more they looked, the worse it got, Brown said.

Mold experts found the stuff not just in the sanctuary but all over the building.

Cracking and peeling wallpaper in the sanctuary indicated water was coming in. Water damage was found in the churchs educational wing.

Experts took two passes to identify and remove all the mold, Brown said. Then it was time to address the root causes.

Death by a thousand cuts, restoration contractor Colin Waters said. His company, Huntly-based Waters Craftsman, which works almost exclusively on historic churches, was brought in to assess the problems.

They were many, and typical.

Over the sanctuary, for example, a previous contractor had installed new modern guttering over the top of the original built-in gutters. It leaked and destroyed the wood structure beneath.

You get some guys who mean well but a lot of those times those modern techniques dont really mesh with a historic building, Waters said. You need a real craftsman to do that metal work. Otherwise youre just doing more harm than good.

Roof flashing was beyond its useful life all over the slate roof, and over the educational wing, faulty original construction and multiple past repairs allowed water to infiltrate the churchs exterior walls. That meant disassembling the walls to put in a functioning barrier to keep water out in the future. Subcontractor Blue Ridge Restoration of Lexington is handling the roof repairs.

Greene Memorials problems are a familiar story for Waters: Theyre common to historic churches.

Unfortunately, a lot of these churches are up against a pretty steep maintenance curve, he said. Youve got a building thats a real monster to maintain, and if you let it get away from you, you can really lose your butt.

Brown said church leaders were glad to identify the problems.

However, that came with a price tag, she said, and it kind of escalated.

As the list of problems grew, the churchs governing council and building trustees were faced with a decision: Should they spend the money to fix the building, or move?

Brown said church leaders had set a cost they could tolerate for the building repairs. But then the actual costs blew right past that limit by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Church leaders asked themselves what the corner of Second Street and Church Avenue would be like without the church.

No one liked the answers they envisioned. Leaving downtown never got much consideration, Brown said.

The thinking went well beyond the building itself and landed on how strongly the churchs downtown location was connected to its mission.

Greene Memorials outreach programs often focus on issues connected to the citys center, such as homelessness, and it partners with other nonprofits nearby. The church renovated the buildings educational wing about 10 years ago to enhance those partnerships.

Dozens of organizations use the church for meetings, and some city staff who serve the homeless have their offices there.

The citys annual point-in-time count of the homeless population is headquartered at the church.

Theyve kind of been the hub of a lot of the social change and a lot of the dynamics that have taken place in downtown, said Vice Mayor Joe Cobb. Theyre very mission-minded, and to me the mission is not other places its really focused in the heart of downtown.

Greene Memorial was a founding member of Congregations in Action, a group of churches that stepped in to support Highland Park Elementary School when it had no PTA.

The churches provide snacks and meals for students in poverty, hold clothing and school supply drives, and host the schools annual Fun Day, Principal Mark Crummy said.

That relationship happened because the school is so near downtown.

Theyre all great churches, Crummy said of the CIA members, but Greene has really been the touchstone for us.

The church was a charter member of Family Promise of the Greater Roanoke Valley, through which congregations use church facilities to provide housing and meals for homeless families, while the organization helps them find jobs and permanent housing.

Marie Muddiman, executive director of Family Promise, noted that the church also hosts the annual memorial service for the homeless people who died during the year.

And congregants knit hats and scarves that they leave in bags on the fence around the church for those in need.

If youre cold and walking by, theres a hat for you. Thats a small ministry but an important one, Muddiman said.

And then there are the bells that toll the hour, which can be heard across a large swath of downtown.

Who doesnt recognize the chimes? Cobb asked. They may not know where they come from, but they come from Greene Memorial.

The thought of not having Greene Memorial in downtown Roanoke is devastating, said Laura Stockstill, a second-generation member there.

She was married in the church and her three children were baptized there. One son, John, built the platform where musicians set up during services as his Eagle Scout project. She remains friends with people she met in church youth group decades ago.

But the congregation, like many older churches, is shrinking and aging. Its collection plate is not deep.

Members gave generously for the educational wing renovation just a decade ago. Many dont have the wherewithal to give so much again.

The hope is that the larger community will fill the gap.

Its a historical building and it means a lot to not only members of our congregation but so many people in the community, Brown said.

While the fundraising campaign continues, so does the work on the roof. Other jobs, such as repairs to the steeple, will be left undone for the near future.

But at least the congregation will return to its grand sanctuary on Sunday.

Since the mold was discovered, services were held in the basement social hall. A few weeks ago, an exterior drainage problem forced another move into the welcome center a large lobby.

Congregants have tired of the makeshift settings.

Its hard when somebody comes, who is a visitor, Stockstill said. You want to say, this is not what we normally do.

But, she said, holding a single Sunday morning service instead of two and cramming the congregation into smaller spaces has brought members closer.

Still, getting back to their old Sunday morning digs is much anticipated. Last week, musical equipment was moved back in, and hymnals and Bibles were returned to pews.

After the Sunday services, members will decorate for Advent.

Last week, Brown grinned at the thought of members finding their old pews Sunday morning.

I think everybodys going to be blown away when they go in.

More here:
After a year of prayers and repairs, downtown Roanoke church returns home - Roanoke Times

Buy Photo

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, applauded the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which announced Thursday the award of a total of $3,584,865 in grants funded distributed via the GLRI, or Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, on efforts to address issues facing the Great Lakes region, including several focused on Lake Erie specifically.(Photo: Jon Stinchcomb/News Herald)

WASHINGTON - Both state and local officials are lauding the more than $3.3 million in grants recently announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

On Thursday, the EPA announced the award of a total of $3,584,865 in grants distributed via the GLRI, or Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, for efforts to address issues facing the Great Lakes region, including several focused on Lake Erie specifically

According to a news release from Sen. Sherrod Brown, the awards this year include:

$285,000 to Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to improve wetland function in a coastal marsh and the Moxley Wetland Area on Lake Eries Sandusky Bay.

$374,865 to Ohio EPA and Ohio Lake Erie Commission (OLEC) to stabilize 1,950 feet of streambank on the West Branch of Euclid Creek using native plants and to enhance 10.7 acres of existing forest through invasive species treatment.

$1 million to Ohio EPA and OLEC to reduce approximately 515 to 715 pounds of phosphorus runoff per year and to protect and restore streams and wetlands by working with farmers.

$1.125 million to Ohio EPA to develop and implement lakewide action management plans for Lake Erie and remedial action plans for Lake Erie AOCs.

$800,000 grant to Northeast Ohio Four County Regional Planning and Development Organization (NEFCO) to remove the canal diversion dam and the resulting impoundment from the Cuyahoga River.

The GLRI received a total of $2.56 billion in fundingfrom its initial year in 2010 to 2017.As of March 2019, that had led to the funding of 4,858 projects throughout the region, including more than 200 projects in Ohio. Most of those projects are related to Lake Erie.

Lake Erie provides drinking water for 11 million people, Brown said. We must do all we can to keep it healthy for them, and for the businesses, families, boaters and anglers that rely on the lake.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative needs to kept operating at full strength.(Photo: Jon Stinchcomb/News Herald)

Brown said that is done by keeping the GLRI operating at full strength.

The GLRI has continued to receive bipartisan support in Congress, despite several budget proposals from President Donald Trump that would have cut its funding significantly.

Historically, the U.S. Congress approved $300 million each fiscal year for the GLRI. Trumps proposals would cut that funding by 90%, reducing it to $30 million, which effectively would gut the program, according to lawmakers.

Both Brown and U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, have supported the full funding of the program, as have several members of the U.S. House of Representatives from the Great Lakes region, such as U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, and U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green.

The GLRI makes possible key federal investments to improve the health of our beloved Great Lakes, Kaptur said following the latest GLRI bills passage by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in September.

More: Proposed Great Lakes funding cuts called 'cruel' and 'unacceptable'

The version passed by the committee actually proposes increasing the federal funding of the GLRI from $300 million to $475 million annually through 2026.

As a critical economic and environmental resource to our region on which millions of Americans depend for everything from drinking water and recreation to fishing and shipping goods, the Great Lakes need our full attention, Kaptur said.

Citing the various series issues facing Lake Erie, such as harmful algal blooms and invasive species such as Asian carp, Kaptur applauded the bipartisan support the new bill has received.

The recent awards announced Thursday, which include several projects that are close to home, have also received vocal support from state lawmakers.

All of these grants will make such a positive impact not only for Lake Erie itself, but for all of the individuals and communities surrounding it, including Sandusky Bay, said state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, whose district includes Erie and Ottawa counties.

jstinchcom@gannett.com

419-680-4897

Twitter: @JonDBN

Read or Share this story: https://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/story/news/2019/11/22/great-lakes-restoration-initiative-awards-3-5-million-grants/4269039002/

More:
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative awards $3.5 million in grants - Port Clinton News Herald

Seedstars has announced Ethiopias Zafree Papers, South Africas GreenFingers Mobile and Ivory Coastss Lono as the finalists of its DOEN Land Restoration Prize.

The Swiss investor and emerging market startup organisation launched the prize in August in co-operation with the DOEN Foundation (Stichting DOEN) to find and award the best innovative solutions in the land restoration and land degradation space.

The two organisations said in a joint statement earlier today that over 220 applications were made for the prize.

The DOEN Land Restoration Prize winner will be awarded a $10 000 grant

Addis Ababa based Zafree Papers manufactures a 100% tree-free unbleached paper pulp and paper products using agro-waste. Every year, the company saves more than half a million trees from being cut as well as 30 000 tons of crop-residue from being set on fire.

Cape Town based GreenFingers Mobile is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology platform that enables organisations working with smallholder farmers to meet the criteria of food corporations and provide a transparent value chain.

In partnership with reforestation projects, the startup enables the tracking and monitoring of the disbursement and planting of trees by small holder farmers to counter the depletion of forests that small scale farming causes.

Abidjan-based Lono improve soil fertility through the development of an affordable, solar-powered composting box for smallholder farmers.

The three startups will be awarded a nine-month access to the Seedstars Investment Readiness Programme.

The hybrid programme challenges traditional acceleration models by allowing entrepreneurs to create their own personalised curriculum with online and on-site sessions, creating a unique mix to improve startups performance and get them ready to secure investment.

The DOEN Land Restoration Prize winner will be announced on 5 December at The Fox Junction during the Seedstars Africa Summit that will be held in Johannesburg between 3 and 5 December where they will take home a $10 000 grant.

Featured image: GreenFingers Mobile CEO Natalie Miller (GreenFingers Mobile via Facebook)

Read the original:
Seedstars announces finalists of the DOEN Land Restoration Prize - Ventureburn

On one of the most attractive streets in the market town of Brecon stands this handsome Grade II listed house.

Predominantly a Georgian property boasting large, symmetrical windows and tall, diamond chimneys, the house has made a valuable contribution to the town, having been used as a school or convent for most of its life since the 1940s.

According to the Cadw website, the former stable blocks and accommodation that joins the main Georgian house and is now used as the chapel is thought to date back to at least the year 1619.

A fireplace lintel from this area of the property can be found in the Brecknock Museum saying 'Harvard Arms' as well as the date. So maybe this convent used to be a coaching inn.

More recently, this property in Powys has been a 14-bedroom convent called Harvard House. Inside, as you might expect, the decor is simple and practical and thankfully an abundance of original features remain.

Many rooms still boast wood wall panelling, ceiling beams, original flooring, windows and coving that have been well maintained.

These surviving features would be the cornerstone of a period restoration of the property by a new owner either into a large family home or apartments, subject to achieving planning permission and bearing in mind that the house is listed.

The Cadw listing for the property dates back to 1952 and includes the main house, featuring the forecourt wall, railings and gate, plus the former stable blocks to the east and west of the house.

Regarding the internal decor, the listing describes the house as having 'exceptional 18th century interiors and these include panelled dado, shutters, fireplace with lugged architrave and pediment and an iron grate with Gothic detailing".

The hallway sets the 'old world' atmosphere for the whole building, with a grand oak and mahogany staircase at the centre, flanked by Doric pillars, and original tile flooring and coving adding to the period charm.

The classic arched fan window above the front door and the large and solid internal doors are a joy to see still in place, looking as exactly as they did more than 100 years ago.

The original floorboards and large sash windows are the backdrop for the every day life of the convent, with rooms dedicated to studying, reading and meeting.

There's a school room, classroom, library, dining room and, of course, a chapel.

The chapel is actually located adjacent to the main Georgian house within the two-storey former stable buildings and features a stained glass window dated around the 1960s constructed by the monks of Prinknash Abbey near Gloucester.

Being a typical Georgian property, there is a basement area where the original kitchen and servants' working quarters would have been but in this present time this lower floor offers even more space for whoever buys this unique home.

And a house with history and links to an Inn, education and religion in its past has surely got to come with a quirky secret that gets the local rumours going, and Harvard House is no exception.

According to the website coflein, the house is rumored to have a secret and hidden passageway running below the rear garden.

But as the garden is completely covered in concrete, you're going to need a very big digger to discover it.

Take a look at this secret tunnel in Swansea

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

Play now

The kitchen is basic and functional but very spacious.

A new owner, should they decide to restore the house to a single family home, could definitely make this room the heart of the home with some creative interior design skills and a sledgehammer to the units.

There's room for a statement island unit and a dining table for family meals.

The TV room, in particular, is a Georgian gem just waiting to be polished.

Wall panels, coving and a fireplace hiding behind a sideboard are just a few of the noticeable features in this space.

Under the carpet there may well be more beautiful, original Georgian wood flooring.

One room that probably needs little updating or restoring to return it to its former glory is the sitting room.

Clearly the 'posh' parlour where in the past visitors would be entertained, the room is dominated by the period fireplace and large window.

The floors, coving and dado rail are all looking lovely and the choice of wallpaper creates a light and calming period atmosphere.

Also on the ground floor are a number of practical rooms that a convent or school requires including a large laundry room, office, numerous storage cupboards, a pantry and an appropriate number of cloakroom facilities.

Up to the first floor of the main area of the house and there are 12 bedrooms to discover and four full bath or shower rooms, as well as additional toilets.

A new owner could easily combine a number of these bedrooms to create some exceptionally spacious bedrooms, with much of the plumbing in place for some ensuites too.

On this level there is also a large classroom that spans over nine metres in length.

Up to the second floor and there are three further bedrooms and a study.

There are also two extra attic rooms that offer a new owner extra space to convert, again subject to planning consent.

The home is for sale for 450,000 with James Dean Estate Agents, call their Brecon branch on 01874 624757 to find out more.

Read the original post:
14-bedroom convent that's believed to have a secret tunnel is for sale in a Welsh market town - Wales Online

ValuEngine upgraded shares of Restoration Hardware (NYSE:RH) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Thursday, ValuEngine reports.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Restoration Hardware from $138.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 11th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Restoration Hardware from $196.00 to $202.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, September 19th. Loop Capital downgraded shares of Restoration Hardware from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $190.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Thursday. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Restoration Hardware from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Barclays started coverage on shares of Restoration Hardware in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. They set an overweight rating and a $198.00 target price on the stock. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. The company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $164.88.

Shares of NYSE RH opened at $195.54 on Thursday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $180.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $139.90. Restoration Hardware has a 52-week low of $84.11 and a 52-week high of $199.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.90, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.79.

Restoration Hardware (NYSE:RH) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 10th. The company reported $3.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the Thomson Reuters consensus estimate of $2.70 by $0.50. Restoration Hardware had a negative return on equity of 230.09% and a net margin of 6.05%. The firm had revenue of $706.51 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $698.00 million. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Restoration Hardware will post 10.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other news, insider Demonty Price sold 23,900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.27, for a total value of $4,093,353.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 56,949 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,753,655.23. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Eri Chaya sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $167.56, for a total value of $3,351,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 79,337 shares in the company, valued at $13,293,707.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 60,790 shares of company stock worth $10,312,127. 36.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Restoration Hardware stock. Tiverton Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc (NYSE:RH) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 487 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $56,000.

About Restoration Hardware

RH, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer in the home furnishings. It offers products in various categories, including furniture, lighting, textiles, bathware, dcor, outdoor and garden, tableware, and child and teen furnishings. The company provides its products through its retail galleries; and Source Books, a series of catalogs, as well as online through rh.com, restorationhardware.com, rhbabyandchild.com, rhteen.com, and rhmodern.com, as well as waterworks.com.

Featured Story: Limitations of analyzing profit margin

To view ValuEngines full report, visit ValuEngines official website.

Receive News & Ratings for Restoration Hardware Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Restoration Hardware and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Go here to read the rest:
Restoration Hardware (NYSE:RH) Stock Rating Upgraded by ValuEngine - TechNewsObserver