Local | NW Life | Oregon Historical Photo Of The Week

OPB | Sept. 15, 2014 midnight

Motorists pause to take in the view from a parapet just below Crown Point Vista House along the newly opened Columbia River Highway. Gelatin silver print from a photograph by George Weister, ca.1918.

The Oregon Historical Society. George Weister Photographs, Weister 19183, Org Lot60

Every week,Oregon Experience shares a photo highlighting the states diverse, exciting history. All photos are courtesy of The Oregon Historical Society.

Former railroad man Sam Hill pulled Oregon out of the mud in the early 1900s with a road system connecting farm to market and city to countryside. Perhaps his greatest achievement was championing a paved highway that carried motorists between the states high desert and the outskirts of Portland, through the beautiful, rugged Columbia River Gorge.

Inspired by the grand scenic roads of Europe, Hill envisioned a modern boulevard that would be part of this stunning landscape. Hill had to overcome many obstacles before work began on the Columbia River Highway in 1913. The Highway was dedicated in the summer of 1916. Travelers between The Dalles and Troutdale encountered surprising vistas: cascading waterfalls, bridges arching over canyons and rocks jutting overhead.

Anticipating the future of the automobile, Sam Hill was also involved with construction of the Pacific Highway (99), Highway 101 along the coast and a road to Crater Lake.

To learn more about Sam Hill and his legacy, watch a rebroadcast of the Oregon Experience documentary Sam Hill on Monday, September 22 at 9:30 p.m. on OPB TV or view it here onlineanytime.

Video player requires the latest version of Flash.

Read the original post:
Oregon Historical Photo: Sam Hills Columbia River Highway

A CLUB dedicated to exploring Hampshires medieval history through landscape and archaeology has announced its new season of lectures and conferences.

Hampshire Field Club and Archaeology Society will host two conference and AGM sessions in November with lectures and events lined up February.

Four speakers will address the Hampshires medieval landscape in a regional context at the clubs landscape conference and AGM at Peter Symonds College, Winchester on November 8. Highlights include Southampton Universitys David Hinton, who will discuss the impact of religion on Anglo-Saxon Hampshire, and Dr Simon Roffey, of the University of Winchester, who will delve into the history of medieval hospitals including the leper hospital near Morn Hill.

The archaeology conference will tackle conflict and defence, from Neolithic battles to the First World War, on Saturday, November 29 at the colleges Science Lecture Theatre.

Speakers include Tony Wilmott of English Heritage, Winchester Universitys Nick Thorpe and WYG Groups principal archaeologist Martin Brown.

On October 24 Kitty Hauser will travel from Australia to give a talk in memory of field archaeologist and aerial photography pioneer O.G.S. Crawford, discussing his work, politics and photographic records of Nazi Germany.

On February 20 2015, economic historian Dr Jean Morrin will give a lecture on Victoria County History, a publisher founded in 1899, with special reference to Hampshires decision to rewrite the projects archaic records of county parishes and towns. The lecture will take place at Hampshire Record Office from 8pm.

Ticket prices vary. For more information visit fieldclub.hants.org.uk.

Go here to read the rest:
Hampshire Field Club and Archaeology Society announces new season

Ellar Coltrane in 'Boyhood' (IFC Films), Felicity Jones in 'The Theory of Everything' (Focus Features) and Benedict Cumberbatch in 'The Imitation Game' (The Weinstein Co.)

Every week through the 87th Oscars on Feb. 22, 2014, The Hollywood Reporter's lead awards analyst Scott Feinberg will post an updated "Feinberg Forecast," wherein he presents a summary of major developments since the last update that helped to shape his current opinions and then lists his revised projections. For more about Feinberg and how he arrives at his projections, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Factoring into this week's charts...

Without further ado, here is this week's Feinberg Forecast...

BEST PICTURE Frontrunners Interstellar (Paramount) Unbroken (Universal) Boyhood (IFC Films) The Imitation Game (The Weinstein Co.) The Theory of Everything (Focus Features) American Sniper (Warner Bros.) Birdman (Fox Searchlight) Foxcatcher (Sony Pictures Classics) Gone Girl (20th Century Fox) Into the Woods (Disney) Major Threats Wild (Fox Searchlight) Inherent Vice (Warner Bros.) Selma (Paramount) Whiplash (Sony Pictures Classics) Mr. Turner (Sony Pictures Classics) The Grand Budapest Hotel (Fox Searchlight) Possibilities Big Eyes (The Weinstein Co.) A Most Violent Year (A24) Dear White People (Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions) Get On Up (Universal) The Judge (Warner Bros.) Long Shots Chef (Open Road Films) Men, Women & Children (Paramount) Trash (Universal) Exodus: Gods and Kings (20th Century Fox) How to Train Your Dragon 2 (DreamWorks Animation/20th Century Fox)

BEST DIRECTOR Frontrunners Christopher Nolan (Interstellar) Angelina Jolie (Unbroken) Richard Linklater (Boyhood) Alejandro G. Inarritu (Birdman) Clint Eastwood (American Sniper) Major Threats Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher) Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game) James Marsh (The Theory of Everything) David Fincher (Gone Girl) Paul Thomas Anderson (Inherent Vice) Possibilities Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel) Mike Leigh (Mr. Turner) Rob Marshall (Into the Woods) J.C. Chandor (A Most Violent Year) Jean-Marc Vallee (Wild) Ava DuVernay (Selma) Long Shots Tim Burton (Big Eyes) Jason Reitman (Men, Women & Children) Damien Chazelle (Whiplash) Ridley Scott (Exodus: Gods and Kings)

BEST ACTOR Frontrunners Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) Michael Keaton (Birdman) Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game) Bradley Cooper (American Sniper) Steve Carell (Foxcatcher) Major Threats Joaquin Phoenix (Inherent Vice) Jack O'Connell (Unbroken) David Oyelowo (Selma) Channing Tatum (Foxcatcher) Timothy Spall (Mr. Turner) Ben Affleck (Gone Girl) Possibilities Bill Murray (St. Vincent) Chadwick Boseman (Get On Up) Oscar Isaac (A Most Violent Year) Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar) Ellar Coltrane (Boyhood) Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler) Mark Wahlberg (The Gambler) Long Shots Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel) Miles Teller (Whiplash) Robert Downey, Jr. (The Judge) Christian Bale (Exodus: Gods and Kings) Tom Hardy (Locke) James McAvoy (Filth) Still Awaiting Domestic Distribution Kevin Costner (Black and White) Richard Gere (Time Out of Mind) Michael Shannon (99 Homes)

BEST ACTRESS Frontrunners Julianne Moore (Still Alice) Reese Witherspoon (Wild) Amy Adams (Big Eyes) Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) Hilary Swank (The Homesman) Major Threats Marion Cotillard (The Immigrant) Shailene Woodley (The Fault in Our Stars) Jessica Chastain (The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby) Possibilities Emily Blunt (Into the Woods) Marion Cotillard (Two Days, One Night) Anne Dorval (Mommy) Long Shots Anna Kendrick (The Last 5 Years) Nicole Kidman (Queen of the Desert) Michelle Monaghan (Fort Bliss) Still Awaiting Domestic Distribution Jennifer Aniston (Cake) Jessica Chastain (Miss Julie)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Frontrunners Josh Brolin (Inherent Vice) Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher) J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) Ethan Hawke (Boyhood) Robert Duvall (The Judge) Major Threats Edward Norton (Birdman) Tom Wilkinson (Selma) Takamasa Ishihara (Unbroken) Christoph Waltz (Big Eyes) Possibilities Andy Serkis (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) John Goodman (The Gambler) Benicio Del Toro (Pablo Escobar: Paradise Lost) Albert Brooks (A Most Violent Year) Neil Patrick Harris (Gone Girl) Long Shots Benicio Del Toro (Inherent Vice) Chris Pine (Into the Woods) Garrett Hedlund (Unbroken) Mark Ruffalo (Begin Again)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Frontrunners Patricia Arquette (Boyhood) Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything) Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game) Laura Dern (Wild) Meryl Streep (Into the Woods) Major Threats Jessica Chastain (A Most Violent Year) Julianne Moore (Maps to the Stars) Emma Stone (Birdman) Carrie Coon (Gone Girl) Carmen Ejogo (Selma) Sienna Miller (American Sniper) Possibilities Marion Bailey (Mr. Turner) Jessica Chastain (Interstellar) Anne Hathaway (Interstellar) Jena Malone (Inherent Vice) Reese Witherspoon (Inherent Vice) Long Shots Rene Russo (Nightcrawler) Anna Kendrick (Into the Woods) Vanessa Redgrave (Foxcatcher) Kristen Stewart (Still Alice) Still Awaiting Domestic Distribution Adriana Barraza (Cake) Holly Hunter (Manglehorn) Octavia Spencer (Black and White)

Excerpt from:
Feinberg Forecast: The Awards Landscape After Telluride and Toronto, Before New York

Everything you grow in your yard can be eaten.

Edible landscaping not to be confused with traditional vegetable or herb gardens is one of the growing trends in residential yard design according to local landscape designers. Edible plants, bushes and trees can be picked for food or be added to drinks.

Plantings have to be aesthetic and gorgeous, but they can also be productive, said landscape architect Kate Kennen, owner of Charlestown-based Offshoots. You could be growing something that you could use.

Kennen says she is creating a lot of edible landscapes with plantings such as juneberry trees that provide sweet berries, an attractive option to traditional fruit trees that attract a lot of bugs. Another favorite are basswood trees, also known as salad trees, whose leaves, buds and flowers can be eaten.

We did a mint and mojito garden for a Jamaica Plain apartment project to appeal to younger people who love craft cocktails, said Kennen, who says cocktail gardens include mints, oregano, lavender, chives and sage.

Shes created tea plant gardens as well as an edible garden geared to children with tags on a ring binder to help them identify when edible plants can be eaten.

Another growing residential landscaping trend is low-mow or no-mow lawns, said Andrea Nilsen of Bostons Nilsen Landscape Design.

Traditional lawns are intensely needy water, fertilizing, chemicals, mowing, Nilsen said.

Nilsen uses clumping grasses that look like lawn but dont grow and groundcover plantings in lieu of grass. In one Belmont project, Nilsen used huge beds of creeping thyme and barren strawberry as a lawn substitute.

Kennen added that custom-blended seed can provide an attractive lawn that only has to be mowed every 4 to 6 weeks.

More here:
Hot Property: Designers uproot tradition

By Hadassah Patterson

Chapel Hill, N.C. Looking for a fun day off-the-beaten path, but not too far from home? One legendarily fun place to spend the day is Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The city has oodles of uniquely-originated fun spots for all interests and ages, many of which can be accessed without leaving Franklin Street! Keeping in mind the fall terms are starting and hours may reflect recent changes, here are a few spots I visited recently that have a lot of day-trip power for your buck.

Morehead Planetarium Starting with a quintessential family-friendly venue, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center always has awe-inspiring and educational events for the whole group. Over 7 million people, including famous astronauts from NASA, would agree that this is one must-see stop in Tarheel Blue territory! Big Bird is back for the summer. They also have exhibits with extraordinary facts about ordinary things that we often take for granted, such as Water in Our World. All around, this is a great ecological and natural learning experience for kids. During the year, they offer very special seasonal versions of their star shows including: "Carolina Skies: Valentine Edition," "Our Vanishing Night" and "Scare-o-lina Skies."

Admission: Free for Members; Adults $7.68; Children, Students, and Senior Citizens $6.51

Hours are currently: 10:00 am 3:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00pm-4:30pm on Sunday

The Ackland Art Museum

Some places leave a lasting impression. Recalling a field trip to the Ackland many years ago, it was a pleasure to revisit their offerings. The paintings and exhibits are still inspiring. They also offer yoga classes and hands-on drawing activities such as Drawing in the Gallery, Music in the Gallery, and Drawing for Tweens. Not to be missed are showings for vintage and wonderful moviesup next is an Ackland Film Forum on Alfred Hitchcocks "Rear Window" on Sept. 9! The films introduction will be conducted by Henry Veggian, UNC-Chapel Hill Professor of English and Comparative Literature. Whether looking to be inspired, mystified, or thrilled, this is a great place to take a seat or ramble to ones hearts content.

Admission: Free; Most Events and Programs: Free

Hours are: 10:00 am 5:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday, and 1:00 5:00 pm Sunday

Dining But wait! What happens if one gets hungry?

Link:
Day trips abound in Chapel Hill, Carrboro

Among the bustling build-up in the center of Towson, where bigger and brighter seems to take the lead in the development of multiplex cinemas and popular restaurants, a quiet but significant restoration is happening in an unlikely place Prospect Hill Cemetery.

The area surrounding the graves was recently given a complete makeover, with boxwoods and sedge planting framing the perimeter, the knotty grass replaced with bluestone dust, and bollards with a link chain provide additional protection.

Just to the left of the narrow, winding road that circles the 6-acre cemetery, with Towson City Center looming nearby, are the five headstones of the Hillens, a family entrenched in Towson's history, including brothers John Hillen and Solomon Hillen III, who helped defend Baltimore.

The restoration is timely as Baltimore gets ready to celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of its defense at North Point against the British on Sept. 12, 1814. And to that end, Prospect Hill will hold an open house on Sept. 12.

"Few people realize the historical significance of our local residents buried right here at Prospect Hill," said Carolyn Parker Knott, president of Prospect Hill's board.

In addition to the brothers, their father, Solomon Hillen Jr., is buried with wives Martha Wheeler and Martha Clements.

John Hillen took part in the American Revolution, then served as a lieutenant in the fifth Maryland militia in the War of 1812.

Solomon Hillen III served as a private in Capt. Richard Magruder's company of American Artillerists, battled with the Maryland Fifth Regiment at Bladensburg on Aug. 24, 1814, and then participated in the Battle of North Point three weeks later on Sept. 12.

"The Hillen plot contains the oldest grave monuments in Prospect Hill. The bicentennial of the War of 1812, plus their extremely fragile condition, made them the priority area to protect," Knott said. "Their physical location also makes them vulnerable to damage, and once those markers are gone, we will have lost a piece of early Towson history."

In addition to their service in defending Baltimore in 1814, the Hillens have ties to other area history. Loch Raven was named in honor of the mother of Solomon Jr., Elizabeth Raven, the family helped establish the Baltimore Basilica downtown and their son was the 15th mayor of Baltimore and a member of Congress.

Read this article:
Prospect Hill Cemetery restoration honors Baltimore's 1814 defenders

A residential subdivision planned for Queenstown, which ''clearly flies in the face'' of the district plan, has been slammed by the Environment Court.

HIL Ltd directors William and Peter Hodgson, of Tucker Beach Rd, appealed a Queenstown Lakes District Council decision which rejected a five-lot subdivision on the open slopes of Ferry Hill.

The land was described as a ''transition area'', between a visual amenity landscape (VAL) and an outstanding natural landscape (ONL), in the district plan.

At present, a corridor of development was in the Ferry Hill rural residential sub zone, comprising more than 30 properties and another 25 consented but unbuilt sites.

HIL's site was at the end of that corridor of development.

While the applicant believed the site constituted a ''gap'' in rural living zones around the lower slopes of Ferry Hill and its development would not change the nature of the landscape, the Environment Court disagreed.

In his written decision on August 10, released this week, Judge Brian Dwyer said the overall effects of the proposal were ''more than minor and in many cases they are significant'', regardless of whether the site was considered to be in an ONL or VAL.

The proposal was inconsistent and contrary to the ''overall thrust'' of objectives and policies of the district plan.

Judge Dwyer said the slopes of Ferry Hill had ''little capacity to absorb change by use of topography''.

While it was necessary to have regard to existing and consented environment, the proposal was not a minor extension of that and could not be readily absorbed into the environment.

Read more:
Court backs council refusal of development

A HAMPSHIRE-wide project aimed at helping artists improve their work is set to be launched in Winchester.

The Hampshire-based creative practice SPUD (Space, Place-Making and Urban Design) has been working on a project over the past year to create a new workspace to help artists engage with the landscape.

The observatory has been designed as a sculpture, workspace and look-out with the help of architects and artists after a competition was launched earlier this year.

The first location for the observatory will be adjacent to Winchester Science Centre at Morn Hill from January 2015 for six months before moving to Lymington in July.

Winchester City Council proposed the location on the edge of the South Downs National Park. Council leader Cllr Rob Humby said: Winchester is known as a creative centre in the South, and we see this as an important economic driver as well as something which enhances the quality of everyday life in our District. I love the design that has been chosen for The Observatory and really hope that it will inspire our creative community to apply for residencies at Morn Hill and potentially also at its next stop on the Sea Wall in Lymington.

Would-be residents are asked to apply online at lookinlookout.org/#!residencies/cyuu and the closing date for submission is Friday, October 3.

The Observatory has recently received funding from Arts Council England and corporate sponsorship from James Latham plc who will be providing most of the construction materials.

Excerpt from:
Touring observatory to inspire artists to engage with landscape

Tom Waterhouse is chief executive of William Hill's Australian operations. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Fairfax Media via Getty Images

William Hill, the global British betting firm whose Australian operations are headed by prominent Sydney racing identity Tom Waterhouse, has struck a secretive financing deal to funnel millions in punters' losses to Gibraltar.

The group acquired the nation's largest online bookmaker, Sportingbet, and Waterhouse's eponymous online wagering business, last year. Waterhouse was later appointed chief executive.

The financial statements for his company, William Hill Holdings Pty Ltd, show a loan of 334 million ($580 million) from a company in Gibraltar called Steeplechase. The hefty 5.79 per cent interest rate on this loan means $40 million of profits will go offshore, tax free, each year.

Advertisement

There is increasing concern in government and racing-industry circles over the small contribution made by corporate bookmakers in taxes and levies in Australia. News of this William Hill tax scheme is likely to bolster support for proper regulation of corporate gambling.

Already, gambling reform is back on the table in Canberra. A motion by National Party senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, was carried at last weekend's party conference for online gambling to be regulated by the Commonwealth.

Such a move would thwart the big corporate bookmakers Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and William Hill from "jurisdiction shopping" to find the best odds on tax and licensing.

Most corporate bookies are licensed in the Northern Territory where, on the most recent figures available, the entire sector paid just $2.3 million tax on turnover of $5.7 billion and profit of $469 million.

National regulation, if judiciously implemented, would prove a boon for taxpayers, the racing industry and the punters. The only losers would be foreign shareholders of the British betting houses that have expanded their interests dramatically here over the past three years.

See the original post here:
Bookie sends millions offshore

Tom Waterhouse is chief executive of William Hill's Australian operations. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Fairfax Media via Getty Images

William Hill, the global British betting firm whose Australian operations are headed by prominent Sydney racing identity Tom Waterhouse, has struck a secretive financing deal to funnel millions in punters' losses to Gibraltar.

The group acquired the nation's largest online bookmaker, Sportingbet, and Waterhouse's eponymous online wagering business, last year. Waterhouse was later appointed chief executive.

The financial statements for his company, William Hill Holdings Pty Ltd, show a loan of 334 million ($580 million) from a company in Gibraltar called Steeplechase. The hefty 5.79 per cent interest rate on this loan means $40 million of profits will go offshore, tax free, each year.

Advertisement

There is increasing concern in government and racing-industry circles over the small contribution made by corporate bookmakers in taxes and levies in Australia. News of this William Hill tax scheme is likely to bolster support for proper regulation of corporate gambling.

Already, gambling reform is back on the table in Canberra. A motion by National Party senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, was carried at last weekend's party conference for online gambling to be regulated by the Commonwealth.

Such a move would thwart the big corporate bookmakers Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and William Hill from "jurisdiction shopping" to find the best odds on tax and licensing.

Most corporate bookies are licensed in the Northern Territory where, on the most recent figures available, the entire sector paid just $2.3 million tax on turnover of $5.7 billion and profit of $469 million.

National regulation, if judiciously implemented, would prove a boon for taxpayers, the racing industry and the punters. The only losers would be foreign shareholders of the British betting houses that have expanded their interests dramatically here over the past three years.

Follow this link:
Bookmaker sends millions offshore