Lexington town leaders want landscaped medians along U.S. 378 and S.C. 6 to help control congestion and beautify roads used by commuters and shoppers.

LEXINGTON TOWN HALL

LEXINGTON COUNTY, SC Lexington leaders are taking a second step to improve traffic flow on and beautify two thoroughfares known as the towns front porches.

A plan for 10 miles of landscaped medians on U.S. 378 and S.C. 6 is included in projects that Town Hall hopes will be paid for by a proposed penny-on-the-dollar sales tax increase.

Both roads are evolving into retail strips, intensifying congestion on a pair of major commuter routes that state counts say carry more than 50,000 vehicles daily.

U.S. 378 known locally as Sunset Boulevard is the main eastern entry into the steadily growing community of 18,000 residents while S.C. 6 known locally as Lake Drive is the main northern entry.

Town leaders want medians in place before more commercial development increases traffic jams significantly.

Medians will limit left turns, encouraging motorists instead to use a series of side roads connecting stores, officials say. Breaks in the medians will allow turns, mainly at signalized intersections.

Putting medians in place is one of two steps town leaders say is vital to alleviate traffic bottlenecks. The other is a network of signals that adjust with congestion, slated to debut in spring 2015.

Adding trees plants and shrubs to the medians also will improve the towns image, officials say.

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Lexington seeks better flow on 2 main roads

PORCHES- Headsgiving
http://porchesmusic.bandcamp.com/

By: Matt Hall

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PORCHES- Headsgiving - Video

PAWHUSKA, Okla. - On this day, even a thick fog can't shroud its beauty.

It's a regal southern home in the rolling hills of northern Osage County.

"We'd rollerskate on the outside porches in the summertime and in the winter we'd go up in the attic and rollerskate," said Bob Boulanger, who grew up in the house.

Little did he know that years later another more famous family would move in -- the Weston family, from the film August: Osage County.

The troubled, fictitious family called the house home in the fall of 2012 during filming of the major Hollywood movie.

"Didn't even have a clue that they would pick this house for a movie," said Bob.

For Bob it's not a movie set, it's home.

Bob lived in the house from the time he was a baby in the late 1940s until the early 1980s.

"This was my parent's room here," said Bob, pointing at an upstairs bedroom.

In the movie it's Meryl Streep's bedroom.

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Osage County home shines in new movie

Our best option, we now imagine, is to save ourselves and those like us on the basis of a lifeboat ethics that rewards ruthlessness.

from Nicolaus Mills, The Triumph of Meanness

As I read Mills book on meanness, I wonder if we really have become a mean society. Today, I helped shovel snow from two sidewalks and porches.

Then I shoveled a space at the bus stop near us so people wont have to stand in the street. It was cold; my nose was running and my fingers were moving from pain to numbness by the time I was finished.

I have seen others in Norwood do the same in their neighborhoods, and have seen people clear snow from fire hydrants and storm drains. I know of people offering to help others clear snow all over town. Surely, the above quote isnt about our one-on-one social behavior; its clear to me that a reasonable number of us are simply not mean at a personal level.

Then, I think about the occasional email I get from some acquaintance or other, wittily lambasting the unemployed, the overweight, or those needing food stamps. I remember the glib bumper stickers shouting disrespect for our elected leaders or a hatred of immigrants.

And it is not just aimed at people unlike the perpetrator. Often as not, the owner of that bumper sticker could lose a few pounds, and most of us descend from immigrant ancestors.

I do not know when cleverness became an acceptable substitute for civility, but Im embarrassed to find Ive been tolerating it without awareness.

Accusations and condemnations we aim at segments of our society usually lack reason. They intend to shock, entertain, and/or insult. Were really better than this. I know because I see it in my town on snowy days.

Perhaps we should consider not always exercising our individual right to free speech when that talk hurts or misrepresents.

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Clare: Extending neighborly kindness

Also Called Wrap Around or Farm House Porches Country porches are so popular that restaurants use them for branding like Cracker Barrel who lines them with plenty of rocking chairs. And who doesn't take a second look when driving past one on a country road (or highway for that matter). Mary and I love country porches.

Country style porches vary but all have one main characteristic - they are built for comfort!

Nostalgic in nature, music groups are named after them like The Front Porch Country Band and even songs are written about them like "My Front Porch Looking In" or "Sittin On The Front Porch Swing".

Note how the owners jazzed this porch by painting the front door a vivid red along with the red glider. Sometimes a little can do a lot! This decorating scheme can help to visually segment a large wrap around porch.

Country-style porches bring back nice memories to me. I clearly remember as a kid, sitting on my Grandma's porch swing in Fremont, Ohio. We'd talk for hours and still today, Dave and I love a big country porch!

A country style porch conjures up images of comfortable furniture like porch swings, porch rockers, and sipping lemonade with an old dog sleeping by your side.

Mary and I love the look of open porches. Open porches allow a complete view of the surrounding area and are usually easily accessible. They generally have wide stairways and only a few steps.

To avoid needing railings (balustrade) your porch floor usually must not exceed 36 inches from the ground. (Check with your local building codes department for your area's specific height requirement).

Historically, open porches were popular in the late 1800s and were designed for social interaction, conducting business, and avoiding the heat. Open porches are easily decorated and furnished and add immense curb appeal to your home.

We love the simplicity of this country setting. Decorations and furnishings can range from the very simple like the table and chairs above to the sophisticated with bistro tables and outdoor chandeliers.

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Country Porches | Wrap Around Porches | Farm House

How to Pronounce Porches
Learn how to say Porches correctly with EmmaSaying #39;s "how do you pronounce" free tutorials. Definition of porch (oxford dictionary): noun a covered shelter p...

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How to Pronounce Porches - Video

Porches white update 1

By: tyty cool

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Porches white update 1 - Video

Posted on: 10:02 am, January 2, 2014, by Trisha Bee, updated on: 07:51pm, January 2, 2014

U.S. Postal Service

MILWAUKEE (WITI) The U.S. Postal Service is asking customers toclear snow and ice from sidewalks, stairs and mailboxes in an effort to helpletter carriers deliver your mail safely.

Snow and ice make delivery dangerous and slow, said Milwaukee Postmaster Easton C. Wright, Maintaining a clear path to the mail box including steps, porches, walkways and street approaches will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service, and help them get those letters and packages delivered on time.

Customers receiving door delivery should make sure their sidewalks, steps and porches are clear. Customers receiving curbside delivery should remove snow piles left by snow plows to keep access to their mailboxes clear for letter carriers.

Delivery service may be delayed or curtailed whenever streets or walkways present hazardous conditions for letter carriers or when snow is plowed against mailboxes. The Postal Service curtails delivery only after careful consideration, and only as a last resort, said Wright.Any curtailed mail is attempted the next delivery day.

Blue collection boxes also need to be kept clear for our customers to deposit their mail and for the Postal Service to collect the mail for delivery. Residents and businesses with collection boxes near their property are asked to keep them clear of snow and ice. We want our letter carriers to be safe, added Grant. We can only do this with the help of our customers.

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Postal Service urging customers to clear snow, ice

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) As the snow piles up, the U.S. Postal Service is asking customers to help letter carriers by clearing snow & ice from sidewalks, stairs, and mailboxes.

Snow and ice make delivery dangerous and slow, said Indianapolis Postmaster Gary Soultz. Maintaining a clear path to the mail box including steps, porches, walkways and street approach will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service and help them get those cards and packages delivered in time for the holidays.

Customers receiving door delivery should make sure their sidewalks, steps, and porches are clear. Those receiving curbside delivery should remove snow piles left by snow plows to keep access to their mailboxes clear for letter carriers.

Delivery service may be delayed or curtailed whenever streets or walkways present hazardous conditions for letter carriers or when snow is plowed against mailboxes. The Postal Service curtails delivery only after careful consideration, and only as a last resort, said Soultz. Any curtailed mail is attempted the next delivery day.

Blue collection boxes also need to be kept clear for customers to deposit their mail and for the Postal Service to collect the mail for delivery. Residents and businesses with collection boxes near their property are asked to keep them clear of snow and ice. We want our letter carriers to be safe, he added. We can only do this with the help of our customers.

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USPS reminder: clear your sidewalk

Porches at Silent Barn // "Skinny Trees"
Porches at the Silent Barn performing "Skinny Trees" 2013 11 08.

By: Isaac Gillespie

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Porches at Silent Barn // "Skinny Trees" - Video