I am not one who is prone to follow fads. As a matter of fact, it takes a lot for me to do what other people do. This suggestion about Missouri porch lights is an exception. There's a good reason why many are changing their porch lights to green and I believe that is a great idea. I also believe they should stay green, too.

Porch light colors can mean many things. A typical white porch light is meant for lighting (shocking, I know). Others turn their porch lights to purple to show support for those suffering from domestic abuse.

I have a colleague in Texas bring up an idea that I think should be put into practice in Missouri, too. Let's turn all of our porch lights green.

No, it has nothing to do with Christmas. Bob Vila mentions that green porch lights show support for US military veterans. There's even a Twitter/X hashtag GreenLightAVet.

I do tend to ignore internet trends, but this is one case where I'll gladly jump on board. Many believe that enough isn't done to support our military veterans and I'm definitely in that camp. Just making a change to a green porch light is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to show visual support for those that have or currently serve our country.

How great would it be to drive through town and see the streets lit up green? Let's make it happen.

Gallery Credit: Treasurer, Missouri.gov

The rest is here:
Why All Missouri Porch Lights Should Turn Green & Stay That Way - KHMO News-Talk-Sports

If you're driving around your neighborhood, you might notice a few interesting lights. Some locals have started changing thecolor that emits from their porch light these days.

No, it's not for that one green holiday that's just around the corner. Saint Patrick's Day has nothing to do with why Iowans are lighting up their porches with a green glow.

It's actually meant to honor some of the bravest people in America...

...our veterans.

According to the official website for the Association of the United States Army, the green porch light is meant to be a sign of appreciation for United States military veterans.

It's not a seasonal decoration, this green light can be up all year round. It can be seen a bit more often around Veterans Day in November and Memorial Day in May.

President Bush Observes Veterans Day

At first glance you'd think the meaning behind the Green is pretty simple, right? It's representative of the camouflage that members of the U.S. Army wear. At least that's what I thought.

But it's just a bit deeper than that...

According to officials, the green symbolizeshope, renewal and well-being.

The term "greenlight" also means to activate forward movement.

The Association of the United States Army officials say, setting up your porchlight to glow green is "intended to spark a national conversation regarding the recognition of veterans, and "greenlight" them forward as valued members of our communities."

So, even if you don't have a veteran in your life, this could be an easy way to honor those who have served all year round!

Stay up to date with everything going on in Eastern Iowa by downloading the free station app from your free app store. Also, do not forget to follow the station across all social media platforms for the latest news and entertainment updates.

Gallery Credit: RE/MAX Lakes Realty

There are quite a few Eastern Iowa restaurants that have stood the test of time! Here are some of the eateries that have been open in the area for 50 years or more!

Gallery Credit: Courtlin

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It's Time To Start Using All Green Porch Lights Iowa - K92.3

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Facebook App: Open links in External Browser There is a specific issue with the Facebook in-app browser intermittently making requests to websites without cookies that had previously been set. This appears to be a defect in the browser which should be addressed soon. The simplest approach to avoid this problem is to continue to use the Facebook app but not use the in-app browser.

This can be done through the following steps: 1. Open the settings menu by clicking the hamburger menu in the top right 2. Choose App Settings from the menu 3. Turn on the option Links Open Externally (This will use the devices default browser)

Enabling Cookies in Internet Explorer 7, 8 & 9 1. Open the Internet Browser 2. Click Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Advanced 3. Check Override automatic cookie handling 4. For First-party Cookies and Third-party Cookies click Accept 5. Click OK and OK

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Enabling Cookies in Mobile Safari (iPhone, iPad) 1. Go to the Home screen by pressing the Home button or by unlocking your phone/iPad 2. Select the Settings icon. 3. Select Safari from the settings menu. 4. Select accept cookies from the safari menu. 5. Select from visited from the accept cookies menu. 6. Press the home button to return the the iPhone home screen. 7. Select the Safari icon to return to Safari. 8. Before the cookie settings change will take effect, Safari must restart. To restart Safari press and hold the Home button (for around five seconds) until the iPhone/iPad display goes blank and the home screen appears. 9. Select the Safari icon to return to Safari.

Read more:
Neighbor arrested in fatal stabbing of woman, 83, on front porch of her Philadelphia home - The Cairns Post

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Step into a winter wonderland of warmth and welcome right at your front door. With the holidays over and the lights and baubles stashed away until next year, the front porch can easily become a lifeless afterthought.

Curb appeal is not just about accenting the home visually. Curb appeal evokes a feeling that people will have as they imagine themselves walking up to the front door and entering the home. It sets the tone for the rest of their experience, says Trent Brown, founder and principal designer at Ground Break Design. Whether youre a seasoned decorator or a first-timer, reinvigorate your entryway at this darkest time of year by trying out a few of these festive ways to make your porch a cozy haven.

Decorative containers arent just for spring and summerand dont be afraid to mix and match boxes, bins, and barrels. Use accent pieces to draw peoples eye to the front porch, Brown says. Planter pots framing either side of the front door, or on the front steps is a simple way to draw attention there.

Give some thought as to what you are going to put inside of your containers. If you want to enhance the visual appeal, place plants inside the containers. If your purpose is purely decorative, you might choose to leave the containers empty for a minimalist effect. Choosing containers with similar colors will help unify the design, though uniformity isnt necessary. Two or four of the same planter pots will be more effective at drawing attention than one or three, Brown says. Dont overpower the space, though. Simple is better, and using reds, greens, whites, gold and silvers this time of year are tried and true festive additions, but try to use complimentary accent colors to your homes aesthetic. Make sure the containers have holes for drainage if youre decorating with plants.

Create a welcoming entrance by placing a few large containers filled with live evergreens near the front door. Some good options include holly, boxwood, spruce, juniper, and Chamaecyparis (also known as false cypress). Beginning in the fall, garden centers usually stock a selection of smaller evergreen specimens perfect for containers.

A few caveats, though: If you want to carry your evergreens over from season to season, be sure the containers have drainage holes and are rated for freezing temperatures. Because plant roots arent as well insulated from the cold in containers as they are in the ground, guard against frost damage by selecting shrubs that are hardy to two zones below your hardiness zone. For example, if you live in Zone 5, select specimens that are hardy to Zone 3.

RELATED: Liven Up Your Winter Porch with 8 Cold-Loving Plants

Available in various lengths at most garden centers, birch branches and twigs are great choices for the thriller in a container arrangement. Bundle together longer branches for a vertical accent near the door, or fill a galvanized container with shorter lengths for a woodsy vignette.

Light up a cold night with the warm glow of lanterns outfitted with LED candles. Outdoor lanterns, like Pottery Barns Malta Lantern, come in a variety of materials and colors, and many are pretreated to withstand the elements. Select candles with timers that allow you to set them once and forget about them for the rest of the season.

Sunlight may be in short supply this time of year, but now that the trees have dropped their leaves a surprising amount of light can reach a well-positioned solar panel. In fact, there may be enough sun to power a string lights draped along an eave or woven through a container arrangement. Solar path lightsare another option for bringing light to an entryway.

RELATED: Buyers Guide: The Best Solar String Lights We Tested This Year

An appealing doormat with a design that evokes winterthink snowflakes, cardinals, or snowmenis an inexpensive way to add a cheerful touch to your front entryway.

An old pair of skis or a wooden sled propped up near the front door can create a nostalgic winter tableau. Even a simple pair of white figure skates (scuffs and all!) hung on the door adds seasonal interest. You can probably find vintage ski equipment in secondhand stores or thrift shops. Facebook Marketplace and other online auction websites may also offer a selection of retro ski gear.

If you have window boxes around the porch, dont miss the opportunity to fill them with evergreen boughs, foraged branches, pine cones, dried hydrangea blossoms, and other textured, colorful greens.

Consider adding potted evergreens or boxwood, advises David Birkes, owner, general contractor, and builder at Birkes Builders in Colleyville, Tx. They are sturdy against the cold and maintain structure and color. Ive found that incorporating these elements thoughtfully creates a porch space that is not only inviting but also echoes the serene beauty of winter. (Twinkling solar string lights in the window boxes will look even better!) Not only will the street view be beautiful, but the view from inside will be pretty dreamy, too.

Dont pack up the hanging baskets just because winters arrived. Theres plenty you can put in them that will bring color to your front door zone.

Cedar, fir, spruce, and hemlock foliage always work great for providing a winter festive look, but you can branch out (pun intended) into some other species that will provide some color interest, says Brown. For a classic look, holly and yew are good options. Winterberry has gorgeous color varieties outside of the traditional seasonal choices, and juniper will have a great, silvery-bluish hue. adding natural elements like pine cones, burlap, and twine to those arrangements will give things more of a rustic feel.

RELATED: 13 Types of Holly Plants All DIY Landscapers Should Know

Though February is the shortest month, it can seem interminablebut its also the month of love. Once Christmas and Hanukkah decorations come down, why not freshen up the porch with touches of pink and red? Something as simple as a red doormat and a heart on the door can brighten your entry.

If your patio furniture fits the space, set it front and center by the entry, and dress it with a knitted or fur throw and a few accent pillows. Wool, fleece, and sherpa are all excellent options for trapping heat and providing insulation for cold winter nights!

A nice accent chair with a side table, or a pair of cozy lounge chairs, give people a welcoming feeling on the front porch even if they dont actually sit in the chairs, suggests Brown. Toss a blanket over the arm of the chair or add a festive accent cushion to really take the coziness level up a notch.

RELATED: Buyers Guide: The 8 Best Outdoor Furniture Brands of the Year

A door basket is a versatile accessory that can be easily updated from season to season. For the winter, try a mix of evergreens, pine cones, and faux berry branches. When Valentines Day and St. Patricks Day roll around, add in some colorful baubles, and when spring finally arrives, fill it with faux tulips and daffodils.

An empty exterior wall practically begs to be decorated and metal artwork that depicts wintry scenes like snowflakes, evergreen trees, or cardinals can stand up to the elements. With a thorough coating of a protective finish like Rust-Oleum, metal decorative items can last indefinitely, and rust wont drip down the wall.

RELATED: Solved! Whats the Best Paint for Metal?

Ready-made wreaths are easy enough to procure, but whats stopping you from grabbing a glue gun and making one thats distinctly yours? Wrap a wreath form with a plaid scarf and let the fringed ends hang at the bottom. Complete the wintertime look by adding a few evergreen branches and pine cones where the ends cross. For a different approach, hang a trio of boxwood wreaths vertically down the door and accent each with a large bow, or leave them unadorned for a more contemporary look.

One of the best ways to enhance your front entryway and extend compassion to furry friends during the winter is to leave a stray box on your front porch. Stray boxes arent necessarily meant to be decorative, but they provide a warm and cozy refuge for stray cats and dogs.

To build your own stray box, cut up sheets of styrofoam and use silicone glue to hold them together, or cut a doorway into a lidded plastic storage tote. (Cat rescue site Neighborhood Cats has directions for building both versions.)

If you want to zhuzh up your box, paint the exterior in a nontoxic hue that complements your siding. Color schemes in winter favor cool blues, crisp whites, and silvery greens that reflect the season, paired with materials like galvanized steel or reclaimed wood for rustic resilience, Birkes says.

RELATED: The 50 Best Products for Surviving Winter

If you have railings on your front porch, accent them with festive greenery for a natural, wintery touch. Twine artificial garlands with ribbons, berries, pinecones, or lights through the rails, and secure them with zip ties to withstand winter winds.

What better way to welcome guests into your home than a sign that spells out your greetings? The Welcome Deer buffalo plaid sign from My Word! is made from weatherproof composite and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Position it near your entryway to ensure its visible to guests when entering your home.

Spruce up your front porch with a thoughtful box of snacks and beverages for delivery drivers. Fill a sturdy, weather-resistant box with an assortment of snacks and drinks and place it near your door, or where packages are delivered to your home. You can even attach a note expressing gratitude, like this blogger did.

The gentle sway of a porch swing coupled with the calm winter atmosphere creates the perfect front porch experience for your home. Simply find the structural ceiling joists on your porch, mark the location you want your swing to hang, install a swing hanger (available at most home improvement stores), and hang your swing using durable chains. Complete the look with a cozy seat cushion and throw pillows.

Read the rest here:
19 Ways to Make Your Front Porch More Inviting in Winter - Bob Vila

It's not that uncommon to be driving through a Dallas, Texas neighborhood and see different colored porch lights on, especially during the holiday season. You'll see red or green at Christmas, orange or purple at Halloween or even red or blue during the 4th of July. But what about the rest of the year?

Outdoor lighting options have expanded dramatically thanks to technology and LED lighting. To change the color of your front porch light now all you need to do is twist in a new LED bulb and connect it to your phone or smart device and then you can change the color any time you want.

Basically to show support and raise awareness for a certain cause.

A house with a GREEN porch light means that the house is showing appreciation for U.S. Veterans and active military as well as those who have fallen.

The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) says, that while

some people may leave a green porch light on year round to express their support, many choose to use this colored bulb around Veteran's Day, which is celebrated on November 11th and Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May.

To show your support for our military, the next time you're at the box hardware store pick up a green light bulb or one of those new LED multi-color bulbs and show your support. Plus, you can also use it around St. Patrick's Day too.

Other color light bulbs have special meaning too. Let's take a quick look and learn a little more.

Here's a look at some of the possible meanings for why your neighbor might have a certain color light bulb on at night on their porch.

Gallery Credit: Lucky Larry, Mix 93-1

There's a reason every good high school football movie is based in Texas. Here in the Lone Star State Friday nights are revered and our young men in football pads exalted to legends in their hometowns.

Through neglect, lack of maintenance, or trying to make way for progress, these nine locations throughout Texas have been identified as an 'endangered place' by Preservation Texas.

Gallery Credit: Lucky Larry, Mix 93-1 and Maleri McHam

East Texans suggest these walking paths and hiking trails in Tyler and around East Texas.

Gallery Credit: Lucky Larry, Mix 93-1

A home is one of the biggest and most important investments you'll ever make. And it's no secret that as mortgage rates have risen the past year, home prices have risen as well. If you're thinking of moving to the Tyler, TX area, here are the most expensive towns to buy a home in.

More:
What's The Meaning Behind Green Porch Lights In Texas? - News Talk 96.5 KPEL

Bronx resident Francisco Jose Eder Mateo was arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 3 on grand larceny charges in connection with an incident that happened in Yonkers, Yonkers Police announced on Monday, Jan. 8.

According to the department, on the day of the incident, Eder Mateo allegedly stole packages from the porch of a Yonkers residence. Shortly after this, he was quickly spotted by Yonkers Police officers and ordered to stop.

However, Eder Mateo did not listen and instead started running, leading officers on a short chase around the area. Although he seemed to be getting away, a Yonkers public works employee noticed the chase and got out of his vehicle before knocking Eder Mateo to the ground, allowing officers to apprehend him.

Following his arrest,Eder Mateo was charged with:

After his arraignment in court, he was released on his own recognizance, police said.

The department, which released surveillance and body camera footage of the incident and resulting chase, highlighted the arrest as a great example of teamwork between residents, police, and city workers.

"This video shows what happens when everyone works together seamlessly to stop crime," the department wrote on social media, adding, "A resident sees a crime and quickly calls it in allowing officers to get on the scene quickly, officers flood the area to ensure the suspect cant get away despite his attempted fleeing, finished off by a good samaritan who saw an opportunity to help our officers capture a suspect and took that opportunity."

"To any future thieves planning to commit these crimes in Yonkers- pick somewhere else," the department continued.

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Video: DPW Worker Knocks Fleeing Porch Pirate To Ground In Yonkers, Police Say - Daily Voice

Last week, a man in Yonkers, New York, was caught on a homes doorbell camera taking packages off the porch. The homeowner alerted police, provided the footage and a good description of the suspect, and a Yonkers Police officer spotted a man fitting the description walking nearby. The officer attempted to detain the suspect and the man fled, leading to the officer chasing him on foot.

Surveillance footage from another nearby home shows the suspect being chased by police. Then a Yonkers city employee steps out of his vehicle, places himself in the suspect's path, and tackles the man, holding him down until officers catch up and place the suspect in handcuffs.

The Yonkers Police Department praised the collaborative effort in stopping the suspected criminal. They also suggested that criminals set on doing crimes in Yonkers will have to contend with the triple threat of their residents, police, and city employees, who they say wont stand by and allow you to victimize people in this city.

Source:NY POST

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City Worker Clotheslines Suspected Porch Pirate Running From Cop - iHeart

Ward six resident Lauren Stockwell was crowned the winner of this years Peoples Petal Porch competition, as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Her entry: The House of 1,000 Cranes: Somewhere over the Crainbow. The decor included over 1,000 paper cranes symbolizing hope, healing and good health. Stockwells design is a neighborhood favorite that also offers a basketful of cranes to passersby.

Her porch was selected as the winner in a vote conducted via Instagramstories on the National Cherry Blossom Festival account.More than 1,000 paper cranes filled the porch and yard of Ward six Petal Porch winner Lauren Stockwell. Photo: Crist-Travers, Courtesy Natonal Cherry Blossom Festival

More than 300 porches across the Districts eight wards, Maryland and Virginia were entered in this years program. Eight DC ward porches, chosen from Prime Petal Porches, were selected to participate in competition-style bracket competition on the Festivals Instagram account (@CherryBlossFest).

President and CEO of the festival Diana Mayhew said community and togetherness are pillars of the festival and the annual petal porch competition.

The goal of Petal Porches is to bring local neighborhoods together to celebrate spring and build community pride during the Festival, Mayhew said. This years competition for the Peoples PorchWinner was fierce with hundreds of participants in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia taking part in the overall PetalPorchescompetition.

Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com.

Originally posted here:
Ward 6 Porch Winner in Annual Petal Porch Competition - Hill Rag

by John Neiuber | Special to the Courier

Turn of the century is a term used to describe a group of residential styles popular from the late 1880s through the 1910s. The rapid industrialization that occurred during this period, the mass production of building products, and the new transcontinental railroad (completed in 1869) made these easily replicated styles popular.

Turn of the century styles flourished from 1900 to 1918 in Claremont and include the Victorian styles, massed plan vernacular, shingle style, American Colonial Revival, one-story bungalows, and American Foursquare. These styles have some similar characteristics, including simple forms, single story front porches, predominantly double-hung windows, and wood exterior materials. However, each style is slightly different. In this installment we will explore two of the styles of turn of the century architecture.

One of the most dominant styles of turn of the century homes in Claremont is the one-story bungalow, built in the early 1900s. The styles vary from those that contain simplified Craftsman details to those with classical details of the California Bungalow. Many have detailing unique to Claremont. The term bungalow originated in the Bengal region of India and came from a native hut called a bangala, which was described as a comfortable, single-story home with high thatched roofs and overhanging eaves that provided much needed shade. In the late 1800s the term was used to describe summer vacation cottages in the U.S. At the turn of the century, the term came into wide use by leaders and architects of the Arts and Crafts movement. Eventually, it came to describe simple one-story homes, of many different styles.

In early 20th century California the style developed as an efficient and much less expensive home than the complex and costly Victorian houses. It suggested a simpler, informal style of living. Usually a one-story rectangular-plan house, often with individual detailing in pedimented small porch entries, Claremont has many of these simple wood or stucco bungalows that preceded the larger and more detailed Craftsman bungalow styles.

Character defining features one-story bungalows

Massing

Roofs

Porches

Architectural details

Windows and doors

Another style found widely in Claremont is the American Colonial Revival, which was the dominant style for residential construction throughout the country from 1880 to 1955. Colonial Revival homes represent a resurgence of interest in the early English and Dutch houses built along the Atlantic seaboard. Usually two-story and rectangular in plan and massing, Colonial Revival homes have side gabled, gambrel, or hipped roofs, wood or brick exteriors, and a symmetrical arrangement of windows and doors on a flat facade. Characteristic features include an accentuated front door, normally with a decorated pediment supported by pilasters. Overhead fanlights or sidelights are also commonly found with the entry door. In Claremont, Colonial Revival homes range from the simple Cape Cod saltbox to more high-style Colonial Revival homes.

Character defining features American Colonial Revival style

Massing

Roofs

Porches

Architectural details

Future installments will explore additional turn of the century styles found in Claremont.

Read more from the original source:
Architectural styles: turn of the century - Claremont Courier

3:47 PM | Friday, April 28, 2023

As high school senior Micah Ziemke takes the stage in this weekends final showings of Fiddler on the Roof Jr. for Front Porch Musical Theatre in Elk River, he knows hes among friends that have become family.

Ive been in other sports. Ive done soccer, Ive done baseball, Ive done football. Its all great and good stuff there and connections you make there, said Ziemke, who plays Tevye. But the friends and connections you make here, the family that it is. Thats a word thats used a lot for a lot of communities, but I feel like here everybody just cares about each other so much and just genuinely is here for each other and you make some lifelong friends.

Tevye tries to navigate his family through what he sees as traditions in their Jewish community in Russia in 1905. Thats to say it doesnt always go the way he thinks it should.

Hes such a real person and in a lot of ways that makes him the most complicated character Ive ever played, said Ziemke. Its really easy to play a villain persona. Im a villain! Im bad! To portray a real dude, a real guy, whos displaying all these real emotions. Its something so deep and so cool and Ive really enjoyed just getting my teeth into and just digging into.

But Ziemke and his cast mates say thats what Front Porch strives to create and fosteran inclusive, welcoming experience for students of musical theater.

We try in every show that we do to have all of our student actors on stage as much as it possibly makes sense, said co-founder and co-creative director Linda Lindeen. We are very family-centered. All of our shows are family-appropriate. Every show we do, for all ages. As young as they come and as old as they come.

The cast of Fiddler is made up of students as young as 5 and as old as 18.

Everybodys very welcoming and everybodys always so accepting, and youre welcomed like youre a part of the family, said Emma Dorn, who plays Tevyes oldest daughter, Tzeitel.

Dorn knows that a lot of people come to see the show with a lot of their own memories of the well-known story.

Im excited for the excitement, I guess. Its a verynot overwhelmingbut its an exciting experience and its a lot of fun, she said. Sometimes there are certain circumstances that can not be solved by things that have always been followed. Tradition is mainly the message in Fiddler. Sometimes love wins.

There are performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Elk River High School.

The next production for Front Porch Musical Theatre will be Disneys Lion King Jr. in May.

Twin Cities

Weekend Showcase

Go here to read the rest:
Front Porch Musical Theatre Puts On 'Fiddler On The Roof Jr.' - ccxmedia.org