By LESLIE KELLY

Kitsap Week

It was an old, leaky birdbath in her yard that led Louise Martin to the art of mosaic.

And now, four years later, shes created garden stepping stones and benches, mirrors, and fine art made with Italian smalti tile.

I wanted to fix my birdbath, Martin said. So I asked my friend what I should do. She lent me her materials and her tools, everything I needed. I had so much fun making that old birdbath beautiful that I decided mosaic was for me.

For that project, a cement fountain-shaped birdbath, Martin used colorful stained glass and created an orange and blue design. It wasnt long before shed finished off a trio of cement stepping stones with bright yellow sunflowers, purple lilies and red roses. From there, she topped cement garden benches which her husband Clyde Muirheid poured with stained glass flowers and fish.

In the stepping stones, there are about 100 pieces of glass in each design. Theres more than 250 pieces of glass on each bench.

Each piece of glass she uses she hand cuts and arranges on the base. She then hand grouts and seals the work. Quite often, shell add gemstones or glass beads to make each of her works unique.

Her most recent project is a round patio table topped with 3,009 pieces of stained glass in the colors of the seven chakras.

There are blue and green starbursts, with a bright yellow sun pattern in the middle of the table top.

Link:
The rise of Yoga Mosaics | Kitsap Week

SAFFORD As the work redesigning Saffords Main Street proceeds, the ongoing construction has affected local businesses in a myriad of ways.

For some, the road closures and impact to parking have been something of a concern. John Fitzgerald, owner of Carpet, Tile & More, said, Road closures and loss of parking spaces in front of the store and along the side streets for a six-week period resulted in a decrease of at least one-third in business volume.

Store owner Debbie Bass, of Debbies Craft Connection, said some customers have been confused by the closure signs, thinking they cannot park on Main Street.

Ive had people walking up the side streets instead of pulling up in front, she said.

Bass said the work had not affected sales for her store until this week, however.

At Joans Draperies, Joan Bingham said most of the stores business is out-of-store sales, so the construction work has not had much effect other than impacting deliveries from suppliers.

Any improvement is a good thing, Bingham said. It shows that were interested in our Downtown area.

Teri Romero, a designer at Graham County Florist & China Shop, said, Mainly, just getting into work is sometimes hard, while Dale Holladay, of Holldays Photo Emporium said, Its had a slight negative effect, as were right on the corner.

The Main Street Cafe has not really been impacted, said Cheryl Wilson, area program manager for the Easter Seals Blake Foundation.

Weve always had good days and bad days, Wilson said.

Originally posted here:
Main Street merchants deal with street work

SADORUS The Champaign County Highway Department will close a portion of County Road 600 North, also known as County Highway 17, from an area between county roads 800 and 900 East to the Sadorus village limits due to a broken drainage tile under the road surface. The closure will start at 8 a.m. Friday and continue until the tile and road are repaired.

Tracy Wingler, maintenance supervisor for the county's highway department, said workers would go in Thursday to saw-cut the road and that excavation would start Friday.

The problem was discovered Wednesday morning when workers spotted a large hole next to the pavement. He said the field tile was probably installed about a hundred years ago and that it outlets to a creek on the south side of the road.

"Under the pavement, there was a big void," Wingler said. "That was our biggest concern."

The void was filled until the tile and road could be repaired. "Weather permitting, we're hoping if everything goes good, we can have it open back up by Tuesday," Wingler said.

Originally posted here:
County road near Sadorus to close for repair work

March 19 at 7:28 PM

Our readers share tales of their rambles around the world.

Who: Andrea Foley (the author) and her husband, Greg, from Reston traveled with a small group sponsored by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, including its curator of African art, Richard Woodward.

When, where, why: A 12-day trip to the Imperial Cities, Sahara Desert and Atlas Mountains of Morocco to celebrate a milestone birthday for me. I have always been fascinated by the countrys architecture and multicultural history.

Highlights and high points: Morocco is one brilliant burst of color after another: the lush green oases, the white-capped Atlas mountains, the setting sun on the glowing orange dunes of the Sahara, the blue of the Atlantic coast, wildflowers among Roman ruins, the intricate and vibrant tile work, the brilliant colors of the graceful arched doors and the never-ending parade of wares offered in the souks.

Among many, one unforgettable experience was traveling back in time to the sights and smells of the warrenlike ninth-century medina of Fez. Little has changed for centuries it was crowded walll-to-wall with people and animals among the tiny shops selling food and crafts. The medinas leather tannery was an especially breathtaking sight with its pungent smell and dyers up to their knees in huge vats of color.

Cultural connection or disconnect: The women we saw in Morocco wore a wide array of styles, from Western clothing with or without headscarves to long robes (jelabas) with headscarves to a small number in full-body covering. In Marrakesh, we had a 20-something female guide who was dressed like any young professional woman in Northern Virginia. In an insightful and personal conversation, we discussed the changing role of Moroccan women and their range of individual choices concerning careers, dress, faith and families.

Biggest laugh or cry: United Airlines lost my suitcase for the first eight of our 12 days in Morocco. Luckily, I learned long ago to pack at least three days worth of clothes in a carry-on. Laundry, a bit of shopping and a sense of humor got me through; and I have the airline to thank for a gorgeous Moroccan jacket.

How unexpected: We didnt fully know what to expect, but we were amazed at how delicious all the food was. Everything was produced locally and naturally, yielding sweet strawberries as big as your fist, fresh baked breads and perfectly spiced dishes cooked in colorful tagines. It all went well with the good Moroccan wines.

Fondest memento or memory: Since we met many years ago in a film history class, our favorite movie has been Casablanca. On our last night, we had dinner at Ricks Cafe; not a tourist trap, but a lovely homage to the movie. As we shared champagne cocktails with As Time Goes By being played on the piano, we were reminded that our youthful dreams of travel have more than come true, and well always have Morocco.

Continue reading here:
What a Trip: Play it, Sam, for a couple in Casablanca

Four buildings in the Salisbury School District were approved for much-needed upgrades Wednesday by the school board.

Work at Harry S. Truman Elementary, Salisbury Middle School, Western Elementary and the district's administrative building will begin immediately after the last day of school, director of facilities Bill Brackett said.

The board approved contracts with Alan Kunsman Roofing and Siding of Freemansburg for a full roof replacement for Harry S Truman at a cost of $1,851,100; with Diefenderfer Electrical Contractors of Allentown for a backup generator for the administrative building at $99,950; with Bracy Contracting of Allentown for the replacement of 300 student lockers at Salisbury Middle School at $101,500; with CMG of Easton Inc. for a complete plumbing overhaul at Salisbury Middle School and Harry S. Truman for $716,500; and with Bracy for and door, hardware and key replacements at all four facilities at $556,000.

Directors voted to hold off on a decision regarding the replacement of floor tile at Western Elementary until a later meeting so they can choose between two bidders and two types of flooring.

The bid for the new generator came in at $30,000 less than the estimated cost, Brackett said. The cost of locker replacement includes salvaging 30 existing ones that would be mismatched with those to be installed because of their color and relocating them to the boys and girls locker rooms, he said.

Plumbing work at Salisbury Middle and Harry S. Truman proved more costly than anticipated because of the scope of work and the rising price of fixtures, Brackett said. He told the board that the final cost was $194,000 more than what the district had estimated.

The work will include a total overhaul of toilets, urinals, sinks and plumbing fixtures dating back to the 1970s.

"We're not looking to build the Taj Mahal," Brackett said.

Doors and hardware for the four facilities will include interior work at each building and exterior work at Harry S. Truman and the middle school.

The board will decide at a later date whether to accept a bid of $75,500 by Bracy Contracting to install VCT tile or an outlay of $149,000 for Terrazzo flooring through Yorie Tile & Terrazzo.

See the original post:
Salisbury school board OKs upgrades at four district buildings

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On Wednesday, in the opulence of a chandeliered room at the University of Louisville Alumni Club, former US Representative Romano Mazzoli gave a free talk at his alma mater. A Louisville native with 24 years experience in Congress, Mazzoli touched on international to local politics, as well as a short personal history.

Mazzoli said he was pre-disposed to do immigration work during his time in office. He is the child of German and Italian immigrants, who ran a tile company out of the basement of the family home.

Ill never forget, sitting in the dining room, and total strangers would parade through the dining room, and my dad would lead them to our bathroom to show the tile work he could do for them, he said.

In Congress,Mazzoli and Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming wrote the Immigration Reform and Control Act, which became law in 1986.

The former Representativefilled the room with laughter and connected with the audience. Part of his talk became a roll call, where he showed his appreciation for various audience members.

Mazzoli told a story about a man named John, who thanked the former Representative for helping him get a job at the post office. After forty years and a successful career, John is now enjoying retirement.

This is what politics should be about, Mazzoli said.

Next, Mazzoli addressed international topics such as the conflict inUkraine, bankruptcy in Greece and ISIS in Iraq.

Mazzoli had no reservations about stating his point of view. Speaking about the recent visit to Congress by Israeli President Netanyahu, Mazzoli said, With all due respect as a leader of the nation of Israel, he showed high disregard and disrespect for our President.

Mazzoli was also highly complimentary of Mayor Fischers initiative of the new Code Louisville, a free software coding training program.

Go here to read the rest:
Former US Representative speaks at U of L

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, civilian workers at New Jerseys Naval Weapons Station Earle used the bases money to buy ceramic tile, molding and toilet partitions for their personal houses and exploited overtime pay with some putting in and being approved for 24-hour work shifts during the disaster.

In addition, the bases public works department is plagued with nepotism and mismanagement, and is under the supervision of a woman who handles heavy ammunition and explosives despite being fitted with a heart defibrillator, which, by Navy standards, automatically disqualifies her from the job.

These are a few of the findings uncovered in a May 2014 Judge Advocate General investigation into the operations of Naval Weapons Station Earle obtained by The Washington Times through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Other charges investigated in the report include heavy equipment like a metal-shearing machine going missing from the base, union overcharges and employee harassment, such as having an individuals workplace trashed. The work environment was so toxic, the report found, that one dispute escalated into unsubstantiated charges of drinking on the job .

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC, Mid-Atlantic (MIDLANT) conducted a command investigation into Management and Safety Practices at Public Works Department Earle, the 42-page JAG report explains. Based on the evidence collected, it appears that the EDP Program at PWD Earle has been mismanaged for years.

The report continued: Based on the evidence reviewed, it appears that the management of over time at PWD Earle during Hurricane Sandy was nonexistent and that there is a consistent pattern of mischarging labor, material and tools at PWD Earle.

For diverting taxpayer money to private use, cases of nepotism and other dubious hirings, mismanagement and maintenance of a toxic work environment, Naval Weapons Station Earle wins this weeks Golden Hammer, a weekly distinction given by The Washington Times highlighting examples of wasteful federal spending.

Watchdog groups outraged

The kind of stuff we are talking about in this report should not only bring firings but potentially criminal charges, said Leslie Paige, vice president for policy and communications at the nonpartisan Citizens Against Government Waste, who was briefed on the report. Were talking about peoples lives being at stake.

A source close to the JAG investigation, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, told The Washington Times that while management continues to turn a blind eye to the problem, nearby residents in Colts Neck, New Jersey, are being endangered.

View post:
Golden Hammer: Naval Weapons Station Earle employees misused funds after Sandy

TIle Hill Wood School could be forced to make job cuts after a new free school was given the go-ahead in the same area.

The revelation came during a public Coventry council meeting with Labour Coun David Kershaw, cabinet member for education, to discuss a 446-signature petition against Finham Park II which is scheduled to open in September.

Roger Moore, chair of governors at Tile Hill Wood - the only all girls comprehensive in the city, told the meeting Finham Park II had badly hurt the amount of pupils due to start at his school this academic year.

Finham Park II can accommodate 800 students, including 600 11 to 16-year-olds, and Mr Moore said admissions at Westwood Academy and Woodlands Academy had also been badly hit by the arrival of a new school.

Mr Moore said: We have a 237 income capacity at Tile Hill Wood, the number of pupils enrolled last year was 169.

Next year we are looking at 133 children. Thats the equivalent of three-and-a-half classes and means there is the potential for us to have to make teachers redundant.

Mr Moore said there was no demand for the extra school places and suggested Finham Park II meant the three other schools in the area faced the realistic threat of closure.

He said: There is potential for schools to close. Its not like closing a business, you cant pick which school closes. If a school closes the childrens education slowly dies.

Mr Moore also criticised Coun Kershaw for correspondence with the Secretary of State for Education, which he said verged on a declaration of interest and was seen to be supportive of Finham Park II.

He said: Why did you make personal comments, as a cabinet member and somebody respected in education, that endorsed something which is going to crucify us?

See the rest here:
Finham Park II could cause job losses at Tile Hill Wood

Pediatric patients at Chris Evert Children's Hospital recently joined the wives of Miami Dolphins players, coaches, alumni and executives to paint rooms' ceilings in bright, cheery colors.

The beautification project was described as "therapeutic" by Kasey Castro and Caitlin Harrison, event organizers and child care specialists at the Fort Lauderdale hospital. About 20 pediatric patients worked with 11 Dolphins wives to paint ceiling tiles in an eighth-floor patient playroom, a general pediatrics patient room, and an outpatient playroom for hematology/oncology patients.

"The rooms are now more colorful with bright, kid-friendly colors," Castro said. "The children were able to use their creativity in a kind of therapeutic activity."

"Sometimes being in a hospital can be monotonous and get you down. The children had a great time getting out of their rooms, and it gave them something to look forward to," Harrison said.

The project also helped raise awareness of a large initiative that will soon begin, said Andria Nolan, director of major gifts.

Plans call for work to begin this summer on a $52 million renovation project. When completed by 2019, all of the semi-private patient rooms will be private by utilizing the remainder of the seventh and eighth floors to allow for patients' families to visit and stay overnight. It also will include improvements to the pediatric intensive care unit, the neonatal intensive care unit, the general pediatric department, and the hematology/oncology wing, Nolan said.

"The Dolphins wives reached out to us to be involved, and it was a great opportunity for us to talk about the capital campaign," she said.

Sabrina Goldstein, 17, a hematology/oncology patient receiving chemotherapy and other cancer treatment, was quick to pick up a paintbrush to participate in the project. Goldstein, who recently completed a summer learning project at the Rhode Island School of Design, painted one ceiling tile with an image of a bountiful garden and a sun-streaked sky.

"I love to paint; art is my passion. Working on the project made me feel nice, and I imagine it will make other kids feel better," she said.

Her parents, Luis Goldstein and Edie Levine, agreed.

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Project brightens children's hospital