Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Events are free unless noted. Please email calendar submissions at least two weeks in advance to events@oregonian.com.

ONGOING

Leach Botanical Garden Tour: 1:30 p.m. Fridays and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays through July. Learn about the gardens history, heritage trees, seasonal plants, habitat restoration and more. Register at leachgarden.org; Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave.

Bumble Bee Hike: 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays through July. Toddlers can look for wildlife, listen to the wind and creek, smell plants and flowers, and touch the trees and leaves. Register at leachgarden.org; Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave.

Mountain Rose Herbs Sunday Annex Series: 1-3 p.m. Sundays through July. Learn from teachers, businesses and plant-minded locals about herbalism, healthy living and more. Cost/sliding scale donation varies; Mountain Rose Herbs Mercantile Annex, 152 W. Fifth Ave., Eugene; mountainroseherbsmercantile.com

Forest Grove Sesquicentennial Open House and Open Garden Series: July 17 and Aug. 13. Experience a series of tours of homes and gardens in Forest Grove and the surrounding area. $10 per event includes beverage and snack; precise addresses are provided after registration at fhfg.org or 503-992-1280.

Art in the Garden: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Sept. 3. Local artists will showcase handcrafted pieces throughout the 80-acre botanical garden. Free with garden admission ($12 per adult); The Oregon Garden, 879 W. Main St., Silverton; oregongarden.org

Grow Your Own Produce, The Workshop Series: (online via Zoom) 7-9 p.m. second Thursday of the month through Nov. 10. Permaculture expert Marisha Auerbach helps you learn to maximize your yield with a monthly overview of key garden activities. $100 for a five-class series or $25 per class; permaculturerising.com

Harvest & Design Workshop Series: 10 a.m. second Saturday of the month through November. Take a monthly guided tour of a flower farm and learn about the plants you will harvest for your arrangement that day. $85 per workshop; Charles Little and Company, 34573 Seavey Loop Road, Eugene; charleslittleandcompany.com

Little Sprouts Take-home Class Kits: (online instruction) Monthly through December. Kids will learn about a variety of seasonal garden-related topics with these hands-on activities. $10 registration required; Garland Nursery, 5470 N.E. Highway 20, Corvallis; garlandnursery.com, 541-753-6601 or 800-296-6601

Portland Dahlia Society monthly meeting: 7 p.m. second Tuesday of the month through December. Take part in a monthly discussion of seasonal topics. Oaks Park Dance Pavilion, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; portlanddahlia.com

Tualatin Valley Beekeepers Association meetings: 6-8 p.m. last Tuesday of the month; Jessie Mays Community Hall, 30975 N.W. Hillcrest St., North Plains or online via Zoom; tvbabees.org or email tualatinvalleybeekeepers@gmail.com

SATURDAY, JULY 9

Summer Pruning for Fall Blooms: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Learn how to extend the bloom season of your clematis with summer pruning. $25; Rogerson Clematis Garden at Luscher Farm, 125 Rosemont Road, West Linn; rogersonclematiscollection.org

Lavender: Wands and More: 10-11 a.m. Use fresh cut lavender to weave fragrant wands and explore other uses including decorative, household and culinary applications. $30; Blooming Junction Garden Center and Farm Market, 35105 N.W. Zion Church Road, Cornelius; bloomingjunction.com

Succession Planting in the Home Vegetable Garden: 10 a.m.-noon. Discuss which crops are best planted as successions, planting methods and tips, and how to plan for a continuous harvest. Donations welcome; Portland Edible Gardens Demonstration Garden, 4628 N. Willis Blvd.; eventbrite.com

SUNDAY, JULY 10

NatureScaping - Art in the Garden: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy a plant sale and a day of art, music, demonstrations and more. NatureScaping of SW Washington Wildlife Botanical Gardens, 11000 N.E. 149th St., Brush Prairie; naturescaping.org

THURSDAY, JULY 14

Vinegar Making Workshop: 5-8 p.m. July 14 and 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. July 16. Discover skills of vinegar making on a 32-acre organic farm on Sauvie Island. Cost/sliding scale donation varies; Wapato Island Farm, 15115 N.W. Gillihan Road; wapatoislandfarm.com

SATURDAY, JULY 16

Lavender Wreath Class: 10-11 a.m. Use lavender and materials from the farm, and receive instruction on how to make a six-inch ($35) or 10-inch ($40) wreath to take home. Blooming Junction Garden Center and Farm Market, 35105 N.W. Zion Church Road, Cornelius; bloomingjunction.com

Plant Swap Party: 7-10 p.m. Trade plants, seeds and cuttings over cocktails and mocktails. Freeland Spirits, 2671 N.W. Vaughn St.; eventbrite.com

SATURDAY, JULY 23

Tomato Pruning Workshop: 10-11:30 a.m. This hands-on workshop will clarify which types of tomato plants need pruning and provide instruction on when and how to prune. $5 at eventbrite.com/e/378925174397; Clark County Extension, 1919 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver

Open Garden Invertebrates, Wildlife & Us!: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy garden tours, bee nesting stations, educational displays, hands-on activities and more. WCMGA (Washington County Master Gardener Association) Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek, 17705 N.W. Springville Road; washingtoncountymastergardeners.org

SUNDAY, JULY 24

Cornell Farm House Plant Swap: 4-5 p.m. Meet other house plant enthusiasts and trade your labeled cuttings and plants. Cornell Farm, 8212 S.W. Barnes Road; eventbrite.com

MONDAY, JULY 25

Drip Irrigation in the Home Garden Workshop: (online via Zoom) 6 p.m. Join WSU Extension Clark County master gardeners Linda and John Tracy for an introductory presentation on origins, concepts, and pros and cons of drip irrigation. Register at wsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpduivqjgsH9XQADwDEPEhrxB67c-QIF14

SATURDAY, AUG. 6

Portland Rose Society Mini-rose Show: Noon-4 p.m.; $12; Pittock Mansion, 3229 N.W. Pittock Drive; portlandrosesociety.org, royalrosarians.com

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10

Salem Hardy Plant Society Fall Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Peruse the display gardens, a selection of garden art and plants for sale. Sebright Gardens, 7185 Lakeside Drive N.E., Salem; salemhardyplantsociety.org

-- Corey Sheldon

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Learn to make the most of your garden at these summer events - OregonLive

The little brother of the original GT-R

The Datsun 510 was the predecessor to one of the most iconic Japanese cars of all time the Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R Hakosuka. While the Datsun 510 is the much smaller sibling, it shares much of the aesthetics of the Skyline C10 chassis, including the boxy design, quad-headlights, and even the taillight design. More importantly, like the GT-R, the 510 was a successful race car.

It was Australian racing driver, Peter Brock, who managed to utilize the full potential of the Datsun 510, which boasted an exceptionally nimble chassis, rugged engine, and tight handling. The 510 proved capable around the Trans Am racing circuit, earning it the nickname The Giant Killer. This particular example, listed for sale in Lavergne, Tennessee, pays homage to that racing history by scoring parts of the Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) livery on the sides.

Under the hood, theres a peppy, 1.6-liter SOHC, carbureted inline-four that produces 96 horsepower (71.5 kilowatts) at 5,600 RPM and 100 pound-feet (135 Nm) at 3,600 RPM. The engine is part of the L-series family, which is known from the Datsun Z-cars. Those, however, were equipped with the inline-six versions. A four-speed manual sends power to the rear, resulting in a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 1.6 seconds. Contributing to the cars exceptional weight is the curb weight of 2,105 pounds (955 kg).

This particular one is also a two-door and bright red, and has the dual four-spoke wheels fitted. The interior of the Datsun 510 is quite spartan, but this one has been updated in a very neat, two-tone color scheme in order to celebrate the 510s racing heritage. On paper, the performance figures of the small Datsun arent anything to write home about, but as the saying goes, Its not the size of the dog in a fight, its the size of the fight in the dog, and this one, with just 24063 miles (38725 km) on the odometer, has plenty of that left inside. As for the asking price, its set at $22,995, which all things considered is not too bad if you are into classic JDMs. These used to go for just a few grand back in the day, but those days are long gone.

Source: Classic Cars

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This 1971 Datsun 510 May Be The Attainable Japanese Icon You Need - Top Speed

Modern society requires outdoor lighting for a variety of needs, including safety and commerce. IDA recognizes this but advocates that any required lighting be used wisely. To minimize the harmful effects of light pollution, lighting should

Glossary of Lighting Terms

Are you looking for dark sky-friendly lighting fixtures? Search our Fixture Seal of Approval database.

Most people are familiar with incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs for indoor lighting, but outdoor lighting usually makes use of different, more industrial sources of light. Common light sources include low-pressure sodium (LPS), high-pressure sodium (HPS), metal halide, and, most recently, light emitting diodes (LEDs).

LPS is an old technology that is no longer being manufactured. It was favored for use around observatories and some environmentally sensitive areas. Narrow-band amber LEDs emulate the color.

HPS is commonly used for street lighting in many cities. Although it still emits an orange-colored light, its coloring is more true to life than that of LPS.

In areas where its necessary to use white light, two common choices are metal halide and LEDs. One of the advantages of LED lighting is that it can be dimmed. Thus, instead of always lighting an empty street or parking lot at full brightness, LEDs can be turned down or off when they arent needed and then brought back to full brightness as necessary. This feature both saves on energy and reduces light pollution during the night.

Because of their reported long life and energy efficiency, LEDs are rapidly coming into widespread use, replacing the existing lighting in many cities. However, there are important issues to consider when making such a conversion. See our LED Practical Guide for more information.

It is crucial to control upward-directed light, but we now know that the color of light is also very important. Both LED, and metal halide fixtures contain large amounts of blue light in their spectrum. Because blue light brightens the night sky more than any other color of light, its important to minimize the amount emitted. Exposure to blue light at night has also been shown to harm human health and endanger wildlife. IDA recommends using lighting that has a color temperature of no more than 3000 Kelvins.

Lighting with lower color temperatures has less blue in its spectrum and is referred to as being warm. Higher color temperature sources of light are rich in blue light. IDA recommends that only warm light sources be used for outdoor lighting. This includes HPS and low-color-temperature LEDs. In some areas, the white light of even a low-color-temperature LED can be a threat to the local nighttime environment. In those cases, narrow-spectrum amber LEDs are the preferred choice.

IDA doesnt sell dark sky-friendly lighting, but our Fixture Seal of Approval program makes it easy for you to find the right products. The FSA program certifies dark sky-friendly outdoor lighting these are fixtures that restrict upward-directed light and have low color temperature. Search our database and then check with your local retailer.

Read more here:
Outdoor Lighting Basics - International Dark-Sky Association

Philips is discounting bundles of its outdoor accessories - The Verge Skip to main content clockmore-arrownoyesmobile

Also check out a pair of exclusive deals on Fitbit devices

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Verge Deals stamp of approval, so if you're looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and more, this is the place to be.

Even with Amazon Prime Day 2022 right around the corner, kicking off on Tuesday, July 12th, there are lots of early Prime Day deals to check out, in and out of Amazon. One of the standouts is on Philips Hue smart lights. Theres a promotion thatll knock 15 percent off your total when you buy two or more outdoor lights. This includes outdoor lighting strips, accent lighting, as well as other Hue essentials you may want, like the Hue outdoor sensor and Hue Bridge, the latter of which lets you easily control and coordinate your smart lights through an app. This promotion will go lights out after July 17th.

The Hue Bridge allows you to set lighting routines, control varied scenes, and connect up to 50 lights. Note the 15 percent discount is only available if you buy this as a part of the mix and match bundle.

If youve been itching to invest in a new wearable to get fit and keep closer track of your notifications, Wellbots is offering Verge readers some exclusive discounts that knock the Fitbit Charge 5 and Fitbit Sense down to their lowest prices to date. The Charge 5 normally costs $149.99 but is on sale for $109.95 when you use promo code 40VERGE at checkout. The more capable Sense is also discounted to $179.99 down from its usual price of $299.95 when you use promo code 120VERGE at checkout.

The Fitbit Charge 5 offers essential fitness tracking features in a slim and lightweight design, making it one of our favorite Fitbits in terms of value. However, the lack of physical buttons can sometimes make navigating menus difficult when youre on the go. Read our review.

For something thats great at the basics, plus some, the Fitbit Sense comes equipped with a more robust suite of fitness tracking metrics, allowing you to measure things like your breath rate and skin temperature. The fitness tracker has an Apple Watch-esque design, which may make it a more aesthetically pleasing option for you. While the Sense initially shipped with its share of bugs and performance issues, Fitbits firmware updates have addressed most (but not all) of its pain points. Read our review.

The Fitbit Charge 5 is Fitbits latest fitness tracker, and it offers access to new tools like an EDA Scan app to manage stress as well as a six-month membership to Fitbit Premium.

The Fitbit Sense includes FDA clearance and allows you to track your stress levels in addition to measuring your blood oxygen levels. The watch also includes Google Assistant support as well as built-in Alexa.

The HP Envy x360 13 remains our favorite budget laptop thanks to its moderately powerful hardware and affordable price point, and its even more affordable today at Best Buy. Normally priced at $1,049.99, the 13.3-inch Windows machine is on sale right now for $699.99, matching its lowest price to date.

The Envy features a 1920 x 1080 OLED display with touchscreen support, as well as Intel Iris Xe graphics. The discounted model also offers 8GB of RAM, an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, and 512GB of storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card. The port selection might be somewhat limited, but the laptops extensive battery life, Thunderbolt 4 support, and impressive power, given its size, make it an ultrabook worthy of consideration. Read our review of the 2020 AMD version.

The HP Envy x360 is the best budget laptop you can buy. This 13-inch 2-in-1 is equipped with an Intel Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

Finding a budget-friendly laptop with decent specs can feel like an uphill battle, but Acers Aspire 5 is one of those rare options that manages to pack in some fairly impressive hardware without breaking the bank. The high-end configuration of the Aspire 5 is currently on sale at Amazon for just $549.99 ($100 off), one of the lowest prices weve seen for this midrange laptop.

The Aspire 5 features a 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 display, in addition to 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. While we would normally recommend trying to find a discounted configuration that uses an AMD processor, the 11th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU included with this model can still handle numerous productivity applications without much of a struggle. It also offers a comfortable, backlit keyboard and offers surprisingly powerful speakers for those times youre left without headphones.

As far as connectivity goes, the Aspire 5 features an HDMI port for connecting to an external display, a trio of USB-A ports for peripherals, and a single USB-C connection for data transfer. It also features a 3.5mm audio jack and an Ethernet port. Read our review.

The Acer Aspire 5 is a big-screen budget laptop. This configuration includes an Intel Core i5-1135G7, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

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Philips is discounting bundles of its outdoor accessories - The Verge

Katy, July 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Katy, Texas -

Blingle! of West Houston, a company based in Katy, TX, wants everyone to know that they are offering year-round luxury lighting and maintenance services for homes in West Houston and surrounding areas. Thus, whether the purpose for the outdoor lighting is for entertaining in the backyard or preparing the home for the holidays, they can provide a lighting solution designed to heighten the cheer and warmth of the celebration and location.

Their West Houston lighting specialists and design team members are always ready to ensure that the clients lighting project will become a reality, from design to installation to on-going support. They will only use professional grade lighting products and technology that will not only ensure the residential home, commercial building, or event will have the desired shine. They will also make sure that the outdoor lights will last for a longer period of time, and that they will be brighter and even more efficient. They are also ready to provide a free consultation when requested by homeowners or business owners from West Houston. They want to emphasize that they are not just committed to providing the best possible outdoor lighting, but they are also committed to offering the best possible customer experience.

Blingle! of West Houston

Speaking for Blingle! of West Houston, Perla Lerma says, Blingle! of West Houston is an independently owned and operated, nationally- backed premier lighting service provider that specializes in landscape, patio, holiday, event, permanent home exterior, and commercial lighting services. Its our mission to turn your next get-together, holiday party, or home into the ideal venue to light up unforgettable memories. We strive for nothing less than excellence when it comes to your Blingle! experience from call to cleanup.

Meanwhile, every lighting project at Bingle goes through a simple step by step process to make sure that customers will be fully satisfied with the results. The first step is the design consultation process. In this particular stage, one of their lighting design experts will collaborate with the customer either in-person or online. The purpose is to assess the clients requirements and preferences and the result of such collaboration will be a visual representation of what the property would look like after the completion of the project.

Story continues

Next, after the design elements of the lighting project have all been decided on, is for them to utilize the photographs they have taken of the home or property in order to develop a computer-based lighting demo for the client. With this demonstration, the client will be able to see how the property would look like with the outdoor lighting. In this stage, the customer will be able to suggest some modifications to the design to ensure precise implementation of the clients vision of what the home would look like.

For the third step, Blingle will provide a written proposal based on what was decided during the previous steps, including the cost estimates, and the specified services. The client can still make some changes if there are any modifications needed before they proceed with the actual installation.

After the client has agreed to the written proposal, they will proceed to the fourth step, which is the scheduling of the installation. And finally, the fifth step is the actual installation that will be done on the time and date indicated by the client. This will be followed by regular maintenance services.

Established by Mike Marlow, Blingle! has a team of experts in offering the installation and maintenance of outdoor lighting with more than 20 years of experience and they have always specialized in making sure that the holiday or entertainment experience of their customers will be memorable. Their team of experts in lighting design can develop creative and amazing outdoor lighting for residential homes and commercial buildings for whatever purpose, whether for an event or for the holidays or for enhancing the landscaping. For more than 20 years, they have been able to provide quality outdoor lighting for thousands of homeowners and business owners. They serve the neighborhoods of West Houston, Brookshire, Katy, Houston, Fulshear, and Pattison.

Those who are in need of a West Houston outdoor lighting company can check out their website, or contact them through the telephone or via email. They are open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, from Monday to Saturday.

###

For more information about Blingle! of West Houston, contact the company here:

Blingle! of West HoustonPerla Lerma281-543-1427plerma@blingle.com3333 Porter Road, Katy, TX, 77493

Link:
Outdoor Lighting Company in West Houston Offers Year-Round Luxury Lighting and Maintenance - Yahoo Finance

The entrances of six Dublin neighborhoods are getting a facelift, thanks to the 2022 Beautify Your Neighborhood grants.

Established in 2011, the matching grant program provides annual funding assistance to support Dublin homeowner and civic associations in enhancing neighborhoods with sustainable beautification projects that enhance and benefit the wider community, according to Aisling Babbitt, a public information officer for Dublin.

The grants can be used for landscaping, benches, art installations, lighting or the removal of invasive species, among other projects, Babbitt said.

This year, Dublin City Council approved six applications, totaling $25,215.

They include the Village at Coffman Park ($4,840); Killilea ($3,977); Hawks Nest ($5,000); Heather Glen ($1,398); Tartan West ($5,000); and Llewellyn Farms ($5,000).

At the Village at Coffman Park, the grant is to replace two wooden benches and lattice structures near the subdivision entrance with two new six-foot aluminum benches. Two benches are to also be installed under the gazebo at the main entrance.

At Killilea, improvements are to be made at the neighborhood entrance at Dublin Road and Killilea Court, and seven cul-de-sac islands located within the neighborhood.

It is to include the removal of seven maple trees and stumps. Gold ginkgo trees are to be planted on the two large islands, as well as the main entrance to the neighborhood, while ivory silk Japanese lilacs are to be planted on the five smaller islands.

At Hawks Nest, the project is to remove the existing crabapple trees, grasses, juniper and perennials and raised plant beds at Muirfield Drive and Cormorant Drive. It is to be replaced with five native flame hornbeams for year-round color. Ten tons of weathered limestone ledgerock and a professional grade, energy-efficient outdoor lighting system with 13 landscape up-lights and five path lights are to be installed.

At Heather Glen, the project is to make improvements to the median at the neighborhood entry. The project is to remove two dead spruce trees and replace with two autumn blaze red maples.

At Tartan West, the project is to remove the intrusive ivy ground cover, reduce the landscape bed size and add sod, replace an oak tree and add various plantings, including five limelight hydrangeas and 20 grey owl junipers.

Mulch is to be added to deter weed growth; river rock is to be added to either side of the path to aid with water drainage and flooding, which occurs on the walkway, and the ground lights are to be replaced around the perimeter.

"It will beautify our entrance, which is good for the residents here, but also for other Dublin residents who pass in front" while driving on Hyland-Croy Road, said Chris Ahlum, a board member of the Tartan West Community Association.

Work began several weeks ago and is ongoing, Ahlum said July 6.

At Llewellyn Farms, the project is to revitalize 10 entry walls and landscaping beds in the neighborhoodat six entry locations, and repair and clean the existing walls of the entryways. The project is also to refurbish existing landscape beds.

kcorvo@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekCorvo

See the article here:
6 Dublin subdivisions receive grants to beautify the neighborhoods - The Columbus Dispatch

Sabrina Soto is a renowned interior designer, consultant and entrepreneur. The first of her Cuban family born in the United States, Sabrina learned the ropes from her mother, who ran a decorating and home staging business. As a result, Sabrina developed a love for design and, today, is known for her eclectic way of mixing luxury and affordable pieces for a unique aesthetic.

Soto is the popular host of HGTV's The High/Low Project and is a featured designer on HGTV'd, andhas also graced the pages of Time magazine, USA Today, Washington Post, LA Daily News, People En Espanol, Esquire and Latina magazine. But wait...there's more! Soto is also the home style expert for Target and a LEED-accredited licensed real estate agent, so she certainly knows a thing or two about home entertaining!

We sat down with her to talk about the smart-home products that help her make outdoor entertaining a cinch, from the doorbell that functions like a second host to the lighting that sets the perfect mood for any fte.

Blink Home Security

Answer your door no matter where you are using your phone this thing even lets you see who's calling in the dark, thanks to infrared night video.

"When you have people over, especially if it's a bigger party, you're going to have people coming in constantly I love using the Blink Video Doorbell," shares Soto. "I use it like a second host of the party!"

"I don't get great [internet] service in the backyard," confesses Soto. "The eero Pro kind of extends the Wi-Fi throughout the house. As much as we want to pretend when people are over that they're present and on their phones, we all know that's not the case. Everyone wants to stay connected!"

Amazon

Reimagine how your family stays organized and entertained with a personalized smart display that helps keep everyone on track and in sync thanks Alexa!

"The Echo Show 15 is my personal assistant here at the house...especially when you're entertaining, the best thing you can do is make it stress-free," advises Soto. "It's the most organized I've been in a long time."

Soto simply adores her AuKing mini projector: "[Inspirational outdoor movie nights are] so easy to do with the portable projector that I use. I just plug in my Fire TV Stick 4K Max (see below!). It's that simple. And yes, it's great for movie night, but you can use it for so many things!"

Amazon

This little guy gives you access to hundreds of streaming apps and channels, including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV+, Starz, Showtime and more. Youll find fun interactive settings like pop-up results for actor and director names via IMDb too.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a snap to use just plug it in and stream more than 1 million movies and TV episodes. Need to check the news, weather or sports scores? The Alexa voice assistant is at your service. Plus you can listen to millions of songs on Amazon's music service!

Create the perfect ambience in any Hue. (Photo: Amazon)

The Philips Hue Lily White & Color Outdoor Smart Spot Light Extension makes setting the mood simple: Just plug in and connect your outdoor lighting to your existing Hue hub to enjoy the 16 million (!!) colors available.

"Especially when you're entertaining, you're forgetting to turn on [the outdoor lights]...what's great about having it set up this way is, with the reminder and using Alexa, when I say 'Alexa, bring my backyard to life,' my daughter thinks that I have magic powers because all the lights turn on," Soto says with a smile.

$85 with coupon $100 at Amazon

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Originally published July 7, 2022, 3:53 PM

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Designer Sabrina Soto dishes on the smart-home products that make outdoor entertaining a snap - Yahoo News

It's that time of year when we all start heading outdoors for those long summer evenings in the garden.

And when dusk falls there's no better way to get a cosy glow than with some lighting.

With people keen to share photos of their 'Instagrammable' outdoor spaces, there's more inspiration out there than ever and retailers have met the demand with a wide range of products.

From festoon string lights to solar lanterns, there are so many ways to get your garden twinkling.

Read more: Sainsbury's slashes 20% off all school uniform and kids clothes

Here's how we brought our garden to life with lights from Asda, Aldi, Dunelm, Homebase and B&M...

With householders watching every penny at the moment, there's a big focus on solar lighting right now and these Festoon String Lights are perfect for displaying in any tree or around a parasol or gazebo.

The 20 warm LED lights, which cost 20 for the set, automatically illuminate at night, casting a soft glow around your garden.

There are plenty more lighting options too, like these Eastern Solar Lanterns, which create a stunning silhouette effect on the surrounding patio or table.

The metal lanterns, which come with hanging hooks, cost 18.95 each.

Both products are included in Homebase's buy one get one free promotion, which is available on solar lighting for a limited time.

No product list would be complete without good old B&M and there are so many options to choose from.

If you're wanting something a little brighter and do have access to mains electricity then you can't beat their pack of 24 Festoon Bulb String Lights for 18.

They're 9.2m long so you've got plenty to work with. We displayed some in the tree and carried them along the fence.

The tree was made all the more eye-catching with these stunning Island Paradise Solar Powered Wicker Effect Lanterns, which have been reduced from 12 each to 9, and this matching decorative Scandi Coast Solar Powered Wicker Heart, 12.

While not technically lighting, the matching Raffia Round Mirror, reduced from 7 to 5, brings an added glow as it bounces the light around and the garden table was given a glow up of its own with this Scandi Coast Solar Powered Tripod Table Lamp, reduced from 8 to 6, with its own flickering candle, and these bargain string parasol slights, which are now down to just 3.50.

The fact that most of Dunelm's outdoor lights are out of stock online is a sure sign of just how popular its range is, but there's still plenty of stock left in store.

We picked up these stylish Elements Rope Black Solar String Lights for 16.

It's only a pack of 10 on a 1.8m string so it doesn't cover a huge area, but they're great for adding a subtle touch or for framing some other garden furniture like this rattan effect shelf.

We added a splash of colour and some lighting to the garden with Asda's decorative Solar Ceramic Lantern.

Priced at 11, it casts a leaf pattern onto its surroundings with its warm white LED light.

The retailer has a wide choice of lighting to choose from, including pathway lights, decking lighting, fence lights and more.

If it's a simple touch you're after then you can't go wrong with Aldi's pack of Solar Amber Rustic Festoon Lights.

At 10.99 for a pack of 10 and covers two metres, so there's enough to cover a decent sized tree or bush.

The warm amber light adds a calming touch and you can choose from either continuous or flashing mode.

Check out Aldi's outdoor lighting range here.

As its name suggests there are lots of bargains to be had at Home Bargains and that includes garden furniture and lighting.

We picked up these cute heart-shaped string lights to give an added touch to our lockdown egg chair.

They look a lot more expensive than the 3.99 price tag.

As do these giant bollard lights, which we scattered around but could be just as effective if used to line a path or border and have a bright white LED light to help guide the way.

The steel and glass construction will - we're told - make them robust against the elements and they're easy to install with no wiring needed.

We picked them up in store for 3.99 each, but you can order them in packs of four online for 15.96.

Read more of today's top stories here

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Originally posted here:
Bring your garden to life with outdoor lighting from B&M, Homebase, Home Bargains, Dunelm, Asda and Aldi - Manchester Evening News

The research report on Outdoor Landscape Lighting market deeply explores the factors that will influence the business dynamics in the forthcoming years, such as the major growth propellers, challenges, and opportunities.

As per experts, the industry is anticipated to register a year-over-year growth rate of XX% during the forecast period 2022-2028. Moreover, such projections are further validated through a comprehensive analysis of the past and present market performance.

The research literature also entails in-depth segmental analysis to deliver a clear view of the size and scope of this domain. Further, it meticulously profiles the major players to help other businesses and stakeholders gains insights into the tactics utilized for enhancing profits.

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Key pointers from the Outdoor Landscape Lighting market report:

Outdoor Landscape Lighting market segments covered in the report:

Regional segmentation: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East & Africa, South East Asia

Product types: On-shore and Off-shore

Application spectrum: Commercial , Residential and Others

Competitive dashboard: Kichler , Lumens , Alliance Outdoor Lighting , Cree , Halco Lighting Technologies , Hubbell , Philips and Osram

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Outdoor Landscape Lighting Market Analysis, Growth Forecast Analysis by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application to 2026 |Covid-19 Recovery -...

The spotted bird looked out with big curious eyes, held in the deft hand of wildlife rehabilitator Tristan Higginbotham. It was found days earlier, dazed and unable to fly on the sidewalk in Williamsburg, Brooklyn after smashing into a building.

Higginbotham gently released the bird near the floor, and we waited eagerly to see if it would pass the fly test. In a flurry of flapping wings, it took off and settled on a branch near the ceiling. A few days of rest and anti-inflammatory medication at the Wild Bird Fund, a wildlife rehabilitation center in Manhattan, had restored the ovenbird to full health.

Not every bird brought to the Wild Bird Fund does so well. After a collision, a bird that makes it to the center has a fifty-fifty chance of survival, says Higginbotham. The birds we release, they kind of have to be in perfect condition because theyre migrating thousands of miles.

Luckily the ovenbird was released in Central Park after recuperating for a few days. It continued the northward migration that the window in Williamsburg nearly cut short, joining millions of migratory birds headed to summer breeding grounds.

Each spring and fall migration season, Higginbotham and other wildlife rehabilitators ready themselves for the carnage. Somewhere between 90,000 and 230,000 birds die from collisions in New York City each year, the NYC Audubon Society estimates. Bright lights and transparent glass are the leading culprits, scientists say. And while New York City has recently mandated protections for birds in government buildings and in new construction projects, many wildlife activists say more needs to be done to significantly reduce the grim toll.

There are approximately one million buildings in New York City and in order to address them all we really need legislation requiring buildings to be bird-friendly, says Kaitlyn Parkins, a science consultant for NYC Audubon.

In January, the City Council enacted two laws to reduce lighting in about 17,000 city-owned or leased buildings, with one law specifically targeting migration periods. Two years earlier, the council enacted a law requiring bird-friendly building designs for new construction.

But a fourth bill that would require many thousands of commercial buildings to turn off their lights at night never even made it to a vote. The powerful Real Estate Board of New York opposed it, voicing concerns about safety and feasibility.

The bill would dramatically disrupt the operations of commercial buildings where significant activity occurs at night, testified Ryan Monell, a representative of the real estate board, at a legislative hearing on the proposal. He noted that city codes require lighting in stairwells, elevators and lobbies, and pointed out the lack of consideration for new buildings like One World Trade Center that have designed their lighting around existing requirements. The boards published testimony also emphasized the cultural importance of landmark buildings like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.

During the hearing for the bill, former Council Member Helen Rosenthal voiced opposition to Monells arguments against the bill. I dont think the bill is talking about elevator lighting or stairwell lighting, or lobby floor lighting all of those things, which are critical for security.

The bill applies to both interior and exterior lighting, but not while anyone is present inside a building. It would allow some exemptions to buildings that receive landmark status or demonstrate a security need. It states that the new lighting rules dont override existing lighting laws or zoning regulations.

The citys real estate lobby kind of were sounding the alarm about imaginary problems that didnt exist, says Edita Birnkrant, Executive Director of NYCLASS, an animal rights organization. We dont want to affect security lighting.

In an email, Monell noted that the kinds of commercial buildings the bill would address are almost never empty. Theyre staffed continuously throughout the night by security personnel and maintenance crews. Many owners already put in motion sensors to control lighting demonstrating the industrys compassion for this issue, Monell says. He believes the proposed lighting requirements would be unrealistic for most buildings.

The bill is now being rewritten in partnership with the Lights Out Coalition, a group of organizations including the NYC Audubon Society, the Wild Bird Fund and NYCLASS. Birnkrant explains theyre taking criticisms of the initial bill into consideration, and are restructuring the bill to make it even stronger. The real estate board, meanwhile, is hoping to see a bill that pursues these goals in more measured ways, says Monell.

In the U.S. at least 19 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have laws restricting light at night. Many of these laws focus on adding shielding on outdoor lights to direct light downward, and do not address indoor lighting that shines through windows. If the bird advocates get their way, the proposed New York City law could be the most far-reaching attempt yet to reduce nighttime lighting in the U.S.

Advocates are focusing on lighting to prevent bird deaths because most birds migrate at night, not during the day. It could be up to 850 million birds over the U.S. on a single night, says Andrew Farnsworth, a biologist at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Theres no definitive reason birds prefer nighttime migration, but it may be because they prefer to keep cool and avoid turbulent warmer air. Flying at night may also help them avoid predators like raptors, who hunt other birds during the day, Farnsworth says.

Light definitely attracts birds at night and light also disorients them, he says. The lights may create an orientation point for flying birds to focus on, or they may obscure other signals birds use to navigate, like the moon and stars.

At the crux of two major migratory pathways, the Hudson Valley and the East Coast, New York Citys lights draw in a huge number of birds. Some species, such as brants, nest in the Arctic during the summer and fly thousands of miles before reaching New York City, says Farnsworth.

The attractive power of New York Citys nighttime glow pulls in birds that would otherwise be more spread out, says Parkins of NYC Audubon. This means more birds for enthusiasts to spot, but also more collisions.

During the fall and spring migration seasons, NYC Audubon volunteers survey buildings for bird deaths. In September 2021, one volunteer found that over 200 birds had smashed into 3 and 4 World Trade Center and died in a single day. The deaths included many warblers, a group bird-watchers strive to see during migrations. The volunteer also found 30 injured birds and brought them to the Wild Bird Fund.

Individual buildings turning their lights off might help a little bit, but really what we need is [for] New York City to reduce the overall lighting in our city, says Parkins something that she says can only happen through legislation. NYC Audubon has tried voluntary lights out efforts and the real estate board has encouraged buildings to participate, but Parkins says a voluntary strategy isnt enough to make a difference in a city as big as New York.

Volunteer efforts have been more successful in cities with smaller downtowns, such as Houston, where a few buildings can represent a larger portion of total lighting, says Parkins. The Houston Audubon Society runs a voluntary program where the owners of at least 39 buildings have pledged to turn off lights during the migratory season. They rely on forecasts of migratory bird densities put out by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology to strategically reduce lighting at times when the most birds are up in the air.

The New York City law requiring bird-friendly windows and other design features for all new construction took effect in January 2021. The Javits Center, a large glass convention center in Manhattan, was a key example proving the effectiveness of less transparent glass. The building underwent a bird-friendly glass retrofit in 2013 and saw an over 90% decrease in bird deaths.

Making glass less reflective means birds are less likely to mistake it for the sky or any reflected greenery. Recent architectural trends have moved toward clear glass and plants indoors or on facades, which can confuse birds, Parkins explains. I wouldnt be surprised if there were more collisions now than there were two decades ago, she says.

The issue is about more than the life or death of individual birds, says Parkins. I do look at this as a conservation issue bird window collisions are the second largest direct human-caused source of mortality for birds. NYC Audubon reports that white-throated sparrows, known for their white neck and distinctive yellow eyebrows, are the most frequent collision victims, followed by common yellowthroat warblers.

While she waits for the city to act, Tristan Higginbotham spends her days caring for birds. She and the Wild Bird Fund team rush to provide the best treatments to injured migrators, sick pigeons, fledglings separated from their parents and many other birds. From May to June the facility saw its spring migration peak, the migratory bird room often full of songbirds and warblers that hit buildings.

Like many other bird-lovers, Higginbotham hopes the city will act soon to expand its bird protections. We know the issue, we know the solution and its just a matter of people caring enough to change it.

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Making the city that never sleeps safer for birds - Scienceline