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Australias Northern Territory is vast, with a range of environments and climate. In the tropical Top End, there are two major seasons, the Dry (roughly April to September) and the Tropical Summer (October to March), while down south the Red Centre experiences a temperate four-season cycle. Whatever the season, there is always a place to find a panoramic view, a unique experience, a refreshing swim, or an invigorating hike. Before taking a plunge anywhere in the Northern Territory wilds, always seek advice from parks staff and heed all signage.

Just a two-hour drive from Darwin, Litchfield National Parks dramatic sandstone geology sets the scene for some of Northern Territorys most scenic swimming spots, pleasant hikes and fascinating ecology.

Water is the star of Litchfield it falls from the sky, percolates through sandstone fissures, and falls again over ancient fault lines into deep, clear plunge pools. Depending on water flows, swimming at Litchfield is possible year-round and designated, croc-free swimming areas are accessed by road (Buley Rockhole, Florence Falls, Wangi Falls, Cascades and Walker Creek), 4WD track (Tjaynera Falls and Surprise Creek Falls), or short walk (Greenant Creek Walk).

Several Darwin-based tour companies visit Litchfield as a day trip. For the best experience, take a small-group tour, such as Ethical Adventures, with the flexibility to avoid the peak crowds and the permits necessary to access little-visited water holes.

Some waterfalls are better looked at than swum under. Check out Tolmer Falls, one of Litchfields most spectacular cascades, especially in the Wet, with a pleasant walk through swaying native hibiscus to the viewing platform. Wangi Falls plunges into a huge fish-filled swimming hole, but here swimming is restricted to the Dry season.

You can also look forward to exploring brand new areas of the national park soon, with new recreational swimming areas and campsites - Litchfields Central Valley - opening in 2021.

Kakadu National Park is also a year-round destination, but the seasons will dictate where and how you can spend your visit. The northern section of Kakadu comes into its own as a hiking and swimming destination in the Dry. The largest waterfall in the park, Jim Jim Falls, all but dries up, but the pool beneath is a magnet for adventurers equipped with a 4WD and prepared to tackle a 1.2-mile return hike if needed.

Come the Wet season, the falls are a ferocious torrent and access along the floodplain is blocked. This is when scenic flights from Jabiru are at their best. Kakadu Air have several daily flights try to get a seat on the sunset flight, when the escarpment glows in the warm evening light, shadows delineate the stone landscapes and the waterfalls (particularly Jim Jim Falls) are simply stunning.

The spectacular rock art sites at Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock) are open throughout the year with all-season paved roads for access. Several short hikes along well-marked trails in the northern section of the park are always open in the Dry and sometimes partially open in the Wet.

Longer hikes with trail markers but not formed trails, such as the Barrk Sandstone Bushwalk at Burrungkuy, explore exposed stone terrain and should only be attempted by experienced walkers carrying sufficient water and supplies. Overnight walks require a special permit from the Bowali Visitor Information Centre.

In southern Kakadu head to Motor Car Falls and Boulder Creek both are short-walk destinations in Yurmikmik country, are great for swimming, and are accessible all year. You may need a 4WD during the Wet to get to the trail heads. Swimming is best here in the early months of the year, between January - April, though be alert for sudden water level rises. A pair of goggles will reveal a tropical underwater landscape teeming with an aquarium-level variety of fish.

Wondering why its called Motor Car Falls? In 1946 an intrepid tin miner went off-road in a trusty Chevrolet truck. He didnt get far, stopped by the boulder-strewn creek and falls that now bear this memorable name.

In the Dry, other swimming options open in the south. An exquisite pool surrounded by rocky ledges lies below Maguk Falls, and a chain of pools above the falls is just waiting to be explored. Impressive Gunlom Falls is accessible by 2WD on an unsealed road and offers a large plunge pool below the falls.

Nitmiluk National Park, about 19 miles from Katherine, is one of the Northern Territorys must-see destinations. The parks headline feature is the series of 13 deep gorges carved by the Katherine River. In the Wet, the enormous power of the river is a sight to behold by boat. If youre headed there between June October, the gorge is buzzing with recreational activities.

The regions famous river cruises operate year-round, but the program will vary depending on water levels. In addition to cruising through the awesome gorge, the park has around 75 miles of trails, from short walks to multiday hikes. Another great option to appreciate the grandness of the gorges is from a helicopter.

Most hikes in Nitmiluk start from the park HQ, the Nitmiluk Centre, and climb above the gorge. Hikes are available year-round, though walkers must always be prepared for hot conditions and carry plenty of water. Nitmiluks famous Jatbula Trail is a five-day walk toward Leliyen (Edith Falls). Its open from May to September, with rock art and swimming opportunities at the end of each day in perfectly positioned campsites.

Finally, wrap up your Nitmiluk National Park tour under your own steam by canoe. Boats can be rented at the Nitmiluk Centre and you will be transported to the second gorge, where the adventure begins. If youre prepared to portage your canoe between gorges, the reward is solitude amongst a wealth of humbling scenery. Gecko Canoeing & Trekking offers a range of multi-day, fully guided canoe safaris on the Katherine River.

Darwin, Northern Territory: Australias hidden gem

Originally posted here:
Perfect plunges and heavenly hikes in Australias Northern Territory - Lonely Planet Travel News

What's the role of a gay uncle? "The Guncle" suggests possibilities, dishing out lots of laughs as a guncle, his niece, and nephew deal with deep past and current grief.

Steven Rowley reads dramatically from his latest novel and discusses its "Auntie Mame" genesis on this week's Out in the Bay - Queer Radio. It's a heartwarming, humorous work of fiction about a once-famous sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his 9-year-old niece and 6-year-old nephew for the summer.

Gay Uncle Patrick, or "GUP" as his family calls him, helps his young charges work through their grief with love and nonstop wit. And for himself although he offers them to the kids too plenty of mimosas. Amid the summer pool parties, bike rides and sleepovers, Patrick gains insights into his own grief and life, too.

Guncle Patrick is a tribute to, and re-imagining of, his namesake, "Auntie Mame" author Patrick Dennis and Mame's nephew Patrick, the boy Mame cares for after his parents' death, in Dennis' 1955 novel. "This is my 'Uncle Mame,' if you will," Rowley explained.

A running amusement is Patrick's growing list of "Guncle Rules" he declares for the kids, like "Brunch is splendid," "Know your angles," and "If a gay man hands you his phone, look only at what he's showing you. Don't open any apps!"

"Anyone who fashions himself after Auntie Mame will come loaded with a certain amount of bon mots," said Rowley, and Patrick packages many for the kids as Guncle Rules.

"One of my favorites is 'Bottomless Mimosas' is not the same as 'Pantsless Mimosas,' and he goes on to say he can't count the number of restaurants he's been kicked out of for not knowing the difference." Although most Guncle Rules Patrick conjures up to make the children laugh, there are "surprising nuggets of wisdom" and life lessons, Rowley said.

As the bond between Patrick and his nephew and niece gradually grows stronger, they and the gay throuple next door help Patrick emerge from his grief-induced isolation after the death of his lover 10 years earlier.

"The Guncle" is "meant to be read by the pool with a cocktail in hand," said Rowley. "I hope it entertains you ... but I really hope that it sparks a conversation about grief the grief we all carry and how we can help each other let it go."

"The Guncle" has been named one of O, the Oprah Magazine's "32 LGBTQ Books That Will Change the Literary Landscape in 2021" and is topping summer reading lists.

Two of Rowley's previous novels, "Lily and the Octopus" and "The Editor," about a young gay writer who befriends Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis during her "incredible third act" as a book editor, said Rowley, are being made into films.

Hear more from author Steven Rowley on this week's Out in the Bay - Queer Radio from San Francisco. The program airs 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 22, on KSFP, 102.5 FM in SF only, and is available anytime, anywhere on Out in the Bay's website. Out in the Bay also airs at 10 p.m. Tuesdays on KALW, 91.7 FM throughout the Bay Area.

A Great Good Place for Books in Oakland will be hosting a virtual event with Rowley (in-conversation with Angela Kinsey from "The Office") Thursday, May 27, at 7 p.m. Pacific Time over Zoom. More information is here.

Eric Jansen is founding producer and lead host of Out in the Bay-Queer Radio from San Francisco. Learn more and listen at https://www.outinthebay.org/

Help keep the Bay Area Reporter going in these tough times. To support local, independent, LGBTQ journalism, consider becoming a BAR member.

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Out in the Bay: Steven Rowley's 'The Guncle' heals grief with humor - Bay Area Reporter, America's highest circulation LGBT newspaper

The up-to-date research study published by Reportspedia, entitled Global Swimming Pool Chemical Market, focuses on industry growth, market scope, future opportunities, development trends, as well as initial and future estimation of the Swimming Pool Chemical market. The key highlights and features of the global Swimming Pool Chemical industry report represent the essential features and characteristics of the global Swimming Pool Chemical industry. This analysis consists of key development trends, industry trend analysis (industry trends under COVID-19), future opportunities in the market, product growth factor analysis, and key market segments of the market. The author included key findings on past and future projections of industry growth. The report provides a detailed analysis of competitors analysis and their key strategies, key company profiles, product scope, market overview, opportunities, breakdown of upstream raw material suppliers and downstream buyers. It also describes product types, applications, and regional analysis that is trending in the market.

Market Overview and Regional Snapshot: The major aspects covered in the report are Market Revenue by Region, Volume & Value, Production, Company share, CAGR, and Market Size. Furthermore, the Swimming Pool Chemical market is intensely examined on the basis of regions and countries such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa & Rest of the World.

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This report provides a detailed historical analysis of the global market for Swimming Pool Chemical from 2015-2020 and provides extensive market forecasts from 2021-2025 by region/country and subsectors. It covers the sales volume, price, revenue, gross margin, historical growth, and future perspectives in the Swimming Pool Chemical market.

Key Players Analysis:

ebei Jiheng Chemical Co., LtdICL Industrial ProductsLonzaNissan ChemicalNankai ChemicalErcros S.A.BASFNippon SodaOccidentalSolvay ChemSurpass ChemFMCShikoku ChemicalsOlin Chlor AlkaliZeel ProductHeze HuayiAGC

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Major Types covered,

Beaching PowderSodium HypochloriteLiquid ChlorineTrichloroisocyanuric Acid (TCCA)Other

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Residential PoolCommercial Pool

Regions Covered in this research:

Regional Analysis

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Swimming Pool Chemical Market Size, Status, and Forecast 2025

1 Industry Overview of Swimming Pool Chemical 2 Swimming Pool Chemical Competition Analysis by Players3 Company (Top Players) Profiles4 Swimming Pool Chemical Market Size by Type and Application (2015-2020)5 United States Swimming Pool Chemical Development Status and Outlook6 EU Swimming Pool Chemical Development Status and Outlook7 Japan Swimming Pool Chemical Development Status and Outlook8 Swimming Pool Chemical Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 India Swimming Pool Chemical Development Status and Outlook10 Southeast Asia Swimming Pool Chemical Development Status and Outlook11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type, and Application (2021-2025)12 Swimming Pool Chemical Market Dynamics 12.1 Swimming Pool Chemical Industry News 12.2 Swimming Pool Chemical Industry Development Challenges 12.3 Swimming Pool Chemical Industry Development Opportunities (2021-2025) 13 Market Effect Factors Analysis14 Swimming Pool Chemical Market Forecast (2021-2025)15 Research Finding/Conclusion16 Appendix

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Global Swimming Pool Chemical Market Size, Share, Trend Analysis, Growth, Demand And Competitive Landscape Outlook To 2021-2025 Clark County Blog -...

With its landmark multi-terraced campus freshly renovated and ready to be enjoyed, the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) has announced it will reopen to the public on June 18 after a protracted closure that, not too dissimilar from Washington, D.C.s National Building Museum, was due to a combination of planned construction work and the COVID-19 crisis.

Like OMCAs substantial phased renovation and expansion project that necessitated shuttering museum galleries from 2009 through 2013, the exteriors-focused campus overhaul also involved San Francisco-based Mark Cavagnero Associates as project architect, this time working with MacArthur Fellowship-winning landscape architect, artist, and urban designer Walter Hood of Oaklands Hood Design Studio.

While OMCA visitors will return to a museum thats more familiar than not, they will notice alterations and additions to the campus including newly planted terrace gardens, improved accessibility, a new Tanya Holland-helmed cafe (opening later this summer), reinstalled sculptures from the museums collection, and outdoor furnitureseating, tables, and moredesigned by Oakland-based artist Binta Ayofemi. Dubbed Portals, Ayofemis series of Oakland-inspired outdoor furnishings are intended to encourage a more comfortable and longer visitor experience, according to the museum. OMCA has also announced that opening later this summer will be the museums first major temporary exhibition since its closure: Mothership: Voyage Into Afrofuturism.

Famed for its lush gardens, expansive lawn, koi pond and reflecting pool, and terrace-topped tri-level museum building constructed from concrete and glass, OMCAs seven-acre lakefront campus was originally designed by Kevin Roche in collaboration with landscape architects Dan Kiley and Geraldine Knight Scott, with the latter overseeing the plantings. In 1995, 26 years after it first opened to the public, the park-like modernist museum complex was listed as an Oakland Designated Landmark. (The Cultural Landscape Foundation has an excellent overview of the OMCA campus landscape.)

As for OMCA itself, the interdisciplinary Bay Area institution is focused exclusively on the art and design, history, and natural sciences hailing from and relating to the Golden State; the museums collection of design objects and painting from the American Craftsman movement is of particular note. OMCA, formerly known as simply the Oakland Museum, was established in the mid-1960s following the merger of three different Oakland-based museums: the Snow Museum of Natural History, Oakland Public Museum, and the Oakland Art Gallery.

At its 1969 opening, Ada Louise Huxtable wrote in the New York Times of the landscape-integrated, three-in-one museum: In terms of design and environment the Oakland Museum may be one of the most thoughtfully revolutionary structures in the world.

As for the renovation particulars, the Hood- and Cavagnero-led design team, which began the project in the fall of 2019, oversaw several major campus enhancements including the removal of a border wall along the museums northern side, the creation of a new entrance that opens up the campus along the 12th Street, and improved pedestrian accessibility along 10th Street.

The museums 26,400-square-feet of gardens are now also home to completely new native plantings; each garden representsbotanically speaking a distinct ecoregion of California. Upgrades to the infrastructure will better integrate the gardens with the in-gallery exhibitions and activities and make OMCAs outdoor sculptures, which have been reinstalled, more visible, explained the museum in a news release. Ruth Asawa, Viola Frey, Betty Gold, Bruce Beasley, Peter Voulkos, and Beniamino Bufano are among the California artists with sculptures (some of which were spiffed-up as part of the campus makeover) populating the landscape.

Per the museum, $15 million in restricted funds raised as part of the $85 million All In! The Campaign for OMCA capital campaign went toward the soon-to-debut campus revitalization.

We are thrilled to finally be reopening, and to welcome back the community that has done so much to help sustain us during this challenging time, said OMCA director and CEO Lori Fogarty in a statement. Were excited to share the updates that have taken place on campus during the closure, which have enhanced the Museums role as a public gathering place by creating new spaces for the community to convene.

Following its June 18 reopening, OMCA will observe initial operating hours of 11:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays. Admission on the first three days of its reopening with be free to the community.

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Oakland Museum of California will unveil its campus refresh in June after lengthy closure - The Architect's Newspaper

From a breathtaking spa resort in Italy to a respectfully restored property in India, these four remote retreats offer guests one-of-a-kind, truly immersive experiences.

Located in RAAS Chhatrasagars central court, the all-season infinity pool borders Baradari restaurant

Perched atop a nearly 150-year-old dam with sprawling views, RAAS Chhatrasagar celebrates the 800 acres of pristine forestland in the town of Nimaj, India. Courtesy of Studio Lotus, the property is a revamp of a seasonal camp into a year-round destination that captures the one-with-nature essence that has attracted guests there for years.

Laid out in a linear configuration along the length of the reservoir, the property is home to a central court that doubles as the reception and Baradari restaurant; an all-season infinity pool and small garden; and 16 tented pods that border the camp. As guests make their way from a drop-off area surrounded by a dense grove of trees to the courtyard, the dam slowly comes into focus, framing views of the lake. The site is revealed in layers, explains Studio Lotus principal Ambrish Arora, uniting the experience of discovery with an element of surprise by working in harmony with the context and tying numerous touchpoints to establish meaningful connections.

The New Delhi-based firm also paid special attention to the sites sensitive ecological context, ensuring that any new addition to the property had a minimal footprint. To that end, the new camp is imagined as a system of low-impact foundations and lightweight superstructures that blend with the environment. Further, much of the design connects with the outdoors, featuring decks for lounging, skylights that filter in natural light, and vibrant fabrics that nod to the flora and fauna native to the region. These subtle design moments bring the focus back to the lush setting. The sunrises over the lake and sunsets into the forest are an integral part of the guest experience, Arora adds.

Terme di Saturnia is centered around 3,000-year-old thermal springs, which served as inspiration for the resorts redesign

Nestled in the southern part of Tuscany, the 132-room wellness retreat Terme di Saturnia is known for its thermal springs. Here, crystal blue waters flow from the top of Mount Amiata to an underground river forming the pool that is a highlight of the luxury golf and spa resort, which has been recently redesigned as it celebrates its 102nd year.

The concept from THDPderived from a sense of belonging to the land and a deep attachment to nature and its cyclescomes alive in a color palette of earthy gold and rich water hues that reflect the celestial quality of the natural pool. Once the water flows down to the waterfall, it becomes cooler and the chemical reaction changes the color to a very delicate aqua green, explains Manuela Mannino, partner and founder of the London-based firm.

The building dates back to 1919, so the design had to pay respect to both its history and the famous springs. In the serene lobby and reception area, the firm interpreted the elements of earth, air, and water into pieces like handmade glazed ceramic tiles that are the same shade as the pool and a toile de jouy wallpaper that represents the countryside.

TDHP also translated the ideas of reflection, corrosion, erosion, and ripples into subtle design moments. For instance, suspended lanterns and two large ceiling installations in the public spaces allude to the reflections of water.

From the view of the crisp blue and turquoise hues on a sunny day or observing the steam floating on the waters surface late at night and first thing in the morning, it is literally an immersive experience, says Mannino. There is a deep ancestral connection with the water in Saturnia.

The curved pool deck and infinity pool overlook the dazzling landscape beyond the property

Nestled in a transformative place where desert, mountains, the sea, and five acres of family-owned farms meet is the 35-suite Paradero Todos Santos, a sustainable resort that blends into its picturesque surroundings. The experience-driven hideaway looks like it emerged from the soil, says Bibiana Huber, creative director at B-Huber, the Guadalajara-based firm tasked with the hotels interiors. That is the magic of the project.

Along with Yektajo & Valdez Architects and landscape architects Polen, Huber crafted a bohemian, earthy aesthetic, complete with a natural material palette of Tornillo timber, black metal, and sand-colored concrete. From daybeds that appear carved from the earth to cushioned star netshammocks suspended across rooftop suitesguests are immediately immersed in nature. The desert-inspired tones are only enhanced by the half-moon infinity pool and a 100,000-square-foot botanic garden that is home to 60 endemic plant species, including produce that is used in the restaurants Oaxacan-inspired dishes.

Suites, accessed via a series of paths in the central garden, continue the muted design scheme. Once inside, one rediscovers the landscape through a sequence of inside-outside spaces, which blur the lines between the property and the environment, says Ruben Valdez, principal at Yektajo & Valdez Architects. Soothing and sanctuary-like, the minimalist interiors incorporate elementsfrom large stones to plantersthat complement textured patterns on walls and headboards, while the base of large soaking tubs on patios extend into the terrain for a deeper connection to the land.

The open-air living room hums with activity while also instilling a sense of calm. Here, woven rugs, Tornillo stools, and low armchairs are interspersed with Yucatan hammocks and plush jute cushions. [We focused] on textures, colors, and smells that harmonize with the context, says Valdez. The selection of the materials aims to understand luxury not as a material idea, but rather an experiential one.

The PokoPoko clubhouse consists of three attached buildings, defined by their roof cone structure made from local pine using traditional Japanese carpentry

Found in Japans Nasu Highlands farming region, known for the Mount Nasu volcanoes, PokoPoko brings a sense of joy and playfulness to the existing Risonare Nasu hotel. In addition to renovating the hotel, Tokyo-based firm Klein Dytham Architecture designed the clubhouse, which features three roof cones made from local pine that peek out from the trees. Supported by plywood beams and a central steel ring beam, the wooden structure uses traditional Japanese carpentry details to create interlocking forms, says firm cofounder Mark Dytham.

The clubhouse, which is connected to the hotels two existing complexes via a new route and footbridge, was designed with families in mind, fostering a sense of connection and togetherness that is now more important than ever. On one end is an indoor playground with a tall white net structure and a ball pit. The opposite side offers an open fireplace for parents to lounge around while taking in the 360-degree views of the surrounding nature; the middle is a space for cooking with a large pizza oven. The act of discovery was also important to the design concept. It reveals itself magically in the forest, Dytham says. We want people to wonder what it is and be drawn closer.

More from HD:The Tiing Tejakula Villas Take Cues From Balis VernacularFinding Meaning: Purposeful Travel Reaches New Heights4 Elevated Cabins Make a Strong Case for Disconnecting

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4 Remote Vacation Spots to Unplug and Recharge - Hospitality Design

Gambling is one of those taboo activities that people keep partaking in despite the fact that its viewed by most of the population as something irresponsible. However, one cannot deny the appeal and the mass adoption despite the somewhat unclear regulations in certain areas.

This is the main reason why online gambling has only increased within jurisdictions that dont allow physical gambling whatsoever. Not to mention that it has also increased thanks to the restrictions imposed by the authorities during the Covid-19 pandemic. But one might wonder what will happen to gambling as a whole even after all this madness is over. Lets find out.

During the 2010s, gambling as a whole saw somewhat of a rise among people aged between 25 and 40 years. However, the sector that saw a drastic increase was the online gambling segment. And it all culminated in 2020 once the coronavirus restrictions were set in place.

But even so, despite online gamblings rise, physical gambling took a huge hit, and the profits made from the online medium arent enough to subsidize brick and mortar casinos. The recent market report perfectly showed how the online segment has drastically grown, not only thank to Covid-19, but also thanks to esports wagering and the recognition of video games as truly competitive sports.

As of now, online gambling is still on top of brick-and-mortar casinos and physical sportsbooks thanks to the fact that restrictions are still set in place within many states. However, that might soon change once a large part of the population starts getting completely immunized to the virus.

You see, psychologically speaking, many people miss huge social gatherings, so we might see a drastic increase in casino goers at first. However, that number might soon drop down again once people realize that its much more convenient to just place bets online.

It is safe to say that the landscape wont necessarily change in the coming years. But it will be vastly improved. New options, like virtual reality or live casinos, have already hit the scenes, and theyre spicing up existing communities like never before.

But there are also other amenities that have and will accelerate online gamblings growth even further. For example, blockchain technology has been successfully used to facilitate lower transactional fees and faster payouts towards bettors. And with the help of current security protocols, the users privacy and money are safer than ever.

Furthermore, the ability to transaction in any currency (including cryptocurrencies) is yet another enticing thing about online gambling. It will be interesting to see how it will affect the crypto market once this trends becomes mainstream.

If youre a sports bettor yourself, then you might have started your so-called career by betting with your friends. This is the so-called peer-to-peer style of gambling, similar to the concept of peer-to-peer that you see when torrenting. It essentially means from person to person.

The thing is that many gambling enthusiasts and industry leaders believe that this type of betting will soon start to make a return. But how does this work when you want to bet online? Well, in this case, the casino works more like a third party that facilitates the action rather than the house itself. Youre not betting against the house, but against other individuals.

All the money goes inside the same common pool, and the winners take their winnings from said pool while the casino can charge a small upfront fee for operating said pool or it can just take a percentage from the winnings themselves.

What do you think the future of gambling will look like? Feel free to leave us a comment with your thoughts, be them researched or not. Its always fun to speculate about this kind of things. So lets get the discussion started and wage on our favorite outcomes!

Continue reading here:
What Is the Future of Gambling? - South Florida Caribbean News

A sign of spring in the neighborhood! Its the Ashmont Hill Yard Sale. Over 50 homes are expected to participate in this annual event that takes place on Saturday, May 22nd from 9am-2pm. Here are 5 Things You Can Expect!

Last year, thanks to the pandemic, the annual neighborhood event didnt happen. This year will be the 41st anniversary of the yard sale. Be prepared to see smiling eyes and body language displaying gratitude. Its good to be back!

There will be handy-dandy maps located at all participating yards! The sale begins at the corners of Alban or Ocean streets off of Welles Ave.

You know the old saying, One mans trash is another mans treasure. Plan to hunt and gather your way through the neighborhood and expect anything from vintage tableware, furniture, books, sporting equipment, artwork and more. You never know what youll find but it might exactly what you are looking for! Bring cash most sellers are cash only!

If youre hungry, you can find some food set up outside outside the Ashmont Nursery School like burgers, hot dogs, baked goods and drinks! And dont forget about Mae Graves legendary ribs and chicken on Harley Street.

For over 40 years, residents in this neighborhood have participated in this beloved annual event. Its a perfect opportunity to showcase the beauty of the neighborhood including gorgeous Victorian homes, rolling hills and colorful landscape. Take it all in!

Wear comfortable shoes and dont forget to bring some tote bags for all the treasures youll find. Tag us in your photos on social media #caughtindot

Image via Reagan Byrne

Link:
5 Things to Expect from the Ashmont Hill Yard Sale - Caught In Dot

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The death of local newspapers increases political polarization and straight-ticket voting, according to the authors of a new study from researchers at MIT, Yale and French university Sciences Po.

As national news outlets win out over local papers, the study found, people view politics through a national lens and split-ticket voting tends to decline.

An often-unexplored consequence of the disappearance of local news is the fact that local politics will become increasingly determined by national matters, said Charles Angelucci, one of the study'scoauthors.

In turn, voters become more polarized, Angelucci argues, as political discourse is driven less by what happens locally.

In the past people may have voted for different presidential candidates but for the same local officials. This created some degree of commonality, he said.

These days, it is very likely that if two persons disagree about their preferred presidential candidate they also disagree about their preferred local politician. More straight ticket voting is yet another manifestation of greater polarization, Angelucci added.

The study, authored by Angelucci from MIT, Julia Cage from Sciences Po Paris, and Michael Sinkinsonfrom Yale, comes as the decline in local journalism has accelerated.

A separate study released by the Pew Research Center on Friday found that one-third of large-circulation U.S. newspapers laid off staff last year.

And since 2004, the U.S. has lost 2,100 publications, or one-fourth of its newspapers, according to a 2020 report from the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina.

Angeluccis study examined how the growth of TV affected finances and content at 1,963 daily newspapers from 1944 to 1964 and matched those results against county-level election data on House, Senate and presidential races from roughly the same time.

The era was ideal for studying the decline in local news, the authors wrote, because TV had technical limitations, forcing it to report national news, while newspapers provided both local and national content.

Prior to the advent of TV, party affiliation was less important for local politicians than community issues or their personal reputations, the study said. As a result, people often voted for one party locally and another nationally.

The extent to which national matters influenced local politics was low the study said. Split-ticket voting was relatively common and, if anything, growing.

But as TVs popularity grew, local papers experienced financial pressure and produced less content. The number of stories published in local papers decreased by 6.6 percent, the study said, and that decline was in turn driven mainly by a 10.1% drop in original local news stories.

As a result, voters increasingly saw elections as referendums on national debates and fewer people split their tickets between two parties.

The studys findings, the authors wrote, have implications for the modern media landscape.

New media outlets [internet and cable news] have affected both how information is produced and consumed and have weakened the traditional economic model of local print media, the study said.

The resulting decline in the production and consumption of local news could have far-reaching political and social consequences, which we are only beginning to fully appreciate.

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Study: Decline in local journalism increases political polarization | TheHill - The Hill

by Bill Wine

Each week, veteran film critic Bill Wine will look back at an important film that is worth watching, either for the first time or again.

As if further proof were needed that we live in the Golden Age of Animation, along comes The Princess and the Frog.

Instant classic.

Withcomputer-generated cartoons dominatingthe 2009 animation landscape, this "throwback," the first traditionally animated that is, hand-drawn Disney feature since 2004,is a reinvention of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale, "The Frog Prince."

And it's an original and irresistible musical taking its place alongside The Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King with its music first among equals. In a film with so many admirable features, it's tough to know where to start the gushing praise.

It's also a reminder of just how warm and lush and expressive and vibrant and smooth and flowing and utterly captivating 2-D animation can be: this one bursts with life.

An ageless fable with a twist, itcenters onTiana (Anika Noni Rose) Disney's first African-American heroine a hardworking waitresswho lives and works in the French Quarter in New Orleans during the Jazz Age of the 1920s, and yearns to own and operate her own restaurant.

WhenPrince Naveen of Maldonia, on a visit tothe Big Easy, cuts a deal withvoodoo practitioner Dr. Facilier, the latter turns him into a frog. His hope is that, given the legend,a kiss from a beautiful woman like Tiana will turn him back into a human. But when they kiss, something unexpected happens.

Suddenly it's amphibians on parade, and if things are ever to get back to normal and the spell is to be reversed, Tiana and Naveen will have to make it back to New Orleans via the alligator-infested bayou.

Co-directors Ron Clements and John Musker eschew the celebrity-voiceapproach (although Oprah Winfrey and Terrence Howardchime in briefly as young Tiana's parents). Instead, they castspeaking and singing voices rather than names with accomplished performers who may not necessarily be marquee names.

And they give theirlayered, cleverly scriptednarrative a tremendous sense of time and especially place: This is, among other things, an eloquentlove letter to The Crescent City.

But the shining star is composer Randy Newman. His gloriously melodiousscore a musical gumbo of Dixieland jazz, blues, gospel,zydeco, and Tin Pan Alleykeeps topping itselfas atoe-tapping, finger-snapping, lemme-hear-that-again delight for young and old.

Newmans songs garnered two of the films three Oscar nods, and the film was also nominated for Best Animated Feature. Box office returns, however, were modest at best.

As for the co-directors' handling of the lavish musical production numbers, as they'refueled by Newman's great songs, it's nothing short of superb. Broadway numbers should carry us away this completely.

A funny and fine follow-your-dreamsmusical, the G-rated The Princess and the Frog is a tuneful 'toon that will make you swoon.

Bill Wine is an Emmy-winning film critic who served in that capacity for WTXF and KYW Newsradio. He lives in Chestnut Hill.

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'Princess and the Frog' a funny, fine, follow-your-dreams musical - Chestnut Hill Local