Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) Pediatricians are on the lookout for a complication from COVID-19 in young patients, some of whom didnt realize they already had the virus.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C, has affected 50 children in the Chicago area, including Janiya Johnson of Portage, Indiana.

Her mother Oshunda said the 5-year-old was sick in December and despite several visits, doctors couldnt figure out what was wrong.

Initially, her fever and lack of hunger was diagnosed as the flu. After a couple of days Janiya became lethargic.

When Oshunda took her to the doctor again, Janiya was rushed to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, where they were met by a team of doctors and nurses.

Frank Belmonte, Chief Medical Officer for Adovcate Childrens Hospital, said children with MIS-C are having a delayed reaction to a COVID infection in which the entire immune system is revved up and its starting to attack other organs in the body.

Like COVID, MIS-C is more prevalent among children of color.

Dr. Belmonte said it can appear four to six weeks after an infection. Hospitals are primed to watch for cases following COVID spikes, he said.

Treatment can vary, with some patients needing steroids or blood pressure medication, while others may require ventilators.

After three days in the ICU, Janiya was eventually released from the hospital. She tells WBBM Newsradio shes working on getting 2 million followers on TikTok.

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Doctors on the lookout for COVID-19 complication in kids - Talk Radio 1210 WPHT

Tags on many storm drains in southern Pennsylvania remind people not to dump hazardous materials because that waste runs into the Susquehanna River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.(Photo: Scott Fisher)

Restoring the Susquehanna watershed and saving the Chesapeake Bay mightseem like a huge task, involvingbig projects from stream restoration, to updating wastewater treatment systems, to mitigating the damage caused by mine discharges, to changing farming practices.

But there are some simple things that you can do to contribute to the effort. They may seem like little things, but if enough people adopt the practices, environmentalists believe they can have a large impact.

More: Killing the Chesapeake: Special report on how the Susquehanna River harms the bay coming Feb. 3

Repeat after me: dandelions and clover in the lawn are not bad.(Photo: Henry Homeyer)

Use less fertilizer or stop using it entirely. Certainly, everyone wants to have a nice, lush lawn, but commercial fertilizers contain nitrogen and phosphorus, major sources of pollution to the river watershed and the bay. The compounds run off into drains during rainstorms, and the chemicals flow downstream to the river and the bay.

Rain barrels collect rainwater that flows from the gutter and drips down a chain into the barrel.(Photo: Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record)

Build or buy a rain barrel and save that rain to water your lawn or garden. That way, storm water has a better chance of being absorbed than running off. Or, build what's known as a rain garden in your yardlush native-plant gardens that absorb rain water and/or filter it. Think of it as having your own wetland.

Dog feces contains nutrients that harm the river and bay.(Photo: MachineHeadz, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Dogfeces contains a lot of the same nutrients that pollute the watershed, in addition to harmful bacteria and worms and other biohazards. As a benefit, you don't have to worry about scraping it off your shoes after mowing the lawn.

Air pollution is a major source of nitrogen in the river and bay.(Photo: ViewApart, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

In addition to help with air quality, driving less results in fewer emissions that contribute to a third of the excess nitrogen flushed into the bay every year. Consolidate trips, carpool, use public transit or bike or walk when you can.

Turn off the lights and conserve electricity.(Photo: Scott Fisher)

Turn off the lights and conserve electricity. Power plant emissions are also a source of nitrogen pollution, so the less electricity you use, the fewer emissions are spewed into the atmosphere.

Don't dump toxic things like motor oil into storm drains, as those pollutants can run into the river and bay.(Photo: Scott Fisher)

It may beobvious, but properly dispose of used motor oil, antifreeze, paint and household cleaners. And don't flush unused prescription drugs down the toilet. Many wastewater treatment plants cannot filter out compounds in the drugs and they wind up in the river, harming wildlife, which, in turn, harms water quality. Your local waste management service can provide information about proper disposal of such materials.

Michael Helfrich, carries a bike up the banks of the Codorus Creek he pulled from water during a cleanup session on Saturday, July 18, 2015.(Photo: Jason Plotkin)

Alot of litter washes downstream and winds up in the bay. So pick up litter and keep trash out of the bay. It's not just aesthetic. Litter contains toxic chemicals that endanger and poison fish that mightwind up on our dinner tables.

Lobbying lawmakers on environmental issues is one way to help save the river and bay.(Photo: Buzz60)

Contact your local, state and federal representatives and let them know that you support policies that contribute to a clean environment.

Sources: The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

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8 simple things YOU can do to restore the Susquehanna River and save the Chesapeake Bay - York Daily Record

Harrisburg, PA The Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP), Agriculture, and Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced today that state and local partners made record progress in 2020 on the Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan (Phase 3 WIP) to improve the health of Pennsylvanias share of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

In a year of significant challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, when any partnership with as many moving parts as the Phase 3 WIP couldve fallen apart, we achieved a record level of progress, said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. We ended the second year of Phase 3 WIP implementation with every county now signed on to help and people reaching out to get involved, as well as notable progress by the wastewater, farming, and other sectors.

Nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) pollution and sediment build up in streams, rivers, and lakes as a result of human activity, such as using too much fertilizer, plowing and tilling agricultural fields, and stripping away trees and vegetation, increasing streambank erosion.

While EPA is still reviewing 2019-2020 numeric data, its initial assessment credits Pennsylvania with its third largest annual nitrogen reduction in 2019-2020. Wastewater treatment plants contributed 73 percent, their largest annual nitrogen reduction in 35 years. This was due primarily to more accurate reporting of actual versus estimated pollutant levels.

EPA credits Pennsylvania with its sixth largest annual phosphorus reduction in 2019-2020. Wastewater treatment plants contributed 61 percent, their second largest annual phosphorus reduction in 35 years.

Farmers contributed 25 percent of the nitrogen reduction and 32 percent of the phosphorus reduction, which is their largest annual phosphorus reduction since 2010. Better accounting of implementation of nutrient and sediment reducing practices, such as the state-required agricultural erosion and sediment control and nutrient and manure management plans, was one contributing factor.

Increasingly efficient application of fertilizers was another contributing factor. EPA research shows that of all states in the watershed, Pennsylvania has had the largest historical decline in agricultural surplus, or excess nitrogen and phosphorus that isnt absorbed by crops.

Despite the challenges of 2020 to the agriculture industry, farmers stepped up to meet their commitments to reducing nutrient and sediment loads to the bay by developing and implementing conservation plans, using fertilizers more efficiently, increasing the use of no-till technology, and planting cover crops, said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. We know that we need to cultivate tomorrow to feed the future, and that requires stewardship of our resources today.

Many types of best management practices and projects help reduce nutrient and sediment water pollution, including applying fertilizer efficiently, planting trees on streambanks, installing fencing to keep livestock out of water, practicing no-till farming, managing manure correctly, and restoring streams and floodplains to more natural conditions.

Also, according to EPAs initial assessment, Pennsylvania carried out nutrient and manure management, cover crop, soil and water conservation planning, and non-agriculture erosion and sediment control best management practices at twice the rate in 2019-20 as its long-term annual rate.

Although the pandemic made it difficult to get boots on the ground in 2020, state and county partners persevered in engaging landowners for upcoming projects and launching or completing current projects.

Streamside buffers and converting grass to trees or meadows are natural ways for agricultural and residential landowners to create cleaner water and improve the stewardship of their land, said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. Not all eligible landowners are aware of their value, so our efforts last year focused on making it easy for landowners to understand the benefits of these practices and connect them with funding and experts available to guide them.

All 34 counties that were asked to develop and carry out plans to reduce their share of nutrient and sediment pollution have signed on to do so.

Lancaster County, which is pursuing the largest nutrient reduction goal in Pennsylvanias share of the watershed, began or completed projects at many municipal, farm, or other sites in 2020, including the City of Lancaster, Culliton Park, Murry Ridge Park, Paradise and Rapho townships, Woerth It Hollow Farm, and other locations.

We've definitely had success with on-the-ground project implementation. The funding that DEP gave us for CAP implementation, and the flexibility of those dollars, has been extremely helpful, said Allyson Gibson, Lancaster Countywide Action Plan coordinator. We appreciate being able to get that to projects on the ground quickly and be responsive to the local decision making.

Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Susquehanna counties are among the northern counties developing CAPs in 2021. The three counties will share a plan coordinator but create individual CAPs.

By working together with local stakeholders to develop clean water action plans for each county, well identify opportunities for improving water quality that align with unique local needs and interests, said Josh Longmore, Executive Director of the Luzerne Conservation District. Through our regional partnership on a planning grant from DEP, well also be able to develop plans that take into account our shared challenges to reducing pollutants in the Susquehanna River, its local tributaries, and eventually the Chesapeake Bay.

Actions to help foster a healthy watershed benefit all aspects of Pennsylvanians lives, from providing safe drinking water to protecting soil quality for better crop yield, reducing flooding, and providing outdoor recreation enjoyment and employment.

We forged a new level of state, local, and sector partnership in 2018 to develop a truly viable watershed plan from the ground up, said Secretary McDonnell. Today were seeing just how strong that partnership is. Real commitment to improve water quality has taken root.

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State and Local Partners Made Record Progress in Second Year of Chesapeake Bay Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan - Governor Tom Wolf

Interior design trend predictions for 2021 have one thing in common: they highlight the mixing of old and new as a way to achieve a fresh look as we continue to spend more time at home. Straight-from-the-showroom style is giving way to styling with vintage and antique items, blended with newer elements to create a collected and balanced look. Concerns about manufacturings impact on the planet are also driving this trend: fast fashion is out, while well-made artisan and sustainable style is in.

Petaluma ceramicist Forrest Lesch-Middelton of FLM Ceramics employs a creative process that checks many of the boxes of this newyet olddesign trend. He hand-throws tea pots, bowls, plates and tiles and covers them in intricate designs using his own screen-printing technique, called Volumetric Image Transfer. This technique allows him to transfer screen printed pattern and imagery onto the surfaces of his pots while they are still wet and being thrown on the wheel. He shapes the vessels from the inside only, in order to not disturb the pattern. The result is contemporary fine art decor that references Old World style.

Lesch-Middelton likes to work with clay for its sustainable qualities.

Clay is unbeatable as a material, he said. Its the most readily available material on earth. You play with it in its plastic state, decorate and fire it, and it turns to stone.

The Petaluma ceramist is inspired by 12th-17th century Turkish and Persian patterns and designs and the syncretism in art and crafts brought about by trade along the Silk Road, a network of trade routes that connected Asia, Northern Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Using modern techniques, he creates functional ceramics and tile that reference this period, as well as Islamic architecture and history and modern themes of globalism.

It speaks to history, said Lesch-Middelton about his particular style. The New York Times wrote in 2013 that his ceramics look like the products of an ancient civilization whose people proudly insisted on being buried with their dishware.

While drawing inspiration from the past, theres also a futuristic strain in Lesch-Middeltons work. For example, he uses a flat sheet of metal, or a Chladni plate, covered with sand to create shapes and patterns for his tiles from sound waves.

The Chladni plate or technique was invented in the late 18th century by German physicist and musician Ernst Chladni to visualize the effects of vibrations on mechanical surfaces. Lesch-Middelton adds an avant-garde element by using a signal generator that generates sine, square and triangle sound waves through a wave driver (a special type of speaker) to create geometric configurations in the sand.

Lesch-Middelton collaborates with his partner Beth Schaible and an apprentice to create the tiles. Schaible, a block printer, lends her calligraphy to some of the pieces. The trio works out of their community studio, Petaluma Pottery, and collaborates with interior designers to get their tiles into peoples home. They also sell directly to customers via the FLM Ceramics website. Their tiles have been used by customers on floors, stairs and fireplaces and as backsplashes. Projects have ranged in size from a row of just 10 tiles over an antique sink at a Texas boutique hotel to covering the floors of eight rooms in a local home.

Filling large orders definitely requires discipline as each tile is hand-thrown but Lesch-Middelton knows it comes with the territory of being a dedicated artist in this particular line of work. And even the repetitive process of creating one tile after the next can yield new inspiration and a new way of looking at the creative process.

Sometimes your best discoveries come on your 10,000th tile, he said.

Lesch-Middeltons sees discovery as an integral part of any creative endeavor. From the curiosity and wonder of the beginner through the process of learning by doing to the effort of constantly refining ones craft, discovery is a process the artist needs to remain open to, he says.

Eventually, if we are lucky, we make it through all of this to a place beyond trying, learning and doing to a place of being. Soetsu Yanagi (a Japanese art critic and philosopher) refers to this place as a space where objects are born, not made. Its a place where sometimes, on your 10,000th tile, you may be open enough to see beyond what your hands made and be affected anew. Our best work comes from that place, and maybe every once in a while I am lucky enough to glimpse and create the product of that place.

Editors Note: Travel, dining and wine tasting can be complicated right now. Use our inspirational ideas to plan ahead for your next outing, be it this week or next year. If you visit restaurants, wineries, and other businesses during the pandemic, remember to call ahead, make reservations, wear a mask and social distance.

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Petaluma Ceramist Creates Artisan Tiles That Add a Sense of History to Modern Homes - Sonoma Magazine

Weve hit the time of the year when we really start to understand the movie Groundhog Day. By that I mean that were living in a constant state of washing, fixing, and hauling. Out of all the months of farming, Id say, for strictly grain farmers at least, that February is the hardest month of them all. Its not the one with the longest hours or the hardest days, but its definitely the one with the hours and days that seem the longest.

You see, the rest of the year is filled with fixing tile, planting, spraying, pulling the weeds that spraying didnt kill, and harvesting, but February? Well, February is filled with shop work. Maybe Im alone in this, but I hate shop work.

Everyone loves getting to head to the field whether it be to fix tile, spread fertilizer, or put on anhydrous ammonia because youre outside and one step closer to putting seed in the ground. It keeps you busy and leaves you with the feeling that only a good days work can give you.

Everyone loves planting, and even if they dont love it because it stresses them out (Im talking about me right there if you couldnt tell), its still a satisfying and fulfilling feeling when the job is done. The days are long, but they leave you with a feeling of accomplishment that the seeds you planted will grow into a crop youll be able to harvest in a few months time.

I wont say everyone loves spraying because that would be a lie, but spending the summer spraying gives you the opportunity to assess how your crop is doing. The days may still be long during these summer months, but they give you a little bit more freedom than planting and harvest do at the very least.

Everyone loves harvest. Id bet my life savings that for ninety percent of farmers, harvest is their favorite time of year. Its the chance to see just what an entire years work has earned them, a chance to see a years worth of prayers answered.

But no one seems to love the winter months quite as much as the rest of the year. Dont get me wrong, as someone who struggles with anything involving mechanics and fixing things, I completely understand why. Its the time of year I dread the most because Im not able to be outside doing what Im actually capable of doing, but its honestly one of the most important times of the year.

It gets a lot of hate, but in all actuality, this time of year may be the most important of them all. Its these long winter months patiently (or impatiently in my case) awaiting warm enough weather to head to the field when all the important work gets done. You see, working on fixing all the equipment and getting it ready for the coming year keeps things running smoothly for all of the fun parts. Getting the planters finely tuned now keeps those seeds going into the ground without issue or delay come April and May.

February is our reminder that the time spent preparing for the busy season is just as crucial, if not more important, than the busy season, and I think thats something everyone can reflect on even if theyre not involved in the agriculture industry. Its the time and hard work put into making something a possibility that matters more than the actual event most of the time, and that effort is something worth appreciating.

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Holbert: The short winter hours bring on the longest of days - The Daily Republic

Sue Skinner - Feb 9, 2021 / 11:00 am | Story: 324488

Photo: Contributed

John Rousseau, an inventive composer of wood furniture and buildings, calls Summerland his bat cave.

He must like it because he has spent 30 of his 38 years there.

The Batcave was Batmans secret headquarters and command centre. John feels Summerland is a sanctum where he can wait.

It is where he centres his creativeness while waiting for a tsunami of projects he knows are on the way from urbanites around the world seeking the highest calibre of home furnishings.

People want quality. I create pieces families will fight over when bequeathment comes, pieces that live for generations, he said.

As I sat across from him, I felt the tsunami had already arrived. His passion is palpable, and our conversation is made more vibrant from his energy and love of all things wood.

He learned two valuable skills from his dad, John how to work with wood and how to sell. His dad taught him at a young age to make designer birdhouses to earn money.

He felt like a millionaire when he sold all of them at the princely price of $20 each.

As much as he enjoyed his birdhouse venture, John discovered sports and music while at school. He needed to be the fastest runner and to be the best on stage, a drive that has never left him.

He enjoyed singing and writing songs and started a three-piece band, Lucy Psychosis, that produced three albums by Grade 12. In those days, music was his life.

He was going to attend Selkirk College in Castlegar, but reality set in. A musicians life could easily lead to poverty, not something he wanted.

He still plays and composes and did a live concert in Summerland in 2016, but he plays for fun these days.

The idea of building quality items out of wood was still a thought, but he moved to the service world and enjoyed working at restaurants and wineries for a few years.

A pivotal point came after a gruellingly busy day when his fellow worker, a 50-year-old, sweating and exhausted, turned and said, Im too old for this.

John realized at that moment, he was as well if he wanted to do something with his life.

Just like Batmans daytime persona, Bruce Wayne, a businessman and entrepreneur, John began developing his life and business plan.

He needed his Robin.

He met Karen, an interior designer, seamstress, silversmith and jewelry maker while tile setting. The work relationship turned to romance and today they are married with two young girls.

He enjoyed tile setting, but his heart was always in wood. Custom building in wood gives him the freedom to create.

Today, he surrounds himself with a team of like-minded craftsmen he picked for specific contracts. They are men who value family and work balance, gentlemen in overalls, who share his passion for quality work.

Currently, he is building a one-of-a-kind studio/shop for his future contracts. It will be a huge building using over 60,000 square feet of lumber. A real neat bat cave.

He showed me a picture of a self-designed joint using the cruciform style a specific type of joint that has four spaces formed by welding of three plates of metal at right angles. His is surrounded by perfectly fitted slots of wood.

He just recently finished a 14-month adventure with Cedar Creek Wineries. Look here to see some of his recent work. Guitar players will love his Guitar Garage on this video. This is a multi-drawered cabinet designed to hold your guitars. Very cool.

What makes his work special? Every square inch is designed and thought about.

The iPad is always with him, so he can troubleshoot challenges immediately.

There is no time wasted on site, thus a clarity of ideas is created between the client and him.

His favourite client is someone who wants to work with him step by step. He loves to create and curate together with them.

We had been talking for over an hour and his passion still oozed out of him. He talked about the living qualities of wood and how it changes continually.

What does he plan for the future? His dreams arent small and he thanks his mom for this particular idea.

The future will be a challenge between science and tech, he said.

By 2032, he wants to build a self-sustaining smart hut in the wilderness. Just like the huts hikers travel to in the backcountry.

Engineering, architectural, science students, and lovers of wood will hike to this hut and monitor year round the changes Mother Nature makes on such a structure. A building where students can truly experiment, share and learn from.

In the meantime, he will continue to build beautiful and unique creations.

What is his kryptonite? Batman always kept some in his safe in the bat cave.

Living in the shadow of your potential.

I have no fear that he will ever do that.

If you pass Summerland at night and see a glow surrounding it, dont worry, it is just that burning passion of John Rousseau lighting up the night.

Contributed - Feb 2, 2021 / 6:00 am | Story: 323765

Note Photography, Mariel Nelms

It was the fastest sell out in 27 years at Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts (MISSA) for any of their courses.

MISSA provides high calibre specialized workshops with world renowned teachers in the field of choice.

Who was this teacher and how did he get such an international reputation?

Visionary potter Peter Flanagans journey was not a solo one nor one that started last year. Peter with Daphne, his artistic partner, and wife, have created beauty and pushed the artistic boundaries of porcelain ceramics to new heights and size.

Daphne, daughter of Peg and Des Loan, grew up in her parents gallery, Okanagan Pottery, which they started in 1968. Most Okanagan people knew this blue-grey building on the right going out of Peachland on the way to Penticton. The iconic building was only recently torn down.

She loved her family and the world of clay and wanted to go to school to learn more, so she enrolled at the Kootenay School of Art in Nelson.

Peter grew up in Victoria and always drew and painted as a kid. His mom studied design and his dad was a lover of architecture and a draftsman who also taught Peter carpentry and manual skills.

Peter loved going to art galleries as a kid, decided to pursue art and enrolled at the Courtenay School of Arts.

He knew nothing about pottery, but he had to take an introductory pottery class, and met Daphne.

Her nose was into a pot when we first met, he said.

It was early December, 1979, everyone had left the studio, but they stayed to make sure the heat of the wood-fired kiln was kept constant.

It was so cold that the mortar on the brick door froze when they were bricking it up, a far cry from todaysgas-fired kilns.

The pottery was fired and so was their lifelong teamwork.

It takes dedication, love, and understanding of the long hours and not always great results with constant fortitude to work together.

They both attended the University of Victoria, where Peter received a degree in art history.

Soon they moved to the Okanagan and after just five years, they had a 2 1/2 year waiting list for their dinnerware. It didnt take long for people to realize how good they were.

Peters career got a real boost in 1989 when he was one of five winners from around the world in the Second International Cara Ceramics Competition in Mino, Japan.

Each judge was allowed to pick one favourite competitor. The Japanese judge picked his bowl, lightly coloured deep with subtle flora inside and his -to become-signature triangles on the rim.

Their family grew and for a time, Peter left pottery and entered the corporate world.

This time away from his art created an itch to get back and to stretch to see what limitations he could squash. He knew with Daphne they would be the perfect duo for innovation.

The synergy between Peter and Daphne is palpable; you can feel it when you are in the room with them. Together, one idea grows out of another, their teamwork feeds their creativity. The idea of the huge charger was born.

I met them when they invited me into their home.

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest surrounded by wood, so when I sat at their long wooden table, warmed by a real wood fire, it was like being home with great friends, such is their hospitality.

I drank dandelion tea from a mug they designed and made, which felt like it was made for me. It was pretty, fit well into my hand and kept the tea warm.

It was hard to look directly at them because I was surrounded by their phenomenal works of art. I felt like a kid in the worlds best candy store, so much to see and experience.

The huge porcelain ceramic chargers huge plates on steroids facing me were the result of an idea hatched from his hiatus in the corporate world.

The size was difficult to master some are in excess of 30 inches in diameter. The size, weight, large surface, often not flat, can easily collapse.

Part of the process is fascinating and elusive you have to have a huge leap of faith.

Bases of material share their common character, but get their uniqueness from the trace elements from the environment, Peter said.

Ah, clay from the Okanagan will be different from clay from somewhere else. He uses locally sourced materials.

They also began to experiment with wood ash for their glazes. They love ash from pine, fir, and cherry wood. Peter explained that it becomes fluid when fired and pools to create surface texture and colour.

It takes both of them to move these chargers into the kiln very carefully and they are fired at1,300 Centigrade for 24 hours, and then cooled for 48 hours.

These chargers have intricate centres that are three dimensional, some with a crackle type of glaze. They lamented about how tricky these centres are and how many collapsed in the creation process.

Their size, designed for large wall spaces, take up almost all the space in the kiln. Miscalculations can be costly in time and money.

Their innovation of glazes and construction and locally sourced materials when possible make their chargers unique pieces of art.

It is no wonder potters around the world are anxious to learn from him and he is in demand as a teacher for his understanding of the different processes needed.

Words are inadequate to describe the majesty of these creations. You need to see them up close and personal.

You will be able to do this Oct. 9 to Nov. 14, at the Wood, Clay and Canvas exhibition, Peachland Art Gallery and at the Circle Craft Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver for September.

Alas, my time with them came to an end much too quickly. I felt a sense of loss that happens when you leave a place of peace, creativity, and greatness.

Sigh.

Sue Skinner - Jan 26, 2021 / 6:00 am | Story: 322952

Photo: Contributed

Rio conjures up visions of vibrant colours, sultry movement, and joy.

I hope you arent thinking Brazil because Im thinking of Kelownas own maker of hats.

Rio Branner is a milliner, a hat maker. Her studio is full of possibilities for someone wanting to be unique, fashionable, unforgettable, and, dare I say, seductive?

She is just the creative personable artist to make your ideas come to life.

A person who makes hats is a milliner. The word comes from the 15th Century where the Duchy of Milan in Italy was famous for the Millayne bonnet.

This word eventually reached England and became known as a maker of caps hats for men and bonnets hats for women.

Hats became so popular that no one left the house without one.

Hats went out of vogue in the 19th Century. Some believe it was the car that brought on the demise and some blame Dwight Eisenhowers building of highways, making car travel more popular, and the height of the inside of the car being non-conducive to wear a hat inside.

Whatever the reason, hat popularity certainly waned.

Rio wants to bring custom-made hats back into popularity in B.C.

She didnt have to go far for inspiration. Her mother, Robbin Roberts, was a potter and her grandmother, June Bell, had a berry and poultry farm on Bell Road in Kelowna.

Grandma June was resourceful and when she found a plethora of feathers, she started making feather hats. Rio showed me a picture of one of her hats. Fantastic.

Besides Grandma June, hat making has been around since cavemen. Perhaps not hat couture probably just a pelt was thrown over the head for warmth, but people have been wearing hats for a very long time.

More than 43 million baseball hats were sold last year according to Google. Individual unique hats, a lot less.

Rio, a true Kelownian born and raised here was always interested in fashion. After high school, she moved to Victoria and started giving new life to used articles. For 20 years, she made purses and jewelry from reclaimed, previously loved, items.

Hats have always been on my bucket list, she said, something she must do.

To make a hat is time-consuming, expensive, and oh, so creative.

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Wood lover has a bat cave - Don't mess with a soprano - Castanet.net

BELTONDavid Hill was sitting in a worship service one day when he realized he needed to use his God-given artistic talents to serve his church.

Hill, an associate professor of art at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, began sketching his idea. He wanted to give Vista Community Church, a Texas Baptist congregation in Temple, a work of art that could engage and even enrich faith. He envisioned a creation that would be both a learning tool and an expression of faith. So, the Bible Project was born.

When completed, the Bible Project will be made up of 66 individual ceramic tiles, each with low-relief sculptural elements that correspond with a book of the Bible. Hills tiles are designed to be installed together on a wall to form one unified work of art.

Each tile has a stylized cross, and when all 66 pieces are arranged together, a larger cross is formed by the orientation of the smaller crosses.

The big idea behind this is that each book individually tells part of the story of Jesus and the gospel. The full image of the cross can only be appreciated when viewing the totality of Scripture, Hill said.

Instead of using words, Hills goal is to communicate with images and symbols to tell the story of the Bible. However, he doesnt simply want to illustrate the stories.

There is plenty of Bible illustration out there, he said. I would rather allow images and symbols to speak to the deeper themes of who Jesus is within each book.

He wants to show others how Christ is revealed in each book of the Biblefrom Creator in Genesis to Alpha and Omega in Revelation.

For instance, on the tile representing the book of Ruth, Hill wanted to show how God is seen as provider and kinsman redeemer. So, he molded and painted ears of barley growing in the sun.

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Hill started work on the Bible Project in 2014, but hes only been able to work part-time because it is such a massive undertaking, and he has had to prioritize his job as an educator and practicing artist with an active exhibition record.

The process of researching and creating the 66 tiles has been long but worth it, because he has learned more about who God is, as revealed in his word, he said.

Hill grew up as a self-described missionary kid in the mission field with parents who served with the Southern Baptist Conventions International Mission Board in Manila, Philippines. Even though he says he spent his entire life going to church and reading the Bible, Hill said, the Bible Project has allowed him to discover things in Scripture he didnt know.

Finding the connections between the different books and how the history moves through the booksyou dont necessarily learn about the Bible that way in Sunday school and church, he said.

I enjoyed learning about the interesting connections between the books and the historical details of the biblical figures. This project has fed my desire to continue reading and stay in the Bible.

Hill said The Bible Project is only a working title, since he typically doesnt title an artwork until it is finished. His dedication to meticulous research is evident when an observer looks closely at the intricate detailing of his work.

My ideas for imagery came quickly for some of the books, but other books have been much harder and have taken a lot of reading through the Bible, as well as various Biblical commentaries and art history books, he said.

Early on, I set some challenges and limitations for myself to direct my research. I wanted to communicate primarily with images and visual symbols rather than words, because I firmly believe that images speak to people in unique and often powerful ways, even if that is simply seen in communicating across language barriers.

As a professor, he often uses his artwork and creative practice as a teaching tool.

This project, in particular, has allowed me to provide students with an example of how art can engage issues of faith as well as serve the church and the community at large, he said.

In addition to the tiles, Hill also loves making bowls, mugs and other functional vessels.

Even when his art is not always explicitly about the Bible or Christian themes, Hills faith has been an integral part of how he sees the world and what he values. So, in a sense, his artwork always is influenced by his faith, he said.

I find value in hand-made items that are used daily for sustenance as well as to build community, Hill said. So, whether I am creating a Bible-inspired sculpture or a simple mug for daily use, I believe I am living out Gods call in my life as an image-bearer of my Creator.

Continued here:
UMHB art professor tells the story of the Bible visually - Baptist Standard

The latest headphones from Skullcandy are a lightweight, wireless pair of headphones called the Hesh ANC. Priced at $130, they're a notable entry into the ANC world for a number of reasons, including their price tag, especially when compared to the Skullcandy Crusher ANC headphones, priced at a budget-crunching $320.

Both share other features as well, including having Tile trackers inside. But there are some details that differ substantially. We tested them in multiple ways, listening to music, watching videos and of course putting their noise cancellation feature to work. Here are the similarities we found between the two, where they veered, and how you can tell which one may be the right option for you.

Skullcandy Hesh ANC

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC are lightweight, clocking in at just 8 ouncesGearBrain

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC come with a charging cord, cables for wired use and a soft bag for carrying. At $130 it's fair that you're not getting a hard case for these headphones.

These are lightweight headphones, just 8 ounces, and they feel a bit less substantial for that reason. That weight is nice when you're looking to carry these around for a bit, but I did mess the heft.

Buttons are on the right ear, located very close to each other, and they're a bit difficult to find by feel. The cushions on the ears and on the headband are also a bit thin, not as dense as some more expensive options.

As for charging, these can hold 22 hours of battery life but crucially you can get a quick top up of three hours in just 10 minutes. And a nice extra perk? You have a Tile tracker embedded inside which will help you locate them if left on a bus, or even hiding somewhere at home.

Skullcandy Hesh ANC have buttons on the right ear that are close to each other GearBrain

Sound is of course what people look for in headphones, and here the Hesh ANC hold their own. They're good, and while I found some range missing like brights they're more than a solid option for listening to music, watching video and certainly picking up calls.

Active noise cancelling works very well too, and you can toggle easily between this option and also ambient mode. That's a big plus for these sub-$150 headphones, a very nice perk in a very wallet-friendly price.

Skullcandy Crusher ANC

Skullcandy Crusher ANC fold nearly into a hard caseGearBrain

Skullcandy Crusher ANC remain some of the best active noise cancelling headphones we've reviewed. And at $320 they should be stellar. They're weighty, with thick heavy padding along the headband and ears, and buttons as well as sliders that make it easy to change the volume, pair, power up and run other features all by just touching the ears. (And yes, these controls are easy to find, and tell what they do, just by touching.)

These also come with a hard-shell case, one that ensures you're not going to puncture padding, nor dent them in any way when they're tossed in a bag.

You get a bit more battery with the Crusher ANC, 24 hours versus 22 hours for the Hesh ANC not substantial, not worth paying an additional $190 for, but certainly nice. And yes, you can get a quick rapid charge as well with these. Also shared between the two? A Tile tracker inside.

The case for the Skullcandy Crusher ANC, left, next to the bag for the Hesh ANC on the rightGearBrain

Sound again is one of the main reasons we buy headphones. And the Crusher ANC hits all the right notes here. They also have a haptic feature, they call it Adjustable Sensory Bass, which means you can feel those moments against your ear. Watching an action film? You can get a haptic boost for every explosion, for example. That is, you can choose this option and also turn it off, from a slider on the ear.

And yes, there's active noise cancellation built in to these headphones and it works well. You can also pair these with the Skullcandy app to create a personalized sound profile tuned to your ears. And you can create multiple profiles, and then share the headphones with other people. (If you feel so inclined.)

Which headphones are right for you?

Price may be a factor in choosing the Skullcandy Crusher ANC, left, over the Hesh ANC on the rightGearBrain

The choice may come down to a matter of price, and in that regard, you're likely going to want to choose the $130 Hesh ANC over the $320 Crusher ANC. With both offering active noise cancelling, similar battery life and even Tile trackers inside, it's an easy choice.

However, if you're looking for a more substantial sound experience, personalized options, haptic feedback and some of the best sounding Skullcandy's we've tried, it's certainly worth taking a look at the Crusher ANC if you feel comfortable springing for the extra cost. You're also going to get more cushioning around the ears and headband, buttons and sliders that feel more easy to use, and even a nice carrying case.

Plus, if color options are crucial to you, note that the Hesh ANC only come in black right now, while the Crusher ANC have a few options including black, a two-way pattern of black and tan, and a red. That's not a reason likely to sway us, but it's certainly worth noting.

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Skullcandy Hesh ANC vs Skullcandy Crusher ANC: Which are right for you? - Gearbrain

DIYing is a journey that offers homeowners and renters alike plentiful opportunities to fix, update, and decorate. As 2021 unfolds, were all looking for new ways to improve our home environment, boost our mental health, and express our individuality. Arts and crafts supplier Michaels may have a little inspiration to get us all going. The retailer examined sales data, social media content analysis, and other factors to uncover the top five DIY trends expected to emerge in the year ahead. Do any of these strike a chord with you?

As work from home continues with no formal end in sight, there is renewed focus on the home office environment, and 2021 will be the time to make further tweaks to enhance mood and space, says Erika Popejoy, Michaels vice president of trend, design, product development, and packaging.

Analysis shows that consumers are trying to personalize and maximize their spaces. The closet/office combo is a perfect example of maximization; Pinterest searches for cloffice have increased twofold heading into 2021. Japandi, Japanese design meets Scandinavian aesthetic, is also trending. The style incorporates sleek lines, neutral color schemes, and calming setups, says Popejoy.

Michaels revealed that 30 percent of U.S. households bought at least one plant within the past year. And while houseplants in general have been on trend for years, consumers without a green thumb have turned to faux plants, which provide a touch of nature without the upkeep.

Consumers are also leaning into crafting with faux and paper plants to showcase popular greenery designs, including plant-themed jewelry, office supplies, and more, says Popejoy. As we look ahead, both faux and real plants will continue to trend throughout 2021 and even through 2022, as consumers look to bring the outdoors inside and liven up their personal spaces in creative ways.

RELATED: The Best Cricut Machines for Your Craft Projects

Mental health awareness has been on the rise for years, and its in the forefront now, with the disruptions and stress brought on by the pandemic. Studies have concluded that making is good for mental health, and its proven to lower levels of mental distress, says Popejoy. In 2020, crafting, knitting, and scrapbooking helped makers relieve stress and find joy.

Throughout the year, expect DIY to increase in popularity as a stress reliever. As Popejoy notes, Search trends indicate that tile work, beading, macram, resin art, and painting are among the top queried creative projects heading into the new year.

RELATED: The Best Candle Making Kits for Crafting at Home

Last year, Americans were forced to get innotivate, finding new ways to safely celebrate small and big occasions alike, including birthdays, weddings, graduations, and other important milestones. Throughout 2021, expect to see more over-the-top ideas, such as big and bold decorations for holidays like Valentines Day and Easter.

There will also be an increase in newly minted crafters celebrating small moments with DIY decor, including smaller anniversaries and occasions, says Popejoy. Pinterest reports a 145 percent year-on-year increase in online searches for things like monthsary message for girlfriend and those hoping to seek creative inspo on social.

RELATED: 6 Quirky Home Trends Only Etsy Could Predict

Social media has always been a place for consumers to receive design inspiration and home hacks, says Popejoy. TikTok will be huge for inspiring creativity and DIYing, especially among first-time crafters. Hashtags like #MyRoutine (1.6 billion views) and #WhatILearned (2.8 billion views) showcase new creations every day that continue to wow platform users and inspire makers to replicate their designs.

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The Top 5 DIY Trends, According to Michaels - BobVila.com

By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

One of the things we love about being a remodeling company in Reston is the diversity of the homes we get to work on! From the original townhomes of Waterview Cluster to the newest condos in Reston, every home tells a story, and we love working with clients who are ready to write theirs.

With many of the houses built in Restons early years now well into their fifth decade, you may be living in one and are starting to think its time for an update. If this sounds like you, heres some inspiration for turning your 1970s home into a modern oasis that will stand the test of time.

1. Create a More Open Concept

There was a time when clearly defined rooms were the only way houses were designed and built. Its very common in older homes in this area. The kitchen. The dining room. The family room. The bonus room that no one really knows what to do with. This often meant the size of the kitchen was compromised leading to odd U shaped or cramped galley kitchen.

Over the years, the way we use space has changed with less demand for formal dining rooms and more demand for multi-functional spaces that serve as family gathering areas with informal dining, and lets face it once we can safely gather again the kitchen is THE room where guests congregate.

The kitchen has taken center stage as the place where most homeowners are willing to spend more to get more. The most obvious example of a way to give your kitchen a modern feeling is to create a more open plan concept and increase the usable square footage in your kitchen. This is usually achieved by completely removing walls between rooms. Not in your budget? You can also make a huge difference by creating larger openings between rooms to improve the flow and allow more natural light into your space.

Read our previous blog How to Tell if a Wall is Load-bearing, and ALWAYS get a professional opinion before you take down any walls!

The home below was built at the very end of the 70s. This is a great example of how removing a wall between the kitchen and dining room enabled us to expand the size of the kitchen and add a large island with lots of room for the family. The dining room was relocated to another room at the front of the home.

In this second example, this Reston townhome had undergone a previous renovation some years ago, but this time around we opened up the kitchen to the dining room, which not only provided better flow and light, it opened up the fabulous view to Lake Thoreau.

2. Flooring, Stairs and Front Doors!

Parquet floors. Small square tiles. Carpet. Painted stair railings. If you love them, dont change them. However, these are some of the things that really age a home. Some of them are an easy(ish!) fix.

If your hardwood floors have lost their luster, you dont necessarily need to replace them. Spend the money to get them sanded and refinished. The popularity of hardwood is going nowhere, so if youve got some original 1970s wood floors, they are probably a quality product, and the quirks and imperfections acquired over the years make them even more endearing. Take care of them, and give them a chance to shine in their own right!

If you have tile in your kitchen but hardwood floors elsewhere, you may also be able to tooth new hardwood floors into the existing floors. This will require the entire floor to be refinished to avoid a patchy look, but it is possible, and the same flooring throughout provides cohesiveness between spaces.

Wed like to tell you that small square brown/white/yellow/pink/blue 1970s bathroom tile is in again. Alas, its not. Although a tile called zellige has become popular in recent years, thats about as close as it gets to the 1970s tile we all know. Its time to let it go. Want to know more about tile trends and how you can get an updated look? Read our latest blog!

Lastly, unless you live in a cluster neighborhood with HOA rules about what you can and cannot do on the exterior of your home, start with the front door (as long as the Reston Association is OK with that!). Nothing provides better curb appeal and an instant home update than a new front door.

The Reston home below (built in 1970) shows how a beautiful new front door, refinished floors/stairs and modern cable railing bring this home right up to date but still look perfectly at home!

3. Switch Up Your Lighting

We dont know why, but lighting always seemed to be an afterthought in most 70s houses! In many older homes, one single light fixture was expected to provide enough lighting for an entire room. Recessed lighting is nothing new, but it is a simple way to update your space.

There is now such a fantastic choice of reasonably priced pendants, sconces and chandeliers that theres no excuse for that flush ceiling fixture or fluorescent light thats been there since your house was built!

New lighting is also a fantastic and easy way to add personality to your space. Under cabinet lighting in kitchens is the perfect way to add additional lighting for prep work or added ambience.

A word of warning! Additional lighting will inevitably show up flaws in your paintwork you may not have noticed before. Have realistic expectations of your home remodeler or general contractor. Unless you are refinishing a wall or having new drywall installed, the downside is that additional lighting may show up the imperfections youve lived with for many years but have never been able to see!

4. Show Your Powder Room Some Love

The powder room may be the smallest room in your house, but it can easily make a design statement in its own right. Many older homes in Reston feature the same thing a round sink with a wooden vanity with square floor tile. Nothing says modern and adds a little pep to your space like switching things up in the powder room!

You also dont have to hold back in your design choices in your powder room. If youre afraid of wallpaper because you dont know how to use it, nows your chance to try it out! Heres a few before and afters to give you a little design inspiration for what is possible in your space!

5. Sometimes, Simple Changes Have a BIG Impact.

Depending on the look youre going for, it may be possible to make simple changes that completely update your space without breaking the bank. If removing a wall or replacing the flooring isnt within your budget, a subtle change might make the difference between your space looking dated or looking like it is a design choice that fits beautifully into the rest of the room.

A great example of this below is the change to this fireplace. Previously, the stone fireplace was overpowering the room. By adding a natural wood mantle, the visual line of the fireplace is broken up so it seems like it now fits right in. A beautiful Ansel Adams picture above and a great choice of furniture pieces that all complement one another make this feel like a whole new home.

You can read more about the steps we took in the recent transformation of the main level of a local 1970s Reston single family home into a modern but family friendly space here. If youre ready to start the discussion on your next home remodeling project, were always happy to chat!

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Reno of the Month: Tips for Updating Your 1970s Reston Home - Reston Now