-The Price Family

We just wanted to say thank you for the most beautiful backyard we could have ever imagined! Courtney you were able to capture the exact dream backyard we wanted with your creativity and expertise. This has already brought us so much joy and improved the quality of our family time together that we could never express how grateful we are to you and your team. You kept your word from the time the plans were drawn to the time the yard was finished. This was amazing. The pool was done exactly when you said it would be and the costs never changed (only if we decided we wanted something else than originally discussed). Your kept us well informed of each step in the process and even addressed the many questions (especially from Tony, the picky husband) we had. We will very highly recommend you and your team to all of our family and friends. Again, thanks so much!!! We love it.

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Chris & Pam Payne

I wanted to take a moment after all of the construction has finished and we have had a chance to enjoy our new pool for a while to write to you and express how we felt about our experience with Majestic Pools. After we made a firm decision to build a pool, we spent over a year researching dozens of companies to work with on this project. After many no shows, flaky salesmen, and flat out crooks, we were beginning to be disillusioned about finding a quality pool builder. We were floored when you came over and presented us with solid facts, a genuine excitement about what you do and finally a breathtaking plan of not just a pool, but an entire backyard vision. To say the least, we were overwhelmed with the design, and the very competitive price. You made our decision easier and we began work. Now that everything is complete, we would like to thank you personally for the exceptional workmanship displayed by your entire organization, including all of your subcontractors. It was refreshing to hear how highly respected and regarded you are by your subcontractors and the quality of their work on our project reflected that. We were also very pleased with the regular updates from your office as to each step of a process that was underway and what was going to happen next. They gave us a very comfortable feeling every step of the way. Your personal involvement however, was the highlight of our experience. You made us feel like our pool was the only one you were working on and we sincerely appreciate all that you have done for us. We could not have been any more pleased or excited with the outcome and we will enjoy this pool for many years to come. In closing, we would again like to thank you, your staff and the subcontractors for a “one of a kind” pool and experience. Please feel free to use this letter as a reference and you are welcome to show any potential clients our pool at any time. Majestic Pools is the only company we would and will ever recommend

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Dave & Wendy Schofield

Thank you so much for our beautiful backyard! We love it! It is such a pleasure to look outside and see a magnificent pool, rolling green grass, and beautiful patio. We have spent many family hours outside by the pool. We even tell our friends they need to come visit because of the great, relaxing pool.

Our pool was started in April 2008 and finished in July 2008. The whole process went very smoothly. Each day was exciting to see what was going to happen and or change in our backyard. The demolitiion and digging process wnet smoothly even though we have thick mud clay for soil and a live spring underground. The rebar guys were professiional, neat, and on time. The masons were artists with rocks. The plaster/gunite company was good at thier job. All of our pool guests must walk past our equipment pad. The plumbers who set up and connected all of our equipment made it look nice also. I felt I was well trained in operating the equipment and how to balance and maintain the pool water. The solar company was very professional and friendly also. We have had a few minor repair situations but every time we have been sent a repair person quickly.

Throughout our whole process Courtney was frequently on site to supervise each subcontractor that came into our yard. I always felt safe and confident that all involved knew how to do thier respective jobs. Beth, who answers the phone, is a master at organization. She kept us up to date on when, who, and why contractors were coming, payment schedules, and repairs. Courtney was quite flexible and accommodating when we wanted or needed changes. When I was confused with choices, he would gently guide the way in colors, rocks, tiles, etc.

Overall, we love our new pool and backyard. Initially, we came to him with a basic idea of what we wanted, and we ended up with so much more from his creativity, talent, and love of building beautiful pools and whole backyards. We would (and have) recommend him to any who visit.

Originally Appeared Here

Earth’s surface is the living skin of our planet – it connects the physical, chemical and biological systems.

Over geological time, this surface evolves. Rivers fragment the landscape into an environmentally diverse range of habitats. These rivers also transfer sediments from the mountains to the continental plains and ultimately the oceans.

The idea that landscapes have influenced the trajectory of life on our planet has a long history, dating back to the early 19th century scientific narratives of German polymath Alexander von Humboldt. While we’ve learnt more since then, many aspects of biodiversity evolution remain enigmatic. For example, it’s still unclear why there is a 100-million-year gap between the explosion of marine life and the development of plants on continents.

In research published in Nature today, we propose a new theory that relates the evolution of biodiversity over the past 540 million years to sediment “pulses” controlled by past landscapes.

10 years of computational time

Our simulations are based on an open-source code released as part of a Science paper published earlier this year.

To drive the evolution of the landscape through space and time in our computer model, we used a series of reconstructions for what the climate and tectonics were like in the past.

These two globes from our simulation show landscapes 200 million years ago (just before the Pangea supercontinent broke up, left) and 15 million years ago (right), after the formation of the Andes, Alps and Himalayas.
Author provided

We then compared the results of our global simulations with reconstructions of marine and continental biodiversity over the past 540 million years.

To perform our computer simulations, we took advantage of Australia’s National Computational Infrastructure running on several hundreds of processors. The combined simulations presented in our study are equivalent to ten years of computational time.

Read more:
How the Earth’s last supercontinent broke apart to form the world we have today

Marine life and river sediment were closely linked

In our model, we discovered that the more sediment rivers carried into the oceans, the more the sea life diversified (a positive correlation). You can see this tracked by the red line in the chart below.

Reconstructed sediment fluxes to the oceans (red line) versus diversity of marine animals (black line, adapted from C. Bentley using Sepkoski’s compendium) from the Cambrian through to the Neogene.
Author provided

As the continents weather, rivers don’t just carry sediment into the oceans, they also bring a large quantity of nutrients. These nutrients, such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, are essential to the biological cycles that move vital elements through all living things.

This is why we think rivers delivering more or less nutrients to the ocean – on a geological timescale of millions of years – is related to the diversification of marine life.

Perhaps even more surprisingly, we found that episodes of mass extinctions in the oceans happened shortly after significant decreases in sedimentary flow. This suggests that a lack or deficiency of nutrients can destabilise biodiversity and make it vulnerable to catastrophic events (like asteroid impacts or volcanic eruptions).

Read more:
What is a ‘mass extinction’ and are we in one now?

Landscapes also drove the diversity of plants

On the continents, we designed a variable that integrates sediment cover and landscape ruggedness to describe the continents’ capacity to host diverse species.

Here we also found a striking correlation (see below) between our variable and plant diversification for the past 400 million years. This highlights how changes in landscape also have a strong influence on species diversifying on land.

Sediment cover in continental regions (black line) versus the long-term trend in land-plant diversity. Illustrations from Rebecca Horwitt.
Author provided

We hypothesise that as Earth’s surface was gradually covered with thicker soil, richer in nutrients deposited by rivers, plants could develop and diversify with more elaborate root systems.

As plants slowly expanded across the land, the planet ended up hosting varied environments and habitats with favourable conditions for plant evolution, such as the emergence of flowering plants some 100 million years ago.

A living planet

Overall, our findings suggest the diversity of life on our planet is strongly influenced by landscape dynamics. At any given moment, Earth’s landscapes determine the maximum number of different species continents and oceans can support.

This shows it’s not just tectonics or climates, but their interactions that determine the long-term evolution of biodiversity. They do this through sediment flows and changes to the landscapes at large.

Our findings also show that biodiversity has always evolved at the pace of plate tectonics. That’s a pace incomparably slower than the current rate of extinction caused by human activity.

Read more:
Five ways you can help stop biodiversity loss in your area – and around the world

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With its recent exhibition, “Topography,” the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) is showcasing an abstract use of color, material and form that will be on display until Feb. 25, 2024.

This exhibition allows viewers to see multicolored vinyl sheets stretched across wooden frames, creating a testament to artist Lisa Bergh’s relationship to rural Minnesota. The end product is a journey of shape, color and depth creating a subjective view of the midwestern landscape.

“The vinyl material is new for me,” Bergh said. “I began working with the material in the same way I manipulated paper. I am always interested in the materiality of things and allow the material of my work to be foregrounded.”

The “Topography” exhibit conveyed how an area’s natural and man-made physical features are arranged. The pieces reference landscapes of vistas and valleys, along with conceptual ideas of mapping.

Along with framed pieces, vinyl sheets are carefully stretched across wooden frames into a three-dimensional sculpture. As the geographical contours that characterize the exhibit perform this function, the structures create a sense of depth and texture.

One large sheet of dark blue vinyl cascading from the wall evokes the image of a waterfall, while another piece in the exhibit “Petite Beacon” uses wooden frames to create a sculpture depicting grain elevators and concrete silos.

“Lisa’s work as an artist is refreshing and unexpected, and the exhibition as a whole is a playful reminder of America’s ever-present constructed landscapes,” said Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the MIA, Nicole E. Soukup. “Topography encapsulates what Bergh does masterfully — using spectacle to create space for deeper engagement and dialogue.”

With the use of a broad range of vivid colors, each piece highlights a different aspect of the Minnesotan terrain. Color becomes a language unto itself as the hue of the vinyl creates a bright portrait across the frame.

“I use the language of abstraction in my work. I am always working to find the right balance of play between form, concept, intuition, intention, experience, and surprise,” Bergh said.

Bergh started her art career in photography and is currently an art instructor at Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minnesota. She is also the co-founder of The Traveling Museum, a program providing visual arts experiences in rural Minnesota.

The exhibit is part of the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program (MAEP) at the MIA. Through the program, artists living and working in Minnesota can submit their artwork to be featured in the US Bank Gallery at the MIA.

“It is rare to encounter platforms that bring rural artists into the national dialogue with such regularity and sincerity as the MAEP does,” Soukup said.

“Topography” at the Minneapolis Institute of Art offers a novel perspective into the intersection of form and color, allowing viewers to actively participate in their visual journey.

The exhibition turns the showroom into a vibrant landscape that captivates and inspires through its creative use of multicolored vinyl. Visitors are sure to appreciate Bergh’s use of color, pattern, and shape as they walk through the gallery.

Originally Appeared Here

Is the world the same today as it was a century ago for Africa’s elephants? The answer is, of course, an emphatic no.   

Where the range of Africa’s elephants extended across 60% of sub-Saharan Africa in the past, today elephants occur in just 17% of this historical range. This represents a fragmented landscape for elephants akin to a broken plate. What does this mean for the persistence of Africa’s elephants over the next century and beyond? The answer depends on whether we choose to mend the plate or let the fragments become smaller and smaller. 

The question of whether we intervene or allow landscapes to evolve is a complex one. Humans have already intervened in significant ways to change the trajectory of how ecosystems persist over time. Adopting a hands-off versus hands-on approach will massively impact the future of large, interconnected ecosystems.  

One option is to pack our bags and call it a day—an ecological doomsday narrative that unfortunately persists. The alternative is to change the trajectory of the human ecological footprint one step at a time, to support interconnected ecosystems and ecological processes that will allow species to persist in the face of threats like climate change. 

For elephants to persist, they must peacefully coexist with people 

To answer the question of whether we should intervene or not, it’s useful to look at African elephants as a model species to inform landscape conservation decisions, given their large home ranges and need for vast space. Their range extends far beyond formal protected areas, so elephants wind up sharing a lot of space with people, often leading to conflict due to crop raiding. Elephants can also pose a significant threat to human life. 

For elephant populations to remain stable and persist over time, they must be able to move freely throughout their range so they can respond to seasonal changes in food and water availability. This often requires them to move between protected areas and communal land.  

What we’ll see for elephants in Africa one hundred years from now depends almost entirely on how we plan for their coexistence with people. With the human population in Africa projected to double by 2050, the human-elephant interface will certainly become more extreme. Add on the reality of a changing climate, in which prolonged droughts are already having a significant impact on human and wildlife populations in sub-Saharan Africa, and the question of whether we intervene or not becomes far more pertinent.  

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Numa Gardens is a Bay-Area drought tolerant and outdoor living contractor that specializes in creating low-water landscapes and outdoor living spaces. In the following article, KC Carlisle, Principal at Numa Gardens, discusses the best materials for hardscaping in the California climate.

Cold. Disconnected. Uninviting. These are just some of the words Northern California residents use to describe their concrete- or paver-covered backyards. However, achieving a balance of functionality and creating a welcoming feel is still entirely possible.

Yards should functions as a homeowner’s outdoor oasis, where they can escape from the blood-pressure-spiking hubbub of daily life. Despite this, many poorly planned designs don’t allow for this type of sanctuary. Perfect outside designs are deep-rooted in three elements: softscape, ground cover, and hardscape. By striking the aforementioned balance between these elements, homeowners can reap the atmospheric rewards.

Numa Gardens is well-versed in rectifying amateur wrongs and affording garden dwellers their own slice of paradise.

Numa Gardens Discusses Three Essential Elements to Backyard Designs

Despite relative widespread perception, there’s nothing wrong with having concrete or pavers in a backyard. Experts note that the problem begins when there are more hard-scaped materials than anything else. Hardscape is an inherently functional element that can only be effectively aesthetic with suitable material choice, enough complementary ground cover, and a bunch of softscape aspects to break it up.

Softscape: The Star of the Show

Softscape refers to the living factors — trees, flowers, shrubs, plants, and other horticultural elements. Industry participants maintain that it should play the main role in any backyard.
Numa Gardens notes that in a softscape versus hardscape comparison, softscape is far more flexible, interchangeable, and updateable than its typically fixed co-actor. Perennial and annual plants are brilliant ways to refresh and revitalize landscape aesthetics, whereas hardscaping elements require much more planning.

Ground Cover: The Complementary Piece

Ground cover can fall into either the softscape or the hardscape category, depending on the type that is chosen. Either way, the design team at Numa Gardens considers ground cover to be the complementary piece, bringing together the colors and textures showcased throughout the rest of the yard.

Numa Gardens explains that commonly used ground cover materials include pebbles, mulch, clovers, and, of course, grass. While any type is a possibility, experts encourage homeowners not to rush this decision. After all, it will make up the majority of the area, and it must suit the home’s aesthetic to ensure cohesiveness.

Hardscape: The Accent Piece

Contrary to the yards depicted earlier, hardscape is meant to be the accent piece that adds functionality to an otherwise aesthetically driven space. However, as professionals can attest, that doesn’t mean it can’t also be pleasing on the eyes. Numa Gardens says that whether it’s a retain wall, stepping stone footpath, driveway, fountain, outdoor kitchen, fireplace, gazebo, built-in bench, curb for elevated walkways, swimming pool, or shaded patio, the material choice is what determines its attractiveness.

Experts Highlight the Best Hardscape Material Choices for Northern California Landscapes

Since hardscaping makes up the foundation and framework of the yard while accenting the softscape attributes, the choice of its material is especially crucial.

Frustratingly, for those without the keenest eye for design, KC warns that this decision is very subjective — what’s “best” for some Californians may not be “best” for others. And with so many materials to choose from (wood, cut stone, flagstone, brick, concrete, mixed materials, pavers, tiles, etc.), some homeowners express the seemingly impossible nature of this conundrum.

Numa Gardens explains that even with its subjectivity, there are a couple expert-given factors that people should consider to make the perfect selection for their home in Northern California:

Formality

Some materials are more informal and relaxed than others. Generally speaking, these are often those that remain closer to their natural state, like wood chip paths, dry-laid stone walls, and flagstone pavers. The more formal side holds hardscapes like pebble-mosaic walls, gravel walkways, and herringbone brick patios.

Numa Gardens notes that there are a couple of shapeshifters to consider as well.
Concrete, for example, can look edgy or err on the side of casual when placed within certain environments. The same can be said for wood and composites, which lean on the more natural side of things while still working wonders in various modern settings.

Home Style

In the end, not all homes are built with the same aesthetic in mind. Thus, designers approach each build with a unique outlook to prevent disjointed results.

Numa Gardens notes that craftsman-style homes blend beautifully with most natural materials, while midcentury-modern buildings look best with the clean lines and simplicity offered by materials such as bluestone pavers and concrete. Lastly, the hardscape should reflect the overall look of the property in order to create a seamless space throughout.

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Originally Appeared Here

In continuation of the success of the Corporate social responsibility (CSR) program of Theraplay 2.0 and Theraplay 1.0, a new chapter in the Theraplay journey began in May 2023, with Theraplay 3.0, driven by a team of Faculty of Built Environment & Surveying (FABU), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) students. The overarching mission of Theraplay 3.0 continues a commitment of volunteers, transferring knowledge and raising awareness among the public to support the special needs community. The vision of the CSR project is to propose and execute a sustainable therapeutic landscape through cognitive happiness.

The Theraplay 3.0 team comprised 21 individuals, including six (6) core project committee members and 15 dedicated volunteers from landscape architecture, architecture, and civil engineering disciplines.

The crucial team roles for this endeavor were skillfully undertaken by the following members: Wong Sih Minh, who served as the Group Leader, ensured effective coordination and leadership; Max Sze Kai Shien contributed as the Secretary, managing communications and documentation; Chan Cing Fang held the role of Treasurer, overseeing financial aspects; Kok Ming Hui and Hanis binti Mohd Nor excelled in the area of Sponsorship, securing valuable support for the project; and Warda Husna binti Mohamed Yosri showcased her talent in Graphic Design, adding a creative touch to the team’s endeavors. Together, these dedicated individuals played integral roles in the success of the project.

Theraplay 3.0 initiatives are to propose and implement a sustainable therapeutic landscape through cognitive happiness for Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Terancat Johor Bahru. This special home was established in 1990 as a charity home providing care for 180 disabled users. This home care accommodated the age range from 10 to 98 years old with special needs and multiple incurable disabilities such as autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, mental challenges and learning difficulties. Theraplay 3.0 has started CSR work with project pitching and received substantial support of RM5,000 from MyStarfish Foundation, ILAM welfare (RM500) and crowdfunding contribution from the public (RM 3,000). Theraplay 3.0 started with the site inventory and design conceptual development. Subsequently, the crowdfunding stage begins from July to August, and lastly, the in-situ construction starts from September to the end of October 2023.

After conducting several site visits, appraisals, and interviews with the manager, Mr Jeeva, it was found that the critical issue of the special home is the lack of physical therapists to assist the beneficiaries’ activities. The current staff do not fully provide nursing therapy due to inadequate play and interactive equipment. Therefore, to overcome this issue, Theraplay 3.0 team has initiated to support the daily needs, psychomotor and physical activities among the disabled communities. Hence, an effort to provide an indoor green corner encourages the underprivileged Community to go to the greeneries milieu to enhance their well-being and sensory experiences.

Theraplay 3.0 meticulously executed a therapeutic landscape CSR project indoors and outdoors within six months, and the project was completed by November 2023. The constitution of Theraplay 3.0 is to ensure Healthy Lives and promote well-being for all ages by injecting the design elements to train special needs Community’s survival skills and improve their environmental conditions, further enhancing their health(physically and mentally) and well-being. Theraplay 3.0 also achieved SDG 10, which is to reduce Inequalities by promoting social inclusiveness for all by involving other communities to care for special needs and spreading our knowledge in helping the underprivileged Community.

Despite encountering various challenges, particularly during the design exploration phases and the logistical difficulties of team members physically meeting, the team’s endurance and patience proved invaluable in strategically planning and implementing the CSR project.

The Theraplay 3.0 CSR project progressed through distinct phases, each contributing to its successful realization. The initial stages involved conceptualization and design, spanning the months of May and June 2023, where the project’s foundations were laid. Subsequently, the team embarked on a crowdfunding phase, extending from July to mid-September 2023, to garner community support and resources. With the necessary backing secured, the project transitioned into its construction phase, commencing at the end of September and continuing through October 2023. This structured approach ensured the systematic and effective execution of Theraplay 3.0, culminating in the project’s overall success.

Floor element painting to support multiplay activities and balancing skills.

 

The process of making a tactile mural to enhance disabled sensory experiences.

 

Goh explained the usage of a “ball drop wall” to increase disabled interactive and problem-solving skills.

 

Shadow play, the light cast effect supported the special needs for calmness and relaxation.

 

Demonstrates “Target play” to increase special needs users’ movement and cognitive skill (hand and eye coordination).
Edible plants created a therapeutic and outdoor experience in the corridor.
The special needs are having fun with the flooring activity.

Theraplay 3.0 wrapped up successfully on October 28, 2023. The presence of the Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Professor Sr. Dr. Kherun Nita binti Ali, LAr. graced the opening ceremony. Deputy Dean of Students Academic and Affairs, Dr. Sapura Mohamad; the Project Coordinator, Dr. Lee Yoke Lai; the President of Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Terancat, Mr Murugaiyah; and the Administrative Manager, Mr. Ziku. The handover ceremony was successfully executed by showing each station.

Handover Theraplay 3.0 project and the certificate of appreciation.

This project is a significant milestone in the Landscape Architecture program for the year 2023. The team’s dedication and kindness have inspired the broader society to actively care for and support special needs communities. In short, the team members’ leadership, event management, and effective communication skills were honed during the preparation stages, involving interactions with site managers and meetings with university lecturers. As a testament to their commitment, the team plans to continue the tradition of the CSR program by organizing Theraplay 4.0 in the future.

Originally Appeared Here

WELLSVILLE — When Mayor Randy Shayler asked what was on the minds of visitors at Monday night’s regular board meeting, Tim Colligan stood up.

A former member of the board and a well-known local fundraiser, Colligan raised his concern about the Shane T. Colligan Memorial Gazebo that graces the village’s southern entrance to downtown. The gazebo honors Colligan’s son, Shane T. Colligan, who passed away unexpectedly 20 years ago.

The young man was also well-known in the area for his dedication to Childrens Hospital of Buffalo and its annual fundraising telethon. At the time of his death, the younger Colligan was a student at St. Bonaventure University.

Colligan said he is concerned about the overgrowth of trees and shrubs at the site and that he wants permission from the board to re-landscape the small park.

“It is not my park, although everyone thinks it is. I just enjoy taking care of it,” he said, noting that the land belongs to the village.

While the board gave its permission, Shayler asked that Colligan keep it informed as to his progress. Colligan informed them that he is looking for funds to help pay for the new shrubs and revamping of the park grounds and that he will be going to the Elks Club for help. They suggested seeking help from the Wellsville Development Corporation, which is involved in the beautification of Main Street. They are also non-profit organization that can accept donations.

Colligan said that over the 18 years the park has been in place, he has had help in the past from the Elks Club, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and others keeping it up. He will be seeking help with the design efforts from local garden experts as well as fundraising.

Anyone wishing to donate or help out may contact him at scolligan@roadrunner.com

The remainder of the meeting was very brief with the board making a decision on when to hold its reorganizational meeting — 5:45 p.m. Dec. 11 and its last regular meeting of the year, which coincided with Christmas Day. The meeting has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 28, the following Thursday.

After acceptance and approval of the payment of vouchers, the board tabled a request concerning an increase in the retainer for the village attorney’s law firm until the next meeting and approved a request to increase the PLM agreement by $10,000 which will be reimbursed by the state. PLM is conducting the case justifying the local electrical rate increase with the state.

While saying goodnight to the visitors and those attending the meeting, the board moved into executive session to discuss personnel matters before adjourning for the night. No decisions were pending.

Originally Appeared Here

NEWBURY — A Byfield man was sentenced to 30 months in jail earlier this month after pleading guilty to larceny and other charges in Newburyport District Court.

Dain Blackadar, 33, was charged in January with larceny over $1,200, larceny over $250 from a person over 60, using a motor vehicle without authority and receiving stolen property under $1,200. He pleaded guilty Nov. 17 in front of Judge Richard Mori.

The charges stem from two incidents but resulted in 2½ years behind bars with credit for 191 days already served in jail.

In mid-January, the owner of a Newbury snow plowing/landscaping told police that he was having issues with one of his employees, Blackadar. The owner said that soon after hiring Blackadar, he starting doing “strange things,” such as dumping loam in the middle of his lot and tree work being done in the same lot by a different company.

Things escalated quickly to the point where Blacakdar began taking his trucks and trailers at night without telling him. The owner told Blacakdar five times not to take his vehicles without permission but he continued to do so, according to Newbury police Officer John Baker’s report.

The owner then touched base with a Peabody-based landscaping company owner who told him that Blackadar had been hanging in her lot with one of his trucks. Blackadar told the Peabody owner that he owned the landscaping company and was trying to buy equipment.

“The woman stated she thought this was strange and called the number on the side of the trailer,” Baker wrote in his report.

Blackadar, according to Baker’s report, would take the truck back to his Byfield residence and leave it there over several nights. As the days went by, a friend of the owner said Blackadar would pull into his driveway with the truck, take items from his property, and then place them in the contractor’s truck.

Blackadar would then drive the items to an Everett scrapyard and sell them. When confronted by the owner, Blackadar said he was repairing the items.

All told, Blackadar stole a sander worth $3,700, a Bobcat bucket worth $2,100, $578 worth of chain-link fence, a plow controller worth $500 and miscellaneous metal items, according to court records.

“Blackadar had no intentions of returning any of the property he took from (the victim),” Baker wrote in his report.

The report does not mention what happened to the victim’s truck but based on the charges, it appears it was returned.

The second incident involves Blackadar taking a snowplow from the same victim.

Dave Rogers is the editor of The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: drogers@newburyportnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @drogers41008.

Dave Rogers is the editor of the Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: drogers@newburyportnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @drogers41008. 

Originally Appeared Here

Designed by Antony Gibbon, the Tapered House is an innovative and elaborate new addition to his Inhabit series. The home is another vivid creation by Gibbon, which follows his design philosophy that centers around pushing the boundaries of architecture and laying down a harmonious and serene connection with nature. The other homes in the series include the Repitilia House and Loch Eight, and the Tapered House continues the unique design language seen in the other structures.

Designer: Antony Gibbon

The Tapered House is settled along the shores of a lake and is surrounded by calming woods. The house is designed to be versatile and perfectly merges with its surrounding natural environment. Since it features raised stilts, you can place the house on the edge of a lake, river, pond, or any sloped terrain. This subtle elevation enables the Tapered House to effortlessly merge with the various contours and curves of the land while ensuring that is it well-settled on the ground. It is a prime specimen of form meets functionality.

The Tapered House is a spacious home while covering a footprint of 110 square meters. It includes two bedrooms. The ground floor of the house occupies eighty-one square meters, and it features a reception area, lounge, kitchen, one of the bedrooms, and a shower/washroom. The home also includes outdoor terraces that are located at the front and the rear of the property. The second floor, on the other hand, occupies twenty-nine square meters and holds a large double bedroom, office, and a built-in storage space.

The exterior of the home is clad in panels of various timber finishes. The timber finishes add a sense of warmth and zen to the structure while allowing the project to have an element of customization, which enables it to be adapted to different locations. All in all, the Tapered House is a modern and chic home amped with well-designed amenities, and customization options, allowing it to be adapted to the personal needs and requirements of various users.

Originally Appeared Here

• The Palaszczuk Government has purchased Spadely Station on Curtis Island to add to Queensland’s protected areas estate
• The land includes estuarine wetlands and habitat for migratory birds and threatened fauna species and its shoreline supports nesting habitat for the vulnerable flatback turtle.
• The purchase is the first aligned with the government’s Eco-tourism Plan for Queensland’s Protected Areas.
• The Department of Environment and Science will undertake a master planning exercise to identify potential new visitor experiences and eco-tourism opportunities.

The stunning landscapes and unique environments of Curtis Island will be further protected and celebrated under a new Queensland-first partnership.

The Palaszczuk Government has purchased the island’s Spadely Station from Bakara Investments Pty Ltd to add the land to Queensland’s protected areas estate, with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to partner with the company to boost eco-tourism and visitor numbers on the island.

Bakara Investments runs an existing eco-tourism operation on land adjacent to Spadely Station.

The Department of Environment and Science will undertake a master planning exercise to identify potential new visitor experiences and eco-tourism opportunities that will encourage even more people to experience the island’s rich history and natural wonders.

The purchase of Spadely Station is the first ‘eco-tourism adjacency’ acquisition since the release of Queensland’s Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030 and Eco-tourism Plan for Queensland’s Protected Areas 2023-2028, and was funded under the Palaszczuk Government’s historic investment of $262.5 million to expand and manage Queensland’s protected areas.

The land on Spadely Station includes estuarine wetlands and habitat for migratory birds and threatened fauna species, such as the false water-rat and the Capricorn yellow chat.

The property is within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and its shoreline supports nesting habitat for the vulnerable flatback turtle.

The acquisition will also enable the gradual de-stocking of Spadely Station which will make the northern part of Curtis Island free of domestic stock, helping to ensure the protection of the highly significant wetlands and habitats.

The purchase of Spadely Station also complements the Palaszczuk Government’s $6 million Great Barrier Reef Island Arks Acquisition project which increases reef island protection by acquiring high conservation value islands (or parts of them) to add to Queensland’s protected area estate.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard:

“Curtis Island remains one of central Queensland’s hidden secrets, with wind-sheared scrublands, diverse birdlife and pristine beaches.

“We are looking forward to working with Bakara Investments to maximise every opportunity to enhance the eco-tourism experience on the island and make it a first choice for people looking to enjoy beautiful natural surroundings off the central Queensland coast.

“We will soon engage a consultant to facilitate the eco-tourism master planning project that will explore, design and guide future conservation, restoration and eco-tourism opportunities across Curtis Island.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Tourism, Stirling Hinchliffe:

“We know there is a real global appetite for more immersive, meaningful eco-tourism experiences and the purchase of Spadely Station will help draw those visitors to Curtis Island.

“Eco-tourism is central to the Palaszczuk Governments industry led Towards Tourism 2032 strategy, that invests in Queensland’s unique and pristine visitor destinations, supporting good local tourism jobs while celebrating our great lifestyle.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher:

“Conserving the natural landscape of our region is so important and Curtis Island is home to precious flora and fauna.

“This land includes estuarine wetlands and habitat for migratory birds and threatened fauna species, which will now be protected into the future.

“I am a proud supporter of eco-tourism in this region and am excited to see new opportunities on Curtis Island.”

Quotes attributable to Pat O’Driscoll, Bakara Investments:

“The Queensland Government’s purchase of Spadely Station is exciting news for environmental protection and for eco-tourism in our region.

“At Cape Keppel Beach, John and I are looking forward to working together with the government on the Curtis Island Master Plan. There is lots to be done to highlight the many eco-tourism opportunities on Curtis Island.

“Cape Keppel is a jewel waiting to be enjoyed by many and easily is accessible by boat or plane.”

Quotes attributable to John Morris, Bakara Investments:

“After years of dreaming our two families have finally begun a ‘legacy project’ at Cape Keppel Beach.

“We now offer a boutique eco-tourism retreat on 467 ha adjacent to the former cattle station.

“Pat and I are thrilled to be working with the Minister and her team to realise our dream and advance the exciting projects before us within the Conservation Park”.

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

Queensland’s terrestrial protected areas now cover more than 14.5 million hectares, or 8.38% of the state’s total land area.

Originally Appeared Here