Effort to Save Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Launched
On behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity (“CBD”) and the Maricopa Audubon Society we have provided formal notice of Endangered Species Act violations in connection with federal agency actions harming the Southwestern willow flycatcher, a highly endangered bird in Arizona and other southwestern states. Because of the ongoing destruction of the flycatcher’s native riparian willow habitat, the species has been forced to adapt in many locations to living in tamarisk, an exotic plant that frequently occupies degraded riparian habitats in the southwestern U.S. Beginning in the late 1990s, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – an agency within the Department of Agriculture – began to permit and otherwise facilitate the release of tamarisk-eating beetles – another non-native species on the theory that this would help to eradicate tamarisk. Grave concerns were raised by the Fish and Wildlife Service, CBD, and others that this program could do serious harm to the flycatcher unless steps were taken to ensure that any impact on flycatcher habitat would be mitigated by strenuous efforts to restore native willow vegetation in locations where tamarisk might be destroyed. However, APHIS assured the Service and others that the particular species of beetle being released would not be able to survive in the latitudes where flycatchers exist and, on that basis, the release program was allowed to proceed. Soon thereafter, APHIS’s prediction proved false, and the beetle is now decimating flycatcher habitat, creating a massive new threat to this already highly imperiled species. But although APHIS has now halted new releases of the beetle, it has made no commitment to mitigate for the ongoing devastating impacts of its earlier actions. Regrettably, to date, the FWS has signed off on that course of conduct. Accordingly, we have sent a detailed notice to APHIS, FWS, and other federal officials that merely walking away from the unfolding disaster for which APHIS is directly responsible contravenes various provisions of the Endangered Species Act, as well as the National Environmental Policy Act. A copy of the notice can be found here. A copy of CBD’s press release concerning the notice can be found here.
Thank you for listening...
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| LIVE WITH VITERI STYLE! on Mathis Interiors BlogTalkRadio. |
On February 25th, I took the chance to take my blog to the radio. BlogTalkRadio that is. I wanted to gather all my blog postings for the month and share it with an audience, the interior design community. I was perfectly fine with sharing my thoughts, stories, tips and dish with just a few listeners, let alone to find out it would be in the 1000s!
The show airs LIVE, but it is recorded so people can listen in on their own time. Just like you when you want to read a blog- on your own time. I'm thrilled for the positive responses I've been receiving. I can not thank you all enough for your support. Take a listen and let me know your honest opinion. You know not to expect anything less from me.
Hope you tune in on March 25th at 8pm EST and 5pm PST. As I like to end my show on this note..."I love your style and I thank you for listening."
XOXO
Barbara V.
Note: We would love to connect with you at our social media tables. Your invited to 'like', 'follow' and 'pin' with us and don't forget to subscribe!
Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal celebrate their twentieth anniversary
Today marks the twentieth anniversary of Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal. Founded by Katherine Meyer and Eric Glitzenstein on March 1, 1993, the Firm has since been an unwavering voice for animals, the environment, and public interest advocacy. Part of the team since the beginning, Director of Operations Leslie Mink has helped grow the Firm into a practice that has been recognized by Washingtonian Magazine as “the most effective public-interest law firm in Washington.”
In 1996, the firm was joined by Howard Crystal, who became a name partner in 2005. Over the years, many talented and dedicated lawyers have been part of the firm – and many of our former attorneys have gone on to impressive careers in public interest law and other forms of public service. Last year, attorney Bill Eubanks was named partner in the Firm. Among the highlights of the Firm’s accomplishments over the past twenty years are:
- victories for animals, successfully challenged federal regulations allowing “canned hunting,” ending the burning of endangered sea turtles in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, stopping the infamous Hegins pigeon shoot, eliminating grizzly bear hunting in Montana, and establishing a legal framework for Article III standing for individuals harmed by the treatment of captive wildlife;
- bringing many cases to protect endangered species and preserve biodiversity, including cases leading to the creation of new sanctuaries and refuges for the Florida manatee, protection of the North Atlantic right whale from ship strikes, and the listing of hundreds of animals and plants as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act;
- protecting wild places by winning cases curbing off-road vehicles, jetskis, and snowmobile use in national parks;
- protecting public health and safety by achieving intervention for public health organizations in the U.S. Department of Justice’s massive case against the tobacco industry, and obtaining improved restoration of Department of Energy nuclear waste sites; and
- ensuring access to government records and other agency proceedings through the Freedom of Information Act, Federal Advisory Committee Act, and other open government statutes.
- protecting wild places by winning cases curbing off-road vehicles, jetskis, and snowmobile use in national parks;
- protecting public health and safety by achieving intervention for public health organizations in the U.S. Department of Justice’s massive case against the tobacco industry, and obtaining improved restoration of Department of Energy nuclear waste sites; and
- ensuring access to government records and other agency proceedings through the Freedom of Information Act, Federal Advisory Committee Act, and other open government statutes.
Other current members of the Firm, Amanda Barker and Jessica Almy, congratulate the Firm’s founders and partners on this milestone and wish them great success as they continue to trailblaze on behalf of animals, the environment, and the people who care about them over the coming years.
Maximillien Siffait, Folies Siffait/Siffait Follies
Owning a house on the banks of the river Loire in France may mean you can enjoy magnificent views of the river. And if your property has high rocks in its backyard, it is understandable to create a viewpoint uphill, to enjoy an even more splendid view.
But why create a multitude of terraces, supported by high walls, connected by stairs and paths, and equiped with various smaller constructs, as the owner of this location did.... The local archives have no answer, but Siffait, who made these constructs, may have had that Babylonian drive that characterises so many of the autodidact builders featured in this documentary blog.
Indeed, this site, embellished with creative constructs by its nonprofessional owner, can be seen as an outsider environment, like those, who focus upon its curious architecture, might denote it as a folly.
Indeed, this site, embellished with creative constructs by its nonprofessional owner, can be seen as an outsider environment, like those, who focus upon its curious architecture, might denote it as a folly.
Life and works.
Born in Abbeville, in northern France, Maximilien Siffait (ca.1780-1861), as a young man served Napoleon in his Italian and Egyptian campaigns, and then got a job at the french customs, where he quickly made career, to become chief tax-collector.
In 1815, on a business trip in the area of the Atlantic coast, he became charmed by the beauty of the basin of the river Loire near Nantes and decided to settle there with his wife whom he had married in 1806.
The couple bought the Gérardière manor with associated grounds, located along the Loire, in the small community of Le Cellier.
Rather soon, probably around 1817 *, Siffait began the construction project. Since he left Le Cellier in 1830, he at most had fourteen years to realize the walls, terraces, balustrades, towers, stairs, pathes (some leading nowhere) , trompe-l'oeil's and additional structures, such as kiosks, chapels, a grotto and an amphitheatre.
The archives of the community have no documents with regard to the way the constructs have been realized.
Siffait may have employed assistants too help him, what is probable, not only because of the size of the works, but also because, having been elected mayor in 1922, he may have wanted to realize employment for the impoverished population of the region
Stone material undoubtedly was available on the spot, but how Siffait financed payment of eventual employees?..... it hasn't been documented.
Next map gives an impression of the size of the site:
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note
* with regard to the date Siffait begun his constructs I am following the article on the Le Cellier website, where it is said Siffait was active in making constructs between 1817 and 1829; other sources say Siffait began around 1826
Maximilien Siffait
this picture and the next two courtesy
of Rita & Pieter Boogaart
of Rita & Pieter Boogaart
Stone material undoubtedly was available on the spot, but how Siffait financed payment of eventual employees?..... it hasn't been documented.
Siffait's private life had some tragic moments. The couple had three children, one of these, a daughter, died when very young, in 1819 his wife died, and in 1830 his other daughter also died, 18 years old.
In 1830 his mayorship ended and the same year Siffait left the community, going to live somewhere else.
Site transformed into a park
Siffait's son Oswald, in 1836 went to live in the Gérardière manor. Married in 1838, in 1840 he began transforming the site into a park by planting a varied collection of trees.
Around the same time the railway connection between Angers and Nantes along the Loire was projected and despite local protests against its trace on the river's right bank, this route was realised, separating the property from the river.
In later years the family moved to Nantes, and although the manor remained in their possession, from around 1870 on, the site fell into oblivion.
Restoration
In the eighties of the former century interest in the site revived, also because of activities of the Nantes school of architecture. In 1986 the community of Le Cellier acquired the property (in 2007 the department became its owner). Plans for restoration have been developped and protective measures have been taken.
Documentation
* Article on the website of the community of Le Cellier (in french), with bibliography
* More pictures on Flickr, Le Cellier group pool
* Website of the department Loire-Atlantique with a video (2'57") about the constructs (french spoken)
* More pictures on Flickr, Le Cellier group pool
* Website of the department Loire-Atlantique with a video (2'57") about the constructs (french spoken)
___________
note
* with regard to the date Siffait begun his constructs I am following the article on the Le Cellier website, where it is said Siffait was active in making constructs between 1817 and 1829; other sources say Siffait began around 1826
Maximilien Siffait
Folies Siffait
Saint Méen
44850 Le Cellier, F
large parts of the site have been fenced
because of possible dangerous situations;
some safe parts may be visitable
organised public visits at the occasion of
because of possible dangerous situations;
some safe parts may be visitable
organised public visits at the occasion of
the Heritage days, third weekend of september
Folies Siffait weergeven op een grotere kaart
Get Ready- Live with Viteri Style...
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| CLICK HERE! |
Well folks, looks like I got a show that will be airing tonight! It's a BlogTalkRadio show that speaks directly to the design community. Always trying to stay ahead of the curve, I thought to actually voice my blog on this show would be a great way to connect with my blog subscribers and design enthusiasts. If you ever blogged, you know the amount of time and energy it takes to produce a post. Creating a show like this will make that process come to life. I can share my thoughts, stories, tips and dish in a 30 minute segment that can be schedule around your time to listen. The show will air LIVE, so there is also a way to connect with me directly, by calling in!
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| Interior Designer and Host of Mathis Interiors Radio, Joanne Mathis |
First, I want to thank Joanne Mathis on creating such a valuable platform. You have to admire passion and I admire hers. For years Joanne has been tweaking her desire to create a BlogTalkRadio show titled, "Artist Designers and Thing Oh My". Every week she interviews creative people that have taken their passion to formulate the business of their dreams. Viteri Style Management is not even a year old, but she felt strongly I had a connection with the design community that should be shared every last Monday of the month. She has an eye for people who are laser focus on their passions and I love her for it. I can not thank her enough for such an incredible opportunity. Thank you Joanne and let's make this happen!
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| Providing Practical Solutions to Interior Designers Running a Boutique Style Business |
So here is a little inside information on what this show is truly going to be about. Call it a disclaimer or warning, but I want to paint a picture for you. I am not a business consultant, coach or guru. I want listeners expectations to be met for what I am truly representing. I am a mentor and huge supporter of the interior design community. My job may be to whip boutique design firms into shape, but my show will share insight on what I am seeing in the industry and hoping to give practical solutions to enhance it. I have stories to share, tips to offer and for those who know me, a sense of humor I hope you get. It's 30 minutes to connect with the core of an interior designer. I will not lie, I am raw, un-apologetically authentic, but honest. I am hoping to evoke a new style of management designers would want to interweave within their business. Remember it's because of designers Viteri Style Management was born.
So mark your calendars to listen to the show this evening or copy the link to listen at your convenience. I'm looking forward to connecting with you and hope you will become eager to connect with me. Here we go!
XOXO,
Barbara V.
Note: We would love to connect with you at our social media tables. Your invited to 'like', 'follow' and 'pin' with us and don't forget to subscribe!
Bailey House Auction & Gala...
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| Celebrating 30 Years Helping the Homeless with HIV/AIDS by Providing a Key to a Home & Healing Heart. |
I have a "thing" about design firms that don't affiliate themselves with supporting charities. To me it says a lot about the firm, designer and motives. I am a firm believer we all have a purpose on this planet. Whether helping people or animals, it is our responsibilty to ensure we all contribute to compassion for something other than ourselves. This is why I am bringing to your attention a phenomenal cause.
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| Click Here to Get Your Tickets! |
The Bailey House is celebrating 30 years of compassion for our people who are homeless and living with HIV/AIDS. They are men, women and children of all race, sexual gender and culture. To raise money for the cause, every year they have a spectacular star-studded Auction & Gala that is not to be missed.
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| Auctioned Artwork at the Bailey House Gala Event 2011 {Photo via Haute Living} |
This event is truly a win win for all. There are hundreds of amazing live and tangle auctioned must-haves to raise money. From exotic vacations to curated artwork that every designer could use for their projects. Trust me I know, as many stunning pieces were bought by interior designers, Alan Tanksley of Alan Tanksley, Inc and Jonathan Adler. The best part is you can contribute and get great press by auctioning a few pieces as well. The deadline for donations is March 8th. You may email cturner@baileyhouse.org or Inewcomb@baileyhouse.org for additional information and forms. You could also purchase tickets to attend a fabulous party!
Yeah, did I mentioned "Star-studded"? Your donation will not be wasted when you are mingling with:
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| TV Talk Show Host of the Wendy Williams Show, Wendy Williams ~ "How you doin'?" |
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| Oscar Award Winning Actress, Susan Surandon |
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| Oscar Nominated Actress, Julianne Moore |
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| Bravo's Watch What Happens Live!, Andy Cohen |
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| Former NBC's TV Anchor, Jane Pauley |
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| Interior Designers, Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan |
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| Regina R. Quattrochi, Dan Scheffey, Me, Alan Tanksley, John Douglas Easton, and Andrew Joseph |
Purchase your tickets for this event by clicking here.
XOXO
Barbara V.
Note: We would love to connect with you at our social media tables. Your invited to 'like', 'follow' and 'pin' with us and don't forget to subscribe!
4 advanced rules for trading success post HMP
post HMP (Honey Moon Period)* only those traders can make it big in stock trading
1. who can ruthlessly stick to a closed-ended system (with well defined & fixed entry and exit points which don't change at the dictats of markets or emotional states). constantly improving that system is, however, allowed.
2. who can play with "sufficiently" small amount (e.g. a billionaire can play with a million dollars)
3. who are in no hurry to come in the 'top ten wealthiest persons in the town' list
4. have the head and nerves for compounding principle without violating the above three rules.
* unlike normal life, HMP in trading can last long.....real long.......sometimes forever!
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