wrought iron Fence
Covington Cemetery with new iron fence
Covington Cemetery 1 gets new iron fence
Covington Cemetery 1 is receiving a makeover.
By Christa Chautin
A decorative wrought iron fence is being installed at the cemetery, which is bounded by Kirkland, Florida, Columbia and the extension of Theard streets.
The cemetery’s fence is be an ornamental sight for Covington spectators during festivals and events as well as for residents whose loved ones are buried in the cemetery.
The project was started in 2003 under Mayor Keith Villere. Three phases have been completed and Phase 4 is under contract. All phases have been done by ARC Welding & Fabrication, Inc.
Phase 1 of the project consisted of 425 linear feet of fence being installed on Columbia Street at a cost of $30,000 with about $32,790 in donations from ARC Welding. It was completed in the 2003-2004. Phase 2 consisted of 369 linear feet along Kirkland at a cost of $48,100 with a $2,000 donation from ARC. It was completed in 2006-2007. Phase 3 consisted of 401 linear feet along Florida Street at a cost of $57,350 with a $2,000 donation from ARC and was completed in 2007-2008.
Phase 4 consists of 178 linear feet along the Theard St. extension at a cost of $25,300 with a discount of $1,400 from ARC. This phase is in its final stages and is set to be completed this year.
When the project is completed, a donation has been pledged to the city to construct a monument or plaque acknowledging those who have contributed $500 or more to the project. A ceremony will be scheduled for these recognitions.
“This is a wonderful project that was initiated several years ago through the partnership of the Covington Civic Club and the City of Covington. It’s exciting to see such a beautiful result of community efforts,” said Pam Keller, Director of Downtown Economic Development.
from NOLA.COM
Beautiful quiet about working an early morning….with snow
Awfully pretty
By Jo Ann Allen
One of the nicest things about working an early morning shift is how quiet it can be outside. And when heavy, wet snow has fallen, it’s very pretty.
Today’s clinging snow was so beautiful at 4 a.m. that I didn’t want to get into the cab. I was tempted to walk to WHYY in the middle of the street.
Snow was hugging wrought iron fences, covering fire hydrants, bending trees and enhancing otherwise drab signs on stores.
It had built up on the top of U-S Mail boxes making them look like R2-D2 with skinny blue legs.
Even those disgusting Big Belly solar trash compactors — which I normally wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole — looked pristine in a blanket of snow.
Philadelphia seems to hang on to “the whiteness” longer than other urban centers. Snow blackens quite quickly in New York City and Chicago as gobs of people start trampling on it long before dawn.
But similar to other big cities once snow starts melting, the slush and yuck soon become small lakes and streams that give pedestrians pause, especially at street corners.
While not fond of winter weather, I do like the fact that snow tends to slow us down.
Regardless of what Punxsutawney Phil says next week, I’m sure there will be at least six more weeks of winter around these parts.
So, the next time heavy snow is forecast for overnight, try setting your alarm for 4 a.m., go outside and enjoy the breath taking peace and quiet — before the aggravation sets in.
Snow storm on Boston
Work turns to wonder
Blinding storm transforms city, region into playground
By Andrew Ryan and Brian R. Ballou
The storm tormented Boston with blinding squalls and grating plows, and many spent the night chiseling ice off windshields and clearing sidewalks.
But yesterday, it left a city encased in winter: Heavy snow bowed the tops of towering evergreens on the Arborway and clung like dabs of cake frosting to wrought-iron fences and red-brick apartments on Thomas Park in South Boston.
The scrape of shovels gave way to the swoosh of sleds. The groan of salt trucks faded to the clomp of snowshoes and the screech of children building a snow fort on Boston Common.
“Yesterday was the work,’’ said Katie Myers, 40, of Jamaica Plain as her twin 6-year-olds rolled in the snow in the Arnold Arboretum. “Today is total enjoyment. It makes everybody a kid.’’
It was a day to watch dogs romp through snow drifts and for people to cross-country ski in Franklin Park. Couples crunched slowly along sidewalks, warmed by dazzling sunshine, marveling at the contrast between the snow and the startling blue sky. Winter lived up to its romantic, Hollywood reputation without the gray and the slush, when the whitewashed city seemed clean and fresh.
“It transforms the world,’’ said Kristin McDonnell, 37, of Roslindale. “It creates something that looks so different, so magical.’’
But that magic was more than the 14.7 inches of snow that smothered Logan International Airport. White dusted the golden dome of the State House and sprinkled the bronze pear sculpture in Edward Everett Square in Dorchester. Snow clung to bare branches in Franklin Park, the puffy trees making the road through the fields feel like a white tunnel.
In Brookline, the day off from school drew scores of sledders to Larz Anderson Park. The snow provided just enough cushion for hard landings, but made the trek back up the hill a workout. Two brothers rode an air tube so far that they reached virgin snow, firm and deep, but eventually their steps gave way.
“I’m having so much fun,’’ said Martin Brunswick, 9, a student at the Jackson School in Newton, after perfectly landing a soaring jump off a snow ramp. “It’s like I don’t want this day to end, because tomorrow I have to go back to school.’’
Not every jump had a picture-perfect ending. Several boys experienced hard, face-pounding landings, rolls, and crashes into trees that were cushioned with hay. But they all got up, dusted the powder from their faces, and went at it again.
Other sledders crisscrossed the Sugar Bowl, a famous hill in Jamaica Plain, and sped down a steep incline in Ceylon Park in Roxbury. On tubes and discs and plastic sleighs, children hurtled down a slope in Hemingway Park in Dorchester and Flagstaff Hill on Boston Common.
In the Public Garden, Allan Zinn trekked through the stiff snow with a pocket camera on the end of a long pole. Zinn, 69, used the device as a tripod to balance as he photographed sculptures draped in white.
“I’m doing statues in their snow garb,’’ said Zinn, who lives in Brookline. “Statues are usually without clothing, so today they look kind of silly and whimsical.’’
George Washington sat atop his horse wearing what looked like a shawl and chaps. Charles Sumner held what looked like a white towel over his left arm.
Along the garden’s main promenade, Ben Brown huffed into a silver trumpet, his gloved fingers working the valves and making his instrument sing. He played in a button-down shirt, tie, and a fuzzy hat with ear flaps pulled low on his head.
“I’m liking this day,’’ said Brown, a 22-year-old sometime student at the Berklee College of Music. “It’s a little tough on the fingers, but it is pretty. I think that’s what’s keeping me out here.’’
Brown may have to thank Sascha Angel, a second-grader from Cambridge.
Before bed the night of the storm, the 7-year-old wrote out a prayer and tucked it under his pillow.
“I said, ‘God, please make it a snow day tomorrow,’ ’’ Angel said as he frolicked in the Public Garden in a neon-green snowsuit in a fountain filled with snow. “And when I woke up, it was a snow day.’’
from BOSTON.COM
A tall security fence around Toronto’s Forest Hill estate
Security fence up for debate at community council
Toronto and East York Community Council is set to reexamine a well-known Toronto family’s attempt to erect a tall security fence around its Forest Hill estate.
Last May, the city’s Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) department ordered the removal of wrought iron and three-metre high chain link fences surrounding the home of Paul Bronfman, who owns a significant stake in the city’s film industry, and his family at 40 Burton Rd. after some neighbours complained about the height, which exceeds the city’s permitted two-metre allowance.
The community council had voted to deny the family’s request to exempt the fence height bylaw.
Bronfman, who shares the home with his wife Judy and three children, had submitted a revised application for retroactive approval for some of the fencing and the matter was put on hold until MLS undertook an investigation of the application. The proposed revisions included tearing down the fencing next to the properties of two neighbours who had complained about its height.
The Bronfmans are expected to resubmit their original application to permit a wrought iron fence constructed on top of a brick wall fence located adjacent to the south property line. The total height of this portion of the fencing varies from about 2.45 metres at the east side to 2.98 metres at the west side because of the slope of the grade.
A chain link fence constructed along the west and north side of the property varies in height from 3.44 metres at the east side to 3.97 metres at the west side, also due to the grade of the property.
The family erected the fencing atop brick and stone walls that surround its home after 59 pieces of expensive jewelry, including several bracelets, rings (notably two Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup rings) as well as watches and necklaces, were stolen from the residence on Saturday.
from insidetoronto.com
Yorkshire expensive street
Yorkshire’s most expensive street revealed
By Stuart Robinson
Huge, palatial houses, massive wrought iron gates and high-priced cars in every driveway – welcome to Yorkshire’s most expensive street.
With an average property price of £871,000, the leafy millionaire’s row of Bracken Park in Scarcroft has been given the title of the county’s priciest place to live according to new research by banking giants Lloyds TSB.
And pulling into the swish, tree-lined road, it’s easy to see why.
Visitors are greeted by a large wooden sign at the street’s entrance, and are watched as they make their way in by mounted CCTV cameras.
Loping gently around in a long, slow loop, Bracken Park is made up of a string of large stone houses, almost all protected with huge, black, iron gates and fencing.
Anyone stopping by at most of the residences will also have to announce themselves on high-tech intercoms attached to the bulk of the street’s gateposts before being allowed to enter.
Most home-owners on Bracken Park have given their houses a name, and almost all have at least one high-end car parked in the driveway.
The models of choice include Porche, Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Range Rover.
And there’s good news for anyone thinking of moving in, with a home on the exclusive street currently up for sale- your’s for just £1.275m.
Boasting six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a cloakroom, games room, and almost three quarters of an acre of garden grounds, The stunning Grange has been on the market for just a few months.
Simon Wright, partner at agents Carter Jonas, said he was unsure if the street could accurately be called the county’s most expensive, but said the firm could always expect a lot of interest when a house on Bracken Park was up for grabs.
He said: “It’s a very exclusive area and it’s always a desirable for a lot of reasons. It’s very accessible for Leeds Grammar School, and Scarcroft Golf Course and is also on the fringes of the key Yorkshire commercial centres like Leeds and Harrogate.
“There are a lot of familes and business professionals working out of Leeds living on Bracken Park.
“There used to be some famous names in the area too, in the days when Leeds United were in the Premiership- and hopefully we can see those days again soon.”
Bracken Park is just a few miles from Seacroft, one of the city’s most
deprived areas, where buyers can currently pick up a two-bedroomed terraced house for £35,000