imagecourtesydesignsponge Peeps, Today, it's Election Day in my former home-town (Alexandria, VA) and the stakes are high. I believe that fourteen candidates are vying for eight seats on the City Council. While I no longer reside within that county, I am well aware of two pressing issues which need to be addressed, either by new council-members or those who remain for the next term of office. Recently, in the city's zeal to embrace new growth (in the form of more housing, retail and office space) zoning variances and tax breaks were granted in exchange for a larger number of 'affordable units' to be made available to low-income residents, many of who previously resided in public-housing complexes (now razed by the wrecking ball). While the opportunity to live in the charming row-house style units (complete with a manufactured charm suggestive of Old Towne gentility) that have cropped up in the northern sections of the city may seem like a godsend, some...
imagecourtesybijouxandbohemeblog Peeps, It would be fair to say that those of us fortunate to have our mothers still in our lives, are infinitely blessed. Others, perhaps not so fortunate, live with memories. On reflecting upon my vocation of creating interiors and gardens, full credit must be given to my mother for fostering a deep appreciation for the aesthetic, even if at times during my teenage years it all seemed like a tiresome burden. While other kids seemed to have the entire length of summer vacations for innumerable games of soccer or bike-rides that stretched endlessly, my all too-brief break from the monotony of high-school invariably involved a summer-redux of our home in which walls were dusted and cleaned in preparation for painting (perhaps done every 2nd year to coincide with some ancient ritual I've yet to discover). All the furniture had to be polished, window-treatments carefully washed and repaired, mattresses aired, and rugs beaten w...
photomarkseelen Peeps, In spite of the actions of some, there is still much to celebrate. We are now living in a time where everyday individuals, common-place persons just like ourselves, have begun to look beyond the facade presented (and maintained) by big businesses, unscrupulous politicians, and 'the system' which sought to control free thought and speech, and movement(s). And advances in technology should be given credit for much of the slow unraveling of a hegemony that stretches back through many decades. The Internet (and social media) has allowed for many, who previously voice-less and thus inconsequential, to voice their displeasure and dissatisfaction at the status quo and the inequalities experienced by many in the world, save the privileged and powerful. Information, flowing unrestricted across borders and barriers, now more clearly reveals the transactions and 'deals' once conducted under the cover of darkness, behind closed doors, or for...
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