BELLA VISTA -- It has been only two decades since Bella Vista became an incorporated city Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans. Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism. Jack Schnedler retired as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's deputy managing features editor in 2011. Since 2013, he has written weekly for the Style section about Arkansas attractions and activities. His wife, Marcia, takes the photographs. A longtime globetrotter, Jack has visited all seven continents. Copyright © 2025, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Join us for a 12-hour food drive Friday, 6am to 6pm, in Redding or Chico. Help stuff a RABA or B-Line bus at Les Schwab with food donations! LIVE UPDATESNew video shows chaotic scene inside deadly Bella Vista Halloween Partyby Maxwell Tedford — KRCR received footage from inside the Halloween party in Bella Vista that ended in six people shot We advise the footage may be disturbing for some the video we’re showing sheds some light on the chaotic events investigators are currently working through As the video starts there is already blood on the ground Sources who would like to remain anonymous for safety have claimed there was a fight preceding the shooting but it is not clear if this video was taken then or after some shots were fired when we freeze the video it looks like the young man in gray pushing through the crowd had what looks like a gun in his hand It is not clear whether this person is one of the shooters or one of the people shot The Shasta County Sherriff's Office says this is still an active investigation Anyone with any information should reach out to their Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135 or by email at MCU@shastacounty.gov This work, School is in session: Bela Vista Eskola ribbon-cutting ceremony, by SGT Nickson Schenk, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright The OZ Trail Bike Park will feature a Poma-Leitner high-speed chairlift that accesses downhill trails rated for all skill levels The new bike park will also merge with the existing OZ Trail network already in the area that includes the Razorback Greenway and Little Sugar Trail System. The bike park project team includes park and trail design companies Gravity Logic and Rock Solid It will be Arkansas' second lift-serviced bike park in addition to the Trails at Mena Project near Mena about three hours south of Bentonville That project is a collaboration between the U.S Arkansas State Parks and the City of Mena and is slated to begin development this spring It will include three chairlifts servicing 100 miles of trails with about 1,300 feet of vertical elevation.  Little Sugar Trail System / Courtesy OZ Trails “What sets the [OZ Trails] Bike Park apart is its integration into the ever-expanding OZ Trails network,” says Tom Walton who opened the first Walmart store near Bentonville in 1962 Runway Group is a holding company investing in real estate The company’s operating businesses include OZ Trails a world-class network of more than 550 miles of purpose-built mulit-use trails centered in Bentonville that expands to communities throughout northwest Arkansas Planning diagram of proposed OZ Trail Bike Park lift The proposed OZ Trails Bike Park location will be just north of the Arkansas Welcome Center at Bentonville / Bella Vista across from the Sugar Creek Shopping Center at Oldham Drive and Highway 71 Project plans list the site at 190.47 acres The length of the chairlift will be approximately 2,400 feet with an elevation gain of approximately 225 feet of elevation Location of proposed OZ Trails Bike Park in Bella Vista BELLA VISTA — Plans for adding a welcome center to a Bella Vista landmark are moving ahead The Bella Vista Planning Commission approved on Aug This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025 audio and/or video material shall not be published rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use The AP will not be held liable for any delays errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing Contact General Enquiries: crack@crackmagazine.net Advertising: advertising@crackmagazine.net Family CC co Ground Work Simple Things Plinth Good Measure The Christmas Steps Information Jobs Diversity Policy Privacy Policy Terms of service Cookie Notice Landmrk Data An independent platform for contemporary culture Design and build by Plinth The festival returns to Lisbon for its fourth edition in June.  MEO Kalorama has released its full line-up for this year’s edition which will take place in Lisbon’s Parque de Bela Vista from 19-21 June New names include Helena Hauff, Daniel Avery, Royel Otis and Sevdaliza. They will join previously announced artists including Model/Actriz and FKA twigs Continuing the festival’s collaborations with art collectives 2025 will see the MEO Stage designed by Porto-based collective Physical The San Miguel Stage will be designed by Lisbon-based duo Malibu Ninjas showcasing a project that explores the evolution of music formats.  Stating sustainability as one of the festival’s core commitments the festival is also introducing new initiatives for 2025 including allowing attendees to calculate their travel emissions This year will also see the return of The BALORE space which will provide a platform for MEO Kamorama’s environmental and social commitments.  View the full programme on the MEO Kalorama website and look back on last year’s edition here Tickets are available now.  This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page one of Shasta County’s most popular and longest running restaurants has closed Dry Creek Station in Bella Vista surprised many when it posted on its Facebook page on Tuesday The restaurant off Highway 299 celebrated its final day with a dinner on Feb “With heavy hearts we wanted to let all of our customers to know we will be closing the restaurant indefinitely,” the post said In announcing the final dinner celebration “We would love to see all of you on our last night open We want to thank all of you for all of your support and business throughout the years.” Opened in 1992, the restaurant was known for its steaks and prime rib. The business’ email address was Greatsteak1@frontier.net I called and emailed the business before it closed but did not get a reply The Facebook post had nearly 150 comments and had been shared more than 350 times just a few days after it was published Customers offered their well wishes while bemoaning the culinary loss I moved out of state in 2022 and have talked to my husband about how good y’all’s meals were and how I miss it!” “Wishing you all the best on whatever adventures await you next Thank you for the years of being a wonderful restaurant.” The restaurant went through a lot in its more than 30 years In August 2010, a fire destroyed Dry Creek Station. But owners Jeff and Juliene Miller rebuilt the restaurant and the business reopened with much fanfare less than a year later “The outpouring of community support convinced Miller to rebuild and invest what he estimates at more than $1 million in the new Dry Creek Station which includes central heating and air conditioning a significant upgrade from the swamp cooler that ran in the old place,” I wrote in the Record Searchlight days before the reopening Dry Creek Station is the second long-standing restaurant in Shasta County to close within the last several months Moonstone Bistro in west Redding closed late last summer after 17 years in business. A new restaurant, Honeymoon Southern Kitchen Former bank building now county education officeIf you have lived here long enough you know the big brick building on the southeast corner of Placer and East streets as the former Redding Bank of Commerce branch Now the former financial institution is housing the Shasta County Office of Education’s Community & Schools Support Services The department moved into the building in February 2024 after the Shasta County Board of Education voted unanimously in July 2023 to buy the property for $2 million according to county office of education spokeswoman Kerri Schuette The building has 67 office of education employees Community & Schools Support Services employees “worked in other SCOE buildings including the Professional Development Center on Innsbruck Drive and Early Childhood Services on Hilltop Drive,” she said in an email That time Hawes Farms considered entering the cannabis marketRecently I went to the city of Redding’s planning department website to check on development activity Under current project applications was a link to Hawes Avianca Cannabis The project site is a 4.37-acre parcel south of Meadow View Drive in east Redding According to the project description: “Industrial warehouse and greenhouse totaling 88,582 square feet.” The site plan shows a complex made up of eight different buildings Planning Manager Lily Toy told me the site development application to grow and process cannabis was submitted around 2020 and a Hawes Farms spokeswoman confirmed that “While we do have exciting things happening at our farm the project you mentioned is no longer moving forward,” Jacqulyn Stonehouse wrote in an email The family-owned ranch off Deschutes Road in southern Shasta County for years has hosted activities like a Fall Festival complete with a pumpkin patch The business has plans to expand its ranch but they have been on hold for more than a year As for the property that was once considered for the Hawes Avianca Cannabis development Toy said the site is being used for a septic system that services homes in the area So where to relocate the septic system was a major obstacle LIVE UPDATESFully-involved mobile home fire spreads to vegetation in Bella Vistaby Christopher West — Cal Fire responded to the report of a structure fire in Bella Vista early Friday morning multiple engines and water tenders were deployed to the scene A vacant mobile home off Deschutes Road at Meyer Road was fully-involved in flames The structure fire spread to nearby vegetation on a hill near the home The cause of the fire is under investigation Bela Vista still brims with the elegance of yesteryear and a real sense of place blue and white period tiles frame the central wooden staircase A turret comes bedazzled with stained glass The bar gleams under a painted wooden ceiling But contemporary touches make up the whole too with a seductively cool pool flanked by tall palm trees and bedrooms which charm with an easy luxury encouraging indolence to the sound of the waves The highlight is Michelin-starred Vista restaurant along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday"},"children":[]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners especially for Times+ members"},"children":[]}]}]}]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This article contains affiliate links which may earn us revenue"}}]}]},{"name":"heading2","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Rooms and suites "}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"721660b6-3e32-41af-8e6a-601d96b98808","display":"fullwidth","caption":null,"title":"Bela Vista Hotel & Spa beach feel and most look out over the ocean Think bold blue and white stripes and sunny yellows against a backdrop of original wall tiles Every historic room of the 11 in the Mansion — the main building — is different (some offer private balconies and terraces) with the star turn going to room 116 whose bathroom is housed in a stained-glass turret Opposite the hotel is Casa Azul where seven suites are housed which lack some of the character of those in the main hotel but do have a lovely view onto the enticing swimming pool The chef draws heavily on the neighbouring sea for a modern interpretation of Portuguese cuisine Expect the likes of mackerel paired with citrus from the Algarve langoustine from Sagres or anchovies from Portimão and locally line-caught turbot with leeks Desserts equally proffer the region’s sweet notes from honey and almonds to oranges which gives guests a chance to explore lesser-known Portuguese bins Lunch is an altogether simpler affair with a selection of salads and light dishes by the pool or in the bar Breakfast is a buffet of breads and pastries Try the Reset: Face & Eyes for an immediate pick up which uses gua sha alongside serums or the Shea Nurturing Massage featuring L’Occitane’s signature massage movements designed to help energy flow There is a gym and a large outdoor swimming pool is excellent."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"• "}},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best things to do in the Algarve"}}]}],"attributes":{"href":"https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/portugal/algarve/best-things-to-do-the-algarve-fc0l008jx"}}]},{"name":"heading2","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Where is it "}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"b4258bc8-d327-4a14-a52f-c8b9a50f7471","display":"fullwidth","caption":null,"title":"Bela Vista Hotel & Spa meaning the best time to go is before or after the peak summer crowds While the town of Portimao doesn’t offer much in the way of sights to see the beach is easily accessed directly from the hotel with a path down to it Despite the hotel backing onto a rather unattractive built up strip once through the gates and with your eyes on the dazzling Atlantic Ocean advice and deals "}}]},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"here"}}]}],"attributes":{"href":"https://link.thetimes.co.uk/join/74t/signup-travel"}}]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":200})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"One of the Algarve’s first hotels location and deals.","slug":"bela-vista-hotel-and-spa-review","categoryPath":"/travel/destinations/europe-travel/portugal/algarve/bela-vista-hotel-and-spa-review-b29srfgbq","__typename":"Article"},"Image:54e19367-17b8-4cb2-9b83-380f4c16d013":{"caption":null,"credits":"Francisco Nogueira","title":"Bela Vista Hotel & Spa See photos of this boutique hotel and find details on rooms and suites 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deals.","slug":"conrad-algarve-hotel-review","categoryPath":"/travel/destinations/europe-travel/portugal/algarve/conrad-algarve-hotel-review-bqkt72npk","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Quinta do Lago has long been the Algarve’s most sought-after destination umbrella"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Quinta do Lago has long been the Algarve’s most sought-after destination umbrella pines and proximity"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Quinta do Lago has long been the Algarve’s most sought-after destination umbrella pines and proximity to the sea earning"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Quinta do Lago has long been the Algarve’s most sought-after destination umbrella pines and proximity to the sea earning its “California"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Quinta do Lago has long been the Algarve’s most sought-after destination umbrella pines and proximity to the sea earning its “California in Europe”"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Quinta do Lago has long been the Algarve’s most sought-after destination umbrella pines and proximity to the sea earning its “California in Europe” tagline location and deals.","slug":"conversas-de-alpendre-hotel-review","categoryPath":"/travel/destinations/europe-travel/portugal/algarve/conversas-de-alpendre-hotel-review-d6l8n2tdd","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Just up the coast from the charming town of Tavira this family-run hideaway overlooks orange groves"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Just up the coast from the charming town of Tavira this family-run hideaway overlooks orange groves with the Atlantic"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Just up the coast from the charming town of Tavira with the Atlantic twinkling invitingly on"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Just up the coast from the charming town of Tavira with the Atlantic twinkling invitingly on the horizon"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Just up the coast from the charming town of Tavira with the Atlantic twinkling invitingly on the horizon There’s a relaxed"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Just up the coast from the charming town of Tavira an excellent Michelin-starred restaurant and a L’Occitane spa await at one of Portugal’s grandes damesFRANCISCO NOGUEIRAMary LussianaThursday March 06 2025 The TimesOne of the Algarve’s first hotels where João Oliveira — one of Portugal’s best-known chefs — delivers bounty from the sea in his own exquisite way Become a subscriber and along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times LUIS FERRAZScore 9/10Decorated by acclaimed Portuguese interior designer • Best family hotels in the AlgarveBest all-inclusive hotels in the Algarve FRANCISCO NOGUEIRAScore 8/10A L’Occitane spa with chic interiors and five treatment rooms (two of which are for couples) Try the Reset: Face & Eyes for an immediate pick up • Best things to do in the Algarve Score 7/10It overlooks one of the Algarve’s most magnificent — and busy — beaches and sits on a noisy strip in Portimao Price B&B doubles from £320Restaurant nine-course tasting menu from £189Family-friendly NAccessible N Mary Lussiana was a guest of Bela Vista Hotel & Spa (hotelbelavista.net) • Best beaches in the Algarve Sign up to the travel newsletter for weekly inspiration, advice and deals here The vice-president of the Living Care Association responsible for managing the Lar da Bela Vista admitted today that baths were given to users using kettles but assured that all hygiene care is ensured In a parliamentary hearing at the Permanent Committee for Social Inclusion and Youth of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira Andreia Teixeira stated that baths were provided to users using kettles reinforcing that “there were never cold water baths.” Questioned by journalists after the hearing the person in charge indicated that the situation was resolved on Monday after “a few months” of bathing using kettles Andreia Teixeira assured that “all care and hygiene are being ensured” to users also highlighting that the institution has sufficient human resources to provide the necessary responses to the elderly in the home whose building is in a visible state of degradation has been the target of several criticisms and public complaints related to alleged poor operating conditions and assistance to users especially since management transferred from the public to the private sector in 2023 Andreia Teixeira denied that there were delays in the meals of the users although she admitted some “one-off failures” as well as denying the complaints of expired medication “I think it is a little unlikely considering that we are receiving medication every week,” he declared that the home has already been complying “for a few months” with the ratio of employees allocated to the various floors” “We do not have a shortage of staff at the moment” assured the vice-president of the Living Care Association reinforcing: “At no time did users stop having activities Andreia Teixeira also said that no complaints have been registered in the complaints book to date that two complaints were made directly to the Madeira Social Security Institute the person in charge admitted that in January of this year the institution still did not have a complaints book and was waiting for it to be sent Andreia Teixeira also acknowledged that the building shows signs of degradation and pointed out that the management model imposed by the Madeira Social Security Institute “often does not help to make a better one or to apply a better model” According to the vice-president of Living Care an application was submitted under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) to requalify the building “a plan B” will have to be found to carry out the requalification works The Permanent Commission for Social Inclusion and Youth will also hear from the outgoing administrator of Lar da Bela Vista the regional secretary for Inclusion and Youth Ana Sousa and the president of the Madeira Social Security Institute but it never operated as such and ended up being adapted to become a publicly managed nursing home the Regional Government transferred the property and its management to the Living Care Association From Jornal Madeira Is this a Government entity or is there a cost associated with care at the facility Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email MEO KALORAMA ON TOUR takes place between July and August with various experiences and lots of music before the official start of the 3rd edition of the festival one of the bands on the MEO KALORAMA line-up who gave a unique performance with messages of positivity and inclusion will be the stage for the 3rd MEO KALORAMA SLOW DOWN event In one of the most iconic places in Lisbon the public will be invited to interact with the artist Miguel Magalhães a proposal from MEO KALORAMA to enjoy a moment without time seeking an encounter with what is most genuine in musical sharing those who travel around the city by public transport between 11.30 a.m will be surprised by MEO KALORAMA ON THE MOVE D’Alva will be invading some of the transports and bringing music and a good mood to those who opt for more sustainable mobility. Just over two weeks before the doors open closes the cycle of MEO KALORAMA ON TOUR events with a performance by Filipe Karlsson All events are free and limited to the capacity of the venues and Chill Mafia shaped the rhythm of the festival... LISTEN HERE 13-time GRAMMY Award winner Taylor Swift releases her highly anticipated album THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT today ● LEINN ARTS CULTURAL & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES is the new educational approach that aims to train global citizens by.. LAST TOUR CONCERTS S.L. en el marco del Programa ICEX Next, ha contado con el apoyo de ICEX y con la cofinanciación del fondo europeo FEDER La finalidad de este apoyo es contribuir al desarrollo internacional de la empresa y de su entorno LAST TOUR CONCERTS S.L. en el marco del Programa ICEX Next, ha contado con el apoyo de ICEX y con la cofinanciación del fondo europeo FEDER You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience In an interview with the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Tom Walton spoke about how Bella Vista has been unfairly overshadowed by its next-door neighbor “Many people talk about Bentonville as the ‘Mountain Biking Capital of the World,'” said Walton. “A lot of trails have been built in Bella Vista I would like to shine a light on Bella Vista and Bentonville [together] as the mountain bike capital of the world.” Bella Vista is near and dear to the hearts of both Tom and Steuart Walton. “Growing up here, Bella Vista was my backyard,” Tom Walton told guests at a Blue Crane development meet and greet. “We loved exploring all the nooks and crannies of this special place. As the region becomes a premier destination for cycling we want to preserve Bella Vista’s tradition of connecting people to nature through our investments locally.” To be fair, when most people and publications (Singletracks included) refer to “Bentonville,” they consider the Bella Vista area trails as falling under that label. Downtown Bentonville and downtown Bella Vista are less than 9 miles apart by car and their respective trail systems can be connected by a fit rider via singletrack and paved bike paths Bella Vista alone already boasts over 100 miles of mountain bike trails. Stand-out trails in Bella Vista include the Back 40 Loop and the Little Sugar Trail System, anchored by the Tunnel Vision trail Both of these major loops include many cross trails and connectors to shorten the ride or add variety You can also find gravity-style trails in Bella Vista as well. The Huntley Gravity Zone features lap-style flow trail riding, and the Blowing Springs Trail System includes some gravity descents on the southern end the net-net of this purchase is that an untold number of additional miles of singletrack will soon be coming to Northwest Arkansas. However the plans for the property have not yet been developed and no maps have been published. Financial details of the acquisition from Cooper Communities Inc According to Blue Crane, “a large chunk of the land is west of the interstate reaching up to the Missouri border.” This indicates that most of the future trail development will be adjacent to the Little Sugar trail system At this time, the Runway group is conducting a large-scale infrastructure study of the Bella Vista area which is expected to conclude in late 2024. Mountain biking won’t be the only consideration for this land—Bella Vista has already distinguished itself as one of the top golfing destinations in Arkansas and the Waltons don’t want to see golf fall by the wayside Blue Crane will also by focusing on “hospitality and retail investments” in the area. “Back in March Blue Crane purchased 54 acres of land along Mercy Way that included the shopping center” for $33.9 million We’re excited to watch this project as it develops and we’ll be sure to share maps and future trail plans once those become available Enter your email for the top stories in mountain biking plus product picks and deals delivered to your inbox each week So this is where you’ll find most of our suggestions,  starting with visits to art galleries to the gastronomic and cultural offer in one of the city’s newest neighborhoods we invite you to come and see one of the highest areas in Lisbon with an incredible view over the capital and the Tagus River this marina attracts national and international visitors as well as being the starting point for sailing navigation courses and boat rental activities It is also one of the most incredible saltwater tanks in the world with the capacity to house around eight thousand animals and plants of more than 500 species 42 coisas para fazer, pelo menos uma vez na vida, em Lisboa a company owned by Walmart heirs Tom and Steuart Walton bought 2,700 undeveloped acres in the city and Benton County and development rights from.. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette BELLA VISTA -- A company founded by Walmart heirs Steuart and Tom Walton has acquired around 54 acres of property in Bella Vista valued at $33.9 Troja is a neighborhood that balances its rich history with an eye toward the future this quiet district in Prague is evolving into a hub for modern living offering an appealing mix of tranquility and connectivity Troja’s appeal lies in its unique ability to feel like a retreat from the city while remaining closely connected to its heart Residents enjoy immediate access to world-class attractions like the Prague Zoo and the Botanical Gardens as well as iconic landmarks such as the Troja Chateau and the Chapel of Saint Clare which links the neighborhood to Holešovice and other key districts the scenic riverside paths offer a leisurely escape just steps from home “We wanted to create a space that seamlessly blends Troja’s natural beauty with cutting-edge design,” explains Josef Hofmeister "The geometric patterns and non-uniform terraces were inspired by a combination of Czech functionalism and the vibrant aesthetics of African art." designed by the award-winning FormaFatal studio From energy-efficient construction to modern cooling systems every aspect has been considered with sustainability and comfort in mind we prioritize sustainability through innovative building practices integrating natural materials and designing for both comfort and harmony with the environment,” says Hofmeister Bella Vista features a ceiling cooling system which enhances energy efficiency while ensuring a comfortable indoor climate – a key aspect of our commitment to sustainable living.”  For those who value a balance of nature and urban convenience The area is well-connected to Prague’s cultural and business hubs via public transit and major highways benefit from the cluster of international schools and newly developed playgrounds and green spaces making Troja a haven for both locals and expats Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the nearby Drahaň and Čimice valleys as well as the Troja slalom channel for kayaking and rafting the Botanical Garden’s Fata Morgana greenhouse provides a tropical escape year-round Bella Vista offers homes designed to meet a variety of lifestyle needs Ranging from compact apartments to spacious family homes the units include options for private terraces and gardens Prices for select units even benefit from reduced VAT rates and modern living makes it one of Prague’s most appealing neighborhoods With developments like Bella Vista offering thoughtfully designed homes that balance sustainability and comfort the area continues to grow as a top choice for those seeking a tranquil yet connected lifestyle Your morning coffee deserves a great companion. Why not enjoy it with our daily newsletter? News from Czechia, curated insights, and inspiring stories in English. A thrillingly diverse lineup across indie rock pop and dance returns to the fittingly-named Parque da Bela Vista As it gears up to return for its third year MEO Kalorama already feels as much a part of the Lisbon landscape as the aptly-named Parque da Bela Vista in which it takes place having hosted huge open-air shows by the likes of Madonna Guns N’ Roses and The Rolling Stones over the years But only since the arrival of Kalorama in 2022 have those genres been blended with three-day lineups aiming to bring together the bigger and most forward-thinking names in rock with some huge pop names up top of the bill Expect theatrics and high drama on night one when Sam Smith brings their Gloria tour to a headline slot; they’re one of a number of major UK stars on the line-up who’ll display his searingly autobiographical brand of hip hop to the main stage ahead of Smith’s slot who tops the bill along with Nigerian superstar Burna Boy on the third and final night the dancier side of the bill sees pioneers new and old unite; expect mind-bending visuals and ground-breakingly urgent electronica when Massive Attack headline on night one They’re followed on night two by legendary Brooklyn dance-punks LCD Soundsystem who return to Lisbon for the first time since a three-night run at Coliseu dos Recreios in 2018 culminated in one of the longest and most memorable shows of the band’s career a three-hour odyssey that took in tracks from across their catalogue they return as they put the finishing touches to their long-awaited fifth studio album with South Korean icon Peggy Gou celebrating the release of her debut record with a massive Thursday night set while cutting-edge Welsh duo Overmono make their Kalorama debut on the Saturday night Kalorama can claim one of the major coups of the festival summer with dual sets on Friday night from Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service that will see frontman Ben Gibbard pulling double duty for 20th anniversary celebrations of Death Cab’s Transatlanticism and The Postal Service’s Give Up That particular blend of rock and electronic pop serves as a demonstration of what Kalorama is about in microcosm Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood’s thrilling impressionistic adventure in indie electronica New blood is present and correct with Leeds pair English Teacher and Yard Act appearing on Friday and Saturday while the Mercury-winning jazz stylings of Ezra Collective and the avant-garde experimentalism of Yves Tumor adds a real sense of eclecticism elsewhere Across the weekend we can also expect huge dance sets from new line up additions including DJ Python as well as ground-breaking new sounds from the likes of pop rule-breaker Fabiana Palladino inclusive range of artists together at a modern festival with a genuine commitment to sustainability prioritising reductions in the use of plastic and fossil fuels promoting the use of sustainable travel and accommodation and preserving the natural beauty of Parque da Bela Vista which is set to provide a stunning backdrop to another weekend of forward-thinking art Tickets for MEO Kalorama Lisbon are on sale here MEO Kalorama Lisbon: Web | Instagram | Facebook | X All words by Joe Goggins Louder Than War is run by a small but dedicated independent team and we rely on the small amount of money we generate to keep the site running smoothly Any money we do get is not lining the pockets of oligarchs or mad-cap billionaires dictating what our journalists are allowed to think and write and we want to continue bringing you news on the most interesting releases the latest gigs and anything else that tickles our fancy just pure enthusiasm for a scene that each and every one of us is passionate about We do not charge artists for the exposure we give them and to many Subscribing to one of our paid tiers takes just a minute helping to keep the flame of independent music burning PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO LTW and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Read today's Portuguese stories delivered to your email Performances by Massive Attack and Sam Smith mark the start of the 3rd Kalorama festival in Lisbon today, which runs until Saturday. The venue, set up in Parque da Bela Vista, opens at 4:00 pm and music will feature four stages until 2:00 am on Saturday, one more than last year's edition. In total, there are 53 musical performances, from “established and emerging names, national, international and local community names”, that make up the lineup. Today, in addition to Massive Attack and Sam Smith, Mulecca XIII and Ana Lua Caiano will be performing on the main stage. The San Miguel stage will host concerts by Monobloc, Gossip, Fever Ray and Peggy Gou today. The Lisbon stage will feature Landz, Filipe Catto, Vagabon, Jalen Ngonda and Loyle Carner, and the Panorama stage will feature Yizhaq, Ketiov, Kiddy Smile and Cheriii. The venue will reopen at 4pm on Friday and Saturday. The music will start playing an hour later and will last until 3am. Jungle and LCD Soundsystem will headline on Friday when Vilson and Olivia Dean will also perform on the festival's main stage. Emmy Curl, The Kills, The Postal Service + Death Cab for a Cutie and Folamour will perform on the San Miguel stage, and Unsafe Space Garden, Glockenwise, English Teacher, Nation of Language and Ezra Collective will perform on the Lisbon stage. Also on Friday, on the Lisbon stage, Noia, Merve, CC:Disco! will perform. On the third and final day of Kalorama, Raye and Burna Boy are the ‘big names’. In addition to these two artists, Br!sa, Cláudia Pascoal and Ana Moura will also perform on the main stage. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MEO KALORAMA (@meokalorama) Overmono and Soulwax will perform on the San Miguel stage Yard Act and Yves Tumor will perform on the Lisbon stage Kampire and DJ Python will perform on the Panorama Zsongo Club stage MEO Kalorama will be taking place simultaneously in Madrid for the third edition and will adopt a ‘cashless’ system (with payments made at the venue without using cash or cards Kalorama will once again have spaces in front of all stages where deaf people will be able to feel the vibration of the music there will be translation into Portuguese Sign Language on the main stage and more platforms for people with reduced mobility the promoter Last Tour recommends using public transport but on festival days the opening hours will be extended until 3:00 am on the Red and Green lines The organisation has also established partnerships with CP – Comboios de Portugal Carris (which will have two extra routes departing from the Bela Vista Metro and heading to Cais do Sodré and Oriente between 00:30 and 03:30 on the first day of the festival and between 01:00 and 02:00 on the second and third days) Transtejo Soflusa (which will have extra routes in the early hours of Friday Rede Expressos and Via Verde (which will have shuttles departing from Sete Rios to the festival) festival-goers will have to exchange their three-day passes and daily tickets for wristbands which allow entry and exit to the venue and serve as a payment method at the festival The organisation recommends that anyone going to Bela Vista Park wear “comfortable shoes several layers of clothing – it’s cool at night and very hot during the day – and sunscreen” We have some great concerts starting at 8pm [such as Massive Attack and Jungle] said the festival’s communications director to Lusa during a visit to the venue on Tuesday More information about the 3rd edition of the festival is available online at www.meokalorama.pt We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small You can change how much you give or cancel your contributions at any time Send us your comments or opinion on this article Reaching over 400,000 people a week with news about Portugal Translating to “beautiful sight,” Bella Vista was the first Philly neighborhood settled by Italian immigrants Its original heritage informs much of what exists today though the family-oriented residential pocket has blossomed into a microcosm of South Philadelphia itself Bella Vista’s best-known feature is the 9th Street Italian Market the oldest operational open-air market of its kind in America Welcoming the presence of other cultures — Vietnamese and Mexican most prominently — has helped the area grow into much more than the sum of its once-monocultural parts Bella Vista offers visitors a staggering roster of dining options from city-best brunch spots to late-night international explorations Two main corridors define the best the neighborhood has to offer The historic Italian Market stretches north along 9th Street first established in the late 19th century First established in the late 19th century by Italian immigrants more recently including many Latino- and Asian-owned businesses peddling coffee produce and more — a perfect harmony with 9th Street’s beloved institutions the east-west corridor of Washington Avenue is home to a variety of taquerias and other international finds as well as upscale sit-down restaurants and bars Bella Vista is a short walk from Old City hotels and multiple SEPTA lines including the Broad Street subway and the Route 47 bus The neighborhood itself is quite walkable and bikeable The annual South 9th Street Italian Market Festival isn’t to be missed. This two-day event features vendors from throughout the neighborhood offering food, drink, live music and more. Event seating will be at a premium for the festival, so visitors should arrive early. Though not quite as large as the Italian Market Festival, the summertime Night Market is another great opportunity to taste and experience all the neighborhood has to offer. Philadelphia is a city of vibrant neighborhoods bordered by a region of charming towns, with each area owning a distinctive personality. Explore the neighborhoods and towns in and around Philadelphia — their storied streets, interesting attractions, buzzed-about restaurants and year-round happenings. Use the menu above to explore Philadelphia Neighborhoods BENTONVILLE -- An agreement has been reached that would allow the city to remove the Lake Bella Vista dam. Tracy Neal is an award-winning reporter who covers criminal justice (courts and crime) for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He’s been a reporter in Northwest Arkansas for more than two decades. He’s from Bastrop, La. News & Analysis on the Dairy Industry & Markets 26-Aug-2019 Last updated on 26-Aug-2019 at 07:23 GMT Under the agreement, Nestlé will license its Ninho and Molico brands, exclusively for the liquid milk segment in Brazil, to Laticínio Bela Vista, for a period of 10 years. The aim of the partnership is for the Piracanjuba brand owners to accelerate the expansion of the UHT segment in the country and position Nestlé's two brands as leaders in the category as well. Marcelo Melchior, president of Nestlé Brazil, said, “This is the beginning of a partnership between companies that have a strong presence in Brazilian homes and that have the trust of consumers. We believe we have found the ideal partner to leverage our brands in the UHT milk segment.” Under the agreement, Laticínio Bela Vista will take over the Nestlé units that produce UHT milk, utilizing the lines already installed and absorbing most of the employees at Três Rios (RJ) and Araraquara (SP) and part of the factory in Carazinho (RS). Cesar Helou, superintendent of Laticínio Bela Vista, said one of the key points throughout the negotiation between companies was the maintenance of jobs. “We consider that people are essential to expand the presence of Ninho and Molico brands in the country, and to provide the service that both consumers and the trade deserve,” he said. “We admired Nestlé for a long time and were very happy and honored with this partnership. It is a company that inspires us to be better every day, striving for excellence in products and services, with great respect for consumers, employees and society. We have a lot to grow together.” Terms of the agreement will be submitted to the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), and it is estimated that the deal will take effect by the end of the year. In Brazil, Nestlé installed its first factory in 1921, in the city of Araras, for the production of the condensed milk Milkmaid, which would later be known as Milk Girl. The company has industrial units in the states of Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Goiás, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul and Espirito Santo. It employs more than 30,000 and generates another 200,000 indirect jobs, which collaborate in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of more than 1,000 items. Nestlé is present in 99% of Brazilian homes, according to a survey by Kantar Worldpanel. Laticínio Bela Vista has a portfolio of more than 140 products, distributed under the Piracanjuba, Pirakids, LeitBom, ChocoBom, MeuBom and Viva Bem brands, in addition to partnering with Blue Diamond, the world's largest almond producer, with the beverage Almond Breeze. The company has four manufacturing units, in Bela Vista de Goiás (GO), Governador Valadares (MG), Maravilha (SC) and Sulina (PR). Together, the factories have the capacity to process more than 5m liters of milk per day. The company is one of the four largest in the Brazilian dairy industry. A look at LATAM dairy trends: Health & wellness, local flavors and premiumization24-Jul-2019By Niamh MichailFrom probiotic cheeses in Brazil to mamey sapote-flavored drinking yogurt in Mexico, we take a look at some products tapping into Latin America's top dairy trends, according to market research firm Zenith Global Lactalis completes deal for Brazilian cooperative Itambé16-Jul-2019By Jim CornallLactalis do Brasil, a subsidiary of Groupe Lactalis, has closed its acquisition of the Itambé Alimentos S/A cooperative. Milk production limps along in Argentina and Uruguay25-Jun-2019By Jim CornallThe last few years have felt like a roller coaster for milk production at South America’s key dairy exporters. An ongoing push toward expansion has repeatedly collided with climatic issues and economic concerns resulting in dramatic year to year swings... Ice cream for multi-sensorial experiences – new consumer trends Paid for and content provided by Cargill How the EU cheese category is driving innovation with quality schemes Paid for and content provided by European Union The quest for the perfect cheddar – solving challenges for efficiencies texture and flavorPaid for and in partnership with IFF The Wellesley College website is currently in transition. This temporary site is for current Wellesley College community members. If you're a prospective student or employee, please go to our new site at www.wellesley.edu. “How do the women of Bela Vista understand gender-based violence as an issue in their lives unchanging biological differences between men and women Do they see a need for women to be liberated?” These were some of the questions that Natália Marques ’19, a political science major, had at the start of her summer internship in the community of Bela Vista, located in Praia, Cape Verde. She collaborated with the University of Cabo Verde to conduct workshops on the topics of women’s empowerment and gender-based violence as a way to contribute to the end goal of including more women in the formal labor force Marques’ internship was made possible through a collaboration between the Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW) and the Center for Research and Training in Gender and Family at the University of Cabo Verde (CIGEF) with funding from the Anchor Point Fellows Program at Wellesley College This means that the women that I pass by every day on my way to CIGEF and might be the women who I end up working with closely Bela Vista has been characterized as an underserved community But there is always so much more to a place than it being “underserved” and I am eager to learn more about Bela Vista’s people and their celebrations I was very glad to visit Bela Vista’s community center last week I also do want to focus on the struggles of the people of Bela Vista in a more productive way are there community leaders that are currently fighting for better conditions for the community and what exactly are they concentrating on?”  Read more about Marques’ experience on WCW’s Women Change Worlds blog (WSET) — After a multi-million dollar renovation the former Kirkley Hotel in Lynchburg has gotten a major facelift and a new name Bella Vista Hotel & Suites is now open on Candlers Mountain Road The five-story hotel has undergone an extensive $7.2 million renovation and includes infrastructure updates and a large-scale remodel of all 83 rooms and 45 suites The hotel’s room and suite remodel features brand new King- and Queen-sized beds a complete overhaul of the bathroom and vanity space and the addition of a kitchenette in each suite and select rooms SEE ALSO:Pittsylvania Co. girl taking aim at an International Championship Select blocks of rooms have also been combined and converted into suites offering guests living accommodations with a bedroom have been redesigned to feature new furnishings There were also enhancements made to the swimming pool area with additional updates to the outdoor patio area and fitness center The industrial kitchen complex was also completely renovated to make way for a new upscale restaurant that will feature both public and private dining spaces Bella Vista’s special event and meeting spaces have been redesigned to meet the demand of hosting larger and more frequent events The Grand Ballroom and three adjacent salons have been revamped and a 1,400 sq ft bridal suite is in development improvements have been made to the hotel’s infrastructure and plans for the addition of high-end digital hotel services SEE ALSO:Danville Police Department implements new plan to lower domestic incidents in community “Completely remodeling from top to bottom and upgrading all of our services and amenities really makes this a brand new hotel,” said Vickie Runk owner and operator of Bella Vista Hotel & Suites “Bella Vista is inspired by the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the vibrant palette of its sunsets The new style of the remodel blends the comfort of French Country furnishings with the lavishness of Contemporary Chic design With such large-scale renovations and improvements our goal is to combine the feel of a fashionable boutique hotel with all of the amenities and conveniences of a modern luxury hotel We want to create a unique hotel stay and to continue to revive this Lynchburg landmark to be a place we can all be proud of.” Bella Vista Hotel remains under the ownership of Runk & Pratt Companies While sections of the hotel are still temporarily under renovation newly remodeled rooms and suites are available BELLA VISTA — The violent deaths of a Bella Vista family of four has left some in this small and rural community east of Redding wondering how it could have happened "The whole thing seems pretty weird to me," said 45-year-old Casey Stomps who lives a few houses down from the dead family's home A lone candle sat on the ground Friday in front of the flower and photograph-decorated wrought-iron gate leading to the Bella Vista Court home where the Shasta County Sheriff's Office said 68-year-old Teresa Mae Wilson shot and killed her family before setting fire to the home and fatally shooting herself in the head The sheriff's office announced late Thursday afternoon that evidence in the perplexing case led investigators to believe that Wilson shot and killed her husband of 50 years Although 66-year-old Ron Anderson of Bella Vista said Friday he never met the family the deadly shootings have left the community stunned adding it was hard to believe something like this could happen here Brian Jackson identified the slain family Thursday as Wilson 69-year-old Gary Lynn Wilson; son Ellis Leroy Wilson II Sheriff: Bella Vista woman, 68, killed son, husband, daughter-in-law, dogs and self Jackson said interviews with surviving family members have indicated there had been "long-term tension" at the home it is believed Teresa may have reacted and committed the acts," he said in a news release adding that detectives are continuing to investigate what caused her to apparently kill her family sheriff's deputies found a burnt .380-caliber semi-automatic gun known to belong to her in her lap when they discovered her body Evidence also indicates the fire at the home was an arson set in a northwest room of the house and signs of smoke inhalation found during Teresa Wilson's autopsy indicated she was alive when it started She died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head Jackson said shell casings found at the scene were from the gun found on Teresa Wilson's lap and "no evidence or information has been discovered that any other person (s) are responsible for the deaths and fire."  Teresa Wilson also apparently shot three dogs in the house who said he's known the Wilson family for about 20 years were a nice and seemingly happy couple who kept to themselves adding they often waved greetings to each other whenever they crossed paths More: Bella Vista family killed in suspected murder-suicide identified Many neighbors had speculated after the shooting and fire that it was the son who had committed the crimes due to what they described as his erratic and violent-prone behavior "It's kind of hard to believe she (Teresa Wilson) did it," Stomps said spoke with her about 90 minutes before the fire started and she was "happy and jolly." Although Stomps said he did hear one apparent gunshot before the Jan he did not hear any others to indicate a mass shooting at the home "I'm sure as hell you would have heard something." it did not say when the killings of Wilson's husband The Wilson's couple's daughter, Ronnie Krug posted a message on her Facebook page Friday wishing her surviving family members love and encouraging them to stay strong But she did not address the findings of sheriff's investigators a  GoFundMe account has been established by one of her friends to try to raise money for her "She does not have the means to pay for the upcoming expenses," it said adding that including funeral expenses she'll also have to demolish and remove her family's Bella Vista home those who may have any information about the case are asked to contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 245-6135 or by email at mcu@co.shasta.ca.us.  BELLA VISTA – An elderly woman was found dead after firefighters responded to a structure fire around 12:20 a.m Thursday Ben Collins is an Online Producer and writer at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette where he writes the weekly food news column “Let’s Eat!,” which features local restaurant openings and closings and will often spotlight events and festivals happening around the region Ben graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2021 and joined the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette staff in 2022 Ben feels right at home in the vibrant arts and entertainment scene of Northwest Arkansas you might find him reading and drinking a cup of coffee with his cat BENTONVILLE — A jury on Thursday found Mauricio Torres guilty of killing his 6-year-old son Tracy Neal is an award-winning reporter who covers criminal justice (courts and crime) for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette He’s been a reporter in Northwest Arkansas for more than two decades Nestlé has inked a licensing agreement for UHT milk in Brazil with a local dairy group Nestlé has inked a licensing agreement for UHT milk in Brazil with local dairy group Laticínios Bela Vista It sees Laticínios Bela Vista taking over two of Nestlé’s local facilities and part of a third with the Swiss giant’s employees working at those factories transferring across to the Brazilian business The deal will see Laticínios Bela Vista owner of the brands Piracanjuba and Leitbom produce and distribute Nestlé’s brands Ninho and Molico exclusively for the UHT segment under licence for a period of ten years Nestlé said the aim of the deal is to increase its long-term operations efficiency in the market and to accelerate the expansion of the UHT segment based on Laticínios Bela Vista’s “recognised expertise in the milk market” the CEO of Nestlé’s operations in Brazil said: “This is the beginning of a partnership between companies that have a strong presence in Brazilian households We believe that we have found the optimal partner to leverage our brands in the UHT milk segment.”  Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis Laticínios Bela Vista will take over Nestlé’s employees and facilities that produce UHT milks – the Três Rios and Araraquara factories and part of the Carazinho factory.  Laticínios Bela Vista’s superintendent said: “We believe that people are essential to increase the presence of Ninho and Molico brands in the country in this priority segment for our group.”  The transaction is expected to be effective by the end of the year Last week (22 August), Nestlé said it plans to invest BRL1bn (US$248m) in Brazil over the next three years centred on new production lines and technologies In May, Nestlé and New Zealand dairy group Fonterra said they were reviewing the future of their Dairy Partners America venture in Brazil, which markets chilled dairy products Nominations are now open for the prestigious Just Food Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation This is your chance to showcase your achievements Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network Among the novelties are several artists from the Panorama Stage but also the names that will be appearing on the brand new Lisbon Stage English Teacher and Yves Tumor are just some of the artists who will further brighten up the line-up Take the opportunity and don’t miss europe’s last great music festival Print Tony’s Bella Vista a well-known Italian restaurant in Burbank shuttered its doors on June 30 after 32 years serving the community please know this was not an easy decision after 32 years but the time has come for change,” according to a statement on the restaurant’s website A notice in the menu case at Tony’s Bella Vista Ristorante informing customers that the eatery is closed (Tim Berger / Burbank Leader) Angelo Ferialdi said on Tuesday that part of the reason he decided to close the restaurant was due to his age Ferialdi said the rising minimum wage has made it difficult to operate the business Anthony Clark Carpio was a reporter with the Burbank Leader He joined the Times Community News staff on New Year’s Eve 2012 and covered everything from the City Council to community events He has a journalism degree from Cal State Northridge he was a reporter with the Huntington Beach Independent and a freelance reporter for the Pasadena Sun the La Cañada Valley Sun and the Santa Clarita Signal Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map Danielle Baker stared at the sheet of paper in her hand There were more than 150 parents squeezed together in a too-small room for the school’s annual October open house — Danielle had heard that if you didn’t go to the open house and were desperately reading the paper the teachers had just handed out the school would receive 158 applications for the following fall would be eligible to enroll in had just three available spots Each application would be assigned a number a computer program would pick the numbers at random The handouts were supposed to make it easier for the parents — most of them trying to pretend they weren’t sizing each other up like sorority pledges at a pool party — to understand their chances (Some names and details have been changed.) “This is impossible If she’d been standing in a conference room at Penn after a campus tour If she’d been waiting while Maddie interviewed — oneof 1,000 kids applying for a coveted ninth-grade spot — at the Science Leadership Academy Even if she and Maddie had just arrived at Friends Select’s “Play Day” in order to make a good showing for kindergarten admissions And as hard as Danielle tried to be rational … to be normal … to be un-Tiger Motherly … the first thing she said to her husband when she got home was this: “We have to get Maddie in there.” THIS TYPE OF MAIN LINE mama drama would seem clichéd … if this particular mama drama had happened on the Main Line tucked on 11th Street between Catharine and Fitzwater in a section of Philadelphia that’s known for stoop-sitting and homemade salamis aggressive new parents plotting and scheming and swearing like truckers to get their toddlers into a preschool Center City at large isn’t known for competitive these hip city couples who had kids and chose not to retreat to the suburbs They’re the generation that birthed 17,100 babies in Center City from 2000 to 2008 — nearly 10 times more babies per year than at the start of the ’90s — and then stayed But Center City simply doesn’t have So Many Good Preschools to go around practically racing to get in on this cutthroat game of musical chairs six new preschools have opened or announced plans to open in and around Center City these schools — if they’re as good as they promise to be — should help ease the current wait lists which can be up to two and a half years long who also happen to be the most child-focused and involved generation of parents ever have no choice but to treat the preschool admissions process like the Hunger Games that the open house at Moonstone changed Danielle Baker ready to kill — or at least bribe — to ensure that a photograph of her daughter made it onto one of the cubbies in the hallowed hallway of Moonstone She was convinced that Moonstone was the only school for Maddie It was within walking distance of their home It far exceeded those basic requirements of a “good preschool”: low teacher-to-student ratios a balance between play time and learning time practically a mini-me microcosm of the city itself which was precisely the world Danielle wanted Maddie to grow up in (hence the decision to be A Stayer) It had an added bonus as far as Danielle was concerned — “that old Jewish hippie vibe.” Moonstone came into being 32 years ago as the love child of Larry and Sandy Robin Larry was an artist and owned a bookstore; Sandy was an artist and an early-education teacher They decided to wrap all that up into one kid-size nonprofit their “arts-intensive” approach wasn’t what preschool in Philly looked like there were the half-day programs at churches and synagogues The Moonstone model was “philosophy-based” long before “philosophy-based” became a buzzword in the preschool biz (mostly because it was long before there even was a preschool “biz”) other Center City preschools soon developed similar programs where parents could match their values with a school’s — lots of play or lots of academics lots of structure or lots of “Do whatever you want to As Danielle memorized every word on Moonstone’s website she couldn’t help fast-forwarding a year in her mind envisioning two-year-old Maddie developing her “positive self-expression” as she sang “Getting to Know You” from The King and I as she learned “Five Little Pumpkins” in English and Spanish as she watched her teachers put on a play for the kids every morning “When people said their kid went to Moonstone like they knew something I didn’t,” says Danielle Friends told her about the Moonstone fund-raiser they helped organize at Frankford Hall and the First Friday they went to with all their Moonstone friends They shared the photos Moonstone posted online of its alumni (a.k.a proud that they would forever be considered part of the Moonstone Family “Moonstone is a club the way Harvard is a club,” Danielle says It didn’t take too many months of strollering around Washington Square and Rittenhouse Square and Any Damn Square to figure out that the way new parents found their Center City parent friends to be a perfect match for Maddie … and for her Moonstone parents were involved and diverse and educated and hipstery They were the kind of people that pre-mom Danielle envisioned post-mom Danielle having over for playdates and cocktails local PR maven and peppy blond mom-about-town Paige’s son scored a spot at Moonstone four years ago Neighborhood friends who’d sent their kids to Moonstone advised her to put in her name ASAP “I was lucky enough that they accepted him,” she says She was also lucky enough that even though Moonstone has since switched to a lottery system her 20-month-old daughter was guaranteed a “sibling preference” spot Paige’s status as a “Moonstone Mom” was guaranteed she “became obsessed.” She started making lunch dates with moms she knew who had kids at Moonstone and would casually mention over her organic greens that she was applying there “I don’t know how to get anybody in,” snapped one mom as if she’d been through this conversation many Two other parents promised they’d put in a good word with Moonstone’s director how she was a chef and could volunteer to teach the toddlers how to make flan and stuff there were essay questions: “What do you feel your family will contribute to our community?” “What made you apply to Moonstone Preschool?” Danielle searched Google for stats and smart-sounding quotes about showing children all the beauty they possess inside She read her answers out loud to her husband — “Do we sound interesting Do we sound Moonstone-y?” She hand-delivered Maddie’s application well before the December 31st deadline Her next — and most strategic — move was to call her dad He’d spent his career as a businessman in Manhattan where the race to get into the “right” preschool is so intense and so costly — $4,000 to pay the “preschool application consultant” to guide you into hopefully getting your kid into a $40,000-a-year slot — that it was the subject of a 2008 documentary called Nursery University “Maddie has to go to this preschool,” she told him “You can buy your way into anything.” Interestingly she’d gotten similar advice from Moonstone parents So Danielle made a $1,500 donation to Moonstone The school responded with a thank-you note and a packet of notecards made from art by Moonstone students MARISA PICCARRETO KNOWS more about Center City preschools than any other person who lives in Center City Marisa owns My Fabulous Mama on South Street — part shop part “baby consulting.” The mother of three started her business in 2011 to help new moms and dads figure out how to parent in Center City — a service that 10 years ago wouldn’t have had enough clientele to put a three-ounce jar of mashed peas on the table and offer the DL on baby gear to “create the perfect registry.” Recently she added a new service to her menu: “preschool selection,” to “debunk the myths sort fact from fiction and understand the who’s who of preschool programs.” It sounds elite there is one and only one preschool in Center City that describes itself as “boutique” — Right Steps on Rittenhouse Square “I don’t know anyone who goes there.”) However Marisa believes Philly parents will never be Manhattan-level crazy “My clients seem to just want a preschool that’s a good value Marisa discovered all of this firsthand when she tried to find a neighborhood preschool for her own daughter to attend full-time when the city officially became a seller’s market for preschool She was tacked onto wait lists that were so long she’d likely have to wait until her kids had kids of their own to secure a spot It’s one of what Marisa would consider the Center City “who’s who” preschools — in-demand and among the old guard which Marisa calls “fantastic.” “Trinity is hard as shit to get into,” notes one Trinity mom who applied to five preschools and held out on the Trinity wait list for two and a half years Marisa also considered Beacon Center for Children at 21st and Chestnut It was about $21,000 a year — $5,000 more than Trinity — and less difficult to get into who does economic development work in Philly Her son Brody was just a few months old when she and her husband toured Beacon and decided Brody initially got accepted for two afternoons a week We took it and immediately told them to put us on the wait list if any other spots opened up.” Eventually Ivy kept wait-listing until she got what she’d wanted all along — a full-time spot Marisa eventually quit her job to wait out the wait lists Her daughters ended up at Green Towne Montessori in Fairmount That made me think it wasn’t going to be welcoming,” she says Everyone was so kind.” They’d better be — five full days a week at Green Towne cost $28,200 a year “I’d have loved to have the options available now,” she says five new preschools announced they were coming soon to a neighborhood near you including the Giving Tree in Queen Village a Spanish-immersion school set to open any day now Maddie ended up at one of these new schools though she didn’t want to reveal which one because she doesn’t want the preschool-less to apply and turn it into a Moonstone “Every mom I knew was on three preschool wait lists in Center City,” says Melissa Page As far as her business model was concerned there was no question in her mind there was a need but so are parents from other neighborhoods There’s also a family from Cherry Hill enrolled “I’ve even gotten a few calls from the Main Line,” Melissa says Suburban parents are coming into Center City for the schools “There isn’t anything in the whole region like Mi Casita,” says Paige Wolf there’s a giant pile of little bikes and little trikes and little scooters parked and waiting for the kids to ride them home at the end of the school day Half of the lobby is a cage that houses Matilda fluffy gray bunny that probably weighs more than the majority of the 93 children enrolled here A teacher — a young artsy-looking guy with sculpted hair — emerges from a room and steps behind the front desk rummaging for a stapler to repair a small mask that’s made out of cardboard and shaped like a fox’s face the “Full Moons,” sit quietly on the floor in the library which has such a sizeable collection of books that half of them are stored in a loft accessible only by a ladder the two-year-olds — the Blue Moons — shout out the word “fox” in Spanish the three-year-old Half Moons listen courteously as two of their classmates sing solo sit packed around a table in the art room that looks more like Basquiat’s studio — two stories high the walls plastered with self-portraits and drawings and collages a giant red dragon made of toilet-paper rolls suspended from the ceiling The kids scribble on a single piece of paper that’s taped to the table their hands and shirts powdered with chalk those are oil-based pastels,” says Moonstone’s director She has a bachelor’s in elementary ed and a master’s in special ed It’s very happy here — not in a weird Stepford Wives kind of way Like … they get mad when their parents come to pick them up Like … their parents probably don’t want to leave Here’s this little school that has the same vibe as the city itself — rooted in history but simultaneously vital founded by a genuine and diverse community of people who love it bolstered by the sense of being a club that only legit members understand In 2009 it moved from its home in the Italian Market to a new bigger space at 11th and Fitzwater for one major reason — to be able to accept more kids parents who wanted to enroll a child in the 18-month-old class would have to get that child’s name on the list 14 months before they even got pregnant But it doesn’t feel good to turn so many people away.” That’s why Moonstone switched to a lottery She says the staff doesn’t even read the application essays until the computer picks the students for enrollment “People tell us all the time that their friends are applying Callie McGarvey thinks Moonstone’s a racket even donated professional services to the annual fund-raising auction When you’re trying to carve out a place for your family in a city that has still not quite adjusted to having So Many Stayers Callie got the skinny letter: Her six-month-old son was at the bottom of the waiting list “It’s amazing how you get your heart set on something,” says Callie She swore she wouldn’t go through that again She told everyone she wouldn’t give another dime to that place She blamed it on “the group-mom mayhem.” But it was more than that Because preschool in Center City is more than just preschool So she wrote new answers to the essay questions “I hope these new preschools give Moonstone a run for their money,” she says Then she laughs out loud: “We’re talking preschool Originally published as “Welcome to Toddlertopia” in the January 2015 issue of Philadelphia magazine How to Live Well (for Less) in Philadelphia 30 Must-Visit Pennsylvania State Historical Markers Because of the European covid-mess, at the last minute before Germany — unnecessarily — closed all hotels to tourists, I managed to fly to a jewel in the Atlantic Ocean: Madeira once again my choice fell on the lovely Quinta da Bela Vista with its art and antiques collection to stay a few days The traditional Funchal hotel is situated in a 25,000 square meter subtropical garden In addition to indigenous trees and plants Quinta da Bela Vista offers botanical species from Australia The largest tree in the hotel garden is a Kapok Tree from Brazil with a bulbous The owner and general manager of Quinta da Bela Vista told me in 2013 that he grew up in the historic Manor House dating back to 1844 The four Junior Suites on the upper floor are my favorite place to stay in the hotel they were all closed during my November 2020 stay I had another look around the ground floor the family of Gonçalo d’Ornellas Monteiro turned their Manor House into Madeira’s first luxury hotel situated in an authentic Quinta in Deluxe Room 350 with a marble bathroom and a balcony facing the backside of the garden Superior Room 323 in the main building was my home From its balcony with a table and two chairs it offers a great view of the hotel pool and Funchal Bay (see photograph below) the Manor House with its four Junior Suites on the upper floor is THE place to stay On the ground floor of the 19th century building you can find the elegant Bela Vista Restaurant a library and — not to miss — a public bathroom with gorgeous blue Portuguese tiles (Azulejos); unfortunately This is the great view from a Superior Room in the reception building They all feature a balcony with a table and two chairs The photograph could have been taken from my Superior Room 323 from where I could also overview the hotel pool and Funchal Bay All photos copyright © Quinta da Bela Vista A great place to stay is the Penthouse Suite in the main It features two bedrooms and two bathrooms It comes with a large terrace overlooking the pool area and the Bay of Funchal cozy Pool Bar on two floors with its electric piano overlooking the Bay of Funchal and the Atlantic Ocean The cosy Drawing Room with fireplace on the ground floor of the hotel’s historic Manor House. All photographs are the copyright © of Quinta da Bela Vista, Funchal, Madeira It is worth wandering around the public areas of the hotel’s three buildings Quinta da Bela Vista is the dream of any antiques lover Italian school angels hanging in the reception area on the way to my Garden View Room 350 in one of the new buildings I always admired two large-scale paintings According to General Manager Gonçalo d’Ornellas Monteiro hangs a Spanish Louis XV-style guiltwood Trumeau Mirror and a 19the century painted panel with a river landscape in the manner of Lancret William and Mary walnut cabinet-on-chest with a molded frieze and a cushion-shaped drawer as well as a pair of George III mahogany side chairs A Regency brass-mounted mahogany clock signed J. Forbes and a Regency mahogany sideboard. The maritime painting is an English school work dating back to the 18th century. All photos copyright © Quinta da Bela Vista, Funchal, Madeira On this photo you can admire walnut and parcel-gilt side chairs a Spanish Louis XV style giltwood Trumeau mirror and an Iberian Louis XV-style carved Have a walk around the different buildings at Quinta da Bela Vista In all public areas you can find artworks and antiques I enjoyed a vegetarian dinner at the solid Avista Navios Restaurant It started with brick leaves with mushrooms and spinach followed by an eggplant with buffalo cheese My main course consisted of a (very hot) vegetarian lasagne my choice fell on a Beirão liquor cassata with biscuit and chocolate sauce my brick leaves were stuffed with alheiras Don’t forget to try the different Portuguese wines I fondly remember my after dessert Madeira wine offer plenty of artworks and antiques to discover play a match of tennis or a work out in the gym The hotel’s Avista Navios Restaurant in the main The reception building at Quinta da Bela Vista with Avista Navios Restaurant on the bottom right of the photograph Quinta da Bela Vista review added on November 18 The event will mark the 20th anniversary of the Portuguese festival next June Ed Sheeran has been announced as the first headliner for next year’s installment of Rock in Rio Lisbon The 2024 edition of the event will mark the festival’s 20th anniversary with Sheeran set to headline in the 80,000 capacity Parque Tejo Lisboa on June 16 The festival will be held over two weekends in the Portuguese capital It will be the first time it has been held at its new venue having previously been housed at the Parque da Bela Vista The first Rock in Rio Lisbon was thrown in 2004 as a spinoff from the original Rock in Rio Festival which started in the Brazilian city in 1985 Offshoot events have also taken place in Madrid Vice President of Brand Reputation at festival organisers Rock World said: “Looking back and seeing Rock in Rio’s journey since arriving in Portugal in 2004 how much the festival and the market have evolved the legacy we’ve already left behind all the people we’ve made a mark on and the projects we’ve created and supported over the years that would allow us to help transform lives He continued: “And that’s what we want to celebrate with all those who made these 20 years possible Since it’s not every day that you turn 20 Having Ed Sheeran back at the City of Rock This will undoubtedly be a historic edition.” Sheeran’s headline set will come ten years after he made his debut at the festival on the Main Stage. Other artists to have played at the event include last year’s headliners Muse and Black Eyed Peas, and Beyonce, Prince and Queen The festival’s World Stage next year will boast a backdrop that overlooks the Tagus River and the Vasco de Gama Bridge and it is set to feature a daily audiovisual show commemorating the 20th anniversary of the festival Sheeran was named this week by Spotify as being the most streamed male artist of the last 15 years with ‘Shape of You’ the most streamed UK track globally He also appeared alongside Busted on stage at London’s O2 this week singing with the boy band on a version of their 2004 single ‘Who’s David’ Footage went viral earlier this month of Sheeran’s hometown football club Ipswich Town serenading him in their dressing room after a game with an impromptu rendition of his song ‘Perfect’ Sheeran has just released a live bonus version of his latest studio album ‘Autumn Variations’. Subtitled ‘(Fan Living Room Sessions)’ the project includes live versions of every song on the album performed from the homes of some of his fans ‘Autumn Variations’ is Sheeran’s second album of 2023, following on from ‘-’ (subtract). In a two-star review NME said it “isn’t a flying start to this next phase of [Sheeran’s] catalogue” and “is akin to aimlessly swiping through Instagram blurry snaps of followers’ leafy happenings whizzing past in a distracted daze.” The world’s defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking what’s new and what’s next since 1952.