China's rural tourism industry saw a surge during the May Day Holiday as infrastructure upgrades and themed attractions transform once-remote villages into bustling holiday destinations and engines for rural revitalization The refreshing sounds of the countryside alternate with a bustling urban beat in the Greenville Symphony’s concert “Beethoven and Brazil.” Music director Lee Mills conducts the two Peace Center performances that feature contemporary Brazilian composer João Guilherme Ripper’s “Five Poems by Vinicius de Moraes” and Beethoven’s ever-popular Sixth Symphony Mills is joined by soprano Tess Altiveros for Ripper’s “Five Poems by Vinicius de Moraes,” a piece that incorporates traditional Brazilian rhythms in a lyrical orchestral texture 1959) sets five poems by Vinicius de Moraes (1913-1980) representing a different phase of the poet’s life,” Mills said “He reflects on the various stages of life from birth to childhood Altiveros will sing the work in Portuguese with a translation projected above the stage Mills is a particular advocate of Brazilian music having worked with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra for five years “There so much great Brazilian music,” Mills said “I’m always looking for a place to add some Brazilian music to a program.” The performances conclude with Beethoven’s Symphony No unique among the composer’s works for its descriptive titles for each of the five movements Beethoven sought to vividly convey his devotion to nature “I think of (the) ‘Pastoral’ Symphony as an expression of unbridled enthusiasm and excitement,” Mills said “Beethoven really loved being out in the country Though there are moments of pastoral serenity in the work Beethoven loved nature for its inspiring vigor The concerts open with contemporary composer Jessie Montgomery’s “Starburst,” a 2012 work that evokes the idea of light and energy with its fast-moving swirling textures and intense rhythmic drive What: Greenville Symphony Orchestra: “Beethoven and Brazil” Info: 864-467-3000 or peacecenter.org Input your search keywords and press Enter the redevelopment of County Square is one of the biggest — and the most important — developments in Greenville’s recent history when you have a small piece of land and it doesn’t work out as intended there’s a lot more at stake,” said Nancy Whitworth the City of Greenville’s deputy city manager “With this site and its sensitivity to the park and downtown The county-owned property is more than 37 acres equivalent in size to downtown Greenville’s core and located within walking distance of Falls Park and the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail Its redevelopment is expected to be a billion-dollar the redevelopment of a block of South Main Street across from the Peace Center the mixed-use development at the corner of North Main and Washington streets the master planned urban community on Verdae Boulevard and Laurens Road on land once owned by the late reclusive textile magnate John D at 1,100 acres and $1.5 billion when completed and we’ve got to make sure to get it right,” said Greenville County Council Chairman Butch Kirven County Square was not thought of as a part of Greenville’s downtown But Falls Park opened in 2004 and Fluor Field two years later planning started for the Swamp Rabbit Trail a 22-mile multiuse trail that opened in 2009 Because the former mall that now houses county operations will be torn down the developer and the county have a wonderful opportunity to design from the ground up professor emeritus of city and regional planning at Clemson University and former member of the city’s planning commission and Design Review Board “They have the opportunity to be creative and efficient and make it an important part of Greenville “Any time you double or triple the density of activities it’s going to strain existing capacities,” he said “They’ll have to have other ways to get there so you don’t have to get in a car They’ll need to think carefully about the back streets They need to make it attractive and feasible to walk with site lines and well-defined walking routes.” who said the city hasn’t had discussions with the developer said the city will be interested in how the development’s design will minimize impacts on traffic The city will also look at other elements like parking The development will likely require a zoning change “There’s no opportunity to back-door anything.” Kirven said County Square is more than an extension of downtown “It’s a test bed to demonstrate how the future looks in an urban environment,” he said “It’s a clean slate where we can design and create a smart urban environment for the future Acceptable Copy Guidelines for the CJ Guaranteed Service Before issuing a press release over the CJ Guaranteed service you will have to confirm that you have the right to do so and that you have read and understood the CJ Guaranteed terms and conditions If you have any doubt on either of these points Press releases that do not 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information transmitted by Community Journals must contain a clearly identifiable source The source indicates the entity or individual that is responsible for the Content and cannot be the name of an agency issuing news on Your behalf This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid the remaining provisions shall nevertheless continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any way Any dispute arising under or related in any way to this Agreement shall be adjudicated in a court of competent jurisdiction in the County of New York Nearly two decades after the idea for a Cancer Survivors Park grew from a high school senior project to beautify an area outside a local cancer treatment center Greenville Cancer Survivors Park will hold its grand opening this weekend A public ribbon cutting will be held at 11 a.m “The Dedication to a Vision of Hope and Healing” will feature community leaders sharing the story about the creation of the park and plans for the Center for Hope & Healing a space for community celebrations and survivorship programs The ceremony will include recognition of the Greenville Health System and other contributors who made the park possible “The Garden Party,” will be held from 6 p.m The fundraising soiree will feature music by Trey Francis Guests at the party will be able to walk through the park and hear stories about the design and meaning Tickets are $125 and are available at cancersurvivorspark.org/the-garden-party.php Proceeds will benefit the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance’s education programs A free Cancer Survivors Day Celebration will be held at the park from 1 p.m Activities include walking tours of the park A survivors recognition ceremony and photo are set for 2:32 p.m Registration is requested but not required “We are excited to be celebrating a significant milestone — the transformation of a challenged piece of property into a beautiful park We still have much to do as we transition from bricks and mortar to a focus on incorporating the creative features and resources that are the essence of our vision — creating a space for hope and healing,” said Kay Roper executive director of the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance As the functions of parks grow more complex public-private partnerships have increased as a funding source Greenville’s Unity Park is an example of many of the current trends in building urban parks — a greater reliance on public-private partnerships the conversion of postindustrial sites into green space and construction of facilities that accommodate fluctuation in water levels to help water quality and flooding issues “Parks are no longer simply places for recreation That’s why public-private partnerships are so important,” said Catherine Nagel “Really where public-private partnerships shine is that they bring in more resources and skills.” While Greenville has been known for public-private partnerships for downtown development projects such as the Hyatt Mayor Knox White said Unity Park is the city’s first example of a true public-private partnership on a park The city has earmarked $20 million in hospitality tax revenue for the new park over 10 years and wants private partners to contribute another $20 million Separate from the city’s fundraising efforts is one led by Community Journals’ chairman and co-founder Doug Greenlaw to raise money for a veterans memorial in the park Greenlaw is a founder of the Upstate charter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart “Public-private partnerships have become a critical funding tool in the toolbox,” said Kevin O’Hara vice president of urban and government affairs for the National Recreation and Parks Association public-private partnerships are good for parks.” Chicago’s Millennium Park was a result of a public-private partnership Mayor Richard Daley originally proposed construction of a parking garage with a landscaped greenroof on land that had been parkland The original plan financing called for $120 million from parking revenue bonds and $30 million from private resources plans for the park had changed drastically A cycle center provides heated bicycle parking There are outdoor art galleries and a promenade and the Pritzker Pavilion that hosts the Grant Park Musical Festival Underneath the park is a 4,000 space parking garage the park was the Midwest’s most popular tourist attraction There’s a wide range of how park public-private partnerships are structured “There’s a real range of public-private partnership models to consider,” she said “The key is to fit the model to your community Some cities have a strong base of philanthropic organizations City Park would also mirror the trend in other cities where postindustrial sites are turned into parks and green space those sites are on waterfronts and riverfronts areas that some cities turned their backs on and became nasty places to which people didn’t want to go a waterfront cargo yard was turned into one of New York’s signature parks The city redirects real estate taxes from residential and commercial developments in the project zone creating a self-sustaining revenue stream that is far less dependent on concessions and permits for special events than signature parks in other major cities “Parks are helping to revitalize cities and put them on the map,” Nagel said “It’s exciting that those projects are not just happening in the largest cities but in medium and small cities as well.” A One-of-a-Kind Private Island Retreat Just an Hour from London Imagine a place where history, nature, and luxury coexist on a private island escape less than 60 miles from London a 380-acre estate nestled in the Blackwater Estuary off the Essex coast is now available for purchase—and with it comes an opportunity few properties can match Priced at $33.5 million and listed through Knight Frank Osea isn’t just another high-ticket real estate listing; it’s an entire world unto itself Once a strategic naval base during World War I the island has evolved into a self-contained retreat for creatives and anyone seeking sanctuary from the everyday or an ancient Roman causeway revealed only at low tide Osea Island offers a true departure from the outside world—without sacrificing modern amenities or comfort At its core, Osea is a private compound built for flexibility, indulgence, and storytelling. The island features 38 standalone residences, including a grand Edwardian manor and a waterfront Captain’s House that practically demands a cinematic backdrop These historic homes and cottages are complemented by facilities built for both leisure and large-scale hosting and even a tennis court—all maintained with an eye for style and sophistication The island also boasts a professional-grade recording studio With a total of 90 bedrooms spread across the property it can comfortably accommodate large groups without ever feeling crowded And thanks to its distinct blend of countryside charm and coastal calm it offers something uniquely English in tone but global in appeal Osea’s appeal goes beyond its architectural footprint The landscape itself is a major draw: wide-open fields and secluded beaches form a backdrop that feels both cinematic and serene There’s an undeniable storybook quality to the place heightened by its historic roots and the sense of isolation it provides and exclusive gatherings—making it an ideal acquisition for a buyer interested in more than just private living It’s also a working environment for large-scale hospitality ventures The island’s established reputation in the event and production industries makes it more than just a trophy property; it’s a potential revenue-generating investment that merges lifestyle with opportunity Osea Island’s past only adds to its intrigue Originally fortified for use by the British Royal Navy the island has since undergone a meticulous transformation But its past isn’t erased—it’s woven into the experience Architectural details from different periods remain intact and the island’s vintage sensibility feels refreshingly preserved rather than overly commercialized For buyers interested in legacy properties It’s not simply a patch of land with high price tags and sea views; it’s a rare mix of history and functionality that offers a launching point for future ventures or a very private personal retreat While the price point makes this a serious purchase Osea’s scale and versatility support its valuation or even a headquarters for an organization seeking a world-class offsite location Its proximity to London only adds to the appeal one could go from city meeting to countryside serenity—a logistical detail that makes the island not only desirable but also practical for both personal and professional use For those who dream big—and have the means to match—Osea Island is more than a getaway It’s a multi-use canvas waiting to be activated by the right visionary buyer and a layered past that only enhances its modern-day offerings this island represents a rare and compelling opportunity in the luxury real estate market Interested buyers can learn more through Knight Frank the exclusive listing agent handling the sale '#' : location.hash;window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUQuery = location.search === '' && location.href.slice(0 location.href.length - window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash.length).indexOf('?') !== -1 '?' : location.search;if (window.history && window.history.replaceState) {var ogU = location.pathname + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUQuery + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash;history.replaceState(null "\/liveblog_entry\/syria-reports-israeli-strike-targeting-hama-countryside\/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=S84AfFOgCJmQYFYhZGa00uXoDLpgclk8uQtHNY.3sc4-1746492742-1.0.1.1-WU3DBlEPUIY25KAitGuaRzvMPVk1OmfxCUeP8wB.Qrg" + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash);cpo.onload = function() {history.replaceState(null ogU);}}document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(cpo);}()); and a rare Israeli drone strike expose the fragility of postwar stability in one of Syria’s most volatile suburbs [Damascus] In a significant escalation of unrest the western Damascus suburb of Sahnaya has seen fierce armed clashes over the past two days between local factions and unidentified gunmen marked by sectarian tension and growing lawlessness Fighting broke out in the Ashrafiyat Sahnaya neighborhood with combatants using light machine guns and RPGs Drone activity was also reported—some believed to be locally operated others allegedly Israeli—intensifying fears about deteriorating security in the Damascus countryside more than four years after major combat operations officially ended From Jaramana to Sahnaya: Tension Ignites a Flashpoint The crisis did not begin in Sahnaya itself but in the nearby city of Jaramana A leaked audio recording insulting the Prophet Muhammad—allegedly made by a young Druze man—sparked widespread outrage a city known for its sensitive mix of religious communities and a large population of displaced persons from conflict-ridden areas such as Daraya Unidentified armed elements soon mobilized in Sahnaya occupying rooftops in the Qaws-Bank district and firing on General Security checkpoints According to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency the initial assault wounded three officers The violence spread quickly to nearby streets and farmland prompting authorities to impose a nighttime curfew as panic mounted Despite videos circulating online showing gunfire and explosions no group has claimed responsibility for the attack A local source told The Media Line that the assailants appeared to be from tribal backgrounds but were not affiliated with any known opposition or pro-government faction This uncertainty has only deepened public concern and fired on both security personnel and civilians Although they reportedly withdrew temporarily by midday Wednesday renewed gunfire later that evening suggested that government forces had not fully regained control The Syrian Interior Ministry issued a stern warning vowing to “strike with an iron fist” against those who threaten national stability The Health Ministry confirmed that 11 people—both civilians and security forces—were killed director of public relations at the Information Ministry told The Media Line that a convoy of armed men tried to move from Ashrafiyat Sahnaya toward Jaramana but was intercepted by General Security forces He also reported that gunfire targeted a vehicle arriving from Daraa early Wednesday killing six passengers and pushing the casualty count higher Local Mediation Efforts: Fragile and Incomplete in coordination with the civil Druze movement “Men of Dignity,” formed a joint operations room with General Security to de-escalate the situation A senior source said Daraya blocked the movement of any armed individuals from its territory and sealed the road linking Jdeidet Artouz to Sahnaya The city’s civilian administration also issued a statement urging residents not to demonstrate “to preserve public safety,” reflecting the crisis’s volatile sectarian dimensions neighborhoods in Damascus such as Al-Midan saw calls for calm Prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Karim Rajeh released a recorded message urging people to defend the Prophet Muhammad “with wisdom and reason not with weapons”—an appeal aimed at easing religious tensions the Israeli military announced it had conducted a “warning strike” using drones against what it called an “extremist group” allegedly planning to attack the Druze community in Sahnaya The strike reportedly injured several people though Syrian authorities have not confirmed the casualties The Interior Ministry later acknowledged that two Israeli strikes hit the city Wednesday morning with multiple explosions reported across the region This marks a rare instance of direct Israeli involvement in a localized Syrian conflict—an intervention some analysts see as a warning sign of possible international escalation if the violence continues authorities sealed off all access to Sahnaya and movement inside the city was severely restricted injured residents sought care at distant clinics Sahnaya is home to more than 1.5 million people of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds making it a volatile flashpoint where localized unrest can easily spiral into wider sectarian conflict Although Damascus and its suburbs have been relatively quiet in recent years the events in Sahnaya reveal persistent instability and a lack of genuine reconciliation Analysts warn that this flare-up could signal broader collapse and the failure of authorities to impose lasting order Israel’s involvement—even under the banner of prevention—adds a dangerous layer to the crisis Foreign intervention could be used by regional actors to reopen sectarian and political fault lines within Syria The violence in Sahnaya is more than a temporary flare-up—it is a warning and the risks of unresolved grievances in a country still emerging from civil war With multiple armed actors operating independently and weak central authority towns like Sahnaya remain vulnerable to collapse This episode shows the urgent need for long-term solutions: rebuilding trust and fostering a national identity beyond faction and sect Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Your access to this service has been limited If you think you have been blocked in error contact the owner of this site for assistance If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site please enter your email address in the box below and click "Send" You will then receive an email that helps you regain access Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 5 million WordPress sites The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence Click here to learn more: Documentation 6 May 2025 0:52:33 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); due to renovations that will last nine months Pay your utility bill in person at Clearwater Gas Get a permit or rebuilding guidance at the Old Countryside Library Meet with a code inspector at the Old Countryside Library Join Morningside Recreation Center for our monthly parent’s night out Drop your kids off at Morningside for a fun night of pizza Fields marked as 'Required' must be completed Enter your email address or your friend's email addresses all separated by commas Please select which date you want an invite for Visiting New York's Hudson Valley often transports me to the French countryside The region is only an hour from where I live, and many parts of it remind me of Normandy which I visited as a child and as an adult I loved my time exploring the historic French city's lush landscapes, sipping on fermented apples, tasting decadent cheeses, strolling through charming towns A trip to Normandy isn't in the cards again for me anytime soon — so I've been excited to find the Hudson Valley has much of its gustatory I've found many basic similarities between what the farmers and makers in the Hudson Valley and Normandy create especially when it comes to cheese and hard cider This drink is also huge in the Hudson Valley Although its orchards and farmsteads are more scattered I've found many of the Hudson Valley's cideries offer tasting experiences for families that exude the laid-back Northern French approach to hosting that hypnotized me in the first place One of my favorite spots is Indian Ladder Farms a century-old family farm that has classic ciders sourced from its 90-acre orchard I was able to sip fresh cider outside in the sunshine while watching children (not all of them mine) frolic merrily in the countryside cider can't be consumed in Normandy without cheese — and the Hudson Valley also produces some wonderful varieties If I put on a blindfold and sat down to a plate of farmstead cheese and a glass of cider born and bred in the Hudson Valley I'd swear I was back on vacation in Normandy Like Normandy, the Hudson Valley is a great stop for history buffs. Towns throughout the region have landmarks and museums dedicated to their roles in early American history and the Revolutionary War One highlight is Kingston, established centuries ago in the shadow of the Catskill Mountains which has preserved pre-revolutionary stone homes The surrounding downtown area has many boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, too. A highlight is Le Canard Enchaine bistro butter-soaked escargot and authentic tarte Tatin another Hudson Valley town with great shopping For stick-to-your-ribs French bangers in Cold Spring, try Brasserie Le Bouchon which has red-and-white checked tablecloths Beacon, Hudson, Rhinebeck, and Millbrook are also charming stops in the Hudson Valley with charming architecture tucking into dinner — starting with a locally sourced cheese board of course — while gazing out rolling green hills or a shining river transports me back to Northern France without the language barrier or passport requirements Wildlife aplenty – both real and in bronze revive and relax at this luxury hotel in a wooded riverside Perthshire estate The staff at Dunkeld House Hotel in Scotland know how to greet guests well: with a dram of whisky and a smile And it's a welcome I thoroughly appreciated and a tram) to get to this gorgeous country house hotel just outside the picturesque Perthshire town of Dunkeld Dunkeld House Hotel on the banks of the river Tay and once home to the Dukes of Atholl makes an impression even before you step foot in the lobby: the entrance is at the end of a long driveway and anticipation builds as you wind your way past massive lawns and thick wooded areas From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox the hotel feels more like a (huge) private house filled with cosy nooks where you can curl up with a book or have a quiet conversation with friends Stained glass windows add a colourful touch to the wood-panelled reception area an antler chandelier and a fireplace just waiting for a roaring blaze The hotel's 100 rooms and suites are bright and airy putting a modern spin on the traditional look in the reception and sitting areas with patterned headboards and large illuminated bathroom mirrors like the brass bell above the boat-shaped bed in the Bothy Suite the stunning balcony view from the Duchess Suite (pictured above) or the in-room freestanding rolltop bath in the Birnam Suite I stayed upstairs in a spacious Superior Room I curled up in one of the chairs and opened the windows This turned out to be a wonderful people-watching spot: I spent several minutes watching guests arrive for a wedding dressed to the nines in their finest kilts and gowns Who needs to turn on the TV when there's a fashion show taking place down below There is a delicate balance when it comes to filling a hotel room with amenities: you need the right amount of necessities and fun extras to make guests happy but not overwhelmed with essentials like hair dryers and bottled water offered alongside Nespresso machines The locally made shower gel and shampoo were especially lovely tiled bathroom with a gorgeous fresh scent Exploring the property is a must but carve out plenty of time: Dunkeld House Hotel sits on 280 acres of woodland I made a beeline for the path along the river Tay and started strolling and all I could hear was the rushing water and chirping birds and I could imagine how this scene changed with the seasons: always beautiful and the hotel offers guests several outdoor activities archery and a Land Rover offroad driving experience Those who prefer some indoor pampering can book a spa treatment many of which use seaweed-based products from the Scottish organic skincare range Popular choices include the Hot Stone Massage and the Luxury Seaweed Bath a heated indoor pool (pictured above) and a hot tub There is a lift to whisk you to and from the ground floor but I recommend taking the grand staircase instead Gliding down from your room is more fun and really makes it feel as though you are making an entrance refreshed from a good night's sleep and ready for some tea and a Scottish breakfast There are also baskets of packaged snacks available if you want to grab something for the road the chefs create seasonal menu choices from Perthshire produce haggis is also an option – in the form of bonbons Discovering Perthshire, a Scottish wonderland Scottish hospitality shines at these 7 hotels Edinburgh, Scotland: where history ambles alongside the present Afternoon tea in the Orangery (pictured above) a conservatory-like space filled with floral upholstery and windows out onto the lawn and river beyond scones and an assortment of delicious sweet treats are presented on lovely serving plates and trays along with the loose-leaf tea of your choice and I was happy to box up the leftovers to enjoy later in my room This was my first trip to the Scottish countryside (and Scotland in general) and Dunkeld House Hotel made it an experience to remember who went out of their way to answer questions make suggestions and offer a smile when passing by in the halls It's easy to become so enthralled by the gorgeous scenery and comfortable accommodation that you forget the outside world exists It's the perfect place for truly getting away from it all Catherine Garcia was a guest of Dunkeld House Hotel and Visit Scotland A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com Catherine Garcia, The Week USSocial Links NavigationCatherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014 Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism An infusion of funding brought about by the pandemic — and the opportunity to better assess its role and the needs of its population — has really strengthened the work that Countryside Public Health is doing Countryside was as ready as it could be for the new virus Before retiring and turning over the baton to co-worker Dawn Bjorgan infectious disease expert Gloria Tobias had been monitoring the virus and its spread in China She had local staff “practicing and practicing” for the response there has been some distrust and disconnect about the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic but Countryside saw nearly the opposite effect Countryside realized early its important role as the source of information It worked to improve its ability to provide the information everyone — from restaurant owners to law enforcement officers — needed a good track record of working with partners in health care in the region There were “bumps,” but those partners trusted Countryside Public Health and supported it The infusion of funding the pandemic triggered allowed Countryside to increase its staffing from 30 to about 32 positions and focus on its key service areas and better align staff members' responsibilities New funding that resulted from the opioid crisis and subsequent legal settlement also has allowed Countryside to do more to educate people about substance abuse as well as equip an educator to bring lessons to classrooms in the five counties An emphasis on outreach to serve clients in some of the smallest and relatively remote corners of the rural counties with regular clinics has helped So did the fact that more people were seeking health information during the pandemic Countryside leveraged the trust people had in it “It gave us an audience that we maybe didn’t have before,” Mills said Mills takes advantage of multiple social media platforms along with traditional newspaper and radio outlets Keeping the attention of its audience in the days ahead may be more important than ever “My growing concern as a public health leader right now is we’re going to see a rise in infectious diseases,” Auch said She pointed to recent reports of cases of measles and pertussis in the country as reason for concern Her agency works to communicate to the public the importance of vaccinations against infectious diseases and offers clinics and referrals to get people vaccinated The percentage of children ages 24-35 months who are up-to-date with vaccines in the five Countryside counties ranges from 59.7% in Chippewa to 77.2% in Lac qui Parle The statewide vaccination rate for that age group is currently 63% When Auch began her public health career 25 years ago Auch pointed out that most young people do not have the firsthand experience of having known polio and other infectious diseases they may not have a full understanding about the benefits of vaccines She also noted there is currently a tension in the public discourse over the right to choose and a social obligation to keep others safe Auch said public health has generally been considered underfunded for all of her career Those concerns are growing today in the midst of federal and state cutbacks to health funding Countryside receives about 28% of its funding from federal sources as well as investment interest and opioid settlement funds The funding is very much needed in this post-COVID era as there remain a whole range of public health issues to address and the numbers of people being injured and killed on the roads due to distracted driving and drinking and other substance use are among some of the concerns she cited Countryside continues to maintain its readiness for the potential of another pandemic or reduce our defenses and ability to respond to a pandemic There was a lot to learn and do on the fly once COVID-19 arrived the lesson of COVID-19 was clear for Countryside Get to know their similarities and differences to nail these countryside schemes We've all become slightly obsessed with rural interiors And while country kitchen ideas are nothing new there are two specific styles that homeowners and designers alike just can't get enough of – schemes inspired by the rural homes of France and England are full of characterful features we've turned to designers who specialize in the looks to give us the lowdown Here's everything you need to know before decorating your kitchen They both echo their surroundings and have a sense of quiet history about them which is what gives them that unique charm whereas in France I’d instantly think of terracotta tiles,' he explains French country kitchens stand out as the more rustic of the styles They aren't overly polished or curated – there's a decidedly lived-in almost collected feel about them that differs from English schemes 'French country kitchens are typically more rustic in feel, often made up of lighter colors and soft textures that suit the warmth and brightness of the Mediterranean light,' explains Lauren. 'The kitchen layout is often more traditional and separate with kitchens leading out to shaded terraces or gardens rather than being part of one large open space,' she adds As well as the way the kitchen flows with other spaces in the home Benji notes there is a real difference in the way the structure of the kitchen is designed notably in places where the climate is kind you often see kitchens in beautifully proportioned rooms with lofty high ceilings and big windows giving out onto the countryside.' It's often not quite the same in English country kitchens where the proportions are usually much cozier possibly because we have to withstand long we want to hunker down in smaller spaces to try and keep warm,' he adds It's not just the layout of the kitchens that differs here. French country kitchens epitomize the freestanding kitchen style filled with unique furniture and an unfussy selection of pieces came later to France – we’ve invested in built-in cabinetry for years whereas the French happily lived with beautiful freestanding furniture to accommodate their culinary requirements The deconstructed look in France is still so lovely with armoires serving the purpose of storing crockery and even jars of confiture or tins of confit de canard,' says Benji Where French country kitchens embrace a more rustic style English country kitchens are slightly more polished Think built-in kitchens with painted cabinets and deeper a stark contrast to the lighter tones typical of French schemes While the essence of French and English country kitchens is really similar their location and how they function for everyday life make them really quite different Even down to the details – the type of brick or stone used to build the homes 'The biggest difference lies in the way the spaces are planned and how they respond to their environment English kitchens are often the centre of the home and built to support everyday family life with open-plan layouts and extra rooms to manage the practicalities with a simpler approach to storage and layout,' Lauren notes Want to bring a dose of French country style into your kitchen? There are a few features, big and small, that can bring this more rustic aesthetic into your scheme, whatever your current kitchen style or color 'Some details I think of for a French country kitchen would be croissants on a plate under a glass domed cloche on the rustic freestanding sideboard a linen bag hanging from a peg to hold the baguette an array of copper pans hanging from hooks on the wall,' says Benji A rustic freestanding wooden armoire is the perfect piece for additional kitchen storage in a French country kitchen An antique or vintage design would fit right in An authentic French country kitchen feels lived-in Pot racks and wall hooks are commonplace in French country kitchens for hanging copper pans and even bundles of dried herbs A ceiling-mounted design like this one is perfect for tall kitchens English country kitchen decor has its own feel but with that countryside aesthetic we all know and love and even some moodier accessories to offer a nod to traditional decorating It's not unusual to find a traditional wooden kitchen at the center of an English country kitchen – look to rich wood tones and classic turned legs An English country kitchen will often feature traditional kitchen and tableware or even open shelving will bring in the aesthetic Any kitchen linens that nod to flora or botanical styles with a William Morris style feel right at home in an English country kitchen The colors in this design feel very synonymous with the style So, if you're wondering how to create a country kitchen whether you're inspired by the English or the French way 'Both styles are rooted in traditional materials and a strong connection to their setting,' says Lauren which is what makes these aesthetics so timeless and sought-after While English and French schemes have some similarities, there are so many beautiful elements of country kitchens that make them unique From the way the cabinets are designed to the color chosen and the decor introduced it all comes back to the natural surroundings and how they influence the way of life Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups While I love every part of interior design kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most exciting to design and playful decor elements to explore and experiment with you will then be prompted to enter your display name the one my husband and I took on a recent Sunday through quiet farmland near the Luxembourg border had rolling green hills we ambled amid the stillness you get by wandering off the beaten path most Sunday strolls don’t come with a four-legged family-run trekking business in the bucolic village of Plütscheid that invites guests to explore the countryside with a leashed alpaca by their side owner Dirk Laures sent a GPS pin via WhatsApp about an hour and 30 minutes from Kaiserslautern and just 20 minutes from Spangdahlem Air Base He greeted us warmly and led us into the corral where each of us was paired with the alpacas he had chosen for us I’ve always had a bad case of the Sunday scaries and they’ve only intensified since our move to Germany An alpaca hike seemed to check multiple boxes: a unique outdoor adventure an easy Instagram flex and top-tier material for Monday’s inevitable “what did you do this weekend?” conversation Our hike was a little under 3 miles and took just over 90 minutes but Laures tailors the experience to match each group’s pace and preferences The loop wound through open pastures and quiet back roads meditative stroll while holding the leash of our respective alpaca wingmen walking alongside The two walked shoulder to shoulder the entire time Laures told us alpacas are highly social and prefer to move in pairs or groups Their calming presence and uncanny sensitivity to human emotions make them ideal therapy animals Spending time with alpacas can help ease post-traumatic stress disorder but she warmed up quickly and followed my lead as we wandered through the open fields and winding country paths There was something quietly affirming about being accepted by such an adorable A recent unpleasant encounter with a camel had me worried the alpacas might be smelly or prone to spitting And once we passed their silent vibe check keeping them warm and dry even in cold or wet weather Laures adopted his first alpaca after the death of his wife in 2023 led him to try an alpaca hike of his own He said the animals have changed his life and those of his three children He’s led solo visitors and teams of as many as 40 he brings the alpacas to senior homes and special events though he’s hoping Alea will soon welcome a new cria is expected to reach adulthood within the next year and start contributing to the herd’s future which made the setting feel like our own private petting zoo with a scenic backdrop sharing stories about his animals and answering all our questions By the time we returned to the farm and watched the rest of the herd enthusiastically welcome Pico and Alea back into the corral I wasn’t sure I believed in alpaca therapy when I started but I definitely left with fewer worries and a full heart Turns out that a leisurely stroll with Pico and Alea was the Sunday reset I didn’t know I needed Hours: Hikes depart from Plütscheid on Fridays at 2 p.m The reservation line is open daily from 8 a.m Know before you go: No dogs allowed on hikes By Andy Hamilton, originally published by Lowimpact.org Andy Hamilton – ex of ‘Self-sufficientish’ has written books on foraging, and his new book New Wild Order is out now Here’s his take on whether foraging is bad for the countryside and wildlife: “Your lot will strip the countryside bare” I wager he’d been waiting to say this to me for some time and was now itching for a fight I’ve referred to myself a forager for around 20 years now and this little chestnut of a comment feels like it will never go away I recently saw an article about how great foraging was with the headline: “Excessive foraging prompts ban” the idea is too solidified in the mind of the arguer and they are not ready to listen to a reasoned response That’s what a thousand years of conditioning will do The idea that foragers are an inherent evil It certainly gathered pace during the enclosures It was a way to undermine an act of defiance that saw the natives exercising their right to pick food for the table at no cost to themselves Self-provisioning as a political act is to be free of the state and state rule The easiest way to control a population is through their stomachs If you can’t access game and forage food you can’t put food on the table if you have to work you have to abide by the rules of your employer – you are no longer a free (wo)man If you then head to the supermarket to get your food the money you spend goes back into a chain that supports low wages high-yield mono-cropping and cripples local businesses I pick from the same small area frequently I live in a city so many others also pick in the same area too The local wildlife has not diminished because of our activity drop the occasional berry which will help feed small mammals and grow new plants in new areas I also look out for moth and butterfly eggs on the underside of leaves I sprinkle the seed of local plants in areas that have been made barren by dog walker’s feet or the wheels of mountain bikes I tread a path through wild garlic areas that doesn’t disturb the first shoots If I see ground nesting birds I’ll leave that area well alone until I know the birds have fledged When picking mushrooms I leave the bigger ones to spore I leave ones that are particularly filled with maggots as these maggots become hoverflies There are other human activities happening in the area The effects of social distancing (remember that delight) are still being felt as the dirt paths grew wider and plants got trampled Whole areas are being cut up and turned into offices that remain empty Road building and cars parking on verges have an impact too there is the incessant tidying up of areas Just as the blackberries were about to fruit in a wild spot near our kids school someone decided to chop them all down and “clean up” the area Birds became homeless and parents bought plastic wrapped sweets and crisps from the shop to make up for the lost free snacks Our own hedge and grass verge at the back of our house is frequently cut which means fewer grasshoppers and crickets and less food for the hedgehogs I know all this as I tend to pick locally and have an intimate relationship with the land within a half mile from my house I can see where tarmacked driveways and the building of outbuildings have caused ground water to swell How badly thought-out pathways and the chopping down of trees also cause local floods This is why I teach foraging and think it’s important I want to see a system that supports the environment and the people within it I want to see people actively engaged with their environment falling in love with it and eating healthily It’s hard to get all that across over a pint in a busy pub but perhaps you’ll read this most foragers love what they pick in ways difficult to understand we don’t strip the countryside bare – but your lifestyle might shall we have a foraged beer each for the next round By El Habib Ben Amara liberate the mind — this is the triple revolution awaiting Algeria By Chris Smaje, Small Farm Future Pretty much the last nail in the coffin for the idea that there’s going to be a smooth transition out of fossil fuels and into renewables that can rescue the existing high-energy global economy in anything like its present form comes courtesy of Jean-Baptiste Fressoz and his 2024 book More and More and More: An All-Consuming History of Energy By Richard Heinberg They can decimate local insect populations Resilience is a program of Post Carbon Institute a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the world transition away from fossil fuels and build sustainable Reposting Policy | Privacy Policy If you look at the spot August feeder cattle contract and the spot June live cattle contract the two charts nearly mirror each other over the last two months the feeder cattle contracts haven't dared trade higher without the support of the live cattle complex But as the calendar gets closer and closer to turnout season the feeder cattle market may grow a bit more independent as it's seeing nearly unfathomable demand Just last week -- mind you the holiday-shortened week for Easter -- the USDA National Weekly Feeder and Stocker Cattle Summary shared the nation's steers and heifers sold anywhere from $5 to $10 higher with instances up to $13 higher in the South But there were special highlights where prices were even higher as Russell Livestock Auction in Russell reported Tuesday afternoon (4/22/2025) steers were trading $6 to $33 higher and heifers were trading anywhere from $12 higher to even sharply higher I think it's especially interesting to note that heifer demand has been higher in recent sales as some buyers are hoping to buy heifers before breeding season with the sole intention of trading them later this fall as bred females as they hope to capitalize on the high market Although it's fun to highlight the incredible demand in the countryside right now for feeder cattle you and I both know that the market isn't free and clear from any risk The spot August contract reached a new contract high during the first week in April at $293.70 and Tuesday afternoon (4/22/2025) the market closed just $2.45 away from that threshold at $291.25 Which points to the unanswered question at this point: How are traders going to manage the market's resistance there are plenty of landmines for traders to tiptoe around: any sort of trade/tariff news; fluctuations in boxed beef prices; the support/or lack thereof from the live cattle complex -- the list goes on and on And while the market always has to balance its technical and fundamental factors -- I think there will be a time here in the immediate future where feeder cattle buyers have no choice but to fill their orders or sit the year out which could give the feeder cattle complex enough fundamental support to silence some of the technical concerns Maybe the feeder cattle complex will still trade in sync with the live cattle contracts but I don't think whatever the feeder cattle contracts decide to do amid knocking on the door of technical resistance will lessen the rally currently taking place in the countryside Feeder cattle buyers know turnout season is quickly approaching and it's hard to sell cattle next fall if you don't have them bought this spring ShayLe Stewart can be reached at ShayLe.Stewart@dtn.com Please correct the following errors and try again: Showers this evening then scattered thunderstorms developing overnight The Montgomery Countryside Alliance released a statement following the passing of SB 931/ HB1036 "We are heartsick to report that SB 931/ HB1036 -- The Renewable Energy Certainty Act has passed opening up around 100,000 acres of farmland/forestland across the state to the siting of solar with no oversight from local jurisdictions -- missing an opportunity for Maryland to lead with thoughtful policies to balance renewable energy and thriving farms prime soils and forests," the alliance said "The bill directs the Public Service Commission to approve solar projects on 5% of each county's priority preservation areas (farmland and forest conservation areas) -- upending the decades of time and taxpayer funds spent to conserve these areas all across the state." "we are still gathering the specifics on what this means for the Ag Reserve but it is looking like 5,000 acres of the nation's most successful farmland protection zone will spend a generation under solar and battery storage Efforts to amend the legislation to honor the unique zoning of the Reserve (and the similar long term preservation efforts of other counties) or reduce the percentage cap were unheeded by the very same representatives of the Ag Reserve's district." The alliance also address how it plans to move forward despite this setback Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. and how she navigated both unexpected wildlife and eccentric fellow travelers in this episode there is a lot about the weather and there's mentions of cows and a bear called Arnie and lots and lots of pubs who wrote about her solo walk for The Guardian newspaper You might think that Britain isn't the place for the most intrepid hikes Emma Lunn: I'd say a fairly fit 47-year-old with quite a bit of hiking experience behind me I was absolutely knackered by the end of it LA: Emma did what's known as the UK's Coast-to-Coast Walk. It crosses three national parks across the Lake District on the Irish Sea and ended up on Yorkshire's East Coast the 190-mile walk's been designated a national trail EL: So the Coast-to-Coast starts in a town called St When you start and you go and you dip your toe in the Irish Sea and you pick up a pebble off the beach and you carry it with you and then you throw your pebble in the North Sea when you get to Robin Hood Bay on the other side and you also have a little paddle on that sea as well LA: How long did it take to do this and how long how long would you ask them to factor in to their itinerary LA: What time of year were you doing it in I probably had about half an hour of rain in an entire fortnight LA: I'd argue September is an oddly okay time of year I feel like half the time summer disappoints and then September actually gets quite nice so I booked my trip through a company that arranged all the accommodation for me and the logistics so they moved my suitcase every night so I'd get to the next hotel or B&B and there my suitcase would be LA: So you just had your little day pack that would have- which is the choice of hikers in the Lake District describe that for Americans and other listeners who might not know EL: It's just pure sugar with a mint flavor probably the least healthy thing I've ever eaten but I definitely had some Kendal Mint Cake probably most days I feel like its Michelin-starred restaurants were immortalized in The Trip with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon Were you stopping to tuck into six-course meals or were you ... Good old English pub grub and the places I stayed at overnight mostly included breakfast which for Americans is basically fried everything So I'd say typical English food and yeah LA: Which something like a fry-up is good fuel for a hike EL: And feel like you can justify it if you're off a 30-kilometer hike for the day as well LA: What were a few highlights of areas that you passed through Was there a particular sort of stretch of land or scenery that you could describe that really stuck with you in those moments when you were really on your own EL: I think it's probably the second day when there was a choice of routes I remember sitting on a summit up there thinking and you could see from miles when the clouds cleared and it was beautiful and I was on my own and I absolutely loved it really hot and I really wasn't expecting it and it was pretty quiet on this walk So when I came across a lake with no people I didn't have my swimming stuff with me but I stripped off and got in and hoped no one came along LA: It's a journey like this that you find yourself giving yourself permission to do those sorts of things LA: I think whether you are hiking or whatever sort of trip you're doing to find the comfort of strangers every now and then and I think the nice thing about being alone is I kind of make an effort to make myself open to connections and talk to people that maybe I wouldn't normally talk to or- LA: You kind of end up meeting more people I think if you travel as a couple or with friends you tend to stick with them and if you're a couple you talk to other couples maybe more than you do to solo people It kind of pushes you out of your comfort zone in terms of social interaction but when I go walking on my own suddenly I become much more confident and outgoing LA: A few weeks ago we talked to the actor Tracee Ellis Ross and she was saying one of the reasons why she loves doing things alone is it is when she feels most kind of out in the world EL: And you can be almost a different version of yourself that no one knows anything about you LA: It's almost like a sense of control over your own story LA: The weather can turn fast in that part of the whole country and that part of the country whether it was just letting people know where you were or making sure if you were on your own I'd say I had quite a few things with me And I'd left a lot my route with my family I was putting things on Facebook every day and not just to show off about my trip but prove to my relations I'm still alive this isn't actually because I care about content I mean my mum had just died when I did the walk but on previous trips we'd got my mum on Facebook because she was always asking my sister Is she okay on the trip?" So eventually I started posting regularly when I was away so my mum could see that I was okay and after she died I carried on doing that as well LA: In your Guardian piece you wrote of how you did this trip quite soon after your mum died LA: Was that one of the driving kind of reasons to do it EL: To be honest, I think I'd already booked it when she died, but it was definitely a good time to get away and I think a lot of people find that walking really helps grief put into words why I think it helps so much to put one foot in front of the other EL: That phrase is exactly what you have to do in both situations And I suppose grief and walking is like a journey and you have to go through some difficult bits to kind of get to where you're going did you feel there was an arc of grief taking place or do you think you can see the emotional journey that you took on this trip but in other times on the trip obviously I felt like really I know she would've been worried about me doing it though LA: Her voice still in the back of your head I could literally hear her voice in my head saying "Be careful," at the points when I was scrambling down the rock face what are some of the really British signifiers of those walks Fences and the pubs and the little churches and houses that you go past when you pass through villages I mean it's beautiful and it's green except it rains a lot in England I think one of the really nice things about the Coast-to-Coast is there's honesty boxes where locals leave food and drinks and you leave money when you take the food and drink I remember going through one place with an honesty fridge with cold drinks The honesty boxes I really liked because it kind of brings out the best in you and I wouldn't dream of taking the food and not leaving the money travelers would be that the UK's become very cards payment dependent but on this kind of trip bring some cash as well LA: I mentioned those cows at the beginning We're back with EL on the Coast-to-Coast Trail in England I remember walking for the hours and hours through kind of nothing And then you get to the fourth-highest pub in the UK called the Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge and then you're back in a lovely English pub having a pint or a cup of tea or whatever you want And then you're back out on the bleak moors again for a few more hours EL: The Bronte sisters to write their books So Wuthering Heights and Heathcliff and all of that darkness And the moors are so different to the Lake District It's a real contrast to the beginning of the walk I think I prefer the mountains and the lakes to the moors just because it is more exciting to scramble up and down and skinny-dip in lakes than walking kind of bleak nothingness for a long time it kind of flattens out quite a lot more and it changes quite a bit and it sounds strange that hiking is my hobby when my worst nightmare is walking through a field of cows I suppose you've walked and hiked many places did you say you'd gone to Kilimanjaro EL: There's not many cows and lots of people on Kilimanjaro and lots of .. so I actually felt pretty safe from the wildlife out there I think my best hiking stories normally come from a little bit of chaos and a little bit of fear every now and again And we got totally lost and ended up quite quickly on some farmland that we realized we weren't supposed to be on and a dog chased us off it but I imagine you maybe be crossed over into some unexpected or weird places that maybe you weren't supposed to be on if there wasn't signage once I tried to take a massive diversion to avoid some cows and it was kind of a choice of running across a train track which is really dangerous and there was high fences and electric cables LA: I recall in your story that you wrote about this with the Guardian there was an encounter with an optically-clothed hiker who you very generously said it might have been to do with how warm it was which is actually the highest point of the Coast-to-Coast at about 780 meters and there was quite a few people around and this guy turned up wearing a backpack and hiking boots and nothing else And we're pretty sure he was what's known as the Naked Rambler EL: He's a guy called Stephen Gough and he's an ex-Marine and he's well known for well Was it a very polite aversion of the eyes or .. "Are you sure it's the Naked Rambler?" And I say "I didn't really look at his face." either way he was rambling and he was naked EL: It wasn't a creepy or disturbing experience like you'd expect a naked person to be He didn't jump out and do anything crazy or weird I was having a little break when I encountered him and I stood up to go put my backpack on at the exact time that he did too and he handed me his phone and he said "Do you mind taking a picture of me?" And he posed on the side of the mountain as anyone else would and I took pictures of him with his phone LA: I imagine there's quite a few characters that you encountered on this walk whether it be where you were staying or pubs that you stopped by into How much of this trail and this hike embodies some of the English eccentricity that I think people think of when they think the country I think it brings out a lot of kindness in people when you're hiking there's a Facebook group for the Coast-to-Coast so I did a little introduction and have a little company toy tape with me and I introduced him and I put little picture of us and my name And the next day I got halfway along and I got to this gate and there was a bag with my name on it LA: And for people who haven't read your story And my nephew gave him to me when my nephew was about 10 "Take him on your travels Auntie Emma." So off we went and he's been on my trips ever since So the bag is there addressed to you and Bear and had sweets and a drink in it and it had been left by a local who did this all the time and it was lovely LA: And that was the result of seeking out a community on Facebook that could give you some advice And they'd also left another bag of treats for a couple that weirdly took a toy duck with them LA: I think I've seen this duck couple on the internet but the duck was the toy of their dog who died and it's kind of like a tribute walk to their dead dog who they loved I come across this couple a little bit later on in the walk with this duck hanging out of their bag and the duck and the bear obviously made friends as did me and the couple who owned it and it was sort of really nice So the fact that we'd both been left these little bags of sweets by the same person gave us a little bonding moment LA: It seems like there is a way to do this cheaply you can have a lot of experiences without throwing that much money at it there's no need to come to London to do the Coast-to-Coast You're better to flight to Manchester if you can English trains unfortunately are really expensive I'd say to cut costs a lot of the hotels I stayed at would make you a packed lunch They could be quite affordable or you could go to supermarket and make your own packed lunch I took a load of snacks in my big suitcase that moved along with me you don't spend money on really anything else So it can be quite a cheap trip in that way You're not paying to go and do things or see things other than the walking which is free as you go and the whole goal of the trip LA: Emma talks about hiking the Camino de Santiago trail as well as many other international walks across mountains and across national parks EL: I actually lived in Australia for a couple of years And while I was there I moved there with my boyfriend at the time but he didn't really like hiking as much as I did so I quite often went off and did some kind of bush walk near Sydney on my own at weekends So I'd done quite a lot of walking there I'm a big fan of the Camino de Santiago which is a network of routes across Europe I've done four routes already and I'm off on a fifth one in a couple of months time at the Portuguese Camino And it's about 650 kilometers and will take about four weeks LA: What were some of the things that drew you to that route in particular I've just become like a Camino addict and I've loved them all It is cheaper than England for a start and sunnier and the Camino has such a lovely spirit of the Camino provides whether that's food and drink and shelter or just interesting people to me And I met some fascinating characters along the way and had some really amazing experiences all I think is I want to do that again and then I'm planning the next one I've done quite a lot of small group tours around the U.S And I think my favorite one was some of the national parks including Yosemite and I think the standout walk from that trip was walking up Half Dome in Yosemite which is a really massive rock at a very steep angle You're not actually attached to them and it's pretty dangerous And I was really scared and it was totally worth it LA: I mean the landscapes are so different but how did those national parks contrast to British national parks EL: I think for me the big thing in the U.S I was scared of the brown bears and the black bears I actually encountered a grizzly bear in the Canadian Rockies it was about 10 of us and then we were maybe a hundred meters away from the bear or something And he saw us and he went on his two hind legs and looked at us and we were kind of frozen in terror And then we were backing off slowly and walking along a ridge and the bear was walking along the bottom of the ridge kind of tracking us And our tour leader wasn't particularly calm You've only got to outrun the slowest person in the group LA: That is a very good way of thinking about it But I think there was an older guy in the group and I looked at him and I thought EL: I'm like you seem like a nice guy but I'm leaving you here to be eaten by the bear EL: We saw some of them when we were back in the minibus and they were crossing the road And we were safely in the bus and that was much better Instead of a blurred picture from a big distance with your hands shaking because you're terrified LA: It's because you're fleeing the scene LA: If people want to follow along with your travels and your writing this was so lovely and just like a pleasant way to spend my afternoon LA: Thank you for listening to Women Who Travel and you can find me on Instagram @lale_hannah And special thanks to Jake Lummus for engineering support Our show is mixed by Amar Lal at Macro Sound And Chris Bannon is head of Condé Nast Global Audio Want to be the first to know? Sign up to our newsletters for travel inspiration and tips 45 Abandoned Places Around the World That You Can Visit The Cheapest Nicest Hotels in Paris The Women Who Travel Power List 2025 On Oregon's Central Coast, Vacationing Feels Timeless—Not Trendy up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Menu Listen Originally recorded in 1977 between Florida and Malibu this resurfaced bootleg collection is a pleasant and easygoing afternoon listen though not entirely essential for casual fans With 232 pages and an expanded 12″ by 12″ format our biggest print issue yet celebrates the people and Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records the sophomore album from the endearing Brighton duo is a jolt of punk-rock beauty The NYC-based project’s second album delights in its confident sense of chaos with vocalist Cole Haden knowing full well there’s no way we’re going to avert our gaze for a single moment Channeling Ziggy Stardust’s glam transcendence Will Toledo resurrects the album as a grandiose narrative vehicle while marking his valiant stride into the rock canon Many returning 1970s staples are slightly different from their original versions here: “Captain Kennedy”—inspired by Young’s 1971 encounter with the title’s figure whose ship was felled by a German U-boat 30 years prior—becomes a bluegrass-style yarn while the children’s choir on “Lost in Space” works moderately better here than some of the oddly placed production elements of his ’70s period and what was ultimately recorded for 1980’s Hawks and Doves The majority of these 10 tracks were featured on Young’s LPs over the years with the only brand new song being “It Might Have Been,” which probably could’ve served as the title of this “lost album.” It’s the highlight by default and sees the band tossing in a fiddle solo with relish Young’s mood shifts: The intimate folk tracks “Human Highway” and “Field of Opportunity” are unadorned and rangy in the mix which fits quite well for those classic prairie folk songs An album full of Neil Young's alternative versions of existing songs isn’t quite as magical for archival enthusiasts Homegrown and Chrome Dreams scratched that itch a lot better whereas Oceanside Countryside is a pleasant and easygoing afternoon listen but not entirely essential for casual Young fans There are no concrete reasons given by Young as to why it was put on the shelf while Comes a Time and other albums were released and recording techniques are slightly askew It’s still a lovely blend of folk sunshine and country earthiness and a reminder of Young’s fastidiousness as a songwriter Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" We are a family-owned franchise system based out of Fishers we've been publishing monthly community magazines in Indiana and Kentucky © 2025 Towne Post Network - franchises available in Indiana © 2025 Towne Post Network - franchises available in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. 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Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world Here are five great hotels worth adding to your “Tokyo-Kyoto+1” itinerary 2025 at 8:45 AM EDTBookmarkSaveTakeaways NEWHave you had the feeling recently that everyone you know has been (or is about to go) to Japan Last December there was an almost 30% increase in international visitors from the previous year and the government predicts that the country will double its annual onslaught of tourists to 60 million arrivals by 2030 you will quickly realize that there’s something of a standard itinerary for first-timers: Tokyo-Kyoto+1 A stay in hypermodern Tokyo followed by a visit to Kyoto’s Zen temples may not be groundbreaking but there’s a reason both cities are on everyone’s list They rank among the most compelling destinations on our planet The sculptor-ceramicist presents a series inspired by and created from found natural objects in a New York exhibition Then Let Them Go’ showcases Balkis’ minimalist ceramic sculptures which take inspiration from the pastoral surroundings of the Basque Country Balkis is inspired by the Pyrenean forests that surround her home and studio, and through which she hikes every day. She uses gathered materials: clay from the earth, stones as decoration, and sticks as tools. The ceramics exhibited in ‘Grasp The Mountains Then Let Them Go’ also incorporate ferns These pieces are elemental and earthy: the designer’s ‘tribute to the land’ ‘By paying homage to the place that has welcomed me – its craggy mountains and fertile soil – my work becomes an act of tactile acknowledgement,’ says Balkis ‘Tethered to the territory where I live my work is a conscious endeavour to find oneness with the land.’ The sculptures are organic in shape with many taking on Balkis’ signature ‘Hodei’ form with wide mouths and columnar bases that expand into fluid canopies The colour palette is bleached and blanched achieved by drying and reducing materials to create pale layered glazes The designer manipulates the clay as much as she can without it collapsing – ‘pushing the limits of clay's potential’, in the words of Guild Gallery founder and curator Robin Standefer (of design firm Roman and Williams) – drying it in phases to prevent structural failure and one which harks back to an earlier time: ‘The Basque mountains force the observer to return to a lost state of integrity to act in accordance with the basic order of things.’ She moved from the big city to the Basque Country escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox Balkis’ work ‘[rehabilitates] the matter of the world’ ‘Grasp The Mountains, Then Let Them Go’ will run until 21 June 2025, rwguildgalleryny.com Anna Solomon is Wallpaper*’s Digital Staff Writer working across all of Wallpaper.com’s core pillars with special interests in interiors and fashion she was Senior Editor at Luxury London Magazine and Luxurylondon.co.uk where she wrote about all things lifestyle and interviewed tastemakers such as Jimmy Choo Within Neil Young's Analog Original Series (AOS) a collection of albums reproduced from the original analog master tape recordings (as was custom before digital audio workstations) was a curious inclusion — a "lost" album recorded from May to December of 1977 intended as a follow-up to 1977's American Stars 'N Bars The would-be prequel to 1978's Comes a Time includes demos and original mixes of "Human Highway" and "Field of Opportunity" (which appeared on that album) as well as an acoustic demo of "Goin' Back." The name Oceanside Countryside is likely a reference to the two sides of the album — the first five songs (Side A) are solo performances by Young recorded in Florida while the following four songs (Side B) were recorded in Nashville with a full bluegrass band The album ends with an acoustic performance by Young on an early mix of "Pocahontas," which would later be featured on 1979's Rust Never Sleeps Two standout tracks on the album are "The Old Homestead" featuring The Band's Levon Helms and the catchy "Dance Dance Dance" featuring the "King of the Cajun Fiddlers" Rufus Thibodeaux I think I should have put it out back then." This is a laidback masterpiece filled with cunning lyrics and catchy tunes that gives the listener a glimpse into the writing and recording process of one of America's greatest musicians GREAT FALLS — After a nearly two-hour standoff with law enforcement officers an armed suspect has been taken into custody at Countryside Village mobile home park in Great Falls The GFPD said that dispatchers received a report at about 11:15 a.m that a resident inside a unit at Countryside Village appeared to be wearing body armor and had allegedly threatened someone with a rifle The GFPD said in a news release that the suspect had recently displayed “threatening behaviors,” heightening concern the Central Montana Regional High Risk Unit consisting of officers from the GFPD and deputies from the Cascade County Sheriff's Office the suspect surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody The name of the suspect has not yet been released We will update you if we get more information 2:29 pm) Law enforcement officers are responding to an incident at the Countryside Village mobile home park in Great Falls on Tuesday The Great Falls Police Department said in a news release that officers are working to take a person into custody The High-Risk Unit is among the responding teams the road is blocked at 36th Avenue NE and Seventh Street NE There is no word at this point on the identity of the person People are advised to avoid the area if possible or to expect traffic delays in the immediate vicinity We will update you as we get more information Report a typo the latest Essential collection makes a stylish statement in every destination Recommended posts for youFashionRIMOWA Turns the World Granada and VerdeFrom city escapes to countryside drives The internet dictates trends faster than ever The singer seems to be gearing up for his big return to music with a 2025 album according to new rumors The Chinese actor continues his rise with a new role as the face of the Italian fashion house The "Dance the Night" singer wowed with a rich brown mesh dress with dripping jewelry Inspired by the tropical vibes of The White Lotus Season 3 Vaseline’s new Gluta-Hya SPF 50 will keep your skin bright and radiant without the sticky drama Special guests in the front row included Keira Knightley The dates displayed for an article provide information on when various publication milestones were reached at the journal that has published the article activities on preceding journals at which the article was previously under consideration are not shown (for instance submission All content on this site: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V.