I mean, there were non-animal sights that were photogenic.

There were signs all around that winter is loosening its grip, but there is still no green coming up.

The lakes were still ice-covered, but most of the snow has melted, except in the shady spots.

There were little birds flying around, little brown birds that could have been tree sparrows, but they moved around too fast to get a good shot.

I was lucky to get this chickadee snacking on cattail seeds – they move around faster than the sparrows!

The ice was melting around the shorelines, letting the sun play on the water again.

It’s coming! It’s coming!

Much has been made about the 400,000 houses worth of land already banked in the UK, the problem is much of it is brownfield and not profitable enough in the current economic climate, so developers are turning ever more towards green fields.

So when our local authority assures us that brownfield land will be developed first, it’s really a very simplistic view of the housebuilding world which is driven, like the rest of the world, by the need to make a profit.

This interesting report from the National Trust states:

“The National Planning Policy Framework excludes many of the 400,000 sites nationally that have planning permission from a council’s deliverable five-year housing supply on the basis that they are currently considered economically unviable for development.

The NPPF encourages a short-term view of economic viability that risks unnecessary development of greenfield and Green Belt sites. Local Plans must identify a “deliverable” five year housing land supply. This means that development plans must be shown to be economically viable and achievable with a reasonable time frame.

The fact that greenfield sites are more profitable to develop than brownfield sites, and therefore more viable, is forcing councils to propose development of these sites. As a case study in this report shows, many of the sites for 10,300 new homes approved for development in Salford are excluded from the council’s five year supply forcing the council to consider planning applications for greenfield sites.”

It makes sobering reading and I feel this is one impact of localism that we will feel quite soon! There are lots of brownfield sites in Dinnington and Anston in need of re-development, but who will choose these above going straight to green field? It’s cheaper to build there and it will make more profits as it will tend to be in a more desirable location.

There is a really good summing up here.

Another aspect of localism is Neighbourhood Plans, an opportunity for town and parish councils to make their own mini plans for development. The same report has this to say:

“The Localism Act introduced a new layer of local planning: Neighbourhood Plans. The government’s aim is to “put communities in the driving seat”. It should be emphasised that  Neighbourhood Planning is still at an early stage. The regulations governing the creation of Neighbourhood Forums were only finalised in April 2012.

Councils have identified three key challenges that face Neighbourhood Planning.

First, the powers of Neighbourhood Forums are limited. Neighbourhood Plans cannot include proposals that are contrary to the Local Plan or the National Planning Policy Framework. The LGiU research confirms this picture. Nearly two thirds of local authorities said that Neighbourhood Plans were not important or not important at all in shaping their Local Plan.

Second, not all areas have a Neighbourhood Forum. Parish and Town Councils are able to act as Neighbourhood Forums. Neighbourhood Forums must, however, be established from scratch where these bodies do not exist. Although there are a number of successful examples, contributors to the LGiU research expressed concern that coverage is uneven and focused in more advantaged areas.

Third, the resources for Neighbourhood Forums are limited. Estimates for the production of a Neighbourhood Plan range from £20,000 to £100,000 which, given the low level of funding allocated by government to support Neighbourhood Plans, must in general be found by local communities. This has had a deterrent effect and may serve to concentrate Neighbourhood Plans in more advantaged areas.”

So maybe not all they were cracked up to be and quite expensive, worth considering perhaps for Towns or Parishes with the will and the means?

The “duty to co-operate” between local authorities is now fully enshrined in national planning doctrine and our relationship with Sheffield is sure to be under the microscope when Rotherham’s local plan core strategy goes to the government for sign off.

We are part of the wider Sheffield City Region, and as such we are obliged to look at Sheffield’s housing needs as well as Rotherham’s when compiling a local plan and setting housing targets. There is actually a clause in Rotherham’s plan allowing Sheffield to call for an early review if they consider our housing target insufficient, this was done to avoid an objection to the Planning Inspectorate by Sheffield when Rotherham’s plan is considered.

Coventry is having similar troubles with their big borough neighbour Birmingham as detailed in this article in the Guardian. A good summary is here.

More about the Sheffield City Region here.

It was in the western portion, a mile loop around a small lake.

At least, on the map, it was around a lake. In actuality, there were two, one on the outside of the path. We saw that one first.

After the joys of waterfowl at Independence Grove last weekend, we thought maybe something unusual was hiding in this secluded waterhole.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t true. Only Canada geese and mallards.

But–

It wasn’t unusual wildlife we saw, but unusual wildlife behavior!

As many geese are in the area year-round, this was the first time I’d seen males fighting!

Love birds!

It wasn’t over yet!

The defender went on the offensive, chasing off the would-be suitor.

The victor chased his victim all the way across the pond. The poor thing tried flying off, swimming off, even dove underwater a couple of times. Finally, he jumped up on the shore to get away.

And to the victor belongs the spoils…

and the bragging!

March 27, 2013: These three along with me learned a valuable lesson: Never expect a short line to J.Co Donuts no matter what day it is, what time it is, and how much you crave for ‘em. I hope there’s a way J.Co could fix this problem–extra cashiers maybe? More lines? It always seems as if people are there every fucking day.

Day 1: Travel from Tokyo to Manila to Tarlac City

Day 2: Attended the worship service at my home church, lunch with my family, coffee with Abcd – a good friend of mine from high school, afternoon drive to my high school, dinner with our pastor, travel back to Manila

Day 3.1: Sightseeing in Intramuros with the girls

Day 3.2: Jewelry shopping at Greenhills Shopping Center with the girls (again)

Day 3.3: Dinner with Ayz – a good friend of mine from college and my courtship coach! (wink)

Day 4: Fly back to Tokyo

There has always been a “brownfield first” presumption in planning which means previously developed land must be used before digging up open countryside. Developers don’t like this as it’s more expensive and means they are often restricted to building in less desirable locations. Now government inspectors are beginning to allow developers to ignore this principle if alternative sites are not considered “deliverable” This means that if a developer feels they cannot make sufficient profit from brownfield they will be allowed to go straight to the greenbelt.

Sustainability is being thrown out of the window as this test of “deliver-ability” starts to take precedence.

Developers are being allowed to drop hundreds of houses onto open country without making any contribution to local infrastructure, even in areas considered to have outstanding natural beauty. Government is taking the housing figures in authority’s local plans as minimums and smaller authorities like Rotherham are being forced to “co-operate” with larger ones like Sheffield to accommodate over spill.

What does this mean for Dinnington? Well we are constantly told by Rotherham Council that we have to allow a huge extension of at least 700 houses onto our greenbelt to ensure the “local plan” they are putting together is acceptable to government.

But if these plans are being ignored now anyway, as the CPRE’s report seems to indicate, what is the point? We may as well run with no plan and just fight every application as and when it comes up. Figures like the 1300 houses in total and 700 on greenbelt are now going to be treated as minimums and could inflate dramatically over the life of the plan.

The government is also relaxing the laws which require new developments to include a certain proportion of affordable housing. I think this disproves once and for all the defense used by many (including some borough Councillors) for the house building plan; that the new houses planned for Dinnington are intended to benefit our community by being affordable and for local people.

In light of this information could I please ask that Anston Parish Council stop coming up with excuses to avoid debating an objection to Rotherham Council’s Core Strategy and finally get off the fence.

Could I also make the same request of Kevin Barron MP who seems to be positively welded to the fence on this issue. The whole of Rother Valley is being disadvantaged by this plan, so please Kevin start representing your constituents instead of running scared on the issue.

They should be demanding that the local plan be changed so as to more fairly spread the development over the next 15 years throughout the borough and not just heap it in a small number of places like the Dinnington and Anston greenbelt.

Come on people, pull your fingers out!

A summary of the CPRE report is here.

Further info here.

Man Lying in Bed, Watching Television
(More info about this piece here.)

Michael in Dots
(More info about this piece here.)

Pretention: Red
(More info about this piece here.)

Volks Dollfie Dream Doll Peeking From Cherry Blossom Tree, Washington, DC, 2007
(More info about this piece here.)

Two of the pieces I’m donating are the ones where I used my now-estranged husband as the model. (It really got surreal when I was donating my art to the school and I mentioned to one of the volunteers there that some of them feature "my soon-to-be ex-husband." I’m trying to get used to the idea that, if my estranged husband gets his way, I’ll have an ex-husband in less than a month.) There are others but those two pieces were the ones I first came across as I did a quick search of my cluttered home. The other two pieces I’m donating are the ones I picked at random mainly because I came across them. Those other two pieces aren’t quite as loaded for me emotionally as the others but it would be still nice to get rid of them since my home is currently overflowing with art.

All the proceeds from the silent auction will go to the Greenbelt Elementary School PTA. The Spring Fair and Safety Day will run on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. When I was dropping the art off, I noticed that the volunteers were setting up games especially for children so it’s definitely a family-friendly event. Here’s the location and address.

Greenbelt Elementary School
66 Ridge Road
Greenbelt, Maryland 20770
Google Maps

Joshua and Rosina at Mainstage, Greenbelt, August 2010

Alex DeMetrick reports climate change is bringing warmer weather and an earlier start to the season.

Daffodils are blooming in parts of Maryland pretty much on time, but spring is coming earlier.

[worldnow id=8670063 width=385 height=288 type=video]

Dr. Jim Tucker is a climate researcher. Working with satellites and other data at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, he and others have been measuring the retreat of snow and ice since 1982. As it gets warmer, spring gets longer.

“An increase over 30 years of 12 and a half days,” said Tucker.

Gases like methane are the reason. Acting like a blanket, they let heat in but also trap it; it’s the greenhouse effect.

In three decades, it’s moved warmer weather north, bringing a growing season usually seen 400 miles to the south–and early spring.

“These changes are most pronounced when you’re very far north. As you come further south, they are moderated, so it would only be a few days here,” he said.

And while blizzards like the ones three years ago may seem contradictory, storms grow stronger because a warmer atmosphere holds more water.

Using the past 30 years of data, researchers are programming computers for future climate changes.

“Their extrapolations are that conditions will continue to get warmer because of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,” said Tucker.

Meaning still earlier springs, but not necessarily a more pleasant planet.

A warmer north is already seeing changes in animal migration and a slow advance of plants from the south.

Crack out your pastels and roll around in your eggs, cuz she’s heeeee-eeeeere!

To celebrate? We give you snow! You are welcome! Tee hee hee.

This photo was taken after a chilly winter run jog-that-was-only-slightly-faster-than-a-walk in January on a circular path around the Snake River. Normally we call it the Snake River Greenbelt, but that doesn’t work, here, does it? I am thinking Iceland and Greenland…look it up…fascinating.

Those are man-made falls (where the city, formerly known as Taylor’s Crossing and then Eagle Rock gets its name) behind her and they can be moved up and down to harness energy from the Snake River. “Idaho Falls Power receives the vast majority of its electricity – 88 percent – from hydropower.” The dam you see, there, was build in 1982, replacing and older version (from 1909).

Some facts, if you haven’t, yet, fallen asleep:

• For some riveting footage of the Idaho Falls greenbelt, you can click here.
• Someone travelled through here in January and had something nice to say about the town and the state. Based on my experiences, that’s noteworthy–an experience shared by very few people, my own family included.
• The Snake River is 1038 miles long.
• The Snake River flows into the Columbia River, which eventually feeds the ocean (near Astoria, Oregon).
• The Snake River rises in Yellowstone National Park
• It then flows through Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park
• It merges with Henry’s Fork in Island Park, Idaho
• We have been blessed enought to see the Snake River in its entirety and I now realize I need to get some Chloe footage posted of that!
• The Snake was explored and mentioned by Lewis and Clark
• It helped expansion (for a scary bit of reading, we urge you to click Manifest Destiny) into the Pacific Northwest (you are welcome, my Shoshone-Bannock relatives…ummmm. Sorry.).

Mr Beck kicks off reading apologies for absence, Stuart Thornton straight on the attack asks where the absent people are? Do they have better things to do? He is shot down by Cllr Saint-John with the accuracy and ruthlessness of an SAS sniper.

Not deterred Stuart asks why minutes do not reflect the reasons he left a meeting early, i.e. that he felt the chair at the time was not doing his job. Move on says Mr Beck!

Again Stuart pops his head above the battlements to suggest that the prices paid for emptying bins seem on the expensive side. There is general agreement on this, but not on what to do, a motion is passed to vaguely look at it in some way.

Mr Beck answers a query and confirms tweeting is allowed in meetings! Huurah, move on!

As the main session starts a few familiar faces drift in, most notably Mr Lewis in a provocative t-shirt. 3 Police PCSOs also troop through the door and are not so subtlety questioned by the public as to why they are there.

The main event kicks off with a question about repair jobs on the Green outstanding from three years ago. Cllrs Burton and Baker promise to progress, no one can remember that far back.

A greenbelt question on what arrangements will be made for schools when the new houses planned by RMBC are built. Cllr Dalton says the planners will this into account at the time, Cllr Thornton disagrees saying the infrastructure plans offer no money for improvements. It’s a complex subject but I happen to know he’s right and she’s wrong.

Another question along similar lines, saying Anston needs a civic centre, all present broadly agree but the feeling is it is now too late for such things, it should have been done in the seventies and the time has gone. They have obviously not seen my plan to divert the A57 and reclaim Anston for the people. It’s a plan as cunning as a bag of foxes, but we move on to……

Why don’t we cut Dinnington Comp in two and bring half of it to Anston? Then kids won’t have to go as far…. Hmmm no one touches this with a big stick.

Cllr Burton asks why are we discussing this, it’s all in the hands of private developers, demoralized we move on again.

Mr Lewis asks SJ what he was playing at when he spoke up for the Brethren at the planning board. It’s an old theme and is greeted with sighs, SJ tells the questioner to get bent in a nice way.

Clive Jepson gets a similar reply when he asks SJ about his contact with the Brethren prior to their planning application. No further comment…

We turn to the worst kept secret in Anston next, the top secret land deal the Council is involved in. Apparently there is an update but we can’t be told what it is because the thing we all know about is secret. This is getting boring…!

It is pointed out that if the deal is not kept secret the Council may lose the land. That’s it knackered then, because by now even the flippin Martians must know.

A letter next asking Cllrs to declare whether or not they are for building on greenbelt. Cllrs Thornton and Baker are against, SJ says it’s not that simple, folks have to live somewhere. Beck and Ireland say wait for next Save Our Greenbelt meeting, Stonebridge says RMBC have been screwed by the route of HS2 so couldn’t do as much on brownfield as they’d like, Burton says as a last resort she’s for it.

Stuart says we can’t blame central government for things like this, RMBC decide where to put the houses, and they just gave Dinno another 200. No, it’s 40 says Cllr Dalton, ignoring the fact that RMBC themselves say it’s 200, sorry Judy 0/2.

A letter from Mr Beck to Kevin Barron is denounced as misleading by Stuart, he’s a terrier this man! “You’ll not get rid of me Stuart” laughs Mr Beck as the audience applaud. The applause was in favour of binning Mr Beck I must report.

A letter from the independent monitor who attended last months pensioner bashing meeting, he wants a public meeting with himself and the public only, no councillors allowed. This sounds interesting and is welcomed universally, although no one actually knows why he wants a meeting or what it’s for. A vote is taken to invite all Anstonians to a public meeting for some purpose no one knows. All we do know is some councillors have been complained about but we don’t know who.

I can’t help noticing the Council have brought their fan club again this month, all 3 of them in fact. They mainly snigger and quietly use the F word between themselves, booing the odd member of the public who dares to get frustrated at the slow pace of progress.

How better to consult with the public is discussed, along with the possibility of working more closely with Dinno Town Council. Councillors say they are keen, but it’s all a bit wooly, and no concise action is promised.

Stuart goes down in flames for daring to suggest the Council consult before buying any more land, he picks himself back up to ask where the 1500 quid is coming from for Anston Day.

Not sure says Judy, we can decide at the time says SJ. Move on! Says Mr Beck.

It all gets slightly shouty as Cllrs discuss various standing orders, Stuart loses again and heckling starts to break out  as we progress towards the end of the meeting.

A vote is taken to keep the land purchase secret, this provokes an exclamation of “yes” from the fan club, don’t know what’s going on there.

A residents asks when they can expect a reply to a letter, they are told the letter is acknowledged as received but not to hold their breath.

A resident tried to sneak a second question and get a cruise missile of a telling off, some wag suggests the councillors pay for Anston Day themselves, yes, it just got silly.

A final question to the independents accusing them of being on the fence over greenbelt, protecting the countryside will stop our children from having affordable homes apparently. Clive points out that there are many affordable homes not selling at the moment, and that the gentlemen in question supported the brethren so is hardly unbiased.

I wonder when people will stop talking about these new homes as if they are going to be council houses or something, they will be private, expensive and profitable comrade.

It’s been two and a half hours and there is a feeling of relief as muck rakers, the Police and general public leave the councillors to their private session.

This meeting has shown what a paralysed body this Council is, no real issues are debated with any great zeal or openness, the common good is sacrificed for infighting and the Labour Party line.

I despair.

Just a few weeks before Halloween last fall, I found these unique pumpkins (some of which have a light pink tint while others have a deep orange color that looks almost red) on sale at the Home Depot in Laurel, Maryland.

This mariachi band gives free afternoon performances at Beltway Plaza in Greenbelt, Maryland two Sundays a month.

A sign that’s posted on the door at the Laurel Factory in Laurel, Maryland.

Last November I celebrated my first Thanksgiving since my husband abruptly walked out on me three days after Christmas, 2011. For the dinner I ate a boxed Marie Callendar’s frozen turkey meal. For dessert, I purchased a 10" pumpkin pie from Giant along with a can of Reddi Whip whipped cream. I cut a slice of pie then totally drowned it in whipped cream.

Last fall, before the start of the Christmas holiday shopping season, the Target in Greenbelt, Maryland got a shipment of these special Barbie products that were designed by Tim Gunn of Project Runway fame. During one store visit I saw a Tim Gunn Barbie outfit on sale while during another visit I saw a Barbie doll dressed in Tim Gunn’s outfit. Both of these products were quickly sold and I haven’t seen any more Tim Gunn Barbie products since.

On January 6, while I was observing Little Christmas/Feast of the Epiphany/Twelth Night and the third anniversary of the start of this blog, I stepped outside my home where I saw these bare trees against the sky that looked like an ink and watercolor painting. These photos prove that nature is the best artist.

On January 25 there was a light snow that only covered the ground but not the streets. (I think it accumulated no more than a half-an-inch.) Here’s a shot of Roosevelt Center with the Mother and Child statue in Greenbelt, Maryland after the snow.

On February 8 I was attending an afternoon seminar on health care for artists that will be available in Maryland thanks to the passage of Obamacare that was put on by Health Care for All. (With my husband hellbent on divorcing me, my ability to remain under his health insurance is currently endangered.) The seminar was held at the Maryland Historical Soicety in Baltimore, which is a really nice building. There is a nice museum that has various Maryland artifacts like Baltimore Orioles memorabilia and items associated with film director John Waters. I wasn’t able to entirely view the museum due to time and money constraints but I’m definitely going to try to return there to visit in the future.

The area where the Maryland Historical Society building is located is a pretty interesting area to walk around. Here’s this cool looking sign that’s shaped like a circular saw. The company responsible for that sign, Skarie, has since changed its name to MultiCam East but the sign still remains on North Howard Street.

The building with the coolest looking windows located near the Maryland Historical Society belongs to A.T. Jones & Sons, which is a costume shop that specializes in theatrical costumes and stage makeup. The clowns in the windows look creepy but they add to the charm of the area.

Right next to A.T. Jones & Sons is this building that has this really cool op-art inspired black and white mural.

On Valentine’s Day last month I was in Parkville (which is located north of Baltimore) because I was going to an independently owned comic book and video game store that was willing to pay cash for some old video games that I wanted to unload in order to reduce clutter in my home. Located just a few doors away from that store is a wine shop—appropriately named Sipping Pretty—that is notable for these two Blues Brothers statues standing next to the door.

Here is the store where I sold my old video games when it was still in its old location. It’s called Collectors Corner and, as of this writing, the owners are in the process of moving to a larger store located just down the street.

As a child I used to get Peeps in my Easter basket each year. At the time they only had the yellow chicks and they only came out once a year around Easter. As time went by, Just Born (the manufacturer of Peeps) added bunnies. Then they added bunnies and chicks in other pastel colors besides yellow. Then Just Born decided to have candy available for other holidays besides Easter and to make them in different shapes other than bunnies and chicks so now one can buy ghosts and pumpkins for Halloween, snowmen and reindeer for Christmas, and hearts and teddy bears for Valentine’s Day. I recently got a hold of this special pack of vanilla-flavored chicks sold in Target to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Peeps. (The vanilla Peeps were quite good and tasty.)

I found these special Matchbox cars at Wegman’s that have artwork on them based on the classic arcade video games of the 1970′s and 1980′s.

On March 8 I attended a quarter auction that was a fundraiser for my support group for people who are separated or divorced. The quarter auction is a cross between an auction and a lottery. Basically you throw in a quarter for an item that’s up for auction that you want. Afterwards you raise your numbered paddles high. If the auctioneer selects a ping pong ball that has the same number as what’s written on your paddle, you get the item. Theoretically you could get something that has a market value of $75 for only 25 cents. This is the second time I attended such an auction. At the previous fundraising quarter auction I attended just a few months earlier, I didn’t win anything. For the March 8 auction I hit paydirt twice. I got two small bags full of these treats from a company called Tastefully Simple. Both bags had the same products so I only empited one of the bags for this picture of the items next to my winning paddle number.

At that same quarter auction I won this really cool looking pen that writes really nice. This one has to be one of the best pens I’ve ever gotten as an adult. (For far too many years I made do with the cheap pens that my husband would pilfer from his NASA job. These pens didn’t last long and sometimes they even leaked.) Here’s the pen with my winning paddle number 54.

Here are the most recent photos from my smartphone that I took last Saturday (March 16). I was driving to Today’s Pet in Columbia, Maryland in an effort to restock some hedgehog food for Spike when I found some interesting looking pets for sale in that store. The white rabbit on the right in the photo below had an interesting hair style that made me think of President Martin Van Buren (who was the subject of this recent Google ad).

The rabbit in the next photo is one of the largest rabbits I’ve seen since the time I was taking an early morning walk in Phoenix on the morning before my late mother-in-law’s wedding to her second husband in the early 1990′s (I was suffering from time zone changes) and I saw jackrabbits hopping around. This particular rabbit’s ears aren’t as long as the jackrabbits I saw but the rabbit is about the size of a cat or a small dog. It’s more apparent if you see this rabbit in real life than what this photo shows.

Today’s Pet also sells large turtles such as the one in the photo below.

I’ll finish this entry with these two photos I took at the Greenbelt Metro station yesterday as I was on my home from attending the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Washington, DC. An abandoned Minnie Mouse plush toy sits on top of a trash can as if she’s waiting for her owner to come and claim her.

When it comes to burgers, I’m like the Super Mario Brothers — I can’t resist a good mushroom. So I was quite ecstatic when I ordered The Double Rising Shroom from Burger Bar at Greenbelt 2 after it was recommended by a friend who was quite the burger lover himself.

The Double Rising Shroom is a mouthwatering feast of epic proportions. The burger has two thick juicy beef patties cooked in mustard for that extra kick. The warm Kaiser sandwich also comes with white truffled cream cheese, a generous drizzle of sauteed mushrooms, and fried oyster mushroom tempura to top it off – for an overwhelming mushroom overload.

The burger is priced at PHP375.00 for the double patty but you can also have the single patty version for just PHP280.00. Service at the Burger Bar is excellent although it can get packed during peak hours.

Now, whenever I get the gloom — I can get a shroom! Ha!

xxx

Anyway, I titled this post “Transitional” because I think this is the starting point to transitioning my style into something darker, more mature but nonetheless fun, and a lot less girly. I just figured that I’m turning 20 years old this year and I haven’t really experimented much on my clothing. I want to try being more risqué. I’ve also been inspired by urban fashion lately. Whenever I’m not doing stuff for school, I’d read articles about the whole Chrihanna (Chris Brown + Rihanna) relationship. Apparently, they’re getting back together. It’s such a shame because I really liked Chris’ ex-girlfriend Karreuche. I think she’s so cute and her style’s really unique. I’d love to get my hands on a few pieces from The Kill, her joint venture with CB. I’ll find a way to get me a cap or a jacket soon. I just don’t think they’d be shipping outside of the U.S, though.

What I wore to another day of stress:

My friend Genevieve, (LOL) offered to take my photos and my friend Maika, did all the creative directing. It was so funny how both of them dragged me everywhere and to the most unusual areas too! Nonetheless, the pictures all turned out pretty good, don’t you think? Love my new style crew!

Love this photo personally!

My super rad necklace is from Apostrophe, that cute little store with all the Audrey Hepburn stuff. I normally wouldn’t wear gold and silver at the same time but I couldn’t resist buying this piece.

These gorgeous peep-toes are from Topshop. Got them at a discount for only a thousand and two hundred bucks! Lucky huh? They were the last ones for my size and I begged the attendant to hold it for me for two days. They don’t normally allow that but I guess the lady saw how much I wanted it. Thank you so much ate Topshop! I promise to always buy at that Topshop branch only :3

tank top – Kamiseta
vest – Classified
striped pants – What A Girl Wants WAGW
sunnies are a gift from Lulu bear

So stoked for my urban transformation! So stoked for summer vacay as well! Stay tuned

Photos by Genevieve Arca

At a previous meeting (where a certain pensioner came to loggerheads with the chairman Mr Beck) independent monitors from the Borough were present to observe proceedings due to a previous complaint. Now we have the following agenda item to be discussed tomorrow:

vi) Letter from RMBC, received 8th March, regarding proposed public meeting
with Mr Phil Beavers (Interim Independent Person serving on the Standards
Committee).

Sounds interesting, almost as though this proposed public meeting will be for the purpose of scrutinizing the behaviour of the Council? Also this:

v) Cllr Thornton (2013/014) – To discuss the presence of security guards at previous
council meeting.

I didn’t even know there WERE security guards there, although I did note two PCSOs…

There is also discussion of the local plan/greenbelt issues on the agenda with a proposal to work more closely with Dinnington Town Council on these tricky subjects. All good stuff and should make for some good discussion and (hopefully) progress.

There is also this stern warning, however, so any bolshy pensioners had best be on good behaviour!

Regard should be made to the requirements of Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder
Act 1998, the Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended), the Disability Discrimination
Act 2005 (Disability Equality Duty) and Section 40 of the Natural Environment and
Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 (Biodiversity Duty), throughout the meeting.
Anyone who disturbs the proceedings may be required by resolution to withdraw
from the room – Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, s1(8).)

You can download your own copy from here.

Many people will not recognise the description of Dinnington and it’s people in this letter.

LoveDinnington and, I think the vast majority in Dinnington are not against building new houses, I myself live in a house built in the late seventies on a greenfield site. What we are opposed to is the SCALE and the way developers are being allowed to cherry pick greenbelt sites whilst ignoring brownfield in the current local plan. Sheffield feels the same and refuses to build on much of their own greenbelt, and I don’t blame them.

We would also like Dinnington to be given new and upgraded facilities so the roads, schools, doctors and dentists can cope as our little town expands.

That’s all.

My wife was brought up in Sheffield and has lived there her whole life. Since we moved back to Dinnington she is AMAZED at how open and friendly people are. And Sheffield isn’t exactly an unfriendly place, far from it.

We Love Dinnington!

We can’t wait!!!

1 more day to go before our PASSION GUAVA Open House! See you on Sunday, March 17 from 10:00am to 11:30am and be the first to get a taste of our awesome summer beverages.

*No need to print out or bring our invite – just come and visit with your friends and family!

We passed mothers with strollers, joggers, kids on bikes, skateboarders…

flocks of geese at small lakes…

parks…

places to grab a bite to eat

found out that this is a “long” bike path connecting Tempe to North Scottsdale. We didn’t go the entire route…maybe another day!

Location: Carlos Palanca St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

Property COde: CND-R-039

One Bedroom, One Toilet and Bath

Furnished

Walking distance to Greenbelt, Makati

Lease Rate: P 40,000

Complete Amenities

For Viewing and Inquiries:

TRICIA ZURBANO – 0917.5986455 / 0922.8159337

PRC Broker’s License no: 2568

JELA QUIMSON– 0917.5655470

PRC Broker’s License no: 5227

Office nos. : 632. 7532532 / 632. 8171386

PRAISE REALTY MKTG. CORP.

Unit 1109 Herrera Tower Va Rufino St. Salcedo Village Makati City

A good attendance at this little get together, very friendly and not a single police officer in sight. Even the (in)famous Mr Lewis manages to get in the door without a blue light escort.

It marks the return of Simon Tweed from a bout of poorly-ness and with his fellow Borough Councillors in tow as well.

We kick off with a presentation by the “Groundwork Creswell, Ashfield and Mansfield” group, an environmental charity with quite a wide range of work to their name. More about them here

They are questioned quite thoroughly by a member of Save our Greenbelt (who I am not associated with in any way in case people don’t know) about their work, their funding and how they tackle various problems.

And so starts the meeting proper…

First question is on certain expenditure in the last budget and the chair answers explaining and giving details.

A question from the public on the shop frontages on Dinnington main street and who is responsible for their upkeep and preventing them from encroaching on the pavement. RMBC Highway and Env Health says Simon, but Cllr Wardle points out that if the blockage is on private land little can be done.

Litter is also on the agenda, RMBC accused of paying little attention to Dinnington, but borough is defended by Cllr Havenhand who says their guy does his best but it is a losing battle. Someone comments that people ought to stop dropping the flipping stuff and it’s hard to argue with that! The chair promises to raise with borough and see if more can be done.

Save Our Greenbelt ask about the total number of houses RMBC are now going to build in Dinno, is it 1100, is it 1300, does it include this or that? Borough Councillors say it is 1300 and Simon promises to get written clarification. I point out that the borough tend to lie a lot and any written reply is fit only for arse wiping. The chair shoots me down for calling people liars and I scurry away before her wrath.

It gets a bit shouty and then we come to my question, how about a field trip onto Dinnington East to find out some facts on the ground. This is greeted with enthusiasm by many and I am told to arrange a date and call the press, job done!

I also sort of hint that only one of the three Borough Councillors have been helping so far and get a right earful back. I invite them to prove me wrong and then duck as verbal Tomahawk missiles are aimed in my direction.

Save Our Greenbelt make one last point (which I don’t fully understand) about the objections made to RMBC by the Town Council, the clerk answers and the public session is closed! I make a hasty retreat to my car outside which has been left with the engine running the whole time!

A nice bit of good honest debate after the snakish nastiness of Anston and I live to complain another day!

Job done, cushty, off we trot!