The cherry blossom trees are without a doubt the stars of springtime in Washington, DC. Visit the District during this time and you’ll find the nation’s capital is accented in pink for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place which virtual and in-person events from March 20 – April 17, 2022. Here are some must-knows as you plan to celebrate the blossoms at home or during a safe, in-person visit to DC.
Visiting the cherry blossoms in Washington, DC at the end of March 2022.
Morocco is a land of a thousand colours, with green, red, blue, ochre, and white dominating. We shall travel through the kingdom’s most stunning spots using these five colors. From the royal elegance of Marrakesh to the secrets of Ouarzazate, we’ll visit iconic cities brimming with energy and passion, providing artists with endless inspiration.
Despite the various changes brought about by modern society, Moroccans are striving hard to maintain traditions and historical skills. The series also brings us to more intimate areas, such as palm groves, oases, and dunes, where colourful vistas of palm groves, oases, and dunes abound.
We’ll meet the people who live there and work to preserve the natural beauty of the area. Morocco is a unique tapestry of landscapes that takes the observer on a dream-like trip from the seaside to the mountain heights.
First, the fizz. Part of Seville’s exuberance is because the city is preparing for two festivals: Semana Santa, over Holy Week, and the April Fair (actually in May). The first involves processions of elaborately trussed religious statues sitting on decorative floats held aloft by men in cream-coloured cloaks and cone-shaped headdresses, a vision that surprised me when I attended, by chance, while interrailing around Europe decades ago. The April Fair is equally flamboyant, although with more frills — Sevillanas in every shade of flamenco dress. Everyone learns flamenco at school, so there’s no excuse for poor footwork. And, naturally, getting a new dress, of slightly different design, is the done thing each year.
After all that, arriving at La Donaira via the white mountain village of El Gastor is a change of pace. Not least because the views are lurking under cloud (the calima again), so I am inclined to make the most of the hotel’s cosiness rather than head out for a grey hike.
What was once a private house, converted into a hotel in 2015, strives to maintain that homely feeling. It’s working — guests wear athleisure at dinner, pad around in socks and Crocs, and children jump on the giant sofa by the living-room fire. The vibe here is so relaxed, we leave our bedroom door open at night to listen to the rain and feel the cool mountain air. The living room is a big, open space — a former barn, with picture windows over the courtyard, a library and plenty of lounging spots.
A modern-day dream home, Otsu House is a refreshing and timeless exploration of texture, material and light. The site’s proximity to the beach called for a pared back and neutral colour palette, filling the internal spaces with warmth and reflective character.
Video Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction to the House 00:29 – Design Influenced by the Environment 01:04 – Designing for Light and Airflow 01:25 – Concrete and Clay Finishes 02:57 – The Courtyard 03:15 – Neutral Colour Palette 03:40 – Landscaping and Pool Design 04:10 – Helical Staircase 04:53 – Ensuite Bathroom Features 05:18 – Concrete Kitchen Bench 05:36 – Successful Partnership
With easy access to the beach, it was important that the materials used within the structure were able to be self-maintained and endure the harsh Australian climate and beachside environment.
The dream home embraces open spaces, reminiscent of the nearby ocean. A continued theme of open space is felt throughout the house and is extended out towards the garden. The entryway is greeted with a void and an enticing sculptural staircase. Feeling as though it evolved out of the ground, the staircase draws the eye inward and up to the second level. The curve of the stairs reflects the textured clay render, Rockcote Japanese Otsumigaki, used throughout the interior and evokes a visual connection to ocean waves.
The Otsumigaki is both subtle and reflective, interacting with natural light and giving forth a lustre that is completely distinctive to the interior space. The raw nature of the Japanese clay and concrete used throughout the dream home acts as a significant connection to the beachfront. The textured material brings with it a warmth whilst also an endurance to the elements, specifically the salt from the ocean and the strength of the Australian sun.
Concrete is also used in the home’s ceiling, allowing for both thermal and noise barriers within the interior spaces. The material is also used in the kitchen bench and is in keeping with the natural, neutral colour palette present within the dream home. Otsu House also features a courtyard space, acting as both a lightwell and a visual connection for the downstairs rooms. The doors are able to be opened to allow a breeze to flow throughout the dream home, creating patterns with light and shadows. The linen curtains soften the raw concrete throughout and provide a delicate balance within the natural material palette.
Anghiari is a town in the province of Arezzo in Tuscany and is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. On 29 June 1440 the plain in front of Anghiari was the scene of a famous battle, which went down in history precisely as the battle of Anghiari between the Florentine army, an ally of the Holy See and commanded by Giovanni Paolo Orsini, and that of the Duke of Milan, led by Niccolò Piccinino. The battle lasted one day and was won by the Florentines, who thus consolidated their dominions in Tuscany and was later painted by Leonardo da Vinci.
Video Timeline: – 00:00 – AERIAL VIEW OF ANGHIARI – 04:11 – BALDACCIO SQUARE – 05:37 – PORTA DEL CATORCIO – 07:20 – PIAZZA DEL POPOLO – 07:42 – PALAZZO PRETORIO – 09:57 – BADIA DI SAN BARTOLOMEO – 14:33 – CHURCH OF SANT’AGOSTINO – 22:32 – VIA DELLA TORRE – 23:04 – CLOCK TOWER – 23:29 – CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA DELLE GRAZIE – 24:18 – “LAST SUPPER”, CANVAS BY GIOVANNI ANTONIO SOGLIANI – 25.10 – “FOOT WASH”, CANVAS BY GIOVANNI ANTONIO SOGLIANI – 25:27 – “DEPOSITION FROM THE CROSS”, CANVAS BY DOMENICO UBALDINI – 26:34 – “OUR LADY OF MERCY”, GLAZED TERRACOTTA BY ANDREA DELLA ROBBIA – 27:47 – ACADEMY OF THE RECOMPOSED THEATER
THE TRADER
Ben Levisohn
THE TRADER
Ben Levisohn
THE TRADER
Ben Levisohn
TECHNOLOGY TRADER
Eric J. Savitz
STREETWISE
Jack Hough
UP AND DOWN WALL STREET
Randall W. Forsyth
THE ECONOMY
Lisa Beilfuss
COMMODITIES CORNER
Myra P. Saefong
UP AND DOWN WALL STREET
Randall W. Forsyth
INCOME INVESTING
Lawrence C. Strauss
Giverny is a village in the region of Normandy in northern France. Impressionist painter Claude Monet lived and worked here from 1883 until his death in 1926. The artist’s former home and elaborate gardens, where he produced his famed water lily series, are now the Fondation Claude Monet museum. Nearby, the Musée des impressionnismes Giverny highlights the Impressionist art movement.
Georgina Godwin sets the tone for the weekend with a special broadcast from St Moritz.
Boomers Daily 