Gutianshan National Nature Reserve

Gutianshan National Nature Reserve () is a nature reserve in Kaihua County, in the western part of Zhejiang Province, on the border of Jiangxi province. The reserve was established as a smaller, provincial-level nature reserve in 1975, and upgraded to its present size and status in 2001. The reserve occupies a mountainous, forested area, and is part of the Nanling mountains. The highest peak is Shiershan () at .
Flora and fauna.
The reserve was established to preserve old-growth evergreen broad-leaved forest in the region. About 57% of the reserve is natural forest. Altogether 1426 species of seed plants have been reported in the reserve. The dominant plants species are "Castanopsis eyrei", "Schima superba" (), and "Pinus massoniana".
Notable birds of the reserve include Elliot's pheasant. Mammals include clouded leopard, Asian black bear, Sumatran serow, and sika deer. The reserve hosts a population of hairy-fronted muntjacs estimated at 300–400 individuals.
Research activity.
The reserve hosts a 24-ha forest plot that belongs to the Chinese Forest Biodiversity Monitoring Network (CForBio). The plot was established in 2005 when all trees with the diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥1 cm were tagged, identified, measured, and georeferenced. Altogether 140,676 individual trees from 49 families and 159 species were identified in the plot. The plot belongs also to the global network of forest research plots in the Center for Tropical Forest Science consortium. Several scientific publications have resulted from studies conducted on the plot.
In 2009 Research Station of Forestry Biodiversity and Climatic Change belonging to the Institute of Botany (Chinese Academy of Sciences) was opened. The station was co-sponsored by HSBC, the Earthwatch Institute and the Institute of Botany


List of Louisiana Scenic Byways

The Louisiana Scenic Byways are a network of roadways within the U.S. state of Louisiana that have been deemed of cultural, historical, or scenic value. The routes follow various segments of the state-maintained highway system, usually rural in character, and are mostly located in the central and southern areas of the state.
List.
There are currently 18 routes that are active members of the Louisiana Scenic Byways program, following its reorganization in 2010.
Creole Nature Trail.
The Creole Nature Trail is an All-American Road that is designated primarily along stretches of LA 27 and LA 82 in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes, located in the southwestern corner of the state. Like most of Louisiana's Scenic Byways, it does not follow a linear route but instead consists of a network of existing state-maintained highways. The trail spans a total of through a remote area sometimes referred to as "Louisiana's Outback." The surroundings range from marshland and prairie to sandy beaches and contain a wide variety of wildlife, including alligators, birds, butterflies, and fish. Four wildlife refuges are located along the route.


Zorba the Greek (film)

Zorba the Greek (, "Alexis Zorbas") is a 1964 Greek-American comedy-drama film written, produced, edited, and directed by Greek Cypriot Michael Cacoyannis and starring Anthony Quinn as the titular character. Based on the 1946 novel "The Life And Times Of Alexis Zorba" by Nikos Kazantzakis, the film's cast includes Alan Bates, Lila Kedrova, Irene Papas, and Sotiris Moustakas.
Plot.
Basil is a British-Greek writer raised in Britain who bears the hallmarks of an uptight, middle-class Englishman. He is waiting at the Athens port of Piraeus on mainland Greece to catch a boat to Crete when he meets a gruff, yet enthusiastic Greek-Macedonian peasant and musician named Zorba. Basil explains to Zorba that he is traveling to a rural Cretan village where his father owns some land, with the intention of reopening a lignite mine and perhaps curing his writer's block. Zorba relates his experience with mining and persuades Basil to take him along.
When they arrive at Crete, they take a car to the village where they are greeted enthusiastically by the town's impoverished peasant community. They stay with an old French war widow and courtesan named Madame Hortense in her self-styled "Hotel Ritz". The audacious Zorba tries to persuade Basil into making a move on the much older Madame Hortense, but when he is understandably reluctant, Zorba seizes the opportunity, and they form a relationship.
Over the next few days, Basil and Zorba attempt to work the old lignite mine, but find it unsafe and shut it down. Zorba then has an idea to use the forest in the nearby mountains for logging, (his specific plan is left ambiguous, but it seems he thinks the timber can be used to shore up the tunnels). The land is owned by a powerful monastery, so Zorba visits and befriends the monks, getting them drunk. Afterwards, he comes home to Basil and begins to dance in a way that mesmerizes Basil.
Meanwhile, Basil and Zorba get their first introduction to "the Widow", a young and attractive widowed woman, who is incessantly teased by the townspeople for not remarrying, especially to a young, local boy who is madly in love with her, but whom she has spurned repeatedly. One rainy afternoon, Basil offers her his umbrella, which she reluctantly takes. Zorba suggests that she is attracted to him, but Basil, ever shy, denies this and refuses to pursue the widow.
Basil hands Zorba some money, and sends him off to the large town of Chania, where Zorba is to buy cable and other supplies for the implementation of his grand plan. Zorba says goodbye to Basil and Madame Hortense, who is by now madly in love with him. In Chania, Zorba entertains himself at a cabaret and strikes up a brief romance with a much younger dancer. In a letter to Basil, he details his exploits and indicates that he has found love. Angered by Zorba's apparent irresponsibility and the squandering of his money, Basil untruthfully tells Madame Hortense that Zorba has declared his love to her and intends to marry her upon his return, which makes her ecstatic to the point of tears. Meanwhile, the Widow returns Basil's umbrella by way of Mimithos, the village idiot.
When Zorba eventually returns with supplies and gifts, he is surprised and angered to hear of Basil's lie to Madame Hortense. He also asks Basil about his whereabouts the night before. That night, Basil had gone to the Widow's house, made love to her and spent the night. The brief encounter comes at great cost. A villager catches sight of them, and word spreads, and the young, local boy who is in love with the Widow is taunted mercilessly about it. The next morning, the villagers find his body by the sea, where he has drowned himself out of shame.
The boy's father, Mavrandoni, holds a funeral which the villagers attend. The widow attempts to come inconspicuously, but is blocked from entering the church. She is eventually trapped in the courtyard, then beaten and stoned by the villagers, who hold her responsible for the boy's suicide. Basil, meek and fearful of intervening, tells Mimithos to quickly fetch Zorba. Zorba arrives just as a villager, a friend of the boy, tries to pull a knife and kill the widow. Zorba overpowers the much younger man and disarms him. Thinking that the situation is under control, Zorba asks the Widow to follow him and turns his back. At that moment, the dead boy's father pulls his knife and cuts the widow's throat. She dies at once, as the villagers shuffle away apathetically, whisking the father away. Only Basil, Zorba and Mimithos show any emotion over her murder. Basil proclaims his inability to intervene whereupon Zorba laments the futility of death.
On a rainy day, Basil and Zorba come home and find Madame Hortense waiting. She expresses anger at Zorba for making no progress on the wedding. Zorba conjures up a story that he had ordered a white satin wedding dress, lined with pearls and adorned with real gold. Madame Hortense presents two golden rings she had made and proposes their immediate engagement. Zorba tries to stall, but eventually agrees with gusto, to Basil's surprise.
Some time later, Madame Hortense has contracted pneumonia, and is seen on her deathbed. Zorba stays by her side, along with Basil. Meanwhile, word has spread that "the foreigner" is dying, and since she has no heirs, the State will take her possessions and money. The desperately poor villagers crowd around her hotel, impatiently waiting for her demise so they can steal her belongings. As two old ladies enter her room and gaze expectantly at her, other women try to enter, but Zorba manages to fight them off. At the instant of her death, the women re-enter Madame Hortense's bedroom "en masse" to steal her valued possessions. Zorba leaves with a sigh, as the hotel is ransacked and stripped bare by the shrieking and excited villagers. When Zorba returns to Madame Hortense's bedroom, the room is barren apart from her bed (where she lies) and the parrot in her cage. Zorba takes the birdcage with him.
Finally, Zorba's elaborate contraption to transport timber down the hill is complete. A festive ceremony, including lamb on a spit, is held, and all the villagers turn out. After a blessing from the priests, Zorba signals the start by firing a rifle in the air. A log comes hurtling down the zip line at a worrying pace, destroying the log itself and slightly damaging part of the contraption. Zorba remains unconcerned and gives orders for a second log. This one also speeds down and shoots straight into the sea. By now the villagers and priests have grown fearful and head for cover. Zorba remains unfazed and orders a third log, which accelerates downhill with such violence that it dislodges the entire contraption, destroying everything. The villagers flee, leaving Basil and Zorba behind.
Basil and Zorba sit by the shore to eat roasted lamb for lunch. Zorba pretends to tell the future from the lamb shank, saying that he foresees a great journey to a big city. He then asks Basil directly when he plans to leave, and Basil replies that he will leave in a few days. Zorba declares his sadness about Basil's imminent departure to England and tells Basil that he is missing madness. Basil asks Zorba to teach him to dance. Zorba teaches him the sirtaki and Basil begins to laugh hysterically at the catastrophic outcome. The story ends with both men enthusiastically dancing the sirtaki on the beach.
Production.
Simone Signoret began filming the role of Madame Hortense; Lila Kedrova replaced her early in the production.
The film was shot in black and white on location on the Greek island of Crete. Specific locations featured include the city of Chania, the village of Kokkino Chorio in the Apokoronas region and Stavros beach in the Akrotiri peninsula. The scene in which Quinn's character dances the Sirtaki was filmed on the beach of the village of Stavros.
Reception.
Box office.
The film was a smash hit. Produced on a budget of only $783,000, it grossed $9 million at the U.S. box office, earning $4.4 million in U.S. theatrical rentals. At the worldwide box office, the film earned $9.4 million in rentals, placing the worldwide gross between $18.8 million to $23.5 million. It was the 17th highest-grossing film of 1964.
According to Fox records, the film needed to earn $3,000,000 in rentals to break even and made $9,400,000. By September 1970 it earned the studio an estimated profit of $2,565,000.
Critical.
Contemporary reviews were generally positive, with Anthony Quinn and Lila Kedrova receiving numerous accolades for their performances, although a few critics found fault with the screenplay. Bosley Crowther of "The New York Times" lauded Quinn for a "brilliant performance" and Kedrova for her "brilliantly realized" character, citing the only real weakness of the film as a lack of "significant conflict to prove its dominant character. Zorba is powerful and provocative, but nobody gets in his way." Margaret Harford of the "Los Angeles Times" declared that the film would "stand among the year's best motion pictures, an unusual, engrossing effort" with spots both "outrageously funny" and "painfully sad and tragic."
Richard L. Coe of "The Washington Post" deemed it "a memorable picture" with a "bravura performance" from Quinn, adding that "Lila Kedrova as the dying Mme Hortense is spectacularly touching." "Variety" found the film excessively long and overstuffed, writing that Cacoyannis's screenplay was "packed with incidents of varying moods, so packed, in fact, that some of the more important ones cannot be developed fully." Brendan Gill of "The New Yorker" wrote that Cacoyannis had directed the film with "enormous verve" but had written a "not very tidy, not very plausible screenplay." Gill particularly praised Kedrova's performance and thought that she "comes within an ace of stealing the picture from Quinn." "The Monthly Film Bulletin" wrote that the film began well, but by the time the characters went to Crete "the pace slows to a crawl, and the narrative line becomes blurred in a series of unrelated incidents of doubtful significance." The review concluded that for all its length, "the film never gets down to a clear statement of its theme, or comes within measuring distance of its vast pretensions."
The film won three Academy Awards.
The film has an 86% rating at Rotten Tomatoes. On both sides of the Atlantic, "Zorba" was applauded and Quinn came in for the best reviews. He was lauded as Zorba, along with the other stars, including Greek-born Papas, who worked with Quinn on "The Guns of Navarone".
Also, the film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:
Preservation.
The Academy Film Archive preserved "Zorba the Greek" in 2004.


Thirumandhamkunnu Temple

Thirumandhamkunnu Temple is a historically significant Hindu temple in Angadipuram, which was the capital of Valluvanad Rajavamsham,in Malappuram district, Kerala state, South India.
The temple deity, "Thirumandhamkunnil amma", was the paradevatha (official goddess) of the kings of Valluvanad, the local feudal kings ruled the area in the Middle Ages. The Nair warriors (called Chavers, literally "martyrs") of Valluvanad king set out from this temple to Thirunavaya, to participate in the famous Mamankam festival. A memorial structure called the "chaver thara" ("platform of the martyrs") can be found in front of the main entrance of the Thirumanthamkunnu Temple.
The temple is also an important pilgrim center, especially for the eleven-day-long annual festival celebrated in March and April months of the Gregorian calendar. The "principal deity" of temple is Lord Shiva. But the famous deity is Sree Bhadrakali or Sree Parvathy, locally known as "Thirumandhamkunnilamma" and Ganesha, for whom the famous marriage oblation ("Mangalya Puja") is performed. Devotees believe Mangalya puja will remove obstacles for one's marriage. Thirumandhamkunnilamma is considered the Supreme Mother, "Shakthi Devi" in Hinduism. Bhadrakali believed to be born from the third eye of lord Shiva to kill the demon king Daruka. Bhadra means good and Kali means goddess of time. Bhadrakali is worshiped for prosperity and salvation. Devi is considered as the creator, protector, destroyer, nature & kundalini. Mangalya Puja, Rigveda Laksharchana, Chandattam and Kalampattu are the important religious offerings of the Thirumanthamkunnu Temple.
There are ceremonies and rituals specific to this Hindu temple that are not carried out at others.
The Thirumanthamkunnu Temple courtyards are on a hilltop that provides a view of the countryside spread out below.
Legend surrounding Thirumanthamkunnu Temple.
King Mandhata of Surya dynasty ruled his kingdom for a long period. He then gave away the kingdom to his successors and chose to meditate on supreme god Shiva and attain the Shiva's feet at the end. Shiva was pleased with his penance appeared before the king Mandhata and offered him any boon at Mount Kailash. The king prayed to the lord for an idol to worship till his death. Shiva gave him the most holy Shiva Lingam which was too dear to him and which used to be worshipped by Parvati and then the god disappeared.
Carrying the Shiva Lingam on head, King Mandhata started his downward journey from Mount Kailash and reached the hill now known as "Thirumandhamkunnu" in Kerala. A spring with crystal-clear water flowed along the northern slope of the hill. Many beautiful birds chirped in the jungle. Wild animals like lion, tiger, and elephant roamed about in the wilderness in full harmony forgetting their traditional enmity. Different kinds of trees and plants grew in the region and gave out sweet smell into the atmosphere. The surrounding attracted the king. Feelings of idol on his head heavy he placed it on the ground at immediately the Shiva Lingam got stuck into the earth.
Shiva had gifted the Shiva Lingam to the king when his consort Parvati was away for her bath. When Parvati turned up for worship the Shiva Lingam was not there. She got upset on enquiry she know that it was presented to the King Mandhata, by her husband. Being too much attached to it she wanted the Shiva Lingam back. Shiva told her that he had no objection in her trying to get it back. Parvati now offered Bhadrakali and a host of bhootha to rush up and get back the Shiva Lingam from the King. With the army of bhootha, Bhadrakali reached the northern slope of Thirumandha hill. The brightness emitted by the Shiva Lingam installed by king Mandhata was so great that it dazzled the eyes of Bhadrakali and the bhoothas and they were unable to move up the hills. So they started throwing up the weapons from the foot of the hill. The ascetic attending on Mandhata were unarmed but tried to defend themselves with whatever things they had. These being insufficient to protect them they plucked Attanga nuts from their creeper plants, which were available in plenty and threw them at the enemy. Because of the power of Shiva and the divine power of Mandhata the nuts got changed into arrows instantly. Bhadrakali and her army of bhootha could not resist them the fight lasted for fifteen days.
The age-old custom of "Attangayeru" on first of Thulam (the Malayalam month) on the new moon day of the same month in the forenoon before pantheerady pooja refers to the legendary fight between mandhatha and kali.
Expecting defeat Mahamaya took her viswaroopa. She had an elephant in one ear and a lion in the other as earrings. Seeing this form the ascetics fell down senseless. When mahamaya in this form reached the hilltop Mandhatha was also helpless. He embraced the sivalinga, kali tried to capture it by force. In this struggle that followed the linga got split into two. In the
"Jyothis" that arose from it "THRIMOORTHIS" (Brahma, Vishnu and Siva) and Parvathy appeared on the spot.
Parvathy told Mandhatha this idol was very dear to me. Still I do not want to take it away from you against the wishes of my husband. Separation from it is also difficult for me. So I will enter that linga and remain here forever. My daughter kali is not different from me. Actually she came here first. Let her also be installed near me facing north and have all poojas and festival performed. So same Parvathy disappeared into the idol. This spot is the "SREEMOOLASTHANAM". The sivalinga here is still in split condition .Its position is below the "peedam" and "Prabhamandalam" and can be seen only during the abhisheka before the ushapooja and "Malarnivedia" to the deity.
As ordered by Parvathy, Bhadrakali with Sapthamathrukkal, Veerabhadra and Ganapaty were installed facing north. This is called "Mathrusala". Pooram, Pattu and all such festivals intended for this goddess.
When Sree Parvathy appears infant Ganapathy was also with her. This infant Ganapathy also been installed at sreemoolasthanam.
Sree Parvathy appeared facing west. The installations of Sivalinga at Sreemoolasthanam were facing east. It was thus for necessary to have two darshan openings one to the east and the other to west. The family descendants of "Valluva Konathiri" do not generally open the one on the west except for darshan. On either side of the doorway here are two openings through which other worshippers can have darshan of the deity. But in recent past the restrictions has been modified. After each pooja, the door is kept open for some time for darshan of the deity by devotees.
Mandhatha spent many years at thirumandhamkunnu in meditation and thapusu. At last he knew it was time for him to leave this world. He was thinking of entrusting the temple to someone for perfect upkeep and maintenance when two Brahmins came there. Mandhatha told them his desire gave them a Grandha containing instructions on the performance of poojas and entrusted the shrine to them. He then retired to the jungle nearby now known as "KUKSHIPPARAKKAD" and freed himself from this world of mortals by his yogic powers. Bhakthas who go round this jungle paying homage pick out a leaf from the growing plants and keep it in hair with at most reverence. This area is still a protected jungle. In the Devaprashna conducted in 1959 it was observed that an idol of mandhatha should be installed here and poojas, performed. The temple priests before pooja
every Malayalam month. The annual pooja on Chithra in midhunam on Mandhatha is on special significance.
Two Brahmins entrusted with the upkeep of temple, one cleared the jungle around the idol and hence came to be known as "KATTILLAMUTTAM" .The other prepared pavilion for prathishta and came to be known as "PANTHALAKODE". The thanthri of thirumandhamkunnu temple is still a descendant from either of these families. The nair karyasthan who was with them was given the title "chathathumarar" and made the blower of holy conch in the temple. The Namboodiri's informed the news to Vadakkara swaroopam raja that was subordinate chieftain of valluvanadu raja holding the title mannarmala raja. He immediately rushed to the spot (Seeing the over-lord of the hill the goddess got up and paid homage to him. This humility of Devi-the sustainer of three worlds—made the raja blink in shame and) he prayed to the goddess to see him as a son. He then presented an elephant to the goddess and worshipped her from its rear, standing in its shadow. His descendants also followed the same practice. Even now direct darshan of thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathy is not permissible to mannarmala raja.
The first Vallavaraja who took over the control of the temple entrusted its upkeep and maintenance to the local feudal lords "ETTUVEETIL ACHANS" and made them trusty. Erukalikara nair was made kavudaya nair. Sreemoolasthanam does not have a roof, which is an evidence of it having been a kavu.
The painting on the walls of the mathrusala throws light to this legend. These paintings which are in lying with the wall painting at suchindram, Pundarikkapuram, vaikom and Guruvayoor were executed in 1944.
Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram, the annual festival of the temple is an 11-day-long celebration which is a major festival in the district of Malappuram in which "Aarattu" is a beautiful custom. Aaraattu, the bathing ceremony of Devi, in which the holy idol is carried on the tallest elephant accompanied by 5 other elephants leading to the lake nearby the temple. The idol is given a holy bath by the main offerer of the temple and taken back into the temple.
References.
http://www.thirumandhamkunnutemple.com/ Official Website of the temple. Copyright © 2010 Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathy Temple


U.S. Route 258

U.S. Route 258 (US 258) is a spur of US 58 in the U.S. states of North Carolina and Virginia. The U.S. Highway runs from US 17 Business and NC 24 Business in Jacksonville, North Carolina north to Virginia State Route 143 (SR 143) at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. In North Carolina, US 258 connects Jacksonville with the Inner Banks communities of Kinston, Snow Hill, Farmville, Tarboro, and Murfreesboro. The U.S. Highway continues through the Virginia city of Franklin, where the highway intersects US 58, and the town of Smithfield on its way to the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. US 258 crosses the James River on the James River Bridge and follows Mercury Boulevard through Newport News and Hampton.
Route description.
Jacksonville to Kinston.
US 258 begins at a directional intersection with US 17 Business and NC 24 Business in Jacksonville. The business routes head east together as Marine Boulevard toward downtown Jacksonville; US 17 Business heads southwest along Wilmington Highway to meet up with US 17 along the freeway bypass of Jacksonville that also carries NC 24 and leads to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. US 258 and NC 24 Business run concurrently along Richlands Highway, a five-lane road with center turn lane, west to the western terminus of the freeway, a four-way intersection at which NC 24 begins to run concurrently with US 258; the west leg of the intersection is NC 53 (Burgaw Highway). The U.S. Highway and state highway parallel the New River through a junction with the southern end of NC 111 (Lake Catherine Road) to just south of Richlands, where the highways cross the river and pass through that town. The highways head west out of the town as Kinston Highway. West of Richlands NC 24 continues west as five-lane Beulaville Highway toward Beulaville while US 258 curves north along Kinston Highway, which reduces to two lanes.
US 258 briefly passes through Jones County, where the highway intersects NC 41 at Hargetts Crossroads before entering Lenoir County. The U.S. Highway crosses the Trent River and passes through Woodington prior to its junction with US 70 and NC 58 (New Bern Road) just south of the Neuse River in Kinston. The roadway continues straight as Queen Street, which carries NC 58, US 70 Business, and US 258 Business across the river into downtown Kinston. US 258 runs concurrently northwest along the US 70 four-lane divided highway; the two U.S. Highways have an intersection with NC 11 and NC 55 (Old Pink Hill Road) before crossing the river and meeting the other end of the highways' business routes, which follow Vernon Avenue. US 258 and US 70 follow Vernon Avenue a short distance west to where US 258 turns north. The U.S. Highway has an at-grade crossing with the North Carolina Railroad and meets the western end of NC 148 (C.F. Harvey Parkway), which serves Kinston Regional Jetport and the North Carolina Global TransPark.
Kinston to Tarboro.
US 258 crosses Wheat Swamp into Greene County. The U.S. Highway intersects NC 58 (Kingold Boulevard) again south of Snow Hill, which the highway enters along 2nd Street. In the center of town, US 258 turns onto Greene Street and crosses Contentnea Creek, then has a four-way intersection with US 13, NC 91, and NC 903. The roadway continues north as NC 91; US 258 begins to run northeast concurrently with US 13 and NC 903. NC 903 diverges from the two U.S. Highways west of Maury; the U.S. Highways intersect NC 123 in the hamlet of Lizzie. US 258 and US 13 diverge north of Sandy Run. US 258 crosses Middle Swamp into Pitt County and intersects US 264 Alternate south of Farmville. US 258 and US 264 Alternate briefly run together east for before US 258 heads north again. US 258 comes to a diamond interchange with US 264 (John P. East Memorial Highway) and Wesley Chapel Road northeast of the center of Farmville. US 258 joins the US 264 freeway west for about before exiting at another diamond interchange northwest of town. The former routing of the highway through Farmville is now U.S. Route 258.
US 258 intersects NC 222 (Wilson Street) in Fountain before entering Edgecombe County. The U.S. Highway intersects NC 124 in Crisp and NC 42 and NC 43 east of Pinetops, then parallels the Tar River to Tarboro. South of downtown Tarboro, the U.S. Highway has a partial cloverleaf interchange with the US 64 freeway and Western Boulevard, which features US 64 Alternate, NC 111, and NC 122. US 258 and the two state highways cross the Tar River on the freeway, then exit US 64 onto Mutual Boulevard at a partial interchange on the east side of the river in Princeville. There is no access from southbound US 258 to eastbound US 64 or from westbound US 64 to northbound US 258. The missing movements are provided via NC 33, which the three highways intersect in the center of town. A short distance to the east, NC 111 diverges on Greenwood Boulevard. US 258 and NC 122 parallel the river north before the two routes diverge northeast of Tarboro.
Tarboro to Franklin.
US 258 intersects NC 97 in the hamlet of Lawrence before the highway enters Halifax County. The U.S. Highway crosses Deep Creek before becoming the Main Street of Scotland Neck. US 258 becomes concurrent with NC 125 at the south edge of the town and with NC 903, which enters from the east on 9th Street, in the center of town. NC 125 and NC 903 exit town to the west on 12th Street. US 258 has a junction with NC 561 north of Scotland Neck; the two highways cross the Roanoke River into Northampton County. The two highways meet the northern end of NC 308 just before entering Rich Square as Main Street. In the center of Rich Square, US 258 intersects NC 305 (Jackson Street), which exits town to the east with NC 561. The U.S. Highway has an at-grade crossing of the North Carolina and Virginia Railroad southwest of Woodland, where the highway, marked as Main Street, has a concurrency with NC 35 between Spruce Street and Linden Street.
North of Woodland, US 258 crosses Potecasi Creek and parallels the Northampton–Hertford county line north to Murfreesboro. The U.S. Highway joins US 158 east into Hertford County on its four-lane divided southern bypass of the town while the roadway continues straight as US 158 Business (Main Street). Southeast of the town, US 258 leaves US 158 and joins NC 11 on Beechwood Boulevard, which the two highways follow to NC 11's northern terminus at US 158 Business. US 258 leaves Murfreesboro on Virginia Boulevard, which crosses the Meherrin River and heads northeast through Como to the state line, where the highway enters Southampton County, Virginia. The U.S. Highway, now named Smiths Ferry Road, uses the General Vaughan Bridge to cross the Nottoway River a short distance north of its confluence with the Blackwater River to form the Chowan River.
US 258 meets the western end of SR 189 (Quay Road) before reaching its diamond interchange with US 58 (Southampton Parkway) south of the independent city of Franklin. US 258 joins US 58 on a four-lane freeway heading east while the roadway continues north into the city as US 258 Business (South Street). US 258 and US 58 head southeast through a widely spaced partial cloverleaf interchange with SR 714 (Pretlow Street) before crossing the Blackwater River into the city of Suffolk. East of the river, the U.S. Highways have a partial cloverleaf interchange with SR 189, which joins US 58 heading east toward Norfolk while US 258 exits the freeway and heads north, becoming Great Mill Highway on entering Isle of Wight County southeast of Franklin. When Great Mill Highway continues north toward an industrial area on the east side of Franklin, US 258 veers northeast on Camp Family Highway, crosses over Norfolk Southern Railway's Franklin District, and meets the northern end of US 258 Business at its intersection with US 58 Business (Carrsville Highway) just north of its grade crossing of CSX's Portsmouth Subdivision rail line and just south of Franklin Municipal-John Beverly Rose Airport.
Franklin to Hampton.
US 258 continues northeast as Walters Highway through the hamlet of Walters to the town of Windsor, where the highway is named Prince Boulevard, has a grade crossing of Norfolk Southern's Norfolk District rail line, and intersects US 460 (Windsor Boulevard). The U.S. Highway continues north as Courthouse Highway through the county seat of Isle of Wight to the town of Smithfield. US 258 enters the town as Main Street before joining SR 10 on the town's bypass; Main Street continues as US 258 Business. The two-lane bypass has a diamond interchange with Fairway Drive, then crosses Cypress Creek and collects the northern end of US 258 Business, which runs concurrently with SR 10 Business on Church Street. US 258 and SR 10 continue southeast on four-lane divided Benns Church Boulevard to Benns Church, where US 258 leaves SR 10 and joins SR 32 on Brewers Neck Boulevard. The U.S. Highway and state highway follow that boulevard to Carrollton, where the highways join US 17 on Carrollton Boulevard. The three highways curve northeast and cross the James River on the James River Bridge.
US 258, US 17, and SR 32 enter the city of Newport News on Mercury Boulevard. The six-lane highway has a partial cloverleaf interchange with US 60 (Warwick Boulevard) and crosses CSX's Peninsula Subdivision rail line before reaching SR 143 (Jefferson Avenue), where SR 32 has its northern terminus. US 17 turns north onto Jefferson Avenue while US 258 continues east on Mercury Boulevard into the city of Hampton. At Newmarket Drive south of the former Newmarket North Mall, the U.S. Highway expands to eight lanes and passes through a heavily commercialized area. East of SR 415 (Power Plant Parkway), US 258 meets Interstate 64 at an interchange featuring a pair of flyover ramps. The U.S. Highway heads east from the Interstate concurrent with SR 134 as the highway passes between Peninsula Town Center to the north and the Hampton Coliseum to the south. At the eastern end of the heavily commercialized area, US 258 has intersections with the eastern end of SR 152 (Cunningham Drive) and Armistead Avenue, which heads south as SR 134.
US 258 crosses Newmarket Creek just west of the highway's partial cloverleaf interchange with La Salle Avenue. The U.S. Highway reduces to six lanes at its diamond interchange with SR 278 (King Street), which serves Langley Air Force Base. US 258 becomes four lanes at its northern intersection with SR 169, which heads north as Fox Hill Road. The U.S. Highway crosses the Hampton River and curves south toward its terminus. US 258 intersects SR 351 (Pembroke Avenue) and Woodland Avenue, which leads to I-64 and downtown Hampton and where the highway reduces to a four-lane undivided street. The U.S. Highway has another junction with SR 169 (Mallory Street) in the Phoebus neighborhood of Hampton. At the east edge of Phoebus, US 258 crosses the Mill Creek estuary on a causeway and reaches its northern terminus at an intersection with the southern terminus of SR 143 (Ingalls Road) at the entrance to Fort Monroe. Ingalls Road continues south onto the former military base at Old Point Comfort that was decommissioned in September 2011.
Special routes.
Kinston business route.
U.S. Route 258 Business (US 258 Business) is a business route of US 258 through Kinston, North Carolina. The highway runs entirely concurrent with US 70 Business from US 258, US 70, and NC 58 on the south side of Kinston to US 70 and US 258 on the west side of Kinston. US 258 Business and US 70 Business run concurrently with NC 58 across the Neuse River into downtown Kinston, in the center of which the highways intersect NC 11 and NC 55 (King Street). North of downtown, the business routes turn west onto Vernon Avenue while NC 58 continues north on Queen Street. US 258 Business and US 70 Business pass the exhibited remains of the CSS Neuse before they reach their common terminus at a directional intersection with US 258 and US 70.
Snow Hill truck route.
U.S. Route 258 Truck (US 258 Truck) is a truck route of US 258 bypassing east of downtown Snow Hill, North Carolina. The truck route travels , overlapping NC 58, NC 903, and US 13.
Farmville business route.
U.S. Route 258 Business (US 258 Business) is business route of US 258 that passes through Farmville, North Carolina. The route is the former mainline routing of US 258 through the town before it was routed onto the US 264 freeway north of the town. US 258 Business begins at the intersection of US 264 Alternate and US 258 within the town limits of Farmville. The route heads north on Main Street to the center of town where it reaches NC 121 (Wilson Street). The two highways form a concurrency and travel west along Wilson Street. After , US 258 Business makes a right turn onto May Boulevard and exits the town. It ends at the US 264's exit 63 which is also where US 258 ends its concurrency with US 264 and returns to surface roads.
Franklin business route.
U.S. Route 258 Business (US 258 Business) is a business route of US 258 through Franklin, Virginia. The highway runs from US 258 and US 58 south of Franklin to US 258 and US 58 Business east of Franklin. US 258 Business begins at a diamond interchange with the US 58 freeway in Southampton County; the highway immediately enters the city of Franklin as South Street. The business route passes to the south of the Franklin campus of Paul D. Camp Community College on its way to the downtown area. Just west of the Blackwater River, US 258 Business curves north onto Main Street, which crosses over CSX's Portsmouth Subdivision rail line. The business route turns east at Second Street and becomes concurrent with US 58 Business at Mechanic Street. The two business routes exit the city of Franklin by crossing the Blackwater River into Isle of Wight County. US 258 Business and US 58 Business continue east as Carrsville Highway through an industrial area. The business routes parallel the Portsmouth Subdivision and pass under Norfolk Southern Railway's Franklin District before reaching US 258 Business's northern terminus at US 258. US 58 Business continues east through Carrsville and Holland.
Smithfield business route.
U.S. Route 258 Business (US 258 Business) is a business route of US 258 through Smithfield, Virginia. The highway runs between intersections with US 258 and SR 10 on the west and south sides of Smithfield. US 258 Business begins at the junction of US 258 and SR 10; the two highways head south along the bypass of the town while the business route heads into the center of town as Main Street. The business route joins SR 10 Business on Church Street; the two highways parallel the Pagan River to its junction with Cypress Creek and provide access to Windsor Castle. After crossing Cypress Creek, US 258 Business and SR 10 Business curve south and expand to a five-lane road with center turn lane that the highways follow to their southern junction with US 258 and SR 10.
Smithfield alternate route.
U.S. Route 258 Alternate (US 258 Alternate) is an alternate route of US 258 Business through Smithfield, Virginia. The highway starts at the southwest end of Grace Street at US 258 Bus on the west side of Smithfield, continues to Church Street, then turns right down Church Street before ending at US 258 Business in downtown Smithfield.


Farndale Local Nature Reserve

Farndale Local Nature Reserve is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in the valley of Farndale, North Yorkshire, England. It is located within the North York Moors National Park region and is looked after by the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA). The LNR attracts thousands of visitors in the springtime, who go to see the wild daffodils on display in the valley.
History.
The Farndale Local Nature Reserve was designated under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 on 12 March 1956. Local Nature Reserves are places with wildlife or geology that are of special interest locally. The Farndale Local Nature Reserve constitutes the majority of Farndale, which is a dale within the North York Moors National Park. It was created in 1956 to protect the wild daffodils (narcissus pseudonarcissus), for which the dale is famed. The Local Nature Reserve, which covers over , also includes the larger part of Farndale Site of Special Scientific Interest measured at .
Over 40,000 people visit the dale in the springtime to walk along the River Dove and see the daffodils. The variety of daffodil that grows wild in the valley, has shorter stems than the cultivated variety and are believed to have been planted by monks in medieval times. The daffodils are also known as "Lent Lilies" in Farndale and they usually appear around Lent.
The LNR and wild daffodils at Farndale regularly receive positive recommendations for tourists and visitors in the Lonely Planet and Visit England guides.


Pereslavl-Zalessky

Pereslavl-Zalessky (, lit. "Pereslavl beyond the woods"), also known as Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, is a town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, located on the main Moscow–Yaroslavl road and on the southeastern shore of Lake Pleshcheyevo at the mouth of the Trubezh River. Population:
Geography.
Pereslavl-Zalessky is located in south of Yaroslavl Oblast, near a border with Moscow Oblast, northeast of Moscow, and southwest of Yaroslavl.
Climate.
Climate of Pereslavl-Zalessky is humid continental: long, cold and snowy winters and short, warm and rainy summers. Average temperatures range from in January to in July.
History.
Known as Pereyaslavl until the 15th century, it was founded in 1152 by Prince Yury Dolgoruky as a projected capital of Zalesye. In 1175–1302, the town was the seat of the Principality of Northern Pereyaslavl (not to be confused with the Principality of Pereyaslavl in modern-day Ukraine). In 1302, it became a part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Pereslavl-Zalessky was devastated numerous times by the Mongols between the mid-13th century and the early 15th century. In 1611–1612, it suffered from the Polish invasion.
In 1688–1693, Peter the Great built his famous "fun flotilla" on Lake Pleshcheyevo for his own amusement, including the so-called Peter's little boat, which would be considered the forefather of the Russian fleet. The "Botik" (small boat) museum chronicles the history of the first Russian fleet and keeps one of the original model boats.
In 1708, the town became a part of Moscow Governorate.
Just before the Moscow Olympics in 1980, the city of Moscow rounded up a large number of people it considered 'undesirable', many thousands, and decreed that they must be moved at least 120 km from Moscow in order to improve the city's image. Pereslavl is approx 130 km from Moscow and as such the population of the town soared prior to the Olympics.
Administrative and municipal status.
Within the framework of administrative divisions, Pereslavl-Zalessky serves as the administrative center of Pereslavsky District, even though it is not a part of it. As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as the town of oblast significance of Pereslavl-Zalessky—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the town of oblast significance of Pereslavl-Zalessky is incorporated as Pereslavl-Zalessky Urban Okrug.
Science and education.
There is Institute for Program Systems of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the town. The University of Pereslavl is also based in the town.
Sights and architecture.
The town is a part of the Golden Ring of Russia. Monuments of church architecture include six architecture complex convents and nine churches. Notable historic buildings are:
The town has a bewildering array of 'museums' that cater to the tourist trade in the summer, some are quite bizarre, the museum of Cunning and Wit for example. If you can think of it, they have a museum for it in Pereslavl.
The Kleshin complex, an archaeological monument, is located about from the town proper.
The original earthworks (which are still quite substantial) from the defensive wall that circled the town originally are still here, it is possible to walk along these defensive structures. As are portions if the original road that was at its base. Although identifying a 12th-century road from a modern one would be a task in itself.
Lake Pleshcheyevo
The town sits on the banks of Lake Pleschayevo, a large lake that draws tourists throughout the season. Kite surfing is particularly popular, as is camping.


Gangajamuna

Ganga Jamuna Temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site in Nepal where a famous fair is held around the temple before three days of full moon day during the first week of November. Here is a holy stone which is highly revered by the Hindu devotees and local people. It is believed that this holy stone preserves the divine power as water originates from there.


Williamston, North Carolina

Williamston is a town in Martin County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 5,511 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Martin County., and is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region. The closest major city is Greenville, approx. 28 mi to the southwest.
Williamston was founded in 1779, and named after William Williams, a local military commander.
Geography.
Williamston is located at (35.851454, -77.062588).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land. However, it is on the Roanoke River.
Some major highways are U.S. 13, U.S. 17, and U.S. 64.
Demographics.
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,844 people, 2,350 households, and 1,536 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,581.3 people per square mile (609.7/km). There were 2,506 housing units at an average density of 678.2 per square mile (261.5/km). The racial makeup of the town was 57.50% African American, 40.41% White, 0.29% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.
There were 2,350 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.4% were married couples living together, 26.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 72.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 65.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $22,925, and the median income for a family was $32,984. Males had a median income of $28,661 versus $20,337 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,125. 29.0% of the population and 22.8% of families were below the poverty line. 40.5% of those under the age of 18 and 28.6% of those 65 and
older were living below the poverty line.
Culture.
Williamston has long been a town centered around equine activity. Its logo showcases a horse and the town houses one of the largest agricultural centers in Eastern North Carolina - The Senator Bob Martin Agricultural Center. Many events including horse shoes, rodeos, tractor pulls, and monster truck shows take place in the Agricultural Center. Williamston also draws thousands of people to its annual "Carolina Country Stampede" each year in September which is a two-day festival showcasing local food, vendors, business owners and bands typically with a well known headlining band to end the Festival such as Emerson Drive in 2017.
Civil rights movement.
Williamston was the focus of activity in the civil rights movement. Beginning in June 1963, civil rights activists protested at City Hall for 29 consecutive days led by Golden Frinks.
The Ku Klux Klan was very active in this part of the state during this time including a well-documented rally in Williamston on October 5, 1963 attended by mostly local residents but with several carloads of attendees traveling over 150 miles to attend.


Alauddin Sabir Kaliyari

Makhdoom Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir, also known as صابر کلیری Sabir Kaliyari ("Sabir of Kaliyar"), was a South Asian Sufi saint in the 13th century. He was nephew successor to Baba Fareed (1188–1280), and the first in the Sabiriya branch of the Chishti Order. Today, his "dargah" (Sufi mausoleum) is at Kaliyar village, near Haridwar.
Biography.
Khawaja Sultan Ul Arifeen Sayyid Sabir Pak Ali Ahmed was the great grandson of Peer Ghous Ul Azam Sayyid Abdul Qadir Jilani. His father was Sayyid Abdus Salaam Abdur Rahim Jilani, son of Sayyid Abdul Wahaab Jilani, eldest son of Sayyid Abdul Qadir Jilani. His mother was Sayyidah Jamilah, elder sister of Baba Farid Ganjshakkar and direct descendant of Umar Al Faruq.
Baba Fareed entrusted him the duty of distribution of food (Langar). He accepted this duty happily and in between engaged himself in prayers. He dispensed with his duties well and also attended the discourse of Baba Freed Ganje Shakar. He did not partake a single morsel from food (langer), kept fasts and went to the jungle and ate wild berries and leaves. He did his duties for 12 years. He prayed continuously and his abstentions were never disrupted. Frequent and continuous fasting and eating leaves and wild food made him weak. When his mother came back again and saw him, she complained to his brother (Baba Fareed) of his weakness. Baba Fareed called upon him and asked the reason. Sabir Pak replied “You ordered me to distribute the food and not to partake from it”. Baba Fareed embraced him happily and remarked “He is sabir (Patient)”. From that day forth He became famous with the name of “Sabir”.


Virginia State Route 20

State Route 20 (SR 20) is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from U.S. Route 15 (US 15) in Dillwyn north to SR 3 in Wilderness. SR 20 is a C-shaped route that connects Charlottesville with Farmville (via US 15) in Southside Virginia. The state highway also links Charlottesville to Fredericksburg (via SR 3) by way of Orange County, within which SR 20 is the main east–west highway and intersects US 15 again in the county seat of Orange.
SR 20 is a Virginia Byway from Scottsville to Orange.
Route description.
SR 20 begins at an intersection with US 15 (James Madison Highway) just west of the town of Dillwyn. The state highway heads north as the two-lane Constitution Route, which passes through the hamlet of Allenslevel, the site of Buckingham Correctional Center. SR 20 crosses the Slate River and passes through the community of Centenary on its way through northwestern Buckingham County to its crossing of the James River. On the north side of the bridge, the state highway enters the town of Scottsville, through which the highway passes as Valley Street. SR 20 meets SR 6 (Main Street) in the center of town. The two highways run together to the north end of town where SR 6 splits west as Irish Road.
SR 20 continues through southern Albemarle County as Scottsville Road. The state highway heads through Glendower, where the highway passes close to the historical presidential retreat Pine Knot and Christ Church Glendower. North of Keene, SR 20 crosses the Hardware River as the watercourse and the highway passes through a gap between Green Mountain and Carters Mountain, which are part of the Southwest Mountains. The state highway follows the west side of the latter mountain to the community of Mill Creek, where the highway expands to a four-lane divided highway at its intersection with SR 53 (Thomas Jefferson Parkway). SR 53 provides access to Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe's respective estates of Monticello and Ash Lawn–Highland. SR 20 passes the entrance to Piedmont Virginia Community College just south of its partial cloverleaf interchange with Interstate 64.
SR 20 becomes Monticello Avenue on crossing Moores Creek into the city of Charlottesville. The street reduces to two lanes and curves west to Avon Street, onto which the state highway turns north. At Garrett Street, SR 20 continues onto four-lane divided 9th Street, which crosses over CSX's Piedmont Subdivision into downtown Charlottesville. The state highway passes to the east of the Downtown Mall and meets US 250 Business, which heads eastbound along Market Street and westbound along High Street, which are both two-way streets. The business route joins SR 20 in a concurrency on High Street, which passes by the former Martha Jefferson Hospital. US 250 Business reaches its eastern terminus at US 250 (Long Street). SR 20 turns east onto US 250 to cross the Free Bridge over the Rivanna River to leave the city limits.
SR 20 heads north from the Charlottesville vicinity along Stony Point Road, which parallels the west flank of the Southwest Mountains. The state highway passes the communities of Key West, Eastham, Stony Point, and Rosena. SR 20 enters Orange County and its name changes to Constitution Highway south of Barboursville, which contains the ruins of the namesake estate. The state highway has a short concurrency with US 33 (Spotswood Trail) in which the highways pass under Norfolk Southern Railway's Washington District. SR 20 heads northeast and intersects SR 231 (Blue Ridge Turnpike) north of Somerset. The state highway continues east and closely parallels the railroad through Montpelier Station, which is named for James Madison's estate Montpelier on the south side of the tracks.
SR 20 continues east to the town of Orange, where the highway enters town as Main Street. At the Holladay House, the state highway turns south onto Caroline Street while Main Street continues east SR 20 Business. SR 20 passes the James Madison Museum before US 15 (Madison Street) joins the highway in a concurrency to pass under the Washington District rail line after the counties sole remaining tractor crossing. The state highway turns east onto Berry Hill Road and passes under another Norfolk Southern rail line before receiving the other end of SR 20 Business (Byrd Street). SR 20 becomes Constitution Highway again on leaving the town of Orange. The state highway passes Orange County Airport and intersects US 522 (Zachary Taylor Highway) between Unionville and Rhoadesville. SR 20 briefly passes through part of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park near the site of the Battle of the Wilderness before reaching its northern terminus at SR 3 (Germanna Highway) in the community of Locust Grove just west of the Spotsylvania County line.
History.
SR 20 was first created in 1933 with the renumbering of SR 316 between US 15 in Dillwyn and SR 6 in Scottsville and a separate section to the north that replaced SR 702 between SR 231 in Somerset and SR 3 in Wilderness. In 1941, the southern section was extended north from SR 6 to US 250 in Charlottesville, and the northern section was extended south from SR 231 to US 33 in Barboursville. In 1950, the two sections of SR 20 were finally connected via a replacement of SR 613 between Charlottesville and Barboursville.
In May 2019, the intersection of SR 20 and I-64 was changed. Travelers exiting I-64 west and turning left onto SR 20 south now have a dedicated lane to turn into. As a result, travelers only have to cross SR 20 north and then merge with SR 20 south.
Future.
Two new roundabouts have been approved to be implemented along SR 20. The first would be at the intersection of SR 20 and SR 231 in Somerset. Construction is expected to begin in 2020. The second roundabout would be at the intersection of SR 20 and US 33 just south of Barboursville. This project might also include reconstruction of the intersection of SR 738 and US 33, just south of the SR 20/US 33 intersection. Funding has been approved, but no dates for construction completion have been announced.
Orange business route.
SR 20 Business is a business route of SR 20 in the town of Orange. The business route runs between intersections with SR 20 on either side of town. SR 20 Business begins as Main Street where SR 20 turns south onto Caroline Street next to the Holladay House. The business route intersects US 15 (Madison Street) and meets Norfolk Southern Railway's Washington District at grade. SR 20 Business turns southeast onto Byrd Street to rejoin SR 20 on a tangent.


Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area

Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area is an Illinois state park covering in Fulton County, Illinois, United States.


Camera Store

Camera Store is a 2017 American drama film directed and written by Scott Marshall Smith. The film stars John Larroquette, John Rhys-Davies and Laura Silverman. The film was released on June 19, 2017 by Provocator.
Ray LaPine (John Larroquette) and Pinky Steuben (John Rhys-Davies) work at a tired old camera store name Bibideaux Photographic. The entire movie occurs on Christmas Eve 1994.
Production took place in Louisiana in early 2016, with a budget of $4.4 million.


Market Square (Lake Forest, Illinois)

Market Square is a neighborhood shopping center in Lake Forest, Illinois, United States, in the Chicago metropolitan area. Opened in 1916, it is often cited as the first planned shopping center in the United States, with common design and management and designated area for parking automobiles.
Although Country Club Plaza (1923) in Kansas City, Missouri is generally credited as the first suburban and the first regional shopping center designed to accommodate shoppers arriving by automobile, Market Square was first with these features, but was neither suburban nor of "regional" size (400,000 sq. ft. or larger). Market Square was built within an already defined central retail district, replacing prior development. Lake Forest resident Arthur T. Aldis championed the notion of replacing the dilapidated business district of the town, and engaged architect Howard Van Doren Shaw.
In Illinois, the first major center to be developed after Market Square was Spanish Court (1928).
In celebration of the 2018 Illinois Bicentennial, Lake Forest Market Square was selected as one of the Illinois 200 Great Places by the American Institute of Architects Illinois component (AIA Illinois).


Richmond Centre (mall)

Richmond Centre (corporately styled as CF Richmond Centre and formerly known as Richmond Square) is a shopping mall in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. Its street address is on No. 3 Rd, but it stretches as far west as Minoru Blvd and as far south as Granville Ave. Richmond City Hall is immediately south of the mall.
History.
Richmond Centre mall began as Richmond Square Shopping Centre, which was built in 1980 BC on part of the old Brighouse/Minoru Racetrack. Two years later, in 1980, Hudson's Bay Company announced plans for their store to be built adjacent to Richmond Square. The two locations acted as separate shopping centres until 1989, when they amalgamated into one mall known today as Richmond Centre.
Layout.
Richmond Centre, similar to its closest rival mall Lansdowne Centre, was mostly built on a single level owing to the abundance of unoccupied land in Richmond at the time of its construction. This means most of the shopping centre can be reached without the need of escalators or elevators. The only exception is Hudson's Bay, which has a second level, and the "Dining Terrace" food court.
The mall is laid out in a large rectangle. A galleria runs down the middle of the mall, splitting it into two parts. The north end is anchored by Hudson's Bay. The south end is anchored by sports retailer Sport Chek.
Sears held the south end anchor but went out of business on February 28, 2015. The former Sears space, spanning over two floors, is not currently occupied by any tenant but is used by mall management.
Transportation.
Richmond Centre is a major transit hub for Richmond and is served by the SkyTrain system. The closest station is the Canada Line's southern terminus, Richmond–Brighouse station. The station is directly across the street from the mall's Shoppers Drug Mart / Coast Capital Savings entrance.
The mall is also served by frequent bus service along No. 3 Road. The adjacent bus exchange provides connections to other parts of Richmond as well as service to Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey.


Bako National Park

Bako National Park is a national park in Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia. Established in 1957, it is the oldest national park in Sarawak. It covers an area of at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula at the mouth of the Bako and Kuching Rivers. It is approximately by road from Kuching. Millions of years of erosion of the sandstone have created a coastline of steep cliffs, rocky headlands and stretches of white, sandy bays. Wave erosion at the base of the cliffs has carved many of the rocky headlands into fantastically shaped sea arches and seastacks with colored patterns formed by iron deposition. The most famous of them is shaped like a cobra's head which can be spotted on a boat ride from the headquarters or one of the beaches. Some of these rock formations can be seen on entry to the Teluk Assam Beach, which fronts the park. The park can only be reached by a 20-minute boat ride from the village of Kampung Bako. It is often visited as a day-trip from Kuching, though accommodations (campground and forestry service bungalows) are available.
Bako is one of the smallest national parks in Sarawak. However, it features multiple biomes (including rainforest), abundant wildlife, jungle streams and waterfalls, secluded beaches, and trekking trails. A network of 16 marked walking trails of different lengths allows visitors access. In addition, various beaches are accessible by boat from Kampung Bako or Teluk Assam, as well as a geologically interesting sea stack rock formation. The range of attractions and activities in a compact area have made Bako one of the most popular parks in Sarawak.
The park hosted the final Pit Stop of "The Amazing Race Asia 1".
Flora.
Bako contains almost every type of plant life found in Borneo, with over 25 distinct types of vegetation from seven complete ecosystems: beach vegetation, cliff vegetation, "kerangas" or heath forest, mangrove forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, "padang" or grasslands vegetation and peat swamp forest. The unusual plant life includes a variety of carnivorous plants (four species of pitcher plants, sundews, bladderworts) as well as a huge variety of tree and other plant species.
Fauna.
Bako is home to approximately 150 endangered proboscis monkeys, which are endemic to Borneo, and has been called "the best place to see proboscis monkeys in Sarawak". Other animals include the long-tailed macaque, silvered langur, plantain squirrel, Bornean bearded pig, monitor lizards, and otters. All of these are present in the forest as well as near camp headquarters on Telok Assam beach. Bako is also home to a number of lizards and snakes, most of which are harmless. Bako is a fascinating place for bird watching, with over 150 species recorded. Bako's nocturnal creatures include the colugo, pangolin, mousedeer, various species of fruit-eating and insect-eating bats, tarsier, slow loris and palm civet.


Snezhanka (cave)

Snezhanka (, "Snow White") is a show cave in the Rhodope Mountains, away from the town of Peshtera, southern Bulgaria. It was discovered in 1961. The cave is 145 metres long, with a constant annual temperature of , and was formed by the Novomahlenska River 3.5 million years ago.
The cave is rich in stalactites, stalagmites, draperies and sinter lakes. It consists of several halls: Udders Hall, The Large Hall, The Music Hall, linked by the Toppling over which a metal bridge runs. In the Wonderful Hall, built by snow-white crystal sinter, nature has shaped a figure, often likened to the fairy-tale character Snow White, after which the cave was named.
In the middle of the cave there are circular hearths, where animal bones and artifacts dating back to early Iron Age were discovered. The Thracians used the cave as a refuge from their enemies.
Snezhanka is among the 100 National Touristic Places of the Bulgarian Touristic Union. The cave is open to visitors.


Cocata Conservation Park

Cocata Conservation Park is a protected area in the Australian state of South Australia located on the Eyre Peninsula in the gazetted localities of Cocata and Warramboo about south-west of the town centre in Kyancutta.
The conservation park was proclaimed on 20 August 2009 under the state's "National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972" in respect to crown land formerly dedicated as conservation reserve under the state's "Crown Land Act 1929" on 11 November 1993. The dedicated land is located in the cadastral unit of the hundreds of Cocata, Kappakoola and Pordia. The proclamation in 2009 permits access under the state's "Mining Act 1971".
Its name was derived from Cocata Hill, a feature near the conservation park, although the name is ultimately derived from “'Cokata', the name of the Aboriginal people who occupied the land 'between Mount Wedge and the Gawler Ranges'”. As of June 2016, the conservation park covered an area of .
The conservation park is classified as an IUCN Category VI protected area.


Lower Glenelg National Park

The Lower Glenelg National Park is a national park in the Western District of Victoria, Australia. The national park is situated approximately west of Melbourne. The major features of the park are the Glenelg River gorge and the Princess Margaret Rose Cave. Much of the route of the Great South West Walk is located within the national park.
The park abuts the Cobboboonee National Park in the east and the Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park across the border with  South Australia in the west. To the south lies the Discovery Bay Coastal Park which is adjacent to the Southern Ocean.
Land within the national park, the Discovery Bay Coastal Park and the Nelson Streamside Reserve was listed as a Ramsar site known as the Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar Site on 28 February 2018.


Florida State Road 44

State Road 44 (SR 44) is an east–west state highway in the U.S. state of Florida. It runs from Crystal River on the Gulf of Mexico east to New Smyrna Beach on the Atlantic Ocean, passing through Inverness, Wildwood, Leesburg and DeLand.
A section in Lake County, between eastern Leesburg and a point north of Mount Dora, is concurrent with U.S. Highway 441 (SR 500). This concurrency is not signed; signs on US 441 mark it as SR 44. The former alignment of SR 44 in that area is now mostly County Road 44, which runs north of Lake Eustis, on the other side as US 441 and current SR 44.
A former western extension of SR 44 from Crystal River to the Gulf of Mexico is now County Road 44. In some locations, it is signed as "County Road 44W."
Route description.
Crystal River to Inverness.
State Road 44 begins as Gulf-to-Lakes Highway at the intersection of US 19/98 and 4th Street in Crystal River, a four-lane divided highway. The divider only exists at the intersection, however. The rest of the road is undivided throughout much of Western Citrus County. SR 44 runs directly east, until it leaves the city limits, then makes a sharper southeastern turn prior to the intersection of North Dunkenfield Avenue and West Norvell Bryant Highway (County Road 486). It briefly turns east again as it reaches the intersection of Rock Crusher Road, but curves back to the southeast roughly a mile later. The proposed interchange with the Suncoast Parkway Extension will be built just northwest of where the divider begins again near the intersection of County Road 490 in Lecanto, after which the road turns east again.
After crossing Lecanto Highway (County Road 491), the divider becomes more prominent, The road runs up and down various hills as it runs along the northern border of Withlacoochee State Forest, and though it never stays straight, it still runs mostly east. Near a pair of shopping centers, the divider ends east of Croft Avenue, and the road resumes its status as an undivided four-lane highway with center-left turn lanes. Entering the Inverness City Limits, the road straightens out again at the intersection of South Pleasant Grove Road(County Road 581) and Forest Drive, where it becomes Main Street. CR 581 secretly joins SR 44 as a hidden route. One block before CR 581 leaves SR 44 to become its own route again, southbound US 41 joins SR 44. The two routes continue to move directly east until the intersection of Seminole Avenue, where it curves around the Old Citrus County Courthouse, and then moves to the southeast before breaking off at East Highland Boulevard, where US 41 continues towards Floral City, Brooksville, Tampa, and points south, while SR 44 moves onto Gulf-Atlantic Highway and becomes a divided highway once again.
Inverness to Leesburg.
East of US 41, SR 44 runs over the Withlacoochee State Trail with bike ramps on both sides, and then along the southern shore of Henderson Lake. The rest of the road is surrounded by farms, parkland, and boat launching areas, especially as it gets ready to cross the Withlacoochee River at the Citrus-Sumter County Line, where it enters Rutland. The rural landscape continues even at the northwest end of County Road 470, which leads to Lake Panasoffkee, Sumterville, and Okahumpka in Lake County.
As the road enters Wildwood it is lined with truck stops, travel plazas, hotels, and other tourist attractions surrounding the interchange with Interstate 75 as well as Florida's Turnpike. The Florida Department of Transportation and Florida's Turnpike Enterprise are planning to combine the ramps to and from the turnpike into those of I-75. The road curves to the southeast again, as it approaches the western terminus of County Road 44A. After straightening out again, it approaches a four lane bridge over the CSX Wildwood or Ocala Subdivision that was completed in 2010, just before the road intersects with US 301. East of US 301, the road takes another slight southeastern curve and later meets the eastern terminus of County Road 44A and then CR 468 in Orange Home, just before crossing the Lake County Line. A former railroad line running from Wildwood to Leesburg that ran along the south side of CR 44A runs along the north side of the road, when CR 44A ends
Before reaching Downtown Leesburg, SR 44 makes a sharp right turn onto a truck bypass at the intersection of Main Street and County Road 468. The name of this section is South Street and it runs north and south, until it takes a sharp curve at Casteen Road, which it replaces. South Street continues to run in its easterly direction and approaches Venture Avenue, which was built on a former southwest-to-northeast railroad right-of-way, and Carpenter Avenue which runs along the east side of this former ROW. SR 44 approaches the intersection of US 27, and turns into West Dixie Avenue, where it runs northeast momentarily, and then turns east again. At the intersection of South Palmetto Street and west end of Dozier Circle, West Dixie Avenue turns into East Dixie Avenue. The road curves to the northeast again at Lake Port Boulevard and crosses the same abandoned railroad line that originated in Wildwood. Right after the intersection of East Main Street, SR 44 joins Southbound US 441, but both continue to run east.
Leesburg to Mount Dora.
The US 441-SR 44 segment is a six-lane divided highway with provisions for bicycles. The road serves as the western terminus of County Road 44 then passed by Leesburg Municipal Airport. From here it squeezes between Lake Harris and Lake Eustis where it crosses over the Dead River on a bridge between the two lakes.
The southbound wye at State Road 19 in Tavares, is also shared by County Road Old 441, and northbound SR 19 joins US 441 and SR 44 through the rest of Tavares into Eustis until it encounters an interchange with State Road 19 and part of CR 19A.
North of Mount Dora, SR 44 leaves US 441, which curves south towards Orlando and Miami. SR 44 turns north then narrows from four lanes to two lanes before it curves between Lake Joanna and Loch Leven before passing by the Mid Florida Air Service Airport in Eustis. From there the road turns right onto East Orange Avenue, which continues Route 44's status as a two lane rural scenic highway.
Seminole State Forest through DeLand.
Before the road curves northeast, an intersection with County Road 46A gives motorists the option of taking a turn towards State Road 46. As the road curves and intersects County Road 44A, it enters Seminole State Forest. In Crow's Bluff, SR 44 serves as the eastern terminus of County Road (former State Road) 42 and immediately crosses the Francis P. Whitehair Bridge over the St. Johns River, where it enters Volusia County and curves back east. West of DeLand, SR 44 is named West New York Avenue and runs along a bridge over an Amtrak line north of DeLand (Amtrak station), but then crosses a grade crossing for a railroad spur leading from the station into Downtown DeLand.
Motorists know they're getting close to Downtown DeLand itself when they intersect State Road 15A, but SR 44 doesn't actually enter downtown until it passes through the Downtown DeLand Historic District and approaches U.S. Route 17/92. Here, West New York Avenue becomes East New York Avenue, but no turns at this intersection are allowed from either direction. Access to US 17/92 is only available from nearby side roads two or more blocks away. The road begins to move southeast from Talmadge Gardens Road to East Voorhis Avenue then takes a south turn along the west coast of Lake Winnemisett and becomes a four-lane divided highway again at the south end of Lake Winnemisett. It then bypasses a former section of SR 44 just before it approaches Interstate 4, which contains partial cloverleaf ramps on the southwest and northeast corners of the bridge.
Toward New Smyrna Beach.
East of I-4, SR 44 a four lane divided highway. SR 44 serves as the northern terminus of State Road 415 and the southern terminus of County Road 415, where the New Smyrna Speedway can be found on the northwest corner. O'Reilly Road, a gateway to a housing development is slated to become County Road 4009. A partial cloverleaf exists for Interstate 95, with separate westbound and eastbound off-ramps for southbound traffic. Northbound traffic uses a half-diamond interchange.
When the road finally arrives within the New Smyrna Beach city limits, Florida State Road 44 Business branches off to the northwest as Canal Street, while SR 44 itself becomes Lytle Avenue. The final segment of SR 44 runs on top of a bridge that goes over the Florida East Coast Railroad Main Line and U.S. Route 1 where the road becomes a segment of State Road A1A. Access to and from US 1 is only available from SR A1A, unless motorists from SR 44 use side streets within New Smyrna Beach.
History.
In Lake County, SR 44 originally passed through downtown Leesburg on Main Street, merging with US 441 east of downtown. It then split to the north on current County Road 44, passing north of Lake Eustis. North of Eustis, it turned southeast on present County Road 452, merging with State Road 19 into downtown Eustis, where it turned east on Orange Avenue to rejoin current SR 44 east of Eustis.
The current alignment around the south side of Leesburg was taken over ca. 1986. It had previously been State Road 468 from the west end to U.S. Highway 27 (SR 25) and State Road 33 from roughly Canal Street east to Main Street, but was given to the county by the early 1980s.
At some point, SR 44 from US 441 east of Leesburg to State Road 19 north of Eustis was given to the county and numbered County Road 44; the route via US 441 and SR 19 south of Lake Eustis became SR 44. CR 44 has since been realigned to bypass Eustis to the north.
SR 44 was realigned around downtown Eustis in 2005, taking over what had been County Road 44B between US 441 and SR 44 east of Eustis. The Florida Department of Transportation gave SR 44 west of CR 44B to Lake County. CR 44B had been marked from US 441 as a bypass to SR 44 east and from SR 44 as a bypass to US 441 south, as part of a longer bypass of Eustis also including County Road 44 north and west to SR 19.
Related roads.
State Road 44 Business.
State Road 44 Business is a state road in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The latest GIS data has it listed as SR 44 even though there are two signs which have "business" tabs on them. Business 44 was the old alignment of SR 44 through downtown New Smyrna Beach.
County Road 44W (Citrus County).
County Road 44W exists as the western tip of old State Road 44, south of Crystal River. The suffix, "W", was most likely added to not confuse this section with State Road 44, to the north, and to show its location by being west of US 19 and US 98(SR 55). As with the majority of these type of 'coastal spur' routes, in West Central Florida, it is county maintained.
County Road 44A (Sumter County).
County Road 44A exists along the north side of State Road 44 in Wildwood and Orange Home. The road begins southeast of the interchange with Interstate 75, and instantly intersects with CR 225, which runs north and south, while CR 44A runs directly east and west until it curves slightly to the right and becomes Kilgore Street. The road then moves south onto Central Avenue running parallel to the CSX line until reaching Lynum Street, and crosses the tracks until Lynum Street terminates at US 301. County Road 44A then not only crosses US 301 to enter Huey Street, but the wye for the former Leesburg and Tavares railroad line. One block away, CR 44A breaks away from Huey Street and curves south before running along the north side of the right-of-way of the previously mentioned abandoned railroad line. The line contained a series of abandoned freight cars until the 2000s (decade), and the road and railroad line followed each other until CR 44A terminates at a recreational vehicle park in Orange Home.
Lake County.
County Road 44 is a county highway in Lake County in the U.S. state of Florida. It runs from U.S. Route 441 near Leesburg in the west to State Road 44 near Mount Dora in the east.
The western terminus County Road 44 is at an intersection with the concurrency of U.S. Route 441, State Road 44, and State Road 500 at the eastern edge of Leesburg, near Leesburg Regional Airport. From there, it heads northeast past Silver Lake, then east past Lake Eustis, before arriving in the town of Eustis.
In Eustis, CR 44 intersects State Road 19. There, CR 44 splits into two branches. The northern branch heads east from the intersection to its terminus at County Road 44A. The southern branch continues south from the intersection, concurrent with SR 19, before turning east on East Orange Avenue. It then passes by Lake Joanna before terminating at State Road 44 between the towns of Eustis and Mount Dora.
County Road 44 Leg A is a short spur near CR 44's western terminus in Leesburg. It serves as an alternate route for northbound US 441 traffic to reach eastbound CR 44.
County Road 44A.
County Road 44A is an east/west county road in Lake County in the U.S. state of Florida. Its western terminus is at State Road 19 in Umatilla, and its eastern terminus is at State Road 44 about east of Mount Dora.
The western terminus of County Road 44A is at an intersection with State Road 19 in the town of Umatilla. CR 44A heads out of Umatilla eastward on Rose Street before turning south. Then in Dalhousie Acres (near Lake Dalhousie), it intersects County Road 450A before continuing south towards Eustis.
On the eastern edge of Eustis, CR 44A intersects one of the eastern termini of County Road 44 before turning east once again on DeLand Road. It then continues east on DeLand Road for approximately , passing by Black Bear Golf Club, before reaching its eastern terminus at State Road 44.
County Road 44B.
County Road 44B, formerly a short north/south county route in the Mount Dora area. In 2004, CR 44B was turned over to State Road 44 when SR 44 was re-routed out of downtown Eustis, with SR 44 becoming a complete eastern and southern bypass of Eustis. The remaining portion of SR 44 through Eustis was reverted to CR 44, and remains unsigned to this day.
County Road 44C.
County Road 44C, is Eudora Road, a short north/south county route also in the Mount Dora area. It spans from the convoluted intersection between Old County Road 441 and the eastern terminus of County Road 19A to US 441-SR 44 almost crossing the Mount Dora-Eustis border.