Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Jeanne-Claude, Wife, Partner and Collaborator to Christo, Dies at 74


Jeanne-Claude, the extroverted red-head and the wife of environmental artist, Christo, died Wednesday from complications of a brain aneurysm. She was 74.

Born in Casablanca, Morocco to a French military family, Jeanne-Claude met Christo in October 1958 in Paris when he was commissioned to paint a portrait of her mother. They were married soon after.

Jeanne-Claude and Christo created numerous environmental art projects together. One of their most notable works is “The Gates” in New York City’s Central Park. Their work has been visually impressive, often-times controversial, and always ephemeral. “Do you know that I don’t have any artworks that exist? They all go away when they’re finished. Only the preparatory drawings and collages are left, giving my works an almost legendary character. I think it takes much greater courage to create things to be gone that to create things that will remain,” said Christo. But, they have repeatedly contended that their work never meant anything more than the immediate aesthetic. According to Jeanne-Claude, “Our art has absolutely no purpose, except to be a work of art. We do not give messages.”

A statement on the couple’s website explains that although Christo is deeply saddened by the passing of his wife, partner and collaborator, he is committed to honoring the promise they made to each other many years ago: The art of Christo and Jeanne-Claude will continue.

Christo is dedicated to completing their current works in progress: Over The River, Project for the Arkansas River, State of Colorado, and The Mastaba, Project for the United Arab Emirates, as Jeanne-Claude would wish.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

It's a Wrap! Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Project Finishes With an Extreme Party

Local Businesses Come Together to Show Volunteer Appreciation at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Springfield, MA - An emotionally charged and long awaited finish to an exciting week in Suffield, CT ended for many on Sunday, June 28th, as the Hill Family's new home was revealed for the first time to them and thousands in their front yard. However, the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project was not over for hundreds of construction, electrical, plumbing and corporate volunteers and members of the West Springfield, MA and Avon, CT based Pecoy Signature Homes. Pecoy Companies staff and lead team members who helped build the new home finally had a chance to exhale and unwind as volunteers joined the ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition cast and crew at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA for the "It's a Wrap" party. From 8pm till just after midnight on Sunday, June 28th, the event was a welcome 'thank you' for the team leads that worked 24/7 for the past week to provide a new home the Hill family deserves.
.
The party, produced by West Springfield based full-service marketing firm, Market Mentors, would not have been possible without several area businesses stepping up to the plate to donate their services, staff and time. Pazzo Restaurant, contributed all of the food for the event. From butlered hors d'oeuvres and multiple food stations to a tantalizing array of desserts. Max's Tavern graciously donated their bar service, tables, linens and staff. Thanks to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the event was held in the impressive Center Court, plus all guests including ABC's cast and crew, were able to tour the museum. In addition, ABSOLUT Vodka was donated by Horizon Beverage Company. The wine was provided by Fettes Wine & Spirits of Springfield, MA and M.S. Walker, LLC. A variety of locally brewed beer was on tap from Opa Opa Brewing Company of Williamsburg and Southampton, MA. Other sponsors that enabled this large event to run smoothly included: Appleton Management Corporation, Valet Park of America, Formal Indulgence and Go Graphix of East Longmeadow, MA.
.
The event would not have been complete without live entertainment. Springfield based "Original" 80's Dance Party Band, "Orange Crush" had hundreds on the dance floor along with the area's most requested DJ service, Marx Entertainment. All audio visual was provided by Zasko Productions of Chicopee, MA and sound by West Springfield-based ATC Audio. An emotional slide show produced by Robert Charles Photography of East Longmeadow, MA and Video Experts of East Windsor, CT was shown to recap the week-long project.
.
The build started with the knock on the door of the Hill home on Sunday, June 21, 2009, progressed with demolition and rebuild, and was finally revealed to the Hill family on Sunday, June 28, 2009. The Hill family was sent on an all expenses paid trip to Disney and returned on Sunday to see celebrity cast member and construction lead, Ty Pennington, yell with thousands at the site, "MOVE THAT BUS!" Every item and service for the build was donated by thousands of regional residents and business. More information about this particular build, the 146th for ABC, is on http://www.extremepecoy.com/. The segment aired in October from 8:00-9:00 pm, ET on ABC.
.
About Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
The Emmy award winning reality program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," is now entering its 7th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It's executive-produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8:00-9:00 pm, ET on ABC.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Sustainable Landscapes


Making buildings more energy efficient and sustainable helps protect the environment, reduces operating expenses, and improves human comfort. But, just as important is the landscape that surrounds the building.

The Sustainable Sites Initiative defines sustainability as it relates to the landscape as, “Design, construction, operations, and maintenance practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Expanding on that definition, sustainable landscapes are stable and productive ecosystems that conserve the physical and biological processes occurring within those environments. These ecosystems, when functioning properly, not only provide humans with the basics for survival—food, water, air, plant materials, etc.—but also with intangible benefits that promote our health and well-being through our interactions with nature.

Any landscape, whether it is a large subdivision, a park, a commercial property, or a single home, has the potential to provide some or all of these benefits and, therefore, holds inherent value. When we perceive landscapes as being valuable to our well-being, we are motivated to protect and care for them in a way that ensures their viability not only for the short term but well into the future.


Design and construction of sustainable landscapes includes strategies in five key areas: soils, vegetation, hydrology, materials, and human health and well-being. The following are some of the strategies that can be incorporated into any existing landscape to increase its level of sustainability and, therefore, its overall value.

  • Use native plants
  • Preserve and restore soils
  • Put the right plant in the right place
  • Avoid invasive plants
  • Limit high-maintenance lawn areas
  • Use plants with long life spans
  • Provide opportunities for outdoor physical, mental, and social interaction
  • Promote diversity within landscape plantings
  • Conserve building energy usage with plants
  • Reduce runoff, retain stormwater on site
  • Capture rainwater for reuse
  • Preserve and restore native wildlife habitat
  • Use least-toxic/organic methods for maintenance
  • Conserve energy and water usage for landscape maintenance
  • Recycle organic matter by composting
  • Reduce water usage