Rich with history, high in Transylvania Nov 15, 2009
A good place to begin a walking tour is Council Square, also referred to as the Marktplatz, a wide and active central plaza that s said to be where the legendary Pied Piper led the entranced children of Hamlin. I didn t hear any pipers, though the influence of the Saxons is everywhere you look, from ornate churches to the colorful facades of three- and four-story buildings trimmed and decorated like fanciful cakes. (Boston Globe)
Touristy but not tacky, St. Augustine carries its past with pride Nov 1, 2009
Its narrow streets and central plaza were laid out by Spanish decree in 1598 ... We never found the soulfulness we sought, but we did feel a connection to the past, especially when we came across this fact: When St. Augustine was a British bastion in the late 1700s, American patriots and their French allies were taken prisoner but given the liberty of the town, a marker in the central plaza notes. (Boston Globe)
Springfield Town Center: Coming Soon? Oct 30, 2009
Imagine tree-lined pathways winding through a town center sprinkled with cafes, shops and upscale eateries; a central plaza surrounded by a pedestrian-friendly community where people can live, work, shop and play. All of this and more is included in plans for the Springfield Town Center, a new community planned for the area currently occupied by Springfield Mall at the crossroads of I-95 and Franconia Road in Springfield. (South County Chronicle, VA)
Opponents rally against abortion reform Oct 19, 2009
The crowd rallied in the central Plaza de Independencia, where pop music blared over loudspeakers and 300 white helium balloons were released. The presence of each of you here today ; is a commitment to the fight for life,'' Benigno Blanco, the head of the Forum for the Family, one of the chief organisers, told the crowd. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
One million protest abortion reforms in Spain Oct 18, 2009
The crowd, which included many families and people of all ages, rallied in the central Plaza de Independencia, where pop music blared over loudspeakers and 300 white helium balloons were released yesterday. "The presence of each of you here today in this demonstration is a commitment to the fight for life," Benigno Blanco, the head of the Forum for the Family, one of the chief organisers, told the crowd. (India Times, India)
The Final Olé: A Spanish Region Moves to Ban Bullfighting Oct 18, 2009
The striking, late-19th century arena with faux Moorish arches, located near Barcelona's central Plaza de Espa a, once pulled in thousands of bullfighting aficionados for the traditional and gory Sunday corrida (the Spanish word for "bullfight"). Today, it is being converted into a shopping mall. (Time.com)
Buenos Aires: 'Round the clock drama Oct 5, 2009
Photos show her addressing spellbound crowds in the city's central Plaza de Mayo. You can almost hear her singing "Don't cry for me, Argentina," but the song from the stage show and movie isn't actually played. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Cal Shakes to break ground on major renovation Sep 24, 2009
Besides the new Patron Center - which will have a "living roof" - the first phase will include an expanded central plaza, improved access roads and upgraded electrical, water and sewage systems at the Siesta Valley site that Cal Shakes leases from EBMUD in the Berkeley hills. Phase 2 of the project, which will require further fund raising, will focus on upgrading the seating, windscreens, lighting and sound systems in the 20-year-old amphitheater. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Mysterious ruins may help explain Mayan collapse Sep 20, 2009
Of particular interst: a hilltop complex nicknamed "Stairway to Heaven" by Gallareta (that's "Escalera al Cieloa" for Spanish-speaking Led Zeppelin fans) because of a long staircase leading from Kiuic to a central plaza nearly a mile away ... The only sign of warfare is a collection of spear points found in the central plaza of Kiuic. (USA Today -- Tech)
Blacks in Mexico: A Forgotten Minority Sep 16, 2009
The second thing that is immediately evident to vistors who reach the town's rustic central plaza: there are virtually no blacks among the few hundred residents milling around the center of town. Related. (Time.com)
The Business of Human Smuggling on the Mexican Border Aug 20, 2009
When you step into the central plaza, dozens of strangers assess you, wondering what exactly you are doing here, while contemplating the ways a profit might be generated off your presence. A bodega selling cold beer and potato chips only adds to the effect; it features a slot machine that plays the theme music of over and over again. (Slate)
2 bombs explode on Spanish island Aug 10, 2009
One bomb exploded in La Rigoleta restaurant on the Can Pere Antoni beachfront in Palma de Mallorca and the second in an underground passage at the central Plaza Mayor square, the government said. Officers deactivated a bomb left at Bar Enco. (MSNBC -- International)
Back to the future of downtown Aug 9, 2009
The 1978 master plan called for a central plaza on College Avenue between Clayton and Broad streets with an ;outdoor cafe setting; and a ;multi-level fountain, a dynamic water feature combined with seating areas and display facilities for structures ... The 1978 master plan called for a central plaza on College Avenue between Clayton and Broad streets with an ;outdoor cafe setting; and a ;multi-level fountain, a dynamic water feature combined with seating areas and display facilities for... (Athens Banner-Herald)
‘Midsummer madness’ Aug 7, 2009
As a result, confrontations arrive with an appealing inevitability, as the audience tracks characters on collision courses toward the central plaza. The dozen actors who make up this year s Bard in the Quad troupe manage to fill the space admirably, with outsized gestures and poses, loud voices and an emphasis on physical comedy that helps translate Shakespeare s flowery lines into meanings that anyone in the audience can grasp. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
At the Shed, chili comes with a kick Aug 5, 2009
The entrance to the Shed is through a beautiful courtyard a couple of blocks off the central plaza here. Housed in a former residence that dates to 1692, the cozy restaurant has five small dining rooms and a spacious bar area. (Boston Globe)
Cities around the world to visit with children Aug 1, 2009
A central plaza provides plenty of run-around space for kids and there's a vibrant market. advertisement. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Input Sought for Chinatown Upgrade Jul 25, 2009
Published: Friday, July 24, 2009 5:30 PM PDT DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - With its souvenir shops full of paper fans and jade, Asian restaurants, pagoda architecture and men playing Chinese board games, Central Plaza is the iconic heart of Chinatown ... Its pretty quiet, said Richard Lu, who owns three buildings in Central Plaza, including the one that houses his design firm ... They will turn to the community for suggestions at a public workshop on July 29 at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent... (Los Angeles Downtown News, CA)
No stay on installation of Mayawati statue at Noida: SC Jul 11, 2009
In fact, the project may even give the Kanshi Ram Smarak on the VIP Road in Lucknow a run for money with the Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (RNN) in the process of constructing a central plaza in the middle of the memorial at a whopping cost of Rs 187. 20 crore. (India Times, India)
The riots in Xinjiang: Is China fraying? Jul 10, 2009
A protest by several hundred people in the city s central plaza, People s Square, moved southward into Uighur areas, including the Grand Bazaar, a large shopping centre. Somehow perhaps, overseas Uighur activists say, because the police opened fire it became an explosion of anger, in which random Chinese were clubbed and stoned to death. (The Economist)
Virtual Tour Jul 5, 2009
A 12-foot high bronze statue of University namesake George Washington (left) has welcomed students to campus since 1909, and now marks the East entrance to Red Square (center, right), the central plaza of the UW campus. The site of frequent rallies and demonstrations, Red Square - so named for its red brick paving - is bordered by Suzzallo Library, Kane Hall, Odegaard Library, Gerberding Hall and the Meany Center for the Performing Arts. (Gohuskies.com)
Attendance up at Minnesota Zoo Jul 2, 2009
But it also attributed growth to strong marketing and new exhibits and attractions including its Russia s Grizzly Coast exhibit and a renovated Central Plaza, a combined $30 million effort. More attractions are on there way. (Twin Cities Business Journal, MN)
New Honduran President Warns Former Leader of Arrest... Jul 1, 2009
Thousands of Hondurans rallied Tuesday in the central plaza of the capital, Tegucigalpa, to support the forced removal of Zelaya and to shout their support for the armed forces. "It would be a disgrace to have him back in the country," said Emilio Larach, owner of a large building materials company here, who attended the rally to denounce Zelaya. (The Drudge Report)
Picturing Chinatowns Growth (19) May 15, 2009
The book closes with a picture of the 2008 celebration of the 70th anniversary of New Chinatown, where thousands of people packed the communitys central plaza. I wanted to end it with that because it was a celebration. (Los Angeles Downtown News, CA)
* European lottery officials searching for big winner May 12, 2009
A sign pinned to the window of the Black Cat lottery shop, just off Madrids central Plaza de Cibeles, boasted on Sunday that this was the place where the winning ticket had been sold. The shops owner, Paloma Cateleiro, said that she had no idea who had bought the ticket but suspected the chit might be lying at the bottom of a tourists suitcase in some part of Europe. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Millions Return To School In Mexico May 8, 2009
Isabel Garcia had to leave her 11-year-old son, Charlie, behind while she sold vegetables below a red-domed church in San Miguel Topilejo's central plaza. "I'm nervous about him going back to school on Monday. But he will wear a mask and I have instructed him to stay away from any children who appear sick," Garcia said as customers squeezed past her stall, a colorful tableau of radishes, carrots, green onions and other fresh produce. (CBS News -- World)
Lack of tourists makes way for locals May 4, 2009
"We were forced to stay home all week," said Elizabeth Longi, 52, a primary school teacher who came for a mocha coffee at the El Jarocho cafe and to see the refurbished central plaza. "Normally you can't see anything because of all vendors," Longi said, "though we understand the people have to work, people have to eat.". (MSNBC -- Travel)
Flu brings less crime, blue sky to Mexico City May 1, 2009
Central plaza desertedThe enormous central plaza, the Zocalo, was deserted. Gone were the usual crowds of drum-pounding "Aztec" dancers with bells on their feet and feathers in their hair, hopping and twisting in circles amid perfumed clouds of incense. (MSNBC -- International)
Pakistan and its Taliban problem May 1, 2009
Residents of Mingora, Swat s biggest town, awoke daily to find still-dripping corpses littering its central plaza, or dangling from lamp-posts there. They dubbed it Khooni Chowk, or Bloody Square. (The Economist)
Hong Kong Christens Ark of Biblical Proportions; First Built as Big as Noah's... Apr 15, 2009
During the 1990s, he set up a church on the 75th-floor pyramid atrium atop Sun Hung Kai's Central Plaza office complex. The Noah's Ark project was initially hatched as a theme park with rides, until Mr. Kwok decided the project should be something more than that. (The Drudge Report)
Applications open for families of problem gamblers to exclude them from casinos Apr 2, 2009
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Balkan Beat Box is on top of the world Mar 27, 2009
And when the band hits the Paradise Wednesday, it'll be fresh from Mexico City, where it has a huge outdoor gig this weekend in the central plaza, the Zocalo, sharing a bill with Asian Dub Foundation, the London Indo-punk massive. Orthodox, these guys are not. (Boston Globe)
Northern Philippines' Halsema Highw... Mar 23, 2009
Across the street, past the Post Office, is the central Plaza. Go down the steps and through the park towards the provincial offices, and at the corner of the building is the shop of the provincial department of trade and industry with a wide variety of local handicrafts, especially woven fabrics of all kinds. (Suite101.com)
Gunmen wound 3 at Mexico Red Cross fundraiser Mar 21, 2009
ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) -- Police say armed men have raided the central plaza of the Mexican tourist town of Taxco during a Red Cross fundraiser, seizing a man and wounding three bystanders with wild gunshots. The Guerrero State Public Security agency says the attackers grabbed a man from the crowd as the city's mayor launched Thursday's midday charity event in front of the famed Santa Prisca church. (KHOU.com, TX)
Mexican drug gangs' weaponry fit for war Mar 17, 2009
The single deadliest attack on civilians by drug traffickers in Mexico took place Sept. 15 at an Independence Day celebration in the central plaza of Morelia, hometown of President Felipe Calderon and capital of Michoacan. Attackers hurled fragmentation grenades at the celebrating crowd, killing eight people and wounding dozens more. (AZCentral -- News)
El Salvador joins Latin America's leftward tilt Mar 17, 2009
"This is a new era for us, this is a triumph for the whole country, and we will triumph over the next five years," says Gloria Maria Ramirez, who was almost in tears as she rushed to celebrate in a central plaza in San Salvador. Salvadorans throughout the capital jumped into the back of pickup trucks, waving red FMLN flags and honking horns, and set off fireworks into the night sky. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Bars & Clubs Mar 11, 2009
950 Mei Ling Way (Central Plaza), (213) 628-4244. This is old school Chinatown, on the ground floor of the Hop Louie Restaurant, with slightly indifferent bartenders and dcor its actually a relief. (Los Angeles Downtown News, CA)
University of Pennsylvania turning old Postal Service parking into park Mar 4, 2009
Penn Park will contain four athletic fields, a dozen tennis courts, a multilevel elevated pedestrian walk and a raised central plaza with views of the Center City skyline. a landscape architects firm with offices in New York and Cambridge, Mass. (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
Read Article » Feb 20, 2009
An ill-conceived proposal by Frank Gehry to cover Lincoln Center's central plaza with a gigantic glass canopy stirred such outrage among constituents that it was shelved in 2001. A design by the French architect Christian de Portzamparc for a flashy new home for New York City Opera on Amsterdam Avenue came and went with barely a yawn five years later. (International Herald Tribune)
Veterans cemetery project gains momentum Feb 20, 2009
The cemetery will have an administration facility, visitors center, central plaza, columbarium, a reflective walkway including commemorative plaques, 100 U.S. Flags lining the entrance walkway among other amenities. Randy Reeves, cemetery director, a retired U.S. Navy Commander of 27 years service, said the facility will be good for the whole area including Scott County in its 75 mile service area. (Forest Scott County Times, MS)
Mexico City sets kissing record on Valentine's Day Feb 15, 2009
Thousands gathered in Mexico City's central plaza to pucker up for peace and break the world record for the largest number of people kissing at one time ... Thousands gathered in Mexico City's central plaza to pucker up for peace and break the world record for the largest number of people kissing at one time. (Fresno Bee)
Architects like what they see in SkySong Feb 13, 2009
When the team was selected, the community felt it should be more like a central plaza. That was probably a smart suggestion, so we went back to the drawing boards and modified the design to say, "This is really the heart of the project.". (AZCentral -- Business)
The toast of Argentina Feb 12, 2009
My home base is the slick 26-room Villaggio Hotel Boutique near the central Plaza Independencia and several of the city's liveliest restaurants and bars. Over lunch at Azafrn, a classic Argentine restaurant with a 500-bottle wine menu, I tuck into a trio of meat empanadas and a tender pork loin drizzled with blueberry sauce. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Sunday's vote: A return to Fortress Switzerland? Feb 8, 2009
"People are losing their jobs because there are so many commuters from Italy and France," says Pierre Rusconi, one of the party's leaders, as he campaigned to topple the Schengen on a recent Sunday in Lugano's central plaza. Leaflets distributed by Mr. Rusconi urge people to vote "against free circulation, high unemployment and criminality.". (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
