Latest news with #preservation


BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
City centre church added to at Worcester's at risk list
A city centre church is a new entry on a list of buildings and monuments and battlefields at risk through neglect or decay. All Saints Church in Deansway, Worcester, was added because its stonework and windows are in poor repair and there are issues with its electrics, the register said. Worcester City Council has unveiled its 2025 Heritage at Risk Register, which will go before its planning committee on Thursday. Parts of the medieval city walls are included, while the condition of number of Grade II listed buildings was also highlighted. A Grade II listed pedestal tomb at Claines Church is on the register because the top section of its urn finial is missing, while the urn itself is unstable, and the Scala Theatre and Corn Exchange in Angel Street are the subject of a city council scheme to create a new arts venue. Parts of the city walls on the list are scheduled monuments and Grade II listed. Some parts of the medieval walls were repaired after a grant from Historic England, but others remain at risk after plant growth. Meanwhile, collapsed boundary walls to the west and south of College Green were in "very bad" condition, according to the list, and a rebuild programme was yet to get under way. Some repairs had been carried out at St Helen's Church in Fish Street, but stonework repairs in the tower were still needed. It also noted work had resumed at a vacant building in Trotshill Lane East, Warndon. The premises has been hit by anti-social behaviour and was damaged by fire in 2020. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.


Fox News
3 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Money-saving storage hacks keep your berries fresher for longer, expert says
A popular Reddit post has people talking about the best way to preserve berries – and a food expert is weighing in, too. In a thread on r/FoodHacks, a user said that he or she was "a little proud" of a recently discovered berry hack. "I was tired of the raspberries I get from the store going bad so freakin' fast," the user wrote. "Looked up some different ways to keep them fresh and I liked this method." The method involves thoroughly washing the raspberries, drying them with a paper towel and then storing them in an airtight glass container with another paper towel at the bottom. Thanks to the hack, the user was able to preserve the berries for nine days in the fridge – but admitted having to remove three berries that started going bad. "I think it was a success," the user concluded. Other Reddit users responded with their own tips and tricks for keeping berries edible for longer periods of time. "Washing berries with a little vinegar also adds some longevity," one person said. "Blueberries are relatively sturdy and can handle a bit more handling, while strawberries and raspberries are delicate and bruise easily." "I use baking soda for all my produce except onions. I assume the slightly acidic rinse keeps mold spores and bacteria from developing in the fridge," another person chimed in. Other methods didn't necessarily involve baking soda or vinegar. "My hack is to leave them in the original containers unwashed, and place inside an airtight [Ziploc] bag in the fridge," one person wrote. "They keep for at least a week." "I wash them in [122°F] water as soon as I get home and ensure they are dry before putting them into an airtight container," a different Reddit user suggested. "Definitely lasts longer this way." And others were baffled that the berries lasted that long in the first place. "Raspberries do not last 9 days around me," one person wrote. Another said, "I'd finish the berries before I even finished washing them." "Tailoring your storage method to the berry type can extend their life and preserve their taste." Mark Wieser, co-founder of specialty foods company Fischer & Wieser in Fredericksburg, Texas, also shared with Fox News Digital his top steps for storing berries. 1. Wait to wash the berries until right before eating them – and don't wash them under running water. 2. Gently place berries in a bowl of water to soak. This will clean them without harming their delicate structure. 3. Fill a large bowl with cold water, then gently place the berries in a colander and dip them in the water bath. This results in an even wash that protects the berries, he said. 4. Afterward, transfer the berries to a paper towel-lined airtight container and place in the refrigerator. Wieser also noted that different types of berries have different cleaning needs, since some are more delicate than others. "Blueberries are relatively sturdy and can handle a bit more handling, while strawberries and raspberries are delicate and bruise easily," he said. "Store in a shallow container lined with a paper towel and avoid stacking them deep," he added. "Tailoring your storage method to the berry type can extend their life and preserve their taste." He also said berries can be cleaned "effectively with just water, but using vinegar or baking soda can help remove pesticide residues and bacteria more thoroughly." "Plain water, however, is still a safe and acceptable method for washing berries." Commercially produced strawberries in particular are likely to have pesticide residue on them, so he recommends a vinegar bath. "In a bowl, mix four parts water with one part white vinegar, then let the strawberries soak in the bowl for 20 minutes," he said. "Rinse the strawberries thoroughly with fresh cold water to clean off the vinegar." Above all, Wieser said, consumers shouldn't wait too long to enjoy their berries. "Keep them cold, dry and avoid rinsing until right before eating," he said. "A little planning can go a long way in reducing waste."


New York Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Curtain Call for Arts Group at Landmark Church?
Good morning. It's Monday. Today we'll look at the future of an arts group operating in a landmark Upper West Side church that wants it out so the building can be demolished. Is the final act of a complicated landlord-tenant drama about to play out? Will the landlord, a landmark church on the Upper West Side, change the locks now that it has served an eviction notice? The church says that it has not decided about the locks. The tenant, an arts group, says that even if it has to move out, it will continue to oppose the church's plan for a real estate deal valued at more than $30 million. Under that deal, the church, a 135-year-old building on West 86th Street at Amsterdam Avenue, would be replaced by market-rate housing. That plan has put the church at odds with preservationists and lawmakers. The arts group, the Center at West Park, has called a news conference for this morning and has invited a number of lawmakers, including Mark Levine, the Manhattan borough president, and State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who said on Sunday that 'losing the center would be a tremendous loss for artists' across the city. The center is also counting on boldface names who have supported it in the past couple of years, among them the actors Matt Dillon, Mark Ruffalo and Christian Slater. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.


Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah committed to preserving cultural, multi-ethnic heritage, says CM
Chief minister Hajiji Noor urged ethnic associations in Sabah to continue to promote their cultures, customs and languages so they are not lost over time. (Facebook pic) KOTA KINABALU : The Sabah government remains committed to implementing comprehensive initiatives aimed at preserving and strengthening the cultural heritage of the multiracial communities, said chief minister Hajiji Noor. He said the ongoing efforts were crucial to ensuring that the state's cultural treasures continue to be preserved, appreciated and passed down to future generations amid rapid global changes. 'In an ever-changing world, it is vital to ensure that local culture remains relevant and is understood by both present and future generations,' he said in a statement in conjunction with the Sabah Ethnic Day celebration here tonight. 'The younger generation are not just inheritors but also guardians of the heritage that will shape the future of this state. 'The preservation of cultural heritage is essential to ensure the continuity of a community's identity, values and traditions. I therefore hope that ethnic associations in the state will continue to promote their cultures, customs and languages so they are not lost over time.' The event was officiated by Sabah governor Musa Aman, who was accompanied by his wife, Faridah Tussin. Also present was deputy chief minister II Joachim Gunsalam. Hajiji said efforts to preserve cultural heritage would also help attract more tourists to Sabah, in line with the state government's target of 3.5 million tourist arrivals this year. 'The spirit of goodwill in diversity is the foundation of the people's strength in this state. Therefore, I urge all Sabahans to continue nurturing the values of tolerance, mutual respect and harmony regardless of ethnic or religious background,' he said.


CBS News
7 days ago
- General
- CBS News
San Francisco's historic Vaillancourt Fountain fenced off with future threatened
The Vaillancourt Fountain, sitting in the heart of San Francisco's Embarcadero Plaza, has long divided opinion. It's a decades-long battle to either tear it down or preserve the historic gathering place. This week, city workers have begun to fence it off, marking the latest twist. Some are rallying to save what they call the "mecca" of skateboarding. To some, it's an eyesore, concrete blocks jutting in every direction. To others like Ted Barrow, it's a masterpiece. "This is incredible. There's no other fountain anywhere in the world that looks like this," said Barrow. Barrow can't ride these days because of an injury, but speaks intimately of what he sees as an iconic landmark for the sport. Each chip on the brick plaza has a story. "All these thousands of pock marks come from the side of a skateboard," said Barrow. The Vaillancourt Fountain has been a gathering space for activists, artists, and more at the Embarcadero Plaza since 1971. City workers began fencing off the area this week. With redevelopment plans threatening its future, advocates from preservation communities are coming together. "It's amazing that it is still here and we wanna fight to keep it here," said Barrow. "I think it needs to be kept, the awesomeness. It would be a shame to lose it because it's got so much history," said skater Morris Beckett, who's visiting from out of town. A new report commissioned by the city concluded the structure contains asbestos and lead, and that its crumbling condition is a public safety issue. "The structure is unstable hazardous materials are present and we just can't allow public access to a space that poses a safety risk," said San Francisco Recreation and Parks Spokesperson Tamara Aparton. Designed by artist Armand Vaillancourt, the fountain was meant to challenge convention. Barrow is not just a late-40s skateboarder reminiscing and trying to hold onto the past. He also has a Ph.D in art history. "We as a people suffer. When you destroy art, you deprive the audience and the public of being challenged. This is a very challenging dynamic. It's rough, it's unapologetic," said Barrow. As city planners eye changes to the plaza, supporters fear its days may be numbered. "As a Skateboarder, a big part of what I love about San Francisco will be deeply changed if this is gone," said Barrow. For now, they'll keep riding and hoping this part of their history is preserved. There will be at least one public hearing. City officials say they are finalizing plans but that it will be held sometime in July. It's unclear when a final decision by the San Francisco Arts Commission will be made.