Welcome to Southbury’s new movie theater: Riverview Cinemas and Playhouse. This 8 screen, 42500 sq ft. complex opened its theater’s doors in mid-December 2017 for the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere. Some other venues of the complex include restaurants, retail space, and 2 apartments.

This complex, owned by the LaFlamme family, was first proposed in 2014. Since then, they have been going through counsel and zoning commissions in order to get the project started. In March of 2015 the zoning commission approved the soil extraction permit, which means that the work was able to start. In the May of 2016, work was delayed since a special Shagbark hickory needed to be cut down in order for construction to continue. The owners wanted to avoid that outcome “at all costs”. After saving the tree, and putting in efforts to preserve it, the foundation of the complex was lain.

The projected date of completion for the theater was Dec 2017. As 2017 rolled by, the emphasis was placed on having several screens available for the premiere for the Star Wars film. As promised, the Riverview Theatre had two screens available for the 12/17/17 premiere. Now the real question is how much longer until the rest of the theater is completed?

One issue that was raised with the complex was that it would give the town a more “urban” feel, thus taking away from the “small town” vibe that Southbury is so proud of. The owners replied to this by pointing out the number of community activities that the complex would be hosting, as well as the number of jobs it would be creating. In other words, this complex is envisioned to help build the community feel of the small town feel that Southbury is known for. Some of the proposed contributions included: working with the Main Street Theater Company to bring live theater to Southbury; holding a local film festival; show replays of local sport games; special theme nights; senior specials; and holding special discussions about movies and or live theater.

Over the next few months tit would be smart to keep a look out for the new developments in the complex. As of now, the retail areas and restaurant lessees still remain unnamed. 

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Landscaping has been around for many centuries and has captivated the imagination of citizens all over the world. You could say that it is an unofficial wonder of the world how people one hundred or even two hundred years ago could complete such beautiful works of art with simple tools. Today landscapers have different hand tools, power tools, and construction equipment to change a landscape. For has long has this profession has been around there are landscapers that stand out amongst their peers. One of the earliest landscape architects that became famous for his work is Andre Le Notre. He is a French landscaper who designed many parks in France and was made famous for designing the park of the Palace of Versailles. This was in the constructed in the late 1600’s when French architecture was at its height, and Mr. Notre was building up the reputation of the profession. His contribution to the planning of parks and the palace gardens reach all the way into the 21st century inspiring more to follow in his footsteps.

Across the channel in the 1700’s was a man commonly known as Capability Brown. He was an English gentleman that many believe had no rival. He had designed over 150 parks in England and many still remain. He has been dubbed the greatest English gardener, due to the fact that many of his pupils are over shadowed by his great works of art. Some of well-known gardens are the Blenheim Palace, Milton Abbey, and Croome Court. It is safe to say that he was a very sought after landscaper for the nobles and that his legacy has endured for over 300 years. This landscaper was a renowned gothic revivalist and father of American landscaping, though he lived a short life he made a major contribution to the American culture. Born in Newburgh, New York Mr. Andrew Downing started his career as a journalist and then found his passion of landscaping. His famous works include portions of the white house grounds, the national mall in D.C, and areas around the Smithsonian. His staples are still seen today in our nations wonderful capital.

A more modern landscaper that has made a name for him self was Lawrence Halprin. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York he is a modernist landscaper and contributes to the American school of Landscaping. He was big on landscaping cities to blend the uniqueness of the city and beautiful scenery of nature to enhance the essence of cities. One of his known works ar eth Lovejoy Fountain Park and another is Freeway park, both of which is in Oregon. Landscapers can be traced back to the early 17th century, but like all arts evolve and inspire new trains of thought. 

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Learn How to Properly Maintain your Snow Blower

Landscaping is a great way to help improve your home either for yourself or to increase the property value. There are some jobs that you can do your self that way you don’t have to hire someone or pay excessive fees. First thing you can do before you go out and buy martials and tools is to start designing. Designing will help you figure out what and how much material you will need to buy. By doing your own designing you will find out the measurements of the project you are looking to get done. Another way doing your own designing will help you picture what you want. An easy job to do your self is setting lighting in your garden and walk ways. There are many lights on the market that range from staking in the ground to the more elaborate masonry embedded ones. When looking for projects to do for your garden I found planting ground covering flowers to spruce up the garden.

There will always be areas that are unused or empty why not cover them with flowers that will complement the other flowers. Another easy project is doing your own stone walk way. Local stores like home depot and lowes will have pre cut stones that you can use to lay in your yard. You will need tools like a hoe, shovel and leveler. The shovel will help dig up the ground, the hoe will help you refine the dig site, and the leveler will help you level the dirt to make a flat surface for you to lay your stones. The easiest landscaping job you can do your self is planting. Yes, this seems obvious but planting shrubs, bushes and trees is easy to do with the minimalist amount of tools. All you really need is a water source, a shovel, and fertilizer then you are all set to be your own landscaper.

One project that comes up a lot that people do them selves is the utilization of pebbles. You can create art work in the garden, walk ways, and even pebble lining around furniture. Lastly if you live in the north with cold winters a fire pit is always a plus. A fire pit is not as hard as one may think. There are fire pit kits out there with directions on how to build it, but if you are handy and creative you can use stones from your local store to create your dream fire pit. Landscaping doesn’t always have to be done by a pro, taking your ideas into your own hands can provide a very satisfying feeling once you complete your job on your own. 

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We have seen landscaping companies mow lawns and spray pesticides, but is that all they do? There are companies out there that are landscapers, but lean toward property maintains. These companies are great choices for those that need help taking care their property, or those that have very large properties that would take to long if they did it on their own. These landscapers will have the proper equipment needed to take care of your lawn and do it in the nick of time. If you are looking for a landscaping company that will do more than just maintain your lawn you should look for landscapers that are designers or architects. Landscape designers are landscapers that combine culture, gardening, and nature to create beautiful works of outdoor art.

Depending on where you are these companies will help you design your yard utilizing the local natural land and vegetation, or to turn your lawn into a one of a kind yard in your neighborhood. They dabble a little into landscape architecture and garden designing therefore they are in their own profession. Some simple designs that are done are planning how a garden is put together, walk ways, and what type of trees would look best on a campus quad. Landscape architecture is in a league of its own. These company’s redesigns properties that go with building layouts and road ways. They will re-level land or use the available land into their design. Parks, gardens, and islands in the road are all major jobs they will take on. Many famous architects that have come and gone over the years were made famous by putting together famous landmarks like the queen’s garden in London, the mirror pond in D.C, and Copacabana Beach.

These professionals spent many years honing their craft to combine the landscape they are given with a project that needs to be statically pleasing to the public, to produce something blends into the environment. Landscaping is a broad term, but only you know what you are looking for. If you need maintenance there are a to of companies out there, but if you are looking for someone that will spruce up your property or redesign your own little park look for a designer or an architect. These professionals will do their job right and you will be happy with your new garden. 

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We all admire a lawns and gardens that are well kept. They help create a beautiful property and bring families together. We all have seen landscaping companies in our communities working on our neighbors and businesses properties, but what is landscaping? It is a broad term for companies that maintain property to designing beautiful scenery. Many landscaping companies work year-round. Landscapers utilize many tools in their trade to help restore or alter properties. Heavy duty mowers, tractors, and even construction equipment are used to make your dream come true. We hired a company to help build a gazebo on our corporates back lawn. When we consulted with them they helped pick out the right gazebo style and what flowers that were going to be planted around it. Although the gazebo was pre-built the landscapers dug up the surrounding grass making sure that the ground was flat and level for the gazebo to rest on.

Professional landscapers put a lot of time into researching which plants would be the best fit for your project. When you consult with a professional they will inform you about best type of grasses to grow in your area all the way to complimenting floral arrangement for the natural landscape around you. Public officials hire landscapers to help maintain city parks for the safety of the public. They can remove trees, fill in ditches, and most commonly mow. A lot of time and effort is put into their work from selecting the right equipment to finding vendors of plants for their jobs. We have a professional landscaping company that loves to use locally grown flowers and bushes, not only do they do a fantastic job, but also support local businesses. Landscapers don’t only make property attractive, but if you have a view outside your window that you would like to be improved they will evaluate the widows view and come up with a plan so that even when you are inside outdoor views become breath taking.

​Landscaping doesn’t stop at flowers and bushes, but they also can plant ornamental trees that will prosper on your lawn. If you don’t have the time to maintain your lawn you can hire a landscaper to mow, seed, fertilize, you name it. If you want to improve your garden these professionals will find flowers that go with the scheme you are trying to reach, or can install stone walk ways leading to you garden. If you need a stone wall built for any purpose look no further retaining walls, stone fences, and statues can be installed or built to create a garden reminiscent of a noble garden. When winter comes these companies can be hired to do snow removal even if it is just to plow your drive way. When they are hired to do snow removal you can request that they lay salt and sand down to prevent ice and people slipping on your businesses property. These amazing professionals can do it all why wait till spring to get hire one. Landscapers can be consulted year round so that when the right time comes you can have your dream ready on paper. 

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Learn the Difference Between Landscape Designers and Architects