Online bidding began on Tuesday for an entire village in Connecticut named Johnsonville, an abandoned town in the Moodus section of East Haddam, Ray Hardman reports on wnpr.org.
Legend has it -- and auctioneers have exploited the notion -- that Johnsonville is haunted.
In the 1870s, it was a thriving mill town, using the power of the Moodus River to make twine for fishing nets.
"The buildings are all empty, but it looks pretty good, David Collins, a columnist recently wrote, according to Hardman.
"Obviously, some paint work [is needed] here and there, and some shutters are off here and there, but I wouldn't say it was a creepy Halloween feeling," Collins wrote. "In general, it looks pretty interesting, pretty good."
"The secret to a good renovation is the same as to being a good parent -- patience," interior designer Alexa Hampton says in a video on architecturaldigest.com.
Hampton also noted, "There is no 'one way' to do an apartment or a house.
"If you like something, be confident about it instead of thinking there's a right way and you must do it."
Chip Yates has created both the world's fastest electric motorcycle and the world's fastest electric airplane, bloomberg.com reported yesterday.
And he is getting ready to turn years of self-funded research and development into a business, the news service added.
But not before realizing his ultimate aspiration: crossing the Atlantic in an electric-powered plane for the first time ever, with help of drones that will recharge his plane in mid-air.
For a video on Yates, his inventions and his plans to fly an electric plane from New York to Paris:http://bloom.bg/1CT7V2D
Oscar de la Renta, the iconic designer who died Monday, created gowns for some of Hollywood's most fashionable for decades, Kate Sommers-Dawes reports on mashable.com.
From the Academy Awards to Cannes to the Golden Globes, there was scarcely a red carpet in the past 15 years that didn't showcase a big star, or three, wearing his designs, Sommers-Dawes wrote.
Vogue's Anna Wintour once said de la Renta's "success is wrapped up in his incredible joie de vivre."
That joy was on display in the video below as de la Renta has fun serenading Sarah Jessica Parker.
Also below are photos of 12 glamorous red carpet moments from the last 15 years, courtesy of some of Hollywood's biggest stars and the late, great Oscar de la Renta.
Writing is something all of us do from time to time.
To try to write well, we often rely on lessons from the past, including those from style guides.
Steven Pinker, a popular Harvard lecturer, has written a new guide, which Charles McGrath had some fun reviewing yesterday in the New York Times Sunday Book Review.
McGrath wrote, "...Pinker, the Harvard linguist and psychologist, is one of that new breed of top-flight scientists and teachers, like the physicist Brian Greene and the evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, who also write uncommonly well."
He added, "To those of us who try to write for a living and couldn’t pass a science course, let alone teach one, such people are a little annoying.
"And now, not content with just poaching, Pinker has set himself up as a gamekeeper of sorts; he’s bringing out a manual, telling the rest of us how writing ought to be done."
The title, “The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century,” suggests it’s even meant to supplant that classic text “The Elements of Style,” by Will Strunk and E. B. White, according to McGrath.
From soaring mega-towers to show-stopping museums, architecturaldigest.com spotlights 14 cutting-edge buildings set to open around the world this year.
Mystery Writer Elizabeth George is selling her house near Seattle, Sarah Tilton reports on wsj.com.
Ms. George is the creator of the Inspector Lynley novels and television series. She built the house on Whidbey Island, where she works and lives. The island is about 34 miles north of Seattle.
"Good to Know" is the theme of a new nationwide campaign begun earlier this year to make famed investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway holding company better known.
Consumers are starting to see the Berkshire brand in television and newspaper ads, Emily Steel and David Gelles reported today on nytimes.com.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices kicked off the national ad program with “Good to Know,” based in part on the notion that it is good to know that one of the most trusted names in business stands behind the group, nytimes.com reported.
More than ever, Mr. Buffett is promoting the Berkshire name instead of himself. In a marked shift in marketing strategy, he is pushing the relatively unknown name of his holding company to attract customers to his numerous businesses, according to nytimes.com.
While Mr, Buffett declined to be interviewed for the Time's story, its authors reported his comments on Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices' website hint at his aspirations for the brand.
“When people are making the decision of the magnitude of buying a house, it’s the biggest decision a great many families will ever make,” Mr. Buffett is quoted as saying. “They want to know who they’re working with, and we think that the Berkshire Hathaway name will be reassuring to many of those people.”
In Florida, Jeff Pareja, who listed his home for sale through Berkshire, said he selected the local agency because of its association with Mr. Buffett and he thought his home seemed more valuable advertised under the Berkshire Hathaway name, according to nytimes.com.
"What's important is that this is one of his organizations and it is overseen by him in one way, shape or form,” Mr. Pareja said of Mr. Buffett. “I want to ride that wave.”
The Washington Monument covered in scaffolding until this spring
The decorative scrim is cropping up more and more to beautify construction sites, Alison Levasseur reports on architecturaldigest.com.
The 555-foot Washington Monument was covered with elaborate top-to-bottom scaffolding for more than 30 months until this past spring, during a $15 million project to repair damage from the 2011 earthquake, according to washingtonpost.com.
The Washington Monument has always been one of my favorites. It was a prominent sight from my apartment near Foggy Bottom when I lived in Washington many years ago.
Autumn in New York is George Shearing at his best.
It's soft, fun and elegant.
Shearing was a popular British jazz pianist who composed more than 300 titles, including Lullaby of Birdland.
He was born in London and started learning the play the piano at the age of three. He began formal training at Linden Lodge School for the Blind, where he spent four years.
Shearing emigrated to the US in 1947, where his style of mixing swing, bop and modern classical influences gained popularity. He became an American citizen in 1956.
He never forgot his native country, and in his last years, split his year between New York and Chipping Campden, Gloucester, UK, where he bought a house with his second wife, singer Ellie Geffert.
He was appointed to the Order of the British Empire in 1996 and was knighted in 2007.
"So," he noted later, "the poor blind kid from Battersea became Sir George Shearing. Now, that's a fairy tale come true."
Visitors on the Eiffel Tower's new, see-through floor
The Eiffel Tower celebrates its 125th anniversary this week with the unveiling of a new, see-through glass floor 187 feet above the ground that gives some visitors butterflies.
Some take the new feature in stride with with aplomb, but others like Yousef Mobadidin said he was "terrified. It looks really scary," the Associated Press reported.
The Eiffel Tower is the world's most visited paying attraction. In 2011, 6.98 million people ascended the tower. It received its 250 millionth visitor in 2011.
The iron-lattice tower was erected for the 1889 World's Fair and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. It was only supposed to stand for 20 years.
From the sublime to the strange, some of the world's top automakers' newest and most stunning concept cars are on display at the 2014 Paris Motor Show.
The auto companies spent two days last week revealing more than 100 cars, from the awesomely powerful (900 horsepower) -- and hybrid -- Lamborghini to the bizarrely angular Citroen concept at the show.
The Paris Motor Show is one of the most highly attended of its kind in the world.
It runs through Oct. 19, in case you're thinking about a trip to Paris.
But it’s not exactly restrained. The combination of three electric motors and a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine produces over 900 horsepower, enough to send this hybrid from a standstill to 62 mph in three seconds flat. Lamborghini
But it’s not exactly restrained. The combination of three electric motors and a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine produces over 900 horsepower, enough to send this hybrid from a standstill to 62 mph in three seconds flat.
Lamborghini
Jaguar has been on a roll this past year, putting the terrific F-Type sports car on the market and making us shiver with delight at the resurrected racing version of the iconic E-Type. Now it’s making good on its plans to expand into more segments with the XE, an all-new midsize sedan set to compete with the BMW 3 Series. Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar has been on a roll this past year, putting the terrific F-Type sports car on the market and making us shiver with delight at the resurrected racing version of the iconic E-Type. Now it’s making good on its plans to expand into more segments with the XE, an all-new midsize sedan set to compete with the BMW 3 Series.
Jaguar Land Rover
The most aerodynamic Jag ever, the XE packs a supercharged 3-liter V6 engine that will send it from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. In the event of a collision with a pedestrian, the hood automatically pops up a few millimeters, creating a cushion of air between the relatively soft aluminum and the much harder engine underneath. Jaguar Land Rover
The most aerodynamic Jag ever, the XE packs a supercharged 3-liter V6 engine that will send it from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. In the event of a collision with a pedestrian, the hood automatically pops up a few millimeters, creating a cushion of air between the relatively soft aluminum and the much harder engine underneath.
Jaguar Land Rover
France’s Citroen used the home court advantage to reveal one of the craziest we’ve come across in quite a while. Produced for DS, the automaker’s luxury division, the Divine concept will never be built, but comes with a lot of intriguing design details that could make their way onto the road. DS
France’s Citroen used the home court advantage to reveal one of the craziest we’ve come across in quite a while. Produced for DS, the automaker’s luxury division, the Divine concept will never be built, but comes with a lot of intriguing design details that could make their way onto the road.
DS
Don’t expect to see those insane doors on a dealership lot, or the scale-like things (whatever those are) that cover the rear window. But we won’t be surprised if elements of this angular, edgy, near reptilian look creep into production cars, especially since DS plans to double its lineup from three to six models. DS
Don’t expect to see those insane doors on a dealership lot, or the scale-like things (whatever those are) that cover the rear window. But we won’t be surprised if elements of this angular, edgy, near reptilian look creep into production cars, especially since DS plans to double its lineup from three to six models.
DS
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With the TT Sportback Concept, Audi fills a niche we didn’t realize needed to be filled. It took the small sports car and made it a bit longer, a bit wider, and added two doors. Audi
With the TT Sportback Concept, Audi fills a niche we didn’t realize needed to be filled. It took the small sports car and made it a bit longer, a bit wider, and added two doors.
Audi
The four door result, which Audi deems a coupe, will hit 60 mph from a standstill in under four seconds, thanks to the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood, and the Quattro all-wheel drive system. Audi
The four door result, which Audi deems a coupe, will hit 60 mph from a standstill in under four seconds, thanks to the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood, and the Quattro all-wheel drive system.
Audi
Volvo banks a lot of its reputation on safety, and the renovated XC90 shows the Swedish automaker fully intends to eliminate crash-related deaths in its cars by 2020. The SUV is “semi-autonomous,” and has an industry-first auto brake function that stops drivers from making risky left hand turns. Volvo
Volvo banks a lot of its reputation on safety, and the renovated XC90 shows the Swedish automaker fully intends to eliminate crash-related deaths in its cars by 2020. The SUV is “semi-autonomous,” and has an industry-first auto brake function that stops drivers from making risky left hand turns.
Volvo
Inside the XC90, Volvo focused on infotainment, replacing good old fashioned buttons with a touchscreen. As we see it, this is something of a safety hazard, forcing drivers who want to do things like turn on the air conditioning to take their eyes off the road. Volvo
Inside the XC90, Volvo focused on infotainment, replacing good old fashioned buttons with a touchscreen. As we see it, this is something of a safety hazard, forcing drivers who want to do things like turn on the air conditioning to take their eyes off the road.
Volvo
Just a month after revealing the latest reincarnation of one of the most beloved sports cars ever, Mazda used the Paris Motor Show to tell us the MX-5 (aka the Miata) will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, at least in the U.S. Mazda
Just a month after revealing the latest reincarnation of one of the most beloved sports cars ever, Mazda used the Paris Motor Show to tell us the MX-5 (aka the Miata) will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, at least in the U.S.
Mazda
We don’t have any specific power production numbers but yet, but Mazda promises “the fun-to-drive essence that only MX-5 can offer.” We’ll know more before the car hits dealerships mid-2015. Mazda
We don’t have any specific power production numbers but yet, but Mazda promises “the fun-to-drive essence that only MX-5 can offer.” We’ll know more before the car hits dealerships mid-2015.
Mazda
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The interesting thing about the Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta isn’t the fact that it exists, or that it’s got an open top that will let the sonic boom from the 597-hp V8 engine flood directly into your ear canals. What matters here is that this will likely be the final iteration of the glorious 458, and the end of Ferrari’s devotion to naturally aspirated engines. Ferrari
The interesting thing about the Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta isn’t the fact that it exists, or that it’s got an open top that will let the sonic boom from the 597-hp V8 engine flood directly into your ear canals. What matters here is that this will likely be the final iteration of the glorious 458, and the end of Ferrari’s devotion to naturally aspirated engines.
Ferrari
Ferrari is preparing a successor to the 458, which means those who love the car—which should be everyone with eyes, ears, or a heart bigger than the Grinch’s—should ogle the Aperta all they can. Oh, and it goes from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds flat. Ferrari
Ferrari is preparing a successor to the 458, which means those who love the car—which should be everyone with eyes, ears, or a heart bigger than the Grinch’s—should ogle the Aperta all they can. Oh, and it goes from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds flat.
Ferrari
The Paris show tends to focus on the luxury and supercar segments, so it’s nice to see Nissan putting a good old hot hatch on the floor. Behold the Pulsar Nismo Concept. Nissan
The Paris show tends to focus on the luxury and supercar segments, so it’s nice to see Nissan putting a good old hot hatch on the floor. Behold the Pulsar Nismo Concept.
Nissan
The Nismo version makes the ordinarily staid five-door Pulsar look like a blast, covered in aerodynamic flourishes, sitting lower to the ground, and equipped with a new suspension to keep it going on track day. Nissan
The Nismo version makes the ordinarily staid five-door Pulsar look like a blast, covered in aerodynamic flourishes, sitting lower to the ground, and equipped with a new suspension to keep it going on track day.
Nissan
The automotive public may be focused on hybrids and battery-powered electric vehicles to save them from wallet-crushing gas bills, but Toyota sees another way: Hydrogen. The unimaginatively named Fuel Cell Sedan made its European debut in Paris. Toyota
The automotive public may be focused on hybrids and battery-powered electric vehicles to save them from wallet-crushing gas bills, but Toyota sees another way: Hydrogen. The unimaginatively named Fuel Cell Sedan made its European debut in Paris.
Toyota
The car can drive 300 miles on a full tank of hydrogen, refill in just a few minutes, and the exhaust pumps out nothing but water vapor. But there are downsides the technology: It’s expensive. Hydrogen fuel is hard to find, no cheaper than gas, and its production can produce greenhouse gases, if it’s generated from natural gas. Toyota
The car can drive 300 miles on a full tank of hydrogen, refill in just a few minutes, and the exhaust pumps out nothing but water vapor. But there are downsides the technology: It’s expensive. Hydrogen fuel is hard to find, no cheaper than gas, and its production can produce greenhouse gases, if it’s generated from natural gas.
Toyota
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For Paris, Infiniti trotted out the ambitiously named Q80 Inspiration concept. Infiniti
For Paris, Infiniti trotted out the ambitiously named Q80 Inspiration concept.
Infiniti
As a design study, it's superb. Unfortunately, we don't expect the struggling luxury arm of Nissan to make a production car that looks anything like it. Infiniti
As a design study, it's superb. Unfortunately, we don't expect the struggling luxury arm of Nissan to make a production car that looks anything like it.
Infiniti
Two years after buying Ducati, Volkswagen has done something unexpected: It took the motorcycle brand’s 197-bhp V-twin engine, used on the 1199 Superleggara bike, and slapped it under the hood of a car. Thus we have the XL Sport concept. Volkswagen
Two years after buying Ducati, Volkswagen has done something unexpected: It took the motorcycle brand’s 197-bhp V-twin engine, used on the 1199 Superleggara bike, and slapped it under the hood of a car. Thus we have the XL Sport concept.
Volkswagen
That Ducati engine is the world’s most power V-twin. Thanks to the XL’s minimalist and aerodynamic design, it will be enough to send the concept from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, and up to a top speed of 168 mph. Volkswagen
That Ducati engine is the world’s most power V-twin. Thanks to the XL’s minimalist and aerodynamic design, it will be enough to send the concept from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, and up to a top speed of 168 mph.
