Miami-based biophilic art and design studio  Plant The Future  is proud to partner with  Art Basel Miami Beach  to present  “The Spanish Moss Sanctuary”,  a live plant art installation created by co-founder, creative director and lead artist Paloma Teppa. The installation features a series of mid to large-scale, multi-tiered floating gardens created from live Spanish moss that will hang from the ceiling and be visible for visitors as they descend the escalator between the second and first floors at the fair. The hanging art will be complemented by organic-shaped ceramic seats resembling river stones on the show floor, thus creating a visual representation of the natural world to convey a deeper connection to nature. By maintaining the plants’ natural texture and feel, the interactive installation offers visitors a serene, immersive experience and a tranquil retreat from the bustling energy of the fair where one can rest, meditate and contemplate. Images courtesy of Plant The Future “Through my work with plants, I create opportunities for humans to reconnect with the natural environment, and thus with the essence of nature itself,” explains Teppa. “In doing so we can all become a little more conscious of how entwined we are in the interworking of Mother Earth. All living beings -  humans, animals and plants - we are all children of the same mother.” Plant The Future seeks to create a deep connection between art and nature, inviting viewers to reflect on our spiritual relationship with the natural world. Teppa’s ethereal pieces remind us of nature’s mystical beauty and fragility, acting as portals to the soul and guiding us back to balance and introspection.  Plant The Future’s projects have ranged extensively over the years including large format moss murals, giant sculptures, hanging installations, interior and exterior landscape design, rooftops, stage design, window displays, lighting and art exhibitions among many others. As an early pioneer in the use of preserved moss for art and design installations, Plant The Future is constantly developing and experimenting with new techniques, formats and other materials. Some of their most renowned work includes projects for 1 Hotels, Faena Hotels, Related Group, Terra Group, Starbucks, Adidas, Mercedes Benz, Dior and LVMH among others.  “The Spanish Moss Sanctuary”  live plant installation will be on display from December 4-8, 2024, at Art Basel Miami Beach, located at the Miami Beach Convention Center.  To learn more about Plant The Future, visit  plantthefuture.com .  By ML Staff. Image Courtesy of Plant The Future

The 2024 USTA Adult League National Championships began on October 18 and concluded on November 10 with various divisions and age groups in play. The competition took place in Arizona, California, and Florida as teams traveled to battle the best in the country.  In the October Nationals , USTA Florida had two National Champions and for the November tournaments, USTA Florida has another champion, once again coming out of Hillsborough County.  Let’s take a look at how the Sunshine State did in the second half of Nationals as the section has a National Champion and many top finishers.   Adult 18 & Over 4.5 Men’s Championship – Hillsborough County  Hillsborough County won the Adult 18 & Over 4.5 Men’s Championship! Trying to stay hot from their Sectionals showing, Hillsborough County from the Sandra W Freedman Tennis Complex were locked in as their Nationals run began. Everything started off on script, with their pool play matches being dominated and going undefeated. This locked them into the semifinals against USTA Souther California.  With the clash of two powerhouse sections, this was one of the best matches of the tournament. USTA Florida struck first, winning both singles lines and grabbing the early 2-0 lead, needing only one of the doubles to go their way. Southern California answered back though, winning the top line. But, the duo of Jordan Monosky and Paul Birdsong had the team on their back, winning Line No. 2 and close out a 3-2 series win.   That win put them in the championship against USTA Midwest, the top seed. Unlike the semifinals, these two teams split the opening singles lines, setting up an intense round of doubles. However, USTA Florida came out and dominated, as the duos won all three lines and locked in the 4-1 win to become USTA Adult League National Champions!  Ryan Gelhaus, the team’s captain was proud of everyone as they were able to achieve this together. “Our tennis team’s national championship victory really does reflect the unselfish and dedicated spirit of every player we had on the team since the season started back in January,” he said. “Each of the 18 players contributed positively throughout our local, sectional, and national matches, consistently prioritizing the team’s success over individual accolades. This championship holds special significance for me, as it reflects not only the talent on our roster but also the incredible character of the individuals who made up our team.” Finals: USTA Florida (Sandra W Freedman Tennis Complex) defeated USTA Midwest 4-1   No. 1 Singles: Jordan Monosky (Florida) d. Justin Collins 6-3, 6-1  No. 2 Singles: Brian Nguyen (Midwest) d. Matthew Schnell 7-6, 6-3  No. 1 Doubles: Mike Moenter/Paul Birdsong (Florida) d. Elijah Wisser/Daniel Huan 6-3, 6-4  No. 2 Doubles: Arseniy Sklyarov/Justin Work (Florida) d. Jason Chen/Connor Stafford 6-3, 6-3  No. 3 Doubles: Patrick Chang/Alexandre Bourdiaux (Florida) d. John Spina/Matthew Prigorac 5-7, 3-1 RET.  Hillsborough County Championship Roster: Ryan Gelhaus (Captain), Mike Moenter (Captain), Dennis Barlotta, Scott Schuhriemen, Paul Birdsong, Bruno Alves, Arseniy Sklyarov, Kevin Tran, Patrick Chang, Michael Dixon, Jordan Monosky, Ben Tucker, Justin Work, Alexandre Bourdiaux, Manuel Alvarez, Matthew Schnell, Ignacio Molina, Adam Sandusky  OTHER TOP FINISHERS  Mixed 18 & Over 9.0 Championship – Pinellas County  Pinellas County came in second place at the Mixed 18 & Over 9.0 National Championships. Representing Florida and the Bardmoor Golf Tennis Club, the Pinellas County squad was amazing. They won every line in pool play and were the top seed going into playoffs. There, they took down USTA New England in a close 2-1, setting them up with Mid-Atlantic in the finals.  The championship match was extremely close, as the teams split the first two lines. However, Mid-Atlantic was able to take the third line, meaning that Pinellas would finish second at Nationals.  Pinellas County Season Roster: Danielle Nickerson (Captain) Paul Birdsong, Maria Stand, Jordan Monosky, Jamie Hamilton, Heather Walton, Mike Moenter, Stephen Felman, Ashlen Dicicco, Megan Smith, Kaitlynn Groves, Josh Melton, Courage Okungbow  Adult 55 & Over 6.0 Women’s Championship – Escambia County   Escambia County came in third place at the Adult 55 & Over 6.0 National Championships. Coming out of Escambia County, hopes were high and rightfully so. The squad came out firing, winning three of their pool play games and earned the second seed for playoffs. The Florida team fell to USTA Northern California, but bounced back against USTA Caribbean and finished in third place at Nationals.  Nena Haigler, the captain of the team shared they are all extremely proud to represent Escambia County and the state of Florida and overcome many obstacles. “As a team with the fewest participants at Nationals 55+ 6.0 adult women, seven, we played A LOT of tennis,” she said. “Coming from an extremely humid climate in Pensacola, to an extremely dry one, took some adjustment. As far as team accomplishments go, we finished second at Sectionals three times. I built my strongest team to-date, and we finally took first to make Nationals. It’s been a dream of my players to attend Nationals once in my life before I die and this time, it happened. We were truly gunning for the title, but fell short at third. Upon returning home, our facility director gave us all kind of love and put up a sign of our finish at and we were added to the Wall of Fame.” Escambia County Season Roster: Nena Haigler (Captain), Tonya Chase, Trish Kington, Carol Essex, Klara Szalai, Kaye Whittenberger, Judy Harrington, Sharon Powell  Adult 55 & Over 9.0 Women’s Championship – Orange County   The Florida section came in third place in the Adult 55 & Over 9.0 League National Championship at the Scottsdale Ranch Park and Tennis Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Orange County team from Winter Park Tennis Center had been playing some great tennis heading into Nationals. In pool play, they went undefeated and were the top seed in the playoffs. They dropped a tough match in the quarterfinals, but bounced back to take third place!  Orange County Season Roster: Lisa Becket (Captain), Kristine Dionne, Christine Alfert, Kerry Sproles, Kristee Garrity, Anna Svaetichin, Susan Wright, Gail Gibson, Pamela Saffran, Rita Gladstone, Janet Lower, Tammy Giaimo, Elizabeth Burdick, Elena Escamilla  Mixed 18 & Over 6.0 Championship – Miami-Dade County  Miami-Dade County came in third place at the Mixed 18 & Over 6.0 National Championships. Hailing from Crandon Park Tennis Center, the Miami team was one to look out for at Nationals, and they lived up to the hype. In pool play, they dominated, going undefeated and locking in the top seed for the championship bracket. They matched up against the Middle States and it was intense. Ultimately, Middle States took the match in a close 2-1.   However, the Florida team wasn’t discouraged. They battled back in their final match to take down USTA Southwest and secure third place at Nationals!  Miami-Dade County Season Roster: Schubert Sengupta (Captain), Ana Pastorino, Jennifer Roque, Ernesto Roque, Leonor Etchart, Lisette Trimble, Carlos Nicolopulos, Edward Ng, Schubert Sengupta, Jennifer Korth, Balagopal Menon, Rodrigo Villamarin, Courtney Fallon, Alejandra Gil, Freddy Caceres, Paulette Janice Snag  Mixed 40 & Over 9.0 Championship – Hillsborough County  The Florida section came in fourth place in the Mixed 40 & Over 9.0 League National Championship at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida. Coming out of HCC Tennis Complex, this group was amazing all season long. They were impressive in pool play, going 3-1 and securing the second seed for the playoffs. They lost a close quarterfinal to USTA Eastern 2-1, and ended Nationals in fourth place!  Hillsborough County Season Roster: Joe Orsini (Captain), Gail Gibson, Stephanie Means, Maki Smith, Lilivette Arroyo, Jeffrey Stern, Stephanie Wager, Manuel Alvarez, Gerardo Cuevas, Anthony Hatori, Amy Lyons, Edwin Jagger, Ignacio Molina, Christina Dorothy, Scott Schuhriemen By ML Staff. Con tent/Image courtesy of USTA Florida. Support the USTA Florida by becoming a member today.

Little Havana, Miami’s historic cultural hub, comes alive during Miami Art Week with Murals On 27th , a new four-day art installation set to transform the neighborhood with vibrant murals and a rooftop pop-up happy hour by Social 27. Taking place during Miami Art Week (December 3-6, 2024) located along Calle 8 and 27th Ave., Murals On 27th brings together passionate muralists who blend heritage with innovation, to showcase the dynamic essence of independent art in the heart of one of Miami’s most diverse neighborhoods.  From December 3-6, Little Havana Welcomes Murals On 27th, a Collaborative Mural Installation  Featuring Latin American Artists, Rooftop Pop-Up Happy Hour, and Immersive Cultural Experiences For four days, Latin American artists Didi and Chroma J (accompanied by other artists) will bring to life the mural installations on-site, offering locals and visitors the chance to witness live art in action daily from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (with times varying). The mural creation will conclude on Friday, December 6, leaving behind an inspiring collection of one-of-a-kind artworks by renowned artists. The murals will remain on display for a month after Miami Art Week, inviting the community to experience their artistry well beyond the event. Guests can RSVP to the event by visiting Eventbrite - Mural On 27th . “Murals On 27th is more than just an Art Week event; it’s a celebration of Little Havana’s spirit and cultural diversity through the collaboration of artists, the community and small businesses,” says Natasha Londono, Event Organizer and Founder of Creative Sol . Social 27 Rooftop Pop-Up Happy Hour From December 3-6, Social 27 Cuban Supper Club , will soft launch its rooftop space to host a special happy hour that will include bites and drinks from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. As Little Havana’s only rooftop bar, this unique vantage point offers guests a panoramic city view with an elevated perspective of the mural installations taking place below, enhancing the immersive experience with curated cocktails and a special menu, perfect for art lovers and those looking to soak in Little Havana’s vibrant atmosphere. CLICK HERE to view the happy hour menu.  “Social 27 is proud to bring this inaugural event to life, offering visitors a taste of Little Havana’s culinary flair and a space to enjoy art from a unique rooftop view,” says Chef Justin Sherrer and Lisetty Llampalla, Social 27 Owners. “We look forward to showcasing the creative energy and sense of community that makes Little Havana so special.”   By ML Staff. Image Courtesy of Murals

Formula 1 to host first ever season launch event at London’s The O2 with all ten teams, their drivers and Team Principals, plus top entertainment to kick off the sport’s 75th anniversary year. For the first time in Formula 1 history, all 10 teams – Alpine, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Haas, Kick Sauber, McLaren, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Red Bull, and Williams – their drivers and Team Principals will come together with fans for a special night to launch the new season, reveal their 2025 liveries, and mark the start of the sport’s 75th anniversary year. This unprecedented world premiere event will take place on 18 February 2025 between 8pm and 10pm at London’s The O2 and is being brought to life by creative visionary Brian Burke of BrianBurkeCreative, Stufish Entertainment Architects, DX7 Design, and production company 1826. BrianBurkeCreative and this world-renowned team delivered the groundbreaking opening and closing ceremonies for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix. Burke is an International Emmy Nominated creative producer who continues to redefine live entertainment in all genres with 20 years of acclaimed “Best of Las Vegas” spectacles, global music tours and record breaking worldwide live television series and events. The incredible evening will see fans immersed in the drama and spectacle that is Formula 1, as they join the teams to unveil their 2025 liveries and the upcoming season’s driver line-ups. During the interactive event guests can also expect interviews with the key figures from the sport, including drivers and Team Principals, as well as top entertainment and special guest presenters. Pricing is tiered based on location within The O2, from £58 to £113. These prices include booking fees (an additional transaction fee of £2.50 per order will apply) and will go on sale via www.theo2.co.uk/F175live . Fans who can’t attend in person can be assured that they will still be able to watch the event live. Broadcast details and further event information will follow in the coming weeks. Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1, said: “For the first time we will bring together our fans, all 20 superstars of our sport and some very special guests to officially kick off our new season and mark our 75th year of racing. With 2025 set to be a classic season following all the drama so far in 2024, this is a fantastic opportunity for fans of all ages to experience up-close the incredible entertainment spectacle that is Formula 1.” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “The FIA is delighted to join our colleagues at FOM and all the teams in the staging of the inaugural Formula 1 season launch event. The occasion will also serve as a fitting prelude to a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the sport throughout the 2025 season.” Brian Burke, Executive Producer and Creative Director for BrianBurkeCreative, said: “It’s an incredible honour to continue to partner with Formula 1 creating new entertainment experiences, especially this brand-new launch event of the 2025 season celebrating the 75th anniversary of the sport. Through our collaboration with all 10 teams, fans can be assured we’ll be delivering a truly exciting live experience combining the unveiling of the new liveries, interviews with the biggest names in F1, and cutting-edge entertainment. It will be a never-before-seen event not to be missed!” For more information, please visit f1.com . By ML Staff. Content/image courtesy of Formula 1

The Les Cabinotiers Le Temps Divin (divine time) series explore the notion of time in its various cultural and conceptual perceptions: physical and linear like a chronology; astronomical and cyclical like the seasons; metaphysical in the infinite stretching of the present moment. For each of these interpretations, Vacheron Constantin offers a journey towards different cultural horizons, a horological odyssey punctuated by the mechanics of time and staged by artistic crafts. To embody metaphysical time, Les Cabinotiers creations turned to Japanese symbolism through three key figures. To depict these kami (divinities) on the dials, the Maison called on the combined skills of its engraver and enameller.  Time Through the Prism of Japanese Culture The new series of single-edition timepieces around the theme of Le Temps Divin is a philosophical and cultural quest. In suggesting a return to the mythological origins of Time, Vacheron Constantin has taken an interest in its metaphysical dimension: high-quality time punctuated by the deeds of divinities; as well as intimate time, eternally experienced at the most intense moments.  This abstract form of time is interpreted in a distinctive way through Japanese myth which features a number of deities, or kami , whose cosmic energy is thought to have exerted a major influence on the Universe. By acting at just the right moment, these divinities changed the course of events, lending a hallowed character to their actions and depth to those fateful moments. By descending to Earth to breathe life into it, the kami created the Japanese archipelago, commissioning the first emperor Jinmu to found the nation. From this communion with the forces of the Universe comes a vision of infinite time, where moments from the past are incredibly vivid in the present.  Major Japanese Myth Deities To embody this metaphysical time, Vacheron Constantin highlights three figures. These references to Japanese culture are not new to the Maison, as testified by numerous early 20th-century artistic crafts models including a "samurai" pocket watch from 1924; an enamelled and gem-set ladies' brooch watch made the same year featuring Japanese-inspired decoration; along with a lacquered 1935 triptych table clock also adorned with a samurai scene.  The kami depicted on the dials are represented off-centre, as is traditional in Japan. Izanagi, the god of creation, is regarded – along with his sister-wife Izanami – as the founder of Japan. His mission was to give shape to primordial chaos and create a world, which he accomplished by striking the ocean with his sacred spear, giving birth to the Japanese archipelago born of solidified water droplets. On the dial of the timepiece created in his honour, the divinity can be seen pointing his spear at the ocean.  The second model is dedicated to Amaterasu, considered as an important deity. According to mythology, this sun goddess born of the left eye of her father Izanagi gave birth to the line of all Japanese emperors, as well as introducing the cultivation of rice and wheat along with the rearing of silkworms to the archipelago. It is she who symbolically appears on the Japanese flag in the form of a solar disc, with or without rays. This emblematic figure is depicted on the sundial in colourful ceremonial clothes, shrouded in evanescent rays and carrying the sun disc as well as a sakaki branch, the sacred flowering key-tree.  The third timepiece depicts Konohanasakuya-hime, the richly attired goddess of Mount Fuji and all Japan’s volcanoes. Surrounded by the Moon and cherry blossom branches, symbolic attributes of this flower princess, she wears the jūnihitoe court costume from the Heian period (794-1185) traditionally comprising 12 layers of clothing featuring a combination of hues in tune with the seasons.  Konohanasakuya-hime was chosen to become the wife of Ninigi, Amaterasu's grandson, symbolising human life as beautiful as it is fleeting, like cherry blossoms. In the distance, the silhouette of Mount Fuji – the mountain she guarded to prevent it from erupting – can be seen through the mist.   A subtile combination of intaglio engraving, grisaille enamel and miniature enamel  The gold dials of these timepieces undergo an initial engraving stage. To give substance to the deities’ ethereal surroundings composed of mist, clouds and sea foam, the master engraver uses the intaglio technique. Often employed in the world of printmaking, this consists of engraving microgrooves with a drypoint to a depth of just a few hundredths of a millimetre. By creating barbs (name given to the tiny pieces of metal removed), the engraver endows the metal with a unique velvety quality, particularly suited to the decoration of this model that plays on textures and shimmering reflections. After around 20 hours' work, he coats the dial with a protective layer of translucent flux.  The timepiece is then transferred to the workbench of the enameller, who begins by working the silhouette of the gods in Limoges white, an opalescent enamel powder particularly suited to chiaroscuro effects. Two coats are fired to fix the colours of the decoration and the contours of the kami . Then comes the patient and delicate work of painting the miniature enamel under binoculars, using special brushes with just a few hairs to reproduce the colours and details of the painting. No fewer than six to seven successive coats, each heated to between 800° and 900°C, are needed to achieve the full chromatic richness and depth of this depiction of mythological gods. To finish and add lustre, the master enameller applies two layers of translucent enamel, which are delicately stone-polished to bring out the shapes and colours. Each dial took the enameller three weeks to complete.  TECHNICAL DATA Les Cabinotiers – Ode to Izanagi   Reference 2400C/000G-160C Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece   Caliber 2460  Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin   Mechanical self-winding   26.20 mm diameter, 3.60 mm thick   Movement power reserve: approximately 40 hours  4 Hz (28’800 vibrations/hour)   182 components   27 jewels  Indications Hours and minutes  Case 18K white gold  40 mm diameter, 9.40 mm thick  Officer caseback   Dial  18K gold, hand-engraved and hand-enamelled Grand Feu miniature, representing Izanagi  Strap Dark brown Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator leather inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales   Clasp 18K white gold pin buckle   Presentation box & accessory Les Cabinotiers model   Unique timepiece   « Pièce unique », « Les Cabinotiers » and « AC » hallmark engraved on the back of the timepiece   TECHNICAL DATA Les Cabinotiers – Ode to Konohanasakuya-hime    Reference 1420C/000G-162C Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece   Caliber 1440  Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin   Mechanical self-winding   22.10 mm diameter, 2.60 mm thick   Movement power reserve: approximately 42 hours   4 Hz (28’800 vibrations/hour)  116 components   19 jewels Indications Hours and minutes  Case 18K white gold  36 mm diameter, 8.00 mm thick  Transparent sapphire crystal caseback   Dial  Hand-engraved and hand-enameled18K gold with the miniature painting technique, representing Konohanasakuya-hime  Strap Pink satin with beige lining, hand-stitched   Clasp 18K white gold pin buckle   Presentation box & accessory Les Cabinotiers model   Unique timepiece   « Pièce unique », « Les Cabinotiers » and « AC » hallmark engraved on the back of the timepiece   TECHNICAL DATA  Les Cabinotiers – Ode to Amaterasu Reference 1420C/000J-161CHallmark of Geneva certified timepiece Caliber 1440 Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin Mechanical self-winding 22.10 mm diameter, 2.60 mm thick Movement power reserve: approximately 42 hours 4 Hz (28’800 vibrations/hour) 116 components 19 jewels Indications Hours and minutes Case  18K 2N yellow gold36 mm diameter, 8.00 mm thickTransparent sapphire crystal caseback Dial 18K gold, hand-engraved and hand-enamelled Grand Feu miniature, representing Amaterasu Strap  Red satin with beige lining, hand-stitched Clasp 18K 2N yellow gold pin buckle Presentation box & accessory Les Cabinotiers model Unique timepiece « Pièce unique », « Les Cabinotiers » and « AC » hallmark engraved on the back of the timepiece ML Staff. Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

A conversation between Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) President Greg Wilkinson  and US Sailing Olympic Development Director Rosie Chapman   In the United States, college sailing teams and the Olympic Development Program (ODP) have a long history of pursuing the same group of athletes: those just out of high school and hungry for success in academics, sport, and for some, an Olympic podium. With changes in US Olympic Sailing leadership over the years, the relationship between the two programs has drifted in and out of cooperation at the expense of young athletes forced to choose between the two. However, in a transformative shift, US Sailing’s newest ODP Director Rosie Chapman aims to bolster cooperation between college sailing and the ODP. Chapman recognizes the strengths of the collegiate space and the potential for a high-performance training environment that can support athlete success in both arenas simultaneously.  Olympic Development Director, Rosie Chapman, catches up with Harvard’s Kate Danielson, a college sailing ILCA 6 athlete at the 2024 ICSA Singlehanded National Championship in St. Petersburg, FL | Photo by Lexi Pline Photography US Sailing sat down with Chapman and ICSA President Greg Wilkinson to get the lowdown on first impressions, efforts that have already taken place to adjust programming with student athletes in mind, and their outlook on the future and the opportunities that lie ahead for college sailing, Olympic sailing, and American sailing as a whole. US Sailing: Rosie, you’re recently new to your Olympic Development role but also new to the American college sailing scene as a whole. It’s an environment unlike any other scholastic sailing circuit in the world… what are your thoughts now that you’ve dipped your toe into the world of ICSA?   Rosie: “Great Question! My first ‘real’ experience with college sailing was this May up in Boston. I’d heard the Charles River was an iconic venue for college sailing, and it certainly delivered the extremes along with some tricky sailing! I was immediately impressed with the level of intensity and skill I witnessed. It’s an understatement to use the word ‘talent’ when looking at the groups of students on the docks at the MIT venue. I was surrounded by Youth Worlds medalists I’d coached over the last four years and saw so many familiar faces with incredible accolades. The realization hit me that these sailors are racing against each other not every few months like the Olympic class racing circuit but every few days! My other initial takeaway was just how fast paced and intense the environment is. I could see a great sense of camaraderie; the scene was electric. Then this past weekend I had the opportunity to support race committee at the Singlehanded National Championship and get a front row seat to all the action in St. Petersburg. Just looking at the athlete lineup ahead of time told me it was shaping up to be a good battle and they delivered exactly that. The athletes were exposed to multiple scenarios in quick succession, and with tighter courses they’re creating an environment where they race back-to-back. An athlete came up to me on the water between races and summed it up well, saying ‘college sailing is helping my mental game- with so many races I haven’t got time to dwell on what happened. I have to reset.’ They then went on to win the next race. I was impressed with what I saw, and it was a great weekend to see the athletes and talk to the coaches. Regular check-ins make for a positive connection and I’m always grateful for these chances to overlap and continue the relationships.” US Sailing: And on the other side, Greg, you’ve had interactions with the Olympic space over your years as a coach for Boston College, most recently with alum Erika Reineke in Marseille, and now as President of ICSA. What has your experience been like with athletes who pursue both college sailing and ODP in the past, seeing as both programs are attractive to the same age bracket?   Greg: “I can’t quite believe this myself, but this was the seventh quad – dating back to the ’00 Trials in San Francisco – that I’ve coached Olympic campaigners. My experience with athletes who have been pursuing Olympic and college sailing goals at the same time has been quite varied. At times, there has been strong collaboration between US Olympic Sailing and college sailing; at other times there’s been friction and even competition for the athletes’ time and attention.  I’m very glad to have taken over as President of college sailing at a time when we are making very clear strides towards what will hopefully be stronger-than-ever collaboration between US Olympic Sailing and college sailing.” US Sailing: Rosie, you’ve personally visited now four schools that Greg has recommended so you can see their facilities, observe practices, etc. and understand what life is like for a student athlete. While there are more visits to come, what are your first impressions from leg one of your “tour?”   Rosie: “I took the role at US Sailing in May as the Olympic Development Director and one of the first things on my list was to explore collaboration with college sailing. I knew this wasn’t going to be a simple path; it was something I wanted to work to understand. ‘How can we at US Sailing help athletes in their Olympic journey alongside their college coaches?’ First, I needed to experience the college sailing world. So on a sunny day in May, I went down to the Charles to visit the 2024 College Sailing National Championship. I wanted to see what it was all about and meet people organically. Next, I wanted to begin conversations with Greg about how college sailing and US Sailing can work together and collaborate. Greg suggested I visit colleges to see athletes in their daily training environment, meet their sailing coaches, their strength and conditioning coaches, see their campus, attend a practice, and get a real feel for life as a student athlete. It was always going to be impossible for me to see every college in one go, so the decision was for me to start with four schools this fall. We prioritized the colleges that had the greatest number of current sailors who were engaged with the ODP program, and I’m really looking forward to seeing many more schools. My experience so far has been super positive. Every school has its unique set-up, but everyone’s got coaches willing to work with the ODP program and offer useful insight and collaboration. This isn’t a situation of me going in and telling them what to do- on the contrary, I am learning more and more each visit on how we can all improve. It has also been a great opportunity for me to either re-engage with sailors who have dropped off the Youth pathway or meet sailors who didn’t know Olympic sailing was even an option. These athletes who are in college and a part of the ODP program have an opportunity to come out of college sailing in a strong place to enter their Olympic campaign if we support them in the right ways.” Left to right: Coach Greg Wilkinson, Olympian Erika Reineke (Boston College class of 2017), and coach Erik Bowers after the Paris 2024 ILCA 6 Medal Race in Marseille, France US Sailing: Greg, what are some components of student athlete life and college sailing programs that you think are beneficial to the Olympic Development movement?   Greg: “For many, college sailing offers access to professional resources that most Olympic sailing programs aspire to have. As Rosie saw during her visits, a ‘day in the life’ of many college sailors has them working with professional strength and conditioning coaches, career and academic support professionals, athletic trainers, sports psychologists, and professional sailing coaches. These resources are in place for four years in a residential setting, and they’re all available for the Olympic Development movement to tap into. Not only does Rosie seem keen on leaning on collegiate resources, but she also has plans to bring Olympic resources to the college sailing athletic experience.  With tighter coordination efforts between the professionals at colleges and universities and the professionals that the Olympic program uses, college sailors can benefit from very high level, sport-specific expertise that would otherwise be unavailable to their coaches.” US Sailing: On the flip side, Rosie, what features of the ODP space do you think help enrich the college sailing athlete experience?   Rosie: “These athletes are competing against each other in the college space, but when they come to our ODP camps, they are a part of the same ODP team which is a unique and cool environment to have for four years in tandem with their collegiate competition circuit. While at ODP camps, athletes are learning from class-specific coaches to really hone in on the technical details of their class, and at college they spend hours in small fleets making countless tactical decisions every weekend. The two can complement each other very well. My job is to make sure that when the athletes enter the ODP environment they are getting the most ‘bang for their buck’ and doing the right things in their Olympic class boats. And while we are looking forward to utilizing some of the collegiate resources, we’re also excited to share some resources and systems we’ve developed in return.” US Sailing: The strong majority of US Sailing Team and Olympic athletes are either currently in college or are college alumnae. For both Greg and Rosie, what advice do you have for youth sailors who are interested in high level sailing in their post-youth years?   Rosie: “From the small amount of time I’ve spent interacting with college coaches, I would say transparency and communication; tell both myself and your college coach what your goals are. Plan ahead and communicate well. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t easy, and I can see that the demands across academics, college sailing and Olympic sailing are a lot! But it is possible and it’s an exciting journey. I would also add: be realistic- you can’t do it all, and you have to be aware that at times it’s a lot of sacrifice, but it’s worth it in the long run. Finally, there have been several athletes who opt to take a year or two off from school in an Olympic cycle. If this is communicated well in advance, this can work for everyone.” Greg: “At this summer’s Olympics, college sailors competed in seven of ten classes, qualified for the medal races in five of those seven classes and ultimately won two Olympic medals!* College sailing is NOT a barrier to Olympic success! Be sure to share your Olympic aspirations with college coaches and plan in advance – ask your coaches for help with this. Academics will be far and away your largest and least flexible commitment while in college, and while college sailing generally does not conflict with academics, any international travel and some domestic international-level regattas will conflict – so plan ahead!” US Sailing: For both of you again, what kind of character traits do you see amongst your top athletes and what are the traits you look for when building your teams?   Rosie: “Traits I see from successful athletes are commitment, determination, good communication, and dedication to what you are trying to do. The ones that make it through are staying up late to get their school work done and then are first in the gym in the morning. It’s hard but doable and very rewarding.” Greg: “College sailing requires a true team effort. With the exception of our fall individual singlehanded championships, our largest events require not only multiple people, but multiple boats to win – the best sailors to come through my program have made the people around them better because they understand that they cannot win on their own.”    US Sailing: Rosie, what adjustments have you made in designing the new Olympic Development Program? How are you approaching this chapter of building the pipeline… what’s new?   Rosie: “The reality is that college sailing and the Olympic Development Program both play a massive role in an athlete’s journey, and my number one goal is to make it possible for athletes to be as successful as they can be at both. Greg has been instrumental in helping me understand college sailing and working with me. As an example, at the start of this fall I put the ODP schedule in front of several coaches to get input with the goal of designing a calendar that wouldn’t force athletes to make the hard choice between camps and conflicting key college events they should be at with their team. I don’t want athletes to be torn and feel like they are failing. The camps this fall and winter, of course, don’t line up perfectly with every individual and there will always be some conflicts, but this is a positive start and with more communication, we can all work together. I am already seeing the pool of athletes in the ODP and college space grow and I am getting a sense of excitement for both programs rather than an unease.” Greg: “From the college sailing perspective, what’s new in Rosie’s approach is intentional collaboration and curiosity. Before scheduling ODP activity this fall, Rosie did a great deal of research with myself and others first on academic schedules (the least flexible conflict in a college sailor’s busy schedule) and then on the collegiate sailing schedule. And the curiosity has come in the form of looking at what college sailing might have – largely resources – that ODP can tap into to help support the athletes.” US Sailing: And looking ahead, Rosie, what are some of the special opportunities of this quad leading to Los Angeles 2028 that’s unique from other Olympics?   Rosie: “A home Games doesn’t come around very often. For this current pool of athletes, this is a massive opportunity! We have the ability to look down the road and work with athletes individually to see how they can maximize their time at college and also build up to an Olympic campaign. I’ve already had lots of athletes approach me wanting to understand if and when they should take a gap year and we’re starting some important conversations between the athlete, their college coach, and myself. As a nation, there is so much talent in the college program and I am excited to see how many current ODP athletes will make it to the start line of LA28.” US Sailing: For both of you, what excites you about the future of College Sailing, ODP, the intersection of the two, and where American sailing is heading in general?   Greg: “I’m excited to be entering into what seems like a new era of collaboration between college sailing and the US Olympic program. Despite the fact that Rosie and I have only been working on this together for a few months, the collaboration has exceeded my expectations and is already directly benefiting college sailors and Olympic hopefuls!” Rosie: “Opportunity, opportunity, opportunity! These athletes have four years with some of the best support around them: strength and conditioning, nutrition, psychology, a team environment, etc. Athletes can leave their college experience as better all-around athletes physically, mentally and tactically. My goal is for us to work towards a seamless transition into Olympic campaigning.” Courtesy of US Sailing. Words by Allison Chenard. For event schedules and more visit US Sailing .

Belmond is enriching its exceptional travel offer with the launch of the Britannic Explorer, the first luxury sleeper train in England and Wales. Debuting in July 2025,  the Britannic Explorer will depart from London for an unparalleled three-night journey through spectacular natural landscapes. Travelers can choose from three evocative routes through Cornwall, The Lake District and untamed Wales.  Aboard the train, distinctive British charm meets contemporary comfort thanks to the distinctive design by Albion Nord. The 18 cabins – three Grand Suites and 15 Suites – offer a haven or repose after a day of extraordinary exploration. Fine dining experiences that celebrate local products and the richness of Britain’s diverse regions will be curated by renowned Chef Simon Rogan, celebrated for his innovative approach and the exceptional quality across his restaurants, which collectively hold eight Michelin stars and two Michelin Green stars worldwide. Inspired by Victorian apothecaries, the Bar proposes curated selection of cocktails and spirits, and an onboard wellness suite is an invitation to relaxation and restoration.  By day, guided excursions showcase the rich cultural tapestry and history of each region. Experiences include a tour of the renowned Hauser & Wirth Somerset gallery, hikes along picturesque trails in Wales or unforgettable wild swimming in the stunning landscapes of the Lake District.  The Britannic Explorer joins the British Pullman and the Royal Scotsman in Belmond’s award-winning UK portfolio of elegant heritage trains, a unique opportunity to rediscover authentic luxury train travel.  ML Staff. Content/image(s) courtesy of LVMH

Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula One Drivers’ Championship with a fifth-place finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Dutchman now joins legends Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel with four titles, trailing only Juan Manuel Fangio (5), Lewis Hamilton (7), and Michael Schumacher (7). Mercedes’ George Russell won the Las Vegas Grand Prix, having led the race from pole position, with teammate Lewis Hamilton coming home second. Ferrari's Carlo Sainz Jr rounded out the podium, edging out teammate Charles Leclerc who finished in fourth. Verstappen arrived in Nevada following a remarkable comeback win at the São Paulo Grand Prix, where he charged from 17th on the grid to victory. In Las Vegas, his task was clear: finish ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris to clinch the championship. Starting fifth, one position ahead of Norris, Verstappen expertly managed his race, crossing the finish line in fifth, while Norris placed sixth. With this milestone, Verstappen becomes only the fifth driver in F1 history to win four consecutive titles—an achievement surpassed only by Schumacher’s unprecedented five. Christian Horner, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, praised Verstappen’s dominance: “Max has been in a league of his own this year. With eight Grand Prix wins—more than double anyone else—his consistency, teamwork, and sheer determination have been extraordinary. He’s handled the pressure with the poise of a true champion.” Oracle Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Pérez delivered a gritty performance, climbing from 16th on the grid to 10th, securing a vital championship point. Meanwhile, in a strong showing for Visa Cash App RB, Yuki Tsunoda impressed with a ninth-place finish, securing vital points for the team, with Liam Lawson finishing 16th. With two races remaining in the season, Verstappen has cemented his status as one of Formula One’s greatest drivers. The spotlight now shifts to the remaining battles on the grid, where teams and drivers fight for crucial points to close out the 2024 season. QUOTES Oracle Red Bull Racing MAX VERSTAPPEN - 5th “It feels incredible to win here today and I am so proud to win the Championship. It has been quite a year and I’m proud of how we handled everything as a Team. We started off the season really strong and then it became quite tough; we never wanted to give up and got the best result we could, barely made any mistakes and that is what you need to win a title. We stuck together as a Team and we pushed back really hard and came back stronger. I’m super proud of everyone of what we achieved and also of myself with how we have worked together this season. Today I stayed calm and overtook drivers one by one. I tried to hang in there and do my own race and we pulled it off. Ultimately every Championship win is different, so that also makes it really special and it really means a lot to us. I am very proud to be part of this Team, especially as we are now celebrating our fourth World Title. It’s simply lovely." SERGIO PÉREZ - 10th “Congratulations to Max, I think he has had the best season I have ever seen from a driver, because a lot of the time we did not have the best car and Max made the difference a lot of weekends. The way he pushed the Team forwards, he was just a pure force and I think this has been the best year from him in the four we have been together. He has been tremendous, well done to him for all the success he has had, he deserves it. For me today, I think the pace was the positive thing about the race, but unfortunately, we may have got the strategy wrong because we went out on the hard initially when the track was at it’s worse. The degradation was a lot higher than expected and we used the best tyre in the beginning unfortunately, so I had to do quite a long stint on the medium. I feel like we are getting there but we need that extra jump, and I don’t feel like we are getting there so, hopefully for the coming weekends we can come back stronger." CHRISTIAN HORNER - CEO and Team Principal “This marks the culmination of an epic campaign and a fantastic win for Max. Not just today but throughout an uncompromising year and at times without the necessary tools at his disposal. He has inspired in the cockpit but out of it also. The way he has conducted himself and the way he has worked with the engineers and wider team has been phenomenal. Together with 2021, this was one of the toughest years the Team have experienced. But Max has once again elevated himself to another level of exceptionalism. He’s won more than double the races of any other driver, mounting a formidable campaign and at times having to overcome insurmountable margins. On the days when we didn’t deliver a win or when he had everything thrown at him, he has still delivered points. He has been extraordinary. Behind the scenes there was a huge effort to help bring this championship over the line. It is something to celebrate here at track but equally back at the factory. I am incredibly grateful for all the work and late nights that went into this success and everyone back in Milton Keynes can be proud of their hand in this championship. Ultimately though, this win belongs to Max. Congratulations on number four Max, you deserve every moment of it!” Visa Cash App RB YUKI TSUNODA - 9th “It wasn’t an easy race today but we maximized all that we could, and I think as a team we made such a good step forward throughout the weekend. Obviously, I’m happy with finishing in the points today, but at the same time, it is pretty annoying as we lost a few points for the Constructors’ championship. I was feeling good and confident in the car, which is important, especially in a circuit like this, so I’m definitely happy with that and with the strong race pace we showed. There are two races left, we’ll be fighting hard until the end of the season and I’m already looking forward to racing in Qatar next week. Finally, big congratulations to Max for the win of his fourth World Championship. He has had an impressive year so far and he fully deserves to be crowned World Champion once again.” LIAM LAWSON - 16th “A difficult race today. The first stint wasn’t too bad, we were in and amongst the group around us, but it’s really hard to overtake, or at least it was for us. We tried to one stop and stretch it, but I think we tried to stretch that second stint a little too long and ended up boxing, coming out nowhere, it just didn’t work. We had similar issues today as we did yesterday, which is costing us quite a lot, but we’ll look into it and solve it for next week. Yuki’s done well to score points today, we need to make the most of the next two races and try to end strong. Congratulations to Max for four World Titles, what an achievement, he fully deserves it after all the tough fights this year. Very well deserved to him and the whole team.” LAURENT MEKIES - Team Principal “First of all, congratulations to Max Verstappen and our friends at Oracle Red Bull Racing on an incredible achievement in winning yet another Drivers’ championship. Overall, the team and the drivers executed another strong weekend here in Las Vegas. After a very solid qualifying performance to start P7, Yuki had a busy race, with some great overtaking moves, battling with our rivals all race long. Of course, it is frustrating to lose a place with just 5 laps to go, but overall he showed a good race pace in bringing home two very important championship points. It was a more difficult weekend for Liam and his car was certainly very tricky to drive around here, something which we still need to understand fully. He showed good pace at some stages of the race today but having qualified further back he spent a lot of time in traffic. It is incredibly tight in the Constructors championship battle, and fight is only going to ramp up even more over the last two rounds of the season in the Middle East, starting in Qatar in a few days’ time. Finally, well done to the promoter for a very special Grand Prix week here in Vegas, with an incredible atmosphere on and off the track at an event that epitomises the new style of Formula One.” Find out more about Max Verstappen's winning mentality by listening to the world champion speak in the Mind Set Win podcast HERE . By ML Staff. Content/Image courtesy of RedBull

In 1869, Queen Victoria paid a visit to the painter Frederic Leighton ’s studio-house in Holland Park. She recorded in her diary being shown his latest exhibition pictures, followed by ‘a quantity of sketches… just taken by him on the Nile, which were very interesting’. There’s a fair bit to unpack in that anecdote. Firstly, the fact that the monarch had long been an admirer of Leighton’s work — dating back to 1855, when she bought the first painting he ever showed at the prestigious Royal Academy Exhibition, Cimabue’s Madonna Carried in Procession . Frederic, Lord Leighton, P.R.A. (1830-1896), The Bay of Cadiz — Moonlight (detail). Oil on canvas. 20.5 x 29 cm. Leighton House, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Purchased with support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and The Friends of Leighton House The studio tour that Leighton gave her also offers insight into his artistic practice. That practice was essentially two-fold: consisting of highly finished paintings on the one hand, typically with a historical, mythological or religious subject; and landscape sketches in oils, created en plein air , on the other. It is the former for which Leighton is best known, and on which his whole career success was based. These were the pictures he exhibited publicly, a famous example being Flaming June (1895), which depicts the sun-drenched slumber of a long-haired woman in a diaphanous orange gown. These were the pictures that helped earn Leighton the presidency of the Royal Academy (a post he held for 18 years, from 1878 until his death). Frederic Leighton in the 1860s, photographed by David Wilkie Wynfield. Photo: © National Portrait Gallery, London The landscape sketches, by contrast, were private pleasures, about which relatively little is known. The artist made around 180 in his lifetime, and 65 of these are on show in Leighton and Landscape: Impressions from Nature , an exhibition at Leighton House, the museum dedicated to him in in his erstwhile studio-home. ‘We hope this show resets people’s understanding of who Leighton was,’ says Daniel Robbins, senior curator at the museum. ‘He created landscape sketches in oils throughout his career, the product of numerous trips. They reveal that Leighton was an artist of greater range than is widely believed. There’s an immediacy and a spontaneity to the sketches that you just don’t see in his exhibition pictures.’ The Bay of Cadiz, Moonlight was produced on a trip to southern Spain in 1866. Recently acquired by Leighton House (the work was offered at Christie’s in June 2024), this nocturnal scene alluringly captures the moon and its reflection over the eponymous bay. It was likely created by the artist from his hotel balcony one night, and includes three relaxed figures perching on a sea wall. Frederic Leighton P.R.A. (1830-1896), A Village on a Hill, Capri, 1859-60. Oil on canvas, laid on board. 390 x 273 mm. Leighton House, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. In the distance are the ruins of the Villa Jovis, and the church of San Michele alla Croce to the left This was, in fact, a rare example of a Leighton sketch featuring figures. It was also unusual in the way the artist directly transposed it for use in an exhibition painting — Spanish Dancing Girl: Cadiz in the Old Times — which he showed at the Royal Academy in 1867. The latter features three spectators clapping to music as they watch a woman dance, the coastline behind them clearly derived from Leighton’s sketch. ‘What he did, broadly speaking, was build up a stock of landscape sketches on his travels,’ says Robbins, ‘and then amend or amalgamate elements of them for the background of certain paintings later.’ A trip to the Italian island of Capri in 1871, for instance, resulted in a sketch — Buildings, Capri: Moonlight — which has strong echoes in the backdrop to a mythological painting from three years later, Clytemnestra from the Battlements of Argos Watches for the Beacon Fires Which Are to Announce the Return of Agamemnon . The echoes include a purple-hued mountain and a set of blocky stone buildings. Leighton chose to expand the mountain to make it look more monumental, however, and to replace Capri’s houses and churches with crenellated turrets and the roofline of a Greek temple. Frederic, Lord Leighton, P.R.A. (1830-1896), Clytemnestra from the Battlements of Argos Watches for the Beacon Fires which are to Announce the Return of Agamemnon, 1874. Oil on canvas. 173.5 x 123.8 cm. Leighton House, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Leighton was born into a comfortably-off family in Yorkshire in the north of England in 1830. His father was a doctor: no bad thing, given that Leighton’s mother was chronically ill. The family travelled abroad with great frequency, allowing her to escape the cold British climate. Young Frederic went on to study art at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence and the Städelsches Kunstinstitut in Frankfurt. Travel, then, was part of his life from an early age — and in this respect, his sketching trips were nothing out of the ordinary. His cosmopolitan outlook extended to the decoration of his house — notably the splendid Narcissus Hall, with its blend of Greco-Roman and Middle Eastern influences. Narcissus Hall at Leighton House, 1877-81, named for its centrepiece, a bronze of the eponymous figure from Greek mythology. The room acts as a link between the main part of the house and the Arab Hall. Photo: © Leighton House, RBKC Leighton’s sketching trips were all but annual occurrences from the mid-1850s onwards, and followed a pretty standard timeline, lasting six to eight weeks between September and November. They often consisted of an initial period in Scotland or Ireland, before departure south into mainland Europe and sometimes beyond. ‘Aside from their artistic merit,’ says Robbins, ‘Leighton’s sketches are an incredible document of decades’ worth of travel, from the Scottish Highlands to the Sahara Desert. These trips were taken alone, and I think that a major motivation for them was the chance to get away from it all, especially as the responsibilities piled up during his years as president of the Royal Academy. ‘Painting landscapes in far-off locations was a kind of therapeutic experience for him. Alone, Leighton could decide what he wanted to paint, and spend as much time immersed in his art as he wanted.’ Frederic, Lord Leighton, P.R.A. (1830-1896), A Pool, Findhorn River, N.B., 1880s. Oil on panel. 12 x 18.5 cm. Leighton House, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea In most cases, the sketches were artworks in their own right — that is, without connection to any exhibition painting. They come in a variety of sizes, with diverse light effects and colour combinations, some with the paint thinly applied, others with it built up in thick layers. Even on another continent, it wasn’t always easy for Leighton to go incommunicado, however. In 1895, from lodgings in Tangiers, he wrote to his neighbour back in London, Val Prinsep: ‘I came here largely to escape [but] a card was left within two hours of my arrival!! Ugh!!’ Leighton’s social status did bring its advantages, however — for example, when he took his aforementioned trip along the Nile late in 1868. A letter from the Prince of Wales to the Viceroy of Egypt introduced him as a ‘personal friend’ and resulted in an entire steamer and crew being put at Leighton’s disposal to take him up the river from Cairo to Philae and back again. Frederic, Lord Leighton, P.R.A. (1830-1896), On the Nile, 1868. Oil on canvas. 18.7 x 27.2 cm. Leighton House, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The monastery of St Simeon is visible in the distance. Describing a similar scene in his diary, Leighton observed that towards the evenings ‘the earth was in colour like a lion’s skin; the sky of tremulous violet, fading in the zenith to a mysterious sapphire tint’ He produced more than 20 sketches on that trip. Interestingly, he chose not to depict the great Egyptian temples on his journey, preferring panoramic views of the mountainous terrain and desert landscape seen from the boat and on shore, such as On the Nile. It’s not entirely clear how he picked his destinations, but what unites most of his landscape sketches is the avoidance of what might be called obvious subject matter. The exhibition includes a single work of Venice, for example: Study of Houses, Venice . It captures some unremarkable buildings in an unidentified corner of the lagoon, without a stretch of canal in sight. Leighton gave his landscape sketches prominence within his studio and, as Queen Victoria recorded, enjoyed showing them to guests. A journalist for the Pall Mall Gazette , who stopped by to interview him one day in 1892, wrote that the artist ‘did not so much call attention to the three pictures almost finished on the easels, but was the more intent on describing the numerous sketches which almost fill the studio’. Frederic, Lord Leighton, P.R.A. (1830-1896), Study of Houses, Venice, possibly 1867. Oil on canvas. 25 x 39.5 cm. Gere Collection, normally on long-term loan to the National Gallery, London Leighton never sold his landscapes, and it was only late in his career that he considered exhibiting them, staging two shows at the Royal Society of British Artists in 1894 and 1895. Both received positive reviews, the critic for the London Evening Standard saying of the latter that ‘no one should omit to make acquaintance with Sir Frederic’s dignified and delightful studies’. Notwithstanding these exhibitions, Leighton’s landscape sketches still weren’t exactly well known at the time of his death, in January 1896, aged 65. The contents of his studio-house were sold by Christie’s later that same year, including all 184 of his landscape oil sketches. In recent years, Leighton House as a museum has been trying to buy examples back, though many remain lost. Robbins says he’s particularly keen to find a sketch of an Irish sunset that inspired the painting Clytie (1895-96), which explores the myth of a nymph who fell in love with the sun god Apollo. It’s often said that there were two sides to Leighton: the public figure at the centre of London’s art world, who was knighted in 1878 (and later named both a baron and a lord); and the private individual, who lived alone and whose personal life remains obscure. If the exhibition paintings represent the former Leighton, one might say that the landscape sketches — rather intriguingly — represent the latter. Leighton and Landscape: Impressions from Nature is at Leighton House, London, until 27 April 2025 ML Staff. Content/image courtesy of Christies. Click here  for the latest Christies auctions

The legalization of marijuana has been a topic of contention and confusion for both sides of the debate. The federal government still deems it illegal. But marijuana has been legalized for recreational use in 10 states and the District of Columbia , and a further 21 broadly legalize medical marijuana. More states are giving marijuana the green light. r.classen/shutterstock.com Researchers like myself finally have some data to assess claims made on both sides. Let’s take a closer look at three major arguments around marijuana legalization – and how the statistics stack up against them. How Much Money Will States Earn From Marijuana Taxes? One of the biggest pro-legalization arguments was that states would be able to bring in a new source of tax revenue. Colorado, for example , imposes a 15% excise tax from cultivator to retailer and a further 15% sales tax on the end customer. In 2018, Colorado legal pot sales topped US$1.2 billion, with the state pulling in about $270 million in taxes. Compare that to the approximately $45 million that the state collected in tax on alcohol that same year. A study from Georgia State University found that alcohol sales fell by 15% in states where only medical marijuana had been legalized and by 20% in counties where recreational marijuana is sold legally. However, the states made more than enough back from marijuana sales, since marijuana taxes are typically greater than alcohol taxes. Other states are reaping the benefits of marijuana taxes as well. California pulled in $345 million in 2018 and Washington $376 million. New Frontier Data, a cannabis data website, predicts the legalized cannabis market will grow to US$25 billion by 2025. However, there are a lot of questions about how much tax revenue states will actually earn, especially considering that some states have missed their projections by a long shot. For example, the governor of California predicted a much larger $643 million in revenue. Meanwhile, projections for Washington suggested that the state would earn only $160 million . While projections for other types of goods are typically more reliable, this is an entirely new market and therefore prone to error. Why? Well, the jury is still out. Some researchers and pundits have guessed that in California taxes are too high, that the black market is too strong or that the red tape of bureaucracy is just too much. Regardless, it’s clear that marijuana tax revenue has increased year over year for every state that has legalized recreational marijuana. While naysayers are touting California’s missed projections, Colorado, while struggling to meet its projections in the first three years after legalization, eventually exceeded its projection. Is Legalized Marijuana Hurting Youth? A well-trodden argument against legalization is that it could lead youth to use it more. For example, anti-drug group DARE has blamed marijuana for a rise in school suspensions and youth suicide , among other things. Here is the problem: Researchers simply don’t have enough data yet. Studies have shown that youth marijuana use actually decreases in states where medical marijuana has been legalized. Researchers guess that this may be due to kids viewing marijuana as medicinal instead of recreational. While other studies have suggested that legalizing marijuana can lead to increased use, this could simply be reporting bias. In other words, if it is legalized, people are more willing to be honest about use. Other studies show quite the opposite. For example, Colorado teens had a statistically significant drop in marijuana use over the past three years since recreational legalization. While there are strong indicators that the legalization of recreational marijuana leads to decreased use in youth, only time will give the final verdict. Does Marijuana Increase Crime? Many who are against legal marijuana claim that it could lead to an increase in violent crime. Even in Colorado last year, there were rumblings from Gov. Hickenlooper about banning marijuana, since crime in Colorado has been rising since 2014, the same year marijuana was legalized. There is really no doubt that states which allow medical marijuana show absolutely no increase in their violent and nonviolent crime statistics. In fact, crime might actually decrease. However, crime has increased in many of the cities where recreational marijuana is legal. Homicides in Seattle, D.C. and Denver – all major cities with legal marijuana – have increased over the past few years. But homicides have also increased in cities without recreational marijuana, such as Chicago, St. Louis, Baltimore, New Orleans and Kansas City. A homicide increase over four years alone in cities where marijuana is legalized reveals absolutely nothing. This is a classic case for the statistical saying “correlation does not necessarily mean causation.” Take California, for instance. Murders in Oakland are down, but murders in Fresno are up. How can that be recreational marijuana’s fault? However, legalized marijuana does seem to have an effect on the justice system. According to FBI crime data, in 2017, there were 659,000 marijuana arrests in the U.S. There were also 1.2 million violent crimes with victims, but only 518,617 arrests for these same violent crimes. This means that there are more than 700,000 victims who have suffered without justice. In states with legalized recreational marijuana, police now no longer spend time on marijuana arrests and can spend more time on solving these types of crime. FBI data from Colorado and Washington show that crime clearance rates – the number of times that the police solved a crime – increased for both violent and property crimes after legalization. While there are still many unknowns surrounding the legalization of recreational marijuana, I believe that this shows that it will be a positive influence. By Liberty Vittert Visiting Assistant Professor in Statistics, Washington University in St. Louis . Special thanks to The Conversation.

Visit Sevan Bicakci in the heart of the Paradise Plaza for an exclusive, limited-time exhibition of award-winning jewelry masterpieces and sketches, flown in from Istanbul for their U.S. debut. Indulge in an elegant toast as you explore these rare, exquisite creations, available for viewing this week only. Date : Monday, December 2, 2024 - Sunday, December 8, 2024 Time: 11:00AM - 8:00PM Address Sevan Bıçakçı 151 NE 41 St Suite 141 Miami FL, 33137 ML Staff. Content/image(s) courtesy of MDD

Coconut Grove is set to light up the holiday season with two exciting events that bring the community together, highlight local businesses and create magical experiences for all. Organized by the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District (BID), these events will showcase the district’s dedication to fostering a thriving local economy and providing festive fun for families and visitors. On Saturday, Nov. 30, Coconut Grove will host its largest Shop Small Saturday  event yet, featuring over 100 retailers lining the sidewalks with unique deals and one-of-a-kind finds. This initiative aligns with the nationwide Small Business Saturday , which encourages communities to support local businesses. Coconut Grove BID sees this as an opportunity for residents and visitors to discover the charm and quality of the neighborhood’s diverse mom-and-pop shops—an effort that’s especially vital for South Florida's small businesses. From gifts for loved ones to personal treasures, the event promises something for everyone, making it the perfect day to jump-start holiday shopping. Participating restaurants, including Bartaco, Chug’s, Varsol, RedFarm, Eva and La Cabrera , will complement the shopping experience with special offers, giveaways and all-day happy hour specials. Families can enjoy festive activities such as creating personalized snow globes, painting snowmen and decorating ornaments. Adding to the lively atmosphere, The Band Vizcaya  will perform live from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., offering a musical backdrop to the day’s celebrations. The holiday cheer continues on Sunday, Dec. 1, as Coconut Grove transforms into a whimsical Winter Wonderland  from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening will feature enchanting performances by Rainbow Circus , whose “Carousel Lollipop”—a hand-painted carousel horse replica—will serve as a dazzling centerpiece. Roaming performers, including snow fairies, ballerinas, jugglers, Pierrot-style mimes and stilt walkers, will captivate audiences, while holiday-themed hula hoop light shows and live music, including a Barbershop Quartet , add to the festive atmosphere. The highlight of the evening will be the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony  at 7 p.m., a beloved tradition that draws families and friends from across the area. Children can enjoy photos with Santa, while local businesses offer holiday treats like hot cocoa to keep the seasonal spirit warm and bright. Both events are free and open to the public, reflecting the Coconut Grove BID’s mission to enhance the community experience while supporting the local economy. The BID has long been committed to initiatives that ensure the district remains vibrant and welcoming. Their efforts include keeping the area clean and secure, funding marketing projects, sponsoring events like these, beautifying streetscapes, and fostering new business relationships. By hosting Shop Small Saturday and the Winter Wonderland, the BID not only promotes its local merchants but also strengthens ties between the neighborhood and its visitors. For years, Coconut Grove BID has emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses, and this year’s Shop Small Saturday continues that tradition. As the BID’s flagship holiday shopping event, it allows local retailers to shine while encouraging the community to shop local. The organization’s ongoing programs, which range from capital improvements to partnerships with state and national organizations, reflect a broader vision of community and economic development. As the holidays approach, Coconut Grove offers a unique blend of local shopping, family-friendly activities and festive entertainment. From discovering gifts on Nov. 30 to marveling at the wonder of the Winter Wonderland on Dec.1, these events promise to create cherished memories for all who attend. Visit coconutgrove.com  for more information and make Coconut Grove your holiday destination this season. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of BID