Zaha Hadid, Architect and Dame, dies in Miami.

Zaha Hadid is one of far too few women who have managed to rise to the very peak of the profession. Her creativity has been a sock in the eye for the conventional and the staid. She was only 65 and will be greatly missed. 

Angela Brady, a former president of RIBA, described Zaha Hadid as “one of our greatest architects of our time”.

She added: “She was a tough architect, which is needed as a woman at the top of her profession and at the height of her career. She will be sadly missed as an iconic leader in architecture and as a role model for women in architecture.”

Evelyn Grace Academy, Brixton, London.     Photograph: Luke Hayes

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/mar/31/star-architect-zaha-hadid-dies-aged-65

Atlantic City and the hurricane - Misinformation

Press misinformation - now there's a novelty.

The destruction has not been as bad in some areas of Atlantic City as was originally reported. Homes have been destroyed and a small section of the boardwalk was torn apart by ferocious waves, but most of the famous seafront has remained intact and by the 2nd of November floodwater had gone so the local authorities allowed people to return to their homes. Also, 80% of properties had their electricity supply re-instated according to NBC at - http://www.nbc40.net/news/24700/

The casinos and other businesses were also given permission to re-open, so worried employees, who are struggling financially after losing wages, should be able to return to work soon.

A short section of destroyed boardwalk which has featured on news bulletins and in the press was used as illustrative of the total destruction of Atlantic City, while the reality was very different. The oldest part of the boardwalk, which was due for renewal, was the only section affected by the storm. Press exaggeration in a disaster situation are unhelpful and irresponsible. In this instance the reports will discourage visitors from returning to Atlantic City, and the town is in urgent need of their revenues.

Two Atlantic City blogs are trying to report the actual situation as it unfolds:- http://blogs.atlanticcityweekly.com/ac-central/
and  http://candoac.tumblr.com/
though I have no knowledge of their veracity either.

Atlantic City and the Hurricane; Pictures of the Week 31 October 2012

When hurricane Sandy hit Atlantic City, New Jersey, 70% of the town was flooded and sections of the famous beach-side boardwalk have been ripped up. Clearing up operations begin today and the news is that the poorer suburbs have been particularly badly hit by floodwater, fires and loss of utilities. Twenty thousand people have been evacuated and cannot return to their homes and businesses.
Despite the appearance of the photo on the left, most major businesses along the boardwalk are still standing and appear relatively unscathed. Some smaller premises including Berkeley's Saltwater Taffee Shop, have suffered much more extensive damage.

Believe It or Not is meant to look like this. It is
 billed as a 'museum' of the
improbable, with freakish exhibits.

Atlantic City boardwalk heading towards the Taj Mahal
Casino. Part of the boardwalk has been ripped up by the
hurricane and the casino has suffered damage to upper floors and its
elaborate roof
 

I took these pictures eleven years ago, on 20 September 2001. There is no information as yet that 'Believe It or Not' looks in worse condition after Hurricane Sandy than it did then.

Without power, with much of the remaining boardwalk covered in sand and with water in all the wrong places, all these sea-front businesses are closed until further notice.  Some locals whose jobs are dependant on them hope the casinos will be be up and running again by the week-end. I do wonder who they expect to attract, in current conditions. The Atlantic City casino business was losing custom even before the hurricane, due to the financial climate.

The barrier islands just off-shore have suffered worse damage than the city itself and the island resort of Ocean City just down the coast was completely inundated.

You can see some photos of Atlantic City after the hurricane at: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/30/atlantic-city-hurricane-sandy_n_2045158.html?utm_hp_ref=green#slide=more260308

And Ocean City at:
http://oceancity.patch.com/articles/photo-gallery-storm-on-monday-in-ocean-city#photo-11936521

Good luck, Atlantic City and your neighbours. Maybe things will begin to work again in time for November 23; That's when Aerosmith are due to arrive and play an Atlantic City gig on their "Global Warming Tour".