When architect Wilfred Armster walked through a two-acre meadow on the outskirts of Ann Arbor, Michigan to ponder a project, a dream house for a couple who loved modern architecture, he said he was struck with a sudden vision of the waist-high grass being left untouched. "And that was it," he said. The result: a long, slim bar of a building that bridges two low mounds in the field, suspended over the ground at certain points by more than 8 feet. The ends of the 230-foot long by 20-foot wide building are dug into the ground and anchored by hidden basements; massive steel H-beams support its floating length. While the long, western wall of the dark grey home has large windows overlooking the meadow, the street-side is solid cement-board save for two long, narrow glass slits. When lit, the pattern of light through the windows looks like a Mondrian painting, said owner Barbara Wilson, a lighting designer. With a shape like that on the outside, the 3,400-square-foot home has to be unusual inside. A white hallway runs its length, with three bedrooms and living spaces off the hallway. Ms. Wilson and her husband, electrical engineer Joe McElroy, 53, had the spruce-clad ceilings lowered more than a foot, to a little over 8 feet, to create a sense of coziness. Bedrooms and baths are scaled down, to encourage use of the living areas. Some of the furniture is from Ikea, which also was the source of the royal-blue kitchen. "We spent all the money on the architecture—not on fancy fixtures," Ms. Wilson said. Finished in 2007 for under $500,000, the house won a top 2011 design award from the New England chapters of the American Institute of Architects and one in 2009 from the Connecticut chapter (Mr. Armster is based in Connecticut). Juliet Chung Read more and see photos at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204770404577080750737852644.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Ohio's new license plate and driver's license will showcase how ”Ohioans feel about Ohio." The deadline for submitting your recommendation is January 8, 2012. Pick a slogan, phrase or fact already proposed or make up your own at: https://ext.dps.state.oh.us/BMVOnlineServices.Public/NewPlateSloganVote.aspx

The "Rangers Victory Song" was written in 1940 by J. Fred Coots in tribute to the team that finished the 1939-40 season as Stanley Cup champions. He officially dedicated the song to "Lester Patrick and the New York Rangers." In addition to being a native New Yorker and avid Rangers fan, Coots was a nationally-known songwriter who authored more than 700 songs. His most famous works included "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "Love Letters in the Sand." A member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Coots died in 1985 at the age of 87, but his love for the Rangers has lived on for decades in the song played after every Blueshirts win at Madison Square Garden. See lyrics at: http://rangers.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=53535

The United States Chamber of Commerce (USCC) is an American lobbying group representing the interests of many businesses and trade associations. It is not an agency of the United States government. The Chamber is staffed with policy specialists, lobbyists and lawyers. Politically, the Chamber is generally considered to be a conservative organization. It usually supports Republican political candidates, though it has occasionally supported conservative Democrats. The Chamber spends more money than any other lobbying organization on a yearly basis. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's own history of itself describes it as originating from an April 22, 1912 meeting of delegates. The Chamber was created by President Taft as a counterbalance to the labor movement of the time. The Chamber generally tries to maintain amicable relationships with both parties. For instance, the Chamber supported both Ronald Reagan's tax cuts and Bill Clinton's NAFTA efforts. In 1993 the Chamber lost several members over its support for Clinton's healthcare reform efforts. The Chamber had chosen to support healthcare reform at that time due to the spiraling healthcare costs experienced by its members. However, House Republicans retaliated by urging boycotts of the organization. The Chamber operated its own cable television station, Biz-Net until 1997 in order to promote its policies. The Chamber shifted somewhat more to the right when Tom Donahue became head of the organization in 1997. By the time health care reform became a major issue again in 2010, the organization opposed such efforts. More than 90 years later, the Chamber claims a direct membership of 300,000 businesses, and 3 million through its various affiliates such as state and local chambers. Some of the Chamber’s members and donors are Goldman Sachs, Chevron, Texaco, and Aegon. The US Chamber is different from local and state chambers of commerce located in many cities, towns and states nationwide. The US Chamber focuses on national issues on the federal government level. Local and state chambers of commerce are independently started and operated organizations. Local chambers focus on local issues, and state chambers on state issues. The Washington, DC headquarters of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce occupies land that was formerly the home of Daniel Webster. The Chamber has emerged as the largest lobbying organization in America. It spent $91.7 million on lobbying in 2008, and $144.5 million in 2009, up from $18.7 million in 2000. The Chamber's lobbying expenditures in 2009 were five times as high as the next highest spender: Exxon Mobil, at $27.4 million. The Chamber had more than 150 lobbyists from 25 different firms working on its behalf in 2009. The major issues that it advocated on were in the categories of torts, government issues, finance, banking and taxes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Chamber_of_Commerce

Two donkeys rescued from Greece live on an 11,000-acre estate called Angmering Park in England, owned by Anne Herries, the daughter of a late Duke of Norfolk. The donkeys wander green rolling fields during the day and dine on fresh hay and ginger snaps. They enjoy frequent tooth and hoof cleaning. At night, they sleep in a heated stable with a view of the English Channel. Donkeys have worked in Greece since the start of recorded history. They still carry food and firewood. Some haul tourists up steep steps in such vacations spots as Santorini. Animal-rights groups say the animals are now being abandoned at a growing pace by Greek owners who can't afford them. The market for work donkeys has plummeted along with demand for Greek debt. The Donkey Sanctuary, based in England's southwest region of Devon, funds a Greek rescue facility that costs €45,000 a year, or about $60,000. Another U.K.-based charity, Greek Animal Rescue, raises about €150,000 per year, with a portion earmarked for a donkey sanctuary on the island of Kos. Some rescued donkeys work a bit to break up the day. At the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon, donkeys give rides to emotionally-troubled children as therapy. Others make house calls to comfort the elderly. Sara Schaefer Muñoz
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204397704577072590201172360.html

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December 15
1791 – The United States Bill of Rights becomes law when ratified by the Virginia General Assembly.
1917 – World War I: An armistice is reached between the new Bolshevik government and the Central Powers.
1933 – The Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution officially becomes effective, repealing the Eighteenth Amendment that prohibited the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol.
1945 – Occupation of Japan: General Douglas MacArthur orders that Shinto be abolished as the state religion of Japan.
1946 – US-backed Iranian troops evict the leadership of the breakaway Republic of Mahabad, putting an end to the Iran crisis of 1946.
1954 – The Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands is signed.
1978 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter announces that the United States will recognize the People's Republic of China and cut off all relations with Taiwan
2001 – The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopens after 11 years and $27,000,000 to fortify it, without fixing its famous lean.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_15