In L.A. we have to make our own winter sometimes, and one way to do that is to buy a chopped-down tree and prop it up in your living room. There are plenty of artificial options on the market that look great and can be used year after year, but if youre more interested in bringing a living plant straight from the farm to your living room, theres a lot to consider. Roadside stands selling trees are a dime a dozen, but can you be sure of how sustainably the trees were raised or transported? These seven tree farms, shops, and pop-ups promise trees that, in addition to looking great, have been grown and harvested with integrity, making them our top picks for where to buy a Christmas tree in L.A.

From the family behind popular Halloween pumpkin patch Mr. Bones comes holiday destination Mr. Greentrees, opening November 29. A wide variety of sizes will be available, all firs sourced from family-run tree farms in the Pacific Northwest. Other holiday decor needs are met, too, with an assortment of ornaments, decorations, wreaths, and more. 8950 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.

This year-round family farm (founded in 1940!) goes all-out for the holidays. From November 29 to December 15, you can pick up a tree, stop by a holiday market, and shop a produce stand on grown-on-site seasonal veggies. Take a tour, and pose for pics with Santa or the Snow Queen (who strongly resembles a character from a popular movie that rhymes with Brozen). 5380 3/4 University Dr., Irvine.

Mr. Jingles operates two locations in L.A., in addition to six other locations, so you know youre dealing with a major player in the tree business. You can stop by one of the stands to buy your tree, wreaths, or garlands in person and bundle them up the old-fashioned wayor let the delivery and installation pros on staff handle that part for you. You can even order your tree online if you want the easiest (if less grammable) experience possible, and they can handle pickup and recycling, too. 11852 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A. (open November 29); 1841 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood (open from November 28).

Online plant-delivery site Bloomscape wants you to consider a living tree that you can keep all year. They just launched shaggy, rustic Norfolk Pines in 46- to 52-inch ($195) or 14- to 18-inch ($65) sizes. Your selected tree will arrive at your doorstep in a stylish terracotta planter and some orders even include free twinkle lights. Non-toxic, pet-safe poinsettia alternatives are also available.

Shawns trucks six different varietals of firs down from Oregon to stock two L.A. pop-up locations starting on November 29. They offer setup and removal services, as well as California fire marshal-licensed flame retardant treatments. 3443 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Palms; 6020 W. Jefferson Blvd., Culver City.

Mark and Patricia Rohlfs started their own tree farm in Oregon in 1983 and became one of the founding members of the Coalition of Environmentally Conscious Growers. This year, customers can order their tree online, virtually shopping the lot by webcam. Opens November 29. 12901 Burbank Blvd., Valley Glen.

Christmas Tree Ranch is one of the few farms left in Los Angeles County where you can chop down your own tree. The U-Cut options include Monterey Pine, Aleppo Pine, Coast Redwood, Arizona Cypress, and Leyland Cypress. A number of Fir breeds are also stocked as precut trees. A vintage army Jeep ride will take adventurous choppers out in search of the perfect specimen. The ranches opens on November 29. 1586 Pederson Rd., Thousand Oaks; 3800 Cochran St., Simi Valley.

RELATED:Too Early for Christmas Music on the Radio? L.A.s All-Holiday Stations Dont Think So

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Where to Buy a Christmas Tree in LA: 7 Spots to Try in 2019 - LA Magazine

HICKSVILLE, N.Y. With the 40th anniversary year of its USA business now coming to a close, Kalaty Rug Corp. is seizing the opportunity to send a new message in the new year. The company is unveiling two new catalogs one of which marks a first for the company and is re-launching its website.

One catalog is a 400-page tome spotlighting the companys current line of top-shelf heirloom-quality rug collections, spanning traditional to transitional to modern styles, as well as featuring Kalatys three high-end decorative accent pillow collections and its designer-friendly custom-color rug program.

The second catalog represents Kalatys inaugural dedicated catalog for its newer, K-Two program, which comprises mid-tier and mass retail-focused products at more affordable price points. The offering encompasses 15 collections available in a range of design genres, weaves and constructions.

Both catalogs will roll out to customers next month, and print copies will be available for distribution at: Atlanta International Gift, Home & Area Rug Market Jan. 14-21 in Kalatys showroom space, 4-G-14 in Building 1 of the AmericasMart; and Las Vegas Market from Jan. 26-30 in its showroom in B-455 of the World Market Center.

Earlier this year, Kalaty began to oversee a vast website remodeling project. The results are now in, and Kalatys online presence has been retooled to include several new tools and tech features aimed at enhanced user-friendliness. As part of that effort, the company has also updated and added tools to its popular Kalaty app.

Not only is our newly updated Kalaty.com faster but visitors to our website will now find it easier to navigate with such new tools as the ability to click on any rug in the line and be able to see it in a variety of room settings, said Ariel Kalaty, a company spokesperson. And, in addition to updating our website, we have make major updates to our Kalaty app, one of our customers most popular and most often-utilized marketing and business tools.

Available for both Apple and Android devices, the app allows Kalaty dealers to explore the companys rug collections, access and check orders, make payments, track and check shipments, and communicate with the company.

Kalaty celebrated its 40th anniversary in the U.S. with several key milestones:

Not only did our return to High Point help us commemorate this important anniversary year but it also helped us send a strong message to existing and potential customers confirming our commitment to serving them at this all-important market, said Ramin Kalaty, company president. And, at the fall High Point market, Kalaty chose to present more new product than it has ever shown previously at High Point in order to further showcase the depth and breadth of our product line.

Cecile B. Corral is a senior editor with Home Textiles Today and is editor of luxury textiles supplement POSH. She also covers the area rug category for Furniture Today and Home Accents Today.

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Kalaty caps 40th anniversary with two new catalogs - Furniture Today

The continuation of a yearlong series

My hands are trembling all over this typewriter keyboard as the reaction sets in to a night of almost indescribable horror.

These were the opening words of the breaking news story written by Gardner native and Associated Press staffer Harry C. Glasheen, reporting of the events of 77 years ago this week in Boston one of the most horrific tragedies in the history of the commonwealth.

It was Nov. 28, 1942, the night of the devastating fire at Bostons Cocoanut Grove nightclub where some 492 people lost their lives and hundreds more were injured.

On that Saturday night, the club was jammed with approximately 1,000 occupants, many of whom were soldiers preparing to leave overseas for military duty. According to legend, a lighted match, used by a 16-year-old busboy dispatched to replace a light bulb, was the cause of the tragedy.

History has documented the tragic tale and the chaos that ensued, bodies stacked nearly four and five deep as the panic-stricken throng attempted to wedge through the clogged revolving doors. It was later learned that possibly 300 of those killed could have been saved had the doors been able to swing outward.

Glasheen, a newspaperman who worked previously out of Gardner, Springfield and Lowell, was the son of Henry and Mary Glasheen of Vernon Street and nephew of longtime Gardner High teacher Minnie Glasheen.

He worked in an era when the newspaper man did not just record the events that were happening, rather he became a part of the action as his first-person narrative was documented in the newspaper.

I can still hear the screams of the dying. I can still recall the stories of the living torches running wildly about, trying to get away from the swift-reaching flames and suffocating smoke, Glasheen wrote. I can still see those 30 or more bodies huddled on the floor of a garage, transformed into a morgue, some of them so horribly burned it will be difficult ever to identify them positively, he wrote.

Although the fire occurred some 50 miles east of Greater Gardner, this area did not escape its brushes with the tragic event.

Two former Baldwinville residents 27-year-old Bartlett P. Stuart and 40-year-old Clyde C. Clark both perished in the fire. Stuart was at the Grove attending a farewell dinner for a fellow worker from the Lynn General Electric plant, while Clark and his wife were both enjoying a night out on the town with their daughter, Ann Marie.

Clark and his wife, Mabel, both died from their injuries suffered in the fire, while their daughter was also injured but survived.

The nightclub, a former Prohibition-era speakeasy, was located at 17 Piedmont St. in what is now Bostons Bay Village neighborhood. Prior to the time of the fire, it had been expanded with the addition of a lounge that opened onto an adjacent street.

Decorated in tropical style, the restaurant, bars and lounges were adorned with flammable paper palm trees. It was learned after the tragedy that the place was a virtual fire trap. Cloth draperies covered the ceiling and other festive decorations obscured the exit signs.

Men and women were reported to have clawed through the smoke in an effort to get out of the building. Another exits panic bar had been welded shut while a large plate glass window, that could have provided another access out, was boarded up.

In the aftermath, bodies were found piled up behind the welded exit door. Still another exit was hidden by draperies. Autopsies indicated that, in addition to the fire itself, the leak of the refrigerant methyl chloride (also called xhloromethane) may have also contributed to the high death toll.

It was impossible to get through the entrance immediately because firemen and volunteers were coming out of the building in a staggering stream with the dead and dying, Glasheen continued. At first there was a shortage of stretchers and it was necessary to use overcoats to carry out the victims.

Former Gardner City Councilor William S. Tappin, a call member of the Gardner Fire Department, was one of the volunteer workers at the tragic scene. He and his wife had accompanied another couple to the Boston College-Holy Cross football game earlier that day. They were staying at the nearby Bradford Hotel when the fire alarm sounded.

Tappin and the other man left their wives at the hotel and rushed over to the Cocoanut Grove when the second alarm sounded, to help firemen pull hose lines from fire trucks.

The longtime veteran of many years with Engine 2 of the Gardner Fire Department said that the entire experience was the worst sight he had ever seen.

I half leaned over into the building to grasp bodies dragged to the window by firemen. These were hoisted through the window and onto waiting stretchers, Glasheen noted in his story. One Catholic priest asked me to notify him of any of the living. Of the 20 or more which I helped take out at this point I saw signs of life in only two. We covered one man who looked to be dead and as the blanket was pulled up over his face he shouted, Dont smother me.

However, in the face of this unspeakable tragedy there was also a miracle of sorts. That miracle came earlier in the day, although at the time it hung over Boston like an ominous cloud.

The nations No. 1-ranked college football team, Boston College, faced lowly Holy Cross in their annual rival game at Fenway Park. A victory by the unbeaten Eagles over the 4-4-1 Crusaders would send them to the Sugar Bowl game.

However, the gods did not smile down on B.C. that day or so it had appeared as Holy Cross came away with an improbable 55-12 victory; a real old-fashioned whipping.

As a result of that devastating loss, a disconsolate Boston College team canceled plans they had for a victory party. A large horseshoe table in the middle of the first-floor room of the Cocoanut Grove had been reserved for the expected victorious gathering.

Among the players on that Boston College team was Gardners John Dubzinski, captain of the 1939 Wildcat football team, whose life was spared that night. In addition, Johns brother, Walter, and his wife, Ruth, were in town for the game. B.C. alum Walt would have likely also joined in the proceedings had the Eagles been victorious.

Instead, the Boston College players opted to lick their wounds at a smaller venue, booking a rather sedate gathering at the Park Plaza Hotel.

From nearby East Templeton, Leon Fredette also attended the Boston College game that day and hoped to also celebrate the victory at the Grove. However, at the last minute the disappointed Eagles fan also canceled his reservation and decided to head for home.

When the last body was reported out, I looked around the room of the ground floor. It was shambles, Glasheen further reported. Chairs and tables were upended, crockery and glassware were strewn everywhere, the same as if a tornado had whistled through the room.

In the years following the fire, a reform of fire codes and safety standards across the country were enforced.

Laws were immediately enacted in public establishments to ban flammable decorations and inward-swinging exit doors. In addition, exit signs had to be visible at all times, and all revolving doors used for egress had to be flanked by at least one normal, outward-swinging door.

In 1993, in the Bay Village Neighborhood where the Cocoanut Grove once stood, a bronze memorial was set into the brick ground on Piedmont Street and dedicated where the club formerly existed.

It is a mute reminder of a very dark day in our states history and a sad chapter of one of the most tragic events ever experienced in these parts.

Next week: Pearl Harbor bombed (December 1941).

Comments and suggestions can be sent to Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com or in writing to Mike Richard, 92 Boardley Road, Sandwich, MA 02563.

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Headlines of the Past - Nov. 30, 1942: Cocoanut Grove fire, local residents perish - Worcester Telegram

A

meristar East Chicago, which in spring 2018 invested $6 million to move its high-limit room into a dedicated land-based position, now introduced live table games and slots into the pavilion.

Citing an increase in customer traffic in the pavilion in the wake of the opening of the sportsbook in September, Ameristars Vice President and General Manager, Matt Schuffert, said that it made sense to bring traditional casino gaming closer to sports bettors.

Since the opening of our sportsbook in the pavilion on Sept. 1, we have seen a lot of new guests who spend time in the pavilion, Schuffert said, as reported by The Times of Northwest Indiana. It was another opportunity for us to bring gaming on land and put us in a better position to utilize our real estate.

The grand opening of the new addition took place Oct. 31 and was celebrated in a Halloween-themed setting. Four blackjack tables and one roulette table were brought in, along with 35 slot machines, which are positioned along the streetscape of the pavilion. The development capitalizes on the hub of activity in Ameristars pavilion, created not only by the addition of the sportsbook, but also Stadium Sports Bar & Grill and Burger Brothers restaurant.

We have been receiving positive feedback from our guests, who seem to appreciate bringing gaming closer to our sports bettors, Schuffert said. With our sportsbook located in the pavilion, there was a convenience perspective to take into account.

Under the present schedule, the table games open at 9 a.m. Friday through Sunday, the three biggest days for sports book traffic. Monday through Thursday theyll open later in the day at 5:30 p.m., however Schuffert did acknowledge that the times are flexible based upon demand. The tables will open with $10 and $15 minimum wagers.

There is room for expansion, Schuffert said. It has been in operation for less than a month, so well see how it performs and move forward from there.

Sports betting has been a boom for Ameristar. Of the total of $91.7 million wagered at the 10 sports betting locations in Indiana during the month of October, $46.17 million was generated by the East Chicago property.

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Ameristar East Chicago adds live table games and slots to its sportsbook pavilion - Yogonet International

The Cleveland Browns are in the midst of the playoff hunt. That fact alone is something I am thankful for this Thanksgiving. We have not had many Thanksgivings lately where we were in this position. So, there are a lot of things to be thankful for with the Browns. In this weeks film room, I will showcase some of the things I am thankful for on this Browns team.

Nick Chubbs Contact Balance

I am thankful for Browns running back Nick Chubbs contact balance. His ability to take on contact and continue to churn for more yards is at an elite level. There are not many in the NFL with this sort of ability. He is able to break tackles and gain more yardage after first, second or even third contact. The clip above is an example of this ability. Chubb catches the pass in the screenplay and runs upfield breaking two tackles and then carrying another defender for ten or so yards.

Jarvis Landrys Hands

I am thankful for wide receiver Jarvis Landrys hands. Landry has great hands to catch contested passes in close quarters. According to Pro Football Focus, Landry has three drops over the course of 92 targets this season. Landry has been the most productive and consistent receiver for the Browns this season. His hands are what make him a valued target. In the clips above, quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a back-shoulder pass to Landry on the sideline. The coverage is very tight, but Landry is able to catch the pass over the cornerbacks head and then hold onto the ball while the corner tries to knock it away.

Kareem Hunts Versatility

I am thankful for the versatility of running back Kareem Hunt. In three games, Hunt has 18 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown, while also catching 15 passes for 99 yards. He has been used all over the field as a running back, receiver and even a blocker. His versatility has allowed him to be used alongside Chubb. Hunt is a do-it-all back for the Browns right now. The video above shows this versatility. In the first play, Hunt is in the backfield for a handoff. He gets the handoff and almost immediately cuts to the outside to the right where he sees the edge open. He uses his speed to beat the entire defense around the edge for a touchdown. In the second play, Hunt is lined up in the left slotback spot. When the ball is snapped, Hunt crosses the formation and runs into the right flat to be a receiver in the pass play. He gets the pass from Mayfield and then uses his running ability to churn upfield for a nice gain.

Baker Mayfields Accuracy

I am thankful for quarterback Baker Mayfields accuracy. After an up and down beginning of the season, Mayfield has had a completion percentage of 64% or higher in every game since Week 8, except one game. He is completing accurate passes to every level of the field. He can throw open receivers with his accuracy. The clip above shows this ability. The first play sees Mayfield is rolling out of the pocket after he is unable to find a receiver early on in the play. He rolls to the sideline and sees Landry coming open toward the sideline. Mayfield is able to accurately throw the pass downfield while moving toward the sideline. The pass does not sail too far toward the sideline. It is thrown right in stride to Landry for a big completion. In the second play, Mayfield makes his best throw of the game. Mayfield does a play-action roll out to the left and sees Landry running an out route to the sideline. Mayfield is able to get rid of the ball right when Landry makes his break. He throws the pass while a rusher bears down on him and gets the ball over the underneath defender and into the perfect spot where only Landry can catch it.

Sheldon Richardsons Emergence

I am thankful for the emergence of defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. Over the last several weeks, Richardson has been outstanding. As Cody Suek noted in his Wednesday post, Richardson has graded out as the second-best defensive tackle in the NFL from Weeks 9-12, according to Pro Football Focus. He has emerged on the defensive line in a time the line needed it with Myles Garrett out for the year. The video above shows his strong play versus Miami.

In the first clip, Richardson is on the right edge against this run play. He is able to make the run stop by avoiding the block and then tracking the running back inside where he is able to tackle the runner for a minimal gain. The second play shows his pass-rush ability, along with his playmaking ability and awareness. He starts by rushing from the center to the left guard, but he then sees the quarterback try to escape to the left. Richardson closes on the quarterback, forcing him back in the pocket, but before he does, Richardson gets a hand on the ball and causes the quarterback to drop it, causing the play to end in a sack. In the third play, Richardson again shows off his pass-rushing ability and awareness. After the snap, he is able to get some good push on his blocker, pushing him into the pocket. The quarterback decides to try to run, but Richardson sees it and is able to get off his block to make the tackle.

Also, Richardson is making a difference even when it doesnt show up on the stat sheet. In the fourth play, he is able to get in the passing lane of the quarterback, causing the quarterback to halt his intentions and then rush his actions to find another pass. This causes an incompletion. In the final play, Richardson is rushing up the middle, penetrating the middle of the protection. The rush causes the quarterback to rush his pass and throw the ball inaccurately for an incompletion.

Joe Schoberts Playmaking

I am thankful for linebacker Joe Schoberts playmaking ability. Schobert has been really good this season, especially over the last couple of games. In a defense that needed playmakers, Schobert has shown to be one for the unit. In 2019, he has 97 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, nine passes defended and four interceptions. He has had those four interceptions over the course of the past two games. He is seemingly always around the ball and in the right place to make the play. He is making game-changing plays for this defense and it doesnt always have to be a turnover forced. In the video above, Schobert shows off his playmaking ability. Both plays are interceptions where Schobert was able to make the pick because he was in the right spot. He is in the right spot to make the plays.

Olivier Vernons Soon-to-be Return

I am thankful for the soon-to-be return of edge rusher Olivier Vernon. Vernon has been out injured over the past three weeks. With the loss of edge rusher Myles Garrett to suspension for the rest of the season, Vernon is very much needed to come back and be a game-changer on the edge in Garretts absence. Vernon has not filled the stat sheet like Garrett, but he has still been good this season. His return will be a huge addition to the defensive line. The clip above is an example of what Vernon can do. In the play, he is able to quickly beat the tackle around the left edge and then show good bend to get to the quarterback for the sack.

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What I'm thankful for on the Browns: Browns Film Room - Waiting For Next Year

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Friday to help streamline recovery efforts in the five counties where 13 wildfires burned in October.

The fires destroyed houses, mobile homes, manufactured homes and other structures and left debris, forced closure of highways and roads and destroyed or damaged infrastructure.

Newsom's executive order helps displaced residents with housing needs by facilitating manufactured homes and mobile home parks, and waiving fees to replace driver's licenses and birth certificates of residents affected by the fires.

The order, which contains a dozen sections, includes a three-year suspension of planning and zoning requirements that pertain to recreational vehicles, mobile homes, manufactured homes mobile home parks and special occupancy parks that were damaged or destroyed as a result of wind events and fires.

Many residents face a challenging recovery, and strict compliance with various statutes and regulations addressed in the order would prevent, hinder or delay the mitigation of the effects of the fires, Newsom said.

Newsom issued proclamations of a state of emergency on Oct. 11 for Riverside and Los Angeles counties, where five fires burned, on Oct. 25 in Sonoma and Los Angeles counties, where two fires burned, and on Oct. 27 for severe fire weather conditions that began on Oct. 26.

During the severe fire weather, six fires began burning in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, Newsom said.

All orders and provisions in proclamations dated Oct. 11, 25 and 27 shall remain in force and effect, the executive order states.

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Gov. Newsom Issues Executive Order to Help Wildfire Areas Recover - NBC Bay Area

If you shop on Black Friday theres a decent chance the parking lot youre in wont be full. Across the United States, there are about500 million surface-lot parking spacesfor the272.48 million registered vehicles. There are far more parking spots than there are carswhich means theres a lot of underutilized land throughout the countryin parking lots at malls, strip malls, Walmarts, Targets, hardware stores, as well as in urban parking garages. Why not use the space to allow more Americans to own homes?

Housing is a commodity whose value has greatly outpaced the rate of inflation in the United States; from 1997 to 2006 (the Housing Bubble) average home prices increased by 124 percent,according to The Economist; even though the bubble eventually burst, home pricescontinue rising. Many young Americans have enormous student loan debt (Americans carry $1.6 trillion of it). Pair that with rising housing costs, unaffordable health care and a birth rate which is already sub-replacement level, and there could bedire consequencesfor the nation.

Former President George W. Bushattempted to fix this issueat the federal level to increase minority support for the GOP and to help some of his big bank donors. It didnt work. Fortunately, housings an issue that can primarily be addressed at the local levelby relaxing stringent zoning laws. In many communities, zoning is bad not only for businesses, but also those who want affordable places to live, either as buyers or renters. In the Greater Boston Area, the limousine liberals who run many communities have made the minimum lot size to construct a house in parts of their towns at least one acre. In many communities, multi-family housing is not allowed, according toBoston Fair Housing.

There are many cases where the land a house is built on is worth more than the building itself. Putting up barriers like minimum lot sizes and spacing between developments artificially raises housing costs. This makes people buy more than they need and decreases the total number of houses that can be built. Surely, theres a market for big houses with big lots placed far away from each other. Thats great for those who want it. Conversely, theres a market for people who dont need much space, cant afford it or are willing to suck it up because they want to build equity instead of renting.

These giant underused parking lots offer that potential if developers could build bungalows, manufactured homes (cheaper building costs and good for the domestic manufacturing industry), cottages, tiny houses, or another affordable style packed in together without yards. The averageparking space is 180 square feet; the averagestudio apartment is 500 to 600 square feet; and three parking spaces are 540 square feet.

It would require multi-use zoning in these lots to build housing. Ideally, there would be no minimum space requirement between buildings to maximize efficiency. If that makes NIMBYs mad, too bad. Theystrangle our countrys GDP with their protectionism.The lots would still have parking spaces for customers and residents to use. The property tax on these cheap houses would be significantly lower than a house with more land; theres even the idea that housing could be built within parking garages within cities thats worth exploring. However, with these low-to-the-ground types of housing, there wouldnt be a need to change height regulations for new building projects.

This wouldnt be a magic solution to cure the death of shopping malls. Fortunereported in 2017that 20 to 25 percent of them could close in the next five years. Although not the main intention, the shift in zoning could soften the blow. If those stores are the closest to where someone lives, then the odds of them patronizing the store increase. Theres a reason whyWalmart allows RVs to park overnight in its lots. Its an issue where the limited government crowd should be able to find support in urban communities because they have an opportunity to help the working class cost-effectively; they can find common ground with progressives and populists against the red tape hurting millions of Americans.

Its also a place where people have an opportunity to make a difference by getting involved with local government by running for office or appealing to their local zoning board instead of letting some weirdly statist townies make up the rules.

See the rest here:

A Lot of Parking - Splice Today

If you want to submit a bid to tear down a long abandoned industrial site on Eastons South Side, youre running out of time.

Bids are due Friday, Nov. 29, to tear down the Black Diamond Enterprises site at 430 W. Lincoln St. It once manufactured metal surfaces and tabletops for restaurants. Before that the plant was the Stewart Silk Mill.

By 2007 it was the repository for graffiti and in 2012 it made the citys blight list.

Now a developer plans to raze it and replace it with an affordable housing community. Lara Schwager said Nov. 29 is the deadline to submit bids to demolish the site. Shes the vice president of development with PIRHL, or Partners in Residential Housing Leadership of Cleveland, Ohio.

We hope to make an award mid-December and start construction soon thereafter, she said.

PIRHL is partnering with developer Tim Harrison. They plan to put in 55 homes and 27,000 square feet of commercial space.

Since the project is financed in part through tax credits, the homes must be rented to individuals who earn between 30 and 80 percent of the neighborhoods average median income, Schwager said.

The city has struggled for years and dangled economic incentives to get the property cleaned up and developed. The city secured $2 million in grants to help fund the cleanup.

The property caught fire in 2016 and has been crumbling steadily ever since.

Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com

Photo of the Black Diamond site, formerly the Stewart Silk Mill at 430 W. Lincoln St. in Easton on Nov. 21, 2019.

Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com

Photo of the Black Diamond site, formerly the Stewart Silk Mill at 430 W. Lincoln St. in Easton on Nov. 21, 2019.

Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com

Photo of the Black Diamond site, formerly the Stewart Silk Mill at 430 W. Lincoln St. in Easton on Nov. 21, 2019.

Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com

Photo of the Black Diamond site, formerly the Stewart Silk Mill at 430 W. Lincoln St. in Easton on Nov. 21, 2019.

Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com

Photo of the Black Diamond site, formerly the Stewart Silk Mill at 430 W. Lincoln St. in Easton on Nov. 21, 2019.

Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com

Photo of the Black Diamond site, formerly the Stewart Silk Mill at 430 W. Lincoln St. in Easton on Nov. 21, 2019.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.

Read more:

Deadline Friday to bid on clean-up of long-abandoned Easton industrial site - lehighvalleylive.com

Tricon Capital Group Inc (TSE:TCN) Analysts at National Bank Financial issued their FY2021 earnings per share estimates for shares of Tricon Capital Group in a research note issued to investors on Sunday, November 10th, Zacks Investment Research reports. National Bank Financial analyst T. Woolley anticipates that the company will post earnings of $1.11 per share for the year.

TCN has been the topic of several other reports. CIBC lowered their price objective on Tricon Capital Group from C$14.00 to C$13.75 in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Raymond James reiterated an outperform rating and set a C$12.00 target price on shares of Tricon Capital Group in a research note on Friday, November 8th.

TCN stock opened at C$11.25 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.14 billion and a PE ratio of 18.38. Tricon Capital Group has a 12-month low of C$9.33 and a 12-month high of C$11.73. The company has a current ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.28. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is C$10.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$10.34.

About Tricon Capital Group

Tricon Capital Group Inc is a principal investor and asset manager focused on the residential real estate industry in North America. The firm owns and manages on behalf of third-party investors a portfolio of investments in land and homebuilding assets, single-family rental homes, manufactured housing communities, and multi-family development projects.

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Equities Analysts Set Expectations for Tricon Capital Group Incs FY2021 Earnings (TSE:TCN) - Riverton Roll

Kingstone Companies (NASDAQ:KINS) and Progressive (NYSE:PGR) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk and profitability.

Dividends

Kingstone Companies pays an annual dividend of $0.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Progressive pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.5%. Kingstone Companies pays out 53.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Progressive pays out 9.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Volatility & Risk

Kingstone Companies has a beta of 0.64, meaning that its share price is 36% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Progressive has a beta of 0.65, meaning that its share price is 35% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Kingstone Companies and Progressives revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Progressive has higher revenue and earnings than Kingstone Companies. Kingstone Companies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Progressive, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Kingstone Companies and Progressives net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Kingstone Companies and Progressive, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Kingstone Companies currently has a consensus price target of $13.00, indicating a potential upside of 70.38%. Progressive has a consensus price target of $82.36, indicating a potential upside of 12.75%. Given Kingstone Companies stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Kingstone Companies is more favorable than Progressive.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

43.5% of Kingstone Companies shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 78.4% of Progressive shares are held by institutional investors. 8.9% of Kingstone Companies shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of Progressive shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Progressive beats Kingstone Companies on 12 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Kingstone Companies

Kingstone Companies, Inc., through its subsidiary, Kingstone Insurance Company, underwrites property and casualty insurance products to small businesses and individuals in New York. The company offers personal lines insurance products, including homeowners and dwelling fire multi-peril, cooperative/condominiums, renters, and personal umbrella policies. It also provides commercial liability policies, such as business owner's policies comprising primarily of small business retail, service, and office risks; artisan's liability policies for small independent contractors; multi-peril policies for larger and specialized risks, and business owner's risks; and commercial umbrella policies. In addition, the company offers for-hire vehicle physical damage only policies for livery and car service vehicles and taxicabs; and canine legal liability policies, as well as reinsurance products. It sells its products through retail and wholesale agents and brokers. The company was formerly known as DCAP Group, Inc. and changed its name to Kingstone Companies, Inc. in July 2009. Kingstone Companies, Inc. was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Kingston, New York.

About Progressive

The Progressive Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides personal and commercial auto insurance, residential property insurance, and other specialty property-casualty insurance and related services primarily in the United States. Its Personal Lines segment writes insurance for personal autos, and recreational and other vehicles. This segment's products include personal auto insurance; and special lines products, including insurance for motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, watercrafts, and snowmobiles. The company's Commercial Lines segment provides primary liability, physical damage, and other auto-related insurance for autos, vans, pick-up trucks, and dump trucks used by small businesses; tractors, trailers, and straight trucks primarily used by regional general freight and expeditor-type businesses, and non-fleet long-haul operators; dump trucks, log trucks, and garbage trucks used by dirt, sand and gravel, logging, and coal-type businesses; tow trucks and wreckers used in towing services and gas/service station businesses; and non-fleet taxis, black-car services, and airport taxis. Its Property segment provides residential property insurance for homes, condos, manufactured homes, and renters, as well as offers personal umbrella insurance, and primary and excess flood insurance. The company also offers policy issuance and claims adjusting services; home, condominium, renters, and other insurance; and general liability and business owner's policies, and workers' compensation insurance. In addition, it offers reinsurance services. The Progressive Corporation sells its products and services through independent insurance agencies, as well as directly on Internet, and mobile devices, and over the phone. The company was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Mayfield Village, Ohio.

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Contrasting Kingstone Companies (NASDAQ:KINS) and Progressive (NASDAQ:PGR) - Riverton Roll