BTL Woodworking and Construction was opened in March 2019 in Pampa by Trey Lauderdale and is located at 1776 N. Harvester.

Lauderdale holds a little more than 25 years of experience under his belt in construction and woodworking.

I worked for probably the best home-builder around for many years before I started my own business. And before that, I worked for my dad and grandad- they were both construction contractors, said Lauderdale.

Since opening his own business, Lauderdale has taken on a variety of jobs and has been highly recommended to others by his customers.

Services Lauderdale provides include remodeling, demolition and removal, new construction, carpentry, custom furniture design and building, fencing, exterior and interior door and window replacement, custom cabinetry, general contracting and more.

Lauderdale says that he can do almost anything when it comes to construction or woodworking, and if by chance he comes across a job he cant do- he knows somebody that can and will point the customer in that direction.

The work hasnt slowed down for Lauderdale since opening his own business, and he continues to receive new jobs regularly even amid COVID-19 concerns.

Most recently, Ive built a few cabinets for a place in Clarendon, Ive remodeled a kitchen out towards Borger, a basement remodel in Groom, and a front door installation on Russell street here in town, said Lauderdale.

Lauderdale says that new customers rarely have to wait for a job to begin as he will typically work on several projects simultaneously.

I take on new jobs daily, and what I mean by that is usually I have about five jobs Im running at a time, said Lauderdale.

He currently has three employees who spread across multiple job sites in order to get things done in a timely fashion.

They have a positive work ethic, they show up on time and they work hard. They are very responsible and honest. Ive never had to worry about a customer having something come up missing- which is a big thing in my trade, said Lauderdale.

Lauderdale says that he would like to find another employee to help work on the projects that keep rolling in.

Im looking for experienced help. Someone that can do dry wall, mud, tape and texture. Thats my biggest need right now, Lauderdale said.

Lauderdale says that he is thankful for the communitys continued support of his business during this time.

I really appreciate the work, its brought me a long way. Ive really enjoyed working for my customers, he said.

The Pampa News would like to congratulate Lauderdale for the success hes had so far with his business.

For more information about BTL Woodworking and Contruction, you can go online to their Facebook page, call (806) 662-2809 or visit their location at 1776 E. Harvester.

https://bit.ly/3bu3VOx

Originally posted here:
BTL Woodworking and Construction is thankful for continued community support - Pampa News

CHATHAM, NJ - Danny Mahoney has earned a reputation as a leader and a competitor during his Chatham High sports career, captaining two Cougar teams and playing in three state championship games.

Mahoney's service as a captain for the 2020 Cougar lacrosse team came to an abrupt end because of the Coronavirus pandemic, but the senior has pivoted into forming a family business with his younger brother, Kevin. Thedriveway seal coating and power washing service is called "Seal & Deal."

"When my father was in high school, he said that he and his friend did the same thing," Mahoney said. "So far, we've done two driveways. We've been in business for about three weeks now and we're working on our marketing strategies."

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Mahoney played four years of varsity ice hockey and served as an assistant captain and then captain, playing in two state championship games for the Cougars. In lacrosse, he played on the 2019 team that won the North Jersey, Group 3 state championship.

"It has beenreally emotional not being able to play for Chathamlacrosse with all my teammates for one last season," he said. "The whole team put forth a lot of effort preparing for this season and sadly we never got to show off our talent as a team and a family. Our first week of practice was looking really good; everything was flowing much easier than in years past because the majority of us did winter training at the new indoor facility on Passaic Avenue and agility workouts at the high school.

"It is what it is but if we had this last season to play with all my teammates that Ive been with my whole life we would have left our mark. We had unfinished business and I could tell from the start that we were going to be a dangerous team all around. The team will be good next year as well and Im looking forward to coming back home and getting to watch my teammates tear it up next year."

Before he heads to Texas Christian University to continue his education, he's hoping to build his business with Kevin, a sophomore who plays lacrosse, soccer and paddle.

"We offer free estimates, power washeach driveway and oil-spot prime and fill cracks," Mahoney said. "We use Weldon Asphalt Premium Pavement Sealer."

You can reachSeal & Deal by phone at973-610-4688 and through email:mahoney.danny@me.com.

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Chatham Mahoney Brothers Transition from Lacrosse to Open 'Seal & Deal' Driveway Seal Coating and Power Washing Business - TAPinto.net

Effective Power Washing in Eatontown NJ

We have solutions that really work for your grungy exteriors. Have you been looking for "pressure washing near me"? Call the experts at Clearview Washing Pressure Washing Eatontown NJ for help. We are glad to serve all of Eatontown and beyond with quality services.

Moisture and mold can grow very quickly. If you see black stains on your roof or siding, especially in the shade, it's likely mold and mildew, which can eat away at your roof or other exteriors. Not to mention, it looks hideous! If you're trying to maintain a business, these things can detract from your professionalism. And if you own a home, you should take every effort to take pride in your property for added curb appeal.

When you rely on Clearview Washing to use milder solutions that are better for the environment and your family, you get a thorough, long-lasting clean. We bring all the right equipment to ensure a thorough job every time. It's time to invest in the focused attention to detail that comes with hiring a professional.

Here's why you should choose Clearview Washing Power Washing Eatontown NJ:

Rest assured, the solutions we use here at Clearview Washing Power Washing Eatontown NJ are safe on:

We will apply a gentle pressure washing method that will remove those stubborn stains yet won't cause damage to your siding or surrounding landscape.

Our team strives to educate our customers. If you have unsightly black stains on your roof, you may wonder what they are made of. They are from moss, mildew and water, which all take away from the value of your property.

Clearview Washing Power Washing Eatontown NJ offers specialized methods that get rid of it all. If you have you noticed this happening to your Eatontown home or business, it's time to call us.

For that, turn to Clearview Washing Pressure Washing Eatontown NJ. Don't keep hoping for a soaking rain to get rid of it all or assume those weak machines from the home improvement store will remove all layers. The truth is, only professional skill and equipment can do that. Clearview Washing Pressure Washing Eatontown NJ can rid your roof, siding and patio of the following substances:

Whether you need patio furniture, vinyl fencing, your driveway or your siding cleaned, we are the ones to do it. And with our gentle pressure washing solutions, they won't cause damage like traditional power washing will.

Here at Clearview Washing Power Washing Eatontown NJ, our specialty is pressure washing of both roofs and siding, the biggest harborers of mold and mildew. Get started today with a free estimate. Remember: Our team has a reputation throughout New Jersey for giving our clients prompt turnaround times and respectful, friendly technicians.

To answer the question: "where can I find power washing near me?", call Clearview Washing today at 732-462-1187 or get a free estimate online.

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Effective Power Washing in Eatontown NJ - Patch.com

HOLLAND, MI Rachel Harned is stuck between a pandemic and a hard place.

Harned, owner of Bombshell Blow Dry Bar and the Salon Professional Academy beauty school in Holland, is being pushed by some clients join a handful of barbershops and salons reopening in defiance of state orders that closed many businesses to help stem the coronavirus spread.

Others say not to jeopardize her license and wait to reopen when stay-home orders lift.

She knows that hair salons and barbershops bring people into close contact, which is risky in a pandemic. Physical distancing is next to impossible while cutting someones hair. But she also knows that stylists are generally well-versed in sanitation and their services are in high demand.

Harned is torn by the dilemma. I have a high-risk son, but I also have to provide for him; pay his medical bills and put food on the table, she said.

Professional cosmetologists are starting to pipe up as new Michigan COVID-19 cases taper and the state takes initial steps toward reopening its economy. They are feeling overlooked and frustrated by a lack of communication and direction from state and local officials about when salons, spas and barbershops might be allowed to reopen, and what safety protocols will be necessary once that occurs.

Unable to get any direction from Michigan health and licensing officials, salon owners have turned to back-to-work guides from the beauty industry and are studying states like Ohio, Georgia and Indiana, which have begun allowing salons to reopen with enhanced safety measures.

Federal guidance has also been scare. The Trump Administration has put the onus on individual states to develop economic reopening guidance rather than offer centralized leadership. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week released limited one-page reopen guidance for some types of business, but has not produced anything specific to cosmetology.

The groundswell of frustration in the cosmetology ranks occurs against the state and national backdrop of anti-quarantine political protests in Michigan and elsewhere, as well as a high-profile Owosso barber who has become a flashpoint for openly defying Gov. Gretchen Whitmers order closing non-essential businesses.

Were trying to be neutral and supportive, but its hard when you cant even get a hello back, said Kristan Sayers, a Brighton salon owner whose nascent Michigan Association of Beauty Professionals (MABP) has seen of surge of new members during the pandemic.

We just know what other states are doing, said Sayers. Thats all we can really follow.

Related stories: MLive coronavirus coverage

Salon owners say theyve have had little besides Whitmers media statements to guide them over the past couple months as they try to cobble together post-lockdown plans. The governors six-phase MI Safe Start economic reopen plan rolled out on May 7 doesnt directly address cosmetology businesses, but Whitmer has said previously theyre expected to be among the last types of businesses to reopen.

This week, Whitmer said salons may reopen in Phase 5, when non-essential retail business can resume with limited capacity. The plan says that phase begins when COVID-19 case levels are extremely low and health care system capacity improves. Presently, Michigan is in Phase 3. New cases have plateaued; and testing and contact tracing efforts are ramping up.

On WSNX, Whitmer referenced the inherent difficulty in physical distancing at salons, but also acknowledged they might reopen sooner in some areas of the state.

Whitmer said Michigan is still developing the protocols.

When you talk about services like that, youre touching the public and often in high density scenarios; where youve people sitting right next to each other, she said. Theres no possibly of observing six feet of distance. In some, you can wear a mask. You can improve hand washing. I think that were looking at those types of services in probably the 5th phase.

Related: Retail probably included in next wave of reopenings, Whitmer says

Sayers and others have sent emails and called COVID-19 state hotlines trying to connect with someone in Lansing who can offer clarity. State agencies have been directing them to the governors office, which is presumably swamped and not responding. The state cosmetology licensing board offered little guidance during its regular meeting this week and commissioners did not answer questions, say stylists who tuned-in.

MLives attempts to reach Whitmers press staff were not successful.

Indications the state is beginning to get the message finally arrived this week. On Wednesday, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) offered Sayers a seat on a new state workgroup thats creating guidelines to present to Whitmer. An initial meeting took place Saturday.

Sayers said the MPBA, which started in 2017 but was dormant until the pandemic hit, has added about 2,000 licensed stylists in recent weeks. Difficulty connecting with decision-makers has made obvious the need for a state association, she said.

She wonders if having better communication between the industry and state government might have helped avoid the situation in Owosso, where barber Karl Manke resumed business in defiance of state order on May 4 and has since drawn national attention. Manke, whose license has now been suspended amid a legal showdown with the state, has become a champion of the anti-quarantine movement.

Salons in Cadillac and Holland have since followed suit.

Sayers isnt sure Manke is helping her cause. Were trying really hard to stay neutral of that, she said.

We need communication with our industry, she said. Anything. Just communicate. Without it, theres chaos.

Absent state guidance, salon owners like Elisabeth Bartrom have cobbled together reopening plans of their own. Bartrom, who owns Chasing Vanity salon and medispa in Grand Rapids, said clients can expect to see changes.

She has been collaborating with peers on a list of new safety procedures that include reduced staffing, more distance between chairs, frequent disinfection of tools and surfaces, mandatory masks and other personal protection gear for patrons and staff, guest and employee temperature checks and pre-appointment screening questionnaires.

Bartrom is considering a stop to blow-drying altogether. The waiting room is being closed. Clients would wait in the car for a notification the stylist is ready.

I want my customers to know were doing everything in our power to take those extra precautions because this is serious, she said.

Shes been frustrated by a lack of communication with Lansing.

I feel like weve been forgotten about, Bartrom said.

In northern Michigan, Kimi Schugart of Endless Hair Designs in East Tawas said she expects many salons that were already struggling financially to close for good.

Schugart consults around Michigan through LOral and said many stylists are bummed about safety changes dampening salon culture. Stylists are creative people who like to dress-up and wear makeup, she said. Having to wear masks and social distance will be tough.

Were lovey, touchy people, she said. We like to be in your personal space.

Schugart anticipates some reluctance from clients to return until a coronavirus vaccine is developed, but suggested changes in customer habits may depend on demographic and whether theyre from a hard-hit metro area, or parts of Michigan that are barely touched by the disease.

Youll have the ladies with gray hair who dont care how much it costs or whats going on, they want their hair done, she said. Our industry is strange.

In Holland, Harned said shes already reorganized her space and is stocking up on personal protective equipment like masks and face shields, which she hasnt struggled to find. Among other precautions, shes planning to have the place regularly fogged with disinfectant.

Shes been talking to peers in Michigan and other states and digesting industry support guidance from national franchise groups. Shes expecting to reopen at something like 25 to 30 percent capacity. Thats tough on revenue, but its better than nothing. Since the shut-down, Harned has tried selling hair products, special boxes of boutique items and gift cards from the curb. Thats all we can do right now.

Shes turned away a lot of business, from lucrative bridal party work to mens haircuts. Shes also turned down many requests for haircuts at home. Harned said a truck driver called asking for a haircut, and she told him to schedule something once he reached Georgia.

I sent him to another state for a haircut, she said. There was nothing else I could do.

Related stories:

Michigans unemployment system is better than most, but thats cold comfort

A slow crawl back to normalcy ahead for Michigan bars and restaurants

Michigans mask mandate highlights political fault lines in coronavirus crisis

Link:
Michigan salons left in the dark as pressure to reopen mounts - MLive.com

Now is the perfect time to get your Washington state home in tip-top shape. For many homeowners, this means applying a new coat of paint and creating a whole new look for the inside or outside of your house.

Painting is a great way to update and spruce up the interior or exterior of your home. But when do you do it yourself as a weekend project and when is it best to hire the services of a professional painter? Use this guide to help you decide if you should hire a painting contractor.

Interior Painting

Painting the interior of your home is a good do it yourself project even for beginners. Here are the basics of interior painting:

1. Choose the right paint and color

Don't overlook the importance of choosing the best paint and color for a room. Doing your research and getting it right the first time will help you avoid the time and money spent fixing mistakes.

2. Wall prep

Prepping walls means your painting project is going to be a success. For paint to adhere correctly you'll need to clean and sand walls. You'll also need to repair holes and other imperfections.

3. Taping and priming

Use painter's tape to mask ceilings, doors, moldings, and windows. For a professional look, apply a coat of primer paint to achieve an even and smooth finish.

4. When to hire a pro

When you want to save time, and for larger rooms and more intricate projects, a professional painting contractor has the experience and equipment to give you great results.

Need help with your next painting project? Hire a professional painter in Washington state.

Exterior Painting

Exterior projects can be more complex than painting the interior of your home and are often best left to a professional. Here's why:

1. Experience and knowledge

A professional painting contractor brings years of experience and knowledge to the job. They'll know what paint is best for your project so it holds up for years to come.

2. Tools and equipment

Painting the outside of your home is a big project. Painting contractors have the right tools and equipment needed, such as scaffolding and paint sprayers, to efficiently and safely do a professional job.

3. Save frustration and time

Painting your home exterior is more than just a weekend project and doesn't allow for any cutting of corners to get it done quickly. You'll need to factor in time to prep the surface, such as cleaning and power washing. Add painting time and you may quickly become frustrated and discouraged with the hours you spend on this home project. Hiring a contractor gets the job done quickly and professionally without mistakes.

Tips to Hire a Painting Contractor

Once you've decided to hire a painting contractor, use these tips to find the best professional for the job:

For a quality paint job and professional results, contact a HomeAdvisor painting contractor in Washington state.

This Patch article is sponsored by HomeAdvisor.

Original post:
Washington Homeowners: DIY Or Leave The Painting To A Pro? - Patch.com

Building a garage addition can be an expensive home addition. A garage addition might be cheaper than other home additions but the question is whether the value justifies the cost for space that will only be used to store cars and/or stuff.

If you're thinking about building a garage addition, here are some of the things you want to take into consideration when planning your project:

The American Housing Survey in 2009 showed that 66% of homes have a garage or carport. This number might be skewed by new construction because most new homes include a garage, where costs for excavation, foundation, framing and roofing are shared across the entire house.

When building a garage addition, the new structure must bear all of these structural costs. That's why many homeowners decide to turn their garage addition into a 2-story addition with living space above the garage.

If you're going to keep your cars or trucks in the garage, you need it wide enough to open the doors and walk around the front of the cars. The challenge when building a garage additions is our cars and trucks are much bigger.

Everyone has different ideas about the type of car/truck you should use to size your garage. Not being an expert on cars and trucks, I found thishelpful table at ConsumerReports.org. You will need to identify three measurements maximum car/truck length, width and height.Ceiling height is key for larger trucks which are much taller than the average car, affecting building height as well as the size of your garage doors (width and height).

Then you probably want to add space for aworkbench and storage shelves, which are typically 2 feet deep plus you need another 2 feet to access them comfortably. You can add these on one or multiple walls, depending on how many different activities you want to use your garage for.

But wait, when you're building a new garage you have lots of options about the floor plan. When you've got the space, you can get really creative like this carriage house plan (below) from TheHousePlanShop illustrates:

We listed the decisions you have to make earlier. Here are some of the tradeoffs you can make that affect costs.

This article has been updated to include new information in the 2015 Cost vs Value survey, which is the last time a garage addition was included.

From 2015 Hanley Wood Cost vs Value Survey

This report can help you set a reasonable budget for your project that will maximize how much you should recoup when you sell your home. If you do move forward building a garage addition, you can alsolook for ways to cut costs to increase your ability to recover more of your investment.

The very, very first thing you need to think about if youre considering building a garage is how long you plan to stay in your current home. A typical double detached garage project could cost you around $50,000 andmight only add $30,000to the valueof your home. If you plan on staying for 5 years, that garage would cost you $4,000/year. Is it worth it? Only you can decide that. Now lets assume you still want to add a garage to your home. Here are some books that can help you identify and prioritize your requirements.

Sheds & Garages: Building Ideas & PlansGarage: Reinventing the Place We ParkGarages & Carports: Step-by-Step ConstructionBuilding a Garage: A Complete Guide

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Is Building a Garage Addition a Smart Investment? - Home ...

With stay-at-home orders in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Angelenos have gotten creative when eating at their favorite restaurants. While some higher-end places are happy to assemble complete meals for $50 or $60 a person, average restaurants continue to serve special takeout or standard favorites in to-go containers. Over the last two months, Eater editors have continued to eat food from local restaurants, but in a somewhat unfamiliar dining space: the car.

Every Angeleno has consumed something in their car: a double-double, Big Macs, fried chicken sandwiches. But with many restaurants transitioning their menus to takeout, Eater editors have been busy looking for different kinds of meals to eat in the drivers seat. Here now, where to eat everything from fried chicken and blue crab hand rolls to burritos and spicy ramen bowls.

Perhaps the single greatest part of living in Southern California is the access to a variety of landscapes, from winding hillside vistas backed by mega-mansions to leafy streets, sizzling beaches, endless desert, and rocky mountain cliffs. As a person with a lifelong wilderness streak, the terrain of Los Angeles is an important part of my life here, and that hasnt changed even with the county- and statewide Safer at Home mandates in place. It just means that we have to be a little bit more creative when figuring out where to eat that delicious pickup order.

Im fortunate to have a car, and even more fortunate that my car is a Subaru Forester, which means a full-sized hatch in the back and lots of room for tailgate dining. Im always a fan of the classic LA street food move of dining on the hood of the car, but for these lingering pandemic meals, its nice to take the back seat once in a while. Heres my setup: a cheap blanket thrown onto the floor of the car something thats easily replaceable, and that you dont mind getting a little dirty. Other accoutrements can be nice (a pillow, maybe, or some sort of back support if youre lingering for longer), but they arent really required all thats needed is a hot meal and a parking spot you can back into.

And theres the key. It can be the rooftop of the Row parking garage in Downtown (secretly one of the best city skyline spots around), or a dusty dead end street above Pasadena with peekaboo views of the hills. A recent afternoon with Honeybird fried chicken up in La Caada meant a turnout in the Verdugo foothills overlooking Glendale, surrounded by roomy mansions and shade trees. In and around Los Angeles, there are few bad views, so find one that suits the neighborhood youre picking up from, and away you go.

There are many more notable view-and-a-bite examples around LA, of course, like the drive-thru option at Broad Street Oyster Co. out in Malibu, but its important to heed the advice of county health professionals in not doing too much during this moment of physical distancing and stay-close-to-home mandates. Crowding PCH when 2,000 other people are there at the same time is bad for everyone, so just be smart with the shoreline. Luckily, there are endless views available all over, from quiet neighborhood landscapes to sky-high vistas. Pop the trunk, toss down a blanket, and dig in.

During the first few weeks of lockdown, I went for short drives around the city. I figured there was a temporary window to get across town in 20 minutes, so why not take advantage? I was also stir-crazed, restless, and just needed to get out of the house. But I also wanted a first-hand look at restaurant activity in these unusual times.

As hunger hit, I learned that some items were necessary to make my car an ideal spot to dine: an abundant supply of paper napkins, an absorbent microfiber towel for spills, and a playlist that fits the mood of the moment.

In recent weeks, I stepped up my game with some additions: a cloth napkin, a good supply of hand sanitizer, a cooler, and a tray to mimic a table. Im grateful for the ability to explore our city and support businesses while they try their best to make mandated closed dining rooms work.

My initial plan was to MacGyver my Mazda hatchback into a cozy eating spot. But its been fairly warm in recent weeks, so air conditioning was the only way to go while venturing to Sweet Red Peach for the 7-Up pound cake. Be prepared, because Karolyn Plummers Inglewood bakery maintains a lengthy line from the time she opens at 11 a.m. through dinnertime, when only the slimmest of pickings remain. Take a two-minute drive toward the Forum parking lot, unwrap the sweet, moist cake, and watch the construction workers complete SoFi Stadium while the sugar rush kicks in from your drivers seat. Get the peach cobbler for later, since it requires reheating.

According to my Instagram feed, my friends are taking beach treks to Venice, Malibu, or Santa Monica. I found some weekday peace at Long Beachs Bluff Park with Bebot Filipino Soul Foods chicken lumpia and some kalamansi mint iced tea. Chef-owner AC Borals crispy lumpia was an ideally sized snack for my drive back to Los Angeles, passing by folks with blankets out to picnic in the grassy area overlooking the beach. All locals maintained a respectable distance from one another, except on the walking path. I braved the setting from my car, opened the windows, and let the ocean air right in.

Back up toward LA, the iconic and car-accessible Mulholland Drive scenic stops are completely closed. But there are still pull-off parking areas where one can view the expansive San Fernando Valley. Place an order at Sushi Katsu-Ya in Studio City, which could take up to an hour or more. Then drive a half mile over to McConnells curbside pickup before heading up to Laurel Canyon Boulevard. Take it slow, find a spot, and right there is where a romantic two-course meal takes place. Sushi Katsu-Yas hand rolls work best in the car, and dont forget to ask for spoons.

The best lesson I ever learned from eating in my car during the pandemic is that burritos are an amazing thing to eat while cooped up in a vehicle. Ive had burritos from El Barrio in Redondo Beach and Sonoratown in Downtown, and both times, I was so blissfully happy that I almost let the grease roll down my arms and onto the center console of my Honda Civic. Its not an easy task to shift gears with greasy fingers. Thankfully, Ive outfitted my car with plenty of napkins and hand sanitizer. El Barrios shrimp-stuffed, cheese-encrusted Gobernador burrito is one for the ages, with platonic ratios of beans and rice with grilled vegetables. Sonoratowns carne asada burrito on its dreamy lard-flour tortillas is a winner too, especially with a special addition of roasted chile poblano.

My adventures eating in or on my car started right when the dining room closures came down from Mayor Eric Garcetti. I placed a monster order from Mei Lins short-lived takeout operation at Nightshade, getting the whole short rib (with ssam-style accoutrement), the restaurants famous congee, snap peas, and even a big slice of tiramisu. My wife, Rochelle, our photographer Frank, and I feasted, careful not to drip anything onto the hood. Eating such a delicious meal in the deserted Arts District on a Monday night felt so strange and beautiful. It mightve been the best meal Ive eaten since LAs restaurants closed due to the pandemic.

In between, I made sure to pick up the incredible dosirak from Spoon by H, comprising nearly two dozen bite-sized ingredients and enough food for almost two people. Except since Im a big enough eater, I had most of it by myself. The highlights in this Korean tray-sized feast was the galbi jjim, of course, but also the array of pickle and cabbage kimchi. I met fellow food writers Euno Lee and Lucas Peterson, and we all ate within considerable distance in the parking lot. Rochelle opted to sit perched on a ledge with Lee and Peterson while I stayed in the backseat of my car, which gave me a little more space to wolf down the dosirak.

As with many dishes at Spoon by H, Yoonjin Hwang went above and beyond the call for this traditional Korean lunch tray. Usually a dosirak from a supermarket or store in Koreatown might have eight to 10 items. I personally loved the combination of salty, fermented, and even sweet here, from macaroni and potato salad to fusilli to fried dumplings. Its a weird mix, but somehow it all works.

Id be remiss if I didnt note that Ive had a few fails, or at least close calls, while eating in my car. I ordered a spicy ramen bowl from Shin Sen Gumis Torrance drive-thru restaurant (seriously, who else in LA does a ramen drive-thru?) and while it was ideal to eat right away, I kind of wish Id waited until I drove the extra five minutes home. The bowl and soup were scorching hot, the slurped noodles splashed oily broth everywhere, and it was just plain awkward to eat in the parking lot. I probably looked a little looney in front seat trying to wolf down a bowl of hot ramen.

Similar story with Taishi, a Hainan chicken specialist that generously serves nearly two full pounds of sliced chicken with a softball-sized mound of schmaltzy rice and some broth. The meal begs for a flat surface to make dipping the chicken into the gingery soy sauce possible. I learned from this before going to Petite Peso in Downtown LA. Rochelle and I brought some handy Daiso trays with non-slip rubber so we could split the $25 two-person meal with chicken sisig salad, lumpia, and stellar karekare. The lunch was mostly successful, except that it occurred to me that sitting inside your car to eat anything other than a one-handed meal (like a burrito, burger, or sandwich) just felt really strange.

Eating on the hood of your car isnt particularly fun either, unless youre still driving a mid-90s Jeep Cherokee with its flat, table-like hood (trust me: My first car was a deep green Cherokee). We dont have an SUV like Farley, so eating inside the spacious back wasnt an option either. All of this in-car dining just made me wish for a proper table, even a rickety one, and a decent chair.

El Barrio shrimp El Gobernador burrito

Dining in restaurants will likely never be the same, or wont resemble what we knew pre-March 15 in Los Angeles. Restaurants will have to use half or even a quarter of their dining room capacities. Al fresco dining will abound across the city, and the restaurants that invested in patios will benefit greatly. But maybe in-car dining will also trend upward in LA. Someone could design seatback trays for back seats so we can feel like were eating on an airplane. Maybe restaurants will serve meals on one tray (like a dosirak). Maybe burritos will contain more than just grilled meats, beans, and cheese (or maybe the sushi burrito will make a comeback). However restaurants design to adapt to this new reality, Ill be ready to feast. Ill be the first car lined up at the carhop Korean barbecue where they grill the meat and bring it out hot and fresh to eat on the front seat.

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The Eater LA Guide to Dining in Your Car - Eater LA

Bee-Line #40 bus driver Leroy Clarke, who has been delivering dozens of workers to Westchester Medical Center throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, in Mount Vernon May 13, 2020. Rockland/Westchester Journal News

The 40 bus ferries healthcare workers to Westchester hospitals so they can help saves lives, says the bus driver who delivers them.

Leroy Clarkes 84-year-old mother died in early April from the coronavirus. He was on his way to her apartment in Brooklyn from his home in Cortlandt Manor when he found out shed taken her last breath.

The sad part is that Saturday when she passed away my sister asked me to come help, Clarke said. I was 20 minutes away from the house when she passed away. I was so mad I didnt get to talk to her.

His mothers death confirmed for Clarke the risks posed by the deadly virus that has claimed the lives of thousands of other New Yorkers like Louise Clark, a mother of seven.

People board the 5:40 a.m. Bee-Line bus Route 40 on East Prospect Avenue in Mount Vernon, April 8, 2020. (Photo: Mark Vergari/The Journal News)

And it reminded him how critical it is that he continue going to work every day, driving a bus to hospitals and nursing care facilities in Westchester County so others can save lives.

It doesnt bother me because I tell you something, its my job and I love it, Clarke said. It makes me proud that I can take these people to work, you know.

Clarke, 61, has been driving for Westchester Countys Bee-Line for 23 years. On a typical day, before the pandemic hit, he would be driving the 60 bus, from the Bronx up into White Plains.

Thatchanged in March.

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Ridership on the Bee-Line has plummeted from around 83,000 riders on a typical weekday to 22,000 last week, a decrease of 73%. Saturday service is down nearly 60%, from 38,000 to 16,000 and Sunday ridership dipped 63%from 23,000 to 8,500.

Fares have been waived and theres a partition separating drivers from passengers. Routes have been rejiggered so essential workers can get to and from work on buses that provide enough room for social distancing.

So, as dawn breaks, Clarke finds himself at Petrillo Plaza in Mount Vernon, driving the 40 bus that ferries health care workers north to Westchester Medical Center, White Plains Hospital and nursing homes along the way.

Passengers are pictured on the 5:40 a.m. Bee-Line bus Route 40 on East Prospect Avenue in Mount Vernon, April 8, 2020. (Photo: Mark Vergari/The Journal News)

They enter through the rear door of an articulated bus that can hold 100 but most mornings about 20 get on. They are mostly nurses aides, kitchen workers and housekeeping employees sporting the logos of the places where they work.

With fewer stops to make, Clarke stays ahead of schedule most mornings. At the White Plains Metro-North station he waits a little longer so passengers heading north by train from the Bronx can get on for the last leg of their trip north.

The county, working with its bus operator, Liberty Lines, decided to switch to an enhanced Saturday schedule on April 1. That means hourly service, which is traditionally focused on a busy midday.

Hospital workers and others had raised concerns about overcrowded buses.

So buses were added as needed to a dozen lines that course through the Bronx, White Plains, Yonkers, Harrison and New Rochelle, county officials said. Many of those additions came in the morning peak hours. At the request of Westchester County Medical Center, extra buses were added to routes serving the hospital.

We knew we would get into a situation where we would have some overcrowding because in general the weekday service focuses on morning and afternoon peaks, said Michael Swee, the principal planner for the countys Department of Public Works and Transportation. Saturday service is focused on a midday peak. So we knew we were going to have some issues. We tried to figure out which routes would need more trips before we switched to an enhanced Saturday service.

Workers went out and counted passengers and drivers offered their input.

People wait for the 5:40 a.m. Bee-Line bus Route 40 on East Prospect Avenue in Mount Vernon, April 8, 2020. (Photo: Mark Vergari/The Journal News)

Were getting calls from passengers saying for instance the 6 a.m. Route 7 from Mount Vernon to New Rochelle is overcrowded, Swee said. We get that input and we work with our operator to add trips or adjust schedulesIts a dance were doing on a daily basis, as most everyone is.

Across the country, transportation officials are facing similar challenges.

In Boston, transit officials have been using automatic passenger counters to identify routes that serve large numbers of health care workers.

In San Francisco, transit officials are using the counts to identify ridership trends, which tells them where and when to add service.

Theyve noticed, for instance, that demand peaks earlier in the day but is less pronounced than it had been before the pandemic, according to research by the TransitCenter, a New York City-based research and advocacy group. And ridership tails off after 5 p.m.

Critical to the effort is listening to drivers, said David Bragdon, the TransitCenters executive director.

The drivers know whats going on, Bragdon said. The drivers know where people are. And its really important because you want to reduce the crowdingFor a while even New York was running buses in some wealthier parts of town where nobody is working. So the buses there are empty and theyre running buses elsewhere that are really crowded.

Bragdon says the Bee-Line should adopt a similar approach once the pandemic passes and redesign routes to fit demand, especially in low-income areas where buses play a critical role in getting people to work.

Clarkes union head, Carlos Bernabel of Transport Workers Union Local 100, said his drivers have been communicating what they see to managers to alleviate crowded conditions that existed weeks ago.

At the beginning we were crowded, Bernabel said. But the people who are taking the bus now, most of them are workers, they understandIts been a challenge.

Clarke, meanwhile, is adjusting to life on his new route.

Bee-Line #40 bus driver Leroy Clarke, who has been delivering dozens of workers to Westchester Medical Center throughout the pandemic, arrives at his first stop in Mount Vernon May 13, 2020. Clarke, 61, has been driving for Bee-Line for 23 years. His mother recently died from COVID-19 but he continues to drive because he feels he owes it to his riders to get them to work every day. (Photo: Tania Savayan/The Journal News)

Im not scared of anything because I try to keep myself healthy, he said. I wear the protective gear.I feel confident. I dont have a problem with it.

He still checks in with passengers from his old route, including the White Plains woman who regularly brought him home-cooked Indian meals.

Bee-Line #40 bus driver Leroy Clarke, who has been delivering dozens of workers to Westchester Medical Center throughout the pandemic, at his first stop in Mount Vernon on May 13, 2020.(Photo: Tania Savayan/The Journal News)

My regular passengers, I miss them, he said.They call to see how I am doing. They always bring me good things to eat. My wife is not quite happy with it, but you know.

At home, he tries to keep a safe distance from his wife and two daughters to prevent infecting them.

I sleep in a different room because Im on the buses every day, he said.

A few weeks back, Bernabel said a local nonprofit came by the garage where Bee-Line drivers start their day and delivered pizza and drinks as a way to say thank you to Clarke, fellow bus drivers and mechanics.

There would be no fight against COVID-19 if our bus operators werent getting nurses and other hospital workers to the front lines, said Tony Utano, the president of Local 100. They really are heroes.

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In the month since Oakland began closing some neighborhood streets to through traffic, a move replicated by other cities across the country, a core truth of the slow streets movement has become clear the more exuberant claims for the program might be overstated, but its benefit to nearby residents is very, very real.

Nor will it vanish on the day next month? when shelter-in-place orders end. Instead, slow streets fit into a larger rethinking of the role that pavement can play in large American cities.

Weve opened a lot of Oaklanders to the idea that people can use streets in all sorts of ways, said Ryan Russo, director of the citys Department of Transportation. Where things go from here, well have to figure out.

Since Oakland put its first barriers up, similar initiatives have been launched in San Francisco, Alameda and Redwood City. San Mateo, Berkeley and San Jose are all exploring the idea of letting restaurants place seating on closed-off asphalt. Urban centers from New York to Seattle have restricted access to streets large and small.

Still, Oaklands initial move to provide protected space stands out.

The program launched on April 11 with the closure of 4.5 miles of streets around the clock to nearly all traffic except for people heading to or from their homes, emergency vehicles and delivery vans. Several expansions later, 20 miles of residential blocks are now tucked behind temporary barriers.

This is far short of the 74 miles announced as the citys overall plan a number so big it attracted nationwide attention at a time when people were being ordered to stay close to home. But that number was always a target, and the city expects to add more segments by the end of May.

In terms of providing a relief valve thinning out crowded official public spaces so people can exercise or seek fresh air with enough room to maintain social distancing theres a gap between reality and hype.

Last Saturday, on a pleasant spring afternoon, I rode my bicycle past Lake Merritt and saw no shortage of people filling portions of the sidewalk or dotting the lawns. But on Alice Street, a cordoned-off slow street within three compact blocks of the lakes western edge, I had the asphalt to myself. The same was true of a car-free corridor leading from Wayne Avenue to East 19th St. on the east side of the lake.

In terms of (counterbalancing) the popularity of the lake and parks, were realizing theres still work to be done, Russo admitted this week. In terms of people being able to go outside in their neighborhood and feel comfortable, feel safe in the roadbed, the slow streets are serving their purpose.

That was evident a few days later, when I revisited the streets set aside in North Oakland. The scenes werent festive so much as relaxed: couples walking hand in hand, parents with young children piloting bikes and scooters even smaller than they were. One couple was jogging the mother behind a baby stroller, the father gripping the leash of a large white dog.

I love it, grinned Yvonne McGrew, who has lived on Howe Street since 1973. Its a street that seems bucolic. Its also near enough to the Rockridge BART Station that impatient commuters would cut through the tangle of small blocks to shave a few moments off their drive.

You would never have seen that kids on bikes, McGrew said, pointing to one pair of helmeted adventurers. Youd see adults and their dogs, but not the kids. And Im catching up with neighbors Id hardly ever see.

There was a similar mood late Wednesday afternoon in San Francisco, which is trying out several slow streets as well.

Page Street was empty except for the stray passer-through, perhaps because Golden Gate Parks Panhandle is a block to the south. But Lake Street in the Richmond District was another story, a widely spaced promenade of families getting fresh air at the end of the day, joggers loping past mansions, even a pair of surfers on their bicycles, boards attached securely on the side.

On Kirkham Street in the Inner Sunset, meanwhile, theres now a basketball hoop outside one home near Funston Avenue. Kids from the neighborhood use the gently sloped blocks as an elongated chill-out zone.

Its kind of free-range out here, offered Sebastian Haas, a ninth-grader who lives near 15th Avenue. He had a skateboard; his younger brother had a go-cart the pair had built in their garage.

I asked if there was much traffic in this quiet-looking area before restrictions came down in March. Actually, yeah. This gives you a chance to get outside and not think about it.

Seattle has now gone so far as to announce that 20 miles of its streets will remain closed permanently to through traffic. Neither Oakland nor San Francisco are prepared to take such an emphatic step, at least not yet.

Before anything is made permanent, we need to have a conversation as a whole community, Russo said. As he points out, traffic diverted from one street in usual times is likely to head to others but we dont have that right now.

What we do have is a glum but growing awareness that the path ahead is murky. There wont be some magic day where every adult is back in the office and all the kids are at school.

Its becoming increasingly clear that crisis recovery is a slow road, said Jamie Parks, director of the Livable Streets program at San Franciscos Municipal Transportation Agency. In fact, he promised additions next week to the four protected street segments now in place: Slow streets will be in place for as long as theyre needed.

This is as it should be.

The impacts of the slow streets initiatives are modest, not sweeping. But they offer another alternative to neighborhoods that in recent years have come to feel increasingly constrained even before the pandemic arrived.

John King is The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron

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Oakland and SF's 'slow streets' aren't going away that's a good thing - msnNOW

I would pay $10 for someone to unload my dishwasher. I recognize this isnt a lot of money, but were running it two or three times a day lately, so there is an opportunity for a nice supplemental income. Im just so tired of doing it.

Then again, I could eliminate that need entirely, because I would pay $100 to be able to sit and eat at a restaurant. It doesnt even have to be a good restaurant. I just want to have someone bring me food, and when Im done, for someone else to collect the dirty plates.

That sounds nice, doesn't it?

I find myself putting a dollar figure on a lot of things that I wish I could have right now because of the coronavirus, and I cant imagine that Im the only one. We are finishing our second month of this lockdown, with no end in sight, grinding along in this sort of alternate reality.

Two months of this &#$*% already.

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Some of the things we took for granted, every day of our lives, almost feel like mirages. Did we really go see movies in an actual movie theater? And fly on cramped airplanes for business or even -- gasp -- for pleasure?

Did we really fill stadiums and arenas to watch sporting events with thousands of other people, and do it like it was no big deal at all?

How was that even possible?

And so, from the confines of my quarantine, I decided to put a dollar figure on everything Im missing. Please feel free to send me your additions to the list. (Or, if you can sneak into our house, that deal with the dishwasher still stands.)

Here we go ....

I would pay $1 to walk my dog today without someone diving across the street to avoid me. Honestly, I feel like Im playing a game of coronavirus chicken, waiting to see if the other person will get off the sidewalk first.

I would pay $2 to shake someones hand without feeling like a social pariah. Can you imagine the look youd get right now if you even extended your hand towards a stranger? Theyd sooner call 9-1-1 than shake it.

I would pay $3 for every EMT, nurse, doctor or first responder I could safely hug.

I would pay $5 for my kids to have a playdate with their friends. If this playdate its taking place in another house, make it $50. Sleepover, $100. Weekend away -- hang on, Ill need to check the balance in our savings account.

I would pay $8 for an effective way to keep my glasses from fogging up when I wear a face mask. So I can either protect myself from the virus, or I can actually see where Im going? Is that how its going to be for the next few months?

I would pay $10 a month to support NJ Advance Medias team of journalists. Actually, I already do. Would you consider doing the same?

I would pay $20 to find a recipe online that I like and, without a hint of guilt or fear, head out to the supermarket that very minute to buy the ingredients.

I would pay $25 to sit at a bar, order a cold draft beer and strike up a conversation with a stranger or the bartender. Add a cheeseburger, and double that.

I would pay $30 an hour for a babysitter. This is twice the going rate. I know, I know, why bother if everything is closed anyway? Heres the plan: Wed go out the front door, sneak in through the garage and hide in the attic for four hours.

I would pay $40 for an hour at the gym. Of course, at this point, I would spend most of that hour wheezing on the floor.

I would pay $50 if (insert name of politician here) would just stop talking. Heres my daily update: Its the same as yesterday, and tomorrow isnt looking much better.

I would pay $75 for a good nights sleep.

I would pay $80 for one news cycle -- just one! -- that didnt make me wish I could throw the TV off the roof.

I would pay $100 to watch a live sporting event. I dont care whos playing, or what sport, or what level -- it can even be soccer! I dont need a seat. Ill bring a cooler and sit on that.

I would pay $150 for a well-prepared steak, served right as it comes off the grill, with a perfectly matched glass of red wine. Throw in some crispy fries, and ... great, now I need to wipe the drool off my keyboard.

I would pay $200 to have our teachers back in their classrooms where they belong.

I would pay $250, in a check made out to the charity of your choice, never to again have to hear or read the words, Its just the flu.

I would pay $500 to guarantee that our summer vacation go on as scheduled. We have a lovely rental a block off the beach in Long Beach Island. Its even a short walk from the amusement park called Fantasy Island, and yes, the idea that the rides and arcades will be open in early July does, indeed, feel like a fantasy.

I would pay $1 million for things to be normal for even a week. Yeah, I cant afford that. But Im guessing youd all chip in to make that happen.

Tell us your coronavirus stories, whether its a news tip, a topic you want us to cover, or a personal story you want to share.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Steve Politi may be reached at spoliti@njadvancemedia.com.

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Heres everything Id pay good money for as the coronavirus quarantines drag on - NJ.com