As part of the Universitys COVID-19 Preparedness Committee, a host of personal protective equipment is being 3D printed and fabricated to safeguard medical personnel.

Looking like something right out of a Hollywood horror film, smoke billowed from the patient simulators mouth and nose, filling a pyramid-shaped acrylic chamber that encased the mannequins head.

Standing nearby was Dr. Richard McNeer, an anesthesiologist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The chamber, he observed, was working flawlessly, preventing the smokein this case, theatrical fog used to mimic COVID-19 respiratory particlesfrom reaching him and the team of other health care experts who had gathered to test the device as part of a mock intubation procedure.

But then, McNeer had one of those aha moments. He discovered that a Yankauer, a special suctioning tool used in many medical procedures, could actually evacuate most of the aerosol particles if it were positionedprior to intubationstrategically near the opening of the mannequins vocal cords.

It was a serendipitous discovery, McNeer recalled. Suction has been used to remove everything from stomach contents to blood. But this is perhaps the first time its been considered for use in suctioning out aerosols. This is something that can be done upstream of just about any of the other strategies and safety measures to prevent exposure to the virus during intubation.

A formidable one-two punch, the chamber, or intubation box, and suction tubing are part of a broad University of Miami initiative to 3D print and fabricate devices and personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical personnel on the front lines of the war against COVID-19.

From low-cost ventilators and powered air-purifying respirators to surgical helmets, filter caps for N95 masks, and even nasal swabs used to test for the coronavirus, a multitude of products are either in the design and testing phase or, as is the case with the intubation box, in actual use.

Departments and divisions from across the University are involved in the endeavor, helping to ramp up stockpiles of medical supplies at a time when demand has outpaced supply.

Were responding to the needs of all those in the health care field who are caring for COVID-19 patients. Thats our guiding principle, said Jean-Pierre Bardet, vice provost of strategic projects, who is spearheading the Universitys COVID-19 Preparedness Committee.

Doctors and nurses still need better PPEs. And when the crisis subsides, the public will need more effective personal protection and more testing, Bardet said. How will we address those challenges? How will we deal with the second COVID-19 wave? Ventilators are no longer in short supply in the U.S., but what about other parts of the world like South America? Our goal is to produce badly needed supplies and equipment that will be used, not squandered.

Global pandemics, said Jeffrey Duerk, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, require local responses and quick action by the entire community. It has been impressive to see the mobilization of faculty, student talent, and institutional leadership in responding to emerging and evolving needs.

Of all the fabrication projects now underway, the intubation boxes are at the most advanced stage, with physicians and nurses at Ryder Trauma Center, Jackson Memorial Hospital, and Nicklaus Childrens Hospital already using them as protective shields during certain medical procedures.

Made from acrylic, the reusable, clear enclosure covers a patients head and has two circular ports through which an anesthesiologist inserts his gloved hands and arms to perform an airway procedure.

We knew that anesthesiologists were at risk of being exposed to splatter and respiratory droplets when performing intubations, so we were trying to find a way to protect them, said Suresh Atapattu, a biomedical engineer at the Miller Schools International Medicine Institute. Were not anesthesiologists, but we wanted to come up with something to help those physicians at the tip of the spear in this fight.

As Atapattu and cardiologist Eduardo de Marchena, associate dean for international medicine, searched for a solution, they found inspiration from half a world a way. A physician in Taiwan, they learned, had constructed and used a clear barrier device to protect health care workers when intubating COVID-19 patients.

So Atapattu quickly sprung into action, designing a version of the box and then driving to a local Lowes home improvement store to buy the acrylic to build it. He constructed the first prototype in the garage of his Plantation, Florida, home, using Crystal Clear Gorilla Tape to attach the sheets of acrylic, and a Dremel tool to create the ports.

It was a learning process from the very beginning, Atapattu recalled of building the first box. The design had to be clean, which meant we couldnt use screws to attach the sheets because there couldnt be any places inside where the virus could hide.

He initially built two boxes, giving one to Nicklaus Childrens Hospital, where pediatricians praised the functionality of the design, and another to McNeer, who tested the device on a patient simulator at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies Simulation Hospital for Advancing Research and Education (SHARE).

In the latter case, the box turned out to be a bit cumbersome. So, McNeer and two nursing school clinical faculty members, who participated in the testing phase, reimagined the design. They suggested to Atapattu that the boxes be pyramid-shaped and collapsible, so they could be easily stored when not in use.

With the design now finalized, Atapattu turned to the School of Architecture, where Maxwell Jarosz, architect and manager of the fabrication lab and model shop, employed a precision laser cutter to build more intubation boxes. The lines are now cleaner, and the design is more prism-shaped, Atapattu said. But the key elements are still thereacrylic and Gorilla Tape.

Six of the boxes were recently delivered to Ryder Trauma Center, where McNeer works as an anesthesiologist, performing airway procedures on patients who are brought in with serious and often life-threatening injuries.

Sometimes, we have to intubate them because of the injuries theyve sustained, not knowing if theyre COVID-19 positive or not, he explained. Weve intubated patients who have subsequently been shown to have the virus. Were trying to protect ourselves as much as possible. But its different than what a lot of the frontline caregivers are experiencing, where they know that a patient is COVID positive. In our situation, we have to prioritize. If a patient is febrile, we treat them like theyre COVID-19 positive.

A total of 30 intubation boxes will be fabricated, with the College of EngineeringJohnson & Johnson 3D Printing Center of Excellence Collaborative Laboratory donating additional acrylic to complete the construction phase.

A lot of architects have skill sets that are valuable, knowing about 3D printing for one, Jarosz said. Doctors can do a very good job describing what they need, but because of their clinical obligations, they arent always able to make it. So, weve been able to contribute in that regard. Its been a very interesting collaborationone I thought Id never be in but am happy to be a part of.

As for the suction tube to be used in tandem with the intubation box, Jarosz is working with McNeer on a design that is more ergonomically friendly. Once the design is finalized, the tubes will be 3D printed in mass quantities at the School of Architecture.

Were exploring some modifications so that were able to perform the suctioning while staying out of the way of the person who is inserting the endotracheal tube, McNeer said. And we want to make sure that were better able to place it in the proper position before the intubation is attempted. The aerosol is generated once you start to look for the vocal cords. So, the actual suctioning has to be started before then.

A prototype will be ready soon. Im anxious to see how it performs in the simulation hospital, McNeer said.

The intubation box and use of periglottic suctioning, as it is formally called, are applicable not only to anesthesiologists, but to anyone in the medical field performing intubations, said Jeffrey Groom, professor of clinical and associate dean for Simulation Programs at SHARE, who participated in the simulations.

From paramedics in the pre-hospital setting to emergency department personnel to physicians and nurses, as well as the anesthesia and ICU folks, it has implications across the health care setting, said Groom, a former City of Miami paramedic for 12 years. Beyond the current COVID-19 pandemic, the routine use of barrier boxes and periglottic suctioning should be considered for use with all endotracheal intubation procedures where there may be an exposure or infection risk.

Nichole Crenshaw, assistant professor of clinical and director of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program, who performed the mock intubation procedure at the nursing school, recognizes the critical need for health care workers to protect themselves as the pandemic continues to rage.

Being a part of this project has been a way to make sure were all staying safe, said Crenshaw. Theres been a heightened sense of taking care of each other during this crisis. And, thats what has stood out to me more than anything.

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Engineers, architects, nurses, and doctors team up to protect health care workers - University of Miami

Project Manager with Revit (5-7 years experience)

The Architects Collective (TAC) is a group of designers working collaboratively to enrich the lives of people through the practice of architecture. Each member of the collective applies their unique perspective, skills, expertise, and creative approach to the process of analysis, design and implementation of projects. By working in a collective, both the design process and results are rich and multi-layered. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

TAC works with project owners to design mixed-use and multi-family projects including both affordable housing and market-rate. We apply decades of design and construction experience to studying, testing, and enhancing the qualities that make successful built environments.

We are looking for an experienced Project Manager to help support the firms continued growth. As a self-directed and independent member of our team, you will:

Requirements:

TAC is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, and the opportunity to grow with our team in a collaborative studio environment. All applicants should submit a portfolio with CV and references to info@thearchitectscollective.com. Please specify job title in the subject line. No phone calls, please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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The Architects Collective is hiring a Project Manager in Los Angeles, CA, US - Archinect

Oliver Chapman Architects has added a garden room to a house in Edinburgh, combining an Arts and Crafts approach with smart-home technologies.

Flitch House is an extension to an end-of-terrace family homein Trinity, built in 1895 by prominent local architect Alexander Hunter Crawford.

To respect the house's architectural character, the extension is designed by Oliver Chapman Architects asa contemporary interpretation of the Arts and Crafts style a movement that promoted traditional craftsmanship and honest use of materials, rather than mass production.

The garden-room extension celebrates its construction, with brick walls visible both inside and out, a pattern of ceiling beams exposed overhead, and custom furniture elements dotted throughout.

However unlike the Arts and Crafts houses of the 19th and early 20th century, the building also embraces technology, with integrated gadgets including wireless lighting and automated blinds.

The architects describe it as"Arts and Crafts without the bell pull".

"Many of the ideals of Arts and Crafts materiality, craft, open and connected spaces scaled to different uses are virtues that continue to be highly valued in architecture today," explained project architect Nick Green.

"The movement initially arose as a rebellion against mass production and a wave of industrialisation," he continued, "but in today's world it is modern product developments that are allowing us to maximise the performance of our building elements and create details that make the most of the materials we use."

Digital devices are not the only use of technology in Flitch House.

As the project name suggests, the design includes Flitch Beams, which are dual-beams with steel ribbons sandwiched into the centre.These give additional strength to the roof structure, allowing it to lift up at the edges, to preserve views over the Firth of Forth.

In line with the Arts and Crafts approach, these details are left uncovered and visible.

A pale Danish brick was chosen for the walls, to contrast but complement the original red brick.

"Our approach at Flitch House was to choose materials which could be both structural and aesthetic," Green told Dezeen.

"While the new walls and roof are necessarily not as simple as they appear, with insulation and waterproofing membranes hidden from view, they nevertheless allow the basic construction of the building to be read and understood clearly."

A split-level floor divides the extension into two rooms. On the upper level is a dining space, connected to the family kitchen, while the lower level is more of a conservatory space.

Architectural details help to give these rooms extra character. Steps integrate upholstered seating areas and storage, while a projecting corner creates a reading nook, furnished with a bookcase and sofa.

There's also a mini recessed kitchen, lined in Douglas fir joinery, which provides a space for preparing drinks.

"Intimate spaces, or nooks, are characteristic of Arts and Crafts houses, and we were keen to develop this idea in a contemporary approach," explained Green.

"Our clients enjoy entertaining and so we designed this nook as a discreet bar area off the new dining area, allowing the main space to be as open as possible," he said."It references the existing panelled alcove around the fireplace in the kitchen."

The space is finished with a micro-concrete floor, which matches the colour of the garden terrace beyond.

Previous house renovation in Edinburgh include architecture studio Archer + Braun red sandstone extension to a Victorian villaandIzat Arundell conversion of a former blacksmith's workshopinto a compact apartment.

Photography is by Angus Bremner.

Project credits:

Architect: Oliver Chapman ArchitectsStructural engineer: David Narro AssociatesQuantity surveyor: Thomson GrayMain contractor: Ballina Construction

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Oliver Chapman Architects combines technology and craft in Flitch House - Dezeen

Miller Architects & Builders recently started construction on Encore On The Park luxury apartments in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The community features 105 luxury apartment homes with modern features and convenient access to many of the city's amenities.

The community features 105 luxury apartment homes, will be situated close to nearby retailers with convenient access to many of the citys amenities. Located next to Heritage Park, Encore On The Park will feature three stories of upscale apartment homes surrounding a courtyard with a walking path and access to Heritage Park. Also, two attached enclosed parking garages with a car wash, and one 18-stall detached garage.

Encore On The Park will consist of studio, 1-, 2-bedroom apartment homes and offer views of Heritage Park. The three levels of wood-framed apartments will wrap around a courtyard with a patio, barbecue area, sport court for basketball and pickle ball, and a dog park. The ground floor will include a beautiful two-story lobby with fireplace, a mail center, community room, 3-season porch, and fitness center. The second and third floor will also include a resident business center, yoga room, and game room.

Interiors of the pet-friendly apartment homes will be equipped with modern features such as energy-efficient stainless-steel appliances, in-unit washers/dryers, granite counters, tile backsplashes, luxury vinyl flooring, patios or balconies. Included in the apartment homes, the community will feature one guest suite.

Encore On The Park will open in the summer of 2021.

Miller Architects & Builders, LLC, St. Cloud, MN, is a full-service architectural and construction firm providing design/build, architectural design, pre-construction, construction, and construction management services for commercial projects in the upper Midwest. More information about the firm can be found at http://www.millerab.com.

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Miller Architects & Builders Breaks Ground on Encore On The Park Luxury Apartments - PR.com

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Architect and educator Jennifer Yoos, FAIA has been named as the new Dean for the University of Minnesota School of Architecture.

Yoos is the principal and CEO of Minneapolis-based architecture practice VJAA. She is also an alumna of the University of Minnesota and the Architectural Association in London.

Throughout her career as an educator, Yoos has taught at the Cooper Union, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Minnesota. Additionally, Yoos studied at Harvard University in 2013 as a Loeb Fellow in the Harvard Graduate School of Designs Urban and Environmental Studies department. Yoos was elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 2013, as well.

Yoos comes to Univesrsity of Minnesota to replace the schools previous Dean, Blaine Brownell, who was named as the new director of the School of Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlottes College of Arts + Architecture earlier this year.

In a statement highlighting her selection, Yoos made the following remarks: I am honored to return to the University of Minnesota as the head of the School of Architecture. The school and its graduates are critical to the success of the architecture community and to the region. I am indebted to the School for providing a solid foundation for my academic and professional career, and look forward to working closely with faculty and students to further the Schools success and increase its influence.

Yoos is expected to take up her new position at the University of Minnesota on June 8, 2020 following formal approval of her selection by the schools Board of Regents.

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Architect Jennifer Yoos selected as the new Dean for the University of Minnesota School of Architecture - Archinect

Swedens unique strategy to deal with coronavirus will ensure it has only a small second wave of cases unlike other countries that could be forced to return to lockdown, according to the architect of the contentious policy.

Anders Tegnell, Swedens state epidemiologist who devised the no-lockdown approach, estimated that 40 per cent of people in the capital, Stockholm, would be immune to Covid-19 by the end of May, giving the country an advantage against a virus that were going to have to live with for a very long time.

In the autumn there will be a second wave. Sweden will have a high level of immunity and the number of cases will probably be quite low, Mr Tegnell told the Financial Times. But Finland will have a very low level of immunity. Will Finland have to go into a complete lockdown again?

Sweden and Mr Tegnell are under the global spotlight as their response to the pandemic has made them a global outlier.

Primary and secondary schools, restaurants, cafs and shops are mostly open as normal in Sweden, with health authorities relying on voluntary social distancing and people opting to work from home. Schools for over-16s and universities are closed and gatherings of more than 50 people are banned, but it is still the most relaxed approach of any EU country.

Swedens virus-related death toll on Thursday reached 3,040. This is significantly higher than Nordic neighbours Denmark, Norway and Finland, which have registered fewer than 1,000 between them.

Mr Tegnell said it would take about one to two years to know whose strategy had worked best and at what cost to society. He stressed that Swedens approach was to look at the wide public health matter in which an important consideration was that people should be able to keep a reasonably normal life.

The epidemiologist has become something of a cult figure in Sweden, with reports of people having tattoos done of him.

Public trust in Swedens public health agency has increased during the crisis, which Mr Tegnell in part attributed to his efforts to communicate openly, answering the same questions hundreds of times. He said he found the attention on himself rather absurd, such as his daughters laughing hilariously about a fashion magazine analysing his dress sense.

Mr Tegnell argued that nothing [to do with lockdowns] had a scientific basis, particularly decisions to close schools, because there was no evidence that children were a major cause of transmission.

He believes European leaders, fearful that their health systems would be overwhelmed, felt they needed to copy Chinas approach, the first country to lock down because of the disease.

About a quarter of people in Stockholm had the virus at the start of May, according to a mathematical model by Swedens public health agency, which Mr Tegnell said was part of the reason the number of cases in the capital had fallen recently.By contrast, tests this week in Norways capital Oslo suggested that under 2 per cent of the population had been infected.

But Mr Tegnell said uncertainty about how long virus immunity would last meant it was unlikely Sweden would reach herd immunity, a level of the disease where so many people are infected usually about 80 per cent that it stops spreading. I dont think we or any country in the world will reach herd immunity in the sense that the disease goes away because I dont think this is a disease that goes away, he added.

Many countries hope is that they can keep the virus at bay until a vaccine is found. But Mr Tegnell said that, even in the best-case scenario, it was likely to take years to develop one, before it could be administered to an entire population.

Its a big mistake to sit down and say we should just wait for a vaccine. It will take much longer than we think. And in the end, we dont know how good a vaccine it will be. Its another reason to have a sustainable policy in place.

Swedens approach has been to have a strategy that could last for months, if not years, without the need for big changes. That contrasts with nearly all other European countries, which are grappling with how to reopen their societies without sparking an increase in transmission.

This has led to some criticism from those who say Sweden should be trying much harder to curb the number of Covid-19 deaths. Per-capita death statistics show that Sweden is behind only the UK, Italy, Belgium and Spain at this stage of the pandemic.

The Financial Times is making key coronavirus coverage free to read to help everyone stay informed.Find the latest here.

One area where Sweden has done poorly is in trying to keep the virus out of care homes. Mr Tegnell, who suggests the higher infection rate in such homes in Sweden is the main reason why it has had more deaths than its neighbours, said: Its something that we deeply regret.

He made the point that care homes in Sweden like in the rest of the Nordic region were for the very old and the very sick, as most elderly people live at home, and that there were known quality problems with care providers, often private companies.

Unfortunately those quality problems have proven to make the elderly very vulnerable to infection, Mr Tegnell said, adding that an investigation had begun.

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Architect of Sweden's no-lockdown strategy insists it will pay off - Financial Times

You can always find light in the darkest of places, but it can be depressing to search for it when you are working from home and realise that yours is a gloomy, chilly house. The point of recognition can hit you like a cold wind on a sunny day, when the light leaves the home office if it was ever there in the first place and you have to pop on an extra layer of clothing or turn on the heating. If Ciara Murray and Sinad Bourke, of Newmark architects in Dublin, have one mission, it is to bring as much light into Irish homes as possible.

A well-placed mirror brings light into a courtyard

MARIE-LOUISE HALPENNY

The pair have been in business together since 2017 and, recently, one of their projects reached

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Ciara Murray and Sinad Bourke, the architects who make light work of dark homes - The Times

The market research report on intelligent LED outdoor lighting solutions offers a comprehensive study on market share, size, growth aspects and main players.In addition, the report contains brief information on the regional competitive landscape, market trends and drivers, opportunities and challenges, distributors, sales channels, risks and barriers to entry, as well as analysis of Porters five forces.In addition, the main objective of this report is to provide a detailed analysis of how aspects of the market can potentially influence the future of the market for intelligent LED outdoor lighting solutions.The report also offers a comprehensive analysis on competitive manufacturers as well as new entrants also studying with their brief research.

Access the PDF example of the report @https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/2305937

In addition, this report also contains a price, income, market share and the production of the service providers is also mentioned with precise data.In addition, the global report on the intelligent LED outdoor lighting solution focuses mainly on current developments, new possibilities, advances as well as sleeping traps.In addition, the report on the market of intelligent LED outdoor lighting solution offers a complete analysis of the current situation and the possibilities of advancement of the market of intelligent LED outdoor lighting solution around the world. .This report analyzes important key elements such as production, capacity, revenue, price, gross margin, sales revenue, sales volume, growth rate, consumption, import, export , technological developments, supply and future growth strategies.

In addition, the Outdoor LED Smart Lighting Solution report provides a detailed analysis of the competitive landscape in terms of regions and the main service providers are also highlighted as well as the attributes of the market overview, business strategies, finances, related developments as well as the product portfolio of the market for intelligent LED outdoor lighting solutions.Likewise, this report includes important data on market segmentation according to type, application and regional landscape.The market report for the intelligent LED outdoor lighting solution also provides a brief analysis of the market opportunities and challenges facing the leading service.This report is specially designed to know the precise information on the market and the state of the market

Learn more about this report @https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/2305937

The key players covered in this study

Philips Lighting HoldingAcuity BrandsGeneral ElectricOsram LichtHoneywellCooper IndustriesLumensSchneider Electricdigital floorlamp.VisionLutron Electronics Company

Market segment by type, the product can be divided into

Hardwaresoftwareservices

Browse the full report @https://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-outdoor-led-smart-lighting-solution-market-size-status-and-forecast-2018-2025

Market segment by application, divided into

Street lightingLandscapelightingStadiumParkingWaterways

Market segment by region / country, this report covers

United StatesEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaCentral and South America

The objectives of the study of this report are:

Analyze the global status of the intelligent LED outdoor lighting solution, future forecasts, growth opportunities, the key market and the main players.Present the development of the intelligent LED outdoor lighting solution in the United States, Europe and China.Establish a strategic profile of the main players and thoroughly analyze their development plan and strategies.Define, describe and forecast the market by product type, market and key regions.

In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of the intelligent LED outdoor lighting solution are as follows:

Historical year: 2013-2017Base year: 2017Estimated year: 2018Forecast year 2018 to 2025

Main points of the table of contents:

Chapter One: Report OverviewChapter Two: Trends in Global GrowthChapter Three: Market Share of Major PlayersChapter Four: Distribution by Type and ApplicationChapter Five: United StatesChapter Six: EuropeChapter Seven: ChinaChapter Eight: JapanChapter Nine: Southeast AsiaChapter Ten: IndiaChapter Eleven: Central and South AmericaChapter Twelve: Profiles of International PlayersChapter Thirteen: Market Forecast 2018-2025Chapter Fourteen: Analyst Views / FindingsChapter Fifteen: Annex

About us:

Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a one-off help for all your market research needs. We have an extensive database of reports from major publishers and author around the world. We specialize in delivering personalized reports to our customers requirements. We have complete information about our publishers and are therefore sure of the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our customers to map their needs and we produce the perfect market research required for our customers.

Contact us:

Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas 75204, USATelephone: +1 (972) -362-8199; +91 895 659 515

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Outdoor LED Smart Lighting Solution Market 2020: Global Industry Analysis By Size, Share, Growth, Trends And Forecast Till 2025 - Cole of Duty

Robert F. Bukaty | AP

Robert F. Bukaty | AP

In this Aug. 9, 2017, file photo, stars rotate in the night sky over the East Branch of the Penobscot River, in this time exposure at the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument near Patten, Maine. The park has been recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the eastern seaboard of the United States and only the 12th designation in the world.

The incredibly starry sky of the Katahdin region has long been celebrated, and now its being recognized internationally.

Maines Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument has been recognized as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the East Coast by the International Dark Sky Association, becoming the 12th such designation in the world.

This designation is the culmination of a long-term effort by a dedicated group of people and is an exciting event in the short history of the monument, Katahdin Woods and Waters Superintendent Tim Hudson said Friday.

The International Dark Sky Association established the International Dark Sky Places Program in 2001 to encourage the protection of natural dark night skies around the globe.

There are not many places in the world that are designated like this, Hudson said. And some of them are way out there like the Pitcairn Islands. Rainbow Bridge National Monument is the only other one in the [National] Park Service, and thats down in remote southwestern Utah.

Becoming designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary by the association involves a rigorous application process. First and foremost, the night sky seen from the property must meet a certain standard. Luminance of the night sky is measured by an instrument called a sky quality meter, and must be routinely equal to or darker than 21.5 magnitudes per square arcsecond in the visual band. In other words, the location must be very dark.

Applicants must also demonstrate robust community support for dark sky protection, commit to quality outdoor lighting that doesnt cause light pollution and provide nighttime public access to the property among other requirements.

It took a number of years and a number of people working on this to get the readings and show how dark our sky is, Hudson said, adding that the effort was started by Elliotsville Plantation Inc. and has involved Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters and volunteers from around the state.

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was established August 24, 2016, to protect the natural and cultural landscape just east of Baxter State Park, where the East Branch of the Penobscot River and its tributaries run freely. In this wilderness area, the stars are bright and numerous. Constellations are clear, and the band of the Milky Way galaxy can easily be distinguished on a clear night. The area even sees occasional displays of the aurora borealis.

Experiencing the night skies here will take you back in time to the night skies first experienced by the Wabanaki 11,000 years ago and the many people who have followed in their footsteps since, including John James Audubon, Henry David Thoreau, Theodore Roosevelt and others, Hudson said.

Hudson believes that the Dark Sky Sanctuary designation has the potential to attract more visitors to the region. In fact, its widely believed that astrotourism tourism that involves the night sky and astronomy is gaining popularity.

Throughout the national monument planning process which is still ongoing the regions dark sky has always been considered as an important natural resource worth protecting, Hudson said. This designation doesnt change much in terms of planning, though it may influence future decisions about outdoor lighting, signage and the development of camping and gathering areas.

For instance, we may want to place some benches away from a campfire area so people can sit and look at the stars away from the light, Hudson said.

The monuments Dark Sky Sanctuary designation will be celebrated during the 7th annual Stars Over Katahdin event, scheduled for Sept. 12. This event, hosted by the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, provides visitors an opportunity to learn about the monuments dark skies while stargazing with astronomers at an overlook in the national monument.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual version of the event is also being prepared in case an in-person gathering is not advisable at the scheduled time.

We wont cancel it, but we may innovate how its celebrated, said Andy Bossie, executive director of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. If need be, we will bring the night sky to people.

In 2019, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters released the first edition of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Dark Sky Guide. A new edition of the guide is now available online, and print versions of this second edition will soon be available by request.

The celebration of dark skies in the region has been going on long before the monument was created, Bossie said. This designation has been a long time coming. Were really proud of it.

Aislinn Sarnacki can be reached at asarnacki@bangordailynews.com. Follow her on Facebook: facebook.com/1minhikegirl, Twitter: @1minhikegirl, and Instagram: @actoutdoors. Her guidebooks Family Friendly Hikes in Maine, Maine Hikes Off the Beaten Path and Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine are available at local bookstores and wherever books are sold.

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Katahdin Woods and Waters is the best place to see the night sky on the East Coast - Bangor Daily News

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Barbecue season couldnt be more welcome this year.

Grilling is a way to change things up and expand the menu and the view for those stuck at home because of the coronavirus. Eating out means the patio, yard or balcony, if you have one.

Theres all kinds of stylish and practical barbecue gear available to help.

If your home has a mid-century vibe, you could bring that outdoors too. Heston Blumenthals Everdure has a slim, trim, die-cast aluminum body on furniture-style legs, and comes in graphite, sky blue, claret or burnt orange. Features include a Bluetooth app for recipes, cooking tips and grill monitoring, a pizza stone, and vents on top and bottom for even cooking. A touch ignition feature gets the charcoal fired up.

Arteflames Corten steel-based pedestal grill also has a modern look. Load the center pit with wood or charcoal, and the surrounding steel cooking ring lets you sear foods at higher or lower temps, depending on positioning. Pop the ring off to turn the grill into a fire bowl.

Riverbend Homes small, 14-by-22.5-inch wood or charcoal grill is a nice size for urban patios, and can be used for searing, roasting, grilling or low-temperature smoking. The ceramic exterior is offered in on-trend orange as well as dark gray. The company also has the handy Ooni Koda propane pizza grill, which is ready to go in 15 minutes and cooks pizza in about a minute. You can also use it to roast fish, steak or vegetables.

Serious grill enthusiasts might opt for a kamado-style grill the word means stove in Japanese with its distinctive oval shape. With top and bottom vents, these grills have thick ceramic heat-trapping walls that heat up quickly; they work much like convection ovens.

Almost every kamado grill manufacturer recommends using lump charcoal over charcoal briquettes. In our experience, briquettes may cost less, but lump charcoal is better suited for a kamado grill. It can reach higher temperatures and it tends to smell better as you cook it, too, says Lindsay D. Mattison, a chef and food writer in Durango, Colo.

No lighter fluid

She warns against using lighter fluid with these grills. It can absorb into the uncoated ceramics in the firebox, and no one wants their food to taste like fuel.

Big Green Eggs got several sizes of ceramic grills, including a 10-inch mini thats perfect for tailgating or picnics. Several of their Kamado Joe models come with free charcoal; the brand features an airlift hinge that reduces the lid weight, making it easier to open and close.

Theres also a hybrid Kamado model, available at Williams-Sonoma, that takes either charcoal or gas. Its white exterior makes it look a little like R2D2.

And Monolith has added Alexa capabilities to their version; share your recipes with others on the app, set temps and monitor the cooking process via voice control. Blazes version is made of heavy-gauge aluminum, so you can use charcoal, briquettes and lighter fluid. The 20-inch model is big enough to fit about a 15-pound turkey.

The stretch limo of grills would be Hestans 55-inch model, which has over 650 square inches of cooking surface, a bunch of burners, built-in ceramic infrared rotisserie, and motion-activated under-hood halogen lighting. It comes in colors like purple, burgundy, white, and light and deep blues. It comes in fashionable colors like purple, burgundy and white, so you can bring some stylish sear to your social distancing.

Categories:Food & Drink | Lifestyles

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What's new and notable in outdoor grills - TribLIVE