Gov. Jay Inslees recent move to name a task force to review racial justice and police reform set the tone for both a special session in August and the regular legislative session in January. Debates among local legislative candidates over taxes, education, transportation and the economy will continue, but we know now what the headliner issues will be.

The recent deaths of Black people at the hands of white police officers has reignited an old but simmering debate as protesters have taken to the streets to demand change with a message of Black Lives Matter.

Some protesters want police departments defunded, while others want reform and changes in policies. As the protesters gain momentum, they have forced new topics for state candidates to debate: police use of force, outside investigations, body cameras, officer training, chokeholds, the militarization of police departments and how police work with communities of color. While generally considered city topics, state legislators can have a big impact on local government through the laws they pass. There will be many debates. Speakers representing different minority groups, police unions and police chiefs will be in high demand and passions will be high.

As union members, police tend to work with other unions and have a link to Democrats. But their usual benefactors tend to be conservative Republicans when it comes to politics. Police officers dont like elected officials bowing to public pressure by changing the laws, which they think makes their jobs harder. Reform will not be a popular topic with them. In contrast, many minority groups believe they have been targets because of the color of their skin. Finding common ground may not be easy.

The debates are long overdue. They can be awkward and make some candidates uncomfortable for fear of alienating one side or the other. Nobody wants to be either soft on crime or a racist.

For District 30 State Representative Position 1, we have two Republicans and two Democrats. The Democrats are Jamila Taylor and Cheryl Hurst. Taylor is an attorney and ran a good race last year for the Federal Way City Council, improving her knowledge base. Taylor supports police and criminal justice reform. She favors reallocating some of the police budgets to fund youth development, job training, housing, health care and education. She says, these investments have been proven to reduce crime and increase healthy resilient communities. Taylor believes the public wants more de-escalation training for police, more mental health funding and a change in criminal liability for use of force.

Hurst is an active community volunteer and first-time candidate . She has received the endorsement of the Federal Way Police Guild. She is opposed to defunding the police department, favors body cameras for police, wants to eliminate chokeholds by officers and supports independent investigations for use of force. She believes the police and people of color can find a way to work together.

The two Republicans in the race are Janis Clark and Martin Moore. Clark supports funding police, but feels officers who are repeat violent offenders should be dismissed. She says body cameras are a good way to evaluate the need for additional training and accountability. She believes most officers are good and police shouldnt be judged by a few bad apples. She was troubled by the rioting, burning and looting that took place as it became a distraction from the message.

Moore is in his second term as a member of the Federal Way City Council. He opposes defunding the police department, favors body cameras, supports training in race and equity, and supports banning chokeholds while letting our police officers maintain control of dangerous situations and remain safe. He should have spoken sooner as the police chief has recently banned chokeholds. Moore wants to form a citizens advisory board to address the needs of minority communities. As a member of the city council, Moore has already been in a position to make change at the local level. Has he?

In District 30 State Representative Position 2, we have appointed Democratic incumbent Jesse Johnson and three Republicans: Jack Walsh, Mark Greene and Chris Dowllar.

Johnson, as the lone incumbent, will have a platform to act on his views at a special session in early August and can introduce legislation at that time. Johnson does not support defunding police departments. He prefers reforms, including mandating community accountability boards for all police agencies including the state patrol, requiring independent criminal investigations of injuries and deaths, along with robust community involvement and the prohibition of chokeholds, with deadly force as only a last resort. He will support officers losing their commission if they have sustained misconduct complaints. Johnson was on the city council previously what changes did he make then?

Walsh is a local businessman who spearheaded last years successful opposition to pot shops in Federal Way. Walsh is opposed to defunding the police department, but supports body cameras and independent investigations for police use of force. He also favors banning chokeholds unless the officers life is in immediate danger.

Greene has run for office before. He supports the need for policing and is opposed to defunding them. He favors reforms, along with accountability for misconduct by police, and would like to see more comprehensive background checks on new hires. He believes training should be longer than it currently is, and de-escalation should be central to training.

Dowllar is a new candidate and is an electrician. He is running because unemployment is 25% and he wants change. He favors independent investigation boards. He wants at least one trash can and one bathroom per town for the homeless and wants to see public workers cross-trained to do more than one job.

The top two from each race will move on to the November general election. With the Democrats controlling both houses and the governors office, history could be made in an area that legislators usually tend to avoid.

Which side of history are you on?

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.

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Police reform sets the tone for 2020... - Federal Way Mirror

A National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Report expects that 3.4 million jobs will go unfilled by 2022. According to the study, there will be a shortfall of technical workers, or workers who are post-high school in jobs that require science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) skills, but do not require a four-year degree.

With the changing landscape, and the changing needs of industry, what role do historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), minority-serving institutions, and community colleges play in their communities?

Over the past two years, the National Science Board Task Force on the Skilled Technical Workforce has identified opportunities and challenges facing students, workers, businesses, and educators. Here, we look at how HBCUs can improve opportunities for skilled technical workers, and how they can help build the future.

When we think of long-term national health, we usually think of things like mental, physical, and emotional health. But what about our economic health? Studies have shown that in terms of long-term health for the United States on a global scale, the nation is losing its leading spot in growth and development in areas of STEM. As our systems become smarter and more intricate, skilled technical workers increase in demand. Our nation now faces a different kind of health crisisa shortage of skilled technical workers to maintain these intricate systems in the years to come.

For decades, the general societal messaging surrounding the education-to-workforce pipeline has been hyper-focused on getting students into college and pursuing four-year degrees and careers. This type of environment has led to lower success rates, especially for minority students.

These highly skilled job requirements lead to competitive salaries and little-to-no debt in the long-term future across several industries including construction, gas, and healthcare. Even with these perks, we are still seeing a disproportionately low number of women and minorities in these jobs compared to the overall workforce of our country.

Several factors have led to the decline of the skilled technical workforce.

Systemic Obstacles That Need to Change

1. The high school to college pipeline: High schools are typically funded by state boards of education. This funding is allocated based on the number of college-bound students. However, community colleges are not considered colleges by the current formula. This is discriminatory against two-year institutions. On a national scale, 30 percent of high school students who go to a four-year university drop out.2. Student attention and access to resources: The typical ratio of students to counselors in public high schools is 400 to 1, leaving room for error.3. Stigma: The conversation around two-year degrees and job certifications requires a shift. Students, especially African Americans and minorities, need to see successful technical workers thriving in their industry and understand the opportunities for job security and higher-paying salaries to mitigate the ongoing plague of imposter syndrome and income inequality.

The lack of data and information regarding the certifications needed for these jobs and the salaries that are available results in lower turnout.

The career pipelines are the gateway for economic mobility for people of color, said Leon Caldwell, Ph.D. What is unfortunate is that there is no career theory specifically for the African-American experience in the workforce.

How do we overcome this incredible shortfall as a society to sustain these smart systems over the course of the century and beyond? It starts with access to information and resources and economic mobility strategies. Todays workforce development initiatives do not focus on the work skills that will fuel the next century of workers.

The traditional view of todays electrician has expanded. Today, electricians require higher-level skills including the ability to code and create circuit designs. These skills are not just valuable to those looking to work with the major companies and organizations like Boeing or NASA, but to those who can carry these skills into the next generation of business owners and change makers.

Shifting the Perspective of the Skilled Technical Workforce

The National Science Board recommends the following shifts to help increase access to information and resources for students to pursue certifications and job opportunities in STEM, in addition to traditional four-year degrees.

Change the messaging: Even though vocational schools developed a false reputation as a less suitable form of education, many of todays employers are looking for skills and certifications above degrees. Messaging should remove the stigma from technical work and highlight the high demand and higher wages available to skilled workers in the future. Focus on the data: There is not enough information available to students and veterans on the opportunities through skilled work and even two-year degrees. While the demand for these workers increases, the ability to outline the specifications of what is required and what their salary trajectory could be with those skill sets needs to become readily available for the next generation of workers to make better-informed career decisions. The innovation quotient and saving the makers space: As children, we innately become enamored with tinkering and making things from other things. It is in our nature to experiment and invent, and that has been the backbone of our evolution as a global society. The educational system today has placed less value on the creative work and skill sets that were once important to building our future. Creative spaces and maker spaces serve as an on-ramp to STEM careers and skill sets that will prove to be valuable in the future workforce.

The next generation of women and minorities will need to see these changes implemented to be able to access these underutilized career opportunities. HBCUs are the anchors of our communities and hold part of the responsibility to continue investing in this talent and opening doors to the future of the skilled technical workforce. Other major contributors include employers and companies that will be increasingly seeking this talent as technologies advance and opportunities grow. Through education, access to information, and clear messaging, we can support the future workforce in STEM.

Excerpt from:
The Skilled Technical Workforce: Historically Black Colleges and Universities and The Future - BlackEngineer.com

We have 7 Covid blessings, and we must acknowledge them.

The first thing we must acknowledge and be grateful for is the low death rate and sickness rate in New Zealand, while every passing and illness is a trauma, we only need peer over the borderS to see the carnage this virus is carving deep into other nations. We have not had to mourn the way manner others have and we should be deeply grateful for that.

By going hard and going early with our lockdown, we are on the other side of this faster and in a position where we effectively have an open domestic economy. Very few places are as lucky as this and we must remember that when the economic meltdown

With no migrant workers allowed back into the country, we are forced to exploit fewer of them! The Agricultural sector who abuse these workers the most will now need to provide better wages and better conditions to attract NZ workers. The same with the service industry who equally abuse migrant workers appallingly. We need to follow this great news that migrant workers arent being exploited up with an amnesty on all migrant workers in NZ and the immediate creation of universal union membership.

Its not just exploited migrant workers who cant get back into NZ, its also the exploited international student market who are locked out from being abused as well! That means fewer people competing for student accommodation creating downward pressure on rents, and it disincentives the current immigration corruption that allows so many students a pathway to citizenship via exploited work conditions.

TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com

With less International Students comes no tourists (other than those who were locked down and stayed here). NZ has 5 million living here, each year we have 3million tourists flood in. No wonder our infrastructure is so gridlocked! Without those tourists, Auckland feels far less congested. Its wonderful!

On top of the lack of freedom campers shitting all over the country, its also wonderful watching Elite Tourist experiences having to reduce their astronomical fees and beg locals to visit them.

The courage and grace and leadership Jacinda Ardern has shown during this unprecedented event, alongside tireless public servants and public health scientists have combined to establish our collective faith in the institutions of our Democracy. We listened to our leaders, we listened to our experts, we listened to our scientists and we are positioned in a far better place to ride this plague out in.

Our roots were tested here and they were found to be deep.

We should be celebrating because history was watching.

China will tell the world that their authoritarian brutality was powerful enough to stop this virus. That their system of mass civil rights abuse was the only one up to the challenge.

Chinas terrible efficiency and pride would have sent a shiver down the spine of the future.

The UK, torn to shreds by the battle of Brexit, elected a toff clown whose incompetence has seen a public health nightmare, while in America, Trumps egregious inadequacy has seen over 127000 dead, 47million unemployed and race riots breaking out in over 430 cities.

So far Chinas response to a virus which either originated in their poorly regulated wet markets or escaped accidentally from a lab, will hauntingly be the only success story to echo through the annals of history.

And then there was us dear brothers and sisters.

Then there was wee New Zealand, who was led by a young leader whose grace under pressure gave hope to a nation and who used kindness as the value.

In a liberal progressive democracy you cant enforce your will by force, China can do that, but liberal progressive values that respect personal civil liberties can not turn the full power of the state against its own people.

We listened to the science and we lived up to the challenge. We became awell informed citizenship listening to our trusted experts and agreeing universally to curtail our personal civil liberties in solidarity for the greater good.

We did that without welding doors shut like they did in China. NZ became the best example of democratic values in how to deal with strife and woe.

History was watching and we stood tall to the challenge. It wont be China who can claim state violence led to the only victory against Covid19, our collective example will modestly stand on its own two feet on the mantle of time.

While we count our blessings, lets also bow our head in shame at the one glaring damnation on us all.

How was it that the essential workers who kept the entire system running while we sheltered in our homes were the poorest paid amongst us?

How unjust was that pandemic revelled truth and havent we all had a hand in building that wrong?

For shame!

Increasingly having independent opinion in a mainstream media environment which mostly echo one another has become more important than ever, soif you value having an independent voice going into this pandemic and 2020 election please donate here.

If you cant contribute but want to help, please always feel free to share our blogs on social media.

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The Top 7 Covid blessings for New Zealand & the one glaring damnation on us all - thedailyblog.co.nz

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Branson Library at New Mexico State University is named for John W. Branson, who served as acting president three times before he was chosen to be NMSUs president. He held the presidency six years before retiring.

NMSUs library was first located in Young Hall but as the university grew, a new library was at the top of the list for the Board of Regents. Discussions began in 1950 while Branson was president and he faced many obstacles to get the facility completed. It was largely completed in 1952, dedicated to Branson in 1957 and continues to serve the campus nearly 70 years later.

Branson Library contains books related to agriculture, business and economics, engineering and sciences. It also houses the University Archives and Special Collections, Rio Grande Historical Collection and U.S. Government Documents.

About John W. Branson

Branson was born in Kentucky in 1887. After receiving his masters degree from Purdue University and his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1927, Branson came to New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts to serve as head of the department of mathematics and astronomy. Branson reintroduced astronomy courses at the college, which had not been offered since 1924.

While serving in different positions, Branson did double-duty as acting president three times before serving one term as president. He was a department head in 1938 when asked to step in as acting president for five months the first time. In 1940, Branson was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences when asked to serve as acting president for the second time from 1941-1946 while then president Hugh Milton served in World War II.

During World War II the college faced decreased enrollment numbers, at one point, the possibility of becoming a vocational school was seriously considered by the state legislature. Despite the hardships, Branson refused to sacrifice quality education and his leadership during this time is credited with the college becoming a full-fledged university. Milton returned to NMSU in 1946 but then went on to become the superintendent of New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. In 1949, Branson was again named acting president. Later that year, NMSU Regents named him president. He remained NMSUs president until his retirement in 1955. Branson died in 1957.

Construction and design

Construction began in 1951 and the four-story facility faced many construction and financial delays. Branson Librarys design represented modern architectural trends and the changing direction of the universitys architecture. The Branson Library is primarily made of concrete, textile block and metal.

After many changes to the original design and materials used in construction, the building was completed by December 1952. Continuing conflicts about the design and use of the fourth floor caused further delays. Researchers requests to design the space for the specific needs of their programs involved more architects, additional contractors and more funding requests. By January 1957, construction on Branson's fourth floor interiors was complete.

The library that John W. Branson fought for during the final leg of his career at NMSU was then named for him.

Renovations and additions

Branson Library has undergone several renovations and improvements in its 68-year history. One of the most significant projects was in 1966 with an addition to the west end of the building. When the west end of Branson Library was expanded, decorative brick, or textile screens, which resembled the Zia symbol, also were added. The architect was Loren Mastin.

Branson Hall was renovated again in 1974, adding to the west end of the building once more. The architects were Charles E. Nolan, Jr. and Associates. Between 1987 and 1989 the library underwent another renovation. The circulation area was updated to accommodate the use of computers for checking in and out books and other media. The grand staircase was removed from the lobby in 1988 and new security gates were installed.

The Zuhl Library was completed in 1992 in an effort to meet the growing demand created from NMSUs expanding student enrollment. But Branson Library was still needed. In 1993, a three-phase renovation began. These renovations, which consisted of space for NMSUs growing collections, student study spaces, new lighting, carpet and furniture, were completed in 1995.

NMSU History Archives

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Branson Library named for NMSU President who volunteered to be 'acting president,' then got the job - New Mexico State University NewsCenter

SHOPS rolled out the red carpet as they reopened after months of lockdown during the coronavirus outbreak.

West Blackhall Street in Greenock town centre came back to life as premises pulled up the shutters and welcomed customers back.

Non-essential retailers are now allowed to re-open under the latest lockdown relaxations and owners are looking forward to catching up with customers.

Keith Wilson from Smiths Sports told the Tele he was thrilled to reopen.

Mr Wilson said: "We have made extensive preparations for re-opening to ensure everyone can shop in safety with as much peace of mind as possible, including a one way system and social distancing and will be open normal opening hours."

Mairi Coventry from the Wee Crafty Owl, at the foot of Jamaica Street, said: "We couldn't wait to be open again.

"We have so missed the contact with our customers and greatly look forward to seeing them again."

Chris Jewell from nearby Cradle Care added: "Our customers have been telling ushow they have been missing us so we are glad to be back and able to serve them again.

"Like everyone else we have had to make sure our premises are as safe as possible to customers and we have installed screens and have masks and gloves ready.

"To ensure social distancing will mean fewer customers in at any one time, but we look forward to being open again after what has seemed to be such a long time."

Town centres are taking on a different look as trading resumes, with parking spaces taken away to widen pavements, pictured.

Councillor Michael McCormick, convener of the councils environment & regeneration committee, said: With social and physical distancing rules still in place across Scotland, it is important that people visiting our town centres are safe and that we support local businesses and their customers.

One immediate area is that the width of many pavements across Inverclyde make it difficult for customers to maintain social and physical distancing, especially as there is the potential for increased queuing and pedestrian activity.

We are putting practical measures in place to address the problem where we can and to increase the space that is available.

"This could mean extending the pavement area into some on-street parking spaces.

Our aim is to encourage pedestrians to pass each other safely and allow queues to form outside premises if required.

We must all do what we can to help customers be safe and to feel safe when visiting our town centres.

The council says loading bays and disabled parking places are still available under the scheme.

Parking enforcement has been suspended since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and will remain suspended until August.

Cllr McCormick said: These are temporary measures to support town centre businesses to reopen safely and encourage the economy to recover.

The changes to roads will be monitored throughout and we will be reviewing them after 14 days.

"We will be contacting local businesses to see if there are any other measures we can put in in place to support them.

We will also be launching a new stay safe, shop local campaign to encourage shoppers across our town centres as part of the recovery plans for Inverclyde as more shops and parts of the economy reopen.

=

BACK IN BUSINESS Tony Quigg, Liam McDade, Jamie Docherty and Keith Wilson of Smiths were delighted to open the premises.

NEW NORMAL The street layout has changed, with pavements extended out into parking spaces to create more room for pedestrians to pass each other safely.

Excerpt from:
Inverclyde shops rolled out the red carpet as they reopened after months of lockdown - Greenock Telegraph

THE Museum of Carpet will reopen in Kidderminster next week following three months of uncertainty over its future.

The Green Street museum is set to open its doors on Tuesday, July 7 for the first time since it closed in March in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

After weeks of bringing in no money, the museum's future was thrown into doubt and a fundraising campaign was launched to recover lost income, which collected more than 11,000 in donations.

A spokesman said: " To thank the local community for their support over the last few months, the Museum of Carpet will be offering free admission for all visitors in July and August 2020.

"Instead of asking for admission fees the museum will have a donations box in the Museum entrance that they ask visitors to contribute to, to help ensure the future of the museum.

"While no one knows what the future holds for the Museum of Carpet, right now it is offering local residents a bright, spacious, and engaging venue for a safe day out after months in lockdown.

"Support this local museum by visiting the attraction over the coming months, hire their rooms, book future visits, and join their digital community on social media."

In line with government guidelines, the carpet museum will be limiting visitor numbers, installing hand sanitiser stations and observing social distancing in its galleries.

Prior to the reopening, the site has undergone thorough cleaning of all its surfaces, organised by the National Carpet Cleaners Association, which is now based within the museum.

All safety guidelines will be illustrated on posters displayed around the museum.

For the first time, people will also be able to book in advance at museumofcarpet.org.

Due to the unprecedented closure of the museum in March, the Museum of Carpet has decided to postpone its summer exhibition Focus on Photographs, which was set to launch in June to celebrate 150 years of The Shuttle newspaper.

The exhibition will now go on display in the summer 2021 and the galleries will exhibit highlights from previous exhibitions.

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Kidderminster carpet museum to reopen thanks to public donations - Kidderminster Shuttle

The global market for residential building construction industry totaled $4,171.3 billion in 2017 and is estimated to reach $6,800.9 billion by 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% for the period of 2017-2022.

Request For Report [emailprotected] https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/sample/11814

Report Scope:

Following are brief summaries of the chapters included in this report.

The Chapter One summary presents the reports scope, methodology and structure, as well as brief overviews of each of the reports chapters.

Chapter three provides a high-level overview of the residential flooring industry, including historical, current and future industry perspectives, as well as a look at current, and anticipated manufacturing issues and trends. The chapter also covers current market conditions in the new construction and renovation residential segments. Chapter three also includes an overview of industry trade organizations, such as the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) and the North American Building Material Distribution Association (NABMDA). The chapter also discusses the key trade shows that residential flooring manufacturers and other industry participants attend, such as one of the industrys largest events, The International Surface Event: SurfacesStonExpo/MarmomaccTileExpo. The chapter also details the primary trade media that cover the industry, such as Floor Covering News.

Product types in the residential flooring industry are in a constant state of evolution and at different stages of innovation in an effort to meet changing market needs and demands. Chapter Four provides a detailed look at seven different residential flooring categoriescarpet, ceramic tile, hardwood, laminates, stone, other resilient and vinylincluding associated new products and technologies, and applicable environmental programs and incentives, as well as government regulations and requirements affecting each flooring type.

Chapter Four provides a comprehensive overview of the residential flooring market size and growth in North America through 2021. A preview of residential flooring value by region is provided here, setting the stage for more detailed breakdowns by distribution channel and by product category, both in this chapter and in Chapter Five: Market Definition.

For the purposes of this report, BCC Research has analyzed Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, West regions in the U.S., as well as Canada, to complete our North American residential flooring research.

Chapter Four also includes a breakdown of residential flooring expenditures by flooring typecarpet, ceramic tile, hardwood, laminates, stone, other resilient and vinylthrough 2021 in million squares and million dollars for the six key industry distribution channels: floor covering stores; furniture and home furnishing stores; home improvement centers and building materials supplies dealers; general merchandise stores; electronic and online sales; and direct sales.

Get Complete TOC with Tables and [emailprotected] https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/discount/11814

Finally, growth projection data analysis for this chapter covers residential flooring volume by product type though 2021 in million squares and million dollars.

For the market definition part of this report in Chapter Five, BCC Research analyzed the two primary residential flooring segments in North America: new construction and renovation.

The residential flooring analysis contains expenditure and share data for the years 2015 and 2016, as well as projections for 2021 along with the compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) for the years 2016 through 2021. We have also provided a detailed analysis on the following six North American regions: Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, West and Canada.

In addition, this chapter includes an overview of 19 of the leading residential flooring product manufacturers with data on 2015 and 2016 revenues, number of employees, and overall market share. Also included are market share breakdowns for the leading manufacturers by product category, as well as a listing of each manufacturers product lines in each product category.

Finally, this chapter provides data on average pricing and installed costs for all product types in the years 2015 and 2016, with projections for 2021. The residential flooring industrys six primary distribution channelsfloor covering stores; furniture and home furnishing stores; home improvement centers and building materials supplies dealers; general merchandise stores; electronic and online sales; and direct salesare covered, as well as listings of major flooring distributors with data on revenues (overall, by product type, by distribution channel and associated market shares).

Chapter Seven profiles 30 of the major producers in the seven residential flooring product categories: carpet, ceramic tile, hardwood, laminates, stone, other resilient and vinyl. The major suppliers in residential flooring products offer multiple product lines. Chapter Seven contains the following information about each company profiled (when available): background, recent company news (selected significant announcements within the past 18 months), products, financial performance, strategic direction and distribution.

Report Includes:

An overview of the market for residential flooring in North America. Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2015, estimates for 2016, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2021. Information on different product and technology types, such as carpet, ceramic tile, hardwood, laminates, stone, vinyl, and resilient flooring. Information on various flooring products, distribution methods, new products and technologies, and the direction of the industry in the near future. Profiles of major companies in the industry.

Report Summary

The North American residential flooring industry is one of the most diverse of any manufactured product in terms of product type and selection. From broadloom carpet and carpet tile to hardwood and innovative resilient products made from cork and rubber, consumers and others involved in new residential construction and renovation have no shortage of choices to meet their architectural or interior design needs and requirements. Within each flooring product type, there exists a myriad of surface textures, color choices and quality levels, as well as collection upon collection of product with intriguing names like Accord, Hydroment Vivid, VersaBond and Blue Emotion, among others. Other product names are more grounded in familiarity and longevity like the well-known Congoleum brand.

Following are a few market observations on several of the flooring types analyzed in this report.

Flooring products are among the most important building materials and constitutes a versatile market with a wide product portfolio. The flooring market is expected to expand significantly due to strong growth of construction and automotive sectors coupled with increases in home improvement and renovation project activities. The demand for various residential flooring materials is expected to increase considerably in the forecast period. Increasing residential construction and reconstructionactivities in North America is one of the major factors fueling the demand for residential flooring in this region. However, in recent times regulations have been issued against import of lumber due to illegal deforestation. This is one of the primary factors restraining the residential flooring market.

The hardwood flooring products remain popular despite the advent of a large number of cheaper flooring products such as laminates and resilient flooring. Easy cleaning, better strength and durability, better acoustics and presence of large number of varieties are some of the major factors fueling the demand for hardwood flooring products. Owing to these factors, hardwood flooring is one of the primary choices for a large number of residential constructions.

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Vinyl flooring is the fastest growing product category, growing at a CAGR of 7.4% between 2016 and 2021. Although vinyl tile floor is often installed in commercial settings where high traffic is a constant, or where a clean or staticfree environment is desired, it is also a versatile and costeffective choice for any household. Moreover, lower maintenance cost is also one of the primary factors expected to drive the demand for vinyl flooring in the coming years.

In terms of value chain, a high degree of backward integration is being witnessed in the flooring market. Several key players are engaged in the manufacture of raw materials. Amoco, a subsidiary of Shaw Industries, is actively involved in the manufacture of fiber. Amoco manufactures polypropylene fibers, which are used by Shaw Industries to manufacture carpets and rugs. Besides being a key player in the hardwood flooring market, Boral Limited is involved in the timber business. Burke Industries Inc., a major rubber manufacturing company based in California, is owned by Mannington Mills, one of the largest flooring manufacturers in North America.

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Residential Building Construction Industry Market to Exhibit Rapid Surge in Consumption in the COVID-19 Crisis - Cole of Duty

Evgeniy Opanasenko

editor of Techno

Model Citroen C4 is famous for its reincarnations in different bodies. The car has already managed to visit and hatchback, and sedan and the Citroen turned a popular model in the compact crossover kupeobrazny or cross-hatch. The announcement was made in an online broadcast instead of live demonstrations, reports Motor.

Presentation of the new product is quite important for the carmaker, as the Citroen C4 will replace at once two models: an ordinary C4 and the C4 Cactus crossover. The novelty will be available in petrol, diesel and electric version called the e-C4. Like the C4 Cactus Aircross and C5, the new hatchback has received a suspension with hydraulic buffers, which replaced the hydropneumatics Hydractive. According to the French suspension while driving creates the effect of flying on the magic carpet.

See also the story of how to make money by selling auto:

The electric version looks no different from petrol. Inside e-C4 installed electric capacity of 136 horsepower, and battery capacity of 50 kWh will be enough to overcome 350 kilometers, according to the WLTP cycle. To 100 km/h electric car accelerates in 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 150 kilometers per hour. It is emphasized that in 10 minutes you can replenish the charge on 100 km, up to 80% battery capacity filled in half an hour, and fully charged little more than a day from the usual outlets.

Models with traditional engines are equipped with five petrol and two diesel engine capacity from 100 to 155 HP and comply with environmental standards Euro 6. Units are paired with six-speed mechanics or 8-speed automatic transmission. The drive is both full and front.

Citroen C4 2021: Motor1Citroen 2021 C4: C4 Motor1Citroen 2021: Motor1Citroen 2021 C4: C4 Motor1Citroen 2021: Motor1Citroen 2021 C4: C4 Motor1Citroen 2021: Motor1Citroen 2021 C4: C4 Motor1Citroen 2021: Motor1Citroen 2021 C4: C4 Motor1Citroen 2021: Motor11/11

Of useful things worth noting the presence of a special attachment for the tablet integrated into the dashboard, a colour head-up display built into the stem interior mirror DVR with 16 GB of memory, and seats with special foam inside for comfort and support passengers in a long journey.

The equipment also includes a circular video review, adaptive cruise control, system cornering lights, track marking, traffic sign recognition and automatic braking at danger of a collision. New C4 e-C4 31 provided by the combination of exterior colors and package color elements, and six different themes of interior trim. New items will be available for order in Europe beginning in the fall of 2020.

We will remind that earlier experts named the TOP 5 most unreliable used cars. We also were rated endangered parts in modern cars.

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Citroen C4 2021 turned into electric crossover: photo - The Times Hub

Remember Bugs Bunny and how he would occasionally say, This means war? Turning the thermostat up or down by a degree can certainly feel like an act of aggression. This is because, in many homes, especially split-level homes, someone is too hot, someone is too cold and no one is happy.

Even in a home with adequate central air conditioning, mom or dad may find the temperature to be fine in the kitchen or living room, but the basement game room might be so frigid the daughter has to find sweaters for her friends to wear. Upstairs, their son is visiting from college and actually wanting to study at his desk, yet the desk is so hot that he has trouble concentrating. This is a house that might benefit from a zoned HVAC system.

What is a zoned HVAC system?

A zoned HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system allows the homeowner to set different temperatures in different parts or zones of the house. Instead of only using one thermostat for the entire house, each zone can be regulated with its own thermostat, fully customized to the preference of the user. A zone can be as small as a room, as large as an entire floor, or an addition to the house.

How does zoning work?

A common misconception is that, to have multiple zones, multiple systems must be installed. In a home with an existing forced air heating and cooling system (and one thermostat), however, it may be possible to install an automatic damper system into the ductwork, to divide the home into zones.

The better way to set up a zoned HVAC system is with ductless mini-split units. Though these units come in a variety of styles and models, it is basically just a small heating/cooling unit that is mounted high on the wall (or to the ceiling). This indoor air-handling unit (evaporator) is hooked up to an outdoor compressor/condenser unit. Several indoor units can be hooked up to one outdoor unit, and each indoor unit is controlled with its own thermostat. Another key benefit of these systems is that they bring fresh air directly inside and it isnt recycled through ductwork.

Reasons for switching to a zoned HVAC system

Ductless mini-splits are a great solution for a newly constructed house, and a good retrofit for houses with non-ducted heating systems. They also work well for new additions to a house that lack ductwork or separate buildings like a garage or shed converted into offices or hobby rooms.

Why might you want to look into installing some ductless mini-splits?

Chris Jones and the team at Green Dot HVAC are committed to provide their clients with a consultative, transparent approach, driven by innovative technology and a diligent work ethic. With a team of highly trained and versatile technicians, a focus on helping clients make informed decisions, and a commitment to deliver substantial value, Green Dot HVAC is a leader in the Southeast North Carolina marketplace. To arrange a free at-home consultation, a repair/installation or simply find guidance about the nuances of modern heating and air conditioning systems, call 910-791-0480 or text 910-612-0052.

Excerpt from:
Save On Cooling/Heating With Dual Zone HVAC Systems by Chris Jones | Sponsored Insights - Greater Wilmington Business Journal

From the April 1986 Issue of Car and Driver.

According to Webster, a milestone is "a significant point in development." The term applies perfectly to Ford's new Taurus and its sibling, the Mercury Sable. With their smooth, flowing lines and European-style road manners, the Taurus and the Sable chart a new direction for mainstream American sedans. But you undoubtedly know that by now. Ford has orchestrated an unusually long and intensive publicity program to prepare the public for these novel cars. We've done our share by devoting many of our pages to praising the design and performance of the prototypes we've tested.

Unfortunately, milestone prototypes do not always lead to good cars in dealer showrooms. A prototype's virtues can be compromised by the penny-pinching of heartless bean counters, by manufacturing shortcuts required to meet introduction deadlines, and by last-minute second thoughts in the product-planning department. The purpose of this road test is to see whether the production Taurus lives up to its promise.

Aaron KileyCar and Driver

The moment of judgment has been a long time coming because Ford postponed its introduction of the Taurus and the Sable from last fall to the day after Christmas. That day hardly figured to be the best time for a new-car launch, but Ford needed the additional months to iron out the final production-line glitches. After gambling $3 billion on a high-risk design, the last thing Ford wanted was a problem-plagued introduction.

If the Taurus LX we tested is representative of the line, Ford's extra time was well spent. The Tauruses lined up at your local Ford dealer have every sweet, windblown line in place, and they haven't been sullied by last-minute additions of chrome strips, opera windows, or stand-up hood ornaments. The cars look so buttoned-down sleek that every Ford dealer should make sure its banners are displayed prominently, lest any customers walk away under the assumption that they have stumbled into a premium foreign-car emporium.

Aaron KileyCar and Driver

Even if the Taurus were styled like a boxcar, we would love it for the way it drives. This car's European connection is more than skin-deep, and you feel it the moment you slip behind the wheel. Unlike the sofa-soft seats of most mainstream American sedans, our test car's split-bench front seat had firm padding and a proper contour. It provided solid support for long stints behind the wheel.

The Taurus's steering is also a departure from the over-assisted, lifeless American norm. The power-assisted rack-and-pinion mechanism is fast, communicative, and nicely weighted. With only 2.6 turns lock-to-Iock, the Taurus responds crisply to steering-wheel commands and changes direction in clean, precise arcs without any two-stage turn-and-wait action. At the same time, the steering has a pronounced on-center feeling. There is a distinct toggle-switch action when you turn the wheel off the straight-ahead position, and you can feel the pressure build in your hands as the front tires go to work in a corner.

Aaron KileyCar and Driver

This outstanding steering can be appreciated in any kind of driving, but it is particularly welcome when the Taurus is pushed, because it collaborates beautifully with the car's excellent handling. Whether charging through an entrance ramp or slaloming down a winding mountain road, the Taurus feels reassuring and composed. There is always a bit of understeer, but only enough to keep the rear wheels in line; deliberate action is required to bring the tail out. The Taurus never pushes so much that it shreds its front tires, not even at its cornering limit. That limit is held to a modest 0.76 g by all-season tires, but the car's friendly handling makes all of this grip available without demanding any daredevil driving.

Aaron KileyCar and Driver

Such behavior is not the result of any dazzling new suspension breakthroughs, for the Taurus rides on fairly conventional struts at all four comers. The secret is a commitment to excellent handling from the design's inception, which has resulted in a number of subtle developments. The targets for this car's suspension behavior came from Europe rather than from the Lincoln line. Such details as the negative camber and four degrees of caster in the front suspension, and the calibration of the springs, shocks, anti-roll bars, and bushings, are what produce the Taurus's European-style road manners. Best of all, these details are not exclusive to a special handling package. Each and every Taurus LX handles the same. (The base Taurus, however, has different tires and lacks the LX's rear anti-roll bar.)

Another result of the suspension tuning is a ride with more control than any big Ford sedan has ever had. And its control is not achieved in the usual American way, with stiff springs and thick anti-roll bars. The Taurus's springs are soft enough to follow most road imperfections, and its shock absorbers have enough damping to keep a tight rein on body motions. One typically European feature that the Taurus lacks is very hard suspension bushings. As a result, the Taurus rides just like an Audi or a BMW over large undulations, but absorbs small ridges and sharp edged bumps a bit better.

Aaron KileyCar and Driver

No doubt some of the credit for this performance belongs to the Taurus's rigid chassis. Our test car had that carved-from-a-solid-billet-of-steel feeling that is common among premium European sedans. This solid structure is apparently a result of plenty of material rather than of a perfectly optimized design, because our Taurus weighed a hefty 3251 pounds. A comparably sized Audi 5000S weighs in at under 2900, and a Pontiac 6000STE weighs only 3100 pounds.

Fortunately, the all-new Taurus powertrain deals easily with the excess poundage. The transversely mounted 3.0-liter V-6 is typically domestic in its use of a pushrod valvetrain and iron construction for its block and heads, but it does employ port fuel injection, Ford's sophisticated EEC IV engine-control system, and aluminum castings for a number of components. It operates in conjunction with a four-speed automatic transmission that uses an electronically controlled lockup torque converter and an overdrive fourth gear to deliver good highway fuel economy.

Aaron KileyCar and Driver

With 140 horsepower on tap, the Taurus accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 9.8 seconds and through the standing quarter-mile in 17.4 seconds at 79 mph. For comparison, that's about as quick as an automatic BMW 528e, and quicker than both the Pontiac 6000STE and the normally aspirated Audi 5000. Furthermore, the Taurus's 20 mpg on the EPA city cycle betters the mileage of all of these competitors.

Despite the V-6 engine's American design, it has the refined, purposeful note at high rpm that we usually associate with premium European machinery. Indeed, it produces a bit more powertrain noise than is usual in large American sedans, reaching 76 dBA during hard acceleration. The engine is quite subdued during cruising, however; a slight wind whistle accounted for most of our test car's 71-dBA interior sound level at 70 mph.

Aaron KileyCar and Driver

Much of the credit for the powertrain's performance belongs to the transmission, which provides smooth shifts and unobtrusive converter lockup at moderate speeds and snappy downshifts to more aggressive ratios when acceleration is called for. We do wish that the transmission would stay in fourth gear under full throttle at high speeds. Its refusal to do so limits top speed to 114 mph, which corresponds to the redline in third gear. With 140 hp and a 0.32 drag coefficient, we're sure that the Taurus could do better with a little help from its fourth gear.

We also found that the Taurus's brakes could stand improvement. Its 194-foot stopping distance from 70 mph is not bad, especially with its low-grip tires, but the pedal feel was spongy, making it difficult to modulate the braking. Evidently, Ford engineers agree, because we have been advised that a redesigned brake booster is already in production; all but the very first Tauruses should have better brake feel. Our track testing also revealed that a little more fade resistance would be useful, though we never noticed any loss of braking capacity on the street.

Aaron KileyCar and Driver

We suspect that few Taurus buyers will subject their cars to repeated panic stops. They'll be more likely to test its volume and load capacity. The EPA rates the Taurus at 100 cubic feet of interior volume, which puts it on the line that divides midsize and large cars. We found plenty of room inside for four adults. The rear passengers are treated to a comfortable, chair-high bench and commodious footwells under the front seats. In a pinch, the cabin is even wide enough to seat six; in front, however, the contours of the split bench will leave the center passenger sitting uncomfortably on a pair of raised bolsters. The trunk volume is also generous and usefully shaped.

Functionally, the Taurus's interior is the equal of any European car's, but some aspects of its styling reveal its Detroit origins. The tan A-pillar moldings in our test car were attached with exposed black screws. There was also an exposed bolt in the center of the dash near the base of the windshield, and a few interior panels fit less than perfectly. We think that the fake wood-grain on the dash and door panels is out of sync with the interior's cleanly sculptured shapes, and the location of various minor controls lacks the military precision of most German cars. Some of the exterior details are also ragged, like the uneven line formed by the bottoms of the headlights, turn signals, and grille panel.

These are very minor nits to pick, however. All in all, the Taurus is an outstanding car. It has all of the comfort and utility that one expects in a large cruiser. And for the person who enjoys driving, American sedans don't come any better.

Aaron KileyCar and Driver

The Taurus is competitive with European sedans as well. In performance, handling, ride, fuel economy, and utility, it is as good as or better than the Audi 5000S and the BMW 528e. And while the Audi costs $18,065 and the BMW $26,280, the Taurus LX can be had for $13,351. That price includes air conditioning; power windows, locks, mirrors, and lumbar support; the V-6 with the four-speed automatic; a four-speaker AM/FM-stereo radio; and premium interior trim. Even at the $15,079 price of our fully loaded test car, the Taurus is priced very competitively.

The Taurus doesn't quite have the assembly quality or the careful detail design of the best European cars, but are the small differences worth several thousand dollars? Most of us think not. Furthermore, we suspect that Ford will do its best to smooth out the Taurus's few rough edges in the coming months. Then the only remaining problem will be to convince the skeptics that one of the world's finest sedans is a Ford.

Now there can be no more excuses. The Taurus is finally in production, and it either lives up to its promise or it doesn't. Ford revealed this car to the press so early in the development process that it seemed like an old friend long before the production lines were cranked up to full speed.

That's the soft spot in the early review process. Mass production, like marriage, always changes something. Some pieces of the giant mechanical jigsaw puzzle suddenly won't fit anymore, because a stamping machine in some far-off factory has gone out of toleranceor who knows what might happen? Anything can go wonky. For this reason, we tried in our previews of this car to keep a tight rein on hyperbole. That was tough, because cars as promising as the Taurus come along only once in a long while.

Now that I've finally driven a production Taurus, I'm more than ready to tackle the question we've been posing for the past several months. Is this Ford really a breakthrough, a car with European breeding, German-luxury-car moves, a strong dose of value, and all the goodness that can be packed into a cut-rate Audi 5000? The answer is yes. Rich Ceppos

There was a time many months ago when I was convinced that the Taurus and the Sable were too advanced for mainstream American tastes. The new sedans so neatly fit my philosophies about what a modern American sedan should be that I couldn't imagine the greater car-buying public nodding in agreement. Now that the assembly lines are rolling and the dealers are dealing, it's clear that I wasn't the only bloke waiting for Detroit to produce a worthwhile sedan. Plenty of folks with cash in hand have stepped up to the counter, and a good share of the first year's production is already sold.

Yes, Martha, there really is a demand for functional, affordable, and distinctively good-looking automobiles. GM has also gotten the message, and it has literally rushed back to the drawing boards in response to the initial success of the Taurus and the Sable. Our testing of one production Taurus has uncovered no flies in the ointment, and I couldn't be happier. Although there won't be a Taurus or a Sable in my garage in the foreseeable future, I'm certainly looking forward to having a few hundred thousand of my kind of car on the road. Don Sherman

I'll wait six months, thanks. Ford has left itself a little detail work now that it's flat nailed the basics of designing and producing a league-leading sedan. The Taurus's big stuff is in the bag: great looks, great aero, great space, great comfortin short, all the benefits you gain by carefully studying the big problems and responding to them with great understanding.

Now it's time for Ford to address the little stuff. The screw heads staring from their open sockets in the interior trim. The atrocious orange-ish "woodgrain" that stretches across the dash but fails to match the darker inserts that adorn the doors. The big gaps in the LX's exterior door spats. The wind noise around the A-pillars. The brake pedal's closeness to the driver's seat, which only emphasizes the brakes' touchiness. The gas pedal's oversensitivity at low speeds. The automatic's often jerky shifting.

With the little stuff still on the loose, the Taurus isn't ready for games of coordination with an Audi 5000S. But because the basics are so bullish, I am willing to wait. Larry Griffin

SPECIFICATIONS

1986 Ford Taurus LX

VEHICLE TYPE

front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 6-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED

$15,079 (base price: $13,777)

ENGINE TYPE

pushrod 12-valve V-6, iron block and heads, port fuel injection

Displacement: 182 in3, 2986 cm3

Power: 140 hp @ 4800 rpm

Torque: 160 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

TRANSMISSION

4-speed automatic

CHASSIS

Suspension (F/R): strut/multilink

Brakes (F/R): 10.2-in vented disc/8.9-in drum

Tires: Firestone Supreme, P205/70R-14 M+S

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 106.0 in

Length: 188.4 in

Width: 70.4 in

Height: 54.4 in

Passenger volume: 100 ft3

Trunk volume: 17 ft3

Curb weight: 3251 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS

60 mph: 9.8 sec

100 mph: 31.2 sec

Top gear, 3050 mph: 5.4 sec

Top gear, 5070 mph: 6.7 sec

1/4 mile: 17.4 sec @ 79 mph

Top speed: 114 mph

Braking, 700 mph: 194 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.76 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY

Observed: 20 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY

Combined/city/highway: 23/20/28 mpg

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Tested: 1986 Ford Taurus LX Shapes the Future of the Family Sedan - Car and Driver