Never before has your home's style and functionality felt more important than in 2020. We've all become a lot more acquainted with our living spaces thanks to the pandemic, and many have undertaken remodeling projects as a result.

What will we be seeing more of in the new year? Zillow has put together a list of the top home trends for 2021, and on it you'll find everything from "Zoom rooms" to vacation-like amenities to a fancier place to cultivate that sourdough starter.

Intergenerational livingYoung adults and grandparents alike have found themselves moving back in with family for financial and health reasons, so new construction is progressing with that in mind.

According to Generations United, about one in six Americans currently live in multigenerational households, and this year, the share of young people moving back home reached all-time highs.

Katie Detwiler, chief experience officer at Pennsylvania home builder Berks Homes, says there are more requests than ever for a finished basement with a full bathroom, as well as bedroom additions.

Gourmet kitchensIf we've not all become successful amateur cooks this year, then at least we tried and learned what does and doesn't work in our current kitchens.

A previous Zillow survey finds 41 percent of people value a well-equipped kitchen more than before as a result of social distancing recommendations, and more people want the space to show off their new culinary skills in the next year.

"We've seen an increase in requests for gourmet kitchens," says Detwiler. "This includes bigger cabinets and island additions so homeowners have the space they need to cook their gourmet meals."

"Zoom rooms"Think of it as a home office: upgraded. A Zillow survey found that Americans working from home say they would consider a move for a dedicated office space, if they were to continue working remotely at least occasionally.

As of November, the number of listings mentioned "home office" or "Zoom room" increased by 48.5 percent compared to the same time last year. Berks Homes also says requests for an at-home study in lieu of existing living space more than doubled this year.

"Homecation" amenitiesWith lots of time and nowhere to go, homeowners are coming up with creative solutions to create vacation vibes right at home. "Pool" was the top Zillow keyword search term in 2020; "waterfront" and "dock" also landed in the top 10.

Additionally, homeowners may be looking for big and small ways to create a luxury experience at home, from upgrading to a spa-like bathtub or relaxing rain shower. Zillow research found listings that mentioned a free-standing tub typically sold for 5.5 percent more than expected, while the listing keyword "spa-inspired" contributed to a 1.8 percent price premium.

The rise of remote work will also allow more homeowners to turn their favorite vacation destination into their hometown. Page views of for-sale listings in areas typically considered vacation destinations such as Key West, the Jersey Shore, and Cape Cod are up nearly 50 percent compared to last year.

Backyard oasisA Zillow survey from the Harris Poll found that 41 percent of people say they value a large outdoor space more as a result of social distancing recommendations.

Homes mentioning "fire pit" in the listing sold for 2.8 percent more than similar homes, and "outdoor kitchen" sold for 4.5 percent more. Smart sprinkler systems and outdoor lighting are other features that add a contemporary flare to a backyard but also help your home sell up to 15 days faster than expected.

Smart and safe techIt's more vital than ever that our homes stay as germ-free as possible, and smart home technology has saved the day with products like touchless appliances, self-cleaning toilets, and bidets. And while a lot of these products are niche right now, Zillow predicts they will evolve to become the standard in home design.

"Our tech-driven appliances, solid surfaces, and smart fixtures have come to the rescue," says Kerrie Kelly, Zillow home design expert and founder of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab. "Features like voice-activated faucets, robotic vacuums, and electronic assistant-controlled lights have updated the traditional tasks of cooking and cleaning by incorporating thoughtful innovation into home products."

Smart home technology is becoming increasingly appealing to buyers. A Zillow analysis found that listings mentioning a smart light in their description sold seven days faster than expected, and listings mentioning a smart thermostat sold six days faster.

Pet-friendly livingThe flexibility of remote work gave many people the opportunity to be home all day, and in turn, made it easier to add a new best friend to their family. According to a Nielsen survey, 20 percent of respondents in July said they adopted one or more dogs or cats between March and June, up from less than 5 percent over the same time last year.

A 2020 Zillow analysis found for-sale listings mentioning a pet shower or dog wash in their listing description sold for 5.1 percent more than similar homes, while listings mentioning a fenced backyard in their description sold 6.8 days faster than expected.

More new constructionTraffic for new construction homes has increased significantly on Zillow, up 82 percent in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter a year ago, signaling an increasing number of shoppers interested in personalizing their home's features and living in a new, clean space.

A 2020 Zillow survey found more than a quarter of buyers who bought a new construction home did so to customize home features, while 37 percent chose new construction because everything in the home was new and never used.

More:
Home and design experts look ahead to what will be trendy in Dallas for 2021 - CultureMap Dallas

By Jon Mark Beilue| Amarillo Globe-News

In less than nine months, in time for the Fall 2021 semester, West Texas A&M Universitys contribution to downtown Amarillo will be in full swing. A No Vacancy sign might as well hang from the door of the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center at Eighth Avenue and Tyler Street.

We will be full, said WT President Dr. Walter Wendler. For all practical purposes, we will be full to the top. There will be no more unused space. There will be hundreds of students and faculty in and out of that building all day long.

Construction and remodeling have begun on the final of three major pieces to occupy the Amarillo Center WTs School of Nursing. When completed by summer 2021, junior and senior nursing students will be in classes and labs on the second floor, first floor and basement of the building that was formerly the Commerce Building.

We are obviously looking forward to relocating there, said Dr. J. Dirk Nelson, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. With the build-out and renovation, we will have 25,000 square feet dedicated to the bachelor of science nursing curriculum.

That renovation will include a new skills lab, simulation lab, assessment lab, debriefing room, seminar room and classrooms in addition to office space for 20 to 25. Students, faculty and staff also will benefit by being closer to the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and Amarillos two largest hospitals Northwest Texas Healthcare System and BSA Health System.

Our nursing faculty is second to none, and it will be nice for them to be in a facility like this, Wendler said.

Over the past five years, graduating WT nursing students have a 96.56 percent passing rate on the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination), the test for entry-level nurses. The national average is 86.41 percent.

Our passing rate for the test is among the highest in the state of Texas, Wendler said. You cant do much better than 96 percent. You tell people youre doing better than that and they think youre lying.

Most of the nursing faculty is in Old Main on campus, but by the fall semester, they will be entirely out of there and relocated either in the Amarillo Center or the Bivins Learning Nursing Center on campus. The Bivins Center will continue to provide classes in pre-nursing for freshmen and sophomores.

The nursing program will join two departments within the College of Nursing and Health Sciences that have been there since the Amarillo Center opened in March 2019 the Department of Communication Disorders and the Center for Learning Disabilities.

Previously, Communications Disorders was located in the Virgil Henson Activities Center above the swimming pool.

Not ideal, said department chair Dr. Brenda Cross.

The relocation to downtown Amarillo may have positively impacted the WT Speech and Hearing Clinic, a major part of the department, more than any other group.

Moving the clinic was probably the biggest consideration we had to make, Cross said. So many of our clients are from Amarillo, so driving to Canyon did not seem like a big deal. But many physicians were not referring their patients to us because of the drive.

The WT Speech and Hearing Clinic is an outpatient clinic for speech, language and swallowing therapies where services are provided by graduate student clinicians who are supervised by licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Moving downtown has definitely opened us up as a referral source for local physicians, Cross said. Our client population in the last 1 years has more than tripled. Weve always seen the rural area patients, but weve definitely picked up a larger percentage of Amarillo patients.

Like nursing, pre-communication disorder students go through a second admission prior to their junior year based on grade point average and application. In past, upper-level students transitioned to classes from Old Main to the Activities Center to the Jack B. Kelley Student Center.

We were all over the place for classes, Cross said, so to be able to stay in one building, to have the clinic adjacent to all of our classes, has been seamless.

The other group the Center for Learning Disabilities actually had the shortest move. They were located in the former Chase Tower, less than a block away, but a little move means a lot.

Its been a wonderful opportunity, and one of the greatest differences is the clinic space we have now, said Dr. Michelle Simmons, director of the center and the Lanna Hatton Professor of Learning Disabilities.

The Center for Learning Disabilities focuses on three areas: working with parents and families for those in the home with a learning disability, providing student workshops, and assisting teachers with strategies to help those students to better cope and learn.

We have improved accessibility and a better useability of space, Simmons said. Its a welcoming and beautiful presence for what we do, which is to support and increase opportunities for students with learning disabilities, specifically with reading and attention disorders.

There are other entities in the Amarillo Center, including graduate programs in social work and psychology, and the Small Business Development Center. But the three largest departments will be together. Not only will several hundred be in one building daily to add to downtown commerce, but theres an expected synergy from all together.

We feel a little isolated being the only full-time program here, but having another complete program here from the same college in the building will bring a sense of a more WT feeling, Cross said. We can collaborate in clinics and class. It will make it feel like more of an extension of the main campus instead of out here feeling like its an island sometimes.

Editor's note: This column originally appeared on the WT website.

Do you know of a student, faculty member, project, an alumnus or any other story idea for WT: The Heart and Soul of the Texas Panhandle? If so, email Jon Mark Beilue atjbeilue@wtamu.edu.

View original post here:
Beilue: Soon to be more crowded; renovation to fill Amarillo Center for WT nursing - Amarillo.com

Added on October 22, 2020Jen Ezpeletanewsletter , Redondo Beach

Missing the Computer Guy

Dear ER:

Tom Serafin was our go-to computer guy over the last 20-plus years. He would come by to fix, back up, add or delete a program on our computers, laptop tablets and iPads, and even fix our printers (The Computer Guy, ER Oct. 15, 2020). What a personal loss. Along with his computer genius we enjoyed his friendship and great conversations. We will truly miss this Gentle Giant!.

Jackey Flaherty

Hermosa Beach

Dear ER:

Tom was one of my breakfast buds when the Mermaid was still a thing . We had a bet every year if the Vikings had a better year I paid for breakfast. If the Giants came out on top he would pony up. He was a kind fellow, always asking questions. Sorry to hear this news.

Lance Keller

ERNews post

Tom came to my aid many times over many years. He was always happy and friendly and had an interesting take on what was in the news or the latest in sports. I shall miss him terribly.Put at end of letters

Kathy

This is a hell of a loss. One of the most unique, generous, friendly and sociable guys I have ever met. He has been my familys go to guy on every computer issue for well over a decade, and we enjoyed every time we saw him or spoke to him.

George Kaufman

Clarification: Chaz Flemmings

In response to an October 8 Easy Reader profile on Manhattan Beach City Council candidate Chaz Flemmings, Flemmings, has issued the following clarification of issues addressed in the article:

I never met with Black Lives Matter protesters/organizers in May or June.

Im not a member of Black Lives Matter. I connected on social media, Twitter, with multiple Mira Costa High School students after the June 2 Peaceful Protest. Joe Franklin and other candidates were in attendance at this event. I had no participation nor did I organize the event on June 2. I did attend the event as a resident. This event caused several businesses to be boarded up in which I offered my services to help facilitate a helping hand for our local businesses prior to the event. ER

Harbor the homeless,but not in the harbor

Dear ER:

I would like to voice my opposition to building temporary homeless shelters in King Harbor at Seaside Lagoon or Moonstone Park (Mole B). As a lifelong resident of the South Bay and business owner with multiple locations throughout the South Bay, I have seen first hand the homeless crisis that has plagued our city. We should all step up to help people in need. That is why I have partnered with PATH (People Assisting the Homeless), which takes a different approach to this crisis by building affordable housing, and also focusing on mental health, job training and ending the cycle of homlessnes. That being said: Redondo Beach is not equipped to handle the in-depth, additional services needed to truly help. I fear the city will approve funding, build temporary housing, then leave it to the police (who have zero power due to State legislation) to handle the issues that will arise. At one of my business locations in the marina, we have had numerous homelessness issues, including: 1.Individuals made a make-shift shelter on our roof, with drugs inside the shelter. 2. An individual was found in our back storage area. When asked to leave the man became physically aggressive towards one of our employees. No one should have to go to work and fear for their safety. 3. A local charity decided (with good intentions) to feed the homeless in our parking lot. This turned into an unmitigated disaster, with public urination, trash, and individuals taking over our tables.

A homeless shelter in Seaside Lagoon opens up the possibility of dangerous substances (needles, etc.) being dropped in the sand, putting residents, especially children in danger when the Lagoon opens in the spring. Plan on doubling the cost of the Seaside Lagoon location, because the city will be forced to remove the shelter in just a few months due to either the Beach Life Festival (based on Covid-19) or public use of Seaside Lagoon in spring.

A homeless shelter in the area probably does not serve the citys goal of improving the harbor area.

A temporary, makeshift pallet shelter run by the city is going to be a disaster. The city should rather partner with an accredited organization to handle this crisis. In addition, the report from City Attorney Michael Webb clearly focuses on only the financials of the project. It seems to read, We can get this money, lets do it and figure out how its going to work later. Again, a recipe for disaster.

Chris Bredesen

Redondo Beach

Deconstructing desal

Dear ER:

I would like to respond to my West Basin Municipal Water District 3 opponent Doug Solomons comment about why I supported conducting an EIR for the proposed desalination plant in El Segundo, but voted against it because of politics. First, the EIR provided information we needed to make a decision. Second, I represent the people in my district, I hear their voices, I listen to their opinions. Desalination makes sense for certain places, but at this time I dont feel this is the correct path for West Basin to explore. We have other options to look at like the brackish water project in the South Bay that is much more environmentally friendly and I believe will be less expensive. It is also what the people I represent want.

Carol Kwan

West Basin Water

District 3 trustee

Manhattan Beach

Challengers challenged

Dear ER:

In the Beach Cities Health District election, its disappointing to see little emphasis is placed on the proposed, massive Healthy Living Campus. Questions about it went unanswered during the candidates forum, even by the two challengers. Neighbors are outraged by the three incumbents supporting the proposed $500 million Prospect Ave. construction project. Its partially funded by investors. When investors get their return, there isnt much left for the taxpayer. Meanwhile, the project can be scrapped, and funding can be obtained to retrofit existing buildings. The two challengers in this campaign must step up and tell us what theyre going to do to change the course of this project. Will they support remodeling existing buildings? If they dont have more to say, they will not get the support they need to win an election.

Dean Francois

Hermosa Beach

A stand up Joe

Dear ER:

People know I stand up for what I believe is right. We need Joe Franklin on the Manhattan Beach City Council. I have known Joe for over 20 years. When I was principal of Pacific School 1986-2007, he was the one dad I could count on Monday through Friday for any job, large or small to help run my expanding school. From President of the School Site Council to Chief Morning Greeter in the drop-off zone, he was there, with a smile on his face, handling any situation, from the stressed parent to crying child. And he never lost his cool. Joe is honest, smart, hard-working, a logical thinker. He will work tirelessly to make Manhattan Beach the kind of town you will continue to be proud of. With a strong, fully funded police department, local control of our fire department, strong schools with a firm partnership, and great support for COVID recovery of residents and small businesses. You have trusted me with your children and on MBUSD committees. Trust me now and vote for Joe.

Christine A. Norvell

Manhattan Beach

Basement dwellers

Dear ER:

Can we please fire Congressional Representative Ted Lieu and State Assemblyman Al Maratuchi this November. What has Lieu ever done except vote for higher taxes and against veterans, even though he claims to be one. He should be given a dishonorable discharge. Both are cowards for not coming out of the basement for a real debate with their opponents. Give us some hope and change this year. Vote for James Bradley for Congress and Arthur Schaper for State Assembly.

Gary Mlynek

Redondo Beach

Age equality

Dear ER:

The Manhattan Beach City Council has seven candidates for three open seats. If all seven candidates were equal in all other ways, representation by the five current council members all being between 55 and 66 should be addressed. One in five Manhattan Beach residents is between 18 and 35. But its fairly obvious the seven candidates are definitely not equal in other ways. Phoebe Lyons has greatly elevated this campaign discussion at every opportunity in her topical campaign videos, in her weekly Virtual Chats. and particularly in the candidates forums where she consistently displays clear focused thinking and straightforward effortless communication.

Lyons youthful energy, her studied yet open-minded approach to fact-based problem solving, her focus on listening to voices historically unrepresented, and her deep commitment to brightening the long term future of her hometown clearly make Phoebe a uniquely qualified candidate. By giving just one of three available votes to Phoebe Lyons, voters will be effecting a significant positive change to our public decision making process while at the same time broadening the makeup of our City Council. (You may even consider voting only for Phoebe in this race to greatly diminish chances that mere incumbency and/or simple name recognition will again rule our election.)

Lisa Scalia

Manhattan Beach

Peer Lyon-ized

Dear ER:

I wholeheartedly support Phoebe Lyons for Manhattan Beach City Council. So much, in fact, that Ill cast only one vote, in support of her, though there are three open seats. Lyons and I grew up here together. We were raised to be civically minded, informed women. I never thought our childhood friendship would transform into a team on the (virtual) campaign trail, but Im glad it did. In recent months, Manhattan Beach youth have been vocal about their wants for our community. Theyve been listened to by Council, but have they been heard? Ive watched leaders in our community fumble in attempts to get the young people involved for years. Well, here we are. Fifty-plus-year-olds cannot and will not properly represent the younger demographics of our town one in six of us.)

Lyons knows what its like to grow up here. She is not a transplant who decided to spend her adult life here. She is a product of our MBUSD schools, a point of pride for our city. As a recent college grad, Phoebe is still in the mode of studying and researching, a skill shell bring to Council. Phoebe will not use emotion as a metric, but rather analyze data to reach meaningful conclusions. Diversity of experience is key on Council. Its time to look to the future, Manhattan Beach. Lets vote for a fresh voice. Vote Phoebe Lyons on November 3.

Mageline Taylor

Manhattan Beach

Inside support

Dear ER:

As a current councilmember who has worked closely with Steve Napolitano and Richard Montgomery, I wholeheartedly support both candidates. I also support Grettel Fournell to take my seat on the Council. Napolitano and Montgomery have shown incredible leadership in our current crisis and their experience has been invaluable. This is the time to embrace consistency on our Council. As much as this pandemic has been difficult for our residents, it is hard to explain how difficult it has been to run a city through this time. The competing interests of businesses and residents, public health and the economy, has created division in our community. We need to keep a steady hand in the running of the City. Richard and Steve know how to do this. They will keep us safe, healthy, and economically as prosperous as we can possibly be. They know our budget inside and out, they understand the difficult position City staff is in providing the needed services to our community, and they know how to keep our businesses running. I also encourage a vote for Grettel Fournell. I have known Grettel for many years and she is smart, thoughtful and a consensus builder. When I was first elected in 2017, we were a smooth-running Council getting things done by listening to all of our residents not just those who voted for us. We did this with consensus, honesty and integrity. We need to elect someone who will help with the consensus and compromise that is vitally needed in a good councilmember. Grettel is that person.

Nancy Hersman

Manhattan Beach

Bring back Burton

Dear ER:

As a Manhattan Beach resident for almost 40 years, I treasure the family oriented character and small town feel of our community. I recently retired, after 20-plus years, as an environmental engineer with the Metropolitan Water District. Thus, I have knowledge of both environmental and drinking water issues. Both these parts of my background are why I support Mark Burton for Manhattan Beach City Council. He supports the needs and interests of residents over those of special interests (or his own interests) and he is concerned about the environment.

Burton walks the walk, he doesnt just talk the talk. During his prior term as City Council member (and before and since) he has actively championed residents issues, such as banning short-term rentals, supporting our first responders, and supporting our schools. He has always conducted himself in a transparent, fiscally prudent manner. Environmentally, he has opposed the West Basin MWD desalination plant (an environmentally hazardous and fiscally wasteful project), supported stormwater capture measures and helped enact ordinances banning smoking and plastic bags. In addition to his term as City Council member, Burton has had an exemplary record of public service as an LA City Attorney and of supporting our community through participation in the Rotary Club, Roundhouse Aquarium, Historical Society, El Camino College Foundation and many other local organizations. Burton is a good listener and a problem solver. He is kind, patient, thoughtful, conscious of residents needs and respecting opposing views. We need Burton back on Council.

Paul Beswick

Manhattan Beach

Trust the trustee

Dear ER:

Karen Komatinsky and Bill Fournell have served as Manhattan Beach Unified School District trustees for many years and they are the reason that MBUSD has received so many accolades. Komatinsky is running for Beach Cities Health District Member Board of Directors. IHe is termed out on the Manhattan School Board). Komatinsky stated that being a board trustee was like leading a corporation with an $83 million budget and 800 employees. The difference is her shareholders are her neighbors. Komatinsky has previous professional experience as VP for an Executive Search firm, HR Business Leader for Pfizer and is currently running 1 firm focusing on strategic planning and human resources. Komatinsky is the most qualified for the Beach Cities Health District Member Board of Directors, because of her experience on the MBUSD Board of Trustees, professional experience in the business world and her dedication to schools. I have loved Manhattan Beach ever since I came to California in 1960 to pursue my career as an aeronautical engineer. I love the beach, The Strand, ocean, climate, people and especially the school system. MBUSD has received many accolades that we should all be proud of because of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board of Trustees. The residents honor the First Responders (Police, Firefighters and Healthcare Professionals), but how do we honor the dedicated trustees who are professionals (MBAs, attorneys and business leaders) who donate their time to lead MBUSD?

Robert Bush

Manhattan Bush

Fresh perspectives

Dear ER:

The recent BCHD candidate debate, hosted by Easy Reader and HermosaOne.com, gave Beach Cities residents a clear view of the similarities and differences between the candidates. All candidates agree that BCHD is an asset to the community. All candidates support BCHDs wide ranging volunteer program and the programs and services donated to the school districts. Challengers Karen Komatinsky and Martha Koo differentiate themselves from the three incumbents by offering a fresh perspective on BCHDs potential. They believe BCHD has not done an adequate job in reaching out to the communities and would like to see robust efforts towards community engagement. In addition, both expressed commitment to ensuring the prudent use of tax dollars, detailed evaluation of programs and services to show cost effectiveness and clear health impact to the community. They echo residents concerts about whether a Healthy Living Campus is appropriate for the community at this time. This fresh perspective is how I would like to see BCHD proceed into the future. In light of this, I give my full support to Karen Komatinsky and Martha Koo.

Sheila W. Lamb

Redondo Beach

Balance board

Dear ER:

Bring balance to the Beach Cities Head District Board of directors. Vote for Karen Komatinsky and Dr. Martha Koo. For far too long we have had a BCHD board that is out of touch with the needs of the community and we saw this clearly in the candidate forum last week. One incumbent has served 25 years and doesnt know if the 40 programs they pay for are even cost effective. Another claims the immune systems of volunteers are improved with these programs, without any proof. The third claims vast business experience, but hasnt been effective in even getting cost control mechanisms in place or even a line item budget. Its time for change and to bring back balance to BCHD. Vote for Karen Komatinsky and Dr. Martha Koo.

Wayne Craig

Redondo Beach

Powell to the people

Dear ER:

There are a number of well qualified candidates for Manhattan Beach City Council. You should vote for candidates who have the utmost integrity and character, a proven record of community volunteer service, and diverse life experience with fresh ideas to improve our community. I dont endorse or vote for candidates simply because they are an incumbent, or for those who have numerous campaign signs illegally on city property and vacant lots, or candidates beholden to big-money special interests or endorsed by old school power brokers, or who run numerous slick ads with the usual rhetoric and empty promises. As a former two-term Manhattan Beach Mayor, I urge everyone to do their due diligence and research the candidates and ballot propositions. After careful consideration, Ive endorsed Mark Burton, Grettel Fournell and Steve Napolitano (alphabetical order). Also, lifelong resident and political newcomer Phoebe Lyons merits your consideration.

Wayne Powell

Manhattan Beach

Dear ER:

Here are my three pledges to the residents of Manhattan Beach. First, if elected to Council, I pledge the City will not be paying reparations in the Bruces Beach matter. As a former City Attorney, I know our State Constitution, statutes and government code prohibit the deeding of taxpayer owned land and the paying of taxpayer money in this matter. Its illegal. Yes, what a prior Council did over a 100 years ago was shameful but that does not reflect who we are today as a community. However, we should change the plaque at Bruces Beach to accurately reflect the full history of the Bruce family. Second, if elected, I pledge the City will protect and preserve the residential character of our community by continuing our ban on short term rentals and asserting appropriate local control. Local control of zoning and land use is rightfully the purview of our Council, not the State legislature or the Coastal Commission. Third, if elected to Council, I pledge that the City will oppose and stop the billion dollar boondoggle desalination project. It is our South Bay bullet train. Its a waste of money and it will only increase our water rates significantly.

The next Council needs strong leadership with common sense judgment. Thats what I did on Council and thats what I will do if elected. As a former Councilmember and City Attorney, I believe that I am the best qualified to face the challenges ahead. Experience matters, now more than ever.

Mark Burton

Visit link:
Letters to the Editor 10-22-2020 - Easy Reader

ON THE JOB with Buck Bros.

Posted on 17 October 2020 by Tesha Christensen

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN

Longtime Buck Brothers employees Scott Vetsch (left) and Buzzy Napoly return to install new windows at a home where they built a garage previously. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Tracy Kruse didnt start out to be one of the few women in construction, but it is a role she has enjoyed. The daughter of a high school shop teacher, Kruse was looking for work after college and ended up building movie sets in the Twin Cities.After a few years traveling and juggling family commitments, she told her Seward neighbor, Joe Buck, that she was interested in a change. He offered her a job on his crew.This year, Kruse and fellow long-time employee, Jason Manthey, are taking over from Joe and his brother Bob.Our company was started in 1983 by Bob and Joe Buck, with the goal of concentrating on remodeling urban core homes and respecting the historic design and detail of these homes, observed Kruse. We will continue our commitment to providing high-quality service to our community. She added, We have worked on older, single-family homes for over 35 years, and understand the challenges that these homes present. Over the years, weve handpicked a project team that can work with homeowners to design the space, anticipate the issues that older homes present and manage the construction of the project.Read on for more from Kruse.

Scott Vetsch installs new windows on the upper level of a Minneapolis home.

How has COVID-19 changed how you operate?COVID-19 has changed many aspects of how we run our jobs. One thing we have always been proud of is running a tight schedule. With lead times on materials becoming longer and longer, it has created some challenges. We require our staff and subs to wear masks and gloves as possible while on the job site. We have created washing stations on the job sites. We are not having more than one trade at the job site at a time, which has also increased the length of our projects. Social distancing can be a challenge in construction as many tasks take more than one person, for example installing windows. While working in homes, we isolate ourselves as much as possible with plastic barriers. At the end of each workday, we sanitize any areas that the homeowner may come in contact with, handrails etc.What trends do you see right now?Families are looking for more liveable space in their homes with many people staying home. We have seen an increase in basement remodels and additions.How do you seek to be environmentally friendly in your business practices?

Jason Manthey and Tracy Kruse are the new owners of Buck Brothers.

Weve always been proponents of energy-efficient design and construction, and our projects have won awards from Minnesota GreenStar. We have extensive experience at providing clients with creative options for building projects that conserve energy and promote efficiency.What sets your business apart?Our extensive experience has enabled us to build a team of designers, field staff, and sub-contractors who provide the quality service and high value that our clients demand. Homeowners need to trust the tradespeople who work on their projects to provide quality and stay on schedule and on budget.

Read more from the original source:
ON THE JOB with Buck Bros. - Monitorsaintpaul

Syd and Shea McGee have been blowing up in a big way ever since they started their interior design company Studio McGee in 2014, following it up with an e-commerce business called McGee & Co in 2016. The husband and wife duo from Utah has been steadily gaining followers on Instagram ever since Shea debuted her interior design projects on the social media platform almost a decade ago. But their popularity really hit the roof with the release of their Netflix series Dream Home Makeover.

The reality series premiered just ahead of their book launch in October 2020. Dream Home Makeover follows Shea and Syd McGee of Studio McGee as they undertake home renovation projects for clients while also working on their own dream home that theyre building from the ground up. Curious to know where Dream Home Makeover is filmed and where the McGees live? Weve got all the information for you right here.

Since they take on renovation and interior design projects all across the US, filming for season 1 of Dream Home Makeover was done entirely on the location of their various ongoing projects, most of them in Utah. Here are the specific details for the different filming locations.

Almost every episode saw Shea discuss designs with her team of designers at the Studio McGee offices in Lehi, Utah. Filming was done on the chic premises, located at 3900 N Traverse Mountain Blvd, Suite 203, Lehi, UT 84043.

A few scenes were filmed inside the warehouse of their e-commerce company McGee & Co. The warehouse is located at 13648 S 200 W, Draper, Utah.

One of the episodes sees Syd and Shea do the interiors of their neighbors across the street from their own new house in a quiet suburban area in Utah County. A substantial amount of filming was also done in the McGees own home.

In the first season, Syd and Shea remodel a couples unutilized room into a cozy dining and family room in the city of Kaysville in Davis County, in northern Utah. They also take on a project to renovate a familys loft space inside a historical home which is located in the city of Farmington, located in the same County. For another home renovation project (the remodeling of a cramped kitchen), the filming crew of Dream Home Makeover headed to the picturesque city of Layton, that lies between the Salt Lake City and Ogden areas.

In one of the episodes, Syd and Shea head to North Salt Lake City to build a swanky theatre room in a British bachelors basement.

Syd and Shea spend one episode in LA, their old hometown, while doing the interiors of a home nestled in the hills of Los Angeles. They also filmed inside the brick and mortar store of McGee & Co., which used to be located in Costa Mesa but had to shut down because of the Coronavirus pandemic. It used to be located at this exact address before it was closed permanently 1720 Santa Ana Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627.

Syd and Shea McGee spent the last five years living in rental homes because they had sold off their California home and invested every penny in establishing their two businesses. They finally bought land in Lehi, Utah a lovely, secluded cul-de-sac away from the hustle and bustle of the main city and started building their dream home from the ground up.

While filming Dream Home Makeover, the McGees moved out of their last rental and into their gorgeous mansion in Lehi. In every episode of the series, their home features quite a bit, and viewers can see the husband and wife team lovingly set up their dream home.

Read More: Where Are Shea And Syd McGee Now?

Originally posted here:
Where is Dream Home Makeover Filmed? Where Do Syd and Shea McGee Live? - The Cinemaholic

Lawrence Paquin and Tanya Bond use one of the public access computers at the Sweet Home Public Library.

Rose Peda

Library Director

SWEET HOME Sweet Home residents will have the opportunity to vote on continuing to support the public library with an annual property tax levy of $1.17 per $1,000 for five years via Ballot Measure 22-184 on Nov. 3.

The library opened in 1969, although Sweet Home has had a library since 1942, operating for many years out of the basement of City Hall. In 1942, Sweet Home had a population of about 1,100. There are now more than 9,000 residents.

The levy would begin on July 1, 2021, and is expected to generate $2,383,820 over its five-year run, ranging from $443,977 in year one to $530,670 in year five.

The librarys annual circulation is about 40,000. Its story hour program attracts more than 100 youngsters and its annual summer reading program serves more than 500 children.

The library is a member of the Linn Libraries Consortium and has five Little Free Libraries at the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam; Foster, Oak Heights and Hawthorne elementary schools; and the Crawfordsville Market.

The current library at 13th and Kalmia is 51 years old and was not designed with computers in mind.

The city hired a consulting firm last year to assess library needs and to consider whether the current structure could be remodeled, or if an entirely new building is needed to meet current community needs.

The proposed levy would provide funding for operating expenses only, not remodeling or construction of a new building in the future.

Richard Gray and Joseph Store of FFA Architecture told City Council members that the building is undersized for the communitys current population, is seismically deficient and lacks space for a variety of community needs, such as tutoring for small groups, meetings for large groups, and all-ages story hours.

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5-year levy will support Sweet Home library - Lebanon Express

Area businesses remodel while shut down during the pandemic

While the economic shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly put a strain on small businesses around the country, some local businesses used the shutdown to their advantage and used the time to upgrade and renovate their establishments.

Harolds Bar, Glenville American Legion Post 264 and Uptown Fitness in Lake Mills are three of the area businesses that gave their buildings a new look. From small renovations on the inside to full-building overhauls, all three businesses chose to make the most out of their time without customers.

Harolds Bar revamps interior; gets fresh paint job

Harolds Bar, an Albert Lea establishment since 1960, got a new look with a new paint job to the outside of the building as well as the roadside sign. On top of the paint job, the inside of the bar got a new look as well.

The bar area will look vastly different from what customers are used to including a brand new bar top, new barstools and a new tin wall surrounding the entire bar. Three new TVs sit atop the bar where animal heads from hunting trips used to be displayed.

Todd Haroldson, owner of Harolds Bar since 1984 when he took it over from his father, said the bar was in great need of updates.

I try to fix as much as I can and do as much as I can, Haroldson said. I devote a lot of time to this place It had to be done, and Im hoping to draw more. Thats the point; Im hoping to draw a few more people that never would have come out. I hope to, and I hope they like it.

At the time of the interview, Harolds was not yet open to the public. Haroldson expected to see a rush of people coming through the doors when they did open, but was not quite sure how things would look when they did. He emphasized that the health and safety of both his workers and customers would be his top priority when they did open.

In his second phase of remodeling, Haroldson said he plans on moving the womens restrooms from their current spot in the middle of the building to the east side of the building. The moving of the restrooms would then allow him to open up the space and connect the bar area with the old restaurant portion, which would greatly expand available space.

Necessary repairs lead to added renovations

The Glenville Legion Post 264 also renovated its bar area as well as its entrance area and bathrooms.

Bob Knutson, the Legion post commander, said one of the biggest complaints they have gotten over the years is the bathrooms needed to be updated. Both the mens and womens restrooms received new ceiling tiles, lighting and fans, flooring and a fresh paint job.

The entrance to the bar used to be closed off from view to the bartenders, but now includes a window that allows workers to see who is coming in and going out. The bar received new front paneling and new decorations on the inside and outside of the building made by Black Iron Manufacturing.

Knutson said some of the projects needed to get done, but once they got started they decided they might as well keep going.

There were some things that we absolutely had to do, but when the ball got rolling, it just kept on going, Knutson said. The nice thing is that we would have been shut down anyway with the new flooring behind the bar. So we just said, Lets get this done now. Who knew it was going to last this long?

The Legion was able to reopen to the public in some capacity in June. Knutson said the reactions to the improvements have been overwhelmingly positive.

Everybody was anxious to come and see what we had done because it is a big change, Knutson said. Its brighter and its just more welcoming.

Shutdown after big move becomes blessing in disguise

For Heather Yeoman and Rachel Olson, owners of Uptown Fitness, the shutdown came the day after they closed on a new building.

The fitness center went from about 1,100 square feet in its previous space to 7,000 in its new building and many improvements had to be made.

Yeoman said, looking back, she is grateful to have the time she did to work on the building, but at the same time it was nerve-racking because they had no idea when they would be able to open again.

It ended up being a blessing in disguise, Yeoman said. The terrifying thing was we just werent sure how long we were going to be closed. During the move from our rental space to here, we had only planned to be shut down for five days.

The shutdown ended up being six weeks long and Yeoman said they used all of that time.

As a retail space before becoming Uptown Fitness, the building needed some walls installed to make new rooms and there was a lot of shelving that needed to come down and be taken out of the building.

Uptown fitness is now home to a large studio floor with a stage, a dedicated room for yoga, a cycling room in the basement and two rental spaces in the basement which are home to a massage therapist and an esthetician.

During the shutdown, Uptown Fitness continued to offer courses through online platforms and was able to keep on 100% of the clients it had before the shutdown period began.

Uptown fitness had a small open house with only a few people allowed in the building at a time. Yeoman said everyone who came through the building was blown away at what they had done to the space. While classes are still a little different than normal, Yeoman is grateful they were able to be back in some form.

Were doing things a little bit differently right now, Yeoman said. Its just so wonderful to be able to do anything, were very blessed. We dont know any day what could change. Were just trying to be careful and take care of our people.

Tyler Julson covers sports for the Albert Lea Tribune.

Excerpt from:
Making the most of it - Albert Lea Tribune - Albert Lea Tribune

Thrifty finds are making a comeback and its a good thing because their customer base has apparently been chomping at the bit to get in on the action.

Though it may seem counterintuitive to shop second hand as far as passing along germs goes local merchants are easing such concerns and doing their darndest to keep thrifters safe.

The Rebekahs (Near New Store)

The Near New, or The Rebekahs, as locals know it, re-opened its doors in the last month and its funneling folks in one door and out the other literally. When you walk in the door youll see directional arrows pointing out the one way route through the store. After taking the loop and having the opportunity to peruse each section the path culminates at the register and back out the opposing door.

Anna Abdelaal, a young Rebecca herself as well as a board member, is glad the store is conscientiously propping its doors to welcome the public again. All of our people are just super happy that were open they love coming here, Abdelall said of their clientele.

According to Abdelall, the boards decision to reopen was unanimous, though some members didnt feel in as big of a hurry. Ultimately, the group wanted to get back to it so they could continue to fundraise for specific causes and scholarships.

Prior to re-opening, the Rebeccas board continued to meet at Friendship Park (which they also own) adjacent to the store to devise reopening strategies and decide on fundraising options. That is where we decide what we want to do with the finances that weve gained; since we are volunteers were not profiting, said Abdelall.

As it is a non-profit the incentive of reopening is not for the good of any proprietor but rather for various causes the organization contributes to as well as the community at large by providing the most affordable dress-ups in town.

During the closure, Abdelall was happy to report that donors were kind enough to not fill their stoop with knickknacks and various sized bags of clothes. Now, as was always the case, donors can only drop off during store hours. Furthermore, and this is new, people will have to bring their donations to the side door at the corner of the building, across from the Village Smithy. We are accepting only two containers of things at a time from a family or individual, said Abdelall.

Once items are admitted they are quarantined for a week before volunteers break into the bags and organize what theyll put on the shelves and set aside what will be recycled as textiles at the Pitkin County Dump. Not to say they will not still be multitasking they will but this does mean you will not see the ladies sorting in the front of the store like the good old days.

A lot of our volunteers are over the age of sixty five but not all of them and thats why were open now, Abdelall explained. Were just doing what we can with the people who are willing to work at this moment, and thats why we have limited hours.

Currently, the Near New is only open from noon to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays instead of its previous four weekdays. Were hoping to be opening back up on Thursdays within the next few weeks thatd be great, said Abdelall.

Abdelall is the Friday manager. While working the counter someone motioned to her to inquire about the price of something bright, folded and sealed in its packaging, What is it a t-shirt, pantyhoes, tights? Abdelall asked. The patron just shrugged their shoulders and Abdelall replied and laughed, Okay, one dollar.

The general vibe has not changed much, and while theyre not making the same numbers as before it appears things have not slowed too much on the days they are open.

That said, last year the Near New raised more in profits than any other year on record.

Right now were doing our scholarships, said Abdelall. If youre a high school student that is going to go to college in state we can offer you some assistance. Due to COVID-19 this process is taking place later than usual but they nonetheless intend to assist a number of the 2020 graduates.

Some recent things theyve donated to include the towns new pickleball courts and the Carbondale Middle School music department.

Misers Mercantile

Do not be deterred by the dark plastic draping the interior of the old storefront windows. Just walk to the side door and youll see the same Misers sign hanging above the new entrance to this timeless thrifty destination.

Business owner Bertha Eubank is excited for the community to see Misers new look. Its previously frequent shoppers will notice one not so subtle difference: that the front of the store is no longer accessible.

Rather, when entering and upon noticing the new paint and dashing interior the initial space seems small. However, in the corner a stairwell leads to the basement which still has ample room for incoming apparel.

Eubank says they are also remodeling the front of the building and plan to rent the space out eventually.

When it first reopened on Aug. 11, people were confused because of the new entrance, Eubank said. Overall though, she said, Were seeing a really good response from people.

Misers business hours have also been reduced from seven to five days a week. In order to drop off consignment someone must call and make an appointment first. Eubank is offering 20 minute intervals between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

To Eubank it is important that people, Stay safe and healthy health for the community, myself and my employees, she stated.

LuLus Thrift Shoppe

We opened on May 4, said Deborah Herrell proprietor of LuLus Thrift Shoppe in La Fontana Plaza, It was the first day that they allowed us to reopen.

Herrell shut down the store by choice before retail businesses in the state were required to do so. Therefore the business had been closed for about two months.

Were right back on track though, Herrell said, but with some differences.

Were limited to 10 people maximum in the store including employees, said Herrell and When we first reopened we took some old sheets, bleached them and then cut them into bandana size pieces so if anyone didnt have a mask we could give them one.

Herrell has received a lot of calls regarding donations but said, We have actually really limited the amount coming in through the front door. She added that the bulk of the stores items come from providers around the state and that those commodities, Have already been in bags in storage units for a month or more, before arriving at LuLus.

Though it is a for-profit business, Herrell was proud to say, We complete the circle and we donate ten to twenty percent of our gross sales forward every month.

Back Door Consignment Store (BDC)

BDC was not available for comment for this story. The business is open, albeit under new ownership Huertas Brothers.

The previous owner, Dessrie Bartelt, was sued by a consigner, Ray Meeks. Garfield County Court Judge Paul Metzger ordered that Meeks be paid reparations totalling $3,010.05. However, the case was reopened after Meeks filed a Motion and Affidavit for Citation for Contempt of Court against Bartelt for not settling up. Metzger granted the motion and a citation was issued for Bartelt to appear on Sept. 3.

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You can still shop second hand The Sopris Sun - soprissun.com

SEATTLE Sachin was all set, living the single life in his little two-bedroom place in Green Lake. He figured hed found his forever bachelor home, says Anna and then he met me. We had been living together and dating, but when out-of-town friends or his parents would come to town, it was very small.

Sachin had attended the University of Washington and suggested looking for roomier homes in Hawthorne Hills, where he used to run. As we were driving through it, I fell in love, Anna says. It reminded me of Somerset in Bellevue. It just instantly felt like home.

They discovered this 1948 brick daylight rambler, and, I loved it, Sachin says. When you walked in the front door, you were looking into the canopy of this huge Japanese maple.

They bought the house. And their affection kept growing. We fell in love with our neighbors, Anna says. Its kind of a mixed-generational street. It felt like we had grandparents and parents and kids. It instantly felt like we could live here forever. The first day we moved in, he proposed. We were married a year later.

Love of all kinds brought them here, and keeps them grounded. If we were going to be here for the long haul we felt really invested it was time for us to grow up the house a little bit, Anna says.

Those feelings, and that investment, have driven two remodeling projects, both designed to optimize and open spaces, reconcile varying-era inconsistencies and basically help an older home keep up as modern-day circumstances change (Sachin and Anna had two children in between projects), and both were with architect Julie Campbell, of CTA Design Builders.

Midcentury homes typically had separate rooms and hallways. Those 1940s-50s homes were by the dozens: warrens of little rooms, simple rectangles, Campbell says. The culture now is more communal living: communal eating, cooking, living. We knew it wanted to be a modern midcentury remodel, but not stark. Fir doors and fir trim became a theme we built on in Phase Two.

But perhaps the most significant thing they built on was the ground. While Phase One tackled living room/fireplace and cosmetic work, Campbell says, the more-intensive Phase Two reworked the functional but dated C-shaped kitchen and the bathrooms; re-envisioned the entire landscaping plan; and added an oasis of a master suite on the daylight-basement level, below a family room that had been built off the main-level kitchen in the 1980s.

That created a dark, unpleasant area underneath that structure in the backyard, says Campbell, who calls such dark unpleasantness a beer-can space. Beer can goes back to a professor I had in school. Its an unused alleyway or corner of a lot, where people sit [and toss beer cans]. When my professor used it, the context was: No space should be beer-can space. Every space should be a place. You dont want to have an unloved space.

No. Unloved does not work here.

In their quest for a bigger, brighter, upgraded bedroom, Sachin and Anna had considered building up rather than under. But if we had gone up, we probably would have spent all of our money and wouldnt have connected with the outdoors, Sachin says. I felt from the standpoint of the street, we wouldve been the house that stands up. and out.

That doesnt work here, either.

As we considered that beautiful Japanese maple just outside the back basement, we realized it would be the perfect focal point for a master suite tucked under the upper-floor addition, creating a rear courtyard that both floors could enjoy, Campbell says. (She credits landscape designer Scot Eckley for a key design aspect of this house: all-new landscaping, including the backyard courtyard and a very public patio in the former front yard.)

Overall, she says, Our remodel removed many walls, eliminating hallways and creating vistas throughout the house to the outside. The open stairway is now visually connected with the lower level so that going downstairs doesnt feel like leaving the main part of the house. But once in the master bedroom, with its very private view to that magical tree, it feels like a private retreat.

Private, yes, but for one day, anyway also very much public.

This might be a 1948 home, but with a new spare and limited (yet warm and relaxed) materials palette, Its very contemporary and luminescent, says Campbell. Its very minimal in floor plan and layout, and it feels large and more open.

Or: just as modern as midcentury.

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Modern Love: Home remodeled (twice!) on a solid foundation of deep affection - Times-Mail

Basement waterproofing and refinishing projects took off as people realized they needed to upgrade space for a home office.

Stuck at home in a paralyzing health crisis, people across America finally tackled long-delayed, home improvement projects that are giving a boost to the do-it-yourself and handyman segments of the U.S. economy.

As a result, hardware, home improvement and farm supply stores which the federal government deemed essential businesses have seen a massive surge in demand for tools, paint, lawn and garden goods and treated lumber.

Added to that is a higher demand for cleaning supplies, security systems, safety gear, sidewalk chalk and activity kits for youngsters, said Randy Rusk, national spokesman for Do It Best, a cooperative of hardware, lumber and building materials stores in all 50 states.

But while calls for improvements are pouring in, some merchants worry about what's around the corner in an economy rocked by the pandemic. They are wary of expanding or hiring more employees.

Analysts and marketing experts in the home and hardware industry are cautious, too. They predict a mixed bag in spending through the end of this year, dragged down by little or no construction in some states and nagging uncertainties surrounding the economic toll from the pandemic.

Before the outbreak, spending on home remodeling was expected to post annual growth of 3.9% by the first quarter of 2021.

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Pandemic leads to increase in home improvement - Quad City Times