Ward 8 Woods cleanup. Image by the author.

Tires, construction debris, furniturethese are among the many things people illegally dump in alleys, roadsides, and other secluded areas all over the Washington region. Local governmental agencies are working together to stop the dumping, and ultimately to curb the environmental damage it causes.

Illegal dumping is not just unsightly. As they degrade, bits of illegally-dumped materials like tires and construction waste are carried into the regions waterways and leach out chemicals that harm aquatic wildlife, said Dawn Hawkins-Nixon, who has worked for 20 years on water resource management at the Prince Georges County Department of Environment.

About 20,000 pounds of trash makes its way into the Anacostia River every year from illegal dumping, according to Matt Robinson, who works at the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). Robinson coordinates with District agencies such as the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the DC Department of Public Works (DPW) to reduce the amount of trash entering local waterways like the Anacostia and the Chesapeake.

The District is working to curb illegal dumping

Automotive shops sometimes hire unlicensed dealers to dispose of tires, says Master Patrol Officer Robert Underwood. He oversees MPDs Environmental Crimes Unit, which is based in the 6th District. Underwood says that instead of paying $4 to dispose of a tire legally, illicit brokers offer to dispose of them for as little as $1 apiece. Most illegal dumping is done by such businesses, he added.

Master Patrol Officer Robert Underwood of the Environmental Crimes Unit. Image by the author.

In 2016, the District established a multi-agency task force called Dump Busters, which has since arrested 197 people involved in illegal dumping. The District of Columbia can fine a person up to $5,000 for violating city ordinances or disposing of waste, and send them to jail for up to 90 days. Fines and jail time can increase for repeat offenders.

Robinson says Dump Busters monitors about 20 different sites in the city, predominately in Wards 7 and 8, where people often complain of dumping. Police have installed hidden cameras to help catch people in the act. The unit got some media attention this past January, when it found the man who dumped about 1,000 tires in a stream bed in Fort Dupont Park in Southeast DC. Underwood says the Districts efforts have been so successful that Several agencies have called me wanting to have their officers trained in how to do this.

We continue to monitor hotspots throughout the city and we want those who think its okay to dump in our neighborhoods, parks, streams, and rivers to know that we are watching, DOEE Director Tom Wells said in a statement.

Local residents are taking action too, like Nathan Harrington, who formed a nonprofit organization called Ward 8 Woods. Harrington and his team work to remove trash from area forests and educate residents about why its important to keep them clean.

Trash and tires pulled from the woods in Ward 8. Image by the author.

While the problem is not new, the government officials interviewed for the article said the strategy for tackling the issue has evolved over time. Governments are relying on multi-agency approaches that consider the regional impact of this issue.

Prince Georges is taking trash seriously

Dumping has long been a problem in Prince Georges County, so much so that its new County Executive Angela Alsobrooks made dealing with litter and trash a key part of her campaign. She has taken a strong stance on the issue, most recently, by sponsoring state-wide legislation to boost penalties for illegal dumping.

Under the new law, perpetrators found guilty of illegally disposing of litter are subject to additional financial penalties and imprisonment that progressively go higher for every subsequent offense. John Erzen, the deputy chief of staff for Alsobrooks, said they want to send the message that illegal dumping is not tolerated, and that those who are caught doing this in the county will face the consequences.

Erzen also said that governments across the region are actively collaborating with one another to catch those involved in disposing of waste illegally, and said Prince Georges County often works closely with the District government to catch perpetrators. Like their neighbors in DC, Prince Georges also employs a multi-agency approach to tackling the problem.

Tiaa Rutherford, the litter reduction program manager for Prince Georges County, says the types of things that are dumped there are the same as those dumped in DC. Aside from tires, people dump shingles, drywall, unwanted toilets, mattresses, furniture, she said.

Thanks to the efforts of the Department of Public Works, Department of Corrections, volunteer groups, and others in Prince Georges, 596,000 lbs. of litter has been collected since 2016 and prevented from going into the Anacostia and other waterways, Rutherford says. This information is tracked on PGCLitterTRAK, the countys litter tracking app.

Not sure how to properly dispose of something? For questions about trash or waste disposal visit Prince Georges Countys website or the DC Department of Public Works page.

Will Schick is an MFA student in Creative Writing at American University. Prior to this, Will served eleven years in the Marine Corps where he did multiple deployments to Afghanistan, and the Asia-Pacific. He is also a polyglot who speaks six languages to varying degrees of fluency (Chinese, Dari, English, French, Korean, and Spanish).

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Illegal dumping is a big problem in our region. Here's how local jurisdictions are tackling it. - Greater Greater Washington

You wont believe that this classy Colonial on over an acre of land was built in 1957! Freshly renovated and totally move-in ready with an easy living floor plan that fits todays lifestyles, this residence is thoroughly modern from stem to stern, so to speak.

ADDRESS: 9 Cedar St., Boxford

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2 full

LIVING SPACE: 2,168 sq. ft.

PRICE: $639,000

You wont believe that this classy Colonial on over an acre of land was built in 1957! Freshly renovated and totally move-in ready with an easy living floor plan that fits todays lifestyles, this residence is thoroughly modern from stem to stern, so to speak.

The roof, gutters and siding are new, every window was replaced they are mostly gorgeous eight-over-one and this home has a four-bedroom Gravity Septic System. The oil tank is new and so is the 100-amp sub panel in the laundry room. Electric is, of course, 200 amps. Lets not forget new sheetrock and plaster walls in the garage or the fireproof door to the house. Thats only a partial list of the newbies. Whew.

By the way, the entire house (upstairs and down) has all new red oak flooring that is not only beautiful but also a seamless backdrop to all the wonderful features and details in this home.

Lets get specific

A center entry area separates the oversized main living areas. The living room, which is off to the left, runs front to back and has four, eight-over-one windows plus an attractive gas fireplace with a brick surround. The mantel along with door and window casings have eye-catching detailing. So does the chair rail.

The open-concept kitchen-dining room on the other side of the entry is even larger and is filled with more impressive amenities.

In the dining room, for example, double crown molding, detailed bump boards and chair rail give this space a timeless elegance. In addition to views of the sprawling front lawn and side yard, this room seats six, eight or more comfortably.

Granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances (and that includes the sink) sparkle in the bright U-shaped kitchen. A subway tile backsplash with glass tile inserts add dashes of sparkle as does lighting under the cabinets of which there is a substantial amount. The center island, which any chef will appreciate, doubles as a breakfast bar for two.

Take two steps down from the kitchen into the sunroom and be prepared to be wowed. Running front-to-back, this fabulous getaway is just that an inviting place to relax or to entertain friends and family. Almost floor-to-ceiling casement windows with a full glass pane door at each end of the room look out to the grounds. One view is the front lawn; the other is a sizable patio and expansive yard bordered by well-established trees.

Easy-to-maintain tile flooring and a closet are practical pluses.

By the way, this level has a full bathroom with a tub/shower ensemble with a tile surround. The vanity has a granite countertop.

Up on two

Although the second floor is set up as a classic four-square, this level is about everything modern: rooms are bright (with two exposures), closets are big doubles with sliding doors and gleaming red oak flooring is everywhere.

The landing, which has enough space to accommodate a mini study/office a desk and chair, for example also can be a reading corner.

The bedrooms are spacious. Two, which are identical in size, are slightly larger than the other two and those are also the same size. Incidentally, the two larger rooms easily handle king-size beds plus the prerequisite bedroom furniture.

The shared full bathroom has a tub/shower ensemble with a tile surround. The vanity has a granite countertop.

A linen closet is in the hall, too.

About the basement

As this level is the footprint of the house, describing it as large is practically an understatement.

Excellent ceiling height throughout is another perk. In addition to a partially finished space well go there in a moment the basement has a huge utility room with access to the bulkhead that leads to the yard. A laundry room, which is also big, has more than enough space for a full-size washer and dryer installed side-by-side, if you prefer.

A sink in this room and cabinetry that can work as a folding table are additional conveniences. Bead board on two walls is a dash of character.

Now about potential: With paneled walls and slate-like tile flooring in place, the partially finished area is ready for final finishing touches to create a user-friendly area as a second family room, media center and/or a play area for adults and the younger set. Sweet cubbies under the stairs work well for books, games and other storage.

Contact Melissa Dias Lopes of The Lopes Group at J Barrett & Company at 617-838-2394 or by email: melissa@jbarrettrealty.com.

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HOME PROFILE: Renovations have 1957 home ready for todays living - Wicked Local Medford

Acoustic Geometry's line of Pro and Home Room Packs can be used to control the negative effects of bad room acoustics.

One of the most complex and misunderstood subjects in the electronics industry is acoustics.

A case could be made that electronics companies arent helping the cause with the development of equalization programs that are touted to solve these acoustics issues in an almost turnkey fashion.

The best or perhaps most proven way to deal with acoustical issues is through the combination of absorption and diffusion acoustical products, as well as smartly applied equalization when necessary.

Providing integrators with a choice of prepackaged room kits that are designed to service specific room sizes in the residential and commercial markets, Acoustic Geometrys line of Pro and Home Room Packs can be used for everything from home theaters to podcast studios.

SendingCE Proits Home Room Pack 3, we installed this kit in our multimedia studio space where we test AV components and shoot our videos.

Acoustic Geometry offers its Pro and Home Room Packs in preconfigured sizes with a limited choice of colors. The size of the packages allows integrators to choose the appropriate solution for a specific size room without having to pass on the cost of unneeded products to homeowners.

The bundles combine products that provide phase-coherent diffusion, along with absorbing panels and solutions that are designed to minimize low-frequency modal issues.

Looking specifically at the Home Room Pack 3 bundle, it comes with six 22-foot 1-inch absorber panels; four 24-foot 2-inch absorber panels, and a pair of small-curve diffusors that measure 14.5 inches by 42 inches by 5 inches.

Explaining the inclusion of the Small Curve Diffusors, Acoustic Geometry says these products are engineered to scatter sound energy to produce a more balanced listening space. The absorption panels act as the name impliesthey absorb acoustic energy to minimize the effect of echoes and reverberation.

Utilizing the training that I took from the Home Acoustics Alliance (HAA) and THX, as well as the past experience I have from designing other rooms, I took an approach with the studio space to make the room less reverberant for better voice intelligibility, and to support a smoother bottom end for audio playback.

Before I installed the products, I measured the room using the Audio Tools app on my iPhone XR and pink noise test tones from Rives Audio. This enabled me to take a snapshot of what is going on in the room acoustically before the addition of the Acoustic Geometry products.

After documenting my before measurements from 20Hz all the way up to 20kHz I had found in our square room (square rooms are not conducive to good sound reproduction) is that we had boomy low frequencies and a really pronounced midrange/upper midrange.

Getting into the install process, the panels hang easily enough through the use of the included mounting accessories like drywall anchors. The only tools I used were a tape measure and a drill with screwdriver tips. If I felt it was necessary, I also could have used a stud finder if I thought there were concerns about the weight of the panels and the durability of the panels once they were mounted.

Following the before measurements, I strategically placed the panels in our AV room with the goal of improving the sound of our videos and Q&As, which are done with the use of an InFocus interactive display.

Install times will vary depending on the size of the room and the exact acoustic package, but with that being said, these acoustic packages shouldnt take too long to install when hanging on standard drywall.

Measuring the room after I had installed the panels revealed they did work to minimize the boominess of low frequencies from about 25Hz to 125Hz.

Considering the price of the package and the relatively small investment in the installation of the panels, theres no doubt the package provides proven results that realistically cost less than the esoteric, snake-oil products that so-called audiophile companies often market.

The Acoustic Geometry panels also minimized some room dimension effects in the midrange and upper midrange areas where I measured spikes at 800K and 1.6kHz.

In addition, the response of the space with higher frequencies displayed a smoother roll off up to 20kHz.

Considering the price of the package and the relatively small investment in the installation of the panels, theres no doubt the package provides proven results that realistically cost less than the esoteric, snake-oil products that so-called audiophile companies often market.

Id like to point out the companion mounting hardware is installer friendly, so integrators wont have to worry about sticking themselves with the impaler types of mounting hardware that some companies include with their acoustic products, which is obviously a nice bonus.

I would like to see more standard color choices. The choice between graphite and Serengeti (tan) I think limits integrators ability to sell these packages to their clients that want solutions that complements their homes dcor.

Otherwise, the only other issue I found with the products was the tacky, glue-like feel on some of the absorbers back panels, which made unpacking the items a bit longer than necessary.

My conclusion after my pre- and post-measurements is that for a reasonable amount of money these acoustic packages provide integrators with a scalable level of verifiable performance to improve the sound quality of residential and commercial spaces, and thats why I recommend checking out these product lines from Acoustic Geometry.

MSRPs vary depending on the kit and color options. The Home Room Pack 3s starting retail cost is $1,838.99.

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Hands On: Acoustic Geometry Pro and Home Room Packs - CEPRO - CEPro

Want to get off Santas naughty list? Clean your chimney.

A sooty flue or a dead raccoon can turn Jolly Old Saint Nick into Mr. Grinch. Regular inspections by a chimney sweep can ensure that a fireplace produces ample heat and vents properly. But more important, proper maintenance reduces the risk of fire and carbon-monoxide poisoning.

This is the busy season for chimney sweeps, especially in North Pole, Alaska. "Theres always a big flurry of calls two weeks before Christmas," says Charlie Whitaker of A Chimney Sweep, a business that serves Fairbanks and North Pole. "All of a sudden people are putting up trees, talking about Santa and they realize, I havent cleaned my chimney. "

Mr. Whitaker, who has been in the business for almost 40 years, expects to service over 100 fireplaces between late September and the end of the year.

Much of the work entails using wire and nylon brushes to clean creosote out of chimneys. The byproduct from burning wood, creosote is highly flammable and creates a high risk of fire. Raccoons in chimneys arent a problem in Alaska, Mr. Whitaker says, but squirrels, birds and other pests are if measures arent taken to cap or cover the chimney. Recently, he was called to a home where a bat entered through an uncapped chimney and became trapped in a sealed gas fireplace.

More: Gifts for the Interior-Design Obsessed

One potential hazard commonly overlooked by homeowners is pyrolysis. That is when drywall, wood framing, paneling, cork ceiling tiles and other organic materials located too close to a fireplace break down after prolonged exposure to heat. As a result, the material can ignite, even when there is no flame present.

A dark stain on the wall or ceiling near the chimney is one sign of possible pyrolysis, but many times there is no visible change in appearance. A chimney sweep can identify pyrolysis, as well as faulty flues, dampers, stovepipe and fireboxes.

A lot of chimney sweeps service gas fireplaces as well. These dont get dirty with creosote, but they still require regular maintenance to make sure they are vented with the proper pipe and clear of any obstructions, says Russ Dimmitt, director of education with the Chimney Safety Institute of America, a Plainfield, Ind.-based trade group that represents chimney sweeps.

In addition to the fireplace and flue, an inspection will reveal any issues with brickwork, mortar or other masonry, which can absorb water and deteriorateespecially in areas with freezing temperatures, Mr. Dimmitt says. Acidic deposits eat away at mortar and brick, causing performance issues as well as leaks, mold and staining. As the chimney worsens, fallen pieces can create blockages and cause carbon monoxide problems.

Each year, an average of 19,800 residential fires in the U.S. are blamed on fireplaces, chimneys and chimney connectors, according to an analysis of structural fires by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Those fires cause $127.7 million in property loss, on average, each year, according to the CPSCs examination of residential fires between 2014 and 2016, the latest data available.

From Penta: Sothebys Wine Sales Top $100 Million for Second Consecutive Year

Fewer homes with fireplaces are being built these days. In 1990, 66% of newly constructed homes had one or more fireplaces, according to the Census Bureau. Last year, 44% of new homes had at least one fireplace. A number of factors are fueling the fall, including the extra expense, concerns over energy efficiency and pollution, and local ordinances that ban the use of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.

Mr. Dimmitt, of the Chimney Safety Institute of America, says newer models of fireplaces and fireplace inserts, which burn wood, natural gas, gel, oil and other fuels, are typically more energy efficient and cleaner burning than older models.

Even though fewer homes include fireplaces, the feature still increases home values. Based on an analysis of all listings since 2017, homes with a fireplace sold for 1.8% more and eight days faster than homes without a fireplace, according to real-estate website Zillow. In all, an estimated 36 million homes in the U.S.or about 29.3%have a fireplace, the Zillow research found.

That keeps chimney sweeps busy during the peak season. "Santa is great for business," says Mr. Whitaker, the chimney sweep in Alaska. Mr. Dimmitt says some chimney sweeps dispatched to a home with small children will, after finishing a job, show a swatch of red fabric to children, saying, "Look what I found in your chimney!"

See the article here:
What Does Santa Want for Christmas This Year? A Clean Chimney - Mansion Global

My new co-workers seemed less stable and more desperate than the men at the boatyard. One had been an addict, but now he was clean, or rather hed switched his allegiance to caffeine and nicotine. At that time Starbucks had free refills, so he got a venti on his way to work and returned with his empty cup periodically throughout the day. He took smoke breaks several times an hour. Another kid he seemed young told me how a few years back hed killed a woman with his car when she leaned her head too far into the road from the sidewalk; it was gruesome, her head basically exploded, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing. He seemed scarred by that experience, or by something.

The foreman was a half-Mexican, half-Ecuadorian named Edgardo. When he first arrived in this country, he told me, he worked his way up doing yard work and odd jobs for homeowners, carting his equipment and tools around on the bus because he had no vehicle. Occasionally he would leave the worksite in the early afternoon, telling us all that he had to go act in a porn film. Soft-core porn, he assured us. Latin lover was definitely the persona he was trying to cultivate, and I was the only woman around to impress. Green Lake, he said, was the place to pick up women; you just had to borrow someones dog to walk. Every day midmorning he drove to Starbucks to buy himself coffee, and brought back a pastry for me. The differential treatment was unsettling but I got a lot of free calories.

I loved the work: demolition, framing, drywall and mudding, installing trim, caulking, texturing and painting. But the shadiness of the operation was a little startling. In some of the bathrooms, the ceilings and walls had water damage; there were slow leaks in the pipes. Johann didnt want to bring in a plumber. Just repair the plaster, he told us. Make it look nice. He didnt buy us ladders. When we needed extra height, we stood on overturned buckets. If we wanted safety equipment, we had to provide it ourselves, and some people didnt bother. PTSD kid walked out of an apartment one day, his hair, eyes and mouth thickly caked in a white dust. Hed been sanding a repair on the ceiling, his unprotected, upturned face directly in the line of fire. I felt happy for him when he quit after he found a job as a busboy in the restaurant at the top of the Columbia Tower. He needed to get out of there.

Morale was not high. Unscrupulous himself, Johann easily grew suspicious of others. He was always looking for the person he could trust to report what everyone else was doing and saying when he wasnt around. Edgardo was losing patience with Johann, who he said was lying to us. Once when Johann claimed to be at Home Depot picking up supplies, Edgardo put him on speaker phone so I could listen in, and thought up a specific item to ask for. When Johann said he couldnt find it, Edgardo responded with meticulously phony instructions: Go to Aisle 8, where the power tools are. Did he see the drills? Yes, there they were, he was standing right in front of them. Now keep going, around the corner, past the electrical outlet covers, just a little further. Did he see it? Oh yes, there it was. But they were all out. Yeah, right. Edgardo glared at his phone, disgusted.

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Odd jobs in The Emerald City - Crosscut

5 Occupations Most Affected by Mesothelioma

Here are five occupations largely affected by mesothelioma--a disease that develops 20 to 40 years after exposure to a toxic substance known as asbestos.

Mesothelioma is a disease that develops 20 to 40 years after exposure to a toxic substance known as asbestos. This mineral was a readily available material and used by many companies up until the 1980s.

However, many industries continued using this substance for much of the 20th century despite knowledge of the dangers it posed to their employees. Unfortunately, most workers were unaware of the effects asbestos exposure would have on their bodies decades later.

Today, despite regulations, commercial use of asbestos is not banned in the United States. Additionally, there are many instances of legacy asbestos, where workers today interact with buildings and other structures that were built with untenable asbestos.

Here are five occupations largely affected by mesothelioma.

Workers interacted with asbestos on a daily basis as it was used for insulation, specifically for railroad equipment and locomotive parts. Boilers, engines, pipes and electrical panels were covered with this toxic substance. This use left repairmen, train operators, conductors or yardmasters in danger of inhaling asbestos fibers for prolonged periods of time.

After the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limited the use of asbestos-made products, some railroad companies continued to use asbestos and hid the dangers from their employees. Many companies have filed for bankruptcy and had to establish trust funds to pay for their negligence. Workers diagnosed with mesothelioma today can file a mesothelioma claim and receive compensation from a variety of asbestos trust funds.

2. ShipbuildersLarge commercial and naval vessels were built with asbestos because of its fire-retardant and insulating properties. The United States Navy, specifically, used this substance to build many of their ships until the latter half of the 20th century. Asbestos was mostly used to increase durability in materials like gaskets, insulation and some filters. Shipbuilders also used asbestos to insulate the pipes in these vessels. Boats built for recreational use also may have included this toxic substance. Asbestos was used in electrical wire insulation, caulking and sealants. Shipbuilders were at risk for inhaling these fibers when the substance loosened, or broke apart, and became airborne.

See the rest here:
5 Occupations Most Affected by Mesothelioma - Occupational Health and Safety

As he slept, Riverside Mayor Rusty Baileys feet could have touched the aluminum door and his arm could have touched the opposite wall.

Not that he would have let either out of his sleeping bag, when the nighttime temperature had dropped to 42 degrees outside and it was almost as cold inside the uninsulated structure.

But his shelter 8 feet long and 8 feet wide, made mostly of aluminum was much more comfortable than his neighbors tents.

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey reads as he beds down for the night in an 8-by-8 shelter near a homeless shelter in Riverside on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. Bailey, who spends three to four nights a week in the 64-square-foot shelter, believes the small units could help solve the citys homeless problem. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey wakes up in an 8-by-8 shelter in the parking lot next to Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey reads before sleeping in an 8-by-8 shelter near a homeless shelter in Riverside on Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty spends several nights a week in a small shelter near a Riverside homeless shelter. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey prepares to bed down for the night in an 8-by-8 shelter near a Riverside homeless shelter Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey prepares to sleep in a small shelter by a homeless shelter in Riverside on Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey reads as he prepares to sleep in a small shelter by a Riverside shelter Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey reads as he beds down for the night in an 8-by-8 shelter by a Riverside homeless shelter Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey reads Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019, before spending the night in an 8-by-8 shelter. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey prepares to spend the night in a small shelter in Riverside on Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey has been spending several nights a week in an 8-by-8 shelter near a homeless shelter in Riverside. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey waves to a passerby as he prepares to spend the night in an 8-by-8 shelter Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey looks over materials after waking up in a small shelter near the Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey, left, talks to people staying at the Path of Life Ministries shelter after waking up in a small shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey prepares to start his day after waking up Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in a small shelter in the parking lot of Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey starts his day after spending the night in a small shelter in the parking lot of Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey gets ready for his day after waking up in an 8-by-8 shelter near Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey makes a phone call after spending the night in a small shelter next to Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey, right, talks to people staying at the Path of Life Ministries shelter after he spent the night in a small shelter in the parking lot Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey talks to those staying at the Path of Life Ministries shelter after waking up in a small shelter Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey looks over materials after waking up in an 8-by-8 shelter in the parking lot next to Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Several nights a week since October 10 to 15 times as of Thursday, Dec. 12 Bailey has spent the night in the shed-like shelter outside the homeless shelter on Hulen Place in Riverside, he said.

His goal is to draw attention to the urgency of the citys homeless crisis and to promote what he sees as one part of the solution shelters like the one hes used as a temporary second home. If 10 of them were put in the parking lot next to the shelter, that could house up to 40 people a step toward the 439 people living without shelter in the city as of a January count.

A longtime crusader on the homeless issue, Bailey wants the City Council to approve similar structures at its Tuesday, Dec. 17, meeting. City officials say that would mean they could be in place by March 2020 about the time the mayor could leave office to lead Path of Life Ministries, which runs the citys shelter although Bailey wants faster action.

The City Council will consider several options to add to the citys 180 shelter beds. Twenty shelters by the company that built Baileys structure, Pallet, would cost $495,680 to start up and $1.3 million for operations, which could come from the Measure Z sales tax that Riverside voters approved or from Californias Homeless Emergency Aid Program. Other possible ways to add beds could cost from $324,000 to $5.4 million, according to a report by Hafsa Kaka, the new head of the citys Office of Homeless Solutions.

Baileys Pallet shelter includes two beds there can be as many as four and a shelf. Its designed to include a heater and air conditioner, though Baileys isnt connected to a power source. It has no bathroom or running water.

Its a dignified, stable structure, he said. Once someone has that, we can address their other needs.

Those who woke up on the street next to Bailey on Wednesday, Dec. 11, said they would have loved to spend the night inside the shed-like building.

This lock is great, because otherwise, people will take your stuff, said Charles Miller, 21, who said hes been living on the street or in the homeless shelter for about a year, since his ex-boyfriend kicked him out of the apartment they had shared. You have a little space to yourself. I miss that.

About every other night, Bailey finishes his official duties, heads home to his family, then about 9 p.m. arrives at his temporary home. Sometimes hes alone, but sometimes he meets until about midnight with a community member.

One of those was the Rev. Steven B. Borst of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Riverside, who offered his churchs financial support.

As I was praying for your well-being and safety tonight, it struck me that if I am concerned about my mayor sleeping on skid row, I should also be concerned with every person sleeping there tonight as well, he wrote in an email to Bailey.

Bailey said that if the council approves, the shelters could be installed on the property of willing property owners within a week or so.

But there are roadblocks that lead city officials to think March is more realistic.

For example, California requires the room that someone lives in to be at least 70 square feet. The Pallet shelter thats available now is 64 square feet.

Bailey understands the idea of the requirement making sure people have quality housing but he says its putting lives at risk.

He gestured at the worn tents outside the shelter where people have been sleeping.

Is this safe? Would we rather someone sleep there than a 64-square-foot shelter thats safe and dignified? he asked. The bureaucracy of it frustrates me Weve got to be mindful of the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.

Pallet, the company that produces the shelters, could make 70-square-foot versions for California, spokesman Brandon Bills said.

Were happy to build a 70-square-foot version to comply with California (law), Bills said. Really, the difference were talking about is the timeline for implementation. We have a lot of 64-square-foot units right now and we could be down there next week getting people off the street. If we need to do 70 square feet the lead time goes from 48 hours to maybe a few months.

Bailey wouldnt be happy with that.

Thats months of our neighbors without homes living in the cold and maybe dying in the cold, he said.

The emergency shelters could help, said Casey Jackson, who is serving as interim CEO of Path of Life.

The more housing we have, temporary or permanent, the more we can do, Jackson said.

Kaka said she would carry out whatever plan the City Council favors.

Pallet also makes a 100-square-foot version, which Sacramento is preparing to build if the City Council approves the proposal by that citys mayor, Bills said.

Near the Everett, Washington, headquarters of Pallet, Tacoma bought 40 Pallet shelters in 2017, which cost $260,000. The City Council bought another 18 in July, city spokeswoman Megan Snow said. Tacoma estimates its homeless population to be 436, similar to Riversides.

Also in California, Oakland has installed similar structures called Tuff Shed. Thats another option the council will consider.

They have insulation, Sheetrock, double-pane windows, locking door, roof. Its not aluminum-sided, Oakland spokesman Justin Berton said.

Pallets shelters now have more insulation than the prototype Bailey is using, Bills said. California law requires the homeless be provided heat, so the heating and air conditioning within the shelters would keep the temperature between 70 and 90 degrees, he said.

Eventually, churches and perhaps businesses or even residents could put the shelters on their property, where people could live in them for a short time. The time limit, as well as limits on where they could be installed, would need to be approved by the City Council.

Some residents who oppose the citys general approach to homelessness say the move seems more likely to hurt residents.

Lets say the business next to you decides to put one of these in, said Kim Lindsey, co-founder of a group called Riverside Strong that wants a more law enforcement-focused approach to problems caused by vagrant people. The vagrants can still cause problems for you, especially if theyre not going to have a shower or bathroom.

The nonprofits board chose Bailey to become its CEO when he leaves office, which could be after the March primary or after the November general election if none of the candidates for mayor receives a majority of the vote.

Pallet originally designed the structures with a bathroom and kitchen, then hired formerly homeless employees who advised against that, Bills said.

They said, If I had all of that when I was homeless, I wouldnt have felt a need to leave, he said. Our goal is to get people out of homelessness, so we redesigned them.

Pallets website states the 8-by-8 shelters start at $4,500, though a bulk discount is available for cities or nonprofits that buy more. The higher cost for Riverside includes the need to straighten out the parking lot next to the homeless shelter.

Videos show Pallet structures being assembled in 20 minutes, though Bailey who was working at night said he took two hours.

Its like IKEA furniture, Bills said. The first one, you might not know what to do, but after a few you could do it in no time. With Riverside, weve offered to help set them up.

Meanwhile, other efforts from enforcing the law when people are caught breaking it to building more affordable housing continue, Bailey said.

The morning he met Miller, the 21-year-old homeless man, he called Rainbow Marler, the director of a Riverside shelter for homeless people aged 18 to 24.

By that night, Bailey said, Miller was staying in the shelter.

Originally posted here:
Why Riversides mayor is sleeping in an 8-by-8 metal shed to help the homeless - Press-Enterprise

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) -- Volunteers have been at work on this Giving Tuesday with Bear Creek Services.

Construction workers from Kraus-Anderson are volunteering at a group home for four women with developmental disabilities.

The home flooded a year ago, and required many repairs. Now that the home is safe from future water damage, drywall needs to be installed.

That's where Kraus-Anderson stepped up in a major way providing the installation free of charge. This particular installation would have costed between $3,000-$4,000.

Kraus-Anderson Director of Business Development Cyle Erie visited the home months before and agreed to lend a hand.

"Bear Creek Services of course provides a wonderful service for the Rochester community and so that's why there an organization that were proud to support," Erie said.

"Well, we're a non-profit organization so our budgets are really challenged and this entire project would be about $40,000 if we had to pay out of pocket that's why these types of volunteer projects are really beneficial for us," Erie said.

The repairs at Westchester Manor comes as a big relief to the four woman who live there. And the living room space will eventually bring joy to other too, as it becomes a fun community room for all to enjoy.

Original post:
A construction company is hard at work piecing together a basement free of charge - KTTC

In a three-stop tour to these facilities from roughly 3-5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2, a group of district officials, consulting project managers and members of the public hopped on a bus and surveyed the construction sites of these facilities.

After passing a $205 million bond referendum in April 2018, the Brainerd School District is progressing through its four-year process that will see the deconstruction, reconstruction or renovation of 12 separate facilities across the district. Mondays tour stops explored some of the most significant, and expensive, improvements to the district thats been hampered by aging infrastructure, outmoded amenities and constricted space needs for years, Superintendent Laine Larson said during the referendum campaign.

To varying degrees, all three sites have seen their skeletal frameworks everything from rebar to drywall to steel trusses constructed and in place, while crews are working through wet conditions to install the guts, or amenities of the buildings, in the form of air ventilation ducts, insulation, electrical, water and sewage piping, among other features.

Project managers of ICS Consulting noted the projects while somewhat complicated by inclement weather in recent weeks are on track for their respective completion dates.

Stopping at Harrison Elementary School first, tour participants were able to view the skeletal framework of various additions to the building first constructed in 1938 which include, among other changes, a learning commons outside each grade level's pod of classrooms, a new and bigger gymnasium, a media center and a bigger cafeteria, which will occupy the space of the current gym. The stage will stay where it is in the current gym to allow for the cafeteria to be used for plays and other performing arts events.

While the project clocks in as one of the most expensive initiatives in the district at roughly $19 million, construction bids came in low enough that all add alternate plans or, additions tacked on in the event of low and affordable contracts would be implemented. These alternates include upgrading the gym to a full-sized competition space; a fully adhered, stronger roof; new cafeteria windows; cabinets above the first- through fourth-grade lockers; acoustical treatments in the gym and cafeteria; and gym bleachers.

The steel, concrete and sheetrock framework of the new addition has been mostly installed. This, in turn, means a number of openings and realignments to the aging brick structure are being added, for the purpose of reconfiguring classrooms and office spaces on the buildings south face for better security, to widening archways for modern doors.

On the outside, 15th Street on the west side of the school will be designated for parent pick-up/drop-off and special education bus drop-off. The regular bus pick-up/drop-off area will be on Norwood Street near the new entrance. A 40-stall parking lot is set for the corner of Oak and 16th streets, with a new playground to be located to the north of the lot, as the school's addition is designed to take up the current playground's space.

The project is slated to be finished before the 2020-21 school year begins.

Upon reaching the site of the new Baxter Elementary School, tour participants were treated to an intimate view at a new facility in the early stages of construction. The surrounding area still retains the raw, newly excavated look of a groundbreaking, complete with towering mounds of transplanted earth and clear-cut groves intended for new facilities.

With the facilitys roof still to be constructed, crews have been depending on heavy tarping and scaffolding to shield the site from inclement weather. While this has been mostly affected, Site Superintendent Al Reichow noted a significant portion of the buildings floors are currently covered in 1-2 inches of standing water. This is runoff from melting snow.

Site Superintendent Al Reichow gives a tour and answers questions Monday, Dec. 2, throughout the interior of the new Baxter Elementary School being constructed on Jasperwood Drive, near Forestview Middle School. While the structural skeleton of the school is largely in place, the site lacks a roof which -- coupled with a deluge of snow in recent days and warmer temperatures inside -- means contractors are working through patches of standing water as high as 1-2 inches at any given point. Gabriel Lagarde / Brainerd Dispatch

Working through these conditions, contractors are in the process of installing the amenities that will ventilate, heat or cool, insulate and power the new facility.

With the current Baxter Elementary building set to become an early childhood facility, the new school will be two stories and able to accommodate five sections of each grade and 625 students total. Under the $26.2 million project, each grade will have its own learning commons surrounded by five classrooms, and the building will include a full-sized gymnasium, a music room and an art/science/technology space built in conjunction with a media center.

An interior view Monday, Dec. 2, of the new Baxter Elementary School under construction on Jasperwood Drive, near Forestview Middle School. Contractors have completed much of the infrastructure framework of the school and are currently working to install amenities including air ducts, insulation, electrical and other internal features. Gabriel Lagarde / Brainerd Dispatch

Exterior plans around the new elementary school include clearing the section of Jasperwood Drive and Knollwood Drive between the south-central access and south access to the future school's parcel, as well as creating two cul-de-sac style roads to ease traffic through the addition of a safe, non-vehicle traveled connection between the schools.

The new facility is set to open for the 2020-21 school year.

Much in line with myriad discussions during the referendum process, contractors noted Nisswa Elementary School is in the process of expansions to its gymnasium and classrooms to address long-standing issues of space limitations.

In particular, the site now has two gyms the original and a new one in progress, which will be merged to form a new full-sized gymnasium with a full court, two practice courts, or an expanded area for badminton, for example. Classroom upgrades include two alternative classrooms, as well as a second-story classroom addition.

Participants in a Brainerd School District tour Monday, Dec. 2, file into Nisswa Elementary School shortly before sunset. Nisswa Elementary is one of 12 facilities across the district seeing extensive construction in by 2022 and one three schools amid renovations that district officials, contractors and residents of the lakes area surveyed Monday. Gabriel Lagarde / Brainerd Dispatch

In the $12 million initiative, crews are working to remodel the southern end of the building, enlarge the cafeteria and remodel of the kitchen and office area. There will also be extra space for more classrooms to be added on in the future. Construction crews are working around the school environment, which means the foyer wont be used with the installation of a new secure entrance, which will become the schools main entrance with administrative offices.

District officials noted the facility looks to be nearly totally renovated by August 2020.

Read the original post:
ISD 181 gives bus tour of Nisswa, Baxter and Harrison sites under construction - Brainerd Dispatch

I am beside myself with excitement over drywall and linoleum.

Almost every year I look at the BuildingGreen top ten products for the upcoming year and wonder, how can I make this interesting or exciting? They are sometimes as boring as watching paint dry. One year it actually was about paint drying. This year at Greenbuild they tried to make it even less exciting by putting the presentation in a drab corner of the hall with little screens and lots of ambient noise, but Brent Ehrlich and Nadav Malin made the best of it. And really, there is some interesting and important stuff going on here. My top picks of the top ten:

But there have been so many advances in glass technology for the screens of our phones and tablets. Alpen has put some of these to work and used really strong, thin 1mm glass to replace the usual thick panes in the middle. The glass doesn't cost less than the usual 3-pane glass, but being thinner and lighter, it may well drive down the cost of Passive House quality windows because the frames and hardware can be lighter. Even our usually reserved BuildingGreen people can't help themselves:

That is exciting because replacing a double-glazed IGU with a ThinGlass Triple would improve the whole window U-value by 35%45% over a standard dual-pane option, according to the company. And perhaps the best part: the cost of these Alpen ThinGlass windows is the same as their standard triple-pane offerings.

Now they have somehow figured out how to deliver it in a bucket; you pour it out and somehow, magically without heat and rollers, it turns into a Lino floor. Brent writes:

It does seem like magic to me, but if it works, it's pretty amazing. I didn't think you could actually improve linoleum, but they have.

We also have no idea how long it will last. When the vacuum goes and it fills with air, we have nothing but a bit of poly iso, a problematic insulation on its own. It is an interesting product, but I really wonder how it will be used or misused, and whether we should be rethinking our aesthetics.

There are lots more at BuildingGreen, from MDF panels made from rice to levitating chillers to low CO2 carbon pavers. Check them all out.

I am beside myself with excitement over drywall and linoleum.

View original post here:
BuildingGreen top ten products of the year are not boring at all - Treehugger