You step off the escalator, press through the doors from the self-parking garage, and there it is: a 5-foot bronze sculpture depicting a seated body inspired by the Grecian Temple of Zeus, but with a head evocative of the masks of distant African cultures.

Stop, look: Its right next to the Jumanji 4D penny slots and Posh Burger, home of a $100 wagyu beef patty topped with truffles, foie gras and, of course, gold dust gotta have that gold dust.

Yes, just off the Aria casino floor, air as heavy with the scent of french fries as those french fries are heavy with calories, sits Oracle, a luminous, thought-provoking creation from acclaimed contemporary artist Sanford Biggers.

Its a small-scale version of the 25-foot-tall, 15,000-pound sculpture of the same name that went on display at New York Citys Rockefeller Center in May.

Its one of nine new additions from seven artists to the MGM Resorts International fine art collection, which have recently been put on display at the Bellagio, Park MGM and Aria. Its a range of striking works in various mediums from distinguished contemporary artists such as Rashid Jones, Ghada Amer and Derrick Adams, whose pieces are normally confined to museums and art galleries and can go for hundreds of thousands of dollars in some cases. (MGM Resorts declined to reveal the value of the new collection.)

Its an incredible opportunity to be able to offer these works to the public, says Tarissa Tiberti, executive director of MGM Resorts Art & Culture, who curated the companys latest art additions. Rashid Johnson, I mean, museums have these works.

A bid for diversity

It was a night of high drama and prices higher still.

Last October, MGM Resorts sold 11 Pablo Picasso pieces in a thrilling auction with renowned art brokerage Sothebys that netted $109 million.

The idea: to subsequently diversify its public fine art collection, to focus on underrepresented artists of various genders, ethnicities and sexual orientations.

We identified works by women artists, artists of color, the LGBTQIA community, Tiberti explains. Our properties are hosting visitors from around the globe; we have a huge platform to share the importance of diversity and inclusion in everyday lives.

Take Jonathan Lydon Chase, whose artwork is rooted in the domesticities of queer Black life (Chases The Cook Out is at Park MGM, adjacent to the resorts lobby); or the aforementioned Biggers, whose latest sculptures combine elements of African and European culture to underscore the ongoing influence of the former on the latter.

That these pieces are located in everyday places behind a check-in desk at a salon; brightening a dining room wall in an Italian restaurant is key: You can take them in without even being fully aware youre doing so. But they have the power to stick with you regardless.

You want to have an artwork that people come across and enjoy it they might not even know that its incredible artwork but they go away thinking about it, Tiberti says. We have a great opportunity with the properties that we have, to be able to put artwork in many places, places that are unexpected and that you wouldnt think about, but you can enjoy them walking to the pool, dining at a restaurant, checking in at the front desk. As youre standing in line, waiting to check in, and you may or may not realize it, but youre looking at it and having a contemplative experience about it.

Where to experience it yourself

Heres a quick guide, with commentary on each selection from Tiberti.

Rashid Johnson, a selection from his Cosmic Slop series

Where: A sunlit passageway on Arias promenade level

Background: A three-dimensional wall work made of black soap and microcrystalline wax forming a unique, intriguing display.

This is an important series of work for Rashid. I think for this work, the material is the access point: Its a concoction of wax mixed with West African soap thats used for treatment of sensitive skin. Its monochromatic, with the material thats important in Rashid Johnsons culture and how he chooses to use that differently than how it would be used in treatment for your skin. Hes using it to talk about culture and content.

Derrick Adams, a selection from his Floater series

Where: This commissioned piece is a work in progress; itll be installed near the Park MGM pool upon completion.

Background: This joyous, brightly colored series features African Americans enjoying a pool setting.

I think the first things that draw me into the work are just the colors and how hes making the figures out of shapes. And then you get deeper into it, and you see these figures, and everything has just such an incredible energy to it. I feel like his work is just very energetic, very uplifting, yet he has a very poignant context. Hes talking about the Black experience, and how that is to navigate through his world, through our country. Its something thats fun to look at, but yet it has a meaning behind it.

Toms Esson, Quimera and Anestesia

Where: Quimera is just outside the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden; find Anestesia by the resorts VIP lounge.

Background: These gorgeous, arresting abstract oil-on-linen works are like tractor beams for the eyes.

(Quimera) really kind of just jumps off the wall. The colors are so fabulous really juicy colors it just draws you in. Hes very interesting. His work talked a lot about eroticism and mythology before. These take a little bit more of a serious tone. His previous works were based on mythology and figures or creatures that were abstract, and he took that abstraction even further. It just provides an energy in the painting that draws you in and captivates you, makes you kind of think, What is happening in this painting? And its complete, pure abstraction.

Svenja Deininger, untitled

Where: Arias Carbone restaurant

Background: A large, radiant swirl of color and shapes that are immediate, visceral and complex at once.

Its really beautiful just in the simplicity and the color, how she has the raw canvas and the blocks. The forms that shes creating, I think theyre sensual. Her work is interesting; it can be quite complicated, even though it seems very simple in the shapes and the color. She talks about the system of interaction: how the shapes interact with one another. And the size its large, so you become enveloped in the atmosphere that shes creating.

Ghada Amer, Portrait of Elizabeth and Portrait of Trini from her The Women I Know Part II series

Where: The check-in desk at the Bellagio Spa and Salon

Background: These two mixed-media, female portraits feature messages such as, Do not fit into the glass slipper like Cinderella did shatter the glass ceiling.

Shes using a combination of materials. Theres acrylic, so she has the painting, and then shes doing embroidery on top of it, and its also layered with the words in the background. Its the complexity of the work that is whats so beautiful about these. Her practice is inherently feminist, but shes really just looking at the female figure, and the paintings are exploring the gaze and the female identity that are exchanged between the artist and the subject and the viewer. Its really kind of a beautiful moment.

Contact Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476. Follow @jbracelin76 on Instagram.

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Museum-quality artworks in everyday places on the Strip. Heres how to find them. - Las Vegas Review-Journal

**NEWS RELEASE COUNTY OF WELLINGTON**

As with many communities across Ontario, Wellington County is at a crisis point when it comes to having the rental and ownership housing options that are necessary to sustain the regions changing needs and required growth.

By 2051, provincial legislation requires the County to reach a population of at least 160,000 people and provide at least 70,000 jobs. Having enough housing to accommodate this growth is key. This week the County launched a community awareness campaign aimed at furthering publicunderstanding of the range of options that can be considered to meet these needs. Already, the situation is critical: the median home price in Centre Wellington has increased more than 235 per cent in five years, significantly higher than income growth over that period.

At least 40 per cent of people who rent in Wellington County need to spend more than the recommended 30 per cent of their income on housing. In some cases, this means going without enough food or other basic needs.

From new residents to longtime members of our community, were hearing from people who are considering moving away to find more affordable housing. Were hearing from others who cant leave their parents home despite having their own young families, and from seniors whoneed to downsize and cant find any place to go, said Warden Kelly Linton. He said businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to attract or keep good workers because people cant find an affordable place to live. These are the people we need to provide our health care, child or senior care, to fill good jobs at growing manufacturing businesses or in the cafes and restaurants that are vital contributors to our economy and our communities. If these essential jobs go unfilled, or if workers are under extreme stress, it affects all of us said Jana Burns, Wellington Place Administrator, Museum,Archives and Economic Development.

The campaign, titled Make Wellington County Home Everyone should be able to live here, will share stories from people and businesses that are struggling to find housing that meets their needs, and provide examples and facts about the range of rental or ownership options available to communities to add choice and affordability. These include low-rise apartment or condominium buildings, row and stacked townhouses, duplexes or triplexes and even tiny homes. Another option that is growing in popularity across Ontario is Additional Residential Units or ARUs: second or third suites such as converted basements, garage additions, laneway homes or other separate housing options on existing properties that add to the rental inventory. The municipalities in Wellington County have included allowances for ARUs in their bylaws, creating a new opportunity for individual homeowners to help solve a community problem while earning rental income, said Burns, noting that interested homeowners should consulttheir local building department for details about allowance in their municipality. Over the past year, Burns said County staff have met with several developers who express a willingness to build different forms of housing if there is community will and interest in theseoptions.

The public awareness campaign will run through 2022 and invites people to visit the Countys website at wellington.ca/livehere, download a flyer they can share with friends and neighbours as well as attend open houses planned for later this year. We cant keep on doing what weve been doing, which is primarily building single detached homes when there are many options available that will bring us closer to a solution. Our community needs to endorse other housing options in their neighbourhoods. Thats the only way well overcome this.

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County Wants Community to Envision New Housing Options - Grand 101.1 FM

It was day two of the Home and Garden Expo. Those visiting the expo saw new additions to the show this year, as well as deals from vendors.

Here is more on what attendees can expect for the remainder of the show.

The showroom here at the Bayfront Convention Center is full of vendors that are looking forward to helping customers revamp their home for the anticipated warmer weather.

The Bayfront Convention Center is kicking off spring with the Erie Home and Garden Expo.

Visitors at the expo are in the market of preparing their homes for the spring weather.

Weve had a lot of interest in residential man doors and awnings. Everybody knows that we do garage doors so thats something that were looking to expand. Were also looking to get into the window market here in Erie, said Matt Squeglia, Residential Sales Manager at McKean Plyler Entry Systems.

Vendors at the expo also have deals for customers to make their shopping experience easier.

We do offer free design consultations so we can provide an estimate for free at no cost. So even with the cost of gas these days we are providing free estimates, said Dennis Hinkler, General Manager at L.M. Wander and Sons Landscaping Inc.

Were also offering ten percent off residential polyurethane insulated doors, as well as entry doors, said Squeglia.

A new addition that attendees will see this year is the backyard bungalow where one side is an exercise room and the other side over here is a home office.

People love it because theyre like hey this is a great idea I dont have to do this or do that, I can just put one of these in my backyard and make a he shed, or she shed, or something like that, said Mark Concilla, Show Promoter.

For news delivered right to you,subscribe to JET 24/FOX 66/YourErie.coms breaking, daily news & severe weather email lists

The expo continues on March 26 until 8 p.m. and then goes tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Vendors discuss deals during day two of the Erie Home and Garden Expo - YourErie

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Adding more space is the dream of many homeowners and its one with solid benefits. Not only do you get more space but you also get an increase in property value.

Adding a bump-out addition to your house can be a good alternative to building an expensive, full-scale addition. Though small, a bump-out addition is a complex project best left in the hands of a contractor. For many homeowners, its a highly worthwhile project with both personal and material benefits.

When planning a home renovation or remodel, consult and book top-rated Home Improvement contractors on HomeAdvisor.

Explore Options

A bump-out is a minor addition to a house that increases its total square footage but doesnt reach the scale of a full addition with multiple rooms.

A bump-out can be as small as two or three feet that push out the side of the house, or as large as a single room.

Usually, bump-outs are used in kitchens or bathrooms to accommodate vital elements such as showers, bathtubs, countertops or cooking areas. But bump-outs are sometimes added for other features such as walk-in closets or window seats.

A typical bump-out addition in a bathroom can extend the wall another 12 to 15 square feet. Bathing facilities are then moved to the bump-out, freeing up the rest of the bathroom for the sink, countertop, and open floor space.

Like building an addition, adding a bump-out is an exterior construction project that can be built in all but the most inclement weather.

Though a section of the house will be open for a while, skilled crews can help minimize that amount of time. Plus, they can temporarily cover up the opening.

If you are adding your bump-out during a popular building season, such as the time from spring to fall, you may find yourself competing with other projects in contractors queues.

Ideally, the bump-out addition should be limited to just one room to avoid additional structural considerations. Ground-level bump-outs will be less expensive and easier to build than upper level bump-outs.

Ground-level bump-outs foundations can rest on the ground or they can be cantilevered (PS: A cantilever is any structure that extends horizontally, with no support below.). Upper level bump-outs require additional support from below the bump-out or they may be able to be cantilevered. Cantilevering limits the depth of the bump-out to two or three feet.

Consult with an architect or contractor to create plans for the bump-out.

Be sure to consider how the house will open into the bump-out. Existing doors and windows adjacent to the planned bump-out have headers that may be able to be used to open onto the new area once its finished.

But most homeowners want a large opening, often, one thats the entire width of the bump-out. This involves adding a support beam, likely laminated LVL lumber, to span the entire distance, along with more vertical supports on the sides.

Building permits are required for any work that opens up the side of the house or adds onto the house. Other permits may be required for electrical and plumbing work.

Inside, build a temporary wall of studs near the exterior wall. This wall will act as support for the ceiling, walls and any upper floors when removing sections of the existing exterior wall.

For bump-out additions that rest on the ground, footers and a foundation wall must be built. Soil is dug out by hand or with a small excavator. The depth is dictated by local building code, often to a level below the frost linesometimes, as deep as 36 to 42 inches.

The foundation wall will be built either from concrete blocks or poured concrete. The blocks are stacked and mortared into place. Poured concrete requires wooden forms to first be built. Next, the concrete is poured by a mixer into the forms.

Bump-out additions on upper levelsand even some small ground-level bump-outscan be cantilevered out from the side of the house.

Cantilevers usually cannot extend very far: only a few feet. The size of the joists is one factor that determines a cantilevered bump-outs depththat is, how far out from the house the bump-out can extend.

One rule of thumb is to multiply the width of the joist by a factor of four to determine a cantilevers maximum depth.

For example, a two-by-ten joist has a true width of 9-1/4 inches. Multiplying the width by four produces 37. So, the maximum distance of the cantilever would be 37 inches, or just an inch past 3 feet.

After electrical circuits are shut down, remove drywall and exterior siding, exposing the studs. Temporary plywood sheets may be fitted in place from the outside to cover up the opening at the end of each work day.

Electrical wires that run through exterior walls must be cut and re-routed. Plumbing for kitchen or bathroom sinks, showers or baths must be stubbed out.

With the wall removed, a header of LVL laminated wood or doubled-up two-by-eights should be installed in place of the wall.

Stud walls with windows should be built to the specified height. Many bump-out additions ceilings remain lower than the ceilings of the attached house due to the width of the header.

Joists are added, then a subfloor of 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood is screwed on top of the joists.

Many bump-out additions are small enough that they can be built with a lean-to style roof. This roof begins higher than the opening to the house, then slopes down in one direction toward the exterior.

After sheathing and siding are added, the walls are insulated with spray foam or with fiberglass. Drywall is then installed over the insulation. After the drywall is finished, it is primed and painted.

Floor covering such as tile or resilient flooring is installed, if this is a bathroom bump-out addition. For kitchens, a wider range of flooring can be usedfrom durable materials like tile and vinyl flooring to DIY-friendly laminate flooring or premium engineered hardwood flooring.

Free, No-commitment Estimates

Building a bump-out addition is usually a project that requires a contractor. Though the size of the project is small, relative to full-scale additions, its still a structurally-dependent exterior building project that opens up a side of your house. Most homeowners are not qualified to take on this project.

A bump-out is a unique type of addition. So, carefully review contractors portfolios to make sure that they have previously done this type of work and that clients have been satisfied.

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In Preston Hollow, its all about the architecture, and there are so many styles to explore. From clean-lined contemporaries to Tuscan-inspired homes, there is no end to the treasures you can find in this Dallas neighborhood.

But what really sets the homes apart is the quality of the design and craftsmanship. Preston Hollow has exceptional residences that are built to last with the finest materials, and Allie Beth Allman & Associates holds listings here of the highest caliber.

Constructed by the renowned Sharif Munir, a traditional stunner sitting on just over an acre at 4833 Walnut Hill Lane is available. Doris Jacobs brings the listing, which instantly draws you in with its charming brick exterior. As you step inside the 9,379-square-foot home, the scale unfolds further. From the double-height foyer to the expansive backyard with a pool, there are endless places to make memories.

At 5924 Waggoner Drive, Lillie Young and Erin Young Garrett have a listing you need to see. With a design plucked from Italy, the Mediterranean-style home is made of large-cut Lueders limestone, but contains transitional interiors and bright, open spaces. Along with offering five bedrooms and five full- and one half-baths, the home has a pool, hot tub, wine room and game-theater room to relax in.

For stately style with ample columns, come to 4206 Middleton Road. Stately columns welcome visitors to a 7,022-square-foot residence outfitted for modern living even boasting a garage that is Tesla ready.

Built in 2002, it continues to look toward the future while embracing timeless luxuries, such as a pool and elevator. Bev Berry has the listing.

Cindy Stager is offering a home that takes center stage on an oversized lot. At traditional 6506 Lakehurst Ave., get ready to explore rooms with coffered ceilings, carved fireplaces and dazzling chandeliers. A foodie may get stuck in the chefs kitchen, enamored by its professional-grade appliances.

The wood-paneled study is another highlight, ideal for cozy evenings with great company or a good book.

One of Preston Hollows latest additions, 9646 Douglas Ave., is a vision of serenity.

Set behind gates, the contemporary new construction is a private getaway on a picturesque .65 acres. Whether you are arriving at the sleek porte-cochere, barbecuing on the back patio or entertaining in the open spaces, a feeling of relaxation is palpable throughout. Susan Baldwin and Simone Jeanes share the listing.

Allie Beth Allman & Associates sells more homes priced at $2 million and above than any other brokerage, according to Multiple Listing Service statistics, including homes in premier neighborhoods such as Preston Hollow. To connect with a luxury real estate expert, visit Allie Beth Allman & Associates at alliebeth.com.

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Quality homes offered in Preston Hollow - The Dallas Morning News

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Scream theater: Haunted Hill has been scaring guests for 20 years - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

Joe Mathews| ZcaloPublicSquare

A snarky reader, noting praise of Californias governor in this space, recently asked: Where do I keep my shrine to Gavin Newsom?

My answer: The same place everyone should the backyard.

My little shrines location honors one of contemporary Californias crazier contradictions. Even as state government regulates more and more of our lives and livelihoods even the straws through which we drink it has fervently deregulated the spaces behind our homes. And Newsom, who has intruded more deeply into our daily realities than his predecessors, also has become, improbably, the liberator of our lots.

Thats the context behind the governors recent signing of SB 9, the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act, which allows most homeowners to build a second home on their lot, or turn their lot into a duplex. The new law follows 2019 legislation that Newsom signed to give homeowners more freedom to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs), or granny flats, in their backyards, and in place of garages.

What turned our technocratic governor into our very own Backyard Bolvar?

The short answer: the housing crisis, including the homelessness surge, has overwhelmed longstanding opposition to housing from environmentalists and NIMBY groups. Building backyard housing is cheaper than other forms of affordable housing (constructing an ADU starts at $100,000; building a new affordable apartment starts at $400,000).

The longer answer involves an irony: even as the California dream long favored homes with large outdoor spaces for living and playing, our local governments outlawed building habitable additions in those outdoor spaces.

Todays backyard liberation sweeps aside longstanding restrictions on such building. But in this shift lies a new irony: freeing homeowners to build in their backyards also threatens the very existence of the backyard.

This is to the good. Sure, some pool parties and barbecues will become things of the past. But its safer for elderly Californians to live in granny flats in their kids urban backyard than in exurban cabins in the path of wildfires. And denser living can be more energy- and water-efficient.

Even more important, this should produce more housing. If one-in-eight California homeowners used their new backyard freedom, wed have more than 1 million additional housing units.

But this new housing wont necessarily make our divided state more equal. Backyard freedom benefits mostly those lucky enough to have backyards. It makes our single-family homes more valuable, since we now have the right to build more. But it also provides openings for financial institutions to buy up homes and gain even more control over the rental market.

As a homeowner, Im one of the potential winners. But I dont have the cash to build my own ADU, and there are as yet no common financing instruments for such projects. When I called the out-of-state firm that holds my mortgage to ask about how to do an ADU, they had no idea what I was talking about. Even if I could borrow the money, I dont have the time or skills to manage such a project.

But it sure would be nice to have rental income to help with the mortgage, especially since journalism is a tenuous profession. An ADU might save money if it could become a home for my elderly relatives.

For now, I mostly enjoy looking at my small backyard and imagining what I might build, if I ever got my act together.

I also like how backyard freedom has put my own small city in its place. A few years ago, a city planning staffer responded with hostility when I asked if I could replace my decrepit garage with a shed. But, just last week, the city sent out a letter offering to legalize any previously unpermitted backyard building, and announcing a new virtual planning desk for anyone with backyard building ambitions.

So, yes, Im not ashamed to say that I put together a small shrine to the governor in my backyard with photos from his 2019 signing of the ADU bills and a copy of his 2014 book, "Citizenville."

Now Id like to add some candles, which Id happily light in gratitude to Newsom and other backyard gods.

Joe Mathews writes the Connecting California column for Zcalo Public Square.

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Column: All hail Gavin, God of the backyard - VC Star

Illinois States campus is in a constant state of renewal. One great example of this came last spring when the $44 million revitalization of the Bone Student Center was completed.

Things are no different this fall as work finishes up or continues on several major projects. Here is an update on four of those from David Gill, Illinois States director of Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction.

The long-awaited renovation of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts complex is back on track. The University is currently in the redesign phase of the $61.9 million project, which had been in limbo the past decade as the state allocated, withdrew, and eventually released funding for construction.

Plans call for a combination of renovation and new construction that will enhance instructional spaces in the following facilities located on the southeast corner of the Quad: Centennial East and Centennial West, both constructed in 1959; the Center for the Visual Arts (CVA), constructed in 1973; and the Center for the Performing Arts (CPA), completed in 2002. Centennial West will be demolished and replaced with a larger, one-story commons building that will house School of Theatre and Dance studios and administrative offices currently located in the CVA. Additions will be built to the south side of the CVA, to where the glass arts program will be moved, and to the east side of the CPA. Also, the CVA and Centennial East will receive several repairs and improvements.

Construction could begin as early as next year and is expected to take about two years. The first floor of the CVA and Centennial West will be vacated during the project, and the affected academic and staff areas will be temporarily transferred to Julian Hall, Milner Library, and the former Weavers building on North Main Street across from Hancock Stadium.

The new Multicultural Center opened in August in the former Instructional Technology and Development Center at 301 South Main Street. The $4.4 million renovation provides spaces for cultural, community-based student organizations; an event space; three conference rooms; a social justice library; a media room; staff offices; a kitchen; all gender-neutral restrooms; a reflection room; and space for a future podcast room.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and cultural celebration for the new Multicultural Center is scheduled for October 15. Previously, the 16,200-square-foot building, which dates to 1957, housed the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT). That unit has been moved to Williams Hall and may eventually be transferred to a more permanent home in Milner Library.

The Mennonite College of Nursings Simulation Lab will triple in size under an $18 million project that will dramatically increase the colleges clinical training facilities and allow it to enroll more students.

The University will demolish a vacant house and apartment building immediately west of the current lab, which opened in 2011 just north of the Bone Student Center parking lot, and build a new two-story facility. The current lab and the new building would be connected by a joint entryway and comprise a combined 30,000 square feet. The University is in the process of hiring an architectural firm for the project, which is estimated to be complete within about three years.

The University has been replacing Julian Halls first-floor parking garage with academic spaces. Three classrooms, two collaboration rooms, and a lobby were added for the cybersecurity program as part of a $6 million project that was finished before the fall semester.

The rest of the garage space is currently being built out to temporarily house areas of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts that will be displaced during that colleges major renovation. Julian Hall dates to 1970 and is located on the east side of South School Street across from Moulton and Hovey Halls.

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An update on major construction projects at - Illinois State University News

TRUMBULL The town has never been known for its walkability or nightlife, but that could be changing as a number of economic development projects either near completion or the beginning of construction.

The town has seen several new development projects begin construction this year, from the Woodside Trumbull townhouse and apartment complex to Ecco, an eagerly anticipated new restaurant opening soon on Main Street.

Other projects, such as the Residences at Main, located on the Westfield Trumbull mall property, will put future residents within walking distance of shopping and public transit. Disused office space will be converted to senior residences at 48 Monroe Tpke., also with easy pedestrian access to shopping and dining.

Trumbull is also looking into making the area around the Trumbull Center shopping center more pedestrian friendly, and the Board of Education plans to open a student-run bookstore and cafe later this year in the center.

First Selectman Vicki Tesoro and Economic Director Rina Bakalar have touted the economic benefits of these projects, from increased economic activity to additional tax revenue.

Here is a look at some of the projects underway, recently completed or under consideration in town.

The housing development at 5065 Main Street was made possible through a 2018 zoning change. It is expected to include 260 apartments, with one and two bedrooms, to be rented at market rates. According to Garden Homes and Rose Equities, which described them as luxury apartments, the complex will cater to professionals and seniors. The total cost is $60 million and the project is scheduled to break ground on October 15.

But the apartments will also reflect efforts to make the town more walkable, and give it a sense of place. Tesoro said this would make the area more livable instead of residents being forced to drive everywhere. This is becoming a trend nationally as more developers are converting malls to mixed use facilities.

The concept is really a live, work, play concept that most malls are evolving to, Tesoro said.

United Healthcare formerly occupied a sprawling office complex on 48 Monroe Tpke., but vacated the property in 2015. It has been empty ever since.

In 2018, Senior Living Development and Silver Heights Development bought the property, which includes a parking garage. The plan is to convert the property to an independent and assisted living complex known as Rivers Edge.

Because the property was formerly a corporate headquarters, the developers will give the facade more of a residential appearance, adding balconies and a walkway, in addition to interior remodeling.

The site was the subject of a lawsuit attempting to halt construction. But the suit was dismissed in 2020 and the towns Planning and Zoning Commission approved the housing complex plan in September. Construction is on track to start in 2022.

Tesoro said the housing will be a boon to the local economy and provide a healthy source of tax revenue.

The implications for the community are so strong there in order to be able to keep our seniors in town and, allow them to stay here and allow the community to grow around that area, she said. And of course, the tax revenue that will come from that development will be exceptional for every resident in our town.

The complex will cost an estimated $110 million to build.

The first residents are now renting units within the Woodside Trumbull property, located at 100 Woodside Court, even as construction continues. New tenants to Woodside Trumbull can expect to see a club room with a coffee lounge, where they can unwind and mingle with other residents. A pool, fitness room, dog park and co-working space with Wi-Fi are among the other amenities listed on the propertys site.

The complex is about a mile from Trumbull Center.

According to Bakalar, the property is proving to be attractive to renters.

Theres 113 completed and theyre all leased, Bakalar said.

When complete the $40 million development will include 199 housing units.

The Trumbull Center shopping center at Daniels Farm Road and White Plains Road boasts restaurants and other retail businesses. But a new bookstore and coffee shop will combine both, with an educational component to boot.

The school systems ELITE Program teaches students with disabilities and those students will staff a bookstore called Next Chapter Books and More. The stores purpose is to teach the students valuable work and life skills. Not only will they learn how to stock inventory and interact with customers, they will also learn practical skills like how to navigate a crosswalk and use banking services, according to the Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Services Tammy Hartman.

The store will be housed on the second floor above Gioves Pizza. It will source its inventory from donations. The coffee comes from a local gourmet roaster and the baked goods will be prepared off site by Trumbull High Schools culinary program.

The store is expected to open on December 1.

Moorefield was the site of a flower and herb growing operation, but is now undergoing construction to build single family homes. Like Rivers Edge, the property will house seniors but will not be for rent. The property is located on 2157 Huntington Tpke. and was cleared for construction in April.

There will be 10 houses in total on the 5-acre property. According to Ken Martin, a real estate agent, the homes will start at $750,000 and will be age-restricted to 55 and older. The houses will be between 2,800 and 3,000 square feet.

Martin said the property is generating interest from people in Trumbull and across the state and country.

We have people from Colorado that have a deposit. We have a couple from Trumbull. We have a couple from Windsor, Martin said.

The homes are expected to be completed by spring of 2022.

Local gourmets wishing to partake in fine dining are in luck. Ecco, owned by the same local group that operates Molto in Fairfield, among other restaurants, is currently under construction at the Long Hill Market on 6540 Main Street. It will share space with other tenants and while construction was previously expected to wrap up by early summer, the restaurant is now on track for a November opening.

Bakalar said anticipation was building for the opening among people familiar with the other locations.

They had some delays, but theyre working feverishly on it now. The signage went up a few weeks ago, Bakalar said.

Other tenants include a martial arts studio, a salon, and a Dunkin among others. Bakalar said the property is now 85 percent occupied, which is remarkable considering the pandemic is still a factor, she said.

Built in 1756, the property is older than the U.S. Constitution. But it has undergone modern retrofitting and additions over the decades despite the barn being listed as a historic structure.

Located just a few hundred feet from Trumbull Center, the house is being eyed for conversion to single family apartments, but no land use application has been submitted so far, according to Bakalar.

The proposal to convert the structure to apartments was met with backlash by some residents, worried that the conversions would alter the historic nature of the house. Bakalar said that if the development proceeds, it would include 10 apartments.

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With economic development on the rise in Trumbull, here is a look at some of the top projects - CTPost

"Nobody does it better," sang Carly Simon in the theme to The Spy Who Loved Me, but 007 does get an awful lot of help when it comes to doing it twice as well as everybody else. The best James Bond gadgets are as integral to the spys arsenal as his Walther PPK and a vodka martini (shaken not stirred, obviously), and have become an iconic part of the long-running franchise.

Thanks to the ingenuity of Q and his team of boffins, 007 rarely ventures on a mission without the right kit. From the iconic souped-up Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger to a ballpoint pen hand grenade in GoldenEye, the best Bond gadgets have helped MI6s most famous agent out of a tight spot on numerous occasions. Hes also faced a few challenges of his own when his enemies have got their hands on gear to rival his own.

As time has gone by, some of the Bond tech that once felt like sci-fi (the fingerprint scanners in Diamonds are Forever, the wristwatch communicator in For Your Eyes Only) have become reality. Other examples such as the infamous invisible car in Die Another Day are as memorable for their silliness as their ingenuity.

In this compilation of the best James Bond gadgets, weve picked out 30 of the most iconic pieces of tech from the last 59 years of espionage. Do pay attention

Daniel Craigs Bond would stick out like a sore thumb if he carried a briefcase, but back in the 60s, they were an essential part of any businessmans attire. Which is why Q reinvents one as a stylish box of tricks containing a rifle, ammunition, a throwing knife, a tear gas canister masquerading as talcum powder, and bizarrely 50 gold sovereigns. This Bond gadget can also be used to carry important documents.

007s second big-screen outing introduced one of the best James Bond gadgets. A former Soviet spy chief who defected to become Blofelds No 3 at Spectre, Rosa Klebb has an extremely useful weapon when she needs a little extra kick. Her otherwise sensible shoes contain a retractable spike tipped with poison, fatal to anyone unfortunate enough to come into contact with her lethal right foot. Much imitated in other movies, the footwear also made a brief cameo in the 40th-anniversary movie Die Another Day.

One of the most low-fi entries in this list of the best James Bond gadgets, this is little more than a fake seagull, worn as camouflage headwear for an underwater approach to a villains lair. Bond dispenses with the stuffed bird as soon as he makes landfall, but the idea leaves such an impression that he deploys an updated version (a crocodile submarine) in Octopussy. It should also be noted that, even when worn under diving gear, Bonds dinner jacket maintains its straight-from-the-dry-cleaners look.

James Bond has always had impeccable taste in cars. While most motorists would be more than happy with the style and sophistication of an Aston Martin DB5, however, the 007 edition comes with more than usual under the bonnet. Key selling points include rotating number plates ("naturally"), oil and smoke emitters, machine guns, tyre shredders and best of all an ejector seat which comes in extremely handy in the event of unwanted passengers. Still the definitive 007 vehicle 57 years on, theres a reason Bond pulled it out of storage when he played bodyguard to M in Skyfall.

Whenever you need to make a rooftop getaway, its helpful if youve already stashed a jetpack in preparation for your escape. With hired goons in pursuit, Bond calmly straps on his rocket-propelled apparatus, and blasts off to meet the car thats waiting for him on the street outside. Most impressively of all, 007 finds time to put on a helmet before take-off safety first, and all that.

Over the last 59 years, James Bond has taken a spin in more vehicles than a Top Gear presenter, but few have been as unconventional as Little Nellie. A modified version of an autogyro created by former RAF pilot Ken Wallis though were pretty sure he didnt arm his with flame-throwers and aerial mines this helicopter-like craft is remarkably maneuverable after its been assembled from kit form. That said, wed question the wisdom of using it on a surveillance mission, seeing as its INCREDIBLY LOUD. Top trivia: Little Nellie was apparently named after music hall star Nellie Wallace.

James Bond has never been much of an advocate for giving up tobacco as late as 2002s Die Another Day, he can be seen puffing away on a cigar. But You Only Live Twice contains a powerful metaphor about the dangers of smoking, as Bond captive in Blofelds volcano lair uses the miniature rocket launcher hidden in his cigarette to bump off a Spectre agent. Cigarettes kill, in the most literal way possible.

Q had clearly been watching a lot of Tom and Jerry cartoons when he thought up this Bond gadget. The officious henchman who attempts to frisk 007 for weapons never counted on finding a mousetrap-like device in the agents sports jacket, and recoils in pain when it snaps shut on his fingers. The simple ones are sometimes the best though this particular piece of kit feels like an accident waiting to happen for its owner.

James Bond must be a very punctual guy, seeing as hes rarely seen without a state-of-the-art watch strapped to his wrist. For 007, its never just about keeping time, however, as he tends to insist on his timepieces having more extras than an Apple Watch. His Live and Let Die Rolex Submariner boasts both a powerful electromagnet (handy for deflecting your bosss cutlery) and a very sharp circular saw. Also worthy of a mention: Bonds digital watch in The Spy Who Loved Me received text messages which it printed out on paper decades before SMS became standard.

Theres no point being a high-class assassin famed for killing your targets with golden bullets if you cant get your weapon of choice through customs. Francisco Scaramanga has an ingenious solution, however, as his gun can be quickly disassembled into a matching cigarette case, lighter, and pen he clearly decided that "The Man with the Golden Pen" didnt carry quite the same cachet.

If we needed confirmation that Scaramanga is every bit Bonds equal, we get it in his passion for high-tech gadgets. While his choice of car now feels remarkably dated that shade of brown is so 1970s the addition of attachable wings and a jet engine is ingenious. They allow the assassin and his trusted aide, Nick Nack, to make a hasty aerial escape, though you have to feel for trapped British agent Mary Goodnight when she opens the cars trunk and realizes shes cruising at several thousand feet.

Not impressed by the standard land-only Lotus Espirit? The model James Bond drives in The Spy who Loved Me comes properly into its own once youve driven it off a pier. Theres no need to panic as you sink to the bottom of the sea, because the flick of a button transforms your vehicle into a submarine, bringing a huge variety of ocean life directly to your windscreen. The car also comes with a missile launcher, in case youre having bother from villains in helicopters.

Back in the days before everybody carried a smartphone in their pocket, a camera was an essential part of any respectable spys toolbox Q took great pride in showing 007 a waterproof model in Thunderball, while the tiny ring-based camera in A View To Kill is particularly impressive. But Q may have surpassed himself with the miniature device Bond uses in Moonraker. Its not that it does anything particularly special its more that it features a clever 007 design, with the lens doubling up as the second zero. Its terrible for going incognito, of course, but it looks fantastic.

Nothing characterizes the canal streets of Venice quite like a gondola, but theyre notoriously terrible when it comes to getting around on land. Theres no such problem for 007, however, whose souped-up boat not only comes with an engine, it also converts into a hovercraft should you ever want to take a close-up look at St Marks Square. Unfortunately, its vast length makes it rather cumbersome to maneuver, and it looks so ridiculous that even a pigeon does a double-take.

Its not great for perennial t-shirt wearers, admittedly, but for anyone fonder of the suited look, 007s concealed wrist-mounted dart guns are an essential addition to the arsenal. Possibly the best thing about these projectile weapons is that theres no faffing around with complex trigger mechanisms nerve impulses in the wrists are enough to fire a dart (armor-piercing and cyanide-tipped versions are available) in your victims direction.

Theres nothing particularly remarkable about the one-seater escape jet 007 flies in Octopussy, aside from the fact its wings fold up. Significantly worthier of comment is the fact its housed in a horsebox, behind a prosthetic animal backside so fake that everyone on the military base who failed to spot it deserves to lose their job.

The ability to open an impressive 90% of the worlds locks isnt the most interesting thing about 007s keychain in The Living Daylights. Much more than a souvenir from a trip from one of Bonds favorite tourist attractions, this sound-activated device releases a potent stun gas whenever he whistles the first five bars of Rule Britannia. A wolf-whistle can prove even more dangerous, unleashing a powerful plastic explosive.

It may not share the elegant lines of its famous predecessor, the Aston Martin DB5, but the V8 Volante still comes equipped with some of the best optional extras on the market. The laser cutters are a neat update of the tire slashers from Goldfinger, while the skis and rocket-booster are ideal additions for any vehicle likely to be called into action on ice. The car also boasts ample space for a cello, and a self-destruct system to keep it off the second-hand market.

Lasers have a long history in Bond movies, from Auric Goldfingers famous "I expect you to die" torture device, to the space weapons used in Moonraker. But the Polaroid camera from Licence to Kill has to be up there with the Q Branchs finest, thanks to its user-friendly point-and-kill mechanism. Its also part of a long line of the best Bond gadgets with the ability to take x-ray photos.

Austin Powers famously used dental products against one of Dr. Evils minions, but it was Bond who got there first. When Q helps out the gone-rogue 007 in Licence to Kill, his assortment of goodies includes a tube of Dentonite, a brand of toothpaste that should come with a government health warning, because its actually a highly effective plastic explosive. Turns out its tough on plaque and pretty much everything else.

"Im familiar with that device," Bond assures Q during the first briefing of Pierce Brosnans tenure, but theres more to this leather belt than initially meets the eye. Its equipped with a 75-foot repelling cord built into the buckle, with a piton to hook on to convenient sections of masonry. Its only calibrated for one user, but you can guarantee 007 will find a way to bring along a friend.

If ever a franchise has worked to prove the pen is literally mightier than the sword, its Bond. Q had already issued an acid-squirting writing implement in Octopussy, but its the ballpoint pen 007 uses in GoldenEye that earns a place in our compilation of the best James Bond gadgets. Three clicks arms the four-second fuse, another three deactivates it which is fine if youre paying attention, not so good if you spend your time absent-mindedly fiddling with your pen. As invincible Boris (Alan Cumming) almost finds to his cost.

Many of us were still getting used to the idea of having a cellphone in our pockets when Bond used his prototype Ericsson device to turn his modified BMW 750iL into a full-size remote-control car. Using an early touchpad and LCD screen, Bond proves remarkably adept at driving his big toy around a multi-story car park he even gets a chance to try out additional features such as missile launchers, self-inflating tires, and a conveniently placed wire-cutter. Were still not sure if he got his deposit back from the hire company.

Even the most serious piste enthusiasts would think twice about taking an Alpine holiday with 007 every time he clips on his skis, Bond tends to get chased by armies of angry guys with guns (see also On Her Majestys Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me and A View to a Kill). Thats probably why he comes prepared in The World is Not Enough, wearing a ski jacket that creates a protective inflatable shell for you (and a friend) in the event of an avalanche.

One of the most widely mocked elements of a widely mocked movie, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish from Die Another Day is possibly the silliest addition to Bonds impressive garage of supercars. That it comes with an ejector seat and enough firepower to take out a small army is just half the story. Thanks to its adaptive camouflage "Tiny cameras on all sides project the image they see onto a light-emitting polymer skin on the opposite side," explains Q its effectively invisible. Nobody saw that one coming.

After the ridiculous excess of Die Another Day, the back-to-basics Casino Royale dispensed with most of the gadgets that are usually standard issue in MI6. One exception, however, is the medkit/defibrillator combo located in the glovebox of Bonds Aston Martin DBS V12. It may not be the most memorable hardware in his arsenal, but few others can match its ability to bring a spy back to life though someone really ought to take a look at its faulty wiring.

Personal safety isnt always among 007s priorities, but one of the Walther PPK pistols he uses in Skyfall comes with a special feature that would surely be of interest to anyone who works in the espionage game. The gun is programmed to recognize Bonds palm print, and wont fire if anyone else tries to use it which has to be a big weight off your mind when youre in a scrap with an evil henchperson. The tech is an update of a personalized rifle Bond uses in Licence to Kill.

Trackers have been a staple in Bond movies since the early days, but in Spectre, the latest head of Q Branch tops all his predecessors when it comes to subtlety. And why give 007 a device he could easily lose when you can inject him with thousands of minuscule nanomachines that can give you an update on Bonds GPS coordinates in an instant? This "smart blood" can also track blood alcohol levels, so M will always know when Bond has had a heavy night on the vodka martinis.

These exclusive pieces of jewelry do much more than simply signify your membership of Ernst Stavro Blofelds exclusive criminal club. Rather subtler than the signet rings beloved of the likes of Emilio Largo in the 60s, the fashionable bands feature a neat octopus motif, and most impressive are sophisticated storage devices containing top secret information about the dodgy organization. They are, sadly, not USB compatible.

Many of the best James Bond gadgets never make it out into the field. Instead, they make cameos in the background, as an exasperated Q struggles to make 007 pay attention during his regular briefing sessions. Highlights include a plaster cast missile (GoldenEye), a man-eating sofa (The Living Daylights), a bagpipe flamethrower (The World is Not Enough), an umbrella that engulfs your head (For Your Eyes Only), and a rocket-launching stereo system (The Living Daylights). Most of them look like they were conceived during a Q Branch all-nighter at the pub.

Now you're caught up with all the best Bond gadgets, check out our ranking of all thebest Bond movies no doubt we will all be arguing in the comments section. We also have pieces on the most iconic James Bond moments and the best James Bond villains.

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The 30 best James Bond gadgets: essential pieces of kit from 007s adventures - GamesRadar+