GEMMA ANNE MCNICHOL, aged 33 and of Westover Road, admits committing fraud in that she dishonestly made a false representation, namely using a bank card that was not his, to buy items for himself in St Michaels Road, Bournemouth, on June 4. Committed to prison for four weeks, suspended for six months. To pay 128 surcharge and 85 costs. Also admits committing fraud in that she dishonestly made a false representation, namely using a bank card that was not his, to buy items for himself in St Michaels Road, Bournemouth, on June 5. Committed to prison for four weeks concurrent, suspended for six months. Also admits committing fraud in that she dishonestly made a false representation, namely using a bank card that was not his, to buy items for himself in St Michaels Road, Bournemouth, on June 5. Committed to prison for four weeks concurrent, suspended for six months. Also admits commission of a further offence during the operational period of a suspended sentence order made on April 8 for the offences of threatening behaviour, fraud and theft. Suspended sentence of 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, amended by extending operational period to 13 months. Also admits failing to comply with the supervision requirements imposed following release from a period of imprisonment in that she failed to attend appointments with her supervising officer on April 9 and April 17 and failed to reside at an address she gave to the court on April 8. Fined 20. To pay 60 costs.

JAMES CHASE SMITH, aged 35 and of no fixed abode, admits sending by means of a public electronic communications network a message that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character in Anstey Road, Bournemouth, on July 29. Restraining order made, which lasts until April 28, 2022. Fined 200. To pay 34 surcharge and 85 costs. Also admits being drunk and disorderly in Anstey Road, Bournemouth, on July 29. No separate penalty.

CHRISTCHURCH

RIO ALEXANDRA CHECKLEY, aged 29 and of Fitzmaurice Road, Christchurch, admits driving a Renault Clio in Duncliff Road, Bournemouth, on March 28 with not less than 3.2 micrograms of THC per litre of blood. Fined 120. To pay 32 surcharge. To pay 20 costs. Disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months. Also admits using a Renault Clio in Duncliff Road, Bournemouth, on March 28 without insurance. Fined 120. Driving record endorsed.

MATTHEW SIMON CROUCH, aged 44 and of Avenue Road, Christchurch, admits without the consent of the owner of a Volvo XC90, taking it and using it for himself or another and after the vehicle was unlawfully taken and before it was recovered, damaged of less than 5,000 was caused to the vehicle in Christchurch on April 7. Community order made whereby the defendant must attend appointments and take part in activities for 30 days. Fined 20. To pay 600 compensation. Disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months. Also admits resisting PC Laura Naim, a constable in the execution of her duty, in Christchurch on April 7. Community order made. Also admits driving a Volvo XC90 in Christchurch on April 7 without a licence. No separate penalty. Driving record endorsed. Also admits driving a Volvo XC90 in Christchurch on April 7 without insurance. No separate penalty. Driving record endorsed.

EAST DORSET

STEPHEN MARTINDALE, aged 39 and of Sutton, Wimborne, admits destroying patio doors to the value of 490.66 belonging to AJ Developments in Fabricus Gardens, Broadstone, on June 19, 2019. Fined 1,344. To pay 490.66. To pay 134 surcharge and 85 costs.

Follow this link:
In The Dock: 5 people who have appeared in court - Bournemouth Echo

A recent report shows the pandemic has been especially difficult for business owners from diverse backgrounds.

BUFFALO, New York Soda Kuczkowski is in the business of sleep. In addition to her seminars, Kuczkowski owned a brick and mortar shop on Hertel Avenue for hosting consultations. A part of the space was also used for retail purposes. Her operations slowed down significantly as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

"I was doing a ton of live seminars so when the pandemic happened a lot of those were initially were canceled. A lot of conferences locally were canceled," she told 2 On your side's Karys Belger.

Like many others, Kuzkowski shut down her shop and began to work remotely. She recently reopening her shop, but her working hours have been limited.

"I have a 6-year-old daughter, so when she switched to the hybrid model. It was my responsibility to be with her five days a week."

Kuczkowski told 2 On Your Side, her husband's work is considered essential and she's worked with his schedule to make sure they're both able to help with her daughter. For her, this means less time in her shop.

"Quite honestly, its only three hours on Friday and four hours on Saturday. Its seven days a week. Its not a lot."

What's helped is her ability to occasionally take on remote clients in different cities in both the United States and other parts of the world. The time changes allow her to work when her daughter is asleep. Kuczkowski said, she continued to pay rent for her space as if it was operating but did not apply for any assistance for her businesses because she did not meet the qualifications for most of the loans.

She also says she has money put away in case of an emergency, but she's aware of other Hispanic-owned businesses in the area that were not so lucky. She says the women entrepreneurs she knows are having an especially hard time.

"I can honestly say that the majority of the women-owned Hispanic businesses. I know of one that, she already closed, she had to close, two or three months into the pandemic."

This trend is also happening across the country. A report from the National Bureau of Economic Research says the number of Latinx small-business owners has decreased from 32 percent to 28 percent during the pandemic. The report specifically discusses the disproportionate effect the pandemic has had on communities of color.

Kuczkowski told 2 On Your Side the key to making sure revenue continues to come in is to find innovative ways to make things work. She's not the only one who is finding new ways to make things work.

Jonathan Vargas is the manager at Taqueria Ranchos La Delicias on Niagara Street. Vargas said the restaurant has been following the guidelines set by the state. Using delivery apps has helped keep them afloat.

"We just have to follow the guidelines you know and just see what we can and cannot do," Vargas said.

The restaurant is currently operating at half-capacity, complete with caution tape on the booths to enforce social distancing. Opening the patio and doing delivery in addition to the food truck helped during the summer, but with winter theres still a concern.

In the meantime, therere limits to staff schedules and gloves at the salsa bar. And like Kuczkowski, Vargas is hoping to see more improvement as he learns to navigate the changes.

Continued here:
Hispanic and Latino business owners are trying to keep their doors open - WGRZ.com

Informative Report On Automatic Luxury Doors Market 2020

Automatic Luxury Doorsmarket has recently added by Grand View Reportto its massive repository. It offers the continual advancements in technologies which helps to understand the platform for the development of the businesses. It offers numerous strategies for boosting the performance of the companies. Both primary and secondary research techniques carried out to find solutions to different issues faced by various stakeholders.

Top Key Players Profiled in This Report: , TruStile Doors, Lynden Door, Masonite, Lemieux, Maiman Company, Sierra Door, Stallion, Woodharbor, Woodgrain Doors, Arazzinni

Get a Sample (Use official email ID to Get Higher Priority) Report:https://grandviewreport.com/sample/2298

Covid-19 pandemic affects most industries in the globe. Here at Grand View Report we offer you comprehensive data of related industry which will help and support your business in all possible ways.

Segmentation across regions such as North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Europe was undertaken on the basis of productivity. Technological advancements pertaining to the specific market has been studied. Methodologies that can boost the outcome of the businesses have been mentioned in the report.

The Global Automatic Luxury DoorsMarket Can Be Segmented As

The key product type of Automatic Luxury Doorsmarket are:, Steel Luxury Door, Fiberglass Luxury Door, uPVC / Vinyl Luxury Door, Aluminum Luxury Door, Glass (patio Luxury Door) Luxury Door, Other

Automatic Luxury DoorsMarket Outlook by Applications:, Household, Commercial and Industrial

Significant Features that are under Offering and Key Highlights of the Reports:

Exclusive Upto 30% discount:https://grandviewreport.com/discount/2298

Key Questions responded in the report:

Table of Contents:

For More Details On this Report:https://grandviewreport.com/industry-growth/Automatic-Luxury-Doors-Market-2298

Continue reading here:
Automatic Luxury Doors Market : share forecast to witness considerable growth from 2020 to 2028 - Eurowire

Bought by:Matthew Boorhees,cofounder of the accounts-payable company Anybill.

Bought by:Matthew Boorhees,cofounder of the accounts-payable company Anybill.

Listed:$5,350,000.

Sold:$5,000,000.

Days on market:64.

Where:Spring Valley.

Style:Colonial.

Bragging points:Nearly 6,000 square feet on almost an acre, with six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, five fireplaces, and a pool.

Bought by:Brian Roehrkasse,vice president of communications at Facebook, andMegan Gerking,a partner at Morrison Foerster.

Listed:$3,250,000.

Sold:$3,250,000.

Days on market:1.

Where:Cleveland Park.

Style:Traditional.

Bragging points:A renovated 1909 house with seven bedrooms and six baths, custom trim and moldings, and lots of natural light.

Bought by:Kristin Fisher,Fox News correspondent, andWalker Forehand,a partner at the investment firm Canapi Ventures.

Listed:$2,995,000.

Sold:$2,900,000.

Days on market:70.

Where:Kent.

Style:Colonial.

Bragging points:New construction, with five bedrooms, six baths, a patio and outdoor fireplace, and a two-car garage.

Sold by:Shaun Donovan,former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and New York City mayoral candidate, andLiza Gilbert,a landscape architect.

Listed:$2,850,000.

Sold:$2,850,000.

Days on market:4.

Where:Cathedral Heights.

Style:Foursquare.

Bragging points:On a large corner lot, with six bedrooms, five baths, and original 1920s millwork, floors, and doors.

Sold by:Mark Segraves,a reporter with NBC4.

Listed:$1,299,000.

Sold:$1,407,000.

Days on market:5.

Where:North Cleveland Park.

Style:Colonial.

Bragging points:Four bedrooms and three baths, plus a sunroom, English-garden-style landscaping, and two fireplaces.

Sold by:Marcus Goodwin,a real-estate developer running for DC Council.

Listed:$1,095,000.

Sold:$1,200,000.

Days on market:3.

Where:16th Street Heights.

Style:Foursquare.

Bragging points: Six bedrooms and four baths, with a wraparound porch, a rear patio, and a detached carriage house.

Bought by:Tarek Helou,a partner at Wilson Sonsini.

Listed:$2,400,000.

Sold:$2,325,000.

Days on market:Not publicly listed.

Where:Vienna.

Style:Craftsman.

Bragging points:Five bedrooms and six baths, with a spacious front porch, a two-car garage, and two fireplaces.

Some sales information provided by American City Business Leads and Diana Hart of Washington Fine Properties.

Photographs Courtesy of HomeVisit

This article appears in the November 2020issue ofWashingtonian.

Join the conversation!

Read more:
The 7 Most Notable Homes Sold This Month in the Washington Areaand Who Bought Them - Washingtonian

A three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom beachside condominium in a 1975 complex

This condominium complex is about a mile from the entrance to Zuma Beach, a county beach known for its surfing and wide stretches of sand. Less developed than the nearby Malibu and Santa Monica beaches, Zuma is popular with locals. Several public schools, including Point Dume Elementary and Malibu High School, are a five-minute drive, as is Kanan-Dume Road, which connects this part of Malibu to the western San Fernando Valley.

Size: 1,584 square feet

Price per square foot: $1,057

Indoors: The units front door opens into a large living area with sliding-glass doors out to a balcony that offers partial views of the Pacific Ocean. This space has hardwood floors, white wainscoting and a tiled fireplace set into a corner. Opposite the fireplace is an open staircase that leads to the second floor.

To the right of the living room, facing the back of the unit, is a wide doorway to the kitchen, which also has hardwood floors. The sellers, who bought the home in 2015, added new cream-colored wood cabinets. Off the kitchen is an enclosed patio; once additional outdoor space, the room is now used for dining.

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms. The primary suite, at the top of the stairs, has two large windows with an ocean view, a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a combination tub and shower. One of the two guest rooms is currently used as a home office. Both rooms have treetop views; they share a bathroom with an orange-tiled shower and a white vanity.

Outdoor space: From the living room, double-paned sliding-glass doors open to a balcony that overlooks other buildings in the complex. The balcony is wide enough to hold several chairs and a small table. Building amenities include a saltwater swimming pool, tennis facilities and a clubhouse that can be rented for events. A garage attached to this unit holds two cars.

Taxes: $21,276 (estimated), plus a $1,079 monthly homeowner association fee

Contact: Kristina Theard, 310-245-9262, the Agency; theagencyre.com

For weekly email updates on residential real estate news, sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @nytrealestate.

Originally posted here:
What $1.7 Million Buys You in California - The New York Times

Our stretch of record-breaking November warmth is about to come to a windy and abrupt end later tonight as a cold front moves across Michigan, possibly touching off thunderstorms and packing some big winds.

According to the National Weather Service, gusty winds will start kicking in this afternoon, and may hit 30 to 40 mph. Stronger winds are forecast for tonight, with gusts up to 55 mph.

If thunderstorms develop this evening, that could boost winds even higher, with some gusts topping 60 mph, the NWS has said.

Now is the best time to secure all loose items and make sure you have supplies ready in case of a power outage, the NWS staff in Grand Rapids said. The strong winds will end by sunrise. Temperatures will also be much cooler by that point.

Daytime temperatures on Wednesday are expected to be about 30 degrees colder than today, reaching just into the 40s in the Lower Peninsula.

In the Upper Peninsula, Gale Warnings over Lake Superior will kick in after midnight tonight.

Because of the expected high winds tonight, downed trees and power outages are possible across the state.

Consumers Energy issued a cautionary statement on the forecast, alerting people to the wind issue:

Consumers Energy reminds the public to stay at least 25 feet away from a downed wire and anything it is touching. Report downed wires by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Always assume a downed wire, even if not sparking, is energized.

Customers are also reminded, if they lose power, to never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. Portable generators should be operated 25 feet outside of any building, away from windows, doors and vents.

READ MORE

8 Facts Behind the Edmund Fitzgeralds final hours

Michigan might be waiting awhile for winter to arrive, major weather models show

Read more:
Strong winds and thunderstorms tonight, gusts could top 60 mph - mlive.com

HEARTLESS burglars smashed their way into a young widows home as she went to visit relatives for the first time since her husbands death.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Nishat Akbar had visited her husbands grave every day following his death, at a young age, just months before the burglary at their Lostock home on September 2.

But at the end of August the widow, who had young children, decided to visit relatives in Sheffield.

Michael Blakey, prosecuting, told how, while there, she received a call from her security company to say there had been a power outage and then another message informing her that the alarm had been triggered.

Police who were called found the electric gates to the property ajar and spotted 49-year-old Mark Johnson hiding behind a car.

He was arrested and property which had been stolen from the house, was on him.

Officers then spotted Simon Davies lying face down under a bush .

A trail of footprints was found inside the house leading from a patio door and Mrs Akbar returned home.

She was extremely distressed, said Mr Blakey. She was concerned that the burglars had taken sentimental property belonging to her husband and indeed they had.

The electricity mains wires had been pulled out, six internal doors had been smashed and all the bedrooms including those used by her two children, had been ransacked.

Drawers had been pulled out and a number of jewellery boxes had been emptied and were lying on the floor, said Mr Blakey.

The stolen items, worth around 10,000, were recovered, including a 5,100 Tag Heuer watch belonging to the late Mr Akbar, which Davies initially tried to claim belonged to him.

Davies, aged 47, of Portugal Street, Bolton, and Johnson, of Duke Street, Bolton, both pleaded guilty to burglary.

In a victim statement Mrs Akbar told how she had been devastated by the burglary, especially after the death of her husband.

He was so young and we had out whole lives together, she said.

I have remained in Bolton as I havent wanted to leave as I go to my husbands grave every day.

This was the first time I had built up the confidence to leave Bolton and visit my family for a few days. The fact that this break-in occurred whilst I was away has devastated me and the fact that my husbands property had been taken is something that will stay with me forever.

Nicholas Ross, defending, said Davies, who has a lengthy criminal record, had checked there was no one at the property before burgling it and was not aware of the familys tragedy. He very much wishes me to express his real and very genuine remorse. Once he found out the circumstances of the victim he felt, as he should do, profoundly guilty, said Mr Ross

He added that Davies, who committed his first burglary aged just 12, had also suffered tragedy with his wife dying four years ago.

Judge Graeme Smith sentenced him to 40 months in prison and told him: It has been said on your behalf that you showed real and genuine remorse once you found out about the personal circumstances of Nishat Akbar.

The problem is, when you embark on a burglary, you take a chance. You are invading the property of someone you dont know.

Davies accomplice, Johnson, is isolating and his sentence was adjourned until November 30.

See original here:
Burglars ransacked grieving widows home - The Bolton News

ADDRESS: 105 Ferncroft Tower, Middleton

BEDROOMS: 2

BATHROOMS: 2 full

LIVING SPACE: 1,531 sq. ft.

PRICE: $439,000

Let the box-checking begin. Single-floor living. Check.

Home office and outdoor space? Check, check.

With more than 1,500-square feet of living space, size definitely rates a check mark.

What about parking? Check.

Thats just for starters, too. This wonderful home at Ferncroft Tower has so much more to offer and it all begins at the front door.

French doors classic multi-glass paned, of course off the entry are an elegant introduction to the expansive and fully open living-dining room. The living room area has room for one and/or even two conversation areas while the dining area can easily handle settings for six or more comfortably. Flexibility is the bonus with this space, however. Either and/or both areas can be moved to create more open space when entertaining crowds or reset for more intimate gatherings.

The real perk, however, is not whats inside this room but what is outside. A wall of windows, i.e., glass sliders leads to a wonderful 35-foot long private patio overlooking the pool surrounded by Ferncrofts beautiful manicured grounds. Magnificent sunset views are another plus.

A substantial amount of cabinetry (with under-mount lighting) is one highlight of the eat-in kitchen. A built-in counter is a multi-purpose space. In addition to providing extra prep space, this also doubles as a server for the adjacent dining room if thats where you choose to place it or as a buffet area for more casual events. That three can use this as a coffee/breakfast/lunch bar is very handy.

For added convenience, laundry facilities, a stackable washer/dryer unit, are nearby, too.

Wait till you see

The bedrooms in this home are equally special with thoughtful amenities not to mention size, as in big.

The master suite, for example, which is extraordinarily large, is really a two-fer space. The reason is that the sleeping chamber is divided into two sections: one comfortably handles a king-size bed; the other is an office/den or sitting area. A partition open at the top with a half-moon window creates two private areas.

Other amenities are also impressive. Consider closet space. Essentially a room, the walk-in closet is fully customized with open shelving, cubbies and specialized hanging spaces, but should more storage room be required and/or wanted, not to worry. Two additional closets are here, too.

The en suite bathroom has its own share of perks including a two-sink vanity with a tub/shower ensemble with a tile surround. Marble floor tile is an elegant touch.

Did I mention that the master suite also has access to the patio?

Perhaps the best part about the cleverly designed master suite is how it affects the second bedroom. While this large room can easily do double duty as guest space and a home office, using it strictly for guests is one option. However, transforming it into a family room is another. Oh, this room also has access to the patio.

One other detail. Although the unit is fully carpeted throughout, odds are that gorgeous parquet flooring is underneath it all.

Some extras

Location in the building, that is, comes with a few more perks. Storage facilities are right across the hall and direct access to the garage and assigned parking for two cars is only a few steps further. The pool is close by, too a fact that will most appreciated when New England days are once again longer and warmer.

While were on the subject of location, keep in mind that the physical location of Ferncroft Tower is a plus, period. The complex has easy access to Route 128 and a plethora of shopping options be it mall, boutiques and grocery stores.

Of course all the amenities available at Ferncroft Tower including a function room with a full kitchen, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a heated outdoor pool are a package deal with this home. Just so you know, the condo fee is all inclusive, too were talking electric, gas, water, and yes, air conditioning.

Contact Ann and Ray McGuiggin of Country Crossroads Realty at 978-777-3030 or by email: mackre@comcast.net.

See more here:
HOME PROFILE: A home that checks off all the boxes - Wicked Local Beverly

Big Time Restaurant Group To Open Second ElisabettasOn West Palm Beach Waterfront In January

Boca Raton, FL Elisabettas Ristorante, Bar and Pizzeria, led byBig Time Restaurant Groups Corporate Culinary Director Lisabet Summa, will open its second location in early January on the West Palm Beach waterfront. The first Elisabettas opened in July 2019 on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach.

The 300 seat, 10,000 square foot restaurant, located at 185 Banyan Boulevard in West Palm Beach, includes a massive multi-tiered patio overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. The patio will feature a regulation sizebocce ball court, a 25 tall fireplace, an indoor/outdoor bar, a 19th century gelato cart, an outside pizza oven, and two vintage gazebos. In addition, the restaurant will feature a 12-seat private dining room.

Elisabettas Executive Chef will be Andris Salmanis, a Big Time Restaurant Group veteran who most recently served as the executive chef at the Delray Beach location. The General Manager will be Drew Shane who also joins the restaurant from Elisabettas in Delray Beach.

As a sister restaurant to Louie Bossis, Elisabettas has a scratch kitchen and the menu features many of that restaurants classic dishes, like in-house dry-aged steaks, but also includes expanded seafood, chicken and salad options, as well as housemade pasta dishes.

Everything at Elisabettas will be made from scratch including all pasta, breads, sauces, baked goods and gelatos. Elisabettas dry ages its steaks in house and cure its own salumis. The restaurant features three pizza ovens made in Naples, Italy, two located inside the restaurant and one outside. The restaurant will offer 70 wines by the glass and a 400 bottle wine list featuring classic and less known but great value Italian wines and proseccos. The bar will serve classic Italian cocktails from Negronis to Aperol Spritzes. Elisabettas makes all breads and desserts in house, including several kinds of gelato.

Menu items will include the Roman Lunch, a pizza hearth baked bread with burrata and prosciutto di parma, the Cacio e Pepe, and a white pizza topped with Pecorino Romano. Gelato toppings include honeycombe, salted Marcona almond and chocolate brittle.

Elisabettas interior features a salumi bar faced with cool Calacatta marble, two gold tiled beehive shaped Neapolitan pizza ovens.

The dining room features a beamed wood ceiling above rustic basket weave brick walls. The bar tops are pewter, where guests can sink into their drink on red or gold leather custom bar stools. The restrooms are graced with spectacular entry doors with hand molded glass panels and feature Italian mosaic terracotta floors. The womens restroom is donned with ornate vintage mirrors and a hand-painted textured wall covering.

The original tableware was commissioned for Elisabettas and designed by Sarah Campbell of Collier & Campbell. The restaurants interior was designed by Karen Hanlon along with Big Time partner/co-founder Todd Herbst.

The beverage director for Elisabettas is Ervin Machado. He is a level 2 sommelier with a deep knowledge of Italian cocktails and liquors. He also serves as beverage director for Louie Bossis.

The restaurant will serve dinner seven nights a week, lunch Monday-Friday, and brunch with unlimited mimosas, Aperol Spritzes, Bloody Marys and Froze, served Saturdays and Sundays. Elisabettas will offer valet parking and is also within 100 feet of three public parking garages. The restaurant will have all of the latest sanitizing equipment and will operate beyond what the CDC requires to be Covid safe.

Elisabettas Ristorante and Pizzeria is located at 185 Banyan Boulevard, West Palm Beach. For more information, visit Elisabettas.com.

Continue reading here:
New Waterfront Restaurant to Open - The Boca Raton Tribune

If you suffer from seasonal depression and worry about your risk factors should you get the coronavirus, this winter could be tougher than usual.

Shorter and cooler days are already limiting opportunities for the boost that comes from socializing and exercising outdoors, where rates of transmission of COVID-19 are lower than indoors. The specter of diminished holidays, a 6.9% unemployment rate, a third wave of the virus and more than 238,000 coronavirus deaths add to the mental health risks this winter. But there are things you can do.

"People have really embraced the outside as the safest place and relied on their ability to be outside to bolster their mental health," says Vaile Wright, senior director of health care innovation for the American Psychological Association.

"I have way more anxiety this year. I have COVID fatigue, and I'm anxious about the coming winter."

"The more you can prepare, the better you'll be," Wright says. "Think proactively about 'What can I do to utilize the outside more?'" For example, she says, maybe invest in an outdoor heater, already a hot commodity.

Seasonal depression, also called winter depression, seasonal affective disorder or SAD, is linked to a biochemical imbalance in the brain prompted by shorter daylight hours and less sunlight in winter. The American Psychiatric Association estimates that about 5% of adults in the U.S. experience SAD. Symptoms include depression and fatigue, carbohydrate cravings, increased appetite and weight gain, and withdrawal from other people.

"The further north you go, the more the rates of seasonal impairment go up," says Dr. Paul Desan, director of the Winter Depression Research Clinic at Yale University.

"Plenty of people don't meet the criteria for major depression but feel lousy in the winter," he adds. "Fifteen percent have a symptom that causes depression that they would like treatment for. And ninety percent of people will say they feel different in some way."

He says that more time indoors with dim light and less time driving to work in bright light in the morning has exacerbated the problem.

"I'm worried about this year," Desan says. "The rates of seasonal changes will be worse."

Depression and Anxiety On the Rise

Though never diagnosed with SAD, Robin Farmer, a 59-year-old writer who lives in Mechanicsville, Va., had all the symptoms when she worked in Connecticut at The Hartford Courant newspaper. "It was a sense of feeling blue, low energy, anxiety. I would stuff my face with carbs to feel better. I remember going back to the apartment and turning on every light," she says. "I have way more anxiety this year. I have COVID fatigue, and I'm anxious about the coming winter."

She is not alone. A survey by Mental Health America, conducted from January to September 2020, found that the number of people with moderate to severe depression and anxiety increased through 2020 and was higher than in the same period before COVID-19. "The number of people looking for help with anxiety and depression has skyrocketed," according to the report.

Dr. XinQi Dong, director of the Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research at Rutgers University, notes that hurricanes in the South and fires on the West Coast are also pushing people inside.

People with SAD can have double the trouble: their usual symptoms and what the pandemic has wrought at a time of year when they are especially vulnerable.

"Issues relating to loneliness, despair, suicide, all of them accumulate when COVID limits social connectedness," says Dong. He hopes that when connecting virtually, people can appreciate "that it's not about physical presence, it's about emotional connectedness."

Fabiana Araujo, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at University of Chicago Medicine, says "replacement strategies" can mitigate stress.

"What you want to do is signal to your brain and body that this is a lightand brightplace."

"Of course going outside is wonderful, but there are a number of activities that can be done indoors," says Araujo. "I would highlight the small pleasures that we take for granted, making a cup of tea, preparing an indoor garden, practicing yoga, learning a new handcraftpaying attention to small rituals on a daily basis."

Worrying and uncertainty "are a perfect combination for a storm," she says. "But we have the ability to shift our attention to experiences in our life that are not anxiety-provoking This could be saying, 'I am home, I am safe, I wore a mask.' It's not that we should lower our guards. Let's maintain that and at the same time not let it take over our experience."

The Best Light Therapy

Desan says that for treatment of SAD, a half hour of bright light therapy in the morning, with the proper device at 10,000 lux, under the supervision of a clinician, is safe and effective. SAD lights can be found at many retailers costing from $30 to more than $300. Many are shaped like iPads and boxes, but there are also lamps and even eyeglasses.

Desan cautions that many devices are too dim and too small, though; he and colleagues who tested 24 light therapy boxes found that only seven met their clinical criteria.

He says an early morning walk with exposure to bright light can also alleviate symptoms. Those who have a significant mental health problem should see a mental health clinician, he says.

Getting enough sleep, exercise, and healthy eating are also important; indeed, Farmer felt better when she switched to a diet that minimized carbs and sugar and included healthy fats. And paradoxically, a house fire in 2015 offered the chance to rebuild with overhead lighting that brightened her mood.

Luckily, you don't need a house fire to make choices that can support good health.

Natural Light and Houseplants

Jamie Gold, a consultant in wellness design and author of a book on the topic called "Wellness By Design," says, "You can look at your window coverings to see if they're letting light in during the day while providing privacy. You can also look at adding natural light with solar tubes, similar to skylights but smaller, orientating furniture placements near windows and patio doors, making the most of our outdoor living space and considering lighter paint colors that reflect light rather than absorb it."

She is also a believer in having houseplants, whose health benefits, such as reducing physiological and psychological stress, are documented in a 2015 study.

The59-year-old had winter depression when she lived in New York but left it behind with the cold weather when she moved to San Diego. In her townhouse, artwork and decorative details incorporate "comfort and joy."

"What you want to do is signal to your brain and body that this is a lightand brightplace," Gold says.

Wright encourages people to write letters or pick up the phone, which people seem to be doing, as telecommunications companies report an uptick in phone calls.

"We know that social isolation has a negative effect on well-being. We really still need to be mindful of reaching out to those we love," she says.

"If you know your family won't be together (on Thanksgiving), maybe you Zoom and say what you're grateful for."

Read the original post:
Are You More Likely to Be SAD This Winter? - Next Avenue