The master bath received an $85,000-plus update including a soaking tub, glass shower, double vanities with quartzite counters and flooring arranged in a herringbone pattern.

The master bath received an $85,000-plus update including a soaking tub, glass shower, double vanities with quartzite counters and flooring arranged in a herringbone pattern.

The master bath received an $85,000-plus update including a soaking tub, glass shower, double vanities with quartzite counters and flooring arranged in a herringbone pattern.

The master bath received an $85,000-plus update including a soaking tub, glass shower, double vanities with quartzite counters and flooring arranged in a herringbone pattern.

On the Market: After numerous upgrades, Greenfield Hill colonial is just right

FAIRFIELD Downsize time. Thats what the current owners of the gray colonial house at 354 Towne House Road say after raising their three children there. They are quick to add it wont be easy to leave such a beautiful and practical home; a quiet, friendly neighborhood; and convenient location.

This location is like the middle (bowl of) porridge of Goldilocks just right, one owner said.

There is a Facebook neighborhood site for Woodhouse and Towne House roads (for) owners to share ideas, tag sales, alerts and gatherings. During the start of the school year, there are family gatherings at the bus stops and usually holiday gettogethers throughout the year, the listing agent said.

This great location in Greenfield Hill is just far enough to be out in the country but close enough to be able to run and get a cup of coffee, fill up with gas, or go to the grocery store in just a couple of minutes, they said. This roadway, off Burr Street, is only about five minutes from the Merritt Parkway 1.3 miles away, Restaurants Barcelona, Bonda and the Bluebird Inn. Shops and restaurants along Black Rock Turnpike are not much further away than that, and it is only about seven minutes to downtown Fairfield, the Metro-North Railroad train station and Interstate 95.

Even closer to this house are Burr Elementary School and the Connecticut Audubon Center, both on Burr Street, and the Audubon Centers Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary. All are only about a five-minute walk from the house. The Audubon trails allow for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. There are seven miles of trails including the Chiboucas wheelchair-accessible trail.

This 4,237-square-foot house and its 2.23-acre level property are just right as well. It looks and functions much differently than it did when the house was first built in 1964. Originally, this property comprised a four-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom guest cottage. In 2010 both structures were combined into one masterfully designed home with an open flow from one spacious room to another. Now this house accommodates the modern familys aesthetics and lifestyle, the agent said.

It has undergone further updates since then. Just this year the exterior of the house was painted in the Benjamin Moore color Grey Huskie. And from 2018 through this year the interior rooms were painted with on-trend neutrals and an overall pleasing color palette. A new driveway was installed in 2015 and four years later a row of arborvitaes were planted along a portion of the driveway near the attached under-house two-car garage, above which is a bonus room, currently used as a family room. This versatile space could serve as a recreation, game or play room. That same year an existing bedroom was converted into a dressing room for the master suite. The expansive raised deck was added using composite materials, minimizing maintenance.

TYPE: Colonial

ADDRESS: 354 Towne House Road

PRICE: $1,010,000

NUMBER OF ROOMS: 10

FEATURES: 2.23-acre level parcel, freshly painted inside and out, move-in ready, large wrap-around deck, bluestone terrace with seated stone wall, newer seven-person hot tub, exterior lighting on timers, extra insulation, programmable thermostat, storm doors, Thermopane windows, Azek trim; walking distance to Burr Elementary School, the Connecticut Audubon Center, and the Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary; easy commute to the Merritt Parkway; less than 10 minutes to downtown, Metro North Railroad station and I-95, cable available, one fireplace, possible in-law or au pair suite, pull-down attic stairs, attic fan, ridge vents, zoned central air conditioning and oil heat, new oil furnace this year, 80-gallon hot water heater tank, public water connection, septic system, full unfinished walk-out basement, attached two-car garage, invisible pet fencing, five bedrooms, three full and one half baths

SCHOOLS: Burr Elementary, Tomlinson Middle, Fairfield Warde High

ASSESSMENT: $664,300

TAX RATE: 26.79 mills

TAXES: $17,797

The HVAC system was updated to create five heat zones and four central air conditioning zones. The master bath received an $85,000-plus update including a soaking tub, glass shower, double vanities with quartzite counters and flooring arranged in a herringbone pattern. The house got a new kitchen in 2014. It features a long center island that widens to create a breakfast bar to accommodate five people. Thats in addition to the eat-in area. Other kitchen features include quartzite counters, a marble backsplash, pantry, a built-in desk area, and high-end appliances.

The owners said they love the open flow between the kitchen and the large first floor sitting room, adding: We think the columns and archway leading to the back deck came together in a very aesthetically pleasing way.

That deck has provided a comfortable place for relaxing, watching stars and lightning, and listening to the birds. The thick border of trees makes this backyard a very peaceful place. We really enjoy the deck and being in the hot tub, the owner said.

Back inside, there are formal living and dining rooms; the living room has a fireplace. On the second floor there are five bedrooms.

For more information or to set up an appointment to see the house, contact Carol Langeland of Carol Langeland Homes and William Pitt Sothebys International Realty at 203-895-7892 or CarolLangelandHomes@gmail.com.

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On the Market: After numerous upgrades, Greenfield Hill colonial is 'just right' - The Ridgefield Press

Whether theyre learning in school or at home this year, there are still ways for kids to stay active during the pandemic.

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Texas A&M University health education expert Hildi Nicksic says childhood obesity is an ongoing problem that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Nicksic, a clinical assistant professor in the College of Education & Human Developments Department of Health and Kinesiology, maintaining physical activity for children during this time is important in keeping childhood obesity rates at bay.

On a population-wide level, we are seeing diminished physical activity levels, altered dietary habits including consumption of excess calories, and heightened stress and anxiety, all of which increase the risk of obesity, Nicksic said. Children may be at additional risk due to their lack of autonomy.

She said there are ways that schools welcoming students back to campus can safely integrate physical activity in the classroom and in the gym.

Physical activity does not require personal contact, she said, so there are numerous options for students to engage in safe, space bubble movement.

Given that teachers are needing to consider alternative seating arrangements to meet the physical distancing requirements, there may actually be more room for activity in the classroom across all levels of education, Nicksic said.

Chair dips, jumping jacks, squats, stretching and arm circles are just a few of the many movements that students can complete in a confined space.

Some school districts have had to cancel physical education classes due to disease transmission concerns and budgetary cuts. For programs allowed to continue, Nicksic said this is an ideal time to focus on skill-building and teaching technique, as many movements can be practiced individually and independently.

For example, for a tennis unit, breaking down the mechanics of different swings and having students practice their form is a physically distanced activity, as are stationary dribbling drills in a basketball unit, Nicksic said.

She warns that extra precaution should be taken with activities involving balls, as they can roll away and cause students to break physical distancing to retrieve them. She advises setting clear expectations for how students should react, and implementing systematic disinfection of equipment between students.

For students continuing distance education, Nicksic said their environment directly affects their activity levels. Something as simple as walking to the bathroom at home versus at school generates fewer steps.

In addition to a larger setting, the potential benefit of a return to school is an increase in support for movement, if teachers offer opportunities for activity in the classroom and/or if students are allowed to engage in traditionally-offered school-based physical activity opportunities, Nicksic said.

However, by learning at home, students technically have more time to engage in physical activity. Parents and distance learning educators should encourage students to use this extra time for non-sedentary activities.

It is critical to recognize that we are already asking an inordinate amount from our public school teachers right now as they are facing a nearly impossible task with substantial additional burden, Nicksic said.

She encourages teachers to keep it simple, but be creative in supporting and facilitating physical activity among students in web-based classes.

For example, in her virtual classroom she has students stand while discussing a prompt in a small breakout group. Even something as simple as changing from seated to upright and back facilitates blood flow and resets attention.

In supporting healthy behavior at home, Nicksic recognizes there are also increased challenges for parents. If a family is experiencing financial hardship and struggling to simply put food on the table, they cant be expected to be overly concerned about the nutritional content of that food, or with developing intricate physical activities for their children.

She encourages both teachers and parents to useavailable resources, such as those compiled on her Classrooms in Motionwebsite, to incorporate more physical activity for students.

One thing that I think is important to add is that although it is clear that the ramifications of COVID-19 on public health are staggering, there are those who have used this pandemic as a catalyst to enhance healthy behaviors, Nicksic said.

Nicksic said it is also important that students garner social support from one another during class interactions, whether in-person or virtually.

These connections help bolster students during these challenging times and support engagement in healthy behaviors, Nicksic said.

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Keeping Students Active Online Or In-Person - Texas A&M Today - Texas A&M University Today

Judy Rose, Special to the Detroit Free Press Published 7:00 a.m. ET Sept. 5, 2020 | Updated 9:21 a.m. ET Sept. 5, 2020

It is a beautiful white-pillared house with black iron balconies on the Detroit River, seriously improved by former owner Kid Rock and is listed for $2.2 million. Wochit

This white-pillared beauty on the Detroit River once owned and improved by Detroit native Kid Rock has come back on the market at $2.2 million.

The house looks as it did when he sold it last August (2019) for the same $2.2 million. The investors who bought it have neither moved in nor removed the things the musician, whosereal name is Robert James Ritchie, left behind.

'Made in Detroit' window shades like the ones in one of the main level gathering rooms reflect the personal touch Kid Rock gave the home at 9090 Dwight Street, Detroit, a beautiful white-pillared house with black iron balconies on the Detroit River, seriously improved by former owner Kid Rock.(Photo: Todd Sedlak)

That includes the clever shades on most windows. Pull the cord and you bring down the logo of the clothing company he founded here. Its the silhouette of a worker with a wrench, inside a circle, inside the words Made in Detroit.

The home's two main floors are gently traditional, probably the same floor plan as original. A large living room, dining roomhall and kitchen downstairs are wrapped with French doors and deep windows. Upstairs has four bedrooms with private baths.

More: Builder's posh $3.47M family home in Bloomfield Hills holds surprises underground

More: This near original $1.1M Grosse Pointe Tudor bursts with colors inside

The lower level is a well-outfitted party space, with a large bar, large game room and bistro booths. It has a large wall mural of the front of Motown Hitsville USA with portraits of the artist in front.

"Hitsville U.S.A." -- A mural of the Motown building and its artists is on the wall of the large lower level entertaining room. Here it's next to built-in restaurant booths and a padded table for cards. There's also a large bar and game room.(Photo: Todd Sedlak)

The home's third floor has room for friends, relatives or maybe your band to crash three extra bedrooms, three baths and a large open space with a mattress.

The house comes with a new Detroit River boathouse that the rocker had built from scratch, along with a new stone breakwall. This boathouse has lifts for a boat plus two personal watercraft, as well as a shower inside. On top it has a riverfront party deck with a fire pit, storage chests and coolers.

Kid Rock made other large improvements while he owned the house from2012 to 2019, especially on curb appeal. The house had no garage, so he built one. Its exterior was aluminum siding. He replaced it with James Hardie brand siding a cement fiber sheath that looks like wood but needs no painting.

He wrapped a handsome black fence around the yard with an electronic gate and intercom.

The exterior with a new fence and gate added by Kid Rock at 9090 Dwight Street, Detroit, a beautiful white-pillared house with black iron balconies on the Detroit River, seriously improved by former owner Kid Rock.(Photo: Todd Sedlak)

He landscaped the yard, installed central air and replaced the old windows, complying with rules of this areas historic designation.

Everything he wanted to do, he had to go before some of the boards of the city, said Realtor Tim Cook. Cook has listed this house for sale twice first for Kid Rock, now for the current owners.

Rocks additions include two large outdoor TVs a kind that can get wet and still function. One is on the boathouse party deck. It rises up out of the storage unit on demand. The other hangs over the rear stone terrace, suspended from one of the iron balconies above.

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In addition to the major changes outdoors, Realtor Cook said Kid Rock painted everything inside and replaced all the kitchen appliances with Wolf brand. He also completely remodeled the large owners bath. Other baths were left in their original tile, but fixed up.

The furnishings Rock left behind are not included in the price of the home, but can be negotiated, Cook said. One fun detail is the strip of four fans over the owners bed. They are the straw fans called plantation, but not installed in the standard circle. Theyre mounted in a row over the headboard, as though four servants behind the bed were each waving one fan. Turned on, they sweep back and forth over the sleepers head.

This house is one of just seven on Detroits Dwight Street, where all houses have deep back yards to the Detroit River. This at the west side and the Manoogian Mansion, Detroits official mayors residence, at the east side form bookends on the houses between. The area is called the Joseph Berry Subdivision and is a designated local historic district.

Where: 9090 Dwight St., Detroit

How much: $2.2 million

Bedrooms: 7

Baths: 5 full, 1 half

Square feet: About 6,000

Key features: Beautiful white-pillared housewith black iron balconies on the Detroit River, seriously improved by former owner Kid Rock. A large new boathouse with a party deck, new landscaping, decorative fence and gate, new AC, windows, Wolf appliances.

Contact: Tim Cook, Skyline Realty Group, 313-550-5604.

In order to limit our staff's exposure to coronavirus, the Detroit Free Press is temporarily suspending its practice of using our photographers to capture images for House Envy and is instead using photographs prepared by listing Realtors, with credit to thephotographers. We thank the Realtors for helping in this effort.

Read or Share this story: https://www.freep.com/story/money/real-estate/michigan-house-envy/2020/09/05/kid-rock-house-for-sale-detroit-river/3448914001/

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Kid Rock's former house on the Detroit River is back on the market - Detroit Free Press

Sarah Fagan

Middlebury College increased tuition by 3 percent for the 2020-21 academic year, sparking criticism from students, parents, faculty and staff. The Board of Trustees voted in January to raise tuition and revisited the decision after the Covid-19 pandemic hit, but decided to move forward with the increase.

At that time there were so many uncertainties, Treasurer David Provost said. Wed just refunded about nine million dollars so the 2020 loss is going to be about $12 million.

The planned FY21 budget draws an extra 2.5 percent from the endowment, in addition to the typical 5%. This amounts to a maximum of $23.5 million extra this year, according to Provost. The FY21 budget also includes approximately $5 million to cover costs created by the pandemic, such as testing, PPE and classroom modifications.

While fewer students will be on campus in the fall, no faculty or staff have been laid off. More intense cleaning regimens and complicated food distribution necessitated by Covid-19 have increased costs this semester, according to Provost.

At the time, because of the level of the deficit, with $23.5 million dipping into the endowment, the board did not feel comfortable reversing its decision like some schools have, Provost said.

Annual tuition increases are not unusual at colleges and universities throughout the country, even in years without the financial uncertainties of a global health crisis. In spring of 2019, the board voted to increase Middleburys tuition by 3.25 percent for the 2019-2020 school year, and other NESCAC schools implemented similar increases. In April of 2019, Provost said he expected an annual tuition increase of roughly 3 percent for the next three to five years.

This years increase has been controversial given the impact pandemic precautions will have on college life, with a shift to largely online courses, new physical distancing and gathering-size guidelines, and many students enrolled as remote learners.

During the spring term, students across the country petitioned universities for partial tuition refunds because of the shift to remote learning, and some students brought class-action lawsuits demanding reimbursements. A Middlebury Language Schools Masters student began a petition urging the college to refund tuition for all affected students, but the college refunded only room and board fees for the spring.

Many have questioned why the college is not relying more heavily on the endowment, how the increase is justified when the liberal arts college experience shifts to remote learning and why tuition is increasing amid faculty and staff wage freezes.

I understand why they are raising tuition in theory, but I wish that they had not done it in a time where so many families are financially vulnerable, Eva Stanley 23 said.

Several other colleges have adjusted their fall tuition rate because of the pandemics effects on in-person education and the financial circumstances of families. Georgetown, Princeton and Lafayette have announced a 10 percent discount for students studying remotely, and Williams is cutting tuition by 15 percent for both in-person and remote students.

One of the reasons Middlebury cannot do the same, according to Provost, is the donor-restricted portion of the endowment. When donors give to the college, they can earmark their contribution for a particular program or purpose, making those funds unavailable for emergency use during the pandemic. Middlebury has a comparatively high proportion of donor-restricted funds in its endowment, Provost said.

Of the 1.157 billion, 1.126 billion is restricted, of which 946 million of it is donor-restricted, so we cant use it for any other purpose, Provost said. We could go back and ask donors if theyre still alive if we can change it, and we still may have to do that if things get much worse.

Another $180 million of the endowment is board-restricted, meaning the board could choose to change the designation of those funds for other purposes. However, many of the top board-designated endowments are for faculty salaries, student financial aid, the museum and athletic facilities, leaving less funding available for future years.

The Middlebury chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) issued a statement on their website and Twitter expressing surprise at the tuition increase. All employee salaries have been frozen (and with cost of living [increase] about 1.6 percent this means all employees are earning less than in 2019). Employees also face threats of 15 percent compensation cuts that remain in the current budget plans depending on whether students can remain on campus this fall, the statement said.

The response also said publicly available IRS forms from previous years indicate that the college regularly draws more than 5 percent from the endowment, contrary to the colleges claim that they are taking more from the endowment this year than they normally would. According to Priscilla Bremser, professor of mathematics and member of the Middlebury AAUP, the colleges goal has been to annually draw 5 percent from the endowment for many years, but it has consistently drawn more than 5 percent for the last 10 years.

We are concerned this is an excuse to justify future further cuts to worker compensation, inevitably creating tension between Middlebury workers and students, which only hurts us all as we enter into an uncertain and highly stressful fall semester, the AAUP statement said.

I do think long-term it will have an impact on future increases, Provost said. If we get through this year, I think the pressure not to increase tuition next year will be much greater than its been.

In addition to an increased tuition, Middleburys student activities fee has also remained the same. Some colleges have also discounted the mandatory student activities fee for the academic year because of restrictions on in-person events and travel. Middlebury students studying remotely will not pay room and board, nor will they pay the mandatory student activities fee. Students studying on campus will pay the full $436 student activities fee this year, although many events will happen entirely online and remain open to remote learners.

The SGA Finance Committee distributes the student activities fee collected by the college through a budgeting process that may change this year. The committee does not set the activities fee but is adjusting their budgeting process to reflect the unusual semester.

We have to go back and look over everything we funded in the spring, so we actually have pushed off a lot of our budgeting process to this fall because it is looking so different, and we want to be up to date with the requirements on campus for health and safety, said Mason Olmsted 21, director of the SGA Finance Committee.

Approximately a third of the student activities funds go to the Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) each year to pay for popular events like concerts. This year those events will not be possible, so the Finance Committee has been working with MCAB to reassess how funds will be distributed and used.

Ive been wholly impressed with MCABs creativity and ability to start planning events despite the circumstances, especially considering many of their programming and events typically function around being together and being in person around many people, said Alison Hudson 21, the other director of the SGA Finance Committee.

The committee is also working to evaluate how the student organization budgeting process, usually completed in the spring of the previous school year, will potentially change during the fall.

Its gonna take the first month to figure out whats going on, what are the rules, what can we do, what can we not do. Thats where I really hope organizations come in with great ideas via new money requests, and we can fund those events on campus, Olmsted said.

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Economic downturn and Covid-19 precautions bring tuition and endowment draw increases - Middlebury Campus

The Dallas Cowboys signed free agent pass-rusher Everson Griffen to a one-year, $6 million contract on Aug. 12 in a move that will have a ripple effect across the roster.

The first of which came across the wire after Sundays practice, as second-year defensive end Jalen Jelks was released to make room for the 32-year-old USC product.

Nonetheless, the effects of signing Griffen should be much more positive for the Cowboys defense than it was for Jelks, as Griffens presence will assuredly make life easier on a few defenders in 2019. Who are those players who will be benefiting most from the Griffen addition?

Keep reading to find out.

Before the Cowboys signed Griffen, they were devoid of a real, proven pass-rush presence opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, which would have resulted in a steady stream of double teams, chip blocks and slide protections coming his way as opposing offenses could really zero in on how to slow down Dallas premier defender (fifth-highest double team rate among edge defenders).

There were times when opposing offenses both chipped and slid protection toward Lawrence, making it near impossible for him to generate pressure on the QB. The chip from an RB/TE makes it difficult for Lawrence to rush outside, as the RB/TE helps protect the tackles outside gap, while the slide protection eliminates the necessary space for an inside move, as the guard is sliding outside to protect the tackles inside gap.

However, with Griffen in the fold, offenses are going to have to think twice about sending all the attention Lawrences way because leaving Griffen on an island one-on-one is a dangerous game to play.

In fact, look no further than the attention (or lack thereof) that Griffens running mate in Minnesota, Danielle Hunter, faced in 2019. Hunter has accumulated either 60+ pressures and/or 12+ sacks in each of the last four seasons; however, despite all that production, Hunter was doubled teamed at a below-average rate in 2019 (on slightly more than 14% of his pass-rush snaps). Griffen was actually doubled-team more often than his more productive teammate (on slightly more than 18% of his pass-rush snaps), which just demonstrates Griffens ability to draw attention away from more talented teammates.

Now, Minnesotas defensive scheme deserves credit for limiting the double teams on their edge defenders, which is why its interesting that the Cowboys hired former Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards to be a defensive assistant.

Nevertheless, this is great news for Lawrence, as the increased attention he faced last year was one of many reasons why he didnt accumulate as many sacks in 2019 as we became accustomed to seeing in the past.

Griffens presence, in addition to the Cowboys blitzing more, should earn Lawrence more frequent one-on-one opportunities, which should lead to more production from Dallas premier pass rusher. Lawrence is simply too technically efficient to not have considerable success against one-on-ones.

Even before Griffen was signed, I thought Lawrence was destined to accumulate 10+ sacks in 2020, and with Griffen now in the fold, Im even more confident that Lawrence will break the double-digit sack barrier this season.

Another pass-rusher who benefits from the Griffen signing is Aldon Smith. Prior to Griffen signing, Smith was the only defender who was previously a high-end pass rusher. However, the problem is that its been five years since Smith even touched an NFL field.

Ideally, Smith would be the cherry on top of the Cowboys pass-rush sundae, but before Griffen was signed, he probably would have been forced to be the ice cream. No matter how optimistic you are about Smiths ability to contribute to the Cowboys defense this year, its never ideal to be forced to rely on someone whos missed a half-decade to be the No. 2 edge rusher on the team.

Now, with Griffen on the defense, the Cowboys dont have to rely on Smith to bring the pressure opposite Lawrence, which means they can use him in a role thats more befitting to someone in his circumstances. The Cowboys are now in a better position to limit Smiths snaps so that he can play at a higher pace more consistently.

Additionally, with Griffen and Lawrence outside, the Cowboys now have the option to use Smith as a mismatch weapon, moving him around the line of scrimmage to attack the weak link in opposing offensive lines.

In the NFL, pass rush and coverage have a symbiotic relationship. A good pass rush makes life easier on coverage and good coverage makes life easier on the pass rush. Therefore, it shouldnt be a surprise that Dallas secondary, arguably, benefits the most from the Griffen signing.

In theory, signing Griffen means the Cowboys will apply more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and pressured quarterbacks typically arent good quarterbacks. In 2019, QBs had a 97.3 passer rating from a clean pocket but fell all the way to 63.5 when pressured, per PFF. Pressured QBs throw more passes into contested areas, which means more turnover opportunities for the defensive backs.

Additionally, if the secondary trust that the pass rush will consistently pressure the QB in a timely manner, then they can be more aggressive to jump short-to-intermediate routes, creating even more turnover opportunities on defense.

A venomous pass rush with multiple threats could also lead to offenses sacrificing an eligible receiver to stay in and block to keep the QB clean. On a normal play where there are four defenders rushing the passer, the defense has seven defenders in coverage to defend up to five eligible receivers. You dont need to be a math wiz to understand that its easier for seven defenders to cover four receivers than it is to defend five, regardless if its man or zone.

Find more Cowboys stories from The Dallas Morning News here.

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Film room: Which Cowboys benefit the most from Everson Griffens addition to the roster? - The Dallas Morning News

Youre not required to update building codes at your house unless youre doing some remodeling work, and then typically only the remodeled areas have to meet the new regulations.

Fire alarms are the exception as most cities will require that they be brought up to code when a permit is pulled.

However, at the point that the remodel involves a significant portion of the home the city may require all codes be brought up to date.

Note that this job involves just about every construction specialty:

Q: Converting our garage is not an option. What can we do to update the floor plan and create more room?

A: Have you considered removing a wall to create a great room? Note that if the wall you want to remove runs between the living room and dining room, and you live in a home built between 1950 and 1970, the wall may be load bearing. Proceed with caution. This job will require a licensed contractor. When you apply for a permit, it is likely that your city planning department will require a structural engineer to assist with design. A structural engineer will be able to assure that the beam, posts and footings are sufficient to bear the weight of the roof structure that previously rested on the wall.

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Rosie on the House: These projects will free up space at home - Arizona Daily Star

West Virginias football program was probably due for a positive off-the-field development. Theyve come in doses lately.

A chaotic and confusing spring and summer finally came to a finish last Monday when the Mountaineers returned to the field with their first full-scale football practice since the pandemic split the team up and sent everyone in different directions on March 12. A day later, the highly anticipated locker room project was unveiled, and there can be no doubting the approval rating.

The Mountaineers upgraded from 5,625 square feet in the former locker room to 11,125 square feet in the new one, and the new features are impossibly impressive.

There hasnt been a whole lot for the players to be really excited about lately, and so much credit goes to the people that made it happen, head coach Neal Brown said.

The result is a spacious place and lavish lockers that feature wireless cell phone chargers, a lockable compartment with an internal charging port, a stainless steel shoe and glove display drawer, a stainless steel helmet shelf, a backlit individual upper nameplate that includes a picture of the player and a listing of his jersey number, position and hometown, a clothing rod for game day apparel, a hook for the uniform and additional storage in an upper cabinet and a lower drawer.

The area is highlighted by sharp visual features, including LED walls. The most prominent one is a 16-by-7 foot display, and there are four other 4-by-7 walls on the end cap of each locker pod. The walls are linked to a video server, and theyre able to showa variety offootage, sizes and effects. The locker rooms sound system includes 16 ceiling speakers and four woofers. Audio, video and lighting can work in concert to create dramatic presentations.

This is a big push by our administration to show that were all-in on building not only championship teams but a championship program, Brown said. Weve already got so much positive momentum in recruiting with the Big 12 deciding that we are going to move forward with playing football this fall and now the locker room reveal.

Six of the lockers are designated for former players to use when they return to campus, and when they do, theyll notice a completely different area. In addition to the aforementioned features, the constructionalso created a quiet room with anti-gravity chairs and sleep pods. The equipment room now has far more space to accommodate the various uniform combinations. The nutrition center was improved, and a recovery space how has light therapy beds, cryotherapy chambers and sensory deprivation tanks. The players will also be able to relax in a lounge with gaming stations and various arcade and table games.

The locker room theming was focused on enhancing the openness of the center meeting space, allowing coach Brown to address the entire team, or allow separate addressing of the offensive and defensive units, said locker room architect Mark Clear of S/L/A/M Collaborative explained. The dark exposed ceilings with suspended clouds and center Flying WV feature give the illusion of a much taller space than the existing structure allowed and enhanced focus of the room to open the center space with an infusion of technology.

The locker room size increase is significant in itself, but equally significant is the addition of a mud room and cold-plunge pool to the locker suite in order to reinforce and streamline the post-practice sequence. This ensures the players are following cold-plunge protocol for maximum recovery and keeps the locker room maintained and in pristine condition.

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WVU locker room and accessories show were all-in on building - 247Sports

As the 2019-20 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs continue, the Detroit Red Wings continue to sit on the sidelines from the outside looking in. The reality is that the organization has a plethora of cap room this offseason, and General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman needs to do SOMETHING.

Look no further than homegrown Torey Krug, who has spent the entirety of his NHL career with the Boston Bruins who are squaring off with the Carolina Hurricanes. While Krug is looking for redemption after a 2018-19 Stanley Cup Championship loss to the St. Louis Blues, Yzerman should be putting in work.

The hope would be that in discussions with other members of the Red Wings front office, the idea of bringing Krug in or at least making a push to sign him is being brought up. Site Co-Expert Bob Heyrman and I have both tooted the concept of signing Torey Krug around over the past few months, and it should still be considered.

Krug has spent all nine years in the NHL in a Bruins sweater, and it has been rumored that this may be his last push for a Stanley Cup Championship organization as he may be suiting up elsewhere. Again, another reason for Yzerman to have an offer ready to go when the time comes.

The Bruins currently have 19 players under contract for the 2020-21 season with a projected cap space of just under $16.5 million.

This would most likely be a long term deal rather than a one to a two-year extension for Krug, but keep in mind he was previously on a four-year contract.

Krugs last deal with the Bruins was a four-year, $21 million contract where he carried an AAV of $5.25 million.

Over the previous four years, Krug has been a two-time all-star putting up 50 points every season, except this past one where he was at 49 (though the season was shortened due to COVID-19).

In his 61 games during the 2019-20 season, Krug put up nine goals and added 40 helpers for his 49 points, just missing that 50 point mark. The offensive upside of Krug is quite attractive for the Red Wings, who would benefit greatly from someone like Krug stepping into the organization.

Krug may not be the most defensively inclined player like that of Alex Pietrangelo from the St. Louis Blues, but anything is better than what the Red Wings have seen the past few seasons defensively. The defense was horrendous in 2019-20, and even a less defensive player like Krug would help.

If Yzerman wants to make a splash in free agency by adding a defenseman, Krug is defensively someone to consider bringing in for this organization. The Red Wings were horrific in 2019-20, and the 2020-21 season should show some strides within the organization.

The Detroit Red Wings can further these strides by adding key free agents, and Torey Krug is someone to consider.

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Red Wings: Torey Krug still seems like quite the offseason addition - Detroit Jock CIty

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --vybe urgent care, the leading independent operator of urgent care centers in the Philadelphia area, announces a rapid test for COVID-19 from Quidel that provides a result in 15 minutes. This antigen test is available by appointment at all vybe locations and is a perfect solution for asymptomatic patients who need clearance for work, school, or a medical procedure. At this time, the test is not covered by insurance, and is available in limited quantities on a self-pay basis.

With the addition of the rapid antigen test, vybe now offers 3 COVID testing options to patients:

"In the fight against COVID-19, we're hoping a rapid test enables more people to get tested more frequently, and to make decisions that help limit the spread of the virus," said Peter Hotz, vybe urgent care's President & CEO. "The potential use for this in the employer and academic settings represents an important step in more safely returning to work and restoring our society as we await a vaccine."

vybe is offering the Quidel rapid test to employers and academic institutions as a solution for return to work programs or for ongoing business continuity. The vybe program offers the choice of testing at any vybe urgent care centers or customized on-site COVID testing events in a safe environment, and includes:

"This test is designed to detect proteins from the virus, and delivers a highly accurate positive result," said Geoff Winkley, vybe's Medical Director. "A public health crisis demands a vigorous response from the healthcare community, including multiple options for testing. I'm pleased that recent studies are showing a high sensitivity rate for the Quidel rapid test, approaching that of lab-based PCR tests."

In addition to a wide range of urgent care services, including COVID-19 testing, vybe has carefully designed safety precautions to meet or exceed CDC and state guidelines:

vybe is fully accredited by the Urgent Care Association (UCA), which is the highest level of distinction for urgent care centers and ensures high levels of patient safety and quality.

About vybevybe urgent care is Philadelphia's leading independent urgent care provider delivering care to adults and children in Philadelphia, Delaware, and Bucks Counties. Open 7 days a week, vybe delivers an affordable and convenient alternative to long emergency room wait times and the limited hours of family physicians. In addition to welcoming walk-ins, vybe offers a telemedicine service for those who wish to see a clinician online. vybe accepts major insurance plans and provides a comprehensive range of urgent care services such as illness and injury treatment, digital x-rays, EKGs, lab testing, physicals, immunizations, and occupational medicine. Find the medical care you need with the convenience you want at vybe urgent care locations throughout the Philadelphia area.

For more information, visit http://www.vybe.care

Media contact:Peter Hotz484-753-3970

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vybe urgent care Offers Rapid COVID-19 Testing for Employers and Consumers - The Wellsboro Gazette

Most small communities have an old, often uninhabitable, building that served its community as a country store and much more.

The one in Carolina, Itawamba, Mississippi was much more. If you stand on the front porch and listen carefully you can hear the faint sounds of men playing Rook and talking politics and farming, joined by those of women corralling children and sharing recipes.

Small communities have an ambience, a feeling of familiarity like no other. That sentiment lingers in Carolina.

When the members of Carolina Church decided to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Conference, we needed a new building. We already had a pastor, an active youth ministry and a seniors outreach we fondly called The Gathering. The old store had been empty for several years. It still stood as a testament to a vibrant past and a small communitys need for sustenance.

However, church members believed it could be saved and flipped into a temporary place to gather for worship. As with all reconstruction projects this one had challenges, not the least of which was a snake that was not willing to give up his home, and a kitten that fell through the concrete blocks from the top floor to the bottom and somehow lived to meow about it.

As the renovation began, community members began to stop by and talk with the workers about fond memories of the old store.

Some believe it was built in the 1920s for a meeting place for the Masons. This has not been confirmed, but there is definite proof that Masons met upstairs for decades.

A lot of people remember the store being a polling place and people staying up all night to watch votes being counted during the county elections. Some folks wanted to talk of the coldest cokes in the world coming out of that old cooler and the excitement when the orange slices and creme drops came in for Christmas.

For many years there was a punch board, and for a small fee a punch could yield a prize!

A neighbors hogs escaped once and were found inside the store eating the loaves of white bread while the current owner kept his distance by standing on the counter. He was a man of small stature and the neighbor said they were extra large swine.

The most cherished recollections are of running into someone you hadnt seen in a while and being able to keep up with all the community news at the store. There are lots of colorful and rich stories about the past in these parts.

Neighbors agree, Carolina gets in your soul.

As church family worked together on the project, we began to fondly nickname the building The Store Church and it stuck.

The store was once the hub of the community and now, the officially-named Carolina Church is aiming for that to happen again, but with an added mission.

The current members want to be the church family and home for the spiritually hungry in the community and beyond. Even though the building is small, there are seventy seats in the worship area, more seating in the kitchen addition and plenty of Sunday School room upstairs. There are plans for a larger addition in the future to accommodate the growing youth program and to reinstate The Gathering for the senior adults as soon as possible. Although COVID-19 has canceled some in-church services for the present time, big plans are being made for a dedication day.

Carolina Church has the Bible as its doctrine and their Savior as its head. Theres a warm, comfortable feeling in our church. It has that small, country chapel feel, but the message is BIG.

Everyone is welcome. Come and be fed.

Margaret Mills is a retired school teacher and lifelong resident of the Carolina Community.

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Come and be fed | | djournal.com - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal