From the Greater Orlando Builders Association

The Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA), the authority, educator and promoter of the housing and building industry, announces new dates for the 67thannual Parade of Homes Orlando.

Central Floridians are invited to safely experience 65+ of the best of the best homes throughout Orange, Seminole and Osceola County and surrounding areas during the FREE, self-guided tourSat., July 18 through Sun., July 26, 2020.

We are pleased to announce the new dates for this highly anticipated event featuring Central Floridas most inspiring homes. Whether youre looking for a new home, wish to re-imagine your current home or are searching for a spark of inspiration, the 67th Annual Parade of Homes Orlando is open to everyone interested and enthused by stylish home design, said Rick Caccavello, Parade of Homes Orlando chairman and president of Central Kitchen & Bath.

Parade of Homes Orlando showcasesCentral Floridas most inspiring homebuilders and designers. Discover innovations in homebuilding, architectural design, energy efficiency, smart homes, outdoor living, interior style, remodeling and pool design.

For more photos, information and directions to this Apopka home visit

While things may be a little different this year, guests can safely visit 65+ entries ranging from new communities, new homes, whole house renovations and specialty remodeling. All participants have extra safety practices in place in compliance with all local, state and healthcare organizationguidelineswith Parade attendee comfort in mind for the continued prevention of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Complimentary guidebooks are available at Parade of HomesOrlando entrylocations and Trustco Banks throughoutgreater OrlandoMonday Saturday and daily at select Sherwin-Williams stores beginning July 13.

Search for entries and plan your Parade route by visitingwww.ParadeOfHomesOrlando.com. The website is your go-to resource to find home and builder information, individual participant daily hours, guidebook pick-up locations, driving directions and more. Plus, enter to win the kitchen appliance and cabinetry package valued at $10,000 presented by Central Kitchen & Bath and Aggressive Appliances.

This years Showcase Home, Casa de los Reyes by Turning Leaf Custom Homes. Located in the heart of Winter Park, this sprawling 5,764 total square-foot home features a custom Mediterranean design with five bedrooms, five and a half baths, media room, study room, gated courtyard front entry, hand-selected concrete barrel roof tiles, custom pool design and much more. With numerous green-building elements, this custom development is Home Innovation National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Registeredand has received gold level certification.

For more information, visitParadeofHomesOrlando.com.

Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA) is the authority, educator and promoter of the housing and building industry representing more than 700 members and 25,000+ employees. Since 1953, GOBA has served the construction industry in Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties. The intention is to foster an environment within the association and within our neighborhoods to create opportunities for building relationships, businesses and communities while balancing economic, social and environmental needs of our members and communities served.For more information, visitwww.greaterorlandoba.comand @BuildOrlando on social media platforms.

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Apopka house featured at 67th Annual Parade of Homes in July - The Apopka Voice

Kandi Burruss' husband, Todd Tucker, showedanother interesting side of himself as he gave a tour of his daughter Blaze's room, which he designed and decorated from scratch.

There are many ways to show and prove one's love for a child. Being there and going out of your way to make them comfortable are some of the common ones, but designing one's child's room is another heartwarming way of showing love.

"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kandi Burruss' daughter Blaze is getting an overwhelming dose of love from her father, Todd Tucker, as he designed and decorated her room.

Todd Tuckershared a video of the room on his YouTube channel,"Todd Tucker TV." The clip was a tour of Blaze's room and the remodeling that went into creating a beautiful sleeping area for her.

In the video, Todd, who worean all-black costume while sporting his full beards, carried seven months old Blaze in his hands as he gave viewers a chance to see the gray-themed room he put together. Heexpressed that:

"I decorated. I designed. I picked the colors, the furniture, the pillows, the accents. I did the bathroom... all for my little baby girl right here, Blaze."

He started by showing the marquee letters which spelled "Blaze."He attested that the reason he used the marquee letters and the light was that he believed every child needed to see their name in lights before seeing them in "light."

Blaze alsocame along for the tour,dressed in a pink ruffled jumper and was all smiles as her dad pointed out to the things he had done. He highlighted that not everything in the room was newly bought as he preferred to use old stuff if they still functioned.

Todd then showed the gray-themed room walls and pointed out that certain things like the baby cot, the drawer, and the rocker had been handed down to Blaze by her elder brother, Ace.

Another exciting highlight of the room was the bed, which had a roll-out bed. On the bed Todd said: "As Blaze gets older and has friends come over I don't need to spend too much money on it later."

The bathroom was also in shades of gray and white, and the wall had a mosaic feel to it. Blaze's closet perhaps stole the show as it was filled with various colorful outfits befitting of her style.

Kandi Burruss madea brief appearance in the eleven-minute videoand explained that when it came to designing, Todd had the upper hand. While she loved the style, she added that the wall could use a little design later on.

Kandi and Toddwelcomed Blazeon November 22, 2019, via a surrogate. The couple opted for surrogacy due to the complications Kandi faced with her previous pregnancies.

The ever-smiling Blaze entered the family andendeared herself to everyone's hearts,and even the world, with hermillion-dollar smile, which earned her a modeling gig.

Aside from redecorating rooms, Todd is also invested in his community. He has promised and urged others to use what they have to make a change in others' lives.

Link:
Kandi Burruss' Husband Todd Tucker Shows off His Daughter Blaze's Room Which He Put Together Himself (Video) - AmoMama

Fridays and Saturdays are typically the busiest summer days of the week. When the Fourth of July and very warm weather falls on a weekend, it can be especially busy.

July 3 Officers were called to a local hotel. A man told them that he had met a woman at a gas station who agreed to accompany him to his room. When he awoke the next morning, she was gone as was twelve dollars in cash and his 9 mm handgun.

July 3 A young woman called the police to report that a few months ago her boyfriend threatened to shoot up a school. When the officer asked her for her address, she supplied it. Grand Rapids, Michigan.

July 3 A man reported the theft of a window air conditioner. He explained that the ten-year-old unit was mounted on a vacant house he is remodeling. I guess we know the temperatures must really be hot when thieves are out stealing air conditioners.

July 3 A deputy was flagged down by a motorist who reported a man was drunk and crazy in the middle of Fifth Street at Third Ave NE. When officers and the deputy arrived, they found a man who was obviously drunk, standing in the middle of the street shouting obscenities at passing motorists. Officers tried to calm him and escort him to the curb. It didnt work. When he shouted an obscenity aimed toward a female officer he was handcuffed and marched off to jail.

July 3 Hospital Security reported that a woman who was high on drugs and went running out of the hospital emergency room, yelling and screaming. They chased her through the parking lot and finally got her stopped at Golf Course Road. The woman was shouting incoherently and had lacerations on her arms. Officers managed to get her back to the emergency room.

July 4 A woman asked for police assistance stating that she had let some people park a camper in her yard and now they are refusing to pay her and refusing to leave.

July 4 Officers were called to a house on a report that a man had been assaulted. When they arrived, they found the bloodied homeowner. He claimed that a stranger kicked in his front door, entered his house and began punching him, yelling something about money owed to him. The man then left, returning a few moments later and started kicking the homeowner. He then drove off. Officers spotted the vehicle while en route to the call and they stopped it. They arrested the driver for Assault, Burglary and DWI. He was placed in jail.

July 4 A local hotel called, reporting that a woman had been assaulted by her husband. Investigation revealed that the couple had travelled to Grand Rapids for the weekend to look at some vacation property. That night they got into an argument in their hotel room. The husband head butted and choked the wife who then ran from the room. The husband was arrested and went to jail.

All told, over a three-day period, Grand Rapids Police Officers responded to nearly one-hundred calls.

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Policing the Rapids: Fourth of July responses | Columnists - Herald Review

An artists rendering shows the new Jefferson Elementary School, which will be built behind the football field at South Middle School. The city codes office issued a nearly $18 million permit for the project last month.(Photo: Provided)

HENDERSON, Ky. -- The Henderson County Board of Education secured a nearly $18 million building permit last month for construction of a new two-story Jefferson Elementary School at 800 S. Alves St., behind the South Middle School football field.

The new Jefferson Elementary will feature 17 classrooms; three kindergarten rooms; a media center; music, computer, art and special education rooms; a gymnasium with a stage; a cafeteria; and offices and related facilities.

The building will accommodate up to 400 students, contain 57,250 square feet and sit on a school system-owned tract covering about eight acres.

In an earlier statement, Superintendent Marganna Stanley said the school will also include learning labs, spaces for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education, an energy-efficient design and a safe learning environment for our students.

Enrollment at the current Jefferson Elementary this past school year was 340 students.

The new school will have its own entrance off Alves Street and its own parking lot.

Additional parking will be added on the campus of South Middle to help alleviate the on-street parking that occurs during school functions and events. That will include a new staff parking lot at the corner of South Alves and Cherry streets that will incorporate a new parent drop-off/pickup zone and a new event parking lot on South Alves near Norris Lane.

Earthwork for the project has begun, and the building is projected to be completed during the 2021-22 school year, according to Steve Steiner, assistant superintendent of administration for Henderson County Schools.

The construction manager for the new Jefferson Elementary will be Codell Construction and the architect is Hafer Design.

The new school will replace the 56-year-old Jefferson Elementary building, which was judged in a 2011 facility evaluation to be in poor condition. Stanley has cited issues ranging from the need to replace the HVAC system, windows and doors to improve energy efficiency as well as learning spaces (that) are chopped up. They are not conducive to 21st century learning by any means.

The new Jefferson will be the third elementary school here bearing that name, following the current school on South Green at Jackson Street, which opened in 1964, and an earlier Jefferson School at the northeast corner of Jefferson and South Elm streets.

The building permit for the school, the biggest issued here in years, brought the total value of new construction authorized last month to nearly $20.8 million.

The other major commercial construction project that got the green light in the city in June was a $1.1 million interior remodeling permit for the Walmart Supercenter store at 1195 Barret Blvd.

There were no commercial or industrial permits issued by the county in June.

Permits for five new single-family residences were issued in June, including three in the city two of which will be Habitat for Humanity of Henderson homes, both on Cumnock Street and two in the county. A permit was also issued for one residential duplex.

Residential construction was developing at a reasonable rate earlier this year, especially out in the county, before the Covid-19 pandemic set in. The county codes office issued 16 permits for new homes during the first four months of the year, but only two since for a total of 18 at mid-year.

The city issued no permits for new houses in April and May. Through the first six months of 2020, it has issued seven.

So halfway through the year, the city and county have issued a total of 25 permits for new single-family homes with an average construction value of $129,960 (excluding the value of land and other non-construction related expenses). New residence permits in the county have an average construction cost of $147,000 compared with $118,267 in the city.

For the first six months of the year, the city and county have issued permits authorizing nearly $28.5 million of construction, obviously dominated by the Jefferson school project.

Here are the permits issued by the city and county last month:

City

Commercial, accessory: Holy Name Parish, 511 Second St., $250,000.

Commercial, new: Gary W. and Brenda Crawford, 1705 S. Green St., $97,000; and Henderson County Board of Education, 800 S. Alves St., $18.0 million.

Commercial, remodel: Walmart Real Estate Business Trust, 1195 Barret Blvd., $1.1 million.

Demolition, single-family residence: Margaret L. Pruitt Estate, 1027 Stewart Ave., $4,290; and Audubon Kids Zone, 1414 Powell St., $3,400.

Residential duplex, new: Gary and Lisa Attebery, 1616 Roosevelt St., $75,000.

Manufactured homes, new: James and Cynthia Lambert, 2820 Sunset Lane, $39,900; and Mark Stefansky, 510 Watson Lane #13, $48,000.

Single-family residential accessory: Jason Messeman, 912 Watson Lane, $8,000; Chelsea M. Mills, 2014 Morning Dove Ct., $2,500; Bradley W. and Priscilla Woosley, 1661 Bruce St., $5,000; Stephen R. (Sr.) and Amy Lynn Brann, 2708 Brettwood Lane, $4,500; Daniel P. and Abbie Boswell Pennaman, 1321 Glengary Way, $2,500; John and Karen Totton, 2361 Green River Road, $10,000; Shannon R. and Danielle Troutman, 101 N. Partridge Lane, $28,000; Marion E. and Lisa G. Gross, 2019 Summer Hill Lane, $4,000; Melissa Burkes, 1303 N. Green St., $3,000; Robert Wayne and Vicki A. McClure, 1809 White Oak Ct., $2,500; Michael V. and Amber C. Chandler, 1250 Alastair Dr., $6,000; Aaron Gregory and Melissa L. Pritchett, 334 S. Main St., $18,000; John F. and Nancy L. Klein, 665 Constanza Dr., $15,000; and Ernest Mays, 1024 Clay St., $1,000.

Single-family residential addition: William I. Markwell, 923 S. Main St., $20,000; and AJ Rentals LLC, 843 Cherokee Dr., $30,000.

Single-family residence,new: Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, 1233 Cumnock St., $115,000; HCM LLC, 1463 Arrow Way, $149,800; and Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, 1535 Cumnock St., $90,000.

Single-family residence, remodel: Mark A. and Donna L. Nally, 1340 Adams Lane, $75,000; Kentucky Apartments LLC, 1914 Powell St., $15,000; and James Martin Coursey Jr. and Carley Monet Haase, 2392 Balmoral Dr., $3,000.

Sign: Eastgate MHP LLC c/o Drew Warner, 1713 Franklin Ave., $800; Brad D. Higginson, 625 S. Main St., $950; Clifton O. Williams, et al, 1228 Second St., $600; Community United Methodist Hospital Inc., 1305 N. Elm St., $44,917 and $4,200 (two permits); Bob J. Vanzant, 2751 U.S. 41-North, $27,000; and Gardenside Center LLC, 2606 Zion Road, $13,565.

Total estimated construction value: $20.2 million.

County

New residence: Thompson Homes, 16246 Kentucky 136-East, $120,000; and Alex and Abbie Walters, 4182 Dr. Floyd Rd., $175,000.

Room addition: Eric and Joy Ries, 8976 Kentucky 1078-South, $20,000; Gregory Perkins, 4026 Kentucky 136-West, $8,000; Kelly Deep, 4346 St Olaf Circle, $32,442; and Glenn Kerr, 1377 Kentucky 416-East, $15,000.

Sign: New Hope Baptist Church, 5514 U.S. 60-East, $35,000.

Manufactured home: James Ambrous, 6711 Crooked Rd., $10,000.

Garages/utility: Dusty Risley, 5271 Kentucky 1299, $20,000; Carl and Christi Honeycutt, 11002 Kentucky 1078-North, $25,000; Jimmy McGann, 6057 Bauern Ct., $45,000; Larry Alexander, 4153 Briscoe Benton Rd., $15,000; and Tim and Cordelia Ann Shelton, 5792 Cairo Hickory Grove Rd, $5,249.

Miscellaneous: Harley Heath, 7134 Airline Rd., $44,900

Total estimated construction value: $570,591.

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$18 million permit for new Jefferson Elementary among those issued in Henderson - The Gleaner

Why wouldn't the homes people plan to buy, build, or remodel reflect some of the lessons learned during this pandemic? Almost everything else in our world has been affected in some way by this situation.

When your home becomes your office, gym, or your child's school, it is not unexpected that you'd want more room, some dedicated spaces, and some other pertinent or practical changes.

For many Europeans, bidets are not only astandard way of life, many countries require them by law. Here in the U.S. - -not so much. And while they'll never be legislated here, people are coming around to their benefits.

Due to the Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020, companies that make and market bidets have seen a boost to their bottom lines. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)More homebuyers are seeing them as a necessity, along with smart bathroom technology items like touchless toilets.

Something I've never really cared for is the open floor plan that has been a staple of home design for decades. You couldn't watch a home buying or remodeling show on HGTV without the prospective client mentioning that they wanted the "open floor concept". Well now, that may be changing.

Having the capability to self-isolate from other family members became very important over the last 6 months, and thanks to the continuing unknowns of our current crisis, will continue to be so.

Bigger lots are becoming more desirable for the same reason; more space between you and other people. Multi-generational homes are becoming popular due to the fact that people didn't like being separated from lovedones living in senior communities.

Finally, because more people have been avoiding shopping in stores and e-commerce has climbed to new levels,not to mention the fact that porch pirates have been very busy lately, designers are being asked to add safe package drop-off areas to homes.

Source: Livability

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COVID-19 Will Change Homes According to Real Estate Experts - KSOO News

Two years after it first emerged from stealth mode, Flagships Foghorn Therapeutics has nabbed its first Big Pharma partner as Merck signs on to the biotechs vision of drugging the very shape of DNA.

The deal, worth up to $425 million but with the upfront cash undisclosed, comes as Foghorn nears a pivot to a clinical stage biotech. The Cambridge-based company has added nearly 60 staffers from the 25 it had when it first emerged out of Flagship and, CEO Adrian Gottschalk said, they have finally refined the screening technology at the heart of the company, with plans to file their first IND towards the end of the year.

In the last 6 months, actually prior to the conversations with Merck, we had industrialized our ability to interrogate the biology, Gottschalk told Endpoints News.Weve made some very nice progress, really starting from scratch several years ago.

First founded in 2016, Foghorn is one of a spate of recent biotechs that try to treat cancer by targeting how genes are expressed, as opposed to trying to change the genes themselves or inhibit the proteins they code for. Michael Gilmans Arrakis Therapeutics is built, like Foghorn, on drugging DNA regulators called transcription factors and earlier this year got $190 million upfront and several billion in milestones for a deal with Roche. Syros, another Flagship-backed company, attracted considerable buzz several years ago by going after so-called super-enhancers, though they have since struggled to find traction in the clinic. More broadly, the still-juvenile field has yielded few major in-human successes.

Merck has already signaled its belief in the approach, at least in certain manifestations. Last year, they bought up Peloton Theraepeutics and its late-stage, kidney cancer transcription factor drug for $1 billion in cash and another $1 billion in milestones.

Foghorns twist, Gottschalk said, is looking at how these factors interact with these spherical structures on top of DNA, called chromatin remodeling complexes. Basically, human DNA contains billions of genes, not all of which are turned on at any point in time or in any cell. That DNA sits in tightly compacted strands called chromatin at the nucleus at the center of the cell, and one of the ways the body can decide which genes need to be turned on is to open and close those strands.

The molecular thing that determines whether and where genes are turned on is the interaction between those transcription factors that carry instructions and the chromatin remodeling complex that does the opening and closing. Foghorn compares it to air traffic control, the two types of proteins telling the genes where to launch and where not to launch. And Gottschalk cited data that suggest around 25% of cancers can be chalked up in part to those biological controllers getting their signals crossed.

For the last four years, Foghorn has developed a high-throughput screening system to allow their scientists to model both the transcription factors and the remodeling complexes and figure out which molecules can modulate each. Though high-throughput screening is about as common a word in the drug industry these days as pancakes are in the diner industry, Gottschalk said that was no easy feat. The chromatin remodeling complexes are just that complex and they needed to set up a system that could handle proteins as much as ten times as large as the ones most screens handle.

Under the new deal, Merck has essentially licensed one of the factors Foghorn has just begun testing, buying exclusivity on any potential drugs that emerge to target it. Internally, meanwhile, Gottschalk said that after years building their systems, the company is preparing to soon bring a few of its 10 preclinical and unnamed programs into the clinic for several genetically-defined cancers that currently have few good treatment options.

I think this biology has been unexplored and unexploited as drug, and I think the time is right, Gottschalk said.

Continue reading here:
Merck dangles up to $425 million to team with Flagship's Foghorn Therapeutics on drugging the shape of DNA - Endpoints News

Doing laundry is a relatively boring task. But it doesnt have to be done in a drab, boring room.

With a few strategic changes, even a small laundry room can become a space thats appealing to be in and can double as a room for other activities too.

Laundry rooms dont need to be a space that we apologize for anymore, says New York-based interior designer Deborah Martin.

Here, Martin and two other designers HGTVs Brian Patrick Flynn and Miami-based Raquel Mothe, of Mothe Design offer advice on turning a basic laundry room into a space you love.

Especially in older homes, one of the least convenient things about the laundry room is where it is often far from where laundry gets generated.

If youre remodeling, Flynn says, consider relocating your laundry room as close to the master bedroom as possible. In fact, make it part of your master bedroom closet, if theres enough space.

This makes it way easier for homeowners to tackle their laundry without having to bring it back and forth across the house, he says.

And though its a splurge, its worth considering having more than one space where laundry gets done.

When working on new luxury home projects, Mothe says, she often includes one laundry room on the houses main level for cleaning things like small rugs, pet toys, pool towels and other household items. She puts another laundry space with similar design and the same machines on the second floor near the bedrooms.

Have fun with color and pattern, the designers say.

Mothe rarely uses white for a laundry room, aiming for a cozier vibe.

If there are colors you love but think are too bright for other rooms, Flynn suggests using them in your laundry room. Its also a great place for patterns that seem too much for a living room or bedroom. Wallpapers a good way to do that.

Nine times out of 10, Flynn says, I find that simply adding wallpaper to a laundry room or laundry closet instantly makes it feel more inviting.

If youre updating the floor, Martin suggests creating a cheerful space with an interesting tile design.

Martin and Mothe both advise including a really large sink in a laundry room. And Martin suggests adding a drain in the floor.

We never plan for accidents, but accidents happen, she says.

Martin also recommends built-in bins or baskets for separating clothes.

And make sure you have plenty of space for drying items that you wont be putting in the dryer. Lets say you are washing a silk blouse that you are not sending to the dry cleaners, Mothe says. Install a bar with hangers or a retractable hanging rack.

Mothe also adds drying racks for clients who will be washing things like sneakers and other shoes.

Laundry rooms need plenty of light, and that can include what designers call statement lighting something gorgeous that brightens the room and adds a dose of style.

Flynn suggests adding a pendant light or even some kind of chandelier, if space allows.

Recessed ceiling lighting is also helpful, Martin says, especially over areas where youll be trying to get out a stain or sorting clothes.

And if youre doing new construction or remodeling, Martin says, give your laundry room plenty of windows. Even if were just doing laundry, she says, We can enjoy a little light. We can enjoy a view.

Dont forget to add a few tall cabinets for things like brooms or ironing boards, Mothe says. And she thinks its worth investing in high-quality countertops.

A detail like that, she says, can make a difference between a regular laundry room and a luxury one.

If your laundry room also includes open shelving, Martin suggests storing items in apothecary jars or large Mason jars. Theyre a nice option to store stray things like collar stays, misplaced buttons or even detergent pods, she says. Theres no reason we cant put our detergent in something pretty.

But do add plenty of closed storage, since much of what you may be storing probably isnt especially attractive, Flynn says.

Concealed storage is super important, especially counter-to-ceiling when possible. There are so many essential supplies involved with laundry and not many are aesthetically pleasing, Flynn says. Keeping everything behind cabinet doors is key.

Martin has one client who uses her laundry room to cut and arrange fresh flowers. So the room was designed with extra storage space related to that hobby.

If youre building or remodeling, consider expanding your laundry areas size and purpose, perhaps combining your mudroom and laundry room.

This is especially good for active families with kids and pets, Flynn says.

Ive found that the more space allotted to a laundry room, he says, the less of a task space it becomes and the more of a social space it begins to feel like.

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Take your laundry room to the next level - Minneapolis Sun Times

Prepare for a germ reckoning at the gym.

As the coronavirus lockdown restrictions begin to ease, gyms and fitness studios have started to roll out reopening plans.

But health experts warn that your regular sweat seshes are about to look very different. Some worry about a repeat of what happened in South Korea, where more than 100 coronavirus cases were linked to a group of dance instructors.

The gym is a perfect storm for transmitting respiratory disease, says Dr. Purvi Parikh, a member of Physicians for Patient Protection and an immunologist at NYU Langone who points to crowds, heavy breathing and touching, as possible COVID-spreading culprits.

She warns that not all workouts are equally contagious, but says all gyms will have to take drastic measures to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions guidelines for social distancing.

Gym owners such as Kelvin Gary, who runs Body Space Fitness in Union Square, have already begun to make serious changes. Gary has sunk about $12,000 into remodeling efforts to make his space more sanitary.

Were setting it where essentially each client has their own mini gym, Gary tells The Post.

At Equinox, expect shorter hours, temperature checks and prescheduled workout slots. The luxe chain announced these among other changes earlier this month, while its sister brand, SoulCycle, says theyll require gloves for staff, close their showers and cap the number of available bikes per class to ensure a socially distant sweat.

Big box gyms such as Retro Fitness have pledged to scrub down [using] hospital grade cleaner to clean the entire gym, according to a press release. Plus, they promise to enact touch-free check-ins and preorders for smoothies to limit hand-to-hand contact.

But will it be enough?

Here, the experts share what the gym of the future might look like.

Expect machines to be more spread out at your local gym. The way you see airlines blocking seats, we might see that, where gyms are blocking treadmills or bikes, says Parikh. In Hong Kong, some gyms have installed Plexiglass barriers to keep exercisers sweat and germs from mingling. But Parikh is skeptical this will make a real difference.

Plexiglass is great, but only if its being cleaned after each use or else the germs stay enclosed, she says.

You might be asked to wear a mask, or be required to, depending on where your gym is located. This can make working out tougher, or downright dangerous a man in Wuhan, China recently passed out while running with a mask.In two other incidents involving physical activity, two Chinese boys dropped dead within a week of one another recently while wearing masks during gym class.

Your best bet is to wear a mask when you can, but when it comes to workouts that require a lot of oxygen, such as running or heavy weightlifting, you might be forgiven for removing your mask, Parikh says.

Realistically I dont think many people will be able to work out [that heavily] with a mask, Parikh says.

Depending on the material of the dumbbells at your gym, these might be your best bet.

The virus tends to last the longest on plastic, says Parikh. Steel and aluminum surfaces are after that.

And, maybe skip using an exercise bench: If you press one button on a treadmill, thats less to worry about than an entire bench, where more onus is on the gymgoer to clean the entire thing, says Parikh.

Russian twists, planks and yoga moves that take place on communal mats will require the most prep.

Your whole body is being exposed at this point, rather than one area [using a weight, or machine], says Parikh, who points out that gym cleaning policies will matter most in these high-traffic areas.

Expect more disinfecting products in this area of the gym. Gary, the Union Square gym owner, plans on providing liquid sanitizer that can be used on both hands and equipment, and virus-killing UV light wands for each training station, too.

Classes may be the last thing to return at your local fitness center.

Classes used to be a lot of people in one room breathing heavily with their heart rate up, says Parikh. If everybody is dancing and gasping, youre probably not 6 feet apart, and you may be touching your face because youre sweating. Youre basically doing all the things weve been telling people not to do since January.

New-age classes will likely mean less people, and markers on the ground for everyone to keep a safe space from each other. Gary says looking forward, he plans on keeping his gyms group classes online, but venturing out to meet his clients. Were looking at potentially doing some group classes outside, he says.

Be careful not to get too comfortable in the locker room. Towels everywhere, close quarters and high turnover all concern me in terms of cleanliness, says Parikh, who adds that saunas and steam rooms are a no-go. Sweaty, enclosed rooms are where the virus thrives, and social distancing becomes a problem immediately, she says, adding that it might be a better idea to hit the showers at home.

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Here's what will gyms look like after the coronavirus - New York Post

Residents of Pierce County's smaller communities have slowly emerged from their isolation since Gov. Doug Burgum lifted restrictions on bars, restaurants and other businesses deemed "non-essential."

The Pierce County towns of Wolford and Balta have a combined population of fewer than 100 residents. A third town, Selz, near the Wells County line, has 46 residents, according to 2010 federal census data.

Bars serve as hubs for business and social life in these communities, and the March order closing them for all but takeout purposes stopped opportunities for gathering cold.

Sue Sitter/PCT Stephanie Halvorson stands near her menu board at the Balta Bar.

"It was a boring six weeks," said Tim Danielson, who tends bar at the Corrigidor in Wolford.

"It was very depressing," customer Heather Stutrud agreed. "I got more depressed."

"I really enjoy this place," Stutrud said of the Corrigidor. "I have family (in Wolford), too. The COVID brought damage to all of us."

Danielson said he was unemployed during the shutdown. "I had six weeks of doing nothing," he said. "I'm happy to be back doing something."

Danielson said customers were happy to come back, too.

"Customers are glad they can get out and about again. They can be with people," Danielson noted.

Danielson said the Corrigidor complies with phase one of the North Dakota Smart Restart program that calls for dining rooms and bars to limit seating capacity and not allow customers to stand at counters.

The Corrigidor serves steaks and other specialties on weekends like it did before the closure, but customers now wait in their vehicles if the dining room has too many people or tables aren't ready for seating, Danielson explained.

"It's been busy," he said. "We do 80 to 90 meals on Friday and Saturday. We watch it pretty close as far as how many people are at a table. You can have 10 at a table, but you can't stand at the bar. We also don't let them put tables together like they used to."

"We sanitize everything as soon as somebody leaves," Danielson added. "We sanitize tables and chairs and surfaces. Customers don't complain about it, because they know what's happening."

As he served a beer to another customer, Danielson said, "This is going to last for a while. It's not over yet."

South of Rugby in Balta, Stephanie Halvorson, owner of the Balta Bar, said she used the mandated closure period as an opportunity to do some remodeling.

"We took out the carpet," Halvorson noted. "We've got all wood floors now," she added, pointing to the bar's original wood floor, restored to a shiny finish. "We've got some reclaimed barn wood that we put up," she added.

"There was a lot of polyurethane that we put on," Halvorson said with a laugh. "Holy Hannah! It turned out really well, though."

Halvorson said she has seen the Balta crowd slowly trickle back into her establishment. "It's starting to pick up a little bit on weekends," she said, "But with only half capacity, you don't get the crowd you normally get. We're making do with what we have, I guess."

Halvorson said she makes sure to sanitize all surfaces and asks that people maintain social distancing. She has a hand sanitizing station near the bar's door.

The bar now hosts bingo games on Sundays, sponsored by the Rugby Amateur Hockey Association. Halvorson offers a menu of sandwiches, sides and dinner items. During the bar's closure, she offered cook-at-home meals and food items for locals to pick up.

"I would say there are fewer people coming in now," Halvorson said, noting state health restrictions may not be to blame.

"It's hard to say if it's different because of that, because of the planting and seeding going on," she said. "People are just busy right now because this is an agricultural community."

"I think there might be (some hesitance to come back due to the pandemic), but I don't think that's the main reason," Halvorson said.

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When restaurants closed two months ago and stocked up on takeout boxes, the elephant in the (dining) room became: Whos gonna survive?

Then some eateries slammed shut the takeout windows and turned off the lights completely.

Based on its mid-May year-over-year bookings having shrunk by 95%, reservation service OpenTable forecast that 25% of restaurants might not return.

Nevertheless, most local eateries have gamely reopened for dine-in, albeit in a changed world.

Restaurateurs heads are spinning over the new calculus of filling seats. Not only must they deal with Floridas offseason, now they have to figure out whether even 75% or 100% occupancy will accommodate spaced-out tables.

According to owner Dale Wentzel at Englewoods Zekes Uptown, I could not achieve 6 feet of distance and 75% occupancy. The 6-foot distancing (if done to the letter) would only allow us a maximum of around 30% capacity. There dont seem to be any easy choices or fixes, and I dont think people really understand what some of us are facing.

Plexiglass partitions, perhaps?

WHY ARENT THEY OPEN?

When Gov. Ron DeSantis first allowed restaurants to reopen at 25% indoor capacity, then permitted 50%, enthusiastic diners fully expected them all to fling wide their doors and welcome customers back with open air-hugs.

Not so fast. Some of our local eateries didnt reopen at all, and we want to know why.

For the wondering worried, here are a few answers not all of them comforting. If you dont see your favorite listed, and its not even doing takeout, you might want to start grieving.

Venices Blu Island Bistro reported, Were waiting and watching; we dont feel secure yet considering how deadly this virus has been ... so were in no rush.

Burgr Bar in Punta Gorda reportedly will open when it can seat more than 25% and do so safely.

Ephesus Mediterranean Grill owner Burak Cakir said, Were doing a lot of staff education and deep cleaning, and some remodeling. We are aiming at sometime in June.

Golden Corral in Punta Gorda opened briefly with a cafeteria-style buffet, but closed again until it can figure out how to fill more seats without wasting food.

Due to owner John McCallisters death, Johnnys Bar & Grill on Placida Road is not expected to reopen.

Owner Wayne Mazzone at Port Charlottes La Famiglia Italian Restaurant is reluctant to reopen even at 50% occupancy. He added, My employees are scared to come back to work, and its hard to survive not having any employees. Ill probably close the doors until next season.

Libees Sports Bar & Grill of Englewood reported not being ready to open on May 4 like others. It posted, Our staff is working hard to get ready for a better, safer, fresh Libees and we promise it will be worth the wait! In the meantime, lets get out there and support our restaurant neighbors!

Greg Gover, owner of the cozy Living Room in South Venice, at one point posted the wry Okay its time to walk up to the most expensive clubhouse ever, flush the sinks, water the plants, drink wine and walk home. Its like I have my own private wine cellar.

After at first targeting a reopen date of May 15, he admitted, It just isnt going to happen. We are simply unable to operate on 25% occupancy. Fingers crossed they will move to phase 2 soon.

At 50%, The Living Room will reopen Thursday, May 28, reservations recommended.

Mint Thai Cuisine in Punta Gorda is, for the moment, choosing to do takeout only. We want our customers to be safe and were trying to keep ourselves safe also, said owner Mint Holland.

Morgans Caf in Schoolhouse Square, Port Charlotte, will be back with homemade breakfast, lunch and peppermints on June 1.

Chef Jeanie Roland said of her Punta Gorda Perfect Caper, We arent reopening until we feel it is safe for our staff and customers, and will follow the original CDC guidelines. We are thinking mid-June or July.

Lauren Hertz at Englewoods Placida Grill said, Unfortunately our restaurant has almost no outdoor seating. Weve been talking a lot about how to reopen, and we were surprised by the new 50% allowance. Half of our seating inside is booths and cant be moved, so we wanted to open when it was safest for our guests and staff. Its tricky!

Despite a devastating storeroom fire on Apr. 2, Punta Gordas Royal Thai Restaurant reopened, for takeout only, on May 14.

Closed in early April, Port Charlottes Sabor a mi Tierra reopened its doors to serve Puerto Rican specialties again on May 21.

Former owner Sue Domuczicz at Englewoods Spinnaker Caf said that they plan to open during Phase 2. We have 100 seats and are trying to figure whether 50% seating would work for us.

Stacks, in Punta Gordas American Legion Post 103, has moved its breakfast up Taylor Road to Beef O Bradys.

Yummies Donuts & BBQ is busily renovating its South Venice location in anticipation of reopening.

Zekes Uptown owner Wentzel candidly summed up the plight of his peers when he admitted, It will be difficult to reopen while unemployment is paying more than some people normally make. Receiving about $700 per week doesnt provide a great deal of incentive to come back right now. I have been closely watching those who have reopened, and except for Farlows, I have not seen the influx of business that we will need to stay open for very long. It is very likely that I will have only one shot at this, so I need to make sure we time it as best we can.

Send restaurant and bar news and recommendations to columnist Sue Wade at suewade47@aol.com.

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Column: Some eateries are back to serve us. What about the rest? - yoursun.com