A number of smaller projects, robust housing unit builds and an uptick in do-it-yourself (DIY) work helped ensure a better-than-expected year for Yankton on building permits in 2020.

Though 2020 lacked some of the major projects that have dominated the last five years, 2020 saw the city permit projects worth $32,405,693 in valuations, just above the $30 million 10-year valuation average.

Community & Economic Development Director Dave Mingo told the Press & Dakotan that this wasnt seen as a sure thing as 2020 began.

We had some worries in the beginning of the year regarding materials pricing and things like that which we thought might have a negative impact on peoples investments in property improvements, Mingo said. For the most part, that was not the case. Home improvement projects kind of carried the day a little bit.

He said to do as well as the city did was unexpected, but not unwelcome.

I had braced myself for news that wasnt near as good as it ended up being, he said. Im happy that people still had confidence to invest in their property and continue on with projects at a level above our 10-year average. To me, that was the biggest surprise of 2020. I thought we were going to end up maybe 20% down or even more.

Mingo said it wasnt just improvements to property that helped, though.

From a housing unit standpoint, we had an excellent year, he said. There were 82 housing units created and that includes all types of housing single-family all the way through apartments.

Though not technically counted as housing units, 2020 also marked the first addition of congregate living units to Yankton since 2014 thanks to the new Mount Marty University (MMU) residence hall, the Rickenbach Suites. This structure brought 96 units of congregate living to Yankton.

Thats a lot of new beds in the community and a lot of space for people to reside, Mingo said. Having those 96 units up at Mount Marty, of course, helps keep our workforce housing more available to those folks rather than where those students might have taken space.

The last few years have seen some major projects approved that helped the city set permitting records, including the expansion of the 1972 water treatment plant, the Ruth Donohoe First Fieldhouse at MMU and the initial phases of the Westbrook Estates project.

While 2020 didnt have any projects quite as large as these, some permits that helped boost valuations included the MMU dorm, new townhomes in the Fox Run neighborhood, Horizon Health clinic, a new equipment room addition at Cimpls, the Lewis & Clark Veterinary Clinic, the new Dairy Queen on Broadway Ave., remodeling at the Yankton Medical Clinic and NorthWestern Energys new facility on the north side of Yankton.

Mingo said the COVID-19 pandemic didnt really have much of a direct impact on building permits, though it may have encouraged some of the DIY projects seen throughout the city.

It seems like there were more DIY home improvement or remodel projects that we issued, he said. The contractors that do those sorts of projects were over-booked and tough to find if you were looking to get a project done.

Looking ahead to 2021, Mingo said hes thinking conservatively and that valuations will be around average, with housing sliding somewhat.

Im hoping that we can maintain somewhere near that 10-year average, he said. I dont envision a scenario where we match that same number of housing unit permit issuances, I think well be down a little bit from where we were in 2020. But I still think well be pretty close to our 10-year average on that, which is in the 50s (housing units) range for single-family housing.

However, he said some larger projects could begin to materialize soon.

There are a couple of larger commercial projects that are under review right now, so were hoping they can come to be, he said.

Follow @RobNielsenPandD on Twitter.

Read more:
Building Held Its Own | Community - Yankton Daily Press

Doug Livingston|Akron Beacon Journal

Moss grows on the shadier side of Sam Dragers roof in Copley.

Along the winding side streets that form a spiders web at the southeast corner of Copley and Jacoby roads, Dragers is the first in a row of modest ranches built 50 years ago nothing like the 4,000-square-foot custom buildsselling for $500,000 or more a few miles away off Medina Road.

Halfway up Dragers 1,320-square-foot house, originalbrick meets original aluminum siding. Gables bookend an unassuming design. Chair lift tracks linethe ceiling inside. Pieces of trims are missing in some places.

And his property value just went up 40%, which will cost him $750 more in taxes this year. Driving up his tax bill are fellow votersin the township, which passedtwo replacement levies that use the new, higher values instead of lower ones in the past.

More: What's your home worth? Complicated formula, 30-month process set new Summit County property values

I think it sucks, quite frankly. Im going to pay more money that I dont have, said Drager, who worked in sales and promotions for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He retired on disability. Acar wreck in 1968 slowly robbed him of the use of his legs. With his fingers now curled into his palm, he manages to tap a computer keyboard with his knuckles.

Dragers neighbors, some of whom are elderly or rent and have no idea whether their landlords will pass along the higher tax bills are in the same boat. At the conclusion of a long reappraisal process, the Summit County Fiscal Office increased the value of homes in this areaby 30% to 40%.

Letters mailed in December notified homeowners of the valuation changes. The new tax bills posted last week on the fiscal office website.

Drager thinks he could get $140,000 for his home. It was appraised at $114,310 in2019, which is $4,000 more than what he paid for it in 1999. The county now says it's worth$160,920.

Its either way over or way under. It never seems to be right where you think it would be, Drager said. I think its terrible, this reevaluation. Why dont they do honest appraisals on these homes?

Thousands of eyeballs are popping across Summit County as property owners get a first glimpse of their new tax bills.

In the first week since the county started taking complaints on Jan. 1, nearly 200 people requested a Zoom hearing with the board of revisions to contest their new values. The county will schedulethe hearings, which can be done by phone for those with technology issues,to take place after the complaint window closes March 31.

In the meantime, penalties could be assessed if the tax bills are unpaid by March 1, even if a hearing gets scheduled.

Numerous factors are pushingup values: strong home sales with low interest rates driven even lower in the pandemic; inflated lumber and labor costs;limited housing stock; recent home improvements (including some completed without a permit); expiring tax bill creditsfor weather damage in 2019; and homeowners who successfully negotiatedlower values with the board of revision in the pastonly to see their values bounce back, and then some.

Chief among the factors is the Ohio tax commissioner's insistence that property values submitted twice by the county were too low. Seeking required approval from the state,the Summit County Fiscal Office originally sought a 7.86% increase for residential values in Copley, for example. The state said notwicethen accepted an average increase of 13.05%, one of the largest swings from start to finish for any community within Summit County.

On average, the fiscal office sought an 8.85% average increase before the state eventually settled at 12%. Of the 41 counties with reappraisals in 2020, the state rejected their first proposals 68% of the time.

Summit Countys request for a one-year extension on adjusting home valuesduring a pandemic-crippled economy was denied.

Ohio law requires reappraisals every three years. It also preventsexisting levies from generating more revenue for local governments just because property values increase overall. Only passing new or replacing old levies can increase property tax revenue.

But because some residents will see higher-than-average percent increases, they will pay a greater share (while others pay less) of the overall property tax burden in their school districts, communitiesor across the county where propertytaxessupport the libraries, children'sservices, the Akron Zoo and more.

So, whos getting higher tax bills this year?

The Beacon Journal requested and received the old 2019 and new 2020 valuesfor all 226,000 residential properties in Summit County. An analysis by neighborhood pointed to Drager's street in Copleyand other areas, like Highland Square, Cuyahoga Falls, North Hill and other pockets, where home prices grew faster than the 12% countywide average.

A second analysis explored the redistribution of property taxes based on the price range of homes. Because property tax levies continue to collect the same amount, fluctuating home values are pushing more of the cost onto homes valued between $55,000 and $125,000 in 2019.

These 71,042homes worth $7.2billion are ideally priced for young families, aging retirees andfirst-time home buyers, real estate agents said. And they will see an average increase of 15.7% in value compared to a 6.6% increase for the 17,059 homes appraised in 2019 at $250,000 or more, which also were worth a combined $7.2 billion in 2019.

The Beacon Journal's analysis controlled for new construction in 2019. The results were the same.

When Jim Fox vice presidentfor Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, formerpresident for the Akron Cleveland Association of Realtors and 2020 chairman for the Multiple Listing Service, a home price indexheard that the values of middle-income homes were climbing 2.4 times faster than the wealthiest homes, he wasn't entirely surprised. In this general "bidding war" for homes, first-time homebuyers have donethe math. Theyseerising rents are nearly as much as a mortgage payment, so theyre go home-shopping.

The homes they're after, including many that eclipsed $150,000 in the 2020 reappraisal, are "going like hotcakes. You can't keep them on the shelf," said Fox.

While rising home prices bode well for personal investments, equity and sellers, Fox said buyers are struggling with traditional lenders thatlearned a tough lesson in the 2008 housing crisis andare "short-appraising" properties as the market heats up. Loan applicants, he said,can't get banks to appraise homes high enough to convince them to lend enough, especiallywithouta down payment in the tens of thousands of dollars.

It was as if the remodeling gods blew the old oakthrough Pam and Tom Gensel's roof.

Before the windstorm ripped through the Akron area inFebruary 2018, Tom thought about remodeling portions of their ranch on the scenic edge of Sand Run Metro Park in Northwest Akron.

"I've heard of people fantasizing about this situation," the crane operator told Tom as he lifted the tree off their home.

Adding a second floor and cathedral ceilings to the entryway and living room overlooking a ravine out back made as much financial sense as simply replacing the roof with the insurance money, Tom said. So they hired Tim Englert Construction Co.for a home makeoverworthy of a reality television show: iron stair railings, high ceilings covered in natural wood grain, glass paneled banisters and significantly more living space.

The Gensels got a temporary discount on their 2019 tax bill due to the weather damage and, because of Akron's residential taxabatement program, won't pay property taxes on the improvements for 15 years.

During construction, they rented a home across the street from where Michael Rauh had just moved in last month with his wife and daughter.

We put an offer in the day we saw it. It might have been listed only for a day, said Rauh, who learned from selling their home in Columbus over the course of a weekend to act fast.

With parents and family in their hometown of Akron, the Rauhs listed their Columbus house, got 14 offers in a day and moved home, where theyve not missed a beat with work and enrolled their daughter in Our Lady of the Elms.

I was already working remotely, because of COVID, so it became a no-brainer, said Rauh, who works in technical consulting.

Thats a pleasant surprise, Michael Polovick said when he heard how much hell be paying in property taxes this year.

Like every property owner in Summit County, Polovick got a letter following the countywide reappraisal. The value of his four-bedroom ranch, situated with five other big homes on a private road in Akrons upscale High Hampton neighborhood, went up $9,310but his annual property tax bill went down $378.20.

Polovick lives in Akron with a Cuyahoga Falls mailing address. The value of his home increased by only 3% well below the 11% average increase in Akron,13% in the Falls or 12% countywide. As a result, his property taxesto support Woodridge Schools, the Akron Zoo, the county library system, the city of Akron, Summit County Children Servicesand so onwent down 5%.

The reason is House Bill 920. Passed in 1976, this tax credit ensures that a levy will never collect a penny more than it would have when voters approved it. Instead, the only way to raise more would be to pass an additional levy or a replacement levy, which uses current property values instead of values frozen in time by HB 920.

Heres how it works.

Let's say acommunity has $1 billion in taxable property, of which$350 million (or 35% of $1 billion) isthe "assessed value" used for tax purposes.

And, for a 1-mill levy, property owners pay$1 per $1,000 of assessed value.

So, our hypothetical community generates $350,000 in property taxes on its 1-mill levy.

In realitythere are exemptions and credits, like a discount for owner-occupant householdsor anincome-eligible tax credit for seniors orthe 15-year property tax abatement in Akron on new residential construction. But for the sake of simplicity, lets assume none of these apply in our hypothetical community.

What happens 20 years later whenthe communitys property doublesin valuefrom $1 billion to $2 billion?

Instead of letting the levy collect twice as much, HB 920 chops the rate on that 20-year-old levy in half. The result is an "effective rate" of 0.5 mills, which would collect the same amount as when voters first approved the levy.

This is why new and replacement levies, not necessarily state-mandated property reappraisals, generate more revenue for government. The reappraisal simply shifts the burden of a communitys taxation.

Owners with below-average property value growthpay less. Thosewith above-average growthpay more. Butthe community on the whole pays the same as it always has until voters decide otherwise.

This is also why, speaking to neighbors in Akron and Woodridge Schoolswith stronger property value growth, Polovick says,Tell them I appreciate it.

Reach reporter Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.

See more here:
How higher home values drive individual property tax bills up and down in Summit County - Akron Beacon Journal

Colin Nagy, head of strategy at FFNY, a global advertising agency, writes this opinion column for Skift on hospitality and business travel. On Experience dissects customer-centric experiences and innovation across the luxury sector, hotels, aviation, and beyond. He also covers the convergence of conservation and hospitality. You can read all of his writing here.

I dont need to rehash the implications of the past year for travel. This has been endlessly documented. But I saw a lot of reasons to be incredibly optimistic about the future. Every year, I select the best things I see on the road and also outline the friction points and things that need to be improved. Ive curtailed my normal nit-pickings this year, focusing instead on the bright rays of creativity under duress. Many brands, properties, and teams used the pandemic as a forcing factor to get better, to try out new things, and to iterate. So, heres a rundown of the great things I witnessed. Onwards!

I moved my longstanding, million-mile allegiance to American Airlines over to Delta. The reason? The brand stood above the pack in terms of its approach to Covid. Planes on every flight were spotless, cleaning protocols were well communicated and their middle seat open social spacing strategy put the consumer first. It is no wonder their net promoter score surged to levels never seen for a U.S. domestic airline. As they roll out new lounges, new partnerships, and new tech, it is a brand with clear, strong leadership that has also read the sea change of culture: consumers are much more in charge now, and Delta knows that they need us, the traveling public. Other carriers will learn this one way or the other.

I flew on Emirates both pre and post-pandemic this year. But since this column will focus on the latter, the carrier stood out to me as being an outward manifestation of just how well Dubai handled the crisis. Emirates was operationally sound, did a great job with cleaning and safety, and managed to still pull off high touch service despite constraints. The end to end experience on the ground, in the lounges, and onboard reflected what I imagine to be a ton of logistical work and having to rewrite procedures. As Dubai stands to be an important logistical hub for the distribution of the vaccine, it is comforting to see excellence in a very important part of the world.

The Four Seasons, with their health and wellness program, Lead with Care, has been the standout luxury hotel chain. Throughout my stays at properties in Surfside, Miami, Mexico City, Denver, Las Vegas, Austin, and others, the brand was remarkably consistent, which is not an easy thing to do. Even better, everything felt natural: there was a level of finesse in messaging and approach that was exactly the right tone. This came as a welcome contrast to some luxury properties sending me a pre-arrival note that read as if I was about to storm the beaches at Normandy. Plus, when I had a family medical issue in Mexico City (unrelated to Covid), the team treated us as one of their own family, showing the empathy and professionalism that comes from a strong service culture. While many luxury brands have lost their luster and lost their way this year, Four Seasons has shown to have a strong core brand and is weathering the crisis thanks to great people. This is not an easy feat.

Ive long noted that there is a gap in the market between the price point of an Aman and say, the Ritz Carlton in terms of ADR. AubergeResorts Collection is quickly executing in this gap. The brand makes smaller, beautiful properties unique to their location with super high touch hospitality that feels more like youre staying in an elegant friends home. Under the leadership of CEO Craig Reid, their US properties saw a surge in interest as many people curbed their long-haul travel, and it served as a great introduction to the portfolio. The brand is set to open a slate of new properties next year: Bishops Lodge in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Matteis Tavern in Los Olivos, California, Stanly Ranch in Napa, California, among others. In my opinion, they are nicely positioned to win over a new luxury traveler that wants sensibility, personality but also super creative flourishes when it comes to service.

Ed Mady, the regional director of West Coast USA for Dorchester Collection, who oversees the Beverly Hills hotel and the Bel Air, stood out to me as the hotelier with the best grasp on building a strong culture. Hes weathered a tone-deaf boycott of the properties as well as a global pandemic, still managing to deliver incredible warmth and service from teams serving a well-heeled clientele. Mady is an elegant diplomat, a connector, and an astute observer of how luxury is changing. Staff, many of whom have been with the hotels for over two decades, told me that they felt the brand had their backs and did a great job communicating throughout crises. Mady has also been making use of what he calls the Self Determination theory that gives employees autonomy and a well-defined path forward through the industry. This means cross-training, and having the ability to have nonlinear progressions. Finally, as I wrote earlier this year, Mady and the team made the employee entrance to the Beverly Hills hotel as glamorous as the guest entrance. This is a perfect example of treating employees well, and in turn, having satisfied guests as the result.

Im excited to see what has been an incredible feat of logistics, vision, and mastering complexity: the opening of Airelles in Versailles. I spoke to Jacques Silvant, chief operating officer of Airelles, in the early days of Covid who told me about the sheer ambition of what they are trying to do: open a new property on the grounds of Chteau de Versailles with views over the Orangerie, the Pice dEau des Suisses and The Palace. And while a lot of the narrative is about simplification and the impending sea change for luxury, theres something to be said about ambition, and setting impossibly high standards in one of the most difficult and highly regulated places in the world. Im excited to see the craft and approach materialize when it opens in 2021.

Im also curious to see some of the re-work of Claridges in London. It is a true London icon that played an important role in housing frontline workers in the pandemic. Co-owner Paddy McKillen has been overseeing a huge makeover to the property adding a super-luxe suite that encompasses the entire roof of the property, as well as spas, pools, a fitness club, a cinema, a subterranean boutique-shopping mall, and three new floors of rooms. And doing all of this while preserving the architecture and infrastructure considerations of one of the most important properties in London.

Austin is booming when it comes to hotel concepts. Theres Auberges entry, the Commodore Perry, set on a private stretch of land that feels a million miles removed from its surroundings.

A washroom at the Commodore Perry estate.

Theres the Hotel Magdalena, while has taken the early Bunkhouse approach and aesthetic and scaled it to a larger footprint (and done it beautifully), theres the Proper Hotel, which is a very well-executed version of the brands ambitions: pairing Kelly Wearstlers design eye with what they see as a new, stylish tech audience downtown.

Then theres the Carpenter, which was a nicely executed, open-air hotel set around an old Union Hall near Zilker Park. Austin is growing, and the innovation first sparked by Liz Lambert with her South Congress properties continues to grow. It is an amazing city for hospitality at the moment.

Slow, steady, and patient ownership is a welcome feature in a world of capital wanting a quick return. I was impressed by the remodeling of The Breakers. They take a generational approach to the property and as other iconic luxury properties are being bought, sold, or melted into new concepts, the resort has a strong backbone. It is still owned by the Kenan family, direct descendants of Henry Flagler. As patient capital, they do things correctly, over time. Something is comforting about a place I went with my family as a child, being artfully and tastefully evolved, but without losing sight of the core of what it is. The balance of modernity and preservation represents the best of the long game when it comes to stewardship of hotels.

One of my favorite general managers in the world, Marcel Thoma, recently moved on from the Upper House, taking the helm of the Mandarin Oriental Marrakech. Thoma blends a highly personalized approach to hospitality (theres no one better at knowing what guests want either explicitly or implicitly) with finding the pulse of culture in a city. Im excited to watch what he builds in such an interesting place, which is a mix of cultures and references. Mandarin Oriental is lucky to have him.

Anthony Marazita at Amangiri stood out to me as being the best in the game with food and beverage this year. Not only is he able to cater to highly discerning guests and their super-specific whims and dietary restrictions (you should see how long the tickets are we get here, he playfully told me), but he has done something meaningful in using ingredients from native cultures surrounding the property. Over years, hes cultivated relationships with local tribes, built trust to learn from these cultures and become a customer of their special grains, seeds, and recipes.

Amangiri is a luxury resort in Canyon Point, Utah. The resort is located in the middle of a protected valley and a 25-minute drive from the nearest town.

And it isnt a cynical nod to where theyve come from. It is clear that Marazita has done the time to build symbiotic relationships. Some tribes even save him some of their most sacred seeds. What hes doing with the native American elements in his cooking is unique, and Ive never seen it executed at this level, coupled with a deep level of respect and reverence.

Surprisingly, my travel wasnt curtailed this year. I traveled safely and responsibly, logging over 120 nights in hotels since the beginning of the pandemic. I need to support the industry I care about so much. The hotel that stood out to me the most this year was The Lowell. It is what I was looking for in a very stressful year: a beautiful, elegant, discrete property with warm, high touch service and the best lighting Ive seen in any hotel in the world. Theres a crackling fire in the lobby, down the hall from my favorite room in any hotel: the Club Room. Plus, the team at Majorelle did outdoor dining which the restaurant was shut down due to city ordinance without missing a beat, presided by Charles Masson. The hotel is always well recognized in the world of hospitality, frequently getting the best hotel in New York, but even in a difficult situation, the team rose to the level. A truly memorable stay for me.

I met with a lot of incredible hoteliers this year: Ashraf Amaani at the Mandarin Oriental Dubai who manages to bring cool people and the most interesting culture and weave it with the beating heart of the hotel; Ana Aguilar of Auberge, who oversees rooms at the Commodore Perry in Austin; Natasha Dodd of the Four Seasons Surf Club; Natascha Seifritz at the Austin Proper Hotel; as well as the ever-elegant Ernesto Floro and Heiko Huenstle of the Lowell. All of them are at the top of their respective roles and give me hope for the recovery of the industry post-Covid.

Constraint builds innovation. And in Covid, thankfully there were interesting things that came out of chaos. I was inspired by what the Newt Hotel in the English countryside did: they tapped their gardens to create The Mobile Newt a home delivery service bringing quality estate produce and healthy treats from Somerset to locked-down locals and Londoners.

I was also very happy to see Peninsula Time, the concept pioneered by the Los Angeles managing director Offer Nissenbaum, being rolled out across the portfolio. Beginning January 2021, guests at all Peninsula properties can arrange to have their room ready as early as 6:00 am on their arrival date and check out as late as 10:00 pm on their departure date at no extra charge.

Ive long been a fan of Kevin Wendle and his hotel Escencia. Theyve rolled out new duplex suites with private, indoor fitness studios allowing fitness-focused guests to have a private way to get their workout in. Luxurious? Yes. Is there a huge audience for this type of thing among their clientele? Also yes.

I had the good fortune of speaking with the dean of Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, Ines Blal about hospitality education, how the curriculum is evolving, modern luxury versus the table stakes that wont change. Im pleased to say that she is on the cutting edge of what is required to create the next generation of hoteliers and creating meaningful experiences in a post-Covid world. Any notions I had about hospitality education being old-school and stodgy were quickly erased as we delved into a tech-centric conversation of balancing data, UX, strategy, and empathy with timeless notions of service. A refreshing and optimistic conversation, indeed.

See full article

Photo Credit: Outdoor pool at Four Seasons Surfside in Miami. Christian Horan / Four Seasons

Link:
The Biggest Innovators in Travel and Hospitality: Covid Edition - Skift

A glamorous high-rise called The Parklane is currently undergoing a stunning renovation, with designer finishes and light-filled rooms now setting off its location on Hermann Park.

Also noteworthy is that these condos come in all price points, starting in the $300s and offering a range of one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts.

Here are five other ways living at The Parklane is an upgrade:

1. Room to entertainSpanning 825 square feet to approximately 3,000, The Parklane's residences can suit any family size. Hardwood flooring throughout the open-concept living areas and master bedroom are as beautiful as they are easy to keep clean, while the nine-foot ceilings with recessed LED lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows make the spaces feel even airier.

Each home has a private balcony some even have two or three and is pre-wired for smart home automation. Eggersmann cabinetry and Bosch appliances in the kitchen make cooking for a crowd a breeze.

2. All dogs are welcomeCondominiums are typically dog-friendly, but they often have limitations regarding both breed and size, precluding families with large dogs to be able to call a condominium home. The Parklane, however, understands that dogs are members of the family too. It's welcoming of nearly all dog breeds and sizes, offering owners and potential buyers flexibility.

A fenced dog park on the grounds plus easy access to all the trails that wind through the 445-acre Hermann Park give pups plenty of exercise opportunities.

3. Live healthy and happyIt's not only the four-legged among us who get to enjoy the great outdoors. As the only fully renovated condominium building on the park, you get to enjoythe trails as well as McGovern Centennial Gardens and a nearby golf course, making it easy and fun to maintain a healthy lifestyle and become one with nature.

4. Amazing amenitiesIt starts with the modern lobby and continues through to the coffee bar, business lounge, and state-of-the-art gym. A sparkling pool with cabanas, a tennis court, and outdoor grills await on the amenity level, while reserved parking with electric vehicle charging stations (plus there's also valet) make going about daily life much smoother.

The impeccable service from The Parklane staff includes 24-hour concierge, who are ready to help with anything big or small.

5. In the heart of it allEnjoy unrivaled proximity to fine dining, the arts, and premier destinations including downtown, Rice Village, the Museum District, the Houston Zoo, Miller Outdoor Theatre, and NRG, Minute Maid, Toyota Center, and BBVA stadiums.

Monarch Restaurant, MF Sushi, Adara Med Spa, Barnaby's, Fadis Mediterranean Grill, Dak & Bop, and Lucille's are all nearby, while a luxury shuttle bus offers free transportation to the Texas Medical Center and Light Rail.

The remodeling of The Parklane began in January 2020, with a portion of residences currently ready for move-in. Completion is slated for December 2021.

To schedule an exclusive sales presentation and tour a furnished model, please visit http://www.theparklane.com.

Excerpt from:
The top 5 ways living at The Parklane elevates your lifestyle - CultureMap Houston

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we're accustomed to long, cold, dark winters, but this year's pandemic means the snowy season may be a little, or a lot, harder to handle.

As temperatures plummet and virus cases surge, it may indeed seem easier to just crawl into a den and hibernate until spring. But this year's challenges may actually be the perfect time to change up how we think about winter.

Gathering

Normal, indoor, festive and beloved wintertime holiday gatherings are probably not going to be possible this year, and that's just something we'll have to accept. But what if we reconsidered bringing back the safer, socially distanced backyard get-togethers we enjoyed in warmer months?

Once you've decided to embrace the cold, the first thing you're going to want is a source of heat. This can come in many forms: a fire pit, fire table, bonfire, or patio heater. And there's no reason to limit yourself to just one warm gathering spot.

"Fire pits come in all styles and sizes, and you can use them in a covered porch or out in the open," says Dave Jacobs, is the owner of Jacobs Custom Living, a Spokane-based business which specializes in quality outdoor furniture and accessories. "If you have a covered porch, and a way to circulate the air, a firepit can actually heat the area quite well."

He says this year, as people have been building new homes or remodeling parts of their current homes, many are adding covered decks because they've realized it opens up a space that's usable year-round.

Even with a heat source, keeping guests warm and comfortable means you need to think about insulation. Add cushions to wooden or metal chairs, and offer colorful throws for guests to wrap up in. Or you might consider a seasonal update by incorporating hay bale seats covered with fluffy blankets for a rustic gathering.

For an outdoor meal, set up a buffet in a tent or gazebo space, and decorate with hanging lights for added ambiance. A picnic table loosely draped with a pretty blanket adds to the cozy vibe; top it with a centerpiece crafted from simple materials like pine cones and branches twined with tabletop LED lights or nestled with candles in a bucket of snow.

When it comes to food and drinks, look for items that don't require a lot of prep or fancy plating, but instead are hearty and help guests warm up inside. Slow cookers brimming with soup or chili, and casseroles served in chafing dishes are easy to make in advance and keep warm while socially distanced partygoers move through the buffet.

For drinks, make it bring-your-own, and it's the perfect occasion for seasonal favorites like spiced apple cider and hot chocolate which, should you desire, can be made more festive by adding alcohol. Mulled wines, Irish coffee and hot toddies will be popular with adults.

To add to the fun, consider games guests could play fireside from old-fashioned, low-tech favorites like charades to online games like Psych! that allow everyone to get out their phones and play along while staying toasty under a lap blanket. But keep in mind that moving around will help guests stay warm, so consider a brisk walk so you can keep your space in case you are with people not living with you..

It's important to make sure your guests know in advance that you're hosting an outdoor gathering and that they'll need to wear warm clothes and boots. Add a little fun by choosing a theme revolving around a color or pattern for outerwear or encouraging silly hats and scarves.

Nesting

Let's be real. We're going to be spending a lot of time indoors, with just a few people, for quite a while. And it's OK to be OK with that.

In fact, the Danish, who experience long, cold, dark winters just like ours, have a word for the feelings of winter's cozy, charming contentment: hygge. (English speakers approximate the difficult pronunciation as "hoo-gah" or "hue-gah.")

"If you're interested in hygge, the library has some great books to help you learn about it," says Spokane County Library public services manager Gwendolyn Haley.

Though hygge isn't concisely translated into English, the elements include togetherness, relaxation, indulgence, presence and comfort. It starts by creating the right atmosphere.

To set the scene this winter, try adding some new wood accents to a room, along with plants and extra light. Natural objects help bring the outside in, and extra light lifts your mood. Then indulge in scattering soft textures in the form of blankets and rugs, and fill the air with pleasant scents from candles or incense. These elements combine to create the feel of coziness and also activate pleasant memories.

Consider carving out a nook or a small space that's just your own for reading and relaxing. Having your own special place instantly sets a soothing mood.

Add some sparkle to the muted environment by choosing clothing crafted in soft fabrics with bright colors and playful patterns. These will keep you warm inside and out.

Haley says hygge resonates so well because it speaks to the activities people do during winter months to care for both themselves and their families.

"Some of those activities like baking, cooking and crafting are things the library is offering programs on this winter," she says. "And we've seen a lot of interest already, especially with families looking to do more together and make their homes cozy."

With library locations closed due to coronavirus, the district has switched its activities to virtual settings, and added curbside pickup for books.

"If you're not sure what book you'd like to read or check out, you can fill out a survey online, and we'll use that to create a list of suggested titles for you," she says. "If you're looking for a new hobby, we also offer a program called Creativebug that allows you to watch online art and crafts classes."

Haley says other programs offered online through the library district include classes on using that ubiquitous Instant Pot, meal planning, winter gardening, financial education and art projects. There's even a cake-baking challenge.

The library also hosts author visits with area writers, trivia events and read-aloud story time videos for children.

"Reading together is a great activity in winter, especially with the little ones," Haley says. "It's also a good time to learn board or card games and engage together as a family."

In December, Haley says the library has planned another session of it's Read-A-Rama program, an online camp with themes based on books with related crafts, music and game activities.

"This January we're planning a tea blending and book pairing program online as well," she adds. "If you're looking for activities, check out our website and Facebook pages for updates."

While many of the activities available through the library may seem indoor-focused, Haley says cardholders also have the option of checking out a Discover Pass for the week, which enables them to park for free and explore state parks.

"Our partnership with the Washington State Parks Foundation allows members to check out a pass, and enjoy the great natural spaces we have in this area," she says. "That's been a really popular program this year for sure."

Recreating

"We recognize that as it gets darker and colder, mental and physical health are harder to maintain," says Spokane Parks and Recreation director Garrett Jones. "So it's been very important to us to find ways to infuse positive activity in a safe way this winter."

For sporty and outdoor types, our region's parks and ski areas offer plenty of solo or small group exploration experiences. However, if you're looking for a little help, the Parks department does have recreational programs, activities and even events planned for the city's outdoor spaces this winter. Although a portion of the programs won't begin until the city moves into phase three of reopening, some of the new protocols the department has in place for programs and activities include increased sanitizing, modifying activities to maintain distancing, reducing class sizes, requiring participants to wear masks, new check-in procedures and better communication with participants.

"A lot of it is about building public confidence, so they understand we're able to provide safe activities," Jones says. "We're in constant communication with health officials, and consistently review our programs to ensure we're not missing anything."

Winter recreational programs the department is offering include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing tours, including some by moonlight, for smaller groups.

"We'll also provide a list online of trails at area golf courses and conservation lands that have been groomed for hiking and snowshoeing," Jones says.

"Our Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) will be working with the Mt. Spokane ski program again this year on classes for those participants," he adds. "Another of our partners, the Corbin Art Center, is also offering classes for smaller groups."

Jones says the department will continue youth creative programs during the winter as well, including a new favorite, cornhole.

"We'd never offered that particular game before, but it was a surprise hit this summer so we'll move it indoors this winter," he says. "We also plan to bring back three-on-three volleyball."

As to attractions and events in the city's parks this season, Jones says the department plans to utilize its current tools, such as the renovated pavilion at Riverfront Park, in new ways.

"We had some success over the summer with re-imagining the Fourth of July fireworks as a drive-thru event," he says. "Many people enjoyed that change, so we hope to build on that with the attractions, events and programs in these colder months."

One early winter "win" for the department was coordinating with the Spokane Regional Health District on plans to safely reopen the Numerica Ice Ribbon in time for the holiday season.

Jones says the department also continues to work with other regional partners like the Downtown Spokane Partnership and the Public Facilities District for ideas on new events and cross-promotional activities.

He says one idea being considered is an outdoor winter market, that would include participation from area restaurants and local organizations.

"We're also looking at more passive activities, such as holiday lights, that would allow people to simply walk through and enjoy," Jones says. "This winter will be much more dynamic as we continue to adapt, so definitely stay tuned for updates."

Read All About It

How to Hygge: The Nordic Secrets to a Happy Life by Signe Johansen.

The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking.

Making Winter: A Hygge-Inspired Guide for Surviving the Winter Months by Emma Mitchell.

The Hygge Life: Embracing the Nordic Art of Coziness Through Recipes, Entertaining, Decorating, Simple Rituals, and Family Traditions by Gunnar Karl Gslason and Jody Eddy.

The Cozy Life: Rediscover the Joy of the Simple Things Through the Danish Concept of Hygge by Pia Edberg.

Scandikitchen: Fika & Hygge: Comforting Cakes and Bakes from Scandinavia with Love by Bronte Aurell.

Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World by Isabel Gillies.

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The onslaught of cold weather and a prolonged pandemic mean keeping a healthy outlook is going to require some creativity - Pacific Northwest Inlander

People have spent more time at home in 2020 than they likely have in years past. This has provided homeowners with plenty of time to ponder potential upgrades to their homes. After taking inventory of their lifestyles, surroundings and furnishings, people have embarked on construction projects or home interior design renovations in record numbers.

Holiday gifts that cater to projects around the house are likely to be highly valued this holiday season. Here are some ideas for home improvement-related gifts.

Home improvement retailer gift card: Home improvement centers are one-stop shopping for do-it-yourselfers. To help offset the cost of supplies, gift-givers can give a gift card to a neighborhood hardware store.

Magazine subscription: There are plenty of ideas on the internet, but a subscription to a home remodeling or interior design magazine puts inspiration right in homeowners hands. Pages can be marked or cut out and used on idea boards.

Tools and supplies: Homeowners just starting out may benefit from the basics. Stores often sell starter tool kits that can be used in home improvement-themed baskets. Experienced DIYers may have a special tool in mind that is outside their budget right now, like a chop saw or cordless power drill. Purchasing one of these items can help projects move along more smoothly.

Expert consultation: Who cant use a little help with their home remodeling efforts? Give the gift of a consultation from an interior designer or professional contractor to help complete plans that may be a little out of reach for the average DIYer.

Big-ticket item: Some friends and family members may want to pool their resources and offer loved ones an over-the-top gift. This can include a backyard playset for children, a storage shed, a pool installation, or even a new appliance package. Gift ideas are endless and only limited by budget.

Room re-do: All it may take is some new linens or accents to transform a room. From throw pillows to curtains to wall art, give the gift of an easy room makeover.

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Holiday Gifts To Spark Home Improvement Ideas - Escalon Times

Lila Romo is only 3, but she already has her dream house. Well, a dream playhouse that for a childs play area is incredibly built almost like a real house.

It took about a month to construct the one-room, $8,000 backyard mini-mansion. It measures 10 feet by 10 feet, has a tile floor imported from Mexico, a chandelier, and plenty of plexiglass windows for safety.

But for the pandemic, Lila Romo would be the most popular kid in her Castle Hills neighborhood.

Lilas parents, Victor and Malisa, got the idea to build their daughter her very own child-size dream house while visiting relatives in Manchester, England. While there they brought Lila to the Great Northern Free Play Area downtown, a large amphitheater set aside for children that includes its own playhouse, complete with pretend kitchen and cafe and a story-time library.

Lila was enthralled.

She loved, loved, loved it, said Victor, an emergency room physician with Methodist Healthcare. When it was time to go, she and the other kids playing there had to be dragged away. It was like there were lines in the sand from their fingernails.

On ExpressNews.com: Modern Hill Country home captures spectacular views from every room

Once back home, Victor scrapped his plans to build a storage shed in the backyard of his childhood home where he and Malisa now live. Instead, he sent pictures of the British playhouse to his friend Dave Peters, owner of the San Antonio custom home and remodeling company D. Michael Design.

In about 15 minutes, Dave sent me back all these plans for whats now Lilas Playhouse, he said.

What Lila loves about the house, her parents say, is the play kitchen where she bakes cakes, the kid-size table and the plastic flowers in the front window planters. On a recent visit, she happily showed off the play telephone she uses to call her aunt, the pegboard on one wall to hold her toys, and the small chandelier hanging from the ceiling (bought from Amazon). Theres even a handmade sign hanging above the door reading Lilas Playhouse.

But perhaps her favorite part of the house are the shutters, which are painted with erasable chalkboard paint so she can draw on them.

On ExpressNews.com: 7 home trends for 2021, from Zoom rooms to electric car chargers

The house is surprisingly well built. Peters framed the structure using two-by-four exterior walls and two-by-six ceiling joists set 16 inches on center. He also used solid wood for the siding and encapsulation paint for better weather protection.

Other than the fact that its not insulated or wired, I built like I build any other full-size house, he said.

The playhouse sits on a concrete slab that previously served as a parking spot for an RV and as a basketball court, now covered with artificial turf.

Her mothers favorite thing about the house? That its right in the backyard where she can see it.

Lilas very independent and can play by herself for a long time, she said. And I can watch her from anywhere in the house. Its better than having a pool.

Although playhouse visitors so far so far been limited to Lilas cousins, its obvious the structure has been a point of curiosity to the neighbors. We could see people looking in from the street while it was being built, Victor said.

It has also garnered interest online. When Peters posted a photo on his company Instagram page he quickly booked another job and has gotten several nibbles about others.

Richard A. Marini is a features writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Richard, become a subscriber. rmarini@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini

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Mini-mansion childs playhouse in Castle Hills a dream come true for this San Antonio 3-year-old - San Antonio Express-News

Time flies when you're having fun! As the new US Shopping Editor at Real Homes, I've been here nearly two months (!!!), and the one thing I've noticed? Readers love the personal touch and that's just what I plan to bring to the table: My personal touch.

Starting this week, I will have a weekly Editor's Picks series, where I bring you not only what you should be buying but what I am, in fact, buying.

From fun festive finds (I am a walking Hallmark card after all) to the affordable furniture I'm remodeling my apartment with, I will break down piece-by-piece what I am buying, and more importantly: why I am buying it.

So what's in my shopping cart this week? Gift wrap, velvet chairs, and turntables, of course! Here are my top nine #BrittanysBestBuys for this week.

Add them to your shopping cart and worry about those credit card statements later (or at least, that's my motto!).

(Image credit: Walmart)

14Karat Home Luna velvet Side Chair for $99.97, at Walmart

Full disclosure: This exact chair is sitting on my living room floor waiting to be assembled, and I am more than excited to get going! Of the 9 available shades, I opted for the red as it spoke to me the most; but truthfully, there is no one wrong way to go here. Between the gold metal legs and velvet material, it's bound to be the most swoon-worthy seat.

Not your style? Check out our buying guide for the best armchairs available!

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(Image credit: Walmart)

Mainstays Writing Desk, White Finish for $25, at Walmart

A good affordable desk is too hard to come by which is why I'm now going on my second one. However, here I hit it out of the park. Ringing in at just $25, this inexpensive piece offers up the same concept of higher-priced versions, looks just as luxe, and the assembly process was easier than ever.

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(Image credit: Wayfair)

XCH GROUP INC Velvet 52" Square Arm Loveseat l Was $569.99, Now $519.99, at Wayfair

The only thing I hate more than spending my own money is the color pink, so when I first stumbled upon this pinkish loveseat, you can imagine I was not immediately in love. However, this 52" loveseat was the only piece that checked almost all my boxes: It was in my price range, velvet (!!!) and the exact size I needed. But after my boss so brilliantly stated: "It is more a mauve" I, of course, was sold! This mauve must-have will be here this afternoon, and I am hoping it's just as picture-perfect as it looks!View Deal

(Image credit: Amazon)

(Image credit: Walmart)

Innovative Technology Victrola 4-in-1 Nostalgic Bluetooth Record Player with 3-Speed Record Turntable and FM Radio l Was $69.99, Now $59.99, at Walmart

My worst habit? Bringing my laptop everywhere I go to play music and yes, that includes setting it up outside my shower. Or at least, this was the case until last week when I invested in this 4-in-1 turntable.It combines a timeless nostalgic look with a classic rotary turner while also maintaining the latest technology.

Long story short? It's something old-but-new: I can stream my music via Bluetooth, listen to my favorite morning radio show (Hey Boomer and Gio!), and even play my old vinyl records. Oh, and the best part? The sound is so strong. I can set this up in my living room and hear it when I take a shower (Goodbye, laptop!).View Deal

(Image credit: Amazon)

(Image credit: Amazon)

American Greetings Wrapping Paper Kit with Gridlines, Bows and Gift Tags (41-Count, 120 sq. ft.) | $19.99, at Amazon

Similar to many others, this holiday season, my family plans are still up-in-the-air in terms of what we are or aren't doing come Christmas. My sister-in-law is not only an elementary school traveling nurse, but she just had a baby last February; long story short, COVID is a top concern on everyone's mind.

Regardless of what comes to fruition celebration-wise, I didn't want to miss out on my favorite part of the holidays: wrapping gifts. So, I went ahead and ordered this wrapping bundle.

Not only does this option include a printed gift wrap for everyone in my family (there's 4 total!), but if your family is like mine and always losing gift tags, this set has it covered. And even includes a bow to top every present off, too!View Deal

(Image credit: Amazon)

(Image credit: Etsy)

Nope ~ Office Desk Name Plate | $14.95, at Etsy

Who says growing up means you have to be a grown-up? Most certainly, not me, which is why I bought this exact nameplate to add to my new desk. Treat yourself to this sweet sign or anyone else in your life that needs a pick-me-up!View Deal

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Editor's picks: the 9 best items to add to your shopping cart this week - Real Homes

A GRIP ON SPORTS There was no way I was ever watching Man on Wire. Not just because Im afraid of heights deeply but also because who wants to watch a person trying to stay upright while everyone below is scared to death theyre going to fall to certain doom? In unrelated news, Washington State mens basketball.

Last night was appointment TV in the Grippi household. Idaho, with two starters who played travel basketball for me, was trying to win in Pullman. It was the annual renewal of the longest rivalry west of the Mississippi. And as poorly as the Vandals had played to start their season, one had the feeling they had something a shot against Washington State.

Mainly because the Cougars have been living on the edge.

It hasnt mattered who WSU has played in this undefeated start to the season. It could be a depleted Eastern team, a decent Oregon State team, an average Texas Southern team. No matter. The Cougars seem to sleep walk a bit, trail, wake up and win. Happened again last night. All of it.

And this morning Kyle Smiths team wakes up 4-0. But oh is right. As in oh my, WSU better get better before Pac-12 season hits hard.

Maybe its the loss of CJ Elleby and his calming presence not to mention 20 points a night. Or maybe its all the COVID-related crud that has hit the Cougars, from Smiths own case to players testing positive to canceled trips. Whatever it is, it seems as if Smith has to let them play the first 20 minutes just to be able to figure out which groups are working together.

Its almost like a racing-car mechanic having to rebuild the engine before every green flag.

Whatever Smith has been doing last night the key move in the 61-58 win was sitting Isaac Bonton down for a long second-half stretch that seemed to key a 19-0 Washington State run it has worked. But darn, it gets scary for a while.

As for the Vandals, Zac Claus is still figuring out his team as well. There are some pieces available to work with, but never forget he starts two players who begin their time in Moscow as walk-ons as he tries to rebuild a program with a proud history. It could be another long year for UI but if Wednesday nights effort continues, the Vandals will give a few Big Sky teams fits.

So the University of Washington had to pause football activities yesterday. COVID-19 got its foot in the team bubble and the school is trying to see how far the virus has spread. There was some hope it is isolated enough that UW can play its I-5 rivalry game with Oregon on Saturday.

Meanwhile Seattle King County Public Health told a local TV station it was still recommending a 14-day quarantine for any players in the schools protocol. Could that rule out a Pac-12 title game appearance for the Huskies if too many players are infected or out for contact tracing? It may.

Its just another illustration the virus is nearly impossible to stop. And that getting through a college sports season, whatever sport were referring to, without lots and lots of pauses and stumbles, wont be possible for a while.

Speaking of that, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has changed his tune somewhat. Before the season began, the dean of college hoops was all for starting a season, saying the NCAA Tournament had to be played this year. But with postponements and cancellation piling up, hes changed his mind at least to some degree.

I dont think it feels right to anybody, he said Tuesday according to CBS Sports. We made an assessment. Im not sure who leads college basketball. Its done by committee (and) anything thats led by committee is not agile in handling a situation.

It wasnt, like, well-planned, he continued. We were going to start November 25. That was made without knowing where the vaccine was, how many cases. Basically, it was more a mentality of get as many games in as possible. And I would just like for the safety, the mental health and the physical health of players and staff, to reassess where were at.

When Krzyzewski talks, people usually listen. But maybe not this time.

WSU: It was weird (and will stay weird) seeing Beasley Coliseum empty for the game (insert whatever joke about the Paul Graham-era here). But Theo Lawson powered through and has this game story. Theo is also in full football mode the Cougars host California late Saturday night and has a story on Jayden de Lauras ability to lead his team despite his youth. Around the Pac-12 and college football, the news from Seattle roiled everything yesterday. If the Huskies cant play this weekend, they will win the North title due to their 3-1 record. But if they are also stuck in quarantine, then a Pac-12 title game appearance might have to be out. And open the door for USC and Colorado to play. But thats a long way off, considering this season circumstances change in minutes. Oregon heard the news as well, but the Ducks are still preparing for the Huskies. Off-the-field, however, other plans are being made. Oregon State may be deep into its depth chart this week. Utah and Colorado will now play on Saturday instead of Friday. Its just another example of how this year is different. The Buffs sudden rise this season was unforeseen. USC was expected to be good but UCLA peeking over .500 headed into the rivalry game is a surprise. Grad transfers have helped the Bruins. The Trojans have been hit by defensive injuries. Arizona State will depend on its linebackers to stop the Arizona run game. In basketball news, Washington picked up its first win of the season, routing cold-shooting Seattle in Hec Ed. Oregon picked up a home win as well. Oregon State has had to develop depth. Colorado needs everyone playing at their best. Arizona had little trouble with Cal State Bakersfield. UCLA defeated USD in Pauley. Arizona State will host San Diego State tonight.

Gonzaga: If you were planning on traveling to Sioux Falls, S.D. for the Zags Dec. 19 game with Iowa, change your plans. Now. The folks in charge of the game have decided fans wont be allowed in the arena. Jim Meehan has more, including a note about the few who will be able to attend. The Zags are still hanging on to the No. 1 spot for just about everyone. Elsewhere in the WCC, San Diego played its first game of the season, a loss to UCLA. Boise State, coached by former Gonzaga assistant Leon Rice, went into Provo and defeated BYU. Pepperdine routed California in Berkeley while Santa Clara was winning at Cal Poly.

EWU: Ryan Collingwood has a prep story below, but he also took time out yesterday to talk with Larry Weir for the latest Press Box podcast. Around the Big Sky, Northern Colorado finally got to play and routed Colorado Christian. Montana has had some bright spots despite its record. Southern Utah is contemplating a move to the WAC.

Idaho: Besides the story on the mens loss at WSU, we can pass along this piece on the women losing at Texas.

Preps: There is high school basketball going on in the area, though its across the border in Idaho. Dave Nichols has a look at all the local boys and girls teams. He also has this feature on Lake Citys Brooklyn Rewers, who is headed to Michigan State next season. Ryan pitches in with a story about a good friend of mine, new Genesis Prep boys coach Jeff Hironaka, the former Washington State assistant.

Indians: Dave spent a lot of time yesterday monitoring the news concerning minor league baseballs remodeling. It looks as if Spokane will become the full-season Single-A franchise of the Colorado Rockies.

Seahawks: Bobby Wagner is right. Seattles defense just needs to play better. The Rams and Hawks look to be headed toward a NFC West-deciding rematch at the end of the month. How would you grade the Seahawks after 75 percent of the season? The Hawks havent had a lot of first-round picks in the Pete Carroll era. Josh Gordon is back in the locker room.

Mariners: The Ms agreed to a deal with a former Met relief pitcher who was recently in Korea. They also announced their minor league teams, but Tacoma isnt agreeing just yet.

Sounders: Seattles Monday night comeback was among the best in the citys history.

Lets check the calendar. Its Dec. 10. That means the daylight part of each days begins getting longer again in just 11 days. And Christmas is just 15 days from now. Oh crud. Its almost time to begin scramble mode. In Star Trek parlance, take us to yellow alert No. 1. Until later

View original post here:
A Grip on Sports: WSU walks tightrope again but once more finds a way to get past Idaho - The Spokesman-Review

Tommy Cassell|The Milford Daily News

Emily Viti knew something wasnt right when she held her newborn son for the first time in 2013.

The first thing I felt was a lump on his back and I said Whats this? shesaid.

After countless medicalvisits with doctors and specialists for a little over a year, Viti finally discovered what was wrong:her sonhad mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), a rare disease in which the body can't break down sugar molecules.

The condition, which affects one in 100,000 babies, is terminal.

It rocked my world, said Viti, the Framingham High boys and girls volleyball coach.

Her son, Christopher Hohn, is now seven years old. And Viti isfighting to find a cure.

Something terrible, terminal

There were other unhealthy signsover the first year of Christophers life.

His thumbs were still inside of his hands at three months andhis hips were shallow. He never slept for more than two hours and when he did, he made a very loud sound like an adult snoring.

Everybody said it was normal, said Viti, 44. By the time he was four months old, we had a list of six or seven things that were concerns.

We were just told repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly that everything was normal.

By Oct. 18, 2014, when Christopher was just over a year old, Viti scheduled an appointment for him at what is now Tufts Childrens Hospital in Boston.Aroutine visit turned into an 11-hour stay for Viti, her son and her partner, Darren Hohn.

I remember at one point Darren and I were looking at each other and thinking that this isnt good, Viti said.

Emily and I looked at each other and said Whats going on here? said Hohn, 46.

Around 8 p.m., Hohn and Viti were told their son had a lysosomal storage disease. Doctors said the best case scenario was that Christopher would live to be 25. The worst case: Hed die in a fewmonths.

I was like, What? Viti recalled. Although he had these issues, they all seemed so small. It never occurred to me that it could be something terminal.

We were numb about it, Hohnsaid. For the first week, there was a lot of sadness. Im not a crier and I cried my eyes out. Thats my kid. Thats when you get in the mindset of give me cancer or give me something so my kid can live a normal life.

Doctors urgedHohnand Viti not to Google anything until they received an official diagnosis a few weeks later. But Viti scoured the internet as soon as she got home on Oct. 18, 2014.

I did an MPS Google image search and the picture looked just like Christopher, Viti said. At that moment, denial was out the window and I knew MPS was what Christopher had. When you research MPS, its not a good situation.

I was having a total meltdown on the living room couch.

Two weeks later, on Halloween, doctors confirmed the diagnosis.

Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) infusions were then scheduled for Christopher before he underwent a stem cell transplant the day after Christmas. Following his transplant, which included 10 days of chemotherapy, Christopher was sent home in February and ordered to quarantine for a full year in order torebuild his immune system.

If he wanted to see anybody, it was through a window, his father said.

Quarantine life

Hohn was in the process of renovating their house in Milford when his first-born son was diagnosedwith MPS. In order for Christopher to return home from the hospital in February of 2015, the remodeling had to be finished and the house had to be prepped for quarantine.

So Hohnaccelerated his renovation timetable.

My whole thing with renovating the house was rapid, hesaid. I had help from friends, neighbors, they knew the situation. It was pretty hectic, pretty crazy, but I got it done.

For the rest of 2015, Hohn, Viti, Christopher and their dog, Norman, were in a somewhat strict quarantine as Christopher recovered from his stem cell transplant.

Only two other people were allowed to be a part of theirbubble and there were certain restrictions Hohnand Vitihad to follow. They couldnt have things like sponges, cats or living plants, among other things, inside their home. The family couldnt buy a tree for Christmas and their dog was only allowed to go outside in their backyard.

Trips to the grocery store and to Framingham High volleyball games and practices were the only reason why Viti left her home for a year.

That was a really difficult time in our lives, said Viti, who teaches health and physical education at Framingham High. It was the extreme of what people are doing now. Quarantining like this is sort of like small potatoes compared to what we had to do.

This is easy living right now.

Playing with a purpose

A few months after Christophers quarantine was lifted, Viti helped steer the Framingham High boys volleyball team to its first ever state championship with a 3-0 win over Needham on June 15, 2016.

After the victory, Christopher tugged at the pant leg of his mother on the volleyball court at Concord-Carlisle High School. Viti lifted himup and placed a championship medal around his neck as she fielded questions from reporters.

They have rallied around Christopher, Viti told the Daily News at the time. Ive always thought that if Christopher cant play sports when hes older or whatever, he still has a team that he belongs to. They have MPS on their jerseys, they have MPS socks on. Hes part of their team. And I think that that is unbelievable.

A year prior, six players from the Framingham High boys volleyball team quit. It was a rough stretch for Viti as she juggled running her volleyball program and raising a son in quarantine. So winning the state title a year later was a sense of validation for Viti and her remaining players, who played with a greater purpose in 2016.

Were playing for Emily, everything shes been through, said former Framingham High libero Jason Shapiro after the state title victory. Shes been through more than anyone I know. All of this is for her.

I know that well all remember this season for the rest of our lives.

Just a normal kid

Christopher currently is a first-grader at Brookside Elementary School in Milford. Hes taking classes remotely due to coronavirus restrictions at his school.

Each morning he wakes up by 7:30and watches TV and eats breakfast before his virtual classes begin. Throughout the day, he enjoys play breaks with his younger brother, Jacob, who is also learning remotely. In the afternoon, Christopher completes his school work with some assistance from his mother.

Its fun, Viti said. Its busy.

To this day, Christopher has undergone more than a dozen different operations including one last year to remove thelump on his back.

No child should have to go through 13 procedures or more, his fathersaid.

Some people with MPS are small in stature. Christopher is 43 inches tall and weighs 45 pounds. Jacob, who is two years younger,is only an inch shorter.

Hes definitely starting to notice that hes the smallest, his mothersaid.

Christopher likes to ride his bike, eat ice cream and run around with his friends. He does scamper with a bit of a limp, though.

He walks like an old, arthritic man, Viti said.

Christopher has an old soul, too, especially when it comes to music. He enjoys The Beatles, Bob Marley and Twisted Sister. He dressed up as Dee Snider, Twisted Sisters lead vocalist, for Halloween this year.

Hes a character, hes certainly a character, Hohnsaid. He knows how to run a crowd.

Christopher is charismatic, incredibly funny and I think hes one of the deepest, most sensitive people Ive ever met, Viti said. I always say he has an over-developed sense of empathy.

Each October, Christopher and his family participate in a fundraiser called Smash out MPS at Cedar Hill Farm in Mendon.

During this years event on Oct. 17, the mother of one of Christophers former caretakers accidentally dialed 9-1-1 on her phone. So Mendon police officer Nick Erskine showed up to the picturesque farm unannounced.

After Erskine realized he received an accidental call, he introduced himself to the center of attention.

Whats going on? Having some fun today? Erskine asked Christopher.

Christopher proceeded to put his hands up in the air and knelt to the ground in front of the officer. His joke elicitedlaughterfrom the crowd of people, which included former Lincoln-Sudbury head volleyball coach Judy Katalina.

Katalina, who became friends with Viti through volleyball, has a tattoo on her right arm that commemorates Christopher. Katalinas tattoo features a purple ribbon with Christophers initials inked in black and the word Believe etched in black below.

Christopher is just a little spit-fire, Katalina said. Youd never know that he was sick because he just loves to live and hes just a good kid.

After Christophers antics, the police officer showed the seven-year-old where all the bad boys sit in his police cruiser before presenting himwith a voucher for free ice cream.

Im going to show this to my parents, Christopher said.

Later on, Viti thanked the crowd for showing up to support her family's effort toraiseawareness for MPS before Christopher chimed in.

Lets get smashing! he yelled.

The pack of people proceeded to smash purple-painted pumpkins on the ground. The event raised $700 in hopes of helping to find a cure for MPS.

This little boy is such an inspiration to many and he never lets it bother him, said Michelle Manoogian, who owns Cedar Hill Farm with her husband, Mark. (Christopher) is just a normal kid with a giant heart.

As of right now, Christopher doesnt have any procedures scheduled. His parentsbiggest fear is always the next operation.

Despite the grim prognosis,Emily Viti and Darren Hohn aredoing whatthey can to provide a normal life for Christopher. All while raising awareness about MPS inhopes of finding a cure.

I want him to be a well-rounded individual, Hohnsaid. I want him to live as a normal child and a normal teenager.

I want him to be able to enjoy life even though he is in pain, Viti said. Everything is against him and he just keeps fighting. Hell do anything and everything.

(If you'd like to donate to the National MPS society, please click here.)

Tommy Cassell is a senior multimedia journalist for the Daily News. He can be reached at tcassell@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @tommycassell44.

Read more from the original source:
Emily Viti's son has MPS and the Framingham High volleyball coach is fighting to find a cure for the terminal disease - Milford Daily News