j

Tim, 10 hours agoAnd the million version of gingerbread.... remember my htc phone got 2.3.6 and than jumped to 4.0.It jumped from 2.3.6 to 4.0.1 as Android 3.0 honeycomb was for tablets. That was the main reason you would not get 3.0 on mobile phones.

W28461786

Kangal, 1 hour agoNot at all. Again, GSMArena is now a low-quality publication as opposed to the High-Quality pu... moreI'm no Android fan (see my post below), but iOS has never been better than Android. iOS is a basic OS with way too many limitations. That was true in 2011, and that's still true in 2020.

Apple makes decent flagship phones, but their biggest weakness is the overly restrictive OS they run on.

?

It was the time when google still value do no evil

H1

My first Android Gingerbread in 2011

Anonymous, 5 hours agoGSMArena once again knocks this out of the park, with another fantastic flashback article. A... moreNot at all. Again, GSMArena is now a low-quality publication as opposed to the High-Quality publications from the likes of Anandtech. Many of their posts are paid, sponsored, or hype to generate more Ad-Revenue.

I was on several ecosystems at this point.Using Symbian and Windows Mobile, in those match-ups Android 2.3.4 was good.But it's using higher-level coding that cannot match the efficiency of iOS (v4) and it's Semi-Native lower-level coding.

Where iOS lacked features, Android was down-right frustrating because it was very clunky. Besides, Peter forgets that many features that came available on AOSP were already present on earlier versions of Android through OEM modifications. Yes, fragmentation was a problem, and its moreso today. And security? Forget it, this was the early days of the wild wild west... if you wanted security good luck.

Android Gingerbread was NOT great.It was better than the alternatives, and against the likes of BadaOS, webOS, MeeGo, it won because it had support from corporations with funding and devices being made. I remember the Samsung SII when it shipped with an impressive chipset, and it was held-back by the clunkiness of Android 2.3 and TouchWiz. Managed to upgrade the drivers, kernel, and the OS. Running it on a very lean Android 4.0.3 (AOKP) made its battery last half-day longer and feel fast and fluid. That was a major difference. Oh, and many of the Android exploits we discovered back in 2009-2011, which wasn't patched in Gingerbread, yeah those were suddenly fixed. So it was more secure too (for its time).

And keep in mind, I used Android 1.6, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3, and I am saying those devices were better than Symbian and Windows Mobile. They were not as good as the iPhone OS though. With Android 4.0.3 suddenly I was converted. And with iOS 7 (iPhone 5S) I was a huge fan of Apple too. The next major improvement I noticed was going from Android 4.4.4 to the bugfixed Android 5.1 Lolipop. Since then we've had incremental upgrades, and mostly for OEMs and not direct users or Rom Developers.

If you must know, EvolutionX ROM (Android Pie 9) is much better than Google Pixel OS (Android10).

S846346

SpiritWolf, 2 hours agoQuestion. Was GSM Arena team paid by Spygle back then, to promote inferior OS? Because you know, for not brainwashed people, Spydroid was a laughingstock.

S846346

Question. Was GSM Arena team paid by Spygle back then, to promote inferior OS?

T17351

Remember buying my LG P500 that was one of the first phones to get 2.3 back then 😀

f17514

I remember when i buy htc rhyme it was very interesting to experience gingerbread thanks Google???

W28461786

Android 2.3 Gingerbread was great for it's time. It was the first Android OS i switched to (i had clinged to Symbian OS till the very end). The OS had everything that one desired for back then. Far more advanced than iOS & a valid replacement to the dying Symbian OS.

Android continued to grow for the next few years, but as of late has been losing it's essence. I look forward to seeing a replacement pop up sometime soon.

M

i always love this posts from gsmarena

?

Just like this great article, I would officially like to request the most influential iOS version till date. My vote goes to iOS 7, the 64-bit OS with the all-powerful A7 was crushing the competition in terms of performance.

?

Back at that time, I had an HD2. It was running windows from ROM and android from SD. I remember the time I upgraded to 2.3, it was like it had a turbocharger attached to it. I stayed on Ginger bread two years before upgrading to ICS and then to jellybean.Good old days.

?

GSMArena once again knocks this out of the park, with another fantastic flashback article. Amazing.

?

The fact that it was the last version officially supported by Samsung in the first generation of the Galaxy S helped making it so popular (and resilient over time). Plenty of Galaxy S were in people's pockets for many years.

M

GregLu, 11 hours agoStill got and Xperia Ray that was on this version and then updated to ICS mainly for the share... moreXperia Ray was arguably the most beautiful Android smartphone to ever come to existence.When I held it, it felt like something super expensive and did stand out in the crowd.

2

I began android carrer in 2.1 now looking back 2.3 was the the most celebrated release and my favorite yet , the heated fight against nokia symbian, ios, wp really took off with this release and Flashing various roms was fun

?

X41, 8 hours agoMy first smartphone was Galaxy y young with android 2.3.6. 5 months after i bought one ,lumia ... moreYeah le too first smartphone ever was the samsung galaxy young! I still have that old device!

R

I had the Samsung galaxy ace plus as my first smartphone and it ran gingerbread out of the box. That introduced me to the world of smartphones!! Definitely nostalgic!! Using wifi Direct to send big video files to other samsung phones was a boon too!!!

See the rest here:
Flashback: Android Gingerbread, the OS version that refused to die, was better than you think - comments - GSMArena.com

BO/20/00808/DOM: Seaview, Bosham Lane. Removal of ground floor wall and extension to form family room incorporating existing external store.

BO/20/00809/LBC: Seaview, Bosham Lane. Removal of ground floor wall and extension to form family room incorporating existing external store.

BO/20/00980/DOM: 4 Westward Close. Proposed rear dormer and 2 no. roof lights to front.

BO/20/01065/DOM: 25 Arnold Way. Rear single storey extension and alterations.

CC/20/00732/DOM: 34 Sherborne Road. Rear first floor extension over existing ground floor.

CC/20/00762/LBC: Prebendal School, 53 - 54 West Street. Reconstruction of section of free-standing curtilage wall to the rear of school.

CC/20/00788/LBC: 6 West Street. Structural repairs to front entrance canopy.

CC/20/00905/TCA: Land South Of 5 Orchard Street. Notification of intention to crown reduce by 30%, crown thin by 30%, crown lift by up to 3m (from ground level) and reduce all branches on north sector (overhanging no.5 Orchard Street) by up to 2.5m on 2 no. Holm Oak trees (Quercus llex) (T02 and T03) and reduce height by approx. 4m (above ground level) on 1no. Bay tree (Laurus Nobilis) (SH01).

CC/20/00944/FUL: 1-3 The Broadway. Retrospective application for secure steel access staircase to the east elevation.

CC/20/00957/DOM: 6 Lyndhurst Road. Demolish lean-to structure and build a single storey rear extension, roof extension and build up existing boundary wall and enclose with a roof.

CC/20/01003/FUL: 1 Little London. Replacement windows.

CC/20/01005/DOM: 30 Highland Road. Garden summerhouse.

CC/20/01013/TCA: 38 Whyke Lane. Notification of intention to reduce height up to 3m and widths by up to 2.5m on 4 no. Leyland Cypress trees (T1-T4). Reduce height by up to 1.5m and widths up to 1m on 1 no. Pittosporum tree (T5).

CC/20/01014/TCA: 52 Whyke Lane. Notification of intention to reduce height by 2m and widths by 1.5m on 1no. Bay tree (T1).

CC/20/01017/FUL: 19 Highland Road. 1 no. dwelling and associated works.

CC/20/01018/DOM: 37 Whyke Lane. Single storey side extensions with rooms in the roof space.

CC/20/01023/DOM: 2 Laburnum Grove. Gable extension and additional first floor window to permitted application 19/02682/DOM, for erection of 2 no. hip to gable extensions to the north and south elevations. Increase ridge height, installation of 1 no. dormer to west elevation and 2 no. rooflights, porch extension and associated alterations.

CC/20/01030/DOM: 5 Clay Lane. Change use of loft space to habitable accommodation to include rear facing dormer window (permitted development) and front facing roof-light. Proposed single storey side and rear extension.

CC/20/01046/REM: Land On The West Side Of Broyle Road. All outstanding Reserved Matters for the erection of 50 dwellings with associated parking, landscaping, informal open space and associated works on Phase 5, Parcel F, pursuant to permission 14/04301/OUT.

CH/20/00737/FUL: The Nest, 13 The Avenue, Hambrook. Erection of 4 no. dwellings and associated works - Various of Condition 2 of planning permission CH/18/00810/FUL - To substitute drawings to reflect proposed addition of garages to Plots 1 and 2.

SDNP/20/01349/HOUS: Jasper, West Marden Hill, West Marden. Replace existing UPVC windows with timber framed and glazing bars in keeping to the original style and new font door, all to the North Elevation. Alterations to existing archway/brickwork.

E/20/00371/LBC: Jasmine Cottage, Bell Lane. Replacement water reed thatch to roof.

E/20/00998/FUL: 113 Second Avenue, Almodington. Erection of 2 no. semi-detached 4 bedroom chalet bungalows - alternative to planning permission - E/18/00578/FUL for change of use to 2no. dwellings and external works.

SDNP/20/01183/CND: Lowerfield House, Easebourne Street. Erection of detached double garage, plant store and studio above. (Variation of condition 1 and 3 from planning permission SDNP/14/02084/FUL- Garage deck enlarged to 3500mm x 4000mm and materials changed from timber to steel frame and composite decking).

SDNP/20/01492/CND: Sorrel Cottage, Duncton Common Road. Single storey extension to the north-west elevation with room in the roof and 2 no. dormers. 2 no. additional dormers to room over existing lounge on north-east and south-west elevations (Variation of condition 2 from planning permission SDNP/16/02535/HOUS - Omission of 2no. pitched roof dormer windows in lieu of 1no. rooflight).

SDNP/20/01510/TCA: Rose Cottage, School Lane. Notification of intention to prune back to previous pruning points on 1 no. Willow tree (T1) and fell 1 no. Norway Spruce tree (T2).

FU/20/00932/FUL: Bramley Barn, Scant Road, East Hambrook. Proposed stables for equestrian use.

SDNP/20/01258/HOUS: Chelsea Cottage, Graffham Street. Single storey side conservatory extension and new porch with associated roof alterations.

SDNP/20/01430/FUL: Glasses Barn, Graffham Common Road. Replacement of a single dwelling house using existing materials and demolition and rebuilding of a former Craft Barn to be retained as ancillary studio space for the house.

SDNP/20/01435/CND: Cartref, Graffham Common Road. Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 1 no. replacement dwelling and associated works (alternative scheme to previously approved replacement dwelling LPA ref. SDNP/17/05846/FUL) - Variation of Condition 1 of planning permission SDNP/19/04023/FUL - Amendments to approved drawings (Roof Finish & Windows).

SDNP/19/05715/FUL: Tracks adjacent to Freelands, A272 Croucham Lane to Linfold Road, Strood Green. Installation of 6 no. telegraph poles and 2 no. sections of underground ductwork along track (at The Mens Woodland path) connecting up approx. 455m of broadband cable to serve West Cottage and Freelands.

SDNP/20/01405/FUL: Barnetts Cottages, Fitzlea Wood Road, East Lavington. Demolition of two dwellings and replacement with one dwelling and associated annexe, restoration and relocation of timber outhouse, relocation of bridleway, landscape design and drainage works including balancing pond.

PS/20/00581/FUL: Hoveto, Dunsfold Road, Plaistow. Demolition of existing dwelling and proposed replacement dwelling with 3 bay carport.

PS/20/00724/DOM: Waldron, Chalk Road, Ifold. Single storey rear extension and new attached garage to front.

PS/20/00846/DOM: Siskins, 19 The Drive, Ifold. Erection of single storey front and side extensions and detached double garage following demolition of existing single garage, boundary wall and outbuilding. Erection of 1800 high close boarded boundary fence.

SY/20/00963/FUL: Instant Mailing Services Limited, Unit 3, Pulsar Business Park, Ellis Square. Change of use from B1 and B8 use to B1 and B8 or B2 (general industrial use for the repair and maintenance of motor vehicles only).

SY/20/01049/DOM: 17 Sunnymead Drive. Demolition of existing sunroom to rear elevation, replaced with new conservatory.

SI/20/00915/FUL: Jamic Nursery, Street End Lane. Demolition of 2 no. timber buildings and construction of 1 no. replacement timber building to be used for dog training, dog grooming, physiotherapy and business office and erection of 1 no. shed.

SI/20/00942/DOM: Quay House, Mill Lane. Alterations to ancillary building.

SI/20/00943/LBC: Quay House, Mill Lane. Alterations to ancillary building.

SDNP/20/01280/FUL: Cucumber Farm, A286 Cobblers Row To Middlefield. Replacement of existing agricultural barn and improvements to an existing access.

SB/20/00999/DOM: 6 Breach Avenue. Change the garage roof from a capped hip roof to a full gable. Change the bay window roof and the utility room roof from flat to gable. Infill of the void area behind the garage and the main house.

SB/20/01010/REM: Priors Orchard Development. Details of the layout, appearance, scale and landscaping of the proposed development of 157 dwellings approved under the outline planning permission SB/14/02800/OUT - (variation of Condition 5 (Landscaping) of planning permission SB/16/03018/REM) - Existing trees are required to be removed due to condition and safety.

SDNP/20/01563/APNB: Southgrounds Farm, Stopham Road. Prior approval for proposed erection of a general purpose farm building.

SDNP/20/01302/TPO: Land North of Little Orchard to Kresta, Diddybones Nap, Forestside. Fell 4 no. Ash trees (3, 4, 5 and 6) and fell 1 no. Wild Cherry tree (2). All trees within Area, A1 subject to SO/76/00967/TPO.

SDNP/20/01303/TPO: Land North East of Diddybones Knap, Diddybones Nap, Forestside. Fell 1 no. Beech tree (7) 1 no. and Whitebeam tree (11). Pollard 1 no. Oak tree (1) and coppice 1 no. Field Maple tree (6). All trees within Group, G1 subject to SO/72/00966/TPO.

WI/20/00959/DOM: Vivenda, The Street, Itchenor. Installation of 10 No. Photovoltaic Solar Panels to roof of existing garage.

WW/20/00688/FUL: Land North Of White Barn, Elms Lane. Open fronted agricultural barn for Cattle and Storage for equipment, feed and bedding.

WW/20/00914/FUL: 45 Marine Drive. Demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings and the construction of a new two storey house with one outbuilding.

WE/20/01029/TCA: Mill House, River Street. Notification of intention to crown reduce by 2m on 1 no. Walnut tree (T1).

WR/20/01036/PA3Q: Stroodlands Cottage, Newpound Lane. Prior Approval Application for Change of Use of Agricultural Building to Dwelling (C3).

Read more from the original source:
Chichester planning applications submitted to the district council and the South Downs National Park Authority - Midhurst and Petworth Observer

AMSTERDAM (JTA) Video calls werent really cutting it for Fiet Aussen, a 91-year-old widow who has spent the past six weeks in lockdown at this citys Jewish nursing home.

Nearly deaf, she isnt really able to use that technology to communicate with family members, who have been unable to visit her at Beth Shalom since it closed its doors in the middle of March because of the coronavirus. COVID-19 has killed 26 of its residents.

So her grandson, Timo Haaker, 26, decided to enlist a different kind of machinery.

He called Riwal, a Netherlands-based international company that specializes in crane machines, to inquire about renting one to lift Aussens relatives up to the window of her third-story apartment, the NIW Dutch-Jewish weekly reported Friday.

Riwal, which is owned by the Israeli-Dutch businessman Doron Livnat, lifted 12 of Aussens relatives up to her on April 15 for free and has offered to do the same for any family of residents at Beth Shalom who want to do the same.

Haaker told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that he did not know about Riwals Jewish connections. The company has been targeted by anti-Israel groups for its activity there.

To be honest, she couldnt really hear us on the crane, but it made her super happy, it filled her with new energy, said Haaker, a co-founder of the We Are Amsterdam tourism company, which he runs with his Israel-born partner, Guy Kuttner.

To minimize the cranes footprint on the street outside Beth Shalom, Riwal sent out one of its smallest units, which can only lift one person at a time. Each member of the Aussen clan had a quick chat of about three minutes with Fiet before being lowered and replaced by the next visitor, as onlookers snapped pictures and took videos of the scene on their cellphones.

The sun was shining, there was a great atmosphere and it was just a perfect day, Haaker said.

His mother is one of four children raised by Fiet and her late husband, Hans. They took Haakers mother into the family as a foster child when she was a teenager.

Fiet, who is not Jewish, moved in to Beth Shalom with Hans about a year ago. Hans was Jewish and had survived the Holocaust in hiding. He died in November.

In mid-March, Beth Shalom went into lockdown for fear of the coronavirus, but it was too late for many. To date, 26 of its 120 residents have succumbed to the virus and some are quarantined to their rooms, NIW reported. This made Beth Shalom the worst-hit place in the Dutch Jewish community by COVID-19, according to Esther Voet, the papers editor in chief.

One of Fiets best friends, also a Beth Shalom resident, died on April 13, possibly from the virus.

The infection rate at Beth Shalom made the Aussens increasingly worried about losing Fiet without getting to say goodbye, her grandson said.

Even without the virus, theres a chance that each visit will be the last when youre talking about a person in their 90s, Haaker said. And my grandmother has had lung issues in the past. So this concern about not getting to say goodbye was one of the main reasons I decided to put this together.

Original post:
At this Dutch Jewish nursing home, family visitors can be lifted by cranes to see their loved ones safely - JTA News

A very mild winter apparently did not assist contractors trying to seal up the many broken windows at St. Pauls, as they proposed additional project costs to the village, which were quickly challenged.

The Village Board decided to table an agenda item for its April 15 meeting calling for a change order that would drive up costs of the current stabilization phase at the historic St. Pauls main building. The identification of new broken windows at St. Pauls, during a very mild winter and while the community and country is under quarantine orders wasnt considered an accurate assessment of conditions warranting the expense. Furthermore the St. Pauls School Window Protection project would be under the supervision of the hired construction manager consultants CNY Group, represented by village resident Walter Beal at multiple Board meetings last year.

Superintendent of Public Works Joseph DiFrancisco said three project change orders were submitted by Talty Construction, Inc. at a total cost of $35,776.83; amounts of $19,043.43, $3,600, and $13,133.40, including charges for additional labor and materials.

The suggested total with change orders for the project awarded on January 9, 2020 and begun in early March would increase from $39,400 to $75,176.83.

The first change order ($3,600) submitted would be for aggregate material that was needed on the ground as there was an area where Taltys lift was sinking into the ground surrounding St. Pauls this was due to a building on that site that was removed (Ellis Hall, demolished by the village in 2014). They needed to secure the ground in order for their equipment to operate in that area, DiFrancisco said.

Trustee Stephen Makrinos immediately said it should not be the villages responsibility if the on-site equipment contractors are using and bringing in would sink into the ground. If they needed to prep a job site for work should this have not been in their bid price already? If they didnt price it then, shouldnt that be the contractors problem? Makrinos said.

The other change orders for Window Protection were also lambasted by board members.

The additional changer orders, respectively $13,133.40 and $19,043.43 were for additional windows that have broken since the job has started (less than eight weeks ago) and/or had been missed when the initial evaluation of the scope of Window Protection was done last year. The total amount of Change Orders submitted comes to $35,776 increasing the cost of the Window Protection to $75,176.83, DiFrancisco told the Board.

Members of the Board took exception that the new total amount could exceed the CNY budgeted amount of $69,000 by $6,176.83.

Trustee Mark Hyer was shocked that 29 additional broken windows have resulted over the last month, with no snow or harsh weather damage recorded in the coastal Northeast. He says there was poor oversight if these windows were missed upon initial inspections of St. Pauls.

I think we need to bring in Walter Beal of CNY Group in front of the Board to explain why this was miscalculated, Hyer said. DiFrancisco told the trustees he spoke with CNY the morning of the Board meeting, and they said there were at least 15 to 20 windows, a significant number that have broken since the beginning of March, when the job started. DiFrancisco says that would account for at least half the change orders in front of the Board now.

During a special Board of Trustees work session on St. Pauls, held September 12, 2019 with a lineup of consultants from Beyer Blinder Belle and CNY Group presenting on the initial Stabilization and Abatement stages, Beal commented that 60 broken windows of St. Pauls were to be addressed. The windows were either to be sealed with winter coming, or at least during temporary protection. The work as outlined was going to be handled by two separate crews, Beal explained, with one on the ground to cut the cracked or missing glass and another to install replacement material (either plexiglass or plywood boards).

Last September Beal told the Board the cost would be approximately $750 per window, including equipment, materials and caulking. The overall cost for the Stabilization phase including Window Protection and ivy removal was to run just under a million dollars, at $984,000.

At the same meeting back on January 9 that the Board awarded the Window Protection bid for St. Pauls it had rejected the sole bid for building stabilization from Westar Construction

Group, Inc. of Syosset as it came in $356,500 over the budgeted amount (as reported in The Garden City News January 17, 2020).

Deputy Mayor Robert Bolebruch said it was ludicrous to believe that CNY has an accurate picture to suggest that within a month, one window per day has broken at St. Pauls. Trustee Hyer said the historic property has been fenced in for most of the past one year.

We dont have 27 kids standing in front of St. Pauls and throwing rocks at the building. I would like to have a better explanation from CNY than that, Bolebruch commented.

Trustee Louis Minuto said when change orders this big could drive up project costs, nearly double the amount, Beal will need to present justification and an explanation of the issues to the Board. The other trustees concurred and the village will request his participation in the next Board of Trustees meeting.

If you look at the original project bids, the contractors price now is coming close to the other bids when Taltys was significantly under those (when the bid was awarded). You start to wonder. The broken window count is just arithmetic its just math. I would like Walter showing us the information and talking through these change orders, so that there is not just a blind approval, Minuto said.

Bolebruch added, lets just make sure we arent getting lowballed and then all of a sudden we ended up where the project is far over budget due to change orders.

Trustee Hyer noted that such surprises with contractors on the St. Pauls job suggesting higher prices could be the tip of the iceberg as we move forward with this.

We have to take another look at costs of stabilization and ivy (vine) removal and see if CNY is correct with what they presented. If all the estimates were lowballed, the price could end up three times what were expecting it to be, he said.

Read this article:
Board balks at St. Paul's window protection change orders - Garden City News

BEREA, Ohio -- I live a hop, skip and a jump from one of the five city-owned houses, all of which will undergo top-to-bottom renovation before they are put on the market.

The house Im mentioning today is at 115 Seminary St. (corner of Seminary and East Grand Street). Its two stories are clad in green shake shingles, and theres a plaque next to the front door designating its construction year as 1871.

Ive walked past the place many times and have long wondered what this vintage home looks like on the inside.

I was lucky enough to get a recent tour of the place, conducted by Jim Brown, Bereas administrator of operations, and Matt Madzy, the citys director of planning, engineering and development.

Renovation by Wallmack Properties LLC took several months and included the replacement of all electrical systems, all plumbing and repair or replacement of interior walls.

We salvaged as much (original) plaster as we could, Madzy said.

Thirty windows in the house also have been replaced, as have six exterior doors and all interior doors. I can tell you that many of the windows in this home are spectacularly large, offering expansive views both up and down nearby streets.

The 2,500-square-foot house has a first-floor in-law or master bedroom suite, three bedrooms on the second floor and two full baths. The fully renovated kitchen boasts granite countertops, hickory cabinets and vinyl plank flooring.

New appliances include a General Electric stainless steel dishwasher and stainless gas range with center griddle and broiler.

The roof was replaced around 2012, along with the furnace and hot water tank, Madzy said, adding that the houses 30 oversize windows have been replaced, as have door trim and baseboards -- all in what he describes as more the old-style scale size than what you would see in a new home.

All of that is impressive enough, but whats harder to describe is a certain grandeur that many of these 19th century houses have -- and this place certainly has it.

A few finishing touches are still needed before the house is ready to sell, Madzy said, explaining that Berea City Council recently passed legislation approving its sale.

Proceeds from the sale of this home will be used to renovate the next house -- all of them former rentals. The Seminary Street home "will be on the market very soon, Madzy said.

And the price? No firm amount has been set yet, Madzy said, adding that it will probably be in the mid-two-hundred-thousands.

Hmm. Now, if I can just come up with a winning lottery ticket.

Pantrys new rules: Now that spring has arrived, St. Thomas Church, 50 E. Bagley Road in Berea, will host its first mobile food pantry in the parking lot behind the church.

Since a lot more people will be showing up because of this virus (COVID-19), the church pantry operation will be following the State of Ohios cautionary directions, said Beverly Smith, St. Thomas mobile pantry coordinator.

She said clients will not be permitted to pick their own items, but will remain in their cars. Produce and other food items contributed by the Cleveland FoodBank will be placed directly into the vehicles trunks.

We will be unable to sign people in to the Pantry Track system, so all clients will receive the same amount of fruits and vegetables, Smith said.

Teenagers who are not attending school due to school closures will gather the food on carts and deliver it to a driveway exit from the church on Seminary Street.

No one on foot will be permitted on the premises. Customers must also wear face masks when approaching the pickup spot in accordance with suggestions from the State of Ohio.

Volunteers over the age of 65 years will not be permitted on the premises of the church parking lot. The St. Thomas church building will not be open and all transactions will take place as outlined above.

Deans Award: Berea-Midpark High School graduate Brenelly Diaz Soto has earned the Deans Award at Colgate University.

Soto, a member of the Colgate class of 2022, earned the fall 2019 Deans Award for Academic Excellence. Students who qualify for the Deans Award must receive a grade point average of 3.3 or higher while completing at least three courses.

Aid for seniors: The City of Middleburg Heights has partnered with local faith-based organizations to aid seniors and those in need to obtain supplies during the coronavirus pandemic.

If a resident is unable on his or her own, or with the help of family and friends, to get food or other necessities, please call 440-234-2255.

The citys call center staff will be ready to answer the phone from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. Monday through Friday.

The city, at its website, has also provided a list of Middleburg Heights restaurants currently providing carryout and delivery options, along with a list of Middleburg Heights businesses currently hiring.

Gammella goes online: Brook Park residents can view Mayor Mike Gamellas COVID-19 address, Our Nation and City are Facing Critical Times, online here.

Metroparks safety: Residents of Berea, Brook Park and Middleburg Heights are finding the nearby Cleveland Metroparks, which have been designated an essential service, to be an outdoor respite during these days of sequestering at home and social distancing.

As such, Brian Zimmerman, Cleveland Metroparks CEO, is online to address proper use of the Metroparks to ensure everyones safety during their Metroparks visit.

Read more from the News Sun.

Go here to read the rest:
Berea house offers oodles of 19th century charm: Around The Town - cleveland.com

Public Services and Procurement Canada has further scaled back ongoing construction work on a range of federal projects since Ontario announced its moratorium on construction in the province, but renovations to the historic Centre Block building continue to crawl ahead.

Based on our own assessments, we had started to demobilize some sites ahead of the announcements made by the Government of Ontario [on April 3], explained Michle LaRose, media relations for Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), in an email to The Hill Times.

Following this announcement, we demobilized additional sites to align with the governments revised directives. In all, 85 projects [in the parliamentary precinct] have been demobilized [to date].

On April 3, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that, as of April 4, all industrial construction in the province would be halted for the next two weeks, except for projects deemed essential services, like those related to health care facilities and critical infrastructure (like transit), among others.

As reported by The Hill Times in late March, PSPCwhich acts as custodian of Parliaments buildings and is responsible for federal infrastructure and work spaces generallybegan adjusting its operations after federal work-from-home orders were issued in mid-March.

At that time, the department said it was limiting work in occupied buildings to emergency work only. But it signalled that exterior work and renovations in unoccupied buildings, like Centre Block, would continue, albeit with modifications, including: staggering breaks; additional cleaning of equipment and shared facilities; reducing and limiting the size of construction teams on site to avoid workers being in close proximity; new face covering protocols; and making handwashing facilities and hand sanitizer available on work sites.

As a general construction requirement, all workers are required to wear personal protective equipment at all times to perform their work, which includes gloves. The nature of the work performed, as well as the large footprint of the construction sites, enables social distancing to be applied on site, explained Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anands (Oakville, Ont.) press secretary, Cecely Roy, last month.

Further changes have been made since Mr. Fords announcement, according to PSPC.

Although federal projects do not fall under provincial authority, Public Services and Procurement Canada is reducing its construction activity across the province in the spirit of inter-jurisdictional co-operation and to demonstrate leadership in our collective efforts to flatten the curve in alignment with the advice of Canadian public health offices, said the department.

The approximately 85 projects temporarily demobilized so far range in size and nature, falling into three general categories, according to PSPC.

First, theres interior fit-ups. Demobilized projects in this category include work to offices carved out for parliamentary administration at 50 OConnor St., where interim office space has been leased to accommodate people displaced by other precinct work. This list also includes retail and operational space fit-up in the Wellington Building, where work was ongoing to ready retail spaces (which are set to be leased out) along Sparks Street on the buildings ground floor.

Another category of impacted projects are interior improvements. Drywall repairs and patchwork renovations inside the East Block building, which remains occupied by some 40 Senators and staff, have been paused, as have ceiling and radiator repairs in the Confederation Building, among other things.

Finally, some projects dealing with exterior repairs have been paused, including window sealing work on the Justice Building, window replacement and repairs on the Confederation Building, and exterior renovations on the National Press Building at 150 Wellington St.

Work on the Centre Block and East Block will continue in unoccupied spaces, said the department, so, too, will necessary repair and maintenance work required for the safe operations of parliamentary facilities.

Health and safety remain the top considerations. Over the past month, PSPC has worked closely with industry leaders and associations to move the industry toward stringent health and safety protocols in the context of COVID-19, based on prevention, detection, and response, said Stfanie Hamel, another member of PSPCs media relations team, noting that the department was an active participant in the development of the Canadian Construction Associations standardized protocols for construction sites in Canada amid COVID-19, the latest version of which was released on April 16.

Aside from interior patchwork, ongoing work on the East Block buildingbumped out of of necessity ahead of the buildings full renovationincludes masonry restoration, roof replacement and repair, and restoration of iron work.

Work inside the Centre Block building is currently focused on demolition work and the abatement of hazardous substances, like asbestos, in particular on floors four through six. Outside the building, excavation work is underway to prepare for the construction of the final phase of Parliament Hills new underground Visitors Welcome Centre.

The final design plans, budget, and timeline for Centre Blocks overall renovation have yet to be finalized or announced. To date, more than $770-million in contracts related to the buildings renovation have been awarded, and overall, roughly $4.5-billion in spending has been approved for the precincts renovation.

lryckewaert@hilltimes.com

The Hill Times

Originally posted here:
PSPC further scales back construction projects, but work on Centre Block continues - The Hill Times

The Board of Selectmen (BOS) approved two maintenance projects for Guilfords schools, with work expected to begin right away on repairing more than 60 non-functioning windows in Adams Middle School, and beginning the process of replacing the football field and track at Guilford High School, which likely wont be completed until 2021.

Director of Operations and Facilities Cliff Gurnham told the BOS at a virtual meeting that the synthetic turf field had exceeded its life expectancy by about six years, and while it was still usable, it needs replacement.

The field itself gets inspected every year and tested every year to ensure that it meets all the requirements that you can have regular play on it...Its in good working order, its just really getting worn out, Gurnham said.

The BOS approved a contract with New Britain-based architectural firm Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc., for design of the field at a cost of $17,500.

Kaestle Boos previously consulted with the town in 2018 when another synthetic turf field failed and was replaced under warranty. The cost for that field was approximately $1.1 million. Gurnham said the town was likely to go to bid for the construction phase of the project in March or February 2021, in consultation with the Board of Education.

The windows at Adams Middle School, which have been essentially non-functional for some time due to a failure of the mechanism that guides and keeps them from falling, will be repaired while students are currently out of class, Gurnham said.

That project was awarded to Rocky Hill-based Millenium Builders at a cost of about $53,000, though Gurnham said the town has been working to get reimbursed for some of the original cost due to the failure.

According to Gurnham, the windows were replaced in 2009 by a company that is no longer in business. Subsequently the balance mechanisms on many windows that kept them from falling or moving unexpectedly failed, creating an extreme safety concern.

Many windows are permanently closed, and general policy is that windows in the school are not opened at all, according to Gurnham.

Though the windows are not being replaced, the labor and cost is higher due to the fact the windows have to be disassembled to replace the mechanisms.

That project is funded through a 2013-14 bond referendum, according to documents provided by the town.

Read the rest here:
Guilford Approves Window Maintenance on Adams, Replacement of GHS Field - Zip06.com

By Denise Fleischer | on April 20, 2020

Sahara Window and Doors showroom is at 150 S. Main St., Mount Prospect. The American Thermal Window showroom is at 5304 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

A major element in home improvement is window and door replacement. While kitchen and bathroom renovations seem to be high on homeowners lists, improving indoor air quality and long-term savings are just as important to factor in.

According to Iver Johnson, Sr., owner of American Thermal Window of Chicago and Sahara Window and Doors of Mount Prospect, todays window manufacturers frequently upgrade their products to provide higher energy ratings and that translates into lower heating and cooling costs. Wood, vinyl and aluminum windows are currently being used for both new homes and upgrades.

Both locations have crews that professionally install nine window lines, including Marvin and Pella. They have a minimum of eight years installation experience.

When it comes to doors, 58 door styles are offered with 36 paint and stain combinations and 200 glass options. Homeowners are choosing fiberglass for outside doors for its durability. Johnson carries Simpson Doors that are produced in the United States and come in solid oak, birch, cherry and poplar, as well as other woods.

Custom patio doors are also offered. Youll find designer glass and grids and custom cuts. Check out the steel security storm doors, as well.

Johnson recommends homeowners research a business before a sale is made. Find out if it has a long-standing in the community and provides service after installation as well as a warranty. Angies List has awarded Johnsons companies the Super Service Award and they have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Sahara Window and Doors showroom is at 150 S. Main St., Mount Prospect. The American Thermal Window showroom is at 5304 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Visit the website atsaharawindowanddoors.com/andamericanthermalwindow.com/

Here is the original post:
When It's Time To Replace Your Home's Windows And Doors, Call Sahara Window And Doors - Journal & Topics Newspapers Online

Windows 7 and Windows 10 aren't bad operating systems. In fact, they are both quite good. Unfortunately, since Windows 7 is no longer supported, some of its users are stuck in a conundrum. They have to decide whether to use an unsupported Windows 7 or upgrade to Windows 10 that is full of telemetry and other "spying" that passes their information to Microsoft's servers.

Well, I am happy to say there is another option -- switch to Linux. Yes, modern Linux-based operating systems will be supported (unlike Windows 7) and most will run great on aging hardware (unlike Windows 10). Linux Lite is one of the best Linux distributions for Windows-switchers, as it is lightweight, modern, and familiar. Today, the first release candidate of Linux Lite 5.0 becomes available, and it is based on the bleeding-edge Ubuntu 20.04. It even comes with modern software, such as Linux kernel 5.4.0,Gimp 2.10.18,Thunderbird 68.7.0, Firefox 75.0, andVLC 3.0.9.

ALSO READ:Apple Music on the web is no longer in beta -- including on Linux

"Linux Lite 5.0 RC1 is now available for testing. This is the most feature rich, complete Linux Lite release to date.This is the release many people have been waiting for. We will go into greater details for each new feature, the why's and what's in the Final release announcement. In lieu of any specific instructions, the new in-built Help Manual will have instructions for all of our new features," says Jerry Bezencon, Linux Lite Creator.

Bezencon shares significant changes below.

If you are interested in testing or playing with Linux Lite 5.0 RC1, you can download the operating system here. Keep in mind, this is pre-release software, so you shouldn't replace Windows with it -- yet. Instead, you should use the release candidate now for testing to see if you like it. Then, if you feel you can switch from Windows to Linux, you should wait for the final version of Linux Lite 5.0 before making the jump.

Link:
Ubuntu 20.04-based Linux Lite 5.0 RC1 is here to replace Windows on your PC - BetaNews

The Beacon Hill Architectural Commissionapproved an application for an extensive renovation of the Boston Athenaeumsnorth faade and terrace on Thursday, April 16, at its monthly hearing, whichwas held virtually in the face of COVID-19.

Theapplicant, Matthew Bronski, a principal with the Waltham engineering firmSimpson Gumpertz & Heger, said the intended restoration would include apatchwork replacement of brownstone on the faade of 10 Beacon St. using a range of natural stone custom to thestone were replacing.

Theproposed terrace work would include the reconstruction of a leaning terraceretaining wall, as well as the replacement of a non-code-compliant bronzerailing that sits atop the basement stairwell at the staff entrance, Bronskisaid.

Its very exciting that youre going torestore the building to that level of quality, said Miguel Rosales, commissionchair.

Approval of this application came with theprovisos that staff approve a mock-up of the custom stone replacement, and thatthe size of the new railing match an existing one located in the back of thebuilding facing the historic Granary Burying Ground cemetery.

The commission also approved as proposedanother application for the Athenaeum to make small alterations to the front bronzedoors and interior leather doors.

Thisis part of a larger project to renovate the interior lobby and expand into 14Beacon St., said the applicant, Stewart Marshall, a senior associate withBoston-based Schwartz/Silver Architects.

The commission voted to deny withoutprejudice an application to install a small vent for a new boiler at the frontfaade of 16 Beacon St., which is home to the Boston Bar Association, andencouraged the applicant to explore other options instead.

Inanother matter, the commission approved an application for 35 Beacon St. forthe removal and replacement of six storm windows on the fourth floor of thefront faade, and to fabricate and install wood sills to replace deterioratingsills in kind, with the proviso that the applicant submit drawings to staffshowing the windows to scale.

The commission also approved an applicationfor 10 Charles River Square to replace five wood six-over-six windows in thefront faade in kind and additional aluminum-clad six-over-six windows in theback-alley facade, as well as to paint the front door red.

This came with provisos that the applicantuse true divided-light windows in the main facade; and that the shade of paintfor the door match the red color found on other existing doors at 7 and 15Charles River Square and be subject to staff approval for historic integrity.

In regard to an application for 52 BeaconSt. that was continued from Feb. 20, the commission approved the installationof a slanted, sliding glass access hatch at the roof-deck below the existingrailing to minimize its visibility from the Boston Common.

Thecommission approved an application for 73 Mt. Vernon St. to add a seasonalplanter, a stone garden bench, granite pavers and a pea-stone path at the frontyard, with minor provisos regarding the style of the bench and the installationof bronze recessed well lighting at that location.

Also, the commission approved an applicationfor the replacement of a roof-deck at 99 Pinckney St., with the proviso thattwo existing 2-foot bump-outs on either side of the deck be removed to make itflush. and that a fascia also be added along its perimeter.

Regardingan application for 104 Mount Vernon St. to rebuild a front brick wall andinstall a new handrail, as well as to recast the stone sills at the sidefaade, the commissions approval came with provisos that spindles for thehandrail be reduced in number to minimize penetrations of the historic granitesteps, and that the drawings of the handrail and side faade with modified granitecorner detailing be submitted to staff for approval.

The commission also approved an applicationto install a light fixture above the front door of 17A Branch St., with provisothat staff approve the style of the fixture with smaller dimensions to avoidencroaching into the sidewalk, and that the applicant submit drawings to scaleof it to staff.

On aviolation at 5 West Cedar St., the commission voted unanimously to ratifyunapproved no trespassing signage, which would eliminate public access toAcorn Street, with the provisos that brickwork be repaired, and that anothersign located beneath the signage in question be removed.

Inresponse to the commissions determination, Eve Waterfall, chair of the BeaconHill Civic Association board of directors, wrote: The Beacon Hill CivicAssociation empathizes with the residents of Acorn Street, and we havesuggested several ideas to limit intrusive tourist visits to Acorn Street, butunfortunately certain Acorn Street residents have chosen to post No Trespassingsigns instead, even though we believe the public has a long-standing right towalk along this street. Despite assurances that the No Trespassingsigns are intended for tourists and not local residents, we are worried thatthis step may lead to future closure of this street by gates or otherbarriers.

The Beacon Hill Civic Association is verydisappointed that the Beacon Hill Architectural Commission did not follow itsown regulatory guidelines and has improperly decided to allow the closure ofAcorn Street to the general public, an historic and iconic street onBeaconHill that has been open to the public for over 150 years,Waterfall added.

Thecommission also voted to ratify a violation for 54 Pinckney St. for unapprovedwork at the front faade, which included repairing cracks in a lintel, sillsand a step; replacing the doorbell and exterior lantern; and painting the frontdoor and trim to match existing.

In contrast, the commission voted to denythe ratification of a violation for 4 Pinckney St. regarding unapproved work atthe rear of the property and the installation of an unapproved granite slab andshoe scraper near the front door.

The commission also heard an advisoryreview for 2 Beaver Place, with proposed work including the addition of awindow in a currently bricked-up window area, along with the installation ofan access door on the side faade.

View post:
Level of Quality: BHAC Approves Renovation of Athenaeums Faade and Terrace - Beacon Hill Times