Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

GREENVILLE When it comes to aircraft firefighting and rescue operations, the stakes are enormous.That's why it's so vital to provide instructional programs to promote and ensure safety.

One of the most promising and comprehensive training centers in the Midwest and beyond is based in the Fox Cities.

The new Fox Valley Technical College Airport Rescue and Firefighting training facility, a partnership with the Appleton International Airport, began booking trainees in June. It is locatedjust north of the FVTC public safety training center.

"It is a big deal," said Abe Weber, director of the Appleton airport. "You can get a plethora of training in one environment to prepare for the worst-case scenario."

The operation, headed by FVTC instructor Ben Sokol, is a $10-plus million facility that was financed with federal and state grants. It's billed as the only one of its kind in the Midwest and it offers an exhaustive list of protocols that provide a wealth of specialized aircraft rescue and firefighting instruction.

The training, which is required by the FAA for live firefighting,also offers instruction for new airport firefighters, fire truck drivers and operators of airport firefighting apparatus, municipal firefighters who assist airport firefighters, and first responders.

The training field provides hands-on training scenarios on a Boeing 777 and aCessna Skyhawktraining prop.They areseton a spill-fire areaof 96 individually controlled fire zones.

The props are designed to provide realistic situations in which trainees learn proper techniques to approach and attack aircraft fires.

"There's a lot of different aspects to this," Sokol said. "There could be a fuel spill or there could bea large fire under fuselage, wheel well firesor small fires inside the aircraft.

"These things don't happen often, but we need to be prepared for it, Sokol said.

RELATED:Gulfstream opens its new service center at Appleton International Airport, expects to create 200 jobs

RELATED:Appleton International Airport gets $10.4 million to build fire and rescue training center

RELATED:FVTC pays airport $131,000 to use land

Adjunct professor and Grand Chute firefighter Jeremy Hanson remotely lights an engine fire on a simulated Boeing 777 during a training session at the ATW ARFF Training Center located at Fox Valley Technical Colleges Public Safety Training Center on Thursday, July 16, 2020, in Greenville, Wis. The ATW ARFF Training Center is used for aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) training.Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

If a problem develops on an aircraftwhen it's coming in to land, an emergency would be declared and the rescue crew would respond when it is safely on the ground, he said.

"It is high stress," Sokol said. "It's a specialized form of firefighting, learning how to drive on airfield."

There is one traditionalclassroom and one classroom in theapparatus bay. In addition, there is asecond-floor control room. Instructors operate the props from there.

From the control room, Sokol can simulate fires on the Boeing 777, along with otherpotential problems on the aircraft.

"We can remove doors, cockpit controls and go through the 777. (Trainees)need to know the aircraft inside and out," he said.

"There are noactual fires, but there ishands-on training. We can create small to massive fuel fires, and ... smaller fires outside."

There also is a class for drivers and operators of firefighting equipment and apparatus. "We do everything from learning how to drive on streets to settingup apparatus," Sokol said.

"If there is an aircraft emergency, (crews) must adhere to instructions onunderstanding an airfield, aircraft hazards, how many people on are board, and how they will get off."

Sokol said the training program has drawn considerable interest from departments in Wisconsin and Illinois, and he expects the numbers to expand. He also has heard from departments as far away as Arizona.

The program was developed after a similar trainingfacility in Duluth, Minnesota, was closed.We picked upthe ball, and were running with it. Sokol said.

Weber, the Appleton International Airport director, said the early results are promising.

It's pointing to a very successful operation, he said, adding that it has been an important addition to Appleton International.

"Were a smaller airport," Weber said. "When we have an emergency here, we rely on mutual aid from nearby communities. Now, we can introduce those who respond to structural fires to approaching airliners."

Andy Thompson can be reached at 920-996-7270 or by email at awthompson@postcrescent.com.

In a nutshell

Fox Valley Technical College Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting training facility

Classes include:

On the Web

https://www.fvtc.edu/Training-Services/Public-Safety-Training/Aircraft-Rescue-and-Fire-Fighting-ARFF

Andy Thompson can be reached at 920-996-7270 or by email at awthompson@postcrescent.com

Read or Share this story: https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/2020/08/11/aircraft-firefighter-training-appleton-airport-shows-great-promise/5521583002/

Read more:
'It is a big deal': Aircraft firefighting training operation at Appleton airport gaining foothold in Midwest and beyond - Post-Crescent

On Friday afternoon, Steelers veteran tight end a Vance McDonald joined in a fan forum call through Steelers Nation Unite. Taking questions from fans over the phone, Vance McDonald mentioned his new teammate in the tight end room, Eric Ebron, on multiple occasions.

McDonald was asked about the addition of Ebron and what its like getting to work together with him and Ben Roethlisberger.

I appreciate what he brings to the tight end position in the league the last seven years that Ive been around, McDonald said of Ebron. Its been really neat to have him here.

One of the things McDonald mentioned was trying to get as much work as possible for Ebron with his new quarterback so they can also establish the necessary connections.

Allowing him to get as much with Ben (Roethlisberger) as possibly can to just build that relationship because hes going to come in and do really big things for the offense this year. Im really excited at the direction were headed again.

Both McDonald and Ebron are coming off disappointing seasons in 2019. McDonald appeared in 14 games for the Steelers and only had 273 receiving yards on 38 receptions. As for Ebron, his 2019 season was cut short due to injury. In only 11 games with the Indianapolis Colts, Ebron had 375 yards on 31 receptions which was exactly half of his 2018 yardage production.

When discussing the upcoming season, MacDonald mentioned what another weapon in the arsenal from the tight end position could mean for him and other receivers on the Steelers.

With the addition of Eric Ebron, McDonald explained, I certainly think that this skill set that he brings to the position itll be really really fun to watch him. And again too, that only helps me, that only helps guys like to JuJu (Smith-Schuster), James Washington, Diontae (Johnson), and so I think its gonna be really fun. Its always fun whenever you add something on offense that you didnt have the year before, not necessarily because you begin hit goals that you wanted, which we did but Im just saying its just always fun to sort of get a new weapon. So with Eric, like I said earlier, it will be fun to see where we head in terms of production on offense.

Bringing back production from the tight end position is something which McDonald seems to wisely embrace. In 2019, the Steelers did not even have as many receiving yards from all of their tight ends as McDonald had himself the previous year. Hopefully with the addition of Ebron, the Steelers can get back to their 2018 form where the tight end position accounted for more than 1,000 receiving yards.

Read more from the original source:
Vance McDonald discusses the Steelers new weapon in the tight end room - Behind the Steel Curtain

HPT-FromFiles-33-20

Celebration for Kids - - The Caribou Cares About Kids Parade Thursday, Aug. 17 at 6 pm will be one of the many scheduled events for area children during the Caribou Cares About Kids celebration Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 16-19. Pictured here is Sparky the Fire Dog walking the parade route greeting children along the way. (Ketch 1995)(File photo/1970)

Celebration for Kids - - The Caribou Cares About Kids Parade Thursday, Aug. 17 at 6 pm will be one of the many scheduled events for area children during the Caribou Cares About Kids celebration Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 16-19. Pictured here is Sparky the Fire Dog walking the parade route greeting children along the way. (Ketch 1995)(File photo/1970)

100 Years Ago - Aug. 18, 1920Addition to business The Houlton Machine and Repair Co., have recently installed a public gasoline tank in front of their place of business on Mechanic Street.

100 Years Ago Aug. 18, 1920

Addition to business The Houlton Machine and Repair Co., have recently installed a public gasoline tank in front of their place of business on Mechanic Street.

Business trip Arthur O. Putnam was in Fort Fairfield Monday on business for the Putnam Hardware Co.

75 Years Ago Aug. 16, 1945

Pay tribute Arthur G. Vose was guest of honor at a farewell dinner in the Silver Room of the Northland Hotel August 9 on the occasion of his retirement as manager of the Houlton area of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, after more than 50 years service in its employ. About 65 officials and employees of the company, representing the various departments, who had been associated with him for many years, gathered to pay him homage, coming from several Aroostook towns as well as all over the state and Boston office.

50 Years Ago Aug. 19, 1970

Receives certificate Richard Biegger, executive director of the Houlton Regional Development Corporation, received his certificate of completion from the Industrial Development Institute Friday in ceremonies held at the University of Oklahoma at Norman, Oklahoma.

Given key position Leighton W. Dudley, a native of Houlton, has been appointed Deputy Secretary Corrections for the newly created Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. He is the son of Mrs. Mildred J. Dudley of Houlton and the late John Perley Dudley.

25 Years Ago Aug. 16, 1995

Receives donation Portland Glass, on North Street in Houlton, recently donated $623 to the Houlton Humane Society. There for the presentation were employee Bonnie Rairdon, Cathy Surran of the Humane Society, Manager Pat Crowley and employee Roger Rairdon.

Aid to Foundation The annual County Open Charity Golf and Dinner-Raffle was held this past weekend. Paul Forest received a check for $25,000 from Bob Anderson to benefit the Houlton Regional Health Foundation.

Thank you for reading your 4 free articles this month. To continue reading, and support local, rural journalism, please subscribe.

Continue reading here:
Houlton area From our Files Week of August 10, 2020 - The County

Diversity in Oregon means that in addition to the important conversations people, businesses and government agencies in Eugene and Springfield are having about policing and race, local law enforcement also needs to look at cultural diversity, such as the LGBTQIA community, who often dont feel protected by the police.

Tim Morris, who ran for Eugene City Council earlier this year, says that as someone who identifies as LGBTQIA, he doesnt feel like a lot happens when he contacts the police department for issues such as harassment. I feel like unless theres significant danger to my life, I tend to just not contact the police. I have contacted the police after being harassed and I was basically told, Good luck with that, and hung up on.

According to UCLAs Williams Institute, Oregon has the largest number of individuals who identify as LGBTQIA in the U.S., and many of them live in Eugene. But its hard to say if law enforcement reflects that demographic because as in most other professions, the sexual orientation and gender identity of police officers isnt information that is collected by the departments.

When asked about LGBTQIA representation, the Lane County Sheriffs Office said, We do not collect that information from employees in our organization. The Eugene Police Departments LGBTQIA liaison is Det. Chris White, who said that while he can think of people from command staff to line staff who are a part of the LGBTQIA community, EPD doesnt take a head count, either.

Deputy Chief Stacy Jepson, who identifies as an LGBTQIA employee at EPD, says she can understand why showing the community just how diverse the police department is can help accountability. The more transparent we can be as a police department, the better off we are. I certainly think that showing the community that we demographically represent them is very important.

Jepson returned to her hometown of Eugene last year after 23 years at the Hillsboro Police Department. Jepson says that she has seen the police force culture change significantly since she first started policing in the 90s just as society has. While it took her many years to come out to her coworkers, she says the importance of her different perspective, both as a female and LGBTQIA officer, is very important.

Law enforcement is predominantly a male-run industry so I have that female perspective that is also different, Jepson says. I also come from a different sexual orientation than most of the people I work with, so it gives me a different voice in the room. And a very important one.

Creating a more diverse police force begins with recruiting, which can often be difficult for a field that has discriminated against the LGBTQIA community. Even though transgender people are more likely to be victims of violent crime than non-transgender people, more than 57 percent of respondents to the 2019 U.S. Transgender Survey feel uncomfortable calling the police for help when they need it.

In response to Eugene Weeklys questions, EPDs recruitment team says in a statement, We have implemented removing names, age, sex and race information from our testing process, to reduce potential risk of biases. It says that, events like the Orlando dance club mass shooting make communities more aware of the discrimination and vulnerability of our LGBTQIA community. These incidents are a time when outreach to our local community is critical.

EPDs recruitment team hired a full-time recruitment and background officer in January geared toward diversity, inclusion and equality, according to the statement. It says that EPD partners with minority police associations and that the recruitment team has participated in events including the Women in Public Safety Career Fair, the Eugene Pride Festival, the Eugene Asian Celebration and the Eugene Womens half marathon.

LGBTQIA awareness extends not just to the officers employed but to the policies they enact. For example, the policy on recording information during an arrest states that the information to be recorded should include the race, ethnicity, age and sex of pedestrian or operator of the motor vehicle stopped, based on the observations of the law enforcement officer responsible for reporting the stop.

The policy does not require officers to ask what an individuals pronouns are. When asked, Jepson responds that if officers are collecting information on individuals it needs to be accurate, and that there is room for improvement in those areas.

The LGBTQIA community interacts with police at a high rate because it has been one of the most targeted groups for both violent and non-violent hate crimes in Oregon. Twenty-six percent of all hate crimes in Eugene in 2018 were related to sexual orientation or gender identity.

I often dont feel safe in Eugene. Theres people that drive by and scream slurs at me. Theres certain parts of the city Im just not welcome in, Morris says. And a part of the reason for that is a lack of safety from the police department.

Additionally, six of the 10 hate crimes involving physical violence in 2018 were motivated by the sexual orientation of the victim, according to the city of Eugenes 2018 Hate and Bias Report. The percentage of physical violence cases motivated by the sexual orientation of the victims more than doubled in comparison to 2017, the report says.

Jepson says the challenges that come with identifying as LGBTQIA have still affected her and others, both in the workplace and society. I know several male gay officers that really have struggled to come out and share who they are and be open about who they are. I worked with one for a very, very long time that I knew he was gay but no one else did and he was really reticent to share that. So I think that still exists and theres still room for growth in that area.

Read more:
The Blue in the Rainbow - Eugene Weekly

The reinvigorated condo community in Monmouth County is now sold out of Building 4 and Building 5 is selling fast.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (PRWEB) August 13, 2020

The temperature and sales pace for new homes are both heating up at Nobility Crest in Ocean Township! The 55+ luxury condominium community recently announced that the first building, Building 4, is now sold out and Building 5 is selling fast. To learn more or to schedule your one-on-one or virtual appointment, call 732-361-4982 or visit NobilityCrest55.com. All in-person appointments will follow all state-mandated guidelines to guarantee the safety of staff and future residents.

Residents at Nobility Crest are reaping the benefits of the $1M redesign and renovation of their pool and amenity area. With a beach-entry pool, sundeck, shaded pergolas, barbeque areas, fire pit and more, owners are having the time of their lives. "This community offers the carefree lifestyle our savvy buyers have worked for," said Robert Adinolfi, Chief Operating Officer at Renaissance Properties. "It's the perfect combination of luxurious, thoughtfully-designed living space and exciting on-site and off-site amenities that draws people to Nobility Crest and continues to delight them year after year."

Take advantage of all the wonderful onsite amenities that Nobility Crest has to offer. The community showcases a low-maintenance lifestyle with access to a 4,300 sq. ft. Lifestyle Center with a fitness center, business center, lounge, library, large multi- purpose room, media room, billiard and card rooms. Each new building will also add either a club room with billiards, a fitness room or an all-purpose room. For those with furry friends, a new dog park will also be constructed onsite.

In addition to ample on-site amenities, the Jersey Shore location of Nobility Crest put owners at the center of it all. Nearby shopping includes everything from groceries at Shop Rite just 1.3 miles away to incredible deals on world-famous designer goods at the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets less than three miles away. Need some beach therapy? Make a quick left onto Route 66 and you'll be at the Asbury Park Beach and Boardwalk in under four miles. Your family and guests will also appreciate the easy access from both Route 18 and the Garden Parkway when they come by to see your fabulous new home.

"It's such a point of pride among the residents to have their on-site oasis away from it all' along with the added comfort of knowing that most everything they need is just a short trip away," said Adinolfi. "Nobility Crest checks all the boxes: luxury, lifestyle and location and savvy buyers are taking note."

On the heels of the sellout of Building 4, Nobility Crest, from Renaissance Properties and Blue Star Group, opened its second new building, the fifth of six total buildings that will ultimately complete the 198-unit Nobility Crest. This new building features one- and two-bedroom home designs including some new model types priced from the low $300s.

All homes highlight open living spaces, spacious master suites, and appealing, designer-selected finishes. In addition, each home comes with an assigned parking spot and storage space in a secure, well-lit enclosed garage that enjoys elevator access to and from each floor.

Nobility Crest is located at 7 Centre Street in Ocean Township. Take Route 66 to Cedar Village Boulevard and make a left on Centre Street. To learn more, visit NobilityCrest55.com or email nobilitycrestinfo@renaprop.com. The Sales Center is now open, schedule an appointment from 11am to 6pm daily. To learn more, please call 732-361-4982.

About Renaissance Properties

Since its creation nearly 30 years ago, Renaissance Properties has evolved from a small real estate brokerage company to a multi-faceted real estate development firm and home builder with over 1,000 new homes and nearly 800,000 square feet of commercial space to its credit. The dedicated team at Renaissance Properties works tirelessly to ensure quality, integrity and customer satisfaction in all its endeavors. With distinctive designs and accommodating layouts, new home buyers and tenants alike are delighted with the product offered by Renaissance Properties. To learn more, visit RenaissanceProp.com.

About Blue Star Group

With over 80 years of combined experience in home building excellence and customer satisfaction, the Blue Star Group, LLC is recognized as one of Staten Island's foremost builders. Since its inception in 1976, Blue Star has received continual acclaim both from homebuyers and respected industry associations. Blue Star's standards are set at the highest levels of home design, building materials and craftsmanship to consistently deliver on its promise of bringing the best value to its deserving customers.

Sales are heating up at Nobility Crest in Ocean Township

For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/sales_are_heating_up_at_nobility_crest_in_ocean_township/prweb17322390.htm

View post:
Sales are heating up at Nobility Crest in Ocean Township - Benzinga

An artist's rendering of the American Indian-style luxury tipis being built at the new Camp Bespoke "glamping'' campgrounds in Williamstown, Ky. that will rent for $225 a night.(Photo: Provided)

You wont find any makeshift shelters at the new Camp Bespoke campground openingthis fall in Williamstown, Ky.

The 31-acre site about 40 miles south of Cincinnati specializes in glamping or camping with hotel-like accommodations and amenities, including air conditioning and private bathrooms stocked with scented toiletries.

The $3 million campground is designed to be so plush that campers who so choose could wear a long fur coat of mink, even in the summertime, as Shelia E. chanted in her 1984 smash hit, The Glamorous Life.

Co-Founder and CEO Nicole Brassington said the concept behind Camp Bespoke is to let guests enjoy all that nature has to offer without the grit, grime and inconveniences of traditional camping.

"I'm not a camper, so the thought of going to the bathroom in the middle of the night when it's raining outside, or animals are roaming around just isn't appealing to me,'' Brassington told The Enquirer. "What we offer is still camping, but it's camping with all the accommodations you might have at a hotel, and maybe a little more.''

Nicole Brassington, co-founder and CEO of Camp Bespoke in Williamstown, Ky.(Photo: Provided)

Brassington, a Lexington native,is a pioneer in the camping industry.

She's one of the firstBlack female campground owners in the region, along with herco-founder Misty Smith, and partnersLatasha Reid, and Dr.Angelina Strickland all Black women.

The group, who met while working at the same hospital in Louisville,broke ground and began accepting reservations Wednesday for Camp Bespoke - a name that implies the curated and custom-made experiences guests can enjoy, Brassington said.

The campground will open in two phases, beginning in October with 16 cabins and eight cottages made from repurposed shipping containers with modern architecture and design features, she said.

The first phase will also include a dozen Native American-style luxury tipis ranging from 450 to 530 square feet with enough room to sleep six to eight people, according to the Camp Bespoke website.

The tipis will rent for about $225 a night, on average, Brassington said.

The350-square-foot cabins - designed to accommodate four to sixpeople - will rent for $175 a night, on average, and the cottages will be about half that size and rent for about $150 a night, she said.

The second phase of Camp Bespoke is expected to be completed next spring and will add six cabins with pools,six tipis, as well as aconference center, event pavilion and an outdoor amphitheater.

An artist's rendering of the cabins and cottages made from repurposed shipping containers that campers will be able to rent at Camp Bespoke when it opens in October(Photo: Provided)

No matter what kind of accommodations you choose, you certainly wont be roughing it.

All the cabins, cottages andtipis will have their own heating and air conditioning units,private bathrooms with running water, as well askitchenettes with mini refrigerators, microwaves and coffeemakers.

The campgrounds even offer free Wi-Fi.

All lodging also comes with full bedding, towels and wash cloths.

In addition to the upscale accommodations, Camp Bespoke will offer Kentucky-centric activities, including horseback riding and distillery tours, as well as movie nights and live entertainment.

The campground'soperators have contracted with cleaning and sanitizing company, Ecolab, to ensure the campsites are safe and sanitary during the coronavirus pandemic.

Campers treating themselves to Camp Bespoke's luxury accommodations will also be contributing to several charitable causes in Kentucky.

The campgrounds operators have pledged to donate a percentage of sales for all stays to organizations that uphold standards of fairness and equality across the state.

For example, one dollarfrom every Native American-style tent booked at Camp Bespoke will go directly to the Kentucky Native American Heritage Museum with a yearly minimum donation of $5,000.

In addition, camp operators have pledged to support Black Soil - a nonprofit dedicated to growing market share forblack farmers and producers in Kentucky.

Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2020/08/12/camp-bespoke-offers-glamorous-camping-ets-campers-live-glamoffers-glamorous-camping-resort-style-ame/3354657001/

Go here to read the rest:
'Glamping' coming to Williamstown, Ky. with opening of new Camp Bespoke campgrounds this fall - The Cincinnati Enquirer

Buy Photo

Construction workers are extending a portion of the front of Festival Foods at 1200 W. Northland Ave. in Appleton to accommodate a new fresh food area.(Photo: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Festival Foods will bring the first Caribou Coffee location to Northeast Wisconsin this fall.

The Minneapolis-based Caribou Coffeewill be part ofthe renovation ofFestival Foods'store at 1200W. NorthlandAve. in Appleton.

Festival is extending a portion of the store'sfront wall to accommodate a 2,000-square-foot, food court-style areaof fresh food counters.

BesidesCaribou Coffee, it will include an expandedHissho Sushi counter plusAsian stir-fry and pizza by the slice. Festival's gourmet popcorn stand will return. The area will have seating.

Caribou Coffee is the Minneapolis-based coffee shop chain with 464 US. locations and 2019 sales of $306 million, as estimatedby the foodservice research firm Technomic.

Festival Foods' Northland Avenue store in Appleton will have seating and ready-to-eat food counters, as shown in this rendering.(Photo: Submitted)

This will be Caribous second location inside Festival Foods, said Festivalspokeswoman Sheryl Hanson.

The first is in the chain'sClairemont Avenue store in Eau Claire.

The Tot Spot child drop-off room will not return in the store's renovation plan.

Caribou Coffee will be in Appleton in the fall.(Photo: Submitted)

With the state of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were uncertain on when we would be able to safely reopen the Tot Spot, said Aaron Aspenson, senior director of store planning. Because of this, we re-evaluated the layout of the store and identified an opportunity to adapt.

This is the only Fox Cities Festival Foods branch getting the food court-style addition at this time, Aspensonsaid, but theyre looking at other locations for a future rollout.

Contact reporter Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or mwallenfang@postcrescent.com. Followher on Twitter at@wallenfang.

MORE: The Buzz: Fox Valley Restaurant Week canceled

MORE: The Buzz: Attention race fans, WIR is for sale

MORE: The Buzz: Nationwide Travelers closes tour bus business

Read or Share this story: https://www.postcrescent.com/story/money/companies/buzz/2020/08/12/festival-foods-brings-caribou-coffee-appleton-buzz/3356431001/

Excerpt from:
The Buzz: Festival Foods brings Caribou Coffee to Appleton in store remodel - Post-Crescent

The Pennant Group of Eagle, ID, pointed to its local leadership model as the reason for a strong second quarter, according to an earnings call Wednesday.

As the industry faced extraordinary challenges from COVID-19, our operating model provided the toolkit for our local leaders to offset many of these headwinds, as evidenced by [senior living] segment revenue increasing 3.7% and occupancy improving 40 basis points, exclusive of communities acquired in the prior 12 months, CEO and President Daniel Walker said. While we recognize the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 and remain focused on operating through the pandemic to the best of our ability, we believe these results reflect a growing strength in our senior living business as our local leaders continue to refine their operations through the principles of our field-driven operating model.

Total senior living occupancy declined 2.2% during the second quarter and another 2% since cases began increasing in states where Pennant has senior living communities. But occupancy was 80.7% for the second quarter, and average revenue per occupied room increased 3.2% over the prior-year quarter.

The Pennant Group experienced potential COVID-19-related revenues losses of $8.1 million since the start of the pandemic. Walker reported 13 residents with active coronavirus cases at six of its 54 senior living communities.

Local leaders effectively adapted to increasingly complex operating conditions, which vary from market to market, Walker said. The pandemic is confirming our long-held view that the senior living community is an important care delivery setting and there is a growing need for senior living operators to prioritize care programs, including infection control, in addition to providing quality of life amenities.

We anticipate the pandemics impact will continue for a period of time, but our local operating model and our clinical strength position us well to address the community demand for robust care and wellness programs in a high quality of life setting.

Walker said there is an inherent upside in senior living communities, given the companys below-market entry prices and operating model that provides the tools for its operators to build significant value over time.

What we are experiencing in our senior living business is part of the cyclical nature of health care, akin to the headwinds we faced when starting our home health and hospice business 10 years ago, Walker said. Our platform represents a unique opportunity for our stakeholders to experience similar long-term value creation with an earnings-producing senior living business at a tie of significant industry disruption.

Chief Financial Officer Jennifer L. Freeman said the company rejected and returned $10 million it received in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provider relief funds.

We believe our operating model and growth strategy enables us to be successful through a challenging operator environment, COVID-19 included, Freeman said. The pandemic presents a new opportunity for resilient operators to be responsive to local needs.

Derek J. Bunker, chief investment officer, executive vice president and secretary, said peaking into a crystal ball over the next 18 months, he sees strong development in the senior living market. He said that the Pennant Group continues to see a lot of senior living opportunities but will remain picky about what we want to explore further.

See more here:
Pennant Group says local operating model is the secret to its success - News - McKnight's Senior Living

One Community Health (OCH) has opened a new health clinic at 849 Pacific Ave. in Hood River. Replacing their 29-year-old facility, the new 38,000 square foot health center offers modern amenities and new technology to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The year-long construction project concluded in early July. One Community Health (OCH) is a nonprofit, federally qualified health center with locations in The Dalles and Hood River.

"While construction started on the new building before the arrival of COVID-19, OCH, in partnership with Scott Edwards Architecture LLP and Bremik Construction Inc., were able to make adjustments throughout construction to incorporate cutting edge technologies to help prevent the spread of the virus, said Max Janasik, chief executive officer for OCH, in a press release.

The changes included installing negative pressure rooms and photohydroionization technology, MERV-15 air filtering, and air change optimizations to help keep patients and staff safe.

With these new systems, rapid COVID-19 antigen testing, and enhanced safety training and procedures, well be providing patients with one of the safest environments to receive care, including oral health, said Dr. Elizabeth Aughney, chief health officer for OCH.

In addition to multiple layers of COVID-19 defense incorporated into the buildings HVAC systems, the added size (almost three times larger than the previous clinic) offers patients and staff more room to comfortably maintain distance. While the building provides immediate benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, many more will be realized in the future. All these preventive infrastructure layers are in addition to a lot of process changes and a lot of training and safety protocols, said Chief Technology Officer Paul Gering.

Patients now have access to integrated whole-person care including physical, mental, oral, and preventative health services.

For over 34 years, One Community Health has served residents of the Columbia River Gorge with a special focus on vulnerable and underserved communities, Janisik said. For example, we know from our own data (over 3,100 tests) that those who identify as Hispanic are over three times more likely to test positive for COVID-19. Now more than ever, our patients deserve this safe, cutting edge, and beautiful space along with additional access to our amazing providers and care teams, Janisik said.

Asked about the cost impact of negative pressurization and other improvements, Janisik said, We were able to catch (the design changes) early enough in construction so it was not invasive, and as a federally qualified health center we were able to take some of those grants and absorb it within our overall contingency budgets. Its expensive but in the overall scale of thinking, the clinic will be here for 40 years, and for any (diseases) that can be transmitted, these capabilities are very valuable.

Gering said, We started three years ago with program area and conceptual design, after discussions with our clinical staff, to talk about team care and co-location or services, and how to structurally design the layout, with a lot of what are called bubble designs and adjacencies.

Its really a large wall full of bubbles, adjacent needs. At some point along the way we involved a contractor early to help with the actual design in the conceptual stages, which is a little unique, and good. He said it takes the intertwined process of design-and-build a step farther, involving the builder at the practical side of things, Gering said. It gave them the chance to say, Hey, thats a cool idea, but can we consider something else? So we involved the builder really early. There were quite a few minor adjustments, nothing major.

He said the goal was creating a space everyone can access.

Sometimes you think of a health center that serves lower income folks as not being at the same quality level as the ones that folks can afford, and we wanted to turn that on its head and create the experience for everyone, Gering said. All signage is bilingual, reflecting One Community Healths history serving the migrant community.

Artwork made possible through the OCH high school art scholarship graces lobbies and hallways.

Another amenity is the learning kitchen, to assist clients develop improved nutrition, and connected community space, located just off the main entrance.

Formerly known as La Clnica del Cario Family Health Care Center, Inc., OCH was founded in 1986 and today has evolved into an official Patient-Centered Primary Care Home recognized as the Best Primary Care Clinic of 2019 by the Central Oregon Independent Practice Association (COIPA).

OCH currently provides services to more than 16,000 patients. In addition, OCH excels in providing educational programs and support that reflect its integrated approach to health and wellbeing.

Dedicated to advancing health and social justice for all its community members, OCH serves patients from the Mid-Columbia River Gorge Region: Wasco, Hood River, Klickitat and Skamania counties.

The old OCH building has been demolished to create a parking area, and a September grand opening is planned for the new facility.

See the original post here:
New Hood River One Community Health building comes with COVID-driven design features - Hood River News

PICTURED: Cooper helped organize and will emcee the Ms. VC Pride 2020 Drag Queen Pageant, taking place on Saturday, Aug. 15. (Photo by David Paul Leighton)

by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer

Ventura County Pride 2020 takes place Aug. 15-16, a (mostly) virtual event that will provide the same sense of community, frivolity and inclusiveness as a live festival. Saturday will feature speakers, live music, celebrity guests and more, presented on the YouTube channel of Diversity Collective Ventura County (DCVC) both in the early afternoon and the evening, to give as many people a chance to participate as possible. There will also be a Pride car caravan from DCVCs Community Resource Center on Portola Road to Ventura City Hall, taking place Sunday evening.

One of the most anticipated events will be the Ms. VC Pride 2020 Pageant, emceed by drag queen extraordinaire E. Cooper Jr. known as Cooper to friends and in the biz. Texas-native, Utah-transplant Cooper moved to Ventura County in January 2019, and wasted no time getting involved with DCVC and organizing last years Pride pageant the first one in Ventura County history.

We had three participants last year, Cooper recalls. Karma Limbs, Serenity Aciid and Sheba.

The event was a huge success particularly for winner Sheba, who returns this year as a co-host and Cooper was determined to bring it back in 2020, pandemic be damned.

Even with all the changes, we worked hard to make it as special as we could, he says.

Even in its virtual format, the pageant has doubled this year, with six queens entering. Teaser videos of each went up on YouTube and viewers voted to select the top five that will go on to compete on Aug. 15. Cooper sees this as an indication that drag is growing in popularity in Ventura County.

This is only the second year; having six contestants originally was great, he says. Having such a strong top five is wonderful for this organization.

There will be no stage to walk during the virtual Pride. Instead, each contesting is presenting a 7-10 minute video, created with the help of videographer Rob Echanique at 12 on the Wall Studios and featuring a runway presentation, interview, talent segment and best drag runway look.

Cooper says judges will be rating contestants on understanding who you are as a performer, an ability to demonstrate what inspires your drag and . . . art and a glam look what Cooper describes as a contestants most elevated version of themselves.

In addition, every competitor will be asked, In this moment especially this day and age when were concerned with social justice what does Pride mean to you in your art?

Ms. VC Pride 2020 contestants, from left: Serenity Aciid, DollA$$ign, Pam Cakez, Angel DMon and Regina St. James. Image courtesy of Cooper/Diversity Collective Ventura County

Im so excited! Cooper says of this years contestants. We have everything from seasoned queens to baby queens just getting their start. Im excited to see from year to year artists growth.

Theres a lot of growth, theres a lot of potential, theres a lot of star power, he continues. I dont think that drag queens get enough credit for saying, Im an artist in this form. Its an activism in its own right.

Ventura County may not be known as a hotbed of drag talent, but there are places where these performers could showcase their art (and activism). The Harbor Queens Drag Show was a staple at Ventura Harbor Comedy Club for months, and the Dragtastic Bubbly Brunch at Levity Live in Oxnard was popular as well.

Even so, Cooper says that theres still limited space for artists of our caliber to perform. There are still venues that dont see drag as a viable art.

He credits reality show RuPauls Drag Race with helping to challenge that perception, and bring greater visibility to drag queens as individuals and artists. But he says theres still plenty of room for improvement particularly where financial compensation is concerned.

Ive known some organizations that say theyre embracing our queens . . . but they dont pay our queens what theyre worth, he says, adding that there are some local venues that I have worked with that are glorious. Paddys Cocktail Lounge its the home Ive had since Ive been in Ventura. The Tavern a great venue for drag.

Of course, none of these establishments are offering live entertainment for the time being. And like musicians, actors and comedians, drag queens have felt the pinch. Coopers own drag performances netted $600-1000 a month income lost practically overnight in March. Recent incidences of racism, police brutality and violence directed towards people of color and transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals have taken their toll as well.

We as queens of color especially were hit hard by all these social justice moments, he explains.

The need to express and create has been greater than ever, and in the absence of performance venues, Cooper says that drag queens had to create some space.

Space found, ultimately, on the Internet.

Drag is as innovative as it has ever been, Cooper says, noting that performers have turned to Twitch, Instagram, YouTube and other online platforms to present their work. When we saw our outlets shutting down . . . that artistic outreach that we do . . . having us go digital has allowed us to reach a broader audience. . . . Thats what the digital world has done for us.

With VC Pride 2020 going digital on Saturday, it has also been able to tap into some phenomenal celebrity talent. The judging panel for Ms. VC Pride 2020 is possibly as exciting as the contestants: Jai Rodriguez (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), Kevin Cahoon (Glow) and renowned Australian drag performer Bebe Gunn. In addition to speakers and politicians, several RuPauls Drag Race contestants including AKeria Davenport (Season 11), Heidi N Closet (Season 12) and Silky Nutmeg Ganache (Season 11), just to name a few will make appearances.

Theyre all doing the same thing were doing, Cooper says. Theyre all doing digital videos. Were all in the same boat.

And without the digital world, there might not have been a VC Pride 2020 at all something that Cooper feels would have been a big loss, especially now. He recalls one of the first 2020 Pride planning meetings at DCVC.

We sat down as a group and said, We cant have a traditional Pride. Do we scrap it or go for the gusto?

As a LGBTQ+ person who grew up in a conservative area, he recognized how powerful a visible Pride experience even online could be.

What if I had had something like this that I could have turned on in my living room? Cooper says. So he told organizers, We have to do this.

Reflecting on the struggles he overcame, as well as the sociopolitical climate were all in right now, Cooper says that, Now that were in a very dark time, its more important than ever to shine a light and to stand out and stand proud.

VC Pride 2020 takes place on Saturday, Aug. 15, 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on the Diversity Collective Ventura County YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/c/DiversityCollectiveVenturaCounty.

Related

See the article here:
I'M AN ARTIST IN THIS FORM | Drag queens stand out and proud for VC Pride 2020 - Ventura County Reporter