Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Shoma Group is doubling the height of its planned mixed-use apartment development along U.S. 1 and Bird Road in Miami, near Coral Gables.

Called Shoma One, the project is now planned to include 740 rental units in two 40-story towers. The Coral Gables-based firm, led by Masoud and Stephanie Shojaee, last year acquired the 2.5-acre property at 3650 Bird Road from Deel Volvo, the dealership currently on the site. Shoma said at the time that the planned development would have just under 400 units in two 18-story buildings, as well as a Shoma Bazaar food hall.

Shoma paid $34 million for the property, which is contiguous to the Metrorail.

The developer said the expanded project takes advantage of rapid transit zoning. Shoma estimates it will cost more than $250 million to develop, $30 million more than the previous version of the project.

The planned Shoma Bazaar food hall will now be two stories tall and span 18,000 square feet.

Apartments will range from 400-square-foot studios to 1,200-square-foot three-bedroom units and penthouses. The residential component will include indoor and outdoor amenity decks.

The ground floor would include an art gallery, retail space, dog care center, park and co-working space. The project will also connect to the Underline linear park that runs under the Metrorail, which is under construction.

The development also includes 700 parking spaces, with 150 set aside for the food hall. Shoma tapped Bermello Ajamil & Partners to design the project.

Shoma plans to break ground as early as the middle of next year.

A number of mixed-use apartment towers now line U.S. 1 in Miami and Coral Gables, as well as farther west on Bird Road.

Last year, Hines paid $430 million for the LifeTime-branded mixed-use multifamily development called Gables Station at 237 South Dixie Highway, near the Shoma One site. The 1.2 million-square-foot Coral Gables development includes a Trader Joes, 495 apartments and the 80,000-square-foot LifeTime athletic club. It was completed in 2021.

On the south side of U.S.1, Landmark Properties is in contract to buy the property at 1250 South Dixie Highway where it plans The Mark, an eight-story, 396-unit residential complex with about 19,000 square feet of commercial space and live/work units.

Earlier this year, BAM Property Development revealed plans for an eight-story, 120-unit multifamily project at 1715 Southwest 37th Avenue in Miami, also near Coral Gables.

Here is the original post:
Shoma Doubles Height, Expands Project on US 1, Bird in Miami - The Real Deal

October 25, 2023

ANDOVER, MA - The Healey-Driscoll administration has announced that the Town of Andover will receive a $3.3 million grant through the Commonwealths MassWorks Infrastructure Program to support roadway and sidewalk improvements in the Essex Street corridor.

MassWorks is a competitive grant program administered by the states Executive Office of Economic Development that provides capital funding to municipalities for infrastructure projects that support housing production, private development, and job creation.The Town of Andovers award is the largest grant received by the Town through the program to date.

The funding will enable the Town to improve municipal infrastructure along and adjacent to Essex Street, which runs from Elm Square to Red Spring Road. It also serves as a major connector road, or spine, of the mixed-use corridor west of Main Street. The anticipated improvements will aim to make the corridor more walkable, improve the safety of intersections along the route for all users, strengthen the connectivity between Downtown Andover and key destinations including the MBTA commuter rail station and Historic Mill District, and support future housing development.

Planned improvements include widening the sidewalk on the northern side of Essex Street to enhance pedestrian safety, the addition of bicycle accommodations, and upgrades to water and drainage systems serving the corridor. Additionally, the funding will enable the Town to implement multimodal safety improvements to three key intersections:

These intersections were identified as needing improvement in a Circulation and Street Design Study for the Historic Mill District completed by the Town of Andover in 2019. The intersection of Essex Street at Pearson Street and Railroad Avenue features five vehicle approaches and an active railroad crossing, making it particularly challenging to traverse for pedestrians, motorists, and bicyclists. Improvements to this intersection are imperative to proposed and future development in the corridor, and overall public safety.

Critically, the infrastructure improvements enabled through the MassWorks grant will support the development of the Old Town Yard site, a three-acre plus parcel located at 11 Lewis Street. In June, the Town of Andover finalized a Land Disposition Agreement (LDA) with Minco Development Corporation (Minco) for the site. Mincos proposed development includes 163 residential units, community amenities, and commercial/retail space, and represents an initial investment of approximately $70 million. Under the terms of the LDA, construction of the development must begin by 2026 and reach completion by 2029, if not sooner.

The funding provided through this MassWorks grant will have a transformative impact on Essex Street and the surrounding area, improving walkability, connecting key destinations, and serving as a catalyst for continued development in the corridor, said Director of Planning and Land Use Paul Materazzo. We are grateful for Commonwealths support of our ongoing effort to make Andovers roadways safer for all users and to stimulate high-quality development and housing creation in the heart of the community.

The Town of Andovers Division of Planning and Land Use intends to conduct extensive public engagement in the months ahead to discuss proposed improvements to the Essex Street corridor to ensure that plans align with the preferences of the community, including nearby residents, businesses, and property owners.

The grant award was announced at a ceremony held on Wednesday, October 25 at Suffolk Downs in Revere that featured projects across the Commonwealth funded by the MassWorks Infrastructure Program and the HousingWorks Infrastructure Program. Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary Yvonne Hao, and Secretary Ed Agustus were in attendance for the event.

Originally posted here:
Town of Andover Awarded $3.3 Million MassWorks Grant for ... - Andover, MA

HARTFORD The city of Hartford would pay nearly $10 million to end a 7-year court battle over the development of Dunkin Park and the land around it, clearing the way for further apartment construction in the area, perhaps starting by the end of this year.

The $9.9 million settlement, outlined in a letter Thursday from Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin to the city council, calls for the city to pay that amount to Arch Insurance Co., the insurance company that financed the completion of the citys minor league ballpark just north of downtown.

All sides in the court dispute involving the city agreed that there would be no further litigation in the matter in the future. They include the former developers Centerplan and DoNo Hartford LLC who were fired by Bronin from the unfinished ballpark project in 2016, and a year later, the mixed-use development around the 6,100-seat stadium.

Negotiating directly with Arch was critical to reaching a settlement, Bronin wrote to the city council. The settlement relieves Centerplan chief executive Robert Landino of paying a court-ordered $34 million to Arch for finishing the ballpark, making the settlement acceptable to the developers. Arch also would pay Centerplan and DoNo Hartford $1.8 million under the settlement.

Centerplan and DoNo Hartford filed a wrongful termination civil lawsuit shortly after being fired and initially sought $90 million in damages. The lawsuit touched off a court battle that stretches back to the earliest days of Bronins two-term tenure.

Bronin is asking the city council to convene a special meeting Monday where Bronin will seek approval of the settlement.

Bronin, who is not seeking a third term, steadfastly has defended his decision to terminate the developers.

The city was victorious in a jury trial in the case in 2019; and even though the developers successfully appealed that decision to win a new trial set to begin in the spring Bronin has maintained the city would again be on the winning side.

Bronin reiterated that belief at an afternoon news conference at Hartford City Hall. But the prospect of years of further appeals costing as much as $6 million plus years of stalled redevelopment around Dunkin Park made the settlement the right option for the city, Bronin said.

The settlement represents an opportunity not only to eliminate those legal fees but to remove the cloud of this litigation all together, Bronin said. And to allow the city of Hartford to move forward with the development of the parcels around the baseball park and to ensure the new administration can come in without the distraction of on-going litigation.

Since 2016, legal fees paid to outside firms with expertise in construction law have reached about $6 million. With those fees, the costs of defending and settling the lawsuit are closer to $16 million.

The developer who replaced Centerplan and DoNo Hartford Stamford-based RMS Cos. had completed one phase of the development the $50 million, 270-unit apartment known as The Pennant around Dunkin Park.

But RMS had been blocked from moving on to the second of four planned phases for more than a year by the litigation. RMS founder and chief executive Randy Salvatore has stated multiple times that he remained committed to the development.

Cloe Poisson / Hartford Courant

Im obviously very excited about the whole thing, Salvatore said Thursday, of the settlement. Were gearing up right now to go, so Im hopeful that we can have a groundbreaking by the end of the year.

North Crossings second phase on so-called Parcel B would have 532 apartments and a 541-space garage, plus 10,000 square feet of storefront space, at a cost of $120 million. The development would be split into two parts. The first to be worked on would include 228 apartments and the parking garage. The balance of the rentals would be completed in the second half.

At the news conference, Bronin said moving forward with North Crossing was important for several reasons. They include generating new taxes to help pay off the citys costs in building Dunkin Park and regaining the momentum behind the citys revitalization and fueling economic development, both of which took a hit in the pandemic.

The development around the ballpark was always the core of the promise to the city of Hartford that this would be more than a ballpark project but a neighborhood redevelopment that would help us reconnect our neighborhoods, get rid of a sea of surface parking and knit our neighborhoods back together, Bronin said.

Louis R. Pepe, an attorney for the former developers issued a statement Thursday that said: Centerplan and DoNo Hartfordare very pleased with the settlement of the claims they had against the City of Hartford in this matter, and they look forward to recovering additional compensation for their losses in the continuing litigation against the design professionals for the stadium project.

Negotiating with Arch Insurance

The settlement negotiated over months turns on a 2019 federal court ruling in which Centerplans Landino was ordered to pay Arch Insurance about $34 million tied to the ballparks completion.

Arch successfully argued that Landino had failed to reimburse the insurer for what it paid out to finance the completion of the ballpark. Arch hired a new construction company and the stadium the home field of the Hartford Yard Goats opened for its first season in 2017, a year later than planned.

Bronin noted that Arch paid about $34 million to complete the ballpark, and the settlement was less than 30% of that amount.

Had the city not terminated Centerplan and called the bond in 2016, the city would have been responsible for that $34 million, at a minimum, and probably more in order to complete the ballpark, Bronin wrote to the city council.

Bronin wrote that the city has reserved sufficient funds for the settlement from prior year surpluses, which means this settlement will not have any impact on the current year budget, and will not require us to draw down any funds from our unassigned fund balance.

The unassigned balance is essentially the citys rainy day fund.

Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant

Bronins letter and comments at the news conference toned down the stronger, public comments he has made in the past defending his decision to fire Centerplan and DoNo Hartford. Bronin often has said, and as recently as July in an interview with The Courant, that he never regretted his decision to fire Centerplan and DoNo Hartford.

There is no doubt in my mind that if we hadnt made the decision that we made in 2016, we would not have a baseball park even today, Bronin said, in July. Instead of an award-winning, nationally recognized baseball park, wed still have an unfinished hulk of concrete and steel.

The Centerplan and DoNo lawsuit has spawned nearly 700 court filings since 2016.

Centerplan and DoNo Hartford were hired for the ballpark project and the development of a swath of empty parking lots around it by Bronins predecessor, Mayor Pedro E. Segarra.

In 2019, a Superior Court jury sided with the citys decision to terminate the developers. But last year, the state Supreme Court ordered a new trial because the critical question of who had legal control over the stadium and its design was ambiguous. Centerplan and DoNo Hartford have argued it was the city, that the designs were flawed, resulting in cost overruns and delays in the ballparks construction.

After the citys 2019 court victory, the city chose RMS as the new developer. But when a new trial was ordered, Centerplan and DoNo Hartford last year also moved to essentially take back control of the development around Dunkin Park. That stopped RMS from moving beyond what the first phase of North Crossing.

The barrier to further development strengthened in May when a Superior Court judge ruled that who had the right to develop needed to come after the new trial and a decision on the wrongful termination case. The new trial was scheduled for April 2024.

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.

See original here:
Settlement reached in ballpark construction in CT city - Hartford Courant

Once completed, 300 Huntington will offer several office and retail spaces, a walkway along the Gowanus Canal, and more

A launch of leasing has been announced for 300 Huntington, a new six-story, 136,000-square-foot mixed-use commercial development located in Gowanus/Carroll Gardens.

The announcement was made by Monadnock Development, a Brooklyn-based, mixed-use development firm that has constructed several buildings in NYC since its inception in 2006.

300 Huntington, which is scheduled to launch sometime this fall, is anticipated to provide around 49,000 square feet of office and creative space, along with 17,000 square feet of additional retail space located at ground level making it the first ground-up office/commercial building to be erected in the area.

The building itself will feature numerous oversized windows, offering an abundance of light for tenants, as well as breathtaking views of lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn.

Other notable attributes of the project include a mile-long esplanade and walkway constructed along the Gowanus Canal, a public park, shared and private amenity terrace space, the full utilizationof electric energy, among other features.

In addition to developing the office building, Monadnock Development along with its construction services company, Monadnock Construction will also be moving into 300 Huntington, occupying the structures second and third floors as its new permanent headquarters.

As a Brooklyn-born, Brooklyn-based firm with a strong presence in the community dating back more than four decades, selecting 300 Huntington as our new headquarters was not only irresistible but a natural next step in our firms continued evolution and growth, said Frank Dubinsky, COO of Monadnock Development.

Co-locating in close proximity to our tenants and future occupants allows Monadnock the ability to continue our mission and reputation as providers of best-in-class real estate solutions to the community.

To learn more about the new mixed-use development in-the-works, visit 300Huntington.com.

More here:
Launch of Leasing Announced For Swanky New Gowanus Office ... - BK Reader

the ark: Preserving Heritage for a Dynamic Future

MAD Architects unveils The Ark, a futuristic renovation proposal for the Shanghai Zhangjiang Cement Factorys Wanmicang warehouse. This project aims to hybridize modernity with Chinas history, breathing new life into a once-decaying industrial site, now envisioned as a multifunctional public waterfront space integrating culture, creativity, retail, and shared offices. The Shanghai Zhangjiang Cement Factory was once among the three largest cement factories in Shanghai. Built in 1971, it played a pivotal role in Shanghais growth until it ceased production in 2013. The Wanmicang warehouse, originally a hub for raw material intake, remains the largest standing structure in the cement factory.

images MAD Architects

The design team at MAD Architects envisions its cement factory intervention, The Ark, as a campus for businesses within a fluid architectural space, celebrating the contemporary and the future. The proposal retains the original industrial character of the warehouse, with an ark-like metal structure replacing the former roof. This duality of rough concrete and smooth metal breathes new life into the deteriorating building, converting it into a versatile urban living space. The warehouses rusticated facade has been meticulously repaired and reinforced to become an integral part of the new environment, while a suspended glass curtain wall on the west side creates a vibrant public space.

Industrial heritage is preserved and utilised not only because of the historical memories it carries, but more importantly because it gives the future a sense of history. So we dont need to celebrate and consolidate industrial aesthetics here, but rather focus on the spirit of the contemporary and the future, explains Ma Yansong, founding partner of MAD Architects.

a transformative design will blend old and new to breathe new life into the decaying industrial site

The spacious interiors by MAD Architects capitalize on the warehouses elongated volume, offering visitors an immersive experience of The Ark. A monumental metal staircase ascends through a fluid portal toward the rooftop, while a tiered garden houses creative and cultural areas below. A glass curtain wall gracefully separates the old factory wall from the floating ark overhead. Natural light filters through the gaps, illuminating the garden and reflecting off the stainless steel ceiling, creating a sense of light and greenery. The shifting angles of sunlight animate the old bricks, invoking a sense of times passage and the sites historical significance.

the historic Shanghai Zhangjiang Cement Factory symbolizes five decades of urban development

To provide a riverside view, the first floor of the old factory building opens up to integrate with the waterfront plaza. Meanwhile, a central corridor connects the park plaza with the riverbank, while a newly designed bridge allows access across the river. The rooftop is conceived as an additional urban public space, offering sweeping views of the Chuanyang River in the distance. The Arks eaves gently slope to optimize this view and minimize any imposing presence on the riverbanks. The floating effect of the ark is achieved through new columns, floor trusses, spanning trusses, and large beams. Meanwhile, the old walls are fortified and repaired to preserve their historic character.

MAD Architects will repurpose the decaying structures for research, culture, sports, and retail a monumental metal staircase will ascend through a fluid portal toward the rooftop

Go here to read the rest:
MAD architects will perch a futuristic 'ark' atop a cement factory ruin ... - Designboom

Moab is known as a rock climbing destination: With unique sandstone towers and long, parallel splitter cracks at nearby Indian Creek, Moab attracts climbers from around the world. Soon, Moab climbers will have a place to train when the sun is down or the weather is badtwo Moab residents, along with a partner based in Las Vegas, are launching the Climb Moab Gym, an indoor space with bouldering and top rope walls. Locals Britt Zale and Kaya Lindsay and their partner Justin Beitler hope to open this winter, offering a space for climbers to not just train, but meet new friends and foster community.

From idea to reality

Zale and Lindsay both moved to Moab in 2017. Zale learned a lot of her outdoor climbing skills while living in Moab; within a few years, decided she wanted to make it her permanent home. One thing the town was missing, though, was a climbing gym. She decided to make one.

I like to solve problems, Zale said. She has experience in small business management, and has worked as an academic fellow teaching a seminar on leadership in Bangladeshthat background gave her confidence that she could undertake the project.

Zale researched how to start a climbing gym, asked business-savvy friends to review her ideas, and got help from a CPA in drafting a business plan, which was complete by 2021but construction costs were prohibitively high at the time. Zale was also helping her boyfriend build a sweat-equity home, so the climbing gym took a back seat. In 2022, though, a surprising chain of events brought Beitler into the project.

Beitler and some friends were on a BASE jumping trip in Moab when a friend of Beitlers had a jump go wrong and ended up hanging from a cliff face in the Kane Creek area. Beitler rushed to ask nearby people for climbing gear, planning to climb up a crack leading to where his friend was suspended. River Barry, an experienced climber who happened to be on the scene, offered to use her gear to lead her way up to the stranded jumper.

The rescue was successful and Barry and Beitler became friends. He later encouraged her to try BASE jumping, so she signed up to go with a local instructorcoincidentally, that instructor was Zales boyfriend. Soon Beitler, Barry, and Zale all met, and Beitler learned of Zales climbing gym dreams. Beitler loves adventure sportsin addition to rock climbing and BASE jumping, hes also a pilotand he has entrepreneurship experience, having founded an aircraft brokerage business. Beitler offered to invest in Climb Moab.

He literally fell out of the sky, Lindsay summed up.

If that accident hadnt happened, we might still be looking for an investor, Zale said.

Lindsay joined the team in 2023. She had heard about the plans for the gym and emailed Zale, interested in taking part; Zale welcomed Lindsays experience in community management, event coordination and marketing. Lindsay thought it would be a long process to get the gym off the ground, but by early 2023, the team was already looking at a space. They closed on a building in the Moab business park on south Highway 191 in February and started lining up contractors. They have been relying a lot on the community, they saidthey have a five-member advisory board, most of whom are local, and theyve hired many local contractors to build and design elements of the gym.

Weve been trying to get as many locals and people interested in climbing involved as we can, Zale said.

Climb Moab gym

As of late September, the interior is mostly a blank canvas: the walls are primed, a ground-story bathroom is framed, and areas are blocked out with furniture to help with visualizing the future space. Renderings taped to the walls illustrate what the climbing walls will look like: blocky, dimensional volumes will allow for problems and routes with interesting movement.

Some details remain to be decidedfor example, the cost of a gym membership or day pass is still undetermined. Zale and Lindsay say they plan to make the price commensurate with other gyms in the areathey want it to be a cost that local climbers can, and will want to, afford.

The pair have committed to many defining elements of the gym: There will be a bouldering area, with problems up to around 14 feet high, and a top rope area with routes up to about 23 feet high. A loft will house a workout area with traditional fitness equipment such as free weights. At the front of the gym there will be a lounge/work area, with tables, wifi, and snacks and beverages for sale. There will also be a small retail space selling locally made items such as chalk bags and packs.

The building doesnt have the height that would be necessary for safe lead routes, but the team plans to have a mock-lead area where people can learn and practice lead climbing skills.

We want to be able to offer education, Lindsay said. Along with lead-climbing skills, theyd like to offer other technique classes, and they plan to host a BEACON Afterschool Club for kids. If theres interest, they may establish a competitive youth team.

Were looking to see what we can grow into, Lindsay said.

Zale and Lindsay plan to partner with local yoga studio Desert Power Yoga, offering some form of joint membership or punch pass that will allow holders to use both the climbing gym and the yoga studio on the north end of townthe exact parameters of the arrangement arent yet determined, but according to a survey they conducted early this year, yoga is a popular amenity among prospective gym members.

Building community

Zale and Lindsay say they hope the gym will be a good place to build community and relationships, as well as a place to train physically. They plan to host events like movie nights and guest speakers.

We want to create a container for the climbing community to flourish, Lindsay said.

A gym is a friendly place for new climbers to dip their toes into the sport and learn safety and etiquette in a controlled environment. Routes will be set with a broad range of difficulties.

We want to try to prioritize having climbs everyone can do, Lindsay said.

Even experienced climbers may appreciate a rotating selection of moderate climbs:

Im excited to have a place we can climb 5.10 year-round, with new routes every month, Zale said.

Many climbers develop their skills with the help of friends and mentors, and Zale and Lindsay hope that the gym may help facilitate those relationships. Both Zale and Lindsay remember meeting climbing mentors while camping at Indian Creekbut they dont think someone should have to commit to living in a van in the desert and devoting all their time to rock climbing in order to join a community who can introduce them to the sport, help them gain skills and confidence, and conduct themselves safely and with good etiquette.

Climb Moab Gym is set to open sometime this winter; in the spring, the gym will host a grand opening party. To keep up with whats happening at the gym, visit https://www.climbmoabgym.com/.

Photo caption: Moab locals Britt Zale (left) and Kaya Lindsay, along with partner Justin Beitler (not pictured), are launching an indoor climbing gym in Moab. [Rachel Fixsen/Moab Sun News]

Follow this link:
Moab climbing gym in the works - Moab Sun News

Falls are a leading cause of injury in adults 65 years and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each year, approximately 36 million falls among older adults are reported, resulting in over 32,000 deaths.

These falls can result in fractures, head injuries, and a loss of confidence, which can lead to a decline in physical and mental health.

There are several reasons why seniors are more prone to falls. As individuals age, muscles and bones naturally weaken, at a rate of three to eight percent each year after the age of 30, making it easier to lose balance.

According to the National Library of Medicine, that rate sharply increases after the age of 60. By taking proactive steps to prevent falls, older adults can reduce the risk of injuries and maintain their quality of life.

One common cause of falls is poor balance and coordination. As humans age, our sense of balance may deteriorate, making it more challenging to maintain stability when walking or performing daily activities. Medications can also impact balance and increase the risk of falls.

Another significant risk factor is tripping hazards. Loose rugs, cluttered walkways, or uneven surfaces can all contribute to falls. South Florida's warm climate can also lead to slippery surfaces, particularly when it rains.

Creating a safe home environment for older adults is crucial for fall prevention. Here are some essential tips for making a home safer:

Remove tripping hazards: Clear clutter from walkways and secure loose rugs. Repair any uneven surfaces or loose floorboards.

Improve lighting: Ensure that all rooms are well-lit, especially hallways, staircases, and bathrooms. Install nightlights in bedrooms and hallways to provide visibility during nighttime.

Install grab bars and handrails: Install grab bars in bathrooms, near toilets, and in the shower or bathtub. Place handrails on both sides of staircases for support and stability.

Use non-slip mats in the bathroom: Place non-slip mats in the shower and bathtub to prevent slipping. Ensure that these mats are securely fastened to the floor.

Organize belongings: Keep frequently used items within easy reach to avoid stretching or climbing on unstable surfaces.

Implementing these simple changes in a home can significantly reduce the risk of falls and create a safer living environment.

While fall prevention within the home is essential, it's equally crucial to ensure safety in outdoor areas. The following are some tips for navigating walkways and stairs:

Maintain outdoor surfaces: Regularly inspect and repair any cracks or uneven surfaces in walkways and driveways.

Install handrails: If there are outdoor stairs leading to an entrance or garden, consider installing handrails on both sides for support and stability.

Clear debris: Regularly remove leaves, branches, or any other debris from walkways to prevent slipping.

Wear appropriate footwear: Choose shoes with non-slip soles and proper support to maintain stability when walking outdoors.

Be cautious on wet surfaces: South Florida's warm climate can lead to slippery surfaces, particularly when it rains. Take extra caution when walking on wet or damp surfaces.

By being mindful of the outdoor environment and taking necessary precautions, individuals can reduce the risk of falls when navigating walkways and stairs.

Engaging in physical activity can improve strength, balance, and coordination, reducing the risk of falls. What follows are a few ways to incorporate exercise into your routine:

Consult your doctor: Before starting any exercise program, an individual should consult a healthcare provider to ensure the program is safe for them.

Focus on strength training: Incorporate exercises that target muscles, such as weightlifting or resistance band exercises. Strengthening muscles can improve balance and stability.

Practice balance exercises: Engage in activities that challenge balance, such as tai chi or yoga. These exercises can improve a persons ability to maintain stability and prevent falls.

Stay active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. This can include activities like brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.

By incorporating regular exercise and balance training into their routine, older adults can improve their physical strength and reduce the risk of falls.

Certain medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or impair balance, increasing the risk of falls. The following are some tips for managing medications:

Review your medications with a healthcare provider: Discuss all medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, with a doctor. They can assess the potential side effects and suggest alternatives if necessary.

Follow the prescribed dosage: Take medications as prescribed and avoid skipping doses. If an individual experiences side effects that impact their balance, they should consult their doctor.

Be aware of potential interactions: Some medications can interact with each other and increase the risk of falls. A patient should inform their healthcare provider about the medications they are taking to ensure there are no harmful interactions.

By effectively managing your medications, seniors can reduce the risk of falls and maintain their overall well-being.

Fall prevention is a crucial aspect of senior safety. By implementing these essential fall prevention tips, an individual can reduce the risk of falls and enjoy a safer and more fulfilling life. Yet, even with an abundance of care, a fall may still occur. If you have experienced a falling accident due to the negligence of another, the personal injury attorneys of Panter, Panter, and Sampedro can help.

Our attorneys are dedicated to protecting Floridas families. We strive to help keep our communities safe through resources like this. However, when the unexpected does occur, we are dedicated to helping families through every step of the legal process. Speak to one of our experienced personal injury attorneys at (305) 662-6178.

Mitchell Panter.

Mitchell Panter, Esq.is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney, Community Advocate and Managing Partner atPanter, Panter & Sampedro, P.A.

To read another one of Mitchell Panter's pieces,click here.

To learn more about Panter, Panter & Sampedro,click here.

Continue reading here:
Essential fall prevention tips to keep seniors safe in South Florida - Islander News.com

Image of a leopard captured by the trap cameras on Alipiri footpath.

TIRUPATI: Recent sightings of a leopard and bear in the vicinity of the Repeater Station close to the Sri Lakshmi Narayanaswamy temple on the Alipiri walkway leading to Tirumala have sparked concerns among the devotees, the forest department, and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

The images of the wild animals were captured by the trap cameras, placed along the footpath stretch between the Anjaneya Swamy Temple and the Narasimha Swamy Temple. The movement of these two animals was recorded between the 24th and 27th of this month, as revealed in a statement issued by the TTD on Friday.

In response to this development, the TTD and forest authorities have issued a warning to devotees who plan to visit Tirumala. They have strongly urged pilgrims to exercise extreme caution and move in groups while trekking the Alipiri and Srivari Mettu walkways, emphasizing the importance of their safety during their religious pilgrimage.

"Measures have been taken to ensure the safety of devotees as they make their way to the temple. The forest department and TTD authorities are closely monitoring the region, and steps have been taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all devotees", a TTD official said.

See original here:
Leopard sighted on Alipiri walkway, devotees urged to remain ... - Deccan Chronicle

I know, it sounds like a gimmick. But its not or at least its not meant to be. The Moonwalkers are motorized shoes that are designed to help you walk around faster and get where youre going in less time.

Developed by Shift Robotics, a startup company that was spun out of Carnegie Mellon University, the Moonwalkers claim to be able to increase the average users walking speed by around 2.5 times.

To put that into solid numbers, they can boost your walking speed up to 11.2 km/h (7 mph). Thats just about bang on my average speed on long jogging sessions. Imagine walking everywhere around town at running speed, yet without breaking a sweat!

Of course you still have to put in some effort yourself. The shoes dont turn flat ground into airport-style moving walkways. But as long as youre walking, the electric shoes are powering your strides to go further, faster.

These arent electric skates though; the company makes that quite clear. The whole idea is you still use a normal walking stride. The Moonwalkers strap on over your normal shoes and are even hinged in the middle, similar to the way your toes bend at the ball of your foot, to give a more natural walking motion.

Im guessing youll notice an extra 1.9 kg (4.2 pounds) strapped to each foot, but hopefully the running-speed walkabout makes up for the extra weight on your feet. And as a bonus, it will be like an extra little workout if you think of the Moonwalkers additional poundage as 1980s-style ankle weights.

The solution is designed to be as intuitive as possible. As the company explained:

Thanks to an intuitive AI drivetrain, the shoes adapt to your gait. Theres no new skill to learn or complicated technology to understand. Theyre not something you lace up and wobble away on theyre highly engineered additions to your shoes that you strap on.

A single charge is said to last for up to 6 miles (10 km). That might not sound like a very long range, especially when were used to seeing ranges in dozens of miles from e-bikes, e-scooters and other more traditional micromobility products. But then again, thats around to 3-4x more distance than the average American walks in a day (as depressing as that is).

The Moonwalker electric shoes actually launched a few months ago on Kickstarter, though we generally shy away from covering crowdfunding campaigns from new startups. After reaching their goal in just two days and raising over US $300,000, Shift Robotics is now selling the speedwalking shoes more traditionally on their website.

But you may not want to be standing (or walking) when I tell you the price. Youll have to fork over US $1,399 for a set of Moonwalker shoes.

Yea, its a bit silly and expensive, but the engineer in me appreciates it! While most people would be better served with just putting a bit more wear on the shoes they already have, I could see a solution like this being helpful for folks whose jobs require significant walking each day. Imagine Amazon warehouse workers or postal service employees with a walking route.

I also wonder if this could have something similar to the e-bike effect for walking, where e-bikes have been shown to give average folks more exercise than pedal bikes since the added fun factor combined with the reduced effort means they stay out riding for much longer. Perhaps when youre suddenly walking at 7 mph, you can decide to walk a mile to the grocery store in just 8 minutes instead of driving there in a car.

For the vast majority of people that wont be buying electric shoes, I think that just trying to get more steps in the day with your normal acoustic shoes is probably the best bet.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Read the rest here:
Moonwalkers: The motorized shoes that let you walk 2.5x faster - Electrek

Head out west to explore some of the most stunning schools on the West Coast.

By Kathy Bradshaw on October 24, 2023

The western part of the U.S., from Colorado to California and from Hawaii to the Pacific Northwest, is known for many things: mountains, the Pacific Ocean, sun, palm trees and waves. Whether true or not, its people have a reputation for being laidback, healthy eaters, environmentally conscious nature-lovers, surfers and hikers. Maybe skiers. They love music and the arts, care about sustainability, spend a lot of time outdoors and probably drink oat milk and eat nut cheese. They most likely spend at least some of their spare time in a brewery and might even have a home brewing kit.

Suppose you add most of those elements together. In that case, mix in a taste of everything else this part of the country has going for it, throw in a good old-fashioned desire to learn and put it in a university setting, and youll end up with colleges and universities in the western region and the students who love them. Heres a look at the top six most beautiful of those campuses.

Malibu, California

Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, has scenery galore the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu Canyon, the Pacific Ocean. The university is located near Los Angeles and Santa Monica with all the conveniences and entertainment options that that provides. A Christian University, Pepperdine also offers a charming chapel with beautiful stained-glass windows. And if students want even more than everything that the attractive campus offers including the California-style patios of Joslyn Plaza they can enjoy the miles of coastline and sandy beaches just steps away. Even the primary dining hall, aptly named Waves Cafe, offers panoramic views of the ocean from its large windows and expansive porch area. The palm tree-lined Eddy D. Field Baseball Stadium likewise overlooks the ocean, and the beautiful Alumni Park is oceanside as well, with green grass and trees and the water stretching beyond.

Boulder, CO

The University of Colorado Boulder is another college thats located in the midst of the mountains, and this scenic background is just one of the reasons that the CU-Boulder campus is so beautiful. A great place to admire the mountains is from the Center for Academic Success and Engagement, a sparkly new building with modern charm, all the amenities and a fourth-floor terrace where you can take in the impressive views of the Flatirons. In addition, its a tradition at the college to hike these picturesque rock formations. Or how about enjoying those mountain views while playing some tennis on the rooftop tennis courts of the Rec Center?

The architecture on the campus has a Spanish or Mediterranean flair, mixed in amidst all the green spaces and pathways, along with a cute little pond. The photo-worthy Farrand Field is rumored to be the second most Instagrammed place in Colorado. Fun fact off the topic of how beautiful the campus is: One of CUs dining halls was named after the only convicted cannibal in the state of Colorado.

Honolulu, HI

The University of Hawaii-Mnoa is a tropical paradise in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. On or right near the campus, there are palm trees, bright blue waters, deep green tropical vegetation, colorful flowers, waterfalls and attractive buildings. The McCartney Mall is a long, tree-lined walkway cutting through the center of campus and is the route to many of the universitys classrooms. Painted murals on some of the walls decorate the campus and give it color and an artistic touch and theres plenty more art to be seen at the John Young Museum of Art. For some downtime outdoors, get a little Zen in the beautiful Japanese tea garden. UH Manoa has all the beauty of the islands with the education to match. Students swear that they can balance beach time while still keeping up on their studies.

Reno, NV

Having just celebrated its 149th birthday on October 12, 2023, the University of Nevada, Reno, is the first and oldest institute of higher learning in the state of Nevada. This college is an absolute haven for outdoors lovers. One of its biggest claims to fame is its close proximity to the dazzling Lake Tahoe, just steps away from campus. Tahoe, the Jewel of the Sierra, and its surrounding area offer crystal clear waters, mountains, hills, bike paths, hiking trails, beaches, towering pine trees

Back on campus, the beautiful 290-acre UNR grounds provide plenty of green lawns for running or reading, Frisbee or friends, and Manzanita Lake is right on-site. The Reno area boasts 22 days of sun per month, but luckily, theres also plenty of shade beneath the canopy of trees arching over the campus walkways.

If trees bring you joy, youll be happy to know that the entire campus is actually a Nevada state arboretum. But if youre more of an urban soul, dont worry; youre not barking up the wrong tree at UNR. The city of Reno has all the perks of city life you need.

Portland, OR

Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, describes itself as a college thats in both the woods and the city. It also has the mountains Mt. Hood, to be exact. The campus really does look like something out of a travel brochure for the Pacific Northwest: water trickling down rocks, pink flowers growing beside stone walls, stone steps leading down to a reflecting pool, green lawns, white cherry blossoms on the trees, fountain statues, gardens There are trails to hike, hills to climb, waters to swim in. The campus connects with 658 acres of Tryon State Park, which offers 10 miles of trails. Walk across the covered bridge straddling the Ravine, a wood-covered valley right in the middle of campus. Flanagan Chapel is pretty and also unique its home to the only circular pipe organ in the world. And, of course, nearby Portland just 15 minutes from the Lewis & Clark campus- has plenty to offer, from food to fun. The city is constantly making the ranks of best places to live and most popular travel destinations.

Seattle, WA

Way up north in Seattle sits the University of Washington. Its gorgeous campus is sprinkled with Gothic architecture, including the Suzzallo Library, which looks like someone took an ancient cathedral and filled it with books. Interspersed between the old historic buildings are flagstone walkways, cherry trees, the green lawns of the Quad, the Blocked Out art installation, the Sylvan Grove columns and the Red Squares brick plaza. The magnificent Drumheller Fountain sits in an area of campus known as Rainier Vista, featuring trees and roses and the backdrop of Mount Rainier far behind. The lovely fountain, which seems like it belongs in a park in Europe, holds a million gallons of water enough to fill two Olympic-sized swimming pools. Its frequented not only by students but also by a regular population of ducks. Like the other campuses on this list, UW also offers plenty of nature, including 10,000 trees and Lake Washington. And beyond that, what better city for the great outdoors, entertainment, food and endless activities than Seattle? UW has it all.

Read more:
Most Beautiful College Campuses Out West - Livability