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Localized flash flooding is possible Monday into Monday night as a cold front will push through the Rio Grande Valley, the National Weather Service in Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley reports.

The NWS said there is the chance for strong to severe storms capable of producing damaging wind and hail along with localized flash flooding.

Total rainfall of 2 to 3 inches over a couple of hours in poor drainage areas of the Valley will result in 1 to 2 feet of water depth and nuisance flooding, the NWS reports.

Because there is a marginal risk for severe weather, damaging winds and hail are the primary concerns.

There is moderate uncertainty as to where the heaviest rain will set up, with the Lower and Middle Rio Grande Valley favored for the heaviest rain at this time, according to the NWS.

While there is some uncertainty with regards to severe weather potential and flash flooding potential, there is high confidence in a feels like temperature drop of 20 to 30 degrees from Monday afternoon to Tuesday. Minor coastal flooding, high surf, and dangerous rip currents will also be possible following the cold front, meteorologist said.

The severe weather threat is expected between noon Monday through 7 a.m. Tuesday. The flash flooding threat is also expected through the same time, but could be extended into Tuesday afternoon, according to the NWS.

Strong to severe storms may include gusty winds up to 60 mph, with pea to nickel sized hail possible.

The NWS report there is still time to prepare for the severe weather and urge motorists to and residents to do the following:

>>Check tire tread wear and pressure and repair/replace.

>>Check brake pads/shoes for wear and replace if needed

>>Check windshield wipers for dry rot and replace immediately to give a clear view

>>Remove debris from drainage ditches, cleanouts, and canals to be on the safe side

>>Check roofs, siding, etc. for loose items and fasten down.

>>Protect/tie down/move outdoor ornamentals, inflatables, holiday decorations, etc.

>>Have a plan to protect life and property (vehicles) before any hail falls. For vehicles, plant to move them to a garage or carport ahead of time.

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Flash flooding possible Monday as cold front will push through the Valley - Brownsville Herald

"Beware of my rules": Hideki Kamiya responds to allegations from Hellena Taylor, leaving Bayonetta community upset

Modified Oct 16, 2022 12:44 AM IST

The upcoming hack-and-slash offering, Bayonetta 3, has been a recent subject of controversy after the original voice actor, Hellena Taylor, was replaced. To add to the mess, the studio's key employee Hideki Kamiya recently took to Twitter to mitigate the damage after Taylor stepped up to elaborate on her absence. Now, new information has come to light, citing Platinum's pay of a meager 4,000 USD for her services as the reason behind her departure.

Among the things Hideki said in his tweet was this bit:

Before the emergence of the recent piece of news, fans had expressed concern over replacing the voice actress with Jennifer Hale. With the new information, they are even more upset and siding with Taylor.

After Taylor's four-part post addressing her fans to boycott the game to respect underpaid workers, Kamiya himself seems to have stirred the hornet's nest. His tweet hinted at Taylor's recent revelation as a form of lie, ending with "BEWARE OF MY RULES."

With that, he openly addressed the fact that any fans who dare bring up this controversy will be blocked right away. Yet gamers have begun to berate him despite his track record of blocking sprees.

Fans are sympathizing with Hellena Taylor and even advocating for her recasting, in addition to being serious about the boycott:

Twitter users didn't drop the issue, commenting under a clearly deflective post about food from Hideki:

As expected, fans who are getting on his nerves are being blocked as well.

Since Hideki Kamiya is the respected game director behind iconic names like Devil May Cry and Okami, this turn of events is very disappointing for many. It is strange that the studio could not afford to offer Taylor a better pay; she has worked with it in the past. This is even more baffling considering the fact that Nintendo is footing the bill for this third entry, which is set to be a Nintendo Switch exclusive.

The Japanese gaming giant has hired world-renowned actors such as Chris Pratt and Jack Black for the upcoming Super Mario movie by Illumination. Perhaps Taylor's meager pay has something to do with Bayonetta's co-owner SEGA? Fans will just have to wait for an official response.

Overall, this is a bad situation for the studio's workforce as well. The title being exclusive to one platform is already expected to see fewer sales. And this controversy, with Taylor being underpaid and Kamiya's response to it, threatens sales for the game even further.

At this point in time, Bayonetta 3 is trending on Twitter, with many users fuming over the situation. As such, an official statement from publisher Nintendo is at least very likely to happen. Bayonetta 3 is set to release on October 28, 2022.

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"Beware of my rules": Hideki Kamiya responds to allegations from Hellena Taylor, leaving Bayonetta community upset - Sportskeeda

For years, Emily Kosmerl knew her East Side home needed insulation.

The house, built in 1915, was drafty and expensive to heat sometimes as much as $500 a month.

Kosmerl and her husband, Paul, poked around enough to know why.

There was no insulation, she said. It wasnt insulated when it was built, and it wasnt insulated later.

Ethan Featherstone of Accurate-Airtight Exteriors applies spray foam insulation in the attic of a residence in Sussex. The new Inflation Reduction Act includes billions of dollars worth of incentives for weatherization and other energy-saving measures.

They got an energy audit, but because the siding likely contained asbestos they would need to insulate the walls from the inside, which seemed too daunting.

We did everything else that was suggested lightbulbs, low-flow shower heads, Kosmerl said. This project was just too big and pricey.

In January, their boiler gave out after less than 10 years.

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The Kosmerls decided to weatherize the house and replace their boiler with a smaller, more efficient model. They had the house air-sealed from the basement sills to the rafters. Their contractor filled the attic with insulation and drilled holes between each stud to pump the walls full of foam.

The cost was more than $18,000, even after a $1,200 state rebate, which they expect to eventually recover through savings on their utility bills.

While they were able to plan and save for the expense, the price tag is out of reach for many families. That could change next year, thanks to incentives in the new Inflation Reduction Act.

While the landmark bill is expected to spur the nations fastest-ever buildout of clean energy resources, it also includes billions of dollars to make homes more energy-efficient, which experts say is the single most cost-effective tool for slowing climate change.

Urbanek

Its an unprecedented amount of money going to energy efficiency, said Lauren Urbanek, senior energy policy analyst for the Natural Resources Defense Council. It has the potential to be pretty transformative.

Unlike previous federal clean energy tax credits, which favor those who can afford the up-front cost of things like solar panels, many of the IRAs programs are aimed at low- and moderate-income households and disadvantaged communities.

Green Homeowners United estimates that more than half a million Wisconsin households including tens of thousands in Dane County will qualify for rebates that could cover up to 80% of the costs of weatherization and in some cases the full cost of a new heat pump.

Its going to be a huge opportunity for us to upgrade a lot of homes, said Kevin Kane, co-founder and chief economist for the West Allis-based company that seeks to help people conserve energy. Almost every home will have access to some amount of incentive.

Policy analysts say energy-efficient measures such as weatherization are the most cost-effective tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Not pie in the sky

Passed by Congress this summer, the IRA includes nearly $370 billion for clean energy and energy savings, the nations largest-ever investment in slowing climate change.

In combination with existing policies, its expected to reduce the nations greenhouse gas emissions by about 40% by 2030, according to two independent analyses.

Scientists warn emissions need to be cut in half by 2030 and eliminated entirely by 2050 to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.

Much of the money will go to subsidize wind, solar and other forms of clean energy generation, but the bill includes $25 billion to help make existing homes more energy efficient and tens of billions more for broad greenhouse gas reduction programs that could include home retrofits, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.

Energy efficiency is a key piece of the puzzle when it comes to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions: Its one of the cheapest solutions, improves comfort and health, and saves consumers money on their energy bills.

Theres not one simple answer, but in general we think energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way of getting savings, said Lowell Ungar, director of federal policy for the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, which found that the nation could cut greenhouse gas emissions in half just by improving efficiency of buildings, industry and transportation.

This is not pie-in-the-sky stuff, Ungar said. This is doing what we already know how to do.

And while conservation alone wont eliminate all carbon emissions, it will make the transition from fossil fuels easier and cheaper.

It makes it a heck of a lot easier to actually make the grid cleaner when demand is less, Urbanek said. You dont have to put up as many solar panels.

Policy analysts say financial incentives are also crucial for getting new technologies into the mainstream, like they did with LED lighting.

Its going to really push along and help us get to where we need to go, Ungar said.

Crunching the numbers

Kane said the law will supercharge his companys mission to do right by the planet, right by homeowners and right by workers to help people fight climate change from home.

By crunching data from the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Kane estimates there are more than 510,000 low- and moderate-income households that would qualify for an $8,000 rebate on a high-efficiency heat pump, which is essentially an air conditioner that also works as a heater.

Kane said in many cases that would completely offset the cost.

Frost said the4-3 Supreme Court rulingthata mere appearance of bias by a public official is not a due process violation left him little choice.

A separate program will provide instant rebates on home improvements like insulation, window replacement or air sealing that reduce energy use by 20% or more.

Homeowners can receive a $2,000 rebate for projects that cut use by 20%, and $4,000 for projects that save at least 35%, or up to half of the total project cost. For households earning less than 80% of the median ($64,700 for a family of three in Wisconsin), the rebates are doubled and can cover up to 80% of the total cost.

The bill also includes incentives for owners of multi-family buildings and other landlords, helping renters who are often left out of such programs.

Its going to be a huge opportunity for us to upgrade a lot of homes in the area, Kane said. For many people, theyre going to be paying very, very little, especially in terms of heat pumps.

Weatherization contractors say they will need to recruit and train more workers to meet the demand stimulated by rebates and tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act.

Creating jobs

The incentives will also be a boon for weatherization and HVAC contractors.

Weve been waiting for something like this for a long time, said Torrance Kramer, president of Accurate-Airtight Exteriors, an energy-efficiency construction company that does energy audits, insulation and building envelope consulting. Itll change the dynamic of how we do business.

Kramer, whose company insulated Kosmerls home, said he expects the incentives will bring in more business from northern Wisconsin, though it might also force him to be more selective in the jobs he takes.

That will leave opportunities for other folks, he said.

Kramer said hes already looking for more workers.

As every other contractor, its a really big challenge for us, Kramer said. Im an insulator. You want to go crawl around in a tight, itchy space?

Kane is working with labor unions to set up training programs for the industry.

Were going to hire people lots and lots of people, Kane said. Were letting people know this isnt just a gig. Its a career path.

Workers with Accurate-Airtight Exteriors remove old insulation from the attic of a residence in Sussex. The Inflation Reduction Act includes rebates of up to $4,000 for retrofit projects that reduce energy use.

Guidance sought

Its unclear exactly when and how the IRA funding will be distributed and administered.

States are waiting on the Department of Energy to issue guidance before they submit plans for approval, which Urbanek said likely wont happen until sometime in 2023.

While the DOE has yet to announce Wisconsins share of the state-administered programs, its likely to be at least 10 times what the states ratepayer-funded conservation program Focus on Energy currently budgets for residential incentives.

But Urbanek said state- and utility-sponsored conservation programs will still be essential to solving the problem.

Its unprecedented ... but it is not enough, Urbanek said. Even $9 billion is not going to be enough to reach every single home and building.

The Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition, a group of local governments representing more than a third of the states population, called the bill a once in a lifetime opportunity to supercharge energy efficiency.

The group has urged the Public Service Commission to adjust Focus on Energys goals to stack state and federal incentives and leverage the state program to help more people take advantage of the federal funds.

With the help of professional facilitators, attendees will spend the day coming up with immediate actions and long-term strategies to address climate change in Wisconsin.

But regulators, who are crafting goals for the next four-year period, say they dont yet know enough about how the IRA funds will be distributed.

Making any changes based on that legislation is extremely premature, PSC Chair Rebecca Valcq said. It may be another year before we get guidance on some of these programs.

Wallace Kennedy of Accurate-Airtight Exteriors seals gaps in the attic of a Sussex home to keep heat from escaping. Air sealing is a crucial element of weatherization, said Dylan Crye, residential program director for Focus on Energy, who likens insulating without sealing to wearing a wool sweater on a windy day.

Welcome comfort

Despite the high cost and missing out on the coming incentives Kosmerl said her weatherization investment was worth it.

Shes expecting to see big savings on her utility bills this winter, and she was surprised this summer to discover how much quieter and more comfortable the house was, even without air conditioning.

Our house is staying so much cooler, she said. We always thought about the heating bill in winter, but our summer is so much more pleasant too.

While she missed out on the IRAs weatherization rebates, Kosmerl is interested in the bills incentives for heat pumps, which can heat and cool spaces.

Im really keeping an eye on those, she said. Wed really like to get to a point where we have air conditioning.

Its going to be a huge opportunity for us to upgrade a lot of homes. Almost every home will have access to some amount of incentive.

Kevin Kane, co-founder and chief economist forWest Allis-basedGreen Homeowners United

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Report: More than half-million Wisconsin homes could qualify for new weatherization incentives - Madison.com

In the last episode of The Rings of Power, we saw that the allegiance of Numenor was somewhat changing. The island, which was gifted to men by the Valar, now wanted to wage war against the beliefs of their own ancestors. When Elendil and Miriel returned from the Southlands after witnessing their worst horrors, black flags were seen fluttering as if telling them about the impending doom. So, lets see what Tar-Palantir had prophesied and how the end of Season 1 corroborated it and told us that the downfall of the great kingdom was near.

Spoilers Ahead

Queen Regent Miriel was totally against helping Galadriel in her quest to save the Southlands from the wrath of Sauron. Miriel portrayed that she was astonished by the audacity of the Elf to enter Numenor when it was clear that they were against the Valar for many generations and the elves were not allowed to step onto their lands. But you sense that more than being annoyed, Miriel was scared. Anticipatory anxiety could be sensed by just looking at her face. It was as if she feared the happening of an event, and somewhere it was related to the arrival of the Elf on their lands. Galadriel went to the tower where Miriels father, Tar-Palantir, used to stay. Galadriel knew that Tar-Palantir was loyal to the elves. He supported the faithful secretly (the people who believed in elvish ways), and he also talked about renewing relations between Numenor and the elves. The white tree of Numenor (Nimloth) was sacred to him. He knew that the fate of the descendants of Tar-Minyatur was tied to the holy white tree of Numenor.

The people of Numenor didnt like the bona fide intentions of their king. They had been brainwashed for generations. They believed that the Ban of Valar was unfair. There was a lot of resentment and anger in the kingdom, and the king was accused of honoring the ways and means of Eru Iluvatar. Eventually, Tar-Palantir was forced to step down from the throne. Miriel became the queen after him (according to the series The Rings of Power), and it was then that Tar-Palantir revealed to her a secret. In a Palantir, he showed Miriel the downfall of Numenor. Though not everything shown by a Palantir always turns true, Tar-Palantir believed that if they didnt restore the old ways, they wouldnt be able to stop the vision from becoming a reality. He had foreseen that one day, the darkness of the night would overshadow the light of the sun. He feared that one day the red banners of Numenor would be replaced by black flags supporting the cause of evil. He had seen that one day, the light of Earendil would be enveloped in darkness. He had seen that the Nimloth would be destroyed, and with it, Numenor, too, would meet its fateful end.

Miriel was too scared to accept the reality. She still harbored a feeling of contempt for the elves. She believed that the path of her father had almost destroyed them. Because the Palantir had shown that the doom of Numenor would begin with the arrival of an Elf on their lands, Queen Regent was even more desperate to send Galadriel away, as she thought that by doing so, she could change what was destined to be. She didnt know that Galadriel had come up with a solution and that the downfall of Numenor would only be brought by men, their short-sightedness, and their greed.

According to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, Pharazon defeated the Dark Lord and then brought him to Numenor as a prisoner. But Sauron was a manipulative and shrewd contemplator. Miraculously, the prisoner rose to the position of an advisor and misled the king into believing that his race had been tricked by the Valar and that they should have shared the boon of immortality with the men too. But the narrative of The Rings of Power is a bit altered and tweaked. Sauron had come to Numenor, disguised as Halbrand, together with Galadriel. We speculate that Sauron was, in all probability, corrupting the mind of Pharazon (though The Rings of Power doesnt give us any strong scenes or confrontation to establish the same).

Pharazon was quite aware about what he needed to do to have a strong hold on the empire. We credit this awareness to the presence of Sauron in the kingdom, as maybe he had started acting behind the veil without being seen or noticed by Galadriel and others. Pharazon says that statecraft is the art of attending to small matters. He knew that if he wanted to strengthen his hold on the kingdom, he needed the common folks to be on his side. He needed to win their trust, and, most importantly, he needed to have his ears to the ground. Pharazon didnt want to be a victim of an unforeseen rebellion, and that is why he started laying the foundations of evil very carefully. He gained the trust of the Numenoreans by assuring them that as long as he was alive, Numenor would remain a kingdom of men. Pharazon was of the opinion that cleverness only gave short-term gratifications, but it was wisdom that changed the course of things forever. More than being clever he wanted to be wise.

Towards the end of the first season of The Rings of Power, we saw that Pharazon had completely taken over the state of affairs in the absence of Queen Miriel and Elendil. He talked about making a tomb for Tar-Palantir after his death. Tar-Palantir was still alive, but it seemed like Pharazon was in a bit of a hurry. When the fleet of ships returned from the Southlands, Elendil noticed the black flags hoisted all across Numenor. Elendil was a wise man, and he understood what had happened in their absence. The black flags signified the beginning of the downfall of Numenor. Black could symbolize many other things too. It stands for evilness and death. It could be used to convey authority. Maybe Pharazon wanted to tell the others that he was in charge now. He, maybe, didnt appreciate that Miriel went to Southlands and fought alongside an Elf. Maybe he felt that she had blatantly violated years of traditions. He had always seen the elves with a lot of disdain, and now his queen was siding with the enemy of the state, and he didnt like it. Black also represented the darkness that Tar-Palantir had seen in his visions. It signified that an evil power was rising in the lands of Mordor. The smoke from Mount Doom had covered the sky, and darkness had spread throughout the Southlands. In the War of the Wrath, the men of Southlands had sided with Morgoth. But the ancestors of the Numenoreans had fought alongside the elves and Valar. Black signified betrayal, and it told us that the Numenoreans were headed toward their doom under the leadership of Pharazon.

Maybe in season 2 of The Rings of Power, Elendil and the other faithfuls would try to bring down the black banner and once again resort to old ways. But as it is said that once darkness seeps inside the cracks of ones conscience, once the seed of evilness is sown in the hearts of men, and once people are captivated by greed, it becomes very difficult to save them from their own fate.

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What Does The Black Flags Of Numenor At The End Of 'The Rings of Power' Season 1 Suggest? | DMT - DMT

Windows are a vital feature of any home but theyre also one of the most forgotten. After all, we spend most of the time looking right through them. The fact is, windows have an enormous impact on a home's style and performance. Top-quality units enhance curb appeal and make the interior of your home more attractive, too. Good windows can also drastically improve your home's energy efficiency and ventilation, and theyre much easier to clean and maintain than lower-quality options.

While the benefits of new windows are clear-cut, shopping for new windows is anything but. Its a high-stakes decision too, with the average cost of replacing a single window coming in around $650, according to home services marketplace Angi. For a typical home, the total all-in cost is between $3,000 and $10,000.

Choosing a top window brand is a good place to start the window-buying process. The home renovation experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been evaluating window brands for decades, so we've compiled the list of market leaders based on key criteria, including availability, selection, price range and service. Though prices can vary significantly even within the same brand, depending on the size and features, we provided the following ballpark pricing guidelines for a standard double-hung window:

$ = $150 to $200$$ = $200 to $400 $$$ = $400 to $600 $$$$$ = $600 and up

Here, in alphabetical order, are the best window brands to consider for your next project.

Courtesy of Andersen Windows

Founded in 1903, Andersen is one of the biggest names in window manufacturing. The company is headquartered in Bayport, Minnesota (the Midwest is a hotbed of window making) with more than 30 manufacturing, distribution and retail locations nationwide. The company is known for quality and innovation it developed the first wood-clad windows in 1966 and the first composite windows in 1999.

EXPLORE ANDERSON WINDOWS

A bank of double-hung windows with 4-over-4 divided lites brings fresh air and natural light to a traditional kitchen.

When it comes to sheer size, Jeld-Wen takes the prize, with more than a billion dollars in annual revenue. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company was founded in 1960 and now boasts 117 manufacturing facilities across 19 countries. Its more mass-market than other window brands on this list, with vast lines of inexpensive replacement windows, though it also makes custom units.

EXPLORE JELD-WEN WINDOWS

Marvin is another window brand with a rich pedigree, having opened its doors in 1912, originally as a family-run lumber company. Headquartered in Warroad, Minnesota, it started making windows in the 1950s and has since opened another 10 facilities nationwide. Marvin is a major innovator in the window space; for example, it has integrated connected smart technology into its windows and skylights. It's also a leader in the big window and door movement, including bi-fold and sliding varieties.

EXPLORE MARVIN WINDOWS

Milgard Windows and Doors

Milgard started as a small glass company in Tacoma, Washington in 1958. In the ensuing decades, it has evolved into a custom window company specializing in aluminum, vinyl and fiberglass windows. Though its been bought up by large multi-nationals by Masco Corporation in 2001 and MI Windows and Doors in 2019 Milgard still takes a hands-on approach to window manufacturing, producing all its own components, from frames to insulated glass.

EXPLORE MILGARD WINDOWS

Pella

Courtesy of Pella

Pella is one of the most recognized national window brands, alongside the likes of Andersen and Jeld-Wen. The family-owned company launched in 1925 in the town of Pella, Iowa and it still preaches traditional American values, even as its annual revenues have tipped the billion-dollar mark. Pella was founded on a newfangled invention (a rollup window screen) and that spirit of ingenuity still defines the culture, with a steady flow of innovations over the years that add convenience and ease-of-use, including between-the-glass blinds and shades, retractable screens and removable wooden grills.

EXPLORE PELLA WINDOWS

Billing itself as the #1 manufacturer of windows, vinyl siding and metal accessories, Ply Gem is geared toward professional builders and developers, often on new-build projects. But it does cater to homeowners too; for example, with a full line of replacement windows.

EXPLORE PLY GEM WINDOWS

Based in Medford, Wisconsin, Weather Shield is a family-owned and operated company thats been making high-quality, all-wood and wood-clad windows since the 1950s.

EXPLORE WEATHER SHIELD WINDOWS

Window World

Founded in 1995, North Carolina-based Window World is a relative newcomer to the window category, but it has grown fast through its first quarter century and now sells about a million units a year. Billing itself as Americas largest exterior remodeler, the company is a full-service provider of all exterior components, including doors, shutters, roofing and more.

EXPLORE WINDOW WORLD WINDOWS

To put together this list of top window brands, we narrowed our focus to manufacturers with strong reputations for quality and reliability, based on decades of home renovation product testing and reviews by our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute. We also considered how easy the windows are to find; though some brands on our list have a regional focus, most can be ordered and shipped to anywhere in the country. Selection and price were other criteria; brands with a wide range of styles, materials and price points serve the widest swath of consumers.

Natural light streams into a basement living area through a trio of hopper windows.

Between style, configuration, material and features, there are literally millions of windows to choose from. Heres how to find the perfect fit for your next project.

Replacement vs. new construction: Also known as pocket replacements or retrofit windows, replacement windows are designed to sit in an existing frame, while new construction windows include the frame, sill, jambs and nailing flange, which attaches the window to the surrounding structure. If your existing frames are in good shape, youll save significantly by choosing replacement windows. Obviously if the project is a new home or addition, youll need to go with new construction windows.

Stock vs. custom: This decision also has a big impact on price and complexity of the project. Most window openings are in standard dimensions, for example 2x3 feet or 2x4 feet. Stock windows are made to fit these openings are the least expensive. Custom windows are special ordered to fit different size openings; beside costing more, they have longer lead times, maybe twenty weeks instead of the 10-12 weeks needed for stock units.

Styles: Windows come in a wide array of styles and configurations. Here are the most common options.

Double-Hung Window

Casement Window

Sliding Window

Awning Window

Material: These are the pros and cons of three main window materials:

Wood Window

Vinyl Window

Composite Window

Special Features: Once you settle on the window type and material, consider these additional features:

Before becoming a home renovation expert, Dan DiClerico worked for a remodeling company that specialized in windows, roofs and other exterior projects. He has since written dozens of articles on windows, including buying guides, how-tos on the replacement process and tips for making your existing units more energy efficient. Dan is a regular at housing trade shows, where he keeps up with the latest innovations, from impact-resistant glass to integrated screen systems. As the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Dan oversees testing of windows, along with other exterior products, like roofing, siding and doors.

Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.

This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

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8 Best Window Brands of 2022 - Good Housekeeping

On Monday, Oct. 17, the City of Florences Housing Implementation Plan (HIP) online survey will close, leaving just days for the community to offer their input on the direction of housing in Florence.

One particular part of the survey, Zoning Updates Comments or Questions, has left some survey participants scratching their heads, faced with an essay-style question concerning 60 pages of highlighted city code.

While easy to skip over, this part of the survey could be considered the most critical, as it goes over specific details on what changes are to be made, particularly to Florences housing code.

But one section, clear and objective, takes up the majority of pages in the survey, yet is the most opaque and challenging of all the subjects. The topic, which deals with the interplay of natural resources and building construction, leads to a host of questions on what the future of Florence could look like and how code can help define that future.

How do homes interact with places like wetlands and wildlife habitats? What kinds of developments will be built in these areas, if they should be at all, and what rules will they have to follow?

What kinds of things could you do? City of Florence Planning Director Wendy FarleyCampbell asked. If you're bringing all these houses into this area, could you not maybe do just avoidance, but mitigation?

From how far back houses are placed to critical areas like wetlands, to the interplay between much needed housing and the unique environment of Florence, the survey is a chance for the public to not only think about these interplays, but allows the space to offer specific suggestions.

To help guide people through the most dense part of the HIP survey, FarleyCampbell went into depth on some of the suggested changes to code, and what people could be looking at when filling out the survey.

Clear and Objective

Throughout the year, the city has been working on updating city code through HIP, and they partnered with research firm MIG/APG and Johnson Economics to do an audit of city codes that were updated in 2019, along with present possible changes.

In July, MIG/APG presented a draft of possible code changes to consider, with a host of suggestions from affordable housing regulations, transitional housing, and short term rentals.

But some of the biggest changes MIG/APG suggested comes from an audit they performed, where they found that certain portions of the 2019 code did not meet clear and objective standards for ORS 197.307(4).

Clear means that a code specifically states what a developer should do on a project, and objective tells them exactly what they should do to meet the code.

If a code is not objective, it could lead to gaps of understanding between the city and developers.

For example, the 2019 code states clearance of vegetation on the remainder of the lot area, including that portion in the setback area otherwise permitted for vegetation clearance, is minimized.

The rule is clear developers need to minimize clearing vegetation beyond the building structure itself. But the word minimized is not objective.

Nobody knows what minimum necessarily is; that's up to the developer, FarleyCampbell said. You can get one of those developers saying, We got to take all this out, I gotta get my 20-foot wide CAT in here, I need all this room. Well, not really. You could take the smaller CAT and get it in there, grab 10 feet from the building foundation and get the space that you need. Right? It's not clear.

Its also possible that a city employee could look at the 20 foot CAT idea and believe its not cleared enough, and even more vegetation has to be removed. Or they could simply turn a blind eye and leave it up to the developer to figure out.

On the same token, the city could tell the developer that CATs werent allowed at all, developers have to use hand tools, and minimum means removing a single plant and nothing else.

That's what were trying to avoid planners being too strong, or not strong enough, FarleyCampbell said.

So instead, the draft code puts in a clear set of rules. Minimized is erased and replaced with ... limited to the development footprint. Any vegetation removal must be placed on-site with native plant species. The planting replacement area must be at least 1.5 times area of the removed area of vegetation.

The process would be simplified, easy for both the developer and the city to understand and follow, saving both time and resources for both parties, and avoiding possible litigation down the road.

Current standards

In the 2019 code, there are multiple instances of clear and objective updates on a wide variety of topics, from maintaining bank stability and avoiding sedimentation of coastal waters including lakes, to quality of surface and subsurface waters, according to MIG/APG.

But clear and objective changes only affect certain overlay districts, which are areas of the citys buildable land that are subject to special conditions. Some of the overlays had minimal suggested changes, while other, more sensitive areas, did have large changes that were rarely, if ever, used. For example, Tsunami Zones.

But some, such as the Prime Wildlife Overlay District, which had a total of 17 changes, do get used.

This is not to say that the city has been leaving things up in the air. In fact, all the changes to the code are what the city is currently interpreting.

Before they drafted all of these, I said, 'Let me tell you what we're doing before you start figuring out what to change.' So I have looked, and what they're proposing is largely how we're implementing it.

If a project is on a slope, They need to meet the building codes for the slope, FarleyCampbell said. We're not just going to let them get Jimmy Bob Local Contractor out there with his backhoe and start. He needs to get an engineer to help him.

In fact, theres portions of the MIG/APGs suggested changes where FarleyCampbell didnt think it was objective enough.

In one instance, 2019 code stated that developers should Avoid disturbance of the remainder of the vegetation cover beyond a point where the disturbance would be a detriment to the wildlife community which utilizes this area.

Determining what the wildlife community is could be interpreted in a wide variety of ways, so MIG/APG attempted to limit the space, changing it to, Avoid disturbance of the remainder of the vegetation cover beyond the development footprint.

That to me is still not clear, because whats development? FarleyCampbell asked.

And thats one of the goals of the project, and what the city hopes people will think about with the survey: How strict, or unstrict, should these codes be?

As for now, when asked if the city has been having issues with the developers, or vice versa, The short answer is no, FarleyCampbell said.

She only listed a handful of small properties that have been developed in the overlays with the most changes. Many were infill lots, vacant one-offs that are not part of a new development. Around eight were in the development Shelter Cove.

The recession hit and a lot (of properties) sat there. Well, recession lifted, and all those lots started jockeying to get them gone or to build on them, FarleyCampbell said. And just about everybody pretty much sold them.

There were other properties on Rhododendron Drive that were approved, but no major developments have occurred inside an overlay with significant changes.

But there are still issues.

Other codes

Recently, questions arose about a development where the bank on the property was sloughing.

Well, there is nothing in code that we talk of that has anything to do with sloughing, FarleyCampbell said. Theres no code that says how to deal with it.

Other times, developers dont even apply for code they just start working.

Theres a lot of vegetation clearing that's happening that have been resolved after the fact. They clear it and they come in and get permits later, FarleyCampbell said.

At times, the city has had to go back.

You need to replant it. Its not homeless abatement, FarleyCampbell said.

For developments that are completed, Florence City Code currently does not have a way to check on housing afterwards.

We don't go back and see if they've added bedrooms. Look at all the houses that have been approved, and there's tons whose garages have been turned into bonus rooms, FarleyCampbell said. Well, it was supposed to be in the code for the cars. That's what it says in code. Do we run around and tell people to go get a storage unit?

Its a slippery slope. Do city inspectors inspect every piece of housing?

But there is missing code that can have an adverse effect on Florence residents.

While HIP is currently not looking at the matter, MIG/APG pointed out that City currently lacks code to define unsafe or unhealthy housing.

Campbell said the city does plan to look at these sections, and there were quite a few code sections that need updating.

For instance, we do not have a health officer and the countys health department does not regulate anything that does not need a permit, FarleyCampbell said. So most derelict housing that does not have a true structural, electrical and fire protection defect is tough to legally regulate as written. We are talking tarps, mold, broken windows, siding falling off.

The future

The process to change those codes could have large effects on the existing housing, but for the code changes HIP is currently looking at through clear and objective, Campbell states only two developments could be impacted by the changes: Three Mile Prairie as it moves into later phases, and a planned but not submitted proposal for a subdivision north of town with property owned by the Benedicks.

We all know Benedick is planning to do something they annexed, they are in the wildlife zone, WendyFarleyCampbell said.

But if Florence continues to expand northward to build more houses in these zones, the changes to code could become more relevant.

As we expand, these will apply, FarleyCampbell said.

MIG/APG did offer an option that went beyond regulating how to build.

The city may elect to prohibit all residential uses from these areas, thereby meeting the clear and objective standards by simply not allowing housing in these areas, it reported.

Farley Campbell did not give an opinion on the questions, stating, Its whatever the public wants, if thats the angle we want to take.

But she did state that codes are being looked at in a way that does provide protections.

Im going to take wildlife as an example, because it has to do with Benedick, she said. So a prime wildlife chapter has a setback in it, to where you measure the wetland is, and theres going to be a person thats going to do that. Theyre going to say, Okay, heres the edge of the wetland. And you have a setback thats established on that, whereby you cant do anything nothing, not a tree being removed, not a bush, and its pretty generous. And so how much more clear and objective do you need to be?

But ultimately, FarleyCampbell said it was for the community to decide what codes should be. And its a positive process she hopes could get people thinking about the future environment they live in.

There could be all kinds of things, she said. Weve got all these agency partners Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Forestry. And theyve got planners and scientists with degrees in ecology. Theyre the stakeholders here, and could weigh in and provide some recommendations for some of these code changes, or certainly review them to see if theres a way to strengthen some of those.

It could lead to more walking areas and parks that could find a melding of nature and buildings.

Theres not anything in code that says how you keep people from getting out there and tromping around in the wetlands, FarleyCampbell said. Theres nothing against that, but theres probably a way of knowing how people are going to do that. Could you design something that creates areas for people to know where theyre allowed, and subsequently, not allowed? I dont know.

Its for the community to figure out.

The HIP survey can be located at https://bit.ly/HIPHousingSurvey, and closes on Monday, Oct. 17.

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Housing survey asks questions on 'clear and objective' phrasing - Siuslaw News

Does your home need life brought back into it? A fresh coat of paint can take an old, stale-looking house and completely rejuvenate its curb appeal, making you fall in love all over again.

When it comes to house painting, the professional name residents have come to know and trust is Five Star Painting.

Our residential painting company can take even the most worn-out exterior and bring it back to life with a fresh coat of high-quality outdoor paint, applied using professional tools and experienced techniques to ensure a quality finish each and every time.

Our residential painting services include:Interior house paintingExterior home paintingCabinet paintingDeck & fence paintingDrywall repairPressure washingCarpentry services

From crisp and straight lines to a clean and organized work area, our team completes projects on time and on budget with minimal disturbance to your business.

Our commercial painting company will source exactly what your business needs. Whether its applying anti-bacterial paint in a hospital or elastomeric paint on masonry walls, weve got you covered.

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SOUTH BRUNSWICK An Ohio painter is on the run after police say he stole $24,000 worth of tools from contractors remodeling a Route 1 hotel.

Staff at the Sonesta Suites on Thursday morning found a large number of tools in the room being used by Travis Mollett, 33, who works for a commercial painting contractor, according to South Brunswick police. The tools had been stored in several shipping containers.

Two vehicles had also been broken into and items were stolen. Over $24,000 in tools were reported to police as stolen earlier Thursday morning, police said.

When the contractors whose tools were missing confronted Mollett, he ran off as police arrived.

Travis Mollett

Officers set up a perimeter around the hotel and two K9 dogs tracked Mollett's scent heading south on Route 1 but lost it. The search was ended around 3:30 p.m. Mollett remained missing as of Friday morning, according to police.

Police and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office obtained a warrant and entered the room and recovered the stolen tools and equipment. Mollett will be charged in connection with the thefts when he is found, according to police.

South Brunswick Police asked anyone with information about Mollett's location to call them at 732- 329-4646.

Dan Alexander is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

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On the run: Man steals $24000 worth of tools in South Brunswick, NJ - New Jersey 101.5 FM

When you decide to renovate your home, painting is a major factor to give more attention.

When you decide to renovate your home, painting is a major factor to give more attention. Because if you choose the wrong service provider, the whole point of renovation will be collapsed. So, to help you make the right choice here are a few factors you can check on while hiring an interior painter.

License

Choose painting service technicians who are licensed. A license is issued by the regulating authorities to ensure that the painting service technician abides by the rules. This permit allows an expert to offer their services legally. Therefore, if the specialist does not have a license, the project can be interrupted, which will result in the end of the contract. Make sure that the license is updated and that it comes from an accredited authority. In addition, a permit can also be proof that the painting service technician is indeed a professional in the service delivery. This is because licenses are only issued to professionals.

Insurance Coverage

When painting, many risks or dangers may happen like accidents, loss, or damage. Therefore, there is a need for the contractors to ensure the workers and the clients that the company is serving. For instance, workmens compensation is meant to protect the workers and the clients from being liable in case of a risk. Therefore, if there is any injury, an insurance company will be responsible for financing the medical bills. Any damaged property will be compensated. Make sure that you ask with company, which company is insured.It is a well-known company and a company that is known for compensating its clients.

Experience

Experience is one of the primary qualifications that you must consider when hiring a painting service technician. An experienced contractor will determine how great the project will be. Make sure that the contractor has worked with other clients before you. If you are their first client, look for another option. A qualified painting service technician will not hesitate to give you contacts of some clients they have served. This is because they know that the clients will review it positively.

In addition, you can determine whether a professional service provider is experienced or not by checking the number of years that they have been in service. If the interior painter has been in service for more than three years, they have acquired all the required skills. This is because he has overseen many projects, and hence your project will not be any different.

Service Cost

Different painting companies will charge their clients differently. The cost can be determined by the size of the project, quality of service, number of workers on-site as well as the location of the site. However, there is a standard cost for painting services. Hence you can tell when you are being overcharged. Look for more than one service provider. Once you have found several select ones based on the quality of service and the cost of service. However, do not go for lower prices without considering the quality. This is because you will incur maintenance costs in the future.

The above-mentioned points would have showered you with great ideas on how to hire the right painting service.

Press Release Distributed by The Express Wire

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On a Sunday in May, 70-year-old pastor Joe Mlaker presided over his last service. After nearly 40 years, he was retiring and moving to Florida with his wife.

But just two weeks later, he decided to start aninterior painting business.

He began taking on work in July and generated more than $7,000 in revenues andnearly $3,000in profit through the month of September, according to documents verified by Insider. With his $2,600 in start-up costs now out of the way, he says he expects to take home roughly $2,000 in monthly income from his new gig going forward.

While Mlaker, a self-described "Type A personality," initially started the business because he was restless and looking for "something to do," he says it's become a more important source of supplemental income for him in recent months as the stock market tanks. In late September, the S&P 500 reached a new low for the year, and signs are pointing to further pain in the months ahead.

"The money really becomes important, especially when I look at what's happened with my retirement accounts how quickly we've all lost 10% to 15% in the last year," Mlaker told Insider. His estimate of his losses might even be a bit conservative. Bloomberg estimated that as of June 30, the average 401k balance was 20% lower than the year prior.

Along with being a "hedge" against the markets, he hopes his business income will help him and his wife travel the way they envisioned during their retirement.

Early retirements have been on the rise in recent years due to rising wealth values, COVID concerns, and layoffs. But high inflation and a struggling stock market are now causing some retirees to consider re-entering the workforce. A June CNBC survey, for instance, found that 68% of workers that retired during the pandemic would consider coming back to work. If they do return in high numbers, it could help ease the ongoing labor shortage, and reduce wage pressures that are among the reasons the Fed is grinding the economy to a halt.

But while the rate of retired workers returning to the workforce has returned to pre-pandemic levels roughly 3% growth has stalled in recent months. It remains to be seen whether economic conditions will eventually nudge more to do so.

Serving four different churches across Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin during his time as a pastor, Mlaker "always had a lot of things on his plate." Upon moving to a 2,500-home in a gated community in the Naples area, he says he grew restless almost immediately.

"My whole life, I've always had something to do, an office to go to," he said. "Even during COVID, I would go to the church every day, I would tape a service. Coming down to Florida, I didn't have that routine."

After Mlaker noticed that there was a lot of paint work being done in his community, he spoke with a handyman friend, who told him he could "pick up any side job" if he wanted to. Since he'd run a small painting business for nearly three years in his 20s, it seemed like a natural fit.

He jumped at the opportunity, applying for an LLC, designing business cards, and buying a pickup truck. His start-up expenses included $250 for a Sherwin Williams open contractors account, $22 for a web domain, $145 for business liability insurance, $126 for a storage locker, and $117 for magnetic truck decals, per documents provided to Insider.

Once everything was sorted, he began posting about his business on the local networking service Nextdoor, as well as community Facebook groups.

"I said, "Hey, I'm new in the community. I'm retired. If you're looking for a small paint job, here you go," Mlaker recalls.

This helped him picked up a few jobs, and then it "became word of mouth" he says.

Mlaker tries to not work more than three days per week. The typical job takes four to five hours and generates about $275 in profit, while the biggest require three 8-hour days and bring in roughly $1,400 in profit equivalent to approximately $55 in profitper hour worked.

He charges customers roughly $1 per square foot of wall painted he says $1-2 is the typical rate which translates to roughly $350 for one typical room. He reduces the cost by 75% for a second coat of paint, which he says customers typically desire.

The business' ongoing costs include tape, plastic covering, roller covers, and paint tray covers, as well as new brushes after about every four jobs. He receives a 35-40% discount when he buys paint, one he says he passes along to his customers. Operating costs include gas, insurance, storage rental, and bank fees.

There has been plenty of demand for his business right in his neighborhood. In fact, Mlaker says he hasn't left his gated community once for a job, which "fits perfectly" for his lifestyle.

In terms of business competition, he says the major painting companies typically pursue bigger assignments like a whole home but there's less competition for painting just a bedroom for instance. Given he's just a one-man team and wants to limit his hours, these smaller jobs are exactly what he's looking for.

And a small job can lead to more work. He recalls earning $2,000 to paint half of a client's home, and then was called back to paint the other half. Another client had him paint a bedroom, and then he ended up doing their kitchen as well.

Mlaker picks the days he works and loves the flexibility his business provides. He recalls running out of paint on a job one morning, going to the paint store near the beach, relaxing at the beach for two hours, then heading back and finishing up his work.

While Mlaker believes others his age can have similar success, he acknowledges that he's blessed to be in strong physical shape something that makes his active work life easier. He's an avid road cyclist that rides "thousands of miles" per year and even says he still plays ice hockey.

"Being active is a part of my life," Mlaker said. The more I can engage in different activities, the better I actually do it all with them."

Mlaker worked with many people during his time as a pastor, but says he rarely had the opportunity to see the "end results," as life pushed them in different directions. But with painting, he can step back after a hard day's work and be proud of the finished product.

For people in his generation considering starting a business or going back to work, he advises asking oneself, "What do you like to do?, "What are some of your life skills that you can maybe turn into some income?" and "What fits your physical nature?"

Moving forward, Mlaker intends to continue working on his business only part-time but is considering taking on some additional work outside of his community. He lives approximately eight miles from the ocean and suffered wind damage and temporary loss of power and water during Hurricane Ian, though he was not in an evacuation zone.

In Fort Meyers, however, a few miles west, there is "major damage." As the area rebuilds, he expects there to be plenty of job opportunities if he chooses to pursue them.

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How a 70-year-old unretired to start painting business as stock hedge - Business Insider