Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

"Gentek will introduce solutions that offer remodelers and builders easy installation and require less labour, resulting in greater productivity and profitability," said Philippe Bourbonniere, executive vice president, Gentek Building Products. "IBSx allows us to showcase our latest innovations, including those that meet homeowner demand, that are quality-crafted with attention to detail and never-ending ambition to produce the very best building materials."

What's New

Gentek will showcase the ALIGN Composite Cladding System, and there's nothing else like it. Available beginning in January, ALIGN provides the striking aesthetics of real wood, easier installation and best overall value for remodelers, builders and homeowners.

ALIGN offers one of the lowest total installed cost of cladding without sacrificing curb appeal resulting in higher profitability. The system features:

It is available in 20 virtually maintenance-free colours and is backed by a lifetime limited warranty.

Additionally, the Designer Colours will make a splash in the virtual IBSx booth. Available in Gentek Sequoia Select and Board & Batten vinyl siding, one can select from cool neutral palettes to bold contrasting hues. This grand scale of the 14 Designer Colours lets the homeowner tailor the look with signature style:

Majestic Brick

Meadow Fern

Marine Dusk

Dark Drift

Moonlit Moss

Hudson Slate

Rockport Brown

Rockwell Blue

Windswept Smoke

Espresso

Coastal Blue

Iron Ore

Smoked Timber

Midnight Surf

Want to visualize ALIGN or a Designer Colour on your home? Take your project to the next level with the Gentek Visualizer. This easy-to-use program lets you create before and after shots featuring a variety of colour schemes.

For more information on Gentek Building Products, visit gentek.ca.

About Gentek

Gentek's mission is to create successful partnerships with contractors, builders, distributors, and dealers by providing and servicing industry leading exterior building products and solutions. The company helps partners create or restore exceptional residential, multi-family, and light commercial structures that are energy-efficient, comfortable, long-lasting, and beautiful for the home or building owner. Gentek operates more than 20 company-owned supply centers across Canada and is owned by Associated Materials, LLC. For more information, or to locate your local Gentek supply centre, visit gentek.ca.

SOURCE Gentek

For further information: To view the new products and schedule a virtual IBSx appointment, please contact [emailprotected], 216-472-2374., https://gentek.ca

Home

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Gentek to Make Grand Introduction at IBSx - Canada NewsWire

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gathering

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nesting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recreating

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read All About It

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dive Brief:

Despite challenges in finding space to build soccer-exclusive stadiums for teams like the New England Revolution owned by Robert Kraft, who also owns the New England Patriots Garber said the MLS is committed to construction of a new Revolution stadium, calling it a priority.

As you know developing these stadiums in cities like New York City, Boston, Chicago is very, very difficult for all the reasons you would expect, Garber said. A lot of exciting things going on with [the Revolution], it was good to see them go as far as they did this year.

Plans for new soccer stadiums often incorporate the surrounding area into a mixed-use development that creates a unique game day experience to compete with the comfort of watching from home. This can make them an attractive landmark for cities, but the stadiums size can still be a challenge for major metro areas.

MLS expansion team St. Louis City SC, for example, recently released plans for public and retail space around its upcoming stadium as a means of keeping the Gateway Mall active when there is no soccer match. Earlier this month, the team unveiled plans for offices, a team store and a practice field south of the 22,500-seat stadium. Prep work on the stadium has been underway since February, and construction on the stadium will likely begin soon, officials say.

Amenities to attract fans also are inside new stadiums. Just this week, Nashville SC announced ticket sales for its 25 private suites and 18 lodge boxes, part of the teams 30,000-seat stadium that is expected to debut in 2022.

Go here to read the rest:
Major League Soccer committed to building more soccer-only stadiums - Construction Dive

By Matt Valentine, Aruba UK&I

The decline of the high street has been well documented for some time, but according to a survey by the CBI, despite multiple lockdowns and the restrictions across the UK, a surge in online shopping has slightly eased the pressure on retailers and as a result, many may be considering their high street space as a thing of the past.

However, brands must think beyond Covid to understand how major culture shifts in the way we shop will require a completely reimagined future consumer experience, and a tech enabled physical space will be a critical part of this.

Consumer health and safety comes first

Rather than turn their back on a physical retail space, brands need to examine how they can create a 360-degree experience for shoppers. To get this right, they are going to need to make sure their digital strategies are flawlessly planned and executed. Yet, before conceptualising the store and consumer patterns of the future, it is key that retailers can reassure customers that they are safe to enter.

Various technologies can be used to achieve this. For example, sensors, cameras, and various software packages can all be used to provide information such as the number of customers in store, whether social distancing is in place, monitoring customer dwell time and stock to suit the demographic known to frequent the store. Staff can then optimise their use of the shop floor and allow for better customer flow through the store.

Additional measures can be taken in store such as implementing a fully touchless experience touch screens just dont go far enough. 80% of UK shoppers have already changed the way they engage with them, with 51% admitting they aim to always wash or sanitise their hands immediately after using public touchscreens. Brands should instead look at how they can utilise mobile payment options. One example of this is Coca-Colas touchless vending machine which uses QR codes to allow customers to mobile order themselves a drink.

The future of the virtual store

As restrictions once more lift, customers will be looking for an in-store experience reflective of our modern times. They will likely favour spaces where firstly, they feel safe and secondly, are surrounded by technology that helps them browse items to get a real sense of how they look and feel and the technology needed to enable this goes beyond virtual queues and self-checkout.

Weve already seen retailers use augmented reality (AR) to create virtual catwalks for their customers and this is something brands could implement with visual displays either in store or in the shop window itself. Beyond this, shoppers may want to project a virtual image of themselves and scroll through various items to get a clear sense of what they want and leave having ordered it from the retailers stock as part of fulfilling their experience.

High street retailers must get ahead and realise the advantages of providing a social experience for customers. Where possible the various stake holders of Britains high streets retailers, landlords, local authorities, and local communities must work together to collaborate. This could mean the high street becoming more reliant on pop-ups, temporary attractions, drop-in centres or activations.

Getting the basics right

For all these solutions to work and give people a reason to come back and spend, stores must provide secure and reliable Wi-Fi for visitors is a major part of creating that positive experience enabling shoppers to engage with highly personalised experiences, while also providing businesses access to their applications that share customer data to help create that experience and promote loyalty and present offers to attract buyers to spend.

In this way connectivity is an absolute necessity for businesses rather than an optional extra. This evolving demand is something that should be front of mind for any business no matter the size. A poor wireless service, inside or in outside spaces is detrimental to an organisations bottom line. Fundamentally businesses need to ensure their network delivers consistently in all areas of their store.

In the past few months, we have all been forced to reinvent and come up with our own version of the new and better normal. Retailers must look beyond the basics of surviving and accelerate their plans to ensure they have resilient digital roadmaps in place to stay in the game.

See the original post:
Survival of the high street why rapid evolution is needed for retailers to thrive in the post pandemic shopping culture - Premier Construction...

The entrance at 2100 L

After a decade of planning, construction and anticipation, a trophy office building in the heart of downtown D.C. is finally ready to welcome tenants into its amenity-filled spaces.

2100 Lis a 10-story, 190K SF trophy building with a grand two-story lobby, 20K SF floor plates, 8K SF of retail space, floor-to-ceiling glass windows with unparalleled views of the D.C. skyline, and little touches everywhere that celebrate the culture, artistry and history of the neighborhood.

Along with its spacious office layouts and high ceilings, the building offers a rooftop lounge with an adjacent catering kitchen, a rooftop terrace, a spa-quality fitness center, a penthouse conference center and ample parking. There is also an art gallery and a small parkthat offers unique spaces to meet clients and hold meetings.

The buildings north-facing facade features an installation from artist Jan Hendrix. Partnering with Zahner, a company that creates images through laser-cut metal panels, Hendrix designed a pattern similar to the cell structure of the trees you can find throughout D.C. The facade reflects light, creating a shimmering effect outside and inside the building.

The lobby of 2100 L

The building receivedLEED Platinumcertification in October, which was a goal for the 2100 L team from the very beginning. The buildings sustainable features include a direct outdoor air HVAC system, which helps boost indoor air quality and create a safer, more efficient environment for tenants, which is particularly important with air quality at the top of everyones mind.

Akridge, Corporate Office Properties Trust and the Argos Group,the team behind 2100 L,each said that when they embarked on this project they knew they wanted to create something that wouldnt just benefit the retail and office tenants that would call the building home but the community as a whole.

Now, thanks to their efforts, the community not only has a luxurious new office building to attract more companies to the area, but a local historical school has a new facade as well.

More than a decade ago, Akridge, COPT and the Argos Group settled on the Thaddeus Stevens campus as the perfect spot for 2100 L. The city agreed, as long as the development team agreed to two points: the school, which was one of the first public schools in D.C. forBlack students, was to remain a school, and its historic facade needed a renovation.

The team was happy to agree, and it turned out that when it came to finding ways to make a positive impact on the community, the facade renovation was just the beginning.

The landscaped terrace at 2100 L

The Thaddeus Stevens School is an incredibly important landmark for the community, and we wanted to make sure to respect and celebrate that, Akridge Senior Vice President of Development David Toney said. Quickly, though, what started out as a collaboration between the 2100 L team and city officials turned into a broader collaboration with the community as a whole.

Beyond the school renovation, the team behind 2100 L has worked with local community groups to devise ways to benefit residents through art and education.

The team has endowed a scholarship program for D.C. public and charter school children, a program to teach children about real estate development and construction. There is also a commemorative art piece in the pocket park between the school and 2100 L that honors Thaddeus Stevens, anaugmented realityexhibit in the office lobby that highlights the history of the school and an art gallery on the buildings ground floor featuring works byBlack artists.

We didnt want this to be just a run-of-the-mill real estate transaction, Toney said. We connected with community leaders to establish initiatives that could really make a difference.

The Veil at 2100 L

Global law firm Morrison & Foersterhas pre-leasedapproximately 56% of the office building.

The western end of the Golden Triangle Business Innovation District, where 2100 L Street is located, has always been the heart of D.C.s office market, with 43 blocks of arts, culture and entertainment venues alongside restaurants and shops to support the citys employees. The new office building is steps from four Metro stations and just 15 minutes fromRonald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The office market may be facing a challenge right now, but there will always be a market for quality, sustainable office space in the D.C. central business district," Toney said. "Thats what weve created with 2100 L.

This feature was produced in collaboration between the Bisnow Branded Content Studio andAkridge and COPT. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

See the rest here:
In DC, A New Trophy Building Offers Luxury Office Space While Catering To The Community - Bisnow

DeFlyer and cousin Don Vidler have co-owned the store for 35 years, creating displays in only hours that are as comprehensive as the products sold inside. Windows include quaint ceramic snowmen, Santa statues, light-up presents and holiday lawn signs.

The community also took the reins on a window with an Aurora Historical Society theme, using festive crochet blankets, sewn pillows and poinsettia-patterned tablecloth, lined up top with a map of historic East Aurora.

There are elves hard at work in the display windows outside of Fisher-Price on Girard Avenue, just off Main Street in East Aurora. (When you pass Vidlers on your right, hang a right on Riley Street.)

A dozen or so 2-foot-high antique figurines sport red and green plaid and white beards, working away at making toys for Santas sleigh and surrounded by sawdust, paint cans, Christmas trees and Rudolph.

Fisher-Price senior electrician Matt Alice starts assembling the circa-1920s and '30 displays every September and is ready to go by Thanksgiving.

It gives everyone hope. They see the lights, make sure that the holiday is coming, Alice said. Theres so much going on in our world today, that maybe something a little stable thats been going on for years, put up in the same fashion, something to cling onto.

Read the original:
Festivities on foot: Take a walking tour of holiday windows - Buffalo News

As candidates, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris promised an administration that looks like America. But theyre facing increasing pressure from interest groups that worry Biden and Harris wont follow through and deliver a historically diverse Cabinet and staff.

In 2020, the bar for diversity has been raised well beyond the seven women and 10 nonwhite officials in President Barack Obamas first Cabinet, write POLITICOs Megan Cassella, Laura Barrn-Lpez and Alice Miranda Ollstein. So far, Bidens core White House team, including his chief of staff and key advisers, will be mostly white and male, and its not clear how many of his top picks for his Cabinet will be women or people of color though the Biden-Harris team says the administrations diversity will be clear once the transition process is complete.

Biden has announced several historic picks, including the first female Treasury Secretary nominee, Janet Yellen; Avril Haines, who would be the first female director of national intelligence; and Neera Tanden, who would be the first woman of color to lead the Office of Management and Budget. This week, Biden also announced the first senior White House communications team comprised entirely of women. But while the transition team touted the announcement, a debate has bubbled up about how groundbreaking the move really is. Some observers have pointed out that women have held prominent positions on President Donald Trumps communications team as well. Others worry not enough women will end up in higher-level decision-making roles, like Cabinet positions.

The push for diversity and the limited number of top-tier slots is creating conflict. For example, the United States has never had a female Defense secretary, and many women in national security have strongly come out in favor of Michle Flournoy, a former Defense Department official in the Clinton and Obama administrations. At the same time, members of the Congressional Black Caucus have been pressing Biden to appoint the first Black Defense secretary.

We asked a group of women how pioneering the Biden-Harris picks so far have actually been and what kinds of choices Biden would have to make to have a truly diverse administration. Here are some highlights:

The importance of visibility: Joe Biden is an older white man and will draw upon the social networks that he has to make decisions about his Cabinet positions and other appointments. To a certain extent, then, we should expect his cabinet picks to be reflective of this reality. I do, however, think it is important that women like Karine Jean-Pierre and Symone Sanders [two new members of the senior communications team] are in those positions because we have not seen Black women on our televisions and in our homes delivering important missives from the White House to the public on a regular basis. I think its also going to improve the ability of Black and other minority-serving news outlets to have access to the executive office. Niambi Michele Carter, associate professor of political science at Howard University and author of American While Black: African Americans, Immigration, and the Limits of Citizenship

The incoming Biden-Harris administration knows that personnel is policy, that having women, people of color and LGBTQ people at the table improves not just our government but also its policies for the people the administration serves. I am encouraged by the early announcements including two queer women of color among the historic all-female White House communications senior staff and I hope to see more women and marginalized people in top-tier positions so we can repair the damage of the last administrations havoc on our rights. Jennifer Fiore, senior vice president for communications and marketing at the Human Rights Campaign

The pressure is really on President-Elect Biden I think because as a nation we are more aware of the need for diversity than ever. He already smashed a formerly impenetrable glass ceiling by naming Kamala Harris his vice president, but most Americans want more than that. The all-female communications staff is good, but it is also a bit stereotypical that women excel in that field. ... If the Biden-Harris administration is to make good on its promise to appoint a cabinet that looks like America it must be considering qualified candidates of Native American ancestry, LGBTQ and non-binary individuals. I think that the criticism of a too-white Cabinet is positive because the administration is not complete yet, and it signals that there will be dissatisfaction until it is more diverse still. Nichola Gutgold, professor of communication arts and sciences at Pennsylvania State University and author of Still Paving the Way for Madam President

Bidens victory would not have been possible without the efforts of people of color, especially women of color, in key states. It is important that he acknowledge that these underrepresented communities are heard by appointing people whose backgrounds and actions show an understanding of and care for how policy issues affect these groups and affirming that they deserve to be descriptively represented in how our government leads and functions. Christabel Cruz, director of NEW Leadership at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University

MORE TRANSITION NEWS -- What a Joe Biden Cabinet Pick Might Mean for Native Americansand Democrats, via POLITICO Magazine ... The California Air Quality Guru Who Taught Business to Love the Environment, via POLITICO Magazine ... Biden unveils diverse economic team as challenges to economy grow, via POLITICO ... The quiet frontrunner: How Biden landed on Yellen for Treasury secretary, via POLITICO

-- Inside the unlikely return of Jen Psaki, via POLITICO ... The Mastermind Behind Bidens No-Drama Approach to Trump, via The Atlantic ... Harris taps Tina Flournoy as chief of staff, via POLITICO ... New candidates for Agriculture secretary emerge as Biden faces pushback on Heitkamp, via POLITICO

Happy Friday, and welcome back to Women Rule. Today is National Cookie Day! Many thanks to Elizabeth Ralph, who is off today but contributed items to the newsletter. Send tips and feedback to [emailprotected].

MARK YOUR CALENDARS -- Join us on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. for the Women Rule event Powering Forward: The Year Ahead. Well talk to the women who have provided steady leadership and vision during a tumultuous year from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to Black Lives Matter founder Alicia Garza and discuss how they are looking to set the course in Washington, corporate America and activism in 2021. Register and see the awesome lineup here.

NEW WOMEN RULE PODCAST -- This week on the podcast, Anna talks to Elizabeth and POLITICO editor Carrie Budoff Brown about the strange year weve all lived through from the presidential election to the global pandemic the year ahead and what all of it means for women. Listen here.

WOMEN AT THE TABLE -- Nasdaq proposes listing standards for boardroom diversity, by Kellie Mejdrich: Nasdaq has proposed new listing standards to require greater diversity on public company boards of directors and more disclosures related to the subject, according to an SEC filing on Tuesday by the stock exchange. After a phase-in period, the proposal would eventually require most companies listed with Nasdaq to have at least two board directors who self-identify as having diverse backgrounds: one female, another either an underrepresented minority or LGBTQ+, the exchange said in a news release.

Nasdaq's move comes amid pressure from investors and advocates for more information on companies related to environmental, social, and governance issues. The exchange said in its proposal that was part of why it is seeking the changes. Nasdaq believes that the heightened focus on corporate board diversity by companies, investors, corporate governance organizations, and legislators demonstrates that investor confidence is enhanced when boardrooms are comprised of more than one demographic group, the exchange wrote. Nasdaq has also observed recent calls from SEC commissioners and investors for companies to provide more transparency regarding board diversity. ...

Companies that cannot meet the new board member and reporting standards will face potential delisting, although that consequence can be avoided if they disclose why they aren't meeting the diversity objectives or if they nominate additional diverse candidates to their board to satisfy the requirements. POLITICO

PANDEMIC LATEST -- Vaccines are on the way. What does that mean for pregnant people? by Chelsea Cirruzzo: Jaely Turner describes herself as covid-conscious and pro-vaccine. She and her young son are up-to-date on all of their shots. Turner wants to keep it that way. But, as the United States inches closer to making a coronavirus vaccine available to the public, Turner says she wont be rushing out the door to get it for herself. Thats because the Virginia-based doula is 10 weeks pregnant. I just have concerns about the safety of the vaccine long term and especially for myself as a pregnant and soon-to-be nursing woman, she says. I just am unsure of what the implications would be for me. And until she gets answers to her questions, she says, I feel inclined to wait it out until Im done nursing. ...

None of the three companies that say theyve developed effective coronavirus vaccines enrolled pregnant or breastfeeding people in their clinical trials. And that means initial guidance on who should get vaccinated likely wont include pregnant people, public health experts say. Pregnant people have long been typically left out of major vaccine trials because of concerns that the women and their fetuses might face increased risk. That protocol has come into question in recent years as experts increasingly make the argument that leaving them out of trials puts them at greater risk. The Lily

-- Pregnant health care workers a question for early Covid-19 immunization, via The 19th

ON THE HILL -- Incoming GOP congresswoman to take aim at AOC with conservative squad, by Evan Semones: An incoming congresswoman on Sunday promised a conservative answer to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs socialist squad after a record number of Republican women were elected to serve in the House. Rep-elect Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) floated the idea during an interview on CNNs State of the Union, saying a natural alliance is occurring among members of the new freshman class of Republicans.

I think what youre going to see is a group of individuals who are going to serve as a counterbalance to the values of the socialist squad, Malliotakis told CNNs Dana Bash. We dont believe we should be dismantling the economy. We dont believe we should be destroying free market principles. We dont believe in Green New Deal. We dont believe in packing the courts. POLITICO

-- "House Democrats elect DeLauro as next House Appropriations chair," via POLITICO ... McMorris Rodgers will make history as first woman at top of Energy and Commerce, via POLITICO

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: President-elect Joe Biden formally announced former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen as his pick to become the next Treasury secretary at the Queen Theater on Dec. 1, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. If confirmed, she would be the first woman to lead the department. | Alex Wong/Getty Images

IN HEALTH -- Eight months into the pandemic, this womens health clinic in rural Texas struggles to meet demand for care, by Shannon Najmabadi: Women come from more than one hundred miles away to Building 35 in a red brick public housing project in rural Brown County, a housing unit turned health clinic where virtually every item, even the beige exam tables, is donated. The clinic is walk-in only no appointments a better bet for patients with unreliable transportation or unpredictable schedules. Without federal funds, Midway Family Planning in Central Texas would have shut its doors long ago, its director says, as state budget cuts dried up family planning dollars from the Gulf Coast to the Texas Panhandle. Instead, the nonprofit clinic has endured as a small health care lifeline, where low-income and uninsured Texans far from busy cities with many doctors can get free or low-cost contraceptives, cancer screenings and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.

This is what womens health care looks like in the rural heart of Texas, a state routinely ranked among the worst nationwide in health care access and where three-quarters of counties lack enough medical professionals. Lawmakers have increased funding for womens health in recent years, but there remain large swaths of the state where medical professionals are scarce and reliable internet is spotty and the gap between these health care have-nots and their urban counterparts has widened during the coronavirus pandemic.

From the rural Panhandle to the U.S.-Mexico border, financial pressures and safety concerns have shuttered doctors offices, inundated health departments and pushed people living on slim margins into ever more precarious living situations. Some clinics have seen their office visits plummet, leaving experts to wonder if women are missing opportunities to catch potential health problems before they need serious treatment. Elsewhere, safety net providers like Midway have scrambled to see patients traveling further to get time-sensitive care, like birth control. The Texas Tribune

AROUND THE WORLD -- Because Shes a Girl: Lockdown Exposes Gender Gap in U.K. Sports, via The New York Times ... In Japan, more people died from suicide last month than from Covid in all of 2020. And women have been impacted most, via CNN ... Saudi Arabia has dragged its imprisoned female activists back into court. How will Biden respond? via The Washington Post

WOMEN AT WORK -- Black women dont get much startup funding. These founders are trying to change that, by Jazmin Goodwin: Although Black women are the fastest-growing group of female entrepreneurs in the United States, theyve long been slighted by startup investors and significantly under-funded. But in spite of the obstacles they face, these founders are forging ahead and continuing to thrive in their businesses. In fact, the number of Black women who have raised over $1 million in funding has more than doubled since 2018, according to ProjectDiane, a biennial report released Wednesday. The report, which tracks publicly-announced funding of Black and Latinx women-founded businesses, is compiled by digitalundivided, a nonprofit focused on supporting entrepreneurial women of color. It uses data from Crunchbase and Pitchbook to track crowdfunding, angel, seed and venture round investments. Its possible the data doesn't include some founders who are not listed in those databases or didn't disclose funding publicly.

According to ProjectDiane, at the start of 2018, just 34 Black women had raised $1 million or more in outside investments for their businesses. But now, in data tracked through August 2020, more than 90 Black women have hit or exceeded that level. The numbers of Latinx women who've reached that milestone also grew quickly, although they remain incredibly underrepresented in VC circles, too. Still, its an impressive upswing that could signal a shift in a startup landscape largely dominated by White men.

This milestone comes amid a backdrop of protests against systemic racism and an unprecedented push to support and buy from Black-owned businesses. Founders and advocates are hoping to build upon that momentum, but also wonder if the support being shown to Black-owned businesses, let alone those founded by Black women, is here to stay. CNN Business

-- Group Seeking Equality for Women in Tech Raises $11 Million, via The New York Times ... Has Anything Changed for Black Women at Work? via Harvard Business Review

HISTORY DEPT. -- In 1968, IBM fired Lynn Conway for being transgender. She finally got an apology, by Sydney Page: When Lynn Conway started her career as a computer scientist at IBM in 1964, she quickly became known within the company for her raw talent, working on a team to produce technologies that would shape how advanced computers operate. But Conway was riddled with anxiety and depression as she tried to shield her transgender identity while living as a man. At the time, she was 30 years old and married with two children. Four years later, Conway decided to begin her medical gender affirmation journey. When IBMs corporate management team heard of Conways intentions, the chief executive at the time, Thomas J. Watson Jr., quietly fired her.

Conway, now 82, says she was crushed but that she ultimately understood. You cant change what happened, and in fact, if you look at what happened from all perspectives, it pretty much was the only thing that could have happened, said Conway. When you connect the dots, you see it as a sign of the times. Fifty-two years later, IBM has formally apologized to Conway. IBM is a very different company than it was back then, said Conway from her home in Michigan, where she lives with her husband, Charles Rogers, who is also a professional engineer.

Last month, the company invited Conway to attend a virtual meeting with its employees. I wanted to say to you here today, Lynn, for that experience in our company 52 years ago and all the hardships that followed, I am truly sorry, said Diane Gherson, IBMs senior vice president of human resources, at the event. Were here today not only to celebrate you as a world-renowned innovator and IBM alum, but also to learn from you; and by doing so, create a more inclusive workplace and society, she continued. Conway says the apology and decades-delayed acknowledgment of her work was freeing, and that it provided her with a long-sought sense of closure. The Lily

NEW RULES -- I stopped trying to control my body: the women who gave up grooming in 2020, via The Guardian

BOOK CLUB -- Why Cant Women Be Serial Killers, Too? by Amy Silverberg: Chelsea G. Summerss debut, A Certain Hunger, opens in a hotel bar not unlike other hotel bars. They all look the same, Dorothy, a middle-aged food critic and our antiheroine, tells us. Hotel bars smell like class privilege, desperation and hope. Anti might be too weak of a prefix to describe this heroine: Shes more of an outright villain, a red-haired seductress in leagues culinary, homicidal traditionally dominated by men. As a woman psychopath, the white tiger of human psychological deviance, Dorothy says, I am a wonder, and I relish your awe.

The man who approaches Dorothy in this particular hotel bar meets a violent and frankly grotesque end, and what follows is one of the most uniquely fun and campily gory books in my recent memory. Its apt that Dorothy once worked at a magazine called Noir, because A Certain Hunger has the voice of a hard-boiled detective novel, as if metaphor-happy Raymond Chandler handed the reins over to the sexed-up femme fatale and really let her fly.

Is the voice inviting? Sure, as inviting as a kidnapper holding a knife to your throat and threatening, Dont move until Ive finished my story. The descriptions of violence and gourmet cuisine are so visceral that I felt alternatingly hungry and sick to my stomach. The writer Janet Fitch says the authors ultimate goal is to give readers a pleasurable inner conflict, wanting to turn the pages faster while also lingering on each beautifully written sentence. With Summerss writing, I kept rereading sentences only as a double take, whispering to myself, Man, this lady is screwed up which is, Id argue, its own kind of pleasure. The New York Times

IN CULTURE -- Why These Women Are Crossing the Country By Motorcycle, via Cond Nast Traveler ... The Dangerous Blind Spot of The Undoing, via The Atlantic ... My Life in Different Decades, via The New Yorker ... Big Mouths Missy Finds Her Voice, via Vulture

VIDEO -- Congress is running out of time to do its job

WISDOM OF THE WEEK -- Iris Wilbur Glick, Vice President of Public Policy & External Affairs at the Greater Louisville Inc., The Metro Chamber of Commerce and Women in Government Relations 2020 Excellence in Advocacy for a Women Serving Women Campaign awardee: I often think of how I would handle a situation or take on a challenge if I could park any fears to the side. Over time, that perspective has strengthened my self-confidence in my abilities and helped me seize important opportunities for growth and advancement. What I have learned is that kind of assurance, paired with an eagerness for taking initiative, is necessary to reach the next level, especially since the kind of leadership roles I have sought were not achieved by me waiting to be told what to do. Connect with Iris here.

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Will the Biden administration really look like America? - Politico

'We continue to advocate, theres a lot of discussions being had,' said Ross Romano during today's announcement with Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney

No less than four Ontario government cabinet ministers, including Sault MPP and Minister of Colleges and Universities Ross Romano, announced a Transportation Plan for Northern Ontario via Zoom Thursday.

What could be described as awork in progress, the plan includes more than 60 actions, including improvements to rest areas, expanding bus service and going ahead with highway widening projects on Highways 17 and 11, along with actions to make further progress on plans for passenger rail service in northern Ontario.

Four-laning, or even widening, of Highway 17 east and north of the city is something Sault and area residents have wanted for years, and though some progress has been made, more is needed.

So does the plan include that?

That is a conversation certainly thats been had, and continues to be had. Wherever we can, we want to do anything in our power to support making our highways and roads safer, Romano said, replying to SooToday.

We continue to advocate, theres a lot of discussions being had.

Romano was joined Thursday by Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation; Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines; and Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Today is about a plan, replied Rickford, speaking to SooToday as a follow up to Romanos comment.

Part of the problem weve had across northern Ontario for the previous 15 years is...frankly, weve had a highway, when it comes to twinning, thats been built by ad hocery, driven by political ideology or some interest in the prospects of politics. Its high time we just got a plan. And that plan has been put in place so that we can start to make sense to the people of northern Ontario that this highway, particularly 11 and 17, is a safe highway, and the most pressing and most substantial parts of it are twinned.

I dont think theres any question that if you give this government an opportunity over the next decade, well see to it that significant parts of this road (is twinned), and Ive often felt the entire stretch at some point needs to be twinned. Nobody disputes that. You take a look at the map of across Canada, its the only section of the country where there is no twinned highway, so were going to continue to make sure that this is guided by plans, guided by safety sequencing, Rickford said.

It (the plan announced Thursday) will evolve as we do more consultation, as we gather more feedback and questions like yours (regarding Highway 17 four-laning) are exactly to the point. Thisll be an opportunity to feed those kinds of needs into future action items in the plan, said Mulroney, also in reply to SooToday.

Another element of the northern transportation plan that will be coming after todays announcement is were going to be putting together a task force of local transportation experts, Indigenous leaders, municipal leaders who can speak directly to the needs that theyre seeing on the ground that they need to be reflected in future versions of this plan.

Its a living document, Mulroney said.

As for parent company Genesee & Wyomings plans to stop Huron Central Railways short line freight rail operations eight days from now, Mulroney was asked by reporters what plans the province has to invest in rail infrastructure to keep the HCR running between the Sault and Sudbury, its operations crucial to local industries such as Algoma Steel.

In September, Genesee & Wyoming stated it needs $44 million from the senior levels of government to upgrade the line, Dec. 18 being the last day of business for the line if that financial aid doesnt come through (with a local stakeholder committee working to keep the lines operations alive).

Im well aware of the challenges theyre facing, Mulroney said, stating she and Romano had met with HCR pre-pandemic.

Were continuing through MTO and my office to discuss the challenges theyre facing and Im trying to understand how we can support them...I know theres a tight timeline so were continuing to monitor the situation. We are aware this has important implications for Ross riding and for the region.

Obviously, short line rail in northern Ontario is critical, its important, this is critical infrastructure and we want to make sure that we keep our short line rail operators and we make sure they're competitive, Romano said, adding the provinces plan includes sustaining short line rail operations in northern Ontario.

Romano drew attention to recent provincial Connecting Links funding which led to Black Road widening and work performed on Trunk Road.

There wasnt even a sidewalk on the side of the road (Black Road) and youre walking along a single lane of traffic with transports buzzing by you that are traveling across this country, and for that link we were able to secure three million dollars, the maximum allowable amount under Connecting Links funding for the Black Road expansion...and then we got three million dollars for the Trunk Road expansion, Romano said, thanking Mulroney and her Ministry for those investments.

Right now the focal point in terms of the current here and now announcements is that six million dollars worth of Connecting Links funding that youve seen over the last few years, Romano said.

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Highway 17, Huron Central Railway discussed as part of northern transportation plan - SooToday

Were all fundamentally the same. We want quiet enjoyment, mobility, access to technology, an education that wont turn us into indentured servants, and the opportunity to find a job that isnt overly dreadful. We want to live reasonably well in the time we have. And were not afraid to work hard to earn that living. But we also want serious men and women in power making good decisions. We want to feel theres still a semblance of justice and decorum in the country and that were being represented. We all generally agree on this no matter our ethnicity or our politics, but even Democrats dont agree on Joe Biden.

Were facing social entropy, an economic prison, federal dysfunction, continued pandemic, people chosen not for their skill but for their capacity to be inoffensive, and endless identity strife. Biden didnt create these things, but he rode them to power. And his transition choices are making us wonder whether theyre firmly on the docket for the next four years. We wonder whether hes deliberately and unnecessarilytrolling the rightand mollifying the left with his cabinet picks instead of choosing people who will do the best job possible.

It seems like Bidens still campaigning at full velocity, not for the presidency but for influence over an increasingly divisive Democratic party no longer united by the threat of a second Trump Administration. And no matter who comes out on top in that struggle, we worry that the country will not be governed well (or at all) and that most Americans will continue to suffer. At this point, those of us who voted for Biden have to answer a hard question. Our real vote was actually not Trump. But what did we votefor? Whatever it is, were about to get it.

We knew this would happen. It always does when threats external to the polis are finally neutralized and the aristocrats turn back to their internecine rivalries and power games. Its a pattern that unfolds in every political culture to the extent that its almost a given. Only, in our present situation, the nobles, at least on the left, are ideologically-driven identity groups, each convinced that their time has now come and that Biden owes them royal favors.

They might be right. But the president-elect has no doubt already discovered that one cant be all things to all people all the time. Hes inevitably making some happy, while others feel rejected and betrayed. As a philosophy student once said to me in Prague, In Europe, weve always known: not everyone can be a cheerleader. Not everyone gets picked for the squad. Not everyone gets paid (or paid off) for ones efforts. Not everyone gets appointed consul, even if Incitatus just got the job. Some kids end up going home, dying their hair black, and practicing viola on game nights. Others have to wait until they can try out again. Still others wind up unjustly short-changed forever, whether they have it coming it or not. It all depends. Ask Alexander Vindman. Then ask Michael Cohen. Then ask Michael Flynn.

But the American people knowjust as Biden must knowthe extent to which social inequality and ethnicity play into every political decision such that the issue of racism remains influential in the United States. For all of Trumps offensive campaign race-baiting, Biden has been the primary beneficiary. The political and social divisions in America have recently made a lot of people money and put others in the poorhousea new mode of class mobility that giveth livelihoods and taketh them away, depending on who gets called out and by whom. One could look at that and reasonably argue that those forces would inevitably elevate any Democratic candidate following a Republican administration like Trumps. But not without incurring certain political obligations.

Playing on social perceptions of race and class will probably keep benefitting people until the country calms down and focuses on other ways of making itself miserable. TheOverton Windowkeeps shifting. In four years, well still be screaming about race. But whos making money off that screaming and whether theyre doing it from under a bridge, from Capitol Hill, or from a podium in a newly built University of California lecture hall remains an open question.

No one seriously doubts the fact that race and class have always been conflated in the American political imagination, but issues of racial identity have become so fraught in recent years, especially during Trumps tenure, that we often see politicians speak of one in terms of the other. For example, Marco Rubiorecently describedBidens cabinet picks as people who went to Ivy League schools, have strong resumes, attend all the right conferences & will be polite & orderly caretakers of Americas decline." He doesnt mention the transition teams intense focus on the skin color of potential nominees, but theres a strong anti-political-correctness subtext to his language verging on a dog whistle.

At a recent press conference, Biden promised significant diversity in high profile positions, while refusing to give specifics or names. Still, regarding the positions of secretary of state, treasury secretary, defense secretary, and attorney general, CNNquotesan anonymous source familiar with the transition discussions admitting that They're absolutely not going to have the top four Cabinet positions be white. Absolutely not. That would be anathema.

Many Republicans must feel less than delighted about admissions like this. But as the same CNN article notes, The bar to meet both the ideological and diversity goals is high. And Biden's concerns about plucking too many Democratic members from the Housenow that his party has a more narrow majorityhave complicated the conundrum. Its no doubt very difficult to placate the implacable, especially when theyve got a political hook in you and feel that they were instrumental in your rise to power. Itll be entertaining to watch what happens. Itll be less entertaining to see it happen in a way that results in further national disintegration.

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Not Everybody Can be a Cheerleader - Splice Today