Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Its truly been a year like no other, yet people around the world have done so much good in 2020.

Scientists have not just been working on COVID vaccines, researchers have made major diabetes breakthroughs, discovered new cancer therapies, and launched critical green innovations to make the world a better place for us all.

And though this year has been difficult for our favorite restaurants and bars, and people losing jobsmillions of people have done whatever it takes to keep them afloat.

From all of us at GNN, thank you to our readers, for your hilarious and heartwarming comments, and for sharing our positive stories with your friends.

With everyone proclaiming, Good Riddance to 2020, we cant help but bask in the magnificent glow of kindness, resilience, and personal growth that has emerged

Watch this young-hearted senior as she sews homemade face masks for all her friends, family, and community memberswhile jamming out to The Beatles.

The Oscar award-winning actor hosted several virtual bingo games for the Round Rock Senior Living facilitywith his family cheering them on.

Dozens of Facebook groups for the Sisterhood of the Traveling Wine popped up across America so wine fairies can leave gifts for community members.

Sheltering in place, Jimmy Fallon produced a Tonight Show At Home Edition, and his Hashtags segment was hilarious #MyQuarantineInSixWords

The Fownes Hotel in Worcester housed 45 rough sleepers during the COVID-19 shutdownsand in return, the homeless repayed the kindness.

Although it took the little English family 6 hours and 40 sticks of jumbo chalk, their brick house became a source of cheer for the community.

When electrician John Kinney found Gloria Scott living in a house that was falling into disrepair, he rallied their MA. community to help.

A senior supermarket customer praised a teenage employee for being the light of day after she insisted on paying for his groceries.

The employees of the Colonial Steakhouse in Pine Bluff, Arkansas were over the moon with gratitude after a customer left them a particularly hefty gratuity.

Huntly, New Zealand restaurant customers jumped in to help when Thai Food Huntly lost most of its staff on a busy Friday night.

The IKEA Instagram page published 6 DIY illustrations on how to build the best blanket fortsfrom the Cve to the Wigwm.

JOANN Fabrics rallied behind Americas healthcare workers by donating fabric and materials to anyone who wants to sew maskswith curbside pickup option.

A moving company serving the U.S. and Canada has been donating its time and labor to help victims of domestic violence move safely and quickly.

The Newtons have created Britains best garden and grown a spring spectacular bursting with color in Walsall after spending lockdown tending their oasis.

Inspired by his grandmas love of gardening, Englands Tony Le-Britton has been growing rare house plants worth $15,000 per leaf.

Rather than learn to live with a smartphone, this engineer designed her own cell phone with a rotary dialand she is helping others to make their own.

Since bringing the nifty little Stick Library to his local park, more than 50 dogs have delighted in the stash of sticks.

Several social media pages asked their followers to combat quarantine boredom by recreating iconic paintings using just three objects from their house.

When Nandi Bushell challenges you to a drum-off by playing your Foo Fighters hit song Everlong, if youre Dave Grohl, you say yesand more.

The activities director for a London nursing home, Robert Speker, shot photos of seniors recreating classic album covers while in lockdown and donated calendar proceeds to an Alzeimers organization.

The company that has been selling $20 plastic bracelets made of ocean plastic is expanding operations and succeeding in a big way.

Carvey Ehren Maigue invention harvests UV rays and converts it into visible light to generate electricity.

The assembly phase of one of humanitys most-complex engineering projectsa giant nuclear fusion reactor called ITERlaunched in France.

Ocean Voyages Institute made history, removing 103 tons of fishing nets and consumer plastics in one trip to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Air Company is using their NASA award-winning carbon conversion technology to turn air pollution into eco-friendly rocket fuel.

Young Dutch scientist Boyan Slat is responsible for cleaning up the worlds oceansand he is now cleaning up rivers with his new invention: The Interceptor

It has been 35 years since the world passed legislation to protect the ozone layerand new research says it has been a thrilling success.

Not only is the process used by Caltrans more eco-friendly that traditional methods, the material lasts 3 times longer than normal asphalt.

Youve already heard about solar-paneled rooftops, but now, a company from Hungary is powering residential homes with solar driveways.

Dutch biodesigner Bob Hendrikx has designed a coffin made of mushrooma living cocoon that will turn a deceased body into super compost.

The University of York has increased the ability of solar panels to absorb light by a stunning 125 percent using a checkerboard design.

Katy Ayers has succeeded in growing her own canoe out of myceliumand the student believes its a perfect example of how mushrooms can save the world.

More than 80% of the municipal plastic recyclables of Halifax are being processed by a brilliant local company that turns it all into lumber.

Swedish startup Azelio is deploying solar systems that use recycled aluminum to store and generate power using thermal energywithout batteries.

Edmontons Dr. James Shapiro has cured diabetes in mice, raising hopes for a cure in humans with funding and more research.

Once the researchers determine the mechanism of the revolutionary new T-cell, they hope to trial the treatment by the end of the year.

On a meteorite, scientists believe they have discovered the first complete extraterrestrial protein that could define lifes origins on earth.

Solving Hawkings black hole information paradox, scientists end a 50-year contradicton of what happens to things that fall in a black hole.

After enduring three heartbreaking losses in the same year, this former airman quit his job so he could find happiness on the road with his pet ferret.

Jaguar, the tortoise named for his speed, loves to play soccer with the familys Dachshund, which is usually an unfair fight.

Bunny the dog may only be 11 months old, but he has already learned to communicate with his owners using a 45-button sound board.

An amateur Seattle bird watcher was stunned to discover that the neighborly crow family in his front yard had left him two mind-blowing gifts.

An Australian woman found that her Christmas tree had a new ornament after a live koala wandered inside and snuggled up the branches.

When a random basketball fan approached Shaquille ONeal to express his condolences, the NBA legend repaid the kindness by buying the guy a laptop.

Linda Herring has fostered more than 600 children of every age, gender, race, and medical category.

Rather than tear down the elaborate model train display in this New Jersey warehouse, a businessman paid a quarter-million to renovate it for the public.

Shetara Sims won $100, but even though she needed it, she donated it to a Kansas City officer, but the police department then raised $145,000 for her kindness.

Jeremy Cohen became internet-famous after he published a series of videos on how he won the heart of his neighborhood quarantine cutie.

Zach Regan and Matty Johnson were camping on Vancouver Island when they found a lost dog stuck in a sea cliff cave for months.

When African-American Shawn Dromgoole was afraid to walk in his gentrified community, he expressed his fear and 75 neighbors walked with himand started a movement around the country.

Heres to 2021, during which we wish for youand the worldall the good news possible.

Tell us Your Favorite 2020 Story in the Commentsand Dont Forget to Share!

Read the original post:
A Pandemic of Good News: The Top 50 Positive Stories of 2020 - Good News Network

There are few things more magical than waking up to newly fallen snow on a cold winters morning. But all that enchanting snow loses its appeal when it comes to actually dealing with it; namely, shoveling it off your driveway, sidewalks, and steps so you can safely drive in snow and get into and out of your own house. If you grew up in an area where it snowed frequently, you likely had to help shovel each time it snowed. But now, as adults, there are some easier options you can utilize that dont take as long and arent as physically taxing. So if you have to deal with heavy snow where you live, purchasing a snow blower will save you both time and energy (and make you the envy of your shoveling neighbors). But there are many different factors to consider in choosing a snow blower: how much snow does your area usually get? Do you need to clear a large or small amount of snow? What about gas-powered versus electric models? Taking all these factors into consideration, these are the five best snow blowers to buy for this and future winters!

Compactly designed with a stylish black and neon-green color scheme, the two-stage Ego snow blower is one of the best electric snow blowers available. And not just because its quiet and hassle-free, but also because its cordless, so theres no need to be dragging a cold-weather extension cord around the yard. Measuring 24 inches, the steel auger can funnel in huge amounts of snow, breaking up heavier bits and then ejecting the snow out of the chute to a distance of 50 feet. A dashboard allows you to change the auger speed, and a pair of ARC Lithium batteries bring long-lasting power. Other handy features include LED lights for late-night or early morning snow removal.

Designed to attach to the front of select John Deere tractors, this 44-inch, two-stage snowblower really packs a wallop thanks to the added power from the tractor. Even though its a two-stage, it can handle the type of heavy, wet, and deep snow thats usually best suited for three-stage blowers, and its designed to work on gravel and unpaved surfaces. With its powerful blower that pumps out huge volumes of snow at a consistent, high velocity, you can clear large tracts of land quickly and efficiently, making this model especially ideal for people who live on larger estates or out in the country.

Capable of clearing a 34-inch path and battling through snowdrifts up to 21 inches high on everything from pavement to gravel, there are few winter storms and snowy conditions the Massimo 375CC 2-Stage snow blower cant handle. With a two-stage motor and anti-clogging machinery that allows the impeller to work at high speed, the chute deposits your churned-up snow and ice up to 49 feet away, leaving you plenty of space to work. For ease and convenience, its also electric, requiring just the push of a button to get going. With easy operational levers, headlights, and tracks instead of wheels, this guy can more than get the job done.

Toros single-stage models are routinely considered among the best in class for single-stage snow blowers, and the SnowMaster 724 ZXR is no exception. With a simple, self-propelled design that allows you to control the speed and smoothly angle around your yard to achieve maximum snow removal, this model is ideal for suburban or neighborhood environments. Carving a 32-inch path, Toros signature 212cc OHV 4-cycle engine propels the snow out the chute at a distance of up to 40 feet.

If you live in an area that gets regularly pummeled with heavy winter storms, you need to break out the big guns. Hailed as one of the best three-stage snow blowers money can buy, the Cub Cadet 3X can clear a 26-inch-wide path through up to 23 inches of snow thanks to its massive auger, which gobbles up snow, breaks down frozen chunks and ice, then spits them out through an adjustable steel chute that can be swiveled to different directions or pitch heights. With tons of other great features like lights, power steering that helps you retain control even on slippery inclines, and an easy electric start, youll be done clearing that wall of snow in no time.

When choosing the best snow blower for your needs, its essential to keep these questions in mind: How much snow does your area usually get, and how high does it accumulate? What type of snow is most common; is it wet and light, wet and heavy, or some other combination? What surface will you be working on the most: ground, pavement, or gravel? Is the area flat or are there inclines and indentations? How far do you want the snow to be blown? And, finally, how big of a path do you want your snowblower to clear?

You want a snow blower that will fulfill the specific needs of your area as well as your personal preferences. For example, if you want to clear wider paths so you dont have to do as many back-and-forth rows, a two- or three-stage snow blower will get the job done more quickly than an electric or single-stage model. If you live out in the countryside, youd want a stronger model with more power that can handle dirt, gravel, and varied landscapes. However, if you live in a suburban area where the ground is pretty flat, a simple single-stage or electric snow blower should be sufficient.

Overall, the most important thing to keep in mind is that using a snow blower should make your life easier, especially on your body. Long hours shoveling heavy snow can really do a number on your back, so a snow blower should save you a ton of physical discomfort and pain, not to mention time and energy.

Below, well go more in-depth about the specifics of different kinds of snow blowers.

One of the biggest differences between various snow blowers will be what kind of motor it has, which influences its power and usability. At its most basic, snow blowers are divided into electric or gas-powered models. Electric snow blowers require less maintenance, take up less space, are handy for snow blowing in smaller areas, and in general, are easier to handle as you dont need to refill any oil or gas tanks. While in the past electric snow blowers were generally overlooked due to their low power and the need to keep them plugged in, nowadays more powerful and advanced models of electric and battery-powered options are becoming some of the best choices out there. For gas-powered motors, there are three different options: single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage. As the name implies, each models method of channeling and throwing snow has either one, two, or three steps. Single-stage have a single auger, which scoots along the ground scooping up snow and channeling it to the chute. Two-stage adds an impeller to the mix, which churns up the snow before sending it out the discharge chute. The three-stage takes it even further by adding an accelerator to the mix, which first breaks down heavy snow and ice before sending it through the impeller and then out the chute. For the biggest jobs, theres also track drive, which uses tracks instead of wheels for increased mobility and traction.

The exact clearing path of each snow blower can vary slightly from model to model, but in general, single-stage models clear paths about 18-22 inches wide. Two-stage can do wider swathes of 20-38 inches, and three-stage or track-drive bulldoze through those drifts to clear paths 24-32 inches wide. Electric models generally only clear about 12-18 inches.

Different kinds of snow blowers will work best on different kinds of surfaces. For paved areas like driveways, sidewalks, and roads, a standard electric or single-stage model will be enough to do the trick. But if youre going to be tackling areas with gravel or dirt, youll want a two- or three-stage option, so that the auger wont be scooting directly along the ground and picking up debris. Two- and three-stage models are also handy because they can work on both paved and unpaved surfaces.

Just as you would need to consider inclines or rises and falls in the landscape for lawnmowers, the same holds true for snow blowers. If your property is hilly or has lots of inclines, youll want to go for a higher-powered snow blower like a two- or three-stage. Partially this is so that youll have more power to go up and down hills while still clearing the snow in a uniform fashion, but also because, as the inclines and indentations can cause the bottom of your snow blower to come into contact with the ground, you want a snow blower with a slightly-elevated auger so that it doesnt pick up rocks and other debris along with the snow. Not only could this potentially injure someone as the debris is ejected, but it could also damage the machine.

Original post:
The 5 Best Snow Blowers To Buy in 2021 - The Manual

Press release from Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ):

Jan. 4, 2021

Since March, Girl Scouts has not been able to operate in the same manner it has been accustomed to for the past 100 years.

Since the journey began with Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low, Girl Scouts has been an organization dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Although the mission remains the same andbeing a G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) is still in their DNA, the delivery model has been forced to change in 2020. Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) has transitioned to a new way of Girl Scouting for tens of thousands of girls across seven counties of New Jersey.

What makes the Girl Scout Leadership Experience so unique is its ability to adapt to the needs of girls, and keep them motivated and engaged regardless of extenuating circumstanceslike when they need to stay at home for schooling and socializing. Over the past several months, as troops could no longer meet in person, leaders have found new ways to give their girls a quality Girl Scout experienceto continue to earn patches or badges and contribute to their communities.

To remain a robust, relevant, vital part of girls' lives, GSHNJ had to re-engineer its entire programming menu in response to COVID restrictions. In-person summer camp was canceled, but week-long virtual experiences imbued with the camp spirit so many girls look forward to each summer were offered alongside family pod overnight camping.

"Even as other extra-curricular activities are suspended during the COVID pandemic, GSHNJ has quickly and effectively found new ways to keep our membership engaged, and to fill the gap left by the suspension of after-school activities," said Jamie Kay Discher, Director of Girl Experience at GSHNJ. "We continue to deliver the best Girl Scout Leadership Experience through new virtual and remote program delivery models to give girls a fun and safe way to stay connected to their troops, friends, families, and communities."

For example, a program that traditionally would have been geared toward troops was instead adapted to encourage a girl's entire family to participate. The Family Ramblers Hiking Club uses technology to connect families and subject matter experts who share tips and best practices for hiking in NJ. As families hike, girls report their experiences and earn recognition. Over the summer, The Ramblers collectively logged over 650 miles through 243 outdoor adventures.

In some ways, engaging with new technology has given GSHNJ an opportunity to expose girls to experiences they might not otherwise have had. Online meeting platforms enable girls to meet and engage with influential, inspiring women role models without the limitations of travel. Since the start of the pandemic, GSHNJ has virtually connected members with leading women from around the world working in industries ranging from STEM to politics to environmental stewardship.

Another important aspect of Girl Scouting that has not changed is the commitment to community service. "At GSHNJ, service is the heart of our program," Discher explained. "This year, from April through September, girls earning their Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards met the challenges presented during the pandemic accomplishing more than 10,000 service hours and affecting real change within their communities."

Natasha Hemmings, the CEO of GSHNJ, has been an instrumental part of the transition. "Yes, this has been a very challenging year for Girl Scouts, but we are still offering quality, engaging programs to girls throughout our council footprint," she said. "We have just embraced a new type of delivery system, and are offering opportunities that are more family-based."

Hemmings noted there are some awesome perks that come with being CEO: one is the ability to create her own patch for the girls to earn. With some direction from her daughter, she created a patch that states, "Be the Change."

This year any currently registered Girl Scout can earn her patch by fulfilling certain criteria at home. "Handing out CEO patches is intended to encourage girls to share their ideas and feedback about their experiences; this temporary patch program reimagines the ways girls engage with me so we can still get to know each other," Hemmings explained.

"During this time of social distancing, as we continue to do our part to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 virus, we want girls to know that GSHNJ is offering the same quality programming, support, and experiences, and there are several options to join," she added.

"All girls are welcome!"

To register for the many programs GSHNJ has planned this winter, visit http://www.gshnj.org/events.

This press release was produced by Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ). The views expressed here are the author's own.

See original here:
Girl Scouts Heart Of New Jersey Continues To Be Pillar Of Support - Patch.com

Tylor Norwood directs Robins Wish, a documentary about Robin Williams final months. He talks to Keiran Southern about the films mission.

It is perhaps surprising that for a celebrity as beloved and well-known as Robin Williams, the truth surrounding his untimely death is itself not more widely known.

In the days after the 63-year-old actor and comedian took his own life in August 2014, reports focused on his historic battles with addiction and depression, while a media frenzy also speculated financial woes may have played a role.

The truth, however, was one of the brightest talents of his generation had been struggling with Lewy body dementia (LBD), which was only diagnosed after his death.

Williams harrowing final months suffering with deteriorating mental abilities, hallucinations and physical infirmity are told in the documentary Robins Wish, which features his wife, Susan Schneider, as she tries to raise awareness about the disease she described as the terrorist inside my husbands brain.

Directed by Tylor Norwood, it features interviews with not only Schneider, but Williams neighbours, friends and some of the celebrities the Oscar-winner worked with over a glittering career, and said setting the record straight became one of the films goals.

Early on, I didnt really understand the depth of what Lewy body dementia was, Norwood says.

But there was a beautiful love story here of people that went through something traumatic, and it was one of the biggest movie stars of all time. And theres value there.

But as we started adding people, and by the time we got Shawn Levy (the director of films such as Night At The Museum) and David E Kelley (the producer behind shows such as Big Little Lies and The Undoing), the pressure was really on the project to deliver a film that righted all the bad reporting that was done when he (Williams) passed.

Williams was a supremely talented performer; after impressing on the stand-up circuit with his frantic pace and improvisational brilliance, he found wider fame in the late 1970s playing an alien in the sitcom Mork & Mindy.

Hollywood came calling, with roles as the genie in Disneys 1992 animated classic Aladdin, a female housekeeper in 1993s Mrs Doubtfire and his Oscar-winning turn as a therapist in 1997s Good Will Hunting.

While Williams career features prominently in Robins Wish, the film is a highly personal depiction of the man behind the characters, with a strong focus on the illness that took his life.

Norwood, originally not sure if he wanted to make a science-heavy feature, was soon won over by Schneider, who married Williams in 2011.

She started telling me all these stories about this neurological disease that Id never heard of and this story Id never heard about Robin, the filmmaker says.

I said if youre willing to tell those stories about what you and he went through, thats a movie I would watch and would love to be a part of.

Like Williams and Schneider, Norwood lives in Marin County, just north of San Francisco.

He describes Williams death as a local trauma as well as one that shocked millions of fans around the world, and stressed how beloved he was in the community.

That was the thing that got me most excited about the project, because Id never seen a documentary about a global superstar where youre hearing from his neighbours.

When Schneider invited the filmmaker to the couples home, Norwood admits he expected a gated community and said: Im thinking theres going to be a mile-long driveway and a guard out front, and its going to be this compound.

Instead, Williams lived in a residential street, albeit in a luxury home with sweeping views of San Francisco Bay.

Hardly a two-up two-down, but not a Beverly Hills mega-mansion.

It was just one of the things that marked Williams as different from the average superstar, Norwood says.

It would have been difficult to dehumanise him, he adds. He was so intentional. You hear him saying in the movie, I wouldnt do well in LA, I wouldnt do well behind a big fence. These were choices he made so you have to ignore those choices to get to the bigger-than-life guy (he was on screen).

Neighbours appearing in Robins Wish told how Williams attended backyard barbecues and played with the local children while doing chalk drawings on the pavement.

You assume that people of that level of celebrity are very cloistered by necessity, Norwood says.

They cant allow themselves to be that way. And that was something I ended up seeing as courageous. The idea that Robin was so set on a certain type of life that he wanted to lead, he opened himself up to people who could have hurt him.

They could have talked about things theyd heard at a party, they could have been taking pictures of him, but the idea he opened himself up and this community of people really took care of him, it felt so much that he was just a guy in the neighbourhood.

I thought, if we missed that piece of the story, it would really not separate itself in the way it could from other movies.

Doctors feature prominently in Robins Wish, providing a grim assessment of the horrors Williams would have experienced with LBD.

A man known for an electric wit struggled to remember his lines, had trouble sleeping and suffered from a Parkinsons-like tremor.

Suicide, one of the doctors featured says, is a common outcome. As Williams grappled with an unknown enemy, his work suffered.

Shawn Levy directed him in 2014s Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb and tells how Williams became riddled by insecurity as he struggled to remember his lines.

Prolific TV producer David E Kelley worked with Williams on TV series The Crazy Ones and similarly reveals the star had at times not seemed his usual brilliant self.

His final hours are told through the heart-breaking testimony of those close to him.

Williams was spotted standing outside his home on the night before his death, looking distracted. He told his neighbour, Boss, I really need a hug, before breaking down in tears.

His final words to Schneider were: Goodnight, my love. He was found dead at their home the next day.

One of the final tributes in the movie comes from the 93-year-old comedian Mort Sahl, who said Williams understood the bigness of love.

That quality was key for Robins Wish to capture, according to Norwood.

I think that was very difficult to not lose in the making of this film. Yes, he was wildly funny and a genius and so quick and beautiful and kind, but theres this other side to him, that he was deeply human. Robins Wish is available now on digital and on demand.

Continued here:
He understood the bigness of love - The News International

Just like too much salt in your diet can be bad for your health, too much salt on our roads and sidewalks can be bad for the health of our rivers and streams.

Pennsylvania is among northern states in what is referred to as the Salt Belt, named for their use of salt on roadways to control snow and ice.

Last winter, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation treated snow and ice on roadways with nearly 486,000 tons of salt and 374,000 tons of small stones as anti-skid materials. Thousands more tons are added by local municipal road crews.

For storm events last winter, PennDOT also pretreated roads with more than 8.2 million gallons of salt brine. The water in the brine evaporates and the remaining salt helps prevent ice from forming a strong bond with the road surface. PennDOT has 63 facilities statewide for making its own brine.

This winter, road warriors have been busy treating about 120,000 miles of Keystone State highways and 32,000 state and local bridges.

Everyone is familiar with table salt or sodium chloride. This, along with chlorides containing magnesium, calcium, or potassium are typically used as deicers.

When these compounds do their job, they dissolve in the melted snow and ice where they either accumulate in nearby soils or find their way to the nearest waterbody.

The various compounds, but particularly the chloride, can be toxic to aquatic life in freshwater. In saltwater environments like the brackish Chesapeake Bay, animals arent likely to react as negatively to additional chloride as will critters in freshwater.

For critters and creeks, it can be a bad brew.

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that salt ions are changing the chemistry of freshwater streams across the nation, including in Pennsylvania. The study, which analyzed five decades of data from 232 U.S. Geological Survey river and stream monitoring sites, found that salt ions increased in 37 percent of the study sites.

Salty, alkaline soils and freshwater can cause big problems by corroding bridges and pipes, polluting drinking water supplies, leaching metals and nutrients, and even decreasing carbon sequestration.

Salt that stays on the land can be harmful to plants as evidenced by dead or dying, seemingly burned-out vegetation found along many roadways. This affects the ability of these plants to support valuable wildlife.

The cascade of negative impacts is ominously called the Freshwater Salinization Syndrome.

Around the home we can do our part to reduce winters salty soils and polluted runoff by not using salt on driveways, walkways and other slick surfaces.

Alternatives to chloride-based ice melts like calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) exist, but may come with their own negative environmental impacts.

Be aware that store-bought salt products may include additives or impurities that include trace metals that can also be toxic. Some salts may also contain an anti-caking device such as forms of cyanide, which is also toxic. So read the label. Know whats in those products.

Sand is a popular go-to alternative to salt for improving traction on slick surfaces. But it too can find its way into streams where it can smother habitat important to fish and other aquatic life.

Regardless of which type of snow or ice melt you choose, proper application is key to preventing damage to vegetation and polluting nearby waters. As with the use of fertilizers, using just enough ice melt to get the job done, at the right time and in the right locations, is the key.

Its treachery aside, some winter snowpack is essential to having ample water supplies in the spring. Snowmelt on forests, farms and fields tends to infiltrate into the groundwater. Along the way its filtered by the soil and cooled. During dry summer months, cool, clean groundwater feeds many Pennsylvania streams.

On the roads and at home in winter, we encourage the wise use of salt and other chemicals when Pennsylvania paving turns slick. For our human and water bodies, reducing the use of salt is the healthy choice.

Motorists can check conditions on state-owned roadways, including color-coded winter conditions, by visiting http://www.511PA.com.

Read more here:
Their view: Salts effects on waterways not very nice - Wilkes Barre Times-Leader

In addition to beauty trees bring many other benefits:

Their leaves filter the air by removing dust and other particulates. They absorb carbon dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide and give off oxygen. They clean the air we breathe. Tree roots capture rainwater and remove impurities, reducing creek and ocean pollution.

They reduce noise levels.

Their shade reduces the use of air-conditioning by as much as 25%.

They reduce soil erosion.

They increase real estate values.

Their shade prolongs the life of asphalt.

Workers with views of trees are generally more productive, less stressed and happier.

Post surgery patients with views of trees recover more quickly than those without.

People simply are nicer where there are trees; their presence reduces domestic violence.

I hope everyone will do everything they can to maintain and enhance our urban forest. We all will benefit.

Continue reading here:
Santa Barbara and Its Trees - Santa Barbara Edhat

The seaside town of Penarth is home to Wales' priciest street of 2020.

Using the most recent available data on average selling prices from the Land Registry of houses that have sold during 2020, we can see the 10 streets in Wales with the highest average sale prices.

Most years Cardiff dominates the most expensive property landscape, and a street from a county in the north of the country usually features, but this year there is a noticeable shift.

The capital city appears four times in the top 10 with Swansea claiming the second and fourth spot. Cowbridge, which usually makes an appearance, can be seen at number eight and Newport appears for the first time at number five.

But it's the popular Vale of Glamorgan seaside town of Penarth that claims the top spot as well as position seven.

These are Wales' most expensive streets of 2020.

This seaside town close to Cardiff and the Glamorgan Heritage coast can always claim to have some of the most expensive streets in Wales within its boundaries.

Popular with families due to its good schools, parks, and pretty, substantial homes, the town is also a hot spot for workers wanting the ease of links into Cardiff but all the benefits of living outside the city.

Coast and country are on the doorstep while boutique shops, pubs, and eateries along the pretty town's high street all add up to make the location a permanent hotspot. This popularity can also mean the town is pricey.

As well as the 1m-plus mansions occupying clifftop positions along tree-lined avenues the town has apartments and attractive terraces to tempt buyers with less than a seven-figure buying budget.

According to property portal Zoopla, the current average property value in Penarth is 328,198, which is an increase of over 33,000 in just 12 months. This compares to an average of 253,020 in Cardiff with an increase of 16,679 over 2020.

However the huge variety in housing stock in the capital, especially at the lower end of the market, can partly explain the difference when compared to Penarth.

The average value of a property in Victoria Road in the town is 685,873 which is a huge 57,644 change over the past 12 months, with the average price paid 870,000.

This is despite the fact that the attractive suburban avenue, lined with distinctive Victorian villas, includes apartments which by reason of their lower price bring the average figure down.

An apartment within a handsome house in the road sold in July 2020 for 290,000 with David Baker & Co. Other sales in the street include a detached house for 1.75m and another detached property was snapped up for 940,000.

Visit the road called East Cliff on the Gower Peninsula and there's no prize for guessing why this country land running along the coast of this beautiful landscape near Swansea is one of the most expensive in Wales in 2020.

Not only is the road lined with large, expansive detached houses along this particular stretch but it is also flanked on one side by large expansive sea views.

Close to all the incredible beaches the Gower can offer, and the convenience of pretty seaside town Mumbles and further down the coast Swansea, these houses have an isolated coastal feel but with urban centres close by.

Over the past 12 months, according to Zoopla, the road has seen a 47,508 increase in the current average property value.

The pictured five-bed detached house sold for 905,000 in January of 2020 with Fine & Country Swansea.

Now the new owner is now enjoying sea views over Hunts Bay and Deep Slade Bay, a heated swimming pool and a spacious home close to Pennard golf course, while the cars are happy in a triple garage.

Even the horses can live on-site in the double stables at the back of the property.

This popular street is in the heart of the permanently desirable suburb of Pontcanna.

This affluent and characterful area to the west of the city centre, Bute Park, and Pontcanna fields is bursting with streets lined with a characterful mix of pretty period properties.

The suburb has, in the past, been named by The Sunday Times as one of the 30 most fashionable places to live in the UK and within the top 20 in TravelSupermarket's UK Hip Hang-out Neighbourhood Index.

Pontcanna can boast boutique shops, pubs, cafs and eateries making it a busy destination for residents and Cardiffians who live further afield.

Within walking distance of the city centre and flanked by vast open and undulating parkland it's not a surprise to find house prices continue to climb.

According to Zoopla the road has experienced an increase in average value of almost 39,000 over the last 12 months to 553,838, although the average price paid is more in the region of 675,000.

This super-stylish house (pictured above) in the street was sold by estate agents Jeffrey Ross for 675,000 in July 2020 and it's not a challenge to see why.

The sellers had created a gorgeous kitchen diner at the rear of the property by extending out into the side-return and cleverly adding multiple roof windows into this new slice of accommodation.

This long and winding road stretches along the seafront from Swansea to, you guessed it, the pretty coastal town of Mumbles.

It is lined by the sea of Swansea Bay on one side and a massive variety of property on other, including some substantial houses both in size and price.

Of course the closer the property is located to Mumbles and the better the sea view the higher the price a house hunter can expect to pay on this street.

This seven-bed detached house in the area of West Cross, between Black Pill and Mumbles, had space, a huge garden, partial sea views, and a vast amount of space stretching over three floors.

The house sold for 695,000 with Fine & Country Swansea in February 2020.

The road's average price paid for a property in 2020 was 650,000 and the section of the road in West Cross saw the biggest average increase during the year of 39,500.

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The city of Newport makes an appearance on the most expensive streets list and it's in the form of a new street within an exclusive four-house development on the outskirts of Llanwern.

The luxury homes were marketed with the promise of hi-spec kitchens, underfloor heating, and a massive open-plan kitchen, dining, and living room at the rear of with three sets of doors leading out onto the garden patio.

Upstairs the master suite had a dressing room and en suite plus there were three further double bedrooms on this floor as well as a family bathroom and a grand central galleried landing.

The part stone-rendered faade and black-framed windows ensured that each house looked ultra-contemporary and also distinctive and enticing.

It seems the kerb appeal and all the interior design goodies inside worked their magic and, according to Rightmove, a house here went for in the region of 645,000 via Kingston Newell, Newport.

This popular suburban street in the ever-popular north Cardiff suburb of Radyr has a variety of period properties lining its route as it wanders through the heart of the pretty suburb.

The main road through Radyr can offer terraces, semi-detached, and detached homes on both sides of the street.

Within the catchment area of Radyr High School and with amenities including a tennis club and a village centre of local shops the suburb attracts families from around the region.

This long road through the suburb has a current average value of 519,447 according to Zoopla a 32,780 increase over the last 12 months.

This handsome double-fronted period property in Heol Isaf sold in April for 865,000 and offered a new owner oodles of space including four reception rooms, four bedrooms, a large kitchen-diner lounge, and immaculate interior design over three storeys.

It could be argued that the bathrooms in the property were the star of the potential buyer's property tour, offering a five-star standard of soak in the bath or shower.

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The Vale of Glamorgan coastal town is represented again in the top 10 most expensive streets of 2020 and this time the road is a route that travels through a number of areas where homes can be found. It starts in Penarth, skirts past Cosmeston, and ends up at Sully.

According to Zoopla the street has seen a hefty 40,678 increase in the average value over the last 12 months to 484,005 with an average price paid of 567,500.

It's not a surprise then to discover that this long road saw a number of property sales during 2020 including this Edwardian detached home with mock Tudor detailing and large bay windows.

Outside the period property is full of traditional character but inside the home has been extended and converted into a light and spacious modern abode complete with an impressive and substantial kitchen-diner lounge at the rear.

Many of the glorious original features remain and ensure this home is a successful blend of past, present, and future.

The home sold for 727,500 in July with Watts & Morgan.

This is the only entry in the top 10 for this popular and pretty rural market town in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan.

Cowbridge is popular for attracting commuters out of the cities and large towns to set up home in a charming and characterful place surrounded by countryside and close to the coast.

The town is continually popular for attracting visitors too and is still able to offer an individual high street packed with boutique and independent shops, cafs, pubs, and and restaurants.

The current average property value in the town, according to Zoopla, is 479,180 with the value increasing by 25,112 over the last 12 months to arrive at that figure.

Eastgate is actually just a section of the main road into the town from the east and has an attractive mix of period cottages, terraces, and substantial properties lining both sides.

This charming stone cottage in Eastgate sold in February for 329,950 with Watts & Morgan and offered the new owner three bedrooms, spacious open-plan living with kitchen and diner running from the front to the back on the ground floor.

This tree-lined avenue that travels into the heart of the suburb of Rhiwbina and its village-style high street is strewn with mainly large detached homes or attractive period semi-detached houses.

Some plots in the street are occupied by period bungalows and some plots have seen the bungalow squashed and a contemporary urban mansion replace it.

A proportion of the suburb is described as Rhiwbina Garden Village , which was developed between 1913 and 1923.

The current average value of the road is 517,860 which was arrived at by a 34,055 increase in value over the last 12 months.

The village high street includes a collection of shops featuring both national brands and independents as well as cafs and restaurants.

This four bed semi-detached house in the road was a stunning mix of period features, beautiful interiors, and modern open spaces.

The house sold in May 2020 for 585,000.

This street lined with substantial period properties, mainly semi-detached, is in the north Cardiff suburb of Whitchurch and is always popular with families due to the area's good schools, parks, community neighbourhoods, local events and blend of shops, pubs, and cafes.

There is a village-like feel to the suburb. It was once a small independent village before Cardiff expanded and it was swallowed up in the city's urban spread.

Within Whitchurch Bishop's Road is one of the most popular places for families to put down roots.

Such is the demand for family-friendly homes along the street, houses that are in need of modernisation are snapped up as soon as they go on the market for over half a million pounds.

That was the case with this house a four bed semi-detached and well-loved home in need of updating with a huge garden and oodles of space inside.

The house was sold in July 2020 for 544,000 by estate agent Hogg and Hogg.

According to Zoopla the average price paid on this street is 540,000, up by 28,682 within the last 12 months.

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The 10 most expensive streets to buy a house in Wales in 2020 - Wales Online

PLANS to develop 1,000 apartments at the old Ford distribution site on Centre Park Road at Corks docklands have been met with a mixed reaction from city councillors.

Detailed plans for the development site have been published in recent days.

For a number of years, the Live at the Marquee concert series has been held at the site. The concert series is also expected to take place there from May until June of 2021.

The new plans have been devised by Kildare company Marina Quarter Limited and include the construction of 1,002 apartments comprising a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bed apartments in 12 blocks, ranging in height from four to 14 storeys.

The 1,002 homes are to be built on 5.97 hectares in the area, situated within the South Docks Development area, approximately 1.9km from Cork city centre.

Blocks 1 to 12 include commercial and community facilities, including the provision of five retail units, one montessori school, one creche, a medical centre, bar, caf, venue/ performance area, and two community resource spaces.

An application has now been lodged with An Bord Pleanla for the strategic housing development which can be decided on by the planning board as it exceeds a development of 100 homes and, therefore, does not have to go through the local authority for planning permission.

The application is for a 10-year planning permission period.

An environmental impact assessment report has been prepared in respect of the proposed development and accompanies the application.

Mixed reaction to plans

Fine Gael Councillor Des Cahill said he was delighted to see the application but was concerned the developer would struggle to build the project with current construction costs and said the apartments might not be affordable for people.

In contrast, Independent Councillor Kieran McCarthy said he had a number of concerns about the project including a lack of green space and public realm, overdensity, and potential traffic congestion.

Mr Cahill said the city was crying out for apartments and he would not be too concerned with the current plans as it would be tweaked and changed as it goes through the planning process, but Mr McCarthy said he was uninspired and unimpressed with the architecture of the development and would be making a submission to An Bord Pleanla outlining his numerous concerns.

Mr Cahill said the project has to be high spec and high density. You cant go building semi-detached houses in the city centre, Mr Cahill said.

Mr McCarthy said the landscape layout and design was not jumping out at him and said while he acknowledged the area needed to be developed and the developer has obviously put a great deal of time and money into the project, he thought the project was out of sorts with what the city needed.

I am conscious that there is a city development plan in the works with the city council and I feel this project is premature. There is a new master plan coming and there are developments being proposed before the plan, that are haphazardly being put to An Bord Pleanla.

Plans for the development have been published online here.

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Mixed reaction to plans for former Ford site at docklands - EchoLive.ie

Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson, who was elected to a historic fifth term without opposition this year, said 2020 had bright spots, despite its challenges, and expects better things in 2021.

As we come to the end of what has been for many a very tough year, I dont think Americans have ever been more anxious to start a new year than they are now.

Despite the challenges associated with the pandemic, 2020 had some high spots for the City of Andalusia. In January, we were able to close on 143,000 square feet of space in 18 mostly-vacant buildings in our historic downtown. We announced the acquisition on March 10 just three days before the first announcements of closings in Alabama in the wake of the coronavirus.

We were able to work out an agreement with Andy Gibson and Draftstone Properties to renovate the building commonly known as the Opera House, and are very pleased that his first tenant opened there in December. He has further renovations planned, and a waiting list for the apartments that will be developed upstairs.

Across the street from him, Lee and Debbie Williams were inspired to renovate the old Brunson Bakery and will open the Bluebird Coffee Co. next week.

Michael and Shaun Jackson set opening week records when they opened the new Firehouse Subs. The pandemic delayed announcements of agreements they have at Covington Mall, but we expect those to be announced soon.

It is good to see local people investing in our community, and these are all examples of just that: People who live in Andalusia, believe in Andalusia, and are helping us grow.

As Johnson looks ahead, he said he is hopeful for a return to more normalized patterns in the community.

As we look ahead to 2021, we are anxiously awaiting the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, first, for our first responders who will begin receiving them this week, and then for others in our community. Once we get through January, when the virus is expected to surge, and begin to get people in the general population vaccinated, we are hopeful for a return to more normalized patterns in our community.

Carlisle Corp. has come out of the ground with the foundation for the new Wendys, and we expect it to open near the end of the first quarter of 2021.

For much of 2020, we worked on upgrading an existing spec building in our industrial park for Covington Casket. That project also is nearing completion, and they should have all of their operation moved there by the end of the first quarter.

Another project begun in 2020 that should be completed early in 2021 was the construction of the first house in our new Garden District in the Church Street School area. The City of Andalusia has partnered with Hila Gatewood of Gatewood and Sons to develop the garden district housing. The plan calls for renovation of some homes, as well as construction of new ones designed to blend in older neighborhoods. All will be part of a neighborhood association that sets standards for landscaping and maintenance.

Out at Johnson Park our crews have been working on the installation of our new splash pad, which will open when it gets a little bit warmer this spring.

Very soon, well begin working on the new parking lot downtown at the former Brooks Hardware site, and we expect to have that done by the end of the first quarter. This project is critically important for the redevelopment of our downtown.

We also expect to announce three new contracts for space in our historic downtown by the end of the first quarter, and are continuing to negotiate with others interested in downtown redevelopment. We also are seeking grant funding to add bike lanes to East Three Notch, which will make our downtown safer and more livable.

In 2021, Johnson said they will continue to work in partnership with other municipalities and county governments to develop a rails to trails project. We have taken the first steps to put a coalition together, and continue to negotiate with the railroad to acquire the property.

There was good news for much of Alabama in the spending package President Trump signed into law on Sunday, and specifically for the Wiregrass. The package included $1.2 billion for flight training at Fort Rucker, which means their helicopters will continue to land and refuel in Andalusia, which is important for the South Alabama Regional Airport Authority. I cannot overstate the importance of the airport and the industries surrounding it to the economic health of our community.

Like most other Americans, I am looking forward to 2021, and believe it will be another good year for Andalusia.

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Andalusia Mayor reflects on 2020 - The Andalusia Star-News - Andalusia Star-News

Automotive product planning requires lead times measured in years. And good thing, too, because otherwise I might not have had much to cover this year. Despite the pandemic, new cars kept rolling out and we here at Car and Driver kept driving them, albeit sometimes only around our homes. And, as always, certain themes emerged over the course of the year. Some were as obvious as a supercharged Hellcat (of which there are now many) and some were more subtlelike the persistent accommodations for physical keys, even in the Age of the Fob. Before opening the first notebook of 2021, a few leftovers from 2020's pages.

1It's All Hellcats These Days

This year, Dodge took a look at its lineup and decided it was sadly bereft of 700-horsepower V-8s. So they put a Hellcat engine in the Ram. They put a Hellcat engine in the Durango. Then they took a look at the Charger and decided that, you know, it wasn't Hellcatted enoughso they Redeyed it with 797 horsepower. Dodge held a track day at Carolina Motorsports Park. It was raining. All the cars were sterilized between drivers, so the only thing you had to worry about was 797 horsepower and rear-wheel-drive in the rain.

2This Was The Year of EV Drifting

3Metal Keys Live On

Sure, all but the cheapest cars use proximity keys (or now, even your phone) to unlock and start, but the old-school metal key remains a faithful backup. Did the battery die on your Ferrari Portofino? Fear nothere's your lock cylinder on the door, just like you'd find on a 1983 Ferrari 308. It's almost like we still don't fully trust electronic components in mission-critical situations, and there might be an analogy to autonomous vehicles here but I can't quite figure it out.

4"Your Frontier Is So Old..."

"Yo, your Nisan Frontier is so old, it has a big round plastic puck next to the steering column because its platform predated RF key fobs and they had to cover up the ignition switch when they added that later!" Also, its VIN is 00000000000000001.

5Confirmed, Again: Touchpads Are Not A Good Way To Do It

This is one from Lexus. It is not a good way to do it. Two knobs or a scroll wheel and a few buttonsthat's a good way to do it. But the LC500 Convertible (which, uh, this is not) can do whatever it wants because look at it.

6Touchpads Are Not A Good Way To Do It, Part II

The 2021 Acura TLX A-Spec is a lot of fun. Except for this. Look at those two items on the right: They're so close to getting it.

7Not To Get Too Salty About Toyota Ergonomics, But...

Most cars orient their start buttons vertically, to the right of the steering column, or horizontally on the console. The 2021 Toyota Venza has a button next to the steering wheel, butsurprise!it's for the trip odometer. The start button is hanging out under the climate control. Yeah, you'd get used to it. But "let's move the most important button farther away" seems like an odd design decision.

8Most Hardcore Crossover Suspension: Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar Engineered

So you can push a button and adjust the suspension on your crossover? That's cool, but not as cool as the Polestar XC60's manually adjustable hlins setup. To adjust the dampers, here's all you do: pop the hood, turn the adjustment knob 20 clicks one way or the other, then count how many clicks you turn it the other way to make the damping softer or firmer. Then do the same on the opposite side (don't lose count of those clicks!). Then close the hood and go to the rear of the car, where there are similar knobs on each side. But they're covered by a dust cap that you'll have to removeonce you jack up the rear of the car to get some clearance, because you probably can't fit your hand in there between the tire and the fender. So anyway, you're never going to do this are you?

9Subaru Brought Back Gold Trim

Remember the 90s? There were no pandemics and plenty of cars had awesome gold badges. Sadly, gold fell out of fashion, along with low-rise jeans and Creed. But it's back, baby, thanks to Subaru. Just look at this 2021 Crosstrek badge! Subaru calls that color "plasma yellow pearl," but we know it's totally golden.

10CVTs Aren't Bad... With Turbos

While the Michigan crew tested the AWD Buick Encore GX, I got the FWD version, which uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) instead of a nine-speed automatic. I was primed for disappointment, yet the CVT wasn't bad, thanks to the 1.3-liter turbo's 174 lb-ft of torque. Without need to ever rev the little three-banger very high, you can forget what kind of transmission you have, for the most part. Thanks, turbos!

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Ezra Dyer's Hellcat of a Year: A Few Notes on 2020 - Car and Driver