What to see, do and experience in London, from the sustainable and very boozy Ketel One pop-up garden at the Bourne & Hollingsworth buildings (oh so Instagrammable) to the cabaret-focussed exhibition now showing at the Barbican sharing life in front and behind the glamorous cabaret curtain.

Look at some artwork by an infamous British sculptor: Antony Gormley has taken over the Main Galleries at the Royal Academy and shows work from his 45-year career, punctuated with major new installations. Theres an exploration of Gormleys materiality fromiron and steel to hand-beaten lead, seawater and clay. Then theres his rarely-seen early works from the 70s and 80s, some of which led to Gormley using his own body as a tool to create work.

Throughout the series of experiential installations, visitors are invited to slow down and become aware of their own bodies. Highlights includeClearing VII, an immersive drawing in space made from kilometres of coiled, flexible metal, andLost Horizon I, 24 life-size cast iron figures set at different orientations on the walls, floor and ceiling which is aimed to challenge perceptions of which way is up. Catch the exhibition before it closes on December 3 1019.

Antony Gormley,Lost Horizon I, 2008.Installation view, Antony Gormley, Royal Academy of Arts, ... [+] London, 21 September to 3 December 2019. PinchukArtCentre, Kiev, Ukraine.24 cast iron bodyforms, each 189 x 53 x 29 cm. the Artist.

Drink Talisker whiskey in an igloo: The Aviary is back with a festive bang in the form of theirrenowned rooftopigloos,and this year sees the introduction of theSkye-lineIgloos featuring theaward-winning spiritTaliskerWhiskyfrom the Isle of Skye.

Drink Talisker whiskey in an igloo

Aviary, which is elevated 10 floors above The City on Finsbury Square offers an immersive experience in ode ofTaliskers Scottish homeland, providing an inner-city escape overlookingLondon. Expect amenu of wild whiskey cocktails including the spicy and citrusy Scotch Mist and the fruity, smokey Northern Lights that can besipped in the cosyigloosunder the stars.

Drink Talisker whiskey in an igloo

Take in an exhibition dedicated to Greek mythology: Cerberus is Mark Bradfords debut exhibition at Hauser & Wirth in London. The show, which is made up of new works includes the film, Dancing in the Street (2019) and it sees Bradford return to ancient mythology, a source of inspiration for him.

Frostbite by Mark Bradford (2019)

Take part in a chocolate tasting experience held by Rococo: Join the chocolate experts at Rococo for a tasting experience at their store in the heart of Belgravia. Youll have a chance to try 15 different chocolates, from their classic bars to deluxe ganaches and truffles and their chocolatier is there to guide you on the look, feel and taste of each. A relaxed, informative and delicious way to learn more about the variety of chocolate.

Take part in a chocolate tasting experience held by Rococo

Learn about cabaret through art: Step inside the stylish and debaucherous world of cabaret thanks to the Barbican. Here you can explore the history of worlds most iconic cabarets, cafs and clubs in modern art through the lens of pioneering artists.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: An installation view of 'Into The Night: Cabarets and Clubs in Modern ... [+] Art' at Barbican Art Gallery on October 03, 2019 in London, England. A recreation of the bar at the Cabaret Fledermaus, originally designed by Josef Hoffman (1907) The exhibition will run from 4th October 2019 until 19th January 2020. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Barbican Art Gallery)

Ranging from 1880s to the 1960s,Into the Nightcelebrates the creative spaces where artists gathered and pushed the boundaries of artistic expression via the clubs of Berlin to the Harlem jazz scene through to the the vibrant context of the Mbari clubs in 1960s Nigeria.

Erna Schmidt-Caroll, Chansonette (1928)

Pick up an advent calendar by Fortnum & Mason: Enjoy a spot of early Christmas shopping at London most-loved store, Fortnums and while youre at it pick up one of their advent calendars before they sell out. The Fortnum's Feasting Advent Calendar is the perfect pressie for a foodie, with delicious treats hidden behind every door from Breakfast Blend Coffee to Strawberry & Champagne Preserve.

Pick up an advent calendar by Fortnum & Mason

Check out artwork by the original girl gang: 170 years after the first pictures were exhibited by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1849,Pre-Raphaelite Sisters which is held by the National Portrait Gallery, explores the overlooked contribution of twelve women to this iconic artistic movement. On show is unseen works from both public and private collections and it gives a genuine insight into the women behind the pictures and their creative roles in Pre-Raphaelites successive phases between 1850 and 1900.

Properly trained Night and Sleep by Evelyn De Morgan

Take part in a boozy sustainable pop-up: This month Ketel One Vodka has collaborated with the team at Bourne & Hollingsworth and theyve got all green fingered for a sustainability-focused, month-long pop-up. Here theyll offer different ways to reuse and recycle their coffee grounds, as they will be turning the spent coffee from their Ketel One Espresso Martinis into compost for the indoor garden.

The Ketel One Espresso Martini Garden Bar at Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings

Masterclasses will be hosted by Julius Roberts, not only giving practical advice to repurpose but also showing you how to make sustainable cocktails that will impress guests at home, right in time for the party season.

Ketel One Espresso Martini

Mark Thanksgiving in London: Theres plenty of places taking part in Thanksgiving - mark it in your diary, 28 November. And lucky lucky us as Bulleit Whiskey (delicious) has joined forces with East London based HIX Restaurant, Tramshed and theyre throwing one hell of a Thanksgiving Feast.

The ticketed event will take place on the mezzanine at Tramshed and each course of the American style menu will be paired with a Bulleit Whiskey cocktail including the Sweet Potato Whiskey Sour and a Fennel Iced Tea. Be sure to leave room for pud, as theres a bourbon and pecan tart with Neals Yard clotted cream, alongside an expertly paired Bulleit and Guinness Old Fashioned. Thank you, thank you.

Bourbon and pecan tart with Neals Yard clotted cream & Bulleit and Guinness Old Fashioned

See the original post:
London's November Culture Crush: What To See And Do In The Capital - Forbes

News & FeaturesFlathead Avalanche Centers three stations will fill a forecasting void in the Flathead Valley

By Maggie Dresser // Nov 13, 2019

When the wind howls and the snow falls in the Flathead and Swan mountain ranges, the weather conditions are a guessing game. In those remote mountain peaks, theres nowhere to obtain records and no way to collect data.

But thats about to change. The Flathead Avalanche Center (FAC) installed a wind sensor on Mount Aeneas in the Swan Range this fall and plans to install two weather stations on Tunnel Ridge in the Middle Fork in the Flathead Range next summer.

While the Mount Aeneas station will exclusively monitor wind speed and wind direction, the two separate Tunnel Ridge stations will provide additional data.

Situated on an exposed ridgeline, the Tunnel wind stations sensors will monitor wind speed, wind direction, temperature and relative humidity. The Tunnel snow station will be installed in a protected basin below the ridge, attached to solar panels that will charge the batteries and communicate data through free wave radio to Essex. The snow stations sensors will measure snow depth, temperature and relative humidity, FAC Director Zach Guy said.

Officials are currently troubleshooting power issues on Mount Aeneas sensor, but it should be operational in the coming weeks, according to Guy.

The stations will help the avalanche center collect wind and weather data in the two ranges where theres historically been an absence. The data will give forecasters more information to understand the snowpack and avalanche conditions, allowing them to write more accurate forecasts.

We dont have any idea how much it snows in the mountains after a storm, Guy said. Sometimes its a swing and a miss.

With the new stations, weather data will now be available on a daily and hourly basis, Guy said, creating more accurate and up-to-date records.

To understand whats happening up there remotely is huge, Guy said.

Despite the new weather stations, forecasters will still continue their same day-to-day operations, just with an added tool in the tool belt.

We still run the same show, just more accurate to start with, Guy said.

During the season, forecasters start at about 4 a.m. to produce a morning forecast, which is posted at 7 a.m. every day. Even with their new data-collecting tool, forecasters will continue going out into the field to make observations. Their observations will typically validate the forecast.

In some ways were going into the field after weve got the product, Guy said. It all goes into the big picture. Well have more data to support our forecast.

In addition to the avalanche center, the weather stations will also benefit aviation operations like Two Bear Air Rescue and fire management teams who rely on the weather to operate safely and predict fire activity.

Between fundraising, donations, a $5,000 grant from Flathead Electric Cooperative and $10,000 from BNSF Railway, FAC and Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center were able to fund the roughly $35,000 project.

Other weather stations include sensors on Big Mountain, owned by Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center and maintained by Whitefish Mountain Resort ski patrol, several stations on the floor of John F. Stevens Canyon and multiple sensors in Glacier National Park.

This fills a huge void in our forecasting uncertainty and will significantly improve our forecast accuracy, Guy said.

maggie@flatheadbeacon.com

See original here:
New Weather Stations Arriving in Swan and Flathead Ranges - Flathead Beacon

Serious fans of vinyl and audiophiles who want the ability to listen to records tend to avoid all-in-one record players like the plague. These systems are very popular. They combine a turntable, amplifier, speakers and additional features like Bluetooth wireless in a single wooden cabinet. The vintage appeal and compact size (compared to separate components) keeps them flying off shelves. However... With prices typically $200 or less, no-one is going to mistake these systems for a premium offering. The wood is usually fake, the audio output is tinny, the record player often exhibits distortion from the speakers, and the inexpensive stylus used in many of these systems can actually damage records.

Those who know better stick to a high quality turntable connected to decent audio components.

That leaves a big gap in the market, though. A turntable plus components takes up a lot of physical space and requires multiple unsightly wires to connect everything. In a small space like an apartment or a den, a traditional setup isnt always an option. The +RECORD PLAYER from +AUDIO was designed to address this gap.

The +RECORD PLAYER in walnut.

Its an all-in-one record player, but one with a modern take on the classic wood cabinet design and audio performance that will impress even the audiophile crowd. The +AUDIO team that spent over three years working on the +RECORD PLAYER includes engineers with decades of experience at some of the worlds leading audio brands (including JBL and Cambridge SoundWorks) along with an accomplished furniture designer. The end result is a beautiful all-in-one record player with premium touches including real wood veneer and aluminum trim, and high quality audio components throughout starting with a European-made Pro-Ject Debut III turntable nested into the top of the cabinet.

Premium Components + Advanced Design

The team at +AUDIO is very proud of the components and design that went into the +RECORD PLAYER, and its worth talking about these because they are key to designing an all-in-one system thats not compromised.

As mentioned, the turntable isnt just any old record player stuck on top, its a highly regarded Pro-Ject Debut III. This two speed belt-drive turntable is equipped with a 24 pole synchronous motor with crystal stabilized digital electronic speed controller for minimal wow and flutter. An Ortofon OM10 MM cartridge is pre-mounted (an upgrade from the OM5e typically found on this turntable). I have this cartridge installed on several of my turntables, and its a solid performer with excellent tracking and high quality audio.

The +RECORD PLAYER, top view of the integrated Pro-Ject Debut III turntable.

The two stage phono pre-amp uses passive equalization to deliver superior accuracy. You can flip a switch on the back of the system to bypass the internal speakers and instead output via Line Out to powered speakers or an amplifier, but the +RECORD PLAYER sounds fantastic without external components. The turntable sits atop a base that does double duty as the speaker enclosure an arrangement that leads to distortion in most systems. In this case, careful design has gone into producing a cabinet that allows for decent bass (low frequency output down to 55Hz) while isolating the turntable from speaker feedback and vibration, even at high volume.

The drivers themselves are custom units, a pair of 3.5-inch high excursion long throw aluminum cone woofers and a pair of 1-inch soft dome tweeters. Each is driven by its own Class D digital amplifier (35W to each of the woofers and 15W to each of the tweeters for 100W total). According to +AUDIO, the team spent weeks with male and female listeners ranging in ages from 18 to 70, optimizing the output of the DSP to deliver an ideal audio experience in a typical living space. This includes a Wide sound mode, which does a very good job of producing expansive audio with a wide soundstage, replicating what youd get with a pair of speakers.

Assembly

The +RECORD PLAYER comes in several pieces, but assembly is straightforward. The Pro-Ject turntable arrives with the cartridge pre-mounted and adjusted. Connecting it to the base is a matter of plugging in a power cable, and a pair of RCA output cables (both of which are then hidden from view), then aligning the turntables feet up with four cutouts on the base top. The drive belt is then placed over the inner platter and pulley, followed by placing the platter over the spindle. The tonearm needs to be balanced, the tracking force set and the anti-skate set. Then the clear cover is slipped onto the pre-installed hinges.

The +RECORD PLAYER interior, prior to turntable installation.

Excellent instructions are included in the box, and the entire operation should take less then half an hour.

The Pro-Ject Debut III turntable prior to installation and setup.

Positioning is important with this system. Its recommended that you keep at least one foot of clear space on either side of the +RECORD PLAYER, and avoid enclosed cabinets. Not having space will interfere with speakers performance, especially in Wide mode. Fortunately, the system has a footprint little larger than just a turntable, at 17.6 x 13.9 inches.

The turntable is connected to the base (two RCA jacks plus a power cable) then lowered into ... [+] position.

Performance

Ive reviewed several mainstream all-in-one record players over the years, and I keep an assortment of sacrificial test records for use with those theres no way I would play vinyl from my own collection on any of them. And the sound is always pretty terrible. Like listening to a record played over a cheap mono speaker, muddied by being wrapped in layers of foam...

I was really looking forward to how the +RECORD PLAYER would sound. The system looks sleek and modern, and if the sound matched the premium appearance it was going to be something special. I wasnt disappointed.

The +RECORD PLAYER is equipped with a high quality Pro-Ject turntable and Ortofon OM10 MM ... [+] cartridge.

I had no concerns about playing my records on the +RECORD PLAYERs Pro-Ject turntable. Initial testing took place in my office, which is a fairly small room. It still sounded fantastic, with respectable bass, solid midrange and clear highs. I played through albums from bands representing a wide range of genres Simple Minds, Talking Heads, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan and it was always impressive. I was unable to detect any issue with the speakers impacting record playback, even when volume was cranked up on bass-heavy tracks. But the real test was moving from my office to the main floor of the house after a week, once the stylus and speakers had a chance to be broken in.

Ive always wanted to set up a turntable on this floor so I could listen to records in the living room and kitchen, but there just isnt enough free space for a turntable, amplifier and speakers.

The +RECORD PLAYER is compact, and shines when set up in an open space.

This is a scenario where the +RECORD PLAYER absolutely shines. Its entire footprint is roughly the size of a turntable and it was easy to clear a little space on the top of a cabinet. In Wide mode in the open concept space, vinyl sounded nearly as good as the traditional stereo setup in my office. There is a real sense of depth, and plenty of power on tap to fill an open space with high quality audio. This system would be ideal in an apartment or condo.

Bluetooth and USB

You can use the +RECORD PLAYER as a Bluetooth speaker to stream audio from your smartphone. Connectivity is easy theres a Bluetooth button on the front panel and audio is decent, although a definite step down from what the turntable can deliver and not at the quality you would get from Wi-Fi streaming (more on that shortly). With the system volume at maximum, theres a noticeable hum between tracks and as a result Ive been keeping system volume around 75% when using Bluetooth. That means music cant get quite as loud as when playing a record, but its still sufficient to nicely fill a medium-sized space.

+RECORD PLAYER inputs and outputs.

The back panel has inputs for 3.5mm AUX, Line in and optical sources, but youll also find a USB port. This can be used to output audio to a PC or Mac for digitizing vinyl tracks, and can also be used to power a connected USB device.

+RECORD PLAYER Key Specs (as tested):

What About Wi-Fi and Streaming Audio?

When I spoke to the +RECORD PLAYER team, they said one of the objectives of this system was to avoid complexity. There was also some concern during the design phase about the rapid changes in streaming audio technology and the potential risk of obsolescence. So there is no integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, and that means no onboard support for streaming services like Spotify. However, Bluetooth connectivity is there for those who want to stream music from their smartphone.

That being said, the system includes multiple inputs and +AUDIO says a signal sensing circuit will automatically detect a streamer like an Amazon Echo Dot connected to the AUX input, and will switch to that source automatically. In other words, you can add the Wi-Fi streaming music source of your choice by connecting an inexpensive accessory.

I have an Apple Airport Express on order and will update this review when received to reflect how well the +RECORD PLAYER worked with AirPlay streaming...

Quibbles

There really wasnt much to find fault with here. The turntable platter immediately starts spinning when powered on, not when the tonearm is cued, and remains on until put in standby mode. That took a little adjusting to get used to. The good news is that unlike most Pro-Ject turntables Ive used, this one automatically switches between 45 and 33-1/3 rpm instead of requiring you to manually move the belt up and down on the spindle.

The red LED volume level lights which are activated when you adjust volume seemed to have a life of their own sometimes several presses would move the lights up one level, sometimes a single press would advance the lights two levels but that had no effect on the actual volume adjustments.

Thats about it... The +RECORD PLAYER is a well-designed, and well-built audio system. Wi-Fi streaming would be high on my wish list, but thats easily taken care of.

Recommendation

The +RECORD PLAYER delivers premium quality vinyl playback in a modern, all-in-one cabinet.

Theres no getting around the fact that at over $1,300 the +RECORD PLAYER is an expensive product. However, if youre a vinyl fan in the market for an all-in-one record player with audio performance that would put many bookshelf turntable + amplifier + speaker systems to shame the +RECORD PLAYER is a standout option.

With its natural wood veneer and aluminum trim, the +RECORD PLAYER looks modern, the integrated Pro-Ject turntable with Ortofon OM 10 cartridge ensures your records sound their best, and the custom 100W speaker system delivers premium quality audio with detailed and expansive sound. The two-year warranty (with extended 10-year coverage) offered by +AUDIO, which is significantly better than the industry standard single year, is another big win.

If you want to take the vinyl listening experience up a notch, +AUDIO offers a Special Edition version. An additional $200 gets you an upgrade to a carbon fiber tonearm, and an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge.

Disclosure: +AUDIO provided a +RECORD PLAYER for evaluation but had no input into this review.

Read the original:
Review: The +RECORD PLAYER, A Compact All-In-One Audio System With A Pro-Ject Turntable And Killer Sound - Forbes

Pace launches its inaugural Pace Live performance programming this month, with events staged by Moroccan artist Yto Barrada and New Yorks Torkwase Dyson, two women of color who address themes of political divisions and black cultural creation.

It kicks off this Friday, November 15, with a movie night organized by Barrada, dubbed Cinmathque de Tanger, also the name of a theater she founded in Morocco. On Tuesday and Friday of next week, Dyson presents a performance and sculptural installation that incorporates numerous collaborators. It all takes place on the seventh floor of the mega-gallerys new mega-facility on 25th Street in Manhattan, which seats 150. RSVP for Barrada here; for Dyson on November 19 here, and for November 22 here.

The programming is organized by a duo, Mark Beasley and Andria Hickey, both hired away from museums last year for newly created posts. These are two artists Im very much interested in because of their collaborative spirit, Beasley told Artnet News. Using a metaphor for their belief in the artists, he said that Its just that good ingredients makes for fast cooking.

Yto Barrada.

The gallery, which turns sixty next year, makes this bet on performance among a dramatic rise in attention to the ephemeral art form by museums and biennials, as well as other galleries. Anne Imhofs edgy performance was a smash hit at the 2017 Venice Biennale, which went on to integrate more performance art in its current edition; museums have been renovating and expanding with large spaces devoted to the art form. (Its not all ephemeral; taking place in a commercial gallery as it does, the inaugural Pace Live does incorporate some salable objects.)

Barradas contribution will consist of a presentation of ten short films by Middle Eastern and North African filmmakers.The films come from the collection of her Tangier movie house, which she and a group of other artists launched in 2007 with the mission of bringing international cinema to her hometown while helping popularize Moroccan filmmakers abroad. Its holdings comprise feature films, documentaries, and experimental works. (The movie house, which also serves as an interdisciplinary cultural hub, was created in the wake of 9/11, when Middle Easterners and North Africans found their access to Europe increasingly curtailed.)

The seventh floor at Paces new Chelsea home will host Pace Live performances.

Also on view at Pace will be Moroccan textiles and Barradas wooden sculptures of defunct Tangier movie houses, which satellite dishes and DVDs largely put out of business, according to the artist. And bring your appetite; Barrada is offering a Moroccan-style family meal after the screening.

Presented in collaboration with the newest edition of performance art biennial Performa, Dysons contribution the following week, I Can Drink the Distance: Plantationocene in 2 Acts, invites black creators like Canadian poet and novelist Dionne Brand; artist Arthur Jafa; and interdisciplinary artist Autumn Knight into the space to engage with Dyson. The collaborations are all based on her theory of black compositional thought, and her guests will work in interaction with a sculpture by the artist, which will remain after the performances and is available to buyers. Some of the performances will involve readings, while some will incorporate music, dance, or audience interaction. Its not entirely clear what will happen, says Beasley, which, he acknowledges, can be terrifying.

This is the story of the moment, said Beasley, leaning into that daunting uncertainty. These are the voices that need to be heard.

Read more:
What Is Pace Planning for Its Hotly Anticipated Live Division? The Inaugural Program Includes a Celebration of Black Creativity - artnet News

News

by Jillian Lopez and Mina Mata Published 17 November, 2019 at 6:00 PM from the October 2019 print issue

Photo by Marco Ricafort

RENOVATIONS ARE underway in certain areas on campus as Vice President for the Loyola Schools (VPLS) Maria Luz Vilches, PhD seeks to improve the Loyola Schools (LS) facilities. These initiatives were pursued in light of campus assessments conducted by the LS administration, which were brought up by the VPLS during the Magtanong sa VP at mga Dekano forum held on September 2.

These major campus improvements include the installation of air conditioning units at the Science Education Complex (SEC) buildings and the Immaculate Conception Chapel, as well as the expansion of the SEC-A building. As discussed in the forum, these additions hope to address issues on heat and the growing student population.

In addition to these plans, a number of projects have recently been completed on campus, such as the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL) landing lounges, the New Rizal Library outdoor cafeteria, and the Office of Student Discipline (OSD) on the ground floor of MVP.

Addressing student needs

The Office of Facilities and Sustainability (OFS), along with the VPLS, will spearhead the renovation of current campus facilities and utilities this academic year.

According to Vilches, air conditioning units powered by solar panels will be installed in the SEC classrooms to improve the learning conditions of students. Due to the limited budget for the current academic year, Vilches said that they will first install units in the SEC-A classrooms, an initiative that the University plans to finish by January 2020.

To accommodate the increasing student population on campus in light of the K-12 program, Vilches stated that SEC-A will be expanded by constructing two more floors with 18 new classrooms by December 2021. She added that the LS administration anticipates around 10,000 students on campus in 2022.

Before they begin constructing the two additional floors, OFS Director Elias Pan said that an assessment of the buildings structural integrity must be done first.

Yung SEC-A kasi ginawa yan [noong] 1998 so wala pa yung [2005 National Building Code of the Philippines]. Ang ginagawa ngayon, iniimbestigahan ang building bago i-design for two floors kung capable pa siya in relation sa [code] (SEC-A was made in 1998 so the 2005 National Building Code of the Philippines did not exist yet. We are currently investigating the building first before adding two floors to see if it adheres to the [code]), he said.

The aforementioned code aims to promote up-to-date and modern technical knowledge on building design, construction, use, occupancy, and maintenance.

Once the necessary requirements are met, Pan said that construction of SEC-A floors will beginhopefully by Intersession of 2020. After the completion of the project, he added that they will assess SEC-B and SEC-C for the possibility of expansion as well.

Completed projects

Aside from these upcoming campus improvements, Vilches added that the LS administration also completed several projects as of late. These were pursued in light of the requests from different LS offices and departments to meet their respective units needs.

Vilches mentioned that among the projects is the new OSD in MVP, which was recently constituted to augment the work done by the Office of Student Services (OSS) regarding student disciplinary complaints. The OSD will spearhead development and restorative justice programs for students, which will require one-on-one meetings.

Vilches explained, We want to create a new face for discipline thats not scary. [Students] say we need a proper office for discipline where its not all about punishment.

Another recent project is the Office of Student Activities new MVP landing lounges, which were constructed to provide students with more comfortable working areas.

It is important to have a space which is conducive for learning. When you create a space, you create the atmosphere as well, explained Vilches.

Additionally, the New Rizal Library outdoor cafeteria was constructed at the request of Rizal Library Director Vernon Totanes in hopes of improving the appearance of the librarys entrance.

He said that the new cafeteria improves the faade of the building and caters to students needs should they feel hungry after studying in the library.

Improving Sanggus response

Although not all student concerns were raised at the September 2 Magtanong sa VP at mga Dekano, Sanggunian President Quiel Quiwa assured that issues about campus facilities raised to the Sanggunian are discussed in small Budget Committee meetings with the administration and forwarded to the offices involved.

We have two representatives at the Loyola Schools Budget Committee to make sure that the budget is consistent with the student demands. This committee is divided into sub-committees that negotiate the budget with different academic departments and offices, he said.

In an effort to address student concerns more efficiently, Sanggunian Vice President Jb Bejarin added that the Sanggunian will begin working with the Student and Administrative Services Cluster (SASC), which is composed of the OFS, the OSS, and the Loyola Schools Office of Guidance and Counseling.

The [SASC] has agreed to streamline existing feedback mechanisms between the students, Sanggu, and the mentioned offices for [a] more efficient and effective response to student concerns, Bejarin said. Sanggu will be working with the SASC through set regular meetings starting this October.

Read more:
Major campus renovations to commence this academic year - The GUIDON

Simply Stunning!!! This spectacular sprawling ranch sits conveniently close to town, but has the country feel you've been looking for!! The expansive 1-acre lot surrounded by cornfields and open space provides views of the sunrise and sunset that will leave you awestruck. Upon entering the drive, you'll be delighted by the curb appeal of the home, its beautiful landscaping, and front patio sitting area. Step inside the front door onto the warm radiant heat flooring and you'll be instantly enamored by the soaring 11-foot ceilings throughout the main. Multiple sitting and eating spaces make entertaining easy in the expansive 2500 sqft open-concept main floor. Upon entering, a shiplap feature wall will draw your eye to the fantastic formal dining room. Floor-to-ceiling windows welcome you into the grand living area, with a Heatilator gas fireplace focal point and room to seat plenty. Just beyond the living area, you'll find a second dining space and a simply stunning kitchen. With granite countertops for miles, you'll have ample space for baking or cooking for a crowd. You'll love the plentiful storage in the maple cabinets, the pantry, stainless appliances, double oven, built-in desk area, massive island, and magnificent views of the countryside from the kitchen sink. Beyond the kitchen, settle in for some relaxation in the sizable sunroom with 12-ft vaulted ceilings. Let the sun pour in the floor-to-ceiling windows as you enjoy your morning coffee or a good book after a long day. Beyond the sunroom is a composite deck- perfect for grilling and enjoying a beautiful evening outdoors. As you journey down the hall toward the main-floor master, you'll see a sizable bedroom with soaring windows, a full bath, and linen closet. The spacious master suite is delightfully bright and houses a remarkable master bath with large soaking tub, separate shower, and double sinks. Beyond the master bath is an enviable walk-in closet with superb shelving systems. As you enter the main floor from the 3-stall garage, you'll find a perfectly placed half-bath, coat closet, and a main-floor laundry room with counter space, cabinets, and a sink. Wander down the extra wide staircase to the lower level and prepare to be amazed!! The 1500 finished sqft basement level houses three more generous bedrooms, a full bath, and an expansive living room. The stained concrete floors with radiant heat give this space a wow-factor, and daylight windows add wonderful light and views. There's room here for all your fun- space to watch football, space for games, and space for creating with built-in cabinets, desk area, and a sink. A gigantic storage room houses the state-of-the-art Munchkin boiler, mechanicals, and the connections to the whole-house backup generator. Step outside and enjoy the pure peace the backyard brings. With views of cornfields and timber, you'll enjoy watching wildlife and feeling like your home is a place of respite each day. The backyard houses more entertaining space on the patio and around the fire pit. There are simply too many amazing amenities to list... this home is a must-see!!! Hurry to make this incredible custom-built home yours!!!!

View Listing

Excerpt from:
Homes Recently Listed in the Waterloo and Cedar Falls Area - Kenosha News

Hailed as the best rugby referee in the world, Nigel Owens was also the first man in this macho sport to declare his homosexuality. Fresh from what is probably his last ever World Cup, Owens tells Martin Fletcher about his future plans: herding beef cows instead of beefy men,and possible marriage to his partner, Barrie

Nigel Owens lives in a spacious modern bungalow at the end of a rough track in the former mining village of Pontyberem, just a couple of miles from where he was born and raised in the valleys of south Wales. You can tell his house by the handsome black Mercedes parked outside. Its number plate is NI6 REF.

The worlds most famous rugby referee greets me shirtless, having just...

Read more here:
Nigel Owens: 'Reffing a World Cup final was nothing compared to the challenge of accepting my sexuality and coming out' - Telegraph.co.uk

Roughly 85 percent of recently installed HVAC systems in K-12 classrooms investigated in California did not provide adequate ventilation, according to a study from the University of California, Davis, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).

For the study, published in the journal Building and Environment, researchers visited 104 classrooms in 11 schools throughout California that had been retrofitted with new heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, units in the past three years. They evaluated the HVAC systems, carbon dioxide concentrations, and indoor temperature and humidity through field inspections, monitoring, and a teacher survey.

Previous research has shown that under-ventilation of classrooms is common and negatively impacts student health and learning, explained lead author Rengie Chan, a research scientist with Berkeley Lab. What isnt known, however, is why this problem is so widespread and persistent.

Ventilation helps remove indoor air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds, including formaldehyde, which can off-gas from building materials, finishes and furniture. There is also increasing evidence that CO2 exhaled by building occupants is an indoor pollutant that can affect cognitive performance. This is particularly important in classrooms, where lots of people gather in a small space.

Standards for ventilation rates balance indoor air quality and energy efficiency. ASHRAE, a global professional society that sets standards for building performance, specifies a minimum ventilation rate for classrooms of 15 cubic feet per minute per person. In California, the 2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, also known as Title 24, have the same ventilation requirement for classrooms.

Using measured CO2 concentrations and the number of people in the classroom, researchers found only about 15 percent of classrooms met the ventilation standard. Researchers characterized each HVAC system by documenting the number of problems due to its hardware, controls and filter maintenance. Classrooms with one or more HVAC problems tended to have lower ventilation rates and higher CO2 levels.

In addition to ventilation, thermal comfort impacts student performance. In this study, about 60 percent of the classrooms were warmer than the recommended average maximum temperature range of 73 F. Also, 30 percent of the teachers surveyed were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the temperature in their classroom, and about 10 percent said the temperature interfered a lot with the learning environment.

Our study shows that proper installation, operation, and maintenance of HVAC systems is necessary to provide adequate ventilation in classrooms, said co-author Theresa Pistochini, engineering manager at the UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center.

The Division of the State Architect provides oversight of construction projects, but many HVAC replacement projects are exempt from their review. Yet these projects must still meet Title 24 requirements. This puts the onus of ensuring compliance on school districts.

There are nearly 1,000 school districts in California, Pistochini said. With limited resources, it is unrealistic to expect that school district personnel be adequately trained to ensure compliance. Increased oversight of HVAC replacements, or other ways to address widespread inadequate ventilation in California classrooms, are needed, likely through state intervention.

Researchers recommend the following actions to improve ventilation rates in classrooms:

Millions of California children spend a large portion of their day indoors at school. Ensuring adequate classroom ventilation will help protect and support the health and well-being of students and teachers.

Additional study authors include Xiwang Li and Brett Singer of Berkeley Lab, and David Vernon, Sarah Outcault, Angela Sanguinetti and Mark Modera of UC Davis.

The study was supported by the Electric Program Investment Charge, managed by the California Energy Commission.

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Are students breathing good air? - University of California

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Residents of Sequim and Port Angeles and neighborhoods around those cities might now qualify for grants to replace old, uncertified wood stoves with cleaner home heating systems.

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) secured a Wood Smoke Reduction grant from the state Department of Ecology to provide wood stove replacement rebates for the more densely populated areas of Clallam County.

One of the primary pollutants within ORCAAs jurisdiction is fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and the main source of that pollutant is burning, according to a press release from the agency.

With the removal of just 60 uncertified wood stoves from the community, residents will reduce emissions by 10 tons of PM2.5 per year, Dan Nelson, public information officer for ORCAA, said in the release.

The Wood Stove Replacement Incentive is available for residents of the most densely populated regions of Clallam, Mason and Thurston counties who burn at least one cord of wood per year.

To verify address eligibility, see here: bit.ly/Woodstove-replacements.

Residents who live in qualifying locations must remove and destroy one or more pre-2000 certified wood stoves, pre-2000 certified fireplace inserts, uncertified wood stoves and uncertified fireplace inserts.

Available rebates are:

$1,200 for installation of any natural gas, propane or electric heating system.

$1,800 for installation of heat pumps, including Ductless Heat Pumps (DHP).

$750 for installation of pellet stoves.

Residents who simply want to remove and destroy an old, uncertified wood appliance without installing a new gas or electric appliance might qualify for a $500 bounty.

To participate in the program, contact your local hearth products dealer or HVAC installer. ORCAA works with those contractors, making it easier for the consumer.

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Funds offered to some Clallam County residents to cut wood smoke - Sequim Gazette

The ridiculous popularity of Popeyes' fried chicken sandwich is definitely a shot across the bow of industry leader Chick-fil-A. But the return of the limited-time offer from Popeyes -- aRestaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR) chain -- is a much bigger threat to McDonald's (NYSE:MCD), which still doesn't have a viable chicken sandwich of its own.

After the hit sandwich popped up at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in August, McDonald's admitted its own sales "did go a little bit the opposite way" in the third quarter, although it gained hamburger market share.

Now with Popeyes bringing the sandwich back this month, and notwithstanding all the other turmoil McDonald's finds itself in these days, it suggests the burger chain could be tarnished once again as it continues to struggle getting customers to visit its restaurants. Without an attractive chicken sandwich response, McDonald's franchisees are left standing on the sidelines.

The Popeyes fried chicken sandwich is back. Image source: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

Popeyes knows fried chicken, having been in business for over 45 years. But before its buyout in 2017 by Restaurant Brands International, it was largely an also-ran behind Chick-fil-A, which has long been the favorite of teens and adults alike, and Yum! Brands'KFC.

Yet the acquisition infused the chicken chain with a new sense of purpose as Restaurant Brands wanted to see innovation occur at a faster pace. The fried chicken sandwich landed at just the right time because chicken has become the favorite protein of American consumers as beef fades.

According to the National Chicken Council, per capita consumption of chicken is expected to exceed 95 pounds this year, compared with about 57 pounds for beef and 51 pounds for pork. Back in 1992, chicken and beef were about even at 66 pounds per capita.

The popularity of chicken catapulted Chick-fil-A into the third largest fast-food chain by sales last year, pushing it ahead of Taco Bell, Burger King, and Wendy'sand knocking Subway out of third place. McDonald's remains tops, with Starbucks second.

The response to the sandwich was phenomenal. Systemwide sales were up over 15% in the third quarter on top of an 8% gain last year, and comparable sales -- an important metric to understand if you invest in restaurant stocks -- soared 9.7% versus a negligible 0.5% gain in the year-ago period.

No doubt Popeyes fried chicken is as good as everyone says. But it took some snarky tweets to get social media to notice before the sandwich actually gained traction, and now it's almost a cultural phenomenon. When the sandwich hit restaurants on Nov. 3, there were lines out the door at my local Popeyes, and it was no coincidence it was relaunched on a Sunday -- the one day of the week Chick-fil-A is closed.

Hoping to avoid the shortages that occurred last time, Popeyes promised there would be plenty of chicken sandwiches to go around, though in some areas it still reportedly ran out. And franchisees were hiring more staff to handle the crush of customers clamoring for the sandwich.

It doesn't bode well for McDonald's. While it responded with a limited-time chicken offer of its own after Popeyes ran out,it didn't really pay off. Comps rose 4.8% for the quarter, but that was based on promotions, store remodels, and higher prices. Customer traffic was still negative,and it will only further agitate franchisees who have complained about the lack of a premium chicken sandwich that could compete against the likes of Chick-fil-A.

As a national chain and the industry leader, it's surprising McDonald's doesn't have one on its menu, the McChicken sandwich notwithstanding. Still, its chicken sandwich is just one of the things that needs fixing, and with Popeyes coming back with a second helping that so far seems just as popular as the first, investors might be left squawking when McDonald's reports fourth-quarter earnings.

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The Return of Popeyes' Chicken Sandwich Is Bad News for McDonald's - The Motley Fool