We spoke with IOBAC Ltds CEO, Paul Woolvine, about the future of the flooring industry and how he believes IOBACs Ezy-Install technology can help solve many of its challenges. IOBAC has recently entered into a strategic development, sales and marketing alliance with InstaFloor experts in acoustic underlays to launch its new modular flooring product, Ezy-Install.

An improve not move trend amongst houseowners has contributed to a seven percent overall growth forecast in the UK floor and wall tiles market between now and 2021, according to data from AMA Researchs Floor and Wall Tiles Market Report UK 2017-2021. Undoubtedly good news for the flooring industry. But the inconvenient truth remains that the flooring industry is one with a waste problem; largely due to the fact that more than half of overall carpet waste is landfilled each year. Lets Recycle reported in 2019 that only 61,000 tonnes just 15% of total carpets are, on average, re-used and recycled.

So, can flooring technologies facilitate forecast growth while remaining sustainable and providing householders and tenants with added flexibility and cost-saving benefits? Paul Woolvine at IOBAC believes so

Design flexibility a necessity for tenants and householders

A fifth of the UK population now lives in privately rented accommodation. And those that do own their own properties are tending to improve not move a trend confirmed by research from The Finance and Leasing Association showing that second charge mortgages were up 24% year-on-year in February 2019.

Paul comments: The trends were currently seeing in the housing industry growing rental market, householders tendency to improve not move means that now more than ever people need their flooring to offer quick and easy design flexibility. If householders are staying put for longer then theyll likely need to redecorate and replace flooring multiple times. With traditional methods this can come at a significant expense; yes, in terms of labour costs and materials used, but also at an expense to the environment because adhesives used in traditional methods are likely to contaminate not only the flooring, but the subfloor to which it was adhered.

Magnetic modular flooring is much more sustainable than traditional flooring solutions, continues Paul. With this technology, theres no wet trades it can be loose laid over new or existing floors. And then, theres no waiting you can lay your flooring of choice as soon as the top surface is laid. When the time comes for a design change, the tile can be removed undamaged in a matter of seconds, without the need for external contractors.

This simple system allows straightforward interchangeability, meaning design changes and repairs can be carried out with little specialist skills and up to 80% quicker than traditional flooring methods. It also leaves no harmful residue behind it removes cleanly, which means tiles can be recycled or reused, thus reducing flooring waste. Ezy-Install underlay is also made from recycled rubber crumb, and the VOC-free non-toxic resin is plant-based, manufactured mostly from renewable castor oil.

The growing rental market shows no signs of abating. By 2021 almost one in four households in Britain will be renting and, according to The Independent, many millennials are set to rent for the rest of their lives.

Paul comments: Of course, landlords can be understandably nervous about tenants significantly changing the make-up of their properties. But more and more tenants are renting for longer, perhaps even their whole life; they deserve their own design freedom. Modular magnetic flooring can appease both tenants and landlords alike. InstaFloors magnetically-receptive underlay can be loose laid over new or existing floors, providing new tenants with the option to quickly and cost-effectively swap out existing flooring for flooring in line with their own personal taste.

This technology is simply dry-laid onto a prepared base and cut to shape. Magnetically-backed carpet, wood or luxury vinyl tiles are then held securely in place utilising Ezy-Installs unique double grip properties of high grab adhesive tack and magnetic attraction. Alternatively, standard carpet and loose lay tiles can be attached using IOBACs award-winning MagTabs.

A better way

No longer does flooring have to be seen as merely a necessity that once chosen, you are stuck with for many years, concludes Paul. Now with Ezy-Install, installation, repair and maintenance costs are slashed, and flooring becomes a flexible design element that complements todays ever changing housing industry.

For more information, please visit iobac.com/ezy-install

The rest is here:
Modular flooring: easier, cleaner and quicker than ever before - Premier Construction Magazine

This weekend brings a strong lineup of new shows and events in galleries of every stripe, interspersed with performances, big names, an eye on printmaking and plenty of representation from co-ops and collectives not to mention a free progressive art dinner. Head out into the city and try on a few of these for size.

Jeff Horton, Fillingthe VoidKelton Osborn, A Moment, in the Project RoomMichael Warren Contemporary, 760 Santa Fe DriveJanuary 14 through February22Opening Reception: Thursday, January 16, 5 to 7 p.m. Jeff Horton, a newcomer to Michael Warren from Little Rock, Arkansas, mines his background as an architect to create architectonic oil-on-wax-medium paintings, which began as a hobby and later blossomed into an additional career. In the Project Room, gallery artist Kelton Osborn shares a series of gestural works on paper.

Katie Caron and fellow printmaking educators get their due at the Arvada Center.

Katie Caron

528.0 Regional Juried Printmaking ExhibitionImprint: Print Educators of ColoradoArvada Center for Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth BoulevardJanuary 16 through March 29 Opening Reception: Thursday, January 16, 6 to 9 p.m.Free, RSVP recommended in advanceThe Arvada Center opens its spacious galleries to a pair of key printmaking shows in conjunction with the citywide MoPrint 2020 celebration, beginning with the 528.0 Regional, a big group show by artists living within a 528-mile radius of Denver. 75 printmakers were culled from 422 entries for the juried exhibition, while Imprint, on the upper floors of the center, pays tribute to Colorados invaluable teaching printmakers. The exhibition schedule includes a free Print Madness community celebration with workshops and demos for all ages on March 21 from noon to 4 p.m.; RSVP in advance.

Gretchen Marie Schaefer, Folding (detail), 2019.

Gretchen Marie Schaefer

3rd Law Dance, Theater Immersive PerformanceBoulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th Street, BoulderThursday, January 16, 6 and 7 p.m.Admission: $8 to $12Gretchen Marie Schaefers winter show, Folding and Thrusting, ends this week on a high point, with an immersive performance by 3rd Law Dance within an installation of paintings and photographic works commenting on the relationship between humans and the geologic earth. There will be two back-to-back ticketed performances in one evening; registration in advance is recommended.

Lynda Tygart, Stonehenge, mixed-media photography on wood panel.

Lynda Tygart

New Works by Karin Kempe, Liz Lautrup, Lynda Tygart and Clark ValentineSync Gallery, 931 Santa Fe Drive January 16 through February 15 Opening Reception: Friday, January 17, 6 to 9:30 p.m.Four Sync associates share the gallery walls for a month, juxtaposing landscape-inspired paintings and photography by Karin Kempe, Liz Lautrup and Lynda Tygar with spiritually centered minimalist tobacco drawings by Clark Valentine.

Melanie Clemmons and Zak Loyd, "SensoryGarden."

Melanie Clemmons and Zak Loyd

Brutal RealitiesDairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut Street, BoulderJanuary 17 through February 23Opening reception and performance: Friday, January 17, 5 to 8 p.m.Artist and curator Drew Austin joins forces with CU Boulders legendary new-media pioneer Mark Amerikaat the Dairy for a four-gallery multimedia spectacular exploring technologically derived alternate realities. Dig the future now and meet the artists at the free opening, where an evening of discussion with live performances in the Carsen Theater will hammer home the brutal realities intimated by the entire exhibition series. Check your disbelief at the door.

New works by Lui Ferreyra, Ryan Magyar, Emmett Culligan and Jenny Day go on view this weekend at the Havu Gallery.

William Havu HGallery

Lui Ferreyra and Ryan Magyar, New WorldsEmmett Culligan, Formal Inflations Jenny Day on the MezzanineWilliam Havu Gallery, 1040 Cherokee StreetJanuary 17 through February 29Opening Reception: Friday, January 17, 6 to 9 p.m.At Havu, Lui Ferreyra builds geometrically formed figures and landscapes on the canvas, while Ryan Magyar manipulates hot colors and live-wire brush strokes for another interpretation of the fleeting landscape, and Emmett Culligan brings powerful steel sculptures to the floor in counterpoint. Meanwhile, Santa Fe painter Jenny Day brings a whole new look to the gallery mezzanine, where her collages and collage-like paintings rewrite the landscape of nature and everyday life.

Alicia Ordal: Marginal SliceRhinoceropolis, 3553 Brighton BoulevardOpening Reception: Friday, January 17, 6 to 10 p.m.Versatile multimedia artist Alicia Ordal, a former Redline resident with underground appeal, might bring anything to the table, walls and general airspace of Rhino. Just go and appreciate the artists aesthetic imagination.

Kevin Sloan, "A View of All Souls Pond."

Kevin Sloan

Kevin Sloan, CathedralKelly Duffield, HavenNatalee Marquez, Your Body Knows the TruthNaropa University, Nalanda Campus, 6278 Arapahoe Avenue, BoulderJanuary 17 through 31Opening Reception: Friday, January 17, 5:30 to 8 p.m.Pop-surreal painter Kevin Sloan contributes dreamy views of sacred spaces, mixed-media collage artist Kelly Duffield places well-drafted figures and symbols in strange juxtaposition, and Naropa grad student Natalee Marquez contributes mixed-media acrylic paintings and installation work to this trio of exhibitions opening on the same night at Naropas Nalanda campus.

Celebrating Corn Mother Rita WallaceCHAC Gallery, 222 Santa Fe DriveFriday, January 17, 6 to 8 p.m.The local Chicano community celebrates folklorist Rita Wallace (aka Rita Flores de Wallace) an expert practitioner of indigenous arts and crafts and a key member of the Corn Mothers club, which honors women making contributions to cultural preservation with a reception hosted by the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council. The evening begins with refreshments and remarks by CHAC director Lucille Rivera, followed by a paper-cutting workshop led by Wallace, and finishes off with a biscochito tasting and contest. If youre an aficionado of the tasty anise-inflected cookie native to New Mexico, test your baking mettle and bring a dozen for the judges.

Justin Beard, "The Pull and the Calling."

Justin Beard

Justin Beard, The Pull and the CallingJulien Palmilha, ThirdPirate: Contemporary Art, 7130 West 16th Avenue, LakewoodThrough January 26Shows by Justin Beard and Julien Palmilha opened a week ago, but if you missed the opening, Beards installation of a jerky magic carpet and a manipulated landscape viewed through a hole in a black curtain is a mysterious standout you wont want to miss. It remains on view this weekend and next.

BYOB* (Bring Your Own Buddy) ShowKanon Collective, Pasternacks Art Hub, 6851 West Colfax Avenue, LakewoodThrough January 26 Artists Reception: Friday, January 24, 6 through 10 p.m.Kanon Collective members invite friends to show work alongside theirs at this annual show, an exercise in fellowship with the artist community. As is often the case, expect to find affordable works to add to your collection.

Art Hub Progressive DinnerPasternacks Art Hub, 6851 West Colfax Avenue, LakewoodSaturday, January 18, 6 to 9 p.m.All of the galleries at the Art Hub Next Gallery, Core New Art Space, Kanon Collective, Edge Gallery and Flourish will chip in with appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, desserts and drinks at each consecutive space. Its the Art Hubs way of saying thanks to friends and supporters and a great way to take in a lot of art (and food).

Marie-Dolma Chophel, "Beginnings," for Spirit Resonance.

Marie-Dolma Chophel

Spirit Resonance: The Vitality of PrintmakingDearly DisillusionedEcosistema 06050McNichols Building, 141 West Colfax AvenueThrough April 5 (Ecosistema 06050 runsthrough January 31 only)McNichols Project: Spirit of the People reception: Saturday, January 18, from 5 to 8 p.m.Three floors of art grace the McNichols Building this month, with Spirit Resonance, an early entry for this springs citywide MoPrint 2020 printmaking biennial, and Dearly Disillusioned, a quartet of feminism-related installations by four local art collectives that coincide with the centennial of women's suffrage in America and Denvers fourth annual Womxn's March, both running through April 5, and Ecosistema 06050, a show of images of Mexico City by Jacob Prado, on display through January 31. All three will be showcased during The McNichols Project: Spirit of the People, an opening celebration with live music on Saturday, January 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free, but an RSVP is requested in advance at eventbrite.com.

Paul Pfeiffer, Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse series.

Paul Pfeiffer

Paul Pfeiffer, Revelation 21Mary Harris Auditorium, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, 1600 Pierce Street, LakewoodTuesday, January 21, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.Free, RSVP required in advance at eventbrite.comRMCAD continues its year-long Visiting Artist, Scholar and Designer Series on the theme of Patterns with a public talk by sculptor and multimedia artist Paul Pfeiffer, whos studied the rise of media-driven spectacle and global populisms effect on world cultures. Plug into an ongoing conversation relevant to artists and everyone else.

Interested in having your event appear in this calendar? Send the details to editorial@westword.com. For more events this weekend, find details in this weeks 21 Best Things to Do in Denver.

Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

Read more here:
Things to Do Denver: Art Openings and Gallery Shows in Denver - Westword

Brampton, ON, January 16, 2020/InsPress/ Highland DKI is pleased to announce their newest location in Brampton, ON. Highland DKI is a full-service restoration contractor providing professional cleaning and insurance restoration services for over 40 years. Highland DKI services areas located in: Dufferin County, Peel/Caledon & Wellington Region has been serving the areas of Mount Forest, Shelburne, Dundalk, Alliston, Palgrave, Bolton, Caledon, Caledon East, Brampton, Arthur, Grand Valley, Erin, Acton, Guelph, and Orangeville.

Highland Restoration DKIs newest location is located on the Brampton/Mississauga border at 2 County Court Boulevard, Brampton, ON. This second location is perfectly situated to better serve the community with immediate access to major highways allowing Highland Restoration to provide industry-leading response time combined with their trusted technical expertise to their clients. This new location also delivers full restoration services to our clients such as; water damage restoration, fire and smoke damage restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, air duct cleaning, carpet and furniture cleaning, and even kitchen design and installation services!

This branch is being managed by Jason Cousins and Jessica Bradley. This well seasoned Project Management team has hit the ground running with a combined 30 years of industry experience and are thrilled with the prospect of this new endeavour.

Our clients can expect the same expert level of quality workmanship and reliability as always and with this new location, our clients can trust there will not be any job too large that the team at Highland DKI cannot handle. Says Shane Bradley, Owner/President of Highland Restoration DKI.

Highland DKI s Brampton office:

2 County Court Boulevard, Unit 400Brampton, ON L6W 3X7(877) 941-8141Info@HighlandRestoration.ca

About DKI Canada

DKI Canada is the leader in the Canadian property restoration with 90 locations from coast to coast. The restoration services that DKI provides to insurance, commercial and residential clients include: emergency response, water damage mitigation, fire and contents cleaning, mould remediation, complete reconstruction and much more, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. DKI has pushed forward a green program focused on using environmentally sustainable cleaning products and mitigating risk in environmentally sustainable ways. DKI returns damaged property to its pre-loss condition quickly and efficiently.

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Highland DKI Opens Their Second Location in Brampton, ON - Canadian Underwriter

Concerns over the aging Clinton library have prompted Central Huron council approve a repair to the building's roof. Daniel Caudlejpg, CN

Concerns over the aging Clinton library have prompted Central Huron council approve a repair to the buildings roof.

Council on Jan. 13 agreed to replace the roof, while asking engineering firm R.J. Burnside to begin the tendering process.

Evidence of worsening leaks in the roof of the library one of the towns designated heritage properties has led councillors to agree the roof is well past its service life.

Librarian Michelle Carter said there are a small series of leaks that have appeared in the roof. They have caused minimal damage inside the second-storey childrens play zone area, she said.

Based on a report from Burnside engineer Peter Mensinga, the roof replacement and engineering fees would cost $262, 846.

The work includes new sheathing, fascia, soffit repairs, front tower window repairs, comparable roof material and additional insulation.

Carter said she is pleased to see the repairs approved before any serious damage was incurred.

Aside from exterior shingle damage, minor leaks have caused the discolouration of the roof, walls and carpet.

The repairs come one year after the installation of a rear-door wheelchair access ramp, the cost of which was roughly $100,000.

Go here to see the original:
Clinton library roof to receive repairs - Clinton News Record

In their debut solo exhibition, Built to Scale at Murmurs, Los Angeles artist Emily Barker offers a glimmering, surrealistic entry into an interior world. Built to Scale is an atmospheric installation of objects and light with a continuous soundtrack. Barkers approach is as sharp as it is generous, commanding space to trouble ideas of disability and accessibility, reflecting the construction of both. In the artists words: People do not yet realize that being able-bodied is a temporary privilege.

The only two-dimensional work in the exhibition is a mirrored wall text that verges on impossible to read. The words double and echo: Death by a million paper cuts. Imagine being loved. Imagine space being built for you. Imagine being a light to those around you. Imagine being a force to be reckoned with Barker certainly is. We spoke during the run of their exhibition.

Could you tell me about the shows title, Built to Scale? This show is built to scale my daily experience for the able-bodied. It has been built to scale the feelings I have within environments designed for the average person. This is a forced perspectiveone that comes across as being livable for everyone. Im asking why and how we have decided upon what is standard, and wondering if people can understand that creating a standard means that someone like me who deviates from it is also oppressed by it.

Standardization is the effort to create larger profit margins, and to keep service cheap. Ramps are generally cheaper than lifts, but without proper mobility devices or help, I cant use them, even though they are effectively built for me. Space is constructed toward an idea of what a person should be, not what they necessarily are. Even the idea of access is constructed by the able-bodied.

The kitchen, for instance, historically was standardized to the measurements of the average able-bodied man. It is replicated in factories at that scale as the cheapest means to install a kitchen by builders who are no longer skilled as carpenters. Before the 1950s, nearly everything was custom-built or customizable, and so older homes have varying countertop heights.

These are conceptual ideas about intimate space. Each piece in this show stems from a system forced on the abnormal, and each is an idea that is scalable.

Installation view of Built to Scale. Courtesy of Murmurs.

Where did this project begin? What was the arch of these works coming to be? My collaborator Tomasz Jan Groza and I were looking to build a home that showcased solutions to some of these invisible concepts. We wanted to show that these are constructs that were created and that can change.

Everything that I do is the tip of a very large iceberg. I have relatively impractical ideas of what can be done within a certain budget and with my own physical capacity. The same goes for my writing and activism. This show is about the systems that prevent me from being able to actualize the reality that myself and others need to thrive.

I see this project as being much like the painted trope of interior spaces, like Van Goghs bedroom or Matisses LAtelier Rouge (The Red Studio). This is the spirit of my environment, how I experience it daily. The soft light in the main gallery space mimics the lighting in my apartment. The hold tone of different insurance companies and doctors offices is endlessly playing in the background.

Most of my time is spent dealing with bureaucratic systems that grant me basic human needs. A stack of medical documents and bills takes up too big a space in an oppressively fluorescent-lit room. Its a history of the labor that goes into navigating the bureaucracy, austerity and systems of eligibility of a healthcare industry that capitalizes off of horrible events beyond ones control, while placing the blame back onto the individual. The first page is from the day after my accident and totals nearly $100,000 in spine surgery. This represents only three years of this type of billing and medical history. If I were to print out everything, the stack would fall over.

The kitchen is built to the surreal sculptural scale that I experience my own kitchen at. The ramp sculpture is excessively steep. I cannot move on any surface that isnt hard and flat. Most people dont know that a manual wheelchair becomes useless in grass, on sand, snow, dirt or on thick carpet. This show is really just a painting that I couldnt paint because it wouldnt give you the full scale of experience.

Death by 7865 Paper Cuts 2019. Xeroxed medical bills and life-care plan from 2012-2015, 7865 sheets of paper. Courtesy of Murmurs.

A lot of these objects and materials are translucent Im trying to be transparent. Translucent plastic is a stand-in for mass production: packaging, commodity, industrialization. It is ethereal and lightweight. The most common material used in the medical industry is plastic. My world is made of plastic.

The translucency also speaks to the invisible standards that make up our lives. My existence is heavily politicized, and people find ways to write these ideas off as identity politicsas if its not possible to have intelligent conversations about aesthetics, art, functionality, scale and plastic space as being in tangent with and related to each persons consciousness and privilege. I do not need to compromise form and content to do so. My experience is not at all unique.

This show is for people who can stand and walk without mobility aids or having undergone dozens of surgeries. It is a glimpse into my experience. Most people cannot fathom the interior space of a home being so inaccessible, or ramps and wheelchairs not being the best solutions.

Built to Scale is a window into another world that enables someone to have an embodied proprioceptive experience of reality. This is a conversation about ways of seeing.

Could you speak about some of the materials used? They are highly texturedsome suffused with a sense of violence or corrosion. The grabbers were cast, dipped in copper, and oxidized. The grabber is a material extension of my body, the only tool I have to navigate interior spaces. I hope that it will become a relic of an inaccessible world that will change. The iron oxide turns to rust when it meets oxygen, like blood turns red in an IV.

The arm is weighed down and eroded. My reality is violent. I am expected to take a submissive, appreciative role. What I say and how I act is policed daily. The night after my opening I was threatened with physical violence because I asked someone who was parked without a placard across three disabled parking spots to move.

The art market is just as violent. Most artists go without health insurance and proper compensation for their labor. On the other hand, art can be something so beautiful that it removes you from the mundane treachery of daily experience. But even this feeling is a luxury.

The butterfly night light is significant. Perhaps we can learn from its disturbing transformation from a caterpillar to a beautiful winged creature. Its my hope that we can take what we have and make something more of it.

Whats behind the design of rug? The rug is made of 25,000 feet of IV tubing and was handmade by myself and my friends, which is how most good things in my life are accomplished. Ive spent much of the past seven years hooked up to IVs, relying on them to save my life. Copper is a great conductor of heat and electricity, and it is found in bones. Here it brings warmth and contrast to the plastic. There is an iPhone headphone running through it that was trashed after getting caught in my wheels. And a doggy bag for dealing with shit, literally and figuratively.

Untitled (Rug) 2019. Plastic IV tubing, copper electrical wire, doggie bag, headphones, shoelace on steel mesh. Courtesy of Murmurs.

How has your work in other forms interacted with or informed your artistic practice? It has all been a matter of convenience and communication. In previous years, having undergone 20-something surgeries and with many untreated illnesses, I could not have done what I have done this past year. What I need to say cannot be done through one platform only. I also use the algorithm (Instagram) to bring attention to these experiences. I wouldnt say I do acting and modeling so much as I enjoy helping friends see their visions come to fruition and normalize my body. I would call all of this a form of community involvement, since it doesnt pay and visibility hardly does much to change actual policies and standards.

Text is incredibly important and powerful. I do not particularly enjoy writing, talking or explaining myself. If I could, I would upload my experience and implant it into another person, although I would probably get sued for abuse. But at any moment you could be me. There is just so much to communicate, and words are a bridge.

Go here to see the original:
Death by a Million Paper Cuts: An Interview with Artist Emily Barker - Cultured Magazine

Its not the cheating that matters. For as long as theres been baseball, ballplayers have stolen signs, doctored balls, and cut corners, anything to give them a little edge over the other guys. Its tattooed into the game. In 1948, Cleveland Indians owner Bill Veeck gave a Tribe employee a pair of binoculars and an Army surplus walkie-talkie, and stationed him inside the Municipal Stadium centerfield scoreboard, where he picked up the opposing teams pitching signs and radioed them to the Cleveland dugout. Eight years earlier, the Detroit Tigers used a slightly less sophisticated system, employing the scope from a hunting rifle and a series of hand gestures in their chicanery. The 1948 Indians won the World Series. Today, Bill Veeck is beloved as an innovator, a master showman, and a lovable scamp. The 1940 Tigers also won the Series, and no less an authority than star first baseman Hank Greenberg, a Hall of Famer, credits cheating. In 1989s Hank Greenberg: The Story of My Life, the slugger tells ghostwriter Ira Berkow, I think it was picking up those signs that were instrumental in enabling us to win that 1940 pennant sign stealing is a fascinating aspect of the game.

Ballplayers cheat. Astros ballplayers cheat. They always have. In the 80s, former Astros knuckleballer Joe Niekro, then with the Minnesota Twins, was infamously caught on the pitchers mound with an emery board in his back pocket. Emery boards are used to illegally mar the ball surface, enabling a pitcher to alter pitch trajectories in maddening and unexpected ways. Mike Scott led the 1986 Astros to a National League West title with equal parts skill, scuffing, and judicious dollops of KY-Jelly, the 1980s ball-doctoring foreign substance of choice. Billy Hatcher, one of the heroes of that 86 club, earned a 10-game suspension in 1987, when his bat cracked during a game against the Cubs, revealing that the barrel had been illegally hollowed out and filled with cork. Several former Astros have been accused of using steroids and other performance-enhancing illegal substances.

Its not the cheating. This latest disaster, this new heartbreak, goes far deeper than that. Yes, the Astros stole signs, like the 48 Indians and the 40 Tigers and probably every other club thats ever won a championship in baseball history. The Astros cheating was institutionalized. It was organized, and cynical and, as far as anybody can tell, countenanced at the highest levels of the organization. This wasnt a guy with binoculars and a walkie-talkie. This was sophisticated surveillance equipment, camera and wires and monitors and transmitters installed in a massive, massively expensive stadium. Lots of people were involved. Lots of people knew about it. This is Lance Armstrong level conspiracy, with Armstrong-like dissembling to cover it. What the 2017 Astros stolen Series reminds us is that we cant trust anybody, least of all our sports heroes.

The Astros were Houstons post-Harvey rainbow, a sign from the Baseball Gods that after the despair of having half of the city underwater, there was a reason to hope, a reason to keep going. The Stros were our guys. They were Houstonians, in the very best sense, young and strong and confident, the embodiment of the diversity that Houstonians constantly brag about. Yuli Gurriel is a Cuban immigrant. Jose Altuve comes from Venezuela. Alex Bregman is a white kid who played his college ball at LSU, and who taught himself Spanish so that he could help his Latino teammates feel welcome. George Springer hits the Houstonian Diversity Trifecta: His mom is Puerto Rican, his dad is Panamanian, of African heritage, and he grew up in Connecticut. Theyd already attracted our attention before Harvey. After Harvey, they held us together. And when they won the Series, we stood among our piles of waterlogged carpeting and sodden sheetrock and we screamed and we cried and we felt a whole lot better about what had been a really rotten year. All of that is gone now. The whole thing was a lie. And those 2017 memories seem as rotten and reeking as those mountains of flood-ruined belongings we hauled out of our homes.

Everything feels dirty. Astros owner Jim Cranes press conference, announcing the firings of manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow, seemed disingenuous and contrived. There was a Nixonian mistakes were made vibe, and the firings, while deserved, felt a little phony, a tattered fig leaf vainly covering the entire clubs shame. Even in Cranes firing of Luhnow and Hinch there was no suggestion that they masterminded this conspiracy. The players were behind it, and some video tech guys, and maybe a coach or two. But the World Series victory isnt tainted, not at all. Everybody in the dugout (except Hinch, of course) was in on the cheat, but by golly, we earned that title!

Lives and reputations are ruined. In 2017, Carlos Beltran was the beloved graybeard of the Astros roster, a future Hall of Famer whose decades of experience were an inspiration to a very young ballclub. In postgame interviews, he took on the appearance of one of those Olmec stone heads, looking both impossibly intimidating and endlessly wise. It turns out that Beltran was one of the chief architects of the cheat. He will go to his grave not as one of the greatest players of his generation, but as the guy who helped the Astros steal a title. Luhnow and Hinch may never again work in organized baseball. Guys like Yuli, Bregman, and Springer will be dogged by doubts for the rest of their careers.

Its already started with Jose Altuve. Long before 2017, Altuve was on his way to being the greatest second baseman in Astros history. His batting numbers for the first six years of his career dwarf the numbers put up by Craig Biggio, who ended up in the Hall of Fame. Altuve was a legend, long before the Stros started stealing signs.

This morning on The Dan Patrick Show, a listener from Los Angeles called in to complain about the Astros. He mentioned, Whats-his-name, that little guy who plays second base, and said, I guess now we know hes just a cheater. Jose Altuve doesnt need stolen signs to be a great hitter, but for many fans, Altuve is just a cheater. The greatest moment in Houston sporting history, the greatest team in Astros history, is as ruined as a flood-ravaged house. We will never trust those memories, never feel completely comfortable with those memories, ever again.

On Dec. 5, 1985, I asked a Houston girl to marry me. Improbably, she agreed. On Dec. 6, I walked into a sporting goods store at the University Mall in Orem, Utah, and bought my first Astros ballcap. From now on, Im an Astros fan, I told my roommates. For 34 years I have loved this club and hated this club and rooted for this club and been driven half out of my mind by this club. Ive felt let down by the Stros, but never betrayed by them.

Until now. And feeling that betrayal, I dont know that I can ever be an Astros fan again.

McMurray is a Houston businessman and a frequent contributor to Gray Matters.

Note: A correction was made to this article at 3 p.m. Jan. 17. Joe Niekro was caught with an emery board while playing for the Twins not the Astros.

Read more:
Its not the cheating that matters. The Astros scandal cuts deeper than that. - Houston Chronicle

We often think of air pollution as car exhaust, smoke-spewing factories, and smog, but the air your family breathes while sleeping, eating, and vegging in front of the TV is anything but clean. Indoor air is teeming with toxic chemicals and allergens that can singe the eyes, trigger asthma attacks, and bring on headaches. Over time, airborne toxins can disrupt hormones, damage vital organs, and possibly even lead to cancer.

But pollution isnt the only problem lurking in the air. Homes that are too dry are a potential health hazard too. Along with causing cracked skin and nosebleeds and increasing the risk of dehydration, overly dry air keeps influenza aloft and makes us more likely to get infected. But on the flipside, too-humid air encourages mold growth and attracts dust mites, creating a whole new set of health problems.

Whether polluted, too dry, or too humid, imperfect indoor air is likely making your family sick. So what can you do about it? Well, contrary to popular demand, the answer to the pollution problem is not to fill your home with potted plants. They do purify the air very slightly, but youd have to turn every room into a jungle to have any meaningful effect. Here are some more real, actionable solutions to keep your family safe from illness both now and in the future.

Believe or not, indoor air is actually more polluted than outdoor air, says Josh Jacobs, director of environmental codes and standards at independent safety certifier UL. Because we seal up buildings and control ventilation rates, anything we add inside drywall, flooring, furniture, paint, electronics can give off VOCs, which do not dissipate in an indoor environment.

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Short for volatile organic compounds, VOCs include some 13,000 toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, aldehyde, benzene, and toluene, that off-gas from manmade household products and building materials. In fact, Jacobs says that only items made entirely of steel, glass, concrete, or stone do not give off VOCs that we then breathe in. Along with irritating the eyes, nose, and throat, these hazardous chemicals can worsen asthma symptoms and cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, skin rashes, and fatigue. Prolonged exposure can harm the kidneys, liver, or central nervous system and potentially cause cancer.

Although plenty of VOCs are emitted outdoors, those chemicals can escape, whereas the VOCs given off inside the home get trapped, turning problematic. Think about it like red dye, Jacobs says. If you put one drop in the ocean, it will dissipate quickly and nothing will really happens. But if you put one drop in a fishbowl, it will turn the water pink or even bright red.

Besides VOC contamination, indoor air can also be sullied by allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, mold, or even pollen tracked in from outside. Along with hovering in the air, these pollutants accumulate in house dust. Whats more, everyday activities like cooking on a gas stove and scouring the kitchen floor conjure up gasses that can cause health problems when inhaled.

How to Fit It

Youll never totally eradicate VOC emissions, but you can do a lot to lessen your familys exposure, starting with the types of products you bring into your home. When shopping for paint, furniture, countertops, drywall, mattresses, bedding, window treatments, and many more home-improvement needs, look for ULs GreenGuard Gold certification. Any product bearing this seal will have passed rigorous third-party testing to prove it has low VOC emissions.

Similarly, for carpeting, flooring, and the adhesives and sealants they require, pick products that carry the Carpet and Rug Institutes Green Label Plus seal, which have also passed ULs stringent VOC emissions tests. Another certification to know is ECOLOGO, also administered by UL, which signals low VOCs as well as a minimal environmental footprint. Look for this seal on cleaning products especially, but also paper products, electronics, office equipment, and more. (For a full list of certified GreenGuard, Green Label Plus, or ECOLOGO products, go to UL Spot.)

To lessen the VOC threat from household items you already own, open windows as much as possible to circulate outdoor air through your home. If you have a forced-air heating and cooling system, use filters designed to remove small particles (Check Consumer Reports Air Filter Buying Guide for best options) and change it out regularly; this should help minimize airborne allergens as well. Also consider a standalone air purifier, which wont do much for VOCs but can capture allergens, dust, and other particles. These require regular filter swap-outs too.

Additionally, vacuum, sweep, and dust your entire home frequently to mop up all the allergens and other nasty stuff thats settled onto floors, furniture, and electronics. And if you have a gas stovetop with an exhaust hood, use it whenever you cook and leave it on for a few minutes after youre done. Research shows that hoods drastically limit the pollutants pushed into the air.

If you live in the northern U.S., at high elevation, or anywhere that gets cold enough to necessitate turning on the heat for part of the year, dry indoor air is practically a given. The Environmental Protection Agency advises keeping humidity levels between 30 percent and 50 percent, but rarely do homes with the heat running constantly even scratch 30.

Some of what happens when the air is too arid is obvious and annoying: scaly skin, staticky hair, itchy scalp. Nosebleeds are common as well, because when the tiny blood vessels in our nasal passageways dry out, they become brittle and burst easily. But dry air introduces more health hazards than many people realize. First of all, its easier to get dehydrated because the body loses fluids while we breathe. And along with causing headaches, dizziness, or nausea, dehydration can make us more prone to respiratory ailments.

Our immune system relies on a certain amount of moisture to create thick, gooey mucus that traps viruses and bacteria in the nose and mouth before they can infect us, says Daniel Allan, M.D., a family medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic. Those secretions carry antibodies so they work almost like a filter. But if youre not well hydrated, your nose and mouth will dry out, leaving you more vulnerable to illness.

Making matters worse, some viruses especially influenza thrive in dry air. Research shows that flu epidemics in the U.S. almost always come a few weeks after the relative humidity drops. This is likely because dry air helps the virus to travel better and stay activated longer, says Jennifer Reiman, Ph.D., who researched humiditys effects on influenza while at the Mayo Clinic.

As soon as someone sneezes or coughs, the [influenza-containing] droplets they expel start shrinking, she says. Under low humidity, they shrink more rapidly, and when they are smaller, it takes longer for them to fall out of circulation and onto the floor. They hang around in the air longer and are more easily picked up by others. Also, those smaller particles can reach deeper into the airways and get into the lungs where they can infect, Reiman adds, whereas bigger particles dont make it as far into the body.

How to Fit It

To keep your home from drying out, make sure its well insulated. The more air leaks you have in your doors, windows, crawl spaces, and weather stripping, the more dry, cold outdoor air comes into the home, Allan says. Then the furnace has to work harder, making it harder to control humidity in the house. Insulating well is good for your monthly energy bill but also could help reduce your chances of getting sick.

If you suspect the humidity in your home is too lowand again, even if your house is sealed well, if the heat has been on for a while, it probably is first buy a hygrometer to test it. These instruments are sold at most hardware stores or on Amazon, often for under $20. If the humidity level reads below 30 percent, then consider buying a humidifier, which shoots a fine mist of water into the air to bump up the moisture level. There are console units, which are generally bigger, stay parked in one spot, and can treat the air of a large space, as well as tabletop humidifiers, which are smaller and easier to move from room to room. Depending on the size and layout of your house, you might need more than one unit.

When it comes to flu protection, humidifiers have been proven to help. Reiman ran a fascinating study a few winters ago in which her team installed humidifiers in two preschool classrooms to raise the humidity level to between 42 percent and 45 percent. They left two other classrooms untreated. Then, along with tracking the number of kids who reported flu symptoms that year, the researchers collected air samples from each classroom and swabbed wooden blocks, markers, playdough utensils, and other surfaces the tots touched.

Analyzing all the samples in their lab, Reimans team found significantly more influenza present in the classrooms without the humidifiers. And of the virus samples found, those from the dryer rooms were more virulent. This synced up to the data from the kids, as 2.3 more cases of influenza-like illness were reported from the non-humidified classrooms.

While they can make your home feel more comfortable and decrease virus risk, be careful with humidifiers. They require refilling daily and a deep cleaning at least once a week to ensure they keep working efficiently and, more importantly, to prevent mold from forming and bacteria from building up in the stagnant water you dont want that junk misting into the air.

With humidity, too much of a good thing is very, very bad. Although indoor air above 50 percent humidity is more common in the Southeastern U.S., it can happen anywhere that gets hot and humid in the summertime or whenever a homes air conditioning system isnt working properly. Basements, bathrooms, and very small spaces can see humidity levels creep.

Homes that are too humid risk sprouting mold, which produces allergens that can cause sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, skin rashes, and feverlike symptoms. Mold is particularly pesky for people with asthma, upping the risk of attacks. Another common allergen, dust mites, thrive in humidity as well. So do many species of bacteria that can make us sick. Oh, and heres one more problem: Research shows humidity higher than 60 percent can increase concentrations of VOCs.

How to Fit It

If your home is harboring unhealthy humidity levels, youll likely be able to feel it and notice condensation on windows and mirrors. But it never hurts to bust out the hygrometer to check. To keep levels under control, get your air conditioning looked at by a professional to ensure that you have the most efficient system for your home and that its working as it should.

Also, make sure to use the exhaust fans over your stove and in your bathrooms to draw out excess moisture. Run fans in your home to keep air circulating and humidity low. Even taking shorter showers and covering steaming pots on the stove will help stop humidity from rising.

If humidity is an ongoing problem, consider investing in a dehumidifier, which sucks moisture from the air, collecting the water in a removable reservoir. Dehumidifiers come in multiple capacities based on how many pints of water they can draw from the air within 24 hours. Your home or rooms size and current humidity level can inform how strong of a horse you need. (Consumer Reports offers a comprehensive buying guide and product reviews.) Just like with a humidifier, though, you have to stay on top of cleaning dehumidifiers or you could have a pool of bacteria before long.

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The Air in Your Home Is Making Your Family Sick. Heres What to Do About It. - Fatherly

If you follow along with the BGR Deals teams coverage over in our deals channel, then you know that there are some truly outstanding daily deals out there right now. Some examples from today alone include Amazons single best-selling TP-Link WA855RE Wi-Fi Range Extender for $15.99 and the upgraded W-Fi extender thats twice as fast for $22.99, the Fire TV Stick 4K at an all-time low price of $24.99 with coupon code 4KFIRETV, the crazy wireless camera that lets your smartphone see anywhere for $28.79 when you clip the coupon on the site, Apples AirPods 2 for $129 and $30 off the version with wireless charging, tons of discounted Nintendo Switch games, the lowest price ever for the waterproof Kindle Paperwhite, a renewed Ring Video Doorbell 2 for just $119 instead of $200, up to $200 off Apple iPad Pro models, a best-selling Crock-Pot Slow Cooker for just $17.99 and more.

Those deals are all fantastic, but theres another big sale going on right now that the deals team hasnt gotten to. Its happening over at Best Buy, where there are dozens of terrific deals today offering big discounts on some wonderfully popular products. We dug through all the deals and came up with 10 in particular that youll definitely want to take a look at. You can check them all out down below.

Apple AirPods with Charging Case (Latest Model): $139.00 (save $20)(lower price available at Amazon)

Apple MacBook Air 13.3 Display Intel Core i5 8GB Memory 128GB Flash Storage: $799.99 (save $200)

Radial Root Cyclone technologyAlong with a self-adjusting cleaner head ensures you can clean thoroughly without losing suction.

Multiple carpet height adjustmentsAllow you to take on a variety of carpets and bare floor with ease.

Combination and stair tool with tool holsterHelps you take on the stairs and other tough-to-clean areas in the home.

Reusable cyclonic cloth filterRemoves dust and other potential allergens to promote a healthy living environment.

30 cordEnables you to clean a large area before needing to change outlets.

Bagless technologySaves you time and energy with no bags to replace.

13.39 cleaning pathHelps you clean large areas efficiently.

0.55-gallon dust cup capacityFor emptying the cup less often.

Rides on a ballFor simple maneuverability.

Dyson Ball MultiFloor Bagless Upright Vacuum: $199.99 (save $200)

Cookware setIncludes a 2-quart saucepan with a cover, 3-quart saut pan with a cover, 5-quart stockpot with a cover, 8 nonstick skillet, 10 skillet, slotted turner, solid spoon, slotted spoon and nylon tongs.

Stainless steel constructionWith an impact-bonded aluminum base, it provides even heating for consistent cooking results.

Dishwasher-safe kitchen toolsEnsure easy cleaning.

Oven safeOffers versatile cooking options.

Tempered glass coversSleek flat glass lids with stainless rims seal in moisture and flavor. Glass is tempered for durability to ensure lasting performance.

Ergonomic handlesProvide a secure and comfortable grip. Riveted stick handles stay cool on the stovetop.

Cuisinart 12-Piece Cookware Set Stainless Steel: $79.99 (save $220)

64.5 screenLarge enough to provide an immersive experience for everyone in the room.

100% Color Volume with Quantum DotOver a billion shades of brilliant color deliver our most realistic picture.

2160p resolution for breathtaking HD imagesWatch 4K movies and TV shows at 4x the resolution of Full HD, and upscale your current HD content to gorgeous, Ultra HD-level picture quality.

Quantum HDR 4XShades of color and detail leap off the screen in dark and bright scenes.

Quantum Processor 4KAn intelligently powered processor instantly upscales content for sharp detail and refined color.

Ambient ModeComplements your space by turning a blank screen into enticing visuals or at-a-glance news.

Smart TV with access to streaming services for countless entertainment optionsStream shows, movies, games and more with the TVs built-in Wi-Fi and integrated apps.

LED TVs perform well in all lighting conditionsThey also deliver plasma-like deep blacks and rich colors.

Motion Rate 240Enjoy great motion clarity during fast-action moments.

Advanced TV soundTwo 10W speakers.

4 HDMI inputs for the best home theater connectionHigh-speed HDMI delivers picture and digital surround sound in one convenient cable. HDMI cable not included.

2 USB inputsEasily connect your digital camera, camcorder or other USB device.

Manage the viewing experience for your kidsThe built-in V-chip lets you block content based on program ratings and check ratings of unfamiliar programs.

Samsung 65 Class LED Q60 Series 2160p Smart 4K UHD TV: $999.99 (save $200)

Auto Game ModeFor the smoothest action, lowest latency and the best picture settings for gaming.

Premium designA dark finish, slim profile and jewel eye power button lend style and sophistication to your home theater.

Free Roku remote appTransform your smartphone or tablet into a full-function Roku remote with voice control.

54.6 screenLarge enough to provide an immersive experience for everyone in the room.

2160p resolution for breathtaking HD imagesWatch 4K movies and TV shows at 4x the resolution of Full HD, and upscale your current HD content to gorgeous, Ultra HD-level picture quality.

Watch high dynamic range (HDR) content on your TVWith an HDR-compatible 4K TV, you can enjoy HDR movies and TV shows, in addition to all your current content.

Smart TV with access to streaming services for countless entertainment optionsStream shows, movies, games and more with the TVs built-in Wi-Fi and integrated apps.

Built-in Roku smart platform delivers access to a world of entertainmentStream from Disney+, Apple TV+, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Prime Video, or choose from more than 4,000 other streaming channels.

LED TVs perform well in all lighting conditionsThey also deliver plasma-like deep blacks and rich colors.

240 Natural MotionEnjoy fast-moving movies, sports and video games with virtually no motion blur.

Advanced TV soundTwo 8W main channel speakers.

4 HDMI inputs for the best home theater connectionHigh-speed HDMI delivers picture and digital surround sound in one convenient cable. HDMI cable not included.

Enjoy the picture from multiple angles178 horizontal and vertical viewing angles provide a clear picture for viewers seated near the side of the screen.

1 USB inputEasily connect your digital camera, camcorder or other USB device.

Manage the viewing experience for your kidsThe built-in V-chip lets you block content based on program ratings and check ratings of unfamiliar programs.

TCL 55 Class LED 5 Series 2160p Smart 4K UHD Roku TV: $329.99 (save $120)

PurColorEnjoy millions of shades of color, fine-tuned to create an incredibly vibrant picture.

Essential contrastDiscern lifelike details in the brightest and dimmest scenes.

Game modeGet a leg up on the competition, thanks to an optimized gaming experience with minimal input lag.

UHD EngineA powerful processor optimizes your content for 4K picture quality.

Contrast enhancerExperience a greater sense of depth with optimized contrast across all areas of the screen.

HDR formats supportedHDR10 (Static MetaData), HDR10+ (Dynamic MetaData), HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma). All Samsung 4K UHD TVs also meet the CTA HDR-Compatible Definition.

Slim designAn elegant, slim design for a modern look youll admire. From finish to function, a thoughtful design that amazes.

Clean Cable SolutionNeatly manages cords for a crisp, clean look.

Universal browseAn easy way to find streaming content and live TV shows with a single universal guide.

Connect & ShareSync your TV to your compatible smartphone to access and control your content on the big screen.

Samsung remote controlAdjusts TV functions and navigates Samsung Smart TV menus.

64.5 screen (measured diagonally from corner to corner)Large enough to provide an immersive experience for everyone in the room.

2160p Ultra HD1080p times four. With 4x the pixels of Full HD resolution, youll view progressive images in clean, gorgeous detail with the highest picture quality.

Watch high dynamic range (HDR) content on your TVWith an HDR-compatible 4K TV, you can enjoy HDR movies and TV shows, in addition to all your current content.

Smart TVAccess your streaming services all in one place using the Samsung remote control.

LED TVs perform well in all lighting conditionsThey also deliver plasma-like deep blacks and rich colors.

Advanced TV soundTwo full-range 10W speakers.

Dolby Digital PlusEnjoy the ultimate digital sound quality on all your favorite movies, TV shows and streaming content. Dolby Digital Plus optimizes your entertainment experience with enhanced sound richness and clarity.

2 HDMI inputs for the best home theater connectionHigh-speed HDMI delivers up to 2160p picture and digital surround sound in one convenient cable. HDMI cable not included.

Motion Rate 120Enjoy high-speed action with good motion clarity.

USB inputEasily connect your digital camera, camcorder or other USB device.

Samsung 65 Class LED NU6900 Series 2160p Smart 4K UHD TV: $479.99 (save $70)

Runs the latest Windows operating systemIncludes Windows 10 Home in S Mode, to do the things you want with protection you can count on and performance that lasts.

15.6 displayBrightView glossy screen maintains the vivid colors in your photos and videos. Typical 1366 x 768 HD resolution. WLED backlight.

10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 mobile processorSmart quad-core, eight-way processing performance. Intel Turbo Boost Technology delivers dynamic extra power when you need it, while increasing energy efficiency when you dont.

12GB system memory for full-power multitaskingPlenty of high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run your games and photo- and video-editing applications, as well as multiple programs and browser tabs all at once.

Solid State Drive (PCI-e)Save files fast and store more data. With massive amounts of storage and advanced communication power, PCI-e SSDs are great for major gaming applications, multiple servers, daily backups, and more.

256GB Solid State Drive accelerated by Intel OptaneIntel Optane H10 with SSD offers speedy storage and accelerates opening your frequent programs.

Intel UHD GraphicsOn-processor graphics with shared video memory provide everyday image quality for Internet use, basic photo editing and casual gaming.

Weighs 3.86 lbs. and measures 0.7 thinUltrathin and ultralight for maximum portability, featuring a smaller screen size and omitting the DVD/CD drive to achieve the compact form factor. 3-cell lithium-ion battery.

HDMI output expands your viewing optionsConnect to an HDTV or high-def monitor to set up two screens side by side or just see more of the big picture.

Built-in media reader for simple photo transferSupports select memory card formats.

Wireless-AC connectivity (11, 433 Mbps)Connect to a Wireless-AC router for nearly 3x the speed, more capacity and wider coverage than Wireless-N (150 Mbps). Backward-compatible with all other Wi-Fi networks and hotspots.

Built-in HP TrueVision HD webcam with dual-array digital microphoneMakes it easy to video chat with family and friends or teleconference with colleagues over Skype or other popular applications. Automatically adjusts for available light.

Additional portHeadphone/microphone combo jack.

HP 15.6 Laptop Intel Core i5 12GB Memory 256GB SSD + 16GB Optane: $549.99 (save $80)

All-day activity trackingFitbit Charge 3 tracks your all-day activity, such as steps, distance, floors climbed, active minutes, and calories burned to show how every part of your day makes an impact on your goals.

Intuitive touch-screen displayWith this large backlit display that automatically adjusts to lighting conditions, Fitbit Charge 3 makes it easier to see statistics, notifications, or the time in sunlight, at night and anytime.

Goal-based exercise modesChoose from 15+ exercise modes, such as running, biking, swimming, yoga, circuit training and more, set a goal, and get real-time statistics during your workouts to see how you can keep getting better.

SwimproofWater-resistant up to 164, Fitbit Charge 3 automatically tracks swimming workouts and can be worn in the shower, pool and beyond.

Wireless synchronizationAutomatically synchronizes with computers and 200+ Android, iOS, and Windows devices to show your statistics, trends and progress on your Fitbit dashboard.

App dashboardSet goals, track progress, and get a more complete picture of your health and fitness all on your dashboard in the Fitbit mobile app.

Up to seven days of battery lifeFitbit Charge 3 keeps insights and inspiration coming day and night.

Fitbit Charge 3 Activity Tracker + Heart Rate: $99.95 (save $50)

Cool Select PantryFull-width pantry drawer that provides optimal temperature control for your food storage needs with Deli, Fresh and chilled options.

Twin Cooling PlusIndependent fridge and freezer controls keep food fresher longer.

24.2 Cu. Ft. CapacityLarge capacity to fit all your favorite foods.

Ice MasterProduces up to 10 lbs. of ice per day.

Wi-Fi and Bixby EnabledUse your smartphone to control the temperature and monitor your refrigerator remotely.

Read the original here:
Best Buy has so many great deals today here are the 10 best ones - BGR

Chase away those winter blues and give your home a complete refresh with these local businesses.

A family run business est. 1957, we offer a full range of carpets, furniture and beds from leading quality brands with free local delivery! Our expert team, many of whom have been with us for over a decade now, are always here to help and deliver the best advice (not to mention the best price and best brands).

Call: 01524 732062

E-Mail: info@mjbird.co.uk

http://www.mjbird.co.uk

A Cut Above offers you a wide range of luxurious bespoke carpets and rugs. Our superior carpets and rugs are made to measure to your exact specifications; whatever design you have in mind, whatever style of home you have, we can provide you with carpeting that matches your taste and your personality. We can design and install completely customised carpeting for homes, businesses, caravans or vehicles. Put simply, no other carpet company in the region can do what we can do. If you have a specific vision in mind for your carpets, we can make your dream a reality. We are a family run business based in Lancaster, providing professional carpeting services throughout Cumbria and Lancashire.

To find out more about our services, or to arrange a quote, please contact our carpet and rug experts today.

Call: 01524 35660

E-Mail: acutabove@btconnect.com

http://www.acutabovecarpets.com

Beetham Nurseries

Plants are our passion; we've been growing our own for over 30 years!

We pride ourselves on being different. We invite you to come and discover the unusual, the rare, the beautiful and the quirky! Visit our traditional retail plant nursery (now open!), have a bite to eat in the Garden Cafe, explore our new Home & Lifestyle space, discover our new Food Hall (stocked with fresh local produce and artisanal goodies!) or unwind in our Tearoom with a freshly ground coffee.

Call: 015395 63630

E-Mail: enquiries@beethamnurseries.co.uk

http://www.beethamnurseries.co.uk

A family run business based in the Yorkshire Dales, we manufacture superbly detailed freestanding and fitted furniture, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms, finished according to your own taste in a wide range of natural woods, veneers and special paint effects such as rag rolling and distressing.

Should you have a special requirement or piece of furniture in mind, a fitted library perhaps, remember that Brian Ramwell Classic Interiors are fully experienced cabinet makers and can design and create any item of furniture you require.

We are authorised dealers for Neff, Franke, Liebherr, Miele and many more.

If you would like to arrange a home design visit or wish to discuss your ideas with an experienced design consultant, please get in touch.

Call: 01524 241 662

E-Mail: info@ramwell.co.uk

http://www.ramwell.co.uk

Visit our showroom at Milnthorpe and view our stunning range of fabulous kitchens to suit every taste, we can transform your kitchen and make it the one of your dreams. Whether a traditional kitchen or ultra-modern - packed with the latest appliances and of the newest design. Free design, free quotation... We have many, many years of know how. Based at Milnthorpe we fit kitchens and bathrooms mostly in Kendal, Arnside, Kirkby Lonsdale, Ambleside & Windermere but when the phone rings, the appointment and measure (which is free) can be anywhere.

Arrange a free design visit where one of our designers will visit your home, for free, and with no obligation, when it is convenient for you.

Call: 015395 83695

E-Mail: info@carlgrahaminteriors.co.uk

http://www.carlgrahaminteriors.co.uk

Roofing and Building Specialists

We are a new, dynamic business specialising in roofing services. With over 30 years experience, we have built a large portfolio of happy and satisfied customers from both the domestic and commercial sectors, priding ourselves on the quality of service we provide.

We are a registered QA contractor for Sika Liquid Plastics.

Free Survey - Free Initial Consultation - Free Quotes

Call: 01229 580 057

E-Mail: cumbria.roofing@btconnect.com

http://www.cumbriaroofingulverston.co.uk

Brighten up your home with a beautiful new kitchen or fitted bedroom furniture, from the local company you can trust for a perfect finish every time!

Mike Hughes Fitted Interiors of Barrow-in-Furness have been the leading kitchen and bedroom specialist for almost 33 years, supplying and installing thousands of homes in Furness and the South Lakes. Offering a complete service including small building work. Their knowledge and expertise in design and installation is second to none, and its all project managed by Mike Hughes. The family run business has won awards for design and customer service, and their showroom on the Park Road approach to Barrow covers two floors of beautiful kitchens and fitted bedroom furniture. Its well worth a visit!

Call: 01229 871122

E-Mail: sales@mikehughes.co.uk

http://www.mikehughes.co.uk

At Different Strokes we offer a wide range of painting and decorating services to clients of every size, across the North West.

We've been in business for over 20 years, so our knowledge of the industry is second to none. As members of the Painting and Decorating Association and Dulux Partners, we decorate projects of all sizes and have the experience and knowledge to advise you on which paint system and application method is right for you. We offer a free colour consultation and work with a large variety of paints and protective coatings to achieve the best possible finish. More than half our custom is return business, and we are extremely proud that 99% of our clients would recommend us to a friend.

Call: KENDAL: 01539 735 960 LANCASTER: 01524 230 707 GRANGE: 01539 535 832

Email: info@differentstrokes-kendal.co.uk

http://www.differentstrokes-kendal.co.uk

Celebrating its 10th birthday in April 2020, Rugs to Riches is one of the many independent businesses that make Carnforth a great place to shop. While customers come from as far afield as Liverpool and Penrith, there is very much a local feel to this specialist shop, where personal service and knowledgeable advice come as standard and locally crafted pottery and glass complements a collection of Fair-Trade giftware.

The stock, featuring more than 600 rugs, is keenly priced to cover everything from budget-conscious to push-the-boat-out, and ranges from colourful kilims to fine Orientals and fun rugs for children, luxurious shaggies and the long hall runners, all the way through to modern designs in a mix of sizes and styles. Open from 10-ish till 5-ish, the shop welcomes browsers, so give yourself time for a good, long mooch.

Call: 01524 720180

Email: askus@rugstoriches.co.uk

http://www.rugstoriches.co.uk

Link:
9 ways to brighten your home this winter - The Westmorland Gazette

LABOUR Director John Pinder.

By Khrisna Russell

krussell@tribunemedia.net

DEPARTMENT of Labour Director John Pinder wants employers work permits revoked if they fail to appoint and properly train apprentices as part of their succession planning.

The move, Mr Pinder told The Tribune yesterday, would give the department teeth and earn it more respect in the eyes of employers who have not ensured Bahamian employees are trained for certain jobs He said it had been the departments intention to have this stipulation enforced by this month. However, now it could be longer before the rule can be officially enforced, with Mr Pinder saying there needed to be further discussions with the Department of Immigration to ensure labour officials have a functioning plan.

His department has to also make amendments to application forms to accommodate a breakdown of apprentice training guidelines.

The departments special projects unit is handling the process, he said.

We have met cases where persons say that I didnt know they were the understudy, but on the application form their name is listed, Mr Pinder said yesterday when asked about enforcing the rule this month. He was also asked how the department intended to protect employees from retribution once they are interviewed by officials about employers training practices.

If the employer tries to victimise the employee for giving us the correct information or tries to terminate them for that we will always have some sort of conciliation regarding that dismissal or wrongful dismissal, so there are things in the law that can protect that individual.

In addition to that we will then review the application form for labour certificates when it comes back to us and in consultation with the Department of Immigration well have to do this so immigration and us are on the same page with this and immigration will also tell us what is expected of us so that at the end of the day when we give a labour certificate immigration is satisfied that we did do the necessary due.

He also said: Simultaneously we just want to have that relationship with immigration for instance when the employer is not doing what it should be, (but) I think once immigration (is involved) with the authority to revoke the permit I think we would get more respect and it will have more teeth.

Asked to clarify if the intention was to ensure work permits were revoked for noncompliance, Mr Pinder said; Actually, yes, thats our intention now.

So what we are doing now is once we think what we are doing is something workable, we will then sit with immigration to get guidance from them to ensure that it can work.

As far as a timeline is concerned, Mr Pinder said on his end the framework is just about complete.

However there needed to be further engagement.

After this its just engaging immigration to review what we got to see if its workable. Then after that it has to go to the permanent secretary and the minister so it may take a little bit more time but the minister is aware of what we are doing. The permanent secretary is aware so its just a matter of them putting their blessing on it.

Last year, Mr Pinder said labour certificates, which confirm there are no qualified Bahamians willing or able to take a particular job, will only be issued to companies that provide evidence they have identified a Bahamian understudy who will be trained to replace the expatriate worker once their work permit has expired.

See more here:
'Time to get tough on work permits' - Bahamas Tribune