By Outer Banks Voice on August 18, 2020

As of the afternoon of Aug. 18, Dare County had reported no new cases of COVID-19 on that date. In addition, the update from the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services (DCDHHS), also released on Aug. 18, contained additional hopeful news about the trajectory of the virus here something DCDHHS Director Sheila Davis attributes to a lot of people doing the right things.

For the 4th week in a row we have seen a decrease in the number of new positive cases in Dare County, the DCDHHS update read. The week of July 20 there were 55 new cases, the week of July 27 there 42 new cases, the week of August 3rd there were 21 new cases and this past week there were 18 new cases.

Given those numbers, its not surprising that another key metric the percentage of positive tests out of all those administered has also been on the decline for the last month.

The countys Aug. 18 update reported that, This past week, there were 1,101COVID-19 diagnostic tests performed in Dare County 1,093 were performed by local healthcare providers and 108 were performed at the community testing event held on August 11. This brings the total number of tests performed since early March to 9,341.

There were 18 positive cases between August 10 and August 16, the update indicated. The percent of positive tests to overall tests in Dare County since we started testing in early March decreased again this week for the 4th week in a row, to 4.24%. The percent positive to total tests for the past week alone was 1.63%.

In an email to the Voice, Davies wrote that, I believe we are seeing the lower cases because the majority of people are doing the right things physical distancing, wearing masks and good hand hygiene, following the Exec Order by limiting numbers at mass gatherings. I also believe there are many businesses/establishments that are taking extra precautions to help reduce the spread i.e. hotels doing grab-back breakfast pick up instead of dine-in continental breakfast, hotel housekeepers following protocols to not clean a room when a guest is in the room, limiting occupancy and ensuring social/physical distancing, consistently enforcing mask requirements, etc.

Even so, local health officials are not ready to pop the champagne cork. While noting their satisfaction in seeing these numbers, Davies also emphasized the need to remain vigilant.

I believe the only way we will see these lower numbers continue is if we follow the 3Ws and stay vigilant, Davies added in her email to the Voice. It would be foolish to think our lower numbers are because the virus is not still prevalent in Dare County. Numbers could quickly [increase] if we dont do the right things.

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DCDHHS 'very pleased' with recent COVID numbers - The Outer Banks Voice

The hot temperatures and afternoon thundershowers of a Florida summer mean bumper crops of home-grown tomatoes. When your kitchen counter is overwhelmed with an abundance, turn on the oven for just a bit and serve up this killer Summery Southern Tomato Pie.

Tomato pie topped with tomatoes that are intensely red and flavorful is what summer tastes like in the South. Sitting elegantly on top of my cake stand, you can taste the intense flavors of this pie with one glance. And the aroma will knock you over. This pie deserves a place of honor on your table.

Tomato pie is easy to prepare you can use whatever cheese or herbs you like to flavor the custardy filling. You can buy ready-made pie crust and save yourself some time, but my Parmesan and buttermilk crust is the foundation that will make this pie memorable. Make sure you have the basics on hand: domestic or Italian Parmesan cheese, extra-sharp white cheddar cheese, sweet onions (Vidalia if you can find them), good-quality mayonnaise (Dukes is the classic), your favorite fresh herbs and plenty of rich red local tomatoes.

When it comes to your tomato pie, just about anything goes for the crust. Many cooks use slices of day-old bread, puff pastry, canned biscuit dough, refrigerated rolled pie dough or phyllo dough for their creations. My crust blends a mixture of butter and vegetable shortening for both stability and flavor. The addition of Parmesan cheese and buttermilk enhances the flavors. The addition of earthy turmeric gives the pastry a nice accent.

Youll want to thinly slice your tomatoes, arrange them between layers of paper towels, sprinkle with a little salt and leave them alone for a few minutes. This will help absorb excess liquid and prevent a watery, soggy pie. Sweet Vidalia onions, scallions or spring onions, as well as fresh oregano, basil and chives, will complement the tomatoes. Use a blend of cheeses for a flavor boost; sharp cheddar and Parmesan make good companions. Switch the cheeses to use provolone, mozzarella or Asiago.

Youll mix the grated cheese with mayonnaise. I like to use just a couple of teaspoons of Dijon mustard, too. To the tomato topping, some cooks add a little dill weed or cayenne pepper for a slight kick. Take a shortcut and use a store-bought tub of your favorite pimento cheese as the filling, then layer the sliced tomatoes in between and on top. Lets get busy making this pie before summer passes us by.

For the Parmesan buttermilk pie crust:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon ground turmeric, optional, for color

teaspoon fine sea salt

teaspoon black pepper

cup (1 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces

cup solid vegetable shortening, cold and cut into pieces

6 tablespoons whole buttermilk, cold

For the topping and filling:

2 pounds assorted medium red ripe tomatoes, about 3, for the filling and topping

1 teaspoon fine sea salt, divided

1 cups grated extra sharp white cheddar cheese

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

cup mayonnaise

1 large egg, lightly beaten

cup finely sliced fresh basil leaves, divided

2 tablespoons finely minced fresh chives, divided

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup finely sliced and peeled sweet onion, sliced inch thin

Make the pie crust: To the bowl of a large food processor, pulse the flour, cheese, turmeric (if using), salt and pepper just until combined, about three pulses. Add the butter and shortening and pulse just until pea-sized, about five pulses. Drizzle in the buttermilk and process just until the dough begins to come together. Do not overprocess. Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap and lightly knead into a ball and then flatten into a disc. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Roll the dough out on a large piece of parchment paper into a 14-inch circle about inch thick. Transfer to a 9-inch pie dish, pressing the dough into the bottom and up the sides. Trim the edges, leaving 1 inch overhanging. Fold the edges under and crimp with your fingers with any design you favor. Freeze the dough in the pan for 20 minutes. Line the pie crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the parchment and weights and further bake for another 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are golden and the bottom crust is set. Cool completely before filling.

Make the filing and bake: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Slice the tomatoes inch thick, then cut each in half. Place on a paper towel-lined half sheet pan, sprinkle with teaspoon of salt and cover with another layer of paper towels. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Pat dry before using in the filling and topping.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the grated cheddar, Parmesan, mayonnaise, egg, cup basil, 1 tablespoon chives, mustard, pepper and remaining teaspoon salt.

Evenly arrange the sliced onions on the bottom of the partially baked pie crust. Gently and evenly spread with half the cheese mixture and layer with half of the sliced tomatoes overlapping. Repeat with the remaining cheese mixture and remaining tomatoes. Top with the remaining basil and chives. Bake on a half sheet pan on the center rack of the oven for 40 to 50 minutes, covering the crust with foil after 20 minutes to prevent excess browning. Let the pie cool completely before serving to firm up. Serve at room temperature.

Makes about 8 slices.

Source: Lorraine Fina Stevenski

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Put your tomatoes to use in Summery Southern Tomato Pie - Tampa Bay Times

TOWSON, MD (Monday, August 17, 2020) As COVID-19 brings new challenges for college students and their parents, car care and property insurance may get lost in the back-to-school shuffle.AAA Mid-Atlantic reminds students living away at college and their parents to not overlook these important steps to make sure vehicles and other belongings have adequate protection.

Homeowners and renters insurance tips for students:

Safeguard your items from theft.Always lock your dorm room door and never leave belongings unattended on campus. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the library, dining hall and other public places are the primary areas where property theft occurs on campus.

According toConsumer Reports, dorm rooms can be a hot spot for thieves. Two roommates could have $6,000 or more worth of electronics alone laptops, tablets, smartphones and gaming systems as well as other items of value in their small living space.

According toU.S. Department of Education data of crimes reported on college campuses, theft of personal property is the most common crime, followed by motor vehicle theft.

Auto insurance tips for students:

If you have questions about any or are concerned about gaps in your existing coverage, contact a local insurance agent at 866-AAA-4YOU, or aaa.com/insurance.

Lessons on Car Maintenance for College Students:

In addition to reviewing insurance coverage, students heading to college should also address the important subject of vehicle maintenance and repair.

Before sending a son or daughter off to college with a car, AAA Mid-Atlantic encourages parents to sit down with their students and discuss plans for proper vehicle maintenance, as well as how to deal with unexpected problems when parental rescue is more than just a few minutes away.

Take COVID-19 Precautions Inside the Car

With interaction comes the need to regularly clean the inside of the car to protect from COVID-19.For a list of cleaning products that will destroy the COVID-19 virus, visithttps://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2. Choose carefully because some cleaning products may damage or discolor your upholstery or dash.

Follow the CDCs recommendations for preventive measures if passengers are allowed in the car:

Check and Maintain TiresTires are one of the easiest components of a vehicle to maintain, but they are frequently overlooked until something goes wrong. Every student should have a tire pressure gauge in their vehicle, know where it is located, and understand how to use it properly. While there are a variety of tire pressure gauges, those with electronic readouts might be the easiest for the teen to use.Explain that tires should be checked at least once a month when the tires are cold.

Show your young adult where to find the vehicle manufacturers recommended tire pressure typically on a label located on the drivers door jamb or in the vehicle owners manual. It is important to let them know they shouldnotuse the inflation pressure found on the tire sidewall. That is the tires maximum pressure level, but it might not be the correct pressure for the tire when used on their particular vehicle.

To demonstrate proper tire care, AAA offers a number of short videos that can be viewed on theAAA YouTube channel.

Know the Vehicles Maintenance SchedulePerforming the manufacturers regularly scheduled maintenance on a vehicle will greatly extend its life and help ward off more costly repairs down the road. While its a good idea to make sure your students car is current with all maintenance items prior to sending them off to college, its possible some items will be due while they are away.

Sit down and go over the owners manual with your son or daughter. Explain the recommended maintenance schedule and remind them that in addition to basic oil changes other important items such as filters, batteries and brakes must also be regularly checked and maintained. AAA recommends that parents and studentscreate a shared calendar with reminders so both are aware of any upcoming required maintenance or services.

The school year spans the winter months when inclement weather can place added demands on vehicle electrical systems. The average lifespan of a car battery is three to five years, so AAA recommends that any battery in this age range be checkedbeforethe student leaves for school. In many areas, the AAA Mobile Battery Service will come to a members home and provide this service at no charge.

Find a Repair Facility Near College

It is important for parents to help students identify an auto repair shop they can trust near their school in case routine servicing or unexpected repairs become necessary.

If unfamiliar with the area around a college, visitAAA.com/Repair to locate nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities. As a free public service for all motorists, AAA inspects auto repair shops around the country and only approves those that meet and continually maintain high professional standards for equipment, customer service, cleanliness and training.

When first arriving at the college, AAA recommends parents and students visit the selected repair shop and meet the staff. Ask for some shop business cards that you and your young adult can keep handy in case an emergency arises.

Prepare for Roadside EmergenciesIt is also important for parents to prepare their children for a breakdown or other roadside emergency especially if they are attending college too far away to call home for help.

Make sure the students vehicle has a well-stocked roadside emergency kit with contents suitable for local weather conditions during the school year. A basic kit should include a flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables, first-aid kit, bottled water, rags or paper towels, a tire pressure gauge, a blanket, granola or energy bars, and a selection of basic hand tools. Add an ice scraper, snow brush and kitty litter or other material to increase traction should snow or ice be an issue.

For added peace of mind, provide the student with a AAA membership, which offers reliable roadside assistance through a large dedicated network of service providers with good coverage in and around the college. AAAs many benefits are available to members no matter whose vehicle in they are in, so parents wont have to worry about their teen being stranded in a friends vehicle with no access to emergency road service.

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College-Bound Students Don't Forget Property Protection And A Car Care Plan - The Southern Maryland Chronicle

Inside Carolina's Ross Martin and Greg Barnes join host Tommy Ashley to break down the 2020 Carolina wide receiver and tight end roster in the second part of IC's State of the Position series. The Inside Carolina crew takes a dive into perhaps the deepest talent pool on the Tar Heel roster and examines a room loaded with experienced talent on the front line and deep with talented youth behind the starters. From there, the tight end position gets the spotlight with the focus being onwhich young player canemergeand help this area go from the unknown to a strength for Mack Brown's Heels.

Dyami. Dazz. Beau.

As with the first two position groups in this series, the wide receiver room is loaded with talent for second year coach Lonnie Galloway. Experienced and proven, the trio of Brown, Newsome and Corrales provide quarterback Sam Howell with a myriad of options out of the gate. The two Ds come in off 1,000-yard season with Corrales perfecting his craft as a big strong target that Howell can rely on in the red zone. Toe Groves and speedster Antoine Green keep the returning talent flowing on the field and Emery Simmons gained valuable in-game experience last season.

Where things get interesting is the addition of Josh Downs. Downs reported with the first group of post-shutdown returners to Chapel Hill indicating that without question, he will be playing major minutes in his first season. Ray Rose, Khafre Brown, Stephen Gosnell, Justin Olson and Tylee Craft can all plan to see the field at times leaving Howell, and potentially Jace Rude and Jacolby Criswell with upwards of a dozen targets possible at the receiver position.

The second portion of the show brings us to the biggest question mark on offense. Even with the explosion of yards and points by the offense last season, tight end was often overlooked and perhaps as a result, experienced the most meeting room upheaval in the offseason. Gone is coach Tim Brewster in an interesting departure and in is place is John Lilly. Lilly comes with an impressive resume to coach a group that wont see the preseason accoladesof its counterparts on the offensive side of the ball.

Garrett Walston came on strong late in the season in 2019 and with the departure of Carl Tucker (Alabama) and Jake Bargas(graduation), he will shoulder the load. There is talented depth, but other than Kamari Morales, on the field experience is nil. True freshmen John Copenhaver and Kendall Karr add depth.

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On The Beat: Position Checkup - WRs & TEs - 247Sports

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. The rapid pace that invasive shrubs infiltrate forests in the northeastern United States makes scientists suspect they have a consistent advantage over native shrubs, and the first region-wide study of leaf timing, conducted by Penn State researchers, supports those suspicions.

With the help of citizen scientists spread over more than 150 sites in more than 20 states, researchers collected thousands of observations over four years of exactly when both invasive and native shrubs leaf out in the spring and lose their leaves in the fall. The study area was expansive, stretching from southern Maine to central Minnesota south to southern Missouri, to North Carolina.

In the spring, the invasive shrubs in the understory at Shaver's Creek have green leaves to take advantage of extra sunlight while the overstory canopy is leafless. However, native shrubs have barely burst leaf buds. Citizen scientists collected data on this phenomenon of extended leaf phenology across the Northeast.

IMAGE: Erynn Maynard-Bean/Penn State

Eastern North America is the recipient of more invasive shrubspecies into naturalareas than any other geographic region of the world, said lead researcherErynn Maynard-Bean, postdoctoral researcher in the College of Agricultural Sciences, working under the guidance of Margot Kaye, associate professor of forest ecology.Invasive shrubs are growing in both abundance and in the number of species established at the expense of many types of native species.

The researchers reported in Biological Invasions that invasive shrubs can maintain leaves 77 days longer than native shrubs within a growing season at the southern end of the area studied. The difference decreases to about 30 days at the northern end of the study area. At the southern end of the study area, the time when invasive shrubs have leaves and native shrubs do not is equally distributed between spring and fall; in the northern reaches of the study area, two-thirds of the difference between native and invasive growing seasons occur in fall.

The location of observations used for modeling leaf emergence and leaf off. The final number of observations used to model leaf emergence by citizen scientists was 911 across 153 sites, and for leaf off was 589 observations across 72 sites.

IMAGE: Erynn Maynard-Bean/Penn State

The longer period with leaves gives invasive plants an advantage in acquiring more energy from sunlight and their leaves create shade in early spring and late fall that may limit growth of native species, such as forest ephemeral wildflowers, Maynard-Bean explained.This helps explain their negative impact on native tree regeneration, plant diversity and abundance, she said. But invasive shrubs also have a negative impact on communities of animal species sensitive to light and temperature, such as bees, butterflies and amphibians.

Small, local studies in Northeast forests have shown that invasive shrubs have leaves longer than native shrubs. However, because the phenomenon known as extended leaf phenology varies geographically, the degree to which it benefits invasive shrubs across the region had previously been unknown.

The difference between native plants and invasive plants having leaves is not consistent, Maynard-Bean noted. It varies, dependingon latitude, species studied and weather for the study period.

But with the help of citizen scientistswithUSA National Phenology Networkwatching plants with us from around the eastern U.S., we found a pattern of greater extended leaf phenology as you move south, she said. This provides a unified framework for connecting local-scale research results from different parts of the eastern U.S. that had previously not agreed with one another.

In early spring, northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is a native shrub that is just breaking buds on the left, while an invasive shrub, Morrows honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii), has well-developed leaves on the right.

IMAGE: Erynn Maynard-Bean/Penn State

With the goal of understanding on-the-ground implications for eastern deciduous forest ecosystems, the researchers chose common, widespread species that co-occur in forest understories. Native shrubs followed in the study included alternate-leaf dogwood, flowering dogwood, gray dogwood, spicebush, mapleleaf viburnum, southern arrowwood, hobble-bush and black haw. Invasive shrubs native to Europe or Asia followed in the study included Japanese barberry, burning bush, multiflora rose and several species of honeysuckles and privet.

About 800 citizen scientists collected more than 8,000 observations of leaf timing for 804 shrubs at 384 sites, from 2015 through 2018.In addition, Maynard-Bean made observations at three sites in Pennsylvania.

In late fall, the native shrub, mapleleaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), exhibits fall color prior to the adjacent invasive privet (Ligustrum obtusifolium) which is still bright green and photosyntheticallyactive.

IMAGE: Erynn Maynard-Bean/Penn State

Thepatterns of extended leaf phenology for invasive shrubs compared to native shrubs found in this study have important implications for policy and management, according to Kaye, whose research group has been evaluating invasive shrubs in Northeast forests for more than a decade. She pointed out that invasives included in this study are still commonly used for horticultural purposes in some states but are banned in others.

The presence of this phenomenon may serve as a predictive trait for the invasion potential of new horticultural specimens, Maynard-Bean said. From a management perspective, extended leaf phenology makes invasive shrubs an easier green target in the spring and fall for detection, removal and treatment, which can protect dormant, non-target native species.

Also contributing to the research were Tyler Wagner, adjunct professor of fisheries ecology, andEric Burkhart, associate teaching professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.

In late fall, the native shrub northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin), with yellow fall color surrounded by Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) that still has deep green foliage as well as red fruits.

IMAGE: Erynn Maynard-Bean/Penn State

The National Science Foundation funded this research and theUSA National Phenology Network's support was instrumental in the study. The Arboretum at Penn State and Shavers Creek Environmental Center also supported the research by allowing data collection at their sites.

Extended leaf phenology becomes apparent at the ends of the growing season in early spring and late fall when most native woody species have lost their foliage.

IMAGE: Erynn Maynard-Bean

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Invasive shrubs in Northeast forests grow leaves earlier and keep them longer - Penn State News

President Donald Trump reportedly wants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the plant extract oleandrin as a potential treatment for COVID-19, despite a current lack of evidence that it would be effective for this purpose.

The extract was promoted to the president during an Oval Office meeting in July, which involved Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson, MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell and Andrew Whitney, an executive at Phoenix Biotechnologya company that is developing and pushing the oleandrin product to the Trump administration.

During the meeting, Trump "basically said: ...'The FDA should be approving it,'" Lindell told Axios. But what is oleandrin and does the substance have any medical uses?

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Oleandrin is a botanical extract from the oleander plantan evergreen shrub or small tree that is highly toxic to humans and many animals if any part is ingested. Oleandrin is one of several toxic compounds that the plant contains.

Some "in vitro" researcha term used to refer to studies done in test tubes rather than animals or humanshas suggested that the substance could potentially be useful as a treatment for various cancers, including those of the colon, pancreas and prostate.

Furthermore, one in vitro study published in the journal Fitoterapia found that the compound inhibits the ability of HIV to establish an infection, although it should be noted that the results of test tube studies do not always translate into animal or human models.

Professor Sharon Lewin, an internationally renowned expert on antiviral drugs from the University of Melbourne in Australia, told Axios: "Oleandrin looks to have antiviral activity at high doses in a test-tube model. You'd certainly want to see more work done on this before even contemplating a human trial" for its effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2the virus that causes COVID-19.

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While one paper published in July by researchers from the University of Texas at Galveston indicated that oleandrin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 in monkey kidney cells, its conclusions should be viewed with caution. The paper, which lists Robert Newmanchairman of Phoenix Biotechnology's scientific advisory boardas an author has not been peer-reviewed. This means it is yet to undergo evaluation by experts in the field in order to be published in a scientific journal.

In May 2020 the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) conducted some preliminary testing of oleandrin against SARS-CoV-2. The results were "inconclusive," a spokesperson, Caree Vander Linden, told Axios.

"Additionally, USAMRIID was contacted by University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, indicating that they were also testing it," Vander Linden said. "Given our inconclusive results, and having other high priority therapeutics to assess, we did not continue with this line of research."

Aside from the aforementioned research, there appear to be no other published papers testing oleandrin's efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in animals or humans. However, Whitney told Axios on Saturday that an unpublished lab study testing oleandrin on humans as a COVID-19 treatment is in the process of being peer-reviewed.

Whitney says that oleandrin can "cure" COVID-19, causing symptoms to disappear "in the vast majority of cases," Axios reported, although there is currently insufficient publicly available evidence to back up these claims.

"We have something that we believe will address the problem and we want to make it available," Whitney told Axios. "We believe we should be given the opportunity to demonstrate that in a hospital clinical trial setting and we believe that must happen now and not a month from now."

The company is exploring oleandrin as a potential COVID-19 treatmentsomething which would require the drug to undergo rigorous human clinical trials. However, Phoenix Biotechnology is also pushing the FDA to allow oleandrin to be sold as a dietary supplement. This could happen quickly, according to Whitney, although the company would not be allowed to make claims about its effectiveness in treating or curing COVID-19.

Oleandrin's use against COVID-19 is supported by Carson and Lindella Trump backer, who recently bought a stake in Phoenix Biotechnology. Lindella personal friend of Carson and the presidenthelped to arrange the July Oval Office meeting where Whitney discussed oleandrin's use against COVID-19, The Washington Post reported.

Some senior administration officials have expressed their concern over oleandrin being pushed as a COVID-19 treatment at the top of the U.S. government.

"The involvement of the Secretary of HUD and MyPillow.com in pushing a dubious product at the highest levels should give Americans no comfort at night about their health and safety during a raging pandemic," a senior administration official told Axios.

In March, Trump pushed FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn to authorize the emergency use of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19.

The agency subsequently issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the drug. however, the FDA revoked this in June based on results from a large, randomized clinical trial in hospitalized patients "that found these medicines showed no benefit for decreasing the likelihood of death or speeding recovery."

Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.

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What Is Oleandrin? Trump Reportedly Wants FDA to Approve Plant Extract for Coronavirus - Newsweek

With spas given the go-ahead to reopen their doors, relaxing spa hotel staycations are back on the travel agenda.

While the spa experience will look a little different you can expect increased cleaning frequency, therapists wearing PPE, and to book treatments, pool and relaxation area slots ahead of time a silver lining is that limited guest numbers to aid social distancing mean an even more peaceful atmosphere. Whether its a pampering countryside break or a city-slick urban recharge youre after, here are the best UK spa hotels to book...

Note: Steam rooms and saunas in England and Northern Ireland are allowed to re-open subject to social distancing measures Scotland and Wales are currently awaiting guidance on when theirs can open. At the moment, most hotel spas are only open to resident guests, some are implementing pre-treatment temperature checks, offering a stripped-back treatment list, and asking guests to change in-room and arrive robe-ready. Given that government guidance is liable to change quickly, wed recommend calling the hotel to double check the latest rules when you book.

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The Independent's hotel recommendations are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and book, but we never allow this to affect our coverage.

The Gainsborough has direct access to Baths ancient springs (The Gainsborough)

As famed for its pretty honey-hued Georgian buildings as the ancient thermal waters it was founded on, Bath makes for a brilliant wellness break. The place to bed down is the Gainsborough Bath Spa, which has 99 bedrooms with restful monochrome palettes and is the only hotel with a spa directly fed by Baths mineral-rich spring water. A handful of spa bedrooms even have the thermal water piped straight into roll top bathtubs.

The Spa Villages centrepiece is a dramatic sapphire mosaic-tiled thermal pool surrounded by Romanesque columns. This, combined with two smaller soaking pools, an ice alcove and relaxation terrace, forms an invigorating self-guided bathing circuit. Unknotting aromatherapy and Swedish essential-oil massages are on offer in 10 treatment rooms, and the gym and complimentary weekend yoga classes will keep active types happy. For the moment, the spas signature watsu-style aqua therapies are on hold.

Doubles from 340, room-only, including spa access.

thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

Lime Wood

Set in the New Forest National Park, where wild ponies meander through woodland and violet-tinged heather scrub, Lime Wood is perhaps the ultimate rural retreat. The 13th-century lodge, transformed into a country house hotel with glorious grounds, has cosy lounges with roaring fires, an Italian restaurant helmed by Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder and 33 rooms with botanical artwork, antique furniture and bloom-festooned cushions.

Facilities at the calming, three-level Herb House spa include a 16 metre indoor lap pool (floor-to-ceiling glass windows mean front crawl comes with a side of forest views), two hydropools and 10 treatment rooms for unknotting massages using seaweed-infused VOYA or Bamford products reflexology sessions and OPI mani-pedis. Matt Roberts personal trainers are on hand in the Technogym to ramp up workout regimes, there are al-fresco pilates and yoga classes in the herb-filled rooftop garden, and delicious, healthy meals think freshly-pressed greens and ginger juices and nori rolls at Raw and Cure restaurant.

Doubles from 395, room-only, including spa access. Book now

limewood.co.uk

Calcot's hot tub at twilight

Calcot

Mayfair's COMO Shambhala Urban Escape feels a world away from the busy capital

COMO Shambhala Urban Escape

The hot tub at The Scarlet, Cornwall

The Scarlet

Bikes outside Babington House's Cowshed spa

Soho House Babington House Cowshed

The outdoor hot pool at Herb House, Limewood

Herb House, Limewood

Dormy House's modern spa

Dormy House

Rudding Park's glam steam room

Rudding Park

Recover from a night out in nearby Cardiff at St David's Hotel & Spa

St David's Hotel & Spa

A treatment room at Cowley Manor

Cowley Manor

Brave the outdoor pool at Hotel Portmeirion

Hotel Portmeirion

The Cheeky Nail Bar at The Ned

The Ned

Finn Lough is on the banks of Lough Erne

Finn Lough

The Mondrian spa embraces the Hollywood glamour of the hotel itself

Mondrian

The clean white of Clivedon's spa

Clivedon

The Roman Bath-style pool at Gainsborough Bath Spa

Gainsborough Bath Spa

Calcot's hot tub at twilight

Calcot

Mayfair's COMO Shambhala Urban Escape feels a world away from the busy capital

COMO Shambhala Urban Escape

The hot tub at The Scarlet, Cornwall

The Scarlet

Bikes outside Babington House's Cowshed spa

Soho House Babington House Cowshed

The outdoor hot pool at Herb House, Limewood

Herb House, Limewood

Dormy House's modern spa

Dormy House

Rudding Park's glam steam room

Rudding Park

Recover from a night out in nearby Cardiff at St David's Hotel & Spa

St David's Hotel & Spa

A treatment room at Cowley Manor

Cowley Manor

Brave the outdoor pool at Hotel Portmeirion

Hotel Portmeirion

The Cheeky Nail Bar at The Ned

The Ned

Finn Lough is on the banks of Lough Erne

Finn Lough

The Mondrian spa embraces the Hollywood glamour of the hotel itself

Mondrian

The clean white of Clivedon's spa

Clivedon

The Roman Bath-style pool at Gainsborough Bath Spa

Gainsborough Bath Spa

Surrounded by 132 acres of parkland by the tranquil River Maine, 40 minutes from Belfast, the atmosphere at the 124-room Galgorm is refreshingly relaxed and jolly (it has a 400-strong gin library for one thing). Accommodation ranges from business-style bedrooms to Scandi-style cottages and rustic log cabins. There are five restaurants, including laid back Italian joint Fratellli and fancy 3 AA Rosette-awarded River Room, plus rousing live music each night at Gillies Pub.

The propertys Spa Village is one of Europes largest thermal spas, and flashpoints include an outdoor infinity hydrotherapy pool, riverside hot tubs for leisurely soaks with a glass of fizz, an indoor pool, snow cabin, salt room, aroma grotto and herb caldarium. Massages use Aromatherapy Associates oil, and the Forest & Photo Therapy combines a massage with a no-touch Dermalux LED facial (where coloured lights are used to target concerns) and a mud mask. For post-relaxation fuel, order poke bowls and virgin watermelon margaritas at timber-dome restaurant Elements.

Doubles from 178, B&B, including spa access.

galgorm.com

Sink into a hot tub with unbeatable sea views at The Scarlet (The Scarlet)

A seaside break is an instant reviver, and the adults-only Scarlet, with its cliffside setting above Mawgan Porths butterscotch sands, eco-architecture and wonderful spa, is a breath of fresh air for the soul. The 39 rooms all pale wooden floorboards, decorated in mossy green and dusky blues each have a sea view, be it full-facing or from an upper-level sitting room.

The spa also has seascape panoramas from the indoor pool, outdoor natural pool (freshwater, filtered by a living reed bed filtration system) and two cliff top hot tubs. Hour-long ayurvedic treatments (tasters of the normal four-hour journeys), and hot herb and oat-filled poultice massages take place in six treatment rooms. Afterwards, laze in slumber-inducing hanging canvas pods, do outdoor yoga and tai chi, or head out surfing. A visit to the restaurant for a cream tea is a must (just be sure to layer jam before clotted cream, in keeping with the Cornish tradition).

Doubles from 210, B&B, including spa access.

scarlethotel.co.uk

Rudding Park has opened a spa roof garden (Rudding Park)

Historic Rudding Park, a quick drive from former spa town Harrogate, will suit spa junkies looking for a retreat with a modern, unstuffy vibe. The Georgian Hall turned 90-room property has comfortable rooms with colour-pop touches, 300 acres of gardens, a cinema, two golf courses and 3 AA Rosette Horto, where the likes of dainty Japanese seven-spice tempura courgettes and flower-strewn desserts are served.

Its the innovative spa, fed in part by natural spring waters, thats the real masterstroke. Alongside an indoor pool, juniper log sauna, rasul (for mud masks and scrubs), nail studio and gym, there are audio meditation pods, an AV relaxation room and Mandala colour therapy zone. Outside on the shrub-filled rooftop, theres even more: a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, glass-fronted sauna with astonishing panoramas of the Yorkshire countryside, sunlight therapy room and oxygen pod. Treatments run the gamut from Elemis and hot stone massages to flower wraps, and for something completely different, there are bolt-on CBD-experiences too.

Doubles from 348, B&B, including four hours spa access.

ruddingpark.co.uk

Go Grecian at Chewton Glen (Chewton Glen)

In 1990, long before it became de rigueur, Chewton Glen was one of the first country house hotels to create a purpose-built spa, and it has been winning accolades ever since. The straight-out-of-Austen hotel sits in 130 acres of grounds on the fringe of the New Forest National Park, and many ingredients used at the Dining Room come from the kitchen garden. Rooms range from traditional affairs with mallard-print cushions, mahogany furniture and rose colour palettes to kooky high-in-the-canopy tree house suites with hot tubs on the balconies.

Fresh from a revamp, the 1,350sqm spa has a 17-metre Roman-style indoor lap pool, a hydrotherapy pool and outdoor whirlpool. On the spa menu are Jessica mani-pedis, Mii make-up sessions and oil massages. Cant decide? Book a slot and the therapist will craft something bespoke. Junior spa treatments, a nine-hole par 3 golf course and tennis courts also make Chewton a good family pick.

Doubles from 370/tree houses from 1,150, B&B, including spa access.

chewtonglen.com

The indoor pool at Dormy House spa (Dormy House )

A real bucolic charmer, this 39-room hotel just outside Broadway village is about as cosy and convivial as it gets. There are lounges with deep leather armchairs and flickering fires to retreat to after yomps through the Cotswolds countryside, and slow-food Back Garden restaurant for comforting celeriac and truffle risotto and apple tarte tatin. Bedrooms blend clean-lined Scandi-style interiors with exposed wooden beams, which nod to Dormy Houses 17th-century farmhouse roots.

At the House Spa, theres a showstopper indoor infinity pool (candlelit for added zen), a bubbling hydrotherapy hot tub, well-equipped gym and thermal suite with Finnish cabin and salt steam room. The treatment menu includes Aaahhh! a sugar buff scrub and warm oil massage combo a soothing back cure massage (by Beata Aleksandrowicz), Gelish mani-pedis and from September a new flotation tank experience. Its hoped the full treatment list featuring Temple Spa and Natura Biss will be resumed soon.

Doubles from 269, B&B, including spa access.

dormyhouse.co.uk

South Lodge spa (Amy Murrell)

Read more here:
The best spa hotels in the UK for a relaxing staycation - The Independent

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020

If youre stuck at home and looking for something to do, join the thousands of people starting home improvement projects. We get some tips on this trend and how to get the best return on your investment when you embark on your own improvement project.

Are you considering a home remodel project? Are you in the middle of one? What questions do you have for our experts? Email charlottetalks@wfae.org

The COVID-19 pandemic has a lot of us spending much more time than normal in our homes. Many are working from home. And all this time in the same place has given us an opportunity to really see where we live.

Evidently, a lot of people dont like what they see because right now there is a wave of folks who have decided they need to spruce things up. Yes, home improvements and renovations are on the uptick.

But how do you renovate safely during a pandemic? If you plan to sell in the future, what colors and textures and trends will help? And which home fix-up projects give you the best return on your investment?

We talk to some pros about that and more.

Guests

Melissa Lee, principal designer, New South Home, an interior design firm in Charlotte

Kim Trouten, real estate agent with Allen Tate SouthPark

Chris Duncan, partner with Four Oaks Builders, a home building and remodeling company in Charlotte

Original post:
Charlotte Talks: Home Remodels And Improvements On The Rise In Quarantine - WFAE

Barcelona-based designer Sanna Vlker has curated a collection of seven furniture and homeware pieces, which were created during coronavirus lockdown to reflect the unique limitations and opportunities of the current moment.

The pieces in the project, called Km Zero, include two benches and stools, a teapot and ceramics set and a trio of vessels, and were created by seven different Spanish design studios.

Each product was crafted within one kilometre of the designer's home. The materials were sourced from within the same radius in order to explore the possibilities awarded by local production.

"In Spain, as lockdown started to ease, we were allowed to go for walks in our immediate neighbourhoods," Vlker told Dezeen.

"We couldn't exceed the one-kilometre limit but we could stroll around our closest streets during a few restricted hours each day. This is the moment where many of us discovered workshops and artisans located just a few hundred meters away from our homes and studios."

Precht designs Parc de la Distance for outdoor social distancing

Several of the objects deal with the loneliness of social distancing and the ways in which the pandemic has reminded us of the importance of community and collaboration.

Industrial designer Marta Ayala Herrera created a wooden bench with two individual, round seats separated by protruding armrests, to reflect on the isolation of the individual in Western society.

"The context in which we live rewards and encourages this tunnel vision and the construction of everyone's bubble," explained Herrera.

"However, the arrival of a crisis in the space where we live has exposed the shortcomings and inconveniences that this type of society offers us.

That's why, although the bench might appear to allow users to sit separately, the seats are actually dependant on their shared base in order to stand.

Madrid-based Paula Clavera focused more on the materiality of her immediate surroundings and forged her No2 stool from abandoned rubble and granite pieces found on the streets of the La Latina and Lavapis neighbourhoods.

These are stacked on top of each other and cobbled together into a Flintstone-like, three-legged seat, designed to represent the bricolage of buildings that make up these districts.

Beyond curating the project, Vlker also contributed a teapot, called Presence, which consists of a cylindrical body and a strainer with an oversized, doughnut-shaped rim.

When water is poured into the strainer, it slowly drips into the main body of the pot through a small hole at the bottom.

UNIT Fabrications builds social-distancing furniture for London primary school

"Presence is an object that explores the personal experience of truly slowing down," said the designer, who created the piece in collaboration with a local ceramics workshop.

"Through combining the tea ceremony with the soothing sound of water, the project reflects on time and on staying present. The piece questions our constant search for efficiency and optimisation and invites a shared moment of stillness by focusing on sensorial information."

Barcelona's Turbina Studio contributed a series of bowls and plates, in which perfectly smooth, concave shapes are embedded into roughly textured bricks to create the impression of fossilised artefacts.

The series, called Future Archeology, is made from fired clay and cast stone and hopes to make us consider whether the way towards a more sustainable future might be to look towards the past.

Omayra Maym's 1927 stool features a seat that has been formed by wrapping a piece of rope repeatedly around its geometric frame. The rope was made by a local artisan from a type of grass fibre called esparto, which is native to Spain.

Also featured in the collection is a bench by Isaac Pieiro, fashioned from a piece of bent, laminated wood that had been collecting dust in his studio, and a series of vessels, created by Jlia Esqu using offcuts from a nearby metal workshop.

"Producing and consuming locally has been on our minds for years but sometimes, until we're forced to act upon an idea, we don't fully commit to it," Vlker said.

"Due to the current situation, we are finally doing what we have been wanting to do for quite some time now. And at least for some time ahead, we will have to make use of our local resources and opportunities."

Vlker, who was born in Sweden, has curated a group exhibition for the past three years, focusing on different pressing social issues each time. In 2018, Perception focused on the impact that Instagram has on our experience of exhibitions and came complete with a mandated social media blackout.

And last year, the Sisters show focused on female empowerment, femininity and social justice.

With this year's agenda dominated by the pandemic, a slew of other designers have unveiled furniture and home objects for a "new normal".

Mexican architect Enrique Tovar has designed a foldable desk that can be carried to different locations, while UK brand UNIT Fabrications has developed a series of mobile screens for a local primary school to enact social distancing.

Photography is by David Leon Fiene.

More here:
Seven designers share objects created within a kilometre of home during lockdown - Dezeen

Home Design

Local architect Stephen Chung reflects on how the pandemic has shaken up the industry.

A rendering of the 288-square-foot studio Stephen Chung designed for his home. / Courtesy photo

Architect Stephen Chung has approached the world of design from just about every angle. A masters in architectural design from Harvard? He earned one. Experience working alongside renowned industry leaders? Philippe Starck was one such collaborator. A gig as a TV producer and host? Think: PBSs Cool Spaces! The Best New Architecture. In recent years, though, hes spent his time dreaming up sleek, modern residences and hospitality projects in and around Boston and Sarasota, Florida, with the eponymous firm he started in 2015. That changed dramatically, however, when the coronavirus pandemic hit. For Chung and virtually every other architect, interior designer, and contractor, many projects came to an abrupt halt, transforming the industry in ways that are yet to be determined. Still, never one to slow down completely, Chung decided to embark on yet another new design pursuit: dreaming up a glass-walled, two-story detached home office, a project that may symbolize the COVID-inspired ingenuity well see in the months and years to come. I have tremendous concerns. I think in the short term [design professionals are] going to have a hard time, Chung says. But I think there are opportunities, too. Were going to see a lot of innovation.

How did you spend your time during the states stay-at-home advisory?

Things were canceled, so with the combination of that and my kids being at home while I was trying to get things done, I said, Gosh, I wish I had an office where I could escape, but be on my property, so I developed this little [detached] home-office design. I called it my COVID-19 design studio. Id always dreamed of making a two-story fort for the kids and Id talked to a building inspector, so I knew what I could do on the edge of my property. So in my mind, I said, I could do a 12-foot-by-12-foot room on the ground floor, which would have a conference table and books. And then a ladder would take me to a second floor, where I would have a desk with a computer. It would be good for everybody because itd be quiet when I do my Zoom calls. I could get work done and go to the office, and my commute would be a minute. We should all really think about this home-office thing if were going to work at home. Just in terms of your well-being, I think having some space and air makes you healthier and more productive and optimistic. That sort of project makes sense for a lot of people, whether [the office is] detached or built into something existing.

The architect envisioned using inexpensive materials, including Sonotube foundation and plywood, to build the detached home office. / Courtesy photo

Whats another area of the home you foresee people rethinking in the wake of coronavirus?

Mudrooms. My brother is an ER doctor, and has a little portable sink attached to his garage. When he comes home, he washes his hands and puts his scrubs in a bin. So he has a makeshift decontamination zone before he goes into his house. If I were designing a house, I would think about an expanded mudroom where, [like my brothers home], there are places for disposing clothes, taking off shoes, and washing hands immediately. While many people have mudrooms, theyre not as expansive as what Im [imagining]. They need to be almost new entrances. Most homes have a symbolic front door, but [Ive found that] people rarely use it. Many use a secondary side entrance [instead]. Maybe we should consider that the main entrance, off of which would be a mudroom/transition space. Id be interested in exploring that with people.

How has the pandemic changed the way people feel about their homes?

If youre spending 98 percent of your day at home, youre really looking at every design. This should be a positive thing for design professionals because people [are wondering], Jeez, why is this like that? We have all become more aware and appreciative of good design and how it improves our health, happiness, and productivity. I hope therell be more people thinking through all these choiceseven details you dont normally see, like insulation between floors or interior walls [for sound proofing] so kids can go to school on Zoom and you can have a conference call. There are more good ideas coming from homeowners, too, because theyve thought, My kids are here, so I need this or The office needs to be farther away from this or My life is unique because of this. And thats good.

In addition to running his own firm, Chung teaches design courses at Suffolk University. / Photo by Raymond Forbes

Do you have any predictions for how hospitality design may also evolve?

There have been a lot of people in the industry speculating [about] how hospitality design will be affected going forward. Ive been thinking about the guest experience and how much more frictionless it will be. I think check-in will be automated and will require fewer staff to manage. Guest rooms will be larger to accommodate more activities. I could see each room having a kitchenette and a proper eating area, plus direct access to a private outdoor space, be it a garden or a terrace.

For dcor, easy cleaning will be a priority, and I would expect [to see] hard floor surfaces and washable wallcoverings. There may be more curved wall surfaces, which are easier to clean than right angles are. Interestingly, these changes may lead to an overall stylistic shift as well. For instance, guest rooms will lean toward modern and minimal with fewer surfaces, no crown moldings, and simpler base trims, handles, and doorknobs. Furthermore, there will be fewer knickknacks. There has also been a lot of talk about [incorporating] antimicrobial materials, but I dont think there is enough evidence at this time to go all in on its application.

What tools have you relied on to make designing during the pandemic easier for you and your collaborators?

Right now, I have clients from Ohio who want to build in Sarasota. Im in Boston, so were conversing [online] and Im using real-time animation software to walk them through the design. I can take it beyond blueprints and floorplans and show the building moving and the sun changing. I found this to be a really productive tool before [COVID], so when [the outbreak] happened, I said, Why not do it like this? Its more productive to have these kinds of meetings, where we go into buildings [virtually], walk around, change things, and [get a sense of] what its like to be in there.

Chung used real-time animation software to generate this rendering, which portrays daytime and views of a Florida project hes currently working on remotely. / Courtesy photo

Chung used real-time animation software to generate this rendering, which portrays nighttime and views of a Florida project hes currently working on remotely. / Courtesy photo

Originally posted here:
How Will COVID-19 Affect the Future of Home Design? - Boston magazine