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College Hill Drug and Medical, in collaboration with the Twin Cities Ministerial Alliance and the Miller County Office of Emergency Management, will be hosting a COVID-19 Vaccine Community Clinic.

WHEN THE CLINIC WILL OCCUR

Thursday, March 11th

9:00 am 4:00 pm

WHERE THE CLINIC WILL OCCUR

Church of the Living God928 Laurel StreetTexarkana, AR 71854

WHO IS CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATION

In addition to Phase 1a, you are currently able/eligible to receive the vaccine if you are one of the following:

Food and agriculture workers

House of worship staff

Public transit workers:

Bus/Van drivers

Urban Transit Systems

Taxi/Uber/Lyft drivers

Special Needs Transportation

Airline and Airport Workers

People with intellectual or

developmental disabilities

Grocery store/meal delivery

workers

Essential government workers

Jail and Correction workers

Postal Service workers

Couriers, messengers, and other package delivery service workers

Federal and State Employees as defined by the state

Non-food manufacturing facility workers

Wood product manufacturing

Paper manufacturing

Asphalt paving, roofing, and saturated materials manufacturing

Other petroleum and coal products manufacturing Chemical manufacturing

Plastics and Rubber Product Manufacturing Non-metallic mineral product manufacturing Primary Metal manufacturing

Fabricated Metal product manufacturing

Machinery Manufacturing

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing Electronic equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

Transportation equipment manufacturing Wood kitchen cabinet and countertop

manufacturing

Medical equipment manufacturing

Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance

The necessary paperwork is available to be picked up in advance at College Hill Drug and Medical.

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COVID-19 VACCINE COMMUNITY CLINIC this Thursday at Church of the Living God | Texarkana Today - TXK Today

BOCA RATON, Fla., March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cinch Home Services (Cinch), the nation's leading provider of home service solutions, has partnered with John M. Glover (JMG) Insurance Agency, one of the nation's top 100 independent insurance agencies. Powered by Cinch's industry leading solutions tailored for the property & casualty (P&C) insurance market, JMG can bundle Cinch home protection plans with its existing home insurance policies to ensure complete coverage for their customer's most valuable assets.

Home protection plans cover the cost to repair or replace major systems and appliances from normal wear and tear not covered by a home insurance policy. Nearly half of Americans would have trouble paying $400 for an unexpected expense such as a broken appliance, according to a report from The Federal Reserve, making home protection plan coverage extremely valuable. Independent insurance agents are well-suited to provide customer value by explaining and offering the benefits of a home protection plan alongside a home insurance policy.

"JMG understands that consumers want protection from unexpected home repair expenses not covered by their insurance, as well as access to home services professionals to fix the everyday things that can go wrong in the home," said Steve Upshaw, CEO of Cinch. "The Cinch team continues to leave no stone unturned in our journey to simplify home ownership, and we couldn't be more excited to work with JMG to make this a reality for their current and future policyholders."

With a commitment to providing superior customer service, JMG has served residents of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey for over 100 years, offering a diverse range of personal, commercial and specialty insurance products. Through this agreement with Cinch, JMG's personal line clients will enjoy access to the largest suite of home service solutions that provide coverage for critical systems and appliances, backed by 24/7 customer service and the industry's only 180-day service guarantee.

"In searching for the right home service plan provider, we have found Cinch to be a natural fit in our sales process, helping our agents bundle more policies that result in increased customer loyalty and retention. Working together, we are confident in our ability to deliver unparalleled home protection and peace of mind for our customers," said John Forlivio, president and CEO of JMG.

Building upon recent partnerships with industry disruptors Kin Insurance and GloveBox, the JMG partnership is the latest milestone in Cinch's expansion into the P&C insurance space, cementing its position as a leader in the $425 billion home services marketplace.

To learn more about Cinch, please visit http://www.cinchhomeservices.com or the company's Facebook, LinkedIn or YouTube pages. All consumer questions should be directed to [emailprotected].

About Cinch Home ServicesCinch Home Services is the leading home services company that makes it easy for everyone to enjoy their home to the fullest, regardless of whether they own or rent. Building upon 40 years of proven experience, Cinch uses smart, modern tools and an award-winning customer support network to remove the guesswork around preventing, diagnosing, and solving a wide variety of home-related issues. Cinch partners with expert technicians nationwide to provide unmatched service and value and continues to make strides with digital-forward strategies, platforms and initiatives that are modernizing home management services to address today's customer needs. Cinch strives to exceed owners, renters, real estate professionals and partners' expectations, every time. Cinch Home Services, a member company of The Cross Country Group, is headquartered in Boca Raton, FL. To learn more, visit http://www.cinchhomeservices.com and follow on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About John M. Glover (JMG) Insurance AgencyThe John M. Glover Agency has been servicing the insurance needs of the Fairfield County area since 1916. Since then, we have continued to grow and expand the North-East. The agency was built on the principles of providing superior customer service and quality insurance solutions for our customers, and we work hard to uphold these values today. As an independent agent, John M. Glover Agency works closely with numerous insurance companies that have proven their reliability, stability, and performance over the years. Through our partnerships with these carriers, we are dedicated to getting you the best insurance products and services available today to protect you, your family, and your business.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cinch-home-services-expands-presence-in-the-pc-insurance-industry-through-new-partnership-with-john-m-glover-insurance-agency-301240049.html

SOURCE Cinch Home Services

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Cinch Home Services Expands Presence In The P&C Insurance Industry Through New Partnership With John M. Glover Insurance Agency - Insurance News Net

HAVERTOWN, PA It may have been a tough year for some local businesses. But, in Havertown, that hasn't stopped you from honoring your favorites.

Whether it's the restaurant that made special accommodations for your takeout, the shop that opened early so you could pick up curbside, the pizzeria that went out of its way to deliver to your home or the hardware store owner that offered you invaluable advice when a repairman wasn't available we want to hear about the businesses that have impacted your life this year in Havertown.

Below are the nominees so far, along with a comment from the person who nominated them. If you'd like to put in a good word for your own favorite Havertown and Haverford business, follow the link above. We will be accepting nominations through Dec. 10

All Brands Appliance and Computer Services 2517 Hirst Terrace, Havertown

"If you have a computer problem or a problem with an appliance, All Brands can fix it. I've used All Brands for both. They're trustworthy and provide excellent service. I would highly recommend them."

"Frank LeVeque has been in the appliance repair business for over 40 years and his younger son, Andrew, has recently joined him in the business. They provide prompt, courteous service to customers in Delaware County as well as surrounding counties, too. When customers call, Frank will ask them what their problem is with their appliance or computer and many times he can help them fix the problem over the phone. Customers appreciate this service."

The Bead Garden 2122 E Darby Road, Havertown

"As a bead shop, The Bead Garden is a mecca for local bead artists to gather and enjoy their craft or to take classes or simply enjoy browsing and picking up supplies for their next creation. When the pandemic hit, small 'nonessential' businesses like the Bead Garden were forced to close for business. What the owner did during this time was to make and donate masks when supplies were short, helping our essential health care workers protect themselves. Tina Freels then began to respond to individuals' requests for masks and provided porch pick up. She has been working long hard hours sewing away making masks that people now come to her shop to pick up. As the seasons changed, and the holidays are upon us, Tina continues to make masks for people in the local communities. Her hard work not only provides a needed commodity in our area, she has also saved her business through this hard work."

"In spite of months of work making masks (in addition to the upkeep of her store), Tina always has a welcoming smile and an offer to help every customer. No matter what your level of expertise in jewelry making, Tina is willing to offer advice and appropriate products. The Bead Garden is welcoming to interested tweens and teens who want to learn. She also does repairs on your 'special' jewelry pieces. She is a very experienced beader and teacher, and I will be so happy to see the time when she is able to resume classes and spend her time teaching and creating beaded 'pretties' exclusively. She is the only employee and works countless hours. Tina is "the best" and her store reflects it."

"Friendly atmosphere, great place to shop."

"Tina Freels the owner is hardworking, gives back to the community and offers a wide array of beads, supplies, masks and offers repairs. She holds classes and is an asset to the community."

"This bead store is chock-full of a variety of beads on display, accessories and supplies. The owner Tina is always available for support or suggestions. The store has a warm, friendly atmosphere. Repairs are accepted along with your creative desires."

"Tina, the owner, and her staff are very helpful, knowledgeable and lovely helpful, knowledgeable, and lovely to deal with."

Brick and Brew 2138 Darby Road, Havertown

"Brick and Brew is a charming, friendly neighborhood restaurant. The employees are welcoming, warm, and efficient. The food is fantastic and the drinks are even better! We are so lucky to have Brick and Brew walking distance from our home."

Cenzo's Pizzeria 1619 Darby Road, Havertown

"We always have a good experience at Cenzo's. The staff is pleasant & efficient. Our favorite is the White Special on Sicilian crust."

"Best pie around! Excellent service! Reasonable prices!"

The Crossbar 2225 Darby Road, Havertown

"A local pub/restaurant that was fortunate to have ample outdoor seating while weather cooperates, keeping patrons distanced and able to have someplace to go in these troubled times. Staff is very friendly."

"A rare gem for soccer fans and people looking for a neighborly hang."

"Friendly staff, good pub food, beer selection."

"Excellent service, friendly bartenders, small but easy menu, neighborhood gem."

Crust 2415 W Darby Road, Havertown

"Awesome Detroit pizza!"

Cute Little Nails & Spa 2120 Darby Road, Havertown

"Andy and Ann are the best. Makes you feel at home. Truly recommend this place for your nails."

Dynamic Image Hair Salon 28 Brookline Blvd. #3802, Havertown

"Debbie and her wonderful staff treat everyone with so much kindness and respect. I always feel so welcome and they are working very hard to keep everyone safe during this trying time. So many precautions are taken each time. The atmosphere is warm and very friendly and it makes me always want to come back!!"

"Everyone at the salon is very pleasant and welcoming. They are careful to observe the pandemic protocols. I feel safe. It is easy to make an appointment. Debbie and her staff are terrific!"

"It puts me in a good mood when I'm here cause the conversation is interesting. Debbie and the girls are truly caring."

Fisher's Ace Hardware 1305 West Chester Pike, Havertown

"It was open at the beginning of Covid when everything else is shutting down. They were there when we needed them for every little household thing."

Havertown Grille 2409 W Darby Road, Havertown

"Great breakfast and lunch menu with fabulous selections. Everyone is kind and friendly from owner, servers and cooks. Exceptionally clean!"

The Hearth 1901 Darby Rd, Havertown

"Great food & personable staff."

Jacob Low Hardware 1231 West Chester Pike, Havertown

"Always goes out of way to be helpful:whether repairing a broken window or screen, putting batteries in a light or clock, helping to find the right size screw or bolt even though only 1 was needed; always pleasant and accommodating; prices are a lot cheaper than the larger than hardware stores"

"Owner very personable, knowledgeable and helpful!"

Kettle 1 Brookline Blvd, Havertown

"Wonderful workers & owners. The food & costumer service is outstanding."

Learning Express of Havertown 1305 West Chester Pike, Store #23 Manoa Shopping Center, Havertown

"Great service, very helpful staff, competitive prices, excellent selection. This store and their associates are always willing to go above and beyond to help their customers select the right gift or toy for boys or girls. We like to support this local business versus shopping on-line because of the many "extras" they offer in addition to their quality merchandise, such as free gift wrapping, free customization, curbside pick-up, phone orders, and more."

Mark Anthony Paisano's Pizza & Catering 105 W Eagle Road, Havertown

"I order pizza from Paisano's a couple times a month. I'm always greeted with a warm smile and pleasant conversation. Very rarely do I ever wait longer than 15-20 minutes for my food. I've grown to build a relationship with the owner and a few of the employees that work at this pizza place. Normally when I'm ordering food from Paisano's, it is on a Friday night during their busiest time and I have my two children with me. You'd never know this though due to the way they treat me. It always feels like I'm their only customer and the most important customer due to their phenomenal customer service. The owner and employees now know me and my children by name.The food that Paisanos serves is always delicious. I've never had a bad meal from there. You can tell that a whole lotta love goes into their dishes. If you've never been to Paisano's, it is 100% worth checking it out!"

RejuvaNew You Spa 28 W. Eagle Road, Suite 203, Havertown

"Paula is fantastic. Makes me feel like family. A very trying year for me as everybody has during this pandemic."

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See Whos Been Nominated As Havertowns Best Businesses - Patch.com

Acquire and her sons.*Photo taken prior to COVID-19

According to Beth Acquaire's three sons, she can fix anything. 'I guess that's my hidden talent,' she jokes. It's not surprising then that Acquaire oversees gas distribution and appliance repair for more than 130 municipalities in central and northern New Jersey as PSE&G's senior director for Gas Field Operations North.

Fixing things and ensuring everything runs smoothly is a talent that has served Acquaire well since she joined the company 33 years ago.

'I had two job offers right out of college. PSEG just felt like the right fit,' explains the Butler, New Jersey, native and the third generation in her family to work for the company.

Finding new opportunities to expand her skills

*Photo taken prior to COVID-19.

Acquaire's first role was in Customer Operations, where she worked for 10 years as a supervisor in both the meter reading department and collection department and in the 24/7 Customer Inquiry Center. Feeling ready for a change, she looked into Gas Operations which, at the time, was just starting to enter the air conditioning replacement and repair business.

'It was so exciting - it was a growing business with so much energy,' she said. 'That's where I wanted to work.'

She became one of only two women working at that time on the Appliance Service team.

'It was a big transition,' she said, 'especially because my female counterpart was in a different region and we didn't interact much.'

But she made it work, even attending school in the evening to get certified in plumbing and heating, as well as her MBA and is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

'I wanted people to know that I wanted to learn the work,' she said.

Acquaire left Gas Operations for a time, taking a rotational assignment in internal auditing.

'It gave me a whole new perspective on the company and a new avenue for networking.'

When she came back to Gas Operations, she moved into the dispatching department.

'There are so many different areas within PSEG and opportunities to try something new and different.'

Her recommendation: Take on a role that excites you and that you can grow into.

Creating a culture of support and inclusion

Photo taken in 2006

Looking back over her three decades at PSEG, Acquaire sees a huge and welcome shift in the growing level of support among and for women. Three years ago, Acquaire was the founding member of Pursuing Opportunities for Women in Energy Resources (POWER) in Gas Operations. The group has since expanded to an enterprise-wide Employee Business Resource Group.

Last year, POWER focused on professional development, helping members craft elevator pitches, hone their interview skills and tell their own personal and professional stories. This year, the focus is on empowering relationships through mentoring, with nearly 50 mentorships already in place.

POWER also takes time to give back to local nonprofits such as Home Front, a group focused on ending homelessness, and Habitat for Humanity, which works to provide affordable housing around the world.

Now that her sons are grown, Acquaire says, 'POWER is my baby - I love the opportunity to build the network and relationships with the other members.'

Looking back

Since joining PSEG in 1987, Acquaire hasn't regretted her choice, or any of the opportunities or roles she has had.

'Every day is different,' she said. 'You are always busy, always learning. That's what makes PSEG great.'

For more information on career opportunities at PSEG, please visit jobs.pseg.com.

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Disclaimer

PSEG - Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. published this content on 10 December 2020 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 10 December 2020 17:44:05 UTC

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Beth Acquaire: Thirty years of development and growth - Marketscreener.com

The pandemic temporarily knocked the wheels out from under Adrienne Cooper's idea for an adults-only roller lounge in Chattanooga, but now her distinctive line of skates is selling fast enough to make her head spin.

"Skates, inline skates, skateboards, bikes, anybody on wheels is more relevant than ever as people are trying to be outdoors as much as possible," says Cooper, who launched her Moonlight Roller brand in March 2019.

Cooper's initial business plan was to open up a roller rink that combined the social aspects of a bar with the fun of roller skating. On the verge of signing a lease when the pandemic hit, she quickly pivoted to online skate sales. She developed a line of funky, cool, comfortable skates called Moon Boots and dropped her first batch of 1,500 on Instagram in May.

"They sold out," Cooper says. "You would not believe the look on my face I was on Instagram Live with people watching my jaw drop to the floor."

Now, as quickly as the skates come into her Chattanooga warehouse from a manufacturer in China, they are gone, says Cooper, who moved here from Illinois for college in 2013, did a stint in the Navy, and then returned to town in 2018.

"For the foreseeable future, we'll place as large an order as we can 10,000 to 18,000 pairs of skates and we get them in at a rate of 4,000 a shipment every 20 days," Cooper says.

The business has showed up in a Vogue magazine article about reclaiming the joy of roller skating, and Netflix has called about featuring her products in a show in development.

"I still kind of can't believe it," Cooper says. "It's a very surreal feeling."

While the pandemic has delivered body blows to industries including travel, lodging, dining and entertainment, the crisis has also dropped an avalanche of demand for other businesses.

Moonlight Roller tapped into a big appetite for outdoor and sporting equipment, which has driven up sales of everything from bikes to kayaks and camping gear. According to industry analytics group NPD, sales of bikes were up 63% year-over-year in June 2020.

Closer to home, furniture stores have scrambled to keep up with demand as people working and attending school from their couches and kitchen tables grow weary of their furnishings at the same time they've saved money on travel and dining out.

"These families went a whole summer with kids not having as many activities, people at home on a daily basis, mom and dad working from home," says Michael Turner, the owner of Huck and Peck furniture store in Chattanooga. "They're saying, 'We've been talking about getting a new sofa for 3 or 8 or 10 years maybe we can get it now.'"

His business is up over last year, but there's a catch, says Turner, who opened his store on West 31st Street 5 years ago. The pandemic has bogged down supply chains at the source, and slowed shipping at just the moment demand is soaring, he says.

"We've definitely had to explain to people why things are going to take longer," he says. "They need to get on it now if they come in tomorrow and something is sold, it may be January, February, even March before we get it again."

At Southern Champion Tray, widespread demand for to-go dining has dramatically altered the market for the paper products the 93-year-old manufacturer churns out, says Sarah Williams, director of sales.

"Things like carryout containers, we can't make them fast enough," Williams says. "To-go drink holders, there was a national shortage of those for a while if we had millions of them, we could have sold them at one point."

Meanwhile, demand for paper plates and the red-checked open food trays that typically hold hot dogs or fries has tanked, along with the appetite for boxes for big sheet cakes that feed people at large gatherings, Williams says.

"Right now, everyone needs covered, closed containers they can stack," she says. "We've done a lot of pivoting in terms of moving employees to different equipment, trying to streamline as much as we can."

Their client mix has changed, too, Williams adds. "Catering is not a big thing now," she says. "People are not doing the corporate Christmas parties."

Southern Champion Tray is in a good position because it's versatile, producing a broad mix of products that serves a variety of sectors spanning bakery and food service, she says. But that doesn't make planning in this environment any easier.

"What I keep telling our customers is there is no forecasting tools for COVID," Williams says. "Just when you think you have a plan, it changes again."

For Stoney Standridge, planning during the pandemic has meant planning to be busy. His appliance repair business has run nonstop since people started staying home and using their dishwashers, washing machines and other appliances all day, every day.

"I would say we've got 30% busier because of the pandemic," says Standridge, who launched his business in 2016 after spending 22 years with another appliance repair outfit. "We've got so busy I've had to hire someone to answer the phone."

When the shutdowns first hit, Standridge was inundated with calls from folks who had been postponing appliance repair. Home all day, they finally had the chance to hang out and let him into the house, Standridge says.

"The first two months of COVID, business probably doubled," says Standridge, whose repair business covers a region that spans from his home base of Ducktown, Tennessee, to Blue Ridge, Georgia, and points in between.

He had already added a new employee in February to help keep up with the demand for repair work in his growing business, but he's had to add two more since then. As with so many other booming businesses, his biggest problem now is getting the parts he needs to do the work, Standridge says.

"Parts are not being made, or manufacturers are behind," he says. "That's my biggest thing is trying to track down parts."

There's also a sense of sadness that his business is thriving while so many others are suffering, Standridge adds.

"Our business, we have been blessed, and you hate for people to have problems," he says.

At Huck and Peck, Turner says he struggles with the same conflicting emotions. He and his customers are weathering the pandemic well so far, and that just isn't the case for so many people, he says.

"This is not the folks who have suffered from job loss," he says. "This is not an easy moment for the service industry."

For the founder of Moonlight Roller, the fast and timely switch from planning a roller lounge where people gathered to selling skates online probably saved her a world of financial heartache, she says. She had raised $10,000 in a Kickstarter campaign and over $100,000 from three investors, and she's already been able to pay it all back and take sole control of her company.

"Had we signed [the lease], I'd be bankrupt right now," Cooper says. "I think about that all the time."

Before COVID hit, Cooper had developed a mobile business hosting pop-up skate parties and renting skates at venues including Bonnaroo and Comic Con in Atlanta, and every single event fell through.

She did host a pop-up event on Halloween, and she'll get back to those earlier plans for a skate lounge and mobile business, but in the meantime, she has hired 11 employees since June.

"We're so slammed with roller skates that we don't have the time anyway," she says.

READ MORE

*Might as well: Entrepreneurs across the country are going for it, anticipating better days ahead

*Wear it out: Local businesses expand their brands through smart, fun swag

*Changing clothes: Pandemic frays small businesses built around getting dressed

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On a roll: For some Chattanooga businesses, demand for what they do is at fever pitch - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Extending the life of a product even relatively briefly can have significant benefits, according to Nathan Proctor, who leads the right-to-repair campaign at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer advocacy group. If Americans would extend the life of their cellphones by one year, for instance, it would be the climate-saving equivalent of taking 636,000 cars off the road, or about the amount of passenger vehicles registered in the state of New Mexico.

Right to repair advocates like Ms. Gordon-Byrne and Mr. Proctor highlight recent strides in the automotive industry. In next months election, Massachusetts will have a question on the ballot designed to ensure that drivers will continue to be able to have local repair shops not just authorized dealers work on their cars as they become more automated and manufacturers control access to that data.

That measure is designed to build on a 2012 bill in the state that required carmakers to provide independent repair shops with access to the diagnostic tools that had been available only to dealerships.

The new measure, known as Question 1 on the ballot, has met resistance.

If Question 1 passes in Massachusetts, anyone could access the most personal data stored in your vehicle, says the narrator in one advertisement. The campaign against the measure talks about the risks of hacking, identity theft and cyberstalking as part of a multimillion-dollar advertising spend by a group called Coalition for Safe and Secure Data, a manufacturer-backed organization that is fighting the question in November.

Conor Yunits, a spokesman for the coalition, said it sees the new measure as unnecessary: Massachusetts is already the only state that has a right to repair law on the books. The technology they care about telematics is already covered by the existing law. In our view, this is an attempt by national auto parts chains to get access to more consumer data.

Manufacturers have considerable influence over the standards to which their products are made, said Mark Schaffer, a consultant on the life cycle of electronics. According to a 2017 report that he wrote, thats because major manufacturers sit on the panels that set guidelines for things like environmental impact. As a result, he said, tougher standards can be difficult to achieve.

As a whole, the industry needs to raise the floor on repairability, Mr. Schaffer said. Thats probably not going to happen until there is a legal requirement at a state or at a national level.

See the article here:
Fix, or Toss? The Right to Repair Movement Gains Ground - The New York Times

Neighborhoods of single-family homes that don't allow renters are nothing new. But do you know what is? Neighborhoods of single-family homes that only allow renters -- that's what. In a table-turning sort of way, Minneapolis' Twin Cities are seeing a new trend: single-family rental neighborhoods, otherwise known as "built-for-rent" or "built-to-rent" housing. Is there something to this?

Single-family rental neighborhoods, like those currently being built in the Twin Cities' suburban areas, are upscale homes that rent for between $2,000 and $4,000 a month (or more). The homes range from 1,500 square feet to over 3,000 square feet and come with all the latest accouterments, such as keyless entry, front-door cameras, and smart-home features.

The neighborhoods offer plenty of amenities as well, such as walking trails, clubhouses, swimming pools, and dog parks. But the main attraction for many residents is a maintenance-free lifestyle. Rent includes lawn care, snow plowing, and appliance repair, all of which is generally handled by a property management company.

The Twin Cities area, as of October 2020, has one single-family rental community of 66 homes already built, and this neighborhood was completely rented out in a matter of months. Plans from the developer, Watermark Equity Group, are to build two more of these neighborhoods in the Twin Cities area, one with 58 homes and the other with 81 homes.

The built-to-rent concept might be new for the Twin Cities, but the Phoenix area has seen these types of developments since 2014. Phoenix now has 11 single-family rental neighborhoods, all by developer NexMetro. This builder features rental home communities with one-, two-, three-, and sometimes four-bedroom homes, some attached and some detached, but all with upscale features such as cathedral ceilings, private yards, quartz countertops, and hardwood floors. Plans are to expand this single-family rental model to other areas of the country.

Most people who are interested in the built-to-rent community would probably be candidates for a luxury apartment building that features all the latest amenities. The problem many people have with apartment living, however, is the shared wall aspect. Single-family rental neighborhoods provide residents with a detached home and with all the convenience features of apartment living.

1. Young professionals who relocate frequently for work. In the Twin Cities area, for example, a cluster of Fortune 500 companies fuels the trend for single-family rental neighborhoods.

2. Empty nesters. This group typically can afford to buy but chooses to rent, preferring a lifestyle that doesn't involve home maintenance.

3. Single people or people who recently divorced. Renting provides the freedom to easily relocate if need be.

4. Newly married young couples. Not sure how they want to settle down just yet, this group wants to test the lifestyle of living in a single-family home in the suburbs before committing to it.

The experiment with single-family rental neighborhoods is proving to be a success, as the model is a win for both residents and owners. What's been happening with these developments is builders/developers build the single-family rental neighborhoods, get a property manager to manage them, and then -- after all the homes are rented -- the builder typically sells the entire community to a real estate investment trust (REIT) or a huge rental operator like Invitation Homes.

Renewals are more likely. Renters tend to view these homes as long-term commitments more than renters of typical rental units usually do, partly because the homes in build-to-rent communities are built and designed the same way as typical subdivisions are, giving them a more permanent feel.

Higher rent growth. Rent raises tend to outperform those of typical rental units. NexMetro's Avilla neighborhoods in Phoenix have experienced rent increases between 6% and 11%, compared with between 1.6% and 5.4% for apartment rentals nationwide.

Pride in home and community. Because people tend to view single-family rental homes as long-term commitments, they tend to care more about the home and the neighborhood than renters in typical rental units generally do. This isn't to say that renters as a whole don't care about their rental units or the neighborhood, but people who plan to live in an area for a longer term tend to act more like homeowners who have a greater stake in their homes and community.

Expect to see more built-to-rent neighborhoods in the future. Home builders Lennar (Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN)), JMC Homes, Camillo Properties, and AHV Communities are all planning to build single-family rental neighborhoods across the nation.

But let's hope these communities are managed better than what happened post-2008 recession. The huge conglomerates that bought foreclosed homes earned a poor reputation based on neglectful maintenance practices, high rent hikes, and excessive late fees. If you like to follow trends, this is one to watch.

Here is the original post:
Single-Family Rental Neighborhoods Are Hot in the Twin Cities Right Now - Motley Fool

Certifications

Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief with the Montreal Fire Department, said shoppers should look for patio heaters with certifications from the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC). These independent certification bodies test and ensure various appliances meet specific safety standards. Griffith said a lot of inexpensive products don't have these safety certifications, which can be quite expensive for brands to obtain."There's a reason why one company can sell it at half the price," he said. Though a product with safety certifications often costs more, Griffith said it's important to prioritize safety over price.

You're buying a patio heater to keep warm when it gets cold, so heat output should be a key consideration. Most manufacturers list heat output in British thermal units (Btu) and estimate the square footage a heater can handle in ideal conditions. The higher the Btu of a heater, the more heat it will produce and the larger an area it will cover.

You can estimate the Btu you need to heat your outdoor area by multiplying the cubic footage of the space by your desired temperature increase. My patio is about 1,500 cubic feet (assuming a height of around 5 feet I'm short, so I don't need to heat the air too far above my head), and if I want to hang out outside in the fall when it's 50 degrees outside, I'll probably want to raise the temperature by at least 10 degrees. That means I'll need a heater that puts out at least 15,000 Btu. Bigger spaces or colder climates will require more Btu to heat comfortably.

If you live in a colder area or are looking to entertain guests, we recommend looking for a heater that produces 40,000 Btu or more, which is enough to heat around 2,000 square feet comfortably. Dome or pyramid-shaped heaters are typically larger and have a higher Btu output, so they can usually heat a larger area than tabletop patio heaters. These tall patio heaters are often seen at restaurants because they can keep a large number of guests comfortable at one time. Thomas Bonfiglio, CEO and founder of Triple T Hospitality, said that the high heat output is one of the reasons he chose pyramid and dome-top heaters for his New York and New Jersey restaurants. "Diners who may still not be comfortable eating inside anywhere can have a pleasant experience outside for many months," Bonfiglio said.

Propane-powered heaters typically produce more heat than electric heaters because they aren't limited by the circuit system of your home. That, of course, means there are some additional safety considerations for propane heaters, since they won't shut off automatically like an electric heater will when a circuit is overloaded. You can read more about safety considerations in the section below.

The majority of propane patio heaters are compatible with standard 15-20 pound propane tanks, but some portable versions work with smaller, 16 ounce canisters. You'll have to buy propane tanks separately from the heater, as you would for a gas-powered outdoor fireplace or grill. Fortunately, small and large propane tanks are readily available at most hardware stores; it typically costs about $20 to $25 to refill or buy a 20 pound propane tank at Home Depot.

How much gas your patio heater uses depends on its heat output, what setting you're using, and the surrounding air temperature (the colder it is, the more gas you'll use to heat the area). Amerigas says that you can expect to generate 22,000 Btu per hour for each pound of propane. So if you have a 40,000 Btu patio heater, it'll burn through about 2 pounds of propane every hour you're operating it on its highest setting. Patio heaters guzzle a lot of propane, so I always like to keep an extra tank on hand, since I have multiple outdoor gas-powered appliances like a grill and an outdoor fireplace.

Electric heaters are usually cheaper and safer to operate because they produce less heat. They also don't require regular trips to the hardware store for fuel refills. But the heat isn't very powerful or far-reaching if you're looking to keep a crowd warm.

If aesthetics are important to you, keep in mind that electric and propane heaters give off different types of light. Gas-powered patio heaters create actual flames, which produce a natural, fireplace-like glow. Bonfiglio said he settled on gas models for his restaurant because of their ability to evenly diffuse heat without adding unnecessary bright light.

Bonfiglio also chose patio heaters with controls that are high up and out of reach to customers, which keeps diners safe and the atmosphere consistent. If your household has children, pets, or fidgety adults who like to play with controls, you might also consider a patio heater with out-of-reach controls to prevent any accidents. Most tall, freestanding patio heaters naturally have controls that are high up. My AmazonBasics patio heater has controls so high that I need to stand on my tippy toes to reach them.

On the flip side, if you don't have any wayward hands in your home, you might find it a pain to break out the step ladder every time you want to turn on your patio heater. Some models come with remote controls for easier operation, or you may opt for a tabletop unit.

Experts told us you can store most propane heaters outside all year round. Just add a cover to prevent unnecessary wear and tear during rainstorms and cold winter months. We recommend choosing a model with wheels if you're opting for a standalone unit like a dome-top or pyramid heater, so that it's easy to wheel out of the way when not in use. If storing a portable patio heater indoors, remove the propane attachment before doing so.

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How to buy the best patio heater - Business Insider - Business Insider

If your washing machine is on the blink and you're looking for appliance repair, be wary new evidence reveals that you can't always trust Google when it comes to finding a reliable local appliance repair person.

A months-long investigation by CBC's Marketplace found questionable business practices such as fake Google Maps addresses and bogus company names are plaguing the appliance repair industry.

In some areas, as many as 50 per cent of the local appliance repair companies returned in a Google Maps search appeared to be fake. Fake company names and locations change all the time, so a phoney company listing that appears on Google Maps one day may be gone the next, the investigation found.

"I think it's unethical, and I think as a customer you deserve to know who you are dealing with you shouldn't have to be second-guessing," said Joseph Renaud, an Ajax, Ont., resident who unwittingly called a fake local company when trying to fix his tenant's appliance.

Marketplace uncovered similar tactics during an investigation of the locksmith industry earlier this year.

And now Marketplace has learned the owners of one company, Omega Appliance, appear to be linked to fake appliance repair and locksmith listings popping up in major cities and towns across Canada.

The owners of Omega Appliance refused an interview, but through their lawyer they told Marketplace that "Omega has never created its own fake locations since those are part and parcel of the external professional corporations' services in promoting Omega and advertising its services."

Experts in online searching question why Google hasn't been doing more to combat fraudulent map listings.

"I think it decreases consumer trust in how to find businesses," said Mike Blumenthal, an American search engine consultant and Google Maps local search expert. "It is well within Google's capability to aggressively monitor and shut down fake businesses."

When Renaud went to fix his tenant's stove earlier this summer, he reached out to Ajax Appliance Repair, thinking it was a local company located a few minutes' drive away in his community just east of Toronto.

"Their name came up [in a Google Maps search] and they had really good reviews," he said.

WATCH | During its investigation, Marketplace also tracked down where all those missing socks go.

Renaud called and booked an appointment after he was told the initial service fee was $75. When the technician arrived, he said the problem was the bake element, and Renaud was quoted about $400 for the part and labour.

"Something just didn't seem right I just thought, 'This sounds like way too much,' " Renaud said.

While he took some time to think about it, the company emailed him the quote and he noticed it came from a different firm altogether, Omega Appliance.

When Renaud told them he had contacted Ajax Appliance Repair and not Omega Appliance, the Omega employee responded: "Ajax Appliance Repair is Omega Appliance."

Renaud discovered that Omega Appliance is based in Concord, Ont., about 50 kilometres from Ajax,and has poor reviews and complaints about it lodged with the Better Business Bureau.

He found reviews about confusing business names, expensive repairs and appliances breaking down shortly after being repaired by a technician.

On the HomeStars website, which calls itself "Canada's largest network of verified and community-reviewed home service professionals," Omega Appliance has negative customer reviews averaging a 0.7 rating out of 10.

Ajax Appliance Repair, with many five-star positive reviews, does not exist. When Marketplace visited the location given on the Google Maps listing, they found that the address is a strip mall.

Renaud told an Omega employee that if he had known he was using Omega Appliance, he would not have agreed to a service call.

"It seems very odd to me that they would use a fake address and say they are local," Renaud told Marketplace in an interview, "and there's no physical store at all."

Renaud said he felt misled and that "there was a discord between what they were advertising and actually what was showing up at the property."

The Marketplace investigation has determined, through an analysis of listings on Google Maps and interviews with individuals who have knowledge of the company's business practices, that Omega Appliances seems to be the main company behind most fake appliance repair companies located around Toronto, southern Ontario and even across Canada.

Many of the calls made to fake Google Maps appliance repair companies lead to one call centre in Concord that is owned and operated by Eran Gurvich and Ilay Avnin, who also own FC Locksmith, a locksmith company.

FC Locksmith was featured in a Marketplace investigation in January 2020 that linked that company to more than 80 fake Google Maps locksmith addresses and reviews in the Greater Toronto Area.

Gurvich and Avnin refused repeated interview requests, and responded to Marketplace via their lawyer, Jonathan Weingarten, who said his clients' companies do not create their "own fake locations" since those are "part and parcel of the external professional corporations' services" hired to promote Omega and advertise its services.

Marketplace has found that Omega Appliance uses fake company names and locations as a means of advertising and marketing for its own Concord-based appliance company, Omega Appliance, just as it did with its other company, FC Locksmith.

An Omega employee told Renaud via email that "we service different areas and advertise with the area name and local number."

In a podcast on wealth management, Gurvich discusses FC Locksmith's advertising techniques and its growth into appliance repair.

"We had no idea what we were doing. And all of a sudden, we found a formula, and from there, it was kind of a copy/paste."

Gurvich said the formula that they found"in terms of the advertising, is suitable mainly for mobile services ... now it was easier to get bigger. And naturally, soon enough, we started to touch some other industries: appliances repair services, garage door services."

Outside Ontario, the company acts as advertisers for local companies, Gurvich said."We have established local companies that can execute the work for us, and we act as ... advertising."

The phoney appliance repair companies always appear to be "nearby" the customer in a Google Maps search. In Toronto, they use local location names such as Upper Beaches Appliance Repair, Leslieville Appliance Repair and Yonge and Lawrence Appliance Repair. In Calgary, one of the company names they use is Evergreen Appliance Repair. And in B.C., one of the locations is named Surrey Appliance Repair Pros.

The Google Maps address for the Yonge and Lawrence Appliance Repair is actually a Starbucks coffee shop.

In Calgary, the address for Evergreen Appliance Repair is a Shoppers Drug Mart. Surrey Appliance Repair Pros is a Scotiabank in Surrey, B.C.

When Marketplace called in Upper Beaches Appliance Repair and Leslieville Appliance Repair for an appliance repair, an Omega technician came to the door.

WATCH | How one companyis linked to a network of fake locations and names on Google Maps:

Upper Beaches Appliance Repair used the address of a local jewellery store. Leslieville Appliance Repair is a Food Basics grocery store.

With fake company names and locations changing all the time, consumers may see different results in Google Maps every time they search.

Weingarten, a lawyer based in Maple, Ont., said Omega Appliance hires outside companies to promote its services online, just as it did with locksmith locations.

"Omega has never created ... its own fake locations since those are part and parcel of the external professional corporations' services in promoting Omega and advertising its services," he said via email.

WATCH | How some firmsuse fake reviews to lure you in:

Weingarten did not provide the name of any external professional corporation used by Omega Appliance and FC Locksmith.

"Most of the locksmith and appliance services around the world are mobile and not done in a specific store," he said. "Therefore, the true relevance of quality of service to clients is not the location of the business but the location of the service, which is at the clientele homes, all performed by local professionals."

As for customer complaints, he said they are treated with respect and "on many occasions, even when the complaint is found to be unjustified, the customer is fully refunded the cost of the services."

Mike Blumenthal, an Olean, N.Y.- based Google Maps local search expert and consultant, warned in the previous Marketplace investigation that fake listings are prevalent in the appliance repair, locksmith and garage-door repair industries.

Blumenthal said that, in some markets, as many as 85 per cent of local Google home services listings could be fake.

The practice appears to create an illusion of competition that he said causes harm on many levels.

"Why would Google leave up fake listings?"

"Google thinks that they're not seen very often and in the aggregate, they're not," Blumenthal said, "but the reality is that Google has 95 per cent of local searches" and that affects a lot of people, looking for local services.

"Google is not doing their job," he said.

Google's failure to invest more resources in fighting fake listings hurts consumers, local businesses and ultimately, Blumenthal said, trust in Google itself.

While Google does have rules regarding fraudulent listings, Canada's regulations have not yet caught up.

Marie-Christine Vzina, senior communications adviser for the federal Competition Bureau, said while there is nothing in the Competition Act specifically regarding fake online company names and locations, "the Competition Act prohibits anyone from making materially false or misleading claims to promote a product or business interest."

Vzina said the bureau encourages anyone who suspects deceptive marketing activities to file a complaint via the bureau's online form, as "ensuring truth in advertising in Canada's digital economy is a priority for the bureau."

When the bureau receives a complaint, the information is examined to determine whether an investigation should be launched.There are two potential enforcement routes under the act to address false or misleading representations and deceptive marketing practices: the civil or criminal courts.

Under the criminalcourt system, there is a potential penalty of a fine of up to $200,000 or a jail sentence of up to one year.

In thecivil route, the court could order a person to cease the activity, publish a notice and/or pay a monetary penalty. For thefirst occurrence, an individual could be liable for a penalty of up to $750,000, while a corporation could be liable for a penalty of up to $10 million.

Google told Marketplace it takes fake business locations very seriously, monitors closely for scams and fake listings will be removed.After Marketplace alerted Google to the fake locksmith locations we discovered, it seems Google took action most fake locksmith listings no longer appear in Google Maps.

A Google Canada spokesperson said: "In response to the issue reported to us, we are now auditing all appliance repair listings created in Canada and are in the process of removing any that we find to be fraudulent."

While some fake appliance repair listings have already been removed since Marketplace alerted Google, they will often pop up again, sometimes under different names or using different addresses.

All this leaves consumers somewhat on their own when trying to find a reliable local appliance repair service.

Blumenthal said that until Google figures out a way to stop fake listings for good, the best way to find a local business or service is to get advice from others you trust, via word of mouth and neighbourhood or community social groups.

1. Check the address. If the business is not at the address provided on Google Maps, you may find a vacant lot, grocery store, drugstore or even a parking lot.

2. Do you see only glowing five-star Google reviews? It could be a sign that these are fake reviews, and a fake location and company.

3. If you see reviews where users claim the business is fake, misleading or not at that address, it might be a fake location listing.

4. If you suspect a fake listing or company location, alert Google.

1. Open the business's Google Maps profile

2. Scroll down and click or tap "Suggest an edit."

3. Select whether you're looking to change details or request a removal.

4. Fill out the form and click "Submit."

Read more:
Looking for local appliance repair? Why you can't always trust what you find on Google Maps - CBC.ca

Imagine this scene from a not-distant future: youre driving in your new car and hear a loud bang. Immediately your vehicle starts pulling sharply to the right and you hear a distinctive flapping sound of rubber hitting pavement. Youve blown a tire!

Fortunately, you have a spare. You pull over, put the car up on a jack and safely install the tire. But when you get behind the wheel to drive away, your car wont start. A flashing light on the cars digital display tells you that it cant recognize the tire youve installed. Your vehicle informs you that you are required to use dealer approved tires installed by a licensed roadside technician. Youre instructed to call your dealers premium roadside service, where you learn that you need to upgrade to premium support and that the soonest a roadside service technician can get to you is in two hours.

Creepy, right? But what should really scare you is knowing that the technology to make this dystopian future real already exists and is already installed on modern vehicles.

Digital rights management (DRM) of the kind Microsoft and Sony use to keep pirated games from running on their gaming consoles is part and parcel of modern vehicles, as well. Today, it isnt used to prevent owners from putting non-manufacturer approved parts on their vehicles but it easily could be.

If youre thinking to yourself no way, Id advise you to visit farm country, where small family farms are engaged at this moment in a struggle for their economic survival with multi-billion dollar equipment makers like John Deere and Caterpillar.

Question 1 is a pro-consumer ballot measure that will give car owners and independent repair shops access to wireless maintenance data needed to service and repair modern vehicles.

Absent an equivalent right to repair law covering farm equipment, those companies have engineered their tractors, combine harvesters and other equipment to work in just this way. Today, many farmers are locked out of their own equipment. Software forces them to pay exorbitant costs for repair and servicing of their own property by exclusively dealer authorized service technicians.

Or, consider smart home appliances. As this story by VICE indicates: GEs newer refrigerators have RFID sensors that monitor whether owners have installed GE branded replacement water filters. The GE filters, which sell for two- to three times the price of generic filters, contain an RFID tag that makes sure theyre accepted by the fridge. Non-GE filters arent recognized, disabling the refrigerators water filtration or degrading the refrigerators operation by disabling filter health monitoring or displaying warning messages.

These examples bring us back to why Question 1 and why the right to repair measure may be the most consequential issue youre asked to vote on this year.

Question 1 is a pro-consumer ballot measure that will give car owners and independent repair shops access to wireless maintenance data needed to service and repair modern vehicles. If passed, it will close a loophole in an existing state law that requires automakers to make data needed for purposes of maintenance, diagnostics and repair available in a standard format to vehicle owners. That law, passed in 2013, included an exception for so-called telematics data that is transmitted wirelessly, rather than via a wired connection to a data port located under the dashboard.

Seven years later, many new vehicles use the wireless telematics systems to transmit maintenance and repair data. The cars cellular internet connection bypasses the repair shop computers, talking directly to cloud-based servers operated by the automakers. Question 1 simply requires automakers to provide vehicle owners with a standard web-based platform to access those maintenance clouds.

No big deal, right? Theres nothing extreme or dangerous about the idea that mechanical data shared via a wired connection to a computer in a repair shop should also be accessible wirelessly. Thats why automakers are anxious to change the subject. The Coalition for Safe and Secure Data, a group funded by automakers, has blanketed TV and radio in Massachusetts with ads warning that Question 1 will give cyber stalkers and burglars the keys to your car and even your home.

These warnings about cyberstalking are misleading and have little basis in fact.

A group I founded, SecuRepairs, represents close to 200 of the worlds top information security experts. Weve been vocal in our support of Question 1 and are encouraging voters to look past auto industry scare tactics. In our professional opinions, this simple expansion to the states right to repair law does not increase the risk of identity theft, cyberstalking or vehicle hacking.

We shouldnt consign ourselves to a future in which we are tenants, rather than the owners of our things.

But Question 1 is about much more than the question of whether you or the corner repair shop can work on your car.

Like farm equipment and home appliance makers: automakers increasingly see their vehicles as smartphones on wheels and their customers (and their data) as the real product. Locking down access to their platform is a prerequisite to locking in the revenue. Thats why, as our homes, businesses and public spaces fill with smart, Internet connected stuff, a right to repair like the one spelled out by Question 1 is critical to our well-being and the economic health of our families and communities.

In the years to come, corporations will bring forward all manner of smart and connected products with gee whiz features. These products may well deliver convenience. But the price of that convenience cant be software-enforced monopolies that stifle competition and innovation, while bleeding consumers of their money, their data or both.

The right to repair our cars, appliances, phones and other stuff is essential. We shouldnt consign ourselves to a future in which we are tenants, rather than the owners of our things. I urge you to vote yes on Question 1.

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Original post:
Question 1 Is About Much More Than Car Repair. Its A Civil And Consumer Rights Issue - WBUR