Sherwin Williams' 2017 color of the year Poised Taupe SW 6039 covers the walls of a soothing ... [+] bedroom.

Many of us are going into a third month of lockdown, spending more time than ever getting to know every inch of our homes. Subsequently, were becoming ever more sensitive to how important it is to feel good in them. According to a Harris Poll conducted on behalf of Marvin, 92% of Americans agree that it is important they feel happy in their home right now. Nearly half (46%) plan to do renovations or projects to feel happier about their home in the next three months. The room in which we spend nearly a third of our lives, the bedroom, might be the most impactful place to start. Here are some of the easiest ways to turn your bedroom into a sanctuary.

A soothing, zen-ned out bedroom painted in Sherwin Williams' Mantra palette

Think soothing colors

According to Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin Williams, We spend about a third of our lives in our bedrooms. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, a place you can retreat to after a long day. A warm brown like Poised Taupe SW 6039 envelops you and sets the mood for a satisfying slumber. You can create the ultimate zen bedroom by playing off of the earth tones in this color and add greenery and wood tones. For those that prefer a cooler tone for the bedroom, I really love the color Silvermist SW 7621. The color is a beautiful silvery green and harmonizes well with browns, greenery and wood tones.

The Mantra palette by Sherwin Williams, specifically, seems to be having a moment with its contemporary neutral tones. According to Wadden, Mantra was inspired by the intersection between the East and West, particularly the ongoing desire for Scandinavian simplicity and elegantly efficient Japanese design. This palette features muted neutrals like Grayish SW 6001 and Software SW 7074 that effortlessly glide from warm to cool, embracing simplicity and versatility.

In terms of what to paint where, Wadden shares that, Pure White SW7005 is always a great choice for a ceiling, but if youd like a little bit of color above, Spatial White SW 6259 and Individual White SW 6008 are soft neutrals that, when used on a celling, would make the room seem lighter and airier.

Think symmetry when it comes to relaxing lighting

Harmonious, clutter-free lighting

Lesson one in lighting, according to Lamps Plus design expert John Barnes, is to free up bedside table space. He shares that, Nothing creates stress more than a messy, cluttered bedside nightstand. Free up table space and add zen calm with space-saving, wall-mounted swing-arm lamps. Install one on the wall on each side of the headboard. You free up a tabletop and add adjustable lighting that each bed partner can control as they wish. These designs offer easy DIY installation: just mount on the wall and plug in. Other suggestions include hanging mini chandeliers or swag chandeliers that do not require hard-wiring. Instead, these swag chandeliers hang from hooks that can be screwed into the ceiling and plugged into a wall outlet.

Lesson two, Barnes instructs, is to get symmetrical. You'll get harmony in the bedroom by decorating with pairs of lamps that create a symmetrical, balanced look. There are lamp sets for every style and price range. Buying in a set of two makes life easy. Finally, Barnes recommends, Putting all your lighting on dimmers gives you control over the lighting, helping you to adjust for the time of day and the activity at hand. Use wall dimmers to control ceiling lights. Lamps and wall lights can be used with line cord tabletop dimmers that plug into an outlet.

Ripple-fold drapery adds an element of being surrounded in a comforting cocoon

Minimal, nature-inspired window treatments

When thinking about what window treatments are right for a bedroom the most common goals are room darkening and adding privacy, shares The Shade Store Co-founder Ian Gibbs. The premium window treatments organization has recently launched a virtual service to help customers find how to best achieve these goals and find something that suits personal taste. As far as where to begin, Gibbs shares that, Our window design experts start all conversations in our showrooms and through our video design consultations with the window. There are a lot of things to take into consideration around the window, from the depth of casing to wall space for stacking.

When considering which styles can create the most serene atmosphere for the most sanctuary-like bedroom, Gibbs recommends, A ripple fold drapery from ceiling to floor cocoons a space with a soft, textured layer. In a bedroom, blackout lining allows for complete room darkening for the best sleep with very limited light gaps and this product easily opens and closes. For those with a preference for some natural light to filter through, Our zen-roller is a great option for those who want natural light in their bedroom. It mimics a shoji screen with rice paper-like material and dowels and lets in softly filtered light, while providing privacy.

Adding earthier elements can ground a space and add an element of nature, and for this Gibbs suggests adding a woven wood shade. Its a beautiful style that can be left unlined in natural, open material or you can select a black-out lining to provide the ability to completely darken the room when its time to sleep.

Play with scents you find calming, delivered by candle, diffuser or hourglass

Consider a soothing scent

Some of us swear by a signature home scent to strike the right mood. What better source to ask about curating the perfect zen-inspiring bedroom scent than luxury darling Diptyque Paris? The brands director of marketing Eduardo Valadez recommends considering diffusers or room sprays in addition to candles. He shares that scent can add a, decorative touch to any room. For the bedroom, the scent you choose can help create a restful and relaxing environment. Feuille de Lavande (lavender leaf), jasmine (jasmin), Vanille (vanilla), Santal (sandalwood), Roses, Geranium Rosa (rose geranium) can help promote relaxation. Ultimately the scent choice is very personal, so any scent that makes you feel good can add calm to any space.

Valadez also recommends the scent-sensitive among us try, an alternative scent diffusion product other than a candle, such as our Hourglass diffuser, which provides a more intimate scent, simply flip to diffuse the scent. You can also choose a spritz or two of room spray, which gives you a burst of scent and slowly dissipates. Both options are subtle and not overpowering.

More here:
How To Turn Your Bedroom Into The Sanctuary You Need Right Now - Forbes

Monsters are often tagged as grotesque creatures with a cruel intent to wreak havoc on the status quo.

(Kind of like coronavirus.)

Loveland artist Kerri Sewolt has many monsters. But her monsters lurk in her vibrantly active mind, wriggling their colorful way onto canvases and gallery walls. Theyre far from doom and gloom. Its a yeti in tube socks. A bee in a Positive T-shirt. A bathing octopus donning sock puppets on two arms. A waving cyclops. Or Uncle Yeti, a take on National Lampoons Uncle Eddie, complete with a beer, cigar, trooper hat and sewage hose.

Theyre happy monsters and theyre only there for the smiles.

Jenny Sparks / Loveland Reporter-Herald

On June 12, step into Sewolts Fantastical Worlds as she hosts an exhibit at Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., with an opening reception 6-8 p.m. The rescheduled exhibit, that was originally slated for May, runs through Sept. 6.

In my art I create a lot of skeletons, bugs and anything creepy and crawly, said Sewolt, who calls herself a grown-up weird kid. Creepy things need love, too. Mom always feared when Christmas came around because I always asked for weird things.

She even nurtured her own pet cemetery when she was young as she grew up with tons of animals from lizards and frogs to turtles and goats.

Many of these influences played a part in shaping her artistic style.

My artwork is not going to match your couch, Sewolt said. People buy my stuff because it makes them happy. Im fortunate theres a lot of other weird kids out there who love my work.

Sewolt works in many mediums with a simple goal: make people smile. From chalk art on the sidewalk, to putting googly eyes on inanimate objects (like bell peppers) and signs boosting positivity. As soon as Gov. Jared Polis mandated facemasks to curb the spread of coronavirus, she said she created a big yellow canvas that read Smiles are contagious too.

Its a weird time to have an opening, Sewolt said. I have a good following with my artwork, and thats a great problem to have, so I like to see people, to talk to people. These are bizarre times.

On her social media (@kerrichuckles) Sewolt often posts Night Owl Confessions and on a sleepless night a year ago in April, she had a late-night text conversation with her dad about how scary the world is. They talked about how sock puppets would be a good avenue to cheering people up. So she painted one. And it cheered her right up.

It also inspired the whimsy and joyfulness of her Fantastical Worlds exhibit.

I miss seeing people, Sewolt said. Her dad lives in Arvada, but the coronavirus crapola has hindered her spending time with loved ones. Having those little special moments with parents is what keeps me going.

Sewolt, who has been honored by BizWest for her work in the Loveland art community, said the beginning of quarantine was rough as she got laid off from her job.

I thought, well, now I have all this time for creativity, she said. But then the depression set in, and I spent a week on the couch. I had to think of ways to reinvent myself during this time.

Sewolt is represented by Independence Gallery in Loveland where she works a couple days a week. And when shes not creating her quirky creatures, shes hanging out with her goats, dogs and cats. She co-founded the Colorado State Snow Sculpture Competition in Berthoud, which she no longer does, but in December, she helped create Keystone Kidtopia Snow Fort as a snow and ice carver, incorporating her little monsters into the snow playground that was packed with slides and tunnels.

All of my monsters are happy, she said. After times like these people are going to want to see something positive in our news feeds.

Courtesy photo

Steamboat Springs artist Joel Allen hasnt had a day off since August. But hes OK with that. He chose art as a career path later in life, and much like his previous laborious jobs of construction, working on a drill rig or as a scientific researcher and many more, he toils away on his creations with pure precision and accuracy.

Ever since he was hand-picked by the president and curator of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, to display his hanging sculptures in 2014, hes hardly been able to catch his breath. People want his art in their spaces.

I must be a sadomasochist or something because I develop these labor-intensive processes to create my works, Allen said. I dont know why, Im still trying to figure that out.

His upcoming exhibit at Loveland Museum aptly titled work. opens June 6 and will run through Sept. 13.

Allens hand-wrapped fiber sculptures are like earthy flowers, upside-down dandelions, colorful feather dusters hanging from rafters, vibrant cocoons methodically wrapped in well-researched yarn. The installation at the museum will include dozens of sculptures created with everything from twine to copper to paper.The exhibit will also feature one of his signature slotted cardboard sculptures, a room-sized piece that uses the repurposed fortune cookie boxes from a 2017 exhibit at the museum by Hung Liu. Allen said the structure is designed to look like the wave created by wind in wheat fields.

Ive used all different kinds of materials, Allen said. I bring them into this weird mix of things that seems to call back on every job Ive ever had. A lot of times Im not aware of the artistic impact a job has had on me.

Allen also cited childhood fishing, with the handiwork of making flies and tying leaders, as an inspiration to his trade.

Allen went to college for geology when he was in his mid-30s and ended up taking an art class. Now he has art hanging in the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, Mexico, and has exhibited his work in galleries across the country. He also teaches part time art classes from sculpting and painting to land art at Colorado Mountain College.

The work. exhibit will fill the gallery with some massive pieces hanging from its 23-foot ceiling. Allen said visitors will be confronted with 6-foot tall massive towers and museum-goers can step underneath one of the pieces in the installation to look at the internal structure of the sculpture.

Allen invented a process called precision wrapping where the entire sculpture is wrapped in solid yarn or tweed.

In the Embassy, I used 40 miles of yarn for 10 pieces, Allen said. Hes become quite the yarnie, too, a connoisseur of fabric that he researches extensively online for their sheens, textures and colors. He said hes also been working with steel rebar lately.

All this handiwork puts carpal tunnel at the forefront of his mind, so he layers his work and moves on when one motion starts to aggravate his tendons. Pandemic or not, as an artist who is extremely diligent at work, he said hes still in awe of the path his life took.

Its been unreal. I still pinch myself every day, Allen said. Every time its been like, are you kidding me? Ive been so lucky.

Courtesy photo

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Loveland Museum to host exhibits with Loveland and Steamboat Springs artists - Loveland Reporter-Herald

Security is one area where the rise of smart tech has been an immediate and obvious improvement the best smart security tech enables you to know whether there's a problem at home the second something happens, and even gives you the power to see what's happening from anywhere, and respond appropriately.

It's brought the cost of effective home security down massively, and removes the need to have someone come in and install products onto the building itself, so smart security tech is viable for renters as well as owners.

There are many different approaches to smart security devices, though, so you need to know which is going to work best for your situation. These range from very low-impact options such as a single standalone smart camera with motion detection, right up to multi-sensor security systems with sirens and the full works (but that can send you notifications if anything happens when you're out, as well as blaring an alarm to the neighbours).

We've outlined the key smart security device types below, what each kind of device is useful for, and our pick of the best of them.

If youre looking for a way to add comprehensive security improvements to your home in a low-touch way, smart camera systems are the way to go. By a 'smart security camera system', we mean a set that uses satellite cameras usually connected to a base station, giving the cameras their own dedicated wireless connection so their feeds are less likely to be disrupted. The base station will perform some of the smart functions, and usually has the option of local storage, so if your internet drops out, the footage is still recorded centrally. These camera systems often have a lot of features beyond just recording footage that help them function more like larger security setups theyll have motion detection, and may have features such as spotlights, built-in sirens, two-way communication and more.

See all of the best smart security camera systems

(Image credit: Arlo)

A smart security camera system that does a lot more too

+Loads of great security features+Totally wireless camera design+Excellent image quality

-Quite expensive-Options may be overwhelming for some

This is an expensive setup to get into, but thats because its so comprehensive. The Arlo Pro 3 gives you totally wireless cameras that mount magnetically (starter packs will come with some mounts, but you can buy whatever you need) and are weatherproof, so you place them absolutely anywhere.

An Arlo starter system will give you a base station to connect to your router, and a number of cameras that connect to it over its own wireless connection. You can choose packs that come with two, three or four cameras to begin with, but you can also buy Arlo cameras individually and add them to your system later its designed to be really flexible.

The reason we rate Arlo Pro 3 so highly is that it does so much, and it does it all excellently. The simple business of recording images is handled really well HDR recording means it works great in bright sunlight, colour night vision means it gives you really useful images at night. A spotlight on each camera means they can be used as mini-floodlights (and will scare away some would-be intruders). Two-way talk on each camera means you can hear whats going on, and yell at people. Each camera can also act as a siren, which you can trigger manually easily. But the cameras also listen out for things that sound like alarms, so can tell you if your fire alarm has gone off even when youre out of the house.

Theres motion detection, of course, but the cameras can detect whether something is human, animal or another kind of motion, so you dont get worried just because the cats in the garden.

And you can impressively customise what features should automatically activate themselves and when. Its an in-depth system in terms of what it can do, but if you want comprehensive home security with nothing to install other than screwing a few mounts in place, theres no better option.

It also works with Apple HomeKit, and with Alexa and Google Assistant, for viewing your camera feeds on compatible devices.

If you want to keep an eye on your home, but dont need the depth and elaborateness of the kind of system mentioned above, you can grab a smart camera designed with security in mind, but that isnt so heavy on features. A standard smart home camera will have motion detection, night vision and cloud recording, which are the key things you need to be able to watch your home from afar. As you go up in price, more options will be added. Theyre usually plugged in, rather than battery powered, and though some can be wall mounted, most are designed to sit on a shelf or side. If you want more security, you can usually add more than one of the same kind of camera to their apps with making things much more complicated.

See more of the best smart cameras

(Image credit: Ring)

The perfect smart starter cam

+Flexible design works anywhere+Excellent image quality+Simple-to-use app

-Not the most advanced image recognition features

Rings products are very easy to set up and the app is really simple to use, which is a big part of what makes this our top recommendation. You get really solid security features, but you dont have to work for them. On top of this, this is more flexible than a lot of rival options: its designed to sit on a shelf or be wall-mounted, thanks to a flexible hinge system, and its available wired or wireless. Its also weatherproof, so you can use it outdoors, if you choose.

It can detect and warn you about motion, and it has excellent Full HD image quality day or night.

Its biggest downside is that it has no local storage option it only stores videos in the cloud, and it costs 2.50/$3 per month for the privilege. It also has a slightly limited field of view at 115 cameras like this can offer 180, meaning they can watch a much wider area. This certainly won't be a problem for everyone, though.

It also might cost more than some are looking to spend if youre looking for a cheaper option, we thoroughly recommend the Neos SmartCam. For under 30, this also includes motion detection and night vision, and 1080p recording. It comes with free cloud recording, but also the ability to install a microSD card for local recording instead (or as well). It can also be wall-mounted, or can sit on a shelf.

A smart security system is a lot like the classic style of home security system, but extra connectivity can make it easier to control, and means it tells you when there's a problem with a notification on your smartphone wherever you are and it can tie together with other smart home tech. A system will include a control pad for arming and disarming, a siren that usually doubles as a hub for communicating with accessories, and a number of additional sensors, such as door and window opening sensors and motion detectors. Some include additional smart options, such as wireless tags to disarm the system with no effort.

(Image credit: Yale)

A comprehensive smart security starter set

+Great set of core security options+Highly expandable+Works with other smart home tech

-Fairly expensive to get into-No cellular backup

There are smart security system options from many manufacturers, and actually a lot of them are very similar in features, so it may be worth thinking about the ecosystem you want to go with if you like the look of the Ring camera mentioned above, the Ring Alarm Security System might be your best choice, for example. But assuming you're not coming into it with any kind of existing ecosystem pull, this is our recommendation.

Obviously, Yale is a trusted name in security, but its security system gets our nod for being a really well thought-out setup in its own right, both in terms of the original kit and the expansion options.

This Yale Sync Smart Home Alarm Family Kit is built around a base station, and all the other accessories connect to it wirelessly.

The accessories include a siren, of course, plus a keypad unit for arming and disarming the system, and three sensors: two motion detectors, and a door/window contact sensor. The motion detectors are exactly what they sound like, and you can tuck them into the corners of the ceiling to look over key areas of the house. The door/window contact sensor fits on the frame of a door or window, and can tell if it's been opened. They can all talk to the base unit over a range of around 200m, so distance is no problem.

The extendability is what we really like here: you can add more of the same motion sensors or door/window sensors, of course, but you can also add motion sensors that are smart enough to ignore pets, or a smoke/heat detector unit, or a panic button, and even special key fobs that turn off the alarm without you needing to actually bother with the code.

It also works with other smart home gear for example, you can ask Alexa to check the current security status or to arm the system, and you can connect it to your Philips Hue lights, so they might come on or change colour when something unexpected happens.

Our only real issues is that, for telling you on your phone when something has happened, it relies totally on your Wi-Fi so if that goes down, it becomes a regular 'dumb' alarm system. This is true for most of the competition too, though the Honeywell Evohome Security system does include a cellular backup communication option, if that's a dealbreaker for you.

The idea of smart door locks is to keep your home as secure as ever, but to help avoid situations where someone with a key just cant be home when needed, or to skip having to get a mass of spares cut for guests. With a smart lock, the door can be accessed by other means, which will depend on the lock. Some have keypads, and you can set up a code that will last only for a limited amount of time (or even single-use). Some have wireless access, and you can share the authority to unlock a door with someones phone (and, again, time-limit it or revoke it whenever you want). And they can be handy for locking and unlocking remotely, so that someone comes without their keys you can open it for them, or if someone tries to deliver something, you can open the door just to let them pop the parcel inside (this pairs really well with a smart doorbell see below).

(Image credit: Yale)

The best smart lock, taking full advantage of the possibilities

+Clever keyless design+Really flexible ways to provide access

-Only for multi-point locks (see below for alternative)

The Yale Conexis L1 Smart Lock is designed for multi-point locks (the kind where you lift the handle) Yale also makes the Keyless Connected Smart Door Lock for nightlatches. This is totally keyless, in the traditional sense of something you insert in the door. You can still use physical objects to unlock it, but theyre little tags you place on the door. Otherwise, you can use your phone to unlock the door and give guest access to other peoples phones for as long as you want them to have it, then their access stops. That actually goes for the physical key tags too you could give one to your neighbour so they can feed the cat while you're away, but only have it function when youre actually gone. You can order more physical tags if you need them.

Because every access type is personal, you can keep a record of exactly who is unlocking the door too, and when.

The Keyless Connected Smart Door Lock also has these options, but adds a numerical keypad too both locks are designed to balance flexibility and security well.

Smart doorbells are a major convenience getting a notification on your phone whenever someone presses the button no matter where you are, and being able to see and talk to whoevers there, means youll never miss a parcel or an important visit. But they can also be part of your home security setup, keeping an eye on the front of your house from eye level.

See all the best video doorbells

(Image credit: Ring)

Easy to install, and works wired or wirelessly

+Great video quality+Good battery life+Some clever motion-detection features

-Smarts are a little limited-Fairly expensive

This is the most advanced doorbell from the company thats become synonymous with the field it includes intelligent motion detection (including being able to discern close movement from far away, and to tell when movement is a person rather than something else), Full HD video, two-way talk and, of course, it will notify you when someone presses the button or when it detects motion (your choice).

It can record video to the cloud (which requires a subscription) or you can use it solely to view live video without a subscription. The key feature thats only available in this Plus version is Pre-Roll Video, which enables you to see four seconds of black and white video of what happened before the motion detector triggered or the button was pushed, as well as what came after.

It runs on batteries or a wired connection, and its easy to pop the battery out for recharging, but it will last around two months anyway. It comes with all the major things you need to install it, including two optional wedge mounts to get the optimum viewing angle. Installation and setup are really easy, too.

For the privacy-conscious, a useful new feature is the ability to black out sections of the screen, blocking the cameras views of those sections entirely you could use this for your neighbours garden or windows, for example.

Security systems are usually based on a couple of key types of sensor: motion and contact. Motion sensors passively detect whether someone or something is moving about in range. Many smart cameras have this functionality built in, but you dont need anything so techy for it there are options that are more passive. These can then send a notification if they detect something, or can be set up to talk to other smart home tech. For example, a motion detector in the hallway could turn on some lighting when it detects someone walking past or it can trigger a smart alarm to start blaring. Contact sensors are used on doors or windows, and they simply have a couple of units that can tell you whether that door or window is open or not. Again, they can be set to tell you when this happens (if a door opens when youre out, for example), or they can trigger other smart home gear when this happens.

You'll have noticed that these sensors do feature as part of our smart security system choice further up the list, but here we're looking at getting the same functions without the siren and keypad and so on.

(Image credit: Samsung)

Great sensors for doors/windows, and motion detection

+Inexpensive sensors+Some extra useful functionality+Wide smart home platform compatibility

-Require a hub to work

Samsungs smart home system is called SmartThings, and encompasses a broad range of product types. Its the sensors were interested here, though it sells both a motion sensor (called the SmartThings Motion Sensor) and a contact sensor (called the SmartThings Multipurpose Sensor) that also detects temperature and vibration, so it can detect if a door is being knocked on, or if someone is attempting to force a window.

The SmartThings system works with a wide range of other products, so theres lots of other smart home tech these can tie into, or you can just use them to get notifications if anything changes.

They require a hub of some kind you can use an official SmartThings hub, but they can also connect directly to the Amazon Echo Plus built-in control hub. This SmartThings Starter Kit is really good value it's a hub and a number of sensors, plus a smart plug control unit.

There is a whole smart security alarm system that works with them, very similar to the Yale system above, too. However, if you just want the sensors rather than the alarm and the rest of the gear, you can do that with SmartThings and save some money.

They may not be security products in the more traditional sense, but smoke detectors are definitely vital to the overall safety of your home, and actually they can feature as part of a security setup, because some will function as the noisy part of a burglar alarm-type smart system. Were mostly focused on their core functions here, though: detecting smoke (and, in many cases, carbon monoxide) and warning you when thats the case, even if youre not at home.

(Image credit: Google)

So much better than a regular smoke alarm

+Wired or wireless+Gives warnings before it goes off+Loads of really thoughtful features

-Nothing major

This sleek box keeps a watch for both smoke and carbon monoxide, and what has always impressed us about it is that its smart in the clever sense as well as the connected sense it feels like it was made for real-life, not to tick things off a spec list.

For a start, when it first detects smoke, it doesnt go straight to a blaring alarm. It sends you a notification saying smoke has been detected, and announcers out loud in a friendly voice that smoke has been spotted, and that the alarm will sound if nothing changes. If the problem is just burnt chips, this gives you a grace period to open the window and clear the smoke, or you can just manually silence the alarm, knowing that youve got the situation under control. If you have more than one Nest Protect, it will also tell you exactly which room the problem is in when all this happens.

That feature alone makes us never want to go back to normal smoke detectors no more false alarms that terrify the cat! but it does lots more still. It self checks, for example, testing its own components multiple times per day, and running its own sound check once per month (in which its own microphone listens out for the sound, so it can run this while youre out of the house). And when you turn the lights off, it gives you a single gentle flash of a green light to let you know everything is working correctly before you go to sleep.

It can also discern steam from smoke, so you dont get false positives from a steamed up bathroom being opened. And it even functions as a night light: when someone walks under, it gives the perfect gentle glow to help you see your way.

And you can buy it to be battery powered or cabled in your choice, and its the same price either way. Its actually the smart home product wed recommend most people should start with its a truly undeniable upgrade over the dumb old system.

See the original post:
Best smart security devices 2020: what they do, and which ones to buy - T3

Memorial at Mount Trashmore, Courtesy of City of Virginia Beach Twitter

COVID-19 and social distancing havenot stopped the City of Virginia Beach from continuing to honor the one-year anniversary of thetragic mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center on May 31, but the plans have drastically changed.One year ago, 12 people were killed, four injured, and a first responding police officer was shot.

Instead of a big in-person memorial, there will be at-home activities that have thoughtfully been planned for the weekend of May 29-31, all within the theme, Lighting the Path: Together We Remember.

Courtesy of Instagram

Courtesy of The City of Virginia Beach

Courtesy of Instagram

Friday, May 29

Sunday, May 31

Additional virtual tributes are still being added, so be sure to check their website again.

Photos Courtesy of The City of Virginia Beach

The 12 victims of The Office of Public Works and Utilities, starting from the top left (details courtesy of LoveforVB.com):

Laquita C. Brown | Age: 39 | Right-of-Way Agent | 4.5 yearsTara Welch Gallagher | Age: 39 | Engineer | 6 yearsMary Louise Gayle | Age: 65 | Right-of-Way Agent | 24 yearsAlexander Mikhail Gusev | Age: 35 | Right-of-Way Agent | 9 yearsKatherine A. Nixon | Age: 42 | Engineer | 10 yearsRichard H. Nettleton | Age: 65 | Engineer | 28 yearsChristopher "Chris" Kelly Rapp | Age: 54 | Engineer | 11 MonthsRyan Keith Cox | Age: 50 | Account Clerk| 12.5 yearsJoshua A. Hardy | Age: 52 | Engineering Technician |4.5 yearsMichelle "Missy" Langer | Age: 60 | Administrative Assistant | 12 yearsRobert "Bobby" Williams | Age: 72 | Special Projects Coordinator | 41 yearsHerbert "Bert" Snelling | Age: 57 | Contractor at Building 2 applying for a permit

This weekend of remembrance could be quite difficult, as the events of that awful day affected the entire community. Therefore, if you or someone you know is struggling, click here for The VB Strong Center or call 757-507-7200. The center was developed specifically for all who were impacted by the mass shootings at the Municipal Center. Professionals are available 24/7.

VB STRONG!!!

See original here:
Remembering the Victims of the Virginia Beach Mass Shooting 1 Year Later - Our Community Now at Virginia

Global indoor lighting management market size was valued US$ XX Bn in 2019 and is expected to reach US$ XX Bn by 2027, at a CAGR of XX% during forecast period.

The report study has analyzed revenue impact of COVID -19 pandemic on the sales revenue of market leaders, market followers and market disrupters in the report and same is reflected in our analysis.

REQUEST FOR FREE SAMPLE REPORT:https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/56803

Market Definition

Indoor lighting management is a complete automation system of lighting control. The system enables communication between varieties of lightings to make sure the functionality in indoor applications.

Market Dynamics

Improved lifestyle and high disposable income of people are major driving factors behind the growth of market. Indoor lighting management system provides some benefits such as improved productivity, lower carbon emissions, and increased comfort, less energy consumption, occupancy sensors and remote access system management through wireless communication are ultimately propelling the growth of market. Furthermore, emergence of indoor lighting solutions with smart appliances, rising acceptance of standard protocols for lighting control systems, development in integrated lighting management system, fast adoption of smart lighting solutions over traditional lighting solutions and increasing penetration of LED lights in indoor applications are expected to improve market growth during forecast period.

However, high initial cost for installation of indoor lighting management system could hamper the growth of market. Also unreliability of wireless control system, wrongly designed and installed system, expensive maintenance cost and lack of skilled expert to manage lighting operations could hinder the growth of market.

Global Indoor Lighting Management Market: Segmentation Analysis

By product, recessed and surface mounted light segments dominated the market in 2019 and are expected to continue its dominance at CAGR of XX% during forecast period. Recessed lighting delivers the benefit of being a hidden light source and energy efficiency which driving the growth of market. Surface mounted lights are widely adaptable because of its uniform illumination along with energy efficiency. These are mounted directly on the ceiling as they provide screw-less design system.

By type, ambient lighting segment dominated the market in 2019 and is expected to keep its dominance at CAGR of XX% during forecast period. Ambient lighting is also known as general lighting system. Ambient lighting radiates a comfortable intensity of brightness and is extremely essential factor to any indoor lighting management application. Ambient lighting can be used in downlights, track lights, chandeliers, fan lights and various type of fixture with the potential to provide a wide beam span, which is ultimately leading towards the growth of market.

Alternatively, accent lighting solutions are expected to witness fast growth at CAGR of XX% during forecast period. Accent lighting is used when consumer wants to illuminate pottery, artwork, plants, souvenirs and more. Improved modernization in smart home lighting system is driving the growth of accent lighting segment. Accent lighting provides track lighting, pictures light, under-cabinet light, LED tape light and sconces which get little amounts of light to corridors, corners and bathrooms.

Global Indoor Lighting Management Market: Regional Analysis

Region wise, North America held the largest market share in 2019 and is expected to maintain its dominance at CAGR of XX% during forecast period. The US and Canada are major key contributors behind the growth of market. The growth is attributed to the growing demand of ambient lighting and accent lighting solutions across the region.

Also rapid adoption of surface mounted lighting system in industrial and commercial applications is driving the growth of market.

Global Indoor Lighting Management Market: Key Development

In Dec 2018, LEDVANCE, the maker of SYLVANIA general lighting in the US, is expanded its portfolio of easy-to-use SYLVANIA SMART+ Bluetooth lighting to benefit android users in the US. With an android device in the home in range, new SYLVANIA SMART+ Bluetooth LED lighting products work with the Google assistant or Amazon Alexa via the new SYLVANIA smart home app on Google play, providing hands-free lighting control for android users without requiring any additional hardware.

In Nov 2018, Wipro Lighting, a business of Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, has signed a Premium Partnership Agreement with Schrder.

In Nov 2017, Wipro Lighting, the market leader in LED Lighting Solutions announced that it has become a Cisco Digital Building Solutions provider for connected lighting.

The objective of the report is to present a comprehensive analysis of the Global Indoor Lighting Management Market including all the stakeholders of the industry. The past and current status of the industry with forecasted market size and trends are presented in the report with the analysis of complicated data in simple language. The report covers all the aspects of the industry with a dedicated study of key players that includes market leaders, followers and new entrants. PORTER, SVOR, PESTEL analysis with the potential impact of micro-economic factors of the market have been presented in the report. External as well as internal factors that are supposed to affect the business positively or negatively have been analyzed, which will give a clear futuristic view of the industry to the decision-makers. The report also helps in understanding Global Indoor Lighting Management Market dynamics, structure by analyzing the market segments and projects the Global Indoor Lighting Management Market. Clear representation of competitive analysis of key players by Application, price, financial position, Product portfolio, growth strategies, and regional presence in the Global Indoor Lighting Management Market make the report investors guide.

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The Scope of Global Indoor Lighting Management Market

Global Indoor Lighting Management Market, By Product

Recessed Suspended Surface Mounted Wall Mounted Free Standing Downlights Projectors Multiple Lighting Systems OthersGlobal Indoor Lighting Management Market, By Type

Ambient Lighting Task Lighting Accent LightingGlobal Indoor Lighting Management Market, By Application

Ceiling lights Wall lights Picture lights Table lamps Floor lamps Bathroom lights Kitchen lights Commercial lights OthersGlobal Indoor Lighting Management Market, By End Use

Residential Industrial Commercial OthersGlobal Indoor Lighting Management Market, By Region

North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East and AfricaGlobal Indoor Lighting Management Market, Key Players

Acuity Brands Osram Cree General Electric Eaton Honeywell Legrand Hubbell Lighting Zumtobel Group Hafele Group Lutron Electronics Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting Shenzhen MR LED Virtual Extension Syska LED Leviton Manufacturing Switchmate, Inc. Gooee Lifx Isotera Ketra Tao Light Nualight Limited Arm Crompton Greaves Gstar Technology Co. Ltd Thorn Lighting Ushio Lighting Technologies

MAJOR TOC OF THE REPORT

Chapter One: Indoor Lighting Management Market Overview

Chapter Two: Manufacturers Profiles

Chapter Three: Global Indoor Lighting Management Market Competition, by Players

Chapter Four: Global Indoor Lighting Management Market Size by Regions

Chapter Five: North America Indoor Lighting Management Revenue by Countries

Chapter Six: Europe Indoor Lighting Management Revenue by Countries

Chapter Seven: Asia-Pacific Indoor Lighting Management Revenue by Countries

Chapter Eight: South America Indoor Lighting Management Revenue by Countries

Chapter Nine: Middle East and Africa Revenue Indoor Lighting Management by Countries

Chapter Ten: Global Indoor Lighting Management Market Segment by Type

Chapter Eleven: Global Indoor Lighting Management Market Segment by Application

Chapter Twelve: Global Indoor Lighting Management Market Size Forecast (2019-2026)

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Global Indoor Lighting Management Market : Industry Analysis and Forecast (2020-2027) By Product,... - Azizsalon News

Image: Allume Energy

The bid to extend the benefits of rooftop solar to Australias millions of apartment dwellers has gained new ground this week, with the announcement of a new partnership between electricity retailer LPE and solar sharing pioneer Allume Energy.

LPE, which specialises in selling electricity to strata communities at this stage in Queensland and New South Wales said on Thursday that it had joined forces with Allume, to provide its customers with a shared solar solution.

Allume has made a name for itself as the developer of the solar ceiling-smashing SolShare technology, which works within an apartment buildings existing metering infrastructure, or behind the meter, to allow solar to be distributed and billed to individual apartments.

The technology, first rolled out commercially at a mixed residential and retail building in the Melbourne Bayside suburb of Highett, was most recently showcased on an apartment block in the Melbourne suburb of Preston, where 70kW of solar and 54kWh of battery storage is being shared between 52 apartments.

The ASX-listed LPE, which pin-pointed solar for strata as a substantial addressable market in its April investor presentation, said it had partnered with Allume to service communities that had struggled for years to get access to fair solar solutions.

According to LPE, roughly 9 per cent of Australias population live in apartments or strata communities. These communities, it notes, tend to yield highly loyal, sticky retail electricity customers, with high switching costs.

(Allumes SolShare) is the most cost-effective option yet, and one that presents no risk to residents or body-corporates, the company said in a statement.

There is also a range of social benefits such as giving access to solar and clean electricity to all apartment complexes including those in lower socioeconomic communities that otherwise couldnt afford it.

The idea would be for LPE to supply and maintain the Allume-engineering shared solar system at no capital cost to the body corporate or residents, offering much less costly electricity for residents than that sourced entirely from the grid.

Each system would be designed to generate enough solar to support a strata communitys daytime electricity needs, and distributed in real-time across all residents within the complex, thereby maximising on-site solar usage and savings for residents.

And LPE is confident that demand for the shared solar solution will be high, with more than 1.5 million residents of apartments within strata schemes located throughout Queensland and New South Wales able to access the solution.

This is the first time strata apartment communities have had a decent solution that allows all residents to access a shared solar solution with one rooftop installation that gives them fair access to the savings generated from solar and allows them to become a sustainable community, said LPE CEO Damien Glanville.

LPE is looking forward to providing an accessible solution for all communities to become sustainable and reduce costs.

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Solar for strata: LPE teams with Allume to offer fair access to solar - One Step Off The Grid

Artison, a Savant company, has unveiled two new models of Reactance Cancelling Configuration (RCC) architectural subwoofers. The RCC160 MKII In-ceiling Subwoofer is designed to deliver evenly distributed bass reinforcement from the ceiling and provide a balanced, blended audio experience. The RCC160 MKII is designed for active entertainment spaces such as great rooms.

When the RCC160 MKII is coupled with Savants Micro Aperture in-ceiling speakers, this full-range loudspeaker combination delivers a musical soundscape that is rich in dynamics and detail, plus provides a perfect grille match required by architects and specifiers. The square and round grilles are just 4.65 inches in diameter. They are a match for Savants Micro Aperture speaker family as well as USAI Lighting Recess 4.5 fixtures, making a clean ceiling that includes subwoofers, speakers and lighting fixtures. Also included, the rectangular grille is designed to blend in with in-ceiling HVAC registers when applicable. Each RCC160 MKII aluminum enclosure features two 4-inch by 6-inch drivers.

The RCC320 Mark II In-wall/In-ceiling Subwoofer is designed for both in-wall and in-ceiling installations. It has an even higher output (than the RCC 160) and is generally designed for dedicated music or theater rooms. The RCC320 MKII employs four 4-inch by 6-inch subwoofer drivers per unit in an extruded aluminum enclosure engineered for tight spaces, with pre-construction or retrofit installation into a standard 2 x 4 stud bay. The Artison RCC320 MKII can be specified with a discrete speaker grille or an HVAC-style ceiling grille. For installations that require stacked pairs of RCC320 MKIIs, a single double-length discrete speaker grill can be ordered.

Rated at 1000 watts, the RCC1000-SA DSP-enabled amplifier features all-new firmware that was developed specifically for the Mark II series subwoofers. The 1U digital amplifier can drive up to four RCC320 MKII or eight RCC 160 MKII simultaneously, making installations featuring multiple subwoofers both cost and space-efficient on a per-zone basis.

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Artison Releases Two Models of Reacting Cancelling Configuration Architectural... - rAVe [PUBS]

Summer just got better for kids all over Tallapoosa County, as an Ohio company finished installing the long-waited splash pad at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex this week.

The Splashplex is projected to open for use May 26 and includes fountains and bucket drops for kids and a shade pavilion for parents and grandparents. Alexander City Parks and Recreation Department director Sonny Wilson said sod will be laid this week and a fence will be installed before the Splashplex will officially open.

The recreation feature is located on the main drive through the 212-acre park near the recently updated Imagination Station playground. Like other recreational facilities at the park, use of the splash pad will be free.

If everybody will do the right thing and follow the rules, we will leave it open from 8 a.m. to 5 or 6 in the evening, Wilson said.

The project has been on Wilsons wish list for seven years but it was among the first items cut every time the budget needed to be trimmed, he said.

I had just about given up on ever getting it until Tallapoosa County commissioner Steve Robinson came to me and said he wanted to do something for the kids to do around Tallapoosa County, Wilson said. He paid half the cost of it.

Wilson sat down with Robinson and Alexander City councilmember Scott Hardy to come up with the plan. When the Lake Martin Leadership Green Team heard about the project, it set out to raise the money for the pavilion.

They are doing a very nice pavilion, Wilson said. It will have seating and lights and ceiling fans. We will dedicate the pavilion in memory of Jennifer Baker.

Baker was a longtime parks and rec employee who died after a battle with cancer.

The City of Alexander City paid the remainder of the $50,000 cost for equipment and installation, and Green Team members Susan McCrispin, Tammi Montgomery, Lauren Fields, Chad Jones and Tyler Hancock spearheaded the effort to raise $16,000 for the pavilion, Wilson said.

City departments prepared the site and ran water lines and utilities for the pad, which was installed by My Splash Pad out of Louisville, Ohio. A donor-recognition plaque, featuring the names of pavilion donors in splashes, will be posted on a wall at the site.

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Splashplex installation complete, projected to open May 26 | News - The Alexander City Outlook

15 Years Ago May 12, 2005

The anticipation is over, as nearly $53,000 in renovations to the Platte City Civic Centers gymnasium are complete. Throughout the months of March and April, workers put in long hours installing and varnishing a new gym floor, installing a permanent ceiling with light fixtures, installing new backboards, and completing electrical work. Installation and construction of the new gym floor was $41,500 and funded by the citys park and recreation department.

Sarah Handelman, Park Hill South High School senior, is the 2005 Missouri Student Journalist of the Year. Handelman is the editor-in-chief of PHSs school newspaper, The View, and has been a member of the newspaper staff for three years. Handelman plans to attend the University of Missouri, Columbia, next year to study magazine journalism and instrumental performance on her cello. She will receive the award at Missouri Interscholastic Press Associations J-Day in Columbia.

The meeting featured the shouts and occasional angry words that have come to be commonplace at a Dearborn Board of Aldermen meeting. What may have been unexpected for many observers was the resignation of the city treasurer. Marjorie L. Williams, Dearborns treasurer for nearly 15 years, has submitted her resignation effective for May 31. In her letter of resignation she states she believes it is time to turn the position over to someone else.

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15 Years Ago on May 12, 2005 - The Platte County Landmark Newspaper - The Platte County Landmark Newspaper

Although the numbers wont be in until May 28, Floyd County administrators are preparing to see a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic in sales tax collection.

Finance Director Susie Gass said Monday that the March sales tax collection didnt have a major decrease and is around what the county expected.

So really, April is going to be the numbers thatll really give us a better look at the effect of coronavirus, as far as sales tax goes Gass said. We really wont have those until May 28.

However, the finance director sat down with County Manager Jamie McCord and Assistant County Manager Gary Burkhalter and talked about how the county will adapt to a possible large dip in numbers.

We have looked at some different scenarios, but nothing has been decided yet, she said.

McCord said the April numbers could be a bit skewed from people receiving their stimulus checks and stocking up on food and supplies to shelter in place.

Im not going to fuss if theyre good and Im not going to panic if theyre bad, McCord said. A lot of people are back at work ... so hopefully well weather this.

The special purpose, local option sales tax projects wont be re-budgeted, since the county has already collected a majority of the funds, the finance director said.

As far as 2013 SPLOST, weve already collected all the money, Gass said. Then the 2017 SPLOST ... theres nothing in our budget at this point that we need to delay or hold off on.

That could change depending on what numbers look like when we get them, but right now theres no change to SPLOST projects, she said.

Right now, two county SPLOST projects are well underway. Phase I of the $2 million State Mutual Stadium renovation has actually been ahead of schedule, since there are no games to schedule around.

McCord said the new lighting installation is almost finished and construction workers were putting ceiling tiles in the new expanded team store the previous week.

A few miles down the road, Carroll Daniel Construction crews as well as inmate workers have begun the first phase of the nearly $6 million jail medical wing expansion and mental health wing construction.

The Floyd County Sheriffs Office staff felt that it was OK to continue the construction, despite the pandemic. However, McCord said that if there is an outbreak at the jail, the construction would cease.

The 2017 SPLOST also includes funds for the 911 Center, public safety technology upgrades and equipment for other county departments.

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Floyd County waits to see financial impact from COVID-19, SPLOST projects will go on - Rome News-Tribune