Builder M.J. Boyle of Empty Nest Tiny Homes in Sherwood designs mini mansions that may have less than 200 square feet of space but theyre packed with comfort, light and luxuries.

Every indoor inch of her self-contained, small-scale abodes is carefully considered. Objects serve multiple functions. Something as small as an unusual coat hook can add style. And smart storage makes it work.

More than a novelty, tiny houses on wheels appeal to people who want to create a shelter they can afford and take with them when theyre on the move.

Interest in tiny houses, as well as RVs and cargo van conversions have spiked during the coronavirus pandemic, where routines were tossed out as businesses and schools closed.

Boyle, a longtime occupant of a small home as well as an advocate for living simply, knows how to wisely edit out anything unnecessary to make way for something cherished. A unique wall sconce replaces a lamp that needs a table, for instance.

People who want to see well-designed tiny houses before investing in one can check into vacation rentals such as Boyles My Tiny House Village in Sherwood. Her dwellings include:

Here are experts tips to make a space efficient and attractive, whether its a room in your home or your entire dwelling.

If youre considering building a tiny house, know that youll need almost everything required in a standard home. Here are the basics:

Skip ahead: Amazon sells tiny house kits, including a 9-foot-by-six-foot cedar garden retreat and a 176-square-foot studio cabin kit. See more tiny houses for sale.

High ceilings, large windows and light make a small space look and feel spacious. But too many windows can make you feel like youre in a fishbowl and they take away walls better used for precious vertical storage, says Boyle.

She recommends double- or triple-pane windows for their energy efficiency. Milgard, with a Portland facility, makes triple-pane windows. For added energy efficiency, install insulating window treatments.

Cladding a ceiling with reclaimed wood or cedar adds texture and it smells amazing, says Boyle. Salvage Works in Portland has barn siding and other repurposed wood, plus antiques and handmade furniture.

Floors can be covered in durable laminate or Marmoleum.

Paint walls soft colors to reflect the light and make the space seem brighter and roomier. An accent wall with a vertical feature breaks you out of the standing-in-an-all-white-box feel, says Boyle.

A white trim or a lighter color around the doorframe and where the walls meet the ceiling can make a space look roomier. Some design experts say colors or patterns on the ceiling draw the eye upward and add an illusion of height.

Be mindful of overcrowding a room. The fewest pieces of furniture make a space look bigger. Select space-saving sizes and furniture thats low to the ground.

Glass-top tables and acrylic or lucite chairs let your eyes see through them. Mirrors on a wall or door expand the sense of space.

I dont use overhead cabinets or bulky furniture that is visually heavy and makes the space feel closed in, says Boyle.

The first acts to make any space look larger and more inviting: Remove clutter and organize everything else. Read more tips on flexible storage, textiles and clever lighting to create a smart, airy space.

Strategically placed ambient, functional and dramatic lighting is key to making a space feel bright and open, says Boyle. Find lighting choices at Amazon, Home Depot and Walmart.

Build a wood ladder to the loft. In My Tiny Hideout, the ladder is in front of the coffee bar, dining table and work space because you cant have enough multipurpose areas in 119 square feet, jokes Boyle.

A ceiling fan helps evenly distribute warm air throughout the space. Boyle likes ceiling fans with LED lights, reversible blades and different speed settings that can be remotely controlled. See more ceiling fans.

Ceiling fans keep air moving, while air purifiers take out smoke and other impurities. Dyson is having a sale on air purifiers; Sharper Images has some, too.

Mount a TV on a wall so the screen can be tilted away from glare and for the best viewing angle.

The Container Store has practical design ideas for a small kitchen and teeny pantry. Make the most of a mini fridge with stackable storage drawers.

Instead of cabinets and cupboards, use open shelves or storage containers and rolling carts that slide under a counter and behind fabric curtains (see more ideas at Jo-Ann Stores).

A two-burner electric stovetop or propane stove can be found at Home Depot.

Dont let hidden, empty space go unused, especially under the bed. Slide storage bins under the mattress platform. See more bins, baskets and storage ideas at The Container Store.

Select linens, pillows and electric blankets in lighter, brighter colors and subtle, coordinated patterns. Theres no room in a small space to have something busy looking beyond a small decorative pillow.

Do you really need a headboard? Or drapes? Instead of a heavy window treatment, try insulating shades or sheer, white drapes.

Install a wall light near the bed.

Natures Head composting toilet was designed for close quarters. While on the go, the Tushy Travel squeeze and spray bidet bottle lets you use less toilet paper to reduce your carbon footprint.

Towel warmers and a heated bath mat take the chill out of stepping out of the shower.

LuminAID has solar-powered, compact, collapsible and portable lanterns ($25).LuminAID

Living in small home means more time outside. Here are entertaining ideas:

LuminAID has solar-powered, compact, collapsible and portable lanterns ($25).

Woods Heritages eight-piece cast-iron camping cook set lets you fry, bake, stir-fry and roast with a Dutch oven, skillets and a griddle.

Solo Stove has fire pits, camp stoves and grills plus outdoor cookware and accessories. Take up to 25% off fire pits and bonfire kits.

Dicks Sporting Goods sells every type of sports and recreation equipment plus heaters and inflatable mattresses. Check out the Camp Chef Italia Pizza accessories kit.

Other sources for dining under the stars can be found at Backcountry, Cabelas, Campmor, Huckberry, L.L. Bean. Check out the bottle-size, collapsible Cliq chair.

Mountains of books have been written about tiny houses. But no one makes the idea of living in a home the size of an area rug more appealing than Dee Williams, one of the founders of PAD Tiny Houses in Portland and a worldwide hero of tiny house living.

In her book, The Big Tiny: A Built-It-Myself Memoir, Williams delightfully describes the mechanics of erecting a sturdy, rainproof, 84-square-foot house on a trailer.

Ryan Mitchell of The Tiny Life blog offers a free tiny house planning guide

See more books on tiny houses, cottages and small homes as well as micro living.

Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

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Smart things you need when youre living in a tiny home or small space: Storage, light and luxuries - OregonLive

Scots who have relatives in care will be able to restart indoor visit from early March, the Scottish Government has announced.

The move into lockdown at the start of January so all routine visits halted amid fears the virus could be brought into care homes.

But the government have given the go ahead for relatives and friends to begin visiting loved ones again under plans to restart routine indoor visiting.

From early March care providers will be able to support residents to have up to two designated visitors each, with one visit a week for each visitor.

The government say the "wide range of protections" now in place for care home residents mean meaningful contact should be made easier for the wellbeing of residents and their loved ones.

Get all the latest coronavirus news on our live blog .

Under current rules, visits can only be arranged in exceptional circumstances such as at the end of resident's life.

The roll out of the coronavirus vaccine has now seen 99.9 per cent of all residents in elderly care homes vaccinated, alongside 92 per cent of staff.

And new data shows the number of outbreaks in care homes has improved, with the latest National Records of Scotland data showing deaths from coronavirus in care homes have fallen by 62 per cent in the last three weeks.

Guidelines on the restart will be published on February 24 to allow care home operators to support visiting. Visitors will need to wear face coverings and any PPE requested by the care home, and are strongly encouraged to take a Covid test on-site.

Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman said: The decisions regarding restrictions on visiting for care home residents have been some of the most difficult we have faced and I have the greatest sympathy for those who have been unable to see relatives and loved ones in person for so long.

Care home staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to support continued contact between residents and their loved ones but these restrictions have been hugely challenging for them, as well as for care home staff and colleagues.

We deeply regret the deaths and other harm caused by coronavirus in our care homes, but we also recognise the harm caused to the wellbeing of residents and families as a result of an inability to see those they love.

We must remain vigilant about the risks but with multiple layers of protection now in place the balance is in favour of allowing visits. Everyone, including visitors, has a responsibility to ensure that visits take place as safely as possible by continuing to follow safety advice.

The additional protection in place includes infection prevention and control measures (IPC); personal protective equipment (PPE) in care homes and testing of staff and visiting professionals to care homes, which have developed processes and protocols for safer indoor visiting to take place.

The guidance we are publishing sets out an expectation that providers will put in place arrangements to enable regular visits to resume from early March and from the discussions I have had with providers, I now expect all care homes to have embraced this guidance by mid-March.

Cathie Russell of Care Home Relatives Scotland said: We look forward to working with care home providers, public health and oversight teams to ensure that the new guidance allows residents to enjoy meaningful contact with their closest relatives and friends once more. It has been a very difficult year. The deepest ties of love are important and we can never thrive without them.

Donald MacAskill, chief executive of Scottish Care, said: The Covid pandemic has presented frontline care home staff and managers with many challenges but undoubtedly the hardest has been keeping residents apart from family and friends.

We have now reached a very different place and with a range of Covid-19 protections in place, including vaccination and testing, combined with the use of PPE and IPC, we are at a stage where we can re-introduce safer indoor visiting to Scotlands care homes. This day has been long-awaited and we understand that it will be an emotional time for many.

Scottish Care is committed to supporting staff and managers, residents and family, to make sure that these guidelines succeed in their aim of reconnecting individuals.

"We commit to working together to overcome any challenges and difficulties we might face and to support those who may still be anxious and fearful, so that together we can ensure that a painful period of separation can be replaced by greater togetherness.

Gabe Docherty, on behalf of Scottish Directors of Public Health, said: Theres not been a day when these very human considerations havent weighed on the minds of my colleagues and I as weve endeavoured to safely negotiate all the challenges COVID has presented.

To receive one WhatsApp message a day with Edinburgh Live's headlines, as well as breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07899067815. Then add the number to your contacts as 'Edinburgh Live'.

It is always been the focus of Directors of Public Health to reinstate visiting as soon as there was evidence that the risks of doing so were greatly reduced. So I warmly welcome and wholeheartedly endorse the approach and all that it means for care home residents, their families and Care Home staff.

Councillor Stuart Currie, Health and Social Care Spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, said: Local Government welcomes the forthcoming guidance on resuming meaningful contact for care home residents and recognises the impact that restrictions have had on residents, their families and friends and care home staff.

"This guidance supports all parts of the system to ensure that meaningful contact is undertaken safely with a number of safety and protection measures in place.

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Coronavirus Scotland: Care home visiting given green light to restart from March - Edinburgh Live

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Guidehouse Insights analyzes the global market for residential LED, non-LED, and connected LED lamps and luminaires and lighting controls, providing forecasts for unit shipments and revenue, through 2029.

LED lighting is rapidly becoming the predominant technology of the residential lighting installed base, thanks to declining technology prices, the longer life of LED lighting, increased energy savings, and building code advancements that mandate the adoption of LEDs. As LED penetration increases, digital lighting controls are also seeing increased growth, and the benefits of both technologies are driving sales and mitigating negative revenue impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns. Click to tweet: According to a new report from @WeAreGHInsights, global annual residential lighting controls revenue is expected to grow from $1.3 billion to $1.9 billion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% from 2020 to 2029.

Dimmers represent the largest share of lighting controls revenue during this time, while connected controls are expected to grow at the fastest rate, says Daniel Talero, research analyst with Guidehouse Insights. Connected LEDs currently make up a fractional segment of overall LEDs and controls, but they are seeing strong growth driven by improved integration with broader smart home technologies, ease of use, and features such as voice control are driving this growth.

According to the report, several barriers exist to continued LED market penetration. The higher (though declining) cost of LED lighting relative to legacy technologies is holding back adoption, particularly in the Middle East & Africa, Latin America, and in Asia Pacifics developing markets (e.g., India). In these regions, LED-based building codes are often in development, and projects are too cost-sensitive for imported LED technology. In connected LEDs, the price differential is usually larger, further limiting adoption in emerging markets.

The report, Market Data: Residential Energy Efficient Lighting and Lighting Controls, examines and sizes the global market for residential non-LED, LED, and connected LED lamps and luminaires and lighting controls. The types of controls analyzed include sensors, timers, dimmers, and connected controls. Residential lighting, lighting controls, and connected lighting market drivers and barriers are assessed. The major global regions (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa) are analyzed, and forecasts of unit shipments and revenue extend through 2029. An executive summary of the report is available for free download on the Guidehouse Insights website.

About Guidehouse Insights

Guidehouse Insights, the dedicated market intelligence arm of Guidehouse, provides research, data, and benchmarking services for todays rapidly changing and highly regulated industries. Our insights are built on in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The teams research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research, and demand assessment, paired with a deep examination of technology trends, to provide a comprehensive view of emerging resilient infrastructure systems. Additional information about Guidehouse Insights can be found at http://www.guidehouseinsights.com.

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is a leading global provider of consulting services to the public and commercial markets with broad capabilities in management, technology, and risk consulting. We help clients address their toughest challenges and navigate significant regulatory pressures with a focus on transformational change, business resiliency, and technology-driven innovation. Across a range of advisory, consulting, outsourcing, and digital services, we create scalable, innovative solutions that prepare our clients for future growth and success. Headquartered in McLean, VA., the company has more than 8,000 professionals in over 50 locations globally. Guidehouse is a Veritas Capital portfolio company, led by seasoned professionals with proven and diverse expertise in traditional and emerging technologies, markets, and agenda-setting issues driving national and global economies. For more information, please visit: http://www.guidehouse.com.

* The information contained in this press release concerning the report, Market Data: Residential Energy Efficient Lighting and Lighting Controls, is a summary and reflects the current expectations of Guidehouse Insights based on market data and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the reports conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither Guidehouse Insights nor Guidehouse undertakes any obligation to update any of the information contained in this press release or the report.

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Guidehouse Insights Report Shows Global Revenue for Residential Lighting Controls Is Expected to Near $2B by 2029 - Business Wire

It all comes down to this weekend for the Montana State University-Northern men's and women's basketball teams. And everybody else in the Frontier Conference for that matter.

While the Carroll College women and the Providence men have the league's regular season titles locked up, the final weekend of the regular season holds plenty of importance, including for both Northern teams as they fight for first-round playoff home games.

The Northern men need to win twice at Montana Tech, as the Lights (5-10) play the Orediggers in Butte Saturday and Sunday, and hope for one Montana Western loss to move back into fourth place in the Frontier standings, and host a playoff game. The scenarios also include the Orediggers, who are alone in fourth right now, but could finish as high as second, or as low as fifth in the final standings.

Still, Northern head coach Shawn Huse is focusing more on his squad, than the Orediggers, or the standings. Northern split with Tech last month in Havre.

"I just think for us right now it's all about continued improvement. We are literally a team new enough to one another, that we are still figuring out how to execute so many important nuances and small things. And how those little adjustments make such big differences in conference games. Having five seniors last year and pretty much no preseason has not been a great recipe for us ... especially in the always tough Frontier Conference. Just a few plays here and there and I feel our whole season is different. I know every team has those feelings right now, but I am not sure anyone can legitimately say that more than us," Huse said. "We need to take this weekend and see how tight we can play, as we prepare ourselves for the postseason. Our confidence level and belief is as high as ever and we need to just keep working and fighting and see what happens. I continue to be impressed with our guys and their character, work ethic and ability to prepare that they bring each week."

The Skylights meanwhile, should be confident, too. Northern (4-9) is coming off an exciting win over Western last Sunday in its home finale. But, if the Skylights win at least one of their two games at Tech this weekend, they will secure a home playoff game next week. Either way, Northern will be playing Tech again in the playoffs, so this weekend's games will be big for the Skylights as they close out what has been a roller coaster of a regular season.

"Montana Tech is a very, very talented team and they have some very big wins to their credit, including over both Providence and Montana-Western. They've been hit pretty hard by injuries and untimely quarantine issues, but I expect them to be back at full-strength in Butte," MSU-N head man Chris Mouat said. "I believe this will be the first time they have had their whole team in a couple of months, so we know they will be ready to go. They always do a nice job defensively, and they present matchup problems for us. We will need to be sharp on both ends and we'll have to do a great job limiting them to one shot. Offensively, we will need to execute at a high level and we need to recognize how they are defending us. They mix their man and zones up, and they will throw full-court pressure at us as well. We are looking at every game as a chance to get better as we head into the playoffs."

Final leaders

Heading into the final weekend of the season, Providence' Emilee Maldonado is the league's leading women's scorer at 17.4 points per night, and she leads in assists at five per outing. Teammate Parker Esary is the leader in rebounding at nine per game, while Western's Paige Holmes leads the league in steals, and Rocky Mountain College's Mackenzie Dethman is tops in blocks.

Northern's Tiara Gilham is sixth in the Frontier in scoring at 14 ppg, while Sydney Hovde is second in the Frontier in rebounding at nine per outing and Gilham is third at seven per game.

On the men's side, UP's Zach Darko-Kelly is trying to pull off leading the league in a double-double as he's tops in scoring (20 ppg) and rebounding (10 rpg) heading into the final regular season weekend. Darko-Kelly also leads the Frontier in blocked shots. Max Clark of Western, the reigning Frontier Men's Player of the Week, leads the league in assists at six per game, while Carroll's Jovan Sljivancanin is first in steals.

MSU-N's Mascio McCadney is fourth in the conference in scoring at 18.5 ppg, while David Harris is sixth at 16.6 ppg. Jomel Boyd is also fifth in the Frontier in rebounding at seven per night.

No fans, new playoff look

The Frontier updated its winter sports fans policies earlier this week, and it was determined that, for the remainder of the basketball season, including the playoffs, there will continue to be no fans at Frontier Conference venues. That policy will also continue for the ongoing Frontier volleyball season.

For the playoffs this season, men's and women's games will be played on the same night instead of separate, up until the championship games. The playoffs will begin with men's and women's first-round games Thursday Feb. 25. Women's games tip at 5 p.m. and men's at 7 p.m. The semifinals for both the men's and women's playoffs will be played Saturday, Feb. 27 at the homes of the top two seeds. The women's championship game will then be played March 1 at 7 p.m. and the men's championship game will be contested March 2 at 7 p.m.

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Frontier Notebook: Home games on the line for Lights, Skylights at Tech - The Havre Daily News

The Telegraph

When Jennifer Brady walks out to face Naomi Osaka in Saturday's Melbourne final, she will be taking on the human equivalent of a Formula One car, according to Osakas physical trainer Yutaka Nakamura. Of course, any trainer will naturally talk up his or her client thats just part of the job. But in Osakas case, the last fortnight has done much to support Nakamuras claim. Always nifty around the court, she has added a new level of dynamism to her game this year especially when returning serve. Starting from a wrestlers crouch, Osaka has been moving into her first step with such power and balance that even Serena Williams the best server the game has seen was broken four times in nine attempts during Thursdays semi-final. Naomi is an unbelievable athlete, Nakamura told Telegraph Sport in an exclusive interview. She is explosive, agile, and thats why I compare her to a Formula One car. People say that her 120mph serve and her forehand are her weapons, but I think her speed can be a weapon too. I worked with Maria Sharapova for eight years, Nakamura added. Maria built her legacy on the court. But with Naomi, its just another level. As an athlete but also as an activist, she has a different voice and she has a different vibe. After Sharapova, I thought I had enough of travelling around the world and being with athletes one-on-one, said Nakamura, who joined Osakas camp in July. I had dedicated my life to the tour, and I didnt see how anyone could go above and beyond Sharapova. But when I started working with Naomi, I thought This is a different experience. Naomi Osaka exclusive column: Why I use my voice in the fight for what is right If she can overcome Brady the 22nd seed from the USA on Rod Laver Arena tomorrow, Osaka will move to four majors, one behind Sharapova on the chart. But these are very different stories. Sharapovas titles were spread over nine different seasons, and the pursuit of them ate up almost the entirety of her career. Whereas Osaka feels like she is only just beginning. Still inexperienced on grass and clay, she has won three of the last four hard-court slams. Worryingly for her rivals, she is still only 23. Still inexperienced on grass and clay, she has won three of the last four hard-court slams a statistic that she could improve to four out of five tomorrow. Worryingly for her rivals, she is still only 23. As a Japanese citizen who has lived in the USA for most of his life, Nakamura understands the tension between Osakas different ancestral heritages. He also uses his two languages to draw on different parts of Naomi. When I am trying to fire her up, I sometimes speak English and sometimes Japanese. I am still playing with it. I think that cultural diversity is a gift, Nakamura added. Japanese culture is very strong on discipline. Physically, we tend to be on the small side. But Naomi has that blend, just like Tiger Woods, who once claimed he was Cablinasian. Her father is from Haiti and her mother is Japanese. Its interesting to compare her with Maria, who had that Russian mindset that I will do whatever it takes. Naomi is more introverted, but someone with a lot of inner strength. Her capacity to train, the intensity she can handle, goes above and beyond anything I had expected.

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Having an at-home party? This 7 disco light will transform your lockdown celebration - Yahoo Sports

The Ioniq 5 is going to be revealed on February 23, but before then, we get this teaser. Its a photo and quick video showing the Ioniq 5s interior. Hyundai reveals a few things about the car to us, as well.

Ioniq (Hyundais new pure-EV brand) stresses the openness of the cabin. Since its built on a dedicated electric car platform Hyundais E-GMP platform the Ioniq 5 can have a flat floor and more interior space than a traditional combustion engine vehicle. Apparently, you can enter and exit the cabin on either side and simply slide over to whichever side you want. The flat floor and sliding center console allow this easy access. Ioniq calls this center console the Universal Island, and says its a fundamental rethink of the conventional center console. Well be interested to see it all in action.

Ioniq has a mini comfort addition to traditional front seats, too. There are leg rests for the driver and passenger seats that can be put up (video below) while the vehicle is being charged, so you can relax and recline while the juice flows in.

The seats themselves are made using sustainable materials, too. Hyundai says its using eco-processed leather that is dyed and then treated with plant oil extractions from flaxseed. Sugar cane bio components, wool, poly yarns and recycled plastic water bottles are the sources for other interior materials Hyundai doesnt specify which, but says other soft furnishings use these materials. The hard materials like the dashboard, switches, steering wheel and door panels are coated in a polyurethane bio paint that is composed of oils from flowers and corn.

There will be a virtual world premiere happening in just a weeks time, so circle back to see what the full production car and interior looks like next Tuesday.

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Ioniq 5 teases its airy new interior ahead of full reveal - Autoblog

Lexus is literally putting gamers in the driving seat with its newest Gamers IS concept. Based on a standard 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport, Gamers IS is the first vehicle designed by and for the Twitch community, said Lexus, and the video streaming platforms 15 million daily active users were responsible for voting on the vehicles modifications.

The Twitch community dives headfirst into their passion of gaming, just as we did in designing the new 2021 Lexus IS as a pure expression of a sports sedan, said Vinay Shabani, vice president of marketing at Lexus. We asked for their help designing their dream gaming space, and they answered in spades.

The Lexus Gamers IS has a custom-built gaming PC with an MSI Gaming GeForce GPU and AMD CPU hiding under the trunk. The PC has a custom-built housing with programmable RGB LED lighting, automated RGB lasers, and a fog machine installed for maximum reveal effect, said Lexus.

Similar to Samsungs Digital Cockpit and Harmans Live Interactive Virtual Experience (L.I.V.E.) vehicle platforms, Lexus Gamers IS has a high-definition curved monitor as chosen by nearly two-thirds or 64-percent of Twitch respondents. The in-car video and gaming platform has a retractable keyboard and mouse, including a bespoke 3D printed game controller with a metallic space gray finish and dark teal neon accents.

Lexus has effectively leaned into the community and connectivity that define Twitch, said Walker Jacobs, Chief Revenue Officer at Twitch. Our viewers crave being a part of the action, and through this collaboration, we were able to create a truly immersive experience that celebrates their passion for gaming.

This latest partnership between Lexus and Twitch is part of the formers All In campaign for the 2021 Lexus IS. Outside, Gamers IS has a custom Infiltrate vinyl wrap as chosen by 48-percent of voters. Meanwhile, 55-percent of Twitch voters chose the Neon Tokyo style interior theme, designed to give off the effect of driving under the lights of downtown Tokyo at night in a light rain, said Lexus.

The ceiling has a clear layer of acrylic with embedded raindrops backlit by programmable RGB lights. There are LED panels behind the rear seats that project an animated backdrop on the rear windows, while Smart Tint dims the cabin during intense gameplay. When the going gets rough, theres a six-drink center console filled with the gamer communitys fuel of choice: Coffee drinks!

This one-of-a-kind Lexus IS is custom built by the fabrication experts at SCPS. The entire build took five months to complete and required the mastery of no less than twenty concept artists, designers, 3d modelers, fabricators, upholsterers, and computer technicians, to name just a few.

The unveiling of Gamers IS coincides with the arrival of the extensively-reengineered 2021 Lexus IS at showrooms last fall. The newest IS 350 F Sport has a 311-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. The RWD variant has an eight-speed automatic, while AWD versions have a six-speed auto gearbox.

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This Lexus Gamers IS is the Twitch communitys vehicle of choice - SlashGear

Terrafugia Inc. announced this week that it reached a milestone in its road to bringing the Transition roadable aircraft to market. The FAA granted Terrafugia a FAA Special Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) airworthiness certificate for the Transition aircraft. The flying car is a combination of two-seat aircraft and an automobile designed to meet both the FAA and NHTSAs safety standards.

The vehicle granted the LSA certificate is now legal for flight and represents the Transition roadable aircrafts initial version. Initially, Terrafugia will build and sell a version of the Transition that is dubbed a flight-only model.

The company promises to continue to evolve the driving portion of the aircraft design to be legal in the sky and on local roads in 2022. While the company isnt exactly clear, the understanding is that the flight-only version sold initially will be capable of driving on the highways and only needs to clear other regulatory hurdles for that to happen.

Terrafugia VP and GM Kevin Colburn says the company had an extremely challenging pandemic year. Still, the vehicle was able to complete 80 days of flight testing while the company delivered 150 technical documents to pass an FAA audit.

The Transition aircraft features enhanced safety capability and the latest avionics. Its powered by a 100 horsepower Rotax 912iS Sport fuel-injected engine able to operate for 2000 hours between overhauls. It has a flight speed of 100 mph and can run on both premium gasoline or 100LL aviation fuel. The aircrafts standard features include a Dynon Skyview avionics package, BRS airframe parachute, four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, a rigid carbon fiber safety cage, and folding wings allowing storage in a single-car garage.

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Terrafugia Transition flying car granted a Light-Sport Airworthiness certificate by the FAA - SlashGear

TEWKSBURY The Heath Brook Elementary School on Shawsheen Street was another beneficiary of the Green Committees work to secure grants for energy improvements in the community.

Tewksburys Green Committee was able to secure a 2020 grant to upgrade the lighting at the Heath Brook to LED fixtures and bulbs, a move that will net the town an annual savings of $12,050 and provide a 6.29 year payback.

The project, submitted by Town Planner Anna McGinty, also qualified for National Grid incentives which totaled $26,125. The towns total outlay for the project was $5,000.

McGinty said that projects such as the Heath Brook LED project are attractive to the state because it is looking for opportunities to get the maximum amount of savings for energy improvements for communities. The project, a coordination between the Tewksbury School Department, the town, and Guardian Energy Management Solutions, was started in November of 2020 and completed in December of 2020.

McGinty and the Green Committee are constantly evaluating and prioritizing projects to be funded by grant opportunities and strive to be ready for any incentives that the Commonwealth may offer.

The town expects to see a 67 percent reduction in electricity usage from that building, said McGinty, noting that the improved quality of lighting for the elementary school staff and students is an added bonus.

The new fixtures have a longer life span, reducing maintenance and capital costs. According to project documents, the entire project cost was $99,507. Factoring in the utility incentive and the town contribution, the final cost was $68,382 which will be reimbursed to the town by the state.

McGinty explained that for Green Communities grants, once a project is approved, the Commonwealth provides the first 25 percent of the grant up front, then the town pays for the rest of the project, submitting for a 50 percent reimbursement, and then receiving the last

25 percent reimbursement once the project has been approved as completed.

Proof of completion includes inspections and photographs submitted to the state, along with a project report.

Other town buildings that have benefitted from interior LED lighting retrofits include the police station, the DPW, the North Street fire station, the food pantry, the Ryan school, the high school, and the senior center.

The town has participated in Green Community grant projects since receiving its designation in 2011 and has upgraded indoor and outdoor lighting and heating systems along with weatherization and other energy control measures consistently each year.

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Lighting up the Heath Brook School | News | homenewshere.com - Tewksbury town crier

Valentines Day is typically a lucrative day for restaurants. For diners, theres a last-minute panic to snag a reservation, choosing between expensive prix fixe menus and wine pairings. On the hospitality side, SF restaurants say they get an influx of new customers, many willing to pay the price for a special occasion. Though the city is slowly and cautiously reopening its outdoor patrons, its still a heart wrench to lose indoor wining and dining on this particular holiday especially when the forecast looks like rain.

Some restaurants are reopening just in time for this holiday weekend. Foreign Cinema, that bohemian enclave in the Mission, is a cinematic destination for Valentines Day, serving seafood towers to guests under the twinkling lights. Its a huge day, says chef and co-owner Gayle Pirie. And historically speaking, its been an incredible day Were sold out every year. Its the linens, the candles, the stars, the lights its special.

Foreign Cinema has been hibernating since December 6, when the city went into its second full lockdown. Even though the city allowed outdoor dining again on January 28, the restaurant waited longer. Pirie says reopening a restaurant isnt as simple as flipping a switch after sending staff home and unplugging fridges. Theyve spent the past two weeks cleaning and prepping the restaurant, just to hit this holiday.

Restaurants that rely on indoor experiences are going to face the biggest challenges. Chapeau is a neighborhood bistro of the Inner Richmond, which has been charming regulars with prix fixe filet mignon and escargot for nearly 25 years. For Valentines Day, chef Philippe Gardelle usually spaces out the tables, fills the room with flowers and balloons, and puts out an over-the-top four-course menu.

He says they usually do 120 covers, but this year, hes hoping for 80 covers at best in the restaurants outdoor parklet, and maybe an additional 20 takeout boxes for two. Those are priced down for diminishing returns: The indoor menu is usually $120, the outdoor menu is now $100, and the takeout boxes are $75 per person. People are eating outside, so its less comfortable, says Gardelle, clearly missing his cozy dining room.

Outdoor dining limits restaurants to a fraction of their usual tables. Even Foreign Cinema, with its back patio, is using maybe a fifth of its huge combined space. Chapeau is lucky to have a parklet in the avenues where the streets are wide and quiet, but its down to less than half of its usual tables.

Niku and Omakase, the Japanese-American luxury wagyu and sushi spots in the Design District, have a particularly dramatic reduction. Owner Kash Feng says Niku is only putting five or six very coveted tables out front, which means that maybe 20 people will get to sit down for wagyu this Valentines Day. Ive been getting a lot of texts, says Feng. And of course, some restaurants cant offer outdoor dining whatsoever. Without the full experience of its namesake omakase counter, Omakase is going to straight takeout only.

Timing is another limitation. Laurie Thomas, the executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA), points out that a two-hour time limit for diners is in effect, and the citys curfew is still in place at 10 p.m., which means the latest restaurants can seat diners in parklets would be 8 p.m. Niku says its usual wagyu tasting menu took about three and a half hours, and Chapeau says its prix fixe was two and a half hours, so for those kinds of multicourse menus, theres no more lingering over a bottle of wine, and meals are getting cut short at the end of the night.

Chapeau is doing an early seating in the afternoon to try to compensate. Foreign Cinema has abandoned its five-course menu altogether. With curfew and time restrictions and public safety, were just doing a beautiful a la carte menu, says Pirie. Its a Sunday night. Theres a curfew. Were not going to stress.

And if fewer tables and tighter timing werent enough, the prospect of rain is freaking everyone out. Even if parklets are covered, they are required to be open at the sides, leaving thin-skinned Californians susceptible to the elements. Well see how it goes, but were dreading the rain, says Thomas, who is worrying over canceled reservations at her restaurant Terzo. And even Foreign Cinema, protected between buildings at the center of a city block, wont withstand real rain. We have some covering, but if it rains [this weekend], were screwed, says Pirie. She describes an hour-by-hour guessing game that will ensue. Is it sprinkles? Is it the Pineapple Express? If it sprinkles from five to eight, and it pours at 10, well be all right.

In terms of wine sales, Valentines is also an important night for restaurants. Sommelier Chris Gaither previously worked at the French Laundry, Spruce, and Gary Danko, fine dining destinations that roll out even more courses, caviar, and bubbles for the holiday. He says that Valentines is a high-volume night with solidly good wine sales, with couples maybe more likely to splurge on the pairings or a slightly nicer bottle. But there are other nights that would have been better, he says, given how many first-time customers might be sitting down, with a little less comfort chatting through the wine list. There were other days with higher wine sales, and those are just at random.

Now, as the co-owner of Ungrafted wine bar and bottle shop in the Dogpatch, Gaither has seen firsthand how the pandemic has upended wine sales. Last year, he says Ungrafted was balancing its sales at approximately 80 percent dining and 20 percent retail. This Valentines Day, those numbers have completely flipped. Even with charcuterie and steak frites for outdoor dining, theyre expecting 70 to 80 percent of their holiday sales to come from the shop. Ungrafted sold out of Champagne on New Years Eve, and he notes that both Spruce and Gary Danko have opened up their cellars and are attempting to sell a few bottles.

But even if wine shops, butcher shops, chocolate shops, and neighborhood bakeries are potentially seeing a slight uptick this year, the reality is that Ungrafted, like many other food businesses, is struggling to plan and coordinate staffing. It cut back to four employees, two in the front and two in the back. There are more people leaving this industry now than ever before, and we need good people to work in this industry, says Gaither. And I can say this as a Black man this industry is adversely affecting BIPOC people, and its driving a lot of people that would be amazing in this industry away.

So for diners who have their hearts set on just one small piece of normalcy, to sit down to a nice dinner with a nice glass of wine this Valentines Day, unfortunately, this is still not a normal time for restaurants. Outdoor dining reservations are going to get snapped up. Takeout specials will sell out fast. Restaurants are just reawakening from a long, cold winter, and facing so many limitations, and operating with a skeleton crew. We are doing our best; please just be patient, says Thomas from the GGRA.

Gardelle says that going into his 25th year of business, Chapeau has endured downturns before, following the 9/11 attacks and the 2008 stock-market crash, but losing all of the holidays has been terrible. We know how to survive. But its been very, very difficult. The second [surge] was terrible. It was very, very bad. Still, the French chef still has a touch of the hopeless romantic in him. It is what it is. If we all comply, in a year, it will be just a souvenir just a memory.

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SF Restaurants Are Feeling Lonely This Valentines Day - Eater SF