In todays daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.

These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding whats going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.

In todays edition Wednesday, June 30 - details on how to register for VaxMillions are announced, the YWCA reveals the results of its year-long renovations, the DPW extends bulk-drop off hours and changes pricing structure, Movies on the Lot returns for two showings this summer in downtown Worcester and a Hanover Insurance survey finds consumers have serious blind spots on ensuring effective coverage.

The Massachusetts State Lottery announced registration details for the Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway, which will begin on July 1. Massachusetts residents ages 12 and over, and fully vaccinated prior to each drawing, are eligible to enter the giveaway.

Residents ages 18 and over, and fully vaccinated prior to each drawing, can enter to win one of five, $1 million cash prizes.

Residents between 12-17 years of age, and fully vaccinated prior to each drawing may enter for the chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants.

Eligible residents can enter the giveaway at VaxMillionsGiveaway.com.Residents who do not have access to the internet or require assistance can dial 211 during the following hours:

Live call center workers will be available in English and Spanish, and 100 additional languages will be available through translators.

VaxMillions Giveaway Drawings are once a week for five weeks beginning Monday, July 26 and continuing every Monday through August 23. The first drawing for the giveaway will occur on Monday, July 26, with registration for that weeks drawing closing on Thursday, July 22. Winners will be announced later in the week following each drawing.

YWCA Central Massachusetts announced the completion of a of its $24 million renovation of its Salem Square facility in Worcester with a ceremony on Wednesday, June 23. The ceremony included a tribute to YWCA executive director Linda Covaioli, who is retiring after 29 years, and a presentation of Worcester Key to the City by Mayor Joe Petty.

YWCAs renovation project included signing the City of Worcesters first Community Benefits Agreement. The agreement promised an all women led construction management team, living wage jobs with benefits, and an emphasis on diversity by employing union contractors, local women and people of color.

YWCA exceeded their targeted goals set in the CBA:

After a yearlong renovation, without one day of service lost, the building now features STEM-aware childcare learning and play areas, additional transitional housing space, secure mentoring spaces, updated heating and cooling systems, and improved security throughout the building.

The YWCA Central Massachusetts mission is to eliminateracism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen our community.

The Worcester Department of Public Works and Parks [DPW] announced that starting on Thursday, July 1, hours for bulk-waste drop off will extend one day per week and the fee for each bulk waste item disposal will change.

Starting in July, the residential bulk waste drop-off site at 1065 Millbury St will now be open for appointments each Wednesday from 8:30 AM to 7 PM. The extended Wednesday hours also apply to leaf and yard waste drop-off.

The current availability for appointments ends at 2:30 PM.

Also starting July 1, the bulk waste drop-off site will charge a flat fee of $5 per item. Currently, the fee per item ranges from $3 to $12, depending on the item.

Residents must make an appointment to drop off items and provide a list of eligible items when scheduling.

Residents can schedule an appointment by calling (508) 929-1300 or visiting the DPW website.

The Worcester Public Library announced that "Movies on the Lot" will have two screenings at the library's McGrath Lot this summer.

Movies on the Lot screenings will take place on July 22 and August 26.

More details will be released in the near future.

The Hanover Insurance Company commissioned a survey that analysed how the pandemic has changed Americans personal lives and whether they have made the adjustments necessary to maintain effective insurance protection.

The key findings from the survey:

Many consumers started a home improvement project during the pandemic. Some of the top projects cited, such as remodeling a kitchen or bath (29%), adding a work-from-home space (21%) or having a roof or siding replaced (15%), often can have direct insurance implications.

However, 63% of respondents said they were not aware home insurance policies may need to be reviewed and updated when renovations or updates are made to a property.

Image courtesy: YWCA of Central Massachusetts

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5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - June 30 - This Week In Worcester

Jul. 1Shot Stop is moving across the street in Aggieville to 1215 Moro Street, the former site of Keltic Star.

Brett Allred, who owns Shot Stop, Yard Bar and Johnny Kaw's in Aggieville, said the new Shot Stop location will open in August.

"It's a really nice facility," he said.

With the move, Shot Stop will offer food, which it didn't used to do. Its kitchen also will serve patrons in Yard Bar next door at 1213 Moro Street.

During the shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Allred said he took the time consider the long-term options for his businesses, which led to the decision to move Shot Stop next to Yard Bar. The two bars will be connected.

"It's a lot better deal for us long-term," he said.

In addition, Allred is remodeling Johnny Kaw's, which is across the street at 1218 Moro St., with two new large dance floors. Allred said he and his staff are getting ready to reopen it soon.

He said he figured it wouldn't be until this August that college kids would come back to Aggieville and things would "realistically go back to normal." Luckily, Allred said, business returned sooner than he predicted.

"I was on a month-to-month lease, and basically I was really considered walking away from all the stuff I had in Manhattan with all the unknowns and the fear that the students were going to leave," Allred said.

Aggieville Business Association Director Dennis Cook said he hasn't heard any plans for the space being vacated by Shot Stop and the closure of Bomb Bar, which was another Allred bar next door to Shot Stop.

Allred said he is excited to provide entertainment again to the community with the new location and upgrade at his businesses.

"That's what I'm looking forward to, is getting everything going," he said.

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Shot Stop moving locations across the street - Yahoo News

Theres been a boost in at-home renovation projects within the past year and it shows no signs of slowing.

The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity released in April forecasts mid-single-digit gains in yearly home improvement spending in 2021. By the first quarter of 2022, a 4.8% growth will occur.

With a financial boost from recent federal stimulus payments and strong house price appreciation, homeowners are continuing to invest in the upkeep and improvement of their homes, Chris Herbert, managing director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies said in a press release.

This lift in incomes and ongoing strength of the housing market are providing homeowners incentives to make even greater investments in their homes this year.

But before you make your next renovation, ensure that it will help and not harm your homes value. Start by skipping these five projects.

Unique lighting fixtures

Good lighting is essential, but it needs to be functional rather than ornate.

For example, an oversize hanging light is out of place in a small to medium size great room or living room since the fixture will just overwhelm the entire space just as a too-small fixture will be dwarfed by a space that too large and voluminous for it, house plan website The Plan Collection said.

Luxury bathrooms

Its important not to go overboard with bathroom upgrades.

Potential buyers could be scared off by bathroom remodel mistakes like over-personalized finishes and over-the-top whirlpool tubs that are hard to clean and hard for some people to climb into, GoBankingRates reported. Keep it simple with a walk-in shower with a rain shower head.

Brightly colored rooms

Just because a color is popular in magazines doesnt mean it will add value to a house in your area, Tulsa, Okla.-based real estate agent Paul Wheeler told HomeLight.

Cutting edge colors only work in cutting edge areas. Places like New York or L.A. pick up color trends first, then they trickle down to the middle of the country a few years later. So if were too far ahead of the trends, buyers arent going to like it.

Luckily, fixing it is just a matter of another paint job.

Bedroom-turned-home office

Many people have been working from home in the past year, but that doesnt mean you should get rid of your spare room in favor of an office. Custom cabinet installation, rewiring for electric equipment and other improvements have been shown to cost $29,066 and result in a $14,155 value. It might not be worth it.

High-end kitchens

Many people enjoy top-of-the-line kitchen appliances but only to an extent. New Jersey-based retailer Designer Appliances says on its blog that not all homes will see an increase in resale value simply because of updated appliances. This could happen if it isnt in a high-end market.

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Skip these 5 renovations to avoid harming your home's value - telegraphherald.com

Selbyville, Delaware, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Based on Global Market Insights Inc., report, the global MDF Decorative Overlays Market was estimated at $339 million in 2020 and is slated to exceed $489.5 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 5.7% from 2021 to 2027. The report provides a thorough analysis of the main investment avenues, major winning strategies, drivers and opportunities, wavering industry trends, market estimations as well as size, competitive scenarios.

MDF decorative overlays will gain popularity in the construction of furniture, doors, kitchen cabinets, etc., owing to their superior characteristics. The products are easily available and offer a stylish look to the substrate. The growing focus of homeowners on interior decoration will drive the MDF decorative overlays market sales in the sector. Moreover, the building owners are also introducing a wide range of colors & textures for the construction of interior & exterior surfaces, which will further drive the opportunity for decorative overlays companies over the study timeframe.

Request for Sample Report: https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/5069

COVID-19 harshly impacted the consumption level of decorative films in the MDF boards in 2020. The market will gradually rise, which is subjected to increased buildings & construction volume, normalize social distancing norms, and create availability of labor.

The industry is still at a nascent stage owing to the prevalence of decorative paper overlays. Technological advancement and adoption of more durable materials in decorative lamination will pave the way for both new & existing players.

Other products, such as vinyl, PP, OPP, acrylic, etc., will capture a considerable portion of the MDF decorative overlays market in the study timeframe. The products are also known as 2D laminates decorative overlays, which are majorly used in profile wrapping or flat lamination of MDF boards. They provide better chemical & water resistance and also offer scratch and stain resistance. Softwood will occupy a significant growth in the global MDF decorative overlays market, which can be majorly attributed to its vast availability and lower cost.

The doors segment will experience a 5% CAGR from 2020 to 2027. The growing share of decorative surfaces in windows & door profiling will propel segment growth. Rapid gain in infrastructure activities and growing investments in remodeling activities of doors will augment the MDF decorative overlays market share over the coming years.

North America will expand at 6.4% CAGR through 2027. The growing number of residential and commercial buildings in the U.S. will promote the use of decorative overlays in North America. Besides, the U.S. is recording considerable investments in the construction industry from the public & private sector, which will sustain the industry development over the study timeframe.

Request for customization of this report: https://www.gminsights.com/roc/5069

Asia Pacific will be a leading region in the global MDF decorative overlays market throughout the study timeframe. The competitive manufacturing landscape of China and availability of efficient labor & materials at a cheaper rate are propelling the concentration of construction activities in the APAC region.

The MDF decorative overlays industry is extremely competitive in nature owing to the limited possibility for product & price differentiation. The product manufacturers of decorative overlays considered are Hyundai L&C, Taghleef Industries, Hueck Folien, ISA International, Eurovinyl Plus, and Omnova Solutions.

About Global Market Insights Inc.

Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider. Offering syndicated and custom research reports, growth consulting, and business intelligence services, Global Market Insights, Inc. aims to help clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data that aid in strategic decision making.

GMIPulse, our business analytics platform offers an online, interactive option of exploring our proprietary industry research data in an easy-to-use and dynamic manner. Clients get to explore market intelligence across 11 top-level categories and hundreds of industry segments within them, covering regional, company level and cross-sectional statistics that make our offering a stand-out for decision-makers.

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The MDF Decorative Overlays Market projected to surpass $489.5 million by 2027, Says Global Market Insights - GlobeNewswire

Theres a new owner for the St. Petersburg property housing a Dunkin Donuts. A kitchen and bath remodeler plans a warehouse in Seminole. A lender provides funding for a luxury condo project at Madeira Beach Town Center.

Heres this weeks roundup of local real estate deals.

Belleair Development Group has added another retail property to its St. Petersburg portfolio. BDG 700 LLC, an entity associated with Belleair Development, bought the nearly 4,000-square-foot property at 700 34th St. N. that is home to a Dunkin Donuts and Joyful Nails & Spa.

BDG paid $1.4 million in a deal that closed on Feb. 10, according to a deed filed in Pinellas County. The seller was a local operator, said Anthony Suarez, senior associate at Franklin Street. Suarez and Ryan Derriman were the listing agents.

The property was fully leased at the time of the sale, Suarez said.

St. Pete is an exciting market with a lot to look forward to. That location made it an attractive deal, Suarez said. Not only is the site surrounded by national retailers, but development on Central Avenue continues to push west. Once everything happens at the Trop, its a great location to have.

This is the second deal for Belleair in St. Petersburg in recent weeks. The company bought a strip shopping center at 1425 4th St. N. in January and is remodeling it for medical use. Belleair owns several other commercial properties throughout St. Petersburg and Pinellas County.

Panda Kitchen and Baths, a south Florida-based home remodeling firm, has bought the former Sears Outlet store at 4600 Park St. in Seminole.

Panda paid $4.1 million for the property on Feb. 3, a deed filed in Pinellas County shows.

Panda plans to use the nearly 150,000-square-foot facility as a warehouse, said Kelan Wang, a manager at the companys retail store in Tampa. He expects to hire between 20 and 40 new employees once a renovation is completed in a couple of months.

The current tenant, American Freight, will relocate, Wang said.

Trez Capital closed a $15.61 million construction loan for The Harbor at Town Center, a luxury condominium development underway in Madeira Beach.

The project, on a 4.25 acre waterfront site at 300 150th Ave., will have 38 condos totaling 60,228 square feet and a pool. The units are 66 percent pre-sold, which was a key factor for Trez Capital, said Brett Forman, executive managing director, eastern U.S.

That gives the lenders comfort that these new higher-priced units will sell. There will be a demand, Forman said. He also likes the developer, Town Center B Development LLC, an entity associated with William Karns Enterprises.

The condos are part of a broader development that is bringing two new hotels, retail space, restaurants and new parks to the beach community.

Trez Capital is a private real estate lender that does business throughout North America.

Welltower Inc., a Toledo, Ohio-based real estate investment firm focused on senior housing, has bought HarborChase of Palm Harbor at 2960 Tampa Rd. Welltower bought the property for $26.2 million on Feb. 8, according to Pinellas County property records. The seller was Healthpeak Properties, an Irvine, California-based REIT. HarborChase, with 128 units, is an assisted living center that offers dementia care, memory care and respite stay.

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Places This Week: Dunkin, Panda Kitchen and Bath, Harbor at Town Center - St Pete Catalyst

Salvaged materials are valued for their workmanship, character and patinas, history and because recycling them keeps them out of the landfills.

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (PRWEB) February 08, 2021

Green construction for both residential and commercial property continues to gain popularity as people become more concerned about energy and water efficiency and reducing the quantities of materials that wind up in landfills. Frank Cueva, the Paso Robles contractor and owner of Central Pacific Construction has recently released a report about green construction trends for 2021.

A green home or commercial building is designed to be environmentally sustainable by focusing on the efficient use of resources. Along with more efficient energy and water use, recycled building materials are playing a larger part in the design and construction for home and business.

Water and energy efficient appliances and solar energy remain popular components of green construction. There are more recycled building materials on the market today than in past years as manufacturers do their part to support the environment and respond to market demand.

Along with commercial recycled building materials, which includes flooring and roofing made from recycled materials and recycled metal, tiles and glass, salvaged materials are at the top of the list. Popular salvaged materials include:

Salvaged materials are valued for their workmanship, character and patinas, history and because recycling them keeps them out of the landfills. But, its important to have a conversation with your contractor to be sure the item is structurally valid to be used for the intended purpose, cautions Cueva, the Paso Robles contractor.

Old wood, for example, may have beautiful grain and a valued weathered character, but it needs to be strong enough for the intended use. Termites and mildewed, rotted sections are going to exclude old wood, no matter how much visual character it might have. The same applies to reclaimed architectural elements such as old pillars or other structures that may have been weight bearing in their younger days. Aging may mean those pieces can now be used ornamentally, but not structurally.

Green construction has been on a steady upswing since the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) established the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) green building rating system in 1998. Today, the LEED rating system is the most widely used green building rating system in the world all kinds of buildings from residential to agricultural and commercial. In fact, Investor Management Services (IMS) reports that in California, A LEED certified home sells for approximately $17,000 more than a regular home.

Industry forecasts are that the green construction industry is continuing to grow. A report from Emergen Research published in GlobeNewsWire forecasts that the global green construction market will be worth $610 billion by 2027.

Pacific Construction has been serving Paso Robles and surrounding cities since 1997 and has a reputation for has a reputation for bold, stylish designs and is committed to quality work. Services include bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, residential and commercial construction, remodeling and repairs. The company holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and regularly receives rave testimonials from satisfied customers.

Central Pacific Construction3200 Riverside Ave Ste 120Paso Robles, CA 93446(805) 471-4749

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Paso Robles Contractor Reports 'The Top Green Construction Trends for 2021' - PR Web

Judy Rose, Special to the Detroit Free Press Published 7:00 a.m. ET Feb. 13, 2021 | Updated 11:32 a.m. ET Feb. 13, 2021

The beautifully finished house on Lake Angelus shore has a great kitchen and lower level. Wochit

This spectacular mansion on Lake Angelus has an imposing stone waterfall thats a long wall of boulders. It encloses a rustic pond with a cabana shelter over it. Water comes from under this cabana and cascades down the face of the fall.

The 2003 mansion sits on land once part of the Kresge summer estate. It is so thoroughly set up for entertaining that the house has two butlers pantries one for the casual space, one for the formal.

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On top of that it has just been through a massive interior remodeling.Michigan House Envy is mainly about real estate, but the interior design is such a factor here it should be mentioned.

Its all metallic silver and glitter and white. Even the baby grand piano is alabaster over clear acrylic. Long silver draperies hang 12 and 20 feet.

Exotic wallpapers, carpets and lighting are the biggest feature. Silver wallpaper in different designs covers many walls. The dining room wallpaper is leather with beads worked into it.

Leather wallpaper with white beads wraps the formal dining room. Striking wallpapers and light fixtures are themes the owners put through this house.(Photo: Jason Naudi Photography)

More: $2.5M Waterford Township home is on an island. Here's how it was built

More: Ex-NFL player who owns Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles lists home for $1.1M

The design has won a stack of awards. There are about 15 magazines in my office where parts of this house have been featured, one ownersaid. Its really a contemporary, beautiful space.

Whats more, a buyer who likes it can keep it. Its not exactly a turnkey house, because the lavish custom furnishings are not included. But the owners have relocated to another state and the furnishings will be sold.

If they like it, they can make it a whole package, the other owner said.If not they can do what we did.

That would be a massive remodeling. When this couple bought the house a few years ago it had an Up North feel, she said, and colors like red, orange and purple a different esthetic for sure.

Now its 50 shades of pearl-gray with beautiful light fixtures in silver and crystal. Handsome Stark area rugs define many spaces. All have textured designs in white and pale gray.

The living room is stately with a large stone fireplace anchoring one sideand two-story straight draperies emphasizing the height.

The living room of the house at 945 N. Lake Angelus Rd. in Lake Angelus. A beautifully finished house on Lake Angelus shore, great kitchen, great lower level, especially nice theater, large pool and outdoor lounging area that includes an impressive waterfall, 5.7 acres, four-car garage.(Photo: Jason Naudi Photography)

The kitchen and family room are one long space, 34 feet, with an outdoor terrace facing the pool. The owners suite is on the main floor with a sleeping room that's26 feet long and an owners bath that's 22.

Powder rooms are inventive plays with silver, especially the main guest powder room. This has silver striped walls with a sink set into an elaborate chest its art nouveau designs brought out with silver.

The walkout lower level is finished as glamorously as the floors above. It has tall arches, a two-way fireplace and a large lounge area with the acrylic baby grand. It has a 31-foot rec room with a pool table and a large curving bar.

Elaborate stairs to the walkout lower level curve around a baby grand piano that is white and clear acrylic. Like all of this 10,000-square-foot house, this area has been redone in silver and gray, including the fireplace. Through the arches in back, a large recreation room has a fireplace, pool table and large, curving bar.(Photo: Jason Naudi Photography)

The theater may be as lavish as you can find a dozen seats custom-made like new luxury theater seats. They are reclining leather, trimmed with silver hobnails with a drink holder in the thick arm.

At different levels, four terraces surround the house. The largest is the ground-level brick patio that surrounds the pool. This area includes the shade cabana, a gazebo, the waterfall, a spa and a shallow kiddie pool.

The cabana sits over a full waterfall at the house at 945 N. Lake Angelus Rd. in Lake Angelus. A beautifully finished house on Lake Angelus shore, great kitchen, great lower level, especially nice theater, large pool and outdoor lounging area that includes an impressive waterfall, 5.7 acres, four-car garage.(Photo: Jason Naudi Photography)

Lake Angelus is one of the larger lakes in Oakland County, 444 acres and 88 feet at its deepest. Its private, only for residents and not connected to any other lakes.Residents of 152 lakeside houses are allowed to use watercraft, and inboard but not outboard motors.

Where: 945 N. Lake Angelus Road, Lake Angelus

How much: $3.85 million

Bedrooms: 5

Baths: 6 full, 3 half

Square feet: 6,674 on the main floors, 4,170 finely finished in the lower level.

Key features: Beautifully finished house on Lake Angelus shore, great kitchen, great lower level, especially nice theater, large pool and outdoor lounging area that includes an impressive waterfall, 5.7 acres, four-car garage.

Contact: Kathy Broock Ballard, Max Broock Realtors, 248-318-4504.

In order to limit our staff's exposure to coronavirus, the Detroit Free Press is temporarily suspending its practice of using our photographers to capture images for House Envy and is instead using photographs prepared by listing Realtors, with credit to thephotographers. We thank the Realtors for helping in this effort.

Stay connected and stay informed. Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press today.

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$3.9M mansion has lavish theater, custom design and stunning backyard - Detroit Free Press

The Conversation

A historic first: the Confederate battle flag inside the U.S. Capitol. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty ImagesConfederate soldiers never reached the Capitol during the Civil War. But the Confederate battle flag was flown by rioters in the U.S. Capitol building for the first time ever on Jan. 6. The flags prominence in the Capitol riot comes as no surprise to those who, like me, know its history: Since its debut during the Civil War, the Confederate battle flag has been flown regularly by white insurrectionists and reactionaries fighting against rising tides of newly won Black political power. An 1897 lithograph shows changes in Confederate flag design. The Southern Cross design, chosen to visually distinguish Confederates from Union soldiers in battle, became a symbol of white insurrection. Library of Congress via National Geographic The infamous diagonal blue cross with white stars on a red background was never the Confederacys official symbol. The Confederacys original stars and bars design was too similar to the U.S. flag, which led to confusion on the battlefields, where troop positions were marked by flags. The official flag went through a series of changes in attempts to distinguish Confederate from Union troops. The Confederacy would ultimately adopt the Southern Cross as its battle flag cementing it as a symbol of white insurrection. While it is technically the battle flag, it has been used the most, and therefore has become known more generally as the Confederate flag. The Confederate battle flag figures prominently in this depiction of the 1864 battle of Franklin, Tennessee. Kurz and Allison, restoration by Adam Cuerden, via Wikimedia Commons The original emblem Six decades before the Nazi swastika became an instantly recognizable symbol of white supremacists, the Confederate battle flag flew over the forces of the insurgent Confederate States of America military troops organized in revolt against the idea that the federal government could outlaw slavery. The founding documents of the Confederacy make its goals of white supremacy and preservation of slavery explicitly clear. In March 1861, Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens declared of the Confederacy, its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. The documents drafted by seceding states make this same point. Mississippis declaration, for instance, was very specific: Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery the greatest material interest of the world. Rioting white students at University of Mississippi hoist a Confederate battle flag in a backlash against James Merediths attendance as the first Black student in 1962. Bettman via Getty Images Backlash against racial integration After the Civil War, Confederate veterans groups used the flag at their meetings to commemorate fallen soldiers, but otherwise the flag mostly disappeared from public life. After World War II, though, the flag surfaced as part of a backlash against racial integration. Black soldiers who fought discrimination abroad experienced discrimination when they came home. Racist violence against Black veterans who had returned from battle prompted President Harry Truman to issue an executive order desegregating the military and banning discrimination in federal hiring. Truman also asked Congress to pass a federal ban on lynching, one of nearly 200 unsuccessful attempts to do so. In 1948, the retaliation for Trumans integration efforts came, and the Confederate battle flag resurfaced as a symbol of white supremacist public intimidation. That year, U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, a South Carolina Democrat, ran for president as the leader of a new political party of segregationist Southern Democrats, nicknamed the Dixiecrats. At their rallies and riots, they opposed Trumans integration under the banner of the Confederate battle flag. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, white Southerners flew the Confederate battle flag at riots including violent ones to oppose racial integration, especially in schools. For example, in 1962, white students at the University of Mississippi hoisted it at a riot defying James Merediths enrollment as the universitys first Black student. It took the deployment of 30,000 U.S. troops, federal marshals and National Guardsmen to get Meredith to class after the violent race riot left two dead. Historian William Doyle called the riot which featured the Confederate battle flag at its center an American insurrection. Charleston, Charlottesville and the Capitol More recently, the Black Lives Matter era has seen an increase in violent incidents involving the Confederate battle flag. It has now featured prominently in at least three recent major violent events carried out by people on the far right. In 2015, a white supremacist who had posed with the Confederate battle flag online killed nine Black parishioners during a prayer meeting at their church. In 2017, neo-Nazis and other white supremacists carried the battle flag when they marched in Charlottesville, Virginia, seeking to prevent the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. One white supremacist drove his car through a crowd of anti-racist counterprotestors, killing Heather Heyer. [Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversations newsletter.] At the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, an image of an insurrectionist toting the Confederate battle flag inside the Capitol building arguably distills the sieges dark historical context. In the background of the photo are the portraits of two Civil War-era U.S. senators one an ardent proponent of slavery and the other an abolitionist once beaten unconscious for his views on the Senate floor. A man carries the Confederate battle flag in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, between portraits of senators who both opposed and supported slavery. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images The flag has always represented white resistance to increasing Black power. It may be a coincidence of exact timing, but certainly not of context, that the riot happened the day after Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff won U.S. Senate seats representing Georgia. Respectively, they are the first Black and first Jewish senators from the former Confederate state. Warnock will be only the second Black senator from below the Mason-Dixon Line since Reconstruction. Their historic victories and President-elect Joe Bidens in Georgia happened through large-scale organizing and turnout of people of color, especially Black people. Since 2014, nearly 2 million voters have been added to the rolls in Georgia, signaling a new bloc of Black voting power. It should come as no surprise, then, that todays white insurrectionists opposed to the shifting tides of power identify with the Confederate battle flag.This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Jordan Brasher, Columbus State University. Read more:Capitol siege raises questions over extent of white supremacist infiltration of US policeA second impeachment is just the start of Trumps legal woes Jordan Brasher does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Granite Transformations of North Phoenix can help with fast and easy kitchen remodeling - Yahoo News

By Promise Twinamukye

You have probably seen homes with attractive kitchen cabinets and only years after they have been installed, they start crumbling. You cannot help but wonder, what happened? Did the homeowner get a raw deal?

A plan is needed when one considers installing or remodeling any type of cabinet. Whether it is a temporary installation or you are a long time benefit, it will entirely depend on the kind of house you are in.

This could be a rental or your residential house.

One thing you may need to ask yourself especially when you want longterm cabinets is, will you still like them ten years down the road? Will they stand the test of time? This will help you not to settle for less.

The material, according to Edrine Kimera, a 3D studio interior designer at Jomera Homes and Gardens, should also play an important role in planning for your cabinetry.

This, he says, is easier in custom made cabinets since you decide on almost every detail.

If you are on a budget, MDF would do a good job since they also come in different shades, you are spoilt for choice.

Kimera says having various options would include an open kitchen which would leave you with a provision of space to install an island, which will give you more storage spaces.

Plan for it

Do not just dive in getting cabinets before you clearly understand where you are going to place them. There are places in the kitchen that will scream bad idea to your face when you try to alter the way they are.

For example, by the window. Creating a cabinet by your window may not be so good an idea since it could cut off the light entering the kitchen thus creating uneven distribution of light in the kitchen.

The types

There are mainly three types of cabinetry and the others may fall under these three, that is, stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets. Knowing what they are and their associated benefits and prices can help you in decision making regarding your kitchen remodel.

Stock cabinets are the type made in an order that cannot be altered or adjusted. Therefore, you will need to have a well-shaped kitchen space for them to fit well. Otherwise, if you have an oddly shaped space and you need a cabinet to fill, a stock cabinet may not be the best for you. This type of cabinets is often more affordable than the rest of the types.

Semi-custom cabinets are also already made but can be adjusted for size and other customizations. They tend to be better quality than stock cabinets, meaning you will likely get more use out of them. They are slightly more costly than stock cabinets.

Custom cabinets are the ones your service provider will make on your order. While they will cost you the most, they are flexible since they are made according to your tastes and preference. This option gives you a chance to utilise the best materials for the greatest durability.

Cost

Installing a cabinet can be a reasonable affair or a pricey one, depending on the size of the kitchen, style and materials or types of cabinets that you choose.

According to Kimera, a full installation of a 13x11 feet of a kitchen will cost between Shs8m and Shs13m, depending on the material you are using.

On Gayaza Road, cabinets can be installed per square metre starting from Shs400, 000.

See more here:
What to look for in kitchen cabinets - Daily Monitor

Q: What projects will homeowners be looking for?

A: We anticipate the trend toward updating and renovating of bathrooms and kitchens to prevail. We anticipate an increase in home office spaces if the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep people at home for school and work. Other trends that will continue into 2021 have been observed by our certified partners:

Q: What should homeowners expect if they decide to remodel in 2021?

A: Homeowners should anticipate delays due to manufacturing and availability: General contractors rely on product availability. Countertops from manufacturers, plumbing faucets, cabinets and more should all be ordered and on the job site before demolition begins, says Reuter. Manufacturing was halted or at least minimized during the initial shutdown. Over a short amount of time construction was declared to be an essential business, homeowners gained confidence and construction resumed. Manufacturing, however, has struggled to catch up and, I suspect, we have depleted many product reserves.

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