As the COVID-19 outbreak in Oregon continues to impact the local restaurant market, stories are popping up across the city, from food cart owners giving away free meals to chefs starting Instagram cooking classes. In this new version of AM Intel, we dive into different ways the states food service industry has been responding to the global pandemic. For more COVID-19 stories, check out our larger story stream.

Burger Stevens, the food cart home to what could be Portlands best burger, is crossing the river. Don Salamone is moving his Pioneer Square food cart into the heavy-hitter Prost Marketplace pod, which houses big-deal carts like Matts BBQ, Desi PDX, and Little Conejo. The menu will stick to burgers and fries, with a few variations. Logistics permitting, Salamone hopes to open the cart at Prost in late September. [WWeek]

The beloved Southeast Portland Italian restaurant Renata is closing its dining room indefinitely after service on September 20. Instead, the restaurant will focus on delivery and takeout, with a few slots each week. Weve grown and learned to be resilient and even during the most difficult days we kept our hope but, sadly thats not enough to make the restaurant financially sustainable, the restaurants Instagram post announcing the closure reads. Fall is fast approaching in the Pacific Northwest and with that we lose the possibility of outdoor dining, in addition to the capacity limitations for indoor dining all viability for us to continue to operate is extremely challenging. [EaterWire]

Right after Eater PDX published its updated happy hour map, another restaurant reintroduced its happy hour. The Sudra, a vegan Indian restaurant with two locales in Portland and another coming to Beaverton, started serving a happy hour this week from noon to 4 p.m. daily. The restaurant is serving soup-and-salad combos and bowls filled with things like tikka masala for $9.50, which ends up knocking off a few dollars, depending on the dish. The menu also includes discounts on both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, from $7 cardamom-infused Old Fashioneds to $5 glasses of wine. Excluding the booze, the happy hour menu is available to-go. [EW]

Oregons rampant wildfires have already created hazardous and difficult conditions for Willamette Valley wineries and vineyards, from the unhealthy air quality to power outages. For example, Bryn Mawr Vineyards near Salem lost power, which forced the tasting room to cancel or reschedule its tastings; when Cristom Vineyards lost electricity, winemakers continued to process grapes in the dark. [EW] Speaking of wineries, Ken Wright, the founder of celebrated Willamette Valley winery Ken Wright Cellars, is one of the states top 40 donors to the Donald Trump campaign. Wright clocks in as the 35th largest donor, giving $3,000 to President Trumps campaign. Meanwhile, on the other side of things, Luke Colvin of Astorias Buoy Beer Co. has donated more than $3,000 to the Joe Biden campaign. [BizJo] Masia, Jose Chesas downtown Spanish restaurant, will host a free paella-making Zoom class Thursday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. Those interested in taking the class can email hola@masiapdx.com to get a Zoom link, and even order a paella-making kit to cook along. [EW]

Sign up for our newsletter.

See more here:
One of Portlands Best Burgers Is Coming to North Portland - Eater Portland

The first public reading of Pleasanton Unified School District's Learning Continuity Plan will take place during an online meeting of the Board of Trustees on Thursday, starting 7 p.m.

California Senate Bill 98, which became law in late June, has requirements related to in-person and distance learning during the 2020-21 school year, and also suspends the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) in addition to establishing the Learning Continuity Plan "to measure and monitor how districts mitigate the impacts of COVID-19," according to PUSD.

"The continuity plan is something all districts are doing in place of the LCAP," district spokesman Patrick Gannon told the Weekly, and covers what school districts are doing to support students and staff in regards to distance learning during sheltering, their plans moving forward, "as well as any potential learning loss as a result of the pandemic."

Some learning loss mitigation involves small group instruction, assessment monitoring, and using digital resources "to provide individualized instruction based on assessment results and course content."

The seven-part LCP also includes general information about PUSD such as the current number of enrolled students, local unemployment rates (just over 10% in the city), and the most recent COVID case rates in Pleasanton and Alameda County (467.5 and 1,094.1 cases per 100,000, respectively, as of Sept. 2).

Staff will review the district's most recent stakeholder engagement efforts such as distributing surveys, issuing regular updates online and via TV30, holding a number of task force, steering committee and community meetings, and offering "additional communication through emails and phone calls."

Specifics of the district's remote learning model will also be discussed, such as the platforms that are used, updates on professional development, and resources available to support students' mental health and their social and emotional wellbeing.

Gannon said the district "gathered feedback at the beginning of the year from the community as we were writing the plan," and is "also collecting feedback now on the plan" through Sept. 14.

The Learning Continuity Plan -- which will receive $6,444,568 total from various sources, mostly federal -- is expected to return for recommendation of approval at the Sept. 24 board meeting.

In other business

* A presentation will be heard Thursday night about the PUSD's student enrollment and registration process, including federal and state requirements for ethnic and racial data collection.

"We'll go over the data and explain the state and federal requirements for collecting it," Gannon said.

No specific information or conclusions are in the report about the district's current racial or ethnic demographics, and mostly outlines how PUSD operates their enrollment and registration processes including mandatory data collection.

Included are sample questionnaires from both PUSD and other districts, and also the federal government's different race category definitions and how they differ from the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity category, which is defined as "a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race."

According to PUSD, school districts can "collect even more detailed race data, but the data must be mapped to the new race and ethnic categories -- along with the additional Asian and Pacific Islander sub-group information required by California law."

However, "in Pleasanton, we only collect the federal and state required data and do not collect any additional detailed race data."

* Some surprises on the Lydiksen Elementary rebuild will require approximately $40,000 of additional Measure I1 funds to ensure the project is a success.

As part of the renovations, the Kids Club portable building will be relocated to a permanent foundation, but a few more features are needed such as the addition of a rat-slab under the portable foundation "due to grading changes," which will "prevent water ponding from underneath the portable foundation.

Contractors also recommend removing and replacing the exterior wall farming that was damaged by dry rot, and applying waterproofing to the foundations "due to grade change on the adjacent sidewalk required to meet ADA," which in turn "will keep the footings from deteriorating due to water ponding."

The district is prepared to issue contracts for the needed work with JD General Construction and Kinetics Mechanical Service for $34,877 and $4,812.62, respectively.

* The board will consider increasing Measure I1 funding on Thursday for work related to the portable classroom replacements and new science classrooms at Foothill and Amador Valley High, as well as traffic safety improvements around campus.

A proposal to extend the drop off area at Foothill and change the related parking lots on campus is not currently budgeted, "but due to immediate safety concerns, addressing traffic concerns and achieving agency approval, this work needs to be performed as part of this project," staff said, adding "these changes will make a safer drop off and ease traffic in the area during drop off times."

The estimated $93,370 project was jointly designed with the city of Pleasanton "as part of an effort to reduce the traffic impacts of FHS drop-off/ pick-up on Foothill Road," according to PUSD. The plan includes relocating stop lights and changing the left turn lanes on Foothill. The district will also lengthen the drop off area and modify the adjacent parking lots and vehicle ingress/egress areas.

Two new career technical education (CTE) computer classrooms could also be added to the planned roster of a dozen new classrooms at Amador Valley, if the board approves a $13,895 contract for work needed to accommodate the new learning spaces. Originally, seven standard classrooms, three science classrooms and several other classrooms and support spaces were planned for the project.

At the time, PUSD said "the CTE computer classrooms were not part of the new building program" or on their radar "due to not knowing whether the CTE funding would be obtained." Following an application for additional CTE funding, the addition of two new computer CTE classrooms was possible.

Two classrooms in the new building would be turned into the computer classrooms while a science prep room would be altered to accommodate a server. The scope of work includes redesigning the HVAC and electrical systems and a "revision to the data system."

Work at both Foothill and Amador would be funded through Measure I1 bond revenue.

* The board will consider ratifying a contract not to exceed $300,000 with Oakland-based law firm Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost (F3) to manage the district's "ongoing needs that require continued legal services."

The contract would end June 30, 2021, " and is renewable for up to four additional years by mutual agreement," according to PUSD. Services would be paid by the district general fund.

According to their website, F3 represents clients on legal matters concerning student services, special education, higher education, charter schools, and litigation, among other related areas.

* Before the public meeting, the trustees will meet in closed session at 6 p.m. to discuss a potential new vice principal at Hart Middle School, as well as the appointment of a new assistant director of adult and career education.

Follow this link:
Pleasanton school board to review Learning Continuity Plan - Pleasanton Weekly

We dont need to tell you, but we will anyway: Much has happened since March, when we released our list of the top 100 restaurants in metropolitan Phoenix.

Among other things, some of the beloved eateries on that list have since closed. We mourn their loss. But we must also fill their spots. So, here's a quick rundown of therestaurants, sandwiches shops, cocktail lounges, and lunch joints that are in and out.

Removals

One of the earliest COVID closures was Bri, a restaurant in a house on Seventh Street in the Coronado District. The petite eatery was as homey as it looked from the outside and served unforgettable cocktails like the Bri Paloma and Disco Lemonade, and snacks like the honey butter-drizzled potato chips. The small plates, by Chef Vince Mellody, were prepared on a South African-style grillcalled a braai. Goodbye, Bri.

So long, shopping cart fries.

Lauren Cusimano

This Arcadia strip-mall eatery also closed early in the pandemic. Since the Delux lease has expired, we regret to inform you the decision was made not to renew the restaurant lease, ownership announced in the spring. The gourmet burger joint despite the sushi add-on, this place was at its core all about the burgers had been around for 15 years. In addition to the burgers, the A La Cart fries house fries presented in an actual shopping cart will be sorely missed.

Ground nut soup, a staple food of Ghana, from the late Jollof King.

Chris Malloy

The 2018-established Jollof King in south Tempe quietly closed sometime this spring. The food was West African, going back generations, with a few personal touches from the cooks and owners. A quick Google search indicates that Jollof King is closed only temporarily, but a lengthier car ride to its former strip mall home reveals the truth: This superb African eatery is no more.

Farmboy Market, Meats, Sandwiches in Chandler has permanently closed.

Chris Malloy

Another hard-hitting closure. The Chandler market and superior sandwich shop was run by Oren and Diana Molovinsky, who sourced their fruit, eggs, and other produce from their own 3.5-acre farm. Many items were sold farmstand-style inside the restaurant. The hyper-local breakfast-and-lunch spot opened in May 2018, but in mid-July, following a temporary closing, it shuttered for good. Silver lining: The owners hope to open a market this fall at Molovin Farms.

The food and drink, especially the South American Sour, will be missed from The Dressing Room.

Lauren Cusimano

This Roosevelt Row cocktail lounge and restaurant was another quiet closure.The Dressing Room was small and served small plates next-level ones, though, as well as some of the best craft cocktails in town. Food was inspired by the streets, beaches, carts, and trucks from around the world, and the menu was proof of that. The happy hour and cocktails at this former drag bar will be hard to replace, especially that South American Sour.

The kitchen, along with offerings from Chef Sacha Levine, will no longer be part of Century Grand.

Jackie Mercandetti Photo

This Barter & Shake stop was an exciting addition, and then, a sad removal from our list of top 100 restaurants, simply because it is no longer a restaurant. While the new and lean Century Grand will remain a high-end and creative cocktail lounge, the kitchen, along with offerings from Chef Sacha Levine, will no longer be part of the transportive experience.

If you want to-go tacos, be sure to try Taco Boys.

Jackie Mercandetti Photo

Additions

Since opening downtown in fall 2019, Juan Cornejo and Juan Cornejo Jr. have been grilling some of metro Phoenixs best Sonoran-style carne asada. Over mesquite charcoal from Sonora, Mexico, ruby sails of carne asada spit and crackle on long grill gates, charring, perfuming the eatery with smoke. At Taco Boys, a few meats come a few ways, including as tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and vampiros. The grill and graffiti and generous salsa-and-topping bar conjure a backyard grill out where the Cornejo family recipes come from originally.

The dish of creamy curry is a lot like a big bear hug from Sherpa Kitchen.

Jackie Mercandetti Photo

The Valleys first Nepalese restaurant is also one of its best restaurants to open in the last three years. Subash and Chandra Yadav upgraded from their dumpling-starring food truck, Everest Momo, to an intimate brick-and-mortar in early 2020. Those chewy-yet-succulent momos live on, served steamed, souped, and fried, slicked in potent sauces like a tomato-rich curry and gingery chile. There's rare personality and vivacity to Chef Yadav's food, and he also sources deeply from local farms especially Rhiba Farms in Queen Creek.

Mountain Shadows's Hearth 61 has some of the best resort cooking in Arizona.

Hearth '61

One of the great fixtures and masters of resort cooking in Arizona is Charles Wiley. These days, he captains the kitchen in Mountain Shadows: Hearth 61. The beauty of Hearth 61 is that it ensconces you in an elegant, vanished, mid-century world of old, polished, Arizona comfort. Somehow not breaking this enchantment, the food is New American with an emphasis on dramatic plating and the restaurants namesake hearth. From the hearth come flatbreads smothered with seasonal produce and playful touches, like artichoke relish and smoked cheddar.

Some of the most impressive barbecue in the Valley is in Avondale.

Chris Malloy

Hungry for cue in the west Valley? The meats smoked in salvaged propane tanks behind Erics Family Barbecue are the best youll find. Eric Tanori smokes the old-fashioned way, meaning without the assistance of gas; it's a labor-intensive method that raises the ceiling for how good marquee cuts, like brisket, can be. In his spacious, cafeteria-style dining room and out on a homestyle patio, that brisket adorns just about every platter. The slices come thick broad folds pungent with the deep smoke of mesquite. They almost dissolve on your tongue like spoonfuls of pudding. This is one of the best briskets and some of the most impressive barbecue in the Valley.

Waamos food travels from East Africa to across the Mediterranean.

Chris Malloy

Some hidden gems are known in certain food circles, and others are more like the Somali eatery Waamo Restaurant: more truly hidden. Marked by a loud green-and-white sign, Waamo buzzes, nevertheless. Inside its yellow-lighted, yellow-painted dining room, theres multilingual conversation, regulars cradling hot coffee, and often a takeout logjam. Waamos food travels from East Africa to across the Mediterranean. It does best, though, when sticking to Somalia. The specialty is Somali-style halal goat, richly satisfying, with plenty of muted gaminess left intact.

To learn how local restaurants are serving customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, explore New Times consumer guide to Phoenix Takeout, Delivery and Restaurant Dining.

Read this article:
Updating the Top 100 Restaurants in Phoenix - Phoenix New Times

The mobile volumetric technology last month picked up the coveted SVG Sports TV Award 2020 for the Outstanding Production Achievement (Innovation). In partnership with Sky Sports, digital replicas of the world's top golfers were created for the purpose of never seen before swing analysis at the 148th Open. The judges said: "Combining volumetric capture and replay to great effect under difficult conditions, the judges felt that it was one of those innovations that make you wonder 'how did they do that?' This is definitely the kind of innovation that moves the industry forward."

Speed and accuracy of deployment are key features for Polymotion Stage Truck. State-of-the-art hydraulic systems expand the trailer, effectively tripling its footprint to present a green screen capture room of 46m2 in size while automatic self-levelling hydraulics provide the stability that volumetric video capture demands.

Internally, the Polymotion Stage Truck has been designed for maximum flexibility and talent capture. In addition to the studio space, two fully climate-controlled multi-purpose rooms offer options for easy to access hair, makeup and wardrobe facilities, green rooms or even additional photo studios, delivering the full studio experience on location. Entrances and exits at both ends of the trailer allow the talent to quickly enter/exit the studio, ideal for capturing large groups of individuals, such as sports teams or an entire cast. The trailer also features a full preprocessing data centre for quick footage review allowing creative decisions to be made on the spot.

Sara Gamble, Head of Volumetric Solutions, stated: "With Stage Dome and Stage Truck we can go to any location to capture talent, supporting the industry by delivering creative content on site."

During the global pandemic the Polymotion Stage Truck is operating under 'safe-shoot' conditions in accordance with Government and APA guidelines.

Simon Windsor, Co-Founder and Joint Managing Director of Dimension, said: "These revolutionary mobile capture studios will enable new forms of virtual entertainment and content across sport, music, fashion and more. From Sky's Britannia VR to the War of the Worlds immersive experience, volumetric and real-time technologies are raising the bar for entertainment with new possibilities emerging every day."

The Polymotion Stage Truck, alongside the Polymotion Stage Dome, will change how volumetric video is captured across the entertainment and sports industries and deliver new opportunities for providing unique and immersive content.

Watch Polymotion Stage Truck videoImage library

For more information please contact: [emailprotected],+44 (0)1342 838000

About MRMCAbout NikonAbout Dimension

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeSYjAS1-t4 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1251647/Polymotion_Stage_Truck.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1028929/MRMC_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Mark Roberts Motion Control

https://www.mrmoco.com

See original here:
MRMC and Dimension drive volumetric video capture innovation forward with the introduction of the Polymotion Stage Truck - PRNewswire

The master bath received an $85,000-plus update including a soaking tub, glass shower, double vanities with quartzite counters and flooring arranged in a herringbone pattern.

The master bath received an $85,000-plus update including a soaking tub, glass shower, double vanities with quartzite counters and flooring arranged in a herringbone pattern.

The master bath received an $85,000-plus update including a soaking tub, glass shower, double vanities with quartzite counters and flooring arranged in a herringbone pattern.

The master bath received an $85,000-plus update including a soaking tub, glass shower, double vanities with quartzite counters and flooring arranged in a herringbone pattern.

On the Market: After numerous upgrades, Greenfield Hill colonial is just right

FAIRFIELD Downsize time. Thats what the current owners of the gray colonial house at 354 Towne House Road say after raising their three children there. They are quick to add it wont be easy to leave such a beautiful and practical home; a quiet, friendly neighborhood; and convenient location.

This location is like the middle (bowl of) porridge of Goldilocks just right, one owner said.

There is a Facebook neighborhood site for Woodhouse and Towne House roads (for) owners to share ideas, tag sales, alerts and gatherings. During the start of the school year, there are family gatherings at the bus stops and usually holiday gettogethers throughout the year, the listing agent said.

This great location in Greenfield Hill is just far enough to be out in the country but close enough to be able to run and get a cup of coffee, fill up with gas, or go to the grocery store in just a couple of minutes, they said. This roadway, off Burr Street, is only about five minutes from the Merritt Parkway 1.3 miles away, Restaurants Barcelona, Bonda and the Bluebird Inn. Shops and restaurants along Black Rock Turnpike are not much further away than that, and it is only about seven minutes to downtown Fairfield, the Metro-North Railroad train station and Interstate 95.

Even closer to this house are Burr Elementary School and the Connecticut Audubon Center, both on Burr Street, and the Audubon Centers Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary. All are only about a five-minute walk from the house. The Audubon trails allow for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. There are seven miles of trails including the Chiboucas wheelchair-accessible trail.

This 4,237-square-foot house and its 2.23-acre level property are just right as well. It looks and functions much differently than it did when the house was first built in 1964. Originally, this property comprised a four-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom guest cottage. In 2010 both structures were combined into one masterfully designed home with an open flow from one spacious room to another. Now this house accommodates the modern familys aesthetics and lifestyle, the agent said.

It has undergone further updates since then. Just this year the exterior of the house was painted in the Benjamin Moore color Grey Huskie. And from 2018 through this year the interior rooms were painted with on-trend neutrals and an overall pleasing color palette. A new driveway was installed in 2015 and four years later a row of arborvitaes were planted along a portion of the driveway near the attached under-house two-car garage, above which is a bonus room, currently used as a family room. This versatile space could serve as a recreation, game or play room. That same year an existing bedroom was converted into a dressing room for the master suite. The expansive raised deck was added using composite materials, minimizing maintenance.

TYPE: Colonial

ADDRESS: 354 Towne House Road

PRICE: $1,010,000

NUMBER OF ROOMS: 10

FEATURES: 2.23-acre level parcel, freshly painted inside and out, move-in ready, large wrap-around deck, bluestone terrace with seated stone wall, newer seven-person hot tub, exterior lighting on timers, extra insulation, programmable thermostat, storm doors, Thermopane windows, Azek trim; walking distance to Burr Elementary School, the Connecticut Audubon Center, and the Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary; easy commute to the Merritt Parkway; less than 10 minutes to downtown, Metro North Railroad station and I-95, cable available, one fireplace, possible in-law or au pair suite, pull-down attic stairs, attic fan, ridge vents, zoned central air conditioning and oil heat, new oil furnace this year, 80-gallon hot water heater tank, public water connection, septic system, full unfinished walk-out basement, attached two-car garage, invisible pet fencing, five bedrooms, three full and one half baths

SCHOOLS: Burr Elementary, Tomlinson Middle, Fairfield Warde High

ASSESSMENT: $664,300

TAX RATE: 26.79 mills

TAXES: $17,797

The HVAC system was updated to create five heat zones and four central air conditioning zones. The master bath received an $85,000-plus update including a soaking tub, glass shower, double vanities with quartzite counters and flooring arranged in a herringbone pattern. The house got a new kitchen in 2014. It features a long center island that widens to create a breakfast bar to accommodate five people. Thats in addition to the eat-in area. Other kitchen features include quartzite counters, a marble backsplash, pantry, a built-in desk area, and high-end appliances.

The owners said they love the open flow between the kitchen and the large first floor sitting room, adding: We think the columns and archway leading to the back deck came together in a very aesthetically pleasing way.

That deck has provided a comfortable place for relaxing, watching stars and lightning, and listening to the birds. The thick border of trees makes this backyard a very peaceful place. We really enjoy the deck and being in the hot tub, the owner said.

Back inside, there are formal living and dining rooms; the living room has a fireplace. On the second floor there are five bedrooms.

For more information or to set up an appointment to see the house, contact Carol Langeland of Carol Langeland Homes and William Pitt Sothebys International Realty at 203-895-7892 or CarolLangelandHomes@gmail.com.

Go here to see the original:
On the Market: After numerous upgrades, Greenfield Hill colonial is 'just right' - The Ridgefield Press

Whether theyre learning in school or at home this year, there are still ways for kids to stay active during the pandemic.

Getty Images

Texas A&M University health education expert Hildi Nicksic says childhood obesity is an ongoing problem that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Nicksic, a clinical assistant professor in the College of Education & Human Developments Department of Health and Kinesiology, maintaining physical activity for children during this time is important in keeping childhood obesity rates at bay.

On a population-wide level, we are seeing diminished physical activity levels, altered dietary habits including consumption of excess calories, and heightened stress and anxiety, all of which increase the risk of obesity, Nicksic said. Children may be at additional risk due to their lack of autonomy.

She said there are ways that schools welcoming students back to campus can safely integrate physical activity in the classroom and in the gym.

Physical activity does not require personal contact, she said, so there are numerous options for students to engage in safe, space bubble movement.

Given that teachers are needing to consider alternative seating arrangements to meet the physical distancing requirements, there may actually be more room for activity in the classroom across all levels of education, Nicksic said.

Chair dips, jumping jacks, squats, stretching and arm circles are just a few of the many movements that students can complete in a confined space.

Some school districts have had to cancel physical education classes due to disease transmission concerns and budgetary cuts. For programs allowed to continue, Nicksic said this is an ideal time to focus on skill-building and teaching technique, as many movements can be practiced individually and independently.

For example, for a tennis unit, breaking down the mechanics of different swings and having students practice their form is a physically distanced activity, as are stationary dribbling drills in a basketball unit, Nicksic said.

She warns that extra precaution should be taken with activities involving balls, as they can roll away and cause students to break physical distancing to retrieve them. She advises setting clear expectations for how students should react, and implementing systematic disinfection of equipment between students.

For students continuing distance education, Nicksic said their environment directly affects their activity levels. Something as simple as walking to the bathroom at home versus at school generates fewer steps.

In addition to a larger setting, the potential benefit of a return to school is an increase in support for movement, if teachers offer opportunities for activity in the classroom and/or if students are allowed to engage in traditionally-offered school-based physical activity opportunities, Nicksic said.

However, by learning at home, students technically have more time to engage in physical activity. Parents and distance learning educators should encourage students to use this extra time for non-sedentary activities.

It is critical to recognize that we are already asking an inordinate amount from our public school teachers right now as they are facing a nearly impossible task with substantial additional burden, Nicksic said.

She encourages teachers to keep it simple, but be creative in supporting and facilitating physical activity among students in web-based classes.

For example, in her virtual classroom she has students stand while discussing a prompt in a small breakout group. Even something as simple as changing from seated to upright and back facilitates blood flow and resets attention.

In supporting healthy behavior at home, Nicksic recognizes there are also increased challenges for parents. If a family is experiencing financial hardship and struggling to simply put food on the table, they cant be expected to be overly concerned about the nutritional content of that food, or with developing intricate physical activities for their children.

She encourages both teachers and parents to useavailable resources, such as those compiled on her Classrooms in Motionwebsite, to incorporate more physical activity for students.

One thing that I think is important to add is that although it is clear that the ramifications of COVID-19 on public health are staggering, there are those who have used this pandemic as a catalyst to enhance healthy behaviors, Nicksic said.

Nicksic said it is also important that students garner social support from one another during class interactions, whether in-person or virtually.

These connections help bolster students during these challenging times and support engagement in healthy behaviors, Nicksic said.

View post:
Keeping Students Active Online Or In-Person - Texas A&M Today - Texas A&M University Today

Judy Rose, Special to the Detroit Free Press Published 7:00 a.m. ET Sept. 5, 2020 | Updated 9:21 a.m. ET Sept. 5, 2020

It is a beautiful white-pillared house with black iron balconies on the Detroit River, seriously improved by former owner Kid Rock and is listed for $2.2 million. Wochit

This white-pillared beauty on the Detroit River once owned and improved by Detroit native Kid Rock has come back on the market at $2.2 million.

The house looks as it did when he sold it last August (2019) for the same $2.2 million. The investors who bought it have neither moved in nor removed the things the musician, whosereal name is Robert James Ritchie, left behind.

'Made in Detroit' window shades like the ones in one of the main level gathering rooms reflect the personal touch Kid Rock gave the home at 9090 Dwight Street, Detroit, a beautiful white-pillared house with black iron balconies on the Detroit River, seriously improved by former owner Kid Rock.(Photo: Todd Sedlak)

That includes the clever shades on most windows. Pull the cord and you bring down the logo of the clothing company he founded here. Its the silhouette of a worker with a wrench, inside a circle, inside the words Made in Detroit.

The home's two main floors are gently traditional, probably the same floor plan as original. A large living room, dining roomhall and kitchen downstairs are wrapped with French doors and deep windows. Upstairs has four bedrooms with private baths.

More: Builder's posh $3.47M family home in Bloomfield Hills holds surprises underground

More: This near original $1.1M Grosse Pointe Tudor bursts with colors inside

The lower level is a well-outfitted party space, with a large bar, large game room and bistro booths. It has a large wall mural of the front of Motown Hitsville USA with portraits of the artist in front.

"Hitsville U.S.A." -- A mural of the Motown building and its artists is on the wall of the large lower level entertaining room. Here it's next to built-in restaurant booths and a padded table for cards. There's also a large bar and game room.(Photo: Todd Sedlak)

The home's third floor has room for friends, relatives or maybe your band to crash three extra bedrooms, three baths and a large open space with a mattress.

The house comes with a new Detroit River boathouse that the rocker had built from scratch, along with a new stone breakwall. This boathouse has lifts for a boat plus two personal watercraft, as well as a shower inside. On top it has a riverfront party deck with a fire pit, storage chests and coolers.

Kid Rock made other large improvements while he owned the house from2012 to 2019, especially on curb appeal. The house had no garage, so he built one. Its exterior was aluminum siding. He replaced it with James Hardie brand siding a cement fiber sheath that looks like wood but needs no painting.

He wrapped a handsome black fence around the yard with an electronic gate and intercom.

The exterior with a new fence and gate added by Kid Rock at 9090 Dwight Street, Detroit, a beautiful white-pillared house with black iron balconies on the Detroit River, seriously improved by former owner Kid Rock.(Photo: Todd Sedlak)

He landscaped the yard, installed central air and replaced the old windows, complying with rules of this areas historic designation.

Everything he wanted to do, he had to go before some of the boards of the city, said Realtor Tim Cook. Cook has listed this house for sale twice first for Kid Rock, now for the current owners.

Rocks additions include two large outdoor TVs a kind that can get wet and still function. One is on the boathouse party deck. It rises up out of the storage unit on demand. The other hangs over the rear stone terrace, suspended from one of the iron balconies above.

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

In addition to the major changes outdoors, Realtor Cook said Kid Rock painted everything inside and replaced all the kitchen appliances with Wolf brand. He also completely remodeled the large owners bath. Other baths were left in their original tile, but fixed up.

The furnishings Rock left behind are not included in the price of the home, but can be negotiated, Cook said. One fun detail is the strip of four fans over the owners bed. They are the straw fans called plantation, but not installed in the standard circle. Theyre mounted in a row over the headboard, as though four servants behind the bed were each waving one fan. Turned on, they sweep back and forth over the sleepers head.

This house is one of just seven on Detroits Dwight Street, where all houses have deep back yards to the Detroit River. This at the west side and the Manoogian Mansion, Detroits official mayors residence, at the east side form bookends on the houses between. The area is called the Joseph Berry Subdivision and is a designated local historic district.

Where: 9090 Dwight St., Detroit

How much: $2.2 million

Bedrooms: 7

Baths: 5 full, 1 half

Square feet: About 6,000

Key features: Beautiful white-pillared housewith black iron balconies on the Detroit River, seriously improved by former owner Kid Rock. A large new boathouse with a party deck, new landscaping, decorative fence and gate, new AC, windows, Wolf appliances.

Contact: Tim Cook, Skyline Realty Group, 313-550-5604.

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.

Read or Share this story: https://www.freep.com/story/money/real-estate/michigan-house-envy/2020/09/05/kid-rock-house-for-sale-detroit-river/3448914001/

View post:
Kid Rock's former house on the Detroit River is back on the market - Detroit Free Press

Sarah Fagan

Middlebury College increased tuition by 3 percent for the 2020-21 academic year, sparking criticism from students, parents, faculty and staff. The Board of Trustees voted in January to raise tuition and revisited the decision after the Covid-19 pandemic hit, but decided to move forward with the increase.

At that time there were so many uncertainties, Treasurer David Provost said. Wed just refunded about nine million dollars so the 2020 loss is going to be about $12 million.

The planned FY21 budget draws an extra 2.5 percent from the endowment, in addition to the typical 5%. This amounts to a maximum of $23.5 million extra this year, according to Provost. The FY21 budget also includes approximately $5 million to cover costs created by the pandemic, such as testing, PPE and classroom modifications.

While fewer students will be on campus in the fall, no faculty or staff have been laid off. More intense cleaning regimens and complicated food distribution necessitated by Covid-19 have increased costs this semester, according to Provost.

At the time, because of the level of the deficit, with $23.5 million dipping into the endowment, the board did not feel comfortable reversing its decision like some schools have, Provost said.

Annual tuition increases are not unusual at colleges and universities throughout the country, even in years without the financial uncertainties of a global health crisis. In spring of 2019, the board voted to increase Middleburys tuition by 3.25 percent for the 2019-2020 school year, and other NESCAC schools implemented similar increases. In April of 2019, Provost said he expected an annual tuition increase of roughly 3 percent for the next three to five years.

This years increase has been controversial given the impact pandemic precautions will have on college life, with a shift to largely online courses, new physical distancing and gathering-size guidelines, and many students enrolled as remote learners.

During the spring term, students across the country petitioned universities for partial tuition refunds because of the shift to remote learning, and some students brought class-action lawsuits demanding reimbursements. A Middlebury Language Schools Masters student began a petition urging the college to refund tuition for all affected students, but the college refunded only room and board fees for the spring.

Many have questioned why the college is not relying more heavily on the endowment, how the increase is justified when the liberal arts college experience shifts to remote learning and why tuition is increasing amid faculty and staff wage freezes.

I understand why they are raising tuition in theory, but I wish that they had not done it in a time where so many families are financially vulnerable, Eva Stanley 23 said.

Several other colleges have adjusted their fall tuition rate because of the pandemics effects on in-person education and the financial circumstances of families. Georgetown, Princeton and Lafayette have announced a 10 percent discount for students studying remotely, and Williams is cutting tuition by 15 percent for both in-person and remote students.

One of the reasons Middlebury cannot do the same, according to Provost, is the donor-restricted portion of the endowment. When donors give to the college, they can earmark their contribution for a particular program or purpose, making those funds unavailable for emergency use during the pandemic. Middlebury has a comparatively high proportion of donor-restricted funds in its endowment, Provost said.

Of the 1.157 billion, 1.126 billion is restricted, of which 946 million of it is donor-restricted, so we cant use it for any other purpose, Provost said. We could go back and ask donors if theyre still alive if we can change it, and we still may have to do that if things get much worse.

Another $180 million of the endowment is board-restricted, meaning the board could choose to change the designation of those funds for other purposes. However, many of the top board-designated endowments are for faculty salaries, student financial aid, the museum and athletic facilities, leaving less funding available for future years.

The Middlebury chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) issued a statement on their website and Twitter expressing surprise at the tuition increase. All employee salaries have been frozen (and with cost of living [increase] about 1.6 percent this means all employees are earning less than in 2019). Employees also face threats of 15 percent compensation cuts that remain in the current budget plans depending on whether students can remain on campus this fall, the statement said.

The response also said publicly available IRS forms from previous years indicate that the college regularly draws more than 5 percent from the endowment, contrary to the colleges claim that they are taking more from the endowment this year than they normally would. According to Priscilla Bremser, professor of mathematics and member of the Middlebury AAUP, the colleges goal has been to annually draw 5 percent from the endowment for many years, but it has consistently drawn more than 5 percent for the last 10 years.

We are concerned this is an excuse to justify future further cuts to worker compensation, inevitably creating tension between Middlebury workers and students, which only hurts us all as we enter into an uncertain and highly stressful fall semester, the AAUP statement said.

I do think long-term it will have an impact on future increases, Provost said. If we get through this year, I think the pressure not to increase tuition next year will be much greater than its been.

In addition to an increased tuition, Middleburys student activities fee has also remained the same. Some colleges have also discounted the mandatory student activities fee for the academic year because of restrictions on in-person events and travel. Middlebury students studying remotely will not pay room and board, nor will they pay the mandatory student activities fee. Students studying on campus will pay the full $436 student activities fee this year, although many events will happen entirely online and remain open to remote learners.

The SGA Finance Committee distributes the student activities fee collected by the college through a budgeting process that may change this year. The committee does not set the activities fee but is adjusting their budgeting process to reflect the unusual semester.

We have to go back and look over everything we funded in the spring, so we actually have pushed off a lot of our budgeting process to this fall because it is looking so different, and we want to be up to date with the requirements on campus for health and safety, said Mason Olmsted 21, director of the SGA Finance Committee.

Approximately a third of the student activities funds go to the Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) each year to pay for popular events like concerts. This year those events will not be possible, so the Finance Committee has been working with MCAB to reassess how funds will be distributed and used.

Ive been wholly impressed with MCABs creativity and ability to start planning events despite the circumstances, especially considering many of their programming and events typically function around being together and being in person around many people, said Alison Hudson 21, the other director of the SGA Finance Committee.

The committee is also working to evaluate how the student organization budgeting process, usually completed in the spring of the previous school year, will potentially change during the fall.

Its gonna take the first month to figure out whats going on, what are the rules, what can we do, what can we not do. Thats where I really hope organizations come in with great ideas via new money requests, and we can fund those events on campus, Olmsted said.

Read this article:
Economic downturn and Covid-19 precautions bring tuition and endowment draw increases - Middlebury Campus

The Dallas Cowboys signed free agent pass-rusher Everson Griffen to a one-year, $6 million contract on Aug. 12 in a move that will have a ripple effect across the roster.

The first of which came across the wire after Sundays practice, as second-year defensive end Jalen Jelks was released to make room for the 32-year-old USC product.

Nonetheless, the effects of signing Griffen should be much more positive for the Cowboys defense than it was for Jelks, as Griffens presence will assuredly make life easier on a few defenders in 2019. Who are those players who will be benefiting most from the Griffen addition?

Keep reading to find out.

Before the Cowboys signed Griffen, they were devoid of a real, proven pass-rush presence opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, which would have resulted in a steady stream of double teams, chip blocks and slide protections coming his way as opposing offenses could really zero in on how to slow down Dallas premier defender (fifth-highest double team rate among edge defenders).

There were times when opposing offenses both chipped and slid protection toward Lawrence, making it near impossible for him to generate pressure on the QB. The chip from an RB/TE makes it difficult for Lawrence to rush outside, as the RB/TE helps protect the tackles outside gap, while the slide protection eliminates the necessary space for an inside move, as the guard is sliding outside to protect the tackles inside gap.

However, with Griffen in the fold, offenses are going to have to think twice about sending all the attention Lawrences way because leaving Griffen on an island one-on-one is a dangerous game to play.

In fact, look no further than the attention (or lack thereof) that Griffens running mate in Minnesota, Danielle Hunter, faced in 2019. Hunter has accumulated either 60+ pressures and/or 12+ sacks in each of the last four seasons; however, despite all that production, Hunter was doubled teamed at a below-average rate in 2019 (on slightly more than 14% of his pass-rush snaps). Griffen was actually doubled-team more often than his more productive teammate (on slightly more than 18% of his pass-rush snaps), which just demonstrates Griffens ability to draw attention away from more talented teammates.

Now, Minnesotas defensive scheme deserves credit for limiting the double teams on their edge defenders, which is why its interesting that the Cowboys hired former Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards to be a defensive assistant.

Nevertheless, this is great news for Lawrence, as the increased attention he faced last year was one of many reasons why he didnt accumulate as many sacks in 2019 as we became accustomed to seeing in the past.

Griffens presence, in addition to the Cowboys blitzing more, should earn Lawrence more frequent one-on-one opportunities, which should lead to more production from Dallas premier pass rusher. Lawrence is simply too technically efficient to not have considerable success against one-on-ones.

Even before Griffen was signed, I thought Lawrence was destined to accumulate 10+ sacks in 2020, and with Griffen now in the fold, Im even more confident that Lawrence will break the double-digit sack barrier this season.

Another pass-rusher who benefits from the Griffen signing is Aldon Smith. Prior to Griffen signing, Smith was the only defender who was previously a high-end pass rusher. However, the problem is that its been five years since Smith even touched an NFL field.

Ideally, Smith would be the cherry on top of the Cowboys pass-rush sundae, but before Griffen was signed, he probably would have been forced to be the ice cream. No matter how optimistic you are about Smiths ability to contribute to the Cowboys defense this year, its never ideal to be forced to rely on someone whos missed a half-decade to be the No. 2 edge rusher on the team.

Now, with Griffen on the defense, the Cowboys dont have to rely on Smith to bring the pressure opposite Lawrence, which means they can use him in a role thats more befitting to someone in his circumstances. The Cowboys are now in a better position to limit Smiths snaps so that he can play at a higher pace more consistently.

Additionally, with Griffen and Lawrence outside, the Cowboys now have the option to use Smith as a mismatch weapon, moving him around the line of scrimmage to attack the weak link in opposing offensive lines.

In the NFL, pass rush and coverage have a symbiotic relationship. A good pass rush makes life easier on coverage and good coverage makes life easier on the pass rush. Therefore, it shouldnt be a surprise that Dallas secondary, arguably, benefits the most from the Griffen signing.

In theory, signing Griffen means the Cowboys will apply more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and pressured quarterbacks typically arent good quarterbacks. In 2019, QBs had a 97.3 passer rating from a clean pocket but fell all the way to 63.5 when pressured, per PFF. Pressured QBs throw more passes into contested areas, which means more turnover opportunities for the defensive backs.

Additionally, if the secondary trust that the pass rush will consistently pressure the QB in a timely manner, then they can be more aggressive to jump short-to-intermediate routes, creating even more turnover opportunities on defense.

A venomous pass rush with multiple threats could also lead to offenses sacrificing an eligible receiver to stay in and block to keep the QB clean. On a normal play where there are four defenders rushing the passer, the defense has seven defenders in coverage to defend up to five eligible receivers. You dont need to be a math wiz to understand that its easier for seven defenders to cover four receivers than it is to defend five, regardless if its man or zone.

Find more Cowboys stories from The Dallas Morning News here.

Read more:
Film room: Which Cowboys benefit the most from Everson Griffens addition to the roster? - The Dallas Morning News

Youre not required to update building codes at your house unless youre doing some remodeling work, and then typically only the remodeled areas have to meet the new regulations.

Fire alarms are the exception as most cities will require that they be brought up to code when a permit is pulled.

However, at the point that the remodel involves a significant portion of the home the city may require all codes be brought up to date.

Note that this job involves just about every construction specialty:

Q: Converting our garage is not an option. What can we do to update the floor plan and create more room?

A: Have you considered removing a wall to create a great room? Note that if the wall you want to remove runs between the living room and dining room, and you live in a home built between 1950 and 1970, the wall may be load bearing. Proceed with caution. This job will require a licensed contractor. When you apply for a permit, it is likely that your city planning department will require a structural engineer to assist with design. A structural engineer will be able to assure that the beam, posts and footings are sufficient to bear the weight of the roof structure that previously rested on the wall.

Original post:
Rosie on the House: These projects will free up space at home - Arizona Daily Star