By RaeAnn Slaybaugh

For Tulsas Memorial Drive Church of Christ, connecting as a church family was never a problem but the facilities told a less inspiring story.

Built in 1963, this mid-century modern church features a tent-like parabolic roof, with additions in 1973 and 1977. While the church design surely had its admirers from afar, it left a lot to be desired up close.

For long-time member Laura McCall, the discouragement began in 2014 with the state of the nursing mothers room. Meanwhile, it was common for a leaky roof to invade Sunday morning classes.

Even so, Memorial was her home. I love this place, Laura said. I love these people.

Five years later, she took matters into her own hands, intent on redecorating the cry room. Her first call was to Sheila Cheatham, interior decorator and wife of elder Larry Cheatham. They were in full agreement and so was Sheilas husband, who was nearby when they spoke.

Shortly after, the elders held potluck meetings with the congregation, from Millennials to lifelong members. Overall, they were in favor of remodeling, Larry said. But, many were also worried about how the church would pay for this work.

Though funding was undetermined, Laura got the elders permission to call similar churches, ask questions about the remodeling process, and get professional recommendations. She also came across an article about Millennial-friendly church design, which resonated with her in a way nothing else had.

Laura was surprised and delighted when one church called her back and recommended none other than the articles author: Rodney James, a pastor whod transitioned into church building. In fact, Rodney President & Founder of Masters Plan Church Design & Construction had been that churchs pastor.

So, her next call was to Rodney himself. He was out of town speaking at a conference, but he called her back that afternoon.

As we spoke, I could feel the spirit moving through our words and hearts, she said.

Laura recommended an introduction with the elders. By days end, a lunch meeting was planned. When they met, both Laura and Larry said Rodney struck them as experienced, knowledgeable, passionate and compassionate.

His years spent pastoring a church allow him to see the whole picture, Laura said.

Gods hand has been all over this.

Before parting ways, Rodney mentioned a local news story airing the following Thursday. Hed been interviewed about designing space to help churches better minister to families who have children and adults with special needs. Memorial has a very large ministry to these families.

On the following Wednesday July 24, 2019 Memorial caught fire, burning for hours and rendering the entire 50,000-square-foot building uninhabitable.

While the church family mourned the loss of their facilities, Laura said that having Rodney already in their corner seemed like a blessing directly from God.

On that day, story after story on the church fire aired on local news but so did the story in which Rodney spoke about creating space to help families with children with special needs worship.

The timing was weird, Laura remembers. And we watch for God in the weird.

Picking up the pieces

The day of the fire, Cheatham felt perplexed and fearful. He didnt know how to respond to members questions. It helped immensely when the elders and the ministers met that night to pray and ensure the upcoming Sunday morning worship went on uninterrupted. Thankfully, earlier that day, the nearby Eastside Christian Church called to offer its building (for sale at the time) as a temporary worship and Bible classes space. Memorial continues to lease the building.

To house operations staff, office space was offered up by a member / business owner and his business partner.

At the individual ministry level, each leader found alternative places to host their events. Some didnt even have to look; a number of faith-based organizations called right away to volunteer their buildings. Except for the food pantry, every ministry continued as if the fire never happened. It wasnt long before a partner of many years, Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, helped in finding the food pantry a home, as well.

For the long term, elders organized a building committee for which Larry is the chair and a building finance committee. They are working with Rodney and his team on preliminary plans for a remodeled / replacement physical home. Each ministry leader has been interviewed, and their input is reflected in a schematic floor plan.

Though official plans are on hold pending the churchs insurance settlement, one option is to retain the space under the tell-tale parabolic roof, if the structure is deemed safe by the engineer and insurer. If a complete tear-down is required, the committee will aim to incorporate some of the old structures elements into the new building as an homage to the churchs history.

But Larry and the rest of the church know that the outcome isnt entirely in their hands.

Were focused on waiting for God to lead us, he said. All of us look forward to moving into a new home here in Tulsa, and to the opportunities God is preparing for us to meet.

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Out of the ashes - Church Executive Magazine

Whether their vantage point is home building and design, technology, or health and longevity, those whose careers intersect with residential architecture agree that this pandemic will likely change how our homes look and function in the years to come.

Heres the perspective of eight thought leaders on whats likely to shift in the places that we and our children will call home in the future whether were buying, building or remodeling them. Listed alphabetically, they are:

How will the classic American home change after the COVID-19 pandemic?

HEALTHIER SPACES AND MATERIALS

Tim Costello: I dont think you will see any perceptible change in construction soon. However, on the design side, you may see builders add or highlight new design features. In particular, you may see changes that further differentiate a newly built home vs. a used home. Options that could be deployed faster than changes to architecture [include] UV air treatment, indoor air quality monitoring, viral-resistant surfaces and health monitoring systems for homeowners. Changes like these that greatly benefit homeowners and that respond to learnings from COVID-19 could make their way into product offerings very quickly.

Veronika Miller-Eagleson: Germ-resistant counter tops and flooring will likely see an upswing. It would be good to see improved options for carpeting too. Self-sanitizing door handles actually exist. There could be a huge demand if these systems can be made available. Smart filtration systems for air and water will be a must-have. Smart toilets will be the biggest Christmas gift for 2020 and beyond! Home builders must plan for these now with electrical pre-wiring near the toilet.

Jennifer Quail: There was already an increasing interest in healthy materials, and I expect consumers will make an even bigger move in that direction, especially when products like antimicrobial surfaces are so readily available. There is a peace-of-mind connection to those decisions that will provide even more comfort than before we all had to shelter-in-place.

Veronica Schreibeis Smith: Our homes must be seen as a sanctuary. Too often they meet basic shelter needs and minimum code requirements that don't give us clean air or pure water.

The use of healthier home materials will increase in future design and construction.

PANDEMIC PROTECTION

Alex Capecelatro: Consider how many hands touch the elevator button in your building, the doorknob in your home, your TV remote or light switches. We're hearing a greater demand for voice control and to be able to control more devices during this pandemic. With more people working from home, the need to feel grounded, healthy and alert with the help of circadian rhythm lighting, nature sounds, and other smart home technologies will rise.

Sarah Susanka: Even before the pandemic, Ive been aware that we currently have a missing place for a new functionpackage deliveryand today it is even more critical. We need to design in an area for package drop-off that is accessible by delivery people, but not accessible by thieves.It should be a small room with a door to the outside [and] be able to receive drone deliveries. This room should also include a pass-through to the recycling bin so that unpacking can happen there before the contents are brought into the house.

Peter Chapman: All those bonus spaces developed in the heyday of big building might better be considered as isolation rooms now. Even with couples living alone, there may be a need for separate facilities for each in case one or the other is exposed.

Eagleson: A greater need to store non-perishables and frozen foods may come back with bulk goods storage and smarter pantries. Wine and beer storage may become a more common kitchen feature too.

Voice control technology will reduce shared surfaces and germ spread.

MORE NATURE CONNECTIONS

Dan Buettner:Gardening is a common activity of centenarians because it combines so many elements that contribute to longer life. Sunlight (vitamin D), fresh air, fresh veggies, purpose, and regular natural movement. It's making a comeback in the Statesand we hope this continues. Planting a kitchen garden or even a container garden reaps many benefits. There are houseplants that naturally clean the air and add greenery, which has been proven to reduce stress in people.

Eagleson: Biophilia will move from trendy to necessary, from indoor plant schemes (including lighting) to green walls, to indoor vegetable gardens, to integrated screens/monitors for nature sounds/visuals throughout the house. Increasing usability and improving design of outdoor spaces will likely see a lot of new development as well.

Homes will be designed with more space and technology to support indoor and outdoor plant life.

INCREASED SOCIAL CONNECTION

Buettner: One thing that is key to Blue Zones is face-to-face connections. However, that's not possible now. But one thing I recommend based on my research is front porches or front balconies. I love to see what's happening in Italy and Spain neighbors on their own front porches to connect, many feet apart, with each other during this uncertain time.

Eagleson: Possible solutions that will manifest during and after this crisis [include] easy-to-use tech, especially for seniors to never have to feel so isolated again. Addressing isolation side effects: Always-on communication options like Zoom, Facebook Portal, and in-home/virtual exercise products like Peloton, Mirror Gym, Echelon, etc. with dedicated spaces.

Front porches and balconies foster social connection between neighbors.

IMPROVED HOME OFFICES SPACES AND TECHNOLOGY

Chapman: Weve been moving away from discrete spaces within the home to a more open plan, but its clear that we will need to reconsider the need for more isolated spaces if (and when) these pandemic outbreaks become more frequent. Its ironic that a while back we were proclaiming the end of the home office, as we all had the capability to work from anywhere any time. Now it seems were all thrust back into the 1990s and 2000s as we strive to continue our jobs from home.

Capecelatro: I think the need for video calls will only rise, and with them the need to design rooms specifically optimized for quiet work sessions. I also think this time at home with increased devices pulling on the network, as entire families stream video and audio content, only exemplifies the need for a world class network highly optimized for the data rates we require today.

Eagleson: To work efficiently, a home office cant be the dining table or the den; it has to encourage productivity and minimize distractions. Designers have a huge opportunity to think about creating spaces that are designed for teleconferencing, removed from the rest of home to minimize household distractions, including noise control and physical separation.

Quail: I also believe well see a return to a dedicated workstation in the home. The emergence of laptops, tablets, and smart devices led homeowners away from that business station in the home where the desktop computer used to live but, after two weeks or possibly months of living and working in the same place, the need for a dedicated space for professional hours and a clear separation between working at home and actually being at home becomes much more necessary.

The need to work from home will spur the creation of more quiet, separate, tech-friendly office ... [+] spaces.

Originally posted here:
8 Thought Leaders On How The COVID-19 Pandemic Will Change The American Home - Forbes

Can you hear them? asked Tracy Medenwaldt of Hankinson. My kids are yelling at each other.

To each other, at each other, its the same noise. Today, Medenwaldt is both mom and teacher, joining thousands of parents across North Dakota thrust into this role after Gov. Doug Burgum closed public schools indefinitely because of coronavirus.

While trying to talk on the phone, she sent her kids outside to jump on the trampoline and get rid of their excess energy. I have to mark down on a sheet of paper they have their physical education in for the week, she said. Im so glad they can go outside.

Home schooling could last a few weeks or the rest of the school year. Medenwaldt is betting this virus isnt giving up any time soon and her children will be homebound until the end of the school year.

She and her husband Aaron have seven children five are pre-school and up. Her oldest, Hunter, 17, is a high school senior, while youngest, Rhubee, is one, almost two. The newest Medenwaldt is days away from coming into the world as she is pregnant and will be induced this week.

There are events her children are missing out on because of coronavirus Hunter may finish his high school career at the kitchen counter if schools dont reopen, so graduation ceremonies are still an unknown. Oaklee is completing his confirmation, another ceremony put on hold because of COVID-19, while birth of baby No. 8 wont have the typical fanfare with visits from family and friends, or even a big baptism since churches put mass gatherings on hold during this global pandemic.

Even the Medenwaldt children cant see their new sibling until he/she comes home since children are not allowed to visit in hospitals.

Medenwaldt said shes saddened by how much her children are missing, especially her oldest son.

I want Hunter to be able to finish off his senior year, to walk through the halls of Hankinson High School one more time, to say goodbye. I am hoping they get to walk through graduation, even if its June or July. They need to have their big ceremony. Its a big accomplishment for these seniors, and for the parents weve been waiting to watch our kids, we have been waiting for this moment, she said.

The Medenwaldts are trying to do their part during this period of uncertainty. She has to make more frequent runs to the grocery store since her children are home and they are going through more milk than normal. This provided a unique opportunity.

The elderly are told to remain isolated since they are at more risk for developing severe symptoms from coronavirus, so Medenwaldt and her daughters put care packages together for about 10 senior citizens in the Hankinson community.

These care packages included paper towels, toilet paper, small packets of coffee, word book games, anything they could think of to make this time more bearable, she said. Medenwaldt hopes her children are learning to take care of the people around them, she said, that something good will come from this moment in time.

The restaurant industry in North Dakota has been severely impacted by coronavirus after the governor shut down everything other than curbside, take out or delivery.

Many restaurants laid off staff. Greg Paulson owns Hotcakes Cafe and Lodging in Hankinson. He opted to keep staff and change his business plan, he said.

Once the word came down, I talked to my staff. Do you want to keep your hours? Should we stay open? What do you want to do? he said.

The vote was to stay open. Instead of competing with the other restaurants in Hankinson, Hotcakes, EDJ and Docs Pub decided instead to create a schedule throughout the month in which one restaurants menu is being featured each day.

Docs Pub was up first Monday, March 23, followed by Hotcakes on Tuesday. Paulson offered fried chicken and already had six orders by mid-day.

He planned to stay open three hours at night. Typically, Hotcakes was open for breakfast and lunch, but since the restaurant closure went into effect, his mornings have been slow. Thats where hes taken the biggest financial hit, he said. Paulson figures people are more apt to make their own breakfasts, so hes offering expansive items like omelets or specialized breakfast sandwiches.

Paulson and staff also are deep cleaning the restaurant to remain virus-free. This time also gives him a chance to remodel since he hadnt wanted to close Hotcakes for remodeling. That isnt a problem now since the dining room is closed.

Business wise, we have the opportunity to refocus. Weve decided to do more take outs with soups and salads. Why werent we doing this in the first place? Paulson asked.

Hotcakes offers homemade food and is selling items like quarts of fresh soup for $7. Tuesday morning, they had a big batch of potato salad, all made from scratch, Paulson said.

He is worried about how coronavirus is going to affect his business. When all is said and done, will he still have a business? My fear is whenever the doors do open and everything is back to normal, what will happen then? Paulson asked.

The News Monitor will continue to cover this public health threat. Look to the coronavirus section on our website for more information.

Original post:
Plea from a mother: 'I want Hunter to be able to walk the halls one more time' - Wahpeton Daily News

Somewhere on the other side of the national emergency over COVID-19, new buyers will move into a rambling 1960s custom multilevel in Jeffco that has features plenty of families wish they had now, including an acre of pretty ground with red rocks and views of the foothills.

Colorado is at a strange transition point this weekend, heading into a stay-at-home mandate at a moment when Realtors in areas like south Jefferson County are still reporting deals that involved multiple offers.

Three agents with Red Rocks Team at Your Castle Real Estate, keeping 10 feet between them, showed me 6500 Crestbrook Drive in Willowbrook, a neighborhood of large sites wrapping foothill red rock outcrops at the west end of Belleview Avenue, just as the statewide shutdown was being issued.

In the past week, says agent Jackie Yost, her team saw one nervous buyer pull a $520,000 listing from the market, while another home at $1.2 million went to contract after full-price competing offers. The winning bidder was locked up at their own place out in California, making a remote bid on what had been Willowbrooks only home on the market.

Now this one becomes the sole listing there.

At $999,900, 6500 Crestbrook Drive is a five-bedroom/four-bath plan originally built in 1968, offered by a 20-year owner who works as a contractor and did a asteful remodeling of the kitchen and master suite.

Thats a super price for Willowbrook, says Yost, who with Todd Houghton and Kathleen Hanvey have a virtual tour up via their website and can arrange for you to get a look on-site after the stay-at-home order is lifted.

Yost points out that a real showing is the only possible way to get an idea of the views this home has.

Willowbrook, where all three agents live, is a mile west of C-470 at Belleview, with views and elbow room that belie its good freeway commuter access and nearby shopping.

Youll see a multilevel layout that has over 4,000 feet of finished space including an eye-catching kitchen update with Corian counters and a hardwood island, an attractive master on the upper level with his-and-her vanities and a walk-in closet, a large family room with one of the homes two fireplaces, and a finished lower level that has guest bedrooms and a rec room with a wet bar and a pool table thats included.

Yost notes that Red Rocks Team is the top-selling company here, where Willowbrook residents pay homeowner dues of just $350 a year that gives access to private trails and event sites

When were all back on the road again, take Belleview west under C-470, then west a mile to Colorow Drive.

The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this posts preparation.

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With red rocks, views and a full acre of ground, five-bedroom in Jeffco has room to shelter in place - Getaka.co.in

Lala Kent and Randall Emmett know a thing or two about renovating a home. How so? There processhas been going on for a very long time! During a recent episode, Lala expressed herfrustration with the remodeling process, saying, Rand and I started our home renovation over a year and a half ago, we basically gutted the entire house. I will never do another renovation again,you could not pay me to do a renovation.

Amid the homes many new upgrades which includes a new, all-white kitchen, the cutest playroom ever for Randalls daughters, and a master bathroom that is seriously glam is a master suite redo.Working withFlipping Out'sMegan Weaveron the design of the renovation, the room was completely demolished and now features a beautiful gray color palette, a super plush wall-to-wall carpet, and some huge windows overlooking the couple's scenic backyard and pool.

Now, however, the rooms focal point is going to be a gorgeous built-in gas fireplace. In a video posted to his Instagram Stories, Randall said, Alright, we got the fireplace going in, there we go, its happening not yet, but close! Flanking a humongous, floor-to-ceiling window and two cozy chairs, the rooms new hearth will also feature a TV hanging above. More to see: The rooms private balcony. Now thats luxury!

Bravos Style & Living is your window to the fabulous lifestyles of Bravolebrities. Be the first to know about all the best fashion and beauty looks, the breathtaking homes Bravo stars live in, everything theyre eating and drinking, and so much more. Sign up to become a Bravo Insider and get exclusive extras.

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Lala Kent and Randall Emmetts Master Suite Is About to Be Lit - Bravo

30 years after cancer treatment, one survivor returns to the Ronald McDonald House that made a major difference in their cancer journey.

Ryan Hamner is a four-time survivor of Hodgkin lymphoma, a musician and a writer. In 2011, he wrote and recorded, "Where Hope Lives" for the American Cancer Society and the song for survivors, "Survivors Survive" used in 2015 for #WorldCancerDay. Recently, he published his book, This is Remission: A Four-Time Cancer Survivor's Memories of Treatment, Struggle, and Life, available on Amazon.

"I need a smile," the photographer Carolyn said. I was freezing.

"I can't feel my face when I'm with you," I said jokingly, referencing the popular song by The Weeknd.

It was in the forties and overcast. That's not too bad for many, but with the windchill and a little mist, it felt pretty icy to me. Oh yeah, and I've been living in Florida since 2012, so my body isn't exactly used to anything remotely cold.

There I was, after just over 30 years, standing in the driveway of the Houston Mill Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta, Georgia. It was surreal. I was back, but this time under much better circumstances.

That long winding driveway was at one time my cue that "we were there." Most of the time, on the ride to the House, I would just lay all of the way back in the car seat. In and out of sleep, I'd stare up towards the ceiling of the car with a limited view of what I could see outside of the car window. But, when we got to the winding driveway with all of the tall trees I knew we were there. This time though, many of those trees were gone.

Aleea, who worked with the Ronald McDonald House, was also there helping out with the pictures being taken of me for Ronald McDonald House's 40th anniversary. They were trying to snap a few shots of my Bamba Box and me.

"Do you have any jokes?" I would ask her. And she'd reply with a smile, which usually helped me smile for the camera.

In the 80s, after leaving a chemo session at the Emory Pediatric Clinic, I can remember being pushed out to the car in a wheelchair by my mom, although other family members definitely helped out, I was then slowly eased into the passenger's seat little by little. Seriously, one wrong move and things could get worse before we were ready.

When I think back on it now, I always remember being pushed out of that clinic into a sunny day. For whatever reason, that's my memory of leaving. But, many other memories of those days don't really align with a "sunny day." Things were tough.

I spent many nights at the Houston Mill Ronald McDonald House between the ages of 6 and 12 if I remember correctly. But remembering specifics isn't easy at times.

As Aleea and I walked around to the back of the house - a house now missing some of its paint and in need of some work - it all felt like something out of a movie. To many, it would mean nothing, just an old house. But now, how going back made me feel was hard to describe. There is not a single word that can capture what hit me as I approached that door on the back of the house that we used to go through after chemo treatments.

This was the door that we went through so many times to get into the house and back to my room. It wasn't just a door on a house, though. Going through that door was a marker for me back then a signal.

In the past, going through that door meant that I was just minutes away from becoming violently ill. It was like clockwork back then. Finish chemo, ride to the Ronald McDonald House and just get through it. Oh, and the ice chips, those were always in the mixtoo.

As I peered into the windows of that back door of the Houston Mill Ronald McDonald House, I could see the playroom that I remembered going by so many times. It had changed so much. It was now just an empty room where it appeared that some remodeling had begun but abruptly stopped.

Going back to the house had more of an impact on me than I initially thought it would. It was bittersweet. This was the place that provided me and my family a home in one of the hardest times of my life, and my family's too. We met others there going through similar trials. My hope is that the "sweet" memories of the hard times for all of us outweigh the "bitter" ones and it's more like a "sunny day" now.

Excerpt from:
The Ronald McDonald House: Going Back After 30 Years - Curetoday.com

Q: Will all business offices and stores be required to close?

No.Those deemed Essential Businesses (see below) may keep their facilities open (and are encouraged to keep them open) to continue providing essential services and products to the public. Employees may leave home to go to these jobs.

Non-essential businesses may keep facilities open only to maintain minimum basic operations, such as maintaining the value of an inventory, keeping the site secure, or ensuring that employees are able to work remotely. The Order does not prohibit any employees from working from home.

Q: What are Essential Businesses?

The Order provides the following list of Essential Businesses:

Q: Does this Order require that schools shut down?

This Order requires that all schools stop holding classes at physical locations within the City. However, schools may provide distance learning to their students. Employees of schools may go to work for the purpose of providing distance learning to their students. Schools can also continue to offer students free lunches for takeaway or delivery, which many schools are doing.

Q: I am in the business of manufacturing food that I supply to grocery stores and other food retailers. Am I required to shut down?

No. All suppliers of essential businesses are allowed (and encouraged) to continue operating. This includes businesses that supply food goods and prepared meals to grocery stores and other food retailers.

Q: Does the Order require that businesses stop work that is necessary to our health care system?

No. The Order exempts any business that is performing work related to the delivery of health care.

Q: Can my company continue construction on a health care facility?

Yes, the Order exempts any business that is performing work related to the delivery of health care.

Q: Can my company tend to its labs under this Order?

You and your employees are allowed to perform Minimum Basic Operations on site at your work place, so long as employees maintain a distance of six feet from one another to the greatest extent feasible. If tending to the companys labs is necessary to maintaining the value of inventory, the Order allows for this work to continue. Other than that, your lab may only operate if it performs work exempted in the Order.

Q: My business principally manufactures, supplies, or repairs cell phones. Can it operate?

Yes. If your business is primarily engaged in supply or repair of cell phones or other telecommunications devices, then it is essential and may continue to operate under the Order.

Q: Can landscaping services continue?

Landscaping services may continue only if they are necessary to protect the safety, sanitation, or operation of essential businesses, such as weed abatement and other fire prevention, tree trimming to prevent a dangerous condition, or clearance of irrigation infrastructure. Landscaping for cosmetic purposes may not continue.

Q: Are non-profit organizations allowed to continue operating?

If they provide essential services as described in the Order, then yes they can and should continue providing those services. This would include non-profits operating food pantries, providing housing for homeless residents, and providing other critical services.

Q: What if some of the work my business does at its facility is essential and some is non-essential?

Your business can continue to operate its facility to carry out its essential business functions. You must maximize remote work and comply with social distancing requirements at the facility. The facility cannot continue to carry out non-essential business functions.

Q: I operate a big box store that sells some clothing in addition to groceries, electronics, and hardware. Do I need to shut down the part of my store that sells non-essential supplies?

No. You may keep your entire store open if it primarily sells essential goods and supplies like food and telecommunication supplies.

Q: What if I have a cafeteria at my worksite. Can it continue to operate to serve workers who are carrying out work exempted in the Order?

The Cafeteria can operate like other food facilities. It can serve food to the remaining employees, so long as the employees take the food away and do not eat it in the cafeteria. The cafeteria should follow the social distancing requirements in the Order.

Q: Is the local government shutting down?

No, essential government functions will continue, including first responders, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, and law enforcement. Other government functions or offices may be subject to reduced schedules or may be closed as part of the effort to fight the spread of COVID-19.

Q: I work for the governmentCan I continue to go to work?

Government employees can continue to go to work if they are designated as essential employees by their employer. Each government entity is responsible for determining which of its workers are essential workers.

Q: What do I do if my employer requires me to go to work?

Many businesses are not allowed to operate under this Order. Essential Businesses, as defined in the Order, are allowed (and encouraged) to continue operating. If your work is not an Essential Business, you are not allowed to go to work and your employer is not allowed to require you to attend except to sustain Minimum Basic Operations, as that term is defined in the Order. You may work from home if your work allows.

Q: I work in a hospital or medical clinic, but Im not sure Im essential. Should I continue to work? What if Im over 60?

ALL employees of hospitals, clinics, and other organizations that provide healthcare, provide services to healthcare organizations, provide needed supplies to healthcare organizations, or otherwise maintain healthcare operations of all kinds may continue working.

Both the Citys Order and the Governors recent guidance allows essential workers over 60 to continue working, even though others in that age group are being directed to stay home.

Q: What do I do about my kids? I have to work.

If you work for an Essential Business, as described in the Order, you can and should continue to work. Certain employers and community organizations will be providing childcare for employees of essential businesses. You may also employ a nanny or babysitter to provide home-based care for your kids.

Q: Can bike repair shops continue to operate?

Yes, bike repair shops are treated as an essential business (the same as auto repair shops) because they are necessary to facilitate essential travel.

Q: Can my company continue to provide janitorial services?

Yes, janitorial services are allowed as necessary to health and sanitation.

Q: Can grocery stores, farmers markets, and other food retailers remain open?

Yes. Grocery stores, certified farmers markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and similar food retail establishments are encouraged to remain open to provide food and pet supplies to the public. When visiting these establishments, please help retailers maintain at least six feet minimum distance between patrons, including by providing ample space while shopping and waiting in line.

Q: If my childs school is providing food or meals, can I leave home to go to the school to pick up the food or meals?

Yes.

Q: I operate a food facility what practices should I follow to keep my patrons safe?

Consult the Howell County Health Departmentfor additional up to date information.

Q: Can warehouses and distribution centers that supply businesses that ship and deliver stay open?

Yes.

Q: I work for an essential infrastructure organizationcan I leave home to go to work?

Yes. You can go to work to maintain and operate essential infrastructure, including public works construction, construction of housing (in particular affordable housing or housing for individuals experiencing homelessness), airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services).

Q: I run a construction company that builds affordable and market rate housing. Can we continue to build new units?

Yes. Creation of new housing units, including both market rate and affordable housing units, is essential. The Order allows construction projects to proceed and new ones to begin if they contribute new residential housing stock to meet the Citys critical need for additional housing supply.

Q I am midway through a remodel. Can my construction project continue?

Yes. Residential renovation projects of any kind that are currently underway may continue if necessary to a safe, sanitary, and functional home. Likewise, residential remodeling projects that are partly completed may continue if delaying completion would pose a safety, security, or sanitation risk to residents or impact the habitability of the residence.

Q: I have a construction project that will sustain damage if I do not continue work on it. Can I complete the project if it is not related to provision of healthcare, housing, or other essential infrastructure?

The Order allows for minimum basic operations at non-essential construction sites. You may send employees to the construction site to secure the site and to ensure that it does not sustain damage. You mayonlycontinue construction on the project to the extent it is necessary to prevent damage to the project, e.g. completing a roof or ensuring that there is proper drainage after grading has been completed.

Q: I have a contractor scheduled to begin a remodel next week. Can I go ahead with this project?

You must defer your remodel or renovation project unless it is necessary to restore your home to a safe, sanitary, and habitable space.

Q: Is general commercial construction allowed?

Unless your construction project is a health care facility, it is only allowed if it is necessary to the operation or maintenance of essential infrastructure, as that term is defined in the Order.

Q: What if I want to go to work at a physical location in the City and Im not sick?

Unless your work is exempted in the Order, you cannot go to work at a physical location in the City. You may work from home for any business if your employer allows it.

Q: Can I operate a business that sells things that can be delivered to peoples homes? Can I shift more of my business to a delivery model?

Deliveries can continue to be sent to peoples homes, and you may adjust your business model accordingly while this Order is in place.

Q: My business provides critical services and products for the federal government that we are required to provide on a time-certain basiscan we continue to manufacture these products or perform these services?

Employees and contractors of any governmental entity may continue to provide the services and products if the governmental entity determines that they are necessary to carry out an essential governmental function.

Q: Are daycare facilities allowed to operate?

Daycare facilities may operate, but only if they comply with the mandatory conditions set forth below and only to provide daycare to the children of employees who are exempted under the Order. This includes employees of essential businesses, employees who are providing for minimum basic operations of non-essential businesses, and governmental employees providing essential governmental functions.

Q: Can home-service workers continue to provide their services?

Home service workers may provide services to residences if essential to health, safety, sanitation, or the necessary operation of the residence. Generally, this will mean that plumbing, maintenance (to, for example, fix an interior or exterior water leak), pest control, or similar services necessary to maintain a safe and sanitary household are permissible. Purely cosmetic and other non-essential home services should be deferred to minimize risk of transmission. Home based childcare is also allowed under the Order.

Q: If I operate a non-essential business with a retail storefront, am I allowed to re-configure my business to deliver products to peoples homes?

Yes.

Q: I operate a store that primarily sells non-essential goods, but that also sells a small fraction of essential goods like food, or products that allow people to work from home. Can I continue to sell products to customers at my storefront?

No. Your store may deliver items directly to customers residences. Other than that, you may only maintain minimum basic operations, such as security and safeguarding of your inventory.

Q: I am a nanny. Will I get in trouble if I go to work?

The Order allows nannies and babysitters caring for a child in the childs own home to continue working.

Q: Can notaries public continue to operate?

Yes.

Q: Can title insurance companies continue to operate?

Yes.

Q: Can auto dealerships sell cars online and deliver them to peoples homes?

Yes. The Order allows businesses to deliver products to peoples residences.

Q: My retail shop is not exempt can we deliver existing stock to peoples homes?

Yes. The Order allows businesses to deliver products to peoples residences.

See the article here:
City of West Plains publishes FAQ for businesses, employment and government operations - Ozark Radio News

New windows were part of a renovation at the Vernie Snow Aquatic Center in Kingfisher.

KINGFISHER, Okla. Vernie Snow Aquatic Center recently received a facelift to the tune of nearly $2 million with a city-approved upgrade.

The renovation included a new pool pack, a dehumidification system, bay windows, a party room for private events and cosmetic changes throughout the indoor pool facility,Brandon Friesen, city of Kingfisher recreation director, said.

The biggest part of that was the pool pack, Friesen said. It controls heat and air in the building, as well as provides heating for the pool in the winter months. The dehumidification system helps reduce the smell of chlorine in the air around the pool. There was a little remodeling for the dressing rooms, and we got spray insulation throughout. The major addition was the party room.

Leslie Alvarez, assistant managerof the center, said private parties and open swim parties are available to be booked throughout the year, and the room gives guests a chance to set up more formal parties. Food isnt sold on site, so guests can bring in pizzas, picnic baskets, birthday cakes, sodasand more to facilitate parties.

Vernie Snow Aquatic Center in Kingfisher recently received a facelift to the tune of nearly $2 million after the city approved funds for an upgrade.

Id estimate that 75 to 80 percent of the private parties are booked by people not from Kingfisher proper, Friesen said. The smaller communities and rural areas around the town use the facility a lot.

The center boats a T-shaped pool with 25-yard lap lanes, diving boards, a slide area and a beach-style entry on one of the sections. The entire facility is indoors, making year-round swimming and other programming possible. Alvarez said the center hosts a youth swim team that competes in a league with Yukon, Mustang, Will Rogers, Edmond and Stroud. Water aerobics classes meet in the mornings, and a local physical therapist uses the pool for therapy sessions.

Vernie Snow Aquatic Center in Kingfisher recently received a facelift to the tune of nearly $2 million after the city approved funds for an upgrade.

Most of our lap swimmers come in the mornings, Alvarez said. We open at 7 a.m. weekdays for people who use swimming to work out, and were open seven days a week.

The center can host swim parties of various sizes, and different price packages are available. Open swim parties can be held nearly anytime, but the pool is open to the public for those events. Outside food is allowed even for those not hosting parties, but alcohol and glass containers are prohibited.

Renovated locker rooms were part of the recent upgrade at the Vernie Snow Aquatic Center in Kingfisher.

Admission is $5per person, according to the Kingfisher.org website.Birthday parties and group events can be booked and schedule information can be obtained by calling the center at (405) 375-3318.

ENID, Okla. When Jacob Krumwiede first visited the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, he was impressed by what he saw. Now, since beco

In order to be a successful metal detectorist, you really have to be a history nerd. You to have an appreciation for the things that youre finding because you never really know what it is. So be careful before you just pawn something. Brian Terrell, a member ofRed Dirt Metal Detectorists

Visit EnidsMarcy Jarrett, director,andRob Houston,communications coordinator, see their jobs as getting the word out about Enid, but their focusmainlyis outside of the city limits in order to bringinvisitors to spend time and money.

Northwest Oklahomas state parks are ready for another high-traffic spring and summer, after a time of repair and remodel during the off-season.

From private tasting sessions to large group outings and catered events, Northwest Oklahoma has wineries available for everything from day trips to overnight stays.

The Leonardos Children's Museum boardhas started theprocess of its first-ever endowment fundraiser, scheduled to start in the fall. While the board has yet to decide the exact monetary goals, executive director Tracy Bittle said, I think it will be in excess of $4 million.

"Were just so fortunateto be a part of something that Paul and Joan (Allen) shared as a way to invest in our community. Bill Mayberry,David Allen Memorial Ballparks director of operations

Enid High School students are traveling millions of light years into the universe thanks to the schools recently revamped observatory. | Northwest Oklahoma public star viewing

Vernie Snow Aquatic Center recently received a facelift to the tune of nearly $2 million with a city-approved upgrade.

Click for the latest,full-access Enid News & Eagle headlines|Text Alerts|app downloads

Horton is a freelance writer for the Enid News & Eagle.

2020 Vision is a special section that will publish in the Enid News & Eagle for eight Sundays in February, March and April 2020. The section is designed to feature individuals, businesses and organizations in Enid and Northwest Oklahoma that work every day for the betterment of the region and its residents.This section, which published March 15, 2020, focuses on Excursions.

Read all sections at2020 Vision: All stories

Have a question about this story? Do you see something we missed? Do you have a story idea for the News & Eagle? Send an email toenidnews@enidnews.com.

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2020 VISION: Kingfisher aquatic center facelift offers better place to party - Enid News & Eagle

In our bathrooms today we want separate showers and freestanding baths, and the space to make that ... [+] possible. (Photo by: Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Bathroom remodels are one of the biggest projects homeowners undertake. In 2020, they will likely be near the top of the list, according to a new bathroom trends report.

Its no wonder: the bathroom is arguably the most frequently used room in the home. If it is out-of-date, not functioning properly or beginning to show signs of wear, it may be time to remodel.

It is no small undertaking; the national average cost for a full remodel of a master bathroom, which includes flooring, vanity, tub, shower and accessories is $20,000. The cost is lower for powder rooms, which consist of just a toilet and a sink and do have the storage requirements of a master bath.

Why do we remodel? The single biggest reason is because a bathroom design is outdated. A whopping 84% of their customers remodel for that reason, said a collection of the countrys top bathroom design experts, including Vicente Wolf, Alene Workman, Linda Merrill and Tip Haenisch, among about 50 others located in all parts of the country.

Bathrooms are uniquely personal spaces within the home, so homeowners and designers have big ideas for what constitutes the ideal space, says Cristina Miguelez, remodeling specialist for Fixr.

Since trends last roughly 10 to 15 years, its safe to say that bathrooms older than that that are being updated the most. Remodeling the bathroom simply to increase enjoyment has been popular for a few years now. This is different from past bathroom remodels, which were usually spurred by functional issues.

So what do homeowners willing to spend $20,000 for a new bathroom want? For one thing, they want them bigger. The day of cramped master baths is gone: 41% of homeowners want bathrooms that measure 100 to 199 square feet, while 27% want them to come in at over 200 square feet. Only 2% of homeowners are willing to settle for the 30 to 50 square feet allocated to bathrooms in the past.

They want a separate tub and shower. Having a bathtub is important to resale value, and a tub thats separate from the shower is considered a luxury layout. This layout requires more space than if the shower flows into the tub, and it allows for a more comfortable step-in shower stall design. It also can provide the freestanding tub that is favored by 80% of the respondents.

Storage is a big issue in any master bathroom, which explains why 62% of the experts polled prefer a floating vanity combined with a medicine cabinet. Consoles and open vanities favored in the past only garnered 11% of the votes, while the furniture style that was so stylish 15 years ago has fallen in popularity. While it provides the most storage space of any vanity type, the floating vanity has nearly as much space, but gives a cleaner, more spacious look.

Porcelain heads up the list of materials favored for the flooring, chosen it for its style possibilities and ease of maintenance.

As for the lighting, we love the classic elegance of sconces. Some things do not go out of style.

Link:
Bath Or Shower? In 2020, We Want Both - Forbes

By DEBORAH LAVERTY

GARY, Ind. (AP) Tonya Johnson cuddled close her 1-month-old daughter, McKenzie, after picking her up from her bassinet.

McKenzie fussed a little but Johnson, a first-time mom, seemed to know instinctively how to soothe her baby by giving her a pacifier while standing in the doorway of the bedroom they share at Emma's House.

"I got out of jail in December, and she was born one month later," Johnson said.

Johnson, 30, had been a heavy drug user, even using heroin, when she found out she was six months pregnant with her daughter, she said.

Thanks to a referral from Lake County Court Administrated Alcohol and Drug Service, Johnson was given the opportunity to stay at Emma's House, a transition house for women.

Now Johnson has been clean and sober since her Dec. 12 move-in date and is grateful for a second chance, including a future that promises the possibility of a place to live and a place to work.

"Everything will fall into place. I changed everything for this girl," Johnson said, holding close her baby daughter.

It is for women like Johnson that Emma's House, a remodeled home at 616 Maryland St., was opened close to two years ago, Pastor Michael Pirtle said.

Pirtle and his wife, Linda Pirtle, formed The City of Refuge Christian Church about 14 years ago, working with community partners of Northwest Indiana toward a common goal to end homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction and poverty.

About 12 women can live in Emma's House at a time, but they must stay clean and sober while there or they can be removed, Pirtle said.

During the time the women are there, volunteers help them look for permanent housing and employment.

"This is not a homeless shelter. We're a recovery home," Pirtle said.

Emma's House relies on grants and donations, and at the beginning of the year it received a State Opioid Response Grant for $1.8 million, which helps assist with funds up to four months for one woman's room and board.

"Right now we have only had one referral to take advantage of it," Pirtle said.

That referral was for Mary Carmon, 50, who was referred to Emma's House on Jan. 13.

Carmon's early years included having a dad who was in prison and a mother who was an alcoholic and had psychological problems, she said.

"I was only 2," Carmon said.

Her baby brother was adopted, but Carmon was placed in area group homes after going through the foster care system.

Carmon became a ward of the state growing up in Northwest Indiana, lived in a domestic violence situation during which she received broken ribs and a fractured ankle, battled drug and alcohol addiction and served jail time.

"I made some terrible choices," Carmon said.

Carmon is convinced that this time around she will make it with the help she is receiving at Emma's House, including time spent at the Regional Mental Health Center in East Chicago.

"I needed to find a place to get back into recovery. It's rekindled my spiritual condition and has given me an opportunity to live my life over," Carmon said.

"I've been clean and sober for four months."

Emma's House was donated to the church by former Lake County Community Corrections Officer Roderick Threatt.

The house is named after his mother, Emma.

It took about three years to remodel; funding was an issue, and the project included redoing the plumbing, electric, insulation, roof, tuckpointing, foundation, drywall and exterior work.

The majority of the cost for the $80,000 remodeling work came from donations from church parishioners, Pirtle said.

The church was started in 2006 in the Pirtles' living room in Merrillville. The church has moved several times but is currently located in Portage.

Pirtle retired in 2004 from the U.S. Marines and was doing a sit-in at the Lake County courtroom when he said he was inspired.

"When I retired I just sat in the courtroom and observed the community needs and what was going on," Pirtle said.

God just placed us in the middle of where the real need was.

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Emma's House offers women safe place to live, and stay sober - Journal Review