ByColin Merry, Pioneer News Network

Amber Miles, funeral director, and Kirk and Courtney Barz, owners, at the new Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service location in Frankfort.(Colin Merry/Pioneer News Network)

Amber Miles, funeral director, and Kirk and Courtney Barz, owners, at the new Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service location in Frankfort.(Colin Merry/Pioneer News Network)

Amber Miles, funeral director, and Kirk and Courtney Barz, owners, at the new Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service location in Frankfort.(Colin Merry/Pioneer News Network)

Amber Miles, funeral director, and Kirk and Courtney Barz, owners, at the new Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service location in Frankfort.(Colin Merry/Pioneer News Network)

Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service opens in Frankfort

FRANKFORT Benzie County residents have a new option when preparing to mark the passing of a loved one.

Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service has opened a funeral home in Frankfort, at the former location of Frankfort Building Supply on the east end of Main Street. The fully renovated building features a conference room, a reception area and a room for the funeral service itself to take place.

"We're a full service funeral home," said Courtney Barz, who co-owns Beacon with Kirk Barz.

The modern facility features neutral decor and multiple monitors for videos to be played. The space can accommodate around 295 people, according to Kirk.

"The building has a modern feel, it's not a funeral parlor," he said.

Courtney said the space could be used for other purposes too, such as weddings and anniversary gatherings.

"Having lots of space is a huge deal," She said. "With the exception of the cemetery, you don't have to go anywhere else. You can have the funeral and reception in the same building."

Food can be catered to Beacon as well.

While Beacon does handle cremation services, the actual cremation takes place at the Bennet Barz Funeral Home, in Beulah.

"We don't own the crematorium, but we have direct supervision of the cremation," Kirk said.

As for special touches Beacon can provide, Courtney said there are a lot of little details they take care of.

"When you come to a funeral there are a lot of things going on," she said. "Things like taking care of flowers, markers, lunch, things to be delivered to people; little touches that make it personal."

She also said the modern feel of Beacon made it stand apart from the funeral parlors and the homes converted to funeral homes of the past.

"Those types of facilities don't work as well anymore," she said. "People want space, and the modern facilities are more compatible with wheelchairs and walkers."

Kirk said he bought the building in 2018, and began remodeling in 2019.

As for why he opened a Beacon location in Frankfort, Kirk said he saw a need for a funeral home in Frankfort.

The Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service facility is one of several owned by the Barz family. There are other Beacon facilities in Whitehall, Ludington and Hart.

They also own the Bennett Barz Funeral Home in Beulah and the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva.

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Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service opens in Frankfort - Manistee News Advocate

Here we are. Debbie is sitting on the loveseat in the living room. She staked out that roost years ago.

I settled into my over-stuffed chair, better known as Pappys chair. Its a big chair. When Im settled back and comfy, my feet dont even touch the floor. It sort of swallows me up, but there is always room in the Pappy-chair for a few grandchildren.

Those are the seats Debbie and I take when were both watching the same program on TV. That doesnt happen very often.

Debbie likes anything on HGTV, the Hallmark Channel or any type of cooking show.

Not me. I dont care at all about home remodeling, redecorating, flipping or flopping homes, fancy cooking or any of the variations on those themes. I enjoy watching news, old movies or documentary-style programming. I enjoy several other types of shows, but not those.

As a result, we dont watch TV together very often. The only program that we routinely enjoy together is Dancing with Stars. We pick our favorite dancer and root for them. We both get upset when a lousy dancer is allowed to stay, and a really good dancer is voted off. Every season we vow never to watch it again, but we do.

Other than that, we usually sit in different rooms, watching different programs on different TVs.

But, on Super Bowl Sunday, were together.

Just before kick-off, I turned to Debbie and asked, Are we ready for this? It was finally game time. The pizza was ready and so were we.

Sunday night, as we settled into our nests and hoped for a great game, I had my laptop ready to take notes for this, my regular Tuesday column. The game was so good and the commercials so watchable (for the most part) that I ended up doing very little typing and a whole lot of watching.

Debbie decided that she would root for the Kansas City Chiefs. She has an uncle and several cousins who live in the KC area.

I decided to root for the San Francisco 49ers in honor of a dear friend Roy Harrison, who died about 20 years ago. Roy lived and breathed anything having to do with the 49ers. Besides, it gave us the opportunity to root against each other in friendly competition.

Following the team introductions, by Dwayne The Rock Johnson, as he introduced the players with his loud, trademark, resounding announcers voice and then transitioning to the beautiful voice of Demi Lovato as she honored our country with an amazing rendition of the National Anthem, we were ready for a great game.

We both wondered whether the game would be as good as the commercials or whether the commercials would overshadow the game. We were not disappointed by either.

Just as the referees prepared for the kick-off, a commercial started that featured a young athlete named Bunchie Young. He and his friends were playing a pick-up game of football.

Bunchie caught a kick-off and barreled down the field. As he passed all-time great running back Jim Brown, Jim smiled and told Bunchie, Take it to the house, kid.

He gets help from dozens of NFL all-stars, all who give him the same advice.

He continues to run past obstacles, including the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade, until he finally makes it to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. There, as he passes more all-star, hall-of-fame athletes, he enters the stadium.

Suddenly the commercial transfers from a pre-taped commercial to a live broadcast as Bunchie and his friends run onto the football field. As he hands the game ball to the referee, the crowd goes wild for this group of kids who may be our next generation of NFL stars. It was well done, unexpected and perfect of the moment.

We were ready whatever the next few hours had to offer.

I was a little surprised by the halftime show. Jennifer Lopez and Shakira shook every body part they had. With all the pole dancing and twerking, I kept expecting to see a wardrobe malfunction. They must have used at least a quart of glue to keep their costumes in place.

Like it or not, those ladies put on a show.

The first half of the game was a battle. They went into the locker room at halftime tied at 10 points each. The 49ers came back to score another 10 points in the third quarter.

It looked like the game was over. One of the announcers said, For the Chiefs to come back, theyre going to need some Mahomes magic. The Chiefs quarterback provided that magic, scoring 21 points in the final few minutes of the game. Wow what a game.

Too often the Super Bowl ends up being anything but super not this year. It was a great game, separated every few minutes by some really good commercials (and a few stinkers).

Congratulations to Chiefs coach Andy Reid and MVP Patrick Mahomes for a great win.

And thanks to Debbie for not rubbing my nose in her win.

Randy Riley is former Mayor of Wilmington and former Clinton County Commissioner.

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Are you ready for this? - Wilmington News Journal, OH

From stadium seats to sporting equipment, UT auctions off unneeded items

Batting helmets, cleats, football practice jerseys, and much more can all be found in the online auction.

AUSTIN, Texas - If your University of Texas-inspired game room, man cave or she shed is lacking in apparel, look no further. Many UT items are now up for auction.

We've got a large amount of items coming from athletics due to remodeling that they are doing, said Mark Engelman, the assistant manager of the UT Surplus Property division.

Batting helmets, cleats, football practice jerseys, and much more can all be found in the online auction. The items getting the most buzz are more than 100 stadium seats from Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

It stays on there for tendays of bidding and on that 10th day if you have the highest bid you will own it and then you have seven days to pick that item up, said Engelman, when describing how long the auction lasts.

Engelman said they've recently received a lot of equipment from athletics which is no longer needed by the university. The money from the auction goes back to the university and if you're not a fan of sporting equipment, they have other options like furniture with the UT logo.

If you're not interested in any of that, this auction has a little bit of everything, includingworkout equipment, cars, and even plants.

According to Engelman, their job is to auction off everything the university no longer needs, so that it isn't sent off to a landfill.

The departments make their decision that they no longer need those items and either they make arrangements for our staff to come pick up on campus or they bring it to our warehouse, said Engelman.

As remodeling continues, Engelman said they expect more items to be added to the auction in the coming days; however, it's impossible to tell what items those will be. It could be more seats or more plants.

If you're looking for something from a specific player, you are out of luck. They cannot auction off anything with a player's name.

Continued here:
From stadium seats to sporting equipment, UT auctions off unneeded items - FOX 7 Austin

Donna Thompson / donna@timestelegram.com

TuesdayFeb4,2020at5:45PM

HERKIMER The Herkimer village board took no action on the village clerk-treasurer's appointment Monday but scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday evening to discuss the matter.

Mayor Mark Netti said he needed clarification before any action could be taken.

The appointment was the lone item on Tuesday's agenda.

At the board's Jan. 21 meeting, Netti proposed appointing a new clerk-treasurer to replace Amanda Viscomi and changing Village Superintendent James Franco's position to a per diem one. The board discussed both proposals in executive session for more than an hour, but did not vote on either one.

The clerk-treasurer's position was not discussed in open session Monday, but that appointment, along with court personnel, an update on litigation and other items were taken into an executive session which lasted approximately two hours.

PLANNING BOARD

Herkimer Village Planning Board Chairman Brion Carroll reported that a site plan review meeting on the proposed Mohawk Valley Community Action day care facility is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, in the court room at the municipal hall.

He said after conducting the review, the planning board will submit its recommendation to the village board to either approve the project, approve it with conditions or disapprove it.

The Herkimer Housing Authority's multi-phase redevelopment project includes the construction of a two-story building with 24 senior and affordable housing units and a day care facility at 310 John Ave., as well as remodeling Creekside Courts on Protection Avenue, Eastern Gardens on Harter Street and Midtown Apartments on North Prospect Street and the construction of 15 new units at the corner of Harter and Steuben streets. The current day care programs at Creekside Courts and Eastern Gardens will be consolidated into one program with 63 slots at the John Avenue facility, according to the plans. The space freed up at Eastern Gardens and Creekside Courts will be turned into community rooms.

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Herkimer board delays action on appointment - The Times Telegram

Church of the Open Door is getting ready to open the doors to its Lorain Campus.

In 2016, the Elyria-based Christian church unveiled its 20/20 Vision Plan, a blueprint for expanding several ministries, eliminating debt and upgrading the existing facilities.

The plan included a new physical presence in Lorain -- and it is happening.

At 11 a.m. Feb. 9, Church of the Open Door will begin regular Sunday worship services in the renovated former Lorain YMCA, 1121 Tower Blvd.

When the YMCA was built in 1969, for years it was a blessing to the surrounding neighborhood, said Jason Russ, Lorain Campus pastor.

Church of the Open Door will begin regular Sunday worship services at 11 a.m. Feb. 9, 2020, at the former Lorain YMCA, 1121 Tower Blvd. This 1991 mural by Jim Lemaster remains in place on the lower level of the Y building.

He added he has talked to people who recalled their experiences at the Y growing up in Lorain. In the neighborhood, residents also want new connections, especially for children and the elderly.

Everybody has some connection to this Y, Russ said. What a gift of God to be able to open the doors back up to this community, something that was such a huge benefit.

I just think its neat that we can turn this place back around to the community, open it up, he said.

On Feb. 3, the building was a hive of activity as contractors, church staff and congregation members completed tasks ranging from painting to rigging lights to installing sound and video equipment.

Russ wore an Open Door shirt and blue jeans with a wrench and work gloves in his hip pocket.

Church of the Open Door's Lorain team leaders took a break from construction for a group photo at the former Lorain YMCA, 1121 Tower Blvd. From left are Stephanie Carrell, who works with childrens ministry; Joe Gonzales, who works with the student ministry; Jason Russ, Lorain Campus pastor; and Tony Reyes, director of worship. The church will begin regular Sunday worship services there at 11 a.m. Feb. 9, 2020.

Church of the Open Door Executive Director Alex Marks was present with the Lorain Campus directors: Stephanie Carrell, who works with childrens ministry; Joe Gonzales, who works with the student ministry; and Tony Reyes, director of worship.

On Sundays, the renovated space will use two entrances, one on the north side of the building and one on the east side.

That door opens into a fellowship area that sits next to the main auditorium; holding about 170 seats, the auditorium will serve as the sanctuary for worship.

The worship team would rehearse there in a few days, Reyes said. He has grown up, gone to school and worked in the city.

Its really awesome to now launch a campus where we can now bring the Gospel in Lorain as well, where its home as well, Reyes said.

Church of the Open Door Director of Worship Tony Reyes, right, and helpers prepare a wall for installation of a video screen mounting bracket as part of renovations at the former Lorain YMCA, 1121 Tower Blvd., on Feb. 3, 2020.Church of the Open Door will begin regular Sunday worship services at 11 a.m. Feb. 9, 2020, at the former Lorain Y.

The Sunday morning worship service will be at 11 a.m. with Russ and Reyes leading prayer and singing. There will be a simulcast of the weeks sermon with church Pastor Jim Mindling.

Carrell said she and Church of the Open Door Pastor of Childrens Ministries Ben Fowlkes have met local children through visits to Lorain City Schools Washington and Hawthorne elementaries. But they have not yet had families with young children in the building.

For the worship, there will be a check-in station, a nursery and rooms for pre-K and elementary childrens ministries. Weekly themed lessons will include songs and music.

Im so excited about partnering with families in Lorain, just being here for whatever they need, Carrell said. I just feel deeply for families and I want to partner with families just to fill in the gaps that might be there. Again, so much of that is pointing them to Christ and just loving people and meeting needs as he did.

The building is Lorains former YMCA. Although there has been extensive renovation, it still has a lot of room for athletics and that will be part of the programming there.

Church of the Open Door will begin regular Sunday worship services at 11 a.m. Feb. 9, 2020, at the former Lorain YMCA, 1121 Tower Blvd. The church has renovated some spaces within the building, but the basketball court remains in place as one of the areas where children and adults can pursue physical health along with spiritual health.

Gonzales is the first to work in regular ministry in the building. He has begun a basketball ministry, drawing up to 40 youths, mostly boys from Clearview, Lorain and Horizon Science Academy schools, for basketball and discussion three nights a week.

Gonzales recalled his youth and the advice from an elder: Be the person you wanted when you were younger.

My passion is to be that person to the young people of Lorain, that I wish I had when I was younger, he said. Part of that is introducing them to Christ and giving kids in Lorain something to do.

Russ and Marks agreed the only real difficulty about the Lorain project is that it took longer than expected.

But they said the congregation trusts in Gods timing for the growth. It took time to raise money and develop the vision, then the blueprints, for how the building could accommodate Sunday worship and weekly use for study, fellowship and physical activities.

Church of the Open Door will begin regular Sunday worship services at 11 a.m. Feb. 9, 2020, at the former Lorain YMCA, 1121 Tower Blvd.

The investment in Lorain was part of a multi-year effort to raise more than $2 million for the entire Vision 20/20 plan.

The cost of remodeling the building has been significant, Marks said.

But from our perspective, its an investment in the community and into the people here, he said.

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Old doors ready to reopen for Church of the Open Door growth in Lorain - The Morning Journal

In the last few years, a number of startups led by the company Away have disrupted the sleepy luggage market with an array of colorful hard-shell suitcases that incorporate features such as built-in batteries to recharge your gadgets.

Now Target is looking to get in on the action, too.

After overhauling most of its apparel and home brands, the Minneapolis-based retailer is now eyeing other categories where it could increase its business such as luggage.

Target's new luggage brand, Open Story, lands in stores on Sunday and on Target.com on Feb. 13.

The nearly 40-piece line includes hard-sided checked and carry-on luggage, backpacks, packing cubes, garment bags and totes, with prices ranging from $19.99 to $179.99. The suitcases include features such as USB ports for a battery or power bank, a built-in TSA lock, a laundry bag and many zippered pockets to help travelers to keep items organized.

"We know from looking at market trends that the consumer is looking to travel more and more and is preferring to go on experiences," said Julie Guggemos, Target's chief design officer. "We decided, as we look at the travel industry, that it would be a good opportunity for Target to create something that offers the best of the best from a features standpoint at an incredibly affordable price."

Target's new carry-on suitcase, for example, will sell for $149.99, which Guggemos said is about 30% cheaper than comparable products from major competitors. Away's carry-on suitcases start at $225.

Target's designers and engineers spent about 14 months developing Open Story, researching not only the features offered by premium luggage brands, but also talking to consumers about what they are looking for in luggage and where they would like to see improvements. They went through several prototypes and stress-tested them on trips and on cobblestone streets.

"It's going to blow all other luggage offerings out of the water," Guggemos said.

Target decided not to include a battery with its suitcases. Built-in lithium batteries are now barred from being checked on flights in the U.S., and some airlines now require them to be detached when carrying such luggage onto flights.

"We decided to let the consumer decide what they want to do," she said.

The suitcases also come with a hardy polycarbonate shell, four silent 360-spinning wheels and are expandable. They will come in about a dozen colors.

While Target has been seeing some growth in luggage sales, Guggemos said it hasn't been on par with the rest of the market. With Open Story, she said Target hopes to outpace competitors.

Luggage sales have risen 11% in the U.S. since 2016 and are now a $2.3 billion industry, according to Beth Goldstein, an industry analyst with the NPD Group.

In addition to the growing interest in travel and experiences, enhanced features and functionality are also helping to fuel growth, she said.

"I think there has been a halo effect from the startups, most notably Away, but even the ones that didn't survive, like Raden and Bluesmart," she wrote in an e-mail, noting that traditional players are also now adding more features such as luggage sleeves and extra pockets.

The challenge, though, is that consumers don't buy new suitcases very often, which could hinder sustained growth.

This is not Target's first foray into private-label luggage. It has a longtime brand called Embark and more recently launched an in-house line through one of its newer, though more budget-focused, brands, Made by Design. It also carries national brands such as American Tourister.

Open Story will be prominently displayed in Target's luggage section, but the overall space for the section won't change. Instead, the retailer is making room for it by shrinking its offerings from other owned and national brands, Guggemos said.

In addition to remodeling stores and adding new fulfillment options, refreshing Target's owned brands has been a key part of Target CEO Brian Cornell's strategy that has led to impressive sales gains over the last two years. However, Target reported last month that its sales over the holidays came in lower than expected, a rare miss for a retailer that has become one of the better performers in the industry.

Target has now rolled out more than 40 new brands over the last several years. Last month it launched All in Motion, an activewear brand that replaces C9 by Champion.

While the pace of new brand rollouts has begun to slow, Target is now looking at other categories outside of apparel and home, which had been its initial focus.

As for what's next, Guggemos said Target is looking at everything from sporting goods to toys.

Link:
Target takes on startups like Away with new luggage brand - Minneapolis Star Tribune

41 West, Special to Naples Daily News Published 6:40 a.m. ET Feb. 1, 2020

BEFORE: View of kitchen area at condo in The Windsor before being renovated by 41 West.(Photo: Submitted)

AFTER: Dramatically enhanced kitchen area after renovation by 41 West.(Photo: Kenny Siebenhar)

Considering a new look for your condo, kitchen or bath? Where do you start? This is the question 41 West hears most often from condo owners in the luxury high-rise buildings in Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs and Estero.

41 West has been remodeling luxury condos since 1995 and is honored to be ranked as the #1 General Contractor in Naples by Houzz.com. 41 West creates inspires condo residences in collaboration with architects and interior designers. With the understanding that you want your own special place that reflects your style and taste, they use The 5 Simple Steps , allowing you to describe what you want, the design team draws it, you approve it and 41 West builds it, as was the case with this 5,500 SF, four-bedroom condo in The Windsor.

This beautifully renovated high-rise has been dramatically enhanced to modernize the space and update the home to suit the lifestyle of the owners by adopting a transitional style, blending traditional molding details with contemporary tile, stone flooring and dove-white cabinetry in a bright, neutral space with LED lighting throughout.

The intent was to keep the space very clean and ornate. One of the primary kitchen walls was knocked down to create one large area with a large doorway from the dining room to the kitchen, while a new suite of appliances was installed. Walls also came down in the master bathroom, where the larger space allowed for a new shower and a free-standing Albert & Victoria soaking tub, a stunning centerpiece in any bathroom.

A unique design element is the blue agate accent tile in the entryway. Known for enhancing any space, this semi-precious gemstones eye-catching blue agate surface is exclusive in look because of its luxurious and crystalline nature.

Visit 41west.com for more information or to schedule an idea session with their team of design experts.

41 West is a design/build firm that has been building custom home and remodeling luxury condos and homes in the beach communities of Naples, Marco Island and Bonita Beach since 1995. 41 West is honored to be ranked #1 on Houzz.com of over 3,000 general contractors in Naples. The 41 West design team specializes in creating plans for an inspired residence and work in collaboration with nationally recognized architects and interior designers. Creating a unique residence to match the lifestyle of their clients if the focus of 41 West. Choose 41 West to build your new custom home, remodel your luxury condo or remodel your home and enjoy their promise of a 41 West 5-Star experience before, during and long after construction.

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41 West renovates condo in The Windsor - Naples Daily News

BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Reflecting his commitment to offer the most state-of-the-art technologies to his patients, Jacob D. Steiger, M.D., Facial Plastic Surgeon, of Steiger Facial Plastic Surgery in Boca Raton is one of the first physicians nationally to have Sofwave ultrasound, the newest technology to hit the market to improve fine lines and wrinkles on the face and neck.

Created by Sofwave Medical Ltd., an emerging aesthetic device company, the Sofwave system has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In clinical studies, 87% of patients were marked as improved or significantly improved, 12 weeks after a single treatment.

A clinically-proven, non-invasive approach to improving fine lines and wrinkles, Sofwave utilizes proprietary Intense Ultrasound Beam TechnologyTM (IUB), in which sound wave energy passes through the skin's surface (the epidermis), heating at precisely the right depth in the mid-dermis to improve the overall appearance of aging skin. It is a non-invasive, no downtime wrinkle treatment. The treatment only takes about 30 minutes, and offers major results. It is appropriate for all skin types.

The high-intensity, high-frequency, IUB ensures no damage to the epidermis nor the underlying structures beneath the dermis, including bones, facial nerves, facial fat and blood vessels. With Volumetric Directional Thermal Impact (VDTI), the beams spread through the tissue and create a variety of volumetric cylindrical-shaped thermal zones in the dermis, separated by areas of undamaged tissue, creating a fractional effect in the mid-dermis.

This creates a controlled and directional, thermal impact (60C70C) parallel to the skin, at a prime depth of 1.5mm in the mid-dermis. The targeted treatment zones promote an inflammatory wound-healing response, the remodeling and concentration increase of collagen (neocollagenesis) and elastin (neoelastoegensis), which leads to a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, and restoration of natural skin features.

The direct skin contact enables the integration of cooling and real-time feedback mechanisms for superb epidermal protection, accurate targeting of the thermal effect and optimal pain management.

The solid-state energizer module, a hand piece, is robust and stable with no moving parts nor optics. It's light and maneuverable, and covers a large area. The treatment involves no sterilization nor needles.

"Sofwave is a revolutionary treatment that provides effective and safe results," said Dr. Steiger, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. "My ongoing commitment to my patients is to research and utilize the latest, cutting-edge treatments in facial plastic surgery such as Sofwave to provide the best possible results."

Dr. Steiger is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery, and is a diplomate of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is also board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. He focuses his practice specifically on the face and neck. He offers state-of-the-art surgical and non-invasive solutions for facial rejuvenation, as well as techniques for specific features, such as nose reshaping, jawline tightening, neck lifting, lip augmentation, skin resurfacing and eyelid lifting.

About Jacob D. Steiger, M.D. & Steiger Facial Plastic SurgeryAn accomplished, double board-certified, Ivy League-trained physician, Jacob D. Steiger, M.D., Facial Plastic Surgeon, specializes exclusively in plastic surgery of the face. The 5,000-square-foot modern Steiger Facial Plastic Surgery features luxurious treatment rooms and a state-of-the-art surgical center with an operating room and overnight suite. For more information, to schedule an appointment, or to book a spa treatment, call 561-499-9339, toll-free at 866-994-FACE (3223) or visit drsteiger.com. Steiger Facial Plastic Surgery/1001 Aesthetic Medical Center is located at 1001 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33432.

Media Contact:Dure & Company, Inc.954-723-9350233413@email4pr.com

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SOURCE Steiger Facial Plastic Surgery

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Jacob D. Steiger, MD, One of the First Physicians Nationally to Offer Sofwave Ultrasound, the Newest Non-Invasive Technology to Improve Fine Lines and...

Its not a real tree, exactly. Its a piece of furniture, with a bench circling its wide trunk and leaves and branches reaching to the ceiling. Lights above the tree can change color, from green to red or orange or blue.

The tree has been there about a year now, a centerpiece of the media center remodeling funded by the bond approved in a 2015 referendum.

Work on referendum projects is winding down. A new elementary school and additions at the middle and high schools were the marquee projects of the $52 million referendum. Maintenance work and remodeling have provided updates in all school buildings.

At Roosevelt a more traditional library was transformed into a bright, modern space. The large room had been a large room with straight rows of book-packed shelves and a group of large tables with chairs in the back of the room.

Now, its brighter, with new paint and flooring. Curved shelves are distributed around the room along with small tables and chairs. Pops of blue, purple and bright green are spread throughout the room.

Kindergarteners sitting on the bench under the tree said they really like having it in the room. They especially like the way the top of the tree lights up.

The furniture is designed to appeal to young kids. A few pieces have floor-level tunnels for students to squirm through. If someone wants to settle into a tunnel to read, thats OK, too.

Stuffed animals are waiting for kids to read to them.

Media center specialist Bethany Roisland said the book collection was updated, too.

A section of graphic novels has been added. All kids enjoy the illustrated books, she said, and the combination of words and illustrations can help make connections for kids learning English.

The overall collection reflects more diversity than it may have in the past, including materials about many different kinds of people. We try to emphasize different populations, she said.

While students enjoyed the remodeled media center from the start, changes keep coming as everyone adjusts to the new space.

For example, Roisland has found that kids have their own ideas about how to use some spaces.

She had planned to develop seating in a corner where she and other teachers use a Smart Board for instruction. It turned out students enjoyed just sitting on the floor while she teaches them keyboarding.

Roisland is in her second year with the district. She didnt work in the old media center but library paraprofessional Molly Morris did.

The old center was very utilitarian, said Morris. We keep evolving. She has enjoyed watching children enjoy the colorful space and modern furniture.

Libraries in the past were quiet places, but that has changed. The image of a librarian shushing giggling students is gone. A media center now is a more active and interactive place, Roisland said. Sometimes, theres even music playing.

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Media center remodeling makes a tree the focal point of a bright, colorful room at Willmar's Roosevelt Elementary - West Central Tribune

Melissa Wilson remembers going to David Rodli Hall for meals when she was a UWRF undergraduate. She now heads career services at the university, one of 14 departments housed in the reborn Rodli building.

Its definitely a transformation, Wilson said. For someone who was in the building previously, they wont believe their eyes.

An open house event commemorating the renovation is set for 2-4:30 p.m. Feb. 3.

Visitors will find few relics of the past inside the remodeled Rodli Hall, which campus officials said will serve a multitude of services with the common goal of student success.

After crossing a large university seal outside Rodlis Sixth Street entryway, visitors can either go left to the admissions office or right to career services. Campus planner Dale Braun said the two offices locations symbolize the beginning of the college journey and the eventual launch into the working world.

This is intentional, UWRF campus planner Dale Braun said of the design, calling student success the guiding light behind the project.

Elsewhere in Rodli, visitors will find the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, International Education and Financial Aid departments to name just a few while a central coffee shop sits at the base of a staircase that conjures a modern vision of the older iterations stairway system.

The building, which underwent a $15.9 million remodeling, now houses 14 departments that, until now, had been scattered around the campus. Alan Symicek, the universitys executive director of facilities management, said it made more sense for students to have them under one roof than in individual silos.

Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Excellence and Student Success Kathleen Hunzer said thats been accomplished.

Its amazing, she said. This just brings us all together.

Wilson called that an exciting aspect. If someones getting advice at her Career Services office, and that conversation leads to questions about financial aid, counseling or wellness, I can really quickly walk them to that place.

The new Rodli building completes a years-long effort to establish a central welcome space for students. Braun said that began with the realignment of East Cascade Avenue, which added roundabouts, including one at Sixth Street.

That curve carries visitors to Rodli on the east side of the street where parking stalls marked for Future Falcons fill the adjoining lot and the universitys new gateway features near Centennial Hall on the west side, which set the scene for the iconic campus mall.

Brick pedestals bearing the University of Wisconsin-River Falls seal form a gateway to the campus mall. Mike Longaecker / RiverTown Multimedia

The first floor showcases two of the buildings primary offices: admissions and career services, while a large meeting room tucked between those departments can hold up to 50 people for group campus visits or other events.

Just behind the meeting room is Cafe 74, which Chancellor Dean Van Galen explained is a nod to the universitys founding in 1874.

If the first floor seems more spacious, thats not a figment of the imagination. Braun said 18 inches of concrete was removed from the floor to gain more ceiling height.

Green Bay-based Somerville Architects and Engineers was responsible for the design, while Eau Claire-based Market & Johnson served as general contractor for the project.

I think they did a wonderful job putting this together, Braun said.

Visitors can take alternating stairways to the second story, where northern staircase leads to a shot of Glen Parks swinging bridge. Meanwhile, a massive art piece depicting the meandering Kinnickinnic River hangs above the coffee shop, creating a centerpiece for the space.

From there, students can access second-story departments. Both floors have kitchenettes, where Braun said students might mingle over food.

He said socializing elements were integral in devising the layout at Rodli, which includes fireplaces on both levels.

Thats the whole idea, is to get people together, he said.

Collaboration spaces are scattered throughout the building; university leaders said the hope is students will seize on those spaces for group projects. One such space within the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging area features a station with a video screen for students to work on multimedia projects.

Braun said future plans call for a falcon sculpture to be placed at the building. He said the aim is to create a talisman for students seeking good fortune, perhaps to touch the toes of the statue for good luck, as is seen at the Wisconsin Capitols badger statue.

These, Braun said, are the kinds of common points of the culture that help build a belonging and a sense of community on campus.

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'They won't believe their eyes': UW-River Falls' Rodli Hall reopens after $16M renovation - RiverTowns