Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

By Sudeshna Dutta

Dolores Arulappan runs a school, bakes, writes poems, embroiders and keeps a manicured garden. FYI shes just 83

Residents of Pottery Town are quite familiar with Jack and Jill School, which was established in 1981. But for someone who sees the huge compound for the first time, it is a sight to behold. Starting with a friendly bark from Jackie at the gate, your eyes will immediately catch the pretty gazebo in front -- situated on one side of the garden full of plants -- with an artificial waterfall mesmerising you from the other end with the sound of ripples. In no way does it look like a normal school building, rather, the place sends the vibe of a warm, welcoming home. Indeed, it is also the home of Dolores Arulappan, the 83-year-old Principal and founder, who runs the school and teaches English to children while residing at its premises.

In the initial days, there were just one or two classrooms where I would teach nursery and lower primary children. Over the years, we have grown into a full-fledged primary school till Class 4, with around 10 teaching staff. Children from different strata of the society, including the physically disabled ones, find this a safe haven to learn their lessons, she says.

We were also going through financial troubles during that period, which is why I thought of doing something on my own and earning some money, she says. Arulappan is glad of her decision to open a school. Even now, my students and their parents come to me and say how grateful they are for giving them a strong foundation. Most of them who came from economically backward backgrounds are now doing well. This gives me immense satisfaction, she says.

The premises of Jack and Jill School

Most of them are about appreciation for life, death, children and nature, with underlying references to religion. I feel the world is turning harsh every day, so sitting here at the gazebo and jotting something down gives me temporary relief, she says, adding that most of her poems are included in the school text books for different classes. Some of them are converted into songs that are sung by the children at various school functions.

Her skills also include embroidery, baking cakes and cookies and painting during her free time.

During the course of conversation with Towns Mirror at the beautiful gazebo, Jackie, the Indie dog, came and jumped on his pet parents lap for his afternoon nap. We found him injured one day and rescued him from the streets. He has been my baby ever since, says Arulappan.

Are you an East Bengaluru resident? Wed like to hear from you. email: anupama.bijur@timesgroup.com

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The Towns Mirror Special: The school with the gazebo - Bangalore Mirror

By JAKE BERGPublished December 30, 2020Future of First Street Gazebo to be discussed

Jake Berg photoA close-up photo of the First Street Gazebo stairs shows a glimpse of the wear sustained throughout the years.

SNOHOMISH The future of the First Street Gazebo will be discussed during a January City Council meeting. The city will bring the topic to the City Council to gather feedback on how to best renovate the gazebo at Avenue A and First Street.The Gazebo needs a new roof, new stairs and many floorboards need to be replaced. The city is considering a renovation or a full demolition. City economic development manager Wendy Poischbeg said earlier this month that the No. 1 goal for the new gazebo is ADA accessibility.If a renovation would occur, the gazebo would be restored to its original glory. Poischbeg said demolition and rebuild would allow the city to explore other options for the location, for example, a small amphitheater for live entertainment or a pocket park.Poischbeg said that she has heard a lot of community members suggest the new gazebo be large enough to act as a stage for small concerts. She added that events on First Street such as Kla-Ha-Ya Days could benefit from the addition of some sort of stage in the historic downtown.The gazebo was built in the 1980s and is renowned by many throughout the town of Snohomish as a location for photoshoots and even marriage proposals. But wear has taken its toll over 30-plus years, which has caused the city to take notice and take action toward the repair.Earlier in 2020, Snohomish was a finalist in a small-town America contest and was planning on using the prize money for the renovation. After further evaluation, the cost would exceed the $25,000 prize and repairs would be more costly than expected. After Snohomish came up short in the contest, it was apparent the city would have to seek funds to fix the gazebo.

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Future of gazebo on First Street Snohomish to be discussed - Snohomish County Tribune

THIS is the moment a dad tried to cover his kids in snow from the top of his gazebo - only for it to completely collapse on top of him.

Daniel Campbell, 34, tried to scrape off a bit of snow that had settled on the roof of the structure onto his kids Kacey, 15, Finley, 10, and Nate, seven, while wife Lucy, 34, filmed.

But after failing to give them the shower he desired, his plan backfired and the gazebo collapsed on his head, leaving the whole family in hysterics.

The mum-of-three, who owns a cafe, said: "We knew there would be fresh snow as the caf had been locked up, and my husband told me to start filming because he wanted to bash all the snow off the gazebo onto the kids!

"He was trying to prank the kids but it obviously backfired!

"I stopped laughing for a bit because I didn't know if he was ok, but when he crawled out from under the gazebo I carried on!"

The gazebo in Wolverhampton was used to shelter customers whilst they wait for their takeaway orders, but sadly did not survive the hijinks by construction company owner Daniel.

Lucy said: "We have to go and buy an emergency one tomorrow before the caf opens up!"

The Black Country saw two inches of snow overnight on December 27 and the clip was filmed the next day.

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UK NEWS: The moment prankster dad's joke in the snow seriously backfires - The Westmorland Gazette

This is the moment a dad tried to cover his kids in snow from the top of his gazebo - only for it to completely collapse on top of him.

Daniel Campbell, 34, tried to scrape off a bit of snow that had settled on the roof of the structure onto his kids Kacey, 15, Finley, 10, and Nate, seven, while wife Lucy, 34, filmed.

But after failing to give them the shower he desired, his plan backfired and the gazebo collapsed on his head, leaving the whole family in hysterics.

The mum-of-three, who owns a cafe, said: "We knew there would be fresh snow as the caf had been locked up, and my husband told me to start filming because he wanted to bash all the snow off the gazebo onto the kids!

"He was trying to prank the kids but it obviously backfired!

"I stopped laughing for a bit because I didn't know if he was ok, but when he crawled out from under the gazebo I carried on!"

The gazebo in Wolverhampton was used to shelter customers whilst they wait for their takeaway orders, but sadly did not survive the hijinks by construction company owner Daniel.

Lucy said: "We have to go and buy an emergency one tomorrow before the caf opens up!"

The Black Country saw two inches of snow overnight on December 27 and the clip was filmed the next day.

More here:
Dad tries to cover kids in snow from top of gazebo - but prank backfires massively - Birmingham Live

Fortnite Week 5 Challenges focus on digging up, collecting and burying Gnomes at specific locations on the Battle Royale map. In this all-encompassing guide, we'll show you where you need to go to locate Gnomes and Gnome placement spots in Fort Crumpet, Pleasant Park, Holly Hedges and Retail Row. There's a lot to dig into, so let's get to it.

While hardcore Fortnite fans may know the location of Fort Crumpet, it's not officially named on the Battle Royale map. As you can see on the map below, however, it's located in a clearing southwest of Coral Castle. The first location to dig up Gnomes is marked.

Go through the main entrance, take a right by the concession stand and you'll see the Gnome sticking out of the ground near the stairs. Hit the spot with your Pickaxe to dig up the Gnome.

For the second spot at Fort Crumpet, pass by the stairs and take a left under the wooden structure. You'll see a bench. Right next to that bench is another spot to dig with your Pickaxe.

It's a similar affair over in Pleasant Park. The first dig spot is towards the northeast corner of the PoI.

Look for this tree in a clearing, directly in front of the blue house and stone house shown here.

The second spot to dig up is behind the stone house, so just head straight for it. To complete the challenge you need to dig up both Gnomes in their respective locations, so pick the one you like best.

For the Gnome burying challenge the concept is basically the same, only you need to approach the dirt mound and interact with it to "bury Gnome." The first location you can do this is in the center of the location, as marked on the map below.

It's at this bench right near the soccer net. You won't see the mound in my picture because this guide was made in the Battle Lab.

For the second Gnome burying spot, pass through the gazebo and head for the stone house you see straight ahead. There's a mound near the tree out front.

When it comes to burying Gnomes in Retail Row, start by going to this spot in the western part of the location.

You'll see a yellow house. On the corner of the fence is this unique plant with a burial spot nearby.

The second Gnome burying spot at Retail is in the northwest corner.

Go to the blue house. Right near the candy cane decorations out front is another location to bury a Gnome. To complete the challenge bury both Gnomes at one of these places.

For this third and final Gnome challenge for Week 5, all you have to do is collect the Gnomes standing in the spots we describe. With that in mind, go back to the main entrance of Fort Crumpet where you may have been before.

Behind the counter of the concession stand right as you enter is the first Gnome.

From there, go under the stone arch doorway to your left, take another left and you'll come to this wooden staircase. There's a Gnome standing underneath. Just press the designated button to collect it.

At Holly Hedges you can collect your first Gnome towards the northern part of the location.

You'll see it right as you pass under the arch with the big Christmas tree.

The second Holly Hedges Gnome is to the south.

Head to the back of the garden store, and you'll find it hiding between some potted plants. That's all you need to know about digging up, burying and collecting Gnomes for Fortnite's Week 5 Challenges.

That being said, digging up, burying and collecting Gnomes accounts for just three of the Week 5 Challenges that made their debut in Fortnite on Thursday. If you're looking for even more XP for your Battle Pass, there are at least five more tasks you can complete to get a maximum return for your efforts. Here's the full list of objectives as seen in-game.

That's all there is to know about Week 5 in Fortnite.

Fortnite is available now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC and Android.

Were you able to complete all of the Gnome challenges for Fortnite Week 5? Which challenge did you find most difficult? Tell us in the comments section!

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'Fortnite' Gnome Locations to Dig Up, Bury and Collect at Holly Hedges and More - Newsweek

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NORWCIH, Connecticut (WFSB) The pandemic decimated the arts community along with restaurants and establishments.

Now, the State of Connecticut is coming to the aid of many of the non-profit arts organizations in Norwich and New London to keep them afloat.

Several Norwich area art organizations have been using the gazebo in Brown Park for some social distanced performances to keep the arts alive.

To help keep them alive financially, the state is doling out $9 million to 154 organizations.

New Londons Garde Arts Center received $182,000 in state funding, Eastern Connecticut Symphony got more than $56,000, and ArtReach in Norwich received $94,000.

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz says the funding goes a long way to supporting the arts and the downtown businesses who benefit and thrive because of them.

A scaled down Garde Arts Theater Center survived thanks to the ingenuity of New London Public Schools by partnering with them.

We are host for learning pods for the New London Schools. We have the Isaac School, the Charter Arts Schools, a neighbor of ours is using spaces we have in our storefronts, said Steve Sigel, Executive Director of Garde Arts Center.

Sigel hopes his venue at the Garde can state scheduling programming next summer or fall.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

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State helping non-profit art organizations impacted by the pandemic - ABC17News.com

Between Sep. 1 and Nov. 30, the median sale price of existing single-family homes in Maine increased by 22.2 percent from the same period in 2019from $225,000 to $270,000. (The median indicates that half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less.)

With 2021 forecasts showing prices all over Maine continuing to increase, we took a snapshot of whats on the market around median prices in Maines Midcoast.

These listings were active at time of filing on Wednesday, Dec. 30.

5 Arrowhead Dr., Brunswick, Cumberland County. Recent median sales price: $385,500

$354,900 | 3 Beds | 1.5 Baths | 2,237 SF | 0.36 Acres

This home is located on a double lot off of Church Rd. on the west side of town. Desirables include a two-car attached garage with overhead storage, new appliances, skylights, a wood stove, a fully finished basement with half bath for additional work/play space and a deck overlooking the backyard. Well let you compare the price per square this home would be in Portland.

5 Crawford Dr., Bath, Sagadahoc County. Recent median sales price: $291,000

$279,900 | 4 Beds | 1.5 Baths | 1,809 SF | 0.39 Acres

The warmth and creativity that this home lacks in curb appeal is made up for by the bright, contemporary interior that has been updated with new appliances, granite countertops and cabinets in the kitchen and a black wood stove against a black brick wall in the living room, which will supplement the two heat pumps. A first-floor bedroom and half bathroom make a great space for guests on people who want to mostly stick to one floor.

10 Middle St., Lisbon, Androscoggin County. Recent median sales price: $215,500

$224,900 | 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,356 SF | 0.38 Acres

While the new owner will have to put those ever familiar finishing touches on this property, the circa 1900 Victorian has had extensive remodeling, including new floors and windows, updated kitchen and bathrooms and six brand new heat pumps. The third floor has potential to be finished for two more bedrooms. The seller is offering a $10,000 allowance toward the buyers choice of upgrades and improvements.

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On the Market: Single family homes for sale in Midcoast Maine - pressherald.com

U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway speaks at the unavailing of his portrait.

U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway speaks at the unavailing of his portrait.

U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway speaks at the unavailing of his portrait.

U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway speaks at the unavailing of his portrait.

Do a job worthy of the peoples trust in you.

Reacting to the news of Mike Conaways decision to retire from Congress, a Texas Tribune reporter wrote, His retirement is a major blow to the state's clout within the Republican conference.

Conaway leaves Washington as the ranking member and former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and had served as chair of House Ethics Committee. The same Tribune reported noted that Conaways decision was somewhat of a surprise to some delegation insiders; Conaway was on track to take GOP leadership of the House Intelligence Committee in the coming years.

But in July, Conaway said it was time to go. He leaves after winning his first election in 2005; the district was drawn up after then-Speaker of the Texas House Tom Craddick insisted on a district where Midland-Odessa would be a main population area.

His goal in representing the nearly 30 counties of District 11 was to do a job worthy of the peoples trust in you.

For years, many Conaway detractors seemed focused on the Troubled Asset ReliefProgram vote from 2008, which he said was the vote he lost the most sleep over. The CPA said in retrospect, it was one of those few, few times where I had to vote my conscience and vote my own experience and my own understanding of the circumstances versus what I was being encouraged to do from back home. He said that money spent on TARP has been earned back by and collected by the Fed.

If the TARP vote really impacted constituents faith in their representative, it was hard to tell. He never received less than 70.36 percent of the vote in a Republican primary after the 2008 vote and never less than 78.64 percent of the vote in a general election.

Conaway more recently earned distinction for his work as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee including passage of the 2018 Farm Bill -- and as the person who led the House investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. Conaway said he is proud that his committee was the first to finish and that not one of our conclusions was refuted by any of that other work that was done.

There will be much to unpack from Conaways time in Washington. He said this week he is confident that San Angelo Republican August Pfluger has the ability to represent the district well.

As for the immediate future, he and Suzanne will spend time in Seacrest Beach, Florida where they have a home and then return to Midland.

He said that somehow his resume showed up down here and I'm getting offers to drive a Coca-Cola truck route or be a security guy at the mall. So, I've got a bright future.

The following is a question-and-answer between Stewart Doreen of the Midland Reporter-Telegram and Mike Conaway.

MRT: What was your welcome-to-Congress moment?

CONAWAY: Suzanne and I had flown up for the swearing-in like theyre doing right now. And we get off the plane there in D.C. and there's a young Marine lieutenant standing there a Marine poster kid. And he says, Mr. Conaway, please come with me, and my wife looks at me, and shes got these big, wide eyes. He's a handsome little guy. And so, he marches us down from the gate to the terminal, we collect our bags, and then they escort us into downtown. And she actually said, How did he know who we are? Bob Ney, at the time, was chairman of the house Admin Committee, and he had worked out an arrangement with the Department of Defense to have each new member greeted at Reagan Airport like that. And so, I guess that was probably my first thought of, Wow, I may be in the big time after all.

MRT: What will you miss about serving in Congress?

CONAWAY: I just love the job. It's multifaceted, obviously, and it's hard to pick anything most, but my team that I've been able to put in place over all these 16 years, and it's been relatively stable. I've had some great people come and go. But these young men and women -- and they are young compared to me, I'm a little codger -- they are some of the finest that our nation has produced. They're loyal, they're dedicated, they're patriotic, super intelligent. And I've had them on my personal staff, the Ethics Committee staff and then, of course, the Ag Committee staff and, I think I will miss working with them day to day the most. Sue and I have been blessed with a really good family, and we've been able to add to that family over these 16 years with some young folks that we basically in our hearts adopted his family because they're just some of the best this country's ever produced, so I'll miss them. I'll miss town-hall meetings and working with constituents, being back in the district and making the rounds. I really missed that this past year because we didn't get to do nearly as much of that as I wanted to or that I normally certainly would have done. Then, its just doing the job. It's been a terrific run, and about half of me hates to see it come to a close and half that wants to make my wife happy.

MRT: What was your favorite perk of being a congressman?

CONAWAY: For the first probably 10 years, there was a parking lot at DCA (Reagan National Airport) that members of the House, the Senate and diplomats could use. It was right there by the door. You just drive right in, park and walk into the airport. And then they began this multi-year remodeling project for DCA, and they took all that away. That was probably the perk that was the best because you could just drive right in, get out and your car would be there when you came back the next week. I guess the day-to-day thing, was just being able to go through security without having to strip down and toss all your stuff in the bucket. That's a pretty good perk as well, just being able to go anywhere on campus that you wanted to go without having to go through security.

MRT: What was the one vote that created the most sleepless nights for you?

CONAWAY: The TARP vote is the only one that comes to mind, and I voted correctly on that. The one vote that I wish I had back was the Budget Control Act of 2011. But the TARP vote probably gave me the most trouble, because you know, the folks back in West Texas during that financial meltdown really weren't affected by it all that much. And I was getting this immense pressure to vote against it. And I've been in banking for six-plus years. And I knew the system was legitimately under immense pressure. The commercial paper market was about to collapse -- there were some really bad things happening -- and I knew in my heart that the right thing to do was to vote for it, but I was getting this pressure from back home to vote against it.

Voting for it was the right policy way to go, but it was one of those few, few times where I had to vote my conscience and vote my own experience and my own understanding of the circumstances versus what I was being encouraged to do from back home. I remember the first time we voted on it, I voted against it. And we all came home for a couple of days, and I got ticker-tape parades and people patting me on the back and all this kind of stuff. But I knew in my heart of hearts, that when it came back up, we would have changed it and fixed to the point where I was going to vote for it, so I was really torn that whole weekend back home. Everybody was bragging on me and all this kind of good stuff. But that's the one that gave me the most trouble from a Do what everybody's telling you to do or Did you do what you know is right. And in my heart, I know what I did was right. All that money that was spent on TARP has been earned back by and collected by the Fed. So net, it's been positive, but there are still a lot of folks who disagree with my analysis, most of whom didn't really have any deep understanding of banking, they just didn't want the federal government intruding like that. And I understand that, but, but like I said, I've been in banking long enough to know, this was a real deal and that I needed to support it.

MRT: Any regrets about what didn't get accomplished?

CONAWAY: Well, yeah, we didnt balance the budget the entire time I was there and no balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. There are lots of things out there that people talk about doing to our Constitution, but a balanced budget amendment is head and shoulders above anything else you could ever do. You made a brief reference to the increase in debt while I was there and the numbers speak for themselves, and I was a part of all those zillion decisions that got us to this point, but not being able to have better fiscal discipline to the system -- and that's just shared responsibility, no single member is going to be able to fix that deal. I mentioned that one vote that I do regret -- the Budget Control Act of 2011. (Former Republican Speaker of the House John) Boehner sold us the idea that this special committee could come up with enough cuts to mandatory spending to make it work and that it would be so terrible to institute sequestration, that we wouldn't do it that it would be the sword of Damocles that would make us get there, that would make us address mandatory spending, which is where the bulk of the problem lies. And it didn't work. The special committees ideas didn't pass, and so sequestration kicked in, and it did immense harm to the Department of Defense over those years and still has. Thats the one bill I've voted for that I wish I hadnt. It's interesting, most of the folks who cling to sequestration and budget caps and other things out that were around in 2011 voted against that bill. And it now they cling to it like the Holy Grail.

MRT: What's the one thing you're most proud of accomplishing during your time in Washington?

CONAWAY: To do the work in D.C., and it takes 217 friends -- plus the speaker has to be one of those friends -- and the 60 over in the Senate, the president and that kind of stuff. Getting stuff done in D.C. is a tall order, but back home, the work that has been done by my constituent service team in the six offices that we have, every day somebody's life in the district was made just a little less difficult by the great work my team was doing -- whether it's income taxes, IRS, Social Security or VA or INS or need a passport immediately, all those kind of things that people have to have happen, my guys just were exemplary at it. I'm most proud of that body of work that contributed in no small part -- to me getting to 75 and 80 percent of the vote every time. It was just the great work my team back home was doing. The work they've done over the past 16 years is what I'm proud of the most.

Legislatively, it would be of course the Farm Bill of 2018 as the biggest deal that I got to get done, but there was a crop insurance issue that I led the fight on in 2015, getting cotton back under the Farm Bill the way it should have been, that happened before the 2018 Farm Bill. I'm proud of the report that we got done on the Intelligence Committee on the Russia investigation. It doesnt get a lot of play these days, but if you go back and look at it, not one conclusion was refuted by any of the other folks out there. Yeah, I was a little worried about it when we did our first and it came out pretty darn quickly. In comparison, Mueller had unlimited money and 40-plus investigators, and the Senate's just now finishing up their work, so I was a little concerned that they might find something that we didn't or find something that we should have found that we didnt. And not one of our conclusions was refuted by any of that other work that was done. So, I'm really proud of what we get done on the on the Russia investigation report.

MRT: One of the defining characteristics of your time representing District 11 is that it would have been impossible for someone to state where you were from inside District 11 based on your representation in Washington. In fact, it can be argued that you had a greater impact on the agriculturally dependent parts of the district than Midland-Odessa. Describe what it meant for you to represent the entire region like District 11.

CONAWAY: Part of it is, I made a pact with myself that I would do two public events in every county in the district every year where people would have public access to me. And back when I had Mentone and Orla, we would go out there twice a year. There would be all 67 votes out there. We just made sure I went to every county, because you could look at the district, and if you're just a pure politician, say, OK, I need to spend all my time in Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, maybe Brownwood, and maybe Hood County or maybe Granbury. And I can ignore the rest of those folks, because they quite frankly can't sway the deal. The other thing that did I didn't want anybody to say is the only time Conaway ever shows up around here is when he's asking for the vote. That happens a lot. A lot about my colleagues they'll show up a month out from the primary, a month out from the general and that is the first time they had been back to that place in two years. I never wanted anybody to be able to say that. In my view, it was just part of doing the job. And then when I became chairman of Ag, I watched other Ag leaders be very parochial. I felt like as chairman of Ag, I represented all of it, not just cotton in West Texas, but all of it. And so, I worked really hard to make sure that I was going places I needed to go.

MRT: It was said that this district was created for Midland-Odessa, that the representative would be from Midland-Odessa. Did that create any pressure in any way for you?

CONAWAY: I didn't feel any. The pressure I felt would have happened no matter what and that was to do a good job. Do a job worthy of people's trust in you and worthy of that regardless whether a person lived in Midland-Odessa or Brownwood or wherever it was, but I didnt sense anything. There were some comments that (the district) was drawn for Mike Conaway, but that was just serendipitous. You know, Id just run in that special (election) to replace Larry Combest at exact same time the redistricting part was going on, and I just happened to be at the right spot at the right time. But you're right -- (Tom) Craddick said openly there will not be a new map unless there is a district that Midland-Odessa can be competitive in -- not that win it, but competitive. I benefited from that, but I had to be at the right spot at the right time.

MRT: Has conservatism changed from 2004 to today?

CONAWAY: I think so. It was more fiscal conservative in 2004-05 when I first got there. I remember we would agonize over $100 million here and there, and now, they're throwing $460 billion at this $2,000 check thing with hardly any analysis at all. And it's gonna go to folks who are totally, totally unaffected by COVID. And they're going to get four grand to the family. That would have never happened with Tom Delay out there. We simply would never have done that kind of a shotgun approach. He would have tailored it to the folks who lost their jobs and that are legitimately impacted by what's going on. Theres not a federal employee who has missed a paycheck, but those making less than ($75,000) are going to get a $2,000 bonus, and I'm not sure if that makes sense. Because it doesnt. The life issues are probably the most defining between conservative and not. That line is sharper today than it has been. I think we're more polarized now than we were when I first got there. Maybe it's just because, we know more about partial-birth abortions today than we did in 2004, at least I do. And all the heinous things that goes on around late-term abortion that some of my colleagues vehemently defend the violence in the womb. And so, yeah, I think it's different. It's morphed into a less, fiscally conservative than it was in 2005.

MRT: Which is made it more difficult to effectively represent District 11, cable news, talk radio or social media?

CONAWAY: Social media, hands down. You know, talk radio and cable news, they have a bit of a governor on them. I mean, you can't publish in your newspaper, something you know to be untrue or something that you've gotten that you have not tried to find the truth on. Well, social media has no governor, no filter and no restraint on it whatsoever. And so, you get these crazy conspiracy theories that pop up out of nowhere, and you start asking Wheres that come from and they say social media. Well, who is the knucklehead sitting in his mother's basement that pitched that conspiracy idea and does he have any credentials at all? I think social media is tougher. We are better today at finding those who are using divisive tools than ever, and I think social media is the most divisive tool we have.

MRT: What is the impact of Donald Trump on the Republican Party?

CONAWAY: Well, obviously, from the votes he got its positive because he got more votes than any Republican ever got and he's also broadened the tent. Like I said were probably not as fiscally concerned as we previously had been. You know it was disappointing that he really didn't want to take up Medicare or any of the big financial drivers that the leadership is going to have to come out of the White House to actually fix the mandatory spending problems that we have. And he didn't seem to be as concerned about that as Republican leaders in the past have been. I think hes had impact that will make it easier to spend money we don't have than maybe under previous presidents.

MRT: Why is August Pfluger the right person to lead District 11 into the future?

CONAWAY: Well, one, he out-worked anybody else in the field. I didn't endorse anybody, but I offered to help everyone of them, and August took me up on it. And he would say, Hey, who do I need to talk to in this county or this town and I gave him a list of names and would have given anybody a list of names. And I'd go back by there and somebody was like Hey, I just talked to August Pfluger or Hey, Im about to talk to August Pfluger. So, he outworked everybody else in the race by head and shoulders. And it showed because he won without a runoff. That work ethic that he demonstrated there looked similar to the work ethic that I tried to put in for 16 years, making the rounds and doing the job that was supposed to get done. Second off, he's a super smart guy. Hes got a good background in the military. And that's becoming less representative in Congress. So, it's good that to have a veteran -- I'm a veteran, he's a career veteran its good to have that perspective in Congress as well. And he's just good people a good, decent God-fearing man with a terrific family. And so, I've got really, really high hopes and expectations for him to surpass whatever it is I might have been able to do in these 16 years during his term.

MRT: What advice have you offered him about being the representative of an entire district?

CONAWAY: Well, that was it. That's it. The folks in Mason County, all 5,000 or 6,000 deserve your attention as much as the folks in Tom Green County. And they need to be able to see and talk to you and have the access as those in counties where you get most of your votes. Make sure you're making the rounds. And then, if I was on the phone with you right now -- based on my last walking off that floor Monday night after my final vote -- would be to just savor every single moment. Because nobody gets to go forever.

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Do a job worthy of the peoples trust in you. - Midland Reporter-Telegram

Never before has your home's style and functionality felt more important than in 2020. We've all become a lot more acquainted with our living spaces thanks to the pandemic, and many have undertaken remodeling projects as a result.

What will we be seeing more of in the new year? Zillow has put together a list of the top home trends for 2021, and on it you'll find everything from "Zoom rooms" to vacation-like amenities to a fancier place to cultivate that sourdough starter.

Intergenerational livingYoung adults and grandparents alike have found themselves moving back in with family for financial and health reasons, so new construction is progressing with that in mind.

According to Generations United, about one in six Americans currently live in multigenerational households, and this year, the share of young people moving back home reached all-time highs.

Katie Detwiler, chief experience officer at Pennsylvania home builder Berks Homes, says there are more requests than ever for a finished basement with a full bathroom, as well as bedroom additions.

Gourmet kitchensIf we've not all become successful amateur cooks this year, then at least we tried and learned what does and doesn't work in our current kitchens.

A previous Zillow survey finds 41 percent of people value a well-equipped kitchen more than before as a result of social distancing recommendations, and more people want the space to show off their new culinary skills in the next year.

"We've seen an increase in requests for gourmet kitchens," says Detwiler. "This includes bigger cabinets and island additions so homeowners have the space they need to cook their gourmet meals."

"Zoom rooms"Think of it as a home office: upgraded. A Zillow survey found that Americans working from home say they would consider a move for a dedicated office space, if they were to continue working remotely at least occasionally.

As of November, the number of listings mentioned "home office" or "Zoom room" increased by 48.5 percent compared to the same time last year. Berks Homes also says requests for an at-home study in lieu of existing living space more than doubled this year.

"Homecation" amenitiesWith lots of time and nowhere to go, homeowners are coming up with creative solutions to create vacation vibes right at home. "Pool" was the top Zillow keyword search term in 2020; "waterfront" and "dock" also landed in the top 10.

Additionally, homeowners may be looking for big and small ways to create a luxury experience at home, from upgrading to a spa-like bathtub or relaxing rain shower. Zillow research found listings that mentioned a free-standing tub typically sold for 5.5 percent more than expected, while the listing keyword "spa-inspired" contributed to a 1.8 percent price premium.

The rise of remote work will also allow more homeowners to turn their favorite vacation destination into their hometown. Page views of for-sale listings in areas typically considered vacation destinations such as Key West, the Jersey Shore, and Cape Cod are up nearly 50 percent compared to last year.

Backyard oasisA Zillow survey from the Harris Poll found that 41 percent of people say they value a large outdoor space more as a result of social distancing recommendations.

Homes mentioning "fire pit" in the listing sold for 2.8 percent more than similar homes, and "outdoor kitchen" sold for 4.5 percent more. Smart sprinkler systems and outdoor lighting are other features that add a contemporary flare to a backyard but also help your home sell up to 15 days faster than expected.

Smart and safe techIt's more vital than ever that our homes stay as germ-free as possible, and smart home technology has saved the day with products like touchless appliances, self-cleaning toilets, and bidets. And while a lot of these products are niche right now, Zillow predicts they will evolve to become the standard in home design.

"Our tech-driven appliances, solid surfaces, and smart fixtures have come to the rescue," says Kerrie Kelly, Zillow home design expert and founder of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab. "Features like voice-activated faucets, robotic vacuums, and electronic assistant-controlled lights have updated the traditional tasks of cooking and cleaning by incorporating thoughtful innovation into home products."

Smart home technology is becoming increasingly appealing to buyers. A Zillow analysis found that listings mentioning a smart light in their description sold seven days faster than expected, and listings mentioning a smart thermostat sold six days faster.

Pet-friendly livingThe flexibility of remote work gave many people the opportunity to be home all day, and in turn, made it easier to add a new best friend to their family. According to a Nielsen survey, 20 percent of respondents in July said they adopted one or more dogs or cats between March and June, up from less than 5 percent over the same time last year.

A 2020 Zillow analysis found for-sale listings mentioning a pet shower or dog wash in their listing description sold for 5.1 percent more than similar homes, while listings mentioning a fenced backyard in their description sold 6.8 days faster than expected.

More new constructionTraffic for new construction homes has increased significantly on Zillow, up 82 percent in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter a year ago, signaling an increasing number of shoppers interested in personalizing their home's features and living in a new, clean space.

A 2020 Zillow survey found more than a quarter of buyers who bought a new construction home did so to customize home features, while 37 percent chose new construction because everything in the home was new and never used.

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Home and design experts look ahead to what will be trendy in Dallas for 2021 - CultureMap Dallas

CD Projekt Red announced that it would release a free DLC update in "early 2021." Here are three simples features it needs to add.

CD Projekt Red announced thatCyberpunk 2077will receive a free DLC additionin "early 2021." The Polish developer didn't reveal anything other than the update's vague release window on December 29, but it might have a lot planned for the coming year. Cyberpunk 2077'sfree DLC's landing page stated that it "starts to hit Night City" in the first few months of 2021, which suggest the content will be a rolling series of updates, much like what was added toThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

CDPR had previously teased its plans for a complimentaryDLCpackbeforeCyberpunk 2077'scontroversial and buggyrelease on December 10. Since then the developer has focused on shipping a steady stream offixes to address the game's most flagrant hitches.Players who have already sunk tens, if not hundreds, of hours exploring Night City now have new features and improvements to look forward to, but what will Cyberpunk's free DLC include?

Related: What Cyberpunk 2077's Best Starting Area Is

CDPR hasn't unveiledwhat it's cooking up for the update just yet, but theinitial addition will likely be on the lighter side and won't change the overarching narrative of the title. The company is planninga premiumCyberpunk 2077 expansionfurther down the line that will take players "deeper into the world of Cyberpunk 2077, offering substantial, story-driven content." Don't expect a monumental facelift to Night City in early 2021, but there are still plenty of small changes CDPR canmake to improve its latest title's immersiveness and replayability.

For a world that's obsessed with cybernetic body modifications, it's ludicrous that players can't change theirCyberpunkcharacter's hairstyle and facial hair after the character creation menu. Ripperdocsseem like the perfect merchants to offer these styling services and they should also extend their expertise to makeup, eye-color, teeth, and most, if not all, of V's physical traits.

CDPRadded barbers intoThe Witcher 3as part of a free DLC update, so it's likely this feature will eventually make it intoCyberpunk 2077. If players can embed a Mantis Bladeinto V's arm, they should be able to change their in-game appearance whenever they want.

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Cyberpunk 2077 DLC: What CDPR Needs To Add First | Screen Rant - Screen Rant