Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Posted on Jun 25, 2020

By Harold C. Ford

We shouldve never moved in that [Northwestern] building.

Vera Perry, trustee, Flint Board of Education

We create the instability that we face.

Diana Wright, vice-president, Flint Board of Education

At its meeting June 9, the board of education of Flint Community Schools (FCS) was informed that it would cost the school district an estimated $4 million to bring the Northwestern campus up to speed in terms of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, and other needed upgrades such as roofing and parking lot repairs.

As a result, the 2020-2021 location of Flints 7th and 8th graders, as well as the location of the districts central kitchen services operated by Sodexo MAGIC, is uncertain.

A campus in disrepair:

The June 9 presentation to the board of education by two representatives from Johnson Controls very familiar with the districts infrastructureDaniel Mack, energy solutions account executive, and Herb Cavendish, project team superintendentdescribed a facility in a serious state of disrepair.

Daniel Mack, energy solutions account executive, Johnson Controls (LinkedIn Photo)

Johnson Controls, a company with nearly 20 offices in Michigan and a history stretching back to 1885, has serviced all FCS buildings that remain open.

Cavendish spoke of the possibility of a catastrophic failure (meaning) the system will go completely down and the building would have to be closed. Or worse.

He (Cavendish) probably knows this building better than anyone else on the planet, Mack said.

Mack and Cavendish presented their findings to the board in a report titled Performance Infrastructure for Flint Community Schools, Change of Work at Northwestern Jr. High. Board members seemed stunned by the extent and gravity of the reports findings:

Deleterious impact on learning and health:

When building automation equipment doesnt work, when mechanical equipment doesnt work, you dont control the learning environment, said Mack.

The classroom was very hot in the wintertime as well as in the summertime, Mack reported. In the wintertime we saw some classrooms that were 80-85 (F); some were 90.

Trustee Blake Strozier, as knowledgeable as anyone on the Flint board about infrastructure, warned of older equipment that, in some cases, hasnt been reviewed, updated, or even looked at since 1964. Northwestern High School was opened in 1964.

Youre absolutely right, responded Mack.

I worked in that building when it first opened and I dont ever remember the cooling system working very well, recollected Betty Ramsdell, board trustee.

The biggest concern I have with that building is the airflow, especially with what were going through right now, warned Mack, an obvious reference to the coronavirus pandemic.

We have kids with asthma, all kinds of problems going on, observed Ramsdell. It would really, really concern me.

Entrance to the problem-plagued former Northwestern High School campus (Photo by Tom Travis)

Board remorse:

We shouldve never moved in that building, said Vera Perry, board trustee.

If we had known all this before, we would never have opened that building and used it, said Ramsdell. She then cautioned against putting good money after bad.

The reopening of the Northwestern building to 7th and 8th grade students for the 2019-2020 school year was done during the administration of now-suspended FCS Superintendent Derrick Lopez. As reported by The Flint Journal-MLive which obtained a suspension memo via a Freedom of Information Act request, one of five reasons listed for the suspension was lack of a plan while reopening the districts Northwestern school building as a junior high school.

Before his suspension, during emotionally charged building consolidation/closure meetings, Lopez appeared to lobby board members for moving junior high students out of the Northwestern building.

We have too much infrastructure for the number of students were trying to educate, said Lopez in November 2019. A key component of his administrations proposed deficit elimination plan was closure of the former Northwestern High School, the largest Flint campus still open at 212,000 square feet.

We dont like closing buildings at all, Lopez said in January 2020, but I tell you that is one of the things we have to consider.

Lopez noted that the Northwestern building, which has a seating capacity for 1551 students, housed only 400 junior high students at the time. He said that cleaning and electricity for the building alone respectively cost $141,500 and $328,000 annually.

Of the five consolidation options offered by the Lopez administration, two plans would have middle school students remain at Northwestern, two would have sent them to Holmes, one would have sent them to the Scott building.

But where are we going to get the money?

The prospects for finding money in the FCS budget seemed bleak after a review of district finances by Carrie Sekelsky, FCS executive director of finance.

Sekelsky said FCS could squeeze about $2.8 million out of current financial resources for the purpose of upgrades at Northwestern, but it would be a severe cut on our general operating fund. She concluded: There would be virtually nothing left in the budget for needed maintenance and upgrades at the other 12 buildings in the district.

We have a lot of roofing issueswe have severe leaks, we have major parking lot issues throughout the district, said Sekelsky. We will have a very difficult time to do any other repair at any other building.

She explained that voter approval of the March 10 millage diverted funds from the districts 4.0 mill sinking fund used for infrastructure needs: 2.82 mills are now used to pay off the districts debt; the remaining 1.18 mills are used for infrastructure needs.

Comments by Diana Wright, board vice president, seemed to capture the air of resignation and financial reality that consumed the boards discussion: My position is, no, I dont want to abandon the north end; yes, I want our students to have a quality learning environment; but where are we going to get the money?

North and south:

For a short time, the Flint boards discussion devolved to familiar territory: the needs of the citys northside residents versus the needs of its southside residents.

We have to invest in something on the north side to prevent Flint students from going to suburban schools like Hamady, Beecher and Carman-Ainsworth, proclaimed Carol McIntosh, board trustee. Avoiding the north side, avoiding Northwestern, avoiding Northern, and running to Southwestern has not helped us.

I do not want to desert the north end, responded Ramsdell. I do not want to desert our familiesWere going to have to listen, adjust, and compromise.

You cant call yourself a community school when youve gotta go across town to go to school, replied McIntosh.

It sounds like we just have to move (out of Northwestern), said Perry with an air of resignation, as it would deplete the districts sinking fund monies and leave no money for the needs of other buildings.

What to do?

A brainstorming session led by Anita Steward, FCS interim superintendent, resulted in four options.

Option 1 was to continue to use the Northwestern building for the districts 7th and 8th graders. The challenge, of course, is finding the funds necessary to upgrade infrastructure.

Option 2 would relocate the students from Northwestern to Holmes. Im not comfortable putting all those children into the same building unless you have Joe Clark as a principal, said Strozier. Clark was the no-nonsense principal of Eastside High School portrayed by Morgan Freeman in the 1989 film Lean on Me.

Option 3, proposed by Strozier, would send the 7th and 8th graders to the elementary schools in their own neighborhoods making them K-8 buildings. Citing maturation issues, at least one board member objected to the idea of putting elementary and middle school children in the same building.

Option 4, proposed by Perry, would return 7th and 8th graders to the Northwestern building and then to other campuses in phases.

Itinerant middle schoolers:

Since 2018, FCS leaders have mulled over multiple plans for the location of its middle schoolers.

The more we move people, the more they leave, lamented Strozier.

Indecision, the central kitchen, and the FCS budget:

The boards indecision about the Northwestern building has an impact beyond the location of its middle schoolers.

FCS spent approximately $1 million to centralize and equip its food services at the Northwestern campus. Are we talking about complete closure of the facility? asked Steward during the boards brainstorming session about the future of the campus. If so, then the district would also need a plan for the relocation of its food services presently managed by Sodexo MAGIC.

Further, uncertainty about future use of the Northwestern building resulted in the boards only nondecision at its recent marathon discussions of the budgets for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. After lengthy back and forth, the board tabled a decision on the Food Service Fund line item for 2020-2021. FCS decisions on the budget are due to the Michigan Department of Treasury by June 30.

Time is running out:

FCS board members are chagrined by the possibility of moving their middle schoolers yet again. We are moving those kids at the most developmentally fragile time of their lives, lamented Strozier.

Nonetheless, with its balanced calendar, FCS students return to school the first week of August. Steward had earlier advised the board that parents start making their decisions about school choice in May and June. She urged the board to make a decision about Northwestern by the first week in July.

EVM Education Beat reporter and staff writer Harold C. Ford can be reached at hcford1185@gmail.com.

Related

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Education Beat: Northwestern needs $4 million in upgrades; where will junior high students go? - East Village Magazine

Deciding which material to use for injection molding is one of the most important decisions in the entire production process. It protects you from having to make costly tooling adjustments down the road, once production has actually begun. Injection molds are also designed for a specific amount of shrinkage to occur and take into account the parts application, and any post-injection molding processes that the part will undergo. Aluminum and steel are two of the most common materials used, but it can be difficult to know which one is best for your production needs. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both aluminum and steel and when it is best to use each.

Aluminum is a soft metal that is lightweight, resistant to rust, heat-resistant and easy to form into new shapes. This makes it a popular option for those looking for a material to make their mold out of for use in the injection molding process.

Steel is an alloy of iron, carbon, and other elements that give it unique properties that make it great for fabrication. Along with aluminum, it is a popular material for producing molds.

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The post Aluminum or Steel Mold: Whats the Right Fit for Your Product? appeared first on Proto Plastics.

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Aluminum or Steel Mold: Whats the Right Fit for Your Product? - TippNews DAILY

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in conjunction with Lochinvar Corp., issued a recall for Lochinvar residential condensing boilers, combi boilers and packaged systems sold after August 2016.

The boilers flue grommet can deteriorate and dislodge during use and allow the boiler to emit carbon monoxide, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The firm has received seven reports of boilers flue grommets deteriorating, including one report of two nonfatal injuries involving carbon monoxide poisoning, and two reports of carbon monoxide emission not involving an injury.

Consumers with the recalled boilers should immediately contact the installer or a qualified technician to schedule a free repair. Consumers who continue use of the boilers while awaiting repair should have working carbon monoxide alarms outside of sleeping areas and on every level of the home.

The recalled boilers were sold under the Lochinvar, A. O. Smith and State Proline brand names and have serial numbers within the range of 103475818 through 115078306. The model number and serial number can be found on the data plate on the product located on the units rating plate, which is located either on the outer jacket of the unit or on the underside of the removable front jacket plate. The brand name is printed on the front of each unit.

Model numbers and additional photos can be found atwww.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Lochinvar-Recalls-Condensing-Residential-Boilers-Due-to-Risk-of-Carbon-Monoxide-Poisoning#. About 34,300 were sold in the United States and about 3,642 units were sold in Canada through independent contractors, plumbers, and plumbing supply vendors and distributors from August 2016 through June 2020. Cost was between $8,000 and $25,000, including installation.

Consumers should contact Lochinvar toll-free at 833-232-9706 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Check for the recalled boilers serial number atwww.waterheaterrecall.com, and select the look-up feature for the flue grommet recall.

Consumers with Lochinvar-branded boilers can find a qualified service technician by visitinggreen.lochinvar.com/support/contractorlocator.aspx. Consumers with A. O. Smith or State Proline-branded boilers should contact their installer. If consumers do not know their installer, contact Lochinvar toll free at 833-232-9706.

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PHCC Connect event will be virtual show - Contracting Business

The study on the Heat Interface Units Marketby Brand Essence Market Research is a compilation of systematic details in terms of market valuation, market size, revenue estimation, and geographical spectrum of the business vertical. The study also offers a precise analysis of the key challenges and growth prospects awaiting key players of the Heat Interface Units market, including a concise summary of their corporate strategies and competitive setting.

In 2018, the Global Heat Interface Units Market size was xx million US$ and it is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during 2019-2025.

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A recent report on Heat Interface Units Market provides a detailed analysis on the industry size, revenue forecasts and geographical landscape pertaining to this business space. Additionally, the report highlights primary obstacles and latest growth trends accepted by key players that form a part of the competitive spectrum of this business.

Heat Interface Units are installed in multi-family apartments and act as a bridge between the housing unit and the central heating system. They eliminate the need to install heating systems in individual dwellings, and thus save costs. Reduced investment and maintenance cost is one of the major factors driving the global heat interface units market. Installing gas boilers in individual dwellings in a multi-dwelling apartment complex includes various costs.

Armstrong Fluid Technology Dutypoint Honeywell International Ideal Boilers Robert Bosch

Moreover, during installation, the gas lines are required to be calibrated for the right BTU levels. To prevent any compromise with the integrity of the pipe and the possibility of explosions, it is important to ensure that all the procedures are carried out properly, which requires trained professionals that add to the costs. Installing a central boiler plant eliminates the need for connecting individual dwellings to gas lines, resulting in significant cost savings. HIUs only require a centralized boiler and hot water risers. Therefore, there is no need for a piping network running through the buildings; this results in reduced costs and brings down the future costs for repair and maintenance.

EMEA accounted for the maximum shares of the market during 2017. Our analysts have predicted that EMEA will witness steady growth in the next five years. HIUs are very popular in Europe, due to which they are the key leaders in the central heating systems market. Moreover, the extreme climatic conditions in Europe makes it a huge market for heating and cooling systems.

In this report, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Heat Interface Units. This report studies the global market size of Heat Interface Units, especially focuses on the key regions like United States, European Union, China, and other regions (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia).

This study presents the Heat Interface Units production, revenue, market share and growth rate for each key company, and also covers the breakdown data (production, consumption, revenue and market share) by regions, type and applications. history breakdown data from 2014 to 2019, and forecast to 2025.

For top companies in United States, European Union and China, this report investigates and analyzes the production, value, price, market share and growth rate for the top manufacturers, key data from 2014 to 2019.

Market Segment by Product Type

Indirect Heat Interface Units Direct Heat Interface Units

Market Segment by Application

Residential Commercial Industrial

History Year: 2014-2018 Base Year: 2018 Estimated Year: 2019 Forecast Year 2019 to 2025

Qualitative Analysis covers:

Industry Status and TrendsManufacturer/Company profiles, manufacturing base distribution, sales areas, product introduction, main business, market position and their competitors.Product Development, Technology, Price, Cost, Manufacturing Process and TrendsMarket segment by regions, types, applications and forecastMarket opportunities, potential, government policies and influence factors.

Quantitative Analysis covers:

Market size (value, sales/output, historical data and forecasts)Sales/output/capacity, revenue, price, gross margin, market share, for top players. Through interviewing each manufacturers, distributors, traders, dealers and buyers etc.Cost structure, proportion, price trend, gross margin and trend, status and trend, for 10 yearsMarket size by types, regions, applications for 10 yearsMarket forecast based on the potential demand from downstream clients/buyers, government, influence factors and the total economic indication, maybe occur in following years.

To analyze and research the Heat Interface Units status and future forecast in United States, European Union and China, involving sales, value (revenue), growth rate (CAGR), market share, historical and forecast. To present the key Heat Interface Units manufacturers, presenting the sales, revenue, market share, and recent development for key players. To split the breakdown data by regions, type, companies and applications To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks. To identify significant trends, drivers, influence factors in global and regions To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market

Table of Contents

1 Report Overview1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Players Covered1.4 Market Analysis by Type1.4.1 Global Heat Interface Units Market Size Growth Rate by Type (2014-2025)1.4.2 Topical Products1.4.3 Botulinum1.4.4 Dermal Fillers1.4.5 Chemical Peels1.4.6 Microabrasion Equipment1.4.7 Laser Surfacing Treatments1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Heat Interface Units Market Share by Application (2014-2025)1.5.2 Hospitals1.5.3 Dermatology Clinics1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered

2 Global Growth Trends2.1 Heat Interface Units Market Size2.2 Heat Interface Units Growth Trends by Regions2.2.1 Heat Interface Units Market Size by Regions (2014-2025)2.2.2 Heat Interface Units Market Share by Regions (2014-2019)2.3 Industry Trends2.3.1 Market Top Trends2.3.2 Market Drivers2.3.3 Market Opportunities

3 Market Share by Key Players3.1 Heat Interface Units Market Size by Manufacturers3.1.1 Global Heat Interface Units Revenue by Manufacturers (2014-2019)3.1.2 Global Heat Interface Units Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers (2014-2019)3.1.3 Global Heat Interface Units Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)3.2 Heat Interface Units Key Players Head office and Area Served3.3 Key Players Heat Interface Units Product/Solution/Service3.4 Date of Enter into Heat Interface Units Market3.5 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans

Read More: https://industrystatsreport.com/Machinery-and-Equipments/Heat-Interface-Units-Market-Growth-Rate-Demands-and-Status/Summary

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Heat Interface Units Market(Covid 19 Impact) 2020 Worldwide Industry Size, Key Vendors, Growth Drivers, Opportunity And Competitive Landscape Forecast...

Program Manager, Amy Haack, explains the importance of Clean Air Action Day and how to help with the cause.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. A Clean Air Action Day is called when certain air pollutants are forecast to reach unhealthy levels. On these days, the public is asked to take voluntary actions like deferring lawn mowing and limiting car usage to reduce emissions and protect their health.

However, there has been a name change to the cause. It went from Ozone Action to Clean Air Action. Here is why:

Beginning in 2009, the program has grown and evolved to announce Action Days when ground level ozone, fine particulate matter, or both, are expected to reach or exceed the unhealthy for sensitive groups threshold.

Since it is possible to have unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter throughout the year, the Clean Air Action program is now year-round. Although they have been fortunate enough to not have to call a Clean Action Day, yet in regards to fine particulate matter.

For those that may not know, here is a break down of what is ozone, ground-level ozone, and fine particulate matter and what causes a Clean Air Action to be called.

Ozone is a colorless gas that is the major component of smog that lingers at the Earths surface. In the upper atmosphere (stratosphere), however, ozone is beneficial, protecting us from the suns harmful rays.

Ozone is formed in the lower atmosphere as a result of chemical reactions in the presence of certain weather conditions.

High temperatures, minimal cloud cover, and southwest winds are prime conditions for ground-level ozone formation in West Michigan. Sources of pollutants that react in these conditions include vehicles, factories, landfills, industrial chemicals, and numerous small sources such as gas stations, farms, lawn equipment, etc.

Particulate matter includes small drops of liquid or bits of dust, metals, or other materials in the air. It can come from a variety of sources, including incinerators, wood stoves, industry, motor vehicles, and even forest fires and construction sites. Its levels are usually highest in the summer and winter, making it a year-round issue in West Michigan.

Ground-level ozone and fine particulate matterare health problems.

Ground-level ozone and particulate matter are particularly problems for people with respiratory illnesses, children, the elderly, and those who are active outdoors.

Even for healthy people engaged in moderate outdoor activity, breathing air laden with ozone and particulate matter can create temporary health problems, such as coughing and shortness of breath.

Air pollution is a definite health problem.

There are numerous monitoring stations throughout the state. Some of these are in larger cities and some are in rural areas. The stations monitor the air and measure the presence of ozone and particulate matter.

However, many of the pollutants that form ozone in our air come from other areas.

Scientific studies have proven that large cities to the south and west of our region are a prime contributor to our problem. Hopefully, the voluntary actions of many citizens and organizations will be successful in keeping our air as clean as possible.

Cars, equipment, and industries in West Michigan are NOT pollution free. While the pollution we emit may not be the primary sources of our problem, it does contribute to some degree. Our efforts to reduce local emissions on Clean Air Action Days will serve dual purposes.

First, local actions will send the message that West Michigan can work together to solve its own problems and the communities in our region and take pride in the beauty of their natural resources and know how to maintain them.

Second, the efforts that we take locally may constitute the differences between going over the federal standard and almost going over the standard in a given measuring period. It may not make a huge difference in the haziness of the air, but it can make all the difference in the world when it comes to remaining in compliance with the clean air standards.

The Clean Air Action Program is only one of the efforts going on in West Michigan.

Businesses and industries have been working for years with improved technology to reduce emissions from their operations. Automobile emissions technology has also improved dramatically.

Over the past several decades, there have been major reductions in overall vehicle emissions. This is quite an improvement in technology. New equipment in many industries has been designed with air quality in mind.

There are many no-cost voluntary actions that individuals can take on designated Clean Air Action days. Consider some of these.

There are many ways to be aware of Clean Air Action Days. Heres a few:

Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this.Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.

If you would like more information about advertising with 13 ON YOUR SIDE, please contact Jeff Olsen at jolsen@wzzm13.com.

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What you need to know about Clean Air Action Day! - WZZM13.com

Summer is a great time to be outside and enjoy the weather. Awareness of summer health hazards can help you prevent potential injuries and discomfort.

Here are ways you can protect yourself and others and enjoy the summer fun:

Lawn mower injuries

Before mowing, remove debris from the lawn, such as rocks, sticks or other potential flying object hazards.

Always wear protective eye wear, hearing protection and closed toe shoes while operating the mower.

If the lawn slopes, mow across the slope with the walk-behind rotary mower, never up and down. With a riding lawn mower, drive up and down the slope, not across it, to avoid tipping over.

Save extra on plant-based meat options for July 4 holiday

Do not allow children to play in the vicinity of an operating mower, and never allow young children to ride with an adult on a mower.

Food poisoning

Hot temperatures in the summer allow bacteria to develop faster in food with no refrigeration. Foods or food products with dairy, eggs, mayonnaise or meat can become hosts to the types of bacteria that can lead to food poisoning.

To prevent food poisoning, follow the U.S. Department of Agricultures advice to:

Clean: Wash your hands as well as the surfaces where youll be preparing foods.

Separate: Wrap raw meat securely and keep it stored away from other food items.

Cook: Bring along a meat thermometer. Grilling meat browns it very fast on the outside, but that doesnt mean its safe on the inside. Steaks should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees, ground beef and pork to 160 degrees, and poultry to 165 degrees.

Chill: Keep everything refrigerated as long as possible. Store perishable picnic items in an insulated cooler packed with ice, and follow the last in, first out rule whatever youre going to eat first should go at the top of the cooler.

Dont keep any foods at room temperature longer than 2 hours-or 1 hour if its warmer than 90 degrees.

Sun damage

Sun protection is an important precaution to guard against skin cancer and reduce signs of aging. To help protect your skin and eyes from the damaging effects of UV rays:

Use sunscreen -Choose a sunscreen that has sun-protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.

Stay in the shade between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays to reduce the risk of cataracts.

Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours while outdoors.

Wear clothing to protect exposed skin, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, ears and neck.

Insect bites

Mosquito bites can be annoying, but they can also cause serious viral diseases, such as West Nile, Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue. To protect yourself from mosquito bites:

Mosquito-proof your home by using screens on windows and doors. Repair or replace all torn screens in your home. Close windows and doors, then use air conditioning when available.

Drain water where mosquitoes grow. Mosquitoes can grow in containers that hold water for more than a week such as pop cans, buckets, bottles and discarded tires. Fill holes that hold water with gravel or dirt.

Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks to create a barrier between you and mosquitoes.

Apply insect repellent on exposed skin when you go outdoors. Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellants containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Heat illness & dehydration

Anyone exposed to high temperatures for a sustained period of time is at risk for heat-related illness and dehydration. Prevention is the best way to avoid heat-related illness. When it is hot outside, remember to:

Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible.

Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.

Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Wearing excess clothing or clothing that fits tightly wont allow your body to cool properly.

Take it easy during the hottest part of the day.

Poison ivy

Poison ivy contains the plant oil urushiol, which can cause severe skin rash when any part of the leaves, stem or root is touched. Learn how to identify poison ivy in order to avoid exposure.

The old saying Leaves of three, let it be is a reminder of the consistent leaf characteristic of this plant.

One leaf centered on longer stalk, and two leaves to each side attached to the stalk.

Each leaf has three glossy leaflets, with smooth or toothed edges.

Wash garden tools and gloves regularly. It is possible to pick up the rash from plant oil that may have stuck to clothing, pets, and other items that have come in contact with poison ivy.

For more information on summer health hazards, visit USAFwellness.com or contact your local Civilian Health Promotion Services team. Comprehensive information on summer health hazards can be found on the Centers fo Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov.

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Health & wellness: Take care to avoid common summer health hazards - Dayton Daily News

The hot weather that we are getting can take a toll on us, and it can also take a toll on our lawns.

According to City of Moose Jaw Parks Gardener Sarah Regent, most of the lawns in the area are cool-season grasses that thrive in lower temperatures. Once the mercury hits the 30s, the grass can go into a summer dormancy.

Regent said the best thing we can do to help our lawn in the heat is to be gentle with it.

So that means doing things that arent as stressful to it. A really easy one to do is mow when it is cooler out, ideally in the evening, and make sure you are mowing only when your grass is dry, she said.

Other tips she gave include only mowing about a third of the grasss height off. She said taking off more can be stressful to the grass and removing a lot of its photosynthetic areas.

Tearing of grass isnt good for the lawn either. Regina said keeping a shape mower blade is important because a cleaner cut is easier for the grass to heal.

When it comes to watering, Regent said it depends on the goals and landscaping.

Generally you want to water deeply less often, so you are looking at once or twice a week. You want to make sure those run to roughly the equivalent of an inch per week. Thats a pretty good rule of thumb if we arent really getting any rain, she said.

She added holding to that rule will help keep the roots growing down as watering every day and every other day can encourage the roots to stay shallow.

Some of the warning signs that your lawn needs water are brown spots, especially in higher spots. Even before that, Regent said that the green colour of the grass will start to fade and turn blueish. A thirsty lawn will also not spring back up if it is stepped on.

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In The Green: Tips To Keep Your Lawn Healthy In The Heat - DiscoverMooseJaw.com

Many of us think of insects as those pesky bugs, and there is no shortage of products that promise to eliminate them from our midst.

However, insects are vital lynchpins in terrestrial ecosystems, and we really cant live without them. They recycle nutrients, and birds and other wildlife depend on them for food. Pollinators also fertilize 75% all flowering plants (including 30% of food crops), ensuring fruit set as well as providing for genetic diversity.

Populations of all insects have been plummeting in recent decades, jeopardizing our survival as well as our entire ecosystem. Causes of their rapid decline include widespread use of systemic pesticides, loss of habitat, climate disruption and light pollution. At the current rate of population collapse, insects will be functionally gone by the end of the century unless we take meaningful action.

For these reasons, the Amherst Town Council passed a pollinator resolution on June 15 committing the town to minimizing pesticide use and managing town-owned land for pollinator habitat. Also, National Pollinator Week, initiated by Pollinator Partnership (pollinator.org), is June 22-28, and nows a good time as ever to learn how to protect their lives and ours!

So how can you be a pollinator champion?

Make your lawn bee-friendly. Mow every other week or less often at a height of three or four inches to allow clover, violets, thyme, dandelions and other lawn flowers to bloom, and then watch with pride as hungry native bees, honeybees and other pollinators feast on your offerings.

Replace unused lawn with pollinator plants to enhance wildlife habitat. Carpets of close-cropped grass are food deserts for wildlife and lawns. Sheet mulching (smothering your lawn with an organic barrier such as cardboard or several thicknesses of newspaper and covering that with mulch) is an easy, no-dig way to eliminate grass or other unwanted vegetation to create a blank slate.

Planting a variety of flowering trees and shrubs, creating wildflower meadows and pollinator gardens, establishing flowering groundcovers, and even mowing just once a year are all ways to welcome wildlife.

Use a planting calendar to ensure that several different plant species will be in bloom from spring through fall so that pollinators are supplied with pollen and nectar for their entire life spans.

Consider reducing your lawn area by at least 25% to welcome beneficial wildlife youll be glad you did!

Welcome caterpillars with native plantings. Butterfly and moth larvae need to eat a lot before they pupate, but are often not be able to digest the leaves of non-native plants. Plant a variety of native trees, shrubs and forbs so that their nutritional needs can be met.

Provide shelter and places for insects to raise their young. Leave fallen leaves and other dead plant matter until the spring for insect habitat. Instead of mulching all of your beds, provide bare patches of ground for tunneling native bees and make a bee hotel with Japanese knotweed stems or other hollow stalks for cavity-nesting mason bees and leafcutter bees.

Provide water. Pollinators get thirsty, too! Make sure your water source has a shallow or sloping side so that they can easily approach the water without drowning.

Post a pollinator habitat sign. Pollinator habitat can look unkempt, especially in winter when there are no colorful flowers to admire. Proclaiming to the world what youre doing to help our hard-working pollinators will educate and inspire others to emulate your efforts.

Landscaping for nature is a richly rewarding adventure for people of all ages, allowing us to closely observe a variety of organisms and marvel at their beauty and complexity. For beginning gardeners, there is no shortage of ways to learn. In addition to books and the internet, you can get answers to your gardening questions from garden centers, master gardeners, and university extension services.

Neighbors can also be a great source of advice, as well as free perennials. Youll have a chance to be generous with information and plants yourself in no time by availing yourself of these resources.

Lists of area landscaping professionals, nurseries offering organically grown seeds and plants, and information about creating and maintaining pollinator gardens can be found at the Western Mass Pollinator Networks website, wmassbees.org. WMPN also offers Wild for Pollinator garden signs at a sliding scale to proclaim that your land is providing essential wildlife habitat. Contact us if you would like to participate in our regional campaign to protect and promote pollinators.

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Guest columnist John Root: A week to celebrate the beauty of pollinators - Amherst Bulletin

For the last decade, governments and private businesses have talked of grand ideas to reduce carbon emissions and stave off climate change, committing to a variety of future targets. But what does it really take to meet these targets? A company called Minimise USA is doing work on the ground to make buildings more efficient from understanding a companys consumption habits, retrofitting their buildings by investing in more energy efficient lighting and HVAC-R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) systems, and educating clients and their employees about how to reduce their energy consumption.

Minimise USA is an energy-efficiency-as-a-service company based out of Tampa, Florida. Grit Daily caught up with CEO Daniel Badran, a two-time cancer survivor who leads the operation, to learn more about how energy-efficiency-as-a-service companies function. Badran has a strict understanding of the term as a service, claiming that only the companies that offer no capital outlay, take no collateral, and include maintenance, are truly offering energy efficiency as a service.

The model is simple. Minimise goes to a client, looks at their energy bills for the previous 2 years, takes measurements to get a better understanding of the facility, and tests the equipment to see how much each energy consuming asset uses on a regular basis. This is all part of the investment grade audit Minimise conducts to get an idea of what retrofits and replacements are worth investing in. The audit aligns with the IPMV (International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol), which provides an overview of best practice techniques for energy and water efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Then, Minimise suggests areas for improvement, and commits to investing in the project to ensure energy savings, aiming for savings of 15-17%, to eventually reduce energy use by up to 40%. This means installing LED light bulbs, more efficient heating and cooling equipment, solar panels, low flow water valves and leakage detectors, etc.

The final step is educating the staff, what Minimise calls mindset change management to make sure that the end user effectively adapts to the new equipment.

Minimises largest project to date is in partnership with the Hillsborough County School District, where so far, they have replaced over 300 thousand light bulbs with LEDs, installed Eniscope software to monitor energy consumption in real time, and significantly reduced energy bills. Sean Ewais, a Senior Project Executive at Minimise says of the NCOPA (No Capital Outlay Plan Agreement) model, We dont want your money. We know that you are going to have an energy bill. We know that were going to reduce energy, so were just going after saving from the energy bill to pay for the cost of the project.

Minimise has a global presence, partnering with companies in South Africa, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and New Zealand, who are interested in applying the NCOPA model to get maximum cost savings without having to make the hefty initial investment to make their facilities more energy efficient. Minimises contracts are off the balance sheet, and they do not take the equipment as collateral for payment, nor do they treat the agreement as a loan or lease. Theyre making long-term investments, which include maintenance of equipment.

Minimise USA is currently offering double payouts to clients during the coronavirus pandemic, something that the CEO hopes can continue on indefinitely. Badran prides himself on having partnerships with clients, and is not out to milk every dollar. He says, The client should be very happy with the fact that were risk takers and were not risking their money; were risking ours, and in return were putting our technology where our money is.

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Energy Efficiency As a Service: Doing the Groundwork to Reduce Emissions - Grit Daily

By: Restoration 1 | 0Shares 5Reads

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (PRWEB) June 24, 2020 - Restoration 1 is proud to announce the opening of their new Rhode Island branch in New England. With hundreds of locations situated across the country and over a decade of experience behind them, Restoration 1 are the leaders in property damage restoration.

Now Rhode Island residents can sleep better at night, knowing they too have the Restoration 1 experts servicing their local towns and suburbs. While water damage restoration remains the most requested service, the Rhode Island team of experts also has extensive experience in dealing with storm, hurricane, flood, smoke & fire damage, and mold remediation. Plus, Restoration 1 of Rhode Island is now offering the companys latest Keep It Clean Program and Virus Disinfection services to help keep your property sanitized and help combat the spread of infection.

Whether a once-off home cleaning or a recurring cleaning program for your business, Rhode Islands Keep It Clean service is a comprehensive treatment for the better health and safety of your family, customers, and employees. Providing a full, hygienic, and environmental cleaning by using EPA-registered disinfectants and industry best-practices, Restoration 1 of Rhode Island can design a program that suits your individual business and home requirements.

On top of offering unmatched skilled, professional, and friendly service, the companys technicians are also certified. Each of our restoration professionals is fully trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). This means our clients never have to worry about the quality level of our work. Our Rhode Island team never cuts corners, but instead goes the extra mile, said Nickolas Adekomaya.

A full list of Restoration 1 of Rhode Islands services include: Water Damage, Sewage Cleanup, Storm Recovery, Flood Damage Cleanup, Mold Remediation, Fire & Smoke Damage, Disaster Response, and Virus Disinfection.

On-call 24/7, once a call or a request has been submitted via the online form on their website, the Rhode Island technicians will be dispatched to your property in an hour or less. Find Restoration 1 of Rhode Island at 15 Division Street in East Greenwich.

Restoration 1 are nationwide licensed and insured water damage experts that also offer fire, water, and mold damage restoration services, available 24/7. Their professionals, licensed by the IICRC, have been in the business of restoring damaged residential and commercial properties for over a decade. Their reputation for fast responses, unparalleled quality, and uninhibited commitment has contributed to the growth of the company throughout the United States.

SOURCE Restoration 1

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Link:
Introducing Restoration 1 of Rhode Island - Franchising.com