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    Vancouver receives 46 applications for temporary patios – North Shore News

    - June 6, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    A total of 46 operators of Vancouver restaurants, bars and craft breweries have applied to the city for temporary patios since the application process opened Monday.

    Jessie Adcock, the citys general manager of development, buildings and licensing, said Thursday that of the 46 applicants, 14 were granted permits, with others to follow by the end of the week.

    So far, so good, Adcock said of the interest. Generally speaking, I feel like people are quite happy that we heard how important this was going to be to the economic recovery.

    The new program, which expires in October, is aimed at helping businesses that either closed or operated in a limited capacity over the last few months and are now trying to recover revenue losses sustained from the pandemic.

    The city has waived fees, which can run up to $3,000 annually, and promised a two-day turnaround for applicants. Setting up a patio after getting a permit depends on how elaborate the patio, said Adcock, noting the city has supplied template patio drawings for businesses to use in their online application.

    Patios are expected to come in all sizes, with some taking over parking spots and portions of sidewalks. Operators serving liquor on patios will require railings around them, while other patios may consist of tables and chairs than can be moved at the end of the day.

    Though some of the citys craft breweries have applied for a permit, not all fall under the same zoning, so the city continues to work with them to speed up the process, Adcock said.

    The complexity there is some are zoned as manufacturers, and others have gone through a process to be rezoned and get restaurant clearance, which puts them in a different category of allowable uses, she said.

    Adcock said the city is also working to expand the program to permit temporary patios on private property, where a restaurant might want to negotiate with the owner of an adjacent parking lot to place a temporary patio.

    Three of the applications received were for private property patios.

    What weve been trying to tell applicants is the simpler application, the faster the approval, she said. Were continuing to work on the stuff that we havent completely got solutions for yet, and were slowly, slowly building on what we launched on day one.

    Neil Wyles, the executive director of the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association, said he expected more business owners would apply for temporary patios. But, he said, he was encouraged and hopeful more businesses would take advantage of the program.

    One complaint he heard from an owner was he submitted a sketch of the patio he wanted, and the city told him he needed architectural drawings for four tables.

    Thats not nimble, thats not quick, Wyles said. Hopefully, the staff will start to realize that this is not business as usual anymore. But there has been some guys who clearly have had some positive results.

    Wyles said he is working with restaurants and cafes along a strip of Main Street between 14th and 15th avenues to have patios along the block. That would require either taking parking spots or the sidewalk to accommodate the patios, he said.

    He said patios could attract more customers with cabin fever from the pandemic.

    Everyone wants to sit on a patio during the summer, so if the city is going to enable us to do that, thats great, he said.

    Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association, described city councils approval of the patio program as totally proactive, awesome and needed.

    Margaret Wittgens, the citys acting deputy general manager of engineering, told council last week the new patios cannot have structures on them or anything electrical. The intent is to enable quick implementation that does not involve significant design, or construction costs, Wittgens said.

    Our real goal is to move fast and be agile, she said. Thats going to require learning as we go, and working with businesses to adjust if things dont work.

    mhowell@vancourier.com

    Twitter/@Howellings

    Originally posted here:
    Vancouver receives 46 applications for temporary patios - North Shore News

    Over a dozen expedited patio permits already issued by Vancouver | Dished – Daily Hive

    - June 6, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    The City of Vancouver says it has already issued 14 temporary expedited patio permits, just days after the programs launch on Monday, June 1.

    So far, a total of 46 restaurants and liquor serving establishments have submitted applications for the program, which provides these businesses with a streamlined review process and simplified requirements for patios on streets, curbside parking spaces, or sidewalks.

    The city says permits can be issued in 48 hours, if the online application meets all of the requirements based on their sidewalk and/or curbside conditions. The permits for patio operations will last until October 31. This is a free program; there is no application and permit fee.

    Businesses can follow simple templates created by city planners to make this an easier process.

    A small sidewalk patio must have a minimum distance of 2.4 metres from the tables to parking meters, street signs, and street lights. For patio benches, the requirement is 2.9 metres. Any furniture on the sidewalk for a small patio must be removed at the end of the day.

    A large sidewalk patio on the sidewalk must have a minimum distance of 1.1 metres for the patio aisle.

    For curbside parking space patios, they cannot be wider than 1.8 metres and must have a one-metre spot available after every two parking spots for emergency vehicle access. Patios that are near the corner of a city block must have a distance of six metres from patio to stop sign or the nearest edge of the closest sidewalk on an intersecting street.

    In addition to street furniture, large sidewalk and curbside patios require a safety railing.These requirements maintain sidewalk clearance and a safe distance from the travel lanes of the road.

    The designs must be accessible, such as the inclusion of a ramp, if necessary.There are also minimal clearance requirements from utilities (such as drains and manholes) and fire hydrant connections.

    Template of a small sidewalk patio. (City of Vancouver)

    Template of a large sidewalk patio. (City of Vancouver)

    Template of a curbside parking space patio. (City of Vancouver)

    But the patios cannot use any structures that require a development and/or building permit, nor can they be anchored into a street or sidewalk deeper than 10 cm. There are also no seating capacity increases beyond the existing occupancy permit and provincial health order of a 50% occupancy capacity.

    As of today, breweries with a manufacturing licence are eligible to apply for a temporary expedited patio permit.

    These guidelines were developed after Vancouver City Councils May 12 direction to city staff to develop a new, faster online application process for flexible restaurant patios. On May 19, the ban on restaurant table service that began on March 20 was also rescinded.

    The city states it is also working on developing potential bylaw changes to allow temporary patios on private property, as three of the patio submissions so far are for private property patios.

    These outdoor dining spaces are intended to allow proper physical distancing and support struggling restaurants and establishments. This could be particularly beneficial for smaller businesses, by allowing their seating capacities to be increased beyond what might be permissible for indoor dining under physical distancing requirements. Additionally, health officials have indicated outdoor environments allowing potential coronavirus droplets to widely disperse are safer compared to indoor environments.

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    Over a dozen expedited patio permits already issued by Vancouver | Dished - Daily Hive

    Patios expanded at two Steveston pubs – Richmond News

    - June 6, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Two Steveston businesses have been approved for expanded patios, allowing them to let more customers in now with COVID-19 physical distancing restrictions in place.

    The Porthole and Steveston Built Local Taphouse and Grill, both located on No. 1 Road in the heart of Steveston Village, have been allowed expanded their patio space.

    Three other applications are in the hopper and there have also been three additional inquiries to the city about expanded patios.

    Almost two weeks ago, council voted to allow an expedited process to let cafes, restaurants and pubs expand existing patios onto sidewalks and other peripheral areas temporarily until the end of October.

    The province also eased up its liquor licenses so they could be extended onto these expanded patio spaces.

    The applications are taking just one to two days to process by the City of Richmond, explained city spokesperson Clay Adams.

    The commitment was to do this quickly, Adams added.

    As mandated by the provincial health officer, tables at food establishments must be six feet apart and can have a maximum of six people per table.

    Original post:
    Patios expanded at two Steveston pubs - Richmond News

    This is how Toronto bars and restaurants are getting ready for patio season – blogTO

    - June 6, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Bars and restaurants in Toronto are preparing their patios in the hopes that dining on them this summer won't be cancelled.

    Patios could open any day now as part of a move to Stage 2 of reopening the province, though current emergency orders will not lift until at least June 9.

    Retail businesses have already been allowed to welcome customers back inside, but restaurants and bars have not been given the go-ahead for dine-in and patio service.

    In preparation for reopening with physical distancing measures, staff at bars and restaurants in Toronto have not only been spiffing up their spaces and furniture but making sure that they're ready to comply with health and safety protocols when customers are allowed back into their businesses.

    Legendary Yorkville hangout Hemingway's, which has been around for decades, has been rehauling all four floors of their restaurant including their multiple popular rooftop patios.

    "We have completely redesigned our floor plan on all fourfloors, ensuring physical distancing between tables, and more specifically people seated at tables. We've also designated walkways to keep patrons that are coming onto the patio away from patrons already seated," says Daimin Bodnar of Hemingway's.

    "We've changed the flow from a customer standpoint, all patrons will now exit the Rooftop Patio onto Old York Lane rather than the main door on Cumberland. This minimizes unnecessary contact between patrons. We've also re-engineered our service flow, and have moved our POS screens to allow servers and bartenders to physical distance."

    Since Hemingway's is currently open for takeout, all staff are entering through a side entrance where they do a COVID-19 screening test "which consists of a temperature check and questions related to COVID-19," says Bodnar."They are then asked to sanitize and are provided a mask and gloves."

    "There are sanitization stations all over the building and at all entrances and exits," he says.

    "We have sourced excellent disinfectants and have increased the frequency of cleans. We have followed guidelines to reopen in BC as they opened a couple of weeks back, we eagerly await the specific guidelines for Ontario, but we will be able to adapt very quickly if necessary."

    Hemingway's posted a photo of what their new physically distanced patio might look like once it reopens, and people can't wait to enjoy it, with comments like,"Let's get itttttt. More room to dance around the tables," "OMG cant wait, have missed that patio so much."

    "Looks epic," "Im hoping to be one of the lucky few up there for my 30th birthday on June 27th. Fingers crossed," and "I love this lay out."

    Plans have been announced to help restaurants and bars expand their patios to make up for the lack of capacity due to physical distancing.

    El Catrin started a weekend curbside taco takeout service on June 5, but has also been gearing up to potentially open their patio.

    "From a staff perspective, they launched a survey to see if their staff felt safe going back to work and had an overwhelmingly positive response. All staff have been asked to share their travel plans and are required to have their temperature checked upon arrival for their shift," says a spokesperson for El Catrin.

    "They've set up the patio floorplan for social distancing so that guests have enough space while they're seated. There's signage on the floor keeping guests six feetapart, sanitizers at the entry and exits, and the staff are all equipped with masks and gloves to be worn during their shifts.

    "The entry and exit points are one-way only and the bathrooms are being sanitized every fifteenminutes."

    "Almost everyone who gets to take out from us has said they will come and support us on our patio when it opens," says Jesse Ritchie of Score on King.

    "We are in a lucky position of having our Vancouver location open for threeweeks now so we've been through what needs to happen to open Toronto so we are ready to open with confidence."

    "We have built some partitions between the booths and already looked at maximizing our seating with the restrictions that will come into place."

    Ritchie says they'll make any adjustments necessary to comply with restrictions that might differ from Vancouver's and here in Toronto, and that "Our staff are very excited to come back to work as well."

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    This is how Toronto bars and restaurants are getting ready for patio season - blogTO

    Estimating Costs for Second-Story Additions | DoItYourself.com

    - June 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    When you're planning your remodel, you'll need to know about estimating costs for your second-story additions. Many factors go into the planning. If you keep your budget in mind, the project and decisions will proceed more smoothly. As with any remodel, you will probably encounter surprises and you'll want to account for them. This guide will help you estimate your costs and start the planning process.

    In general, the least expensive way to construct second-story additions is to build over an existing garage. The walls are easier to reinforce. You can also pour the footings more easily because you don't have to remove flooring. If your plans involve adding above the existing house, the costs will be more excessive and the work will be more invasive.

    Consider the following items when you prepare your budget:

    Some second-story additions are extensive enough that the homeowners have to move out during the construction process. If you suspect this might be the case for you, you'll need to budget for rent during the project. On the upside, the remodel will proceed more quickly if you're not living in the house. Anticipate the work taking longer than you expect and try to get a month-to-month lease, so that you don't end up owing for months that you don't need the rental.

    Unless you have a draftsman and a good idea of exactly what you want, you'll need an architect. The cost will be dependent on the size of the project.

    In addition to the architect, a structural engineer will be required to sign off on the plans. This ensures that the existing building will be able to withstand the weight of the second-story additions.

    Your city building office can help you calculate the cost of the permits. They will be based on the estimated value of the addition. Also keep in mind that your remodel may require you to pay additional school taxes or reassessed property taxes.

    You will have to remove and store everything that is in the construction area. If you don't have spare room in other areas of your home, you will probably need to rent storage. This cost can add up quickly. Shop around for a unit that is affordable and flexible with their contract. Since construction lengths are hard to estimate, you won't want to get stuck in a contract that's longer than you need.

    If you are planning to hire a general contractor, plan to spend about 30 percent more than you would if you contracted the work out yourself. This is a controllable cost if you can find the proper set of tradesmen.

    If walls need to be opened and footings poured in your existing home, you'll need to budget for the cost to repair them. Keep in mind that you may have flooring that isn't easy to replace and you could be opening a can of worms.

    If you lose the use of your laundry room or kitchen during the remodel, you'll have to budget for eating out and laundry costs.

    The building of the second story will cost anywhere from $100-$500 per square foot, depending on the finishes and materials you use. Keep your neighborhood in mind and don't overspend.

    Once you've considered all the costs, add an additional 20 to 30 percent for unexpected expenses. That should have you well on your way to budgeting for your new second-story additions.

    The rest is here:
    Estimating Costs for Second-Story Additions | DoItYourself.com

    Second Story Additions Before and After Photos

    - June 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Second story additions for your North County San Diego home are a cost-effective solution to improve your homes appearance and dramatically increase its square footage. Expand your home up, not out, and gain a better view of the beautiful Carlsbad or Encinitas coast line with your brand new second story addition by DM Building.

    View our second story addition before and after gallery photos and see for yourself the kind of high quality work you can expect from DM Building.

    For your second story addition, DM Building sends a team of highly skilled industry professionals who will meet your exact specifications and exceed your expectations. Whether adding several new bedrooms and bathrooms or simply creating an upstairs retreat, a second story addition before and after remodel can add just the right amount of space for your home.

    A second story addition should never compromise your homes existing structural integrity. We adhere to all California building codes, and ensure your second story addition is built to meet all earthquake standards and requirements. We use only the strongest materials to ensure your home is built to last.

    Our remodel contractorsspecialize in second story additions before and after remodeling, and have the skills to maintain your homes original appearance. DM Building ensures your second story addition will look like a natural part of your homejust like its been there the whole time.

    We carefully consider each detail of your second story addition, such as the location of stairs leading up to the second floor, as well as the overall visual flow to complement your homes existing roofline. Our second story before and after experts take every possibility into consideration to get you the style of home youve always wanted.

    DM Building specializes in making your dream home a reality, and that includes spacious second story additions before and after construction and remodeling. Even the simplest second story addition can increase the property value of your North County San Diego home. For more information about adding a second story to your home, or for any of our other home remodeling or renovation projects, call us at 760-644-0714 for a free quote.

    The rest is here:
    Second Story Additions Before and After Photos

    Style at Home: How to pick the perfect sofa – The Detroit News

    - June 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    By Katie Laughridge and Mary Carol Garrity, Tribune News Service Published 5:00 p.m. ET June 4, 2020

    Ive been spending some of my time at home lately going through the archives of our Nell Hills history. I find that much like Mary Carol Garrity herself, her design tips have proven to be timeless and ever-helpful. It got me thinkingwhy not break out some of these posts for a second look?

    While the pictures and featured favorites may be different, the design advice stands true.

    Purchasing large furniture can be nerve-wracking. Sofas are expensive and long-lasting additions to your home you want to be confident in your choice. Fear not! Sit back, relax and enjoy some classic MC advice.

    If youre like me, your sofa is such an important part of your daily life that when its time to get a new one, its like adding a new member to your family. And just like family members, sofas have definite personalities. Here are some tips for picking the perfect one for your home.

    Sofas are expensive and long-lasting additions to your home, so you want to be confident in your choice.(Photo: Katie Laughridge, TNS)

    Size it up

    Interior designers like to argue about whether its more important for a sofa to fit the scale of your room or the contours of your body. In my opinion, you need one that does both, because in the long run, you wont be happy with a sofa that isnt the perfect proportion for your room or for your posterior.

    To make sure your sofa suits the space, before you shop, measure your room and make note of the size and scale of additional furniture you will need to work around. Then, as you shop, forget your inhibitions and flop down on the sofas just like you would at home. Your body will tell you in a flash if the sofa is a fit.

    Picking a new sofa should be an enjoyable experience, so dont let the options overwhelm you.(Photo: Katie Laughridge, TNS)

    Pick the right parts

    Just like people, sofas have backs, arms, seats and legs. And if youre like most of my customers, you will have a strong preference on each facet of your sofas anatomy.

    First, pick a back that suits your taste and touch. If you want a formal, tailored look, check out a tight back design, where the back is upholstered and has no removable cushions. If you want a sofa thats more comfortable and casual, you might prefer a loose-back sofa thats covered with cushions or pillows.

    Next, consider the arms. The most common style is a rolled arm that curves outward an ideal pick for those who like to nap on the sofa. If youre looking for a more modern look, however, you might prefer a crisp, square arm.

    As important as arm shape is arm height. How high do you want your sofas arm to come?

    Third, decide whether youd like your sofa to have a cushioned, bench or tight seat. Cushioned seats consist of separate cushions that fit snugly together, and they are a great option if you want to remove the covers for laundering. A bench seat is one large cushion that spans the entire length of the sofa. Tight seats are built into the frame of the sofa and cannot be removed. They are usually firmer and more formal in appearance.

    Finally, look at the sofas legs. Do you want a straight, modern leg, or a more traditional look, like curved legs on castors? Or would you rather cover the legs with a skirt featuring kick, inverted, button and box pleats?

    Picking a new sofa should be an enjoyable experience, so dont let the options overwhelm you.

    If you want a sofa thats more comfortable and casual, you might prefer a loose-back sofa thats covered with cushions or pillows.(Photo: Katie Laughridge, TNS)

    Adapted from nellhills.com. Katie Laughridge is the owner of Kansas City interior design destination Nell Hills. For more information, contact Katie at info@nellhills.com.

    Read or Share this story: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/home-garden/2020/06/04/style-home-how-pick-perfect-sofa/3138662001/

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    Style at Home: How to pick the perfect sofa - The Detroit News

    Ranking the New York Knicks’ head coach candidates, and the pros and cons of each – NorthJersey.com

    - June 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

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    The NBA have settled on a way to resume its season.

    The New York Knicks won't be a part of the 22-team return.

    While they won't get to play, it does mean that the front office begin its search for a new head coach.

    Mike Miller took over after David Fizdale was fired and ledthe Knicks to a 17-27 record as the interim head coach. That followed the team's 4-18 start under Fizdale.

    While Miller will be considered for the full-time job, Knicks president Leon Rose and general manager Scott Perry likely will be talking to several candidates.

    According to multiple reports, Tom Thibodeau is a front-runner for the position, while Kenny Atkinson is slated for an interview.

    The Daily News reported that Thibodeau is so confident that he'll land the job he's already started making calls gauging interest from potential assistants.

    Who's the best choice?

    That's what the Knicks' new-look front office will be deciding in the coming weeks.

    Here's a ranking of the candidates and pros and cons for each:

    The Knicks should look closely at Kenny Atkinson as their next coach. Atkinson proved he could win without superstars with Nets.(Photo: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

    Pros

    Atkinson was shockingly fired from the Brooklyn Nets in March.

    It was shocking because it would've been hard to do much better than Atkinson did.

    Atkinson helped oversee the Nets' climb from doormat to contender, leading Brooklyn to the playoffs last season just two years after the Nets went 20-62.

    Where Atkinson shines is player development. He helped D'Angelo Russell turn his career around and helped turn Spencer Dinwiddie and Joe Harrisdevelop into high-impact players.

    Atkinson would have a new project with the Knicks, who have players like RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox who need to be developed. Not to mention the three players they'll be drafting in October.

    Atkinson's especially known for his work with point guards, and if there's anything the Knicks need, it's a solid, consistent point guard.

    If they draft one, Atkinson could be the perfect coach to have in place.

    Cons

    There aren't many.

    The only real concern would be the way things ended in Brooklyn. Atksinon established his culture with the Nets, but the additions of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving changed everything especially Irving. For whatever reason, Atkinson couldn't maintain his culture.

    The other criticism of Atkinson was his decision-making late in games. The Nets blew plenty of late leads, and many pointed to Atkinson's coaching late in games as a big reason why.

    Tom Thibodeau.(Photo: Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports)

    Pros

    The former head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves has a strong track record, having led his teams to a combined six playoff appearances in eight seasons.

    He's a defensive-minded coach and the Knicks' defense needs to be strengthened.

    And Thibodeau previously spent seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Knicks, so he knows the landscape of the Garden and the organization.

    This job wouldn't be too big for him. He'd be able to handle the spotlight and the scrutiny that comes with it.

    Thibodeau would bring immediately credibility to the team.

    Cons

    Like with Atkinson, there aren't many.

    The one significant criticism that's been cast on him is that he had a tendency to overwork players.

    Thibodeau recently told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on an episode of The Woj Pod that he's learned a lot since he was fired as the coach and president of the Timberwolves.

    The way everyones managing with load management and where your team is, sports scientists, so its different. And if your team is young and youre in a rebuild, youre probably practicing more than an older veteran team, Thibodeau told Wojnarowski. In some cases where the team is mixed, theres almost two practices going on in one, where your young guys are getting the work they need, and the older vets are in the weight room getting strength and conditioning.

    Feb 29, 2020; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Miller coaches in front of guard Wayne Ellington (2) during the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden.(Photo: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

    Pros

    Miller had spent the entirety of his coaching career at the small-college level and in the G-League (including a successful run coaching the Westchester Knicks) until David Fizdale added him to his coaching staff this past season.

    Miller had quite a welcome to the NBA.

    Less than two months into the season, Fizdale was fired and Miller was elevated to the interim role.

    Overall, Miller did an solid job.

    Miller's rotations were much more consistent. Players knew what their roles were.

    The Knicks also did a better job of holding onto late-game leads under Miller, and their defense showed improvement.

    Perhaps most impressive was Miller's ability to handle the spotlight. It wasn't an easy situation, and Miller was forced to be the team's spokesman for a variety of issues, from Kobe Bryant's death to the passing of David Stern to the firing of Steve Mills.

    The job never seemed to big for him.

    Cons

    As good of a job he did, Miller still only has 44 games worth of experience as an NBA head coach.

    He's also not a big name. If the Knicks want a coach that will bring attention and excite the fan base, Miller might not be the best choice.

    But he does have plenty of support throughout a large segment of the fan base because of the job he did.

    Feb 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy watches the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 116-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

    Pros

    The last coach to have sustained success while coaching the Knicks, Van Gundy would immediately bring credibility and would energize fans.

    He's an excellent coach who's well-respected around the league.

    And while he hasn't coached in the NBA since 2007, he hasbeen coaching with USA Basketball.

    Van Gundy reportedly is interested in being a head coach again and would be open to interviewing with the Knicks.

    With his role at ESPN, Van Gundy is plenty familiar with players throughout the league.

    It would be a smooth transition back into coaching.

    Whether he gets an interview remains to be seen.

    Cons

    Even though Van Gundy has been coaching with USA Basketball, there are going to be people who believe the fact that Van Gundy hasn't coached in the NBA for so long is a drawback.

    Dec 5, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson coaches against the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter of a game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports(Photo: Brad Penner Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

    Pros

    SNY reported Thursday that Woodson would interview for the job.

    Woodson also interviewedin 2018 before the Knicks ultimately picked Fizdale.

    The 62-year-old became interim head coach during the 2011-12 season when Mike D'Antoni stepped down, and then held the job for two more seasons.

    Woodson led a 54-win Knicks team to the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2013,the last time the Knicks made the playoffsand the last time they had a winning record.

    Woodson is another defensive-minded coach and his experience having already coached the Knicks once would help him handle the scrutiny.

    Cons

    Woodson hasn't coached in the NBA since the 2017-18 season as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers.

    Would Woodson be the best coach for a young, developing roster? That's a big question mark.

    Chris Isemanis theKnicksbeat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to allKnicks analysis, news, trades and more, pleasesubscribe todayanddownload our app.

    Email:iseman@northjersey.comTwitter:@chrisiseman

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    Ranking the New York Knicks' head coach candidates, and the pros and cons of each - NorthJersey.com

    After 25 Years, San Franciscos Maverick Conductor Moves On – The New York Times

    - June 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Back in the 1990s, Lou Harrison, a maverick American composer then in his late 70s, was living south of San Francisco. A beloved musical guru in the Bay Area, he had long been ignored by the prestigious San Francisco Symphony.

    Michael Tilson Thomas changed that. The first piece he conducted as the orchestras music director, in September 1995, was a Harrison premiere, a teeming piece for an enormous ensemble, including Javanese gongs, oxygen tanks, organ the works. And San Francisco under Mr. Thomas swiftly became a home for music by other iconoclasts, too, while burnishing its sterling reputation in the standard repertory.

    After 25 years, Mr. Thomass transformational tenure ends this spring. It was to have been the occasion for a tour to Europe and Carnegie Hall, as well as super-scale performances of Wagners Flying Dutchman and Mahlers Symphony of a Thousand. Sadly, most of the plans were lost to the coronavirus pandemic. (The orchestra is instead hosting an online celebration through June 28, releasing content from one year of Mr. Thomass tenure each day.)

    But despite the unexpected anticlimax, Mr. Thomass time in San Francisco should not go unmarked as it comes to a close. From the beginning, it has been a remarkable musical marriage. Mr. Thomas presented an American work in each subscription program he led that first season, a bold statement. But he simply saw the role of an American orchestra as championing American music. If that idea now seems standard, its in part because of him.

    He embraced composers a bit outside the mainstream, like Charles Ives, Henry Cowell, Morton Feldman, John Cage and Henry Brandt, inaugurating an American Mavericks series that drew in eager audiences. He fostered relationships with living composers; brought the orchestra to new heights of technical vitality; and turned it into one of the worlds most respected Mahler ensembles, performing and recording the composers complete symphonies and song cycles on a series of albums released on the orchestras SFS Media label, another Thomas initiative that garnered multiple Grammy Awards. It was also no small thing that he was an openly gay music director when that was, as it still is, a rarity.

    A prodigiously talented musician, also a pianist and composer, Mr. Thomas, 75, was born in Los Angeles to a family with a rich heritage in the American Yiddish theater. He attracted attention early on for his dynamic musicianship and wide-ranging tastes. If during that youthful period he was also often perceived as bratty and rebellious, he had innovative results as music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic and principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. In 1987, he helped found the New World Symphony in Miami, which became perhaps Americas pre-eminent training orchestra for young artists.

    But his career will be defined by his quarter-century in San Francisco. Mr. Thomas clearly realized that by settling in and focusing on a single ensemble poised for adventure, he could foster curiosity among both players and audiences.

    Its true that over the last five seasons more, some would say his penchant for exploration seemed to be waning, with fewer fresh initiatives and more of a tilt toward the standard repertory. Mr. Thomas answered this criticism, in essence, by deciding to move on. Its time for other perspectives and voices; Esa-Pekka Salonen, his successor, is sure to pull the orchestra in new directions. But if the San Francisco Symphony is ready for those challenges, its in large part because of all that Mr. Thomas has already done.

    Here is a selection of some favorites among the many recordings they have made together, chosen by New York Times critics.

    For one of his first recordings with San Francisco, in 1996, Mr. Thomas emphasized that Aaron Copland, the cozy-seeming composer of Appalachian Spring, had an unabashed modernist streak. I especially like the bristling performance of the raw and riveting Orchestral Variations, Coplands arrangement of his flinty Piano Variations. ANTHONY TOMMASINI

    Mr. Thomas is unusual among the leaders of the countrys largest orchestras: Hes an American. And he has made a sustained project of presenting music by his compatriots. There are puzzling omissions the composers he chooses tend to be white and male but Mr. Thomass efforts have nevertheless been essential to keeping in the repertory works by singular, often overlooked voices. He may be the most prominent champion of Carl Ruggles, a contemporary of Ives whose muscular Sun-Treader offers a brassy declaration of American atonality. JOSHUA BARONE

    Mr. Thomas is the most gifted and effective educator about music for the general public since Leonard Bernstein. Take the documentary Gustav Mahler: Origins, part of the ambitious Keeping Score project that he inaugurated. In it, Mr. Thomas journeys to rural stretches of the Czech Republic to discover the origins of Mahlers music in street bands, folk songs and nature, then revealingly analyzes the First Symphony before ending with an exciting complete performance. ANTHONY TOMMASINI

    Mr. Tilson Thomass middle period with the San Francisco Symphony was dominated by Mahler, whose symphonies it took them the better part of a decade to release, to immense acclaim. They began with this Sixth, which they recorded in the days after Sept. 11. Perhaps a little fussy at times, it is still properly intense and flawlessly played, a convincing start to what became the best American Mahler cycle since Leonard Bernsteins with the New York Philharmonic. DAVID ALLEN

    The orchestras productive relationship with John Adams, the paterfamilias of Bay Area composers, began long before Mr. Thomass tenure but continued to flourish under his leadership. I Still Dance, a propulsive tribute to Mr. Thomas and his husband, Joshua Robison, opened the most recent season in San Francisco, the latest in a line of extraordinary commissions that includes Absolute Jest (2012), a frenetic journey through the sound world of late Beethoven. JOSHUA BARONE

    In 2013, Mr. Thomas and the orchestra earned the rare permission from all of the West Side Story rights holders to perform Bernsteins full score as a concert work. Their rendition is sensitive to all the grit in the writing. When the soprano Julia Bullock sings Somewhere, her final syllables resonate with triumphant hopefulness, but the ensemble roils underneath, as if predicting the tragic finale, the dashing of individual hopes. SETH COLTER WALLS

    Mr. Thomass long love affair with Ives reached a pinnacle with this 2019 release of the Fourth Symphony, his second recording of the work. In the chaotic and lovely second movement, the brasses that run riot over pensive strings have all the bombast that they need. Delicacy mixes with pungency, courtesy a veteran Ivesian. SETH COLTER WALLS

    There are few recordings of Cowells rarely performed Piano Concerto, so Mr. Thomas and San Franciscos sparkling rendition, with Jeremy Denk a precisely pounding soloist, is a gift. All three movements of the 15-minute work are delightful, but listen to the finale, Counter Rhythm, which goes through moods alternately grim, jerky, playful, cosmic, suave and woozy before ending with a CinemaScope-wide flourish. ZACHARY WOOLFE

    Another of San Franciscos additions to the body of rarely recorded works albeit by a rather more widely known composer is Beethovens early, superb Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II. Mr. Thomass orchestra is as sober and burnished here as it is angular in Cowell. ZACHARY WOOLFE

    See the rest here:
    After 25 Years, San Franciscos Maverick Conductor Moves On - The New York Times

    Election Preview: Democrats face off in 2nd Congressional District primary in longshot bid to oust Amodei – Carson Now

    - June 5, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Jacob Solis, The Nevada Independent

    Democrats competing in the Congressional District 2 primary have poured tens of thousands of dollars into the race in the hopes of pulling off a historic first: winning a Northern Nevada seat no Democrat has ever won.

    The three leading candidates Clint Koble, Patricia Ackerman and Ed Cohen have avoided openly criticizing each other, instead training their primary messaging on incumbent Republican Mark Amodei and on President Donald Trump.

    But whoever emerges from the primary will still face a steep, uphill climb in a general election; Amodei entered June with more than $231,000 in cash on hand nearly 70 times as much money as his nearest Democrat opponent. Alongside a 10-point Republican voter registration edge and little support from the national party or outside groups, a Democratic upset remains a fringe prospect in November.

    As of June 1, the Cook Political Report, which analyzes electoral partisan advantages and rates congressional races across the country, rated District 2 as solid Republican, with a partisan lean of 7 percentage points.

    THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

    Even with a long history of Democrats trying and failing to flip the largely rural District 2 away from Republicans, a field of seven Democrats emerged in the 2020 primary, including four candidates who have actively campaigned and fundraised over the last year.

    First to enter the race was Clint Koble, a former director of the USDAs Nevada Farm Services Agency and the Democratic nominee who lost to Mark Amodei in 2018.

    That year, where Democrats elsewhere in the state saw broad success up and down the ballot, the blue wave fell far short of denting Amodeis firewall in District 2. Amodei was re-elected to his seat by more than 16 percentage points, a margin exceeded only by incumbent Democrat Dina Titus in Las Vegas deep-blue District 1.

    In 2020, Koble has sought to mount a resurgent bid that would build off his 2018 effort. He has campaigned on staple Democratic issues health care, government corruption and equality in addition to more specific pushes for public lands protections and the expansion of rural broadband.

    Though he has been endorsed by the powerful Culinary Union and a pair of veteran ex-Democratic officials in former Sen. Richard Bryan and former Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, Koble has seen his fundraising fall behind his competitors in the final few months of the campaign.

    Even after reportedly raising more than $14,000 ahead of the June 9 primary, Kobles campaign had just $1,374 in cash on hand as of May 28 the least of any actively-campaigning Democrat in the district.

    Patricia Ackerman, a former small business owner and one-time candidate for state Senate, entered the race next in mid-November. In the time since, her campaign has centered on a broadly progressive platform calling for, among other things, a fight back against government corruption and adopting Medicare for All.

    She has also roughly matched Koble in the fundraising race, even exceeding his receipts in the first quarter after raising more than $27,000 and adding another $12,000 in loans. Still, she too has burned through campaign cash reserves, and entered the final weeks of the race with just over $8,100 in cash on hand.

    Its the largest war chest among the actively campaigning Democrats in the 2nd District, but it is a far cry from the campaign coffers of other competitive challengers in District 3 or District 4, where multiple Republican candidates have more than $100,000 in cash on hand.

    Ed Cohen, communications director for a Reno-based judicial education nonprofit and a one-time journalist, was a last-minute entry to the field, launching his bid on March 9.

    Since then, he has used a combination of candidate loans and small-dollar fundraising to match the efforts of Koble and Ackerman, frequently campaigning on his credentials as a former journalist and touting that Trumps worst nightmare is having a journalist in Congress asking the tough questions.

    That journalistic background includes seven years as a newspaper reporter on the East Coast, including a stint at a Gannett-owned newspaper in Delaware. Cohen later left newspapers to spend more than a decade in academic magazine writing, including 10 years at Notre Dame Magazine, before eventually moving to Reno.

    Cohen led Democratic fundraisers in the first quarter of the year, and later reported raising more than $17,000 in the pre-primary period between March and the end of May, edging out fundraising hauls from either Koble or Ackerman. Still, Cohen has vastly outspent his fundraising in the final weeks of the campaign, spending more than $47,000 and leaving just $2,200 in the bank.

    Rick Shepard, a business owner and self-identified progressive candidate, was another late entry into the race.

    Running in part on a platform of single-payer health care and reformed systems for education and federal taxes, Shepard has lagged behind the other three candidates in the fundraising race. For the pre-primary period, Shepard reported banking $1,125, but spending nearly $11,000 and leaving his campaign with just over $2,000 for the final weeks of the race.

    Steve Schiffman, a former lawyer and journalist who also entered the race just before the filing deadline, holds the technical distinction of having the most cash-on-hand among Democrats in the district after he made a $150,000 loan to his campaign at the end of March.

    But Schiffman has otherwise raised no additional money, and his lone financial filing shows a single $500 expense on a set of radio and television ads from May 10. Unlike his rivals, Schiffman has spent nothing on online advertisements, according to Facebooks Ad Archive.

    With no polling and little outside attention on the race, the quarterly financial reports have become a de facto benchmark among the leading three campaigns, and each has sought to use those reports as proof-positive that his or her campaign remains in a position to oust Amodei.

    Ackerman, for instance, briefly claimed victory as the sole leader in the money race in April after it became clear that she had outraised Koble by roughly $15,000. But before the day was over, the Ackerman campaign retreated, after a filing from Cohen showed his campaign had raised about $11,000 more than she had.

    Also running in the Democratic primary are Reynaldo Hernandez and Ian Luetkehans, though neither reported raising more than $500 ahead of last weeks pre-primary congressional filing deadline.

    ABOUT DISTRICT 2

    District 2 is among the largest congressional districts by area in the country, roughly encompassing the upper third of the state and fully 11 of Nevadas 17 counties.

    With the single-largest concentration of rural and suburban Republican voters in the state, the District has remained a deep-red Republican stronghold since its creation 1982. Today, 41 percent of registered voters there are Republicans, 31 percent are Democrats and 20 percent are nonpartisans, making it the only congressional district in the state with a Republican registration advantage.

    First represented for 14 years by Republican Rep. Barbara Vucanovich, the seat would come to be represented by both eventual Gov. Jim Gibbons and eventual Sen. Dean Heller before Amodei who at the time had just left a seat in the Nevada Senate won a special election to succeed Heller in 2011.

    Since then, Amodei has won four successive re-election bids with a greater than 15 percent margin of victory, including three occasions 2012, 2014 and 2016 that were won with more than 20 percentage points between himself and his Democratic rivals.

    These victories have come largely without the big-dollar fundraising typical of the states more competitive swing districts. Amodei reported more than $231,000 in cash on hand through the pre-primary reporting period last month a figure that dwarfs his Democratic rivals but falls far short of the millions raised by Democratic incumbents Susie Lee and Steven Horsford in District 3 and 4, respectively.

    Still, that money has also given Amodei the latitude to outspend any possible challengers by orders of magnitude. As of May 28, Amodei reported spending nearly $78,000 roughly $10,000 more than his top four Democratic rivals raised in the same time period combined.

    For more on the 2020 primary elections, including maps, fundraising roundups, race breakdowns and more, visit our 2020 Elections page.

    This story is used with permission of The Nevada Independent. Go here for updates to this and other stories.

    See the article here:
    Election Preview: Democrats face off in 2nd Congressional District primary in longshot bid to oust Amodei - Carson Now

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