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KPF Breaks Ground on an Innovative Office Complex in San Jose, California

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Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) has just announced the groundbreaking of Platform 16, an office campus in Downtown San Jose, California. Comprising three-buildings, the 1,200,000-square-foot project is an innovative complex that favors indoor and outdoor connections.

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Prioritizing comfort, flexibility, connection with natureas well as with the adjacent transportation networks, Platform 16 creates multiple experiences for its occupants. Located right next to Googles planned eight million square foot transit village, the project developed by Boston Properties will include multiple outdoor terraces, active pedestrian plazas, expansive floor plates, and 15-foot floor-to-floor heights. The first phase of construction of Platform 16,the engaging and environmentally responsive workplace, is expected to be completed in 2023.

Our goal for Platform 16 is to create a responsive, generous, and healthy building that will stand the test of time thanks to its inherent flexibility. [] We prioritized occupant wellness and comfort by creating significant outdoor space at each level of the buildings, carving away the form at key moments that also, along with a dynamic faade, create a visual variety along the street. -- Trent Tesch, KPF Design Principal.

For a sense of depth and texture, the main faade puts in place three modules with three different orientations. In order to create large terraces at every level, the project recedes from the street. Moreover, the terraces"are positioned and oriented to bring daylight deep within Platform 16s interiors, promoting wellbeing and accessible on each level.

Regarding its energy-efficient strategy, Platform 16 includes a high-performance facade, passive cooling systems, and high-efficiency lighting systems. Moreover, a solar PV roof covering 20% of the building helps in reducing the buildings energy demand.

Our design for Platform 16 leverages San Joses warm, dry climate to create a cutting-edge and sustainable indoor/outdoor workplace and campus. [] The projects large interior floor plates extend to generous outdoor terraces, introducing ample daylight through an innovative and environmentally designed facade system. -- Lloyd Sigal, KPF Managing Principal.

Read more:
KPF Breaks Ground on an Innovative Office Complex in San Jose, California - ArchDaily

Ever since Apple unveiled the impressive 16-inch MacBook Pro, weve been waiting for a 14-inch variant that brought similar improvements to the smaller size. Today, Apple (sort of) delivered that updateand although its till a 13-inch computer, it benefits from a lot of important updates under the hood.

The updated 13-inch MacBook Pro come with several key updates, but none more anticipated than the updated keyboard. Now featuring the new and improved Magic Keyboard and a physical escape key, owners no longer have to deal with frustratingly shallow and unfortunately breakable butterfly switches.

Thats it for aesthetic tweaksunlike the 16-inch model, youre not getting smaller bezels and more screen in a nearly identical chassisbut for many people, the keyboard is reason enough to upgrade.

For photographers, the most important updates have nothing to do with the keyboard. Under the hood, Apple is giving us all a LOT more bang for your buck.

The new 13-inch MBP uses quad-core Intel chips across the lineup, and can be configured with 10th-gen CPUs that offer up to 2.3GHz per core and TurboBoost speeds of up to 4.1GHz. Apple is also increasing storage across the lineup by 2xstarting at 256GB on the base model and offering up to 4TB if youre feeling spendyand for the first time ever, you can configure the 13-inch MBP with up to 32GB of 3733MHz RAM.

The display, while not a significant update like we saw in the 16-inch variant, is still one of the best on the market for color-critical work, with 500 nits peak brightness and support for the P3 color gamut.

Finally, that CPU spec comes with one other important caveat for creatives: much-improved Intel Iris Plus Graphics.

You need to step up to the $1,799 model with the 10th-gen chips to take advantagethe first two tiers still use 8th-gen CPUsbut once you do, Apple promises up to an 80% performance boost over the previous generation. For photographers and video editors who want a thin-and-light Mac that is powerful enough to handle their workflow, this is a big step in the right direction.

It also means that the computer can now run a Pro Display XDR at full 6K resolution.

The new and improved 13-inch MacBook Pro is available today, and should begin arriving in customers homes later this week.

The base model costs $1,299 for a 1.4GHz quad-core 8th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB or RAM, 256GB of storage, but we would definitely recommend you upgrade that spec at least a little bit. The bump to 16GB of RAM costs just $100 (it used to cost $200) and you can upgrade to a 1.7GHz quad-core Core i7 with a much beefier TurboBoost for $300 more.

If you really want to take advantage of what this laptop can do, youll want to step up to the $1,800 variant, which will get you a 2.0GHz quad-core 10th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU (TurboBoost up to 3.8GHz), 512GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM, with the option to upgrade even further from there.

To learn more about this compute or spec out your own, head over to the Apple website.

See the rest here:
Apple Unveils 13-inch MacBook Pro: New Keyboard, Faster CPUs, and Up to 32GB of RAM - PetaPixel

As the U.S. Air Force (AF) continues to bolster its resilience efforts, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) continues to grow its capabilities and expertise in this same area. The NREL's partnership with the AF has led to smarter, stronger, and more flexible base infrastructure, strengthening the AF's ability to execute its missions worldwide.

In 2018, a team from the NREL worked with the AF to identify vulnerabilities at Florida's coastal-located Tyndall Air Force Base and put together a risk mitigation strategy. With its 40-plus years of renewable energy expertise, the NREL presented the AF with a strategy that included the supplementation of traditional energy sources with renewable sources in a variety of ways. The strategy was designed to boost resiliency, but it also uncovered a critical need to consider the interdependency of the energy system and other systems, such as communications, transportation, food, and water. It effectively places a greater importance on the surrounding community, where many of the base personnel have a vested interest.

"Right after we did that assessment, Tyndall was hit with a Category 5 hurricane," saidSherry Stout, NREL engineer. "We were able to validate how close we were. After a hurricane is a vulnerable time to go into any community of people. To have that level of trust in us, to be able to sit down and talk about the base and some of their homes that collaboration taught us a lot about which stakeholders to engage and how to engage them. Tyndall was so collaborative and helped us work through the process."

Hurricane Michael ripped through the Southeast, leaving a torn-up Tyndall Air Force Base in its path, before the AF could implement any of the mitigation strategies. While Tyndall considered the mitigation strategies provided by the NREL for its ongoing rebuilding effort, the AF continued to focus on strengthening the community. As a result, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recognized a growing need to address severe weather and its potential impact on national security.

Mark Jacobson, NREL senior project leader and liaison to the AF, said the relationship between the NREL and the AF is growing. Jacobson said he sees the NREL as more of a strategic partner to the AF in matters of increasing resiliency microgrids being one area of specific interest across all of the DoD.

"We've supported a number of bases in the preliminary design and/or evaluation of microgrids and that number is increasing because of the positive feedback we've received from previous projects," Jacobson said. "We can combine that engineering analysis with providing actual testing facilities where we can test hardware-in-the-loop. Microgrids are becoming ever so important as a solution to resiliency at individual bases and we have our own microgrid at our Flatirons campus. We're not just running a computer model. We actually have physical equipment that can be tested to replicate real work problems on the base. That's just the kind of support the AF is looking for."

The NREL and the AF have been partnering on energy projects for many decades. In the past, these collaborations have been on more of a project-by-project basis, but certain requirements have pushed the NREL into an integral position to the planning stages, as well as execution. One driver, set forth by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is a requirement for each base to develop an installation energy plan.

"They look at the installations from a high-level perspective and understand the missions the base has and make sure the energy plans support the missions," saidJacobson. "We are starting to provide support for some of the projects resulting from these plans and are looking to increase that level as needed."

The NREL is uniquely positioned to provide the kind of support the AF prefers.

"We've got a reputation of being an honest broker and providing independent analysis that isn't pushing one technology or another or one brand or another," Jacobson said. "We can combine our engineering analysis with actual testing facilities. Marry these strengths to our high-performance computing facilities and dozens of specialty energy labs that make up the Energy Systems Integration Facility, and it gives the NREL a unique set of capabilities to offer not only the AF, but all of the DoD."

The NREL has nearly 900 active partnership agreements spanning industry; academia; and federal, state, and local governments. It can draw on those partnerships as required to pull in even more expertise and address even the most challenging specific requirements the AF can present.

"We have great relationships with the private sector, collaborating on near-term problem solving," Jacobson said. "We may propose certain ideas and outline a particular spec or high-level overview of a design solution, but the final specs and design are determined by iterating with the private sector and listening to their real-world operational and maintenance concerns. We have a lot of relationships with manufacturers, and there is a host of examples where we worked with the top manufacturers and engineering firms across the country to collaborate on a final implementable design solution."

Read theTyndall Air Force Base project case studyhere. For more information on theNREL's partnership with the DoD, visithere.

Visit link:
NREL, U.S. Air Force Collaborate on Growing Portfolio of Resiliency Work - Transmission & Distribution World

Last week I went down to the barn to feed our horse, Butter Bean. When I got inside the barn, I began my regular routine. I gave her a scoop of grain, a pad of hay and her Redbird peppermint treat.

All of a sudden, a gust of wind blew the barn door shut. The door has an outside latch and there is no inside handle.

I thought to myself, Well, that's just great. I am locked up inside the barn.

I looked around and the only two visible openings were where Butter Bean gets her grain and gets her hay. Both are about 10 feet off the ground in her stall. Each had something under the opening, one being a grain bucket and the other a metal hay feeder. I knew if I tried to climb out of either I would at best break my leg and at worst break my neck. Plus Butter Bean wouldnt budge from the grain bucket.

I looked around and there were two glass windows that dont open. I surely didn't want to break one of them because we would have to replace it. Then there was the front swinging window that is made out of an old barn door. It was closed and my husband Mike had placed a lot of old boards, another barn door and a lot of other stuff up against it.

I figured I would have to call Mike to come and let me out of the barn. That is when I realized I left my cell phone in the car. Since I was only running in and out, I didnt think I would need it.

Oh great!" I thought to myself. I realized then I was really stuck in the barn.

I was glad I told Mike where I was going but I began to wonder how long it would be before he looked for me. I decided I had to take matters into my own hands. I thought to myself, What would MacGyver do?"

Some of you may remember MacGyver, the title character from a television show that aired between 1985 and 1992. It was about a government agent that had an uncanny knack for problem-solving in tough situations.

I decided the swinging window was my best bet. I moved every board, every piece of plywood, the old barn door and everything else from in front of the wooden window over the porch. I prayed I would be able to figure out how to get that large wooden window open. I noticed a rubber bungee cord with a hook on the ceiling. It took every bit of strength I had but I managed to pull up the heavy wooden window and connect the hook on the window to the hook on the bungie cord hanging from the ceiling.

It opened the large window about half way but it was large enough for me to get out. Then I thought about the bungee cord. It was obviously old and if it broke while I was not all the way out, that heavy piece of wood would swing closed and smash me like a potato.

I tugged on it a few times and it held. So I counted to three, ran and rolled onto the window ledge and then put my legs down to lower myself to the porch. Butter Bean was still eating, by the way.

I called Mike on my way home and told home what happened and I think he is still laughing. He did rig up a hay string to pull the latch from inside the barn the following morning.

Moral of the story: Always carry your cell phone, even if you are running in and out of somewhere and if you do by chance get stuck and there appears to be no way out, simply ask yourself What would MacGyver do?

Excerpt from:
Lisa Carter Waring: When stuck without your phone, think like MacGyver - The Fayetteville Observer

Many occupants of the Sargasso nebula routinely violate occupational health and safety guidelines, resulting in a high turnover of clients like yourself. However, by paying attention to the following you can extend your utility to CNT and help tick us many action items as possible.

Some inhabitants of the nebula have developed problematic behaviors Zecs have been known to deploy invulnerable shields for example. Taking the right weapon can neutralize a lot of their advantages. Kittybots whizz around so fast that Zecs cant turn their shields towards them before they self-destruct. The Hyper Rifter spits foes out with their backs to you, giving you invaluable time to pull off a cowardly sucker punch.

Each client has their own unique blend of traits and some of these are better than others (or might just suit your play style better). Some of the best traits are those that let you see additional information on the map like the location of security elements. Some of the worst are those that handicap you, like the good old Yahoo who yells out whenever they find loot alerting nearby enemies. If you find yourself with a client with unhelpful traits, try heading to a WCG ship and find a Gene Therapy terminal to reroll them. Or, in the worst case, stand in front of a Gunpoint and force BACS to replace you with an entirely new client

The discretion/valour debate has been resolved and discretion won. With the best plan in the world, sometimes things just go wrong. A pack of Juves discovers you as youre trying to take out a Gunpoint. The mouse ball youre after turns out to be on the other side of a crop of toxic mushrooms. Why not just give up and retreat to S.T.E.V. where you can jet off and look for an easier target?

Binge eating cures a lot, specifically low health. If youve stocked up on cheese and onion sandwiches (try visiting a Lux Dining Room) you can always rest and relax on the S.T.E.V. to recover valuable health.

Smart clients know the value of a locked door. Rift spawning hostiles in that Hab module? Lock the door and bypass it. Screw stomping around in the Security station? Lock those doors and leave him alone. If youre feeling vindictive, why not toss a Clusterflak in through the broken window to keep him entertained?

Planning your visits in an orderly fashion can really make your day easier. We all know that Xonnox specialises in medical procedures and is the best place to go when your health is low but did you also know that CNT offices are a great place to find Staples to reload the Stapler? And that some late game Otori ships are the place to load up on the awesome Scrambler Eggs? You dont even need to memorise this information just be sure to examine the helpful preview panels while on board S.T.E.V.

Though it might be legal, theres little reward for murdering citizens other than the satisfaction of seeing them explode in a cloud of cosmic goo. As ammunition is usually in short supply in the Nebula, you should try to avoid combat where possible. If you do have to fight, try to leverage your environment to minimise costs: lure enemies into radiation, eject them into space from a launch tube or turn them on each other with the Scrambler.

Remember client, BACS is counting on you to get the other clients back to the Som processing station so that they can serve their sentences. So get cracking when Void Bastards launches on PS4 tomorrow.

Read more from the original source:
Survival Tips for Void Bastards, Out Tomorrow on PS4 - PlayStation.Blog

In some states, a handyman can provide plumbing services, but it may be in your best interest to call a plumber, particularly for issues more major than unclogging a drain or attaching a new sink. Hiring a plumber is important because mishandling your water and gas lines has the potential to do great damage to your home, your familys health, or even the safety of your neighborhood. A handyman is not legally required to have any training or licensing in plumbing matters, while a licensed plumber has undergone years of education and on-the-job training. In some cases, homeowners insurance wont cover damage caused by plumbing repair done by an unlicensed handyman.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, most plumbers learn their trade through a four- or five-year apprenticeship with 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. They also receive classroom education including safety, local plumbing codes and regulations, and blueprint reading. They also study mathematics, applied physics, and chemistry. After completing an apprenticeship program, plumbers are considered to be journey workers, qualifying them to perform duties on their own, according to the DOL. Licensed plumbers should do continuing education to keep abreast of safety and technology changes. Poor plumbing can lead to sewage backups, a flooded home or even natural gas leaks, so its best to leave it in the hands of a specialized professional.

See the rest here:
The 10 Best Handyman Services in Oklahoma City, OK 2020

On April 27, 2020, Colorado began its phased relaxation of the statewide stay-at-home restrictions in place since March 25, 2020, with Governor Jared Poliss issuance of Executive Order D 2020 044, styled the Safer at Home Order. Colorado has thus joined the growing number of states permitting certain employees to report to work.

Colorados approach, however, is distinct: its return-to-work guidelines are some of the most complicated measures in the country, as detailed in the 34-page Public Health Order 20-28 expounding on the Safer at Home Order, and the many pages of additional rules and guidance posted on the states designated COVID-19 webpage. These requirements include everything from mandatory daily temperature checks and symptom monitoring, to the designation of a COVID-19 workplace coordinator, and additional detailed rules applicable to specific industries.

This Insight summarizes what the Safer at Home Order requires, to whom it applies, and various other important issues it raises. The state is issuing additional rules and guidance at a steady clip, so it is important for employers to stay updated on emerging developments.

All Businesses Permitted to Open Must Follow Many Additional Requirements, Including Administering Daily Temperature Checks and Symptom Monitoring

Before addressing the categories of businesses that may reopen, it is important to emphasize that all businesses that open must deploy a series of complicated procedures to comply with the Safer at Home Order. If these procedures are not implemented, the business risks being fined and ordered to close, among other penalties.

Temperature & Symptom Checks. First, all employers that open must implement symptom monitoring protocols, which include daily temperature checks and monitoring symptoms in employees. In most cases, this will require having a designated person at the door check for symptoms and take the temperature of all employees, vendors, and visitors before they can enter the business, as well as ensuring that individuals queuing for the check maintain a six-foot distance from one another.

Individuals whose temperatures test at 100.4F or higher should be told to exit the facility and to contact their supervisor for notification, while individuals with temperatures of 99.2 F or higher should monitor their temperatures twice a day and also notify their supervisor. Likewise, employees should be asked if they have dry cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and/or nasal congestion, and those who have two or more symptoms should be told to leave the facility and notify their supervisor. Employees with an elevated temperature or symptoms of COVID-19 should also be referred to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)s symptom tracker.

Procedures When Employees Show Symptoms of or Test Positive for COVID-19. Additionally, the Order requires a number of steps employers must take if an employee tests positive or shows symptoms of COVID-19. Namely, employers must increase cleaning in the facility and reiterate that staff must maintain social distancing of at least six feet, and exclude the employee with symptoms from the workplace until the individual is fever-free without medication for 72 hours and at least seven days have passed since their first symptoms. Additionally, if multiple employees have symptoms, the employer must notify the local health department.

COVID-19 Workplace Coordinator. Further, the Order requires businesses to deputize a workplace coordinator(s) charged with addressing COVID-19 issues. This coordinator should be the point person for ensuring compliance with the Order, addressing questions related to COVID-19, and handling other issues that may arise regarding returning to work.

Social Distancing and Sanitation Requirements. The Safer at Home Order reiterates that employers must continue to enforce Social Distancing Requirements. This includes taking steps to ensure that employees maintain six feet of separation; discouraging shared spaces; cleaning and disinfecting all high-touch areas in accordance with guidance from the CDPHE; posting signage for employees and customers on good hygiene; ensuring proper ventilation; encouraging breaks to wash hands or use hand sanitizer; phasing shifts and breaks to reduce density; and avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people.

Vulnerable Individuals Must be Accommodated and Must Still Shelter in Place

The Order requires employers to provide reasonable work accommodations for Vulnerable Individuals, such as telecommuting.

Vulnerable Individuals are defined to include:

These individuals must remain at home even if their workplace opens, and the Order is explicit that they cannot be compelled to work for any business or government function, even if the individuals place of employment is open for business.

With regard to customers, the Order requires employers to create whenever possible special hours for Vulnerable Individuals only. For example, many grocery stores already have implemented hours where only Vulnerable Individuals may enter the store to minimize their risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Provide Protective Gear, Like Masks, Gloves and Face Coverings. The Order requires employers that open to provide appropriate protective gear like gloves, masks, and face coverings to their employees, and encourage customers to utilize the same while on the premises. What is appropriate may vary by workplace.

Other Requirements. The Safer at Home Order provides a number of additional requirements and recommendations. Employers should, to the greatest extent possible, provide flexible or remote scheduling for employees who may have child or elder care obligations, or who live with a Vulnerable Individual. Likewise, employers should continue to encourage and enable remote work whenever possible.

Additional Requirements for Employers with 50 or More Employees: If an employer has 50 or more employees in a single location, it must also:

Certain Business Permitted To Open

Having addressed how to reopen, we turn next to who can reopen. The Safer at Home Order only permits certain authorized businesses to open, subject to the above requirements and some additional, industry-specific rules.

First are Critical Business and Critical Government Functions,2which were allowed to stay open throughout the period that the now-expired Stay at Home Order was in effect. These same Critical Businesses and Critical Government Functions may remain open, but are now subject to the new restrictions described above.

Non-Critical Retail, defined as, essentially, any retail service not included in the list of Critical Businesses, are also now permitted to open. Non-Critical Retail includes businesses like retailers of clothing, home goods, cell phones, mattresses, and appliances; thrift shops; apothecaries; vape and tobacco shops; craft, hobby and fabric stores; fishing tackle retailers; sporting goods stores; boutiques; and the like. Until May 1, 2020, however, Non-Critical Retail Businesses may operate and offer goods only through delivery, window service, walk-up, drive through, drive-up, curbside delivery, or any other manner allowing for strict compliance with mandatory social distancing requirements.

As of May 1, 2020, retail businesses may open to the public at 50% capacity. They must still take additional preventative steps, such as limiting returns, installing Plexiglas screens at checkout counters, using contact-less payment systems, closing public seating areas, marking six-feet distancing measures in check-out lines, and the like. Please refer to the applicable guidance for more specific information applicable to retail businesses, and/or contact counsel.

Field Services. As of April 27, 2020, Field Services are also now permitted to be open. Field Service businesses are those that provide a service out in the field as opposed to a company property, such as real estate businesses, lawn care and landscaping, house cleaning, handyman services, and more. There are additional requirements specifically applicable to Field Services businesses, including:

Personal Services. As of May 1, 2020, Personal Services may resume in-person services if they meet the requirements of the Safer at Home Order. Personal Services businesses are services and products that are not necessary to maintain an individuals health or safety, or the sanitation or essential operation of a business or residence, and include things like hair salons, massage therapists, pet groomers, and dry cleaners. Personal Services businesses must limit gatherings at the workplace to 10 or fewer people or 50% of the maximum occupancy for the location, inclusive of employees and customers.

Non-Critical Office-Based Businesses. As of May 4, 2020, Non-Critical Office-Based Businesses may allow up to 50% of their employees to conduct in-person work. Notably, Colorado permitsoffice-based businesses with fewer than 25 employees to have their employees conduct self-temperature and symptom checks at home before coming to work, rather than being tested at the workplace.

Business Not Permitted to Open

The Order also specifies industries that still must remain closed to ingress, egress, use, and occupancy by members of the public for the immediate future. These industries are:

However, the requirement to remain closed does not apply to:

Social Distancing Requirements Remain in Effect

The Safer at Home Order does not loosen many of the Social Distancing requirements in Colorado. It urges all individuals and businesses to limit gatherings to at most 10 people, maintain six feet distance between individuals, and to stay at home and to isolate when possible. Further, employers are encouraged to permit employees to work remotely when possible. Individuals are urged to wear face coverings in public.

Variance Requests

The Order expressly provides that local authorities may deviate from the terms of the Safer at Home Order. However, localities seeking to implement a different COVID-19 suppression plan must apply to the CDPHE for a waiver, and include in their application an alternative COVID-19 suppression plan endorsed by the local public health agency and adopted by the county commissioners or other county-level governing body, in addition to verification from local hospitals that they have the capacity to serve all people needing their care.

Localities May Adopt Stricter Rules Than the Safer at Home Order, and Many Already Have Done So

While there are limitations on counties loosening the restrictions from the Safer at Home Order, Colorado municipalities are free to adopt stricter approaches than the baseline set at the state level. Many Colorado municipalities have already indicated that, despite Governor Poliss relaxing of the statewide shelter-in-place order, they do not intend to relax the restrictions in place within their purview in the near future.

For instance, the City and County of Denver has announced that its stay-at-home order will remain in effect through at least May 8, 2020, and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has indicated that he plans to relax restrictions only when the city has the capability to test 1,000 people per day, nearly doubling its current testing rate of 550 people per day. Denver also expects to need to train approximately 100 people to trace contacts of those who test positive.

To varying degrees, Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Gilpin, and Jefferson Counties have also extended restrictions in their jurisdiction beyond the baseline set by the Safer at Home Order.

Conclusion

To say that navigating these myriad new and interconnecting rules is challenging is an understatement. Due to the complexities surrounding returning to work and the wide variation of regulations and permissible practices based on location, businesses should consult with experienced employment law counsel before implementing a return to work program.

Footnotes

Here is the original post:
Colorados Safer at Home Order Permits Some Businesses to Reopen with Strict COVID-19 Suppression Measures - JD Supra

Health care workers in Baltimore listen to Archbishop William E. Lori and other interfaith leaders during a blessing at the Baltimore Convention Center April 20, 2020. (CNS photo/Kevin J. Parks, Catholic Review)

By Tim SwiftCatholic News Service

BALTIMORE As the coronavirus pandemic paralyzed the country and filled hospitals with patients suffering from COVD-19 symptoms, hundreds of people in the Archdiocese of Baltimore turned to Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori asking for prayers on a new prayer request page launched March 25 on the archdiocesan website.

Their appeals offer a window into how Baltimore Catholics are coping in this unprecedented time. The pandemic bleeds into every prayer however indirectly. For others, its at the forefront.

One woman asked for prayers for her husband who works in a nursing home fighting an outbreak of COVID-19. A man reached out for help for a friend struggling with addiction and domestic abuse all while sheltering in place. A mother wrote about her daughter who had expected to go to college in the fall but now is filled with uncertainty about her future.

As we go through anguish now. People might be sick wondering, Wheres God? But hes still here with us. Hes all around us. Hes keeping us, breathing and moving and helping others. Hes never gone, said Father Jack Lombardi, pastor of two Baltimore parishes: St. Peter and St. Patrick. Jesus said, I will never leave you orphaned.'

The priest, who has written several books on prayer, said as the world has slowed down and distractions have been replaced with uncertainty, it is natural for fears to dominate. The key is to fill that vacuum with prayer to establish a connection with God, he said.

Dr. Gina Magyar-Russell, an associate professor at Loyola University Maryland, often bridges the spiritual and scientific worlds when it comes to prayer. Shes a licensed clinical psychologist and leads the department of pastoral counseling at Loyola.

We found that life events like family conflict, health issues, catastrophes like natural disasters introduce and exacerbate mental and physical health problems for certain, Magyar-Russell said. So one of the basic things that psychologists and other mental health professionals suggest is having effective regimens for coping, such as prayer.

Although the pandemic has caused hardship and loss, Father Lombardi said it has created some new opportunities, namely for meditation.

People have a little bit more time than usual, he said, advising people to Take 10 minutes. Sit in your chair. Read a Bible verse or the Mass of the day reading and take time for meditation.

He recommends keeping it simple conversational prayer and short meditations.

A lot of people want instant stimulation gratification, Father Lombardi said. But even in the silence, God is still working with us and being with us and being present.

Read more:
Prayers pouring into Baltimore Archdiocese offer window into pandemic - The Record

Spending more time at home these days? Wondering which improvement projects you can tackle? Or, which repairs you might want to call in a professional? Handyman expert Larry Romick of Portland-based Neil Kelly remodeling company, has some advice.

When having work done on your home, cost is usually a big factor, says Romick. Sometimes a bit of maintenance or smaller repair makes more sense. It can give you more time to save up for a necessary larger repair or full replacement.

Bottom line: Dont put off needed repairs and enjoy making improvements.

Here are 10 home upgrades and repairs you can do yourself:

Bins Trays and Boxes For Parts and Tools Storage in Shelf. Photo provided by Neil KellyGetty Images/iStockphoto

Clean the garage: This is the perfect time to organize your garage. Make sure the garage door opener or mechanism is in good working order. Use stackable bins and totes to corral unneeded items until you can hold a yard sale or donate them. Put away any tools that could cause a safety hazard, including power tools. Unplug chargers and coil up electrical cables that arent in use. Put away automobile accessories that arent in use. Dont forget to hang bicycles.

Clean gutters and roof: Always remember safety first. Do not get on a ladder or roof unless you are capable and confident, and always tie off to an approved anchor. Contact a handyman who can get the job done in a safe and effective way. Use a broom or brush to gently remove the large pieces of moss, then apply a moss deterrent. Using a pressure washer or aggressive brushing can cause more damage to the roof and shorten its life.

Close up of a man cleaning a barbecue during a picnic day. Photo provided by Neil Kelly Co.Getty Images/iStockphoto

Inspect and clean grill: Prepare for the outdoor cooking season. Clean your grill with soapy water and use a brush with brass bristles. Remove accumulated grease from lava rocks and ceramic briquettes by turning them over and ignite the burners for 10 minutes on high heat.

Inspect garden hoses for leaks: Damaged ends can be easily replaced or leaks can be repaired with parts from a hardware store.

Inspect the crawl space or basement: This is a dirty job, but someone has to do it. And this is a good example of a project you might prefer to outsource to a handyman. After a heavy rainfall, suit up to inspect your crawl space or basement for water accumulation or excessive moisture. Look for signs of water damage on the sub floor and joists beneath bathrooms, kitchen and laundry. Find and fix the leaks now or pay the price later.

Photo provided by Neil KellyGetty Images/iStockphoto

Build a doghouse: This is a fun, family project. Make sure to provide adequate roof ventilation to allow hot air to escape. Do not use pressure-treated wood in any area where your dog might chew it up. Furnish it with cute canine accessories. And dont forget a screened, enclosed catio for felines.

Wash windows: Clean windows inside and out, and use either a squeegee or newspaper to avoid streaking.

Clean window screens: If you go through all the work of washing your windows, it only makes sense to clean the window screens too. Lay them flat on a picnic table or saw horses, and scrub them with a soft bristle brush and a mild detergent solution. Rinse with a garden hose and allow to dry completely.

Inspect outdoor structures for deterioration: Its important to look for signs of dry rot. A professional handyman can use a small awl tool to probe posts, railings and windowsills for soft spots and plan to replace or repair them as soon as possible.

Clean swimming pool or spa: Now is the time to inspect and service pool liners and spa filters so you and your family can enjoy them all summer long.

--As told to the Homes & Garden staff

Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

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10 home upgrades and repairs you can do: Clean the garage, build a doghouse - oregonlive.com

DUNCAN, S.C. (WSPA) Several people in Duncan are now cleaning up and looking for repairs after their homes and cars were damaged in Monday nights storms.

7 News learned what you need to do if you have hail damage.

In fact, our own Todd Summers was a victim to the storm.

We didnt think that we had gotten a whole lot and then, we woke up this morning, came outside and looked, and we have a cracked window, Todd said.

His wifes car was also pelted by hail. But his family wasnt the only one to see significant damage.

Im standing in the window, just watching it, and its progressively getting worse and worse, and the hail is getting bigger and biggerto the point where youre like Okay, this can stop now. This is getting to be a little too much,' Shawna Fly-Gregorio said.

Many in Duncan will need to have their cars resurfaced and their roofs replaced. Some folks already have windows boarded up from the golf-ball-sized hail.

If you drive up and down these streets, almost every house has a broken window, Fly-Gregorio said.

The first thing you should do if you have damage like this is contact your insurance company.

Tell them what happened, the experience that you had, insurance agent Clyde McNeill said. If it was wind damage, hail damage, storm damage, lightningwhatever the case may be.

Clyde McNeillwho offers home, auto, life, commercial, and farm insurancesays the next thing you should do is take pictures of the damage.

He told 7 News homeowners should only make repairs that are necessary to prevent further damage.

McNeill said your insurance company will send an adjuster out as quickly as possible, and he said you will know who is coming and when theyll be there.

Do not take the advice of anybody coming to your house, calling you on the phone, anybody whos not associated with your company, he said.

Impacted neighbors told 7 News theyre just grateful that things werent worse.

You can get mad and you can be frustrated, but thats not going to do you any good. You cant control it. Its Mother Nature, Todd Summers said. Ive got two boys, theyre both fine. Ive got a wife, shes fine. Im fine. My two dogs are fine. Thats what matters.

If you have hail damage, and need more information on what to do, you can call Clyde McNeills agency at (864) 219-7500.

Read more:
After the Storm: What to do if you have hail damage - WSPA 7News