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With the economy in flux and stock pricesdown across the board, the U.S. commercial real estate property outlook lookspretty grim, Green Street Advisorssaid in a webinar Tuesday.

Businesses have shut down, some restaurants are going to limited operations and many employees are working from home.REITshareholders are taking notice.

In the three weeks ending Monday, the S&P was down nearly 30% and REITs were down 35%, Green Street Advisors Managing Director of Strategic Research Peter Rothemundsaid during a conference call.

On Tuesday, the S&P and REITs were up slightly, but the wild market fluctuations in the past couple of weeksare atelltale sign of things to come, Rothemund said.

"The market is pretty freaked out about the spread of the coronavirus here in the U.S.," Rothemund said. "And it tells you that we are in a recession right now."

Fears about a recession, defined as two consecutive quarters of falling GDP, come as coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, continues to spread globally.

As of 8 p.m. EST Tuesday, there are more than 195,000 reported cases worldwide with 5,700 in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins. In the U.S., there have beenmore than 100 deaths across 17 states and the numbers keep going up,Johns Hopkins reported.

In an effort to stop the spread of the virus, several states and cities have declared a state of emergency, asked businesses to close or limit service, and have halted people from gathering in large numbers.

In San Francisco, officials have ordered 7 millionresidents to shelter in place. In New York and Los Angeles, bars, restaurants, theaters and even major theme parks have been asked to close, which many have done willingly.Major sports leagues, which draw thousands of spectators on any given night, such as theNational Basketball Association, Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball and the National Football League, have suspended some of their season's operations.

The closures and limited operating hours havealso stoppedtourism and economic activity. Gaming is down and some hotels, especially in Las Vegas, have been forced to close.

On Monday, economists from the UCLA Anderson School of Management reported that the U.S. economy has entered a recession, ending the expansion that began in mid-2009.

Courtesy of Green Street Advisors

A slide showing REIT performance from February 2020 to March 2020 by Green Street Commercial Property Outlook 2020

UCLA economists forecastGDP growth in the first quarter of just 0.4%. GDP for the second quarter of the year is now forecast todecline by 6.5%, and by 1.9% for the third quarter.

"With the assumption of an end to the pandemic and repaired supply chains by this summer, the forecast predicts the resumption of normal activity in the fourth quarter of 2020 and a GDP growth rate of 4.0%," UCLA officials said in their report.

Rothemundlikened the NBA suspension of its season last week to D-Day and Armageddon.

"That was the bottom," Rothemund said. "Now, everything is shutting down. And when things shut down, economic activity is not coming to a complete halt, but in Q2 we're going to have a nasty negative GDP number. Q2 is probably going to be the bottom."

Analyzing the public market, Rothemund said he's surprised by the underperformance of REITs during this time. Since REIT earnings from rent and profits are not as sensitive during a downturn as the S&P 500, it usually performs better, Rothemund said.

But the past three weeks or so, as the coronavirus spread, REITs have performed worse than the S&P. Rothemund couldn't really explain why, but correlates the performance of REITs and the drop in share prices as an indication of lower commercial real estate property values, which aredown 25% from at least three weeks ago.

REITs focused on gaming, lodging and healthcare are down 35% during the same time period. Student housing, which some had considered recession-proof, is down 30%. Office, apartments, malls and industrial REITs are down 20%.

Things can change very quickly, he said, because the marketis fickle.

"Some of these moves make sense and some of these moves are overdone," he said. "It's like the market is on a death scare ... In times of stress like this, there's a lot of distressed selling going on. You need to use some of these signals with a grain of salt."

One thing that is clear isa continued slide in private market real estate values. Rothemund said he sees market values going down by as much as 5% to 10% six months from now.

"The decline will vary a lot by property type," he said. "It's possible industrial values don't go down. [Manufactured homes] are probably not going to go down. Storage might not go down. But a lot of other property types are going down and going down significantly."

The rest is here:
Green Street: 'We Are In A Recession Right Now' - Bisnow

Some call them small homes, while others prefer tiny homes or tiny houses.

Whatever the terminology which, like the homes themselves, is evolving more and more people are getting their heads around the idea of creating living spaces that depart significantly from the consumption-oriented large-footprint model that has been considered the norm in recent decades.

With thousands worldwide building and living in their own tiny homes often off the grid, and usually off the radar of local authorities the idea has transcended what some critics decried as a fad to become an international movement with both economic and ecological advantages.

At the same time, there are roadblocks to full acceptance of tiny homes including a lack of formal recognition by governments on a local, national and regional level that have made most tiny home dwellers virtually rebels by default.

But online videos, like those produced and hosted by New Zealands Bryce Langston (whose Living Big In A Tiny House has become a highly popular YouTube channel) have provided examples of enterprising tiny home-owners and DIY builders around the world, helping to accelerate interest at an exponential gallop.

On B.C.s Lower Mainland, the highly successful Westcoast Small Home Expo, currently scheduled to return for a second year at the Abbotsford Tradex on the weekend of June 6-7 again with Langston as one of the headline guest speakers provides ample evidence of that interest on a local level.

READ ALSO: Home Buying 101 Forum cancelled due to COVID-19

Tiny home experts and professional builders provide one of the most attention-getting components of the show including a construction zone feature, where a live-build of a tiny home will take place through both days of the expo.

Exhibitors can also give attendees a good idea of whats available in the way of fittings, appliances and accessories, kitchen, bathroom and storage ideas, and many others products and services geared to a pared-down lifestyle (for tickets and more information, visit smallhomeexpo.ca).

A tiny home is generally defined as a residence of no more than 400 square feet, usually built on a flat-bed base for relatively easy transportation when towed by a truck, with a maximum width of eight-feet six-inches (anything wider makes special moving permits mandatory).

Lower areas of the typical tiny home strike a balance between kitchen, living room and bathroom areas, while beds are usually located in low-ceiling lofts accessed by ladders or stairways.

Working within such limits, owners and manufacturers around the world are daily probing the outer limits of ingenuity in finding solutions for creating a sense of openness in spite of long and narrow envelopes, as well as maximizing storage, bathroom and utility space.

Depending on the site chosen, theres potential for a tiny home to hook up to existing electrical and sewer/septic services, or, with the use of solar panels, propane-powered appliances and composting toilets, living off the grid entirely, with a minimal ecological footprint.

But its not just a matter of ecology. Reducing the footprint has become increasingly attractive as people ponder the very real 21st century challenges of owning their own homes, particularly in inflated markets where even exceedingly average houses have become million-dollar properties.

Langston who compares Auckland, New Zealands tough housing market with Vancouvers said following last years expo that it was a very real issue for him, as a young actor who had gone back to auditioning for roles after his character was written out of a major television series.

I began to realize that a tiny home was one of the only chances a young person like me would have to own their own home, he said.

READ ALSO: The priciest home for sale in Canada: A $38M Vancouver penthouse

Its clear that many others feel the same way. The Living Big In A Tiny House channel has 2.9 million subscriptions, with untold further millions of unsubscribed viewers while for Langston and his partner Rasa, shooting and editing segments around the world has turned into a full-time occupation.

Australian-born Ben Garratt of B.C.-based Healthy Homes an expert builder and teacher of low-impact tiny homes and a senior advisor for the expo agrees that economic factors are fueling the current wave of interest in this style of housing.

The main driving force is affordability, he said. I think the idea of this being a fad or a trend is long past. Maybe it was at the start, a little, but now affordability is the big thing, and thats not a trend thats reality for a lot of people.

While Garratt says that interest in tiny homes seems to cross all age demographics, he calculates that some 70 per cent of the people investigating the concept are women and many of those are approaching their retirement years.

They dont just want somewhere to live theyre interested in creating a home, he said.

On the Healthy Homes website Garratt whose company provides assistance and advice for would-be tiny home owners and builders from providing plans, through courses and building workshops to the finished product lists a rough rule-of-thumb cost for a tiny home built to professional standards of $60,000.

Prices can vary widely, however, with high-end manufactured homes coming in at considerably higher than that, while DIY enthusiasts have built for as little as $10,000 to $30,000 through enterprising sourcing of materials.

Langley resident Anette Atsma who coincidentally fits Garratts profile of the tiny home-curious did just that when she designed and built her own home in the Chilliwack area in 2016, with the help of a friend with building expertise who was also intrigued about the process.

The 240-sq. ft. home which included two lofts was built on an 18-foot commercially-rated flatbed trailer base.

We built it from scratch and it cost me a total of $17,000, of which $4,000 was for the trailer base, she said.

There was less than $1,000 in used materials and the rest was all brand-new material.

But Atsma, who has a working background in the RV industry and subcontracting out her own home renovation in the 1980s, said she benefited not only from that experience, but also by making friends with staff at a local Rona, who were able to advise her in choosing strong but flexible light-weight products and point her toward bonafide deals on materials.

I bought the trailer on June 1, we prepped it and had it all ready for construction by July 1 and even with only working on it on weekends, it was ready for me to move in by Nov. 1, she said.

Lightness and durability of construction was a must for Atsma, who said her natural wanderlust inspired a home plan intended for frequent moves from community to community.

You have to stay under 10,000 lbs. so that it is able to be pulled by a regular truck, she said.

While Atsma remains enthusiastic about the tiny home concept, shes less enthused by the haphazard building techniques and highly individual, but less than pragmatic, materials that she sees in a lot of current projects.

I look at some of these units and I cringe, she said. If you plan on travelling anywhere with it, you dont use drywall, you dont use tile you dont use anything that will crack or break. You hit a pothole and you know whats going to happen.

Garratt whose long-time career emphasis on safety and healthy building techniques stems from early experiences with toxic products in the mainstream construction industry that compromised his health also suggests that investing in some professional advice can help the unskilled and unwary DIY builder avoid costly-to-rectify mistakes.

These can range from dangerous construction flaws and wiring errors to serious condensation and mould issues as a result of choosing the wrong kinds of materials and not providing adequate ventilation to the structure, he said.

Even if one is not yet ready to take the plunge into a tiny home, Peggy Richardson, marketing manager for the upcoming expo, said it aims to provide a wide range of ideas for those interested in occupying a smaller footprint.

Were all about small homes of all types: condominiums, townhouses, laneway homes, tiny houses, Granny suites, and those downsizing from larger homes, she said.

Richardson noted that tiny home designs have also become far more individual over the last few years even though a typical long box/one-way tilted roof look has tended to dominate.

(The tiny home) used to be seen as very homogenized, she said. But its become very regionalized, depending on where you are in the world, incorporating traditional ideas and materials. Europe is putting a different spin on it than Asia, and Canada is putting a different spin on what the U.S. is doing.

Part of the appeal of a tiny home is that provides an opportunity to assert individuality and have a space which, while small, is truly reflective of the owners personality.

At the same time, it must be noted, most tiny homes currently occupy a grey legal area local governments have generally not kept pace with the trend or been able to modify zoning regulations to allow the homes legally-recognized sites.

And financing, while available in Canada, tends to hinge on the tiny homes being built on a flat-bed trailer base and CSA certified as an RV which, officially at least, precludes them being lived in year-round.

Garratt said he believes the majority of tiny homes in B.C. are technically sited outside the law not unlike the situation with illegal suites.

(Enforcement) is a complaint-driven process if you are on a property thats a little out of the way, and you get on well with the neighbours, you dont have a problem.

In the worst-case scenario, a municipality can demand a non-conforming tiny home either be removed or demolished, which is why its desirable to build on a wheeled base to protect your investment, Garratt said.

I think with tiny homes, were in the same place that lane-way homes were in in the early 2000s, when a lot of people had built out their garages as extra units. There had to be a lot of advocacy done for them to be permitted in Vancouver. Tiny houses are in the same early stages and there are a few different groups working on advocacy including the BC Tiny House Coalition.

But Garratt said the key for advocates is not demanding changes on a municipality or regional level, but lobbying for tiny homes to receive a new CSA certified RV category one that recognizes them as suitable for habitation year-round which would give municipalities flexibility to allow them in already RV-approved zones.

There are some indications on the local front that tiny homes could be accommodated.

White Rock housing advisory committee chair Coun. Anthony Manning said the committee would be prepared to look into tiny homes as one potential strategy for providing affordable housing.

City of Surrey general manager of planning and development Jean Lamontagne said its technically possible for someone to buy a property in the city and apply for a permit to build a tiny home. It just hasnt happened to this point, he said, since most property owners are focused on building a home near or to the maximum allowed by the zoning bylaw.

A tiny home on wheels would fall within the mobile homes category and Surrey has properties where the zoning allows for mobile homes, he added.

Garratt and Atsma agree that there are some lingering prejudices when it comes to tiny homes partly based in resistance to change, but also in fears that allowing them might result in a proliferation of casually-constructed eyesores and shantytowns.

Atsma ended up selling her tiny home for $35,000 more than doubling her money, it should be noted because she could not find enough RV parks in B.C. that were willing to set a precedent by accommodating it, even for an overnight stay.

I loved it and I would live in another one again if people wouldnt be so pig-headedly obstinate, she said. But very few parks will take them because they dont look like other RVs.

The people I sold my home to happen to be sitting on an acreage overlooking a lake near Kamloops, which is a perfect spot for it theyre in a non-conforming area where they dont have to worry about rules and regulations.

But Garratt said he remains optimistic that tiny homes will soon have the seal of legitimacy as a viable affordable housing option.

Were poised and waiting for the cities and municipalities to catch up, Garratt said. It will happen its just a matter of time.

One of the great things about the tiny house movement is that most of the kinks about building them have already been ironed out, he said.

Its always going to be trending up, he added.

Its plateau-ing a little at the moment because of a lot of these legislative and regulatory issues, but as soon as those are sorted out its going to spike. If this is the most affordable way for people to get into a house, then thats what people are going to do.

alex.browne@peacearchnews.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Housing

Langley resident Anette Atsma scratch built this 240-sq. ft. tiny home in Chilliwack in 2016 for a total of $17,000. Anette Atsma photo.

Read more here:
Big future in tiny homes, says New Zealand expert - Surrey Now-Leader

Many homeowners are very eager to begin their spring cleaning chores and gardening at the hint of the first warm day of the season. But theres more to do than just clean; spring is a reminder to check your homes outdoor features to see how they fared over the long winter. The good part? Most of these chores will take you outside in nice spring weather.

Heres a spring maintenance checklist to get your started:

Gutters and downspouts:

Pull leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts. Reattach gutters that have pulled away from the house. Run a hose on the roof and check for proper drainage. If leaks exist, dry the area and use caulking or epoxy to seal the leak.

Siding:

Clean siding with a pressure washerto keep mold from growing. Check all wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure. If wood is showing through, sand the immediate area and apply a primer coat before painting. If paint is peeling, scrape loose paint and sand smooth before painting.

Exterior caulking:

Inspect caulking and replace if deteriorating. Scrape out all of the eroding caulk and recaulk needed area.

Window sills, doorsills and thresholds:

Fill cracks, caulk edges, repaint or replace if necessary.

Window and door screens:

Clean screening and check for holes. If holes are bigger than a quarter, patch the holes or replace the screen. Save the bad screen to patch holes next year. Tighten or repair any loose or damaged frames and repaint. Replace broken, worn or missing hardware. Wind can ruin screens and frames if they are allowed to flap and move so make sure they are securely fastened. Tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers.

Drain waste and vent system:

Flush out system.

Hot water heater:

Lubricate circulating pump and motor.

Evaporative air conditioner:

Clean unit, check belt tension and adjust if needed. Replace cracked or worn belt.

Heat pump:

Lubricate blower motor.

Foundation:

Check foundation walls, floors, concrete and masonry for cracking, heaving or deterioration. If a significant number of bricks are losing their mortar,call a foundation professional. If you can slide a nickel into a crack in your concrete floor, slab or foundation call afoundation repair professional immediately.

Deck and porches:

Check all decks, patios, porches, stairs, and railings for loose members and deterioration. Open decks and wood fences need to be treated every four to six years, depending on their exposure to sun and rain. If the stain doesnt look like it should or water has turned some of the wood a dark gray,hire a deck professionaltotreat your deckand fence.

Landscape:

Cut back and trim all vegetation and overgrown bushes from structures, to protect siding and paint.

Roof:

Inspect roof surface flashing, eaves, and soffits. Clean thoroughly. Check flashings around all surface projections and sidewalls.

Sprinklers:

Check the lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves, exposed lines, and improperly working sprinkler heads. If there is an area of your yard that collects too much water or doesnt get enough, run the sprinklers to figure out the problem. If its not possible to fix yourself, call a professional before your lawn needs the water.

Source: Homeadvisor.com

See the original post here:
There's more to do than clean - Fenton Tri County Times

Tuesday, 17 March 2020 17:38Last Updated: Tuesday, 17 March 2020 17:42Published: Tuesday, 17 March 2020 17:38 Joanne WallensteinHits: 172

Have you ever seen a sprinkler watering a lawn while its raining or right after a downpour and thought what a waste of water? This would not happen if the homeowner had installed a smart irrigation controller.

Unlike traditional irrigation controllers that operate on a preset programmed schedule and timers, smart irrigation controllers monitor weather, soil conditions, evaporation and plant water use to automatically adjust the watering schedule to actual conditions of the site. Using a WiFi connection, the smart controller accesses weather data from the internet to determine watering schedules. For example, if rain is forecast for the afternoon, the smart controller would automatically adjust your watering schedule.

Smart controllers replace the existing programmable timer on your sprinkler system to open and shut the water valves. Instead of following a set schedule, the sprinkler follows the weather forecast. Once these systems are installed and programmed correctly, they usually require littleadditional monitoring and will irrigate the landscape at peak efficiency at appropriate times. And, you can control the system from your phone. They are readily available, easy to install and cost between $100 and $300.

Scarsdale resident Seema Jaggi installed a smart controller last summer. "The smart sprinkler was easy to install and it's been easy to maintain. If I need to make any adjustments, I can use my phone instead of the irrigation panel in my basement. I also like that the system provides a watering history." Scarsdale resident David Fenigstein says he loves the fact that hes using as little water as possible to maintain his lawn and shrubs, It was easy to install the smart controller which automates much of the difficult part of setting up the watering schedule for each zone. I can oversee all the controls through an app on my phone making it convenient and simple to monitor usage. Then once it's programmed it operates on its own so I don't have to think about it.

Smart irrigation controllers simplify lawn and garden care, and reduce water consumption and your water bill. For more information about smart controllers, please contact the Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council.

There is a permit requirement for lawn irrigation connections to the Villages water system and rain sensors are also required for lawn irrigation systems. For more information please click here.

By Adie Shore, Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council Member

Read more here:
The Future of Lawn Watering Is Here - Smart Sprinkler Controllers - Scarsdale10583.com

FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio -- For the better part of the last month Fairview Park City Schools Superintendent Bill Wagner said the school district was monitoring the coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19).

Early on the administration had a pretty good idea what was about to become a pandemic would lead to the shutting down of schools for an extended period of time.

Certainly as the governor was giving indications we really doubled down on our efforts to have staff prepared, Wagner said. Were very fortunate in that were a 1:1 technology district -- grades K-5 have iPads and grades 6-12 have MacBooks.

Thats allowed us to transition very easily to a home-based teaching and learning model for this period of time -- and extended if needed. Our teachers know what they need to be teaching. They know their kids, they know the content, they know the tech, so its been very easy for our district to move forward.

At this point Wagner said efforts are underway to make sure staff and all 1,800-enrolled students have everything they need to be successful during what are unprecedented circumstances.

We acknowledge that no matter how good of a structure we have under these times, it will never be as good has having kids in front of teachers doing the magic they do every day, Wagner said. Were about as close as we can get to that with the technology supports that we have and our teacher outreach to our kids and families.

Speaking of families, theyre encouraged to share photos of home-based learning using the #LearnDifferently hashtag over the next several weeks, as well as email photos or tag the district on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (@FPSchools).

Another part of the Fairview Park City Schools effort during the coronavirus pandemic is offering students who qualify for free and reduced lunches through the district Grab-and-Go school meals for pick-up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Thursdays now through April 2 in the Gilles-Sweet Elementary Schools back parking lot.

Interested and qualified families need to sign up.

The Mondays-Thursdays effort is to try to minimize contact between people, Wagner said. What we do on Monday is give multiple breakfasts and lunches to last them to the Thursday lunchtime. Then on Thursdays we give them multiple breakfasts and lunches to last them to the Monday lunchtime.

We have approximately 500 students who qualify, but unfortunately weve only had about 70 families pick up food for their kids. We realize there are families who are unable to come during the pick-up time. We ask that they just reach out to us, and we will make deliveries to their home.

The superintendent is hopeful Grab-and-Go school meal participation will increase.

As far as what the future holds, Wagner said while district officials are awaiting word along with the community there have been internal discussions about prom and commencement.

Well include our students in that decision making, Wagner.

Considering all buildings are empty, the superintendent noted the districts $35.2 million permanent improvement project is finishing up with work at Fairview High School and Lewis F. Mayer Middle School, including the new cafeteria, kitchen, innovation center and library media space.

At this point, its actually permitting our construction crews more access to the building, Wagner said. Were in the process of charging and pressurizing our sprinkler system. Its convenient to be able to do that when there arent people in the classroom.

Things are moving ahead really well, and its helped us perhaps move faster.

Read more news from the Sun Post Herald here.

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During coronavirus pandemic Fairview Park City Schools offering instruction and meals - cleveland.com

Following recent public health guidelines set in place by the CDC and mandated by Governor J.B. Pritzker, Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC) has canceled its Chicago premiere of Idris Goodwin's Ghost. The production had been scheduled to play from April 25 to May 3 at the Vittum Theater.

Current ticket holders for Ghost will automatically receive a credit for ASC's next season. The theater is also accepting donations of $12, the price of a youth ticket, online HERE on the Northwestern Settlement site (select Adventure Stage Chicago as the designation for donations). For more information, call the ASC box office at 773-342-4141 or email boxoffice@adventurestage.org.

"This has been a turbulent year for us," says ASC Producing Artistic Director Tom Arvetis. "The theater has been greatly affected by the CPS strike, a sprinkler system malfunction, and now, an ongoing pandemic. As always, our greatest concern is for our neighbors and students, for whom our organization exists. But we also must recognize our artists, actors, designers and staff who will be greatly affected by this outcome. Having to suspend production is devastating. Our season theme this year is Shelter; ASC has always strived to be a place of Shelter for our community, not only as a place to gather but also through the stories we share. To close our doors now during such uncertainty goes against our nature, but we know it is the right thing to do. Please do what you can to remain healthy and look out for each other. The only way we get through this is together. When we do, Adventure Stage will be here to shelter you again."

Continue reading here:
Adventure Stage Chicago Cancels Chicago Premiere of GHOST Due to the Current Health Crisis - Broadway World

Los Angeles will be on a form of lockdown its never seen in modern times amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Our decisions will determine the fate of our loved ones, the length of this crisis, Mayor Eric Garcetti said in announcing the restrictions Sunday. We need to take these steps to protect our city right now. The work we do now will have an impact on the citys history. We need to do everything now to stop the spread of this virus.

The restrictions are to last through March 31.

Here is what you need to know:

Source: City of Los Angeles

All Los Angeles Unified School District campuses -- and many other around the region -- are closed.

Los Angeles school officials were racing Sunday to organize the complex logistics of opening 20 meal pickup sites and 40 family resource centers to serve students who will be displaced from campuses beginning Monday in an unprecedented shutdown to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

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The food distribution sites and resource centers are widely seen as vital in a school system where 80% of students are from low-income households and 18,000 are homeless. The centers, scheduled to open on Wednesday, are intended as a stopgap to offer food, child-care, counseling, health screening and educational activities in a system of nearly 900 campuses.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, some municipal services are closed, and other are running with restrictions.

Recreation and parks

This agency, among the hardest hit, has closed 147 recreation centers, 28 senior centers and dozens of swimming pools. Griffith Observatory, Travel Town in Griffith Park, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro and the Sherman Oaks Castle also have been shut down.

Golfers may continue playing at the citys 12 municipal golf courses, where workers are installing six-foot barriers to minimize contact."Golfers are now allowed to ride alone in carts without a penalty, said agency spokeswoman Ashley Rodriguez.

Park bathrooms are open during regular operating hours, which vary from park to park. Most parks are open from dawn to dusk, Rodriguez said.

Many senior centers will offer take-out meal service, but locations are still being finalized. The agency will work with the Department of Aging to distribute meals to older adults between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day this week. Older adults may pick up their meal or assign someone to pick it up on their behalf, Rodriguez said.

Water and power

The Department of Water and Power has suspended utility shut-offs for nonpayment, said DWP spokesman Joe Ramallo. We also continue to offer generous repayment plans that can be setup online, Ramallo said.

Housing Authority

The Housing Authority of the city of Los Angeles, which runs public housing and issues housing vouchers, has closed its public lobby but is continuing to accept documents through a drop box, its President and Chief Executive Doug Guthrie said.

Guthrie said the agency will continue to fulfill its responsibilities to people who have vouchers issued and are trying to lease up a unit.

The agency is also limiting its inspections to emergency matters, limiting its work orders at public housing sites to urgent issues, and closing the doors of its property management offices.

Fire Department

Firefighters, paramedics and 911 operators continue to respond to emergencies. Although the departments City Hall offices are closed to the public, the agency is providing some over-the-counter services -- such as reviews of sprinkler systems for new buildings -- in its offices on Figueroa Street.

We are using social distancing to reduce the number of individuals our inspectors come into contact with at inspection locations and at our public counter, said LAFD spokesman Peter Sanders.

Inspections of high-risk buildings are continuing as scheduled. But routine nonessential inspections have been postponed a week. In addition, fire stations have been closed to the public, so no school tours, youth programs or meetings in the stations community rooms.

Housing department

The Housing and Community Investment Department has closed its public counters, but people can still call 866-557- RENT or 866-557-7368 or submit questions to hcidla.lacity.org/ask-hcidla.

The department has also suspended its Systematic Code Enforcement Program inspections at apartment buildings -- routine inspections that are not triggered by a complaint. It will continue to send out inspectors for safety violations.

Libraries

Los Angeles public libraries will be closed through the end of March. Readers can still access digital services such as e-books and digital subscriptions at lapl.org. Librarians are also providing assistance by phone or through Ask A Librarian and Book A Librarian. No late fines are being charged and due dates are being automatically extended.

Sanitation

Sanitation crews equipped with face masks, gloves and protective suits are still doing cleanups of homeless encampments. (In rainy weather, however, such cleanings are more limited than usual.) The department is also working to distribute additional sanitation stations with sinks, showers and toilets across the city, according to spokeswoman Elena Stern.

The department has suspended a number of workshops and events, including composting and home gardening workshops and tours of its water reclamation plants.

Special events

StreetsLA is reviewing permits and applications for special events to decide if they should continue or be approved. People can still apply for permits, but the department is controlling the number of people at its public counters to maintain social distancing.

Street lighting

The Bureau of Street Lighting has closed its public counters and is issuing permits online. Street lights are still being repaired as usual.

Building and Safety

The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety is still operating and providing permits, checking plans and inspecting buildings, but it is limiting how many members of the public can be on each floor of its offices at a time. That will likely cause delays for customers, its spokesman Jeff Napier said. It has also canceled meetings of the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners.

Finance

Public counters for the Office of Finance are open in Van Nuys and West Los Angeles, but not at City Hall, according to city Treasurer Claire Bartels. People can also access online services or call by phone.

Cannabis regulation

The Department of Cannabis Regulation has closed its public counter where people can walk in to ask questions, but employees are still available to answer questions by phone. The cannabis department has also postponed a planned workshop on public health inspections and canceled a Cannabis Regulation Commission meeting.

Gov. Gavin Newsom called on the elderly to remain at home, and his request also extended to residents with underlying health issues, such as blood disorders, chronic kidney disease, asthma, chronic liver disease, compromised immune systems, pregnancies in the last two weeks, metabolic disorders, heart disease and other conditions that make them more susceptible to serious illness from the coronavirus.

He also urged family members to take care around the elderly and frail: People should conduct themselves around their grandparents as if they have it.

Garcetti announced the city would put a moratorium on residential evictions, aiming to protect people whose wages will be diminished or lost by coronavirus-related work stoppages. He said he has asked City Atty. Mike Feuer to look into whether Los Angeles can legally help prevent commercial evictions as well.

See the article here:
Coronavirus lockdown in LA: what's open and closed? - Los Angeles Times

Here it is, you'll believe me when you come check out this In Town Acreage on hard surface road!! This home sits on 9.15 wooded acres with great frontage on Memorial Drive and is located near Stone State park. The wildlife in this area is just one of the many reasons you will want to scoop this property up before it's gone. Tender love & care has been given to this home for many years. Front court yard is a peaceful and inviting entrance and the oversized 3 car attached garage is a huge bonus!! The entry foyer opens to the living room, with new carpet 3/19. Main floor family room also has new carpet 3/19. Family room, dining room and kitchen are all open to each other. The Kitchen is perfect size with white cabinets, new granite counters 5/19, new sink overlooking the backyard, engineered wood flooring, island, breakfast bar, lots of cabinets and 2 pantries. Off the dining room is 16 x 20 sunroom, which steps down to the 20x20 deck overlooking the gardens and a nature lovers dream backyard!! Water feature and wide array of perennial plants bring a park like feel to this lovely space. Moving back inside there are two bedrooms and full bath down the hall, and the master suite as well with newer carpet, WIC, 3/4 bath, and sliders to 8 x 8 wood deck. Lower level is great for entertaining. L shaped family room with wet bar & space for a pool table and other entertainment. 4th bedroom with 2 closets and 3/4 bath and laundry down. Lower level has storage room, safe room (5x10) and large pantry area (8x9). New water heater 2019. Cedar siding and new shingles 2017 and gutter guards. Outbuilding is 24 x 66, previously used as horse barn, has concrete floor, and a overhead garage door to store the lawn equipment, tractors, & toys galore!! Great pasture areas & property is close to Stone State Park with equestrian trails. Bring the horses and enjoy acreage living. The main yard has lots of flowers which will be waking up this spring. Oversized garage is heated and has 220..

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Homes Recently Listed in the Sioux City Area - Sioux City Journal

This press release was orginally distributed by SBWire

Bordentown, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/18/2020 -- As Bucks County's leading residential water well service, Paramount Well Service has helped countless families install and maintain irrigation wells. Irrigation wells are used to supply water to residential irrigation systems, which utilize a series of sprinklers and underground tubes to efficiently dispense water for lawns and gardens. In a recent blog post, Paramount Well Service outlined three major benefits of installing residential irrigation systems saving time and money, healthier plant growth, and reduced water waste.

Homeowners can save significant amounts of time and money by installing residential irrigation systems. Instead of manually setting up, turning on, turning off, and putting away traditional garden hose sprinklers each time watering is needed, irrigation systems allow the property owner to pre-determine when and where water is needed. An automated sprinkler system will eliminate the need to be physically present for watering, in addition to radically reducing waste that results from overwatering.

Reducing wasted water isn't just a cost-saving benefit it also benefits plant growth and the environment as a whole. When plants are overwatered, which often happens when sprinklers or hoses are used manually, the runoff carries vital nutrients away from the roots of plants. This deprives plants of their natural food. As far as the environment as a whole goes, conserving water wherever possible is a great way for homeowners to reduce their ecological footprint.

Homeowners who are interested in learning more about the benefits and applications of residential irrigation systems should contact Paramount Well Service today for additional details. Paramount Well Service also offers emergency well services to Bucks County and the surrounding regions visit https://paramountwellservice.com/contact-us/ to schedule services.

About Paramount Well ServiceWith over 30 years of experience, Paramount Well Service prides itself on providing the highest-quality water treatment and pump and tank issue management. As a family-owned and operated business, Paramount Well Service is a fully licensed and insured company that provides both residential and commercial services.

Residents and business owners interested in learning more about Paramount Well Service's areas of expertise and current specials are encouraged to call 800-352-0807 or visit them online at http://paramountwellservice.com/.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/paramount-well-service-advises-on-the-benefits-of-residential-irrigation-systems-1282666.htm

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Paramount Well Service Advises on the Benefits of Residential Irrigation Systems - Press Release - Digital Journal

Investigators will be back on the scene Monday to determine the origin of an early morning fire that caused extensive damage to a large building at the International Paper mill in Coosa.

It was as bad a fire as Ive ever seen out there, said Rome-Floyd County Fire Chief Troy Brock on Sunday.

Battalion Chief Clay Walker, who was with the first responding units, said the location of the fire made it difficult to get to. Once firefighters were close to point of origin, they had to back out and regroup because a portion of the roof and wall had collapsed.

The fire was so hot that it expanded the roof trusses, according to Division Chief Clete Bonney, and that helped push out a side wall of the building.

It caused extensive damage to the production lines, Bonney said.

Fire Marshal Mary Catherine Chewning said one mill employee was taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation but their condition did not appear to be serious.

We are grateful all of our team members and contractors are safe with no serious injuries reported, said mill spokesperson Jenna Guzman in a Sunday statement.

Walker said the mill sprinkler system helped contain the fire but at least five fire units were on the scene until almost 4 a.m. Sunday, making sure the blaze was out and there were no hot spots.

Debris was still falling from the roof at 3:30 a.m. as the building appeared to be settling at the end of the fire, Bonney added.

Chewning said the nature of the site, coupled with the collapse and the rain on Sunday made it very difficult to get in to investigate. She said International Paper would be flying in personnel from corporate headquarters to assist with the investigation.

The point of origin appeared to be in the area of the two large paper machines inside the building, Chewning said, but she could not pinpoint a specific location Sunday.

Guzman said that it was entirely too early to know what kind of impact the fire will have on production at the mill, which makes linerboard used in cardboard boxes.

The mill has has been the focus of major technological upgrades and close to $300 million in capital investment by International Paper over the last seven years.

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Fire investigators heading back to International Paper mill Monday - The Catoosa County News