Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

By Tony Mushoborozi

The phrase a roof over your head is usually used in reference to housing as a basic human right. Which gets you wondering; why not walls around your ribs or floor under your feet? The answer could point to the seminal importance of the roof as a physical part of any house. Whether as an item of functionality or aesthetics, the roof really is the make-or-break.

In contemporary Ugandan homes, the roof tends to be extravagant and elaborate because they usually have high perimeter wall fences that conceal most of the house leaving only the roofs visible to the onlooker. According to experts, a roof should not be chosen solely for what it looks like but some factors should be put into consideration.

ConsiderationsThe biggest and most important consideration is always the budget expectations, according to Fred Kangwagye, a construction in engineer from Frespe Construction Ltd.

Everything hinges on the budget, really. The second most important consideration is usually the outlook and feel of the house. People travel and see styles abroad and get inspired. They come to us with that image in mind, he remarks.

He adds, But image goes beyond that. For instance, if the houses in the neighbourhood are all roofed with roofing tiles, more often than not, someone will consider using tiles on their new house.

Tight spaces Jean Christophe Cartier is a Frenchman who has been living in Uganda for more than 20 years. He lives in Bukasa, Muyenga. He explains why he decided to choose a flat roof.

I had to use the flat roof on my house because my plot was very small. Though it is in a very nice location with the view of the lake, it is less than 50ft X50ft. Since I knew that there would be no space for a compound after constructing a house on the plot, I decided my compound would be on the roof, he says.Cartiers house is a four-bedroom storied home that almost runs from one end to the other end of the plot, save for a small parking space right behind the sliding gate. The flat roof not only affords him ample space to entertain his friends and family, it also gives him a beautiful 360-degree view.

According to Simon Peter Kazibwe, an architectural designer, The flat roof keeps the house cool because it is made from a concrete slab. It is also very functional because you can use it as a place for entertainment and family time.

He adds that the flat roof works best in less rainfall-prone places because it has the capability to hold water after the rain.

All precaution must be taken to waterproof the roof and provide effective drainage channels, otherwise waterlogging can weaken the structure, Kazibwe advises.

While modern technology can afford you a light and solid slab, a flat roofed house still demands for very strong walls.

Windy areasThe hidden roof is the best choice for a windy area, probably on a hillside, according to Kazibwe.

If the topography of the neighbourhood is hilly and windy, one would be on a safe side to consider constructing the hidden roof, rather than the gable or the hipped roof. This is because a hidden roof leaves no chance for the wind to blow it away, says Kazibwe.

The costRoofing materials are not cheap. Whether it is the concrete slab, or the roofing tiles or iron sheets the cost is steep.

According to Cissy Namaganda, a property trader based in Nsambya, Kampala, roofing can easily become the most expensive part of a bungalow if one does not plan properly.

The cost of the roof starts with the cost of the materials. And depending on what kind of style of roof you decide on, the cost can be astronomical. If you want to reduce the cost to the bare minimum, the cheapest roof is the hidden roof. It uses minimal timber, minimal iron sheets and minimal labour costs, she says.

An average three bedroom bangalow costs between Shs18m and Shs22m to roof with iron sheets.

Super eco iron sheets with a box-like design cost between Shs33,000 to Shs42,000. Eco tile and Roman tile cost Shs78,000. Super tile costs Shs58,000 while the rough type goes for Shs78,000. Ordinary gauge 30 iron sheets, cost Shs33,000 while gauge 28 costs Shs42,000.

Ridges and valleys; used to cover gaps left between the iron sheets when roofing or connect iron sheets range between Shs15,000 to Shs28,000.

On the contrary, the most expensive is the flat roof, compounded by the concrete slab and the thick walls needed to hold the heavy roof up.

The aestheticsFor those who want to make a statement with their roofs, the best choice is the hipped roof. The hipped roof gives one endless opportunities to get complex. A multi-hipped roof tends to give the house an appearance of grandeur and spaciousness.

Roofing tiles will go a long way to compound the beauty of this style. But you must remember that this is a very expensive style. Roofing tiles demand for more timber and generally more building materials. But the heart wants what the heart wants, says John Okello, a roofing expert based in Gayaza.

Types of roofsThe types of roofs are as many as the types of houses. However, in Uganda, there about five main types of roofs. While they each serve different purposes, there are instances where a crossover happens. And every once in a while, a style of roof rises in popularity over others.

Hipped roofAlmost every bungalow in the country comes with this style of roof. It is cone-shaped with an elongated edge at the top, and slopes towards the veranda at all ends. The simple variation to this style has only four slopes, and fits on a house with a simple rectangular shape. But this kind of simplicity is out of fashion.

The complex variation (multi-hipped roof) has several sloping ends and fits on a house with complex walling, with rectangle of differing sizes placed side-by-side. This is the most popular kind of roof today.

Gable roof A gable roof was once popular. It is a simple roof that only slopes on two ends; at the front and back of the house. The sides of the house rise into triangles to meet the roof at a sharp point on top.

This type of roof gives you an opportunity to indulge in some wall ornamentation. The high triangular sides can be seen from afar and any paint work or styling applied here will make the house attractive.

Lean-to roofOne sloping sheet of roofing from one end of the house to the other end. Picture the old-school roadside shop and you know what a lean-to roof is. While this style of roof is usually used in simple constructions like animal pens and car sheds, and of course the roadside shop, some people have reinvented it and turned it into a hidden roof.

Hidden roofA hidden roof is a lean-to roof surrounded by a brick parapet that completely hides it from view. This roof gives a house a very simple but classy boxy look. It offers endless opportunities for one to get very creative with wall moldings and interesting paintwork.

Kangwagye says, Hidden roofs take minimal building materials; less timber, less iron sheets, and less everything. However, the drainage must be done very well or the water will overflow and damage the house.

The flat roofThis is the rarest roof in Uganda. It is a concrete slab on top of a house. One major reason as to why this roof is so rare is because it is the most expensive. Expensive because it requires extra strong walling and columns to hold its weight.

Flat roof with functional space on top.

And that is before you get to the cost of the actual roof; concrete specially designed to be completely waterproof.

Kangwangye says, The flat roof is good in many ways. If someone is not resource constrained, it is the best roof. You save money in that the roof is the ceiling at the same time. It affords you fresh air to breath, since it is elevated and can be used for relaxation. On the downside, it is very heavy and the structure must be engineered for extra strength from the foundation. This makes it the most costly.

Original post:
Choosing the right roof for your house - Daily Monitor

Mark Musella, the Bergen County Prosecutor is interviewed at Bergen Prosecutor's Office in Hackensack. NorthJersey.com

When Fair Lawn police arrested "Elizabeth" on drug chargesin November 2018, she thought it meant another skipped court date, more unpaid fines and another warrant to haunt her.

The 27-year old fromOakland, whowas grantedan alias for this story to preserve her anonymity, had grown used to trouble. Addicted to opioids since age 17, her life over the followingdecade became a turnstile of arrests, rehab stays and stints on the street.

At that point I was numb to it, she said.

But this time, authorities gave her a different option: She couldenroll in apilot program that offered to drop the charges as long as she stuck with a treatment plan designedto fight her addiction.

Dubbed the "Fair Lawn Initiative," the year-old program is the first of its kind in New Jersey, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. Open to those arrested in the borough on low-level municipal charges, itconnects offenders with a patient navigator and recovery specialist who walkthem through how to get clean and stay there.

If the offender stays withprogram for six months, authorities expunge the charges. But they can also reinstate them if police arrest the person again.

Until now, that kind of localdiversion plan did not exist in New Jersey, the prosecutor's office said. But it's a big part of county prosecutor Mark Musella's plan to fight the stubbornly persistent opioid epidemic.

"The goal of this program is to save lives," Musella said in an interviewlast month.

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Thats critical in Bergen County, which saw 142 drug overdose deaths an average ofalmost three a week in 2019, Musella said. There were 662 reportedoverdoses last year, and police used the overdose reversal drug naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, 336 times.

Elizabethwas one of 20 low-level offenders to enrollin the Fair Lawn Initiative last June.Nine months later, she remains drug-free and is among 10 people who haveeither completed the program or are expected to do so,Musellasaid. The 50% success rate is roughly on par with statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse that show between 40% and 60% of those in recovery relapse at some point.

But even those who fall out benefit, saidElsbethCrusius, Fair Lawn's municipal prosecutor.

"Not everyone is ready for treatment, but even the 50% who did not complete the program were educated by the counselors and given information about the resources available to them that they may have otherwise not known," she said.

For those who stick with it like Elizabeth treatment offers more hope than the court system, said Elizabeth Rebein, the prosecutor's spokeswoman.

"Without the diversion, she would have gone to Fair Lawn and gotten a fine and other penalties ... and where would she be?" asked Rebein. "She would be trying to pay that off. Instead her energy was spent on her recovery and trying to build her own life."

Elie Honig, a former state and federal prosecutor who now headsthe Rutgers Institute for Secure Communities, called it an intriguing initiative that couldreduce recidivism.

"It seems like a fair deal," Honig said. "If you go into rehab and successfully complete it, and the charges are low-level and not violent, why not drop them? Itpushes people who have addiction problems toward getting treatment."

It also fits into the state'santi-opioid strategy of attacking drug mills, suing prescription drug companies and pushing those already addicted intotreatment centers instead of jail cells.

Gurbir Grewal, the state attorney general, started similar programs when he served as the Bergen County prosecutor from 2016 to 2018. Theyinclude Operation Helping Hand, whichsteers peoplearrested for buying heroin toward treatment,and the Heroin Addiction Recovery Team,which encourages users to turn in their drugs and seek help atselect police departments before they get arrested.

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Musella has built off that foundation, continuingHelping Hand operations and expandingthe recovery team to 10 police departments from three.

Grewal commended those efforts.

"In the minutes and hours that follow a drug possession arrest when users recognize they are at a crossroads we can give them the opportunity to choose the path of treatment and recovery," the attorney general said in a statement. "We have broken the cycle for hundreds of individuals already, and through programs like the one in Bergen County, we can save more."

The prosecutor's office developed the diversionprogram in 2018. Itpicked Fair Lawn for the trial run because the borough borders Paterson,a center for drug-dealing in the region, and often deals with the spillover effects, including overdoses. Musellafound willing partners in Fair Lawns police department and courts.

The defense counsel, municipal prosecutor or county prosecutor finds eligible offenders by looking foreither drug possession charges or other offenses that hintat a drug problem, like shoplifting, Rebein said.

When participants arrive in court, drug counselors are there tosteer them toward recovery programs. The court also appoints a public defenderas a legal advocate.

Defendantsspeak witha patient navigator andrecovery specialist fromThe Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources,part of the Paramus nonprofitChildren's Aid and Family Services.

The navigator, who files weekly reports with the court,builds aprogram thatcould involve detox, in-patient rehabilitation or out-patient care, Rebein said. The recoveryspecialist holds the persons hand through the process, supporting them when they need it most.

Elizabeth quit opioids just before joining, so her patient navigator skipped rehabilitation and set her up with John Paul Jurbala, a recovery specialist. The pair spoke constantly in-person, over the phone and through text messages. Jurbala even served as her temporary sponsor for Alcoholics Anonymous when she had no one else.

Jurbala said they didn't talk about drugs. They talked about life, about how to get along with her family, about the pregnancy she found out about months earlier while jailed on unrelated chargesin Riker's Island in New York City.

"It was crucial, it really was," Elizabeth said.I didnt know how to live. I didnt know how to be a functional person in society He was a big emotional support for me.

A pair of state grants worth about $162,000 pay for the program. The Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus provides beds and other services to those withno insurance.

Musella has already tweaked the programby telling police tooffer admission right after an arrest instead of weeks later in court.

"They're most vulnerable [then] they could die before they get to court," Musella said."The earlier we can connect them to treatment, the more likely the success.

The borough police department supports the initiative, said aspokesman, Sgt. Brian Metzler.

"All these people need help more than they need to be incarcerated," Metzler said. "Sometimes they just need somebody to direct them where to go. And that's where we come in."

Eventually, Musella would like to expand it to other towns.For Elizabeth, it's already had a life-changing impact.

She has been clean for a year and spends her days taking care of her now seven-month old daughter, she said. She became religious, and is thankful for the arrest that helped her slip addictions grip.

"It helped me change my ways," she said. "I definitely would say I'm grateful for the way things happened. Because I don't know what the other outcome would have been."

Steve Janoski covers law enforcement for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important newsabout those who safeguard your local community,please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email:janoski@northjersey.comTwitter:@stevejanoski

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After 142 overdose deaths, Bergen tests program to fight addiction with treatment, not jail - NorthJersey.com

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa., March 2, 2020 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) Mole and vole damage to lawns, trees and shrubs is common in Pennsylvania, but identifying the difference between the two can be confusing. Each of these two pests can cause mild to serious damage on a homeowners property, and late winter is when the effects are often seen. The experts at Giroud Tree and Lawn explain how to identify the difference between the two and what homeowners can do to reverse the damage.

PHOTO CAPTION: Voles damage lawns as they carve out runways in the grass.

How to Identify Vole Damage on a Lawn

Voles, otherwise known as Meadow Mice, are small rodents with very active lifestyles in the winter. They live under dense shrubs and mulch and other hiding places like wood or rock piles. Voles eat grass, and in winter, the snow provides the perfect cover for voles to venture from their burrows in search of food without fear of predators.Homeowners can identify vole damage after snow melts by the telltale chiseled pathways through the lawn. Voles create these runways under the cover of snow where predators cant catch them.

How to Identify Mole Damage on a Lawn

Like voles, moles can do a lot of damage to a lawn. However, rather than pathways carved into the grass at the surface, moles tunnel underground andleave piles of soil that act as air ventsin their tunnels.

If you have a lawn that is really infested with moles, you can actually feel it as you walk across the grass, explains Giroud Lawn Care Technician, Paul Ruffenach. The ground will feel soft because the tunnels have been dug through under your feet.

Damage to Trees and Shrubs

Although lawn damage caused by voles and moles is very easy to see, what can often go unnoticed until its too late is damage to trees and shrubs. These invasive little creatures feast on the bark of certain trees and shrubs.

Both voles and moles will chew on the roots, trunks and branches of some shrubs because they are feeding on the starches and the sugars to stay alive in winter, explains Drew Slousky, ISA Certified Giroud Arborist and Vice President. If they chew the bark completely off, they could kill a shrub or a tree.

Single stemmed trees like Dogwoods and Crabapples will likely die if voles or moles have girdled the tree by eating the bark completely around the trunk. Multi-stemmed shrubs like Juniper, rhododendron, Viburnum, Euonymous (Burning Bush) and Azalea can survive. Professional pruning or fertilization will help with recovery.

How to Protect a Property from Mole and Vole Damage

Take away hiding spots! Moles and voles burrow under anything that may act as a cover in order to keep out of the watchful eyes of predators.Snow, underbrush and overgrown ground cover are all perfect hiding spots.

As the weather warms, mulch also becomes a great cover for them.Giroud always stresses the importance of never piling mulch against the trunk of a tree or shrubsbecause it can lead to girdling roots. Garden pests like moles and voles are just another reason why proper mulching is important. Creating a space for these rodents to burrow is an invitation for them to chew on the bark of trees and shrubs!

Check out this video from Giroud Arborist, Rob Nagy, which shows how he identified that a rodent was causing an ornamental holly to decline: https://youtu.be/8Ogfh-Yi6Mk

Take Action Now to Correct Mole and Vole Damage

The good news is most lawns, trees and shrubs will recover from minimal mole or vole damage. For lawns:

Getting on a great lawn care treatment and fertilization program is a step in the right direction because it will strengthen the grass roots and give the lawn a fighting chance against attacks from mole and vole damage and also other pests, insects and diseases!

If homeowners see signs of pest infestation on trees and shrubs, such as chewed trunks and branches, leaf dieback and discoloration, they should have them inspected by an ISA Certified Arborist who may recommend pruning out the damaged branches. Also, a deep root vitamin fertilizer treatment will strengthen the plant and aid in its recovery.

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health.

The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. The Giroud Treework for Charity program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Companys service area.

For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/8Ogfh-Yi6Mk

News Source: Giroud Tree and Lawn

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Giroud Tree and Lawn explains how to identify the difference between mole and vole damage on lawns, trees and shrubs - Send2Press Newswire

WEST TRENTON, NJ The first case of coronavirus in New Jersey has been discovered in Bergen County, although state officials are not announcing where in Bergen County.

Governor Phil Murphy, Acting Governor Sheila Oliver, and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli made the announcement on Wednesday evening, March 4, calling it the first presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, in New Jersey.

The individual, a male in his 30s, is hospitalized in Bergen County and has been hospitalized since March 3.

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My Administration is working aggressively to keep residents safe and contain the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey, Murphy said.We take this situation very seriously and have been preparing for this for weeks. I urge residents to remain calm and use resources from the New Jersey Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control to prepare and prevent the spread of infection. Safeguarding the publics health is one of my highest priorities and my Administration is prepared to respond swiftly to any additional positive cases of COVID-19 here in New Jersey.

Our Administration has been coordinatingacross all levels of government, and with our federal partners, to ensure that we are active and engaged with preparedness and response plan,said Acting Governor Oliver.We urge all New Jersey residents to follow guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement regarding the first New Jersey case:

I am monitoring this presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Bergen County, and I continue to be in close contact with hospital officials and local and state leaders on the matter. Im continuing to work with North Jersey hospitals, health facilities, and communities, and Ive offered support of whatever they need to treat patients afflicted with this virus and to help make sure this outbreak is contained. Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan emergency legislation to immediately address the coronavirus outbreak and help keep North Jersey families safe. This bill provides emergency funding for a robust response to the crisis, including support for state and local health agencies, and vaccine and treatment development. The Senate is expected to vote on this legislation in coming days.

The presumptive positive result came from a sample tested by the New Jersey Department of Health at the New Jersey Public Health Environmental Laboratories(PHEL)and is now being submitted to the CDC for confirmatory testing. State and local public health authorities are proceeding with the public health investigation and response activities as if this was a confirmed case.The hospital is working closely with the Department of Health and continues to follow all infectious disease protocols. Working with the local health department, the New Jersey Department of Health is tracing close contacts of this individual and is taking appropriate public health actions. The investigation is underway and more information will be released when it becomes available.

Any case of novel coronavirus in our state is concerning, however most New Jersey residents are at very low risk of contracting COVID-19,said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.The Department is working closely with the CDC and local health officials to respond to this case and is monitoring the evolving situation across the nation.

The New Jersey Department of Health has been working to prepare for and respond to the evolving novel coronavirus since early January. The Department shared state and CDC guidance with hospitals, local health officials, K-12 schools, universities and businesses; established a novel coronaviruswebpage; partnered with the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES) to open a call center (1-800-222-1222) for the public; hosted stakeholder teleconferences; and continues coordinating state efforts weekly with the New Jersey Coronavirus Task Force chaired by Commissioner Persichilli.

To date, the 24/7 NJPIES hotline (1-800-222-1222) has received more than1,195calls from the public and can accommodate callers in multiple languages.

Clickherefor more information on novel coronavirus.

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First Case of Coronavirus Discovered in Bergen County, NJ - TAPinto.net

Published: 3/4/2020 5:33:42 PM

Smoking Cessation: Led by Tim Sweeney, tobacco treatment specialist. Meets Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m. Athol Hospitals cafeteria.

Food Pantry: The community food pantry is open the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The pantry is in the basement of Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main St.

The Cellar Closet at Central Congregational Church of Orange, 95 South Main St., will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers have been accepting and arranging clothing for women, men and children, along with jewelry and accessories, shoes and household items. All items are reasonably priced and special sales are offered occasionally. For information, call 978-544-6895 or email orangecongregationalchurch@gmail.com.

Arms Academy Reunion: The Reunion Committee for the Arms Academy Alumni Association will meet Tuesday at 2 p.m. to continue planning the June 27 all-class reunion. The meeting will take place at the Shelburne Historical Society, 33 Severence St. All Arms alumni who can lend a hand in planning the June reunion are urged to attend. Questions may be directed to Muriel (Bolduc) Zraunig, president, by phone at 413-773-3855 or 413-522-3167, or by email mzraunig@comcast.net.

Serendipity Shop: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Congregational Church basement. Mens, womens and childrens clothing, shoes and sneakers. Most items $1. Mens suits and all coats, $3. Womens suits, $2. Donations accepted. Proceeds to benefit the church. 413-665-2890.

Franklin Area Survival Center: 96 Fourth St., 413-863-9549. The thrift store, which is open to the public and helps finance the food pantry, is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The food pantry is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In an emergency, such as a fire or flood, the center will supply needed clothing, linens and food to help the disaster victims.

Helpful Programs at LifePath: LifePath provides assistance with light homemaking, home-delivered meals, personal care and adaptive equipment. Caregivers can take a break to de-stress with LifePaths respite services. In addition, the Consumer Directed Care Program allows elders in need to select their own caregiver perhaps a friend, neighbor or even a family member who can be paid through this program (excludes spouses). For more information, email info@lifepathma.org or call 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259. Read more at lifepathma.org.

Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE): SHINE counselors are volunteers who provide free, unbiased health insurance information, education, and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and adults with disabilities to help people figure out what their best health insurance options are based on their unique needs. Contact a SHINE counselor at LifePath at 413-773-555 or 978-544-2259. Email info@lifepathma.org or learn more at lifepathma.org.

Vigil for Racial Justice Every Saturday, 9 to 10 a.m., on the Greenfield Common. Bring your own sign or use one of ours. For more information: email@racialjusticerising.org.

Eventide Singers: Offering songs of hope and healing for seriously or terminally ill people, their families and caregivers. The service is offered in homes, hospitals and care facilities, without charge. The music can be selected in response to spiritual preference. For more information, visit eventidesingers.com or call Marcia Schuhle at 413-774-2335 or Joe Toritto at 413-774-5828.

Straight Spouse Support: One-on-one support for straight individuals currently or once married to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender partners. Confidential helpline at 413-625-6636 or email jcmalinski48@gmail.com.

Help the Blind: Your car, truck or camper may be worth more as a donation than a trade-in. Call the Massachusetts Association for the Blind at 888-613-2777 for details. Old lawn mowers are also accepted. Donations are tax-deductible and towing is free. Proceeds benefit blind and vision-impaired people in Massachusetts. Alternatively, email Barbara Sciannameo at barbaras@mabcommunity.org.

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Talk of the Towns: March 5, 2020 - The Recorder

Q. I am devastated by the rule changes to Inherited IRAs. My husband and I have dedicated our working lives to leave sizable legacies to our daughters and their families. With the accelerated distribution requirements, they will end up with huge tax liabilities and our hopes for their futures severely diminished. What can we do to work around this new law?

Saver

A. Youre correct in saying that the SECURE Act changed the treatment of inherited IRA distributions.

Non-spouse beneficiaries must now that the funds out within 10 years, and yes, the funds will take a tax hit.

Theres no real workaround to change how inherited IRAs will be treated under the new law, but there are some strategies that can help a little.

First, talk to your beneficiaries about the 10-year distribution window, Nicholas Scheibner, a certified financial planner with Baron Financial Group in Fair Lawn.

Beneficiaries dont have to take funds out every year, so they can work with their tax planners to determine the smartest time to take the distributions. They could take it all out in the final year, thereby allowing the funds inside the account to grow tax-deferred.

Next, you should talk to your advisors about Roth IRA conversions, Scheibner said.

He said a Roth IRA is a great estate planning tool as any distributions from the accounts will be tax-free.

Once you retire, you may find yourself in a lower tax bracket. This is especially true if you retire before age 72, and before Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are required, Scheibner said. There may be a window of time where you can maximize the Roth-conversion strategy, before your taxable income potentially goes up due to RMDs.

Finally, you should look at which accounts you use now to fund your own retirement needs.

The SECURE Act did not affect non-retirement accounts, which means the step-up in basis rule still applies for appreciated securities in a brokerage account, he said.

If your main goal is to pass on assets to your children in the most tax-efficient way, bequeathing investments with a large capital gain allows your children to inherit those investments with a date-of-death-cost basis, he said. If you are currently using a brokerage account to fund your retirement goals, work with your advisors to analyze the option of using a portion of your IRA instead.

Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com.

Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.coms weekly e-newsletter.

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Can we get around the SECURE Act rules for inherited IRAs? - NJ.com

Updated March 02, 2020 08:43:02

Ripe weather conditions in south-east Queensland are being blamed for an "explosion" of armyworms chomping through lawns within days.

Hundreds of residents from Gympie to Brisbane reported the worms after noticing their once-green grass turning brown almost overnight.

It's important to note that they're not the notorious fall armyworm that poses a serious threat to agriculture and was recently detected in north Queensland.

John McDonald, biosecurity manager at Greenlife Industry Australia the national peak body for the nursery industry said the armyworms in the south-east appeared to be in "unusually high numbers".

He said while the grass was not dead and would grow back, it could be distressing for residents.

"We are seeing pockets of armyworms exploding in recent weeks and those populations people have not witnessed that before."

Mr McDonald said he even had them at his Brisbane home for the first time in 20 years.

"In recent weeks we've had hundreds end up in our pool, so we've never seen that before.

"It was somewhat of a surprise to see such large numbers and find them moving out of the neighbour's yard into ours."

Nambour resident Katelyn Efremoff had a similar experience when she noticed her neighbour's lawn turn brown days before the worms munched through hers.

"I thought it was insane that a caterpillar could decimate the entire front and back lawns in such a short period of time."

Once the armyworms finish with a food source i.e. your yard they march onto the next. Hence their name.

The larvae, or caterpillars, often shelter during the day and feed at night, leaving residents shocked at what they find in the morning, as they told ABC Sunshine Coast:

"Victim of the little bastards here. Our yard flooded really badly, so initially I thought a few patches were where the water had been lying for a long time. Woke up on Saturday morning and it was all dead." Ange Gillham, Yandina

"We were pretty shocked to have a nice green lawn after all the rain and then literally overnight it was demolished. Nothing I've seen before." Jen Rickards, Palmwoods

"Destroyed ours in less than two weeks." Sarah Campbell, Coes Creek

Mr McDonald said armyworms were a natural biological process throughout Queensland and the rain and cooler weather in recent weeks had provided ideal conditions for them.

"When all the conditions are right you get these blooms of the population.

"Then they'll move on once they've pretty much chewed up the food source, you'll see the numbers decline."

Mr McDonald said the armyworm's life cycle took just a couple of weeks.

"The moths are the adult they'll fly, land and lay eggs. The eggs hatch, which become caterpillars and the caterpillars do the chewing.

"They will pupate and they will move on and another adult will form and that'll be a moth and fly off."

Because the process happens so quickly, residents often don't notice until their once-green grass is a mass of brown, dead-looking foliage.

"They [the caterpillars] are probably there for a day or so and then people start to see the evidence," Mr McDonald said.

"It happens quite quickly and it comes down to numbers, so the more numbers, the more rapid they will chew through the food source."

Horticulturalist Paul Plant said there were organic and chemical treatments available. People should seek advice at their local garden centre or hardware store.

He said some chemicals included chlorpyriphos as an active ingredient but should be used with caution and under advice to reduce the impact on other animals and ecosystems.

Non-chemical treatment options, he said, included a registered neem insecticide.

To remove a small patch or test whether you have armyworms in your lawn, place a wet blanket, hessian sack or cloth on the lawn in the evening.

"The armyworms will think it's still dark so they'll come up to the surface of the lawn but under the blanket," Mr Plant said.

"You'll see the armyworms right there on the surface, and if you've got chooks, they'll come over and eat all of those little blighters."

Some residents have also reported that pouring diluted eucalyptus wool wash over the affected area can help treat small patches, by forcing the worms to the surface where they can be removed by hand.

Mr Plant empathised with residents and said it was a vicious cycle.

"We've already had three times the amount of rainfall than what we had last year," he said.

"The moist soil and plenty of food source is an ideal environment for the grubs, which means they are growing, more moths are breeding, eggs are being laid, and it's this constant cycle that's really prevalent right now."

He encouraged residents to be on the lookout for moth eggs, which resembled a cotton wool bud, that may be laid around foliage and grass or near the house.

"Their eggs will be popping up constantly along the fence line close to the house where the light is, because moths are attracted to light, so they will come towards your house.

"Then the caterpillars, after hatching, will march past progressing away from the house."

And because the armyworms attack the leaves and usually leave the root system in place, Mr Plant said the lawn would grow back eventually.

"If you want it to look good within two months, I would be [buying in fresh turf], but if you're willing to wait eight months, I'd be patient."

Mr McDonalds said while the two armyworms were similar in appearance, the fall armyworm had a more ferocious appetite.

"It's been recorded on things as diverse as eucalyptus, tomatoes, blueberries, chrysanthemums, cabbages through to grapes.

"They're not necessarily its favoured food, but it seems to at the moment have an appetite to move across a diverse range of plant families."

He said the "aggressive" fall armyworm whose adult moth can fly about 500 kilometres in its lifetime was likely to move down the east coast quite quickly.

"How far? We're not too sure, but based on international info, I believe they will comfortably survive through New South Wales."

Concerns about fall armyworms should be raised with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23.

Topics:gardening,pests-diseases-and-control-methods,pests---horticulture,landscape-gardening,invertebrates---insects-and-arachnids,leaf-eating-insects,animal-science,horticulture,lifestyle-and-leisure,human-interest,maroochydore-4558,brisbane-4000,palmwoods-4555,bokarina-4575,yaroomba-4573,yandina-4561,gympie-4570,peregian-beach-4573,nambour-4560,australia,act,nsw,nt,qld,sa,tas,vic,wa

First posted February 28, 2020 16:45:40

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Armyworms are on the march in suburbia, devouring lawns in their path - ABC News

With industry-standard accuracy in analysis and high data integrity, the report makes a brilliant attempt to unveil key opportunities available in the global Ecological Contractor market to help players in achieving a strong market position. Buyers of the report can access verified and reliable market forecasts, including those for the overall size of the global Ecological Contractor market in terms of revenue.Players, stakeholders, and other participants in the global Ecological Contractor market will be able to gain the upper hand as they use the report as a powerful resource. For this version of the report, the segmental analysis focuses on revenue and forecast by each application segment in terms of revenue and forecast by each type segment in terms of revenue for the period 2015-2026.

Regional and Country-level Analysis

The report offers an exhaustive geographical analysis of the global Ecological Contractor market, covering important regions, viz, North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Central & South America. It also covers key countries (regions), viz, U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, etc.

The report includes country-wise and region-wise market size for the period 2015-2026. It also includes market size and forecast by each application segment in terms of revenue for the period 2015-2026.

Competition Analysis

In the competitive analysis section of the report, leading as well as prominent players of the global Ecological Contractor market are broadly studied on the basis of key factors. The report offers comprehensive analysis and accurate statistics on revenue by the player for the period 2015-2020. It also offers detailed analysis supported by reliable statistics on price and revenue (global level) by player for the period 2015-2020.

On the whole, the report proves to be an effective tool that players can use to gain a competitive edge over their competitors and ensure lasting success in the global Ecological Contractor market. All of the findings, data, and information provided in the report are validated and revalidated with the help of trustworthy sources. The analysts who have authored the report took a unique and industry-best research and analysis approach for an in-depth study of the global Ecological Contractor market.

The following players are covered in this report:

Industrial Environmental Contracting

Advanced Ecological Management, LLC

Ash Engineering, Inc.

Hyde Environmental, Inc.

Laans Tree Care

Global Environmental Operations, Inc

Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc.

Morley & Associates, Inc.

Matrix New World Engineering, Inc.

Tensar International Corporation, Inc.

Nor Cal Mechanical LLC

Maxymillian Technologies Inc.

Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc.

Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc.

Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc

REMSA Inc.

Ecological Contractor Breakdown Data by Type

Demolition

Treatment System Installation

Remediation

Tank and Industrial Cleaning

Emergency Spill Response

UST Removal

Ecological Contractor Breakdown Data by Application

Woodland

Grassland

Fish Pond

Table of Contents

1 Report Overview1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Players Covered: Ranking by Ecological Contractor Revenue1.4 Market Analysis by Type1.4.1 Global Ecological Contractor Market Size Growth Rate by Type: 2020 VS 20261.4.2 Demolition1.4.3 Treatment System Installation1.4.4 Remediation1.4.5 Tank and Industrial Cleaning1.4.6 Emergency Spill Response1.4.7 UST Removal1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Ecological Contractor Market Share by Application: 2020 VS 20261.5.2 Woodland1.5.3 Grassland1.5.4 Fish Pond1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered

2 Global Growth Trends by Regions2.1 Ecological Contractor Market Perspective (2015-2026)2.2 Ecological Contractor Growth Trends by Regions2.2.1 Ecological Contractor Market Size by Regions: 2015 VS 2020 VS 20262.2.2 Ecological Contractor Historic Market Share by Regions (2015-2020)2.2.3 Ecological Contractor Forecasted Market Size by Regions (2021-2026)2.3 Industry Trends and Growth Strategy2.3.1 Market Top Trends2.3.2 Market Drivers2.3.3 Market Challenges2.3.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis2.3.5 Ecological Contractor Market Growth Strategy2.3.6 Primary Interviews with Key Ecological Contractor Players (Opinion Leaders)

3 Competition Landscape by Key Players3.1 Global Top Ecological Contractor Players by Market Size3.1.1 Global Top Ecological Contractor Players by Revenue (2015-2020)3.1.2 Global Ecological Contractor Revenue Market Share by Players (2015-2020)3.1.3 Global Ecological Contractor Market Share by Company Type (Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3)3.2 Global Ecological Contractor Market Concentration Ratio3.2.1 Global Ecological Contractor Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)3.2.2 Global Top 10 and Top 5 Companies by Ecological Contractor Revenue in 20193.3 Ecological Contractor Key Players Head office and Area Served3.4 Key Players Ecological Contractor Product Solution and Service3.5 Date of Enter into Ecological Contractor Market3.6 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans

4 Breakdown Data by Type (2015-2026)4.1 Global Ecological Contractor Historic Market Size by Type (2015-2020)4.2 Global Ecological Contractor Forecasted Market Size by Type (2021-2026)

5 Ecological Contractor Breakdown Data by Application (2015-2026)5.1 Global Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)5.2 Global Ecological Contractor Forecasted Market Size by Application (2021-2026)

6 North America6.1 North America Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)6.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in North America (2019-2020)6.3 North America Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)6.4 North America Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

7 Europe7.1 Europe Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)7.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in Europe (2019-2020)7.3 Europe Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)7.4 Europe Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

8 China8.1 China Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)8.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in China (2019-2020)8.3 China Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)8.4 China Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

9 Japan9.1 Japan Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)9.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in Japan (2019-2020)9.3 Japan Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)9.4 Japan Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

10 Southeast Asia10.1 Southeast Asia Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)10.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in Southeast Asia (2019-2020)10.3 Southeast Asia Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)10.4 Southeast Asia Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

11 India11.1 India Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)11.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in India (2019-2020)11.3 India Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)11.4 India Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

12 Central & South America12.1 Central & South America Ecological Contractor Market Size (2015-2020)12.2 Ecological Contractor Key Players in Central & South America (2019-2020)12.3 Central & South America Ecological Contractor Market Size by Type (2015-2020)12.4 Central & South America Ecological Contractor Market Size by Application (2015-2020)

13Key Players Profiles13.1 Industrial Environmental Contracting13.1.1 Industrial Environmental Contracting Company Details13.1.2 Industrial Environmental Contracting Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.1.3 Industrial Environmental Contracting Ecological Contractor Introduction13.1.4 Industrial Environmental Contracting Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020))13.1.5 Industrial Environmental Contracting Recent Development13.2 Advanced Ecological Management, LLC13.2.1 Advanced Ecological Management, LLC Company Details13.2.2 Advanced Ecological Management, LLC Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.2.3 Advanced Ecological Management, LLC Ecological Contractor Introduction13.2.4 Advanced Ecological Management, LLC Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.2.5 Advanced Ecological Management, LLC Recent Development13.3 Ash Engineering, Inc.13.3.1 Ash Engineering, Inc. Company Details13.3.2 Ash Engineering, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.3.3 Ash Engineering, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction13.3.4 Ash Engineering, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.3.5 Ash Engineering, Inc. Recent Development13.4 Hyde Environmental, Inc.13.4.1 Hyde Environmental, Inc. Company Details13.4.2 Hyde Environmental, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.4.3 Hyde Environmental, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction13.4.4 Hyde Environmental, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.4.5 Hyde Environmental, Inc. Recent Development13.5 Laans Tree Care13.5.1 Laans Tree Care Company Details13.5.2 Laans Tree Care Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.5.3 Laans Tree Care Ecological Contractor Introduction13.5.4 Laans Tree Care Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.5.5 Laans Tree Care Recent Development13.6 Global Environmental Operations, Inc13.6.1 Global Environmental Operations, Inc Company Details13.6.2 Global Environmental Operations, Inc Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.6.3 Global Environmental Operations, Inc Ecological Contractor Introduction13.6.4 Global Environmental Operations, Inc Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.6.5 Global Environmental Operations, Inc Recent Development13.7 Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc.13.7.1 Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc. Company Details13.7.2 Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.7.3 Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction13.7.4 Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.7.5 Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc. Recent Development13.8 Morley & Associates, Inc.13.8.1 Morley & Associates, Inc. Company Details13.8.2 Morley & Associates, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.8.3 Morley & Associates, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction13.8.4 Morley & Associates, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.8.5 Morley & Associates, Inc. Recent Development13.9 Matrix New World Engineering, Inc.13.9.1 Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. Company Details13.9.2 Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.9.3 Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction13.9.4 Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.9.5 Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. Recent Development13.10 Tensar International Corporation, Inc.13.10.1 Tensar International Corporation, Inc. Company Details13.10.2 Tensar International Corporation, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue13.10.3 Tensar International Corporation, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction13.10.4 Tensar International Corporation, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)13.10.5 Tensar International Corporation, Inc. Recent Development13.11 Nor Cal Mechanical LLC10.11.1 Nor Cal Mechanical LLC Company Details10.11.2 Nor Cal Mechanical LLC Business Overview and Its Total Revenue10.11.3 Nor Cal Mechanical LLC Ecological Contractor Introduction10.11.4 Nor Cal Mechanical LLC Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)10.11.5 Nor Cal Mechanical LLC Recent Development13.12 Maxymillian Technologies Inc.10.12.1 Maxymillian Technologies Inc. Company Details10.12.2 Maxymillian Technologies Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue10.12.3 Maxymillian Technologies Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction10.12.4 Maxymillian Technologies Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)10.12.5 Maxymillian Technologies Inc. Recent Development13.13 Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc.10.13.1 Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc. Company Details10.13.2 Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue10.13.3 Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction10.13.4 Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)10.13.5 Moonstone Construction & Development, Inc. Recent Development13.14 Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc.10.14.1 Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc. Company Details10.14.2 Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue10.14.3 Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction10.14.4 Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)10.14.5 Capital Environmental Enterprises Inc. Recent Development13.15 Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc10.15.1 Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc Company Details10.15.2 Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc Business Overview and Its Total Revenue10.15.3 Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc Ecological Contractor Introduction10.15.4 Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)10.15.5 Woodbourn Lawn & Garden, Inc Recent Development13.16 REMSA Inc.10.16.1 REMSA Inc. Company Details10.16.2 REMSA Inc. Business Overview and Its Total Revenue10.16.3 REMSA Inc. Ecological Contractor Introduction10.16.4 REMSA Inc. Revenue in Ecological Contractor Business (2015-2020)10.16.5 REMSA Inc. Recent Development

14Analysts Viewpoints/Conclusions

15Appendix15.1 Research Methodology15.1.1 Methodology/Research Approach15.1.2 Data Source15.2 Disclaimer15.3 Author Details

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Global Ecological Contractor Market 2020 Report Focused on Top Manufacturers, Developments, Growth Opportunities and Forecast to 2026 - 3rd Watch News

SOUTHLAKE, Texas, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Artisan Design Group ("ADG"), a portfolio company of The Sterling Group, today announced the acquisition of Value Plus Flooring, LLC ("Value Plus" or the "Company"). ADG is a dealer of flooring products and services, providing design, procurement, installation and quality control of flooring and complementary products for homebuilders and multi-family developers.

Value Plus is a leading provider of installation services for flooring and complementary products, primarily serving multi-family new construction and multi-family relay/aftermarket segments. Headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, the Company serves the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region and surrounding areas, and has been a trusted partner to its general contractor, multi-family developer and homebuilder customers since 1996.

"Value Plus' established presence in the industry and strong customer relationships are a welcomed addition to Artisan Design Group and we look forward to partnering with them," said Larry Barr and Wayne Joseph, Co-CEOs of ADG. "The Company will help ADG build scale and extend our national reach to the Midwest region, allowing us to better serve our multi-family customers."

Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, ADG operates more than 90 distribution, design and service facilities and coordinates installation through over 1,300 independent contractors across 17 states. ADG was formed in 2016 through the combination of Floors Inc. and Malibu Floors. The acquisition of Value Plus represents ADG's sixth acquisition over the past thirteen months under Sterling's ownership. The company has completed fourteen total acquisitions since its founding in 2016. ADG continues to seek local and regional market leaders to add to its family of flooring specialists.

About The Sterling Group

Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 56 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $10.0 billion. Currently, Sterling has over $2.0 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit http://www.sterling-group.com.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artisan-design-group-a-portfolio-company-of-the-sterling-group-completes-the-acquisition-of-value-plus-301015791.html

SOURCE The Sterling Group

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Artisan Design Group, a Portfolio Company of The Sterling Group, Completes the Acquisition of Value Plus - Yahoo Finance

Filling offices, cubicles, and spilling into the hallways of theold Ralph Lauren headquarters in New York, the SPRING/BREAK Art Showdid not disappoint in its ninth year with the over-the-top installations for which the fair has become known.

The theme for this years fair, as selected by founders and directors Andrew Gori and Ambre Kelly, is IN EXCESS. And given the fairs penchant for elaborate, immersive presentations in unconventional environments, its no surprise that artists and curators embraced this brief wholeheartedly.

Here are nine of the most show-stopping installations at this years fair.

Super Future Kid Two for Me, None for You: A Narrative on Excess and Wishful Thinking,curated by Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami, andCh Morales. Photo by Sam Sachs.

Steffi Super Future Kid Homa has turned her corner of SPRING/BREAK into a candy-colored fantasy land that guests enter through a giant gingerbread house, built from 300 cookie bricks and expandingpolyurethane foam icing.

The artist, who conceives of her surreal paintings as sort of emotional self-portraits, created all new work for the occasion, inspired by the medieval poem The Land of Cockaigne.

Its a meditation on excess and abundance and how this belief in the possibility of abundance can bring hope, gallerist Mindy Solomon told Artnet News.

The gallery enlisted curator Ch Morales, a SPRING/BREAK veteran known for presenting immersive installations, to help design the booth, which features toadstool beanbag chairs and a bright red bridge over a pink stream. Adding to the feeling of bounty, the floor has been covered with 2,500 pounds of salt, which reads as sugar in Super Future Kids candy land paradise. Her paintings are priced between $4,500 and $8,000.

Artist Jeila Gueramian and curator Emily McElwreath with Jeila Gueramian: Belly of the Beast,curated by Sidel & McElwreath at SPRING/BREAK 2020. Photo by Sarah Cascone.

At the entrance to the fairs 10th floor, you cant miss Jeila Gueramians massive crochet installationBelly of the Beast. The piece is a cacophony of pattern and color that opens up to a darkened cave where you can sit in a cozy swing. Its an opportunity to get away from the stress of the fair, if only for a moment.

Its a womb-like space have a meditative experience within this excess, co-curator Emily McElwreath told Artnet News.

Gueramian went to art school, but only recently returned to making work after starting to raise her children. I came to this through craft, just making things for my family, she said. I decided to merge the two worlds.

In a commentary on waste, the artist incorporates found textiles into the work, giving fabrics a second life. The work is site-specific, but could be reconfigured to suit any space, should you wish to buy it for a cool $25,000.

Artist Jen Dwyer and artist Lauren Hirshfield with Jen Dwyer: Dreamers Delight at SPRING/BREAK 2020. Photo by Sarah Cascone.

Growing up in Oakland, Jen Dwyer saw a lot of ceramic art. I didnt realize until I was in my 20s that it was considered a minor art form, she told Artnet News. Now, her work in the medium looks to shatter gender hierarchies.

Her booth at SPRING/BREAK harkens back to the age of rococo, presenting her ceramics in a beautiful parlor space, table set for an elegant afternoon tea. During the rococo period, porcelain was called white gold, said Dwyer, pointing out how well the historical opulence ties into the fairs theme of excess.

We wanted to challenge that notion of ceramics as a lower value object, added curator Lauren Hishfield, who has priced the work at $1502,000.

Though the space is feminine and beautiful at first blush, a closer inspection reveals quirky, unsettling details, like the disembodied, witchy-looking blue finger on the tarot cards at each place setting, or the sprawling, cartoon-like female nude on the ornate vase centerpiece.

Kate Klingbeil: Burrowed curated by Rachel Frank, Kristen Racaniello, and Jacob Rhodes for Field Projects at SPRING/BREAK 2020. Photo courtesy of Field Projects.

Kate Klingbeils paintings already leap off the canvas, populated with sculptural elements she makes from molding paste and acrylic paint.

At SPRING/BREAK, shes extended that approach to the entirety of her booth with a 3-D mural that transports the viewer underground, to the secret world of ants, roots, and small burrowing mammals.

I was doing this residency and you had to do 12 hours of physical labor, Klingbeil said of her inspiration. I was doing a lot of digging in the dirt.

She sees the underground as an unappreciated wellspring of life. The female energy is a big part of the work,Klingbeil added.

The booth was fast on its way to selling out during the fairs VIP hours, butKlingbeils mural, at least, will live on. The artist will reuse the sculpted elements, returning them to her cache until the opportunity arises to incorporate them into another canvas, each painting almost serving as a backdrop for an elaborate choreographed dance.

I have a large collection that I pull fromits constantly evolving, she explained. Each work is essentially a collage made out of paint.

Jessica Lichtenstein: Do They Make a Sound? curated by Indira Cesarine for the Untitled Space at SPRING/BREAK 2020. Photo courtesy of the Untitled Space.

Jessica Lichtenstein may have the most Instagram-friendly booth at the fair, with pink leaves piled up on the floor against a backdrop of white birch trees with pink foliage reflecting in a serene lake. But look a little closer, and youll see theres a deeper message.

Each leaf in the digitally painted scene is actually a womans body, a 3-D model that Lichtenstein has posed in thousands of positions, falling from the trees to the ground below. She was inspired by the old saying if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? The question Lichtenstein poses harkens back to the old problem of he-said-she-saidif a man and a woman have an intimate encounter and come away with two different stories about what happened, who do you believe?

On each tree, the artists has written relevant messages, replacing carved initials with quotes about women from pornography, Donald Trump, Harvey Weinstein, and even romantic poetry. These are the mixed messages were sending to each other,Lichtenstein said.

Though Lichenstein works on a computer, she hand-dyed and cut the mulberry paper leavesalso in the shape of female silhouettesthat add an interactive element to the space, which decorates both the walls and floor. Smaller versions of the scene are available for sale in the form of acrylicface mounted prints, priced at $8003,600.

Its the artists biggest installation to dateshes done wallpaper before, but this is the first time Ive done the whole floor, leaves, a room that I dont want to leave ever!

Ali Shrago-Spechler: Eine Friedliche Industriecurated by Tahl Mayer at SPRING/BREAK 2020. Photo by Sarah Cascone.

Ali Shrago-Spechler trained as a painter before moving into sculpture and performance art. Now, cardboard and papier-mch represents yet another new direction for the artist. We had moved and there were tons of boxes, curator Tahl Mayer,Shrago-Spechlers husband, told Artnet News. Rather than letting it go to waste, she started to play with it.

At SPRING/BREAK, the artist has built an entire cardboard environment in which to house her sculptures, creating a maze inside former cubicle spaces.Shrago-Spechler envisions the installation as a period room, imagining what her Jewish familys home in Karlruhe, Germany, might have looked like before they fled for the US in 1938.

Shrago-Spechlers grandmother always refused to talk about life in the old country. With this patchwork of cardboard, shes rediscovering her familys past, Mayer said. Shesconstructing this using her own memory and through research.

The works start at just $200we honestly struggled with how to price cardboard! said Mayer.

Bobby Anspach:Place for Continuous Eye Contact curated by BRIC, Brooklyn, at SPRING/BREAK 2020. Photo by Taylor Maatman.

Dont be alarmed by the somewhat clinical feel of Bobby Anspachs installation Place for Continuous Eye Contact. The interactive artwork requires lying down on a hospital bed to view it, but dont worry, you wont be undergoing medical testing. The piece is designed to induce a deep meditative state by gazing into a mirror, staring continuously at your own eye for three and a half minutes. (Yes, youll have to wait in line to check it out.)

Anspach first became intrigued by the strange effects of continuous eye contact during an acid trip, and then became aware of Eastern traditions of eye contact meditation. His series ofContinuous Eye Contact workswhich you may have spotted at SPRING/BREAKs 2018 edition or at last yearsPortal: Governors Islandseek to heighten the experience with a score commissioned from composer Eluvium, a pulsating light show, and by filling the rest of ones field of vision with brightly colored pom poms.

The piece, which Anspach estimates features some 4,000 LED lights and 10,000 pom poms, is for sale for $100,000.

Valery Estabrook, The Impeachmint curated by Ambre Kelly and Andrew Gori at SPRING/BREAK 2020. Photo by Sammy Sachs Photography.

SPRING/BREAK veteran Valery Estabrook is serving double duty at this years fair, curating a booth by Kat Ryals while presenting her own project The Impeachmint. Since 2018, Estabrook has been designing and manufacturing commemorative coins to immortalize the misdeeds of President Donald Trump and his administration.

She was inspired by Trumps apparent fascination with making his own commemorative coins, which you can buy on the White House gift website(there was even one made for a North Korean peace talk that saw the US walk away from negotiations). These coins are basically pure propaganda, Estabrook told Artnet News.

Her concern was that with the current 24/7 news cycle, every two weeks theres a new scandal and the last scandal gets buried. Estabrook wanted to make a literal, material, factual record of events that cant be ignored.

To that end, there is no commentary on the coins, just factual descriptions of actual events, like a coin that lists every single lie told on the job by former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee-Sanders, or another that lists the Trump campaign operatives, including Donald Trump Jr., Paul Manafort, and Jared Kushner, who attended that infamous Trump Tower meeting with Russian operatives looking to undermine Hillary Clintons campaign.

You can buy the full set of Impeachmint coins for $1,200, or individual ones from $90 to $250.

It was Gori and Kellys idea to present the work in an installation format. I thought the most natural setting would be a collectible shop, said Estabrook, who designed the store to feel like small town America, dusty and dated. Shes carefully considered every detaileven the video tapes for sale are clues to her feelings about Trump, with titles likeClueless.

Alonsa Guevara with her installation Alumbrados por la Misma Luna (Lit by the Same Moon), curated by Anna Zorina Gallery, New York, at SPRING/BREAK 2020. Photo by Sarah Cascone.

Born in Chile and raised in Ecuador, New York-based artist Alonsa Guevara has drawn on childhood memories for her SPRING/BREAK installation, which transforms a drab Midtown office into a moonlit jungle on the edge of the ocean, with palm trees, sand and seashells surrounding her paintings. The artist has covered the windows with black fabric, save for a single cutout that allows the light of the presentations titular moon to shine through.

I thought SPRING/BREAK would be about the excess of the contemporary world, but this is the natural excess that I think people should embrace, said Guevara.

Her paintings range from $1,500 to $22,000, topping out with a large-scale self portrait. But Guevara wants her figures, seen in the darkness under moonlight, to read as universal. Theres more of a tribal feeling, and they all blend with nature world, she explained. It means were all the same, in the end.

The SPRING/BREAK Art Show NYC will be on view at625 Madison Avenue, New York, March 49, 2020.

Excerpt from:
Here Are 9 of the Zaniest Installations at SPRING/BREAK 2020, From a Candy-Colored Fantasy Land to a Moonlit Jungle - artnet News