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Make sure you consider living in Utrecht if you are moving to the Netherlands. Already voted as one of the best and happiest places to live not only in the Netherlands, but in the whole world, the countrys fourth largest city is an impressive hometown choice.

Here are some reasons why.

One of the most outstanding characteristics of Utrecht is the fact that you can easily make your way around town. It is a smaller city that you can quickly see on foot, with abundant walkways.

As one expects in the Netherlands, it is also very friendly for bicyclists. It came in second for the most cycling-friendly city in the world. Also, the city has built the world's largest bicycle parking stationwith 12,500 available spots to park bikes.

Utrecht was voted the fourth happiest place in the world by a BBC travel report. Given its size, life in Utrecht feels quite easy-going, especially with the outstanding city center Zocherpark, a kilometer-long park with the famous Lepelenburg bridge. Its proximity to other international cities also makes it one of the best places to live, with good connections by rail and access to four major Dutch highways. The city sits just 40 minutes from Schiphol Airport.

It provides the out of city feel while also offering proximity and a great social life. From here, it is also quite easy to access the Dutch countryside.

Another distinctive reason why you should rent an apartment in Utrecht is the notable canals in the city. The canals have existed in the city since early 1800. At that time, they were used as trading routes. Warehouses were built along the canals to store goods offloaded from the boats traversing the waterways.

Today, these warehouses built many years ago are now restaurants and nightclubs. They offer a great ambience to guests and revellers. Restaurants have set up their outdoor seats right next to the canals and guests can enjoy the fresh air and the sound of water as they enjoy their coffee.

Away from Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, Utrecht offers the true picture of Dutch culture. Amsterdam is more of an international city with a mix of cultures and lots of expatriates.

Utrecht, on the other hand, provides a deeper sense of Dutch culture and lifestyle you wont find in the capital city. There are plenty of opportunities to learn the Dutch language in Utrecht, with classes offered at all levels to small private groups and in university classrooms alike.You can also enjoy the Dutch food from the numerous cafes and restaurant squares and live in several neighborhoods that are mostly car-free.

Utrecht has been in existence for a long time. It has a rich history that is easily visible from the design of the city. It was fortified and the canal outside the city center was part of its defences. Following that route created when the city became more open allows you to quickly navigate around it, focusing on the tallest building within the city center known as the Dom Tower.

Dom Tower is also the tallest church tower in the Netherlands and the permanent symbol and landmark of Utrecht. With this landmark in a small city, you can hardly get lost.

As a medieval city, Utrecht has been in existence since the 8th century and is still an important cultural center in the Netherlands.

Living in Utrecht ensures that you can quickly hop into a train and you will be in many of the major Netherlands cities in minutes. If you work in any of the major cities of the country, particularly in the Randstad, you can live here and have a short commute to and from work every day.

You are also very close to the Dutch countryside from here. You can catch a train to enjoy the scenery and the vast landscapes out of the city.

The citys central location is one reason why Utrecht has the busiest train station in the Netherlands.

If you are looking to move to Utrecht with your family, you do not have to worry about schools, with many high-quality schools in this quaint city. Public schools in this city are highly acclaimed and offer high-quality education. You will definitely find a good school for your children regardless of their age.

Utrecht University is one of the largest universities in the Netherlands, and the city itself has some 70,000 students enrolled in its eight higher education institutions. Consequently, there are always new faces within the city every year coming to join the university. It also carries significant historical importance and numerous academic achievements and breakthroughs.

As more and more people choose Utrecht over Amsterdam, the city has decided to create additional housing to host the increasing number of residents.

There are several residential estates that are being built for this purpose. They are contemporary in their design but fit in perfectly with the history and age of this beautiful city of Utrecht. They will host more families as more and more expats and immigrants discover more cities in the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Just like the Dom Tower, the Hoog Catharijne is another Utrecht point of interest. It is one of the largest indoor malls around the world.It attracts large amounts of visitors every day, as it is just steps away from Utrecht Central Station. To be fair, some of the residents of the city consider it an eyesore and do not particularly care for it.

These and many more factors encourage a large number of expatriates moving to the Netherlands to consider Utrecht as a viable location to set up their residence. It exposes you to the Dutch culture and is close enough for a short commute to and from work. Further, it is steeped in history and has a busy and fun social life.

See the original post:
Liveability, happiness sets Utrecht apart as a great place to live (sponsored) - NL Times

Hoorah, one more year down the drain and fifty flippin' music releases have been chosen by yours truly! Despite listening to and whittling down my favorites out of a heck ton of full-length albums, EPs, and non-metal releases, there still is music that Im just now catching up on (Cattle Decapitation, Cult of Luna, Diamond Construct, etc.) and wishing I could squeeze in here without disrupting the harmony and order that I methodically tinkered on for too long.

Regardless of the inevitable inability to hear everything that came out in 2019, the below choices should provide good listening for any metalhead. Although my tastes are slightly biased towards prog and metalcore/deathcore, we have releases below in styles of post-hardcore, folk metal, jazz fusion, alternative, some blackened metal here and there, and more. Hope you discover something new you enjoy and here's to a metal-tastic 2020!

P.S. My band, Kinkshamer, released our debut EP this year! If you're a fan of progressive metalcore with some naughty themes, we're on all streaming services.

P.P.S. If you want to listen to all my choices listed below, you can on these Spotify and Apple Music playlists.

A couple years ago, Uneven Structure's La Partitionalmost made my top albums list and as we arrive now at Paragon, they have made enough notable steps forward to start this countdown off. Despite a few vanilla tracks, there are some glorious moments on here that provoke the smooth, sharp attributes of Tesseract or Monuments. Even though the immediate, hard-hitting pieces like "Outlaw," "Jester," and "Hero" will be my go-to songs, consuming all twelve songs consecutively provided the mesmerizing experience that I have missed from the aforementioned acts as of late. Lastly, the archetypes and characters listed throughout the tracklisting struck a chord with me and allowed each piece to have purpose.

Released via Long Branch Records / Listen to "Outlaw" below:

In the first phase of the deathcore era, many of the groups were at a competition to become the most heavy and extreme amalgamation of death metal and hardcore, which was impressive at the time. Nowadays, the novelty of that shtick has worn off and bands in this subgenre need to follow more experimental paths and dedicate time towards stronger songwriting. The Last Ten Seconds of Life is a solid example of gradually increasing the quality of their music with each release, Machina Non Grata being the clear pinnacle so far. At times, the act is relentlessly brutal with pounding snare beats and discordant riffs creating an undeniably intimidating metallic barrage. On the other hand, we see The Last Ten Seconds of Life understanding the give and take relationship in the dynamics of music with pregnant pauses, samples, and actually catchy vocal melodies establishing tension and release.

Self-released / Listen to "Sweet Chin Music" below:

Admittedly, I wasn't initially sold on the metal-absent direction the band has been heading in since Malina. While I do long for the guitar-driven riffs and patterns from Coal and The Congregation, the trail they're currently sauntering down has actually shaped up to be far more interesting. Focusing further on Einar Solberg's stellar vocal range and synth build-ups, Pitfalls is even more calming than Malina, yet is twice as striking. Moody zen-like themes and momentous musical peaks are particularly shown on "Alleviate" and "The Sky is Red."

Released via InsideOutMusic / Review / Listen to "Alleviate" below:

From Israel, Walkways is an alternative/progressive metalcore act that truly caught me off guard and constantly kept dragging me back to listen to the infectious tracks off their latest LP. Catchy singles like "Despair (For Heaven's Sake)" and "Half the Man I Am" fill the charming chorus-laden metalcore void that Bring Me the Horizon left behind since they recently went pop. As you continue through Bleed Out, Heal Out more layers of this monstrous project are unveiled with influences coming from djenty technicality of Periphery and atmospheric elements alike Textures. I will say that this record isn't exactly captivating from front-to-end, however a large majority of these tracks are meritable enough to deserve high praise and an inclusion on this list. In addition, I foresee this as just the beginning of a successful future in the modern core scene.

Released via Nuclear Blast / Listen to "Bleed Out, Heal Out" below:

Last year, Black Tongue landed on my best albums of year list and was easily the heaviest of 2018, if not all time. This year though, Humanity's Last Breath squashes the competition and earned acclaim through the absolute sheer heaviness on Abyssal. Their previous material was effortlessly crushing, but the band didn't rest on their laurels as their recipe of deathcore, djent, and black metal expanded. Inevitably, these styles forged together to create an immense beast of a record. Opener "Bursting Bowel of Tellus" and "Fradga" may be the highlights of the record, but the amount of experimentation in vocal effects, guitar noises, and rhythmic syncopation is constant and vast.

Released via Unique Leader Records / Listen to "Fradga" below:

As previously stated, these albums are included on this list for a myriad of distinct reasons. Impressively enough though, The Rising ticks off every requirement far beyond what I normally expect. "Rosa Alba" and "Rising" unveil an extremely heavy side in the realm of both Meshuggah and Make Them Suffer. Alternatively, "Shadows" and "Set It Off" have a provocative melodic and lyrical impact that should be viewed as no less than enthralling. Most importantly, there is a shocking abundance of variety showcased in The Rising from the metal-pop-punk fusion in "Splinters" and to 90's prog Porcupine Tree-like nostalgia shown via "Another." All in all, Polish progressive metallers Materia are a fresh and an utterly remarkable act that should be on everyone's radar.

Self-released / Listen to "Rosa Alba" below:

I was pretty sold from the get-go with a lineup holding members from bands like Fallujah and Wolf King, who previously hit my best albums lists as well as musicians of Wrvth, Anisoptera, and Behold the Desecration. This debut LP blew me away with how it presents a technical death metal ferocity with such grace. The balance between the abrasive, hefty parts against the clean atmospheric moments is astonishing and a real breath of fresh air.

Self-released / Review / Listen to "Left to Waste" below:

The best part about discovering new bands is you can vividly hear their youthful spirit and abundance of energy through the music. City State contains a heck ton of bombastic metalcore vigor into this debut LP shown via catchy and banging singles "Crooked Walls" and "Wilt." Additionally, I love the range they reveal from the straight-forward moshpit inducer "White Lies" to the melancholic ballad "Reflections."

Released via Famined Records / Listen to "White Lies" below:

I am a huge advocate for the fusion of metal with other country's ethnic folk styles and Motanka's self-titled debut record executes such a unique identity with perfection. Their metal foundation containing prog, sludge, and groove was alluring enough, but once they added the stylistic twist of hammered dulcimer, folk percussion, and soaring melismatic vocals, they reached untouchable heights.

Released via Napalm Records / Listen to "Oy ty moya Zemle" below:

Not only is this record ridiculously heavy, but it's surprisingly a very fun listen. Most deathcore acts strive to simply grind their listeners eardrums into a fine powder, where Angelmaker succeeds in performing the aforementioned action, yet also elegantly pieces together tasty grooves and energizing death growl melodies. In most albums of this style and intensity, my brain is worn out halfway through, however Angelmaker brings forth steel-strong songwriting and sinister atmosphere a plenty, coaxing me deeper into their menacing realm.

Self-released / Listen to "Hollow Heart" below:

These guys seriously blew up this year and they absolutely deserve all the hype they've garnered. Helix is a robust display of this Japanese act's unification of nu metal, djent, and post-hardcore with their metalcore center. And sure, I'm not fully sold on their clean vocal, melodic sections, but Crystal Lake's bold experimentation and understanding of mature song structure already places them on par with other large names in the scene like Northlane or Erra.

Released via SharpTone Records / Listen to "Aeon" below:

After the flacid non-album single "All Out War" and the cringy new masks reveal, I prematurely pinned this record to likely be a disappointing flop. Once the day of release came, my curiosities caved and I dug right in with the intention of rolling my eyes and smugly being correct in my assumptions that the Slipknot bubble had finally popped. Roughly five songs in and my attitude shifted. Songs like "Solway Firth," "Unsainted," "Birth of the Cruel," and "Orphan" stand out as the hard-hitting radio rotators, yet the most significant elements on here are the cohesion and experimentation. Slow burner "A Liar's Funeral" and piano-based "Spiders" are one of a kind tracks in Slipknot's discography and pinpoints the band stepping out of their comfort zone. While We Are Not Your Kind does not stand toe to toe with the group's first three records, I would take this latest LP over .5: The Gray Chapter and All Hope is Gone any day.

Released via Roadrunner Records / Review / Listen to "Solway Firth" below:

Alike Motanka, Myrath's strengths lay in their ethnic fusion. Their layering of chanted vocals, lush string orchestration, and grandiose production teleports you to their fantastical world. I found many similarities to Orphaned Land's Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs within Shehili, however Myrath is still very much so capable of maintaining a unique style shown by their biting vocal hooks and gut-punching riffs. The compositional expertise displayed throughout this record had my attention grabbed the whole time.

Released via earMusic / Listen to "No Holding Back" below:

Born of Osiris' debut EP The New Reign will always remain my all-time favorite release by the band as well as a monument in the Sumerian-core/progressive metalcore scene. With each release, the band strayed from the creative qualities shown on that EP, yet on this mini-album, they find their footing once again. While there is comparability to the previously mentioned EP on The Simulation, this album is overalla best of both worlds for all Born of Osiris fans, shown in the duality of the catchy singles "The Accursed" or Under the Gun" akin to Tomorrow We Die Alive or Soul Sphere paired with the experimental and beefed up tracks "Disconnectome," "Analogs in a Cell," or "Silence the Echo" that harken The New Reign or The Discovery likeness.

Released via Sumerian Records / Review / Listen to "Silence the Echo" below:

The past couple Thank You Scientist albums have been pretty impressive, but never engaged me enough to warrant becoming a full-fledged fan. Terraformer completely changed my outlook on this project however. For starters, the songwriting was stepped up ten whole notches on this record, with hooks never ceasing to bounce around my head all day. The choruses of "FXMLDR" or "Everyday Ghosts" were pure earworms. Simultaenously, the songs are capable of building up tension through varied rhythms and boisterous horn sections. If you're keen on jazz-fusion, prog rock, and falsetto vocal styles all packed together in a very cinematic and explosive package, this LP is perfect for you.

Released via Evil Ink Records / Review / Listen to "Swarm" below:

With the band's debut record, Chromaparagon, being an excellent execution of lively and unconventional clash of progressive metal and alternative rock, I was a bit concerned that this follow-up wouldn't be as capable of possessing such playful and bewildering artistic leaps. Luckily, I was proven wrong. All eleven songs on here show Moon Tooth exploring new territory in heavy strides from the galloping hard rock speed of "Omega Days" and "Awe at all Angles" to the climactic and crushing outro of the ballad-esque title track. In the past, comparisons of Mastodon or Mars Volta arose for this band, but Crux is concrete evidence that Moon Tooth are now in a league of their own.

Released via Pure Noise Records / Review / Listen to "Musketeers" below:

With the dissolution of the Devin Townsend Project, I had some worries about the direction of Devy's next release considering those members have been seemingly crucial in his recent output. More-so though, I was head over heels curious about what was in store with all the hype and mystery that surrounded Empath prior to any material surfacing. Once the "Genesis" single emerged, I was convinced this would be a magnificent record and upon taking the full album in, I was even more overwhelmed by the wide stylistic spectrum squeezed inside, shown mostly by the aforementioned genre stew "Genesis" as well as the intense Strapping Young Lad-esque "Hear Me" contrasting with the ambient-electronic rock piece "Sprite." It's safe to say that a large majority of Devin's discography has an emotional element attached, even if disguised behind layers of faux-machismo or humor, yet Empath feels to be his most vulnerable and mature through lyrical content within "Spirits Will Collide" or "Why?" Empath is without a doubt a new chapter in the dynamic timeline that is Devin Townsend and I stay true with other prog fans when I say this is an exceptionally exciting new step.

Released via HevyDevy Records, InsideOutMusic / Review / Listen to "Genesis" below:

I'd consider it common knowledge throughout the metal world that Meshuggah is one of the most impactful and influential giants of modern extreme metal. Yet, there comes a time where a ruler must fall and is replaced with a more apt and powerful force. With past releases, I've viewed Car Bomb as a Meshuggah-lite, however, considering the lackluster previous release of Meshuggah and the emergence of such a catastrophically heavy and breathtaking beast that is Mordial, it is clear that Car Bomb just took the gold medal. This LP shows the band taking their style to a bold new level, conjuring up an insane concoction of sporadic Deftones-meets-The Dillinger Escape Plan compositions. Mordial is a landmark in the metal genre, pushing forward experimentation, heaviness, and cohesion to the new extreme.

Released via Holy Roar Records, Solid Grey Publishing / Listen to "Scattered Sprites" below:

Modern prog rock/metal can be a hit or miss with all the experimental elements and unconventionality at play. On Descender though, Puerto Rican act Avandra hits a clear homerun with every musical characteristic meshing together in such beautiful unison. There is melodic mastery at play in vocalist Christian Ayala's deliveries allowing for the most uplifting and emotionally moving crescendos. On top of that, the guitar and piano work resembles that of Porcupine Tree and Dream Theater in an equally nostalgic and virtuosic fashion. Every single note in this LP serves a purpose, lulling you down into the melancholic depths before boosting you to the astounding heights in an overall mesmerizing journey. Clearly this album is far from being one of the heaviest releases of the year, but Avandra proves that a unique and clever approach to songwriting, phrasing, and atmosphere can be far more stunning and significant.

Released via Blood Music / Listen to "Even//You" below:

I recall discovering this project a couple years ago from their "Nazareth" music video and being absolutely blown away by the vocalist's angelic croons that perfectly complimented the pop and electronic rock soundscapes. But the eruptive climax that truly hammered the nail in the coffin of my obsession was of course the djent-y and down-tuned breakdown finale. Although "Nazareth" continues to be one of my favorite tracks by Sleep Token, Sundowning is proof of an even sleeker and more varied collection of heavenly, yet heavy compositions. Granted, this isn't 100% a metal album considering a chunk of these tracks stick to musical traits of ambient, indie, pop, electronic, etc., but to an extent, that's the beauty and appeal of Sleep Token. Songs like "Levitate" and "Sugar" will harness the somber energy of Bon Iver or Hozier where "Gods," "Higher," and "The Offering" can slam as hard as Deftones' Diamond Eyes era or even Vildhjarta. If that contrast isn't the embodiment of ground-breaking progression within not only the metal genre, but music as a whole, than I don't know what is. Treat yourself by giving this full record an immersive listen and be blessed by Sundowning. Join the worshippers, you won't regret it.

Released via Silent Room Recordings, Spinefarm Records / Listen to "The Offering" below:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

15. With Our Arms to the Sun The Mogollon Monster (a bit softer and more meandering than its predecessor, yet nonetheless a meaty continuation of their previous post-metal masterpiece Orenda)

Self-released / Listen to "Rebirth"

14. Vintersea Illuminated (one of the most endearing aspects of metal is the aspect of contrast and the cold black metal movements side by side with truly beautifully melodic, prog metal parts is certainly commendable on this six-song record)

Released via M-Theory Audio / Listen to "Old Ones"

13. Raiju Non Sequitur (one mustgive praise to a band that crams hardcore, prog, pop punk, and death metal together into one Coheed and Cambria reminiscent record)

Self-released / Review / Listen to "Silk & Gold"

12. Artificial Language Now We Sleep (I'd predict that this band's best material is ahead of them, but for now, their proggy Tesseract-like djent tendencies had some serious eyebrow-raising moments within this LP)

Self-released / Review / Listen to "Trail of Lights"

11. Cemican In Ohtli Teoyohtica in Miquiztli (if you're a fan of the "tribal" energy that Sepultura brought to death metal in their earlier years, you'll dig this Mexican act for their folk metal fusion)

Released via M-Theory Audio / Listen to "Guerreros de Cemican"

10. Babymetal Metal Galaxy (while maybe not as consistent as their two previous records, this new album's most interesting endeavors is the cultural diversity with themes of jazz, Indian, and Latin music thrown into the compositional process of stand-out songs)

Released via Amuse Inc., Cooking Vinyl, earMusic, Toy's Factory / Review / Listen to "Pa Pa Ya"

9. Shredhead Live Unholy (based out of Israel, this record redefined modern thrash for me, as if Slayer was actually exciting in 2019)

Released via Legend Recordings / Listen to "Overshadows"

8. Arctic Sleep Kindred Spirits (holding the same chugging and lulling energy as their past output, this new material is perfect for long road trips)

Self-released / Listen to "Meadows"

7. Revillusion Heart(less) (holding nostalgia to industrial big names like Marilyn Manson and Ministry as well as holding an A-team of guest musicians, this project was thoroughly solid and overlooked)

Self-released / Review / Listen to "Pure Pollution"

6. Bent Knee You Know What They Mean (seeing them perform live while opening for Thank You Scientist this year was what really hooked me on this act and even though the material might be a tad bit more kick-ass on stage than on record, this LP still packs a wildly progressive punch)

Released via InsideOutMusic / Listen to "Bone Rage"

5. Sitar Metal Sitar Metal (a bit self-explanatory, this sitar-driven six-song release breaks boundaries between the Western and Eastern world and I'm excited for what will now come forth with the floodgates open)

Self-released / Listen to "When Time Stands Still"

4. Antagony Ashes (I unfortunately missed out when these guys were active in the scene over a decade ago, but this sporadic material proves that they haven't aged in either intensity or songwriting abilities one bit)

Self-released / Review / Listen to "Ashes"

3. Helms Alee Noctiluca (ever since the Sleepwalking Sailors record, I've been hooked on their Mastodon-like prog/sludge sound and they continue to impress, expanding their vocal harmonies and melodies)

Released via Sargent House / Listen to "Interachnid"

2. Porn The Darkest of Human Desires, Act II (the longer I listened to this record, the more I realized how layered and diverse this band had from radio-friendly industrial Marilyn Manson tunes to slow-paced Type O Negative grooves)

Released via Les Disques Rubicon / Review / Listen to "Here for Love"

1. The Odious Vesica Piscis (my gut feeling says to compare this act to Between the Buried and Me for their weird factor taking the front of the stage, but at the end of the day, this album exemplifies their experimental, yet unique identity)

Self-released / Listen to "Repugnant"

EPs:

10. Dealer Soulburn(a real strong djenty metalcore debut from a band that's definitely heading places)

Released via Stay Sick Recordings / Listen to "Pretty Stupid"

9. Landless Moonflower (this Slovakian post-hardcore act evokes the quirks and hooks of Dance Gavin Dance)

Released via Famined Records / Listen to "Blooming Mind"

8. Abyss Above Doombound (also from Slovakia, this group's mesh of black metal and deathcore is undoubtedly slamming and memorable)

Self-released / Listen to "Flesh Exposed"

7. Muldrotha Where Terror Thrives (with members from The Zenith Passage, Fallujah, Decrepit Birth, etc., this short, but sweet deathcore release has my appetite ready for more)

Self-released / Listen to "Sanctum"

6. Somewhere to Call Home Panic Disorder (I'm pretty excited to see what this band will evolve into considering their current nu-metalcore style may not be exactly groundbreaking, but is certainly solid)

Self-released / Listen to "Leech"

5. To Be Gentle L'autre Cote de Peur (if you ever felt like your relaxing post-rock jams needed a bit more of a raw, hardcore edge, this band found the perfect dynamic balance between the two seemingly contradictory subgenres)

Released via Gamut Records / Listen to "Flesh and Blood, Bone and Dream"

4. Treehouse Burning Suffering (harnessing the electronicore energy of older Enter Shikari and the zaniness of Sikth, this South African act's EP is a far more engaging metalcore execution)

Self-released / Listen to "Krasitam"

3. The Contortionist Our Bones (with their somewhat lackluster Clairvoyant album, I started to be a bit concerned about the future of this band, but these three tracks and a cover genuinely revived my perspective of The Contortionist)

Released via eOne / Review / Listen to "Early Grave"

2. Jinjer Micro (not to infer that this Ukranian progcore's Macro LP that just recently came out was a complete disappointment, but this EP was far superior and consistently enjoyable with catchy djent tunes on full display)

Released via Napalm Records / Review / Listen to "Ape"

1. Hive The Mirthless Kind (I previously mentioned Humanity's Last Breath being the heaviest LP of the year, but this massive beast is granted heaviest EP of 2019)

Self-released / Listen to "Bellow"

NON-METAL:

5. Clipping There Existed an Addiction to Blood (experimental rap)

Released via Sub Pop Records / Listen to "Blood of the Fang"

Read the rest here:
Riley's Top 20 Albums of 2019 - Metal Injection.net

Petrol and diesel vehicles will be unable to access the street which will only be available to pedestrians, cyclists and electric vehicles.Beech Street,which runs under the popular Barbican Estate,will see the ban introduced from Spring 2020 under newproposalsfrom the City of London.

The legislation will be enforced across the whole day in the first instance of a blanket ban for polluting vehicles in the UK.

Vehicles which are not fully electric ordo nothave the capability to drive in zero-emissions will violate the zone andmotoristscan be charged up to 130.

The charges can be reduced to 65ifthey are paid within two weeks.

Automatic number plate recognition cameras will monitor which vehicles have entered the zone and will assess whethertheyfall within the regulations.

READ MORE:Bristol to become the first British city to ban diesel vehicles

The City of London says restrictions will be in place for up to 18 months before a final decision is introduced regarding the long-term future of the project.

A successful trial could see further measures introduced across the City of London to reduce carbon pollution.

Jeremy Simmons, chairman of the City of London Corporation's environment committee said: Drastically reducing air pollution requires radical actions and these plans will help us eliminate toxic air on our streets.

Nobody should have to breathe in dirty air and we will continue to take bold and ambitious steps to ensure that the health of Londoners is protected.

Emergency vehicles will be exempt from the ban which has been installed to reduce pollution across the popular thoroughfare.

The enclosed nature of the road means the area experienceshigh levelsof air pollution and the scheme hopes to reduce this to withinWorld Health Organisation (WHO)targets.

While motorists and locals could be caught out with the changes,the City of London Corporation has confirmed an information campaign will be visible long before restrictions come into effect.

The marketing campaign will include street signing, social media updates and direct discussion with major companies situated around the area.

Streets and Walkways Sub Committee Chairman, Oliver Sells QC said: This is a groundbreaking scheme by the City of London Corporation.

It will bring substantial health benefits to those who live and work in the Barbican area, and will also help reduce noise pollution.

The experimental scheme will be enforced using the latest in smart camera technology and I hope it will be the first of many other schemes like this.

However, many locals attacked the introduction of the scheme on social media withsomesuggesting the new legislation was"stupid".

One user posted: So Vehicles that emit emissions will have to travel further in more congested roads creating additional emissions. Groundbreaking stupidity!

Another added: So you're going to close a non-residential tunnel and displace the traffic on to Banner street.

The residents are gonna love the increase in traffic driving past theyre front doors 24/7."(sic)

The City of London Corporation has also backed proposals to turn part of the popular Square Mile into a zero-emission zone by 2022.

The proposals would also see the speed limit cut to just 15miles per hour (mph)to help reduce the number of pollutants exiting vehicles.

The proposals are alongside the Mayor of LondonsUltra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)scheme which charges up to 12.50 extra per day on polluting cars, vans and motorbikes.

More here:
Petrol & diesel cars to be banned from this popular UK road in first zero-emissions street - Express

The National Economic Council (NEC) is considering the investment of N2 trillion Contributory Pension Funds in the development of infrastructure including roads, rail and power.

Nigerias Pension Funds has grown to N9.44 trillion, according to the pension monthly summary report for August released on October 15, 2019.

Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, while briefing State House Correspondents after the NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja said: Up to 20 per cent of the pension funds under the current law can be used for infrastructure.

NEC is expected to receive a final report from the sub-committee early next year.

NEC comprises the 36 state governors, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Minister of Finance, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and some other government officials.

According to the Kebbi State governor, who was joined at the briefing by the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, the mechanism has been used successfully in other countries.

He said: So today, the sub-committee presented an interim report where they advised on some of the issues that came up while deliberating.

Of particular note was that other countries have been using the same mechanism South Africa, Saudi Arabia and others have been using their pension funds and sovereign wealth authorities investment process to create platform for development.

So, the committee is reported and identified potential road infrastructure, infrastructure in the power, rail sectors that can be funded through this mechanism.

They noted that this years budget, for example, has N169 billion for roads across the federation and is grossly inadequate. But with this mechanism, maybe up to N2 trillion can be accessed and leveraged upon.

At the NEC meeting, there was a review of the performance of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority and we are all impressed about experience they had gained in the last few years and their performance.

And it was decided that a committee be set up on how we can leverage on that performance to create a platform where pension funds can be used for infrastructure development in a safe manner, so that there will earn long term returns for the pension funds while also helping to build Nigerias infrastructure, Bagudu noted.

NEC has set up a sub-committee to see how pension funds can be used for infrastructure development as provided for by the Pensions Reform Act.

Speaking further, Bagudu said NEC also received the interim report of the of the Nasir el-Rufai sub-committee to consider the ownership structure of Electricity Power Distribution Company.

The Council discussed that since the privatization of Electricity Power Distribution Company that at least 40 per cent that was meant to be for the states government and federal government have not been so distributed.

Therefore, a committee was set up to review the status/ownership of those shares that have not been distributed and report back to NEC, he explained.

He confirmed that council received a presentation by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, titled evaluation options going forward.

You may recall that 10 years ago, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company was created and it is owned by federal, states and local governments. They had 10 completed generating plants and two others that are in the process of being completed generating about 4,500 megawatts.

The board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company and shareholders, who are the governors and local government chairmen, reviewed the options going forward because in the design of this company, the assets were supposed to be privatised.

The options were discussed and members of the NEC advised to study the presentation so that at more opportune time, NEC can review the presentation and take whatever necessary steps henceforth, he added.

The Finance Minister informed NEC on the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) which she said stood at $324.967 million as at 19th November, 2019.

Ahmed said the balance in the Stabilisation Account as at 17th of December, 2019 was N30.479billion while the Natural Resource Fund, still at the same date, is N88.283 billion.

Meanwhile, yesterdays NEC meeting reviewed the security situation in the country and concluded that security had improved generally across Nigeria.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the NEC sub-committee on security presented the report on security situation to the session.

The committee is chaired by the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the Fayemi committee, which has the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, and other heads of security agencies as members, reported that there was a reduction in proliferation of small arms as a result of the closure of the countrys land borders.

The committee also reported that states were advised to set up on zonal basis, security trust funds to help address security challenges.

Community policing is also important as a means of engaging our youths and reducing youth unemployment in the country, he said.

He added that the NEC also looked into the dispute between the Ministry of Mines and some states over access to mining sites and recommended that the ministry should do more advocacy.

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Sanusi given two days to accept appointment as head of Kano chiefs' - New Telegraph Newspaper

Acoustic Geometry's line of Pro and Home Room Packs can be used to control the negative effects of bad room acoustics.

One of the most complex and misunderstood subjects in the electronics industry is acoustics.

A case could be made that electronics companies arent helping the cause with the development of equalization programs that are touted to solve these acoustics issues in an almost turnkey fashion.

The best or perhaps most proven way to deal with acoustical issues is through the combination of absorption and diffusion acoustical products, as well as smartly applied equalization when necessary.

Providing integrators with a choice of prepackaged room kits that are designed to service specific room sizes in the residential and commercial markets, Acoustic Geometrys line of Pro and Home Room Packs can be used for everything from home theaters to podcast studios.

SendingCE Proits Home Room Pack 3, we installed this kit in our multimedia studio space where we test AV components and shoot our videos.

Acoustic Geometry offers its Pro and Home Room Packs in preconfigured sizes with a limited choice of colors. The size of the packages allows integrators to choose the appropriate solution for a specific size room without having to pass on the cost of unneeded products to homeowners.

The bundles combine products that provide phase-coherent diffusion, along with absorbing panels and solutions that are designed to minimize low-frequency modal issues.

Looking specifically at the Home Room Pack 3 bundle, it comes with six 22-foot 1-inch absorber panels; four 24-foot 2-inch absorber panels, and a pair of small-curve diffusors that measure 14.5 inches by 42 inches by 5 inches.

Explaining the inclusion of the Small Curve Diffusors, Acoustic Geometry says these products are engineered to scatter sound energy to produce a more balanced listening space. The absorption panels act as the name impliesthey absorb acoustic energy to minimize the effect of echoes and reverberation.

Utilizing the training that I took from the Home Acoustics Alliance (HAA) and THX, as well as the past experience I have from designing other rooms, I took an approach with the studio space to make the room less reverberant for better voice intelligibility, and to support a smoother bottom end for audio playback.

Before I installed the products, I measured the room using the Audio Tools app on my iPhone XR and pink noise test tones from Rives Audio. This enabled me to take a snapshot of what is going on in the room acoustically before the addition of the Acoustic Geometry products.

After documenting my before measurements from 20Hz all the way up to 20kHz I had found in our square room (square rooms are not conducive to good sound reproduction) is that we had boomy low frequencies and a really pronounced midrange/upper midrange.

Getting into the install process, the panels hang easily enough through the use of the included mounting accessories like drywall anchors. The only tools I used were a tape measure and a drill with screwdriver tips. If I felt it was necessary, I also could have used a stud finder if I thought there were concerns about the weight of the panels and the durability of the panels once they were mounted.

Following the before measurements, I strategically placed the panels in our AV room with the goal of improving the sound of our videos and Q&As, which are done with the use of an InFocus interactive display.

Install times will vary depending on the size of the room and the exact acoustic package, but with that being said, these acoustic packages shouldnt take too long to install when hanging on standard drywall.

Measuring the room after I had installed the panels revealed they did work to minimize the boominess of low frequencies from about 25Hz to 125Hz.

Considering the price of the package and the relatively small investment in the installation of the panels, theres no doubt the package provides proven results that realistically cost less than the esoteric, snake-oil products that so-called audiophile companies often market.

The Acoustic Geometry panels also minimized some room dimension effects in the midrange and upper midrange areas where I measured spikes at 800K and 1.6kHz.

In addition, the response of the space with higher frequencies displayed a smoother roll off up to 20kHz.

Considering the price of the package and the relatively small investment in the installation of the panels, theres no doubt the package provides proven results that realistically cost less than the esoteric, snake-oil products that so-called audiophile companies often market.

Id like to point out the companion mounting hardware is installer friendly, so integrators wont have to worry about sticking themselves with the impaler types of mounting hardware that some companies include with their acoustic products, which is obviously a nice bonus.

I would like to see more standard color choices. The choice between graphite and Serengeti (tan) I think limits integrators ability to sell these packages to their clients that want solutions that complements their homes dcor.

Otherwise, the only other issue I found with the products was the tacky, glue-like feel on some of the absorbers back panels, which made unpacking the items a bit longer than necessary.

My conclusion after my pre- and post-measurements is that for a reasonable amount of money these acoustic packages provide integrators with a scalable level of verifiable performance to improve the sound quality of residential and commercial spaces, and thats why I recommend checking out these product lines from Acoustic Geometry.

MSRPs vary depending on the kit and color options. The Home Room Pack 3s starting retail cost is $1,838.99.

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Hands On: Acoustic Geometry Pro and Home Room Packs - CEPRO - CEPro

Want to get off Santas naughty list? Clean your chimney.

A sooty flue or a dead raccoon can turn Jolly Old Saint Nick into Mr. Grinch. Regular inspections by a chimney sweep can ensure that a fireplace produces ample heat and vents properly. But more important, proper maintenance reduces the risk of fire and carbon-monoxide poisoning.

This is the busy season for chimney sweeps, especially in North Pole, Alaska. "Theres always a big flurry of calls two weeks before Christmas," says Charlie Whitaker of A Chimney Sweep, a business that serves Fairbanks and North Pole. "All of a sudden people are putting up trees, talking about Santa and they realize, I havent cleaned my chimney. "

Mr. Whitaker, who has been in the business for almost 40 years, expects to service over 100 fireplaces between late September and the end of the year.

Much of the work entails using wire and nylon brushes to clean creosote out of chimneys. The byproduct from burning wood, creosote is highly flammable and creates a high risk of fire. Raccoons in chimneys arent a problem in Alaska, Mr. Whitaker says, but squirrels, birds and other pests are if measures arent taken to cap or cover the chimney. Recently, he was called to a home where a bat entered through an uncapped chimney and became trapped in a sealed gas fireplace.

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One potential hazard commonly overlooked by homeowners is pyrolysis. That is when drywall, wood framing, paneling, cork ceiling tiles and other organic materials located too close to a fireplace break down after prolonged exposure to heat. As a result, the material can ignite, even when there is no flame present.

A dark stain on the wall or ceiling near the chimney is one sign of possible pyrolysis, but many times there is no visible change in appearance. A chimney sweep can identify pyrolysis, as well as faulty flues, dampers, stovepipe and fireboxes.

A lot of chimney sweeps service gas fireplaces as well. These dont get dirty with creosote, but they still require regular maintenance to make sure they are vented with the proper pipe and clear of any obstructions, says Russ Dimmitt, director of education with the Chimney Safety Institute of America, a Plainfield, Ind.-based trade group that represents chimney sweeps.

In addition to the fireplace and flue, an inspection will reveal any issues with brickwork, mortar or other masonry, which can absorb water and deteriorateespecially in areas with freezing temperatures, Mr. Dimmitt says. Acidic deposits eat away at mortar and brick, causing performance issues as well as leaks, mold and staining. As the chimney worsens, fallen pieces can create blockages and cause carbon monoxide problems.

Each year, an average of 19,800 residential fires in the U.S. are blamed on fireplaces, chimneys and chimney connectors, according to an analysis of structural fires by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Those fires cause $127.7 million in property loss, on average, each year, according to the CPSCs examination of residential fires between 2014 and 2016, the latest data available.

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Fewer homes with fireplaces are being built these days. In 1990, 66% of newly constructed homes had one or more fireplaces, according to the Census Bureau. Last year, 44% of new homes had at least one fireplace. A number of factors are fueling the fall, including the extra expense, concerns over energy efficiency and pollution, and local ordinances that ban the use of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.

Mr. Dimmitt, of the Chimney Safety Institute of America, says newer models of fireplaces and fireplace inserts, which burn wood, natural gas, gel, oil and other fuels, are typically more energy efficient and cleaner burning than older models.

Even though fewer homes include fireplaces, the feature still increases home values. Based on an analysis of all listings since 2017, homes with a fireplace sold for 1.8% more and eight days faster than homes without a fireplace, according to real-estate website Zillow. In all, an estimated 36 million homes in the U.S.or about 29.3%have a fireplace, the Zillow research found.

That keeps chimney sweeps busy during the peak season. "Santa is great for business," says Mr. Whitaker, the chimney sweep in Alaska. Mr. Dimmitt says some chimney sweeps dispatched to a home with small children will, after finishing a job, show a swatch of red fabric to children, saying, "Look what I found in your chimney!"

See the article here:
What Does Santa Want for Christmas This Year? A Clean Chimney - Mansion Global

My new co-workers seemed less stable and more desperate than the men at the boatyard. One had been an addict, but now he was clean, or rather hed switched his allegiance to caffeine and nicotine. At that time Starbucks had free refills, so he got a venti on his way to work and returned with his empty cup periodically throughout the day. He took smoke breaks several times an hour. Another kid he seemed young told me how a few years back hed killed a woman with his car when she leaned her head too far into the road from the sidewalk; it was gruesome, her head basically exploded, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing. He seemed scarred by that experience, or by something.

The foreman was a half-Mexican, half-Ecuadorian named Edgardo. When he first arrived in this country, he told me, he worked his way up doing yard work and odd jobs for homeowners, carting his equipment and tools around on the bus because he had no vehicle. Occasionally he would leave the worksite in the early afternoon, telling us all that he had to go act in a porn film. Soft-core porn, he assured us. Latin lover was definitely the persona he was trying to cultivate, and I was the only woman around to impress. Green Lake, he said, was the place to pick up women; you just had to borrow someones dog to walk. Every day midmorning he drove to Starbucks to buy himself coffee, and brought back a pastry for me. The differential treatment was unsettling but I got a lot of free calories.

I loved the work: demolition, framing, drywall and mudding, installing trim, caulking, texturing and painting. But the shadiness of the operation was a little startling. In some of the bathrooms, the ceilings and walls had water damage; there were slow leaks in the pipes. Johann didnt want to bring in a plumber. Just repair the plaster, he told us. Make it look nice. He didnt buy us ladders. When we needed extra height, we stood on overturned buckets. If we wanted safety equipment, we had to provide it ourselves, and some people didnt bother. PTSD kid walked out of an apartment one day, his hair, eyes and mouth thickly caked in a white dust. Hed been sanding a repair on the ceiling, his unprotected, upturned face directly in the line of fire. I felt happy for him when he quit after he found a job as a busboy in the restaurant at the top of the Columbia Tower. He needed to get out of there.

Morale was not high. Unscrupulous himself, Johann easily grew suspicious of others. He was always looking for the person he could trust to report what everyone else was doing and saying when he wasnt around. Edgardo was losing patience with Johann, who he said was lying to us. Once when Johann claimed to be at Home Depot picking up supplies, Edgardo put him on speaker phone so I could listen in, and thought up a specific item to ask for. When Johann said he couldnt find it, Edgardo responded with meticulously phony instructions: Go to Aisle 8, where the power tools are. Did he see the drills? Yes, there they were, he was standing right in front of them. Now keep going, around the corner, past the electrical outlet covers, just a little further. Did he see it? Oh yes, there it was. But they were all out. Yeah, right. Edgardo glared at his phone, disgusted.

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Odd jobs in The Emerald City - Crosscut

5 Occupations Most Affected by Mesothelioma

Here are five occupations largely affected by mesothelioma--a disease that develops 20 to 40 years after exposure to a toxic substance known as asbestos.

Mesothelioma is a disease that develops 20 to 40 years after exposure to a toxic substance known as asbestos. This mineral was a readily available material and used by many companies up until the 1980s.

However, many industries continued using this substance for much of the 20th century despite knowledge of the dangers it posed to their employees. Unfortunately, most workers were unaware of the effects asbestos exposure would have on their bodies decades later.

Today, despite regulations, commercial use of asbestos is not banned in the United States. Additionally, there are many instances of legacy asbestos, where workers today interact with buildings and other structures that were built with untenable asbestos.

Here are five occupations largely affected by mesothelioma.

Workers interacted with asbestos on a daily basis as it was used for insulation, specifically for railroad equipment and locomotive parts. Boilers, engines, pipes and electrical panels were covered with this toxic substance. This use left repairmen, train operators, conductors or yardmasters in danger of inhaling asbestos fibers for prolonged periods of time.

After the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limited the use of asbestos-made products, some railroad companies continued to use asbestos and hid the dangers from their employees. Many companies have filed for bankruptcy and had to establish trust funds to pay for their negligence. Workers diagnosed with mesothelioma today can file a mesothelioma claim and receive compensation from a variety of asbestos trust funds.

2. ShipbuildersLarge commercial and naval vessels were built with asbestos because of its fire-retardant and insulating properties. The United States Navy, specifically, used this substance to build many of their ships until the latter half of the 20th century. Asbestos was mostly used to increase durability in materials like gaskets, insulation and some filters. Shipbuilders also used asbestos to insulate the pipes in these vessels. Boats built for recreational use also may have included this toxic substance. Asbestos was used in electrical wire insulation, caulking and sealants. Shipbuilders were at risk for inhaling these fibers when the substance loosened, or broke apart, and became airborne.

See the rest here:
5 Occupations Most Affected by Mesothelioma - Occupational Health and Safety

As he slept, Riverside Mayor Rusty Baileys feet could have touched the aluminum door and his arm could have touched the opposite wall.

Not that he would have let either out of his sleeping bag, when the nighttime temperature had dropped to 42 degrees outside and it was almost as cold inside the uninsulated structure.

But his shelter 8 feet long and 8 feet wide, made mostly of aluminum was much more comfortable than his neighbors tents.

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey reads as he beds down for the night in an 8-by-8 shelter near a homeless shelter in Riverside on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. Bailey, who spends three to four nights a week in the 64-square-foot shelter, believes the small units could help solve the citys homeless problem. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey wakes up in an 8-by-8 shelter in the parking lot next to Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey reads before sleeping in an 8-by-8 shelter near a homeless shelter in Riverside on Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty spends several nights a week in a small shelter near a Riverside homeless shelter. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey prepares to bed down for the night in an 8-by-8 shelter near a Riverside homeless shelter Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey prepares to sleep in a small shelter by a homeless shelter in Riverside on Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey reads as he prepares to sleep in a small shelter by a Riverside shelter Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey reads as he beds down for the night in an 8-by-8 shelter by a Riverside homeless shelter Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey reads Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019, before spending the night in an 8-by-8 shelter. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey prepares to spend the night in a small shelter in Riverside on Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey has been spending several nights a week in an 8-by-8 shelter near a homeless shelter in Riverside. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey waves to a passerby as he prepares to spend the night in an 8-by-8 shelter Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey looks over materials after waking up in a small shelter near the Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey, left, talks to people staying at the Path of Life Ministries shelter after waking up in a small shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey prepares to start his day after waking up Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in a small shelter in the parking lot of Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey starts his day after spending the night in a small shelter in the parking lot of Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey gets ready for his day after waking up in an 8-by-8 shelter near Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey makes a phone call after spending the night in a small shelter next to Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey, right, talks to people staying at the Path of Life Ministries shelter after he spent the night in a small shelter in the parking lot Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey talks to those staying at the Path of Life Ministries shelter after waking up in a small shelter Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey looks over materials after waking up in an 8-by-8 shelter in the parking lot next to Path of Life Ministries homeless shelter in Riverside on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Several nights a week since October 10 to 15 times as of Thursday, Dec. 12 Bailey has spent the night in the shed-like shelter outside the homeless shelter on Hulen Place in Riverside, he said.

His goal is to draw attention to the urgency of the citys homeless crisis and to promote what he sees as one part of the solution shelters like the one hes used as a temporary second home. If 10 of them were put in the parking lot next to the shelter, that could house up to 40 people a step toward the 439 people living without shelter in the city as of a January count.

A longtime crusader on the homeless issue, Bailey wants the City Council to approve similar structures at its Tuesday, Dec. 17, meeting. City officials say that would mean they could be in place by March 2020 about the time the mayor could leave office to lead Path of Life Ministries, which runs the citys shelter although Bailey wants faster action.

The City Council will consider several options to add to the citys 180 shelter beds. Twenty shelters by the company that built Baileys structure, Pallet, would cost $495,680 to start up and $1.3 million for operations, which could come from the Measure Z sales tax that Riverside voters approved or from Californias Homeless Emergency Aid Program. Other possible ways to add beds could cost from $324,000 to $5.4 million, according to a report by Hafsa Kaka, the new head of the citys Office of Homeless Solutions.

Baileys Pallet shelter includes two beds there can be as many as four and a shelf. Its designed to include a heater and air conditioner, though Baileys isnt connected to a power source. It has no bathroom or running water.

Its a dignified, stable structure, he said. Once someone has that, we can address their other needs.

Those who woke up on the street next to Bailey on Wednesday, Dec. 11, said they would have loved to spend the night inside the shed-like building.

This lock is great, because otherwise, people will take your stuff, said Charles Miller, 21, who said hes been living on the street or in the homeless shelter for about a year, since his ex-boyfriend kicked him out of the apartment they had shared. You have a little space to yourself. I miss that.

About every other night, Bailey finishes his official duties, heads home to his family, then about 9 p.m. arrives at his temporary home. Sometimes hes alone, but sometimes he meets until about midnight with a community member.

One of those was the Rev. Steven B. Borst of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Riverside, who offered his churchs financial support.

As I was praying for your well-being and safety tonight, it struck me that if I am concerned about my mayor sleeping on skid row, I should also be concerned with every person sleeping there tonight as well, he wrote in an email to Bailey.

Bailey said that if the council approves, the shelters could be installed on the property of willing property owners within a week or so.

But there are roadblocks that lead city officials to think March is more realistic.

For example, California requires the room that someone lives in to be at least 70 square feet. The Pallet shelter thats available now is 64 square feet.

Bailey understands the idea of the requirement making sure people have quality housing but he says its putting lives at risk.

He gestured at the worn tents outside the shelter where people have been sleeping.

Is this safe? Would we rather someone sleep there than a 64-square-foot shelter thats safe and dignified? he asked. The bureaucracy of it frustrates me Weve got to be mindful of the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.

Pallet, the company that produces the shelters, could make 70-square-foot versions for California, spokesman Brandon Bills said.

Were happy to build a 70-square-foot version to comply with California (law), Bills said. Really, the difference were talking about is the timeline for implementation. We have a lot of 64-square-foot units right now and we could be down there next week getting people off the street. If we need to do 70 square feet the lead time goes from 48 hours to maybe a few months.

Bailey wouldnt be happy with that.

Thats months of our neighbors without homes living in the cold and maybe dying in the cold, he said.

The emergency shelters could help, said Casey Jackson, who is serving as interim CEO of Path of Life.

The more housing we have, temporary or permanent, the more we can do, Jackson said.

Kaka said she would carry out whatever plan the City Council favors.

Pallet also makes a 100-square-foot version, which Sacramento is preparing to build if the City Council approves the proposal by that citys mayor, Bills said.

Near the Everett, Washington, headquarters of Pallet, Tacoma bought 40 Pallet shelters in 2017, which cost $260,000. The City Council bought another 18 in July, city spokeswoman Megan Snow said. Tacoma estimates its homeless population to be 436, similar to Riversides.

Also in California, Oakland has installed similar structures called Tuff Shed. Thats another option the council will consider.

They have insulation, Sheetrock, double-pane windows, locking door, roof. Its not aluminum-sided, Oakland spokesman Justin Berton said.

Pallets shelters now have more insulation than the prototype Bailey is using, Bills said. California law requires the homeless be provided heat, so the heating and air conditioning within the shelters would keep the temperature between 70 and 90 degrees, he said.

Eventually, churches and perhaps businesses or even residents could put the shelters on their property, where people could live in them for a short time. The time limit, as well as limits on where they could be installed, would need to be approved by the City Council.

Some residents who oppose the citys general approach to homelessness say the move seems more likely to hurt residents.

Lets say the business next to you decides to put one of these in, said Kim Lindsey, co-founder of a group called Riverside Strong that wants a more law enforcement-focused approach to problems caused by vagrant people. The vagrants can still cause problems for you, especially if theyre not going to have a shower or bathroom.

The nonprofits board chose Bailey to become its CEO when he leaves office, which could be after the March primary or after the November general election if none of the candidates for mayor receives a majority of the vote.

Pallet originally designed the structures with a bathroom and kitchen, then hired formerly homeless employees who advised against that, Bills said.

They said, If I had all of that when I was homeless, I wouldnt have felt a need to leave, he said. Our goal is to get people out of homelessness, so we redesigned them.

Pallets website states the 8-by-8 shelters start at $4,500, though a bulk discount is available for cities or nonprofits that buy more. The higher cost for Riverside includes the need to straighten out the parking lot next to the homeless shelter.

Videos show Pallet structures being assembled in 20 minutes, though Bailey who was working at night said he took two hours.

Its like IKEA furniture, Bills said. The first one, you might not know what to do, but after a few you could do it in no time. With Riverside, weve offered to help set them up.

Meanwhile, other efforts from enforcing the law when people are caught breaking it to building more affordable housing continue, Bailey said.

The morning he met Miller, the 21-year-old homeless man, he called Rainbow Marler, the director of a Riverside shelter for homeless people aged 18 to 24.

By that night, Bailey said, Miller was staying in the shelter.

Originally posted here:
Why Riversides mayor is sleeping in an 8-by-8 metal shed to help the homeless - Press-Enterprise

LUBBOCK, Texas On Tuesday, the Lubbock City Council will vote to possibly remove a personal hardship exception to the zoning codes.

Currently there is an exception to Permit the use of mobile homes or travel trailers for dwelling purposes in any zoning district in cases of extreme personal hardship.

Public records said, city staff learned in recent months the requirement for extreme personal hardship has been overlooked.

Approvals have become more frequent, without evidence of an extreme personal hardship, public records said. Therefore, staff received direction from the City Council to propose an amendment to remove this provision from the Zoning Code.

If approved on Tuesday for the second and final reading, the use of mobile homes and travel trailers for personal hardship will be stopped. At that point, they can only be used when they meet zoning codes.

Read more from the original source:

Council considers killing personal hardship exception for mobile homes and travel trailers - KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com