Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

A sketch within the new Bastrop Building Block (B3) code. Credit: Simplecity Design.

Zoninga form of land-use regulation that polices the design and use of buildingshas had a bad run in America. Legalized in 1926 by the Supreme Court as a public protection to separate noxious uses, its since metastasized into something that micro-manages many aspects of city life. Zoning has been blamed for worsening the affordable housing crisis, inducing car-reliant sprawl, and squelching bottom-up entrepreneurship.

But zoning isnt going anywhere. Almost every city has it, and the legal ability for change is limited. The question is: how can zoning at least be reformed to better enable market outcomes and reduce its high social costs. A recent code rewrite in Bastrop, TX embraces that goal.

The 8,800-person city recently adopted Bastrop Building Block (B3), a comprehensive rewrite of its zoning code. The point is to ensure fiscal sustainability and mitigate against environmental damage. The code, said city manager Lynda Humble, will effectively extend the downtown land-use paradigm further into the 9sqmi city. In this respect, B3 will be different than most U.S. zoning codes: rather than copying the Euclidean model of sprawl and separated uses, it will mirror the form-based model of walkable streets, mixed uses, and urban density.

Certain conditions have led to this measure in Bastrop, a historic city 30 miles east of Austin. Situated on the Colorado River, these last few years it has experienced multiple floods, wildfires, and a hurricane. Another city issue (due in part to these weather problems) is the prospect of fiscal unsustainability. According to an analysis by an outside consultant, downtown Bastrop generates the most revenue for the city, while its sprawling areas lose money due to infrastructure maintenance costs mixed with low property tax generation. So B3 is designed to replicate what works, while avoiding development patterns that create liabilities.

Bastrop will do this through a Transportation Master Plan that extends the downtown grid to under- or undeveloped areas, via the construction of narrow, tree-lined streets. This contrasts with the wide, winding, subdivision-style streets that dominate many U.S. cities once you tread outside downtown. The narrower streets should reduce flooding, since there will be fewer impervious surfaces; reduce costs, since theres less asphalt; and improve walkability. Existing blocks will also be subdivided into smaller 385 ones, another measure that will benefit the pedestrian realm.

The other noted aspect of B3 will be zoning thats more permissive, and that features various urbanist best practices. Like other form-based codes, B3 regulates nuisances rather than uses. This means there will be more potential to mix retail and residences, a trademark of early U.S. urban growth. The code has no parking minimums, and shared parking is encouraged. There will be no lot-size minimums, meaning extremely small businesses or housing is allowed. Every lot can have at least three unitsthe main home, and two accessory dwellings.

Our code, said Humble, takes all of the elements of pre-suburban sprawl and incorporates them into a code that allows us to go back to what we know. Matt Lewis, CEO of Simplecity Design, the consulting firm that helped with B3, added that the code is an act of reestablishing the traditional American grid.

To address the flooding problem, B3 allows property owners more flexibility in preventing runoff from their own lots. Rather than being forced to build drivewaysas is common elsewherelot owners can use pervious pavement alternatives and install drainage swales.

What made B3 politically possible, when similar initiatives havent been in other cities, was the ideological mindset of Bastrop. It votes Republican in presidential elections, and arguments about fiscal sustainability and limited government appeal there, said Humble. So, when the city was able to demonstrate that certain development patterns dont pay for themselves, it found support for change. Whether or not those arguments work elsewhere, Bastrop at least provides a framework for how other cities could write more liberalized zoning codes.

Cities are requiring bad development practices; were over-regulating to such an extent that its harming good developments, said Lewis. The point of B3 is to reverse course, by going back to the core principle of what were trying to design our communities to function like. This is an applicable tool that could work in large cities.

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Is There a Model Zoning Code? | Scott Beyer - The Beacon

SOUTHEND Council is urging residents to support their own communities by signing the snow wardens pledge and commit to grit pavements and driveways.

Free gritting equipment is available to Southend residents who attend Veolias central depot in Eastern Avenue on Saturday and sign the snow wardens pledge.

Snow Wardens provide additional support for residents by using the equipment provided to clear driveways and paths of ice, to help their neighbours and others on the pavement use the walkways safely.

The packs, which include salt grit, snow shovels and high-visibility jackets, will be available for collection from 8am to 12pm at Veolias depot .

Veolia staff will be on hand to distribute the supplies to residents, who must bring proof of an address within the borough.

Larissa Reed, executive director for neighbourhoods and environment, said: The cold weather that is anticipated in the coming months brings with it challenging conditions for residents, particularly elderly and disabled residents, who may struggle with the icy pavements.

Signing up to become a Snow Warden enables people to provide support for fellow residents and also to work with Veolia staff who are out gritting the main pedestrian and vehicle routes across the borough.

Snow wardens pledge to use their supplies for the benefit of the wider community, adhere to the councils advisory information sheet The Snow Code and other pledges.

To express an interest in becoming a Snow Warden, or if you are unable to attend on the day but would still like to sign up, call Veolia on 0203 567 6955.

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Sign up to commit to grit your pavements and driveways when freeze hit - Southend Standard

From time to time, TTAC will highlight automotive products we think may be of interest to our community. Plus, posts like this help to keep the lights on around here.Learn more about how this works.

Not all of us need to install a different set of rubber the instant Old Man Winter pokes his head around the corner. While parts of the continent grumble into their coffee about that days forecasted high (*raises hand*), wide swaths of the population can run the same tires year-round, particularly if its the family daily.

Especially if its the family daily, in fact. Your author argues at length, much to the annoyance of his family, that a car owner should emphatically not cheap out on tires. Theyre the only things touching the road, after all. Ponying up a few stray bills for an off-brand whose rubber compound has the flex of an oak tree is a terrible idea. And dont get me started on the propensity of certain people to buy second-hand tires full of frozen water and weeds.

Here are some good all-season tire suggestions, presented in alphabetical order, sourced from the crew at TireBuyer.com.

(Editors note: As noted above, this post is meant to both help you be an informed shopper for automotive products but also to pay for our 90s sedan shopping habitsoperating expenses. Some of you dont find these posts fun, but they help pay for Junkyard Finds, Rare Rides, Piston Slaps, and whatever else. Thanks for reading.)

Advantage T/A Sport tires, featuring H- or V- speed ratings, are what BFGoodrich calls Grand Touring All-Season tires. Theyre marketed at the drivers of sedans, minivans, and small crossovers looking for all-season traction in dry, wet and light snow conditions. BFG promises some fun with this tire, but your author believes that word is best reserved for their high performance line.

The tire features an all-season tread compound molded into a symmetrical design, allowing easy cross rotation to resist irregular wear. The tires continuous center rib creates constant contact with the road. Their 3D Active Sipe Technology provides an increased number of biting edges for improved wet and light snow traction.

Pros: Great brand, reports of long tread life

Cons: Only one size greater than an 18-inch diameter

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According to the company, this tire is designed to provide year-round traction, even in light snow (we would put the emphasis on light for this and all tires on this list when it comes to the fluffy white stuff).

The TrueContact Tour features a tread compound containing temperature-activated functional polymers, a snazzy way of saying theyve baked in components that will aid tread life and fuel efficiency. This compound is molded into a symmetric tread design that provides for the ability to rotate tires (you do rotate your cars tires, right?) and help maximize tread life. The tread pattern is also said to be optimized in a bid to reduce noise. Those heavily siped tread blocks should provide the additional biting edges necessary to enhance traction in rough weather.

Pros: Plenty of common sizes for the family car segment

Cons: Massive ECOPLUS badges brands you a nerd

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The RT in this tires name doesnt stand for retweet, no matter what social media might try to tell you. Here, it refers to Road Touring, an activity for which this tire is uniquely designed. Altimax is Generals flagship line, so theyve thrown the proverbial kitchen sink at this hoop in an effort to grab some of the everyday all-season market share.

According to the company, these tires feature a Twin Cushion Silica Tread Compound that places a high-density all-season top compound for year-round traction and long wear above a low-density foundation compound that absorbs road vibrations to promote a comfortable ride. Circumferential grooves and Generals anti-slip sipe design technology increases the number of biting edges to enhance traction on slippery roads.

Pros: Enormous selection of sizes, positive reviews from a healthy sample size

Cons: Not exactly the sexiest tire on sale

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The tire you see here is one of Michelins entrants into the green arena, with fuel economy being at the top of this tires mission list. Without too much details, the company is touting its EnergySaver construction and a special type of tread rubber as features that keep this tire cooler, thereby increasing fuel efficiency and technically reducing CO2 emissions.

Its continuous tread pattern (read: traditional three-rib design) allows for a good footprint and a shape that maximizes road contact. This latter attribute should be a plus for grip and acceleration, activities which benefit from greater amounts of rubber being pressed into the macadam.

Pros: Excellent real-world reviews, frequent rebates

Cons: Michelins are expensive

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Pirelli knows a thing or two about making things that go around. While most of the world associates the brand with high performance rubber thanks to their involvement in Formula 1, they also do a more than passable job of manufacturing all-season tires. In a fantastic blitz of marketing, theyve foisted the mighty P-Zero name upon it for good measure.

All of the sizes are 18-inch diameter or greater, save for a single Mercedes spec 17-incher. It should surprise no one that most of the suggested applications for this Pirelli are expensive luxury machines, such as Audi and Jag and the aforementioned Merc. But, hey if you can convince your better half to agree to a set of these for the Camry, more power to ya.

Pros: Good looking tires sized for big-wheeled cars

Cons: Warranty stretches only 45,000 miles

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Sounding for all the world like an after-dinner drink or fancy perfume, the Versado Noir is a touring all-season tire designed on the comfort end of the spectrum. Rigid outside tread blocks give a quieter ride, while those wide and straight grooves improve water drainage and reduce the chance of hydroplaning. There is a higher sipe density on the inside tread, another feature that helps when the weather turns foul.

The placement of those sipes is far from random. Without a clear shot to the edge of the tire, road noise is funneled away, meaning these tires will allow drivers to hear their passenger carping about the music selection. Whether this is a good thing or not is up to you.

Pros: Big 75k-mile warranty (on H-rated hoops)

At Cons: V- and W-rated examples have a shorter warranty

Shop Now

[Images by the manufacturer; Lead image: Volodymyr Plysiuk/Shutterstock.com]

Related

See the original post here:
Year-Round Rollers: Best All-Season Tires - The Truth About Cars

By Shawn Vacek, Remodelers of Houston

A home addition can be a very valuable remodeling project for your home. If you have a one- or 1-story home and you need extra space, it may be worth considering building up rather than out.

If you have a growing family and too few bedrooms or baths, building up or out are both good options. The size and shape of your property will help you decide if you can build out. If you have a large backyard, a first-floor addition may be a good choice. If not, your choice will be to build up.

If you currently have an attic space with a higher ceiling a dormer or two or partial addition might work to get some additional room. By why stop there? A full second-story addition can double the space that you currently have, to give you extra bedrooms and baths, a luxurious master bedroom suite with walk in closet or any other spaces you desire.

If you are considering adding more space to your home, keep the following in mind.

Your homes foundation

Your contractor with the help of an engineer should determine if your home can support a second story or if you need additional structural support. Most existing foundations can be reinforced to support a second floor pending an engineer evaluation. This can be much more economical than pouring a new foundation. Overall, reinforcing the foundation and building up will add value to your home.

Staircase

Do you have a staircase? If not, it will be necessary to build a new one. One of the more difficult elements is determining the best placement for the staircase. Much thought needs to go into the staircase location based on design for accessibility, flow and balance in the home.

Additional key elements to consider when adding a second story are window style, roofing material and elevation, and exterior facade to create a look that you desire.

Design

Second-floor design work is challenging, so you want to be certain that youre working with someone who has Design-Build experience in second-story additions. A good Design-Build remodeler can take care of drawing up the plans based on understanding what you want the second-story add-on to achieve.

When adding on new space to your home, your remodeler should create a space that flows seamlessly with the homes existing architecture and style. Look for and experienced remodeler that you can trust to get the job done right.

This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the Houston community. To reach the author directly, email shawn@remodelersofhouston.com. For information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, please visit http://www.ghba.org.

Excerpt from:
GHBA Remodelers Council: Add the space you need by building up - Chron.com

In December 2016, Anastasiia and Gunther, a young Maryland couple, were on the lookout for a restoration project. So when they saw a for-sale sign in front of an old church up the road from their house, they stopped the car and looked inside.

About six months and $320,000 later, it was theirs.

Now the couple and their three children live in the 120-year-old All Saints' Church. While they're actively renovating it, it maintains many of its original details.

What is now called All Saints House was deconsecrated in the 1970s, Anastasiia told Business Insider. Since then, it has seen three separate owners (not including Anastasiia and Gunther) who have added lofts, rooms, skylights, and bathrooms.

The couple said that when they bought the home, it was livable but had sat empty for years and needed some fine-tuning. So they began chipping away at their long list of restoration projects, which they document on Instagram.

So far, completed projects include the stripping of dangerous lead paint from the front door, adding a breakfast bar in the kitchen, redesigning the master bedroom, and renovating the kitchen.

Business Insider caught up with Anastasiia to find out what it's like to live in a house with over a century of history.

Do you have a similar home-renovation story? If you want to share your story, email this reporter at lbrandt@businessinsider.com.

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Family bought 20th-century church for $320,000 and lives in it: Photos - Business Insider

Even with Netflixs recommendation algorithm steadily serving you new movies, new TV shows and original programming tailored to your binging habits, the streaming services firehose of content makes whats coming and going difficult to parse.

Thats why we break down each months additions with a spotlight on what to keep on your radar. Netflixs own new releases category is an info dump. Consider us a picture-in-picture talking head, screaming recommendations at the screen.

Favorite Netflix Originals Sex Education and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina return with new seasons. Meanwhile, Anne With an E gets one last season before its untimely cancellation (fans are still clamoring to save the series). The second part of the Bojack Horseman finale also premieres at the end of the month.

On the franchise end, two out of three Lord of the Rings movies and both Charlie and the Chocolate Factory films come to the platform, along with the most unhinged of Shrek films and the Cinderella story that started it all.

Dracula (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: From the makers of Sherlock, Claes Bang stars as Dracula in this series inspired by Bram Stokers classic novel.

What the Love! with Karan Johar (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: Multihyphenate celebrity Karan Johar guides perennially lonely singletons through physical and emotional makeovers to set them up for dating success.

Ghost Stories (Netflix Film)

From Netflix: From the directors of Bombay Talkies and Lust Stories come four new short films taking a twisted turn into the spine-chilling realm of horror.

Good Girls: Season 2

Messiah (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: When CIA officer Eva Geller (Michelle Monaghan) uncovers information about a man (Mehdi Dehbi) gaining international attention through acts of public disruption, she begins an investigation into his origins. As he continues to cultivate followers who allege hes performing miracles, the global media become increasingly beguiled by this charismatic figure. Geller must race to unravel the mystery of whether he really is a divine entity or a deceptive con artist capable of dismantling the worlds geopolitical order. As the story unfolds, multiple perspectives are interwoven including that of an Israeli intelligence officer (Tomer Sisley), a Texas preacher (John Ortiz) and his daughter (Stefania LaVie Owen), a Palestinian refugee (Sayyid El Alami) and the journalist (Jane Adams) who covers the story. The series also stars Melinda Page Hamilton, Wil Traval, Fares Landoulsi, Dermot Mulroney and Beau Bridges.

Created by Michael Petroni (The Book Thief), directed by James McTeigue (V for Vendetta) and Kate Woods (Rectify), and executive produced by Petroni, McTeigue, Andrew Deane (The Double), Mark Burnett and Roma Downey (The Bible Series, Ben Hur), the Netflix original series Messiah is a provocative and suspenseful thriller that explores the power of influence and belief in the social media age.

Nisman: Death of a Prosecutor (Netflix Documentary)

From Netflix: This series follows a prosecutor who investigated the biggest attack against a Jewish community outside Israel since World War II and met a violent and mysterious death.

Spinning Out (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: After choking during an important performance, a competitive skater dealing with family issues and her own inner demons struggles to revive her career.

The Circle (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: Welcome to the ultimate popularity contest. To win the cash prize, would you be yourself, a better version of yourself or someone else altogether?

21

A Cinderella Story

Does any movie encapsulate 2004 girlhood more than A Cinderella Story? Before the Cinderella Story movies became a franchise starring other tween idols and heartthrobs like Selena Gomez/Drew Seeley, Lucy Hale/Freddie Stroma, Sofia Carson/Thomas Law, and most recently Laura Marano/Gregg Sulkin) it all began with OGs: Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray.

American BeautyCatch Me If You CanCharlie and the Chocolate FactoryChasing AmyChitty Chitty Bang BangChloeCity of GodDinner for SchmucksDragonheartDragonheart 3: The SorcererDragonheart: A New BeginningDrugs, Inc.: Season 6

Ferris Buellers Day Off

Play hooky and revisit the John Hughes classic.

Free WillyGhost RiderHarold & Kumar Go to White CastleHitchInceptionInstructions Not IncludedJulie & JuliaKate & LeopoldKill Bill: Vol. 1Kill Bill: Vol. 2KingpinKiss the GirlsMonster-in-LawNew York MinutePans LabyrinthPatriot GamesSaint Seiya: Season 4-5Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden

Shrek Forever After

Rewatch the moment the Shrek franchise truly lost it.

Strictly BallroomTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the OozeTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

If youve ever thought to yourself Hmm, Id like to have a Lord of the Rings marathon, but without the first movie, youre in luck this month.

The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of FearThe Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!The Original Kings of ComedyThe RingThe Talented Mr. RipleyTremorsTrue GritUp in the AirWhat Lies BeneathWild Wild WestWilly Wonka & the Chocolate FactoryWyatt EarpYes Man

Sex, Explained: Limited Series (Netflix Documentary)

From Netflix: Attraction. Fantasies. Fertility. Discover the ins and outs of sex in this fun and informative series, narrated by singer-actress Janelle Mone.

Thieves of the Wood (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: In this historical drama series, infamous Flemish highwayman Jan de Lichte becomes a local hero during the Austrian occupation of 18th-century Belgium.

Anne with an E: The Final Season (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: A milestone birthday sparks a search for Annes origin story as she sorts out matters of the heart and starts setting a course for her future.

All the Freckles in the World (Netflix Film)

From Netflix: In Mexico City, a 13-year-old falls for the most beautiful girl in school. With some help from his friends, he will try everything in order to win her heart.

Go! Go! Cory Carson (Netflix Family)

From Netflix: Join kid car Cory Carson on his adventures around the winding roads of childhood in Bumperton Hills! Based on the hit toy line Go! Go! Smart Wheels.

Cheer (Netflix Documentary)

From Netflix: From the team behind Last Chance U, Netflixs documentary series Cheer follows the competitive cheerleaders of Navarro College in Corsicana, TX. Led by Monica Aldama, the small junior college has won 14 National Championships since 2000. The stakes on the mat are high, but for these athletes, the only thing more brutal than their workouts and more exceptional than their performances are the stories of adversity and triumph behind the team members themselves. Over the course of six episodes, viewers will join the Navarro College cheerleaders as they face injuries, sacrifice, personal setbacks and triumphs, all leading up to one nail-biting and adrenaline pumping final competition at the National Championship.

AJ and the Queen (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: RuPaul stars in this outrageous series as a down-on-her-luck drag queen traveling across America in a van with a tough-talking 10-year-old stowaway.

The Evil Dead

Giri / Haji (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: Family duty sends a lawman to London to look for his mob-assassin brother as a yakuza war threatens to engulf Tokyo. Trust is even tougher to find.

Harvey Girls Forever!: Season 4 (Netflix Family)

From Netflix: A robot band, a pirate adventure ... and a run-in with a friendly ghost? Just another season on Harvey Street, where every days out of the ordinary.

The Inbestigators: Season 2 (Netflix Family)

From Netflix: Who? When? Where? These school-age sleuths ask smart questions -- and they always solve the case! When crime strikes, call the Inbestigators.

Medical Police (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: Two American doctors who discover a deadly virus in Brazil are recruited as government agents in a race to find a cure and uncover a dark conspiracy.

Scissor Seven (Netflix Anime)

From Netflix: With a trusted pair of hairdressing scissors and the ability to disguise himself, Seven offers contract killing on the cheap. The only problem? He often has trouble completing assignments.

Until Dawn (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: Frances funniest comics carry out ghastly tasks as they try to outlast and outwit one another while overnighting in famously haunted locations.

Zumbos Just Desserts: Season 2 (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: Cohosts Adriano Zumbo and Rachel Khoo return to the Dessert Factory to judge impossible cakes, amazing confections and other fantastic sweets.

Betty White: First Lady of Television

The Healing Powers of Dude (Netflix Family)

From Netflix: When an 11-year-old boy with social anxiety disorder has to start middle school, he finds strength in a lovable comfort mutt named Dude.

Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (Netflix Family)

From Netflix: Burrow girl Kipos life turns upside down when she surfaces in a wild world of mutant creatures. Shell need all the help she can get to go home.

The Master

Big Fat Liar

Quien a hierro mata (Netflix Film)

From Netflix: A cartel boss is released from prison and put in the care of nurse Mario (Luis Tosar), who questions his duty and reconnects with his traumatic past.

NiNoKuni (Netflix Anime)

From Netflix: High school colleagues Yuu and Haru travel between the real world and a parallel fantasy universe to help their friend Kotona, whose life is in danger.

Steve Jobs

Ares (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: When her friend suffers a bizarre accident, Rosa realizes the secret student society theyve just joined is built on demonic secrets from Dutch history.

Grace and Frankie: Season 6 (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are two women reinventing their lives in this funny and honest series, now returning for Season 6.

Hip-Hop Evolution: Season 4 (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: Season 4 of the music series follows hip-hop in the U.S., showcasing the stories and sounds that shaped its history and culture.

Sex Education: Season 2 (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: Sex Education is about Otis Milburn, a socially awkward high school student who lives with his sex therapist mother, Jean. In season 1 Otis and his friend Maeve Wiley set-up a sex clinic at school to capitalise on his intuitive talent for sex advice. In season 2, as a late bloomer Otis must master his newly discovered sexual urges in order to progress with his girlfriend Ola whilst also dealing with his now strained relationship with Maeve. Meanwhile, Moordale Secondary is in the throes of a Chlamydia outbreak, highlighting the need for better sex education at the school and new kids come to town who will challenge the status quo.

Tiny House Nation: Volume 2

Tyler Perrys A Fall from Grace (Netflix Film)

From Netflix: Grace Waters (Crystal Fox), a longtime pillar of her Virginia community, stays composed when her ex weds his mistress and her son moves away. With convincing from her best friend Sarah (Phylicia Rashad), she tries putting herself first, and a handsome stranger (Mehcad Brooks) becomes her surprise second love. Yet any woman can snap, and Graces new husband soon ravages her life, her work and many say her sanity. Shuttered in a cell awaiting trial for his murder, Graces only hope for vindication lies with Jasmine Bryant (Bresha Webb), a public defender who has never tried a case. Co-starring Oscar nominee Cicely Tyson and writer/director Tyler Perry, A Fall From Grace is a mesmerizing thriller built from unthinkable secrets.

Vivir dos veces (Netflix Film)

From Netflix: Emilio searches for the great love of his youth, with the help of his daughter and granddaughter. Will he be able to reconnect with this lost love before his memory fails?

Wer kann, der kann! (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: Nailed It! takes its cakes to Germany, where amateurs try to re-create fantastic sweets. Model Angelina Kirsch hosts alongside chef Bernd Siefert.

The Bling Ring

Family Reunion: Part 2 (Netflix Family)

From Netflix: This sitcom about a Seattle family who must readjust to simple living in Georgia returns for its second season.

Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty (Netflix Original)

From Netflix: Southern-born comedian, writer and actress Fortune Feimster is back with her first hour-long Netflix original comedy special, Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty. The comedian recalls her childhood misadventures as a former Girl Scout, debutante and (disqualified) swim meet champion; her familys complicated relationship with Hooters; and how a movie helped her realize she was a lesbian.

Word Party: Season 4 (Netflix Family)

From Netflix: Cue the music: Its time for a party! Join animal babies Franny, Bailey, Kip, Lulu and their new friend, Tilly, for more learning and language fun.

Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak (Netflix Documentary)

From Netflix: The six episode docuseries explores the ways influenza evolves and how prepared humans are or arent for the next devastating global outbreak.

Playing with Fire: Season 1

The Ghost Bride (Netflix Original)

View post:
Every movie and show coming to Netflix in January - Polygon

London's Tube system has grown, and its map is having trouble keeping up. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Its never been easy to design a map of the citys underground transit network. But soon, critics say, legibility concerns will demand a new look.

A familiar tradition played out in Englands capital city last week, as Transport for London (TfL) released a new version of its Tube map. The citys public transportation agency is adding a few stops to the west of London that will ultimately compose Crossrail, or the Elizabeth Linean entirely new rail service that will cut across all of London when it opens in 2021. For now, TfL Rail, a patchwork of soon-to-connect Crossrail segments, will begin serving cities and towns outside of London starting December 15.

As they have in the past, transport critics and map geeks assailed the new map for betraying the design principles of Harry Beck, the draftsman who brought abstraction and clarity to the increasingly tangled Tube map back in 1931. Becks use of straight lines and extremely loose adherence to true geography created the template for the systems current iteration (and many others). But as the complexity of the Underground network has grown, the map has evolved with it, inspiring an an ongoing debate among Londoners who hold passionate beliefs about the Tube and what its supposed to look like.

For those unfamiliar with this saga, be forewarned: Transport typography in London is serious business. TfL has an entire design guide dedicated to the style used across all of their services, and a new typeface upgrade in 2016a re-up of the original Johnston fontwas big news.

But TfL is growing, and the Tube map will have to change in rather significant ways to accommodate it. In the coming decade, the agency is poised to add the Elizabeth Line, adding 10 new stations. Crossrail 2, a proposed north-south rail line, could be under construction by the late 2020s if it finds funding and approval. Then theres a Northern line extension and the possible Bakerloo line extension. And if London Mayor Sadiq Khan has his way, several more suburban rail lines and trams will be absorbed into TfLs system.

All this comes after several other recent additions to the original Tube mapthe London Overground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), and the Jubilee Line Extension, amongst others. The map has made room for more intersecting lines of different shapes and colors, squeezed into fewer and fewer crevices. Some critics say that a radical visual overhaul is needed to preserve usability for visitors and commuters.

Every transport systems goal should be that you dont need to know the city to be able to use the transport, said Jonn Elledge, the editor of The New Statesmans CityMetric site. Thats no longer true for all sorts of reasons in London. It should be usable for all people, and its not performing that crucial function.

Elledge is a patron saint of Tube map criticism; he often writes op-eds calling for change. He finds two major faults with the current Tube map, which he described as a mess. The first is the loss of certain details: Since theres so much new information being added to the map, he explained, it leaves out geographical accuracy. For example, the new Tube map has stops that are outside of Londons fare zones, in cities like Slough and Reading. Those two towns are more than 20 miles apart in real life, but a visitor glancing at the Tube map might be forgiven for thinking that they were in the same general neighborhood.

The second major fault is the overall message, or lack thereof. As TfL has taken over more services, its unclear what theyre trying to communicate, Elledge told me. Some trains come every 3 to 4 minutes; others come maybe every 10 to 15, like the Overground. Theyre not all the same frequency trains.

Then you have the criss-crossing lines of National Rail, which do not make it onto the main Tube maptheyre on a separate and more sprawling Tube and Rail map. But if a traveler knew they existed, they could be very helpful in certain situations. Between Waterloo and Wimbledon, theres a high-speed train that gets you there in 15 minutes. But its not on the map, Elledge said. Instead, the Tube map would suggest to take a roundabout way, via central London. You cant see if youre not familiar with it.

However, TfL has made certain additions that Elledge viewed as steps in the right direction. The dotted line between stations at Camden Town and Camden Road, suggesting that riders can walk to transfer lines, makes the system more approachable, he said, and should be expanded elsewhere. One model to follow, he said, is the Night Tube map, which casts a dark blue hue to show the lines available on weekend nights. That simplicity makes it much more legible, he said.

Still, Elledge recommends essentially starting from scratch. Its really rethinking what the map is for, and what its trying to do, he said. The agency needs to start from a blank sheet of paper.

Transport for London is certainly no stranger to cartographic critiques. In a statement to CityLab, a spokesperson for the agency said that we constantly keep the Tube map under review and I can assure you we are very careful to ensure that the information on the map reflects what customers need to know. To allow for varying digital applications, TfL has also opened up all of its demand and mapping data to app developers.

Of course, with smartphone wayfinding available from Google or CityMapper, the role of a physical map from TfL itself may be diminished. But that doesnt discount its importance, Elledge insists: A transport map truly is a cultural item, he said. You can locate yourself in the city, and its one of the few things that we can all engage with. Thats something unique.

This is not a rhetorical argument for me: As a relative newcomer to London, I often find myself wrestling with the Tube map to find my way around. While reporting this story, I found myself thinking a lot about the role that transport maps play in citieswhat they offer us as riders, and how they change the way we interact with our transport environment.

For one, it has something to do with motility, or our capacity to get aroundas opposed to mobility, or our ability to get around. Motility is a key factor in our individual well-being on public transport, according to research; if someone feels like they lack the capacity to travel on a certain mode, it may affect their willingness to take that mode in the future. A Tube map too complicated or intimidating for someone like me to use will both hurt ridership and fundamentally limit my horizons as a London resident.

Jug Cerovic, a Paris-based Serbian architect who designs maps for a living, is a strong believer in the importance of cartographic legibility. In an incredible side project, hes taken it upon himself to standardize major subway maps from around the world.

The map is the network, Cerovic told me. Above groundwhether in a car, on a bike, or on footyou can go in any direction youd like, he said. But thats not true underground. When you go into a station, you enter into a parallel dimension its a totally different concept of space and time. Without the map, you cant use the system. Its essential.

And how that map appears has implications, he says. In Paris, where he grew up, he had the 1990s Mtro map: That is the way I see the system, when I think of it. But friends of his who moved to the city in the 2000s or thereafter know a different Mtro map, which, in London fashion, added new lines and services. These people have difficulties navigating certain places, and avoid others that appear too cluttered on the map, he said. Because thats the way they see the system.

Cerovic laughed when I asked about London. Only in New York and London do they care so much about their maps. Nowhere else do they care this much. (Hes got a point: Last week, the New York Times recently had an interactive feature on the development of New York Citys subway map. Readers loved it.) He described Londons Tube and Rail map as frightening: I dont want to go there when I see it.

In Cerovics latest version of that same map, he utilized the TfL design style throughout, but the lines are more playful and less overbearing. If [TfL] keeps their current version, itll become a mess. But its possible to make it better, he said. TfL has no excuse not to make a better map. Especially when considering more complex networks, like transit systems in Paris and Tokyo, he argued. If you can map Tokyo, you can map anything.

But Cerovic doesnt discount the massive impact technology has had. It used to be the same map for everyone, he said. Now there are so many different maps. Google Maps, in particular, has become integral to our perception of the city, and its contents. He referenced a statistic that 13 percent of all web searches are on Google Maps, and close to 80 percent of users find information about nearby businesses on it. Its universality in our lives is only growing, he added, with appointments, travel times, and other information available.

But for transportation, digital maps, only tell you one thinghow to get there, he said. It shows the journey from point A to point B. But an analog map allows you to ask questions about your city. Because you might know where point A actually is.

John Surico is a freelance journalist and researcher who covers transit and open space for a number of outlets, including The New York Times and VICE. Hes currently a MSc candidate in Transport and City Planning at University College London.

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Why the London Tube Map May Need a New Design - CityLab

This article contains spoilers for Return Of The Jedi and the wider Star Wars series.

After The Empire Strikes Back magnified everything that Star Wars offered, it would be fair to say that Return Of The Jedi faced a tough task tying up the cinematic phenomenon that was the original Star Wars trilogy. And while the 1983 Empire follow-up may not be remembered as fondly as its immediate predecessors, it still manages to offer a fun space drama with plenty of action.

At one point known as Revenge Of The Jedi (and reportedly scheduled to have Luke take Vaders place alongside the Emperor), this instalment was directed by Welshman Richard Marquand. Steven Spielberg was approached, as was David Lynch, who was fresh off of The Elephant Mans Oscar success, but he had next door to zero interest.

A pity for them, really, because the film was a huge financial success grossing somewhere around half a billion dollars from its budget of around $40 million. Critics loved it, too, and despite unfavourable comparisons with Empires darker story, its clear three-act structure clearly won hearts.

Opening with Luke (Mark Hamill) and cos daring rescue of Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Jabba the Hutts decadence is on full display. His palace on Tatooine is packed with sycophants and co-conspirators, marking the ultimate test of Lukes restraint as a Jedi completing his training and thats not even mentioning the Rancor in the basement.

Moving into the desert on Jabbas barge, the Sarlacc sequence remains one of the franchises most enduring set pieces. It offers everything Star Wars does best the comedy of an almost blind Han Solo doing more harm than good, R2-D2 doing his best to support the combat, and Luke swinging his lightsaber in a way that makes him look infinitely more assured than he did in his last battle with Vader. Plus, of course, theres Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) strangling a giant space slug to death something no one is likely to forget in a hurry.

After a brief detour to kill off Yoda (a sequence that still feels a little unnecessary even now, but more on that later), the second act of the movie moves to the forest moon of Endor. Here we find speeder bikes, Ewoks and an Imperial Base that provides a shield for (dun dun dun) a second Death Star. Here, the Rebels team with the indigenous teddy bears (who are surprisingly vicious) and attempt to overpower the superior force while Luke turns himself over to Vader, who takes his son for an audience with the Emperor himself (a deliciously eeeevil Ian McDiarmid).

The third act of Return Of The Jedi is arguably some of the finest sci-fi in history, offering three different planes of action surrounding the second Death Star. In the Emperors Throne Room, Luke refuses to join the Dark Side. On Endor, Leia and Han battle to knock out the shield generator. And in space, the Rebels engage the Imperial Fleet in what is arguably the best space-combat sequence in the franchise so far.

The Emperors full plan is revealed, as the real big bad explains that the Death Star is not only operational, but ready to fire on the assembled fleet. Meanwhile, Vader duels with Luke, suggesting he plans to turn Lukes sister (revealed via Obi-Wans ghost early in the movie to be Leia) to the Dark Side, which sends the Jedi into a rage.

Severing his fathers hand but refusing to kill him, Luke is attacked by the Emperor who is able to zap him with the Force Lightning weve since seen in Revenge Of The Sith. Vader has a change of heart, throwing the Emperor to his death in the depths of the space station, before dying in Lukes arms while the latter tries to rescue him. The Death Star is destroyed (again), and our heroes reunite on Endor as celebrations begin across the galaxy. The end.

Thats a heavily truncated version of events of course, but theres plenty to unpack here. Of course, its worth noting that everyones favourite bounty hunter, Boba Fett, is unceremoniously slain during the battle above the Sarlacc pit. Thankfully, we have The Mandalorian now.

Secondly, Return Of The Jedi gives us a much clearer look at the sagas antagonists. In literal terms, we see Darth Vaders helmet removed to reveal his scarred, pale face. We also finally get to see the Emperor in the flesh, although arguably we find out more about him through the prequel trilogy, which charts his rise to power.

Its a shame to see Yoda, one of Empires best new additions, essentially relegated to simply confirming Lukes fathers identity before he croaks on Dagobah. The Jedi Master is another character thats served well by the prequels (CGI battles aside), but it still feels like his death is solely to place Luke as the last remaining Jedi.

Speaking of Lukes journey to becoming a Jedi Knight, Hamills understated performance in Return Of The Jedi is arguably his best yet. Hes confident, but not overly so, and the contrast between his calm when dealing with Jabba and his cronies versus his stoic nature when interacting with his father and the Emperor shows that hes learned his place in the universe.

In the run-up to The Rise Of Skywalker, rewatching Return Of The Jedi offers up more questions. How did the Emperor survive his fall? What kind of legacy does Vader leave for his grandson, Kylo Ren? Will we see more Ewoks? We cant wait to find out how the latest instalment answers these.

Return Of The Jedi isnt a perfect movie. It sags in the middle, slowed down by a reliance on Endor and a lack of fresh planets to explore, but it offers a fitting culmination to Lukes journey. At the conclusion of the movie, hes beaten his father in combat (albeit having lost his temper somewhat, suggesting hes not as infallible as expected) and finally brought balance to the Force for a while, at least

Best lightsaber bit: As fun as R2-D2 flinging Lukes lightsaber through the air at the Sarlacc pit is, we have to go with the Jedis new green saber clashing with his fathers classic red laser sword in the Death Stars throne room, while the Emperor looks on gleefully.

Best non-lightsaber bit: The Executor-class Star Dreadnought crashing through the Death Star remains a fist-pumping moment, even all these years later.

Jedi wisdom: Search your feelings, father. I feel the conflict within you. Let go of your hate. Lukes appeal to his dads better nature speaks to the conflict within all of us. Basically, be awesome and say no to the dark side.

Rules of the Force: With Anakins redemption leading to him becoming an un-Vader-fied Force Ghost, it turns out that one good deed can make up for being the Galaxys biggest mass-murderer. Vader may have spent much of his life as a Sith, but after killing the Emperor he appears alongside Obi-Wan and Yoda as a benelovent spirit at the movies conclusion (with original actor Sebastian Shaw controversially replaced by Hayden Christensen thanks to George Lucas post-prequel tinkering).

Who has a bad feeling about this? Its a double whammy this time, with both C-3PO and Han Solo both saying the immortal words. Threepio says it when entering Jabbas palace, while Han is similarly dubious when hes about to be roasted by Ewoks alongside Luke and Chewbacca. We cant blame either of them, really.

Galactic stop-offs: A much shorter tour itinerary we revisit Tatooine and Dagobah, but other than that the only fresh locale is the forest moon of Endor, home of the Ewoks.

Who wins? A definitive win for the Rebels here, as the second Death Star has been destroyed, alongside the Emperor and Darth Vader. Lukes the last Jedi, but hes got a sister now (that he kissed passionately just one movie ago, so make of that what you will). Han has been saved, too, so everything is going to work out just fine, right? No more Star Wars, no sir.

You can read all of our Star Wars recaps here.

Are you a fan of Return Of The Jedi? Are there any other aspects of it that you love, any that you didn't, or anything that weve missed? Let us know in the comments below!

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The Star Wars movies debrief: Return Of The Jedi recap, legacy and best bits - Den of Geek UK

GREENSBORO, N.C. Greensboro police are sending a warning to the public to be on the lookout for porch pirates - people stealing packages from unsuspecting homeowners.

Thieves are swiping deliveries from front porches and mailboxes before the packages reach the rightful owners.

Package theft has been a growing problem in the U.S. for years, especially over the holiday season.

According to a 2017 study from insuranceQuotes, 25.9 million Americans have had a holiday package stolen from their front porch or doorstep - up from 23.5 million porch thefts reported in 2015.

RELATED: 'It Was Just a Brazen Act' | Video Shows Packages Meant As Presents Stolen Off Greensboro Woman's Porch

"During the holidays, certain crimes and home hazards increase. Homeowners need to take precautions and make sure they have the right insurance to protect their finances," said Laura Adams, senior insurance analyst at insuranceQuotes. "You could have packages delivered to your office or a local lockeror use motion detectors, security systems and light timers to fend off thieves."

TheBBBoffers the following tips to outsmart porch pirates over the holiday season:

If you or someone you know has been affected by stolen packages, report it to BBB Scam Tracker to help warn others.

RELATED: Minutes after package dropped off, person seen taking it from Greensboro front porch, homeowner says

RELATED: Porch pirates strike again in Greensboro, homeowner shares video from Ring app

RELATED: 'Because Christmas is magical' | Porch angel takes misdelivered packages to rightful owners

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Tips to outsmart porch pirates over the holiday season - WFMYNews2.com

UTAH PORCHES Its the most wonderful time of the year for porch pirates to steal your packages.

Salt Lake City ranked second-worst in the U.S. this year for porch pirates, according to a study from Safewise.

But porch pirates dont just strike in Salt Lake City.

With that in mind, Provo police released a a fun video last week to educate citizens about how to avoid parcel thieves.

The roughly two-minute video starts off with a sad story. We see a man making a pancake.

Then, tragedy hits. Hes holding a whisk. He is spatula-less.

Cue the flashback (folks, grab your tissues now). It shows our main character shopping online for a spatula a $75 spatula, no less.

Three to five days later, the expensive utensil arrives. But ... it is stolen by a porch pirate before our chef gets it.

Now were back to the present, where we see the man standing with a useless whisk and a burning pancake.

Then, the unimaginable happens.

A Provo police officer rings the doorbell and gives our hero his spatula! Its a Christmas miracle.

We can see the porch pirate in the back of the patrol car and we know justice has been served!

However, in real life, porch pirates are rarely caught which is why its important to try and prevent package theft in the first place.

If the above doesnt work out and you unfortunately end up a victim of package theft, Provo police suggest reaching out to your local post office or the shipping carrier to confirm the package was delivered.

If it was stolen, report it to the police.

The video ends on a happy note, and we see our main character successfully flipping a pancake with his $75 state-of-the-art spatula.

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Have You Seen This? Provo police share funny video about avoiding porch pirates - KSL.com