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When City Council voted 5-1 in August to impose a series of new regulations on strip clubs and other sexually oriented businesses, supporters predicted the ordinance could withstand any court challenge because it was modeled on bills that had already passed legal muster elsewhere.

That confidence may still prove justified, but it hasnt prevented a lawsuit that, at least for now, seems to have created a stalemate that safeguards the right to pursue happiness even in the form of a lap dance.

Filed in September by Showgirl 1, Showgirl III and Brandys Lounge, the lawsuit does indeed offer the now-familiar argument that stripping is a form of expression and is, as a result, constitutionally protected by the same First Amendment intended to safeguard free speech, religious liberty and an independent press. But the clubs attorneys offer several other objections Allen Superior Judge Jennifer DeGroote is likely to consider during a Jan. 14 hearing on dueling requests for injunctions that would allow or prohibit the ordinances enforcement.

One of the clubs tactics, in fact, is to remind DeGroote of the legal principle behind her June decision upholding a challenge of the citys pay to play law. The city, DeGroote ruled, had no authority under state law to regulate political contributions. The lawsuit makes a similar argument when it comes to city regulation of establishments that serve alcoholic beverages.

The suit also contends the local ordinance defines nudity more broadly than state law does and contends the clubs would be forced to undertake extensive and costly remodeling . . . and during that forced remodeling the plaintiffs business will be affected, either by limitations where patrons may be seated, where entertainment can be performed, by inconveniencing patrons and by the presence of dust, dirt and construction equipment and debris.

Among other things, the ordinance would establish minimum lighting standards and, according to the lawsuit, require dancing to take place on a stage that is at least 18 inches tall, that every performance be distanced from the audience by at least six feet and take place in a room that is at least 600 square feet and in the presence of the operator. Nobodys going to pay good money for a lap dancer six feet away, which is probably the intent.

Police would enforce the ordinance something the lawsuit contends would result in unconstitutional warrantless searches.

As I reported in August, council voted to regulate sexually oriented businesses after the city sent a private investigator into adult clubs and discovered several violations of the states public nudity statute. Still, despite my personal misgivings about the negative aspects of adult entertainment, the approach taken by council and the administration of Mayor Tom Henry seems a bit inconsistent.

Just for starters: On the very night council voted to regulate strip clubs it defeated a bill that would have banned so-called swingers clubs. In other words, businesses profiting from partially clothed dancers are regulated far more heavily than those profiting from actual sexual intercourse. And the Champagne Club at 2710 Nuttman Ave., which is deemed by the city to be out of compliance with zoning laws, had been given until Sept. 10 to close by Plan Commission attorney Robert Eherenman but, so far as I know, is still operating.

Then theres this: After a different proposal to regulate problems allegedly caused by sexually oriented businesses failed two years ago, council instead passed an ordinance targeting chronic problem properties of all sorts. But, according to the lawsuit, none of the plaintiffs have been notified that their businesses are commercial chronic properties. Whats more, in the event the (chronic property ordinance) is invoked, the city will work with the property owner to remediate the problem. By way of contrast, the challenged ordinance subjects plaintiffs to substantial monetary penalties, as well as the suspension and revocation of a license to engage in constitutionally protected activity.

One might wish the Supreme Court had not made Patrick Henrys out of pole dancers, and whether this issue is worth the thousands of taxpayer dollars it will cost to litigate will be a matter of legitimate debate. The city, for its part, has told the clubs it does not plan to enforce the ordinance before Jan. 28. But if the citys only swingers club and some strip joints are violating laws already on the books, why cant we start there no matter what DeGroote and any appeals court(s) ultimately decide?

This column is the commentary of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The News-Sentinel. Email Kevin Leininger at kleininger@news-sentinel.com or call him at 461-8355.

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KEVIN LEININGER: Lawsuit has new strip-club bill in limbo, but why not enforce laws already on the books? - News Sentinel

In 1959, the Ferraro family had recently moved into the Vine neighborhood and just sat down to dinner when nextdoor neighbor Fred Appledoorn, previous co-owner of V & A Bootery, walked in without knocking.

To everyones surprise, Fred strolled around the dinner table, pausing to touch each of the Ferraro children on the head. Before leaving, he said one thing to parents Lance and Charlotte: Nice family.

With that unusual blessing, the Ferraros, six children and two parents, were welcomed into the neighborhood. Vine then was a natural paradise for the active Ferraro children who roamed the streets, sandlots and woods, and as they grew older, the many local businesses, especially on South Westnedge and Vine. Over the years, the Ferraros, one of the oldest remaining families in the neighborhood, have witnessed the many changes, from childhood paradise to blight and drug houses, then back to a vibrant renewal and entry of new families.

Recently, On the Ground sat down with father Lance (Lancelotto Angelo, as he was christened), 98, a well-known local photographer and former city commissioner, son Marc, former Vine Neighborhood Association board member, and daughter Sharon, Kalamazoos official City Historic Preservationist, all of whom still live in Vine, just blocks apart. Four other Ferraro children, Lance Jr. Laura, Kate, and Gina Chimner, have moved out of the neighborhood. The Ferraros shared memories of people, places and events in Lances living room, drawing on family and neighborhood lore.

Of Fred Appledoorn, the Ferraros remember a quiet, upright man with a big heart.

He was a soldier in the Spanish American war, says Lance. Best guy in the neighborhood. He always visited people who were just moving in.

He kept an eye on the neighborhood, agrees Marc, who now lives around the corner from the Oak Street home where he was raised and in which his father still lives. He wasnt social all the time. Hed come out on the porch when we were playing in the front yard. I remember this figure of a pleasant person.

The Ferraros, who had moved to their Oak Street house from the Stuart neighborhood, werent strangers to Vine. Lances mother lived close by on Axtell. They were and are a creative clan, valuing art, community and authenticity. Charlotte, wife and mother, who passed away in 2015, was the first in her Battle Creek family to earn a college degree. She was an elementary art teacher in Battle Creek and Portage, but also a gifted seamstress and supporter of the performing arts. Four of the Ferraro children were heavily involved in Kalamazoo Community Youth Theater and Junior Civic.

Charlotte was also skilled with tools as she had grown up with a carpenter, tool and die maker father who had no sons and so taught his daughters his skills. Charlotte built her husbands dark room. She could make anything, says Sharon.

Lance was one of the founders of the Barn Theater, the man behind the camera, but not in the picture, he says. From the late 1940s to the early 1960s, he was the official photographer of the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. He developed photos in an old backstage dressing room. I like the theater stuff.

Members of the Ferraro family have lived in Vine since 1959. Here the Vine Ferraros sit on Lance's front porch.

He also served as the President of Professional Photographers of Michigan for a couple of terms, and was a longtime freelance photographer for the Detroit Free Press and Kalamazoo Gazette.

Taking care of the community runs in the family. Lance served terms on the City Commission, and also was on the first Vine Neighborhood Association Board in 1980?. Son Marc followed in his footsteps.

The name Ferraro itself means blacksmith in Italian, fitting because the Ferraros are skilled makers of things, but maybe even more importantly skilled caretakers.

If you live in Vine and own an old home, you know Sharon and the passion with which she approaches preservation. Sharon considers the family stewards of the neighborhood. Weve got houses that date back as far as 1850. By and large, the housing stock is more sturdy than what you can buy today thats new.New Vine residents choose the neighborhood for its quirks and its character.

Theyre not the first owner and theyre not going to be the last owner, says Sharon, but if they chose a historical district, they are going to pass their home on to someone who is like-minded.

Random memories, some Vine, some not

Blanched Celery: A Kalamazoo delicacy

Many know that Kalamazoo was once known as Celery City, surrounded by wet flats, including what is now South Westnedge Park, the old Dairy Queen on South Westnedge that is now a drive-thru Taco Bobs, and the site of Maple Street Magnet School. But some may not know that blanched celery was an area specialty.

People used to stop at the train station on their way to Chicago or Detroit and buy blanched celery, says Marc. They put boxes around to grow it and it was creamy white, a delicacy.

Vine orphanage for girls

On the east side of South Westnedge, the Ferraros recall, sat an orphanage for girls, where Ye Olde Laundromat now stands. The orphanage was demolished in 1971.

They had a huge, well-built swing set that Sharon envied when she was 7. I didnt understand what it meant to be an orphan, says Sharon. But I loved swings. I didnt think it was fair.

Paper routes

Marc and his sister, Kate, had paper routes for the Kalamazoo Gazette. With two other neighborhood friends, the four would join forces and deliver 625 papers to doorsteps a day. It was almost a Leave it to Beaver neighborhood, Marc says.

Central Bakery, now home to Satellite Records

A popular meeting place in the neighborhood was Central Bakery on South Westnedge. In the back, there was a horseshoe counter, remembers Marc. In the morning, gentlemen would be in there smoking their cigarettes and drinking their coffee. Then high school students would flood the place. The men would come back at night for social club, which was open until 7.

Sharon remembers coming in for lunch. I remember feeling so grown up sitting there with a cup of coffee and a roll, she says. Back then, with the metabolism of a hummingbird, I would order a Pershing doughnut, cheese Danish, a cookie and a carton of chocolate milk. That was lunch.

Laura, Sharon and Lance Jr. Ferraro pose near the family's popular Oak Street porch.

Mushroom steaks

Once when exploring in the gully, the wooded area behind Long and Short streets and the old Dalton house, (which they called the Gilmore Woods), the Ferraros and friends found a mushroom as big as a large pizza. They came home to fetch the wagon. When they returned with their prize, Lance called WKZO At Your Service, an old radio show you could phone in an ask other listeners for advice. After describing the mushroom, a woman called back and said is was safe to eat.

We had mushroom steaks for a while, he says.

Grim years: neighborhood watches and drug activity

In the late 1960s, Oak Street became the hippy neighborhood, Sharon says. Near where ODuffys is now, was a head shop with its bongs, tie dyes and incense, and a waterbed store, a leather store, a used bookstore, and then Souk Sampler, a vintage clothing store.

As the '60s passed into the '70s and then the '80s, more and more drugs began to infiltrate Vine. Once a rich childhood paradise, that environment waned during the late 1970s and early 1980s, when a recession and the rise of the crack epidemic began to take its toll on urban neighborhoods. Sharon remembers McCourtie and Burr Oak as a hub of drug activity.

Lance helped organize a march against drugs.

Society changed, says Lance, who also helped start a Neighborhood Watch. Out of those watch meetings grew the idea for a neighborhood association, which Lance helped form and then became the first VNA director in the 1908s..

In the late 1970s, the city was debating the future of Vine, considering whether to let it fall into decay and then replace the housing stock, says Lance.

Then people said, We have to get together and preserve it. We dont want it to fall apart, says Sharon. A historical house lover since she was young, Sharon had returned to Western Michigan University for a degree in history. Her father was then serving on the city commission and he was approached. We are creating a new historic district and we want your daughter to run it.

Heart of the Vine

Vines Central Corners, the main commercial area on Vine and South Westnedge that the VNA owns and rents out to local businesses, was recently renamed in a voting contest as Heart of the Vine. Not many may have known it as Central Corners and how many beyond the neighborhood will know its new name is yet hard to tell. But the choice by residents says a lot about their beloved center.

Thats what it is, says Marc. Heart of the Vine.

I loved that we were close to downtown, Lance says. The kids could walk down to the library and the museum. It was a good neighborhood for kids.

None of the most recent Ferarro generation has yet to move their own families into Vine, but it could still happen.Marcs twin 9-year-olds are growing up during a Vine resurgencemore families moving in, rehabilitation of Davis Park, new businesses, and El Sol, an elementary school. Their neighborhood is more akin to the Vine the Ferraros were raised in, though the circumference the twins can roam is smaller. Still, theyre growing up in a neighborhood with traditionsthe annual VNA meeting at ODuffys, Fourth of July Parade, National Night Out at Davis Street Parkand a safe space to play.

What Im seeing now when I drive around in the summer and evening is kids on bikes and roller skates and playing games in their yard, says Marc. I havent seen that since I was growing up in the '70s.

Right now, Marc allows his twins to play on Axtell where they live and sometimes to go down the street to Davis or Pioneer Street Park. But he can envision a time when he will send them for an errand at Midtown Fresh Market like his parents sent him over to the old A & P on Michigan Avenue.

Im seeing a slow rise in owner occupancy, says Sharon. Weve always had around 80 percent rental, but I think that number (of homeowners) is going to go up in the next census.

Creating the Historical District in Vine has been positive, despite the expense of remodeling to conform to the requirements that some people complain about. Its preserved housing and it hasnt gentrified the neighborhood, says Sharon. Its made a difference in the character.

As Lance, Mark and Sharon posed for a photo on the porch where Lance spends so much of his time that he was featured in a former Google maps satellite photograph, Lance reminisced about the many portraits he has taken over the years of people, some famous, some not, including John F. Kennedy on the steps of City Hall.

While On the Ground Photographer Taylor Scamehorn focused her camera, Lance was inspired to repeat what he used to say to loosen up his own subjects.

Smile, dammit, smile, he sang.

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Neighborhood legacy: The Ferraro family has been growing in the Vine for over 60 years - south west michigan

Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.

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One stock to keep an eye on is Thor Industries (THO). THO is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), as well as an A grade for Value. The stock has a Forward P/E ratio of 11.10. This compares to its industry's average Forward P/E of 14.61. Over the last 12 months, THO's Forward P/E has been as high as 11.68 and as low as 6.69, with a median of 9.28.

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Finally, investors will want to recognize that THO has a P/CF ratio of 12.45. This data point considers a firm's operating cash flow and is frequently used to find companies that are undervalued when considering their solid cash outlook. THO's P/CF compares to its industry's average P/CF of 16.73. Within the past 12 months, THO's P/CF has been as high as 14.34 and as low as 6.30, with a median of 10.67.

These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that Thor Industries is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, THO feels like a great value stock at the moment.

Thor Industries, Inc. (THO): Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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Should Value Investors Buy Thor Industries (THO) Stock? - Nasdaq

Global Carpet Back Coatings Market: Summary

Carpet back coatings is primarily a backing process and is an important production step which is done to improve and enhance the stability of various textile floor coatings including rugs and carpets. Backing of floor coatings has advantages such as soundproofing, stepping elasticity and heat insulation. There are various types of coatings used for textile floor covering which include pre-coatings, foam coatings, textile back coatings, heavy coatings, reinforcement and back finish among others. Various methods used for backing carpets include secondary backing, embossed gel foam backing and felt backing.

Gel foam backings are the most accepted carpet back coatings as they possess excellent mechanical quality, good water resistance and have a non-slippery effect. A gelling agent along with a vulcanization agent coupled with ammonium acetate gel foam is used as secondary backing. Tufted carpets are pre coated after tufting, primarily to anchor the needled piled loops in the carrier layer of the carpet permanently. The pre coating material consists of a variety of components, which include x-SBR latex (dispersion that contains a copolymer, which is obtained from styrene, butadiene and carbonic acid), fillers, water, and additives, which include thickeners, anti foam, foam stabilizers etc. The pre coatings can be applied to carpets and other textile floor coatings by two processes, one which include slop padding and the doctor blade technique.

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Global Carpet Back Coatings Market: Drivers and Restraints

The primary driver for the carpet back coating market is the need for carpets in households and workspaces. This is owing to the high disposable income of the people, changing lifestyle of the consumers especially in the Asia Pacific region. Carpets are increasingly used for decorating and enhancing the feel of a room whether in houses or in offices. The growing construction industry coupled with growing remodeling activities is anticipated to boost the market for carpet back coatings. Competition from hard floor coatings and the harmful effects observed during the manufacturing of carpet back coatings may restrict the carpet back coating market. Manufacturers of carpet back coatings are investing in a number of research and development projects to improve the quality of the various carpet back coatings as well as improving the quality of carpets. Research is also being carried out in order to find eco friendly alternatives especially for modern customer needs.

Global Carpet Back Coatings Market: Regional Evaluation

The major markets for carpet back coatings include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). The North American region is the largest market for carpet back coatings owing to the increase in the demand for carpets. This is due to home renovations in the region coupled with improvements in the retail market segment. The demand for carpet back coatings is sluggish in Europe due to the economic crises that took place in the region. Most of the demand for carpet back coatings and carpets comes from various refurbishment projects in the European region. However, the market in Europe for carpet back coatings is expected to rise at a slow pace during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is expected to have maximum demand for carpet back coatings due to the high disposable income of consumers along with increasing investments for various commercial projects and high demand from major countries like Japan, India, China, Korea and Indonesia.

Global Carpet Back Coatings Market: Key Players

The key companies profiled for the company back coating market include ChinaFlooring Holding Company Limited, Duochem, Amtico International, Ceramica Cleopatra Group and Balta Industries among others.

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Carpet Back Coatings Market Globally Expected to Drive Growth In Upcoming Year - Techi Labs

HICKSVILLE, N.Y. With the 40th anniversary year of its USA business now coming to a close, Kalaty Rug Corp. is seizing the opportunity to send a new message in the new year. The company is unveiling two new catalogs one of which marks a first for the company and is re-launching its website.

One catalog is a 400-page tome spotlighting the companys current line of top-shelf heirloom-quality rug collections, spanning traditional to transitional to modern styles, as well as featuring Kalatys three high-end decorative accent pillow collections and its designer-friendly custom-color rug program.

The second catalog represents Kalatys inaugural dedicated catalog for its newer, K-Two program, which comprises mid-tier and mass retail-focused products at more affordable price points. The offering encompasses 15 collections available in a range of design genres, weaves and constructions.

Both catalogs will roll out to customers next month, and print copies will be available for distribution at: Atlanta International Gift, Home & Area Rug Market Jan. 14-21 in Kalatys showroom space, 4-G-14 in Building 1 of the AmericasMart; and Las Vegas Market from Jan. 26-30 in its showroom in B-455 of the World Market Center.

Earlier this year, Kalaty began to oversee a vast website remodeling project. The results are now in, and Kalatys online presence has been retooled to include several new tools and tech features aimed at enhanced user-friendliness. As part of that effort, the company has also updated and added tools to its popular Kalaty app.

Not only is our newly updated Kalaty.com faster but visitors to our website will now find it easier to navigate with such new tools as the ability to click on any rug in the line and be able to see it in a variety of room settings, said Ariel Kalaty, a company spokesperson. And, in addition to updating our website, we have make major updates to our Kalaty app, one of our customers most popular and most often-utilized marketing and business tools.

Available for both Apple and Android devices, the app allows Kalaty dealers to explore the companys rug collections, access and check orders, make payments, track and check shipments, and communicate with the company.

Kalaty celebrated its 40th anniversary in the U.S. with several key milestones:

Not only did our return to High Point help us commemorate this important anniversary year but it also helped us send a strong message to existing and potential customers confirming our commitment to serving them at this all-important market, said Ramin Kalaty, company president. And, at the fall High Point market, Kalaty chose to present more new product than it has ever shown previously at High Point in order to further showcase the depth and breadth of our product line.

Cecile B. Corral is a senior editor with Home Textiles Today and is editor of luxury textiles supplement POSH. She also covers the area rug category for Furniture Today and Home Accents Today.

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Kalaty caps 40th anniversary with two new catalogs - Home Accents Today

Ashfield

The First Congregational Church (UCC) of Ashfield will host its annual Winter Fest Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. Johns Episcopal will also be joining in the fun. Both churches will offer homemade Christmas cookies and other baked goods, jams, fresh wreaths, local crafts, books, Rada cutlery, Palestinian olive oil, Deans Beans coffee, gifts for bird lovers and more. The First Congregational Church will sponsor a drawing with many items (you dont have to be present to win) and Ms. Claus will be there. On Sunday at 3 p.m., the Ashfield Community Band will host its Holiday Family Carol Sing in the First Congregational sanctuary. The winner of the drawing will be announced at 3 p.m.

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

The Community Clothes Closet at 83 Foundry Village Road will be open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.through Dec. 14, and resume in early April. Residents of all towns are welcome. Clothes are free and suit all ages. The closet accepts donations of clean clothing, which can be delivered anytime at the buildings rear. Contact Linda Wagner at 413-625-6157 or Sarah Looman 413-625 6169 for more information.

Greenfield Community College Chorus will present An Informal Holiday Concert in the GCC Main Lobby Friday from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. The audience will be invited to join in singing, and refreshments will be available. The program will comprise traditional music for the season, early American anthems, music by Haydn and Brahms, and recent arrangements by Susan Brumfield and Victor Johnson. Performers will include soloists from the chorus: Kate Walker, cello, in Hashivenu; Henry Gaida, accompanist; and Margery Heins, conductor of the GCC Chorus. Information about joining the chorus will be available at the concert, or call 413-775-1171. For accessibility accommodation, contact the Coordinator of Disability Services 413-775-1812.

Friends of the Greenfield Public Library "Taste of the Towns" raffle drawing will be Saturday at noon at the Greenfield Public Library. Tickets are 1 for $5 or 3 for $10. Light refreshments will be served in the lobby of the library from 10 a.m. to noon.

Healthy Desserts: Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Greenfield Senior Center, 35 Pleasant St. Do you have a sweet tooth? Have you ever wondered how to make desserts healthier by adding or substituting fruits and veggies? Then this workshop and cooking demoby Emily Lawler,RDN, is for you. Registration required. Call 413-772-1517 ext. 0 or stop by the front desk to register.

Christmas Craft Fair: Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 41 Main St. The fair will offer hand made crafts, angels/nativities, floral arrangements, Christmas decor items, books, white elephant, collectibles, jewelry and more. There will also be raffles and grab and go lunch and bake sale.

Leyden Glen Sheep Farm Holiday Open House,31 Glen Road: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join artist, author and sheep farmer Kristin Nicholas and her husband sheep farmer Mark Duprey as they open their 1751 home and sheep farm for the 5th Annual Holiday Open House. See colorful hand-painted, handmade decorated farmhouse that has been featured in Yankee Magazine, Country Home, Houzz.com and more. Also sheep grazing. Special local guests artist Alicia Hunsicker, jeweler and textile Specialist Deborah Garner, dyer Gail Callahan and soapmaker Juliana Farina (from Amherst Soaps) will be selling handmade items. Celebrate the season, sample farm-raised lamb, and get a jump on holiday shopping.

The Pioneer Valley Regional School band will host its Mistletoe Market Holiday Fair on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school. There will be crafters, food, sweet treats, raffles more. All proceeds to benefit the band as they will be going to Chicago in the spring to compete against other high school bands.

Christmas Bazaar sponsored by Dick's Angel Relay For Life will be Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northfield Town Hall (downstairs, use back door). Bake sale, tomato cheddar soup, coffee can drawings, and more. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

The Kiwanis Club of Northfield will conduct its annual holiday fair and raffle on Saturday in the gym at Northfield Elementary School, 104 Main St. Crafts booths will surround the gym and a giant raffle table fills the center with prizes, including a quilt donated by Pickering Farm Quilt Shop and a meat smoker donated by Aubuchon's of Winchester. Prizes are awarded at the end of the fair by celebrity guest prize picker, Mary Bowen of the Northfield Creamie. Proceeds provide food and clothing gift certificates for needy families. The PTO will be selling hot food, beverages and books.

Santa and Mrs. Claus invite all to the Orange Historical Society's Christmas Bazaar Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 41 North Main St. The tin can raffle has more than 140 quality items valued over $3,500 and a bake sale.

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

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

St. Nicholas Bazaar will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 84 K St. Coffee and donuts will be served in the morning. The bazar will feature gifts, religious goods, bake sale, Polish food sale, vendors, raffle, lunch and more.

Puzzle Swap: Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at Greenfield Savings Bank, 282 Avenue A. Come swap with other fellow puzzle-masters. Light refreshments courtesy of Greenfield Savings Bank. No reservations required. All welcome with a puzzle to swap. Puzzles for all ages.

Franklin Area Survival Center: 96 4th St., 413-863-9549. The thrift store, which is open to the public and helps finance the food pantry, is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The food pantry is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In an emergency, such as a fire or flood, the center will supply needed clothing, linens and food to help the disaster victims.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Talk of the Towns, Dec. 5, 2019 - The Recorder

This is part of a special report by The Monroe News on the issue of homelessness in Monroe County.

To Kyle and Adeana Buckley, a married couple living in Monroe, he is simply Uncle Joe. But to many others in Monroe, he's known as the Man on the Bench.

Thats the name often volleyed at Joe Gentile, a 58-year-old man whos experienced homelessness on and off for the last 10 years.

He often could be seen around the city and neighboring municipalities, his signature cart carrying his possessions not far behind.

Joe, like many experiencing homelessness, suffers from schizophrenia, a disorder that affects an individuals ability to think, behave and feel clearly. He also struggles to verbalize his thoughts and feelings sometimes, an added burden caused by his illness.

But his disorder and situation didnt deter the Buckleys from taking an interest in the man nor did it keep them from helping him, whether it be a ride to the market or giving him water when hes thirsty.

As they got know Joe, they realized he was a person in need of compassion and help, which they were willing to give. They recently helmed a fundraising campaign, drawing more than $3,500 to help get Joes life on track.

For so long I really did pray that something would change and he would get help, Kyle said. Sometimes you just have to be the change.

MEETING JOE GENTILE

Kyle introduced himself to Joe about two years ago. Kyle, who works in the lawn-care industry, was coming home from a job when he noticed Joe sitting on the bench near the former Kmart store at Stewart Rd. and N. Monroe St. He had seen Joe throughout the community many times before but had never actually spoken to him.

It was midsummer and the temperature was stifling. Kyle had several cold waters left over from work and decided to offer some to Joe. He approached Joe, who was bundled up in his standard outfit of a coat and sweatpants, and started talking with him.

Hes continued those conversation ever since. Kyle kept talking with Joe, sitting down wherever he came across the man and the cart with which he never parts.

I would let him know Im not there for anything else other than to get to know who you are, Kyle said.

If it was raining or cold out, hed ask Joe if there was somewhere he could take him. Kyle learned that Joe often stayed under bridges or viaducts throughout Monroe.

For the longest time, he would just say, I just need somewhere warm to stay, he said.

Heartbroken, there was little Kyle could do. He and Adeana, a nurse, have four kids and a grandson, so their space at home was limited. Theyd also seen how others had treated Joe.

It wasnt uncommon for people to throw food at him or become angry when he didnt accept what they offered Joe doesnt eat fast food. Sometimes people would initiate confrontations with him, uncaring or not understanding that Joe battled mental illness. He also was the common target of criticism on social media where people would post demeaning things about him, Kyle says.

This is a human being, Kyle said. If (those people) are in a position like this one day, I hope society doesnt treat them (the way they treated Joe).

The breaking point came in September when Kyle came across Joe a day after rain had drenched the region. It had been cold overnight and Joe was huddled on one of his favorite haunts: the bench in front of Key Bank on N. Telegraph Rd.

Kyle approached him, intent on once again giving him water. But Joe was shivering and wet and Kyle couldnt bear it any longer.

(Joe) just looked at me and said, Im cold and wet, Kyle said. And that was a defining point in my heart.

He talked to Joe a little bit and then left, calling Adeana on his way home. In their hearts, both knew something had to be done.

They went and picked up Joe and took him to a local motel. Using their own money, they put him up for the night, unsure of what the future held for the man.

If nothing else, he could at least spend a night in a warm place, Adeana said.

And he hasnt been back to the bench since that day, she said.

THE GAMEPLAN

The battle would be to find Joe long-term housing and to come up with a strategy. Kyle and Adeana launched a GoFundMe account the day they took him to the hotel, explaining Joes situation and what they were aiming to do.

With winter coming, they at least wanted to find a way to keep Joe warm for the season. Part of his illness is that he doesnt handle crowds well and feels unsafe, triggering outbursts or episodes of anger. Shelters werent a long-term option, though in moments of desperation he had visited them.

We told him were not going to take you anywhere you dont want to go, Kyle said.

The couple sought to raise funds to keep Joe in a room until they could locate an apartment or housing option for him. They couldnt afford the venture on their own but thought maybe the community would step up and help out.

The response was overwhelming. The page was inundated with donations from area residents, many stating they wanted to help Joe for years but didnt know how to do it.

Monroe has really stepped up to help him, Adeana said.

The couple endeavored to help Joe navigate the complex system of aid available to him. He had run-ins with various agencies in the past and many held a negative opinion him, Kyle said.

That wasnt the only barrier. Because Joe was lodged in a motel temporarily, many agencies claimed he wasnt technically homeless. Some even suggested that the only way to ensure Joe receive aid would be to take him back to the bench.

Incredulous, Kyle refused to bow to such a bureaucratic demand. Many of the benches Joe slept on were removed shortly after he began staying at the motel. Kyle pushed ahead and helped Joe complete a mountain of paperwork to receive aid.

From day one, we said we dont care what it takes hes not going back to bench, Adeana said.

BATTLING HIS DEMONS

Talking about his past is a trigger for Joe, Kyle said, adding he sometimes goes to places of darkness and sadness when he reflects on his life. Those bouts consist of rants and angry words, but theyve lessened in recent months. He said he often redirects Joe towards happier, simpler things made of light instead of letting Joe fixate on the darkness of his inner demons.

He feels as if there is a negative spirit out to get him, Kyle said. I just bring light and he relates to it well. He doesnt even think in the same through patterns anymore.

Joe has become a permanent fixture in Kyle and Adeanas life and family, visiting for meals and keeping in contact several times a week. He even has plans to spend the holidays with the family.

Hes warm, hes fed, hes got friends and family now, Adeana said. Hes so much better now.

Getting to know Joe has shown how wrong people in Monroe were about the man, said Adeana. Underneath the gruff exterior and the layers of stereotypes foisted on him is a kind, sweet person, she added. He loves music and enjoys listening to station AM 500. Hes also intelligent and appreciative of the help he receives, said Kyle.

He enjoys grocery shopping, Kyle added, saying he reads labels and has an understanding of what's healthy and the dangers of poor nutrition. The family often takes him to the market.

Theres also a self-awareness of his mental health issues, according to Adeana. Although hes not in counseling, he understands when an episode may be imminent. Hes even started taking medication for his issues.

He knows (when) hes feeling symptomatic, Adeana said. He recognizes he may need something to get out of this.

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

Today, Joe moves into an apartment in Monroe. Its a touching moment for him and the Buckley family, especially considering the journey it took to get to this point, the couple said.

All the stigma that has been placed on him has been wrong, Adeana said. Our approach as been different weve been patient and willing to get to know him.

On the other hand, Joe is happy to have a place to call his own again. He plans to spend the day making sure everything works. Oaks of Righteousness is donating the furniture for the apartment.

I really appreciate everyones help, Joe said. Im excited its better than being on the street. I was on the street all last winter.

The Buckleys will continue to support Joe and help him navigate life. Hes part of the family now, they say, adding the GoFundMe has been reframed to focus on Joes daily needs rather than the emergent situation of shelter.

They plan to reach out and help more homeless people. Joes story touched them and they want to be able to keep doing good for others.

Its an idea the community can embrace as a whole, Kyle said, adding that there is much wealth among those living in the county and its churches. For those where money is an issue, there's always the ability to the give time, a comforting hand or just an ear, he said.

There are always ways to support a cause, Kyle said. Anyone who can help, in any way, thats what we need.

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Homeless in Monroe: The man on the bench - Monroe Evening News

CLEVELAND, Ohio A second blockbuster film is destined for the Cleveland Orchestra treatment this summer at Blossom Music Center.

On Tuesday, the group announced its plan to perform Howard Shores score to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring live in concert, in sync with the film.

There will be three performances, all of them beginning at 7 p.m., on Friday through Sunday, July 17-19. Ludwig Wicki will conduct, and the Blossom Festival and Cleveland Orchestra Childrens Choruses will take part in the performances.

Tickets to the performances go on sale Tuesday, Dec. 10. Prices are $26 for individual lawn tickets and $36-$121 for seats in the pavilion. Lawn ticket books are also are available for $155, and the Under 18s Free program will apply.

This concert also will be included in the 2020 Blossom Music Festival pops subscription package, details of which will be announced later.

The Fellowship of the Ring is the first of three films in director Peter Jacksons adaptation of the Lord of the Rings novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. It follows a hobbit named Frodo as he takes possession of and embarks on a dangerous quest to destroy a ring of ultimate power.

It will be the first of two popular fantasy films headed to Blossom Music Center this summer. The second, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, announced earlier this season, will be presented Aug. 29 and 30.

For more information, go to clevelandorchestra.com or call 216-231-1111.

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Cleveland Orchestra slates Fellowship of the Ring film concerts at Blossom - cleveland.com

I was in college the first time I observed World AIDS Day.(www.worldaidsday.org) I spent the night with others from our Gay-Straight Student Alliance, tying red ribbons and placards to the palm trees that lined the main campus lawn. Our focus was raising awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS in different communities and fighting the stigma associated with the disease.

Since then, the focus (for the alliance and other advocates) of subsequent World AIDS Days, which is observed each year on Dec. 1, has shifted from simple awareness of HIV/AIDS to supporting free proactive HIV screening tests and education about pre-exposure prophylaxis.

The results of these collective efforts (along with making HIV medications accessible to people living with HIV) are as you would expect. Progress is slow, but the rate of new HIV infections is at the lowest level ever.(www.hiv.gov) However, we are still missing critical populations. Black men who have sex with men, for example, account for a high proportion of new HIV diagnoses.

There's an obvious lesson here: When it comes to health awareness and screening, it's all about getting the right methods into the right communities. This is consistent with what we already know about screening asymptomatic patients for disease, a practice that is based on longstanding, clear principles(apps.who.int) (availability of an accurate test, identification of an appropriate population and ability to act on results obtained).

But we are shifting into a world of direct-to-consumer screening tests, and the result is that patients think that acquiring information -- in any form -- is better for their health. There is a drive to constantly track and improve our health.

That's why it's even more interesting to reflect on why HIV screening tests are (somewhat) a success story in the world of patient-driven screenings compared with other offerings.

Take, for example, the carotid artery ultrasound. Most people don't need this test to screen for carotid artery stenosis. So imagine my surprise when, early in my career, a healthy patient in her 40s told me she needed a referral to a cardiologist after she had somehow gotten this test at a mobile health fair offering "heart screening."

I've since learned that hospitals and third-party vendors offer things such as stroke screening packages. For my patient, it was the carotid artery ultrasound. For others, the free or low-cost screenings may involve EKGs or ultrasounds of the abdominal aorta.

The subsequent harms from these tests can be tremendous. They may yield false-positive results or incidental findings that lead to riskier procedures and increased costs to our health care system -- all while failing to make people healthier.

In the medical community, the idea that screening tests might cause more harm than good is far from novel. Robust studies have shown no to low reduction in mortality from certain screening tests.(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) Every physician understands the sensitivity and specificity of screening tests. We know the pitfalls of false negatives. We know the fallacy of the idea that early detection prolongs life and we know the definition of lead time bias.

Yet despite the evidence and our education, we've collectively failed to deliver cohesive messaging to patients about screening tests, especially information regarding which patients to screen.

For the HIV screening test, most patients are able to appropriately self-select while avoiding overscreening. In fact, many patients who should get tested still don't. Contrast that with EKGs or carotid artery ultrasounds, which many patients think they would benefit from although most patients don't need them.

Mass media is partly responsible for this critical missing piece of the narrative. Patients who are the exception to the rule generally get airtime, telling stories that are often steeped in fearmongering: the missed pancreatic cancer diagnosis, the rare young patient with a stroke or the atypical presentation of a heart attack.

"Disease of the month" awareness campaigns often are well-intentioned but may also lead to unnecessary overscreening. Breast cancer screening is probably the most misunderstood example of screening complexities. Only 10 of 10,000 women in their 50s will have their lives extended by annual screening mammography, but 940 patients will undergo an unnecessary biopsy. And 62 of those 10,000 women will still die from breast cancer.(jamanetwork.com)

But patients still believe the blanket "early detection is key" mantra and insist that mammograms will save their life.

Given all these nuances, patients shouldn't be expected to navigate the confusing health care landscape on their own. Literally, the reason the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force exists is to guide clinicians, and earlier this year, the USPSTF published its first recommendation on preexposure prophylaxis. The task force recommends that clinicians offer PrEP to patients who are at high risk of acquiring HIV infection. That recommendation, supported by the AAFP, carries an "A" rating, which means the treatment should (eventually) be covered by payers.(www.healthaffairs.org)

Family physicians are the first line of defense when it comes to patient education. It's our role to show patients that screenings are not primary preventive care. No screening test can actually prevent cancer; rather, they exist to detect cancer.

When it comes to reducing risk of disease, primary prevention is best. Eating your vegetables, quitting smoking, taking PrEP. Giving PrEP to just 10 young black men who have sex with men will prevent one new HIV infection.(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) No screening test can beat those numbers.

On World AIDS Day this past weekend, I reflected on the work being done to fight AIDS -- the research, the increased access to medications, the times I've appropriately screened a patient for HIV infection, the times I've diagnosed it and initiated treatment. I'm proud of all that work. But I'm even prouder of the times I've taught my patients about PrEP and reduced their risk of being infected in the first place.

Natasha Bhuyan, M.D., is a board-certified family physician in Phoenix. You can follow her on Twitter @NatashaBhuyan.(twitter.com)

Read other Fresh Perspectives posts by this blogger.

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Patients Need to Know the True Cost of 'Free' Screenings - AAFP News

Planned repairs to the roof of St. Cloud's drinking water treatment facility will require the grass to be torn up and allow for development of the riverwalk.(Photo: City of St. Cloud)

ST. CLOUD A new way to embrace the Mississippi River just north of downtown St. Cloud could be open to the public within the next two years.

The city of St. Cloud is wrapping its vision for a Riverwalk into scheduled improvements at the city's drinking water treatment plant along Fifth Avenue North.

The public is invited to attend an open house from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Whitney Senior Center to give opinionson possible Riverwalk features.

The proposed Riverwalk site has changed since it was first proposed in 2015. Preliminary drawings showed an interactive river channel and swimming area, amphitheater space, a canoe launchand event buildings on the site ofCathedral High School's Rau Field.

The updated plans instead feature amenities near Hester Park including the transformation of the green space on top of the water treatment plant, which is tucked under the turf.

Residents at the open house will be asked about their preferences for the space. That could include music or performance space, benches, flexible lawn space, an athletic field, space for family and community events, and space for picnics, among other things. Landscaping could include a shelter or pergola, a wildlife habitat, a sculpturegarden or other gardens.

Matt Glaesman, community development director, said he expects the council to approve final plans and bids for the project in the coming months.

The roof of St. Cloud's drinking water treatment facility is tucked under green space that the city plans to redevelop as part of a riverwalk.(Photo: City of St. Cloud)

The overall plan also includes the relocation of two lift stations along Fifth Avenue North near Cathedral High School. That project is estimated to cost $1.4 million and is funded by sewer utility revenues.

The water treatment facility improvements are expected to cost $25 million, funded by a state revolving fund. Planned improvements include advanced treatment and disinfection systems.

Tracy Hodel, public services director, said the improvements are primarily related to water quality compliance. Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer and be completed by 2022.

The Riverwalk, which will connect the downtown Beaver Island Trail extension to Hester Park, is estimated to cost$5 million. It will be funded by $2 million in local-option sales tax revenues, $1 million from a grant and $2 million in private donations.

The Riverwalk project is a partnership between Mississippi Partners, Rotary Club of St. Cloud and the city of St. Cloud, among others.

"These are the three things coming together that are creating the corridor improvements," Glaesman said of the projects.

The Riverwalk project also provides an opportunity to restore the eroding shoreline of the Mississippi River and fits with Mayor Dave Kleis' priority to spotlight the mighty river that runs straight through the heart of the city.

Those efforts spurred the Beaver Island Trail bridge, a sloping bridge snuggled up against the downtown riverbank that connects the trail from River's Edge Convention Center to Fifth Avenue North. The bridge, which cost about $8.44 million, opened in October 2016.

The city's comprehensive plan also shows proposals for new riverfront restaurants and hotels along the east side of the Mississippi River.

The city and region has worked to embrace the river as an asset in recent years, with a 2009 regional plan earning St. Cloud the River Friendly City of the Year Award from Minnesota Waters.

"That established a regional vision for how we embrace the river and be good stewards while also using the river for redevelopment purposes," Glaesman told the Times in 2017. "We've certainly made a concerted effort to re-engage the river."

Read or Share this story: https://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2019/12/03/plans-riverwalk-near-hester-park-finalized-coming-months/2590558001/

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How do you want to enjoy the Mississippi? St. Cloud's Riverwalk plans to be finalized soon - SC Times