Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

On taxes, be careful what you wish for

Something is wrong with how little we tax the richest | Column, June 14

Judging from the letters to the editor that I read, many people have a distorted view of net worth versus income. If your house increases in value, which is very likely in the current real estate market, do you pay income tax on the increased value? If your 401(k) or IRA is structured for growth and you realize some very good gains, do you pay income tax on those gains before you withdraw the funds? No. Only when you sell your home or take the gains in actual cash are you liable and obligated to pay those taxes, according to the current laws.

Many, if not most, Americans invest in themselves via property and retirement accounts. These are the two most popular ways of building wealth. After a lifetime of building net worth, do we pay our fair share when we actually take the money? You bet we do. Billionaires do the same, but on a much grander scale.

If our dear elected leaders ever decide to tax wealth, we are all doomed. No more retirement accounts, no more stock market, no more home ownership; the government would be there to strip away any gains you might accrue each and every year under the guise of fairness. Before you light up the torches and storm the mansions of the uber rich, beware you just might be burning your house down.

Steve Thomas, Tarpon Springs

Hiking USF preserve shows need to save it | Column, May 24

The Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay Conservancy wishes to express our strong support for the permanent protection of the University of South Florida Forest Preserve. This property has received significant attention recently, resulting from the universitys exploration of potential future development of the 769 acres. The Tampa Bay Conservancy considers this property a critical link in the wildlife and natural area corridors of northeast Hillsborough County. The preserve provides a natural connection to Lettuce Lake Park through its common frontage on the Hillsborough River. That linear frontage also provides valuable natural shoreline, including large areas of floodplain that filter water for areas downstream. Because of the ecological, historical and research value, we are deeply concerned that the university recently elected to entertain development ideas for the property. There are many developed properties surrounding USF but only one Forest Preserve, an irreplaceable and critically important ecological resource for past, present and future students, alumni and the greater Tampa Bay community. The Tampa Bay Conservancy is a land conservation organization devoted to protecting the natural, agricultural and scenic heritage of the greater Tampa Bay region. As such, we strongly advocate for the protection of this property through a conservation easement, precluding future development, but allowing for continued research, educational and recreational use.

Ethel Hammer, Odessa

The writer is president of the Tampa Bay Conservancy.

The Times tallies its 13th Pulitzer | June 13

Outstanding work, Kathleen McGrory and Neil Bedi! This type of professional talent is why I subscribe to the Tampa Bay Times. The tenacious, dedicated, exhaustive work involved in these investigative reporting projects is so needed. How else would we ever learn the scope of these issues impacting us here in the Tampa Bay region?

Kathy Houck, New Port Richey

Outrage over billionaires tax returns ignores basic facts | Column, June 13

Somewhere between the two extremes of paying no taxes and confiscating assets is a solution to unjust taxation. Our current tax code is much like gerrymandering. It carves out loopholes and exceptions that favor one group only, in this case the rich. Wealthy people live lavish lifestyles based on realized gains, wages, and dividends. At the very least, that income should be fully taxed. Since borrowing against their investments portfolio loans is a common way to obtain funds without incurring taxes by selling stocks, lets legislate a tax on that income. And 1% on their entire portfolio, above a certain dollar amount, each year would not be unreasonable. If I sell a property and hold the mortgage, Im still liable for the entire gain (not just the cash down payment) in the year of the sale, realized or not. If I were wealthy, there would, no doubt, be numerous ways to avoid this tax. Wealth detached from the civic responsibility to contribute is obscene. Correction in our tax code is long overdue.

Diane Love, St. Petersburg

Im Sen. Rick Scott, and heres how Id rein in Washingtons reckless spending | Column, June 13

Id like to know where Sen. Rick Scott was when then-President Donald Trump was doing all the spending during his term. I dont remember hearing a peep out of him then.

Rick Cortese, Tampa

Selling? Easy. Fixing? Uh-oh. | June 14

I would like to add a tip to Susan Taylor Martins informative article on home renovations: Have your general contractor obtain all required permits, especially if renovations include electric, plumbing, and window replacements.A respectable, licensed, and insured contractor should have no problem getting a permit. If they refuse, hire somebody else. And while you are at it, have your contractor endorse their general liability and workers compensation insurance policies to you for the duration of the home remodeling process.

Lambros Papaeconomou, Tampa

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Soaking the rich isnt the answer | Letters - Tampa Bay Times

David Pinder, a Delawarean who works at Comcast, started a program to replace old American flags. The program has since expanded to several states. 6/14/21 Delaware News Journal

One of the first times David Pinder knocked on the door of an unsuspecting resident, he was met with an angry greeter. He had bypassed the "No Trespassing or Soliciting" sign after parking his Comcast truck.

Pinder wasn't at this New Castle County residence later learned to be a Verizon customer to solicit;rather he was there to give.

The American flag flying at the property was tattered and worn. And Pinder, a veteran of the Navy,took inventory of some visual cues that told him the person living there likely didn't have the means to replace it.

Pinder, he explained to the initially angry man, was there to replace the flag and retire the old one, free of charge. So he did.

David Pinder replaces a flag in the Iron Hill area. Pinder started the Veterans Network Flag Replacement Program at Comcast which replaces worn, faded or tattered flags.(Photo: Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)

That flag is one of the more than 400 Pinder and others, through Comcast's Veterans Network, has replaced for free in New Castle County and one of the around 600 replaced in the Delaware Valley over the last four years.

Pinder, a Bear native and Comcast maintenance supervisor, got the idea for theVetNet Flag Program while replacing a flag at his office.

"By nature Im patriotic, and I was looking to respect and take care of our flag," he said.

He ran the idea up thechain of command and got the go-ahead. In just a few days, 75 flags were in his office.

"What seemed like a great idea on paper, all of the sudden it was kind of like, Here we go,'" Pinder said.

At first, Pinder would notice worn and tattered flags while out in the field or would ask others working to take notice and let him know if there was a replacement opportunity.

"I suspected when I saw tattered flags, I always tried to assume the best of people," Pinder said."I assumed that there was a reason that it wasnt replaced and there was a good reason. What weve found often is maybe people didnt have the means to replace them, or another thing that we see a lot of times is once it starts to tatter, theyll just go overnight.

"Were there because you chose to fly a flag, and we choose to give you a new one. And not only a new one but a high-quality one."

MEMORIAL DAY:'Relentless in their commitment': Gov. Carney praises National Guard at Memorial Day event

The old flags, Pinder said, get folded up and collected in a sealed box.Then, on or around Veterans Day, they are retired with an honor guard at VFWPost 475 in Newark.

More than 200 flags were retired in the three years the program existed before the coronavirus pandemic, which forced the program to halt operations for a while. But then Pinder figured he and his various flag ambassadors could keep doing things safely.

They"looked like surgeons" walking up to people's doors with gloves and masks on.

"We were a little worried that people were going to be concerned by our presence, but we found the opposite," he said."People not only wanted to talk, but they wanted to keep talking."

COMCAST IN THE COMMUNITY:'Lift Zones' in Wilmington, Newark aim to help low-income families get online

Now, many of the replacements come by way of referrals or people reaching out to Pinder or the other area ambassadors. The program is now running from Maine down to Virginia, and Pinder said he has even trained Comcast employees in California and Chicago, too.

David Pinder raises the American Flag in the Iron Hill area. Pinder started a program at Comcast that replaces worn, faded or tattered flags.(Photo: Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal)

One of the families who reached out to Pinder was the Levines, a military family who lives in Newark near the Maryland state line. Momo Levine got in contact with Pinder after seeing something on a local Facebook page.

Pinder was out in November to replace their flag.

"I was a little skeptical," Momo Levine said."I was happy about it because we had a very old, tattered flag."

REMEMBERING:At first, he hesitated to join the Army. It soon became this Dover veteran's life and lasting identity

"As a veteran, the flag means a lot," her husband, Joe, said. "What hes doing means a lot to veterans, especially the older ones who cant get out, as they get older, and replace it themselves."

That was the case for the man who lived at the house with the signs forbidding trespassers. He was living off a fixed income, Pinder said, and had trouble getting around. After first showing little interest ("I'm a Verizon customer," he said), the man let Pinder do the replacing.

Pinder, out of the corner of his eye, could see the man watching through a window as he put up a brand-new flag.

"You could tell he was kind of getting emotional," Pinder said."I waved to him, and he actually waved back as I was leaving."

Contact reporter Jeff Neiburg at jneiburg@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeff_Neiburg.

Read or Share this story: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2021/06/14/flag-day-delaware-man-help-comcast-has-replaced-hundreds-tattered-flags-david-pinder/7606788002/

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Need an American flag replaced? This Delaware man, with the help of Comcast, will do it for you - The News Journal

ReactNativeis a famend JavaScript cell software framework that permits constructing cell purposes on Android and iOS platforms. It gives excellent cell growth capabilities and concentrates on creating purposes for a number of levels utilizing an identical codebase.

Initially developed by Fb for its inside app growth, React Native was open sourced in March 2015 for iOS Cell apps, and by September of the identical yr a model for Android dev was additionally launched. At present, Native React has been vastly improved and powers in style worldwide cell purposes like Instagram, Fb, Skype, and extra.

Are you able to get began with React Native? Letsperceivefind out how to obtain, set up and arrange React Native in Home windows 10.

Earlier than we get began, listed below are a couple of system necessities to obtain, set up, and arrange React-Native in your Home windows 10.

To obtain and efficiently set upReact-Nativeinyourpc, you must take into account the minimal specs required to help the app and run it easily.

To effectively set up and arrange React-Native in your Home windows machine, you will want to put in the next:

To efficiently set up and arrange React-Native to your machine, you must observe the steps mentioned beneath:

The primary course of that you must do is to put in Chocolatey, a properlyrecognized bundle supervisor for Home windows. Set up of Chocolatey requires administrator entry to the pcs command immediate to run.

Get-ExecutionPolicy

To examine whether or not you have got put in itaccurately, open the command immediateandsort;

In case you managed an accurate set up, this command returns the Chocolatey model you have got put in; like proven within the display beneath:

Utilizing Chocolateywe are going tonow set up Node.js, and JDK8 as follows.

i. Putting in Node Js

Putting inNode.jsis essential asits aJavaScript runtimesurroundingsandReactNativemakes use of it construct theJavaScriptcode. To put in Node.js, you must open the command immediate because the administrator and put within the Chocolatey command immediate beneath:

Choco set up -ynodejs.set up

Set up might take a while. As soon as completed, you will notice a messagestating thatChocolateyisput inas proven beneath:

To substantiatethat set up has been profitable, we are going to execute the beneath command on thecommand immediate, as administrator:

If the set up was profitable, the model quantity is displayed.

After putting in Node.js, the Node Package deal Supervisor NPM robotically installs. Now examine the set up of NPM in your system by getting into the next command.

The displayed message beneath verifies that the set up of NPM is profitable.

JDK8 is essential within the enchancment of android purposes byReact-Native. To put in the JDK8, go to the Home windows PowerShell and use the next command:

To know whether or not it put in efficiently, open the command immediate once more andenter the command:

The message beneath is displayed if the JDK8 is efficiently put in therefore displaying the Java model as:

The put in JDK8 additionally has an put in Java compiler. To substantiate whether or not the Java compilerhas beenput in, open the command immediateandenter the beneath command:

To enhance cell purposes with React Native, you must set up Android Studio. To obtain the set upfile, go to.By default, android studio robotically installs the newest Android SDK. Nonetheless, constructing a React Native app with native code calls for Android 11.zero (R) SDK particularly.

The set up show message seems to be like beneath:

After downloading the file, carry out the Android Studio set up course of. To proceed, click on on theSubsequent buttontosee the Select Elements display.

Tick the field containing Android Digital Gadget and click on on theSubsequent button.

You then want to decide on the situation in your pc the place you want to the Android Studio to get put in. You possibly can even go away it to put in on the default location to save lots of time, and then click on the Subsequent button to go to the subsequent display:

Youll come to the Select Begin Menu Folder. Click on the Set up button to put in this system.

When the bar reaches the top, click on on the Subsequent button to finish the method.

On the subsequent display,examineBegin Android Studioand click on on theEnd button.

Click on the Subsequent button to go to the Set up Kind display:

Select the Customized sort of setup after which click on the Subsequent button.

On this display, you may choose the theme of your alternative after which click on on the Subsequent button to go to the SDK Element Setup window.

On the SDK Element Setup show, examine on the Efficiency Intel HAXM possibility plus Android Digital Gadget possibility after which click on on the Subsequent button.

On the Emulator Settings window, dont make modifications to something. Go away it the best way its and click on on the Subsequent button.

Confirm settings.

The dialogue field beneath completes the entire course of by clicking on the Set up button.

Customise Android SDK

When you choose Configure, the SDK Supervisor as proven on the displayabove isdisplayed.This lets you select theAndroid SDK settings.Click on on thePresentPackage dealParticulars positioned on the backside proper of the display.Fromthe record, tick the next:

Click on the OK button to put in them, and you might be completed organising the Android SDK.

React Native wants surroundings variables to be custom-made to create purposes utilizing the native codes. Subsequent, we are going to customise the Android Studio Atmosphere variable.

Properclick on on This PC and click on Properties, a display shows as beneath. Click on on the superior system settings.

When youare on the System Properties window, choose the Superior tab,andthen the Atmosphere Variables buttonon thebackside. ThenpressEnter.

After choosing the surroundings variable, go to the Variable identify, sort ANDROID_HOME and your variable worth Android Studio SDK path. After that, customise the Android Studio platforminstruments path by choosing the Path variable on Consumer variables in your identify record to maneuver to the edit dialog.

Enter platform instruments folder path within the SDK path, like C:Customers[user name]AppDataLocalAndroidSdkto the top of the record and pressEnterkey. Open the command immediate and enter the command beneath:

adb

When the environmental variable customization is profitable,you get the beneathmessage:

Set up React Native CLI

To put inReact-Native CLI, open the command immediate as an administrator andenterthe next command:

Allow us to create a brand new React Native mission utilizing react native CLI.reactappis the primary mission were creating on React Native.

Working the Utility

After getting created your firstReact software, it is time to run the applying. Open the applying in any IDE of your alternative. Right here were utilizing Visible Studio Code as proven:If you wish to run your mission on an Android machine, open Android Studio and create a digital machine.When yourdigital machineopens, use the next command in your Home windows Command Immediate:

As soon as completed, you will notice the applying opened in your Android machine as proven:

React native software is a world bundleand neverthe identical as different frameworks. Allow us toperceivefind out how to uninstall React Native out of your system utilizing Management Panel.Heres a step-by-step information on find out how to uninstall React Native:

To uninstall React Native out of your system, use the command:

Conclusion

On this article, weve gotseenthe systematic process of downloadingand organisingReact-Native on Home windows 10 units. Moreover, weve got additionally mentioned aboutReact-Native, its origin, the set up course of, and the observeupsetup procedures. In a nutshell, you have got discovered find out how to set up and arrange the next software program packages:

You have got additionally learntfind out how to createtheReactNative app and useiton an Android machine. Lastly, we noticed the uninstallation course of too.

Hurray! You have got come to the top of the tutorial. Its time to get began with React Native and construct your tasks. Maintain Coding!

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Installation of React-native on Windows 10 (Step-by-tutorial) - Pirate Press

New York, June 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Construction Silicone Sealants Market by Type, Curing Type, Application, End-Use Industry and Region - Global Forecast to 2026" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06093878/?utm_source=GNW The increasing demand from residential housing and commercial offices, along with rising infrastructure output from key sub-sectors, such as roads, rail, energy, and water and sewerage, is boosting the demand for construction silicone sealants.

One component is expected to be the fastest-growing type in the construction silicone sealants market during the forecast period.One component is the fastest-growing type segment in the construction silicone sealants market.One-component sealants are widely used in waterproofing due to its excellent properties such as temperature and weather resistance.

It accounted for a share of about 67.5% of the construction silicone sealants market, in terms of value, in 2020.

Acetoxy is expected to be the fastest-growing curing type in the construction silicone sealants market during the forecast period.Acetoxy is the fastest-growing curing type segment in the construction silicone sealants market.The growth in this segment is attributed to increased use of construction silicone sealants in various applications, such as waterproofing, window installation, and sanitary ware installation, among others.

It accounted for a share of about 41.5% of the construction silicone sealants market, in terms of value, in 2020.

Insulating glass is expected to be the fastest-growing application in the construction silicone sealants market during the forecast period.Insulating glass is the fastest-growing application segment in the construction silicone sealants market.Rising number of energy-efficient construction projects in residential and commercial end-use industries will drive the demand for silicone sealants in the insulating glass application.

It accounted for a share of about 14.4% of the construction silicone sealants market, in terms of value, in 2020.

APAC is the largest market for construction silicone sealantsAPAC is the largest and market of construction silicone sealants, with China being the major emerging market.APAC accounted for the largest share of the Construction silicone sealants market in 2020.

The market in the region is growing because of increased foreign investments because of cheap labor and availability of raw materials.Government proposals to improve manufacturing and rising capital intensive non-residential construction, coupled with the increase in demand from commercial construction projects.

It accounted for a share of about 41.0% of the construction silicone sealants market, in terms of value, in 2020.This study has been validated through primaries conducted with various industry experts worldwide. These primary sources have been divided into 3 categories, namely by company, by designation, and by region. By Company Type- Tier 1- 55%, Tier 2- 30%, and Tier 3- 15% By Designation- C Level- 21%, Directors 23%, and Others - 56% By Region- North America- 45%, Europe- 27%, Asia Pacific- 15%, Middle East 6%, and South America - 7%

The construction silicone sealants market comprises major solution providers, such as Dow (US), Wacker Chemie AG (Germany), Elkem ASA (Norway), Momentive (US), and Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. (Japan), among others. The study includes an in-depth competitive analysis of these key players in the construction silicone sealants market, with their company profiles, and key market strategies.

Research Coverage:The report covers the construction silicone sealants market based on type, cure type, application, end-use industry and region.This study aims at estimating the size and future growth potential of the market across various segmentation types.

It also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key market players, along with their profiles and key growth strategies.

Key Benefits of Buying the Report: Comprehensive coverage and analysis of the construction silicone sealants market in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, South America and Middle East & Africa Competitive landscape of major players and their developments in construction silicone sealants market Identifying high-potential opportunities for construction silicone sealants Identifying and targeting high-growth application segmentsRead the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06093878/?utm_source=GNW

About ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

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The global Construction silicone sealants market is estimated to be USD 3.5 billion in 2021 and - GlobeNewswire

Gordon Freireich Published 8:44 a.m. ET June 14, 2021

Jody Harlacher works on the porch railing of a home in Gettysburg.(Photo: Submitted)

Jody Harlacher has more artist in him than he admits, says Zach Ausherman of Mike Ausherman Painting.

A resident of Dover, Jody has been named the Craftsman of the Year by the Painting Contractors Association, a national organization based in St. Louis. The award is officially named the L.E. Travis Jr. Craftsman of the Year, honoring a painter who excels at his work.

Jody, 61, (he proudly points out he was born at the former West Side Hospital in York) has been a professional contract painter since 1988 when he joined the Ausherman team. A 1977 graduate of the York County Vo-Tech School in carpentry and cabinetmaking, he worked for Boring Furniture, Boring Manufacturing and Yorktowne Kitchens before working with his father in his painting businesses prior to joining Ausherman.

Over the years, he has become an expert with matching paint and stain colors. His high quality work can been seen across the area, most recently in his intricate work on a large 1837 home in Gettysburg with a series of unique porches. Over the years, he has used his expertise in repainting the original Glatfelter Mansion in Spring Grove and helping to restore the former Hahn Home (now Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors) after a fire damaged the interior of the building.

Jody Harlacher, right, holds the L.E. Travis Jr. Craftsman of the Year award presented by the national Painting Contractors Association. At left is Zach Ausherman, of Mike Ausherman Painting, who nominated Jody for the award.(Photo: Submitted)

Jody, who decided to go part-time as a painter on May 1, says his knowledge comes from experience and training classes he has taken over the years.

In nominating Jody for the award, Zach Ausherman, who refers to himself as the companys Chief Vision Officer, wrote: A notable interior project was a large three story stairwell in a one hundred-year-old home.

He went on to praise Jodys technique with stains. With stain, the talent is in blending stains to match the existing. A few times a year, well have stain projects where the substrate causes lighter or darker spots. Jody has the ability to modify the stain to darken or lighten those spots.

When it comes to paints, Jody has the ability to manipulate paint to match colors by adding pigments. A few times a year, hell add white, amber or others needed to make the paint color needed for that project. Indeed, that is what he did on the Gettysburg house project.

Jody Harlacher also shares his knowledge with other members of the Ausherman painting crews. Each spring he runs our ladder safety program for the company, Zach Ausherman writes. He is adamant about cleanliness and keeping things in order as well as making sure he and his crew are wearing proper PPE for dust and paint particles; from dust masks to properly fitting respirators.

Now that he has reduced his schedule to part-time, Jody says he will have time to work on family projects for his son, two daughters, and his wife, Brenda.

And, oh yes, time for fishing, a favorite activity

Ausherman Painting has 18 employees with a market area including York and Adams Counties, as well as Mechanicsburg and Camp Hill.

Jody Harlacher is proud of his York County roots and York County can be proud of Jody Harlacher and his brush with fame as the painting craftsman of the year.

Gordon Freireich is a former editor of the York Sunday News.Email:gordonaf2805@gmail.com.

Read or Share this story: https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/2021/06/14/portrait-top-painting-craftsman/7682567002/

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Portrait of the top painting craftsman - York Daily Record

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) Most of us are familiar with painting a home. But when a home is over 200 years old, you have to call in the professionals like Elijah Southern.

No job is tough if you love what you are doing. Its therapeutic, Southern said. I like painting. I like taking it from ugly to pretty.

Southern owns Southern Renovation and Paint.

His mission is to paint all the wooden surfaces of Blandwood Mansion. The historic downtown Greensboro landmark is the former home of North Carolina governor John Morehead.

Before Southern can paint, he has to remove layers of old paint and smooth out the rough spots. When hes done, Blandwood will be back to its 1795 charm.

When I paint it, I will use a brush and roller like they did when they first painted and try to keep the same look, Southern said.

Benjamin Briggs is the executive director of Preservation Greensboro: the nonprofit that operates Blandwood. Along with a new coat of paint, Preservation Greensboro also thought it was time to make another change.

We thought it was important for the organization to reach out to minority owned businesses, woman owned businesses, to see if we have a better representation of contractors here at Blandwood Mansion, Briggs said.

To have the opportunity to be contracted to do it as a minority, thats awesome, Southern said. That shows how time has changed.

Southern has worked on historic houses before but nothing quite as large as Blandwood. So when this job is complete, it could set him on a stage to something even bigger.

We are working with him to build our heritage trades here in Greensboro, Briggs said. His skill level can be applied to many different houses, and we look forward to him becoming a part of our team.

Joining the team is important because finding someone to take care of a 200-year-old home is becoming harder and harder.

That would be a great opportunity to do more. I am sure it will come in time if you stay patient and vigilant, Southern said.

He should be finished painting Blandwood Mansion in a few weeks.

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I like taking it from ugly to pretty: Contractor gets new opportunity painting the historic Blandwood Mansion in Greensboro - WGHP FOX 8 Greensboro

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio Here are the latest updates in Rocky River for road repairs and projects, progress with the new police station and the construction project at Bradstreets Landing as supplied by the Director of Public Safety Service, Rich Snyder. The descriptions show clearly all projects are making progress.

For the Crack & Joint Sealing Program, the contractor has completed work on Lake Road and is close to completing Hilliard Boulevard. After Hilliard is complete the contractor will move to Wooster Road and Story Road. Drivers are cautioned to drive slowly through these work areas.

On Center Ridge Road the painting of all poles is complete. New striping will be applied to the pavement soon. Old signal heads and poles will be removed upon activation of the new signal heads.

For the Morewood Parkway Sewer/Water/Repaving Project, City Council is currently reviewing the project. Construction is expected to begin in late June or early July.

Lake Road Ramps Resurfacing connecting Beachcliff Boulevard to Lake Road began June 1. Intermediate courses of asphalt have been applied on both ramps to allow for maintenance of traffic. Full depth concrete repairs will take place next week. Expect periodic ramp closures and heed the detour signage that is posted.

At the new Police Station jail doors were installed. Contractors are beginning to punch list items on the second floor. Fixtures, furnishings and equipment are being delivered and installation of the items is beginning. The garage door installation is ongoing and the elevator is being installed. Glass windows are also being installed throughout the station.

At Bradstreets Landing work on the pier is ongoing. A kayak launch area has been opened at the west end of the beach as the beach itself remains closed. Residents are asked to please maintain 50 feet of distance from the pier at all times.

Bradstreets Landing work planned for next week:

Complete new beam seats for precast tee beams.

Prepare grading on pier for concrete planters and seating area. Place grout backfill along cap beams.

Form and set steel reinforcement for pier cap beams.

Note that the pier and the work zone is closed to the public. Construction fencing has been set up to isolate the work site from the public. As a matter of safety, the city asks that no one enter the work zone.

Continue reading here:
Latest updates in Rocky River on roads, police station and Bradstreets Landing - cleveland.com

On Thursday, June 3, at 4 a.m., crews from the Minneapolis Department of Public works showed up at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, now known colloquially as George Floyd Square, to remove the protest art and gardens around the globally recognized raised fist monument near where George Floyd was killed almost exactly a year before. Over the last year, Minneapolis has used similar surprise tactics in shutting down the many homeless encampments in city parks that emerged as COVID respites from crowded shelters.

When the city trucks showed up at George Floyd Square that morning, it was tweets and Instagramand probably a lot of panicked phone callsthat caused hundreds of people to rush over there to protect this space of protest and memory. They hastily erected new traffic barricades from whatever materials they could find, including couches, palettes, and leftover building materials.

Thursdays stealthy clean sweep activated a policy announced several days earlier by Mayor Jacob Frey. Citing complaints from neighbors trapped in their homes, business owners with diminished access, spikes in crime, and traffic flow, Frey insisted that reopening the intersection was essential for the city. He argued that now is the time to reconnect the city with a commitment to equity citywide and investment in the neighborhood.

The problem for the hundreds of caretakers and allies, who have stewarded the square as an autonomous zone over the last year, is that George Floyd Square is already openperhaps for the first time ever in a city with a history of systemic racism. As the City withdrew due to pushback, they immediately started to replant gardens on the sidewalks and around the Raised Fist statue in the intersection.

That afternoon, City of Minneapolis spokeswoman Sarah McKenzie told The Washington Post that city leaders were working with a community group on the transition of the memorial. The Agape Movement, a peacekeeping organization whose staff includes ex-gang members, is working with the city to help keep the memorials intact.

She further described the days events as part of a community-led reconnection process with the City supporting efforts to reopen the intersection while preserving artworks and memorials to George Floyd.

Around 12:15 p.m., Mayor Frey and two city council members from neighboring wards held a news conference to explain the citys morning action. They repeated key messages such as: many conversations, partnerships, a lot more work to do, and not surprisingly, the process of healing.

Mayor Frey repeatedly used the phrase phased reconnection to describe a three-year plan to open up the street, support local business, and spur investment at the square. He cited extensive video dialogues, online surveys, and community involvement to craft both this strategy and the 38th Street THRIVE vision planalready underway when Floyd was killed. The citys core message was that none of these benefits and rebirth could happen until traffic flow was restored.

Two days later, that Saturday set a new temperature record for the date, reaching 99 degrees F. and exacerbated by the citys heat island effects. After a year of avoiding the 38th and Chicago intersection for fear of being part of the wave of photo tourism, I realized that now was the time to visit. My motive was the Mayors removal of street-blocking features.

Visiting the square in person is a completely different experience from seeing it in pictures or streaming video. I was immediately struck by how quiet it was, how calm people were, how much cooler these reclaimed streets seemed compared with the rest of the city on this hot morning, in part because so much of Minneapolis is engineered with wide streets for traffic flow. Although rich with colorful handmade murals, gardens, and street painting, the space of the intersection is defined in an almost Baroque and formal way. In all four cardinal directions, the gateways set two blocks from the intersection are marked by raised fist sculptures that are nearly identical tobut smaller than the monument in the middle of the square.

Resembling the shape of obelisks, all of them were built last summer as wood structures. When vandals attempted to set fire to the main monument, the artist clad all five with Cor-Ten steel, heightening their sense of permanence and architectural tone.

In interviews and presentations, city leaders repeatedly stated that local citizens of color have been leading the management, security, and planning for George Floyd Square. Last summer, they contracted with The Agape Movementfor Case Management Services. While the details of how much Agape has been paid to date are unclear, this organization has been in charge of security and serving as liaison between the squares caretakers and the city.

Yet, when Agapes team showed up on Thursday morning to clear the way for city crews, many caretakers and volunteers questioned the groups real purpose. The next day, the Minneapolis Spokesman-Recorder noted that The Agape Movement was seemingly running interference for the City..

For months, the mainstream media has confusingly reported Agapes role, leaving the impression that they were a gang hired for security, or they were acting as peacemakers, or they were outside contractors, or that everything they did represented the wishes of the community. Thursdays dawn raid revealed that Agape was really working for the city, serving as a kind of buffer allowing the police to stay away and supposedly making a bridge to city government.

In the press conference aftermath, city leaders insisted that Agape was working for neither the mayor nor the police. Frey praised the on the ground leadership in Agape while implying that it was Agape who chose the timing and tactics for the dawn confrontation. By then it was becoming clear that the city was trying to avoid blame for any mishaps by positioning Agape as the voice of the people and decision-maker.

Frey and the two council members also released the statement: The Agape Movement brought together community leadership to begin facilitating the phased reconnection this morning, with the City playing a supportive role. We are grateful for the partnership.

KSTP news followed the citys line on Agape by noting that this group that led the removal of barricades around George Floyd Square early Thursday morning is acting as a buffer between the City and the community through a paid partnership. The Agape Movements mission is to bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement.

In a rare challenge to such official accounts, the Spokesman-Recorder wrote that some of Thursdays pushback was precipitated by accusations that the City of Minneapolis, particularly Mayor Jacob Frey and Councilmembers [] appeared to make Agape a scapegoat of sorts and seemingly used the organization to hide their intent to reopen the intersection. A few other news outlets covered the caretakers perspective.

On April 20, 2021, when Derek Chauvin, the police lieutenant who murdered George Floyd, was convicted on all three counts for which he was charged, hundreds of people flocked to the square again to follow the news and to celebrate once the verdicts came in.

Today, there are stirrings of talk that the square itself at the intersection should become a National Historic Monument and that the surrounding blocks should be designated as a National Historic Landmark District. There is no question that the Floyd murder and its ongoing effects are the most historic moment in Minnesotas history since the Euro-American conquest of the 19th century. Something like these designations should happen, but the stewardship of the area has to be something unprecedented in American historic preservation.

We also need an unprecedented design solution and plan for limited vehicular access (as often seen at landmark sites) that preserves the viability of this singular space. A new Bus Rapid Transit line under construction along Chicago should continue through the square. Emergency and service vehicles also need access. Local businesses need some kind of drop-off and nearby parking to thrive. Jay Webb, the squares gardener foresaw this need for balance when he scaled the monument garden to allow 24-feet lanes for vehicles of all types to make turns.

A year ago, I wrote a story on George Floyd focusing on the hundreds of protest murals that were being created across the Twin Cities. I was struck by how the museum and historic preservation communities had no idea of what to do with them, who should save them, or that it was their political meaning and memoryand not their physicality that mattered. This bias reflects over a century of American historic framing of events through monuments and architecture dating to Mt. Vernon.

Today we have an intersection that many people hope to set aside for gathering. The city of Minneapolis wants to tear down its barriers for traffic while physically enclosing the actual site where Floyd died, the gardens, and artworks with new barriers. The argument is that such barriers are essential to protect the memorials from traffic.

But when visiting, its obvious that the new low-rise walls set these human works of memory apart on podiums like objects in a museum. The true meaning of these expressions comes from being part of a tended place and not encased as works of art.

After Agape and city crews returned early Tuesday morning to reopen the drive lanes, I came back to the square to see if it was open to vehicles. At noon, a few cars were passing through after negotiating some parked cars and construction signs. I could sense that something was now different from my Saturday visit. The caretakers and visitors were still there. But the streets were open as if some temporary hiatus had occurred. But, when one car paused and its driver took pictures, one of the caretakers quickly put a stop to it. Visitors can take many pictures, but only when engaging with the space.

I talked for the second time with Jay Webb, who goes by the name The Gardener if you ask him. A year ago, he was one of the first people to proclaim the square a sanctuary space even as the riots and fires were still raging across the Twin Cities. He told me that of all the insurrectionists who were on the streets those nights, no one who came to George Floyd Square was arrested.

Part of the reason Americans keep building walls is that we consider them as tools to keep something out, to protect us from harm, unwanted immigrants, or criminals. But there is an older sense of boundaries dating to the pre-Socratics that values physical enclosure to bring something forth from withinthe local spirit of a sacred spring, the greens, herbs and medicinal plants that grow in a cloister garden, a sanctuary of memory with a different flow of space and time.

Jay the gardener told me that his work was far more than horticulture. He said, you know who I consider my real plants? Then, he swept his arm over everyone there and up Chicago Avenue, its all of you.

The rest is here:
In Minneapolis, as George Floyd Square is cleared, so too is the historic landscape - The Architect's Newspaper

Michigan Wolverines football added to its wide receiver room Monday, with former Jackson State wideout Daylen Baldwin, a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility remaining, choosing the Maize and Blue over an offer from rival Ohio State.

Baldwin worked out in front of offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Josh Gattis and other staff members late last week, earning an offer shortly thereafter.

Baldwin began his collegiate career at Morgan State, where he caught 16 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown as a freshman in 2017 and racked up 14 catches for 152 yards and one score as a sophomore in 2018.

He sat out the 2019 season, before playing in the spring of 2021 for head coach Deion Sanders at Jackson State. There, he exploded for a conference-best 540 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 27 catches in just six games, which earned him first-team All-SWAC honors and the league's title of Newcomer of the Year.

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Playing in the Big Ten at Michigan will be quite a step up for Baldwin, who was an unranked recruit out of Waterford (Mich.) Mott. Some players making a leap of this proportion excel, while others aren't able to put it all together. But Baldwin has done nothing but ascend since entering college football in 2017, and has some physical tools size, physicality, ball-catching ability, etc. that have a good chance of translating to a higher level.

Michigan, which had just 26 passing plays of 20 or more yards last season, has been searching for more explosiveness on offense. Baldwin won't single handedly be the answer, but he's going to help in that regard. Last season, he racked up 20 yards per reception (the 15th-most in the FBS), which included an average of 9.2 yards after the catch.

Baldwin doesn't just add value when he's being targeted, either. He is a stellar run blocker, showing he's willing to do the dirty work, and actually led Jackson State's entire team including offensive linemen with a run-blocking grade of 82.1 this spring. He got plenty of work in that area, having been in on 177 run-play snaps last season.

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Examining Michigan's WR Room Following The Addition Of Daylen Baldwin - Rivals.com - Michigan

The idea that Fabio Paratici and Tottenham Hotspur could win the transfer of Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli is positive for Spurs future engine room.

With a new Managing Director of Football at the helm who came from Italy, we can expect new transfer rumors to connect Tottenham and various Italian clubs almost daily. Some rumors pick up steam and others fizzle out. One new rumor that would boost Spurs faithful and help in the middle of the park is Tottenham signing Sassuolos midfielder.

Manual Locatelli is a 23-year-old Italian midfielder. If you were not familiar with Locatelli and his work in Serie A before the start of Euro 2020, you likely are familiar with him now. Locatelli is the deep-lying playmaker that Tottenham needs and is the perfect complement to PierreHjbjerg.

Locatelli is a true box-to-box player. The Italian is a midfielder who is equally comfortable standing a player up at the top of the penalty box to block a shot or make a tackle as he is playing a one-two at the top of the box for a shot or shot assist. Per 90 this past season, Locatelli had less than four fewer touches in the attacking third as he did in the defensive third.

Whereas PierreHjbjerg often looks for the safe, smart pass, Locatelli looks for the creative, decisive pass. Whether a through ball up the seam or a little chip reminiscent of Christian Eriksen, the Italian has an eye for the pass. Crosses, corners, switches, the Toby ping; Locatelli has it all in the bag.

Beyond competence on the ball, and in possession, the man is stout defensively. Locatelli next toHjbjerg as the two deep midfielders would provide Tottenham with a ton of flexibility going forward and in defense. In short, that calm on the ball the team has missed since Mousa Dembele left would return.

What would be best about signing Locatelli is that it would give Spurs a natural replacement for Moussa Sissoko who will hopefully move on. Add in the introduction of Oliver Skipp, who is something between Locatteli andHjbjerg, and you have yourself one heck of a deep midfield rotation.

Last season Tottenham struggled in the deep midfield finding the right foil forHjbjerg as Moussa Sissoko wore down. UltimatelyHjbjerg wore down as well and Tottenham was left short. Even if Sissoko is sold, having Locatelli,Hjbjerg, and Skipp should provide Spurs with all they need in terms of rotation in the deep midfield.

Locatelli is going to cost a bit more thanHjbjerg, currently valued at $38.5 million (27.3 million) according to transfermarkt.com. With rumors of interest from Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal, among others, if Tottenham were to win his signature it would be a real win and a great fit.

Maybe Tottenham will not sign Locatelli when it is all said and done but he is exactly the kind of talent we would hope to be linked with under the new football management. Of course, signing the man would be even better, so lets hope Paratici does it!

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Italian the perfect addition for Tottenham Hotspur midfield - Hotspur HQ