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Now that spring is nearly here, many renters and homeowners may be thinking ahead to embracing some new digs. In fact, 33% of renters move each year — which means that if your lease is ending soon, you might want to start making plans. Moving day itself is always stressful, particularly if you’re doing the DIY route. But even if you’ve hired professional help, things can still go awry. That’s especially true if you haven’t protected your possessions the way you should. Unfortunately, you could find out the hard way that inadequate preparation could result in irreparable damage. To avoid that scenario, here are some essential moving tips to keep in mind so that your belongings will make it to your new home safe and sound.

Clean Your Furniture First

Roughly 91% of sofa buyers say quality and durability are very important when making this furniture purchase. But your couch, chairs, and other large decor items won’t last for long if you don’t clean them properly prior to moving. That’s because even small pieces of dirt and debris could damage your upholstery or wood furniture when it’s being loaded into a truck and transported to your new house. Make sure to give your furniture a good once-over with a dust cloth or a hand-held vacuum, especially if it’s been stored in an attic, garage, or basement. Not only can this protect your furniture from damage, but it can also keep you from dragging dirt into your new space.

Measure and Disassemble

It’s a good rule of thumb to disassemble whatever furniture you can before you try to move it. This will allow you to lighten the load and avoid the possibility of damaging these pieces on the way out. While you don’t need to completely take everything apart (since you’ll probably risk losing smaller components along the way), this can definitely help to make this process more manageable. If there are pieces that really can’t be disassembled, make sure to measure these pieces and your doorways carefully. That goes for the entryways and exits both at your existing home and your new property. This can help you to develop a comprehensive plan of action for those items that will otherwise prove tricky.

Use Protective Materials

Of course, you can’t expect to move your furniture safely without covering it with padding, wrapping, and other materials. Bubble wrap, plastic sheeting, furniture pads, thick blankets, and other materials can be used to ensure your items don’t become damage during loading, transport, or unloading. Keep in mind that if you decide to hire movers, they may be able to supply you with some of these items. If you go the DIY route, however, you’ll have to source them yourself. Don’t assume that telling someone to “be careful” with a particular piece will mean your items will be safe from damage. That’s especially true with antiques or older pieces that may not be in the best shape. When in doubt, err on the side of overprotecting rather than under-protecting.

Take an Inventory

You should make a habit of taking a moving inventory well in advance of the big day so that you can keep track of things that might otherwise get lost in the shuffle. If you happen to misplace some valuables, this can be particularly distressing. It’s a good idea to write down an inventory and take photos of your belongings prior to your move and take note of corresponding box numbers, condition, and moving details. This can help you to retain proof of ownership and can allow your move to go more smoothly. There are even apps that can help you sort out all the details. Although it might seem like just another unnecessary task to do before moving day, it’s one that can provide you with major peace of mind.

Don’t Share Information

When it comes to protecting your property, you should always be cautious. You might be really excited about your upcoming move or might be hoping to enlist the help of friends or family on the day… but resist the urge to post about it on social media. Contact people on an individual basis if you require recommendations or assistance rather than allowing the whole of the internet to know exactly when you’re moving. Otherwise, a vacant home could be targeted for vandalism or you might risk having items stolen if you’re not moving everything at once. To that end, you should also label boxes by number or by room, rather than labeling by their contents. A criminal who sees the word “jewelry” in big bold letters written on a yet-to-be-loaded box won’t think twice about snagging your belongings for themselves. The less information you share with the general public, the more inherent protection you’ll have.

Even with all your efforts, it’s still possible that one of your possessions could still be damaged on moving day due to carelessness or a breakdown in communication. But if you follow these tips, you’ll be in a much better position to safeguard your stuff and to benefit from a smooth move.

Low-income areas are more likely to lack Internet access, new data shows. According to a recent study from the City of Seattle, Americans living in low-income communities are five to seven times more likely than working-class households to not have access to the Internet.

Researchers found that approximately 99% of U.S. households that make $50,000 or more a year have adequate Internet access. But that percentage dropped to 79% for households making $25,000 or less annually.

Up to 57% of participants without Internet access said Internet service was too expensive. Another 34% said Internet service was too slow, frustrating, or doesn’t work well. And, finally, 26% said their service plans from Internet providers were too confusing to keep.

“We know that access to technology is a race and social justice issue,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. “We must strive to make sure that our communities have access to high-speed Internet and the skills they need to compete in our constantly-connected world.”

Nine out of every 10 American adults use the Internet, according to the Pew Research Center, and the average U.S. customer spends $1,800 a year on e-commerce transactions. But the Internet is used for more than just shopping.

The top two Internet activities may be search and email, but there is also a world of education and job opportunities online.
The Internet streamlines access to information and makes it easier for people to engage in online learning. Americans can access job websites and long-distance education programs that make it easier for students to attend classes remotely and cut down on the resources required for education.

What’s more, the Internet itself provides jobs for many Americans. Up to 31% of IT services have been outsourced and some 58% of businesses are worried about cyber attacks.

Without adequate Internet access, Americans living in low-income households have fewer job opportunities and education opportunities available to them. So how can we fix this issue?

Durkan suggests improving access to free public Wi-Fi at community centers, circulating Internet hotspots, and equipping tiny house villages with Internet access. Other solutions include a municipal broadband network and a state broadband office, which was recently proposed by Washington Governor Jay Inslee.

But the Internet gap isn’t just a problem for Seattle. All states in the U.S. suffer from a growing urban-rural digital divide.

One new study from the University of South Dakota and Virginia’s Old Dominion University found that rural networks have insufficient Internet coverage, capacity, and speed for basic health, safety, and quality of life.

“The most intriguing finding was, if you look at mobile coverage maps, providers would say the entire state is covered,” said Bob McNab, lead author of the study and director of Old Dominion’s Center for Economic Analysis and Policy. “But what we found was the facts on the ground are dramatically different for rural consumers compared with urban consumers.”

Bringing high-speed Internet to every area in the state is a national issue. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently set up a $600 million grant and loan programs for Internet service providers. The grant is meant to encourage providers to service rural areas and other spots where the Internet can be more expensive.

Updated 8/20/20

The construction equipment industry is projected to increase 12% over a 10-year period from 2016 to 2026. This sector is responsible for constructing everything from small residential properties to multimillion-dollar skyscrapers. Though these construction professionals are very knowledgable about the industry as a whole, they need to regularly stay up-to-date with various building codes.

Office buildings, for instances, require much different building codes than if they were being used as a residential property. Building codes are a set of rules that specify the standards for constructed objects such as buildings and nonbuilding structures. The main purpose of these codes are to protect public health, safety, and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of each structure.

But do you know how to fix building code violations? Odds are, you probably don’t. As such, relying on commercial builders is the best way to go about erecting a new office or industrial structure. They know how to look up building codes and negotiate with permit expediters to get the materials you need for the office you want.

But these experts are also vital for home residences. Residential building code violations are common since homeowners don’t realize that they’re breaking the law when they install that new deck. Relying on the pros could save you from wasting your time and effort.

According to Chicago Business, for the first time in 70 years, Chicago is getting its first new building codes.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel will introduce a major building code revision calling for new naming standards, material flexibility, sustainability measures, and much more that will likely revolutionize the way construction is handled throughout Chicago.

The new building codes will pave the way for utilizing cost-efficient construction materials and innovative technologies. Thinks like potting compound shrinkage (as much as 2.3% in the case of epoxy) must be considered.

“Being a world-class city and attracting the talent and businesses that see our economy growing requires that Chicago is at the top of national standards from the ground up,” said Mayor Emanuel in response to the new 2019 Chicago building code update.

The Mayor and the Department of Building’s proposal will require sprinkler systems in new apartment buildings with four or more units, hotels, event spaces holding more than 300 people, and office buildings over 70 feet tall. Additionally, the updated codes will provide the following benefits to Chicago:

• Adopt specific, up-to-date requirements for a wide range of building materials such as walls, roofs and other construction that will provide guidelines and standards that are lacking in Chicago’s existing code.
• Adopt the International Building Code’s terminology and classification systems for construction types and building occupancies, allowing Chicago builders and architects to easily adhere to the city’s code requirements.
• Encourage new development by allowing structures (with sprinkler systems) to have greater height, number of stores, and floor area per construction type. Fires are a huge risk and the new 2019 Chicago building codes are designed to deal with them.
• Promote energy efficiency and sustainability by making it easier to construct green buildings. Bamboo flooring, for instance, is a popular flooring option when it comes to sustainability due to its ability to grow to maturity in as little as three to five years.
• Improve public safety in the event of a natural disaster through seismic design requirements for critical establishments such as fire stations, hospitals, and taller facilities.
• Allow for cost-effective construction plans for single-family homes by implementing risk-based structural design requirements, meaning a two-story single-family home will not need to meet the same building requirements as 15-story buildings. With the average new mortgage balance being $244,000, any cost-saving measures are sure to be appreciated by homebuyers.
• Encourage preservation of Chicago’s existing buildings, including historic structures, by providing more flexibility and options for remodeling work. Additionally, this will bring down the cost of projects like the adaptive re-use of schools, retail buildings, and many of the city’s vacant buildings.
• Create greater opportunities for converting existing attics and basements into livable spaces without costly alterations. Minimum ceiling heights will be reduced, as well as introducing more options to meet light and ventilation requirements.

“From the beginning of this monumental effort we’ve led a consensus-based approach and worked together with a wide variety of stakeholders to better align Chicago’s building code with model codes and standards,” added Judy Frydland, Building Commissioner. “This accomplishment would not have been possible if not for the time and resources that were volunteered by so many within Chicago’s design, construction and development communities.”

Since you’re already going to invest in maintenance and repairs to get your building up to code in light of the 2019 Chicago building code update, now is also the perfect opportunity to upgrade the space in other ways. Studies have shown that the presence of natural sunlight can boost employee productivity while an open layout can promote collaboration. While some businesses might struggle to update their offices in the midst of the new 2019 Chicago building code announcement, looking at it as an opportunity will keep your employees safer and happier.

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The $500 million Obama Presidential Center is on thin ice now that federal judge John Robert Blakey has allowed the lawsuit against the City of Chicago to continue.

The advocacy group Protect Our Parks first sued Chicago in May of 2018. This came after the Obama Foundation and the University of Chicago unveiled plans to build a library and museum in honor of the former president.

Protect Our Parks and other environmental advocates were appalled that the plan would carve out more than 20 acres of land from Jackson Park, thereby violating the public trust doctrine.

The public trust doctrine governs a variety of environmental concerns, including anything from beach access to wildlife conservation. The main argument posited by Protect Our Parks is that this construction would inhibit the public’s claim over Jackson Park.

“For environmentalists and preservationists who view private ownership as a source of the degradation of our natural and historical resources, the public trust doctrine holds out the hope of salvation through what amounts to a judicially enforced inalienability rule that locks resources into public ownership,” notes an article hashing out the dispute in The University of Chicago Law Review.

Supporters for the Obama Presidential Center had hoped that the judge would dismiss the legal battle between the two parties. However, Blakey only dismissed some of the claims within the plaintiff’s argument, instead allowing the lawsuit to continue.

Among those claims dismissed included allegations of environmental damage to the park. Claims that the taxpayers would take the brunt of burden regarding construction were also dismissed. After all, the Obama Foundation bought the land for only $10 for its use over the next 99 years.

“They are essentially giving [property] to Obama […] for 10 cents a year for 99 years,” claims park advocacy lawyer Mark Roth.

Income taxes account for almost 50% of federal revenue, but city lawyers agreed that the City of Chicago would front the $175 million needed to change roads around the center.

As of now, the center accommodates the museum, along with a number of surrounding buildings, including a 300-seat auditorium. It’s essential that they build with care; for example, if they opt for pier and beam foundation, the beams need to measure 12 feet apart at most.

On the other side of the battle, city lawyers and supporters for the project claim that it could bring much-needed revenue into the city.

Not only would it create more than 5,000 temporary jobs in construction, but it would also create 2,500 permanent jobs and bring in an estimated 760,000 visitors each year after it opens.

Though the building is scheduled to open in 2021, the setbacks offered by the advocacy group has halted the project from breaking ground.

Judge Blakey has expedited the process, putting an expiration date on the lawsuit.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced plans on Thursday, February 14, to start regulating harmful chemicals that have been found in U.S. drinking water. According to USA Today, in the next few months, the EPA will set a maximum contaminant level for polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water systems that serve millions of Americans for drinking water.

PFAS are artificial substances found in commercial household items including cleaning products, food packaging, and water-repellent fabrics. They have also been found in firefighting foams.

The chemical substances are known to cause developmental problems, contribute to low infant birth weights, and health issues with the liver, kidneys, thyroid, reproductive system, and immune system.

PFAS can also cause different cancers including vocal cord cancer, which effects 10,000 people every year. And although these chemicals are harmful on their own, they’re especially harmful in water, which influences 100% of the processes in the human body.

“The action plan commits to take important steps that will improve how we research, monitor, detect and address PFAS,” said Andrew Wheeler, the EPA’s acting administrator.

The EPA will propose a regulatory determination to establish a maximum contaminant level for chemicals under the Safe Drinking Water Act by the end of the year. The PFAS will be listed as contaminants under the EPA’s Superfund program.

Environmental advocates criticized the EPA’s slow move to reduce PFAS in drinking water, calling the agency’s stalling as a way to protect industry interests. Many states have already taken steps to ban PFAS because of their risk to public health. Considering that only 1% of water on Earth is viable to drink, ensuring its cleanliness is paramount.

“This so-called plan is actually a recipe for more PFAS contamination, not less,” said Scott Faber, the senior vice president for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group. “It’s shameful that the EPA has taken two decades to produce a plan that allows increased exposure to compounds whose makers have used the American people as guinea pigs and, with the EPA’s complicity, covered it up.”

The Environmental Working Group estimates that over 1,500 drinking water systems may be contaminated with some level of PFAS. These water systems serve up to 110 million Americans.

At a news conference, Wheeler was asked whether the Environmental Protection Agency standard ought to be more aggressive with the PFAS after scientific research moved several states to reduce PFAS levels in their drinking water.

“We feel right now that 70 parts per trillion [of PFAS] is a safe level for drinking water,” said Wheeler. “As we go forward with the regulation, we’ll be looking to see whether or not lower levels are required, according to where the science directs us.”

Is caring less about your job the key to feeling better? One new book claims that it is.

Authors of the book “No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work” spent countless hours talking to gurus, reading self-help books, and performing healthy activities to lower perceived levels of stress. But few methods worked better than stepping back and stepping away from some of the stressors of the job.

Authors Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy don’t want you to stop caring about your work, they simply want you to be less distracted by it throughout the day. They even identified the seven top stressors that can lead to feelings of burnout and stress, including:

• Unpredictable schedules
• Social isolation
• The information firehouse
• Sleep deprivation
• The information firehouse
• Obsessing about work on vacation
• And meeting unrealistic deadlines

These stressors cause us to obsess over work, whether we’re there or not. In fact, a recent study by Harvard psychologists revealed that most of us only spend half our time in the present.

This leads to further feelings of unhappiness, stress, guilt, anxiety, and depression. While this is hard to cope with outside of work, it also impacts our work life.

Nearly 51% of employees claim that their productivity suffers at work because of stress, but it’s very often the stress about work that creates this issue in the first place.

This creates a positive feedback loop of negative energy from which we simply can’t escape.

According to Fosslien, Duffy, and these Harvard psychologists, we need to stop letting work consume us. One method is breaking down your day into manageable tasks. Even setting aside a day for emails or writing can help ease the daily stresses of countless problems that come your way. Unless something is urgent, it can always be blocked off to complete at another time, like answering that social email or setting aside time in the morning to answer all emails at once.

Navigating stressors will look different for every person, but it’s also essential that you come up with ways to separate yourself from work when you’re not on the clock. Whether that takes the form of an after-work ritual or an adventure out of town, whatever creates a healthier work-life balance is worth pursuing.

After all, almost 70% of Millennials claim to be adventurous. Looking beyond your cubicle and embracing other aspects of life can really change your perspective.

Divorce is becoming increasingly common in the United States. In fact, between 40 and 50% of all U.S. marriages end in divorce. As a result, thousands of individuals face emotional stress and confusion every year as they go through the difficult process of ending a marriage.

After the decision to divorce has been made, many want the situation to be over as quickly as possible so that the healing process can begin. Unfortunately, divorces rarely happen overnight. The court process of separating assets and determining child custody can continue for several months. With such a long and complicated process, it’s no wonder that so many find divorce to be extremely stressful.

Though a stress-free divorce may not be possible, you can practice healthy coping mechanisms to make the process a little bit easier. If you’re going through a divorce, try any of these three stress-management tips to feel better and start healing:

1. Identify Where Your Stress is Rooted

Divorce can lead to a complete upheaval of your daily life. Take time to determine what aspect of the divorce process is causing you the most worry. Are you worried about not seeing your children, or afraid that you’ll have to relocate? By figuring out what upsets you most, you’ll be able to create an action plan for coping with your emotions and improving the situation however possible.

Often, new financial burdens heighten divorce stress. Since data from 2016 shows that the cost of living went up 30% in the previous 13 years, learning to manage a household on one income can be particularly challenging. If you determine that your stress is rooted in financial instability, start reconstructing your budget as soon as possible to feel more stable and in control.

2. Care For Your Health

In happy times, exercise and healthy eating habits are important. During stressful times like divorce, however, maintaining such habits is absolutely essential. Though exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing, taking time for even a short walk can boost your mood. Eating a balanced diet will also help you resist illness, sleep better, maintain a healthy weight, and in general feel more in control of your situation.

3. Focus On Other Kinds of Relationships

When grieving the loss of a marriage, take time to embrace other loving relationships in your life. Connecting with family and friends can help you combat loneliness and establish a support network. You can discuss the divorce if you feel like talking about it, or use your friendships to have a little fun and take your mind off the separation. Even adopting a pet can help– studies show that 74% of individuals who keep animals as companions report mental health improvements.

Divorce is never easy, but with these tips, you can find a path to healing. By taking time for self reflection, caring for your overall health, and reconnecting with others you love, you can better cope with divorce stress. Though your marriage may be at an end, your happiness doesn’t have to be.

There’s a meme out there that pictures a person riding a bicycle, jamming their own spokes with a stick, then lying on the ground after the fall, blaming anything and anyone else but themselves. That’s what Facebook has been doing to themselves over the last year. We’re starting to get to the point where user data and privacy issues go together with Facebook better than caviar and crostinis.

They’re quick to become a quotable statistic synonymous with distrust if they keep up their current trajectory. For instance, the CDC reports that one in six Americans gets sick from contaminated food every year. Soon enough, we might see similar reports that give alarming statistics detailing the amount of data Facebook mishandles in a year. Heck, even in a given month. Now they’re ensconced in drama, yet again.

It was recently discovered that, since 2016, Facebook has been paying users $20 per month to install software on their iPhones that would allow the company to have extensive access to the data on their personal devices. The extent of that access is unclear, but they’re not in a good spot because the audience this data mining tactic targeted happened to include teenagers.

Between 75% and 80% of malicious attacks happen within an organization rather than from external hacking. Organizations are questioning who dreamed up this mess within the social media giant. With targeting users between ages 13 and 35 a main feature of this tactic, how it got through conception to full deployment without someone questioning how wrong it could go is mind-boggling.

Now Facebook is against the ropes, yet again. Apple pulled that software from the App Store for breaching policy. Moreover, Facebook is exposed in what people are seeing as a low-budget bribe for user’s personal information. Even worse is that the near trillion dollar company couldn’t find it in themselves to offer more than $20, hence targeting a user audience more likely to grant access for such a modest fee. Teens. Around 95.4% of Americans participate in some manner of charitable giving every year, but those donations often include access to our most private information.

“Despite early reports, there was nothing ‘secret’ about this; it was literally called the Facebook Research App. It wasn’t ‘spying’ as all of the people who signed up to participate went through a clear on-boarding process asking for their permission and were paid to participate. Finally, less than 5 percent of the people who chose to participate in this market research program were teens. All of them with signed parental consent forms,” remarked a Facebook spokesperson.

Still, the damage is done. And given Facebook’s track record over the last year, the last thing they need is any more questionable data-handling scandals.

One astonished reply that reflects the comparative severity of Facebook’s data disaster epidemic was the tongue-in-cheek remark from SoFi’s VP of Communication, Jim Prosser:

“Only way this looks worse is if they had compensated the teens with Juul pods.”