Friday, April 30, 2021
Wood burners: Sale of coal and wet wood restricted in England - BBC News
Restrictions on the sale of coal and wet wood for household burning in England have come into force under new rules aimed at cutting air pollution.
People will still be able to use wood burning stoves and open fires but they will need to burn cleaner alternatives.
These are the first restrictions on what people can burn in their homes since the clean air acts of the 1950s.
The UK's air is far cleaner now, but in recent years pollution from log burners has increased dramatically.
Only 8% of households use them, but they are now the biggest source of the tiny pollution particles that are most damaging to health, according to government data.
It shows domestic wood burning in both closed stoves and open fires was responsible for 38% of pollution particles under 2.5 microns in size, three times more than road traffic.
These tiny particles can enter the bloodstream and lodge in lungs and other organs, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) warns, and have been identified by the World Health Organization as the most serious air pollutant for human health.
Log burners and open fires are not being banned, but the government says people will have to buy dry wood or manufactured solid fuels which produce less smoke.
It says both options are just as easy to source and more efficient to burn, making them much cleaner and more cost effective.
Defra claims burning dry wood produces more heat and less soot than wet wood and can reduce emissions by up to 50%.
The changes mean:
- Selling bagged traditional house coal and wet wood in small units (less than 2m cube) is now unlawful
- Wet wood in volumes greater than 2m cube has to be sold with advice on how to dry it before burning
- Makers of solid fuels need to show they have a very low sulphur content and only emit a small amount of smoke
What is wet and dry firewood?
Wet - also known as green or unseasoned wood - is often sold in nets and is cheaper to buy.
It contains moisture which, when burned, creates more smoke and harmful particles of air pollution (PM2.5) than dry wood.
Wet wood can also damage chimneys much more, by allowing tar and soot to build up.
Dry or seasoned wood - which has been dried out, often in a kiln - has a moisture content of 20% or less.
This marks the latest step in the government's Clean Air Strategy, says environment minister Rebecca Pow.
"Burning cleaner fuels is a more efficient option for households across England, helping reduce our exposure to this incredibly harmful pollutant and benefitting the environment," she said.
The move was welcomed by Harriet Edwards, the senior air quality policy adviser for Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation.
She warned that air pollution is particularly harmful to people with lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
"It can put them at risk of suffering potentially life-threatening asthma attacks or flare-up," she said.
Other lung experts believe that it is only a matter of time before all log burners and other fires are banned in built-up areas.
Prof Jonathan Grigg, who sits on the UK Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution, told the BBC that unless new technologies were developed to reduce harmful air pollution from wood fires, then wood should not be burnt in areas where exposure to pollution from fossil fuel emissions is high.
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May 01, 2021 at 06:18AM
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Wood burners: Sale of coal and wet wood restricted in England - BBC News
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Cathie Wood Owns Roku Stock: Should You? - Motley Fool
Cathie Wood, founder of investment management firm ARK Invest and highly watched money manager, is known for her disruptive stock picks. One of her holdings is streaming company Roku (NASDAQ:ROKU), which makes up 5.2% of the ARK Innovation ETF (NYSEMKT:ARKK), an exchange-traded fund.
But not all fund stocks are right for individual investors, and not all of Wood's picks, such as Coinbase Global, are for the faint of heart. That said, should Roku be on your watch list?
Image source: Getty Images.
The streaming revolution is here
Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) remains the leader in streaming, ending the 2021 first quarter with 208 million subscribers and $7 billion in revenue. Disney (NYSE:DIS) is behind it, with more than 150 million paid subscribers between its premium sites and $3.5 billion in sales for the direct-to-consumer segment.
Roku makes streaming devices, so the more people are signing up for streaming subscriptions, the more Roku has to gain. It's not the only device maker out there, but it's the leading seller, with its operating system accounting for 38% of total U.S. streaming device sales in 2020.
The company also makes money from selling advertisements on its free site, which is its biggest growth driver right now. Total revenue grew 58% in the fourth quarter, but that was driven by growth in platform revenue, which increased 85% and represented 72% of the total.
And trends are continuing to shift in that direction. As viewers switch over to streaming, advertisers are going along with them. Streaming hours grew 55% in Q4, and all of those hours mean more ad impressions, and more ad revenue for Roku.
Original content = many benefits
Even more in its favor, Roku finally made the announcement last week that watchers have been anticipating: It will now create its own original content. It got a leg up on that when it acquired failed upstart Quibi's content back in January, to be rebranded as Roku Originals. This will also be the name for Roku's own original content, under which it will release 75 films in 2021. That comes close to Netflix's 100 films slated for 2021 and Disney's commitment to 100 pieces of content each year under its umbrella brands.
This is an exciting development for a few reasons. One, exclusive content is an attractive feature for gaining new customers. It can fuel device sales, since as more people become familiar with and loyal to the brand, they're more likely to invest in the top-selling streaming devices. Next, it means that Roku doesn't have to share its ad sales with content producers that allow it to stream their content, such as Peacock owner Comcast. For instance, Roku let viewers know this week that it will stop streaming YouTube TV after a disagreement with parent company Alphabet's Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL). As Roku develops more original content, it will be less beholden to other streaming services.
Finally, it can add overall viewers, which will increase ad impressions and therefore make it more advertising revenue.
If Roku was doing well before, this easily increases its value.
A stock for everyone
There are some stocks that Wood holds, such as Coinbase and Tesla, that are probably above the risk levels for the value or beginner investor. But I see Roku as a great pick for anyone interested in growing their portfolio. It has a vast upside with minimal risk, which is why it can appeal to almost any type of investor.
Roku stock has gained over 1,000% over the past three years, and for good reason. It has the potential to do that again, between its well-developed products and services, and trends moving in the right direction. It has also posted surprise profits in the last two quarters, and I'll be watching to see what happens in next week's earnings report.
This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium advisory service. We’re motley! Questioning an investing thesis -- even one of our own -- helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer.
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April 30, 2021 at 09:55PM
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Cathie Wood Owns Roku Stock: Should You? - Motley Fool
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'A good, clean start': Nonprofit launches furniture bank - McMinnville News-Register
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April 30, 2021 at 03:00PM
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'A good, clean start': Nonprofit launches furniture bank - McMinnville News-Register
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Fern A. (Dowse) Wood 1925 - 2021 - GREAT BEND TRIBUNE - Great Bend Tribune
BRYAN, Texas — Born – March 31, 1925 and Passed – April 27, 2021 in Bryan, Texas following a brief illness.
Fern married William B. Wood in 1948. They lived in numerous locations in Kansas including a 15 yr. residence in Liberal. They relocated to Pampa Texas in 1971 where Fern retired from C. R. Anthony Co.
Fern was born and raised in Claflin, Kan. where she graduated from Claflin High School in 1942. She completed business college in Salina, Kan. the following year. She had various jobs while following Bill who transferred often with Halliburton, Co. Her employers include, KCKN Radio Station, Kansas City; The Red Cross at Great Bend Kansas Airbase; Santa Fe RR; Walnut Creek Milling; Taylors Music Co.; Reneau Jewelers; C. R. Anthony Co. (Ret.); and Dunlap’s in Pampa, Texas. Throughout her life Fern loved playing the piano and enjoyed all types of music. Fern was an avid bowler who also loved working with ceramics and stained glass. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Pampa Senior Citizens Center while serving and visiting with friends.
Fern was preceded in death by her parents, Glen A. Dowse and Nellie (Stumpff) Dowse of Claflin, Kan. Also preceding her in death was her husband of 71 yrs. William (Bill) Wood from Duncan, Okla. Fern is survived by her family which includes daughter Barbara (Wood) Dale and husband Owen as well as her son Randy Wood and wife Juanell; five grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren.
Graveside service will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 in the Claflin, Kan. Cemetery, with Pastor Diana Webster presiding.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers/gifts that donations be made to The Pampa Senior Citizens Center, 500 W. Francis Ave. Pampa, TX. 79065 or in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home
P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 2, 2021
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May 01, 2021 at 02:17AM
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Fern A. (Dowse) Wood 1925 - 2021 - GREAT BEND TRIBUNE - Great Bend Tribune
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Furniture Fellowship Prayer Breakfast sets keynote for June 4 event - Furniture Today
HIGH POINT — Roy Morgan, founder and president of Premier Productions, which has hosted more than 23 million people at faith and family concerts and events over the past 40 years, will keynote the 27th Annual Furniture Fellowship Breakfast during the upcoming High Point Market.
In addition to Morgan’s keynote address, industry professionals will present the opening and closing prayers and New Testament and Old Testament Scripture readings.
“Doing something different” in your personal, professional, family and church life will be the message theme at the breakfast, said Morgan. “In the music business, I’ve observed that when people have the courage to implement a paradigm shift, that’s when they really have breakout success.”
Sponsors for the event include: Archbold Furniture, Culp, Elements Studio, Home Meridian International, Hooker Furnishings, Karen McNeill, Patrick McNamara, Samson Marketing, Stump & Associates and Uttermost.
The event will be held from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on June 4, at the International Home Furnishings Center Ballroom on the 11th floor. COVID-19 safety protocols will be observed. The cost of admission for the breakfast is $30 per person, which includes breakfast.
Reservations should be made no later than May 28 by going online or sending a check to Teresa Huffman, Culp, Inc. at 1823 Eastchester Dr. High Point, N.C. 27265.
With the exception of April 2020, the Furniture Fellowship Prayer Breakfast, modeled after the National Presidential Pray Breakfast in Washington, has been held every spring since 1994.
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April 30, 2021 at 06:43PM
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Furniture Fellowship Prayer Breakfast sets keynote for June 4 event - Furniture Today
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Creating Better Wood | Pro - Professional Builder
With its high strength-to-weight ratio, wood makes for an awesome structural material. But because of its limitations—fire performance and moisture sensitivity among them—it sometimes needs help to perform at its best.
Manufacturers have been doing their part for decades, and more help is on the way from academia: Montana State University (MSU) recently announced it is currently engaged in a study to find ways to improve the strength of standard dimensional wood structural members.
Eliminating Wood’s Structural Weakness
Wood’s strength, elasticity, and durability increase as its density increases, and a great deal of research has looked at the inherent variability of wood density within species.
MSU’s research aims to improve the strength of wood as a structural material, with the hope of contributing to the trend of using wood instead of steel for beams in high-rise buildings and other structures.
“Tiny air pockets interspersed in wood’s cellular structure are what cause it to float,” the university said in a press release. “They also produce the satisfying crackle when wood is burned. But when wood is turned into structural lumber—the material’s most widespread and valued use—the air pockets become a source of weakness.”
MSU researchers are trying to fill those tiny voids to improve the material’s strength. “This is the first study of its kind,” said Dilpreet Bajwa, professor in the university’s Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering.
RELATED
University Research to Increase Wood’s Structural Strength
During the process, Bajwa and his team fill the tiny voids with cellulose nanocrystals, which they make by breaking down wood or crop biomass. Cellulose, the university says, is what gives plant cells their stiff structure. By processing woody material and separating the cellulose, the result is hard crystals that are so small they’re measured in nanometers. “The crystals are as strong as Kevlar,” Bajwa said, and because they’re so small, the cellulose particles can penetrate and fill the air pockets.
In the lab, the team treats the wood with a chemical solvent that dissolves resin, which may be clogging the wood’s pores, puts the wood samples in an airtight chamber, creates a vacuum that sucks out the solvent, and then injects the nanocrystals into the pores.The solvent then solidifies.
The university says early results have been promising. Bajwa’s team found that nanocrystals doubled the stiffness of one sample and increased the wood’s structural strength by 40%.
Manufacturer Developments and New Wood Products
Building products manufacturers are also doing their part. The engineered wood industry has been improving the properties of wood for years, and this movement continues today.
Wood manufacturers say the building industry can expect to see more high-performance products in the future. Take a look at some of the latest developments:
High-performance subflooring
Based on feedback from construction pros, Huber Engineered Woods developed and added AdvanTech X-Factor subflooring to its line of high-performance structural systems.
In contrast to traditional OSB or plywood panels, which typically flake, delaminate, or discolor from exposure to daily jobsite stresses, X-Factor includes a built-in protective top layer that increases the moisture-resistance of the original AdvanTech panel. That built-in, fade-resistant, water-shedding layer not only protects the quality and appearance of the panel surface, the company says, but also provides a smooth subfloor surface that’s easy to clean. The 23/32-inch-thick panels are available in 4-by-8-foot panels and can span joist schedules measuring 24 inches on center.
Structural, fire-rated OSB panels
LP Building Solutions’ FlameBlock line of fire-rated sheathing takes a standard OSB panel and adds the manufacturer’s proprietary non-combustible, fiberglass-reinforced Pyrotite treatment. The result is a structural panel with a Class A Flame Spread Rating for 1- and 2-hour fire-rated wall assemblies and roof deck applications. The 1/2-inch-thick panels come in 4-foot widths and 8-, 9-, and 10-foot lengths.
A replacement for the 2-by-6
The BareNaked Tstud system consists of pieces of dimensional lumber cross-linked with dowels to help eliminate thermal bridging. Once framed, the wall assembly leaves space for blow-in insulation, such as fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool, or a spray-in open- or closed-cell foam, which helps to create a continuous layer of insulation in the field without exterior foam board. An R19 Tstud product is also available, which includes closed-cell foam insulation pre-applied between the studs.
Enhanced OSB for roofing
DryGuard Enhanced OSB Sheathing panels from Georgia-Pacific offer improved moisture resistance from the elements throughout the panel and feature a black edge seal that helps to prevent moisture intrusion at the edges. The panel protects roofs against water-related issues such as thickness and edge swell, the manufacturer says, and also offers enhanced nail-holding ability, stiffness, and strength.
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April 30, 2021 at 11:37PM
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Creating Better Wood | Pro - Professional Builder
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3 of Cathie Wood's Biggest Losers of 2021 That Should Still Be Huge Long-Term Winners - Motley Fool
David Gardner, a co-founder of The Motley Fool, often says that "winners win." And he's exactly right. However, he would be the first to tell you that winners don't win all of the time. They have their ups and downs.
Case in point: Cathie Wood certainly qualifies as a winner. Her ARK Invest exchange-traded funds have ranked among the best-performing ETFs in recent years. Not every stock in those funds has delivered a great return so far in 2021, though.
Several of the ARK Invest CEO's favorites are actually down year to date. Don't count all of those recent underperformers out just yet, though. These three are among Wood's biggest losers of 2021, and all should still be huge winners over the long run.
Image source: Getty Images.
Teladoc Health
Teladoc Health (NYSE:TDOC) shares have fallen more than 15% year to date, and that's weighing on several of Wood's ETFs. Teladoc is the top holding in the ARK Genomic Revolution ETF, the second-largest position in the ARK Innovation ETF, and the fifth-largest holding in the ARK Next Generation Internet ETF.
It appears that many investors are focusing only on the negatives for Teladoc. For example, in its Q1 update, the company reported a huge net loss and said that U.S. paid membership in the quarter slipped to 51.5 million from 51.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
However, that's only part of the story. Teladoc's total visits and utilization rate continue to climb. And much of that big loss was related to the company's acquisitions of Livongo and InTouch Health, deals that are already helping drive its revenue growth.
My view is that Teladoc's downturn will be temporary. The long-term opportunities for the company in virtual care remain exceptionally strong.
Unity Software
Unity Software (NYSE:U) has been an especially poor performer for Wood this year -- the stock has plunged more than 30%. The gaming platform leader ranks No. 10 among the ARK Next Generation Internet ETF's holdings and No. 12 for the ARK Innovation ETF.
The main knock against Unity is its slowing growth rate. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the company reported a 39% year-over-year revenue increase. However, that was weaker than its full-year revenue growth rate of 43%. Even more concerning, Unity provided a full-year revenue guidance range for 2021 anticipating growth of 24% at the midpoint.
I don't think investors should be worried, though. For one thing, the pandemic boosted Unity's growth in 2020. It's not surprising that growth would slow somewhat after such an exceptional year. The company also anticipates taking a one-time hit to revenue in 2021 as advertisers adjust to Apple's new IDFA user identification method.
Unity still expects to generate annual revenue growth of at least 30% over the long term. Wood clearly remains a fan of the stock -- her ARK Innovation ETF scooped up more shares recently. I think that her optimism in this case is spot on.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX) hasn't been quite as big of a problem for Wood in 2021 as Teladoc and Unity. However, the biotech stock has fallen more than 10% year to date. It's the seventh-largest position for the ARK Genomic Revolution ETF.
Wall Street analysts weren't happy with the Q4 results Vertex reported in February. Although the company narrowly beat revenue expectations, its adjusted earnings came in below analysts' estimates. Vertex also provided guidance for 2021 that anticipated slowing growth.
However, Vertex still has a big market opportunity ahead for its newest cystic fibrosis treatment, Trikafta/Kaftrio, in Europe. The triple-drug combination quickly became a blockbuster in the U.S. after winning approval. However, its growth curve in Europe will take more time because Vertex has to negotiate reimbursement deals with the healthcare regulators in each individual country.
I fully expect Vertex will achieve tremendous success outside of the cystic fibrosis market over the next few years. The big biotech seems really confident about the prospects for its candidate gene-editing therapy CTX001 in treating a pair of rare blood disorders: sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. It also has other promising pipeline candidates as well as a hefty cash stockpile. Vertex, like Teladoc and Unity, looks like a long-term winner despite its losing ways of late.
This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium advisory service. We’re motley! Questioning an investing thesis -- even one of our own -- helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer.
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3 of Cathie Wood's Biggest Losers of 2021 That Should Still Be Huge Long-Term Winners - Motley Fool
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Surplus Sale: Atlanta Public Schools offering furniture at a discount - WSB Atlanta
ATLANTA — Looking for some new furniture? Atlanta Public Schools has a deal for you.
The school district ended up with so much furniture that it is selling it to the public.
Anything you can think of APS pretty much has it at their surplus school furniture sale -- and there are thousands of pieces of furniture.
The first stage of the sale started with schools in the district, then employees. It’s currently open to non profits, and Friday it’s also open to the general public to buy items.
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“We’ve held in three stages, the first stage was for our schools, the second was a sale for our employees and we had a non profit weekend where they could come get items donated and this weekend, we’re opening it up to the public for sale,” said Carrie Roberts, APS Executive Director of Procurement & Warehouse Services.
They have everything from tables to chairs to cabinets to bookshelves and even desks. The prices are next to nothing: A classroom table is $2 or you can get three tables for $5.
TRENDING STORIES:
“We have things like cubbies that the little ones have in their classrooms, we have media center furniture. We have library chairs and tables. We have large rolling carts and bookshelves,” Roberts said.
Kenneth Hill, president of the Launch Foundation, said his non-profit, along with three other non-profits, are excited to repurpose the gently-used school furniture donated from APS for something major in the community.
“When it comes to young people education is always key,” Hill said. “No matter what age group you’re in, we’re working on putting together a one stop learning community enhancement center.”
The sale is open to the general public from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. Friday, and then Saturday from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m.
The location of the sale is at the Connally Elementary School Building, 1654 South Alvarado Terrace in Atlanta. Masks and social distancing requirements will be enforced.
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April 30, 2021 at 04:26PM
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Surplus Sale: Atlanta Public Schools offering furniture at a discount - WSB Atlanta
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The Best Outdoor Furniture to Spruce Up Your Balcony or Backyard - Robb Report
With the right collection of outdoor furniture, your patio, porch, balcony or backyard can be used year-round for alfresco entertaining. A thoughtful exterior setup will allow you to expand your living quarters and give you a place to relax, dine or even catch some rays.
Sprucing up your outdoor space is quite easy these days as there is a spate of stylish and comfy furniture on the market. It is important, however, to consider how much space you have. A minuscule condo balcony, for instance, calls for a different approach than a spacious backyard. It’s also good to pay attention to design as you’ll want to select pieces that harmonize with the rest of your abode. Construction matters, too, since it will determine how long the furniture lasts as well as how much maintenance is required.
Here, we’ve selected some of the best sets of outdoor furniture available on Amazon to get your abode looking top-notch.
1. Best Choice 4-Piece Wicker Patio Set
Best Choice’s wicker patio set is, quite literally, the best choice if you like to entertain. Featuring one double sofa and two single chairs, it supports various layouts and offers four comfy spaces to sit. It also comes with a matching glass table where you can serve the requisite sparkling drinks and canapés. The furniture itself is crafted out of strong steel which is wrapped in all-weather wicker and topped with weather-resistant cushions. The colorway, meanwhile, features subtle gray hues that will ensure harmony in almost any outdoor space.
Amazon
2. Devoko 5-Piece Patio Furniture Set
If you’re looking to add some pizzazz to your pool area, Devoko’s outdoor sectional sofa can deliver. The modern design has elegance in spades and promises extraordinary comfort. It features a solid frame and high-quality wicker to withstand the harshest of weather conditions, along with ultra-soft cushions. The modular design can be arranged into different combinations depending on the outdoor space and occasion. It also comes with a glass coffee table where you can place your piña colada when it’s time for the pool.
Amazon
3. Flash Furniture Nantucket 6-Piece Patio Set
Flash Furniture’s patio set is a great pick for outdoor areas that are exposed to the elements. It sports a built-in umbrella that provides protection from UV rays or rain. It also features four folding chairs and a table that makes it ideal for al fresco dining. The lightweight chairs are made from Textilene while the glass table features floor glides. This ensures the set is quite easy to move around should you wish to switch up locations. It has a chic, contemporary style that will fit with most homes, too.
Amazon
4. Flamaker 3-Piece Patio Set
For those tight on space, Flamaker’s three-piece patio set makes for a handsome solution. It doesn’t take up a lot of real estate but will certainly elevate your patio or balcony. The set features a rust-proof, powder-coated steel frame that is wrapped in weather-resistant wicker. Each of the two chairs sports a padded cushion for added comfort while the table is fitted with a tempered glass top that can be easily cleaned. The set’s jet-black hue lends itself naturally to nearly any space and won’t show off any dirt or stains.
Amazon
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April 30, 2021 at 05:39AM
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The Best Outdoor Furniture to Spruce Up Your Balcony or Backyard - Robb Report
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Thursday, April 29, 2021
Former Youth Director at Fort Leonard Wood Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse - Department of Justice
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A soldier in the Army National Guard pleaded guilty in federal court today to sexually abusing four minors over several years while he was director of the youth ministry at Fort Leonard Wood U.S. Army Base.
David J. McKay, 42, of Waynesville, Missouri, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of transporting a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and four counts of sexually abusing a minor.
McKay, an Army National Guard First Sergeant, was the youth ministry director for the Religious Services Office at Fort Leonard Wood. By pleading guilty today, McKay admitted that he sexually abused four victims, ranging in age from 11 to 17 years old, on dozens of occasions from 2010 to 2017.
According to today’s plea agreement, the sexual abuse occurred at Fort Leonard Wood and various other locations within Pulaski County, Mo. The victims also reported being abused during the youth group’s ski trips to Colorado and on camping trips at Fort Leonard Wood.
Under federal statutes, McKay is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command at the Fort Leonard Wood Army Base, the Pulaski County, Mo., Prosecutor’s Office, and the Waynesville, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
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April 30, 2021 at 01:45AM
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Former Youth Director at Fort Leonard Wood Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse - Department of Justice
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Are we doing this again with Alex Wood? - CBS Sports
I just can't quit Alex Wood.
It's been going on for darn near a decade now. Whenever I think I'm out, having entertained all hypotheticals and determined there's nothing he could do to redeem himself in my eyes, he comes off the IL with a stretch like this one:
Yes, after allowing just one hit over seven innings against the Marlins last time out, he gave up only two hits through six innings against the Rockies on Wednesday. Granted, he allowed a third and fourth hit in the seventh inning, as well as his only two runs for the day, but it clearly wasn't enough to diminish the dominance.
So what's made him so effective this time around? Health probably has something to do with it. He missed significant portions of the past two seasons with shoulder and back issues. But you may remember he put in some work with Driveline Baseball, a data-driven pitching development program, last offseason, hoping to regain some lost velocity. He is indeed throwing nearly as hard as in 2017, his very best season, during which he went 16-3 with a 2.72 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and nearly a strikeout per inning.
The Giants are also developing a track record for taking these castoffs who once showed an inkling of potential and turning them into their best selves, with Kevin Gausman being the most notable example but also Drew Smyly and Anthony DeSclafani.
So I'm in. After three great starts from a pitcher whose skill set I've always liked, I'm ready to be hurt again. As well as Wood hides the ball and controls the strike zone, a lot of six- and seven-inning outings could be in his future. At least the cost is low this time, with him presently being rostered in just 51 percent of leagues.
Is Alex Wood back? What to do with Kyle Hendricks? We break it down on the Fantasy Baseball Today in 5 Podcast. You can follow us to get the latest episodes on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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April 29, 2021 at 08:11PM
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Are we doing this again with Alex Wood? - CBS Sports
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Alex Wood, patient SF Giants offense keep team in first place tie with Dodgers after beating Rockies - The Mercury News
SAN FRANCISCO — When Alex Wood took a tumble, the Giants began to stumble.
But thanks to an early cushion built by a patient offense and a steadying relief appearance from rookie Camilo Doval, the Giants remained on their feet and secured a series victory over the Rockies with a 7-3 win at Oracle Park on Wednesday.
Wood held the Rockies scoreless through six innings, but took an awkward fall past third base and into foul territory during a puzzling stolen base attempt after reaching on a walk in the bottom of the sixth. The Giants lefty returned to the mound for the seventh and faced four Colorado batters, but didn’t record an out as he issued a leadoff walk and gave up three softly-hit singles before manager Gabe Kapler called on Doval to escape a bases loaded jam.
In the fifth game of his career, Doval induced a 4-6-3 double play and a groundout back to the pitcher to maintain a multi-run advantage and give the back end of the Giants bullpen some breathing room.
“We told (Doval), ‘We just need you to be in the strike zone as much as possible,’ reminded him how good his stuff is and he’s very calm out there on the mound,” manager Gabe Kapler said. I don’t think the moment is too big for him and I thought he did an ice job tonight.”
A Giants offense that scored two runs on bases loaded walks and two more on a Brandon Belt single in the first inning adding three more runs in the bottom of the seventh with a disciplined approach that frustrated each Rockies pitcher.
Catcher Curt Casali walked with the bases loaded during both of the Giants’ rallies Wednesday while new center fielder Mike Tauchman had three hits including one that led to a run in the seventh in his club debut.
A win helped the Giants, now 16-9 on the season, remain in a tie for first place with the Dodgers as they enter a significantly tougher portion of their schedule. From April 30-May 30, the Giants will play 28 games (20 on the road) including seven against the Dodgers and six against the Padres.
A team that’s been carried by its starting pitching in April will contend with deeper lineups in May, but if Wood’s outings are any indication, the rotation will be up for the challenge.
From the first inning of his start on Friday against the Marlins to the sixth inning of Wednesday’s outing against the Rockies, Wood recorded 38 consecutive outs without surrendering a hit. The Giants left-hander issued just two walks during a 12 2/3-inning hitless streak as he racked up 16 strikeouts and left opponents
After allowing a leadoff home run to Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm in his last outing, Wood didn’t allow another hit as he tossed seven innings to lead the Giants to a 5-3 win over Miami.
With help from a smooth diving stop up the middle and an accurate throw to first from second baseman Tommy La Stella in the fourth inning on Wednesday, Wood could begin to sniff the history books. A running catch in the right center field gap from Tauchman allowed Wood to escape the fourth with a no-hit bid intact, but his quest came to an end in the top of the sixth when right fielder Darin Ruf’s diving effort to snag a Garrett Hampson line drive came up short.
Ruf was able to get a glove on Hampson’s line drive, but he bobbled the ball onto the outfield grass, allowing Hampson to reach second base with a double.
Wood induced a flyout to the center field wall to end the top of the sixth, but the inning remained eventful for him in the bottom half of the frame after he reached base on a walk. After advancing to second base on a single, Wood decided to break for third while reliever Jordan Sheffield was still holding the ball on the rubber.
The Rockies easily snuffed out the stolen base attempt, but Wood went tumbling past the base and landed on his back in foul territory.
“I think Woody understands that’s a baserunning error we can’t make,” Kapler said. “Very generally, our baserunning is not up to our standards right now. We’re very aware of it, it’s not acceptable and it’s something we’re going to address.”
It was a worrisome moment for a pitcher with a history of back trouble, but after he exited the game in the seventh, Doval and the Giants’ lineup picked up the slack.
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April 29, 2021 at 12:05PM
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Alex Wood, patient SF Giants offense keep team in first place tie with Dodgers after beating Rockies - The Mercury News
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Giants' Alex Wood: Collects another win - CBSSports.com
Wood (3-0) earned the win over Colorado on Wednesday, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out nine.
It says a lot that the two runs Wood gave up Wednesday were the most he has yielded in a game this season. Given that fact, it's not surprising that the southpaw has earned a win in each of his three starts. His nine strikeouts against the Rockies marked a season high, and he now owns an impressive 20:3 K:BB across 18 innings. Wood will carry a 1.50 ERA and 0.67 WHIP into his next start, currently scheduled for Tuesday in a rematch versus the Rockies, this time in Colorado.
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April 29, 2021 at 02:18PM
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Giants' Alex Wood: Collects another win - CBSSports.com
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Wednesday, April 28, 2021
'Genshin Impact' wood locations: Where to find Pine, Fir, Birch, and more tree types - Inverse
Become an environmental disaster in Genshin Impact. You can now have a house to yourself in Genshin Impact, a la Animal Crossing. The only downside is that you’ll need to furnish it yourself. You can build furniture using wood taken from trees.
Each piece of furniture will require different wood types, meaning you’ll have to harvest different trees.
Here’s where you can easily farm every wood type in Genshin Impact.
How to harvest wood in Genshin Impact
Like fixing an old TV set, you can harvest wood from any tree with a few smacks of your sword. The in-game tree model will shake and up to three wood chips will drop from each tree.
Not every tree can be harvested, but you can easily tell which ones will provide wood depending on if they shake when smacked.
Every tree has a distinct shape. You just need to find the trees you’re looking for and smack them to harvest wood.
Each tree can only be harvested once per day.
Where to get Birch Wood in Genshin Impact
Birtch trees will always have either yellow or light green cone-shaped foliage with white trunks. They can be easily farmed in Mondstadt’s Windtail Highland or directly ahead of the Dawn Winery.
These trees are primarily found in Mondstadt, but you might run into some on the border between Mondstadt and Liyue.
Where to get Cuihua Wood in Genshin Impact
Cuihua trees have large bulbous foliage and they often have fruit like Sunsettia hanging from them. If you see fruit on a tree, chances are that you’ve stumbled onto a Cuihua.
You can find the tree in Mondstadt and Liyue, but the best place to farm might be directly outside of Mondstadt city. You should find a few Cuihua around the city borders and three Cuihua trees directly before the bridge to the city.
Where to get Cedar Wood in Genshin Impact
Cedar trees are large trees with multiple branching paths. Each branch has a tiny sphere of foliage.
You can find Cedar trees throughout Mondstadt. If you go east of the Statue of the Seven in Starfell Lake, you’ll be able to find a large number of Cedar trees. If you follow the road south of that same statue, you’ll find another collection of Cedar trees.
This should net you at least three dozen Cedar Wood logs.
Where to get Fir Wood in Genshin Impact
Fir trees are notable for featuring skinny trunks and branches that are fitted with needle-like foliage to make a “poof” shape.
You can find Fir trees throughout Mondstadt and Liyue. They’re most abundantly situated between Windrise and Springvale in Mondstadt. You should be able to locate numerous trees with ease.
Where to get Pine Wood in Genshin Impact
Pine Wood can be exclusively found in Dragonspine. Nearly every tree in the snowy mountain is a Pine tree, so just look for a tree and start hacking.
You can distinguish Pine trees from the other wooden wonders by looking for their distinct green color and lack of plump foliage. The green covering their brown trunks is sparse. The tree will also be covered in snow, due to being situated on Dragonspine.
Where to get Sandbearer Wood in Genshin Impact
Sandbearer trees feature bright orange foliage that’s naturally more present on the top, leaving a fairly open skinny white trunk.
You can only find these trees in Liyue. They’re easy to spot if you got to Mt. Tianheng, which is located directly outside Liyue Harbor. You can also try searching the summit of Mt. Aozang.
Where to get Bamboo Segments in Genshin Impact
Qingce Bamboo is by far the easiest thing to spot on this list. You can only find this in Liyue. Look for tall and skinny green bamboo shapes around the nation. If you can spot them, they’ll almost certainly be a Bamboo stalk. Harvest it to farm Bamboo Segments
The best place to farm Qingce Bamboo is in the heart of Qingce Village. Teleport to the waypoint located in the actual village and you’ll quickly spot numerous Bamboo stalks. Once you’re done there, head down to the colorful plantlife to spot even more Bamboo stalks.
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April 29, 2021 at 05:10AM
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How to get different wood types in Genshin Impact - PC Gamer
If you're looking for various Genshin Impact wood locations, chances are you're keen on sprucing up your new realm. One of the headline features of the new Genshin Impact 1.5 update—besides the full launch of new characters Yanfei and Eula, of course—is housing: Now you can decorate your very own slice separate to the main world of Teyvat.
The thing is, to make your own personal realm feel like home, you're going to need some tasteful buildings and furnishings. For that, you'll need wood, and lots of it (or an increase in your Teapot Spirit Trust Rank). So, whether you're on the lookout for pine wood in Genshin Impact, or fir, or any of the seven materials, you've come to the right place. Here are all the different wood types and where to find them so you can make your realm the talk of the town.
Genshin Impact wood locations: Where to find the housing materials you need
There are seven different wood variants in Genshin Impact. Each of them are listed below along with where to find them, and a picture showing you what each tree type looks like. All you need to do to harvest the wood is find the relevant tree and attack it with your weapon—you'll know if you've got the right item when it pops up on the left side of your screen.
Birch wood
Genshin Impact birch wood locations: Stormbearer Mountains, Starfell Lake, Cape Oath
Birch trees are difficult to miss. Their leaves are light, bright, and the wood itself is very pale. These trees really stand out.
Cuihua wood
Genshin Impact Cuihua wood locations: Mondstadt, Falcon Coast, Dadaupa Gorge
Cuihua trees, well, less so. If someone were to ask you to picture a tree, this'd probably be it. These bulbous trees are full of lush green leaves and the wood itself is dark.
Bamboo segment
Genshin Impact Bamboo segment locations: Qingce Village, Wuwang Hill
You'll find Qingce Bamboo trees all over Liyue, but they're especially populous in the suitably-named, Qingce Village. Their trunks are very thin with green, bushy tops.
Sandbearer wood
Genshin Impact Sandbearer wood locations: Mt. Tianheng, Mt. Aozang, Dihua Marsh
When approaching the Liyue areas mentioned above, look out for the warm yellowy-orange tint of the Sandbearer tree for this wood type.
Pine wood
Genshin Impact pine wood locations: Entombed City - Ancient Palace, Snow-Covered Path, Wuwang Hill
You can venture to the chilly climes of Dragonspine for pine wood, but there are other available spots you can head to for it. Look out for tall, thin trees with a smattering of snow on them (if you go for the former route).
Cedar wood
Genshin Impact Fragrant Cedar Wood locations: Whispering Woods, Starfell Lake, Springvale
The trunks on cedar trees tend to brand out in different directions at the top. These green-leaved trees can be found dotting the terrain in the starter area of the game.
Fir wood
Genshin Impact fir wood locations: Stormbearer Mountains, Starsnatch Cliff, Falcon Coast
Fir trees can be tough to distinguish for Cuihua and pine trees from a distance. But, once you're up close, look for the wiry leaves that make these trees unique.
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