Reposted from Penticton Herald

Radium King, a boat on display outside the museum on King Street, was built in 1937 to haul radium and uranium along the Mackenzie River. "We are so disappointed to discover that the Radium King has been vandalized and broken into," the museum wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday. "We found that the cabin door was kicked in and litter inside and graffiti on the walls, where no one should be. This is senseless and dangerous." The museum warned people about the dangers of walking over the vintage boat's unstable "rotten wood" floorboards. In addition to the risk of falling, the museum stated spending time inside the boat could pose a "serious health hazard." "We care about your safety and the preservation of our artifacts. It is disheartening to see the senseless destruction of a piece of Fort Smith history," the museum added. This is at least the second vandalization incident in Fort Smith that has been brought to light this past week. The town recently announced that its skate park was damaged just two weeks after it reopened following repairs by volunteers. 

On Monday, the town's director of community services Emily Colucci said the skate park is closed to prevent injuries while the town works on a repair plan and seeks quotes for the installation of cameras. Colucci said she understands how regular use of public equipment can result in wear and tear, though the town is "happy to maintain, repair, and replace items that have been enjoyed by the community." "When we see purposeful damage caused for who knows what reason, those are harder to accept because we see the impact that the actions of the few have on the many," she wrote in an email. "We will continue to be boldly optimistic in our repair of the skate park, because our community wants this facility, and hope that better choices will be made next time."

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Reposted from Scarlet & Black

For the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS) and the Grinnell College Museum of Art (GCMoA), mold-related issues have become a source of disruption, with parts of Bucksbaum sealed off and two artworks from the museum damaged from mold. Erik Sanning `89, technical director for the TDPS department, said that the primary affected areas within the purview of the TDPS department are the Flanagan Studio Theatre and the costume and recording studios located in the basement. Sanning first discovered the mold problem late this summer. “I was doing work in the Flanagan and getting ready for the start of classes, and I began to notice that on the curtains and things like that, I could see mildew and mold growth.” After informing Facilities Management of the issue in the Flanagan Theatre, Sanning surveyed all of the areas belonging to the theater department and found that the costume studio and recording studio also had obvious and extensive mold growth. Within a day of being informed of the problem by Sanning, the College also surveyed the affected areas to analyze the extent of the contamination. From Sanning’s understanding, the nature of the mold contamination was “fairly benign, just extensive,” he said.

For this reason, contaminated areas have been sealed off to prevent any mold from spreading further. In an email to the S&B, Amy Van Manen, Facilities Management office manager, wrote that the reason for the high mold levels in Bucksbaum was “high humidity levels in the building over an extended period.” Van Manen added that the main types of mold found were penicillium and aspergillus. These genera of mold are commonly found in the environment. According to Mayo Clinic, most strains of these types of mold are harmless, but some can cause aspergillosis, a respiratory infection, if their fungal spores are inhaled. People with mold allergies or asthma may also have adverse reactions to inhaling spores. “Mold types and levels (spore counts) were sampled/tested in suspected areas within the building, along with outdoor samples used as a baseline,” Van Manen wrote. Van Manen wrote that the methods used to address the mold were “dehumidification, air filtration, sanitizing surfaces, cleaning fabrics and replacing items that can’t be feasibly sanitized.”  According to Sanning, the first and biggest effect of the mold issue on the theater department has been on the series of staged readings, which is unable to perform at the Flanagan as originally intended. The lack of stable alternative spaces for rehearsals and performances due to the closure of Flanagan has been a hassle for the cast and crew of these plays. “The cast is having to hop from space to space depending upon what day of the week it is, depending upon what we can find,” said Sanning.

In addition to the spaces themselves being shut down, the closed-off spaces also contain important equipment that has become inaccessible. This has caused problems for classes, rehearsals and performances. “Our guest artists would come up to us and be like, ‘Hey, I need a cable,’ and I’d be like, ‘That’s great! We have ten of them! I can’t get to any of them, because they’re in the space that’s a … microbial danger zone, ’Sanning said.  Currently, the costume and recording studios in the basement have been cleared of mold and are now accessible to the department, Sanning wrote in an email to the S&B. According to Sanning, there are around one to two weeks left in the cleaning process before the Flanagan can be safely reopened, which he expects will be in around three weeks GCMoA has also faced issues due to its own mold problem at Bucksbaum.  Due to the conversion of the heating system at Bucksbaum from central steam heating to hot water heating, work on the building caused humidity issues, affecting certain works in the Museum’s gallery. The two works affected were Red Dream and Blue Dream by Ingrid Lilligren, according to Museum director Susan Baley. The sculptures, intended as commentary on issues of climate change, consist of “ice placed in the upper ceramic structure that was intended to drip down a wooden structure as the ice melted,” Baley wrote in an email to the S&B. However, due to a sudden humidity spike in the building, mold grew on the wet wood of the sculptures.

The mold on the sculptures was first discovered on the morning of June 21 by Jocelyn Krueger, GCMoA collections manager. “The two sculptures were immediately removed from the gallery and treated–in consultation with the artist,” Baley wrote. The sculptures were also wrapped in plastic and kept separately from art storage to prevent any spread of the mold to other areas of the Museum or artworks in its collection.  “After multiple treatments, the mold was remediated,” Baley wrote. No other works or areas have experienced damage, but Museum staff and Facilities Management staff are still collaborating to keep an eye on the issue. “A new HVAC system will be installed in the Museum in Summer 2025,” Baley wrote. This system should be able to provide more precise control over humidity in Museum spaces.

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You're invited: Solutionsphere: Cameras Worth a Second Look

Join us on October 16th at 12:30 PM EST to explore smart surveillance. Learn how Honeywell 70 Series AI cameras and real-time alerts enhance security while boosting operational efficiency. Honeywell’s advanced camera series utilize real-time facial recognition technology (FRT) processed within the camera to quickly pinpoint persons of interest. Easily identify those with authorization to be present and those who do not. All of our camera series enable real-time alerts that help security teams quickly react to danger or welcome VIPs, while protecting the privacy of bystanders.       DATE   Oct 16, 2024   TIME   12:30 PM EST   LOCATION   Zoom Webinar   HOSTED BY   Honeywell Commercial Security

What you will learn: What makes Honeywell camera series are cyber-secure How real-time alerts and video Analytics enhance security How our cameras can help you meet NDAA compliance and why it’s important Host: Maureen Bruen, Consultant and Business Development Manager Speakers: Robert Goldsworthy, Senior Applications Engineer Tami Wenzel, Sr. Offering Manager, Video

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Reposted from NEH

NEH's Climate Smart Humanities Organizations deadline is approaching September 18. Applicants to NEH for awards with expected issuance dates on or after October 1, 2024, should be aware of revisions to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200) effective from that date. All NEH awards issued on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the revised regulations.

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Reposted from Tim Richardson

“No pain, no gain!”

“Keep after it, only sissies need a break!”

“If we are going to win, we need to push through adversity.”

I can remember hearing the voice of my junior high football coach after running sprint drill after sprint drill or repeatedly running the dreaded “hill” over and over. There was little time for taking a break. Taking breaks was viewed as a sign of weakness. Back then, coaches seemed to only value players who were all in for every minute of practice. You were either all in or all out. On one level, I understand that philosophy, yet there is power in a pause for all of us. Whether you are a young athlete, a business professional, a homemaker, or the most decorated Olympic gymnast ever – we all need an occasional break. After withdrawing from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles was quoted in the video “The Vault”/Pause is Power “I had no idea where I was in the air. You could literally see it in my eyes in the pictures. I was petrified. I felt broken, that’s why I decided to take a pause…One moment you’re on top of the world, the next moment you’re gasping for air.” Yes, even elite, gold-medal earning Olympians know the importance of taking a pause. Simone was describing her challenges with continuing to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. There, she experienced what is called the Twisties – a phenomenon where an athlete suddenly loses a sense of where their body is in space. Most of us have never been through that sensation. But we all:

–       Have felt overwhelmed with responsibility

–       Doubted our ability to fully contribute to a project, personal task, or family situation

–       Lacked in the energy or creativity needed for a breakthrough

–       Felt a lack of direction or a need for a change in direction

These experiences can be just as paralyzing and result in feeling like we are gasping for air. For business professionals, amateur athletes, or elite Olympians, an occasional break or even a longer pause can often result in improving performance, extending your career, and maybe even catapulting your performance to new heights. Implementing a “Pause is Power” mentality could be the difference in achieving a gold medal performance or experiencing personal or professional burnout.

Just ask Simone.

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Reposted from Honeywell

You're invited: Reliable Video Management Solutions

Join us for an upcoming webinar on September 19th at 12:30pm EST featuring, Dave Herrington who will explore how Honeywell's MAXPRO video management solution is transforming security with cutting edge features. Discover how 4K resolution, AI-based video analytics and more are revolutionizing surveillance capabilities. Don't miss out on this transformative discussion that promises to examine the future of security monitoring and management. Here is what you will learn during the webinar: ·     How does 4K resolution and AI-based analytics impact security surveillance and management? ·     How does MAXPRO® VMS integrate with Honeywell’s Intelligent Command platform to provide unified, intuitive security management from a single interface? ·     What benefits and feature promote real-time remote monitoring? Host: Maureen Bruen, Consultant and Business Development Manager Speaker: Robert Goldsworthy, Senior Applications Engineer Speaker: Dave Herrington, Vertical Account Manager       DATE   September 19th 2024   TIME   12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT   LOCATION   Zoom Webinar   HOSTED BY   Honeywell Commercial Security

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Reposted from CISA/DHS

The Emergency Services Sector Management Team (ES SMT) would like to invite you to join our Working Group responsible for creating Interoperable Communications Best Practices and Guidelines. The purpose of this document is to outline the best practices related to interoperable communications in the emergency services sector; this includes preplanning for interoperability with major event and incidents, working with statewide interoperability coordinators and emergency communication coordinators, and highlighting the importance of prioritizing cross-collaboration within communications. The goals of the Working Group are to:

 

•            Identify best practices related to interoperability of communications equipment between sectors;

•            Identify the most effective methods of overcoming interoperability issues with communications equipment;

•            Identify the most appropriate resources and personnel to work with when planning for interoperable communications operations; and,

•            Utilize cross-sector subject matter experts within each sector, enhancing the resilience and preparedness of the emergency services sector for large-scale incidents. If you are interested in providing your expertise in this matter, please reach out to the ES SMT at EmergencyServicesSector@cisa.dhs.gov

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Reposted from CISA/DHS

Every day, you and your organizations are on the front lines of how connected we are, and you see the impact of emerging technologies at home, work, school and across our communities. With those new technologies, however, come new and growing risks from cyberattacks. Recent incidents across various sectors—nonprofits, private companies, health care, academia, and government—serve as stark reminders of the vulnerabilities we all face. To address these challenges, last September, CISA Director Jen Easterly launched the Secure Our World program. This year-round cybersecurity awareness initiative focuses on four simple steps we can all take every day to stay safe online:

 

• Strong passwords: Use passwords that are long, random, and unique to each account, and use a password manager to generate them and to save them.

• Multifactor authentication: Use MFA to protect our most important data, including email, financial accounts, and social media.

• Recognize and report phishing: Think before you click! Be cautious of unsolicited emails, texts, or calls asking you for personal information.

• Update software. Enable automatic updates on software so the latest security patches keep our devices continuously protected. These actions are crucial, but they require a collective effort to succeed. That's where you come in – your voice has the power to influence your members, customers, vendors, employees, and the public. By partnering with CISA on the Secure Our World program, you can help amplify its message, drive behavior change and reduce the online risks we all face. Will you join us? The attached Secure Our World Opportunities Guide provides several easy ways to partner with us. Some examples include:

•            Share CISA’s free Secure Our World resources with your employees and stakeholders.

•            Collaborate with us to co-brand or develop tailored content.

•            Raise awareness via social media by posting or reposting our materials.

•            Host an event and request a CISA speaker to engage your community.

•            Sign up for free cyber-hygiene services to reduce the risk of successful cyber-attacks.

Partnering in this critical effort will help reduce cyber risks across the Nation. By participating, you also gain access to Cybersecurity Awareness Month resources, ensuring that your organization is equipped to promote online safety throughout October 2024 and beyond. Your contribution is essential. Together, we can make a significant impact in protecting ourselves, our organizations and our critical infrastructure.

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Reposted from CISA

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) published a supplementary ‘how-to’ guide to assist stakeholders in executing the planning approach laid out in CISA’s Infrastructure Resilience Planning Framework (IRPF).  Dubbed the IRPF Playbook, this resource is intended for any critical infrastructure stakeholders involved in resilience planning. It uses a recipe-style list of inputs, processes, and fictional scenarios allowing users to better understand how best to implement the IRPF. The Playbook walks through the IRPF’s five steps and core IRPF and resilience concepts to help users contemplate their resilience objectives and develop an approach to incorporate elements of the IRPF into their planning activities. The IRPF Playbook highlights useful resources and provides a hypothetical illustration of how a community might incorporate infrastructure resilience into planning using the various steps of the IRPF.   The IRPF Playbook and the Framework are available on the Resilience Planning Program | CISA webpage. If you have questions or would like additional information on the IRPF Playbook or the IRPF itself, please email Resilience_Planning@cisa.dhs.gov.

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Reposted from EMR-ISAC

The National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) has released two new resources to support communities and local leaders with heat planning efforts on its web portal, Heat.gov:

• The Introduction to Heat Tabletop Planning and Coordination describes the steps and timeline necessary for communities to develop and run a heat tabletop exercise. Tabletop exercises allow communities to test their response to high-impact heat events through simulated exercises, so they can identify strengths and areas for further improvement.
• The Maturity Model for Heat Governance presents a framework that leaders and decision-makers can use to assess their capacity to successfully manage heat risk across 10 unique dimensions. When used over time, the maturity model can help communities track their continued progress toward building heat resilience.

These resources can assist emergency managers and coordinators to develop a better awareness of heat risks, coordinate heat planning with emergency planning, and implement heat emergency response plans. NIHHIS builds societal understanding of heat risks, develops science-based solutions, improves capacity, communication, and decision-making to reduce heat-related illness and death. Heat.gov is a collaboration of NIHHIS federal partners, which include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and several others.

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