#scott mcgillivray

[sjsmith56]

A Better Man, Part 5 - Warmth

Summary: Bucky inspects Andrea’s brownstone finding a host of problems that could derail the renovation. His mother, Winnifred Barnes comes to dinner, to meet Andrea and Lily.

Length: 5.8 K

Characters: Steve, Bucky, Andrea, Winnifred Barnes.

Warnings: Bucky’s anxiety, Winnifred remembering the real trauma that Bucky suffered as a child.

Author notes: More twists. My knowledge of house inspections comes from watching Mike Holmes, Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler home renovation shows. If you’re Canadian, you know who I mean.

<<Part 4

Part 5

Since Mrs. Parker, Sam and Steve had everything under control at the office, Bucky took his tool belt and everything he needed to check the house with him, when he took the money to pay off Officer Rollins.  He tried to temper his growing irritation at the man as he drove to where Rollins had pulled over their truck.  It was a dick move on the officer's part but also somewhat unprecedented.  He wondered if Hydra Contracting was behind it, as he knew Rollins was friendly with Rumlow.  Peter Quill had reported that Rollins had been seen at several of Hydra's nightclubs over the past month, sometimes in uniform, sometimes not, although the latter appearances tended to be at their strip clubs.  No doubt if he were connected to Hydra, he would be advising them on Barnes Contracting moving all their inventory sooner.

Pulling up behind the police car, Bucky could see Rollins sitting in the front seat.  Taking the envelope of cash with him, he got out of his car and stood beside the open car window.

"Barnes," said Rollins, lazily.  "About time you got here."

"You got paid off last week," replied Bucky.  "This request took us by surprise, and it took us time to gather enough bills together, plus we're busy."

"I figured that," said the police officer.  "What's the deal with the sudden activity?"  He gestured to the truck.  "Your idiot driver wouldn't tell me anything."

"Just have some renovation work coming up that I need my crew for, that's all.  Do you want this or not?"

A car passed them, and they both watched until it was out of sight before Rollins put his hand out.  Bucky looked around to make sure no one was watching or taking pictures then blocked the view of him handing Rollins the envelope.  The man opened it, quickly going through the bills.

"It better all be here, or I'll be stopping another one of your trucks," he warned.  He looked out the window at Bucky, smirking.  "Have a nice day."

Starting his vehicle up, Rollins pulled out of his spot, making Bucky move aside to let the car go.  He walked to the cab of the truck where Scott was sitting.  Pulling himself up on the step he leaned inside the open window.

"What happened?"

"Came to a complete stop at a stop sign then took the turn.  Next thing I know I hear the siren and pull over.  He wanted to know what we were moving.  Told him it was a sealed shipment, and I didn't know, then he said he noticed a lot of our trucks out today.  What was going on?  Told him I only did as I was ordered and didn't ask why.  He said I didn't come to a complete stop and if I didn't want the truck seized, he wanted $500.  Has he always been a dick?"

Bucky huffed.  "Pretty much.  Keep an eye out for any of Hydra's men.  I know Rollins is buddies with Rumlow.  If they find out we're moving a lot of inventory in a short time they might think something is up."

"Something is up, isn't it?" asked Scott.  "I was surprised when Sam pulled us off of moving the furniture today.  Did she change her mind about the renovation?"

"The less you know, the better," said Bucky.  "She didn't change her mind.  Just get these deliveries done and you'll get the furniture moved when you can.  I'm going there now to assess the actual repairs that need to be done.  The way this day is going I wouldn't be surprised if I find asbestos."

"That wouldn't be good." 

He started the truck and Bucky hopped off then returned to his car, watching as it drove away.  He sat there for a time, thinking, then started his car up, determined to get to the house and do something there today.  There was no parking spot close by when he arrived so he parked where he could and put his tool belt on, then grabbed his pen and notebook.  Entering the house, he locked the door behind him then breathed out. 

It had been a while since he last did an inspection of a house to give someone an estimate.  At that time, the owner, a higher-ranking member of a certain crime family, offered him half the estimate to do the job, claiming a professional discount.  When Bucky told him that was the price quoted the man had laughed in his face, then told him to fuck off.  He went with Sitwell Renovations, who used stolen building materials, and stiffed a few of their subcontractors, then used substandard ones to finish the jobs.  The original subcontractors weren't able to get their money, because they couldn't put a lien on the homeowner or else he would come after them.  It was wrong on so many levels, including the knowledge that Sitwell likely bribed some of the inspectors to approve the finished product. 

You're getting upset again.  Stop fixating about Sitwell Renovations.

Heading up to the top floor, Bucky found the attic access and opened it, pulling down the ladder.  Heading up, he pulled his flashlight out and shone it on the underside of the roof.  There were several water stains, some of them with mold on them, which concerned him.  It meant they would have to treat the mold as well as replace the roof.  Directing the flashlight onto the floor he saw more water stains.  One of the boards was broken and he used his hammer to pry it up, swearing when he saw the old insulation.

Shit, it's likely asbestos. 

He knew a guy who could test it to be sure, but he wasn't touching it, if it was.  He would have to get an abatement team in to deal with it before his guys did any work.  If it was up here, it could also be in the lower floor walls.  He did another walk around the space, looking at the wiring, noting it was old copper.  Since they would have to pull it anyway, they might be able to take the old stuff in for recycling.  That could help offset the cost.  He made some notes in his book, then headed back down the ladder and slid it back into place.  

Even though Andrea only showed him the ceiling water stains on this level he still did a thorough inspection.  Taking out a screwdriver he unscrewed a wall vent and shone his flashlight on the metal venting, looking for any rough edges that would give him an idea if the insulation here was asbestos as well, but he didn't see anything of note and replaced it.  Noticing the original light fixtures, he made a note to ask if Andrea wanted to keep them or update them.  There was always a demand for the older ones as certain places tried to keep their original look.  Personally, he tried to keep the fixtures original but update everything around them, in a similar style.  He would have to ask her if the fixtures all worked, since he didn't want to use the electricity to check for himself, knowing the mess the electrical panel was in.  If they didn't all work, they should be replaced, otherwise he would have to take them to a specialty place to be restored.

From there he checked out the bathroom on this floor.  The floor, done in a mosaic tile was mostly intact but there were a few broken individual tiles.  They could be replaced but it might be hard to replicate the faded colour.  Still, it was a nice pattern, almost art deco looking.  The bathroom fixtures, other than the clawfoot tub were all in need of replacing.  The tub could be refinished and spruced up.  Turning the taps he listened for a water hammer noise but there was none.  That was good as it meant the plumbing was in good shape, but he should check the pipes to make sure they were copper and not lead.

On the second floor, he checked all the windows but only the one bedroom had the water damage around them.  Gently prying off the interior casing on them, he saw the caulking on the outside trim had dried out and crumbled, opening the gap to the elements.  Opening the window, he leaned out as far as he could to check the brick façade, but it seemed intact, so the water damage was likely from the caulking.  Still, he would need to bring a ladder over and go up to check it to be sure.  When the guys came to move the furniture, he would ask Clint to bring a ladder and leave it in the house.  He might as well check as much of the façade as he could.  Once again, he tried to check for asbestos through the vents but who ever did the HVAC did a great job of sealing it from the insulation.  It was a testament to the skill of those tradesmen.

Checking the bathroom on this level, he noticed water damage on the mosaic floor tiles, as the grout had crumbled and chipped away.  Like the upper-level bathroom, the fixtures needed replacing.  He checked the taps, looking under the sink for leaks but there were none there.  Getting on his knees he shone his flashlight under the clawfoot tub then ran the water and watched as drips formed underneath, a leak from the tub itself.  Once he got up on the ladder he would confirm if there was additional leakage in the outside façade.  It could be a combination of the two that was showing up on the floor below.  He added it to the lengthening list of repairs. 

With a sigh, he headed down to the main floor, confirming the water stains again.  The dining room was in good shape, so he headed to the kitchen.  Casting a critical eye on it, he checked the floor to make sure it was level, then checked the plumbing, hearing the soft plunk of dripping water.  Underneath the sink cabinet he found a leak dripping from where the plumbing came out of the wall.  As he looked at it, he had a sinking feeling and ran downstairs, lighting the way with his flashlight.  Ignoring the electrical panel, he went past it to underneath where the kitchen sink was.  He didn't even look at this area the other night because the light went out and Andrea kicked him out before he got this far into the lower level.  When he saw the exterior wall, he groaned. 

There was efflorescence on it and the concrete was still wet in an area near a crack which had shifted the plumbing so that it was no longer aligned, causing not just the leak in the kitchen.  This was a major repair that could cause structural damage if it wasn't taken care of.  Never mind everything else that needed work, this crack, the water damage, the electrical panel, the roof, the possible asbestos insulation, and external water leaks would all have to be fixed before anything else inside could be tackled.  No wonder Andrea couldn't get a loan for renovations.  His gaze landed on the furnace and hot water tank, which he hadn't even looked at yet.  He knew in his gut that this place was going to be a money pit.  How was he going to tell her?

After saying goodbye to Bucky that morning, Andrea cleaned up the breakfast dishes, started some laundry and unpacked more of her boxes, sorting her clothes in the walk-in closet.  She also looked at what food was in the freezer and pantry, wanting to make something good for Bucky as a thank you for his help.  Taking some pork chops out, she checked the pantry, remembering she had brought some potatoes.  She checked the fridge, satisfied that there were enough fresh vegetables to make a complete meal, although she did have to go out and get a few things from the grocery store.  Lily was fed, then went down for a nap leaving Andrea some free time.  Taking advantage of the home gym, she worked out a little bit then showered, dressed, and explored the selection of books in Bucky's bookcase.  Just as she settled in a chair a phone rang in the apartment.  With her cell phone beside her, Andrea wondered if Bucky left his cell phone behind but instead, the sound led her to a landline that she answered with a hesitant "hello." A woman's voice greeted her.

"Hello.  You must be Andrea."

"Yes." 

"I'm Winnifred Barnes, Bucky's mother.  He told me that he offered you a place to live while he renovated your home.  I just wanted to make sure you got settled in."

That was nice.  "Yes, my daughter Lily and I are getting used to being here.  He's been very kind to us."

"I'm glad to hear it.  Would you object to me visiting you this afternoon?  I had some things to drop off for Bucky, but I would like to meet you and your daughter."

"Why don't you come for supper, as well?" asked Andrea.  "I was going to make a nice dinner for him and there should be more than enough for three."

"You're sure it won't be too much trouble?"

"I'm sure.  Please, I would like you to come."

She could almost hear the older woman smile through the telephone call.  When Mrs. Barnes accepted the invitation, her voice was kind and warm.  It reminded Andrea very much of her grandmother.  As soon as Lily woke up, she would get her ready for a walk and get to the store for the few things she needed.  In the meantime, she made herself something for an early lunch and turned on some music while she ate and read a book.  She transferred the laundry from the washing machine to the dryer, just before Lily awakened.

A short time later, she was back in the apartment after the walk to the grocery store, and began prepping the food so she could slip everything into the oven.  The pork chop and potato casserole was easy to prepare and with the addition of some mushrooms and sliced onions plus some extra seasoning Andrea was sure it would be appreciated.  Just as she got it into the oven to bake for an hour, the elevator door opened, and Bucky walked in. 

"Hi," she said cheerfully, as he entered the kitchen.  "How was your day?"

"A little stressful," he admitted.  "How was yours?"

"Great," she smiled.  "We went for a walk to the grocery store, and I picked up a few extra things for dinner.  We're having a guest."

"Who?" he asked.

"Your mother.  She called to say that she had to drop some things off, so I invited her to dinner."  She noticed his face.  "That's alright, isn't it?"

Bucky realized he was frowning and shook it off.  "Yeah, it's good.  I'm just surprised, that's all.  She usually drops things off at the office, but I was at the house most of the day so maybe she wanted to talk to me in person."  He noticed her face.  "Don't worry about my mother.  She's great and she'll love you and Lily.  Before she comes, I need to talk to you about the house."

At that moment, the landline rang, and Bucky answered it to the announcement that his mother was there.  He gave the okay to let her up.  The news about the house was going to have to wait.  Soon, the elevator door opened and Winnifred Barnes strode in, carrying a bakery box.  Bucky took it from her, receiving a kiss on the cheek.  They both entered the kitchen.

"Ma, this is Andrea Hart and her daughter Lily.  Andrea, this is my mother, Winnifred Barnes."

"It's a pleasure Mrs. Barnes," said the younger woman, extending her hand.  "You brought dessert?  You didn't have to."

"It was the least I could do after practically inviting myself for dinner.  You must call me Winnie."  Andrea began to protest but Winnifred waved her objections away, then looked at Lily.  "This little angel is beautiful.  Bucky, help me get my coat off so I can hold her.  She's okay with strangers?"

"Mostly," said Andrea.  "She likes Mrs. Parker and Sam, and Bucky held her for a time."

His mother grinned at him, delighting in the fact that he was blushing about holding a baby.  He took her things, hanging her coat up and placing her purse in the living room.  When he returned to the kitchen, he watched his mother cooing over Lily, who lapped up the attention from the older woman.

"She is adorable," smiled Winnifred.  "You must be a wonderful mother to have such a happy baby."

"Thank you but it's all her," said Andrea.  "She's been content from the start."

"Ma, come sit in the living room."  Bucky led them all there, waiting until the women sat down before he did.  "What was it you brought for me to see?"

"Oh, that can wait," said Winnifred.  "It was nothing too important.  So, have you done the inspection of Andrea's house for the renovation?"

Both women looked at him, expectantly, and he suddenly felt as if he were in a hot seat.

"Yes, I spent much of the day there," he replied, hesitantly.  "I was just going to tell Andrea about it when you arrived."  They still looked like they wanted to hear more.  "It's not good news.  There's mold in the attic from the leaking roof.  I suspect you have asbestos insulation, but I'll need to get someone in to confirm that and they would have to do an abatement if it is asbestos."  He sighed, then looked away, his face pained.  "Those windows will have to be replaced as the caulking has dried up and crumbled away which is letting in rain.  You already know about the electrical panel.  There's a crack in the foundation that's letting in water, and it's messed up the plumbing in the kitchen.  All of that has to be fixed before we can even think about fixing the water leak damage inside.  Your bathroom fixtures need updating although we can salvage the tubs and get them refinished.  Although your furnace and hot water tank are functional, they're pretty old and should be replaced."  He ran his hand through his hair.  "Your kitchen needs a total update as well.  I'm sorry but it's going to cost a lot of money to do it.  I suspect the bank looked at your old list of things to fix and didn't think it was worth it.  With this new list, it's going to be a lot for me to cover.  I would like to do it, but I want you to know what you're getting yourself into.  My estimate of three months is easily doubled and right now I think it's going to cost around $150,000 to just do the basics.  I'm sorry.  I wish I had better news."

Andrea took it better than he was expecting.  She was disappointed, something that he felt in his gut as she looked at Lily before examining her hands.  Then she smiled wanly at him.

"It's alright," she said quietly.  "The bank pretty much said the same thing, even though the list I gave them was smaller.  They said it had been their experience that these older places had a lot of issues that had to be addressed even before tackling the cosmetic fixes."  She sighed and stood up.  "Thank you for being honest with me.  Excuse me for a moment."

She left Lily with Winnifred and headed towards her room, as Bucky followed her with his eyes, feeling utterly helpless that he had to disappoint her.  His mother watched him. 

"You should go to her," she said.  "I can stay with Lily."

"Ma ...."

"Go to her," she smiled.  "She's worth it."

It was the first time his mother had ever said that about any woman he brought home for her to meet.  Gently, he knocked on the door.  He could hear crying inside.

"Andrea, may I come in?" 

There was the sound of her blowing her nose, then she opened the door and began to cry again.  Stepping inside, he hugged her, as she wept.  He wished he knew what to say but something told him that what he was doing was probably what she needed most.  Eventually, she calmed herself and pulled away, grabbing some more tissues.  To see her with swollen red eyes and puffy cheeks was almost more than Bucky could bear.

"We'll find a way to do it," he said.  "Somehow, I'll fix it for you."

"I can't ask you to do that," she uttered, her voice almost broken.  "You have a business to run and that's a lot of money to cover."

"You're not asking.  I'm offering."  For a moment, he looked down, trying to say something meaningful.  "Please, let me help you."

"Why are you doing this?  I mean, what's the real reason?"

He envisioned a repeat of what happened in her basement a few days ago but even with what he did for his living, he had always been as truthful as he could be.  He wasn't ready to tell her about his usual job, but he could tell her about his feelings.  Gesturing to her to sit on the bed, he sat beside her. 

"I've always been the quiet type," he said.  "That trauma I referred to this morning messed with my head a little and it made me very introverted.  In high school, I didn't date much but I had a few girlfriends, nothing serious.  They weren't really interested in the real me.  They just saw me as a good-looking guy who liked to please them.  When my thing about blood became known they didn't even see me as that.  I was weird Bucky."  She placed her hand on his, smiling kindly at him.  God, she's beautiful.  "I had one serious relationship with Dot; I told you about her.  After her, I didn't date at all.  It was just easier.  Then you walked into my life.  The guys told me about this beautiful woman with a baby who just made their day with her presence and that's when I came outside that first time with Sam and Steve.  They were right, you did make my day, and the more I saw you, the more I wanted to know you."

"Bucky, what are you saying?" Andrea was focused on him, her face serious.  "Are you in love with me?"

"I don't know if it's love," he admitted.  "I thought I knew what love was when I was with Dot, but it was all one-sided.  I know that I like being with you and Lily.  I don't feel alone or weird when I'm with you and when you cried just now, all I wanted to do was hold you and be there for you."  He realized he was stroking her hand and stopped then looked at her.  "If you don't feel the same for me, that's alright; we can be friends because I just don't want to be without you in my life and if you have to sell the house and move away then I might never see you again, and I don't think I can bear that."

She smiled at him as he kept talking then placed her hand on his cheek, making him stop. 

"I wish I had met you instead of Brock," she murmured.  "You are the sweetest man I have ever met.  Dot was stupid to do what she did to you.  Although there might be the beginnings of something between us, I'm not ready to take that next step right now.  But I'm willing to take it slow with you and see where this leads us.  Is that enough for now?"

His smile was almost beatific in its brilliance and Andrea felt her own insides warm up a little.  She had to admit to herself that when he held her, she felt safe in his arms.  The emotional warmth that emanated from him and even his mother, was something she really missed since her grandmother died.  As for the house, she could sell it, but it would be at a significant discount as she would have to disclose the issues with it.  In this market, that money wouldn't go far in buying a similar sized place.  Even though the logical thing would be to sell it, a part of her pictured her and Lily there, baking cookies in the kitchen, or doing homework together at the table.  From the moment she moved in there when she was pregnant it felt like home, her real home.  Then a vision of Bucky coming in the front door as if he lived there with them suddenly entered her head, almost making her gasp audibly.  Maybe she was meant to meet him, then to live with him as a roommate.  Maybe, eventually they were meant to be more.  Regardless, he was willing to help her, and she really liked the idea of him working on that place, knowing that he wanted to please her.  Taking a deep breath, she stood up, making him stand up with her.

"Alright, somehow we'll figure out how to finance this," she said.  "Friends?"

"Friends," he smiled.  For now.

Returning to the living room, they found his mother still entranced with Lily, as she told her a story.  It was a side of his mother Bucky hadn't seen before, realizing that she was acting like a grandmother.  His younger sister was also unmarried and had no kids, so that meant Lily was the closest thing she had to a grandchild.  She looked up at them.

"Are you alright, Andrea?"

"Yes, Mrs. Barnes, I'm good.  Bucky helped settle me down."

"Winnie, I insist."  The older woman looked down at the little girl in her arms before looking up at the pair.  "Well, I'm glad.  Whenever you two wish to go out, for any reason, you call me, and I'll come over in a flash to be with this little doll."

Lily kicked her feet a little and waved her hands towards Winnifred, making her laugh.  The timer on the oven went off and Andrea went to see to it, while Bucky set the table.  His mother, watching from the living room area, knew there was definitely something good about those two and she would do her part to make sure it bloomed into something better.  This little girl needed a father and a grandmother.  If Andrea's parents were too proud to make amends with their daughter, then she was more than willing to take their place.

Dinner was pleasant for all of them, with compliments from Bucky and his mother about the meal.  The dessert brought by Winnifred, a cheesecake, was also appreciated.  As Bucky cleaned up, Andrea took Lily to the bedroom to nurse her and get her ready for bed.  She brought her out to say goodnight to Winnifred and Bucky, with both holding the baby in turn, and kissing her goodnight.  It reinforced every hope that Bucky had for a relationship with Andrea, although he tried to temper the strong emotions he was feeling for her.  After she had tucked her daughter in, Andrea returned to the living room where Bucky and his mother sat, having some tea. 

"Well, I have enjoyed myself immensely," said Winnifred.  "I do have to go but I meant what I said about looking after Lily anytime you need someone.  She is a sweet child."

"I'll keep that in mind, Winnie," said Andrea.  "It was very nice to meet you."

"Bucky, would you see me out to my car?" asked his mother.

"Sure, Ma," he replied, figuring she wanted a private word with him. 

On the way down in the elevator, she made her thoughts known.

"She is lovely.  What did you two decide when you went to her?"

"I told her I had feelings but that I don't know if it's love.  She's not ready for another relationship yet but if it's meant to be then she wants to take it slow.  I'm going to do the renovations.  I'll find the money somehow."

"I'll give it to you," said Winnifred.  She looked up at her son.  "You don't have to tell her it's coming from me."

"Ma, you don't have to," he protested.  "I'm sure that we'll get the business we need from the renovation side of the company.  I can put a sign in the window of her place that we're working there.  Maybe that will drum up business to make up for having to cut back on the other side of things."

"What are you talking about?" she asked, looking up at him again.  "What's happened to your usual revenue stream?"

Uh oh.  "I thought you knew.  I assumed Steve mentioned it but maybe he was afraid you would be angry with him.  Andrea's best friend hit it off with Steve and they went out together.  She figured out that Barnes Construction isn't entirely legitimate."  The elevator doors opened, and he stopped talking as they walked through the lobby, resuming when they were outside.  "Turns out she's a cop and she's not turning us in, but she suggested we get rid of our shipments sooner rather than later.  We're supposed to be on some task force's radar.  If they show up and we don't have the evidence lying around, then they can't do much to us."

His mother was quiet until they got to her car.  She stood in front of it apparently processing what her son told her. 

"Well, maybe it was meant to happen then," she finally said.  "You did say you would go legit for her.  Maybe this is the way you go about it.  Just be careful who else knows about that end of the business as it can open you up to blackmail.  By the way, who is Lily's father?  You told me before that he's with one of your competitors."

"Brock Rumlow."

He didn't notice how his mother seemed bothered for a moment, as he was distracted by a couple of joggers going by on the sidewalk.  She placed her hand on his cheek, receiving a kiss on hers in return, then Bucky opened her car door and made sure she was buckled in before he closed it.  As she pulled away, she watched her son cross the road, realizing she never gave him the documents she brought him.  As soon as she was out of sight, she pulled into the first opening she saw and took her cell phone out.  For a moment she hesitated then she dialled a number.  It rang several times before it was answered.

"I have a problem," she said.  "My son is in love with a very nice single mother.  I just found out the father of her child is Brock Rumlow.  You know what Pierce will do if he finds out about the baby."  She listened for a moment then interrupted.  "I don't care.  I need protection on the woman and her child.  They are important to me and to my son.  If anything happens to them ....  Thank you, Fury.  I appreciate it.  One other thing.  Is Barnes Construction in the crosshairs of one of the gang task forces?"  Whatever was said obviously satisfied her because she smiled.  "I heard it from several sources but thank you for running interference for us.  I appreciate that.  My son is turning the company into a legitimate business, but any raids would make that difficult.  I trust you'll advise me if anything is in the works?  As long as it doesn't interfere with the other business, I'll take you at your word."

She hung up then and thought back to that horrible night so many years ago when Nick Fury, now the District Attorney, but then a hotshot lawyer in the District Attorney's office came to her with a pouch of diamonds and asked her to hold them for him.  No questions were asked as to their origin or their destination.  It was a quid pro quo situation; a favour to be paid back later.  Except two nights later a corrupt cop, Henry Rumlow, showed up with a thug provided by his brother-in-law, Alexander Pierce, a general contractor willing to get his hands dirty.  Rumlow demanded the diamonds.  George, her husband, refused to say anything, as did she.  The thug began beating George up, hitting him over and over again.  That's when Bucky came out of the bedroom hallway holding his father's gun and pointing it at Rumlow. 

"Leave my dad alone," he said, in his terrified six-year-old voice.

Rumlow started laughing.

"Your kid didn't even turn off the safety," he crowed, then reached for his own gun and pointed it at Bucky.

In a scream of rage, George head butted the thug, stunning him, then tackled Rumlow, fighting for his son's life.  In the struggle, Rumlow's gun went off and he laid there bleeding out from a stomach wound.  Carefully, George took the gun from Bucky, as Winnifred bundled him up and took him back to the bedroom.  Then George did something he never thought he would do again after Grenada.  He killed a man, using Rumlow's gun to shoot the thug when he roused and attacked George again.  He called his right-hand man, Tim Dugan, to help.  The big man, loyal to the core, helped carry the bodies out of the house, loading them into Rumlow's car trunk, that they lined with a tarp.  While Dugan drove Rumlow's car, George took a company truck, driving out to an isolated spot.  They staged the fight there, making it look like the two men fought each other before both received a fatal wound with Rumlow's service pistol.  They left Rumlow's car there and George drove Dugan home.  By the time he returned to their house, Winnie had cleaned up all the blood.  He burned the tarp and his bloody clothes in a metal garbage can. 

Other than Fury, who promised to make sure the deaths were not traced to them, no one else knew what really happened, although Pierce must have worked it out since he sent his man with Rumlow to steal the diamonds.  Winnifred, who had whispered to Bucky never to speak of it, worried about him over the years, wondering if he was scarred for life.  Other than being a quiet introverted person, with an aversion to blood, she was sure he had forgotten everything else that happened 27 years ago.  Bucky's safety and happiness were everything to her.  If Andrea and Lily made him happy then she would do all she could to keep them safe.

Part 6>>

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[gayseball]

I wanna peg scott mcgillivray

[huntsvillehq]

The last day of the Faire, the sky was overcast, with rumbles of thunder in the far distance. As Mayor Nat stepped up to the podium set up in front of town hall, a small crowd gathered to hear the announcement. She proceeded to declare Pandora Flowers as the winner of the costume contest, and withdrew the sword to present to the winner of the tournament, Morgan Vovk.

Before she could, though, Quinn Buckley from the commune ran up on stage and grabbed the microphone from the podium.

“Listen! You have to listen. This, all of this, is because of a being far greater than us! It sent the creatures from the woods to test us! To separate the weak from the strong. It judges us because it wants us to be ready before it reveals itself. We have to listen! We have to—“

Sheriff Henry attempted to take the microphone from her, but she struggled against him, still shouting into the microphone.

“It’s real! I felt its presence! Those that listen will be saved!”

Thunder rumbled, closer than before, much closer. A loud crack of lightning illuminated the sky, blindingly bright. Beyond the clouds, briefly visible in that split second, loomed a shape, unrecognizable and massive, both bulbous and gangly. As quickly as it appeared it was gone, and what remained was the sizzling body of Tristan Wilde, struck by the lightning. The sky opened up, then, as thunder boomed directly above, and rain and hail pelted the town.

“It’s there! You all saw it! It’s real! We have to submit!” Quinn wailed, as Henry attempted to pull her off the stage. “I can prove it! I can walk amongst them untouched! I’ve been chosen! You can be chosen too!”

Her cries fell away in the deafening downpour, and those that had gathered scattered to find shelter in the nearest buildings. Whether or not they saw something or, if they did, if they believe what they saw, remains to be seen.

The storm raged on through the night, as the creatures wandered the streets unperturbed by the rain and hail. The lights of the town flickered and then, as lightning staggered across the sky, everything went dark.

(Those that ran to find shelter found themselves stuck for the night. Below you’ll find the (randomly selected) groups. You can choose for your characters to have seen the shape in the sky, to have not seen it, or to have seen it and not believe it.

Everyone can continue/finish their event threads, as all this took place on the final day of the Faire (the 29th). You may also time-jump threads, headcanon threads, or make new threads for the plot drop. The event officially ends on August 5th, at which time please do not make any more event starters, however you can continue all threads until completion.)

Town Hall

Aslan “Dodger” Ozdemir Bocephus “Beau” Romero Birdie Tilton Cain Barlowe Eagan Connolly Emma “Em” Dunford Evangeline Cruz Falco Romero Fletcher Cole Helena Theriot Hex Sif-Sidon Jessica Sinclair Kirby Louis Ryan Nickleby “Nick” Dalton Ocean Quinn Odette Abbott Olivia Hart Poppy Sarasa Prudence “Pru” Wheaton Ransome “Rance” Slade Saffron Aubert Scout Garcia Sierra Nevada Starlynn Flowers

Fire Station

Absinthe Capone Arachne Arthur “Arty” Drake Conrad Greene Corvin Delancey DJ Cruz-Dutton Harlow Cole Hawthorne “Hawk” Romero Izan Castillo Katarina “Rini” Roberts Lachlan Ramirez Logan Ferguson Lorcan Hara Luciana “Lucy” Rivera Mercy Wainwright Pandora “Andy” Flowers Phoenix Romero-Sawyer Rainn Scott Reggie Alson Ricardo Reider Ruben Hobbes Samantha “Sammie” Thompson Sebastian Keane Tae-Hyun Cho Theodore “Teddy” Collins Zain Madan

Police Station

Andrew Richardson Antonio “Toni” Estrada, Jr. Celia Ortega Elijah Atkins Emrys Rosser Finn Cunningham Halley McGillivray Hunter Hilton Jahi Karim Jane Doe Jareth Reid Kestrel Sideris Lincoln Abernathy Luke Matthews Mateo Suarez Morgan Vovk Pascal Mendoza Quinn Buckley Salem Salazar Vincent Lewis Violet Beauregarde William Monroe Wolf Lykaios Zachary Ryan Zarina West

Huntsville Bank

Alexander “Xander” Garcia Cabell “Cab” McCay Cassius Romero Catherine Wayne Christopher Winters Briana Ryan Dahlia Cruz-Dutton Frances “Frankie” Wallace Gabriel “G” Westfall Genesis “Sissy” Boone Harvey Langston Josie Reigh Mallard “Duck” Romero Mason Greene Maya Rae Mylene Karimi Raj Aiyangar Raphael Knightley Riley Saunders Sandra Quispe Sare Holmes Sasha Medvedev Spencer Holmes Valeria “Val” Moreno Wylie Bateman

Post Office

Avery Cowling Benjamin Cade Bowie Bardot Bram Williams Carter Behrens Cassandra “Cassie” Slade Eilana Kapur Freya Atkins Guillermo “Mo” Reyes Jasmine “Minnie” Sinclair Lennon Davies Leo Brockton Liam Jefferson Matthew Walker Mia Vazquez Monet Vogel Nathaniel Dawson Ondine Konar Paloma Ortiz Reed Hendrix Silas “Cyan” Canne Tari Park Wren Romero Xavier Cade Zoë Clark

Huntsville Library

Artemis Hayes Axel Addams Calloway “Cal” de la Luna Casey Nestor Claire Forbes Clara Jones Finch Sanders Floyd Blackward Hank McGillivray Iniya Beckett Ivy Oberon James “Jamie” Brennan Jeconiah “Jack” Abbott Jett Liu Kieran “KB” Barnes Michael “Mikey” Beauregarde Nicolas Garcia Parker Russo Peter “Rusty” Craven Peyton Wilson Reza Kogoya Roman Forest Rosemary “Rose” Felton Sicilia “Lia” Flowers Tamaraa Jillian “Jill” Adler

[laresearchette]

Monday, May 20, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: AFTER THE FLOOD (BritBox) THE X-FILES (Paramount+ Canada) (Seasons 5-8) STAX: SOULSVILLE U.S.A. (HBO Canada) 9:00pm WEAKEST LINK (CTV) 10:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT?: THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS: A NEW WISH (TBD)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

AMAZON PRIME CANADA ANGRY BIRDS: MYSTERY ISLAND

CRAVE TV STAX: SOULSVILLE U.S.A. (Season 1, Episodes 1-4)

NETFLIX CANADA MEAN DREAMS THE PARISIAN AGENCY: EXCLUSIVE PROPERTIES (Season 4) (FR)     IIHF MEN’S HOCKEY (TSN) 10:00am: Great Britain vs. Norway (TSN5) 10:00am: Sweden vs. France (TSN) 2:00pm: Finland vs. Denmark (TSN5) 2:00pm: Kazakhstan vs. Poland

MLB BASEBALL (SN) 2:30pm: White Sox vs. Jays (TSN2) 6:00pm: Mets vs. Guardians (SN Now) 6:30pm: Red Sox vs. Rays

WNBA BASKETBALL (TSN/TSN3/TSN4/TSN5) 7:00pm: Sun vs. Fever

NHL HOCKEY (CBC/SN) 7:00pm: Game 5 - Hurricanes vs. Rangers (SN) 9:50pm: Game 4 - Stars vs. Avalanche

JAMIE’S AIR FRYER MEALS (CTV Life) 8:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Jamie Oliver shows us how to make delicious dishes using the newest kitchen craze, the air fryer. He transforms frozen fish and tinned beans into a special meal, knocks up some quick savoury scones and combines a roast dinner and a chicken curry.

OUTBACK OPAL HUNTERS (Discovery Canada) 9:00pm (SEASON FINALE): The Blacklighters discover opalised sea creatures in an ancient seabed; the Cheals close in on their biggest opal haul ever, but all is not as it seems.

SCOTT'S VACATION HOUSE RULES (HGTV Canada) 10:00pm: Real estate expert and contractor Scott McGillivray shows homeowners how to take their vacation property purchase and unlock its full rental potential.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"FIVE YEARS' SENTENCE FOR ASSAULT ON INDIAN," Toronto Globe. September 10, 1913. Page 7. ---- TWO MEN ATTACKED BIGWIND, NEARLY KILLING HIM, AND ROBBED HIM. ---- (Special Despatch to The Globe.) Whitby. Sept. 3.--Found guilty of assaulting and robbing John Bigwind, an Indian of Rama township, near Washago, on August 11, Joseph O'Leary was last night sentenced to five years in Kingston Penitentiary. and his companion, Archibald Scott, was remanded for a week by Judge McGillivray.

The two men, being aware that $27 was in the possession of the Indian, overtook him on the railway track near Washago, and, after frightfully beating and kicking him, appropriated the money. Thinking him dead of dying, they threw his body into clump of bushes and immediately unconcernedly returned to the village. Bigwind, stunned and bleeding, stumbled into Washago shortly afterwards and laid information about the assault. He identified the two men, who were at once arrested.

O'Leary has a record of previous theft. Scott, who claims that he recently came from Winnipeg, will remain in jail here until the Crown investigates his record.

[Scott was given a term in the Central Prison. O'Leary had been in Calgary Jail and the Central Prison himself. He was born in Lindsay, was a teamster, and was 29 with many scars from work related injuries. He was convict #F-640 at Kingston Penitentiary and worked as a stone pile inmate. He was a 'bad' prisoner, with over 20 reports for infractions of the rules, assaults on other inmates, trafficking, insulting officers and general insubordination. This included in February 1914 being moved to the high security segregation unit in the Prison of Isolation and again in June; 7 days in solitary in June, another stint in solitary in October, another in February 1915, again in August, and the loss of 20 days remission over several reports that year. In 1916 he went back to solitary for five days. Interestingly, his wife wrote the prison in June 1914, asking about his health and why he had not written, and the warden replied "he is getting along well, and working almost every day." Eventually, he became a teamster in the prison stable, was not reported again, and was released in April 1918.]

[homosociallyyours]

One of my most toxic traits is that I love watching Scott McGillivray on HGTV when he teaches people how to be landlords

[jkdanu]

Exclusive: HGTV's Bryan Baeumler and Scott McGillivray Reveal How To Bring Vacation Vibes to Any Home

http://dlvr.it/StZtYm

[journalistjunction]

Who is Scott McGillivray Wife? Unravelling His Family Saga!

Scott McGillivray, a Canadian businessman, investor, television broadcaster, author, and teacher, was born on April 7, 1978. McGillivray studied at the University of Guelph, graduating with honours in 2001. After graduating from college, McGillivray started working as a real estate developer, buying houses he would later remodel and rent. He obtained his contractor’s license in 2004 and began…

[malestarssockedfeet]

[halsteadproperty]

Investing Time with HGTV Star Scott McGillivray

Real estate and home improvement shows are at the peak of their popularity. HGTV, a channel entirely devoted to this programming, was rated fourth in prime time viewership among basic cable channels in February. One of HGTV’s most recognizable faces is Scott McGillivray, host of Income Property and Buyers Bootcamp, and what many would call a triple threat – one part savvy real estate investor, one part skilled contractor, and one part accomplished entrepreneur. We sat down with him to discuss some of his tricks of the trade.

Halstead: Scott, what’s the first room you renovate in an investment property? 

Scott: It depends on the property, but more often than not it’s the kitchen. It’s the first thing I look at when I enter a property, and it’s usually the first thing I budget for (with the exception of major structural issues, should they exist). Keep in mind also that with open-concept homes the kitchen is visible from other parts of the house, whereas the bathroom isn’t. So, the kitchen plays a bigger role in the overall design of the home.

H: What rooms and upgrades receive the greatest return on investment?

S: Kitchens and bathrooms are the two areas that can really make or break a home sale in my experience, and they always offer the most potential for a great return on investment. But you can’t just throw any old materials in there and expect to make a profit. In both rooms you want high quality flooring and cabinetry, an excellent lighting scheme, and a great layout. It’s also important to invest in items that will elevate the look of the space and appeal to discerning buyers. I also think it’s critical to invest in the things you touch every day, the countertop being just one of them. Hardware and fixtures should also be high quality, as the investment is relatively small, but the impact is significant.

H: What finishes are trending now?

S: I’ve been using a lot of Cambria surfaces lately. It’s made from natural quartz and I love its durability, standing up to wear and tear. Granite is strong, but it requires maintenance and can stain if it is not taken care of correctly, and marble is just way too soft and porous. Cambria looks elegant, offered in so many design patterns and instantly elevates the look and feel of a home. Much like “hardwood floors throughout,” “quartz counters” is a phrase that instantly evokes a sense of quality and class.

H: What are the three most important questions you ask yourself before purchasing an investment property?

S: First, can I make it cash flow? This is the one question you absolutely must be able to answer before you buy. You need to figure out what all the monthly costs will be, and then figure out if you can get that much back in rent. Or, if you’re flipping, weigh the costs of the renovation against the potential selling price.

Next, what kind of property is it? Different types of properties will attract different tenants, but they’ll also require different amounts of maintenance. You can have a student rental, income suite, executive rental, vacation property, or you can do a flip. Each scenario will require different things of you – including budget.

Last, what’s the location? The location can have a big impact on the overall success of any real estate investment. For residential properties, you want to think about things like transportation and highway access, proximity to schools and hospitals, and other questions of general infrastructure. I want to be confident that it’s in a growing area that will always have a rich pool of potential tenants.

H: Is location more important than the actual structure and space?

S: It will always depends on your budget, but as a general rule, location is more important. There’s a popular saying in real estate that you should always buy the worst house on the best block or one of the oldest units in a building, and it’s true! You want to know that you’re leaving room to improve the value of your home over time.

H: What are five renovations that might hurt your resale value?

S: Swimming pool – I love swimming pools, but they don’t do much for your return on investment. In fact, a lot of people see pools as liabilities. It takes a lot of time and money to maintain them, and they can also be a safety concern.

Bright or bold kitchen cabinets - Expressing personal style is great, but stick with easy-to-change accessories and not large, fixed items like cabinets. Neutral cabinets and beautiful quartz countertops are the way to go. Combining bedrooms – Unless you have 5 or more bedrooms, it isn’t a good idea to knock down a wall in order to make a bigger room. Three or four bedrooms is the ideal. If you’ve got three bedrooms, for example, and you knock down a wall to make two larger bedrooms, you’re likely decreasing the value of your home.

Removing bathtubs – Luxury showers are hot right now and a lot of people are getting rid of bathtubs to make room for them. But this is really a mistake. You should always have at least one bathtub in the house to increase salability.

Wall-to-wall carpet – Softness underfoot is great, but I always recommend solid flooring with area rugs as opposed to wall-to-wall carpeting, which is hard to clean and, over time can look dirty and dingy.

H: Tell us about your new HGTV project that is about to debut. We hear it is HGTV meets Shark Tank.

S: Buyers Bootcamp is my latest show, and it’s different from what I’ve done before on TV in that I team up with the homeowners and invest my own money in their property. At the top of each episode, two sets of homeowners present their property to me, and I decide which one has the best opportunity to turn a profit. I pay for the renovation and, at the end we try to sell it and split the profit. We filmed, all over Canada and the United States and worked on some really interesting homes.

H: Our tagline is Move to What Moves You. What moved you to move to your current primary home?

S: My wife and I moved into our first home before we had kids and it seemed like a big enough size. But once the kids came along our house seemed to get smaller! Our house was also in a tight community where the homes were all close together, and we wanted more space and more privacy. Now we’ve got a nice big yard for the kids to play and for us to grow the family garden (a yearly tradition). And since we built the house from the ground up, we customized everything to our specific needs. It’s really been a dream house for us and we couldn’t be happier.

[mundo-misterio]

Reglas de la casa de vacaciones: segunda temporada; La serie de Scott McGillivray regresa a HGTV - programas de TV cancelados + renovados

Reglas de la casa de vacaciones: segunda temporada; La serie de Scott McGillivray regresa a HGTV – programas de TV cancelados + renovados

por Regina Avalos, 3 de mayo de 2021 Vacation House Rules regresa para una segunda temporada en HGTV el próximo mes con Scott McGillivray regresando como presentador. Hubo ocho episodios en la primera temporada y se ordenaron 13 episodios para la segunda temporada. HGTV reveló más sobre el regreso de la serie en un comunicado de prensa. “El empresario y experto en bienes raíces Scott McGillivray…

[themoinmontrose]

hgtv hunk scott mcgillivray @smcgillivray is 39 today #happybirthday 

[scarlettjane22]

Uploaded by Ember McGillivray-Scott

[songsofprotestpeacerevolution]

Lean on Me - ArtistsCAN

Watch, Stream, Listen and Share. All proceeds of the ArtistsCAN single are donated to the Canadian Red Cross to help fight COVID-19 in Canada. Donate now at www.artistscan.com or Text LEANONME to 20222 to donate $10 100% of your money goes to the Canadian Emergencies & COVID-19 Response Fund.

Featuring: Avril Lavigne, Bad Child, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Bryan Adams, Command Sisters, Dan Kanter, Desiire, Donovan Woods, Fefe Dobson, Geddy Lee, Jann Arden, Johnny Orlando, Josh Ramsay, Jules Halpern, Justin Bieber, Marie-Mai, Michael Bublé, Olivia Lunny, Ryland James, Sarah McLachlan, Scott Helman, Serena Ryder, Shawn Hook, TIKA, The Tenors, Tyler Shaw, Walk Off The Earth

With: Alicia Moffet Cailli & Sam Beckerman, Chloe Wilde, Chris Boucher, David Suzuki, Drew Scott, Fred Penner, George Stroumboulopoulos, Hayley Wickenheiser, Jason Priestley, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Kayla Diamond, Kelsi Mayne, Liz Trinnear, Loud Luxury, Lyriq Bent, Maripier Morin, Pearl & Daisy Wenjack, Russell Peters, Sara Diamond, Scott McGillivray, Sharon & Bram, Shaun Majumder, Shay Mitchell, Shenae Grimes, Soska Sisters, Spencer West, Steve Yzerman, Tom Jackson, Trailer Park Boys, Tyrone Edwards.

[route22ny]

Once it reaches the Great Lakes Water Authority's (GLWA) treatment plants, water is pulled from the mix, sanitized, and discharged into the Detroit River. What's left behind at the treatment plants is sewage sludge — a highly toxic, semi-solid blend of human feces and every pollutant that was discharged into the sewers.          

Despite the fact that it teems with potentially dangerous chemicals, the sludge is then spread on farmland.        

Nutrients in human excrement, like phosphorus and nitrogen, help plants grow, so sewerage departments across the country lightly treat sludge and repackage it as a fertilizer called "biosolids" that are given away or sold for cheap to farmers.        

Biosolids are a "valuable resource" that has been "shown to produce significant improvements in crop growth and yield," according to the Environmental Protection Agency, which approved the practice in the mid-1990s. By 2018, more than 50% of the approximately 130 million wet tons of sludge the nation produced annually was applied to farmland.          

But the practice is increasingly controversial. Public health advocates say any amount of the approximately 90,000 synthetic chemicals in existence, from VOCs to BPAs to PCBs, can be represented in sludge. It can also be packed with superbugs, parasites, worms, hormones, viruses, and bacteria that aren't killed in the treatment process.          

Studies show the pollutants are carried to farmland, taken up by crops, and can end up on dinner plates. That's fueling a growing number of biosolid-linked public-health crises that are making people sick, polluting drinking water, and pitting farmer against farmer.          

In Michigan, officials are discovering sludge packed with toxic PFAS, and a growing alliance of farmers, public health advocates, and environmentalists are calling for a ban on spreading the substance on cropland.          

"The best solution is to get this stuff off the market," says Christy McGillivray, legislative director of the Sierra Club of Michigan. "Anything that was flushed down the toilet — any hazardous chemical that we use in our everyday systems — winds up in a wastewater treatment plant, so there are a lot of questions about biosolids' safety."          

Municipalities in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Florida, among others, have prohibited biosolids, while Maine has restricted their use. In 2003, Switzerland became the first country to outlaw them, and businesses like Whole Foods and Del Monte tell Metro Times they won't buy crops grown in sludge.          

But the powerful waste-management industry and regulators are resistant to prohibition. Sludge is an expensive byproduct that's difficult to dispose of, and selling it to farmers is a cheap solution to the problem. In a statement to Metro Times, the GLWA — which churns out more biosolids than any of the nation's other sewerage authorities — insisted its sludge is safe.          

Though state regulators "expect" PFAS to be present in sludge, Scott Dean, a spokesman with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), downplayed the threat to human health.          

"Due to the fact that biosolids themselves are applied in low amounts in relation to the soil mass in a farm field, they would not be expected to accumulate to the extent to cause adverse effects to public health or the environment," he said.         

He noted that EGLE is forcing many PFAS polluters to stop discharging the chemical into sewers, but the state doesn't plan to test for most of the other 90,000 chemicals that exist.        

                           'You're going to drop dead'                                                         

In a scathing 2018 report, the EPA's Office Of Inspector General wrote that it found 352 contaminants, including 61 it classified as "acutely hazardous, hazardous, or priority pollutants" in biosolids it tested. Among other substances, it detected PFAS, pharmaceuticals, steroids, and flame retardants.          

Despite the potential for high toxicity, federal law only requires wastewater treatment plants to consistently monitor for nine heavy metals, intermittently test for other contaminants and kill most pathogens and living organisms by using heat or dolomitic lime. The latter lowers the ph to make it more acidic and inhospitable to organisms.          

The EPA's OIG found the agency can't properly regulate sludge because it doesn't have the tools to assess the safety of all the other pollutants found in biosolids.          

"Biosolids [have] everything that goes down the drain from funeral homes to slaughterhouses to everyone's toilet that's hooked up to the sewer system," says David Lewis, a former EPA microbiologist opposed to the use of biosolids. "All of these things are unsafe, according to scientific literature, so how does adding lime and putting it on land make it safe?"          

Moreover, individual chemicals that aren't dangerous on their own can become toxic when mixed. Lewis likens the situation to going into a pharmacy, grabbing different bottles off the shelf, and swallowing pills.          

"You're going to drop dead, and that's what we're doing with sludge," Lewis says.          

A growing body of evidence highlights the risks. A 2013 University of North Carolina study found 75% of people living near farms that spread biosolids experienced health issues like burning eyes, nausea, vomiting, boils, and rashes. A University of Georgia study found similar issues, while others living near sludge fields have contracted MRSA, a penicillin-resistant "superbug."        

Lewis investigated two deaths near fields where sludge was spread and found that the substance triggered reactions that killed the two people. More recently, he's linked the substance to autism.          

In Georgia, sludge killed an entire herd of cows. In Maine and New Mexico, farmers last year had to put down herds of cows found to be filled with PFAS and producing toxic milk. Last week, officials in Maine discovered cows teeming with the highest levels of PFAS ever found in the animals. Meanwhile, biosolid treatment centers are sources of air and water pollution — the substance is thought to be partly responsible for toxic algae blooms in the Great Lakes and Florida.          

                              A brief history of sewage sludge                                                          

Before the 1973 Clean Water Act (CWA), industry discharged its waste directly into the nation's waterways. Rivers became so polluted that those in industrial regions like Michigan and Ohio regularly caught fire.          

The CWA mandated a proliferation of wastewater treatment plants that would take in human and industrial waste via the nation's expanding sewer system, then spit out clean water into its rivers.          

America's waters quit burning, but the solution presented a new problem — sewage sludge. At first, it was dropped in the ocean, but that created large dead zones. Then industry tried burning it, but that often violated the Clean Air Act.          

Despite the fact that sludge was too toxic for the ocean or air, the EPA in 1993 approved a rule change that would allow it to be spread on farmland. Lewis says scientists at the agency uniformly opposed the idea, but leadership pressed forward with approval.          

"Not a single study demonstrated that this practice was safe," he adds.          

These days, when sludge isn't spread on farmland, it's either landfilled or, in some cases, incinerated with pollution controls.          

                                 Raising a stink in rural Michigan                                                           

Several years ago, Yankee Springs resident Willard Case made an alarming discovery — nitrate levels in his property's wells had spiked.          

While nitrates are found naturally in groundwater, and at low levels aren't a problem, high levels can cause health problems, especially for children and pregnant women. Case contacted local health authorities, but says they only instructed him to dig more wells to find clean water.          

However, his attempts to do so only yielded contaminated water, and Case says the source of the contamination is obvious: A neighboring business had applied one million gallons of sludge to its property, while two other farmers in the small farm town 35 minutes south of Grand Rapids filled their fields with biosolids.          

Case says he contacted EGLE and the agency found PFAS in the sludge, but it isn't initiating a cleanup. It tested for PFAS, but Case says he's worried about other chemicals that could be in the biosolids or in his well. He calls the situation "disturbing."          

"They're only checking for PFAS because that's the loudest bell ringing, but I think there are other chemicals in there," Case says. "They're injecting the ground with this stuff and impregnating it with chemicals that we can't control. We're going to lose these beautiful farm fields."          

Case's problems with his neighbors' sludge is emblematic of the types of disputes playing out in rural areas across Michigan. Neighbors of farmers who spread sludge say they fear well contamination and pollution of local waterways that serve entire farm communities. Several farmers told Metro Times that the smell is terrible. Don Dickerson, a farmer with land in Michigan and Ohio, said he found his home and property coated in sludge dust after his neighbor applied it.                                  

While Michigan municipalities can't specifically prohibit farmers from spreading sludge, Summerfield Township, which sits about 20 miles west of Monroe, passed a broad waste disposal ordinance that covers potential contamination and is applicable to all industries.          

Summerfield Township Supervisor John Chandler says the township's leaders are responding to a public health need and demand from residents who don't want it spread near their homes.          

"Maybe sludge is safe and maybe it's not so safe," Chandler says. "But it's too risky. We stand on that as a township, and say 'Go spread it somewhere else' because we don't want it here. Nobody I know is for sludge, and I would say anybody who would be for it is likely a farmer who wants free fertilizer."          

The earth in the region around Summerfield is cracked and filled with sinkholes, Chandler adds, and that makes sludge especially risky in terms of contaminating groundwater and wells.          

"My worry is what the heck is in it?" Chandler asks. "And how would you ever remediate that?"          

Is free fertilizer worth the cost and risk?         

Case says there's too much at stake.                                  

"It's crazy — they're playing Russian roulette with our health," he says.          

                                    PFAS: A farm-to-table toxin                                                            

For years, Michigan regulators told residents that biosolids were safe as farmers unknowingly spread PFAS-laden sludge on cropland. Then it became clear that PFAS presents a threat to human health.          

Over the last two years, EGLE discovered PFAS in sludge at 41 wastewater treatment plants, but the agency has only tested about a quarter of the state's 400 facilities. It ultimately ordered five plants to stop sending sludge to farmers.          

Public health advocates say the PFAS issue highlights biosolids' fundamental problem — no one knows what other dangerous chemicals are lurking in it.          

"Regulators completely miss emerging contaminants — like PFAS — as well as pharmaceuticals and a whole host of other chemicals used widely today that find their way into crops," says Colin O'Neil, legislative director at Environmental Working Group, which tracks PFAS contamination.          

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are toxic chemicals used to make a wide range of products water- and stain-resistant. About 7,500 varieties exist, and those that have been studied are linked to cancer, thyroid disorders, autoimmune disorders, deformities in newborns, liver disease, and a range of other serious health issues.          

Current surface water recommendations are set at 70 parts per trillion for PFOS and PFOA — two types of PFAS — in drinking water. In sludge, the state has found an alarming median of nearly 70,000 ppt in sludge, though there are no environmental quality standards for biosolids.          

State records pulled from the MIWaters website show how the dangerous chemicals can make their way from industry to Michiganders' food.          

In November 2018, a US Ecology-owned toxic-waste landfill in Van Buren Township discharged water with PFOS levels as high as 60 ppt. Records show neighboring landfills sent out water with levels as high as 420 ppt.          

En route to a wastewater treatment plant, that mixed with PFAS-laden discharge from the region's other industries. The plant treated the sludge and produced biosolids with 25 different types of PFAS totaling over 32,000 ppt.          

The biosolids were then shipped out to farmers and spread onto cropland or sent to landfills. Though there are no limits on PFAS in biosolids, the 32,000 ppt should raise alarm, O'Neil says.          

"Where they're finding PFAS, [farmers] need to be alerted to that fact, as that might inform whether or not they choose to spread biosolids on the farm in the first place," he says.          

In a written statement to Metro Times, Dean says EGLE doesn't directly alert farmers when high levels of the chemicals are found in sludge.          

                          'We can all surmise that it's not good'                                                             

So how much PFAS and other dangerous contaminants ultimately make it to our food? That's unclear, but there's evidence that it does, and that's especially true for PFAS, which easily move through the environment.          

Still, regulators haven't acted quickly, and there's no clear picture of the health impact, says Denise Trabbic-Pointer, a former DuPont chemist who now tracks PFAS contamination for the Sierra Club.          

"We can all surmise that it's not good, but nobody knows what the number is," she says. "I wish that [regulators] would put a little more effort into looking at it, worrying about it, and following through on it."          

A recent veterinary study found that sludge caused reproductive problems in sheep grazing in fields on which farmers spread sludge. The findings "highlight potential risks" for humans and animals, said Dr. Richard Lea, the study's author.        

"There are quite worrying implications for female fertility in the human," he wrote, adding that "there's a very high chance" that the chemicals would end up in humans who eat the meat.          

Researchers found the sheep had absorbed high levels of phthalates and PCBs, which each cause a range of serious health problems like cancer and early puberty in children.          

Multiple other studies found pharmaceuticals and other chemicals in plants grown in sludge.          

In Maine, farmers who spread biosolids on a cattle farm have blood with the highest PFAS levels on record in a Maine resident.          

Even though Michigan agriculture officials have acknowledged that PFAS are in the state's cows, an official said last year that regulators won't test milk, for fear of the damage it could do to the dairy industry.          

                                          Safe sludge?                                                             

EGLE's Dean, however, notes that the state is taking some serious steps to reduce PFAS levels in sludge. In some cases, PFOA and PFOS levels dropped by about 90% after EGLE identified industries discharging the chemicals into sewers and required them to stop doing so.          

EGLE is also testing fields on which contaminated biosolids have been spread to determine how much PFAS is in soil and crops. That will give regulators a clearer picture of how much of the chemical moves from the sewer to Michiganders' dinner plates. PFAS have already been found in corn in a Lapeer field.          

"EGLE is a leader in studying PFAS in biosolids through our work to protect public drinking water from these contaminants," Dean says.          

In a written statement sent to Metro Times, the Great Lakes Water Authority stressed that it follows the law in testing for contaminants and said it monitors for new pollutants of concern, like PFAS.          

"As regulatory agencies identify emerging pollutants, GLWA works with the agencies to develop and implement plans to minimize or eliminate the pollutant from our wastewater discharge," a spokesperson wrote.          

But critics say there are flaws in EGLE's approach. It's only regulating two of the 7,500 types of PFAS, though it will soon start testing for five more. It also doesn't consider the cumulative total of each type of PFAS. In a hypothetical scenario, water could have dozens of different types of PFAS that collectively present a dangerous level of the chemicals. But if each is below its individual recommended limit, then it's considered safe.          

Despite the uncertainty, Dean says EGLE won't act until it can be proven that the PFAS levels in biosolids are unsafe. He also claimed that there isn't evidence to show that all varieties of PFAS found in water are toxic. However, there's a growing body of data that shows all PFAS present a danger — including the chemical companies' own science and reports from the EPA.         

The state's approach puts residents' health and safety second to industry, says McGillivray. She argued that the state should gather data to prove that sludge is safe before allowing it to be spread on the state's food supply.          

Moreover, even if all the PFAS are removed from sludge, "every toxic organic chemical that exists on the planet, and everything in municipal and industrial waste remains," says former EPA scientist Lewis.          

"When you potentially mix every chemical that exists, you get a mixture that has everything in the universe of pollutants, neurotoxins, carcinogens — you can't get away from that," Lewis adds. "So pulling one chemical out of the universe isn't going to make a difference."

***

    https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/toilet-to-table-michigan-farmers-feed-crops-with-toxic-brew-of-human-and-industrial-waste/Content?oid=25017830     

[laresearchette]

Sunday, May 16, 2021 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: 2021 MTV MOVIE & TV AWARDS (MTV Canada) 9:00pm GOOD WITCH (W Network) 9:00pm RUN THE WORLD (Starz Canada) 9:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT     SORORITY SISTER KILLER  (TBD - Lifetime Canada)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME/CRAVE/NETFLIX CANADA/CBC GEM:

AMAZON PRIME BALI RUN THE WORLD SHIVA 143

CRAVE TV RUN THE WORLD (Season 1, Episode 1)

NETFLIX CANADA LITTLE

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 12:00pm: Islanders vs. Penguins (SN/SN360) 3:00pm: Wild vs. Knights - Game #1 (SN) 7:30pm: Lightning vs. Panthers  - Game #1 (SN360/SN1) 10:30pm: Flames vs. Canucks

MLB BASEBALL (SN1) 1:00pm: Phillies vs. Jays   (TSN2/TSN3/TSN5) 7:00pm: Cardinals vs. Padres

NBA BASKETBALL (SNNOW+) 1:00pm: Hornets vs. Wizards (TSN3) 1:00pm: Pacers vs. Raptors (TSN2) 3:30pm: Celtics vs. Knicks (TSN3) 3:30pm: Grizzlies vs. Warriors (TSN4) 10:00pm: Lakers vs. Pelicans

MLS SOCCER (TSN/TSN4) 2:00pm: Sporting KC vs. Whitecaps FC (TSN) 4:00pm: Cincinatti vs. Miami (TSN) 9:30pm: Seattlle vs. LAFC

THE WRONG ISLAND REAL ESTATE AGENT  (Lifetime Canada) 8:00pm: A single working mother and her teenage daughter rent a beautiful house on several acres of land from a friendly real estate agent who they know well and lives nearby.

MYSTIC (Super Channel Heart & Home) 8:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): After moving from London to New Zealand, a girl uncovers a series of secrets surrounding a mysterious injured horse.

MASTERCHEF CANADA (CTV) 9:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE):  In this penultimate episode, the remaining competitors face a three-round skills test, and one final cook to determine who will earn a spot in the finale.

JUNIOR CHEF SHOWDOWN (Food Network Canada) 9:00pm: Chef Jordan Andino gives a demo in flavour building by creating a classic Caesar salad with a balance of salty, crunchy, savoury and umami components.

SCOTT 'S VACATION HOUSE RULES (HGTV Canada) 9:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Real estate expert and contractor Scott McGillivray shows homeowners how to take their vacation property purchase and unlock its full rental potential.

THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND: DRILLING DOWN (History Canada) 9:00pm/10:00pm:  Rick, Marty and the team allow viewers behind the scenes to see how every moment on Oak Island is captured. In Episode Two, Matty travels to Travers City, Mich., and meets with Rick, Marty, Craig, Alex, and Jack to review the incredible discoveries made in Season 8, and hear what might be in store for Season 9.

CORAL GHOSTS (Documentary) 9:00pm: An impassioned marine biologist uses his family's extensive archive as the catalyst to save the world's reefs.

ISLAND OF BRYAN (HGTV Canada) 10:00pm: Bryan and Sarah focus on the guest experience, while the Baeumler kids navigate living at the hotel with guests on site.