WakeMed Announces Plans to Build Hospital in Garner

WakeMed on Aug. 15 filed a certificate of need with the state to build a 45-bed acute care hospital with 24 emergency department bays in Garner.

The 170,000-square-foot hospital, if approved, would be located on 27 acres around White Oak Road and Timber Drive East. Groundbreaking would be in fall 2024 with completion in fiscal year 2027. [See fact sheet on Garner hospital plans.]

WakeMed has three healthplexes—one in Garner on U.S. 70, one in Brier Creek and one in Apex—that all include full-service emergency departments (EDs). The Garner Healthplex ED is responsible for 44 percent of the overall healthplex ED patient volume.

Pending state approval, the Garner Healthplex ED, which currently has 12 beds, would move to the new hospital and would have 24 beds.

The current Garner Healthplex would convert to a medical park, which would include medical practices and ambulatory services such as imaging and lab.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 970-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, seven emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, more than 80 physician offices and Wake County’s only Level I Trauma Center. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 10,300 employees, 1,000 volunteers and 1,300 affiliated physicians, along with the more than 700 physicians and providers with WakeMed Physician Practices – all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Kathy Behringer and Jerry Jones Named Stevens Award Recipients

Town Council Member Kathy Behringer and local businessman Jerry Jones have been named co-recipients of the 2022 James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award—our community’s most prestigious recognition for public service rendered over an extended period of time.

Kathy Behringer

“Kathy Behringer is smart, sincere and hardworking. She knows the community because she has raised a wonderful family here and has been devoted to community life and the people of Garner for more than 25 years,” said former Garner Mayor Sam Bridges (as quoted in the nomination letter for Ms. Behringer).

A Garner resident for nearly three decades, Ms. Behringer is now serving her fifth term as a Town Council member. She has focused on community growth and development and on beautification efforts around Garner, especially around some of the town’s main gateways.

Ms. Behringer has held a special place in her heart for the revitalization of historic Downtown Garner and was named a North Carolina Main Street Champion in 2011 by the N.C. Department of Commerce. She currently serves on the Downtown Garner Association, which helps to lead development of historic Downtown Garner as a vibrant business, entertainment and cultural center through public-private partnerships.

During her tenure on the Council, Ms. Behringer also has been a strong advocate for improving parks and recreation opportunities, and she has advocated in particular for the Garner Senior Center.

Ms. Behringer has been passionate about ending domestic violence and has worked to ensure the Town as well as community groups regularly support InterAct of Wake County.

In addition, Ms. Behringer currently serves as The Garner Woman’s Club president and sits on the Board of Directors for the YMCA. She is active in her Community Watch program and is a member of the Garner Chamber of Commerce.

Ms. Behringer has previously served as the past president of the Friends of Historic Garner and as a board member for Passage Home, a non-profit organization that works to break the cycle of poverty for individuals and families in Wake County by helping them to achieve housing and income security.

Ms. Behringer has been an independent business owner for 41 years. She is married to Jeff Behringer, also an independent business owner in Garner. Together they have six children and eight grandchildren.

Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones has served the Garner community for almost 50 years.

“Jerry’s family has deep roots in Garner, and he has never forgotten what Garner has done for him and his family,” the nomination letter for Mr. Jones states. “As Jerry’s business and community leadership approaches fifty years, he is still the positive teammate that everyone wants as a friend, neighbor and business confidant.”

Mr. Jones is a Gamer native and joined his father’s insurance business, Jones Insurance Agency, in 1974, soon after graduating from college. He married Brenda Stone, and they established themselves as respected and admired pillars of the Gamer community.

Soon after graduating from college, Mr. Jones joined the Garner Volunteer Fire Department as a volunteer and served in the department for seven years.

He succeeded his father, Purvis, at the helm of Jones Insurance. After serving on the Garner Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Mr. Jones was elected board chair by his peers for 1980-81. He continued to serve in leadership roles with the Chamber for a number of years.

Mr. Jones is a charter member of the morning Garner Rotary Club (chartered in 1978). He served as president of the club and later served as district treasurer. He earned the Mid-Day Rotary Club’s Ethics Award for his personal and professional character and demeanor.

For his support of Rotary, Mr. Jones has been named a Paul Harris Fellow. He also is a member of the Paul Harris Society and has been a generous supporter of local, district and Rotary International projects ranging from annual scholarships for Garner high school seniors to Rotary International’s goal of eradicating polio.

Mr. Jones has also been passionate about education. He served with the Communities in Schools program for seven years as a tutor and mentor, then seven years with the Schools and Communities Organized to Read (SCOR) program for seven years as a reading mentor with second-graders at Timber Drive Elementary.

The Joneses have continued to support local civic, business and service groups and initiatives, including the following:

1. Little League team sponsorships

2. Community of Hope Ministries

3. Garner Senior Center capital campaign

4. Garner Veterans Memorial capital campaign

5. Poole Family YMCA capital campaign

In addition, Mr. Jones has been a Business Advisory Board member of Wake Services and Advisory Board member at North State Bank.

Mr. Jones and Ms. Behringer will be recognized at the Aug. 16 Town Council meeting, held at 7 p.m. in the Ronnie S. Williams Council Chambers in Garner Town Hall, located at 900 7th Ave.

ABOUT THE JAMES R. STEVENS SERVICE TO GARNER AWARD  

The James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award is intended to recognize people who have made substantial, outstanding contributions to Garner over a long period of time. Emphasis is on service rendered over an extended period of time with preference given to nominees with 20-plus years of service. This is in keeping with James R. Stevens’ tradition of service spanning decades. Non-residents of Garner are eligible if the award committee deems that they meet the criteria necessary to receive the honor. The award also can be bestowed posthumously.

The award program is administered by the Town of Garner, with a selection committee made up of the mayor, a representative of the Stevens family and other community members.

Garner's Station #25 - Towne Players Youth Theater Camp

Communications Manager Rick Mercier is joined by cast members Alena Lewis and Ethan Underhill of the Towne Players of Garner's production of "Moana Jr." Also joining is Towne Players' alumnus Gabe Yarborough.

They discuss the what interested them in performing arts, preparing for their roles, and growing up with music and theatre. Get your tickets for "Moana Jr." Aug. 11-13 by visiting GarnerPerformingArtsCenter.com.

Garner Chamber Connect Conference September 8, 2022

This Economic Development Conference presented by the Garner Chamber of Commerce with the Town of Garner, highlights important business -related topics. Join local and regional business leaders, Chamber members , elected officials & economic development professionals for announcements and expert insights on the future of Garner.

Date and Time

Thursday Sep 8, 2022
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM EDT

Thursday, September 8, 2022
10 am - 3:00 pm

Location

Garner Performing Arts Center
742 W. Garner Rd.
Garner, NC  27529
 

Fees/Admission

Tickets 

Members $99                                    Non-Members $149
Members w/Bus Tour $129               Non-Members w/Bus Tour $199

Rep. Ross, Town Officials Announce $1 Million to Support Downtown Project

U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross—joined by Mayor Ken Marshburn, Council Members Demian Dellinger, Kathy Behringer and Elmo Vance, and Aristotle Spirits owner Jake Howland—on July 22 announced $1,030,405 in funding for a comprehensive rehabilitation of the Main Street-Rand Mill Road intersection as well as the creation of 59 new paved parking spots in Downtown Garner. Rep. Ross secured funding for the project earlier this year.

The federal funds will be used to develop a pedestrian plaza and sidewalk and improve stormwater drainage to prevent flooding. The new parking lot will transform an underutilized property into a productive asset, increasing accessibility and capacity for residents and visitors to enjoy restaurants, shops and more.

Between fiscal years 2009 and 2021 (the most recent available data), there was $23.1 million in public investment and $11.5 million in private investment in Downtown Garner.

Eggs Up Grill to Open this Fall in Garner

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Eggs Up Grill, a rapidly growing breakfast, brunch and lunch concept, will open a new restaurant in Garner in early fall, located at 2686 Timber Drive in Garner Town Square. The restaurant will be the third for franchise partners and brothers Scott and Rob Johnson, who own locations in Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs.

With indoor seating for 96, plus an outdoor patio, the 3,000 square-foot restaurant is designed to make guests feel at home in a light, bright and cheery atmosphere. The Garner restaurant will serve guests seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., with dine-in, online ordering, takeout, catering and delivery options available.

"We partnered more than five years ago to bring Eggs Up Grill to Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs - and now Garner where we both live,” said Scott Johnson. “We’re proud supporters of this community—go Trojans! We are both very excited to bring great food, superior service, and the concept of neighbors serving neighbors, always with a smile, to our hometown.”

Eggs Up Grill will also cater events big or small, with a menu featuring breakfast favorites like eggs, grits, home fries, biscuits and gravy, and muffins. Salads and sandwiches are available for catered lunch.

The Garner Eggs Up Grill will hire 30 employees. Those interested can apply at eggsupgrill.com. For more information, follow @eugsgarner on Instagram and Facebook.

About Eggs Up Grill:

Eggs Up Grill is home to the whole neighborhood, serving smiles from sunup through lunch. The aromas of freshly brewed coffee, savory bacon and hand-cracked, farm-fresh eggs and juicy burgers on the griddle, and warm, attentive team members will make you feel right at home. We are “neighbors serving neighbors” daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ranked as the no. 1 breakfast franchise by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® two years in a row, Eggs Up Grill is experiencing record growth across the Southeast. Originally founded in Pawleys Island, S.C., Eggs Up Grill now has 57 locations with plans underway to reach the 100-restaurant mark by the end of 2023. For more information, visit eggsupgrill.com.

Courtesy Eggs Up Grill

Wake County Commissioners Approve Regional EMS Services Station in Garner

Wake County commissioners on July 11th agreed to move forward with plans to build a new, 12,748-square-foot regional emergency medical services station in the Town of Garner.

The Garner Main EMS Station is a prototype that will serve not only as a base of operations for the units and personnel deployed there, but as a hub for Wake County EMS providers throughout the region.

The station will offer expanded medical storage, oxygen inventory and dedicated space for on-duty training. It will feature six bay parking spaces for emergency vehicles and three covered service bays to service, resupply and stock EMS response units. An electric vehicle charging station, along with two parking spaces, will be located on site.

The Garner Main EMS Station will be the second county facility to open with solar panels built into its original design. This will generate 40,000 kilowatts of power annually, offsetting 34% of the building’s electric consumption and saving $2,600 annually.

This project is part of Wake County’s solar portfolio, which will total 530 kW-DC once this project is complete. That’s enough to power about 40 homes and offset the greenhouse gas emissions of 74 passenger cars each year.

Read more at https://www.wakegov.com/.../new-regional-ems-station...

The station will be located on Thompson Road, adjacent to Timber Drive Elementary.

Nominations Being Accepted for Stevens Award Through July 17

Stevens Award Application

​Service to Garner Award Nomination Form

Eligibility & Introduction

Anyone who has made substantial, outstanding contributions to the Town of Garner over a period of years is eligible for the James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award. Emphasis should be placed on service rendered over an extended period of time rather than what has been done in the preceding twelve months.

Preference will be given to nominees with 20 (+) years of service. This is in keeping with James Stevens’ tradition of service
spanning decades.

Non-residents of Garner are eligible if the award committee deems they meet the criteria necessary to receive this award. Additionally, the James R. Stevens Service Award can be awarded posthumously.

Nominations should describe or outline the nominee’s service to Garner. Please be sure to include civic, fraternal, religious organizations and affiliations, positions held, award or recognition's received, etc.

Nominations will be accepted through July 17, 2022

Questions: 919-773-4456.

Garner July 3rd Independence Day Celebration. Lake Benson Park.

Join us for an evening of fun for the whole family with a headlining performance by the North Carolina Symphony. Enjoy delicious food while the kids play in the Kids' Zone featuring activities such as games and crafts. Top your evening off with the best fireworks show in the Triangle!

Gates will open at 5:00pm. Parking on site is free on a first-come, first-served basis. A free shuttle service from South Garner High School will be provided.

Activities:

Food Vendors

Kids' Zone (5:00-8:00pm, free)

Garner Veterans Memorial Tours (5:30-7:30pm)

Performance by Joe Brown & the Band (5:15-7:45pm)

Performance by the NC Symphony (8:30pm)

Fireworks immediately following the symphony performance.

Shuttle Service:

Off-site parking will be available at South Garner High School (8228 Hebron Church Road).

Shuttles services are free and will begin at 5pm.

The last shuttle to Lake Benson Park will be at 8:45pm.

Shuttles will not operate during the fireworks show. Operations will resume at the conclusion of the fireworks to carry spectators back to South Garner High School.

The following are prohibited: pets, alcoholic beverages, tents/canopies, fireworks/sparklers, glass containers, grills, tailgating, drones, soliciting

Weather

In case of inclement weather, updated information will be posted on the Town of Garner website https://www.garnernc.gov/ and the Town of Garner Facebook page.

Sabrina Lewis Joins Garner Leadership Team as Human Resources Director

Sabrina Lewis will be joining the Town of Garner as the Human Resources Director effective June 20, 2022, filling a key role with the Town’s leadership team.

Lewis brings a wealth of knowledge to Garner from her over 13 years of experience in Human Resources, most recently serving as the Human Resource Manager for the Town of Apex. Her experience in Human Resources also includes service with the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Over her tenure, Lewis has led emerging HR initiative projects, oversaw employee relations programs, and administered performance management and improvement procedures.

“Sabrina is a passionate and engaging professional that will bring human resources expertise and effective communication skills to the Town. We are thrilled that she will be joining the Garner Team,” Assistant Town Manager Jodi Miller said.

Lewis holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received her master’s degree in Legal Studies and Alternative Dispute Resolution from Regent University in December of 2021. In March of 2017, Lewis received her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute.

“I believe in the power of professional connections and relationship building and strive to always be engaging and approachable with staff, peers and partners,” Lewis said.

While passionate about her work in human resources, Lewis also recognizes the importance of selfless service and restorative balance and can be found volunteering in several community organizations or spending time with family and friends.

Lewis loves all things Marvel Comics related, “I’m a self-professed Avenger, always ready to assemble with others to make great things happen.”

To learn more about the Town of Garner, please visit GarnerNC.gov.

Town of Garner Plans Special Yard Debris Collection in Wake of Storm

In response to last week’s powerful storm that swept through Garner, the Town Council has approved a Public Works Department plan to conduct a special curbside pickup for unprepared yard debris starting the morning of Wednesday, July 6. 

The plan calls for crews to make one pass through each neighborhood, so it is important that residents get their yard debris to the curb by the morning of July 6, Public Works says. The department also reminds residents that Town crews cannot pick up yard waste left by contractors who have performed work for residents. 

The special pickup will go in this route order: 

• Orange Wednesday route

• Yellow Thursday route

• Gold Tuesday route

• Purple Thursday route

• Green Tuesday route

• Brown Friday route

• Red Monday route

• Gray Monday route

• Blue Friday route

• White Wednesday route

• Tan Tuesday route

(See the Town’s color-coded route map.)    

The Public Works Department selected this route order to enable crews to begin in the areas that appear to have the most debris as a result of last Friday’s storm. 

In addition to the special pickup for unprepared yard waste, residents have the option of getting yard waste collected as part of their regular weekly curbside service if they prepare it in accordance with guidelines found on the Town website (see section on Curbside Yard Waste Collection). This option is available to residents immediately. 

Since Friday’s storm, Public Works has supported emergency operations with signage placement and has focused on removing debris from roadways. The department also has prioritized removing potentially hazardous debris from the grounds around Town facilities and in Town parks. Public Works crews are scheduled to continue this work as well as gathering up debris from right of ways and streets for the remainder of this week. 

With the Town’s annual July 3rd Independence Day Celebration coming up, Public Works will have to turn its attention next week to preparing for that signature Town event. The department will have the capacity to turn its attention to the special yard debris collection after the Independence Day Celebration and the Town holiday on July 4.  

For more information, please contact Public Works at 919.772.7600 or at publicworksservicedesk@garnernc.gov. 

New Life Science Distribution Company to Open in Garner

Garner, NC — Third party logistics firm, MD Logistics, a Nippon Express Group Company, headquartered in Plainfield, Indiana, today announced their expansion to Garner, North Carolina with the opening of their first warehouse in the area, sixth total for the Midwest based company.

“We are thrilled to welcome MD Logistics (MDL) to the State of North Carolina.” Said Korey Howard, Director of Business Development with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “As a Japanese-owned third-party logistics company supporting the pharmaceuticals industry, MDL’s presence in Garner will be a nexus of critical trends like bolstering a national supply chain that is currently being tested like never before, and contributing to the distribution of life-saving drugs manufactured in our state.  North Carolina continues to be a welcoming environment for foreign direct investment from Japan and other countries.  We look forward to continuing to assist MDL as they set up and thrive in our state.”

MD Logistics is expanding to North Carolina to extend current client partnerships and better serve the greater life sciences and pharmaceutical industry on the east coast. The Research Triangle Park area in North Carolina is the leading and largest high technology research and science park in North America. Founded in 1959, this 7,000-acre namesake for the entire Triangle region is two miles wide and eight miles long.

“We are excited to welcome MD Logistics to the ever-growing business community here in Wake County,” said Michael Haley, Executive Director of Wake County Economic Development. “The company’s focus on life science supply chain solutions represents the significant diversity of the life science industry that is critical to the continued growth and success of the region.”

This expansion comes at a time when demand for compliant warehouse space in the life science and pharmaceutical industry is high and inventory is low.

“The last few years have been unlike anything we have ever experienced in the supply chain industry.” says John Sell, President and CEO of MD Logistics. “This expansion allows us to respond to an existing need in the marketplace for cGMP compliant warehouse space in the Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical Industry. We are excited to be expanding the MD Logistics, MD Express and Nippon Express brands to a new market and believe this expansion has us well positioned to continue to not only meet the demands of the industry but also continue to offer our customers the same level of service they have come to expect from us.”

MD Logistics East Coast facility will be located in the town of Garner, a southern suburb of Raleigh, NC, a community within the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina. The town of Garner is home to nearly 32,500 people, and more than 600 life science companies call this region home.

"We're excited that MD Logistics has chosen Garner for its newest facility," Garner Mayor Ken Marshburn said. "Obviously, we offer a great location for any company that provides logistical support to life science and pharmaceutical firms in our region. But we also offer a business-friendly environment and a superior quality of life. I am certain that MD Logistics will be happy that it chose Garner, and I welcome the company to our community.  The amount of investment and the creation of new jobs will be a boost to our economy as we continue to diversify and bring new companies to our area.”

This facility is 240,000 square feet of cGMP certified, pharmaceutical grade space and will be comprised of both 2-8°C and 15-25°C storage environments. This investment is anticipated to add approximately 30 jobs to the area by the end of 2023. The project will be constructed in Garner Business Park 70.

About MD Logistics

MD Logistics is a third-party logistics (3PL) company specializing in customized supply chain solutions. Each opportunity represents unique, client-specific challenges that are evaluated utilizing proven strategic methodologies to deliver turnkey solutions. Our vertical markets include Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals, Retail and Consumer Goods, as well as Transportation Services. MD Logistics LLC was acquired by Nippon Express in 2020 and is a Nippon Express Group Company.

via GEDC at https://www.choosegarnernc.com

Juneteenth Community Celebration

Our community will come together at Garner Performing Arts Center (742 W. Garner Road) on Sunday, June 19, at 2:30 p.m. for an afternoon of music, dance, spoken word performances and more as we celebrate Juneteenth and our nation's progress toward freedom for all.

Live musical performances by

Rozlyn Sorrell
Lena Mae Perry
Darrien Rutherford

Spoken word by Imani Horton

Special guest Tammy Brunner (Wake County Register of Deeds)

This event is brought to you by the Garner Juneteenth Committee and the Town of Garner. Learn more at garnerjuneteenth.com.

Bring The Heat! Event - Aristotle Spirits

In honor of their First Anniversary Bash, Aristotle Spirits is hosting a Bring the Heat Cook-OFF! They will also be releasing their Habanero Vodka.
There is no fee for participation in the Cook-OFF. Participants are welcome to bring a charcoal grill or smoker. We encourage you to make any dish. The competition will be judged on the overall best of show, so anything goes.
If you would like to bring a pop-up tent and any additional supplies feel free. We will be more than happy to provide additional tables and chairs. You will be able to set up as early as 8am the day of.

Grand Prize includes Aristotle Swag, a $100 Gift Card, First Edition New Release Product, and much more.

If you would like to participate in the competition please visit https://aristotle-spirits.square.site/
or Contact Macie:
macie@aristotlespirits.com

Aristotle Spirits will have an outdoor bar and yard games all day. We will also be hosting a Raffle that benefits Garner Fire Rescue.

Library to Host Talk to Commemorate Juneteenth

Freedom Coming, Freedom for All!

The Southeast Regional Library is offering a special program on June 7 that will teach the true story of the 13th Amendment and the expansion of freedom to all citizens as the Civil War was drawing to a close.

Learn the true story of freedom! The passage of the 13th Amendment outlawed slavery in North Carolina. The United States Colored Troops and the Union Forces spread the news as they marched through Garner and southeastern Wake County from Johnston County en route to Raleigh in 1865. NC Museum of History Curator Earl L. Ijames will discuss the freedom process at this year's Juneteenth Holiday.

Registration Required.

June 07, 2022

6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

FREE

New Garner Downtown and Small Business Development Manager Joins Staff

Shayla Douglas has been hired as the Downtown and Small Business Development Manager, replacing Mari Howe, who is now serving as the Special Project Manager for the Town.

A native of Hamlet, NC, Shayla is a two-time UNC Chapel Hill graduate, most recently completing her Master in Public Administration this May. Shayla will be serving as a staff liaison between the Downtown Garner Association and the Town, as well as supporting small businesses across the entire Town of Garner.

Friday Family Flicks: Spider-Man No Way Home

The Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department will have a free showing of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (weather permitting) on Friday, June 10, at 8:45 p.m. on the front lawn of Garner Recreation Center (215 W. Main St.).

Join us outside for a free family movie on the big screen. Concessions will be available for purchase. Rain date is the same time the following day. Don’t forget your lawn chairs or blankets!

Don't miss Spiderman! He will be here taking pictures from 8:15-8:45pm.

Concessions will be provided by Funnel Cakes by Tonio!
Menu:
Fresh Popped Popcorn
Nachos and Cheese
Funnel Cake
Deep Fried Oreos
Baked Pretzel
Cotton Candy
Drinks and Refreshments

Check garnernc.gov or the Town's social media sites on the day of the event for updates on any possible rescheduling or cancellation due to inclement weather.

Launch Garner Program Accepting Applications for Fall Class

The Launch Garner program is now accepting applications for its fall 2022 course. The Launch Garner program involves a series of 10 free classes as well as mentoring and networking resources. The program is open to current small business owners or entrepreneurs with great new business ideas. The application deadline is July 8.

Garner is Creating Pedestrian Plan and We Want Your Feedback Via Survey

The Town of Garner is seeking community input for its new pedestrian plan. Your feedback will provide a framework for developing a safe and equitable pedestrian network for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.

Garner Memorial Day Observance, May 30th, Lake Benson Park. 9:30am.

This annual observance honors those who died while serving our country in the armed forces. Guided tours of the Garner Veterans Memorial will be conducted before the event and after its conclusion.

The event is co-sponsored by Garner Veterans Advisory Committee, American Legion Post 232 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10225. *Please note earlier start time.*

Attendees are encouraged to bring camper chairs for comfort.