STEUBENVILLE - Jefferson County commissioners Thursday discussed several water and sewer department issues including the possibility the county taking over the Smithfield water system.

The subject came up after the reading of a letter from the Smithfield Township trustees who were inquiring about the status of the Bradley water line extension.

Commissioners have received requests from Bradley residents for years to extend a water line to the area outside Smithfield.

County Commissioner Thomas Graham said he has received calls from Smithfield residents wanting the county to take over the village's water system.

The county received a common pleas court judgment against Smithfield for money owed by the village for purchasing county water. Smithfield years ago was forced to tap into the county water system after its wells weren't producing enough water.

Graham said Smithfield currently owes the county $98,000.

"They are in dire straits out there," Graham said.

The county is studying improving its water distribution system in the southern end of the county by installing new pumps and lines with water coming from the Brilliant Water and Sewer District. The county on Thursday signed a new 10-year contract with Brilliant to supply water. There is no increase in the cost compared to the old contract. The new agreement calls for both sides to negotiate a cost increase. The cost will go to arbitration if an agreement can't be reached.

County Commissioner Tom Gentile said the improvement to the distribution system in the southern end of the county is needed prior to any water line extensions in the Smithfield area.

Gentile said the county has no interest in taking over the Smithfield water system because of its problems with leaks. He said the county took over Bergholz's water system, which also has been plagued with leaks.

Graham said Smithfield can't take care of its system.

"They need the county to bail them out," he said, adding the county's water and sewer system already is making repairs to Smithfield's water system.

The county supplies water to Piney Fork after it flows through Smithfield. Shannan Gosbin, county water and sewer department director, said a leak in Smithfield strains and causes damage to the county's pumps outside Brilliant.

Commissioners also amended the time residents of the Crestview-Belvedere area outside Bloomingdale have to connect with that area's new sewer system once it is completed.

The commissioners in January approved action stating residents had 120 days to connect with the new sewer system. The commissioners lowered the time to 90 days on Thursday.

The commissioners also signed a resolution saying it is mandatory to connect to the sewer system.

The county is under an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency mandate to install sewers because of faulty septic systems.

Commissioners have signed construction contracts for the sewers and pump stations but work hasn't begun.

Commissioners also signed a letter of support in applying for an Ohio Department of Development loan to develop an Internet communications system for the oil and gas drilling in the county.

The commissioners' oil and gas committee suggested an Internet-based database to receive and provide information on such topics as employment, education, housing, drilling permits and notices and alerts pertaining to drilling sites.

The county can apply for up to $100,000 to develop and implement the database.

Gentile said information on drilling changes weekly and the county needs such a system to keep track of the changes.

The rest is here:
County talks water issues

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As a remodeling contractor in rural communities for many years, I often won bids over competitors by adding services that homeowners would find helpful. One service I performed was taking the project blueprints to the bank or finance company to get a projected cost versus value estimate for the potential client. Until the mid-nineties, a remodeling job often led to an improved bottom line for the homeowner, and being able to show proof on paper gave me the edge in securing a contract.

By the turn of the century, the cost of labor and construction materials had skyrocketed, adding thousands to what once were cost efficient remodels. This made the task of convincing the homeowner to go ahead with the project (even though money would be lost) a difficult sell. Today, the idea of adding equity to your home by adding onto it or by doing a kitchen or bathroom remodel is virtually non-existent.

Now, the cost of a major remodel job will cut thousands from your bottom line. While the cost versus profit ratio varies from region to region, in every case, loss is evident. This chart from, Remodeling Magazine, offers comparisons related to the average cost of the most common remodeling projects in different regions of the United States.

That is not to say, you should let maintenance slide. If your home is on the market, the chances of it selling are greatly increased if the home is eye appealing and not in need of repair. If you do not want to spring for a contractor, and are handy with your hands, you can turn a good buck by tackling projects yourself.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the exterior of your home should be the first area to receive attention. If the paint is peeling, the lawn is not mowed or has a lot of weeds, and the roof looks old and tired, perspective buyers will be turned off.

There are many things a homeowner can do himself or herself that require little more than common sense. Loose siding can be reattached; peeling paint can scraped and repainted. The lawn can be mowed, edged, and reseeded. Driveways can be patched, and windows can be caulked.

Once the exterior is cleaned up, move inside. Check walls and ceilings for cracks and if necessary, fill with spackle and repaint. Move out the clutter to present an airy open look. Clean the windows, and make sure the screens are intact. You may even want to hire a professional cleaning company until your house sells.

Once you have done all you can to improve the home, your odds of selling will be better and you will rest easier knowing you have done your duty and saved a substantial amount of money by taking matters into your own hands.

Original post:
First Person: Home Remodeling Is No Longer a Good Investment

15-02-2012 20:59

See more here:
Church construction Part 1 - Video

April 27, 2001

Construction at St. Clement's Church, 1510 Bopp Road, is causing parking problems on neighboring streets in Bayberry Subdivision.

Jennifer Janson, subdivision trustee, told the Des Peres Board of Aldermen on Monday that some residents along Kendon Drive had asked her to bring their concerns to the board.

"There is a walkway between the neighborhood and the parish. Many people are parking along Kendon and using the sidewalk to go to church. Also, during the week, parents are picking up and dropping off their children," Janson said.

Janson suggested that maybe the city could just allow parking on one side of the street.

"I would just like a solution that works," she said.

Des Peres Public Safety Director Bill Bridges said his department had gotten other complaints about the parking situation.

Denis Knock, director of public works, said the new addition and auditorium which the church was building, would take another year-and-a half to complete.

"With the construction, this is a quick way to drop off and pick up the kids, and leave the church on Sunday. We'll be looking into this and will make a report to the board," Knock said.

Janson also asked the board about the possibility of putting a sidewalk in an easement area between the subdivision and Harwood Hills.

Janson, who said she had just lived in the subdivision for two years and had no background on the former sidewalk request, said residents who would like the city to put a sidewalk on the easement had approached her.

"Now, they're afraid to use the easement. The gentleman who lives next to that property has hung a 'No trespassing' sign at the end of the street and has planted some bushes, and this really is an easement," Janson said.

Knock said the property in question was an old "paper street."

"One time we had approved the sidewalk, but the property owner who abuts that property said he didn't want it. No one else showed up at the meeting to speak in favor of the sidewalk, so we let it go," Knock said.

Knock said the city would take another look at the files.

"It may be that we'll have some more meetings on this matter if other residents want the sidewalk," he said.

Here is the original post:
St. Clement's Church Expansion Causes Parking Woes For Neighbors

Most major home appliances like washers, dryers and refrigerators should last a decade or more. Every year, millions of Americans either replace or repair a major home appliance.

Most major appliances should hum along doing their heating, cooling, washing, drying and grinding for many years, but because of neglect or ignorance, many sputter and choke years before they should.

In most cases, consumers don't realize they're abusing their appliances because they never read the owner's manuals that accompany the machines. Those manuals may not be riveting reads, but these machines are designed to make your life easier.

Knowing how to use them properly can save you hundreds in repair bills and will reduce the stress of having one break down on you.

Angie Hicks, Founder Angie's List, describes how basic maintenance can help keep the appliance running longer, "Like many things, basic maintenance is what is going to keep your appliances running longer. So, dust off your appliance's owner's manual to determine what needs to be taken care of. Do you need to inspect the hoses on a washing machine, clean the dryer vent, for example. The interesting thing is a quarter of the respondents in a recent Angie's List poll said they expect to hire an appliance repair guy company this year. Our goal is that you won't have to."

You've paid good money for these appliances, but they're not indestructible.

Gary Miller, Mr. Appliance, describes the calls that they receive the most, "The majority of the calls that we go out on are associated with the refrigerator. That is because those refrigerators run 24/7. Whereas your washers, your dryers, microwaves, you only use those when you need them."

And if you need a guy like Gary, it's going to cost you.

Hicks explains what they can expect to pay for a repair man, "Consumers can expect to pay between $60 and $100 for the actual service call to diagnosis the problem. The parts and the labor are going to be in addition to that. But keep in mind, many service companies will deduct that service call fee if you hire them to do the work, so don't be afraid to ask."

Your appliances should have surge protectors so their circuits don't get fried. Power outages can especially be rough on refrigerators.

Miller explains one common easy fix that he gets called for, "We go out often to repair icemakers. It's important to recall and notice if you have a power outage. A lot of people don't realize if their power goes out your ice will begin to melt over time in the icemaker and when the power comes back on it will refreeze that ice around the auger and when you go to request ice that auger will try to rotate and can break."

If an appliance repair will cost more than half the cost of the new appliance and the unit is more than six or seven years old, you're probably better off replacing it with a newer model.

Most major appliances should hum along doing their heating, cooling, washing, drying and grinding for a decade or more. Know why many sputter and choke years before they should?
Yep. It's usually your fault.
Highly rated appliance repair professionals on Angie's List say it comes down to owners not doing basic cleaning as needed and/or doing things that harm the appliance.
In most cases, consumers don't realize they're abusing their appliances because they never read the owner's manuals that accompany the machines. Those manuals may not be riveting reads, but these machines are designed to make your life easier. Knowing how to use them properly can save you hundreds in repair bills and will reduce the stress of having one break down on you.

Angie's List Appliance Do's and Don'ts
Your refrigerator/freezer:
• DO clean the condenser coils. It's an easy vacuum cleaning job for most of us and will help the fridge run efficiently. Built-ins might require a service call.
• DO check the seal. If it's not tight, you're losing efficiency and not keeping food properly chilled. Close the door on a thin sheet of paper and if the paper slips, your fridge is wasting energy. Replace the seal or adjust the door latch if needed.
Your dishwasher:
• DO clean your dishwasher's filter to remove particles and debris. Filter locations vary depending on the model, so check your owner's manual if you can't find it.
• DO use the right amount and type of soap. Your owner's manual will advise you. Going wrong here will affect your pump. Powdered soap tends to work better than liquid.
Your garbage disposal:
• DON'T stuff the disposal full of food waste and then turn it on.
• DO run cold water for 10 seconds before feeding in small bits of waste, keep the water running as you feed in the waste and for 30 seconds after it disappears.
Your oven:
• DO check your oven's temperature gauge. An easy way to do this is to bake a cake by exactly following the directions on a basic mix. If the cake isn't perfectly baked, you may need a service call to fix the oven.
• DON'T use the self-cleaner before important meals. Self-cleaning cycles require ovens to run at extremely high temperatures and often cause the oven's electronic components to fail. Most highly rated repair specialists say it's better to clean up spills when they occur and to use drip pans than to rely on the self-cleaner.
Your washing machine:
• DON'T stuff too many clothes in the machine. Overloading your unit will cause it to prematurely wear out.
• DO set the water level at the appropriate setting for the amount of clothes being washed or you damage the washer's motorized components.
• DO empty pockets and put lingerie in mesh bags before washing: Repair specialists report finding all sorts of small items in the guts of machines that would have spun happily for years. Among the troublemaking items: bra under wires, golf tees, baby spoons and coins.
• DO replace washer fill hoses every five years.
Your clothes dryer:
• DO clean the vent with every load. A clogged vent will slow down the dry-time of your cycle and increase the potential for a dryer fire.
• DO have the outside vent (exhaust duct) inspected annually and cleaned yearly. Most cleanings cost less than $100 and can make your dryer run as good as new.

Angie's List tips for appliance repair:
• Read your owner's manual: Maintenance required for your appliance will depend on the manufacturer so follow the recommended guidelines. Whenever you perform extensive maintenance work on your appliances, take the necessary safety precautions. Shut off electrical and gas lines when working on them. Consult an appliance repair professional for major maintenance/repairs.
• Always do your homework: Get at least three estimates and compare the bids based on labor, parts, and warranty. If required, check to see if the company is licensed.
• Appliance repair costs: Expect to pay between $60 and $100 for a diagnosis. Parts and labor will add to the price if repair is required, but many companies will deduct the cost of the diagnosis if you hire them to do the work.
• Do you warranty your work? Ask how long the company guarantees its work before you make a hiring decision. Warranties on labor can vary significantly from company to company - typically 30 to 90 days - and the warranty for parts can vary depending on the manufacturer.
• When to replace? If an appliance repair will cost more than half the cost of the new appliance and the unit is more than six or seven years old, you're probably better off replacing it with a newer model. If you need to replace an appliance and are putting it out to the curb to be taken away, remember to remove doors to prevent children from inadvertently locking themselves inside the appliance.

See the rest here:
Angie's List: Home Appliances

The long downward slide in housing construction may be coming to an end.

While the rate of new building remains well below prerecession levels, construction permits for new housing increased slowly, but steadily, most of last year.

Not only is the housing market improving; it is also changing, with fewer single-family homes being built, and more apartment buildings.

Prior to the housing collapse, five to six times more single-family homes than apartment buildings were built each year. Today, the ratio is about three to one. If the trend continues, the housing market may be taking a radically different shape.

Housing has been a major drag on the economy since it collapsed. From early 2006, when the market peaked, to June 2009, when the recession ended, the pace of housing construction fell 75 percent.

In 2009, the number of new single-family homes completed dropped to 500,000, from a high of 1.9 million in 2006. For all housing units, including single-family and multiunit dwellings, the fall was similarly dramatic - from 2.2 million to 800,000.

Trends in housing construction are reflected in the interplay between new building permits and completed units. The number of permits issued approximates the number of new homes planned. But not all permits lead to completed houses. Even in the best of times, some buildings never get started and others are delayed.

When the market is booming, the number of permits is slightly above the number of units completed each month. This indicates confidence in future demand for homes.

The picture is different in a crisis. From mid-2006 to the end of 2009, applications for building permits dropped precipitously. Since some construction was already under way when housing collapsed, it made sense to complete many of those buildings. As a result, the number of permits issued fell below the number of housing units completed. This is a sign that builders are cutting back on planned construction, a symptom of oversupply in the market.

The slide in home building moderated at the end of the recession, but it has not yet recovered. Now the tide seems to be turning.

As of the end of last year, the number of housing units completed no longer exceeded the number of permits issued. Builders are applying for new permits and completing projects at about the same rate.

This rate is much lower today than it was prior to the recession, but we are no longer in crisis mode.

Housing construction has finally started to add to the overall growth in output - another sign of normalcy. New residential investment contributed positively, if modestly, to economic growth during the last three quarters of 2011. We have not seen growth of this kind since 2005.

Most of the increase in housing permits came from the construction of new apartment buildings. The number of new permits for multiunit structures has doubled since mid-2009, and permits exceed completions by a healthy margin. Nevertheless, apartments, like single-family homes, are still being built at a lower rate than prior to the recession, with about 150,000 multiunit buildings completed last year, compared with 280,000 units in 2006.

By contrast, the much larger single-family segment of the housing market still hasn't stabilized much. The number of new permits for single-family homes has stayed virtually constant since mid-2009, and the number of homes completed still slightly exceeds permits. This implies that builders are planning to build even fewer houses than they're building now.

Part of the reason is the large number of single-family homes already on the market. In December 2011, 2.1 million single-family homes were for sale - only slightly fewer than the 2.2 million available during the boom year of 2005. Back then, business was brisk. The demand today is much lower.

Housing construction may have turned the corner, but the new road appears to be headed for a high-rise apartment complex, not a neighborhood of neatly trimmed lawns.

Polina Vlasenko is a research fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research.

See the article here:
Housing market is coming back in a different form

The Charlottesville City Planning Commission approved initial plans this week for a two-phase construction of a 300-unit apartment complex on the corner of Arlington Blvd. and Millmont St, near the Barracks Road Shopping Center.

Peak Campus Development, the company heading the project, hopes to begin construction this May, Peak Campus Development spokesperson Jeff Githens said.

The complex will be built in two phases. The first calls for the demolition of existing physical structures, to be replaced by a 230-unit complex with an attached parking garage. In the second stage of construction, the developers plan to build 70 additional residential units. When complete, the development will house nearly 600 residents, likely graduate students.

“We’re proposing to build a Class A apartment building with high conductivity to its surroundings,” Githens said. “[The building] is optimally situated between shopping centers in Charlottesville for access to both retail and to U.Va.”

Three medical offices currently occupy the space: Jefferson Trial Behavioral System, Region Ten Community Services and the University of Virginia Psychology Department.

The first phase of construction will displace the Jefferson Trial Behavioral System and Region Ten Community Services. Offices rented by the University Psychology Department will remain occupied until August 2014, when the second phase of construction begins.

Peak Campus Development aims to create “better pedestrian interaction with the building and [accommodation for] additional entrances,” and “improve the façade appearance at street level.”

A required traffic survey showed the effect of the project on traffic patterns near the complex.

“[Findings] indicate that the project will have a lower impact on area traffic than the existing use,” said Ebony Walden, a project planner for Charlottesville’s Department of Neighborhood Development.

The project plans are designed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, Walden said. The complex will also feature bicycle storage and will be located along a bicycle path and a bus route.

“Alternate transportation is important to us and to the city,” Githens said. “We want to be as environmentally friendly as we can to optimize the use of utilities.”

Walden said she hopes the development will be an asset to the city.

“I hope it will encourage walkability, increase commercial activity in the Barrack’s Road Shopping Center and provide new housing options to Charlottesville’s students and residents,” Walden said.

Peak Campus Development also plans to make a donation of $360,000 to the City’s housing fund to promote affordable housing initiatives throughout Charlottesville.

Read more here:
Apartments near Barracks Road likely to house nearly 600 graduate students; construction to begin this May

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard left his home in England for Los Angeles 20 years ago, determined to be a movie star.

The acting thing didn't exactly work out. But in one of those delightful turnabouts in life, he is now the interior designer to the stars. Ed Norton, the Osbournes, Cher and Kid Rock top an eclectic list of clients.

Lawrence-Bullard has made the Architectural Digest and Elle Decor lists of top designers. He is a principal on Bravo TV's "Million Dollar Decorators." He has a new book, "Live, Love & Decorate," with a foreword by client Elton John. And he has just produced his first line of decorator fabrics.

Not bad for a kid whose only movie credit is a bit part in a film written by Ed Wood and produced two decades after his death — as Eartha Kitt's love interest. He stumbled into interior design when the movie's producer liked what he'd done with his West Hollywood house, which he had decorated with flea market finds.

Lawrence-Bullard will take a break from preparations for the second season of "Million Dollar Decorators" to appear Tuesday at the Washington Design Center, where he will speak to members of the trade about the launch of his new fabric collection.

We asked the designer who helped Cher realize her fantasy of rooms decorated to fit the first wife of a maharajah to talk about his inspiration, how he splurges and whether you really need a million dollars to have a beautiful home.

You came to the United States to be an actor and instead became a world-famous designer. Did you see that coming?

I really didn't expect to become this famous designer. Interior design has been in my genes all my life, but I just didn't realize I could manifest it into a career — certainly without training. It has been not only a surprise to me, but it's the absolute joy of my life. To be able to be creative every day of my life — and get paid for it — is my ultimate dream come true.

You are poised for a second season of "Million Dollar Decorators" on Bravo. What did you learn in the first season that might influence the way the team approaches this season?

Season One taught me not only the power of television, but it has shown me the true passion the world has for interior design, and how wonderful and supportive all the fans have been. What I want to show in Season Two is more of the process. I want to let the fans into my life a bit more and open up the understanding that this business is a hardworking, high-stress job that is not all glamorous.

The "drama" on the show might scare away homeowners who are thinking of taking on a major redecorating project. Is this kind of work always that fraught?

When you're dealing with a client's home, it's a very personal space to be in. And when you're spending their hard-earned money, that's even more of a touchy situation. The show has portrayed some of this, but truly, there is nothing more rewarding than creating a special, individual space for a client: a place for them to call their own and be proud of. This is my goal, and hopefully the show lets people see the joy that's at the end of the process. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Does anyone really need a million dollars to decorate a house? What would I get for say, $10,000, versus $1 million?

You don't need a million dollars these days. You can find amazing things that are very reasonable from stores such as Restoration Hardware, which copies and reproduces amazing European antiques and decorative items at very competitive prices. Also Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and West Elm are amazing with their decorative trends at a fraction of designer prices. The main difference is, with a large budget you can incorporate great works of art and, of course, totally customize the interior by making one of the pieces scaled especially for the space and scheme. With a good sense of personal style, however, you can achieve a fine, fun and individual space for yourself on a very small budget.

The focus of the show is, of course, on the design work your group does for celebrities. Are they easier or more difficult than "regular" clients?

Celebrities live their lives in the spotlight. As such, it's vital for their homes to be sanctuaries — places for complete relaxation and privacy. My one great joy with my celebrity clients over the years has been their passion to live out their fantasies, be it an Indian palace in Hollywood, a Tuscan villa in Malibu or an English country cottage in New York City. I'm here to be their enabler and make these fantasies into decorative reality.

If I wanted to give my house the "celebrity" treatment, what decorating items are must-haves?

Star style at home must-haves, of course, include a spacious walk-in closet with a shoe wall — and beautifully furnished to resemble a complete room. Comfort is modern luxury, so every star pad must be ultimately comfortable. Deep, loungy sofas and chaises. Of course, vital for all homes is lighting. The dimmer switch is the most important part of every room. Good lighting is the key to beauty and youthful appearance.

How should I prepare for my first meeting with you as my designer? What do you need to know from me, and how can I find a way to describe what I want?

Read more from the original source:
Bravo's 'Million Dollar Decorator' dishes out inspiration, advice

BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The 35-meter-long photovoltaic pavilion adds the finishing touch to the university campus of Potsdam University of Applied Sciences and is to be used as a space for social events, brainstorming ideas and presentations. The Odersun solar modules, which are just under 4 meter high and 1 meter wide, cover the whole building. Made from 25 mm-thick break-proof security glass, the PV modules act as façade elements and were specially developed and manufactured for this project.

The idea of integrating the green building concept into the redesign of the campus site was part of the project from the outset. Architects Ortner + Ortner Berlin developed this idea further in conjunction with students from the University of Applied Sciences and module manufacturer Odersun which specialises in solar architecture. The result is a symbiosis of sustainable architecture, functionality and efficiency – in short, a solar façade that not only generates power, but is also aesthetically attractive.

“In addition to high design standards for the solar modules, the project primarily called for flexibility with regard to size, design and construction of the PV solution,” says Manfred Ortner of Ortner + Ortner, explaining the challenging nature of the project. “Not only does Odersun produce a huge variety of modules, but they also showed themselves to be adaptable over the course of the project during which the requirements were continually changing,” he adds.

Odersun not only manufactured the project-specific modules, it was also involved in a supportive capacity in the electrical concept and the construction planning. Odersun’s CISCuT thin-film technology gives the architects the same design freedom similar to glass while at the same time allowing to achieve sustainable building goals.

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to implement such a unique project with such a reputable partner,” says Dr. Hein van der Zeeuw, CEO of Odersun AG. “It gave us the chance to show how much flexibility is possible in the field of solar construction, and also the unusual module sizes that can be produced, without any compromises in terms of design and functionality,” he explains.

Thin-film solar modules such as those produced by Odersun are particularly suitable for use in building-integrated photovoltaics (BiPV), because they offer very good yields even in shade and at high temperatures, and even if they are not optimally aligned to the sun. New opportunities for Green Buildings based on a patented technology “Made in Germany” which unites innovation, quality and design.

About Odersun

Odersun AG manufactures customized solar modules which are particularly suitable for use in building-integrated photovoltaics (BiPV). Odersun’s solar modules are tailor made to customers' requirements using a proprietary, worldwide patented CISCuT thin-film technology “Made in Germany”. With their aesthetically pleasing appearance and exceptional ease of integration, they are ideal for use as construction elements in a solar façade.

ORTNER + ORTNER

http://www.ortner-ortner.de

MBM METALLBAU DRESDEN GMBH

http://www.mbm-dresden.de

ODERSUN AG

http://www.odersun.com

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50171621&lang=en

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE:http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50171621&lang=en

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Architects Ortner + Ortner Baukunst have built a PV pavilion with customized solar modules from Odersun on the campus ...

Rovio Entertainment's "Angry Birds" have conquered mines, construction sites, Rio, and all four seasons, which is why the colorful birds will leave this planet and take their slings and fury to space. On Friday, Rovio announced its newest addition to the Angry Birds franchise, "Angry Birds Space," which will launch on March 22.

"It's going to be the biggest game launch since the original Angry Birds!" Rovio said in a company blog post. "Angry Birds Space is a completely new game with innovative new gameplay, but with some of the familiar Angry Birds elements that fans already know and love -- plus some surprises!"

Rovio says it will release more information about the game in early March, but come the 22nd, the company will be launching its galactic game across several different verticals, including mobile gaming, retail, publishing, and animation. The game's tagline reads, "It's one small fling for a bird, one quantum leap for birdkind."

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"Not only is this a first for us as an integrated entertainment company, but the first time this has ever been done for a mobile game!" Rovio said.

Angry Birds has already released a trailer to tease the new game. The game's tagline reads, "It's one small fling for a bird, one quantum leap for birdkind."

For those who have never played Angry Birds, the game is simple: players use a slingshot to launch multi-colored birds at structures populated by evil green pigs. Players must eliminate all of the pigs from each level before moving on. There are currently three different iterations of the game, including the original 'Angry Birds,' the holiday-themed 'Angry Birds Seasons,' and 'Angry Birds Rio,' which was released as a promotional tie-in with the 20th Century Fox animated film "Rio."

In November, Rovio's CMO Peter Vesterbacka announced that Angry Birds has become the most downloaded game of all-time and fastest-growing game in history, scoring 500 million downloads in less than two years since its December 2009 release.

"This is a fantastic landmark achievement for us, and we're extremely delighted to see such an incredible amount of people enjoying our games," said Rovio CEO Mikael Hed. "We remain committed to creating more fun experiences and bringing exceptional quality to 'Angry Birds' fans everywhere."

In December, Rovio branched out and built its first fully-branded Angry Birds game with Wonderful Pistachios, called "The Hunt for the Golden Pistachio." The game was completely playable on Wonderful's website, GetCrackin.com, and required a Google Chrome browser to play it. Users were incentivized to pummel evil green pigs and crack open pistachios for a chance to win $300,000 in prizes, which range from free pistachios to $25,000 in cash. The promotion ended on Jan. 1.

But even with four games and countless levels and collectibles, people still want more Angry Birds. The company has been growing in size to accommodate the high demand, developing a long line of Angry Birds-themed toys, apparel, accessories, board games and a cookbook. Rovio recently announced that it will open up its first Angry Birds store in Helsinki and later open up shops in China, where the brand is huge - it's Rovio's second-largest and fastest-growing market --  but most of the available merchandise there is pirated.

"We're insanely profitable," Vesterbacka said. "We are very, very profitable. We're not a publicly traded company yet but we can fund our own growth."

The brand has grown so big that Rovio recruited former Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel, producer of the "Iron Man" films, to produce a feature-length Angry Birds movie.

"Hollywood is hot for the brand," said Rovio's North American GM Andrew Stalbow. "There's a very strong focus on Angry Birds to turn it into an entertainment franchise. That's why I joined."how

Vesterbacka believes Rovio is "not ready to file for an IPO tomorrow," but sees his company going public in "maybe a year from now." Rovio most recently received $42 million in March, from investors including Accel Partners and Niklas Zennstrom's Atomico Ventures. Rovio CEO Mikael Hed said it's "very possible" the company would have another funding round before going public.

"We're still building a lot of our infrastructure, our company, our platform, everything," Vesterbacka said. "There's a lot of good discipline in having to be ready to go public."

"Angry Birds" has become the fastest growing game in history, scoring 500 million downloads in less than two years since its December 2009 release, the most for any game all-time. The game is the top rated game in 79 countries. Gamers worldwide play the game on Android and iOS devices for 300 million minutes daily, which amounts to a grand total of 200,000 years.

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Angry Birds Space: Rovio to Launch "Completely New Game" on March 22