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The Fall house at 801 Rio Grande St. came close to becoming a parking lot, according to its owner.

A.B. Fall's other El Paso home is getting new life because of the restoration efforts of a local attorney.

Work at the 120-year-old home at 801 Rio Grande St. is under way after the home came perilously close in the past decade to being bulldozed for a parking lot, said its owner, Terry W. Hammond.

"This is one of the only houses of its kind in El Paso," Hammond said Friday as he led a tour of the 2,200-square-foot house, which was built in the Victorian style downstairs and in Dutch Colonial upstairs.

As Hammond pointed out, many other historic buildings along that stretch just south of El Paso High School have disappeared and boxy, ugly structures have taken their place.

Making way for parking appears to have been the plan

It would have been a shame, Hammond said.

"This was the silk-stocking district of El Paso," Hammond said. "This was the heart of the city, and we want to keep it that way."

He would not say how much the restoration will cost.

Continued here:
A.B. Fall's other El Paso home gets new life

30-03-2012 07:58 Some of the biggest changes in this project occurred in the laundry room and converted golf cart garage. We raised the floor of each of these rooms and reconfigured the walls to create a third bedroom and a nice, spacious laundry room/half bath.

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Dexter Builders Chelsea Remodeling Project- Laundry

Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) March 30, 2012

The cost of roofing can be daunting in the best of times, but during an unsettling period of economic uncertainty, consumers are eager to reduce roofing costs without sacrificing appearance and quality. So Excel Roofing Contractors has created the single largest collection of roofing resources in North Florida through its residential and commercial roofing discounts. These Jacksonville coupons are designed to lower roofing prices while simultaneously increasing quality in roof materials and roofing services throughout the First Coast.

The offering consists of free printable coupons for residential and commercial roofing consumers that address roof replacement, repair and service on metal roofing, shingle roofs and flat roof systems. The coupons and a military cash rebate cover commonly requested roof services such as wind mitigation, inspections, consultations, estimates, material upgrades, insulation and waterproofing.

Scott Sorensen, the CEO of Excel Roofing Contractors feels his companys book of roofing coupons addresses a growing problem of rising roof prices across the First Coast of Florida. He states that at least once per month, he is officially notified of price hikes in the cost of roofing supplies. These increases trickle down to the consumer who is being challenged on all fronts with rising maintenance costs while property values often plummet.

With the Excel Roofing collection of Jacksonville roofing coupons, CEO Sorensen states there is no trickery as is often found with other residential and commercial roofing contractors offering printed or online coupons. In example he explains, When a roofing coupon contains a statement that forces the customer to present the coupon before the roofing estimates are quoted them, this means the roofing company normally increases their roof prices before deducting the coupon savings. This is a deceptive business practice because the coupon is just used as bait to lure the customer into contacting the roofer and no savings is being passed to the consumer.

Customers can request their Jacksonville roofing estimates be delivered quickly via satellite calculations or by on-site assessment. Regardless of the cost estimation method, it is not necessary for the customer to choose a coupon before receiving their custom roof quote. In fact, Sorensen goes on to say, every customer is encouraged to select the roof coupon that best serves their individual needs. When in doubt, an Excel Roofing representative will suggest the coupon he or she feels would be of greatest service.

In example, the below rebates and coupons represent different roofing materials:

Coupons for Metal Roofing include: Roof insulation, water proof underlayment and skylights with installation.

Coupons for Shingle Roofs include: Upgrades in roof shingles from 25 year to 30 year architectural, extended warranties, upgrade from roof felt to peel & seal underlayment, free wind mitigation reports and tubular skylights with installation.

Coupons for Flat Roofing include: Free upgrades from 2 ply to 3 ply built up roof system, an NDL (No Dollar Limit) commercial CertainTeed warranty for qualified re-roofs or roof replacement systems and a skylight with flat roof installation.

Read this article:
Printable Coupons Reduce Jacksonville Roofing Costs in Residential and Commercial Roofing

By Susan Salisbury

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

WEST PALM BEACH Rene Jaimes, general manager of Skyhigh Siding & Roofing, holds a state license to perform roofing services, according to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

That license was granted despite a felony conviction in federal court in Texas that Jaimes did not disclose on his Florida application, according to public records in Florida and Texas obtained by The Palm Beach Post.

In 2005, when Jaimes filled out a roofing contractor's application, he checked "No" to the question that asked about criminal convictions, a copy of the application provided by DBPR shows .

"Have you ever been convicted of a crime, found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to a crime, even if you received a withholding of adjudication?" the application asks.

Failure to answer the question accurately may result in the denial or revocation of a license, according to the application.

Documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Dallas show that Jaimes' response should have been "yes." In 1994, Jaimes pleaded guilty to encouraging unlawful residence of an illegal alien in the United States, according to federal court records. Jaimes was sentenced to nine months in prison and ordered to serve three years of probation, which ended on July 13, 1998.

When asked why he did not disclose the Texas conviction on his Florida application, Jaimes said he would ask his attorney Robert Lewis to respond.

"Why are you picking on me?" Jaimes asked.

See the article here:
Roofing manager got license despite conviction

March 30, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL) Asheville Tourists The Colorado Rockies have assigned 25 players, including 13 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders and four outfielders, to Asheville to open the 2012 South Atlantic League season. The players along with manager Joe Mikulik, pitching coach Joey Eischen and hitting coach Mike Devereaux are scheduled to break camp in spring training in Arizona this weekend before meeting the media in Asheville at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3, and participating in their first practice at McCormick Field, beginning at 4 p.m.

Mikulik will open his 13th consecutive season at the Tourists' dugout helm, which is the longest current string for a skipper with the same full-season minor league team. He will be guiding five players who have played with Asheville in recent seasons. The returners include relief pitchers Craig Benningson, Taylor Reid and Rafael Suarez, outfielder/first baseman Tyler Massey and outfielder Delta Cleary, Jr.

The tentative Asheville starting rotation is projected to consist of all righthanders in Daniel Winkler, Ben Alsup, Chris Jensen, Alex Gillingham and Vianney Mayo. The Tourists' bullpen will feature closer Nelson Gonzalez as well as fellow righties Russell Brewer, Jefri Hernandez, Geoffrey Parker, Reid and Suarez. Benningson and Kenneth Roberts are the lone southpaws on the Opening Day roster. The hurlers will be working with Will Swanner, the projected starting catcher, and Ryan Casteel.

The projected starting infield has Harold Riggins at first base, Taylor Featherston at second base, Sam Mende at third base and Trevor Story, the Rockies' first-round draft pick in 2011, at shortstop. Rosell Herrera will also see plenty of activity at shortstop, second base and designated hitter, while Massey will divide his time between first base, the outfield corners and DH.

In the outfield, the Tourists are led by Cleary, who will patrol center field and lead off in the batting order. Cleary was with Asheville in 2009 and 2010 before spending last season at Class A Modesto. Australian native David Kandilas is projected to start in left field, with Jared Simon manning right field. Brian Humphries will be a reserve in the garden while also seeing some duty at DH.

Three of the Tourists were ranked among the Rockies' Top 30 prospects over the winter by Baseball America magazine. Story was ranked sixth, followed by Herrera at No. 16 and Swanner at No. 21.

The Tourists open the 2012 season at McCormick Field on Thursday, April 5, against the Delmarva Shorebirds, the first part of a seven-game homestand to christen the campaign. Single-game and season tickets are available at the McCormick Field box office. For more information, contact the Tourists front office at (828) 258-0428.

Discuss this story on the South Atlantic League message board... Digg this story Add to Del.icio.us

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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Tourists Announce 2012 Opening Day Roster

Credit: WFAA

Abortion foes say Planned Parenthood is trying to sneak a new clinic into southwest Fort Worth. One subcontractor didn't find out what he was to work on until just a few hours before he was to pour concrete footings this week. When he discovered it was a new Planned Parenthood health center where abortions will be performed, he told the general contractor his religious convictions wouldn't allow it.

by JIM DOUGLAS

WFAA

Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:41 PM

FORTWORTH - An unmarked construction site on John Ryan Drive in southwest Fort Worth will house a two-story office and surgical clinic to replace Planned Parenthood's current outdated building in Fort Worth.

The organization says the new facility will help meet rising demand for its services to clients who have no health insurance.

Planned Parenthood has confirmed that abortions will be performed in the new building. When a major subcontractor learned that news earlier this week, he left the job just hours before he was to begin pouring concrete. The general contractor told News 8 that a few subs have now dropped out due to religious objections, delaying construction by one to two months.

The owner of the DeMoss Company said his decision to build the clinic could hurt future business, too. Several churches, including the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, have now withdrawn their referrals, and today the company removed them from its website.

But Jim DeMoss said other firms are offering to step in to complete the Planned Parenthood job, and he's confident it will be finished. He also said building it is the right thing to do.

See more here:
Construction of Planned Parenthood clinic in Fort Worth spurs controversy

When Tropical Storm Tingting struck eight years ago, the hill beside the Barcinas residence in Merizo collapsed, sending rocks and mud tumbling toward the house.

The mud built up against the wall and was almost up to the windows, Dolores Barcinas remembers. Even after the wind and rain had passed, things didn't get better.

"I heard this big noise," she said. "It was a big rock that rolled down from the back of the hill."

Later her son discovered a tree branch had somehow broken through his bedroom window.

But yesterday, after several years of dealing with the unstable mounds of dirt left by the storm, the Barcinases celebrated the return of their backyard.

Gov. Eddie Calvo and some legislators gathered at the house, which is on the main road that weaves through Merizo, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony of a federally funded retaining wall. The wall protects the Barcinas house and the heavily trafficked road from future soil erosion.

The project, which took a month to complete, was the last of seven Tingting projects funded through the Emergency Watershed Program, said Jeff Wheaton, an engineer at the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The projects -- totaling $2 million -- started soon after the storm, but took time to complete because each site had specific engineering requirements, and there was a lack of resources, he said.

The Merizo wall resembles a giant staircase, and is constructed out of wire baskets filled with heavy stones. The project cost about $200,000.

Calvo joked the wall would be a good place to hang orchids, though the family has said they want to grow beans there.

Read more from the original source:
Retaining wall helps Merizo family

Stroll the boardwalk like a Norwegian? You bet! Launching in April 2013, Norwegian Breakaway will feature The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place two unique places for guests to relax and enjoy their experience at sea. These new spaces will include an oceanfront boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants and bars along with three flowing decks filled with dining, bars, entertainment areas, gaming, and more. The Waterfront is a large boardwalk at sea lined with a variety of seaside venues offering stunning ocean views. 678 Ocean Place fits in seamlessly, interconnecting three decks of entertainment and dining areas. These two new locations will include a total of 17 dining venues and 12 bars and lounges.

In addition to all of these exciting dining and entertainment areas, Norwegian Breakaway will have the biggest youth and teen facilities in the fleet. For the first time on any Norwegian Cruise Line ship, the new Splash Academy youth area will span across two decks located close to the ships family staterooms. The youth area will feature sections designed specifically for three age groups: Turtles for ages 3-5; Seals for ages 6-9; and Dolphins for ages 10-12. Splash Academy will also offer activities for Guppies tiny cruisers under the age of 3. Parents with young children under 3 can enjoy fun events with their child, including sensory play classes and Motion in the Ocean, a parent and tot mini workout session.

Splash Academy is located on Norwegian Breakaways Decks 12 and 13. On Deck 12, parents and kids will enter the reception area and register their children using Norwegians e-Youth tablet-based electronic registration system. Once inside, the 3-5 year olds will find their own colorful space willed with wall-mounted activities and child-sized furniture. In a separate area nearby, 6-9 year olds will find their place to play filled with building block activity centers, a dedicated space with popular video game stations, an interactive dance area, and much more.

Upstairs on Deck 13, 10-12 year olds have their own place to hang out complete with dedicated gaming stations, a cool lounge area, multipurpose visual dance space with a touch screen jukebox, and an activity zone with tons of supplies for arts and crafts. Comfortable seating and vibrant colors will make this the in space for tweens to chill on their cruise.

Located separately on Deck 16, Entourage is designed to be a high energy zone exclusively for teens ages 13-17. This hot spot includes air hockey; foosball, and an arcade center with five separate areas equipped with large screens for playing the latest video games. At night, Entourage turns into a teens-only nightclub with a dance floor, video jukebox, and large screen television. Entourage is conveniently located near the video arcade and an outdoor eatery and refreshment area, perfect for teens who just want to stay and play.

Norwegian Breakaway will be based year-round in New York City. The ship will sail to Bermuda during the summer months and to The Bahamas & Florida and the Caribbean during the rest of the year. For more information, visit http://www.breakaway.ncl.com, contact your favorite travel agent, or call Norwegian Cruise Line at 1-800-327-7030.

More:
Norwegian Breakaway Debuts Innovative New Features

Someone forgot to tell Erie County officials that Harley and Melinda Frazier arent a nuisance after all.

The countys health department and the prosecutors office filed a lawsuit against the Fraziers March 9, demanding the couple abandon the septic tank at their South Campbell Street home in favor of a sewer line connection.

While the lawsuit repeatedly refers to the Fraziers as a nuisance, it would appear the lawsuit is the hen-pecker in this case. Records from Erie Countys environmental services department show the Fraziers hooked up to a sewer system months ago.

The hookup passed inspection Sept. 20.

Thursday afternoon, Melinda walked out onto the front porch of her home and pointed to a mound of dirt running through the front yard. It was one of the telltale signs a sewer line had been installed.

Obviously, they made a mistake, she said, referring to the countys suit.

Melinda, who stays at home caring for her handicapped son, said her husband made some calls as soon as they discovered they were being sued.

Erie County assistant prosecutor Jason Hinners, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the health department, said Thursday the lawsuit will be dismissed.

It must be a mistake, health commissioner Peter Schade said. We were probably never notified that they put the line in. We dont go out every month to check. Its probably poor communication.

The Fraziers live in the 5100 block of S. Campbell St. Pointing down the street toward homes south of Bogart Road, Melinda said everyone on the street is being asked to tie into the sewer line, although some of her neighbors are still fighting it.

Read more:
Erie County Health Dept. mistakenly sues Sandusky couple

BERNARDSVILLE Plans to enclose two front porches and pursue interior renovations at The Station Pub & Grub at 45 Mine Brook Road received approval from the Planning Board on Thursday, March 22.

In response to complaints from two neighbors about noise, the board asked for an extra front enclosure that would put a second set of doors between the dining facilities and the outside.

The changes inside would expand the bar from a corner into more of a square, make the seating areas more open, add ceiling-to-floor windows, new lighting, and more sound-absorbent floor and ceiling materials, according to Harold J. Imperatore of Hampshire Destination Properties, which owns the site.

Hopefully it will be more inviting, he said.

Construction is planned for the summer and will probably close the establishment for a short period of time but nothing more than a few weeks, he added.

The Stations faade now features a vestibule in the middle and open porches on either side behind columns.

Project architect Philip Kennedy-Grant said the vestibule would be removed, with that area and the two front porches to be enclosed by a fundamentally glass wall that would stand behind the columns.

The move would enclose 14 dining seats but total seating would remain at 119. The Station, which presently has 89 seats inside and 30 outside, would instead have 103 inside and 16 outside.

An initial request to add 20 extra seats was dropped.

Imperatore, who also runs The Bernards Inn, told the board he did not like The Stations interior look. He characterized the lighting as horrible and the acoustics as poor, and saw a need for a full bar, which would be enlarged from 12 seats now to 29.

See more here:
Historic Station Pub in Bernardsville gets green light for upgrades